Tag: north east

Findley Academy Looks To Build Roof Over Skills Gap

By on 1st June 2016in Local Biz

A leading North East roofing specialist is launching its own academy to help invest in the region’s youngsters…

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Washington-based Findley Roofing, will take on four to six apprentices at the Findley Academy over the coming months, where they will be trained to acquire the skills needed to become the best in the business.

Each student will be put through an apprenticeship, while at the same time benefitting from hands-on training from the Company, which has over 30 years’ experience in the industry.

The scheme, which will run from centres in Washington and South Tyneside, will include one to one training, regular appraisals and the opportunity for apprentices who are excelling to earn more, through an accelerated programme.

A short supply of skilled tradesmen is the catalyst behind the idea and the Company hopes resolving this issue, will help them become the roofing powerhouse in the North East.

General Manager Chris Dodds said: “There is a skills gap emerging and we need to help close it by investing in young people.

“It’s not easy to find hardworking, loyal people but we believe young people are the future and this is why we are keen to invest our time, money and effort into helping them.

“As there is currently a short supply of tradesmen, now is the perfect time for young people to get into a trade, as they will have the opportunity of a strong career.”

Findley Roofing is a family run company covering the whole of the North East, from Alnwick to North Yorkshire.

Having experienced huge success over the last 12 months, which has seen the team double in size to 38 and a huge increase in turnover, the company is looking towards the future as it plans to maintain this same level of growth over the next five years.

Chris continued: “We want to be ‘first for roofing’, just as it says on our strapline and truly believe the Findley Academy is the way to achieve this.

“We’re looking for young people who are keen, hardworking, have character and want to learn, as there will be opportunities for them to become team leaders in the future.

“We’re also looking for team players, as the dedicated, professional team we currently have, is one of the reasons for our success.”

Ian Wright, from Hebburn, knows just how important the Findley Academy will be to young people across the region and the difference it could make to them. The 25-year-old has been working for Findley Roofing for 18 months and having excelled in his training, will soon be leading a team of roofers.

“The knowledge and confidence I have gained since being taken on by Findley and working alongside my mentor, Mick, is huge,” said Ian.

“I know I wouldn’t be half the person I am today if they hadn’t given me a chance and I would tell any future apprentices to stick at it, as it’s the only way they will learn.

“A lot of young people give up too easily and if they’re not happy just leave, but if you put your faith in the Company and work for them, you will reap the benefits.”

Findley Roofing is one of the only roofing companies to be backed by Barclays Bank, meaning it can offer finance deals to its customers. The Company prides itself on the quality of the service and products it provides, guaranteeing roofing services for 10 years.

To find out more about Findley Roofing and the Findley Academy, visit: http://www.findleyroofing.co.uk/

Twitter: @Findley_Roofing

North East Lettings Agency Lobbying For Change

By on 26th May 2016in Have Your Say

A North East-based lettings agency has launched a national pledge to help challenge the unethical practices that go on in parts of the industry…

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The Ethical Lettings Pledge is the creation of Carla Keegans, who supports the Government’s proposals to tackle rogue criminal agents, but believes much more needs to be done in the wider industry.

With more than two million private landlords currently operating and over 12 million tenants living in the private rented sector, many people turn to lettings agents for help, but are increasingly let down or excluded.

Carla, who in July 2015 set up The Ethical Lettings Agency in Redcar, has been working on the pledge since December, seeking advice and feedback from trusted individuals around her.

She said: “It’s only right landlords expect agents to be properly qualified and experienced to help navigate round the increasingly complex legislation and issues that are now common in the sector.

“Unfortunately, many agents are not and there are numerous examples, backed up by national research, which indicate many landlords feel ripped off by agents.

“This pledge will show landlords and tenants that agents operate to some clear ethical standards, and if agents signed-up to the pledge fail to deliver, then landlords and tenants can challenge them on this.”

Landlords, tenants, and members of the public can also sign a formal petition to lobby for national legislative change, which will shortly be accessible via The Ethical Lettings website.

As a community interest company (CIC), The Ethical Lettings Agency fully understands the impact letting agents can have on local communities too, which will benefit as much from the pledge as tenants and landlords.

The Agency has already created two new jobs in Redcar, a town which has suffered from 1000s of recent job losses; perhaps a reason why the Agency was recently invited to meet Prince Charles.

Political figures have already shown support for the pledge, including Cabinet Member for Housing at RCBC, Cllr Lynn Pallister.

She said: “This social enterprise delivers ethical services and investment into our community and we are proud to support it for the benefit of our residents.”

Saltburn-born Carla, spent several years working in a senior housing role within the City of London Corporation, before returning home to start The Ethical Lettings Agency. Her time spent in the capital inspired her to create the pledge, which she hopes will attract as many signatures as possible, to help create national change.

Carla, a long-standing Chartered Member of the Chartered Institute of Housing, added: “My experience working for various housing and public sector organisations had already convinced me there was a need in the market for an agency that provides a better service to landlords and tenants, which is why I set up The Ethical Lettings Agency.

“The Ethical Lettings Pledge is simply an extension of my vision and the company’s ethos, which is to shake up an industry which is letting people down time and time again, by making the system fairer.”

The Ethical Lettings Agency is open to all landlords and tenants in the Redcar and Teesside private rented sector. In particular, the Agency works with landlords to help manage their rental properties as a business, to reduce rental risks and save money.

To show your support for the pledge, visit http://theethicallettingspledge.co.uk/ or for more information about The Ethical Lettings Agency, visit http://www.ethicallettingsagency.co.uk/.

Twitter: @EthicalLets

Employability Project Is ‘Best In Show For Young Entrepreneurs

By on 4th May 2016in Local Biz

A new canine company has become the latest business start-up to get help from Durham County Council’s partnership approach…

Following a period of unemployment due to ill-health, Caniquest UK founder Matt Greensmith, was finding it difficult to get back into work. However with help from the council’s Employability Project and Generation NE Youth Employment Initiative – as well as the South Durham Enterprise Agency (SDEA) and plenty of determination – Matt now has a thriving new business and career.

An enthusiastic dog agility competitor and former worker in the agricultural sector Matt was inspired to start Caniquest UK which offers a wide range of canine supplies.

After being referred by the job centre, the employability team, SDEA and Generation NE worked together with Matt to provide support and advice for his new business as well as helping him access funding to help get started.

Matt said: “The time I spent unemployed was very frustrating so it’s amazing to be able to say that I’m now the proud owner of my own new business. I have a tremendous amount of gratitude towards everyone who helped me get Caniquest UK off the ground.”

Matt’s isn’t the only success story however as his website was designed by Infranautics, a website and software developing business was also launched thanks the partnership’s work.

Cllr Neil Foster, Cabinet member for economic regeneration, said: “Caniquest UK is a brilliant example of both the support the council provides and how we work in partnership with other organisations to help people like Matt not just get back into work but create entirely new businesses.”

As well as mentoring and careers advice to help people get back into work, the council’s Employability Project encourages people to start their own business, helping them develop their ideas and help them create their own career. For more information contact 03000 262 383.

Generation NE is a collaboration between five local authorities, including Newcastle, Durham, Gateshead, North Tyneside and Northumberland, and the North East LEP.

It aims to support over 2,000 young people aged between 17 and 24 years into work over the next three years. For more information call Generation NE on 0191 230 0491 or visit www.generationne.co.uk.

School Pupils Lend A Hand In Tudhoe Community Project

By on 2nd May 2016in In & Around

Pupils at Tudhoe Colliery Primary School helped to spruce up their village as part of a community project…

The children, who are in Year 3 at the school, worked with Durham County Council’s neighbourhood services team to make landscape improvements to a seating area in Tudhoe.

The community project used plants leftover from other schemes and includes ornamental sculptures.

The result is a low-maintenance and attractive communal seating area which can be enjoyed by everyone in the village.

Steve Johnson, Durham County Council’s street scene supervisor, said: “This has been a great opportunity to carry out low maintenance yet visually striking improvement in Tudhoe with the help of Tudhoe Colliery Primary School pupils.”

Dan Watson, Year 3 teacher at Tudhoe primary school added: “We really enjoyed our planting session and contributing to the community in general.”

TV Architect George Clarke Speaks To Packed Northumbria Audience

By on 1st May 2016in In & Around

Speaking as part of the University’s free public lecture series, George spoke to a packed audience of 600 people about his experiences in architecture, design and media…

His lecture proved so popular that the University had to move it from the original venue to its Students’ Union, which has capacity for an extra 200 attendees.

George used his public lecture to speak about his professional practice; the success of TV series such as George Clarke’s Amazing Spaces and Restoration Man and his views on British domestic architecture, innovation and the UK construction industry.

It was the first time he has returned to Northumbria after being awarded an honorary degree last summer, when he praised the University’s architecture courses, which are regularly ranked in the top 20 in the UK.

The renowned architect, who runs his own practice alongside his broadcasting career, said: “A lot of architectural schools do theoretical pieces of architecture that just stay on paper and never get realised. Everyone involved in this University are trying to create real projects out there in industry that are being planned and developed and built, so the students are constantly getting the chance to work on a real-life project. I think this makes Northumbria very distinctive because there aren’t many other places that are doing it.”

Each year, the University arranges a number of free lectures which are open to members of the public, as well as its staff and students. Past speakers have included conservationist David Bellamy; House of Commons Speaker John Bercow; former Poet Laureate Sir Andrew Motion and leading politician Lord Heseltine.

For more information on public lectures at the University, visit www.northumbria.ac.uk/publiclectures.

Volunteers Sought To Shine Light On 10th Battalion

By on 30th April 2016in Have Your Say

Volunteers are being urged to “join up” and help unearth the history of the Durham Light Infantry’s “Shiny Tenth”…

The regiment’s 10th battalion was raised in 1914 as part of Kitchener’s New Army and fought across the Western Front, including the Battles of Ypres, Hooge, Delville Wood, Arras, Inverness Copse and Passchendaele.

But in the 100 years that have followed nobody has written the full story of the “Shinies” – a situation Durham County Record Office is set to rectify.

“The 10th was the first of 15 battalions the DLI raised for Kitchener’s army,” said principal archivist Gill Parkes, “but their story has never properly been told.

“To make sure it now is we’re recruiting volunteers to help with the creation of an online history, which will be available through our Durham at War website.

“We would like to hear from anyone who has an ancestor who served in 10 DLI during the 1914 to 1918 period, who is interested in any aspect of the battalion’s war service, who enjoys researching or writing about the First World War, or who just likes solving puzzles and organising information.”

The project will have access to a wide variety of source material, including previously unpublished family papers and the records of the battalion’s commanding officer, Colonel Hubert Morant.

Gill said: “To give an example of how little is known about 10 DLI we have one photo of three grave crosses on the Ypres Salient in early February 1916 that contains at least six stories waiting to be uncovered.

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“That is not just who the three soldiers were, but how they died, where the graves were and why another soldier came to have the photo.”

To find out more about the “Second to None – The Story of the Shiny Tenth” project and to sign up, visit Durham County Record Office at County Hall on Thursday 5 May, from 4pm to 7.30pm.

The first research session will take place at County Hall on Saturday 11 June from 10am to 12.30pm.

People living elsewhere in the country or overseas can also take part in the project by contributing online.

To register email contactdurhamatwar@durham.gov.uk or telephone 03000 267 621.

North East Restaurant Brings Unique Twist To Piri Piri

By on 29th April 2016in Lifestyle

A new Piri Piri restaurant that brings a unique twist to the popular Portuguese cuisine, has opened on Middlesbrough’s bustling Linthorpe Road…

Frango’s, which specialises in Piri Piri dishes with an African and Portuguese twist, held an exclusive launch event on Sunday (24 April) to announce its long-awaited arrival in Teesside.

The project is the brainchild of former owner of Bahia Bistro, Eddie De Melo, who was convinced he could produce tastier, healthier cuisine at better value than the competition.

As a result, Eddie teamed up with partner, Iffy, to create a 130+ seat restaurant which employs almost 30 members of staff from the local area, and will cater to the growing demand for fresh, authentic food in the North East.

Born in Mozambique, Eddie was brought up in Brazil and then moved to South Africa, where he jointly owned a Mediterranean restaurant. It’s his 20+ years’ experience in the restaurant industry, combined with his heritage, that he believes gives him an edge over other Piri Piri style restaurants.

Eddie said: “Middlesbrough is very multicultural, so it was the perfect place for me to settle. I bring with me a unique insight into Portuguese cuisine and my experience of African atmosphere, which has influenced things such as including a space for customers to put their names on the menus.

“No matter where I have lived throughout my life, I have learned there is nothing more important than the best, traceable ingredients, and that is why we stress the need for the freshest produce, like our British chicken.

“As a concept, Frango’s will deliver great tasting Piri-Piri cuisine, served in a relaxed and informal environment at affordable prices. We have even installed a state of the art kitchen to ensure speed and efficiency for every order.”

Frango’s is the only Piri Piri restaurant in Middlesbrough that uses fresh, 100% British chicken, and also features specials that complement its multi-ethnic heritage.

Partner Iffy said: “There is a gap in the market for fresh, tasty food that isn’t mass produced, and that’s a gap we plan to fill. Unlike the larger chains, we’re not restricted to a particular format and as such, the food we serve at Frango’s will evolve over time.

“Anyone who visited Eddie’s previous venture, Bahia, will know he’s renowned for serving excellent food, so pulling off dishes that he’s grown up with should be a piece of cake!”

Frango’s has worked with local craftsmen AD Property Maintenance, KJS Woodwork, Wainwright Upholstery and artists Alan Morley and Steve Badger, to prepare the restaurant which has had almost £500,000 invested in it.

For more information, visit the Frango’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/Frangos-Piri-Piri-524693127710622/

Twitter and Instagram: @FrangosPiri

Boro Sign Up To Extra Life Health Drive

By on 28th April 2016in In & Around

Football fans know all about extra time, but Boro supporters will soon be talking Extra Life thanks to a new health initiative…

Middlesbrough Football Club is signing up to the ‘healthy settings’ scheme, which works within organisations to improve the health and wellbeing of their staff and service users.

And as well as targeting Middlesbrough FC employees, the scheme will be rolled out to Boro fans across the region, and all visitors to the club’s facilities.

Developed by Public Health at Middlesbrough Council, the initiative works by identifying the specific health needs within a setting; and implementing lasting health improvement and population behaviour change.

In this instance, the findings of Extra Life will be used to shape the objectives of future health projects implemented by MFC Foundation, the official charitable arm of Middlesbrough FC, in their work with Boro fans, as well as encouraging both club and Foundation staff to lead healthier lives.

Extra Life was launched in 2014, and has already benefited in excess of 10,000 people, through organisations including Teesside University, Middlesbrough Council, South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Middlesbrough College.

Middlesbrough suffers from poor health outcomes and a high number of people dying early from preventable illnesses. Factors including smoking, poor diet and a lack of physical activity all contribute to this, and the club are keen to target and work to meet these needs.

The most recent research suggests an estimated 131 million days are lost to sickness absence each year in the UK, while up to 50% of health and wellbeing is thought to be determined by social factors and the environment in which people live and work. This in turn has an impact on productivity, a major stumbling block for rebuilding the economy locally and nationally.

It is hoped that by working collectively, Extra Life can reach high numbers of people in Middlesbrough and in turn, help address local health needs through targeted support.

To establish the specific health needs of Middlesbrough FC and its supporters, the club will be working with MFC Foundation to send out surveys in May, with the aim to implement new projects in the 2016/2017 season.

For more information about Extra Life, please visit www.extralifesettings.co.uk

Michael James, Middlesbrough FC’s Chief Financial Officer, said: “Middlesbrough Football Club is committed to improving the health of people on Teesside, from our own staff to the wider community of Boro fans. We’re delighted to join the Extra Life drive, which provides an invaluable opportunity to tailor our efforts and make significant strides together with our supporters.”

Helena Bowman, Head of MFC Foundation, said: “MFC Foundation already delivers strong health projects in our community, but Extra Life will enable us to shape what we are doing around the needs of the Boro fans. We believe this project will help us to provide the most meaningful and impactful campaigns, where they are most needed.”

Sue Perkin, Middlesbrough Council’s Head of Public Health, said: “Extra Life is all about harnessing the resources, insight and expertise of some of our biggest institutions for the benefit of the town as a whole. Middlesbrough continues to make significant progress in a number of areas, but there are undoubtedly challenges which must be overcome if we are to see real long-term benefits.”

Canny Beds Celebrate Newly Opened Team Valley Store

By on 27th April 2016in Local Biz

Leading North East furniture supplier Canny Beds are celebrating the opening of their brand new store…

We all know how difficult it can be to find good quality furniture and beds at prices you can afford, which is why Canny Beds & Furniture believe they have brought together the best possible furniture at down to earth prices.

Whether it is the bedroom, dining room or living room you’re looking to add beautiful furniture to, you can rest assured that you’ll find it here for the best price online.

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Canny Beds’ brand new store is now open in Team Valley, which means you can choose between that or the Chester-le-Street store to pop in and find your new furniture. Want to check availability beforehand? Call 0191 410 9994 to chat to one of their staff in advance.

Testimonials:

“Seamless ordering and delivery. Bed of good quality and assembled easily. Great price.”

“Brilliant communication, bought bed for my 3 year old and it is excellent quality and very easy to assemble. All round excellent product for price.”

“Speedy delivery and the cheapest I found the bed anywhere!”

“Brilliant. Lovely comfy mattress. Great price and service.”

Killer Queen Set To Bring A Kind Of Magic To Chester-Le-Street Fake Festival

By on 26th April 2016in Entertainment

With summer just around the corner it’s time to think about this year’s big days out – so we’re delighted to be back at Riverside Park for an amazing fourth year on Sat 6th August – when 3 world-class tributes to Queen, Arctic Monkeys & Stereophonics, will be headlining a Fake Festival that has something for everyone.

In a year that sees the real Queen & Adam Lambert touring major European cities – we bring you the next best thing – the amazing Flash – a tribute every bit as good as the original Freddie in sound, performance & attitude!

We’ll also be bringing you 5 of the very best local bands to support our headliners – already confirmed are the brilliant Riverain, Edenthorn, The Firelight Opera & Sean Hainey – who will be performing a fabulous mix of original music and covers for your enjoyment!

We’re also very excited about our new look festival food options – which include the Fat Hippo Burger Bar, delicious wood fired pizzas, speciality barbecued pulled pork and amazing local fish & chips! We guarantee they will whet your appetite and have your taste buds dancing too.

Families are welcome too and there’s plenty for kids to do – with a professional face painting team and a secure outside entertainment zone. Doors for the all-day event open at 12:30pm – and those who come down before 2pm to support the local bands will be rewarded with a free drink of your choice from the fully licensed bar.

Local event organiser Bec Evans says, “We’re amazed at the popularity of these one day music festivals – but the quality of the tribute bands, the atmosphere generated inside our giant marquee and sheer value for money have made it the local event not to be missed!”

So if you’re up for a great day out this summer – get in quick and take advantage of the Early Bird discounts which are available until midnight on Wed 6th July. Tickets are available now from www.fakefestivals.co.uk – or our outlets: Costcutter (Garden Farm Estate) & M J O’Brien’s Newsagents (Chester le Street High Street).

Tickets bought up to and including 6th July: Adults (18+) £17 – Young Person (10-17) £9 – Family (2 x Adult + 2 x Young Person) £43. Tickets bought from 7th July: Adult £20 – Young Person £11 – Family £51. Under 10s are always free with a paying adult.

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