Drax Foundation gives £500k to boost stem education, support communities and reduce energy poverty
New funding will go to seven projects that are sited near to where Drax Group operates in England and Scotland Latest donation of over £500k will support 3,600 vulnerable people with their energy bills, enable 3,100 children to access STEM education, and help 240 schools become more energy efficient. The Drax Foundation, the charitable entity…
Night-time works to resurface key York road
City of York Council will be carrying out resurfacing works between the A1036 Malton Road, A1237 Outer ring road and Hopgrove Lane roundabouts. Work will start on Tuesday 18 June and last until Wednesday 3 July 2024, weather permitting, and will take place between 9pm and 5am on weekdays. From Tuesday 18 June to Friday…
Harrogate Spring Water champions mindful drinking at Royal Ascot event with LK Bennett
Harrogate Spring Water, the Official Water Supplier of Ascot and Royal Ascot, recently hosted a stylish event at The Ivy, York, in collaboration with Official Womenswear Sponsor, LK Bennett. Influencers from across the North of England were invited to indulge in Harrogate Spring Water-based non-alcoholic cocktails whilst previewing the new Royal Ascot collection from LK…
Winners announced as awards celebrate manufacturing’s brightest rising stars
Manufacturing and engineering employers came together last week to celebrate some of the sector’s brightest younger stars at a packed awards ceremony held at Leeds Beckett University’s Rose Bowl building. The Leeds Manufacturing Festival Awards, which are now in their third year, have become one of the highlights of the festival, and showcase the talent…
South Leeds adventure attraction launches schools’ transition packages
Following a successful series of Teachers’ Days and Drop-Ins, an adventure play attraction in Leeds is launching four packages for year seven pupils. Developed by a qualified primary and outdoor educational instructor, Gemma Constantine, Manager of Mission Out at Tingley Garden Centre, the packages have been designed to help new secondary school pupils get to…
O’Carroll pens contract extension
Bradford Bulls are delighted to announce head coach Eamon O’Carroll has signed a one-year contract extension – to commit his future to the club until the end of the 2027 season! The 37-year-old signed an initial three-year deal as head coach prior to the start of the current campaign and has since led us to…
Bulls turn it up to the Max
Bradford Bulls are delighted to announce the signing of Brisbane Tigers’ three-quarter Max Lehmann on a deal until the end of the season – subject to international clearance. The 24-year-old joins from the Queensland Cup outfit where he has scored 16 tries in 22 appearances since his debut in 2023. Lehmann is an American-born speedster,…
Leeds woman wins Garden Centre Group prize draw
A woman from Leeds has received a £100 garden centre gift voucher after winning a free prize draw. Julie Lill won the prize in a draw to celebrate the launch of the Green Card loyalty scheme at Yorkshire Garden Centres sites across West and North Yorkshire. “I signed up for a Green Card as I…
Planet & People First Verification Achievement
SVH Inc. CIC Achieves People and Planet First Verification! SVH Inc. CIC is proud to announce its achievement of the prestigious People and Planet First Verification, underscoring our commitment to fostering sustainable, Strong, Vibrant, Happy, and Incorporated communities. As a certified member of Social Enterprise UK, this milestone marks a significant chapter in our journey…
Work to start near Millennium Bridge
Work starts next week between Millennium Bridge and Butcher Terrace to improve accessibility and to allow it to stay open for longer when the river levels rise. Work will begin on Monday 17 June 2024 and is expected to last for five weeks. The works will: Raise part of the path (the dip which is…
Affordable homes scheme underscores association’s strong commitment to Keighley
The chief executive of Manningham Housing Association (MHA) has spoken of his pride after the organisation handed over the keys to new tenants of 11 properties which make up the first phase of a new development of 20 affordable homes in Keighley. The remaining nine properties are nearing completion and will be occupied later this…
York’s Blue Badge holders supported with a National Day of Action
To uphold their rights and access to disabled parking, Blue Badge holders in York were supported by a crack-down on badge misuse and fraud on Friday 24 May as part of the National Blue Badge Day of Action. This day aims to ensure that Blue Badge holders across the UK can get the parking to…
Trinity Leeds launches innovative sustainable retail concept ‘Re:Pair Lab’
An innovative new sustainable fashion concept from Trinity Leeds will see up-and-coming designers showcased alongside local fashion brands and second-hand sellers this summer. Re:Pair Lab is a new initiative from Trinity Leeds owner Landsec, partnering with Leeds Beckett University and Wayne Hemingway – co-founder of HemingwayDesign, who have been at the forefront of bringing sustainable retail…
Bradford Garden Centre reaches final of regional business award
The team at a Bradford based garden centre group is celebrating after reaching the final of a regional business award. Tong Garden Centre has been shortlisted in the Community category in the Bradford Means Business Awards. Tong Garden Centre’s Head of People, Culture & Sustainability, Neil Barwise-Carr, said: “Our local community is at the heart…
Yorkshire Building Society joins network helping less advantaged progress
Yorkshire Building Society has joined a network of organisations aimed at making sure colleagues can progress in their financial services careers, regardless of their background. The announcement comes ahead of Social Mobility Day, on 13 June, which aims to promote opportunities at work for all and show people from less advantaged backgrounds they can progress….
Keeping a cool head during election fever will pay dividends
By Gunhild Dam, Private Client Partner Politicians up and down the land are currently pounding the campaign trail, following the Prime Minister’s shock announcement of a General Election of 4th July. The sense of impending change is inevitably unsettling for many, particularly as the election of a new ruling party (or parties) could entail a…
AAB raises over £100k at second AABIE charity ball
FPM, an AAB Group Company, hosted over 450 guests at the AABIE Charity Ball, held for the first time in Newry on Saturday night (June 8) Held in the city’s Canal Court, the Ball raised a remarkable £100,369 for the AABIE Charitable Initiative (known as ‘AABIE’) with all funds going directly to the charity. Feargal…
UPDATE: Road closures for planned resurfacing works
There have been changes to the times of resurfacing works on Bishopthorpe Road that will require road closures this June. Due to the poor condition of the underlying carriageway, we will be closing Bishopthorpe Road to vehicle traffic on Thursday 6 June and Friday 7 June (6.30pm-Midnight). This will be instead of the closures originally…
Changes to York’s sexual health service proposed
Proposals to change the way sexual health services are provided in York will be considered later this month and could then be consulted on later this year. The sexual health service in York is delivered through YorSexualHealth, provided by the York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. The provision of free, comprehensive, open access…
Specialist Yorkshire wholesale food and drink business becomes employee owned
North Yorkshire-based wholesale distributor Crofter’s Foods Ltd has become the latest company to transfer its entire shareholding to an Employee Ownership Trust (EOT). More than 10 staff have become part-owners of the artisan food and drink business. Founded in 2005 by Grahame and Jane Armitage, the specialist company works with small local suppliers to distribute…
Money launderers jailed for £1 million fraud after York-based investigation
Five money launderers who laundered the proceeds of bogus computer service companies that conned victims – many of whom were elderly and vulnerable – out of over £1 million have been sentenced to 9 and a half years imprisonment at Leeds Crown Court (3 June 2024). The sentences follow an investigation led by the National…
‘Tree of Pride’ set to return to White Rose this month
In celebration of Pride Month, White Rose Shopping Centre is once again hosting its ‘Tree of Pride’ on 8th and 9th June, inviting visitors to decorate the tree with their pledges to work toward a more inclusive and caring future. Following a successful debut in 2023, the community art piece will be touring the country gathering the…
Leeds Beckett experts leading new project to reduce carbon footprint of Leeds manufacturers
Business and computing experts at Leeds Beckett University are joining forces with Leeds-based Quality Bearings Online Ltd (QBOL) to reduce the company’s carbon footprint, by creating an innovative new business model for the net zero era. The project is a 30-month Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP), part-funded by the Government through Innovate UK. The academics and QBOL will create…
Latest acquisition boosts AAB Wealth Assets Under Advice to £800 Million
Award-winning chartered financial planning firm, AAB Wealth, has today announced the acquisition of Synergy Financial Planning, based in Bishopbriggs, Central Scotland. Having experienced year-on-year growth since the firm was established in 2011, following this latest acquisition, AAB Wealth will have assets under advice (AUA) in excess of £800 million. The combined team of 37 are…
Drax Foundation helps 148 UK schools save £1.6m in energy costs and reduce their CO2 emissions by 1,700 tonnes
The Drax Foundation, which is the corporate foundation of the renewable energy company Drax Group, launched a three-year programme in 2023 to donate £4.5m to projects that help schools and other community-led organisations to become more energy efficient. In the first year of operation, the programme has supported the energy education charity, Energy Sparks, and…
West Yorkshire homebuilder’s gardens given wildlife-friendly accreditation
Leading developer David Wilson Homes has received accreditation from the RSPB for the wildlife-friendly gardens at its Centurion Meadows development in Burley in Wharfedale. As part of its corporate partnership, the housebuilder has created gardens in line with RSPB guidance, in a bid to create a welcoming space for wildlife and to inspire new homeowners…
West Yorkshire school’s launch event supported by local housebuilder
Barratt and David Wilson Homes Yorkshire West were recently invited to Southroyd Primary School in Pudsey, where the team watched the children perform their Leeds Rhinos Dance Spectacular, to mark the launch of the school’s exciting new eco-friendly building project – ‘The Cabin’. Representatives of the housebuilder’s Commercial team visited Southroyd Primary School, located near…
MOU agreed to develop ‘bioship’ technology and plans to construct the world’s first biomass-fuelled ship
New bioship technology would use gas from biomass to propel ship MoU between Japanese and British companies contains plans to develop bioship by the end of the decade Technology could decarbonise shipping of biomass pellets to Japan, potentially reducing carbon emissions by 22% Leading Japanese companies, NYK Line (NYK), NYK Bulk & Projects Carriers (NBP),…
Authentic Vietnamese street food comes to the Merrion Centre
Pho 37 Set to bring the authentic tastes of Vietnam to Leeds The Merrion Centre has announced its newest addition which is set to join its ever expanding culinary scene with the upcoming opening of Pho 37, offering authentic Vietnamese street food. This exciting venture is due to open its doors to the public in…
Castle Employment named one of The Sunday Times best places to work
Yorkshire, UK – Castle Employment Group is thrilled to announce its inclusion in The Sunday Times prestigious list of the Top 100 Companies to work for. This accolade recognises the dedication and effort Castle Employment places in creating an exceptional workplace culture that adheres to rigorous standards of employee satisfaction and wellbeing. Every year, The…
Yorkshire Building Society colleagues clock up 6,500 hours for good causes
Colleagues at Yorkshire Building Society gave over 6,500 hours of their time to good causes in 2023 and the Society hopes that even more will get involved with community activities this year, the mutual has said ahead of Volunteers’ Week (3-9 June). Yorkshire Building Society allows each employee up to 31 hours of volunteering time…
RJJ Software wins prestigious Digital Transformation Award
RJJ Software, a leading software development firm, has won the prestigious 2024 Digital Transformation Award at this year’s UK Business Awards. The nomination recognized companies that have demonstrated exceptional innovation in their approach to digital transformation, leveraging emerging technologies or implementing creative solutions to drive digital change. As a company specializing in .NET, Python, and…
Leeds Beckett to host employer workshop for new degree apprenticeship aimed at bridging the digital skills gap
Leeds Business School invites employers to a free lunch and workshop event on 4th June to learn about our Digital Marketer Degree Apprenticeship. Designed to address the growing demand for digital expertise in the region, Leeds Business School will be offering the qualification from January 2025. To help employers in the region learn more about…
Council support for struggling households
Ahead of Government financial support ending in September 2024 for households battling the cost of living crisis, residents are urged to claim all they are eligible for and see where they can get discounts and lower their bills. The reduced Household Support Funding for York of £1,037,906 is available until 30 September, and will provide…
Ousewem unveils powerful video collaboration with The Artery to address environmental challenges
Ousewem, an innovative flood resilience project supporting vulnerable North Yorkshire communities, is proud to unveil an insightful video created in partnership with The Artery, a champion for creativity and collaboration in North Yorkshire’s rural and coastal communities. Founded on the principles of fostering creativity and empowering early-career creatives, The Artery has received funding from Innovate…
Council supports Pride month
City of York Council will be joining communities across the city to celebrate Pride Month, joining in the annual Pride parade on Saturday (1 June). Under a Pride banner, council staff will parade from York Minster through the city to the lively and varied celebration at the Knavesmire. There, council staff and partners will be…
Look Say Sing Play Stay and Play sessions prove a hit with parents
Over 2,200 parents, carers and young children have attended popular stay and play sessions delivered by Explore in partnership with City of York Council over the last three months. The weekly, hour-long sessions are for parents and carers with children aged 0-2 years, and are held at the libraries in Tang Hall, Acomb and York….
The Belfrey awards Simpson contract for its major building project
St Michael le Belfrey, a thriving Grade I listed church in York city centre, has awarded the Contract for Impact – its major repair and reordering project – to Simpson, a York based construction company with significant expertise in restoration and conservation. The rigorous tender exercise was overseen by cost consultants Morham & Brotchie and…
Bradford bike shop wins award for UK’s ‘Smallest and Greatest’ firms
Pennine Cycles has been crowned Britain’s best High Street Hero small business at The Small Awards A business from Bradford, which is an independent bicycle shop, was celebrated as best High Street Hero business at this year’s Small Awards. Pennine Cycles won the award which recognises and celebrates the nation’s standout independents that play a…
Celebrating 20 years in 2020 for Pennine Cycles
Bradford bike shop owners Paul and Sandra Corcoran are celebrating owning their business, Pennine Cycles, for 20 years this month. February is the 20th anniversary for the couple who bought the business after the previous owner and founder of Pennine Cycles, Johnny Mapplebeck retired and emigrated to Canada when he was 80 years old. Paul,…
Innovative flood resilience project introduces talking lampposts to Yorkshire
Ousewem, an innovative flood resilience project, is transforming community engagement efforts by enlisting the help of talking lampposts to raise awareness about natural flood management (NFM) in North Yorkshire. Led by City of York Council, in collaboration with North Yorkshire Council, Ousewem aims to identify and deliver nature-based solutions (NbS), including NFM, to reduce flood…
York Children’s Services’ worker receives national award
A City of York Council staff member working with children and young people in care has won a national award for her work. Annie Whitley, a Corporate Parenting and Co Production Advisor, was nominated at the national Frontline Awards, which Celebrate amazing social workers and young people with lived experience of social work. Frontline described Annie’s…
Road closures for planned resurfacing works
City of York Council will be carrying out resurfacing works on Bishopthorpe Road and Elvington Lane (B1228) requiring road closures this June. Works will start on Bishopthorpe Road on the evening of Friday 31 May and be complete by Wednesday 19 June, weather permitting. Bishopthorpe road will be closed to vehicle traffic: 6.30 pm on…
Navigating the complexities of VAT in a digital world
The e-commerce landscape has evolved significantly over recent years, revolutionising the retail sector by enabling businesses to reach global markets. However, the rise of digital services and online shopping, both B2B and B2C, has generated some complex tax implications, in particular relating to Value Added Tax (VAT). VAT—a consumption tax—is generally applied based on where goods and…
Council launches Buzz About York
City of York Council is launching the ‘Buzz About York’ campaign to promote biodiversity and help wildlife flourish across the city. We are trialling sustainable planting in flowerbeds with long-lasting, perennial plants that will provide a good source of nectar for bees, butterflies and other pollinators. This will: increase biodiversity; provide habitats for insects and…
York St John celebrates the city’s Festival of Ideas
York’s Festival of Ideas 2024 starts this weekend (Saturday 1 June). Featuring world-class speakers, exhibitions, theatre, music, films, guided walks, family-friendly activities, and much more, the York Festival of Ideas offers a huge range of stimulating and diverse events for all ages and interests – with most events free. Now in its 13th year,…
Behind the scenes of TPE’s new timetable as train operator increases services on some routes across the North of England and into Scotland
TransPennine Express (TPE) is showing how its timetable is created ahead of changes to some of its services in June, as well as encouraging customers to be prepared and check their journeys. The new timetable will be brought in from Sunday 2 June, along with the rest of the national rail network. The behind-the -scenes…
Castle Employment named one of the Sunday Times best places to work
Yorkshire, UK – Castle Employment Group is thrilled to announce its inclusion in The Sunday Times prestigious list of the Top 100 Companies to work for. This accolade recognises the dedication and effort Castle Employment places in creating an exceptional workplace culture that adheres to rigorous standards of employee satisfaction and wellbeing. Every year, The…