Zip World launches new Aero Explorer experience at Penrhyn Quarry site
Riders will reach speeds of up to 30mph while being suspended over 35m in the air
New attraction at former world’s largest slate quarry will launch in time for summer
UK-based adventure company Zip World has announced the launch of its latest exhilarating adventure, Aero Explorer, a spiral suspension track powered entirely by gravity.
Located at the Zip World Penrhyn Quarry site – already home to the fastest zip line in the world – Aero Explorer will provide adventurers with a unique new experience as they soar across the 400m track at speeds of up to 30mph.
Set to open to the public from Wednesday 26th May 2023, visitors will be suspended in the air via a harness attachment as they take in breath-taking views of what once was the world’s largest slate quarry.
Along its 400m long suspended track, Aero Explorer features two spiral turns that riders will experience as they descend the structures.
Harnessing nothing but the natural topography of the area, the ride itself will be completely powered by gravity, with riders descending to ground level within 3-5 minutes.
Aero Explorer marks the fifth adventure at the North Wales site, joining Velocity 2, Quarry Flyer, Quarry Karts, and the Penrhyn Quarry Tour and becomes Zip World’s 24th attraction.
Zip World Founder and president Sean Taylor said:
“The Zip World Penrhyn Quarry site will join the company’s four other Welsh locations and two in the North of England, with more attractions set to launch by the end of 2023.”
Tickets for Aero Explorer are now on sale via the Zip World website. Prices start at £22 for a single rider, and £70 for a group of four. Each ticket includes two rides.
Aero Explorer is designed to be suitable for all the family to enjoy, with the attraction open to children with a height of 1m and above.
In 2023, ESCP celebrates 50 years of the school’s European model, following the creation of EAP in 1973 and the merger with the school in 1999. This year marks the anniversary of a central pillar of ESCP’s identity: its European multi-campus model, which remains unequaled to this day.
Established in Paris in 1819, ESCP is the oldest business school in the world and was destined to be European from the outset. The school was founded upon the European values of humanism and multiculturalism and prioritises a multidisciplinary vision of education, with a focus on science and language.
In the school’s history, the year 1973 was pivotal as it saw the birth of its second half, EAP, the first educational institution to operate on several European campuses.
Today, with campuses in Berlin, London, Madrid, Paris, Turin and Warsaw, ESCP is the only business school offering Europeans and non-Europeans a unique and comprehensive vision of Europe. The strength of this model was recognised in the latest Financial Times European Business Schools Ranking which placed ESCP 3rd among the top 95 business schools in Europe.
ESCP is totally European in nature, culture and structure. Today, all programmes are multi-campus, 35% of its students are non-French European and 25% non-European. To graduate, all ESCP students must study on at least two or three campuses. ESCP’s campuses and the degrees students receive are officially recognised in all of its host countries.
Léon Laulusa, ESCP’s interim dean and executive president, says: “As we look to the future, we are proud to continue to unite our campuses with pride for European excellence, open to the world and committed to progress. ESCP Business School is not only a European institution but a global leader in business education, recognised for our multiculturalism and commitment to educating purpose-driven leaders who will impact the world.”
Throughout the year, ESCP will celebrate its pioneering model and European network with dedicated events and opportunities to connect past, present and future generations of the ESCP community, starting with the first Europe Week organised by the student society Tribunes, from March 27 to March 31st. Please check the European Way webpage for more information.
ABOUT ESCP BUSINESS SCHOOL
ESCP Business School was founded in 1819. The School has chosen to teach responsible leadership, open to the world and based on European multiculturalism. Six campuses in Berlin, London, Madrid, Paris, Turin and Warsaw are the stepping stones that allow students to experience this European approach to management.
Several generations of entrepreneurs and managers were thus trained in the firm belief that the business world may feed society in a positive way. This conviction and ESCP’s values – excellence, singularity, creativity and plurality – daily guide our mission and build its pedagogical vision.
Every year, ESCP welcomes 9000+ students and 5000 managers from 130 different nationalities. Its strength lies in its many business training programmes, both general and specialised (Bachelor, Master, MBA, Executive MBA, PhD and Executive Education), all of which include a multi-campus experience.
Cardiff Bay’s leading entertainment venue The Red Dragon Centre is hosting a free Spring Safari Trail this Easter holidays.
A menagerie of wild animals will take over the Centre between 30 March and 16 April, with grass sculptures of giraffes, rhinos and more spotted around the mall, along with fun facts to learn about the animals.
As well as being able to take photos with the animals, visitors are also being challenged to take part in a free prize draw by spotting the letters hidden on each of the characters and unscrambling them to find a mystery word.
The winner’s prize will be a free family day out at The Red Dragon Centre, with a game of bowling and a meal at Five Guys for a family of four.
Hollywood Bowl is also offering 25% off for early bowlers throughout the Easter holidays and giving bowlers the chance to win an Easter egg if they score a Golden Pin Strike*, while ODEON cinemas will see The Super Mario Bros Movie and Dungeons & Dragons: Honour Among Thieves hitting the big screen.
Emma Constantinou, marketing manager at The Red Dragon Centre, said: “We’re very excited to see the Spring Safari Trail take over the Centre this Easter, giving families the chance to take a walk on the wild side during the school holidays.
“During the cost of living crisis, we’re so pleased to be able to offer free events like this so that everyone can have some fun this Easter.”
The Red Dragon Centre, which celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2022, is Cardiff Bay’s leading entertainment venue houses a multitude of interactive, lifestyle and food and drink venues including Odeon Cinema, the home of Wales’ only IMAX screen, the Hollywood Bowl, Grosvenor Casino, Simply Gym, Bella Italia, Five Guys, Spice Route, Volcano, Cardiff Bay Tavern, Cadwaladers and Zaika.
*Enter the code ‘Easter25’ at checkout for 25% off. To win an Easter Egg, the bowler must score a strike when the Pins are turned golden, and a team member must witness this.
Intelligence provider KCS Group Europe (KCSGE) says the movement of Russian oil has become much more opaque with the introduction of sanctions and a number of previously unknown, but significant, traders have emerged on the global market.
The sanctions cover nearly 90% of Russian oil imports to Europe, and comprised of an embargo on seaborne crude oil imports, petroleum-refined products and introduced a price cap of $60 per barrel for Russian crude.
Importantly, the ban also prohibits EU tankers from transporting Russian crude to third countries and the related provision of technical assistance, broking and insurance services. As a result, many international traders cut their ties with Russia.
KCSGE CEO Stuart Poole-Robb says: “This is a complex issue. Firstly, many states have not signed up to the sanctions, including China, India and the Gulf states and buying Russian oil is not illegal.
`’But some practices, such as ship-to-ship transfers and onward movement under murky ownership and flags of convenience, may be assisting Russia to move its oil around the world.”
“Recent data compiled by Lloyd’s List suggests that Greek-based beneficial owners accounted for 31% of tankers calling at five Russian ports in February 2023, with oil-price compliant cargoes.”
However, tankers from the so-called ‘dark fleet’ made up the bulk of shipments, accounting for 79 of the 168 tracked vessels – some 48%. This was the highest percentage in the nine months since Lloyd’s List began monitoring.
The company defines ‘dark fleet’ tankers as those which are over 15 years old, used for sanctioned oil trades, with beneficial ownership obscured behind anonymous or shelf companies and engaged in deceptive shipping practices.
The company says around 40% of the dark fleet can be tracked directly to Russian oil shipments, including large vessels which engage in ship-to-ship transfers in international waters and do not call at Russian ports.
ForeignPolicy.com alleges that this growing fleet of ‘ghost’ ships, that cannot be traced and are uninsured, not only potentially breach sanctions, but represent a threat to maritime safety and the environment.
Moreover, an investigation by Bloomberg has uncovered a number of previously unknown companies, registered in Hong Kong and Dubai, which have entered the market to become major commodity traders and are thought to be handling up to 1.4m barrels per day.
Poole-Robb says: “To put that figure into context, it exceeds the levels of oil transported by global giants like Trafigura prior to the Ukraine war.
“Flag-hopping and the repeated changing of registries, together with the formation of different companies and new names, can be used by sanction-skirting tankers. Using such flags not only keeps the owners one step ahead of the regulators, but allows them to hide in plain sight.
“Who ultimately owns these companies and how they’re able to finance the movement of oil remains for the moment shrouded in mystery.”
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Image: Stock image of an oil tanker, Deposit Photos.
Award-winning public relations firm Effective Communication has become an approved partner of Manufacturing Wales.
Effective Communication, which has a presence in Wales and the south west of England, supports businesses with PR, digital and video expertise. The firm has worked with several leading manufacturers for many years, in addition to businesses in the public, private and third sectors.
Manufacturing Wales facilitates the pioneering spirit of manufacturing firms and universities in Wales, recognising that the future of the sector lies with leaders that share common purpose.
The collaborative consortium’s aim is to create a proactive environment for the industry to bring together ideas, innovations and best practices to help Welsh manufacturing firms to be more determined and prepare for investment with a ‘future proofing’ mentality. Members of Manufacturing Wales build partnerships and develop strategies to maximise supply chain opportunities.
The new partnership will see Effective Communication use their public relations, marketing and copywriting services to drive responses to trends and share tips for crisis management with manufacturers.
Alastair Milburn, managing director of Effective Communication, said: “This partnership is one that we are very excited about. With our specialist team, I feel as though we can achieve great things for the community at Manufacturing Wales.”
Heather Anstey-Myers, CEO of Manufacturing Wales, said: “We are really happy to be working with Effective Communication. Having seen their work with clients over the years, this partnership was an easy decision for us. We want to be their next success story.”
A couple from Newport has praised the support they have received in helping them back into work following funding from the Welsh Government.
Shane Lock and Corrina Lewis from Newport are encouraging more adults to seek support after they both received funding and advice following a change in their work circumstances.
Shane Lock, 35, previously worked in warehousing and hospitality before landing his new role as a Health and Safety Compliance Officer thanks to a fully funded training course.
He contacted Working Wales, an all-age careers advice service funded by the Welsh Government and run by Careers Wales, after hearing about the support and guidance his partner, Corrina, 42, had received after being made redundant.
Shane said: “I’ve worked in several different roles, but recently I’d started to feel unmotivated and stuck in temporary work situations. I wanted to find a long-term career, and for that, I knew I needed more qualifications.
“I initially attended an appointment with an adviser at Working Wales with my partner, who was already looking for work, and quickly realised I could also benefit from the free advice and training programmes they were offering.
“I hadn’t thought about speaking with a careers adviser before, but the experience has been great. I had a dedicated Working Wales adviser assigned to me, and they really listened to my situation, giving me advice on my career prospects and qualification options.
“They suggested I start a course via a Personal Learning Account which has really suited me because of how flexible it was and the number of qualifications available, all for free. I spoke to an adviser on a Monday, and by Friday I had started my course.”
Personal Learning Accounts provide flexible courses and qualifications that are fully funded by the Welsh Government.
The programme is aimed at adults in Wales who are currently working but looking for something new, allowing them to study part-time around their existing responsibilities. It enables individuals to obtain the qualifications they need to change their careers or progress in their current roles.
Shane continued: “I’m currently studying for the NEBOSH National General Certificate in Health and Safety, and despite not yet finishing the course, it’s already helped me secure a new role as a Health and Safety Compliance Officer in the residential property sector.
“I’m responsible for the effective and efficient management of health and safety on our sites, including policy implementation, monitoring and inspection, risk assessment and investigation. For the first time in years, I’ve found a career I really want to excel in, and it’s given me a new sense of purpose in my professional life.
“The Personal Learning Account has also given me the freedom to study without having the worry about the rising costs of living or feeling like I’m tied into an employer to learn and progress. It’s not something I could have afforded by myself as it costs over £900 to do, but it was completely covered by the Welsh Government.”
Shane’s partner, Corrina, is also currently looking for work and has been receiving support from Working Wales and was referred to the ReAct+ programme.
ReAct+ is a personalised support package designed for people who have recently become unemployed or are facing or going through redundancy. The programme helps individuals to overcome obstacles and improve their chances of returning to work after their jobs have been made redundant.
Corrina has 20 years of experience in the dentistry industry but was recently made redundant after her employer went into liquidation.
Corrina said: “I’m currently looking for a new challenge but had been struggling to secure a new role. When I spoke to a Careers Adviser at Working Wales, they immediately suggested the ReAct+ programme because of how flexible it is.
“From my initial meeting, I’ve received CV support and guidance and funding to develop my skills in accounting through an AAT bookkeeping course.
“Even the smallest things such as top tips on how to improve my CV have been invaluable. I’ve already seen an increase in the responses I get back to the job roles I’m applying for, which is such a confidence boost when you’re looking for work.”
“I have felt incredibly supported at every stage, and most of all I feel like my adviser really listened to me and tailored the help I needed around my situation and skills. Receiving expert advice can often be expensive but I haven’t had to worry about that which is a huge weight off my mind.
“Most importantly, it’s made me realise that I’m not on my own. It’s helped boost my confidence and has been such a huge relief to know that help is available.”
Minister for Economy, Vaughan Gething, said: “We are committed to offering people across Wales the opportunity to receive funding and support to pursue careers and jobs that are needed by employers in Wales.
“Personal Learning Accounts and ReAct+ have been designed to fulfil the distinctive demands of each individual. With sponsored training, both programmes provide opportunity to upskill and retrain. At the same time, these programmes help adults in Wales with their personal growth and development.
“Our goal is to continue addressing skills gaps in our economy while also supporting those who have current barriers to employment.”
Minister for Education and Welsh Language, Jeremy Miles, said: “I am determined that Wales should be a nation of second chances. That’s why I’m committed to ensuring everyone has access to lifelong learning and the chance to renew their career in adult life.
“I’d encourage anyone looking for support or change of direction to take advantage of the free advice and training available from Working Wales, I’m pleased to see our investment in the Personal Learning Account is helping people on their journey to a fulfilling professional life.”
Personal Learning Accounts is fully funded by Welsh Government and ReAct+ is part-funded by the European Social Fund.
If you are looking for a career change, are out of work, or are at risk of redundancy, search Working Wales or call 0800 028 4844 to access a personalised package of support, matched to your individual needs.
A partially Grade II listed heritage site that has been derelict for years has been acquired by a South Yorkshire business that plans to invest in and renovate the area, restoring the local ‘eyesore’ to its former glory.
Family-run, Barnsley-based property and land specialists, Fairbank Investments Ltd, have acquired the Coal Drops, signal house, and former railway siding site at Penistone in Barnsley, signalling a new chapter of growth and development for the area.
The Coal Drops, which are located west of the bridge under Penistone Woodhead Railway, were Grade II listed in 1988. It is thought the six-arched stone segmented structure dates back to the mid-19th century.
The acquisition of the circa one acre development which is located on St Mary’s Street in Penistone, will introduce numerous positive changes to the area and will bring it into line with other development work and projects.
Restoring the unique and culturally significant location will also create a significant number of jobs as well as future prosperity for the site, which has fallen into a state of disrepair.
Through the site acquisition, Fairbank Investments Ltd has fully committed to developing the site, to benefit the local economy and the environment. The company has a track record of successful, sustainable development projects such as the old David Brown factory in Penistone revitalising the site by transforming it into a new business park with 15,000 sq ft of offices and a further 66,000 sq ft of warehouse space, creating new jobs and attracting multiple businesses to the area, prioritising eco-friendly design and building practices.
Antony Green, managing director of Fairbank Investments Ltd commented: “The Coal Drops is a hugely important site of cultural and historical interest in Penistone and we want to help preserve this heritage, rather than see the site continue to fall into further disrepair. We are thrilled to be taking on this new project and are looking for the co-operation of neighbouring land owners to enable us to deliver a scheme that will benefit Penistone.
“As a business, we are passionate about supporting local communities, and we believe that this iconic restoration of the Old Signal House and Coal Drops will be a major step forward for the area. We’re excited to bring new businesses, jobs, and opportunities to the region, while also prioritising sustainability and environmental responsibility wherever possible.”
The Coal Drops, signal house and former railway siding site represents a prime location with significant mixed-use development potential. Active planning consent for residential development on the goods yard section of the site is under full review given the wider plans for the scheme. As part of the planning phase of the project, led by Fairbank Investments Ltd, working with M Booth Design Ltd, consultations are ongoing with local authorities and community groups to ensure that any new development fully aligns with the requirements of the entire community of Penistone.
In addition to the economic benefits of the development scheme, Fairbank Investments Ltd is also committed to minimising its environmental impact. The company plans to use sustainable building practices and technologies throughout the site clear and build, including renewable energy sources, to reduce the carbon footprint of the development.
Added Antony Green: “As a responsible business, Fairbank Investments Ltd has a proven track record of implementing successful development projects, particularly where restoration and heritage preservation is concerned. The acquisition of the Coal Drops, signal house, and former railway siding site is sure to be another major success story that will see the whole area transformed into a thriving and progressive development. We’re very excited to help bring new growth and prosperity to the region and are looking forward to working closely with the community to make the project a resounding success.”
For more information on Fairbank Investments Ltd and their plans for the Coal Drops, Signal House, and Former Railway Siding Site in Penistone, please visit their website at https://www.fairbankinvestments.com/
Image caption:
Pictured: Alex Sewell (left) and Joseph Green (right) of Fairbank Investments Ltd on the site they’ve acquired in Penistone.
The distillery beat off competition from Stirling Castle and the Stirling Smith Art Gallery and Museum to win the award. Stirling Distillery is situated in a converted Victorian building on Lower Castlehill just a short walk from the Castle and has been awarded a Tripadvisor Travellers Choice Award for their gin and whisky experiences for several years.
Boasting over 600 5-star reviews on Tripadvisor, a 3 star VisitScotland rating and a popular destination for coach tours, thousands of people visit the distillery to enjoy their whiskies and award-winning gins and gin liqueurs every year as well as attending their weekly gin school. The distillery also hosts monthly cocktail masterclasses and can be hired out for events for 60 people. Visit https://stirlingdistillery.com/ for more information.
More than 16,000 votes were cast for the companies nominated in the ten categories for the inaugural awards which are run by Go Forth Stirling BID. The event was headlined by Celtic rock band Red Hot Chilli Pipers and hosted by Central FM.
Stirling Distillery is well known for celebrating the rich history and folklore of the famous Scottish city through their product range. To celebrate their win, Stirling Distillery are offering 50% off tours until the end of March. Use code Winner50 at check out. Book here: https://stirlingdistillery.com/visit-our-distillery/
About Stirling Distillery
Stirling Distillery, established in 2015, is steeped in Scottish history. Located in the shadow of Stirling Castle, central Scotland, it is the city’s first legal distillery. Offering a range of gins and whiskies all with historic relevance, the distillery is open daily for gin experiences, tastings and a weekly gin school.
New software-driven connectivity simplifies user experience and helps business grow and scale in Spain, Italy and Sweden
Colt Technology Services, the digital infrastructure company, today announced new software-driven connectivity in three countries, expanding its longstanding collaboration with Equinix, Inc (Nasdaq: EQIX). Businesses now have access to Colt’s On Demand infrastructure interconnecting with Equinix Fabric™ in Spain, Italy and Sweden, as well as in the UK, Germany, France, the Netherlands, Singapore and Hong Kong. The extended collaboration between Colt and Equinix deepens their long running commitment to a global partner ecosystem and meets growing demand across key regions.
The Colt On Demand network interconnnects seamlessly and dynamically with Equinix Fabric across Europe and Asia, giving flexible last mile access to Equinix International Business Exchange™ (IBX®) data centres and in particular to Equinix Digital Services; offering businesses choice, diversity and visibility of their infrastructure to help them succeed in today’s global digital world. With Colt On Demand Interconnect, organisations can:
Connect in near real-time to their own premises through the Colt On-Demand footprint of 31,000 on-net buildings interconnected through 11 regions to Platform Equinix®, offering end-to-end connectivity to Equinix data centres and Digital Services
Quickly upscale their infrastructure to meet customer requirements
Respond faster to rapidly changing market conditions
Deliver complex digital transformation programmes, knowing they have a flexible, resilient consumption-based infrastructure as a foundation
Accelerate and optimise their shift to the cloud, eliminating the need for on-premise hardware and supporting ESG initiatives
Remove the need to manage multiple partners and connectivity contracts across multiple geographies, instead benefiting from access to secure, resilient end-to-end infrastructure and best-in-class after-sales support as part of a single global partner ecosystem
Colt is seeing a significant increase in the number of On Demand customers who self-provision their network services, with a high double digit revenue growth in 2022, and this trend is expected to continue into 2023 and beyond.
Mark Hollman, Vice President for Partner Development and Success at Colt said, “The network is the catalyst for transformation, for businesses looking to flex, digitalise and stay relevant, but managing this infrastructure can be incredibly complex – especially across multiple countries. Businesses are already facing headwinds in 2023, and the last thing they need is to be held back by lengthy contracts and inflexible services.” He continued, “In this latest evolution of our longstanding partnership with Equinix, we’ve invested in joint API development to deliver a simplified, automated and improved customer experience across Colt On Demand and Equinix Fabric platforms. We’re really excited to offer this in Spain, Italy and Sweden as well as the existing regions in Europe and Asia, driving extraordinary connections for our customers.”
Mark Anderson, Vice President, Global Technical Sales at Equinix said “Combining Colt’s global network with Equinix’s global digital footprint provides enterprises with complete dynamic digital solutions, addressing end-to-end requirements from architecting a global network backbone, to optimising the last-mile experience of users every day. Further expanding and automating this can only be a good thing, and a great opportunity for customers to take their connectivity to critical business partners to the next level.”
Colt is one of the few Network Service Providers on Equinix Fabric able to offer flexible On Demand connectivity and digital services at global scale plus last-mile connectivity to tens of thousands of on-net addresses via API or portal-based self-provisioning. Find out more about the Colt and Equinix partnership here: https://www.colt.net/why-colt/partners/equinix/
Yorkshire law firm Truth Legal has made two appointments at its recently opened Hull office.
Specialist immigration lawyer, Frances Ledbury and experienced immigration paralegal Olivia Pickering have both joined the firm. The double appointment strengthens the firm’s immigration law service.
Frances Ledbury brings almost 20 years of immigration expertise to the firm, joining as immigration solicitor and head of the Hull office at Truth Legal from Williamsons Solicitors in Hull. Frances’ role involves working alongside businesses to find solutions to their immigration issues, including assisting with international recruitment and sponsor licence applications and audits. Frances has extensive experience supporting a range of sectors including care, hospitality, engineering and farming. Frances also specialises in advising individuals on their options to remain in the UK, advising students, employees and Europeans on their ongoing status and settlement and bringing families to the UK.
Frances reunites with experienced paralegal Olivia Pickering with whom she previously worked at Williamsons Solicitors. Olivia brings over seven years of immigration experience to her new role.
The Hull office of Truth Legal officially opened at the start of the year and is the firm’s third regional office. The business first launched in Harrogate in 2012. A Leeds office was opened in 2021.
Commenting on the appointments, Georgina Parkin, Truth Legal’s managing director and co-owner, said: “The past few years we’ve experienced rapid expansion and an increase in demand for specialist legal advice, particularly in the immigration law sector. This success led directly to the opening of the Hull office. To have both Frances and Olivia join the team provides a huge boost to the firm and its immigration specialism offering.
“We are establishing a growing presence in Yorkshire which is helping to create a solid foundation for the future as we look to build and strengthen relationships with clients and build the reputation of the firm. We look forward to adding to our recent successes and further increasing the number of expert professionals at the firm as it continues to grow.”
The Hull office of Truth Legal services both private and wider business community client needs, helping them to access a wide range of legal expertise including all types of immigration law, personal injury, clinical negligence, employment law, general litigation and professional negligence. It also provides the East Riding with access to an extended range of specialist services provided by experts located at their Leeds and Harrogate head office.
