Category Archives: Regional News

News, South West, South West England News, Technology

City College Plymouth Wins Bid to Join Pioneering ‘Skills for Nuclear’ Network”

City College Plymouth has successfully secured a place in a groundbreaking program aimed at training individuals for careers in the nuclear industry.

The College has been approved to join the National College for Nuclear (NCfN) network, establishing itself as one of only two providers in the South West. Together with Bridgwater & Taunton College, it will play a key role in providing the necessary skills for individuals to support the development of the expanding nuclear sector.

The NCfN is a cornerstone of the Government’s response to nuclear skills provision, and the College will help meet the capacity and capability employers in the sector need. The College had to go through a rigorous process to win the right to be part of the network.

It means that by September the College will deliver a nuclear skills suite of programmes that meet the needs of our local, regional and national organisations across both the defence and power generation (civil) nuclear sectors.

The UK’s nuclear sector is growing rapidly, with numbers in the civil and defence workforce estimated to double over the next 20 years, bringing around 80,000 additional jobs across the UK.

The Government has recognised an urgent need to ramp up recruitment activity in the sector, but also that developing people’s skills in a wide range of disciplines which feed into the nuclear sector is needed if demand is to be met.

 

Jackie Grubb, Chief Executive of City College Plymouth, said the programmes would focus on the careers and jobs within the nuclear sector, providing students with access to world-class learning opportunities that enhance their skills relevant to the industry.

She added: “City College Plymouth actively collaborates with the defence sector, equipping this essential workforce with the necessary skills for safeguarding our nation’s at-sea security. Recognising the critical role played by our nuclear submarine fleet, the College is committed to providing comprehensive training covering all aspects of this highly sophisticated machinery, including its intricate nuclear power system.

“As a proud member of the National College for Nuclear network, we will gain valuable insights into the specific requirements for delivering both nuclear-related skills and comprehensive expertise to meet the demands of our defence sector. We will be able to exchange best practices through working closely with Bridgewater & Taunton College to ensure that our workforce is thoroughly prepared and capable of addressing the challenges posed by the evolving needs of our national defence.”

 

Andy Berry, Principal & CEO of Bridgwater & Taunton College said: “It is an incredibly exciting time for the nuclear sector in the South West. City College Plymouth joining the National College for Nuclear significantly strengthens the response to the civil and nuclear defence projects. Working together, FE can respond to the growing need for high-skilled people in the nuclear sector. We have a long-established close working relationship with City College Plymouth, and we are delighted they have become a member of NCfN, which will take it to the next level as we continue to collaborate on exciting skills challenges.”

 

Jenny Ashworth, Managing Director at the National College for Nuclear said: “We are delighted to welcome City College Plymouth to the NCfN family. At such an exciting and vital time for the nuclear and zero carbon sectors, we are thrilled to build upon the NCfN network with such a pioneering and dynamic institution such as City College Plymouth. We look forward to working closely with the team there to further build upon our ability to build a competent and agile workforce for the sector”.

 

The Government has also launched a campaign called Destination Nuclear, working with partners to fill critical skills gaps in the nuclear industry. The ambition is for nuclear power to generate a quarter of the UK’s electricity by 2050.

Plus, the Government has recently announced that one of the UK’s ballistic submarines, HMS Victorious, will be modernised in Plymouth by Babcock International under a new £560m contract. The move – announced by Defence Secretary Grant Shapps – will create around 1,000 jobs in the region.

 

Image credit:  Plymouth Hoe by Jay Stone

Charity & CSR, Charity Events, News, North of England

Heart patient marks milestone with fundraising half marathon

JUST 12 months after heart surgery, Simon Finlay has marked the milestone by running a half marathon in aid of the hospital that saved his life.

It was during screening for a hereditary heart condition his dad has that Simon was diagnosed with a bicuspid valve. Unbeknown to him he’d had the congenital heart defect from birth. Further tests then revealed he also had an aortic aneurysm.

“My jaw hit the table,” Simon said as he recalled the second diagnosis.

Over the course of 18 months the aneurysm grew, and surgical intervention was required.

Simon, development director at Castle Green Homes, said. “I’d thought the bicuspid valve wouldn’t need surgery until I was in my 60s, so when I went for a CT scan and they showed me what the aneurysm looked like and how much it had grown it was a shock.  I understood that I couldn’t live without surgery and that I was in the best hands with Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital.”

Simon underwent major heart surgery in March last year at the Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital, days before his 46th birthday. Complications during his recovery meant he was readmitted and underwent further surgery to remove a build up of fluid around his heart.

“I felt like I was back at square one, but in the weeks that followed I picked up and was getting stronger and walking more,” he said.

He returned to work just 13 weeks post-surgery. Soon after, Simon decided he’d run the Liverpool Half Marathon in aid of the Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital on March 17 – his 47th birthday.

By October he’d managed to complete a run 5km without walking.

“Coming from a construction background where we work collaboratively as a team, it was interesting to see the different job roles in the hospital coming together to care for me and the other patients,” Simon, from Meols, Wirral, explained.

“It’s because of what I have been through, the time I have spent at Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital, experiencing firsthand the miraculous work they do and feeling the love and support from all parts of that amazing hospital that I decided to raise money for the charity,”.

With the support of Castle Green, family and friends, Simon has raised well over his £1,000 target, with more than £3,700 donated to date.

He was joined in the Liverpool Half Marathon by Castle Green colleagues Sam Payne, Sean McBride, Phoebe Hughes and Paul Winrow.

“Castle Green Homes have been fantastic through all aspects of my surgery and recovery, no more so than [chief executive] Gwyn Jones,” Simon added. “Not only was he understanding and empathetic about my situation when I was diagnosed, he also gave me the time I needed to recover with no pressure. When I saw that Castle Green had doubled the funds raised on the Friday before the run with a donation of £1,500 I couldn’t believe it. I was totally blown away!”

Simon completed the Liverpool Half Marathon in 2:13:19. He is already working on bringing his time down ahead of the Chester Half Marathon in May.

Simon said he’d always been a runner but had struggled with a knee injury in recent years.

“I’m fitter now and running better 5km times than I was prior to my surgery, which is purely down to the amount of running I am doing as opposed to the surgery itself,” he said.

Castle Green chief executive Gwyn Jones said: “Simon is a valued member of the team and has shown the same strength of character and determination in handling his health issues as he does in overcoming challenges at work. We were pleased to be able to support his return to work and his fundraising. It’s great to see so many colleagues and contacts have also supported his fundraising.”

To support Simon’s fundraising go to https://www.justgiving.com/page/simon-finlay-1708724419345.

 

Business & Property News, Commercial Property, Commercial Property News, News, North of England

Fairfield Business Park in Penistone sold to lead tenant

Fairfield Business Park in Penistone, Barnsley, has been sold in a multi-million-pound deal.

Over the past two years, the site has been fully developed from being unoccupied into a thriving business park by family-run, Barnsley-based property and land specialists, Fairbank Investments Ltd.

The fully-let park has been bought by international packaging business Neal Brothers, for a seven-figure sum. Neal Brothers are the main tenants on the site, running their export packaging business from their onsite warehouse.

Located in the heart of Penistone, the historic former David Brown plant shut at the end of 2020 when former owner, SPX, transferred its production and manufacturing processes to an alternative UK production site, leading to job losses and vacant premises.

The 1930s factory development, once a major manufacturing hub employing more than 1,500 people at its peak production period, was given a new lease of life after being acquired by Fairbank Investments in March 2021.

Fairbank Investments bought the four-acre Green Road site after spotting its huge potential to create employment and restore economic prosperity to the town. The development progressed with the Fairbank Investments team prioritising eco-friendly design and sensitive building practices, employing the same meticulous design and sustainability ethos displayed in all of its regeneration projects.

Opened by shipmaker Cammell Laird in the late 19th century, the site was mothballed in 1930 but taken over by industrialist Sir David Brown in 1935. Sir David established foundry, pumps and fabrication operations in Penistone which produced bullet-proof castings during the Second World War and later specialised in manufacturing pumps for the global oil and gas industry.

The park currently consists of 14 independent offices totalling 15,000 sq ft which is home to a range of flourishing independent businesses with a further 66,000 sq ft of warehouse space which has been occupied by main tenants, Neal Brothers since late 2021.

Neal Brothers’ warehouse has prime access, high eves, roller shutter doors and an overhead crane. The facility has enabled the US-based international business to extend its existing operations in the north of England. The company has recruited staff locally and the operation has grown significantly since launching three years ago.

Other successful businesses operating from the site range from financial planning experts and a construction and building specialist to numerous clothing and accessories retailers and a pet grooming salon.

Alex Sewell of Fairbank Investments, commented: “We are thrilled that our vision to revitalise a local site of such historical importance has been fully realised and we have sold the business park as a thriving commercial hub, resulting in job creation and a bright future for the area. The legacy is an important one for the town following a few years of uncertainty but there is a diverse range of businesses on site, which have all created local employment opportunities and fully regenerated the area.

Added Joseph Green of Fairbank Investments: “When the production facility closed in 2020 during the coronavirus pandemic, this resulted in widespread redundancies, and the future of the site in Penistone looked incredibly bleak. As a local family business in the area and living locally ourselves, we wanted to take positive action and restore the site to its former glory, fully benefitting the town and the local economy. We are incredibly proud and satisfied that we’ve achieved this objective and have left the business park in very secure and capable hands. We will watch with interest as the site continues to flourish and the businesses on site go on to even greater success. As a progressive property business, we look forward to delivering similar outcomes for existing and new local regeneration projects.”

Two years ago Fairbank Investments acquired the historic partially Grade II-listed coal drops, signal house, and former railway siding site at Penistone in Barnsley, signalling a new chapter of growth and development for the area.

It recently unveiled the highly anticipated next phase of development for the site. With the next stage of the site’s transformative journey, Fairbank Investments is marking a significant moment in Penistone’s history, with the development promising an inspiring blend of heritage preservation and modern rejuvenation.

—

Pictured: (Left) Joseph Green and Alex Sewell (right) of Fairbank Investments Ltd who have sold the Fairfield Business Park in Penistone to Neal Brothers.

 

Wales News, West Wales

In the Welsh Wind Distillery announced April release of first whisky

Award-winning Ceredigion distillery, In the Welsh Wind, is releasing its first whisky at a celebration day later this month.

Only 680 bottles are available of this limited edition and the company is extending an open invitation to join in the launch celebration at the distillery, near Cardigan, on April 26.

Whisky enthusiasts and those curious to know what all the fuss is about are invited to join the In the Welsh Wind team for a day of discovery.

Crafted with care and dedication, the company’s inaugural single malt whisky release is a tribute to Welsh craftsmanship and heritage with an ‘In the Welsh Wind’ twist.

Distilled in a state-of-the-art iStill, each bottle promises a distinctive flavour profile that captures the spirit of Welsh whisky.

“We are incredibly excited to share our first whisky with the world,” said Ellen Wakelam, founder and director of In the Welsh Wind Distillery. “This release marks a significant milestone for us as we make our mark on the Welsh whisky industry.

“We invite whisky enthusiasts and curious minds alike to join us on April 26 for a day of celebration and camaraderie. Come and experience the beauty of West Wales, taste the essence of Welsh craftsmanship and raise a glass to the future of Welsh whisky-making.”

The release event, held at the flagship distillery, offers attendees a unique opportunity to be part of Welsh whisky history.

Guests will have the chance to take a free tour of the distillery, meet the passionate individuals behind In the Welsh Wind and learn about the business’s commitment to quality, craftsmanship, and sustainability. Visitors can also taste and purchase this first edition whisky, while stocks last.

The distillery will be open from 8am until 6pm on April 26. To book a tour, please visit the website: https://inthewelshwind.co.uk/products/whisky-launch-day-tours.

For those who prefer not to indulge in whisky, coffee and cake will be available from local coffee truck Tarten. For those unable to visit the distillery, some bottles may be available online after the launch event.

Accountancy & Accounts, News, North of England

The AFA Group Celebrates Substantial Team Expansion

Manchester-headquartered AFA Group, the parent company of Clear Start Accountants and AFA Insolvency, has significantly bolstered its employee base over the last quarter with twenty three new appointments.

Welcoming half of the group’s recent recruits, leading personal insolvency specialist AFA Insolvency, has considerably extended its team. In the past three months, the firm has appointed individuals to a series of positions including Debt Advisor, Drafters and Quality Monitoring roles.

The AFA Group’s accountancy and personal budgeting division Clear Start Accountants, has also made a series of appointments, strengthening its customer service department. The business offers accountancy services for sole traders and smaller firms provided by a team of qualified accountants, as well as its pioneering, tech-enabled, personal budgeting service for both business and private individuals.

The significant growth follows hot on the heels of another record period for the group, which closed the year (2023) with a highly impressive 87.5% uplift in value of sales – rising to a noteworthy £15 million, from £8 million in 2022.

Fiaz Ashraf, Founder and CEO of the AFA Group, commented: “As we continue to experience monumental growth, it is a pleasure to offer a variety of job opportunities in the region and welcome a wealth of new team members to the AFA Group. Expanding our dedicated team is absolutely crucial in helping us to maintain an exceptional level of service for our customers, as we continue to support them with various aspects of financial management.”

With an employee base of over 150 people, and operating from its state of the art, contemporary headquarters in Universal Square, Devonshire Street North, Manchester, as well as from its offices in Stockport and Canada, the AFA Group is the parent company of several high-growth businesses including AFA Insolvency and Clear Start Accountants. The group offers via its various divisions a suite of services to support individuals and companies with financial management – from monthly budgeting services and debt management, to general accountancy support.

To find out more about Clear Start Accountants visit: https://clearstartaccountants.co.uk/

Marketing, PR and SEO, News, North of England, Waste and Recycling

Impact Environmental Group Appoints Zeus PR

IEG EMEA, a division of the Impact Environmental Group with operations situated strategically across the US and the UK, has appointed Cheshire-based Zeus PR following a group-wide tender process.

The agency will now support the entire organisation, including all four trading brands, working closely with the IEG EMEA board, including Managing Director David Williams who heads up the board, and Commercial Director Pete Dickson, to formulate and develop a reputation-building PR and content strategy.

The appointment follows hot on the heels of the IEG EMEA’s substantial expansion in 2023. Last year saw two further UK acquisitions cementing the group as a global waste industry category leader, as UK Container Maintenance (UKCM) and Capital Compactors and Balers (CCL), joined Container Components Europe (manufacturer of Duraflex lids), and Egbert H Taylor to sit within the IEG EMEA’s portfolio of aligned industry-leading brands.

 Anthea Fosti Managing Director of Zeus PR comments: “We will be showcasing IEG EMEA’s impressive service offering as the leading European operator in the provision of waste and recycling products and service solutions, and we are very much looking forward to working closely with the group and the four individual business centres on this far-reaching brief.

“We have already enjoyed a 10-year partnership as the retained PR provider for UKCM, and following their acquisition by IEG EMEA last year, we were very pleased to be invited to tender for, and subsequently be awarded, the group-wide brief.”

Pete Dickson, Commercial Director at IEG EMEA states: “‘As we develop the IEG EMEA brand and its recognition, a positive and creative PR partner is essential. On the back of its impressive work for UKCM over the last decade, we are pleased to have partnered with Zeus PR; and look forward to working with Anthea and her team.”

Founded in 1999, IEG as the parent organisation headquartered in Elgin, Illinois has rapidly grown into a global environmental products and services business, providing a comprehensive suite of new and replacement products for waste containers, collection and compaction equipment, and waste transportation equipment, and it is ambitious to expand IEG EMEA further where synergistic opportunities can enhance their customer value proposition.

The EMEA division, as with the wider global IEG organisation it resides within, plays an important role in the pursuit of a circular economy, providing products and services to the global waste and recycling industries. The business is a procurer of top-quality materials and a key advocate for sustainability, whilst maintaining competitive prices.

 

AI, News, Scotland, Technology

smartR AI Unveils SCOTi – Scotland’s Powerful, Private, and Most Loyal AI Assistant

smartR AI™, a pioneering artificial intelligence company based in Scotland, today announced the launch of SCOTi™ AI, a cutting-edge private language model tailored for enterprise needs. SCOTi is a robust and versatile AI companion designed to enhance productivity, drive insights, and streamline operations for organizations across industries.

Developed by Scotland’s brightest minds in AI, SCOTi harnesses the power of large language models prioritizing privacy, security, and compliance, whilst encompassing a green approach.

As a fully customizable solution, each instance of SCOTi is meticulously trained to meet the unique requirements of individual clients, delivering tailored and high-quality results.

“We are thrilled to introduce SCOTi, our homegrown AI dynamo, to the world,” said Oliver King-Smith, founder and CEO at smartR AI. “With its unparalleled capabilities and unwavering commitment to privacy, SCOTi is poised to revolutionize how businesses leverage AI to gain a competitive edge.”

 

SCOTi’s extensive suite of features empowers organizations to automate workflows, analyze data, generate insights, and streamline processes with unprecedented ease. Key capabilities include:

  • Data Organization and Information Retrieval: SCOTi can sniff out, collect, structure, and organize data from various sources, making it readily accessible for analysis and decision-making.
  • Data Analyst: By understanding and responding to plain English queries, SCOTi provides straightforward and comprehensible insights, eliminating the need for complex data queries.
  • Report Generation: SCOTi can compile comprehensive reports based on an organization’s data, adhering to specific formatting requirements, and writing styles.
  • Customized Training: Each instance of SCOTi is rigorously trained on the client’s proprietary data and objectives, ensuring maximum relevance and accuracy.

 

Designed with a steadfast commitment to privacy and data protection, SCOTi operates within the secure confines of an organization’s ecosystem, safeguarding sensitive information and preserving confidentiality. Adding to the security aspect of SCOTi, smartR AI transfers ownership of each custom model to the client.

 

“At smartR AI, we believe that AI should empower, not replace, human intelligence,” Oliver added. “SCOTi is a trustworthy partner that augments human capabilities, enabling organizations to unlock new frontiers of productivity and innovation. With a SCOTi we can all act, think and work smarter.”

SCOTi is now available for enterprise deployments. For more information or to schedule a demo, please visit www.smartrai.com.

 

About smartR AI

smartR AI is a leading artificial intelligence company headquartered in Edinburgh, Scotland. With a team of world-class researchers and engineers, smartR AI develops cutting-edge AI solutions tailored for enterprise needs, with a strong emphasis on privacy, security, and ethical AI practices, augmenting clients’ team with AI expertise.

We work closely with all stakeholders to drive enterprise-wide implementation of AI, streamlining workflows.  At smartR AI, we spend the time to learn about your business and collaborate closely with your teams to develop a customized AI solution unique to you. Our smartR team has years of experience adapting AI solutions to real world needs. We’ve developed proprietary model building blocks to accelerate the development of your project.

  • For business applications we have SCOTi – your loyal AI pal.
  • For medical, health and wellbeing applications, we have alertR – a behavioral intelligence-based alerting system.

We specialize in providing safe private models, that manage risk, while providing high reward.  As our models are specifical trained for you, they work naturally with people to enhance and optimize productivity, and reveal previously unseen insights from your vast data pools. But most importantly, smartR AI is committed to providing safe AI programs within your own secure and private ecosystems.

We invent tomorrow’s products today by breaking free from pre-programmed rules. As intelligence moves to the edge of the network, smartR AI is all about doing things the smartest way. smartR AI improves your life intelligently by empowering your workforce with actionable insights.

 

Bristol, Energy, Home Improvements, News, South West

Bristol-based solar expert on a mission to safely remove feral pigeons and other pests causing costly damage to people’s solar panels 

Callun Purnell, age 33, a father of two from Bristol, has a 5-star clean sweep Google rating of 5 for his Pigeon Solar Panels Ltd business based in North Somerset.

He is helping to safely remove hidden pests which are causing fire hazards, potential spread of diseases and a danger for residents and their neighbours under solar panels.

Callun has been excelling in the solar industry since entering it 12 years ago.

He covers everything solar related Solar related but the business is specialised in the maintenance, upkeep, efficiency and protection of the panels. 

He safely removes vermin pests including pigeons and other animals that cause noise, disturbance and costly damage.

They can cause damage to the equipment under the solar panels with a pricey consequence for home owners that progressively and rapidly gets worse if not sorted.

Callun said: “Most people don’t realise the hidden menace of pests becoming increasingly attracted into nesting under their solar panels. 

“But unfortunately this is not an ideal location for the pests and can end up becoming a fire hazard, not to mention the various diseases pigeon guano can cause to humans and also the decreased efficiency of the solar panels resulting in less energy yield sometimes up too 30%. 

“Birds can get caught and tangled in the components and additionally their guano contains acidic property’s which can start to corrode through the insulation of the cabling on the roof which can cause huge cost and problems.

“We carefully and legally extract them and their nests then restore sanitation with biocide which can deal with potential bird mites that were in the nest.”

Callun’s business has a strong track record of helping people with their solar panels, preventing pigeons and other pests from nesting under the solar panels.

They also do panel removal, professional solar cleaning and are ISCA qualified, roof clearing with biocide treatment, gutter clearance, repairs and long term protection and maintenance. 

They use high-quality galvanised steel wire mesh to guard solar panels. With no job too big or small and are IRATA rope access qualified meaning most jobs can be completed without scaffold whilst still adhering to health and safety guidelines. 

Their team of experts will permanently remove feral pigeons or any other vermin from under their solar panels. 

A free no-obligation can be found by clicking callun@pigeonsolarpanels.co.uk via www.pigeonsolarpanels.co.uk

Midlands News

Golfing legend: this is the tournament where superstars are born

ENGLAND Golf Hall of Fame inductee and British amateur legend Gary Wolstenholme MBE has paid homage to the importance of the Peter  McEvoy Trophy and said it’s the tournament where younger players can become superstars.

The tournament is arguably the most prestigious amateur golfing tournament for British and Irish under-18 prospects, and previous winners include Justin Rose and Lee Westwood.

Now the clock is ticking down to the 43rd chapter of the story which will played across April 10th – 11th,  when the tournament is played at Copt Heath Golf Club in Solihull.

Wolstenholme, a former international teammate of Peter McEvoy (the event’s curator), believes the trophy is vital for the progress of young golfers.

The 63-year-old is the most capped national amateur golfer and the all-time points leader for the GB and Ireland side and boasts over 70 amateur tournament wins internationally.

Speaking to Champions (UK) plc, Wolstenholme said: “It’s crucial for the development of young players. Particularly with a tournament like this, top potential can make their way through to national recognition. Without the likes of the Peter McEvoy trophy, it will be very difficult to gain knowledge as to who’s going to be the stars of the future.

“Justin Rose and Lee Westwood are very good examples of young guys who went on to become superstars after winning the tournament, both  obviously as amateurs at a very early age but also then on to the professional game.

“It’s crucial to have these sorts of events, to allow juniors an opportunity to show off their game and give the selectors for England Golf the opportunity to work out who’s going to be playing for them in the future.”

Wolstenholme is widely renowned for his decorated amateur career, with two of his most notable trophy successes coming in The Amateur Championship 12 years apart (1991, 2003), another record.

The Englishman notably beat a 19-year-old Tiger Woods in the 1995 Walker Cup, and put together five professional tournament wins alongside first-half appearances in The Masters, U.S. Open and The Open Championship.

He believes the opportunity offered by the Peter McEvoy Trophy is incredibly exciting for youngsters and audiences alike.

He said: “There aren’t that many that get the chance to go on and make a really good financial career out of competing in professional golf, so this is a wonderful opportunity to be able to get on that first step of the ladder.

“Without the likes of these tournaments, you’re not going to get to know whether you stand out against your peers. I think tournaments  like this should be encouraged by all clubs, and Copt Heath should be applauded for making the effort to give players a forum in which to show their skill.

“It gives them the experience and confidence to go on and be potential top tournament pros, playing in Ryder Cups, and becoming major champions – these are all stepping stones to hopefully making a successful career.”

He continued: “It’s situated in the Midlands which is very useful for access to everyone. The course itself is a great test of golf  – I’ve played there many times over the years and it’s ideal for this sort of event.

“The fact they’re so keen to continue the history of this event, and put time and effort into making sure that the course is in good shape early in the season, is a testament to the hard work everyone involved puts in.

“They should be very proud of what the Peter McEvoy Trophy has done for the club, because it’s put it on the map on a national basis.”

The Peter McEvoy Trophy has seen an extremely strong field enter the competition for this year’s installment, with 72 of the very best  prospects, selected from 120 submissions, looking to emerge victorious.

The tournament takes place between April 10th-11th, and is free and open to all spectators who are looking to experience an exciting golfing event unfold. To find out more information about this year’s competition, visit their website here:

https://www.coptheathgolf.co.uk/mcevoy_trophy_2024

News, Scotland

Stirling Distillery launch spirit-themed Easter hunt

Stirling Distillery, situated in the shadow of Stirling Castle, is hosting a fun twist on the traditional Easter egg hunt this weekend with a spirit-themed hunt around the city.

Showing that Easter hunts aren’t just for children, the distillery team have hidden a series of clues (A4 posters) around iconic locations in Stirling which can all be redeemed for gin or whisky miniatures in the distillery when found. The distillery are encouraging visitors and locals to take a stroll around the beautiful, historic city over the Easter break and search for clues at the same time.

Once participants have found any or all of their hidden posters, they must take a selfie with them, then pop along to the distillery to claim their prize(s). They can choose a gin or whisky mini of their choice by showing one of the distillery’s tour guides their selfie. It’s as easy as that! Although dogs and under 18’s cannot participate, the distillery will have plenty of treats and chocolate on hand for them to enjoy for joining in the fun.

Visitors are encouraged to book into one of Stirling Distillery’s award-winning gin or whisky experiences at the end of the Easter hunt to try out their range of spirits before selecting their prizes.

*T&C’s: Prizes are until stock lasts, one mini per person, per location. A maximum of four mini’s per person, with the validation of prizes at the discretion of the distillery manager.

 

Stirling Distillery is a small family-run business creating hand-crafted spirits in the historic ‘Old Smiddy’, Stirling’s first legal distillery on the castle rock. Distilled, bottled and labelled in the distillery, the team have been offering daily gin and whisky tastings, distillery tours and gin school since 2019. Known for their award-winning London dry gin, made with foraged Stirlingshire nettles, Stirling Distillery expanded into whisky in 2023. Their range of products celebrate local history and folklore, such as their Battle Strength gin which commemorates the Battle of Stirling Bridge and features custom artwork from Scottish artist Ritchie Collins.

Voted Visitor Attraction of the Year at the Stirling Business Awards in 2023, and awarded a coveted 2023 Travellers’ Choice Award for the third year in a row from online travel website TripAdvisor, Stirling Distillery is listed as the number one thing to do in Stirling on TripAdvisor’s website. The team have received over 900 five-star reviews for their gin and whisky experiences and is recognised as a top tourist destination in the city. With over 24,000 visitors to the Old Smiddy during 2023, the distillery has welcomed guests from across the world.

Visit https://stirlingdistillery.com/ for more information.

 

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 gin school.