Category Archives: South East England News

Family-run firm Diamond Green Energy goes green in sparkling new eco-conscious rebrand

A FAMILY-run firm is levelling up with a sparkling new eco-conscious rebrand. 

Fareham-based company, Diamond Green Energy has recently undergone a complete brand overhaul as it shifts its focus towards renewable energy in a bid to be part of a larger green movement.

Previously Diamond Gas and Heating, the firm started out as a small plumbing and heating company, run by husband and wife Ian and Louise Simm and offering traditional gas and plumbing services. 

Over the last 13 years, the company has evolved into a 20-strong team, offering a range of services across the gas and renewable energy space, from air conditioning units to solar panels. 

Despite its growth, the business’ core ethos has remained the same – to heat and cool homes at as little cost as possible to the customer – something which Louise and Ian feel is particularly important during the cost-of-living crisis. 

Louise said: ‘It’s important for companies like ours to do our bit to help make Hampshire that bit greener. Not only is it beneficial for the environment, but it can be cost-efficient too, but a lot of people are put off because of what they’ve heard when it comes to costs. We work closely with each customer to recommend a product or service, whether that’s an air conditioning unit, solar panels or gas central heating, to ensure that whatever we do for them is the most efficient, both for their energy consumption and for their bank accounts.’ 

Diamond Green Energy still offers traditional heating and cooling services such as boiler fitting and repairs, but also offers a range of energy-efficient services, such as electric vehicle chargers, solar panels and battery storage. 

Both Ian and Louise are ex-Armed Forces and hire several veterans, having also supported All Call Signs – a charity that supports veterans, service personnel and their family members experiencing ill mental health.

They employ their son and daughter as well as Claire Louise’s sister, ensuring their strong family values remain within the company as it grows. 

Ian said: ‘The company is continuously growing and our brand needed to reflect the direction in which we’re going. Our aim is to educate as many people about the potential support they can receive to make their homes more energy efficient and suggest the best products for them, rather than the most profitable for us. We’re all about the needs of the customer – that’s more important to us than what will make us the most money.’

You can find out about Diamond Green Energy’s services at www.diamondgreen.energy 

Apogee appoints new CEO to spearhead customer-first growth strategy in managed workplace services

James Clark returns to Apogee from senior role with parent company HP Inc.

Maidstone, UK, 05th February 2024 – Apogee Corporation Ltd, Europe’s leading managed workplace services provider, has appointed James Clark as its new CEO to drive the company’s continued growth, focusing on a customer-first strategy within managed workplace services.

Clark was CFO of Apogee from the point HP Inc. acquired the business in 2018, before taking up roles at HP in 2022. From April 2023, Clark was Head of Finance in the Hybrid Systems division at HP.

 

“I know the journey that Apogee is on, and I shall be progressing the growth strategy developed under the fantastic leadership of my predecessor Aurelio Maruggi,” said Clark. “With the strength of a great brand like HP behind us, added to the investment we have made, Apogee is set to see strong growth in many areas of the business, especially managed IT services which we expect to double as a percentage of the business over the next three-to-five years.”

 

Under his leadership, Clark says Apogee will continue and indeed strengthen its focus on being a “customer-first” business, meeting the evolving needs of businesses in a fast-changing world where agility and sustainability are major priorities. He explained: “This is about taking the great service and customer insights we have to drive value. It is vital we remain focused on being a trusted and indispensable partner for our customers.”

 

Apogee has enjoyed a string of major milestones in the last year, including the acquisitions of Datatron and Argon to extend the capabilities and scale of its core services. In 2023, the company recorded significant growth in many of these service areas, including managed print services (28% growth), outsourced document services (25% growth) and managed IT services (24% growth).

On this, Clark commented: “The product offering has matured incredibly. As a customer-first company we must use our insights to meet the unmet needs of our customer base by knowing our customers almost better than they do.”

 

Clark first joined HP as Head of Finance Western European Markets in 2017. Prior to this, Clark spent 16 years of his career at Procter & Gamble in Finance and General management, progressing from Cosmetics Cost Manager to Finance Director, and then Business Information Security Leader, in a career path that took him around the globe from Ireland, to London, to Singapore and then to Geneva and most recently, back to London.

Essex & Suffolk Water select Connexin for largest UK IoT smart water metering contract

UK-based smart technology and digital provider Connexin has been selected by Essex & Suffolk Water for the advanced water metering infrastructure (AMI) framework contract, to manage the roll-out of smart meters across the Essex and Suffolk supply regions. The agreement is the third major smart water meter win for Connexin having already secured Yorkshire Water and Severn Trent Water.

The new AMI IoT metering award is the largest of its kind in the UK water utility sector. The delivery of an end-to-end ‘Meter as a Service’ solution will cover smart water metering requirements across Essex and Suffolk, while also supporting Ofwat’s per capita consumption (PCC) and leakage targets. The water company has also committed to ensuring that all water meters are “smart” by 2035.

Installation of Connexin’s low-powered and long-range LoRaWAN® network infrastructure will enable communications with Temetra’s Head End System (HES), sending data from smart water meters via the Connexin AMI network infrastructure to effectively analyse reports from across the network remotely in real-time. Connexin will install 164,000 Itron water meters by the end of 2025, 612,000 meters by 2030 and up to one million meters in total by 2035.

In the next 11 years, Connexin will provide a wireless communications network for up to one million households and businesses, meaning remote access to hourly water meter readings, this will increase visibility of usage and help customers take control of their bills. The Connexin network will support the water company in identifying and reducing household leakage across Essex and Suffolk; reducing the amount of water wasted across some of the country’s most water-stressed regions.

Gary Adams, Head of the Smart Transformation Programme at Essex & Suffolk Water, said: “Our partnership with Connexin is a cornerstone in supporting our smart meter rollout ambition in these regions and we are excited to bring their extensive knowledge and experience into our programme of work.

“We are passionate about the environment and our targets to reduce both consumption and leakage, creating a more water-efficient system for our customers. Our rollout of smart metering will support this and provide valuable insight in shaping how the industry can better understand where water is used, and make sure we’re looking after it for the future.

“We know that approximately 18% of our domestic customers have a leak at their property which has a direct impact on the value of their bill. Through this smart connectivity, we will be able to detect customer side leakage more precisely and quicker than before supporting our customers in keeping their bills as low as possible. The hourly data will also allow us to work with our customers to demonstrate how much water they are using and provide guidance on how to reduce it to help improve people’s lives and safeguard our environment.”

Connexin has been awarded a contract of up to 15 years to provide the new infrastructure, five years initially with the option to extend for a further 10 years – truly cementing its position as the go-to end-to-end solutions provider for smart water metering within the utilities sector.

Dan Preece, Vice President of Water & Utilities at Connexin, said: “We have proved once again we are a leader in smart water infrastructure. Securing the largest UK water metering contract is a commitment to the well-being of our communities and the conservation of our most precious resource. Together we are paving the way for a more connected, efficient, and responsible world – one drop at a time.”

The Asset Management Period 8 (AMP8) commences on 1 April 2025, affecting all water companies within England & Wales. The purpose of AMP periods, set by industry regulator Ofwat, is to increase efficiency and service levels within the sector. It is anticipated that AMP8 will transform the water industry’s commitments towards climate change and customer expectations on service, society, and the environment

Pearl Lake Country Park celebrates 25th anniversary with donation to local suicide bereavement charity

In commemoration of its 25th anniversary, Pearl Lake Country Park, based in Herefordshire, has proudly announced a charitable donation of £1,000 to Kelly’s Heroes, a Wellingborough based charity which supports those who have been bereaved by suicide.

Since its establishment in 1998, Pearl Lake Country Park, named after the 10,000-year-old glacial beauty that forms its central feature, has been committed to fostering community spirit and contributing to worthy causes. Owners Glenn and Hannah Jones have been so overwhelmed with all the support and custom they’ve received over the years, they’ve pledged to give something back to those that have helped them succeed, by way of donating £25,000 to be split between different charities to mark the 25 years since their arrival at the beauty spot.

Park owner Glenn said: “It’s hard to believe a quarter of a century has passed since we first walked through the gates as owners. It’s been an exciting and exhilarating journey and occasionally a bit overwhelming. We’ve reached an incredible milestone and are extremely proud of our success but couldn’t have done it without the support of our amazing team and the wonderful holiday homeowners and guests who make the park what it is today.”

The 100-acre park is set in a stunning location, consisting of 20 acres of ancient woodland with the largest glacial lake in Herefordshire. Since the initial purchase Pearl Lake has become award-winning and is one of three holiday parks owned and run by the Jones family. www.discoverparks.co.uk. After years of continued investment and development it now provides 5* holiday homes, self-catering accommodation, and fully serviced touring facilities to nearly 200 people, bringing valuable revenue into the area supporting local shops and restaurants and much more.

“We are honoured to mark our 25th anniversary by supporting Kelly’s Heroes, an organisation that aligns with our values and dedication to community well-being,” said Hannah, co-owner of Pearl Lake Country Park. “Two of our regular residents are close friends with John Hewitt, Co-Founder of the charity and they decided to nominate Kelly’s Heroes as one of our beneficiaries. The work they do is remarkable, and we are incredibly happy to support such a worthy cause.”

Kelly’s Heroes, known for their unwavering dedication to assisting anyone with poor mental health, has been chosen as the beneficiary for this special anniversary donation. The £1,000 contribution reflects Pearl Lake Country Park’s commitment to making a positive impact on the lives of those who have been bereaved by suicide.

Long term residents of the park, Pam George and Steve Hancox nominated Kelly’s Heroes after seeing the hard work John has put into helping and supporting those who have been bereaved by suicide. Pam said: “On the 18th of December 2018 we received the devastating news that Kelly had taken her own life. John decided to channel his grief and despair into creating a legacy for Kelly. He dedicated his time and money into starting what has now become an incredible charity helping countless people in person, and online. Kelly’s Heroes, as it is now known, has already saved many lives, and changed others.”

John Hewitt, of Kelly’s Heroes said: “The team are deeply grateful for the generous donation made. It will enable us to continue making a meaningful impact and create positive change to help those who struggle with their mental health and have been bereaved by suicide.”

To find out more about Kelly’s Heroes, visit: www.kellysheroes.org.uk

Recruitment expert aided in US expansion by creative agency’s new brand and website project

NOTTINGHAM-BASED recruitment agency Distinct has been aided with a push into markets further south and in the US by a redesigned website and an updated brand.

Distinct, which specialises in recruitment for roles within finance, HR, marketing, IT and office support and supply chain and procurement, is opening an office in London to mount an expansion into the south and is about to open another in Boston to capitalise on its rapid growth in the North American market. It turned to Wiltshire design agency Milk & Tweed for its new brand look and an upgraded website with functions to help both clients and job hunters.

Milk & Tweed, which has offices in Chippenham and Brighton in Sussex, is building a reputation for excellence in website, brand and logo design and digital marketing.

Distinct Marketing Director Amy Robinson-Nunn said: “We’ve got exciting expansion plans in both London and North America, whilst also pushing to stand out in quite competitive markets. So, one of the things we wanted to do was make sure that our brand and our website supported this strategy.

“We wanted something that was fresh, confident, clean and modern, whilst still retaining the core of what the brand has always been – I think that’s been achieved here.”

Milk & Tweed’s design team refreshed the Distinct logo to give it a more modern feel, sharpened the colours and used cleaner typography. “While it’s not been radically transformed, these changes have made it look totally different,” said Ms Robinson-Nunn.

The agency’s website has been redesigned and features two new user-friendly tools. “For a candidate being offered a job, one of the first things you want to do is work out your take-home pay, so we’ve got a salary calculator where they can insert their wage and then the tax, student loan and pension deductions are calculated to leave the exact amount they’ll receive in their bank account,” said Ms Robinson-Nunn.

“On the flip side for our clients, we’ve got a wage insights tool which uses live data from the last 12 months, so if they are advertising a job in a particular area, the tool will display the going rate for that job title in their chosen location.”

She said the agency is delighted with the new site. “The development team in particular have been incredible,” she said. “Milk & Tweed’s Web Manager Jon Mynette has been leading the way for us from a development point of view and he’s been fantastic to work with.

“I think they’ve created something that I am genuinely proud of and would recommend them to others.”

She said the new website is particularly important, given Distinct’s ambitious expansion plans. “We’re really taking hold in the US and we’re working in roles within the public accounting and legal sectors,” said Ms Robinson-Nunn.

“We started off in New York and have since moved into Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Virginia, Maryland, New Jersey, Texas, Pennsylvania, New Hampshire, Illinois, Florida, Connecticut and Ohio, so we’re opening an office in Boston to further strengthen our operation in the US.

“Our refreshed brand and new website help us to stand out from our competitors and will certainly support our new strategy and exciting expansion plans.”

Milk & Tweed Web Manager Jon Mynette said: “The project was amazing to work on and the team at Distinct were great to work with because they were so organised, driven and ambitious. It really pushed us as a team and I’m very proud of the work we’ve done and the results we’ve achieved.

“Distinct had some amazing ideas around how they wanted their site to be presented and perform. It meant we had to push the boundaries of how we usually build, which I always enjoy. I must give a special mention to the lead designer Jon Francis and lead developer Sam Jones, who have both done fantastic work on the project. Without them we wouldn’t have been able to achieve what we have.”

Pictured: Recruitment agency Distinct turned to creative agency Milk & Tweed to help prepare it for an expansion into the south of England and further into North America

Preparing Your Property for Sale: Home Staging and Maintenance Tips for Ascot Residents

Selling your house can be a daunting task, but with careful planning and attention to detail, you can significantly increase its appeal to potential buyers. If you’re considering putting your house on the market in Ascot, where the real estate market is vibrant, it’s essential to present your property in the best possible light. In this article, we’ll explore the key strategies for preparing your property for sale in Ascot, focusing on effective home staging and maintenance tips.

1. Enhance Curb Appeal:

  • Ascot’s picturesque surroundings demand a visually appealing exterior. Ensure your property makes a great first impression by maintaining a well-manicured garden, clean pathways, and a welcoming entrance.
  • Consider adding potted plants or flowers to the entrance to create an inviting atmosphere.

2. Declutter and Depersonalize:

  • Potential buyers want to envision themselves in the space, so clear away personal items and excessive clutter.
  • Consider a neutral color palette for walls and decor to create a blank canvas that allows buyers to imagine their style in the home.

3. Highlight Key Features:

  • Accentuate the unique features of your property, whether it’s a spacious living room, a stunning view, or architectural details.
  • For houses in Ascot, with its affluent atmosphere, emphasize any luxurious aspects, such as high-end fixtures or premium finishes.

4. Invest in Professional Photography:

  • Quality visuals are crucial in the digital age. Hire a professional photographer to capture your property in the best light.
  • Ensure that the images highlight the key selling points of your house, making it stand out among other listings for estate agents in Ascot.

5. Address Maintenance Issues:

  • Ascot’s discerning buyers will appreciate a well-maintained property. Fix any visible issues, such as leaky faucets, peeling paint, or squeaky doors.
  • Consider hiring professionals for a thorough inspection to address any hidden problems.

6. Create Inviting Spaces:

  • Arrange furniture to create open, inviting spaces that allow potential buyers to move freely.
  • Use soft furnishings and tasteful decor to make rooms feel warm and welcoming.

7. Showcase Outdoor Living Spaces:

  • If your property in Ascot boasts a garden or outdoor space, showcase it. Consider adding outdoor furniture or creating a cozy seating area.
  • Highlighting the potential for outdoor living can be a significant selling point.

8. Emphasize Energy Efficiency:

  • With increasing awareness of environmental concerns, buyers appreciate energy-efficient features. Ensure your property is equipped with energy-efficient appliances and lighting.
  • If possible, showcase any green initiatives, such as solar panels or energy-efficient windows.

9. Optimize Online Listings:

  • Since many property searches begin online, ensure your online listings are optimized with relevant keywords like “house for sale in Ascot” to attract potential buyers.
  • Provide detailed information about the property, including its unique features, amenities, and proximity to local attractions.

10. Consider Professional Home Staging:

  • For a polished look, consider hiring a professional home stager. They can use their expertise to arrange furniture, decor, and lighting to maximize your property’s appeal.
  • A well-staged home often sells faster and at a potentially higher price.

In conclusion, preparing your property for sale in Ascot involves a combination of strategic home staging and thorough maintenance. By investing time and effort into presenting your house in the best possible light, you increase the chances of attracting discerning buyers in this competitive real estate market. Implementing these tips will not only enhance the appeal of your property but also position it as a desirable option among estate agents in Ascot.

SASC invests second loan of £3.3m in One Small Thing to support pioneering project for women affected by the justice system

One Small Thing (OST), a charity dedicated to transforming the criminal justice system for women and their children, has received a second social investment loan of £3.3m from Social and Sustainable Capital (SASC).

The loan, from SASC’s Social and Sustainable Housing fund (SASH), will enable the charity to purchase and refurbish six properties in Southampton and Portsmouth, providing supported accommodation for up to 40 women involved in the criminal justice system in Hampshire, as part of its Hope Street project.

 

Hope Street is a pioneering residential community in Southampton, which will house up to 124 women and their children from spring 2023. This will prevent women receiving custodial sentences just because this is the only option available.

At Hope Street, women can meet the requirements of a community sentence in a safe, calm, and nurturing environment, where their children can live with them and they can access therapy, treatment and support. It will also help them access training and employment and make new links into the local community.

SASC’s first investment in OST was a £380k loan from its Community and Investment Fund, which funded five self-contained flats at Hope Street, as well as a large restorative outdoor space.

This latest investment will add further move on accommodation and marks the next phase of the charity’s vision for redesigning the justice system for women and their children in a way that can be replicated and scaled across the UK.

OST was founded in 2018 and is led by an inspirational philanthropist and tireless prison reformer Lady Edwina Grosvenor[i]. With a degree in criminology, Lady Edwina has devoted her 23-year career to prison reform. Hope Street aligns with the thinking behind the 2018 Female Offender Strategy[ii], which has a strong focus on community-based solutions.

 

Southampton was carefully selected as there are no prisons for women in Hampshire and Southampton is where a third of offences in Hampshire occur. Of the 877 women arrested in Hampshire between 1st November 2018 and 31st October 2019, 33% were from Southampton.

 

Women from Southampton who receive a custodial sentence are sent out of area, often more than 60 miles away from their home, making it very difficult for families to visit[iii].

 

Claire Hubbertsey, Chief Executive of One Small Thing said, “Hope Street will be a restorative environment where women can thrive and access vital services, without the added trauma of being separated from their children. It is designed to become a centre of excellence that can be replicated across the UK. We’re grateful that SASC shares our vison and is committed to helping us achieve our goals.”

 

Ben Rick, Co-Founder and CEO of SASC said, “Since our first loan to One Small Thing we have been impressed with how this project has developed and wanted to extend our support so they can add further supported accommodation. The programme will positively impact the life outcomes for many women and their children and enable them to break out of the cycle of crime and deprivation, and transition to independent housing.”

 

As of September 2022, SASH was fully committed, having allocated £64.5m of invested capital to charities across the UK. The successor fund, SASH II was launched last autumn, to provide a continuity of funding to frontline providers.

The fund will support charitable organisations that deliver a combination of support and housing to move from renting existing housing stock to owning it. SASH II is open for fundraising and targeting £125m.

 

For more information on One Small Thing visit: www.onesmallthing.org.uk

For more information on SASC visit: www.socialandsustainable.com

[i] https://onesmallthing.org.uk/board-of-trustees/edwina-grosvenor

[ii] https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/female-offender-strategy

[iii] https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5b2920c1a9e028ee9c2eb7b5/t/5f75dac80dd0c87c41a511e8/1601559241068/Hope+Street+Succesful+Planning+Application+statement+FINAL.pdf

Oxford IT firm reveals biggest threats to cyber security in 2023

To mark the new year, an Oxfordshire based IT firm has put together its predictions for the cyber security industry in 2023 to help other businesses guard against cybercrime.

OX IT Solutions is helping to combat the constant advancement in cybercrime by issuing key advice on how to protect against the biggest threats of the year. They are also offering free, remote cyber security audits to all businesses and organisations to help them pinpoint their weaknesses.

The Kidlington based company helps NHS trusts, schools and businesses across the UK protect against cyber security attacks.

Director of OX IT Solutions Chris Cope said: “This year, we can certainly expect the return of many of the trends that made headlines in 2022. However, as cyber criminals discover new vulnerabilities to exploit, it is likely we will see more sophisticated attacks which are harder to detect and harder to block.

“It is more important than ever that businesses of all sizes make cybersecurity a priority if they want to protect their sensitive data and prevent costly attacks.”

Mr Cope added: “Securing your IT investment in today’s environment can be time consuming, complicated and expensive. Our security review can help you address these challenges so we would encourage all businesses to take advantage of this in 2023.”

Here are OX IT Solutions’ top three predictions for 2023:

1. Ransomware will remain a constant threat

Just like last year, ransomware will remain a constant threat to all businesses and organisations. Ransomware is a form of malware that specialises in extortion. It takes over a device, blocks access to data and demands a ransom for its release.

Over the last five years ransomware has cost UK businesses millions of pounds. To combat the threat, OX IT Solutions recommends making regular external backups of business-critical data and investing in advanced cybersecurity protection on all endpoints to block ransomware before it reaches your device.

2. Increase in phishing attacks

Phishing is a type of fraudulent attack spread through email, text messages or even voicemail attachments. Cyber criminals use this type of attack to con you into sharing your personal data. Last year it was the most common form of attack in the UK – in 2022 83% of businesses and 87% of charities claimed to have experienced an attack of this nature.

Mr Cope said phishing attacks are easily preventable if you know what to look for. Encouraging vigilance and education amongst staff should seriously reduce the number of low-level breaches.

3. More MFA weaknesses will be exploited

Multi-factor authentication is the process of proving a user’s identity by requiring two or more levels of verification to log in to a resource like an online account or VPN. MFA is a core component of any strong online security infrastructure and vital for those with private or sensitive data online.

Attacks targeting multi factor authentication weaknesses in 2022 prove that although MFA remains an essential line of defence, it must be adopted as part of a wider zero trust approach and not as a single solution.

Mr Cope added: “With the right MFA solution, protecting your devices and data is easy. The added verification step makes it significantly harder for a cyber criminal to breach your systems so we would encourage all businesses to adopt MFA. Our advanced solutions help us proactively detect and protect against threats in real time to give you and your business peace of mind.”

OX IT Solutions specialises in providing network, infrastructure and cyber security solutions. It works with major blue-chip companies, healthcare institutions, local authorities and SMEs. Its clients include the Royal College of Nursing, NW London NHS Trust and Molton Brown.

Morgan Sindall Construction reach exciting milestone at Hertfordshire’s first net zero school

Morgan Sindall Construction’s Northern Home Counties business has held a ground-breaking ceremony at the Buntingford First School, marking an exciting milestone for Hertfordshire County Council (HCC) and Scholars Education Trust in delivering the region’s first carbon neutral school.

Attendees were shown around the site before ground was broken with a golden shovel, with speeches from Terry Douris, Executive Member for Education at HCC, Matthew Gauthier, Deputy CEO at the Scholar’s Education Trust, and David Rowsell, area director at Morgan Sindall Construction in the Northern Home Counties.

Other attendees included the Mayor of Buntingford Duncan Wallace and key stakeholders from Buntingford First School, HCC, Morgan Sindall Construction and the Scholar’s Education Trust.

Scheduled to open in 2023, Buntingford First School will be built in line with the Hertfordshire County Council’s sustainability strategy and ambition to be carbon neutral by 2030. It will utilise a Passivhaus design which will improve the school’s air quality, reduce carbon emissions and lower its energy running costs.

As part of the highly sustainable project, over 300 solar panels, triple-glazing windows and air-source heat pumps will be installed. The new school will also include a rooftop outdoor classroom and numerous play areas. In addition, all the teaching spaces in the school will face north, avoiding south-facing windows that cause rooms to over-heat, while social areas such as the school dining halls and common rooms will face south.

The new 330-pupil school, which has ten classrooms and incorporates a nursery, will be built on the former Sainsbury’s depot site, adjoining the Bury Football Club who will share the site with the new School. When complete, it will provide additional school places for Buntingford and its new communities.

Prospective parents can apply for reception places for September 2023 at Buntingford First School through the county council’s admissions website at Buntingford First School | Hertfordshire County Council | www.hertfordshire.gov.uk. In this, its first year of opening, Buntingford First School, has a separate application process for Reception admissions and the school can therefore be a “fifth preference” in addition to the four preferences expressed on the usual county council application form.

David Rowsell, Morgan Sindall Construction’s Northern Home Counties area director, said: “As a local resident, it’s fantastic to see the investment here in Buntingford. It is the energy and passion of the younger generation which makes projects like this so vital. We are thrilled to be on site here and are looking forward to providing the local community with a first-class education facility.”

Cllr Terry Douris, Executive Member for Education at Hertfordshire County Council said: “It has been a privilege to be here to watch as this school rises from the ground. Four years ago, when this scheme was first discussed, it was ground-breaking to be looking at a school that was not only Passivhaus standard, but also net zero in both construction and operation.

“This project demonstrates to the wider world our commitment to saving the planet and how we must work going forwards.”

Matt Gauthier, Executive Headteacher at Buntingford First School said: “A key driver for us is providing education for a changing world and Buntingford First School embodies this ethos. Another driving force for us is to provide first class education for the children of Buntingford, something we have every confidence this school will support.”

Cllr Duncan Wallace, Mayor of Buntingford, said: “Thank you to Hertfordshire County Council for this significant investment in our town. Investing in the next generation is vital to them fulfilling their potential.”

Community garden blossoms as Morgan Sindall Construction completes work on regeneration scheme

Morgan Sindall Construction’s Eastern Counties team has celebrated the completion of work for Great Yarmouth Borough Council to provide residents of the Middlegate housing estate with a new communal garden and outdoor play areas.  

 Across the estate a number of play areas were tired, and the pre-existing Multi Use Games Area (MUGA) had been identified by the local community as the source of anti-social behaviour. The former MUGA area now forms part of 2,500 sq. m of new green space to be enjoyed by the surrounding residents. In addition, three new play areas were replaced and enhanced with new seating and improved lighting.  

 Looking to celebrate its completion, residents along with the Mayor of Great Yarmouth, Councillor Graham Plant, and local councillors including Councillor Flaxman-Taylor, Councillor Robinson-Payne, Councillor Wright and Councillor Jeal all attended the formal opening of the new areas, as well as, Chief Executive of Great Yarmouth Borough Council Sheila Oxtoby. 

 This was the third community-engagement event to take place throughout the project’s duration, with residents previously invited down to engage with the project in a fun and informal setting. As well as being educated on the importance of health and safety on building sites, the children also heard from the local police regarding anti-social behaviour. They also got involved in some of the painting works and enjoyed a number of free ice creams that were provided. The second event saw volunteers from Morgan Sindall, the contractors involved in the works, Council staff and councillors undertake painting of garden fences and shed doors as well as planting bulds, 

 Procured through the SCAPE Construction framework, Middlegate community gardens is the first project Morgan Sindall Construction has delivered in the Eastern Counties since being appointed to the national framework last year.   

 

Warren Salmons, Morgan Sindall Construction’s Eastern Counties Business Development Manager, said: “The whole of the Eastern Counties team is proud to have delivered its first project procured through SCAPE and, with a strong pipeline of activity, we look forward to delivering more in the future all across the region. 

 “This project’s main goal, like all others Morgan Sindall Construction complete, was to create genuine social value where it is most needed for the benefit of the local community. Through engaging with the local community, council and police we have not only fulfilled that goal in the finished work, but also throughout the whole project.”  

 

Mark Robinson, Group Chief Executive at SCAPE, added: “Place as a route to stronger, healthier communities is vital. This consultative regeneration project has enabled a green space that will be of great value to residents in Great Yarmouth and provides an inclusive, outdoor environment to be enjoyed. SCAPE is pleased to have been able to accelerate the delivery of this project through our Construction Framework.” 

 

Emma Flaxman-Taylor, chair of the Housing and Neighbourhood committee at Great Yarmouth Borough Council, said: “It’s great to have the new wheelchair accessible play ship installed as part of work to improve a number of play areas and create a new shared secure communal garden in the Middlegate Estate. I know all of our residents will really enjoy and appreciate the improvements to their area.”