A project to make land at Port of Sunderland shovel-ready for development scooped a major award. The completion of enabling works at the port鈥檚 Trinity 鈥 Rail, Road & Sea Enterprise Zone was named Medium Project of the Year at the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) North East鈥檚 annual Robert Stephenson Awards.
Held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Newcastle, the ceremony brings together the biggest regional names in construction and engineering to celebrate excellence in the built environment. The Trinity Enterprise Zone Enabling Works project, also known as Hendon Sidings, was a collaboration between Port of Sunderland, Esh Construction and Mott MacDonald, and was commended by the judges for its innovation, efficiency and community impact.
Completed in April last year, the project represented the final phase of a number of works packages to improve port infrastructure and help attract inward investment to the North Sea hub.
Matthew Hunt, director at Port of Sunderland, said: 鈥淭his recognition is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our team and our partners at Esh Construction and Mott MacDonald over the last few years to deliver this incredible project. The Trinity Enterprise Zone Enabling Works project has been a significant endeavour for us, and we are incredibly proud of the positive impact it will have on our community and the local economy.鈥
Steven Garrigan, divisional director at Esh Construction, said: 鈥淲e鈥檙e thrilled that the project has been recognised as an award-winner. Working collaboratively with our client, the designers and sub-contractors, we delivered a scheme that will support investment in the region while creating environmental efficiencies and social value within the local community.鈥
Simon Longshaw, senior associate at Mott MacDonald, added: 鈥淲e are proud to have delivered this project successfully and absolutely thrilled that it has been recognised for its excellence and impact.鈥
North East charities can bid for a share of 拢10,000, courtesy of regional housebuilder Miller Homes. The housebuilder introduced its regional Community Fund in 2022 to help grassroots projects linked to education, wellbeing, the environment and sport across the North East. Now the first of two rounds of 2024 funding is under way, with the company urging groups, organisations and good causes to apply.
Last year, awards were issued to a number of beneficiaries including Silver Tree Primary School at Usher Moor, which applied to the Miller Homes Community Fund for support to develop a library. Money also went to Seaton Sluice Football Club to help pay to take young players to a tournament in Blackpool, and to North Shields-based Mindstars NE to buy craft materials to help young people suffering with mental health issues.
Cramlington鈥檚 Mayfields Community Centre received 拢1,000 to support its community meal service and St John鈥檚 Methodist Church in Whitley Bay was awarded money to pay for its Friday Cuppa Warm Welcome sessions for anyone feeling lonely or isolated. Applications for the first round of funding close on April 24.
Regional operations director Ryan Lincoln said: 鈥淥ur developments are about far more than bricks and mortar. They are about people, communities and quality of living. So if we can support groups, organisations and charities then we are happy to do so.鈥
Housebuilder Barratt Homes North East has teamed up with Year 5 and 6 pupils at Bede Burn Primary School for an interior design competition which saw children create designs for a bedroom in one of its show homes. Children aged between 9 and 11 at Bede Burn Primary School, based near its new Monkton Gardens development, created bedroom designs for its new show home due to launch this spring. The winning entry, by 10-year-old Kayla Wilkinson featured a slide bed and a rock climbing feature.
The interior design team at the new development will bring Kayla鈥檚 drawing to life and the class will then be invited to see the bedroom once the show home launches.
Iain Usher, deputy headteacher at Bede Burn Primary School, said: 鈥淲e鈥檙e extremely grateful to Barratt Homes North East for giving our pupils the opportunity to take part in such a fun and creative activity. The children loved getting involved in designing the new bedroom and using their imaginations. We鈥檙e looking forward to seeing Kayla鈥檚 winning entry come to life in person.鈥
Natalie Donnelly, sales manager at Barratt Homes鈥 Monkton Gardens development, added: 鈥淲e鈥檝e really enjoyed teaming up with Bede Burn Primary School and bringing their thoughts and creations to life in our Show Home at the new Monkton Gardens development. Supporting the communities in which we build is a huge part of our role, and we鈥檙e so pleased that our Show Homes have that really local touch. We鈥檇 like to thank the children at Bede Burn Primary for their wonderful, creative designs, and extend a congratulations to Kayla for her winning design, which we鈥檙e really excited to bring to life!鈥
A director at a Sunderland law firm has worked on his final case and is now looking forward to retirement. Barry Wood, a director and chartered legal executive at Sunderland鈥檚 Richard Reed Solicitors, has retired after spending 37 years with the law firm. He admits that when he joined the firm, having previously worked in Hartlepool for nine years, he never envisaged staying for that length of time.
He said: 鈥淩ichard Reed has been such a great place to work with so many fantastic people and that鈥檚 the reason why I have stayed with the firm for so long. I felt now was the right time to retire.
鈥淢y wife retired a few years ago and so it gives us time to now plan to do things together and with our family, although my immediate plans are just to get out and about on my bike and do more yoga. I鈥檝e had an amazing time working at Richard Reed and I know the company will continue to go from strength to strength.鈥
North East holiday park operator Parkdean Resorts has become the first holiday park operator to sign the Age-friendly Employer Pledge. Established by the Centre for Ageing Better, the nationwide programme was launched to make workplaces more age-friendly while aiding sector-wide skills shortages.
Newcastle based Parkdean Resorts said it signed the pledged to reinforce its recognition of the experience, skills and dedication that over 50s can offer, and it has committed to take action where necessary to ensure that its recruitment, development and retention procedures are inclusive for those looking to get back into work or kickstart a new career later in life.
The business also collaborates with the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and its Government-backed Return to Work Scheme, which welcomes over 50s to its 66 holiday parks throughout the 海角视频 to learn about careers with Parkdean Resorts, followed by customer service training and a guaranteed interview.
It is also now a member of Rest Less, the digital community for 50 to 70-year-olds that offers guidance and resources on jobs and careers, volunteering, health, lifestyle and more. As a recognised age diverse employer, all of Parkdean Resorts鈥 vacancies are now advertised on the platform to its community of over one million members.
Becky Cain, wellbeing and inclusion manager at Parkdean Resorts, said: 鈥淎t Parkdean Resorts we celebrate difference, so we鈥檙e proud to have such a diverse and multigenerational workforce across our parks. With over 50s making up 21% of our workforce, we鈥檙e delighted to be signing the Age-friendly Employer Pledge to showcase the huge amount of experience, knowledge, and mentorship they bring to the team.鈥
