War Horse, the war drama film by Steven Spielberg, and hero of Michael Morpurgo’s novel, has taken many Best Picture, golden Globe Awards and BAFTAs. It is the story of Joey, the much loved horse of young Albert Narracott who lived in south west England with his family. Joey was
Metropolitan, the leading independent district energy and multi-utility infrastructure provider, today welcomed the UK Government’s support for district energy and confirmed the company’s plans to grow its substantial involvement in the UK heat market. As the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) launches the main scheme of the
Balfour Beatty Living Places has won a £103 million highways maintenance contract from Telford and Wrekin Council. The contract is initially for seven years, with the option to extend it for a further seven years. “We are delighted to have been awarded this contract by Telford and Wrekin Council; it
War Horse, the war drama film by Steven Spielberg, and hero of Michael Morpurgo’s novel, has taken many Best Picture, golden Globe Awards and BAFTAs. It is the story of Joey, the much loved horse of young Albert Narracott who lived in south west England with his family. Joey was one of the millions of horses, mules and donkeys who served their time in World War 1. They were used for transport, communication and companionship, carrying water, food, ammunition and medical supplies to men at the front while some 200,000 pigeons carried essential messages. Of our soldiers, 886,000 men died representing 2% of the country’s entire population. Ian Murray, the renowned chainsaw sculptor, has carved many and varied subjects from timber mostly as commissioned works from individuals and organisation keen to have his breath taking works of art. As 2018 marks the 100th Centennial of the end of World War 1, and to commemorate this special occasion, Ian has been tasked to carve a life size Joey, standing at 7’3”, from solid oak, in just 70 amazing hours. Chainsaws and other high performance tools, accessories and PPE have been supplied by Makita UK, the UK’s number 1 professional power tool manufacturer, via regional distributor Morris Garden Machinery, Rhuddlan. Richard Kendrick, Royal British Legion organiser in Rhyl, N Wales, who is responsible for the Poppy Appeal, is aiming to raise £3,500 to pay for the creation of Joey. He is working with local schools and colleges to help raise these funds. “When Ian has finished creating War Horse, we plan to visit local schools and educate our children about World War 1,” says Richard. “Together we want to tell children about the war and what happened – to understand the hardships our soldiers and our horses endured.” Adds Ian Murray: “We’re hoping the children will enjoy this real-life lesson as they will be able to connect with War Horse, to see him and touch him, and we hope they will appreciate how much our servicemen and women did for us over 100 years ago.” There is also hope that local MP Chris Ruane may be successful in arranging for War Horse to visit the Palace of Westminster, the iconic home of UK parliament, and that other children around the UK will see and request a visit to their own school and to learn of our gallant forces and what they contributed to the country. Makita UK has supported the project in supplying chainsaws to Ian Murray, a keen Makita fan, for the creation of War Horse including three chainsaws, one with Easy Start and another featuring the market leading Vibration Dampening technology; a cordless LXT blower; 18v cordless grinder, file sander and die grinder, as well as accessories and PPE. “This carving of War Horse has been a bit daunting,” reports Ian, “and I had to make this creation in two bursts due to essential overseas travel in the middle of the project. But this allowed the timber time to stabilise and take on a new position while it dries out naturally adding greater dynamics to the wonderful Joey. I’m very pleased with this creation.” Jonathon Morris of Morris Garden Machinery has encouraged Ian Murray over recent years. “His sculptures show exceptional talent and we are delighted that he uses Makita saws. We are a Makita approved PDI dealer and sales have expanded tremendously in recent years. The products are excellent and, above all, reliable,” reports Mr Morris. For more news and product information about Makita UK please visit www.makitauk.com. Follow us on Twitter @MakitaUK, Facebook.com/makitauk and google.com/+makitauk
Metropolitan, the leading independent district energy and multi-utility infrastructure provider, today welcomed the UK Government’s support for district energy and confirmed the company’s plans to grow its substantial involvement in the UK heat market. As the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) launches the main scheme of the Heat Networks Investment Program (HNIP), making £320M available to fund sector investment in district energy, Metropolitan is reaffirming its confidence in the UK heat network market and is delighted with this recognition of the important and growing contribution that district energy can make to achieving low-carbon, sustainable development. Metropolitan has a strong track record in this field having, for example, delivered low-carbon heat networks for the landmark urban regeneration at King’s Cross in London and at Greenwich Millennium Village. Focussing on district energy and building on its considerable expertise in this field, the company is planning to have more than 50,000 connected customers in ten years’ time. This growth is expected to result in the creation of hundreds of new jobs across the UK in the district energy sector and will be supported by £100M of capital expenditure over the same period. Metropolitan offers developers and housebuilders a unique multi-utility package, combining the provision of district energy networks with the full range of other utilities: gas, electricity, ultrafast fibre, water and wastewater; and thereby delivering time and cost-savings through the procurement and implementation phases of a development. The company is committed to the highest standards of quality, service and customer protection. It was one of the first to register a scheme with the Heat Trust, the industry-led, self-regulatory initiative which recognises best practice and supports the recent decision to introduce regulation to the heat network sector. “We are very excited at the prospects for the growth of district energy in the UK”, commented Jeremy Bungey, managing director of Metropolitan. “Today’s announcement means that the sector has an unprecedented opportunity to lead the way in low-carbon development. The availability of funding through the HNIP, backed by active Government commitment, means that developments will be able to incorporate the most energy-efficient heating systems for the benefit of whole communities. Such district energy systems not only deliver core services but also create jobs.” Claire Perry, Minister for Energy and Clean Growth, said: “The UK has led the world in cutting emissions whilst growing our economy – with clean growth driving incredible innovation and creating hundreds of thousands of high quality jobs. Ten years on from the Climate Change Act, the first ever Green GB week is a time to build on our successes and explain the huge opportunities for business and young people of a cleaner economy. I’m delighted to see how many more businesses and organisations such as BUUK are seizing this multi-billion-pound opportunity to energize their communities to tackle the very serious threat of climate change.” Metropolitan is part of the BUUK Infrastructure Group. BUUK Infrastructure is the leading independent provider of last-mile utility networks, constructing and operating essential utility assets in the UK. BUUK Infrastructure has a unique, integrated approach providing all the essential utilities; gas, electricity, water, wastewater, fibre-to-the-home and district heat networks. Visit www.met-i.co.uk
Balfour Beatty Living Places has won a £103 million highways maintenance contract from Telford and Wrekin Council. The contract is initially for seven years, with the option to extend it for a further seven years. “We are delighted to have been awarded this contract by Telford and Wrekin Council; it builds on our trusted expertise in highways services. We look forward to working closely with the Council and the local community to deliver tangible improvements across the Borough,” said Steve Helliwell, Managing Director of Balfour Beatty Living Places. Working together with the Council, Balfour Beatty will be maintaining the Borough’s 626 miles of highways and 743 miles of footpaths, providing drainage cleansing services, winter fritting and reactive highways maintenance as required. Moreover, Balfour Beatty Living Places will work closely with the council to help deliver its £20 million capital investment programme of planned highways and transport projects to improve roads, paths and highways structures. This will be delivered over the first two years of the contract. Approximately 48 full-time employees will be hired during the works, including four apprentices and graduates. “This is a key contract for the Council at a time when we are investing very heavily in improving roads and footpaths across the Borough through our £45 million Pride in Our Community programme. The savings from the contract will have no effect on the major capital investment that we are making between now and April 2021 targeting roads in particular,” added Councilor Hilda Robert, Cabinet Member for Transport, Roads and Broadband. With work due to commence in April 2019, this partnership is expected to bring an estimated saving of approximately £200,000 a year for the Council through an enhanced management of services.