Henry Boot Construction and Latimer buried a time capsule at The Cocoa Works site in York on Friday, honouring the iconic former Rowntree Factory ahead of the new residential scheme’s completion in winter 2024. Representatives from contractor Henry Boot Construction, developer Latimer by Clarion Housing Group, Haxby Primary Academy, St
Building Heroes, the leading tri-service military charity dedicated to facilitating the transition from military to civilian careers within the construction sector is proud to announce that Thakeham has renewed its Bronze Sponsoring Partnership. Partnering with Thakeham, a leading housebuilder renowned for its commitment to sustainability and community-focused developments, underscores our
Bloor Homes has announced it is a company supporter of The Lighthouse Construction Charity, the only charity dedicated to the emotional, physical and financial wellbeing of construction workers and their families. Hannah Burgess, HR Director at Bloor Homes said: “The Lighthouse’s mission is very clear. It shows that every day
Commercial interior design and fit out company APSS has created a stunning interior design for Lincolnshire charity Naomi’s Garden part of a volunteer project bringing together construction and professional service companies across Lincolnshire. Louth-based Naomi’s Garden provides a conductive education and special education needs consultancy. It also provides Bowen Therapy
wienerberger UK & Ireland, a leading provider of solutions across the building envelope, has launched a new partnership with charity Emmaus UK as it begins to implement its first ever social impact strategy. Under the agreement, wienerberger will contribute £10,000 to Emmaus UK’s Companion Training Fund. The programme provides grants
An apartment used as a ‘home from home’ by the parents of children undergoing treatment at Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge has been given a facelift by the developer which built the property. Staff from Countryside Homes have carried out a full redecoration of the one-bedroom home at its Aura development
GMI Construction Group has launched its Construction Cares programmes, bringing all its community, employability and wellbeing projects under one banner. Led by GMI’s Responsible Business Team, Construction Cares will deliver and support a range of activities in the North East, North West, Yorkshire and Midlands where the construction company operates.
The home of the former West Works car factory in Longbridge – birthplace of the iconic MINI car – has reopened to the public for the first time in almost two decades, after master developer St. Modwen handed over 27 acres of public realm. The 75-acre mixed use site –
For the fourth year in a row, the ‘Our Teviot’ summer festival has yet again drawn together hundreds of residents in Poplar for a day of celebration and fun. The annual festival, with roots that originally go back to the 1970s, is one of a string of events arranged by
Contractor Clegg Construction is celebrating Yorkshire Day by reflecting on how the company is helping to shape the county. The Clegg Construction team has delivered multiple new build and refurbishment projects in Leeds, Sheffield, Wakefield, York and other parts of Yorkshire over the past ten to 15 years. And the
Henry Boot Construction and Latimer buried a time capsule at The Cocoa Works site in York on Friday, honouring the iconic former Rowntree Factory ahead of the new residential scheme’s completion in winter 2024. Representatives from contractor Henry Boot Construction, developer Latimer by Clarion Housing Group, Haxby Primary Academy, St George’s Primary, and York College gathered at the celebratory event on Friday 4 October, to bury the time capsule. The time capsule has been buried with a book depicting the entire history of The Cocoa Works, alongside heritage items found by the site team during the redevelopment process at the former chocolate factory. This includes a newspaper dating back to 1980, an original Aero chocolate bar, confectionary packaging (After Eight and Black Magic from 1933), book records from the on-site Library (1973), scratch cards from 1970, and payslips from previous workers dating back to 1980. Sam Thompson, whose mother worked at the factory for 32 years and her grandfather for 48 years, also donated a photo from her mother’s induction day back in 1973. Objects from local schools and colleges also featured in the capsule. Haxby Primary Academy added a school jumper and all classes wrote a letter explaining what life is like at the academy in 2024, St George’s Primary included a school jumper and information about the history of the school and chocolate in York, and York College contributed a memory stick with photos and information about the college. York’s community-run riverside walk, The Foss Fairy Trail, provided a fairy keyring, and letters from Latimer’s 2020 ‘Sweet Memories’ campaign were added, too. This memories campaign saw former Rowntree Factory workers, along with their families and friends, share their accounts of what life was like during that time, and how the Rowntree family is remembered. Community engagement has been key throughout the project. Jack Kidder, Responsible Business Manager at Henry Boot, said: “It’s a real privilege to be part of this project, sensitively reforming this iconic York landmark in a way that will help to recapture the pride, character, and social aspect that once thrived in the days when it was an operational chocolate factory. “And this time capsule burial is a crucial milestone in the project. It marks our collaboration with Latimer and local schools to leave a lasting, positive legacy on this historical site. “It forms a vital part of our social value plan for The Cocoa Works, demonstrating both our collaboration with the local community and our commitment to maximising the social benefits for people who live in the area.” The time capsule is the final component of Henry Boot Construction’s social value delivery on the scheme. Other social value outputs on the project have included: hosting site visits for schools, providing work experience placements for York College students, and raising over £10,000 for Place2Be and Lighthouse Construction Industry Charity, to name a few. Volunteers from Henry Boot Construction, together with key partners, also helped significantly smarten up the much-loved Foss Fairy Trail on the banks of York’s River Foss last year. Richard Cook, Chief Development Officer at Clarion Housing Group, said: “We are delighted to be part of this moment in York’s history. The burial of the time capsule reflects our continued commitment to preserving the rich heritage of The Cocoa Works, while creating homes that will shape the future of this vibrant community. It’s a privilege to join Henry Boot Construction, local schools, and the community in ensuring that this project leaves a lasting legacy for generations to come.” The Cocoa Works is a major £52m residential development in York – once known as ‘The Chocolate City’ – seeing the iconic Rowntree Factory transformed into 279 high-quality apartments. The project includes a sensitive restoration of the iconic Rowntree Factory, alongside the construction of a new Pavilion and refurbishment of Joseph Rowntree Memorial Library to the front of the development. The Rowntree Factory was originally built by Joseph Rowntree in the 1890s, and prior to redevelopment, the eight-hectare site of historical significance was derelict for over a decade. The new design ensures the original features of the building are celebrated and incorporated. The project team includes the developer Latimer by Clarion Housing Group, the lead contractor, Henry Boot Construction, and Weedon Architects. Construction began at The Cocoa Works in October 2021 and is scheduled for completion in winter 2024. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Building Heroes, the leading tri-service military charity dedicated to facilitating the transition from military to civilian careers within the construction sector is proud to announce that Thakeham has renewed its Bronze Sponsoring Partnership. Partnering with Thakeham, a leading housebuilder renowned for its commitment to sustainability and community-focused developments, underscores our mission to collaborate with industry trailblazers that align with our values of service and excellence and are committed to providing opportunities for the armed forces community within the construction industry. Since its foundation in 2014, Building Heroes has supported the transition of over 3,400 graduates into civilian life by offering access to barrier-free construction training programmes. As a recipient of the Queen’s Award and celebrating a decade of significant impact, the charity continues to work with educational partners and industry leaders to accelerate learning that leads to employment or self-employment in construction, infrastructure, and sustainable building sectors. Thakeham’s sponsorship of Building Heroes strengthens a shared commitment to supporting armed forces personnel, advancing construction skills training, and fostering community development. This ongoing collaboration was recently showcased when Thakeham team members joined Building Heroes at a British Forces Resettlement Service careers event, jointly engaging with service leavers to explore various career opportunities in construction. On September 30th, learners from the Basingstoke Building Heroes Academy experienced a comprehensive site tour at Thakeham’s Welborne development in Hampshire. This visit provided an in-depth view of the complex stages of development, highlighting Thakeham’s commitment to sustainable building practices. Sarah Crush, Social Value Manager at Thakeham, commented, “We are committed to helping veterans and reservists find a rewarding career in construction by providing the necessary skills and employment pathways. Our partnership with Building Heroes supports active service members and veterans transition into civilian life via work placements and site tours as part of the charity’s academy programmes. Our dedication to helping the armed forces community is unwavering. Last year, we received a Gold award from the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme, the highest level of recognition available to organisations who pledge, demonstrate and advocate support for, and align their values with, the Armed Forces Covenant. With less than 200 national recipients of this accolade, we are the only south east housebuilder to achieve this status.” CEO of Building Heroes, Chris Charles, added, “We are thrilled to continue our partnership with Thakeham. Our decision to renew the partnership with Thakeham is a testament to their leadership in sustainable development and their unwavering commitment to quality, the Armed Forces community, and the local communities within which they work. This collaboration not only strengthens our ability to support the Armed Forces community though our training programmes but also enhances our learners’ experiences with direct involvement in modern, high-quality housing developments through on-site visits and work placements at Thakeham. We are immensely grateful for Thakeham’s ongoing support, which enriches our charity’s work and provides our learners with deeper industry insights, thereby expanding their career opportunities in the construction sector.” Both organisations are enthusiastic about continuing this rewarding collaboration and eagerly anticipate further success stories as learners transition into rewarding careers, enhanced by the skills and industry knowledge acquired through Building Heroes’ programmes. For more information about Building Heroes and their programmes, please visitwww.buildingheroes.org.uk. For further details on Thakeham and their projects, please visit www.thakeham.com. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Bloor Homes has announced it is a company supporter of The Lighthouse Construction Charity, the only charity dedicated to the emotional, physical and financial wellbeing of construction workers and their families. Hannah Burgess, HR Director at Bloor Homes said: “The Lighthouse’s mission is very clear. It shows that every day two construction workers in the UK take their own life, while stress, depression and anxiety accounts for 27% of all work-related illness in the industry. The Charity has set out to reduce the number of construction industry suicides and improve workforce in a number of ways. “As well as its free 24/7 helpline it provides free and accessible key support services for everyone in the industry – and their families – and it addresses the root causes early on, tackling three areas of wellbeing: emotional, physical and financial early on to drive change.” For example, alongside its crucial ‘Get Help Now’ resources, support extends to providing aid to families in crisis from food to financial support, and critical interventions when required. For those struggling physically or financially, The Lighthouse can help on a wider range of issues from requiring occupational health support or struggling with addiction, to debt management and retirement planning. In addition, the Charity is pioneering awareness at all levels across the industry via its Wellbeing Academy. It offers a range of courses designed to promote understanding around people’s own mental health whilst also providing them with the skills and knowledge to look out for colleagues. And The Lighthouse is taking awareness to the frontline of construction through its #makeitvisible campaign, travelling to construction sites around the country to ‘meet the boots on the ground and get them talking’. Hannah continues; “This aspect of the charity’s work really impressed us as it brings it to everyone working on our sites whether they are directly employed, contracted or subcontracted. It’s an all-encompassing approach. We are looking forward to rolling out a series of dedicated site visits from The Lighthouse in the coming months.” The visits will include a ‘Toolbox Talk’ and the opportunity for a one-to-one chat. Meanwhile Bloor Homes is also ensuring teams across its regional head offices and extended site teams are aware of the Charity and its work by sharing communications with every person working with the developer. By doing so, Bloor Homes aims to create – and reiterate – as many opportunities for people to access as much support as possible, complementing its established Employee Assistance Programme. For more information and to access the wide range of support and engagement available to construction workers and their families visit lighthouseclub.org/ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Commercial interior design and fit out company APSS has created a stunning interior design for Lincolnshire charity Naomi’s Garden part of a volunteer project bringing together construction and professional service companies across Lincolnshire. Louth-based Naomi’s Garden provides a conductive education and special education needs consultancy. It also provides Bowen Therapy along with running a Holiday Activities and Food programme (HAF) in conjunction with Lincolnshire County Council. Conductive education is based on a ‘simple’ concept of human potential, meaning that everyone has the capability to learn and develop irrespective of their starting point. The Bowen technique comprises a series of precise movements over muscle and connective tissue to naturally assist the body in re-balancing and re-setting itself. Between each set of moves there is a pause allowing the nervous system to adjust the tension level in the muscles. The charity is currently raising funds for its new HQ in Manby Park near Louth to transform it from a motorcycle repair shop into a fit-for-purpose facility, where it can deliver its life-changing services to more people who need them. APSS designer Caitlin Maginess created the interior concept which steered away from a usual clinical interior and made it a more welcoming and fun experience for the children and adults who require the services. Caitlin said: “It was important to have a home away from home for people to visit, so we focused on creating a homely feel with a contemporary industrial design using a lot of soft furnishings. “There are areas within the design where we toned the concept down to focus on the needs of the people who will be using the space. “In addition to providing the primary service, there will be a space for people and businesses to rent out for classes like Zumba or spinning and birthday parties. There is also a communal kitchen that everyone can use in addition to therapy rooms, meeting rooms and counselling rooms as well as the classroom which will be the heart of the facility.” When complete, the new centre will enable the charity to extend its working hours, provide group sessions and create a dynamic learning environment for all – no matter what their disability – resulting in 50% more adults and children being supported each year. The building will also give them the option to run group sessions and be used for the wider community. Sarah-Jayne Walker, Lead Conductor at Naomi’s Garden, said: “When we received the designs from APSS, I cried. We were blown away with how beautiful they were and exactly what we were after. “Now we need to continue our fundraising journey while we gather as many Lincolnshire-based companies to make this dream a reality. We are in awe at the generosity we have already received from these local companies and businesses along with other charities who have stood shoulder to shoulder with us. “We currently have a waiting list across Lincolnshire who are keen to benefit from the unique therapy we provide. We desperately need our new more accessible hub to be functional so we can continue our work and expand to help those families who are relying on us as the only service provider of our kind in our area.” To make a donation towards Naomi’s Garden’s new premises please visit: https://www.gofundme.com/f/naomis-gardens-big-move?utm_campaign=p_nacp+share-sheet&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_source=customer Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
wienerberger UK & Ireland, a leading provider of solutions across the building envelope, has launched a new partnership with charity Emmaus UK as it begins to implement its first ever social impact strategy. Under the agreement, wienerberger will contribute £10,000 to Emmaus UK’s Companion Training Fund. The programme provides grants to residents of Emmaus UK communities, enabling them to acquire valuable skills and qualifications for employment. Priority will be given, when feasible, to allocating funds for companions interested in pursuing training and education opportunities within the broader construction industry. The partnership will also allow for product donations to build and/or renovate Emmaus UK’s buildings, and opportunities for wienerberger’s employees to volunteer for the charity “Emmaus is really excited about the future of our partnership with wienerberger. With the combination of a corporate donation, colleague fundraising, training opportunities and product donations, we look forward to seeing the positive impact this partnership will have on our companions and communities,” commented Robyn Cummins, Director of Fundraising and Influence, Emmaus UK. There is a growing crisis of housing insecurity within the UK, with the housing and homeless charity Shelter estimating that over one million households are waiting for social homes and at least 300,000 people are estimated as homeless in England, with a 27% rise in rough sleeping in the past year alone. wienerberger’s inaugural social impact strategy focuses on addressing housing insecurity through meaningful action. The initiative aims to prevent individuals from losing their homes, support those at risk, and assist people experiencing housing crises in rebuilding their lives. The programme is a key component of wienerberger’s broader sustainability strategy, “Let’s Build Beyond,” which is dedicated to supporting communities throughout the UK and Ireland. The company’s social impact strategy also includes proactive actions to prevent homelessness, such as working with vulnerable groups to offer support through work experience and skills development. This includes young care leavers, who have experienced a 33% increase in homelessness in the past five years. wienerberger will offer work taster days in partnership with Greater Manchester Youth Network at the company’s Head Office in Cheadle, Stockport. Simon Nevitt, Chief Manufacturing Officer at wienerberger UK & Ireland said: “We have a responsibility as a leading provider of building solutions to create value for our communities and play an active role in the areas in which we operate. Our social impact strategy is just the beginning of our commitment that will deliver ambitious, positive and long-lasting impact for our people, our partners, and our communities.” Further efforts to tackle homelessness and deliver social value include collaborating with the supply chain, making targeted product donations to improve public amenities, and direct engagement with community groups and schools. Through its social impact strategy, wienerberger also aims to engage its employees in causes that are close to their hearts. This includes support for personal fundraising, and a Community Fund for each UK location. Causes that have been nominated by employees to receive Community Fund support to date range from a dog rescue centre, a dementia community café, sports teams, a memorial garden, hospices, and a charity supporting homeless families. To find out more read wienerberger UK & Ireland’s social impact strategy here – https://www.wienerberger.co.uk/about-us/sustainability/social-impact.html. To explore wienerberger UK & Ireland’s product donation guidelines and apply, visit its website – Product Donations | Wienerberger UK Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
An apartment used as a ‘home from home’ by the parents of children undergoing treatment at Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge has been given a facelift by the developer which built the property. Staff from Countryside Homes have carried out a full redecoration of the one-bedroom home at its Aura development in Trumpington as part of the company’s ongoing support of the Rhys Daniels Trust. The charity, which provides free accommodation for families close to specialist children’s hospitals across the UK, bought the apartment at Aura – just a five-minute drive from Addenbrooke’s – four years ago Countryside, which is now part of the Vistry Group, agreed to help maintain the property for 10 years, including carrying out regular redecorations and other essential works. The latest redecoration took place earlier this year after Nicky Brody, manager at the Trust, reached out to Vistry to see if they could help. Chris Overton, customer service director at Vistry Central Home Counties, said: “Nicky called the customer service team in the year and asked if we could do a few bits of touching up, but we said it would make more sense for us to carry out a full redecoration as it would look better for new guests for the year. “We’ve kept to the original colour of white as it does not age and we hope this will create a more welcoming and relaxing environment for parents at what must be an incredibly stressful and difficult time of their lives. “Nicky and the team don’t like to ask, but we are here to help should they need us. The Rhys Daniels Trust is such an incredible charity and one we’re extremely proud to support. Painting a few rooms may seem like a small thing to us but it can make a huge difference to the families who stay here while their child is undergoing treatment.” Nicky Brody, Manager at the Rhys Daniels Trust, said: “For the past four years, since the Trust purchased the flat at the Aura development in Trumpington, the team at Countryside Homes has been very supportive of what we do here at the charity. Right from the start they signalled their support by furnishing the apartment free of charge, which was a huge help. “The team has been providing maintenance services at the flat since we have been here, ensuring that the families that stay here are at their most comfortable, to help make it as stress-free as possible for them. “We are celebrating our 30th anniversary this year and would not be able to be here without the support of some truly wonderful companies. On that note, we would like to say a big thank you to Countryside Homes for its continued support which helps us to carry on providing our free ‘Home from Home’ service for families.” The Trust, which is based in Essex, also provides a free ‘home from home’ property for families whose children are being treated at King’s College Hospital in London, Bristol Royal Infirmary and the Royal Marsden Hospital in Sutton. Countryside Homes is part of Vistry Group, which also includes Bovis Homes and Linden Homes. Vistry is building under its Countryside Homes brand at the St Michael’s Hurst and St James’ Park developments in Bishop’s Stortford. For more information, visit countrysidehomes.com. Further details about the Rhys Daniels Trust can be seen at www.rhysdanielstrust.org Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
GMI Construction Group has launched its Construction Cares programmes, bringing all its community, employability and wellbeing projects under one banner. Led by GMI’s Responsible Business Team, Construction Cares will deliver and support a range of activities in the North East, North West, Yorkshire and Midlands where the construction company operates. It will also encompass its existing support for the Care Leaver Covenant and the 5% Club, which promotes ‘earn and learn’ opportunities. The Care Leaver Covenant, the second Government Covenant, is a national inclusion programme launched in 2018 that supports care leavers aged 16-25 to live independently by creating meaningful opportunities. GMI became a signatory of the Covenant in 2023, and, as part of Construction Cares, it is committed to advertising job roles to care leavers first and has established a guaranteed interview scheme. The company offers work experience, work trials, employability sessions, and one-to-one mentoring to help participants develop their skills and gain valuable experience in the sector. Recent programmes include DIY skills for care leavers, which have taken place, to date, in Yorkshire, North West and Midlands, with GMI supply chain partners leading sessions for students to gain valuable life skills for those transitioning into independent living and to give them a taster of career opportunities in construction. All attendees are provided with travel and lunch expenses and given a GMI home toolkit to take home with them upon completion of the three-day course. The sessions are already delivering positive outcomes with two participants gaining full-time construction apprenticeships and four have chosen to sign up to full-time constructions courses at college, which is getting them back into education. GMI also runs ‘Constructive Kickabouts’ sessions for care leavers, organising monthly football matches to provide a social and sporting setting and meet new people. This was launched in Manchester in 2023 and monthly sessions are now taking place in Birmingham. The 5% Club is a UK employer-led charity, which inspires and educates businesses and organisations to take positive action for increased, inclusive, and accessible workplace training for all. GMI currently holds Gold accredited membership of the club in recognition of the significant contribution it has made to the continued development of its employees through ‘earn and learn’ schemes. Community outreach forms a key element of Construction Cares with GMI regularly supporting causes and organisations local to its schemes. This has included the construction of an extension to a SEND school, a kitchen in a community centre and woodland play and learning area at primary school. Through ‘Constructing Communities’, GMI also supports the Daniel Baird Foundation charity, by installing bleed kits at its city centre sites, in locations such as Birmingham, Leeds, Manchester, York and Bristol. The kits improve the survival chances of those who might have been stabbed or suffered traumatic injuries close to the sites. Claire Preston, Head of Responsible Business at GMI, said: “We believe in helping shape more than the built environment in the regions we operate, but having a positive impact on those communities. Construction Cares is an amalgamation of a variety of initiatives we have been running, bringing them under one banner that will allow us to give a greater focus to our CSR activities. “We have built strong partnerships with local authorities, charities, education establishments and organisations, like the Care Leavers Covenant, which is helping to create opportunities for people from all backgrounds. Through Construction Cares we will be making a positive difference to individuals and communities, supported by our dedicated team and supply chain partners.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The home of the former West Works car factory in Longbridge – birthplace of the iconic MINI car – has reopened to the public for the first time in almost two decades, after master developer St. Modwen handed over 27 acres of public realm. The 75-acre mixed use site – which encompasses Longbridge Business Park and will ultimately see the delivery of over 340 new homes by St. Modwen Homes – is now open to the public, giving residents access to large open park spaces, a rejuvenated river corridor, and over 2.5km of cycle and footpaths which is already creating a dynamic link between the community, Longbridge Town Centre, and beyond for residents and visitors alike. Throughout the route, interactive trail boards have been installed which offer captivating insights into the local ecosystem and the rich and storied history of the region. In addition, the West Works project has undertaken an extensive tree-planting initiative, with over 3,000 new trees planted across the property replacing the once concrete factory floor. This landscape invites individuals to immerse themselves in nature, learn about the plants and wildlife, all while savouring the vibrant energy of Longbridge Town Centre. Sarwjit Sambhi, CEO of St. Modwen reiterated the company’s commitment to the community of Longbridge, stating: “The success of our Longbridge regeneration project demonstrates what can be achieved through collaboration between the public and private sectors. Our vision for the region has always been to provide a diverse range of development which can benefit both the local community and businesses alike. Having already attracted industry-leading, global businesses to Longbridge Business Park, we will shortly be delivering much-needed houses on the site which will leave a lasting legacy of our time in Longbridge.” Rob Flavell, Senior Director at St. Modwen said: “The opening of the public realm at West Works is a significant milestone in the wider Longbridge regeneration project and an exciting new chapter in the legacy of the region. “It has been heartwarming to see how quickly the completely restored mile-long River Rea has become an asset of real community value, with the cycle and footpaths which connect the site to the rest of Longbridge proving incredibly popular with residents, families, workers and visitors alike.” Longbridge Business Park, a specialised hub for science, technology, medicine, and precision engineering, is positioned within the West Works site as the centre of innovation and entrepreneurship in the region. With five R&D businesses already established within the park, the project is poised to generate up to 5,000 new job opportunities, fostering economic growth and prosperity. In addition, St. Modwen will also be delivering 343 homes at the West Works site through its housebuilding arm, St. Modwen Homes. The West Works site was an integral part of the former MG Rover plant, once the largest car factory in Europe, but is now part of St. Modwen’s wider £1bn regeneration of the 468-acre Longbridge site, which it acquired back in 2005. The brownfield project is seven times bigger than Kings Cross regeneration, and has transformed the former factory into a flourishing town centre with over 68 business already calling Longbridge home and thousands of jobs and homes already created. Damien McGarvey, headteacher at King Edward VI Balaam Wood Academy, said: “The new West Works trail path is a fantastic addition to the area and provides a safe, clean route for many of our pupils to walk to and from school. The path is already proving very popular, taking footfall away from the nearby busy dual carriageway and providing a pleasant walk through nature.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
For the fourth year in a row, the ‘Our Teviot’ summer festival has yet again drawn together hundreds of residents in Poplar for a day of celebration and fun. The annual festival, with roots that originally go back to the 1970s, is one of a string of events arranged by award-winning housebuilder The Hill Group and housing association Poplar HARCA, in consultation with Teviot residents. Resident input has been central to the regeneration of Teviot, helping to design the masterplan which will encompass new homes, green and play spaces, shops, community and faith facilities, alongside improved infrastructure. The work has shown how resident-focused placemaking can level up the physical environment while also furthering a sense of community and connection. Nowhere is this more apparent than at the Our Teviot festival, held earlier this month. Over seven hundred residents joined together to take part in a host of activities. Youngsters delighted in the bouncy castle and enjoyed face-painting and balloon modelling, while family members of all ages chanced their arms at the coconut shy. They also participated in a blend of traditional and modern summer fete games, including hook-a-duck, tin can alley, Connect Four and Jenga. The busy festival also saw residents joining forces to create a community art piece, as well as engaging in mocktail making, sustainability activities and a range of family-friendly arts and crafts. Talented musicians added to the festivities, with three young performers and two DJs taking to the stage during the event. A karate demonstration and musical bingo also kept residents entertained throughout the afternoon. Hill’s mascots Jack and Billy the Bear were another hit, particularly with the very youngest attendees. Refreshments at the event ranged from sweet treats, courtesy of DJ and Daughter’s ice cream van and Leaders in Community’s sumptuous cakes, to an outstanding array of Somalian street food from the Women’s Inclusion team. Teviot Resident Laurice Debbici, who attended the festival, said: “The Our Teviot festival was a brilliant event. There were lots of free things for children to do and everything was affordable. It was a real chance for the community to come together. The staff were fantastic and always there when needed.” Cain Peters, Managing Director in charge of Special Projects at The Hill Group, comments: “What a glorious way to enjoy being part of the community here at Teviot and to celebrate the extensive regeneration consultation work that has taken place with the community. The Our Teviot festival has emerged as a highlight of the local social calendar, showcasing the value of resident engagement in every aspect of neighbourhood regeneration. We were delighted to see so many locals enjoying the day, as well as running activities, serving up delicious food and so much more. My thanks to all those who worked so hard to make the festival such a resounding success.” Paul Dooley, Director of Development and Regeneration, at Poplar HARCA said: “The Our Teviot summer festival was a real success. It was wonderful to see the community come together to celebrate and enjoy a day of fun activities. Thank you to everyone who came along and helped out on the day. “The festival is a testament to our ongoing commitment to investing in Teviot and ensuring that the community are at the heart of everything we do. We look forward to continuing working with residents and Hill as we move our exciting regeneration plans for the area onto the next stage.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Contractor Clegg Construction is celebrating Yorkshire Day by reflecting on how the company is helping to shape the county. The Clegg Construction team has delivered multiple new build and refurbishment projects in Leeds, Sheffield, Wakefield, York and other parts of Yorkshire over the past ten to 15 years. And the company continues to work on high profile schemes across the county. Managing Director at Clegg Construction, Michael Sims, said: “On Yorkshire Day 2024, I’m proud to look back at the projects that we have completed in Yorkshire and to shine the spotlight on those that we are currently delivering. “Yorkshire Day is the perfect time to celebrate the county’s investment and economic development which is shaping the towns, cities and rural areas that we see today. “Clegg Construction is delighted to have partnered with a wide range of organisations to play a part in Yorkshire’s development and we look forward to continuing this in the future.” The company is currently working on three significant schemes in Leeds – the multi-million pound refurbishment of the Cosmopolitan Hotel, the £35m, 402-studio student accommodation scheme known as The Fabric Works, and Spinners Yard, a 185-apartment, 11-storey build-to-rent apartment development for Rise Homes. Notable past projects in Yorkshire which the company is proud to highlight include two commercial schemes at Calder Park, Wakefield, Hollis Croft student accommodation in Sheffield, and the refurbishment of Minerva House, a landmark building in the main business district of Leeds. More recently Clegg Construction has completed the Ironworks, a £28.7m, 11-storey apartment scheme in Sheffield, which recently won Regional New Build of the Year at the Yorkshire Energy Efficiency Awards; an exciting £5.9m renovation scheme to transform Maltby Grammar School near Rotherham into a community resource and education centre; Highfield Care Home near Tadcaster, a £9m, 65-bedroom new-build care home for Barchester Health; and a new four-storey, 188-bedroomed, Premier Inn in York on behalf of CBRE Investment Management. “Our experience of working in Yorkshire has included projects across a wide range of sectors such as commercial, leisure, education, residential, offices and student accommodation, and it’s pleasing to see how swiftly these developments have become an integral part of their communities,” added Michael Sims. Clegg Construction is a Midlands, East Anglia, and Yorkshire-based construction firm specialising in the delivery of public and private sector projects. The company works with organisations of all sizes and specialities across a range of different sectors. For more information visit www.cleggconstruction.co.uk. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
