J Tomlinson and BSP Consulting start work on new Dunelm store for Nottingham

Work has just got underway on site on a new Dunelm home furnishings store being built in Nottingham by local contractor J Tomlinson.

Nottingham-based BSP Consulting is providing the full civil and structural engineering services for the development on Queen’s Drive which is being built with Benchmark Property for Davidsons Developments.

The £2.5 million scheme is part of a phased development at the site. Architects for the 23,000 sq ft unit are Stephen George & Partners, from Leicester.

Construction managing director at J Tomlinson, Martin Gallagher, said: “This is a prominent site, and J Tomlinson is very pleased to be building a new retail store for Dunelm, the UK’s leading home furnishing retailer which is currently expanding with a number of new outlets.”

The store is scheduled to be completed by the end of March 2016.

BSP was previously associated with specialist homewares retailer Dunelm when the company provided engineering services for the Dunelm Group’s award-winning headquarters at Watermead Business Park, Syston, near Leicester.

J Tomlinson, which offers services in construction, refurbishment, repairs and maintenance, mechanical and electrical engineering, energy efficiency, renewables, and facilities management, is based in Lilac Grove, Beeston, and has offices across the East and West Midlands. 

BSP Consulting, which is based at Oxford Street, Nottingham, and also has offices at Pride Park, Derby, De Montfort Street, Leicester, and Solly Street, Sheffield, provides civil, structural, traffic, transportation, geotechnical and environmental engineering services across the construction industry in all sectors.

Press released issued by Nottingham based PR company Perfect 10 PR www.perfect10pr.co.uk 

Finalists announced for East Midlands fbe Awards 2015

The East Midlands fbe (Forum for the Built Environment) has unveiled the names of the top construction schemes shortlisted as finalists in its annual awards after receiving a record number of entries.

The finalists include projects across Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire, Lincolnshire and Rutland.

“We had a record-breaking number of nominations to our awards scheme this year, highlighting the excellent quality of developments being undertaken in the East Midlands,” said Jef Todd, regional chairman of the property, development and construction professionals' group. “This has made the judges’ decision difficult, but we are delighted to announce the shortlisted schemes and would like to congratulate the teams behind them.”

The shortlisted entries are: 

Regeneration;

·         34-38 Upper Tichborne Street, Leicester, nominated by HLP Architects (the conversion of three Victorian terraced villas, located within a Conservation Area, from former run-down emergency homeless hostel accommodation into eight family homes and three bedsits suitable for supported living)

• Lincoln Science & Innovation Park, nominated by Pulse Associates (LSIP is a joint venture between The Cooperative Group and the University of Lincoln to regenerate a dilapidated brown field area South of Lincoln city centre. Joseph Banks Laboratory (JBL) is phase I of this regeneration and includes the £10.4m extension and fit-out of an existing Grade II listed building)
• Abbey Mill, Abbey Parks Street, Leicester, nominated by RGP architects (a £6.3 million refurbishment of the former Abbey Mill Building to provide 78 apartments, including 50 extra care flats part-funded by LCC Adults Social Care, for people of all ages and abilities, as an extension to the existing Wolsey Building extra care facility)
• The Malt Cross, Nottingham, nominated by Wm Saunders (The refurbishment of Nottingham’s only surviving Victorian music hall, built in 1877, and one of relatively few in the country)

Residential;

• Whitwell House, Whitwell, Oakham, nominated by FCD Architecture (a five-bedroom detached house on the north shore of Rutland Water, designed to Passivhaus standard by the architect for his family)
• Youlgrave, Derbyshire, nominated by Lindum Construction and EMH Group (Six houses and two bungalows – a mix of affordable rent and shared ownership homes with priority for local people)
• Albert Road, Nottingham, nominated by HLP Architects (a redevelopment of a brownfield site which previously contained a hostel and ‘move on’ and office accommodation to create 13 two and three-bedroom affordable family houses)
• 34-38 Upper Tichborne Street, Leicester, nominated by HLP Architects (the conversion of three Victorian terraced villas, located within a Conservation Area, from former run-down emergency homeless hostel accommodation into eight family homes and three bedsits suitable for supported living)

 

Non-residential;

• Leicestershire and Rutland Wildlife Trust Volunteer Training Centre, Rutland Water, nominated by Corporate Architecture (a new £1.1 million centre for a growing band of trust volunteers, a base for operations and an attractive flagship for LRWT)
• RAS buildings ( Rutland Agricultural Society ), nominated by D W Hicks (a new headquarters for the Rutland Agricultural Society and clubhouses for Oakham Rugby Club and Royce Rovers Football Club)  
• Borderville Sports Centre, Stamford, nominated by LK2 architects (a £6 million scheme to provide an enhanced sport science, leisure and education facilities alongside a community football club into a single facility)
• Rushcliffe School Sixth Form Centre, nominated by Pulse Associates (a new sixth form centre for the school in West Bridgford, Nottingham, which included additional teaching classrooms for whole school use, together with 6th Form administration, social and private study spaces.

The winners of the East Midlands fbe Awards, which recognise and reward schemes and the teams behind them, will be announced at a sold-out dinner and ceremony to be held at the City Rooms, Leicester, on 15^th October 2015. Around 150 people from the region's construction sector are expected to attend the event, which will be compèred by former BBC East Midlands political editor John Hess. 

The awards have been sponsored by construction recruitment specialist Hays Recruitment, civil engineering, building and M&E contractor North Midland Construction, engineering and environmental consultants M-EC Consulting Development Engineers, DW Hicks Building Co Ltd and chartered accountants and business advisers Duncan & Toplis. Civil and structural engineering company BSP Consulting has sponsored the drinks reception.

As well as announcing a winner from each category, an overall winner will also be crowned as project of the year at the awards ceremony, which is supporting the East Midlands NSPCC 'now I know' Appeal as its charity.

From haulage to handbags…launch of Nellie-Jane sparks career change for Derbyshire woman

After a career that has taken her from transport and logistics, and via one of the East Midlands’ oldest bakeries, Helen Yates is now on the road with a new enterprise following the launch of handbag retailer Nellie-Jane.

Helen, who was previously MD at Sherwood Truck & Van before becoming a director at Luke Evans Bakery, is fulfilling a dream to own her own business.

And the idea came to her during her summer holiday as she wandered the streets of Venice and chanced upon a shop selling beautifully designed, quality handbags.

“I thought to myself ‘these are such lovely bags, made by individual designers and manufacturers’ and I wanted to be able to share them with women who love handbags as much as I do,” said Helen, who lives in Shirland, near Alfreton.

“Many of the small businesses that produce handbags in Italy are third and fourth generation, and they source their raw materials locally. I wanted to offer handbags of top notch quality that you can’t buy on the British High Street, but are still within the price range of many women, that are distinctive enough in the style and quality, that they become a talking point”.

With the idea sparked in her mind, Helen returned home from her holiday in July 2014 and immediately began putting into place plans to launch an online handbag retailer, Nellie-Jane. She enrolled on a week-long handbag design course at the London College of Fashion run by accessories designer Ann Saunders, who specialises in handbags, and followed it up with a week’s course in Padua in Italy.

Since then she’s sourced handbags from eight designers in Italy, Germany and Spain and has recently opened online retailer Nellie-Jane at www.nellie-jane.co.uk selling shoulder bags, clutch bags, totes, duffle bags and backpacks. She’s currently sourcing additional designers and styles to add to the collection.

It’s a far cry from the logistics and transport career she first went into with TNT and Hays Logistics before then moving to Nottinghamshire-based Sherwood Truck & Van, which had been launched by her father many years previously.

Three years ago she switched routes to join David Yates, now her husband, at Riddings-based bakery Luke Evans.

“My passion was always transport, trucks and lorries, but I enjoy being part of the bakery. However, I have always wanted to run my own business – it just took me a while to hit on the direction to take,” said Helen.

“I’m now dividing my time between Luke Evans Bakery and Nellie-Jane and I love the variety. It’s a massive learning curve, but I’m finding it quite exciting. I love being able to passionately talk about the handbags to the women I’m meeting.”

Helen has been raising awareness about Nellie-Jane via networking, charity and pop-up events, and plans to attend a range of events in Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire between now and Christmas.  

Her website features the back story behind each designer and brand, giving customers details about where and how the leather bags are put together before she imports them.

“I will only buy up to ten of each one. I look for bags that are really good quality but have a quirkiness that you wouldn’t see elsewhere in the UK,” added Helen.

“What’s important to me is the sourcing. I need to guarantee that there’s no child labour involved and that the animals are treated well. The business is about the quality of the bags but the ethics behind it are also important to me.”

Prices range from £65 to about £350 for a bag, with discounts in operation during the early weeks of the enterprise.

“Running your own business is very different to what I’ve done previously,” said Helen. “I’m used to having a team around me and now I don’t have that. On the other hand, I don’t have to think of anyone else when I’m making a decision. I like working with young people. What I’d like to be able to do is to bring young people into the business as it grows.”

Press release issued by Nottingham PR company Perfect 10 PR www.perfect10pr.co.uk

BSP Consulting and Sherwood Associates stage BREEAM Communities event

Two East Midlands-based firms joined forces to turn the spotlight on ways to create more sustainable large-scale developments.

Civil and structural engineering company BSP Consulting and sustainable land and resource management consultants Sherwood Associates jointly hosted a seminar which focused on BREEAM Communities.

An invited audience of leading house builders, architects and planners heard more details about the assessment method that provides a way to improve, measure and certify the social, environmental and economic sustainability of large-scale development plans by integrating sustainable design into the master planning process.

BSP and Sherwood Associates are both experts in BREEAM Communities, and are currently involved in a BREEAM Communities housing development being created at Newton on Trent, Lincolnshire. BSP is also part of the team developing the Castleward regeneration scheme in Derby which became only the second development project in the country to achieve the accreditation.

“This was an excellent opportunity for BSP Consulting and Sherwood Associates to share our experience and expertise in the area of BREEAM Communities, and to hear first-hand from the BRE about the scheme, which is all about developers and planners working together to achieve the most sustainable outcomes for major sites,” said Jef Todd, business development director at BSP Consulting.

Managing Director of Melton Mowbray-based Sherwood Associates Kate Hiseman said: “Sustainable communities are places where people want to live and work, now and in the future. They are sensitive to their environment, and contribute to a high quality of life. They are safe and inclusive, well planned, built and run, and offer equality of opportunity and good services for all. As the East Midlands first BREEAM Communities Assessor we were delighted to have the chance to promote this vision by jointly hosting this event with BSP Consulting, who, like us, have been involved in such schemes.”

Among the speakers at the seminar were Cary Buchanan, scheme manager for BREEAM Communities, Alex Gray, senior projects officer at the Sustainable Land Trust, Mark Rayers, director (transportation) at BSP Consulting, Matthew Viggars, associate at BSP Consulting, Kate Hiseman and Jef Todd. 

The event, held at Melton Mowbray, also included a session for members of the Royal Town Planning Institute Young Planners Network. Nottingham-based BSP Consulting, which also has offices in Derby, Leicester and Sheffield, provides civil, structural, traffic, transportation, geotechnical and environmental engineering services across the construction industry in all sectors.

Sherwood Associates work with landowners, developers and communities offering a range of sustainability, ecology, consultation, and natural resource management services both in the UK and abroad.

For more information visit www.bsp-consulting.co.uk or www.ssea.co.uk

Press release issued by Nottingham PR company Perfect 10 PR www.perfect10pr.co.uk

Croots Farm Shop launches Rugby World Cup charity sausages

Steve Croot with his Croots Scrummy Sausages

Derbyshire farm shop Croots has created two special sausages to mark the upcoming Rugby World Cup and to raise cash for the farm shop’s adopted charity.

Croots Scrummy Sausage and Croots Scrumpy Sausage are the latest in a long line of original bangers invented to celebrate sporting occasions and follows its ‘Olympig sausages’ and its football-inspired ‘Bangerooney’ sausage.

Now the farm shop near Duffield has launched two new flavours of sausage in celebration of the Rugby World Cup, which kicks off on 18^th September.

Both will contribute to the ongoing fundraising undertaken by the shop for Derbyshire Children’s Holiday Centre, which provides disadvantaged Derbyshire children with holidays in Skegness. Some 20% from the sale of each sausage will be donated to the charity, which offers 450 holiday places per season and contributes to the personal and social development of the youngsters. 

“The butchers at Croots are a creative lot and they’ve designed two really tasty sausages to celebrate this latest sporting occasion,” said Steve Croot, who runs the farm shop at Farnah House Farm, Wirksworth Road. “Our customers always get behind our charity efforts and we hope this will convert into a nice donation to present to Derbyshire Children’s Holiday Centre, which next year celebrates its 125^th birthday.”

Made from free range pork with smoked bacon, smoked cheese and red onion, the Scrummy Sausage is the latest smoked flavoured banger to join the butchers counter at Croots. The other new flavour, Scrumpy Sausage, is a pork, cider and apple sausage.

The butchers counter at Croots is well-known for its wide range of sausage flavours. Many of them have won awards, ranging from Great Taste Awards, which are regarded as the Oscars of the fine food industry, through to meat industry awards judged by meat industry experts.

Croots Scrummy Sausage and Croots Scrumpy Sausage will be on sale throughout the tournament, which runs until 31^st October.

Croots Farm Shop is open Monday to Saturday from 9am to 5pm (Shires Eatery until 4.30pm) and from 10am to 4pm on Sundays. Croots runs Fresh Fish Thursdays between 9am and 1pm on Thursdays.

For more information visit www.croots.co.uk

Find Croots on Twitter @crootsfarm_shop or on Facebook www.facebook.com/Croots-Farm-shop

Press release issued by Nottingham PR company Perfect 10 PR www.perfect10pr.co.uk

Focus Consultants team raises more than £2,000 with skydive for charity

Three brave employees from Focus Consultants have collected more than £2,000 for charity after taking part in a tandem sky dive. 

Focus senior building surveyor Darren Booker made the daring leap in memory of his wife Elizabeth Booker, who was 47 when she passed away last year following her diagnosis of a rare form of Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma. 

Joining him were 16-year-old admin apprentice Victoria Bell, who works alongside Darren in the Boston office of Focus, and sustainability surveyor Gareth Morris, who is based in the company’s Leicester office. 

Their plunge, which raised money for St Barnabas Lincolnshire Hospice, took place at Langar Airfield near Nottingham. It was supported by a £300 donation from Nottingham-based Focus Consultants as part of the firm’s 21^st birthday celebrations. 

“I must say a big thank you to Focus and everyone who supported us, and especially Victoria and Gareth for joining me. I’m so glad they both enjoyed it,” said Darren. “What an amazing day we had, and to have raised such an amount for St Barnabas is just staggering. I’m overwhelmed at people’s generosity.” 

Darren decided to raise money for St Barnabas Lincolnshire Hospice as a thank-you for the care and support the charity gave to his wife and family. 

Darren, from Bassingham, near Lincoln, said: “This was my personal challenge in tribute to Liz, who was so very brave in facing her illness and no matter how she felt she would always have a smile for you. 

“St Barnabas Lincolnshire Hospice gave us both the support and care that was so very priceless at the most difficult of times. They were not the only organisation to help Liz but they were there right to the end.” 

Focus Consultants, which offers a range of services, including funding and economic development, regeneration expertise, energy consultancy and chartered surveying services, has also chosen St Barnabas Lincolnshire Hospice as its charity for 2015/2016 and earlier this year handed over £230 after staging its annual golf day. 

The skydive was the first experience of its kind for Darren, Victoria and Gareth. 

Victoria, a former pupil of Haven High Academy in Boston, said: “It was amazing, such an awesome experience, and to be able to raise money for a good cause at the same time made it all worthwhile.” 

Darren said: "The lead up to the jump was quite nerve wracking and quite emotional because of what it meant to me, bringing back memories of Liz, but on the day I was very determined to not let anyone down and complete the jump. 

“It was just the fear of falling from such a great height that was hard to think rationally about and as the instructor said on the day it's not a normal thing to do to throw yourself out of a plane so your mind will not accept it. 

“Then, having taken the plunge out of the plane, the feeling of sheer exhilaration was overwhelming and you began to just enjoy the experience which only lasted seconds but seemed like ages until the parachute opened. It was at this point you could really relax and take in the views which were spectacular. You can really understand why people do this as a sport, it was totally amazing, and if you have a head for heights I can recommend this to anyone, but doing it for St Barnabas made it all that much more special for me." 

Meanwhile, Gareth said: “The whole experience was incredible. The fear didn’t really set in for me until we were at 10,000 feet with the door of the plane open, however as soon as we jumped the fear was replaced with sheer excitement and adrenaline, I have never experienced anything quite like it. The feeling of free falling could be so addictive and I see why the others at the airfield spend their weekends camping out ready to jump at any opportunity. 

“Fantastic day for a fantastic charity – I would do it again in a heartbeat and would encourage everyone else to give it a go.” 

Housing group Longhurst has also donated £100 to the challenge. Liz Booker had worked at the group for 23 years and was business development co-ordinator there before she passed away. 

During the freefall parachute jump the trio reached speeds of more than 120mph as they dived through the air, freefalling harnessed to a professional parachute instructor at all times throughout the descent, with the instructor in control of the landing. 

Veronica Brien, head of fundraising & marketing at St Barnabas Lincolnshire Hospice, said: “It was a great pleasure to be able to meet the trio from Focus and a privilege to be part of their exhilarating experience and supporting from the ground. They all landed safely with beaming smiles upon their faces and elated that they had done it, so much so, each of them said they’d do it again! 

“They should be so proud of what they achieved, not only did they take a leap of faith from 10,000 feet which is no mean feat, but they also raised a phenomenal amount of money for St Barnabas Lincolnshire Hospice. The funds they raised will go towards providing the vital care and support that our patients and their families need, ensuring that they can make the most of every moment together no matter what time remains.” 

St Barnabas Lincolnshire Hospice has been providing specialist palliative and end-of-life care for more than 30 years across Lincolnshire. In the last 12 months St Barnabas has cared for and supported 1,215 people within the Boston area through their day therapy, hospice at home, out-patient and in-patient services. The charity has to raise more than £4 million this year to be able to provide these services to its patients and their families. 

Each of the three volunteers has their own fundraising page and would welcome any additional donations: 

https://www.justgiving.com/Darren-Booker/ 

https://www.justgiving.com/Victoria-Bell14/

https://www.justgiving.com/Gareth-Morris22

www.focus-consultants.co.uk

Press release issued by Nottingham PR company Perfect 10 PR www.perfect10pr.co.uk

Not so busy bees, reports Haughton Honey

This year’s honey harvest is likely to be about a third of the size of last year’s crop after poor weather affected nectar flow, says bee farmer Cris Reeves.

Wet weather and cooler temperatures during key times of nectar production over the spring and summer have led to a dramatic drop in the amount of honey harvested across the country this season.

But stocks of Haughton Honey remain buoyant thanks to a bumper honey harvest in 2014 and the cooperative’s approximate 1,600 hives spread across the North West and the Midlands, including Cheshire, Staffordshire, Shropshire and Warwickshire says Cris.

“The honey crop can fluctuate quite widely from one year to the next and, in the main, it’s all down to the weather,” he explained. “2013 was an atrocious year as we had a very long winter and spring never really got going. Last year was really very good by comparison. Bee farmers that contribute to the Haughton Honey brand harvested more than 24,000 kilos of honey during 2014. This year, however, it looks like these hives will produce little over 10,000 kilos – significantly less than half of what was collected last year. After talking to bee farmers across the country, it looks likely that the honey harvest generally could be around a third of last year’s crop. Matters could become very seriously compounded if next year turns out to be similar to this one though.

“We have enough volume to supply our existing customers and take on new ones, but we’re hoping that next year proves to be a better year weather-wise for the bees and for the livelihood of bee farmers, who play an extremely important role within the natural ecosystem and who receive no farming subsidies from the European Union.”

Honey bees collect nectar to deposit into honeycomb cells before it is turned into honey, so adverse weather at key times of nectar production impacts on the amount of honey available in a season.

Cris launched Haughton Honey last year and supplies more than 60 stores, currently across the North West and the Midlands but with plans to expand throughout the UK.

Although the honey harvest has dropped dramatically and there is likely to be less of a honey harvest across much of England, he and his fellow bee farmers hope that this won’t lead to a shortage of British honey as stocks from last year were high. Honey is the only food product that doesn’t deteriorate over time, added Cris, who has been a bee farmer for more than ten years.

“We’re still processing, but there definitely won’t be anywhere near as much English honey around this season as a result of the weather,” said Cris. “News in the South East is slightly better, but across most of the UK including the North West, Midlands, South West, Wales and other areas it’s been a similar picture.”

Poly-floral, or wildflower honey, is harvested twice a year – usually during May and August.

Haughton Honey is raw honey which comes straight from the hive, is cold extracted and never pasteurised which means that it retains all of the natural enzymes and proteins that make English honey so special. Haughton Honey is 100% natural and pure, and features traces of dandelion, chestnut, blackberry, clover and other wildflowers.

Earlier this year, Haughton Honey was named as one of ten short-listed products in the sweet preserves category of the Great British Food Farm Produce Awards 2015, run by Great British Food Magazine.

For more details visit www.haughtonhoney.com

Press release issued by Nottingham company Perfect 10 PR www.perfect10pr.co.uk

Lisa Lemon hands-free bags launches new collection

Lisa Lemon Loveday (multi-way) bag

Three stylish additions have been made to the Lisa Lemon collection of hands-free bags.

Designed and created in Britain, from luxury soft Italian leather, the new collection features a gorgeous array of fashion accessories.

The chic Loveday multi-way bag can be worn around the waist or across the body, and features a handy clip that allows the Loveday purse or other items to be securely fastened either inside or outside the bag. It’s ideal for quick and easy access to cash, cards and other essentials. Available in bright blue or caramel, the Loveday multi-way bag also has an internal phone pocket.

The practical and versatile Benson hands-free bag with detachable belt, is perfect for both men and women, and comes in navy blue or dark brown. It also has an internal clip for keys and Benson accessories, as well as an internal phone pocket.

Also new to the collection is the Eliza clutch bag, which is available in lemon and elephant grey. Made from gorgeous soft raw edge Italian vegetable tanned leather, the Eliza clutch makes an eye-catching addition to any occasion, day or evening. In October, metallic features will be available on the Eliza clutch bag.

Lisa Lemon hands-free bags are ideal for the travel savvy, just the job for commuters and perfect for festivals and gigs…freeing up both hands to answer a mobile call, carry a coffee or glass of something stronger, or while dancing to your heart’s content.

They are also a practical and stylish way to keep possessions safe and secure while taking the little ones to school, walking the dog or out for a romantic hand-in-hand stroll.

The Loveday multi-way is priced £95, the Benson at £105 and the Eliza clutch at £88. Also in the Lisa Lemon collection are the Loveday purse priced at £45 and the Benson wallet, priced at £65, plus the Bella hands-free bag in orange or purple, which costs £140.

For more details visit http://www.lisa-lemon.com/

Press release issued by Nottingham based PR company Perfect 10 PR www.perfect10pr.co.uk

J Tomlinson awarded its largest single contract following Ashfield Homes £30 million investment plan

Contractor J Tomlinson has been awarded the company’s largest single contract.

Following an extensive European Procurement exercise, Ashfield Homes Limited and Ashfield District Council has announced that Nottingham-based J Tomlinson has been appointed to carry out investment works valued at more than £30 million to the Council’s housing stock over the next five years.

Work will include replacement kitchens, bathrooms, central heating systems, electrical installations, roof coverings, windows and external doors.  There is also scope to undertake other improvement works to benefit tenants’ homes and their surroundings, including carbon and environmental efficiency saving measures.

Ashfield Homes manages Ashfield District Council’s rented housing stock of about 6,900 properties, and the works will be carried out right across Ashfield.

Steve Kirkland, Managing Director of J Tomlinson Limited said:

“This is the largest single contract we have ever been awarded and will lead to the creation of up to 40 new jobs in the local area, and will provide work for at least 12 apprentices over the next five years.

“We have worked on refurbishment, maintenance and repairs contracts for Ashfield Homes for more than ten years now, and we are genuinely excited about the prospect of further strengthening our close working partnership with Ashfield Homes. 

“It is our intention to open a new base in the area to service this new contract, and we have also devised a programme of community involvement in association with Ashfield Homes, which will include offering apprenticeship and work experience opportunities, mentoring support, employment and training events, as well as school activities.”

Paul Bingham Director of Asset Management of Ashfield Homes, said: “This contract is a great opportunity to continue enhancing our tenants’ living conditions, maintain the high standard of accommodation we offer, and ensure that our present and future customers enjoy the benefits of good quality housing for years to come.”

Cllr Keir Morrison, Portfolio Holder for Housing and Asset said:

“I'm delighted J Tomlinson contractors are working in partnership with Ashfield District Council and Ashfield Homes in providing the best possible standard of housing we can.  J Tomlinson recruit local labour and have a comprehensive apprenticeship scheme, they also pay the Living Wage rate to their employees. 

“We look forward to a successful business partnership and achieving the best living standards for our tenants across the Ashfield District.”

For more information about J Tomlinson visit www.jtomlinson.co.uk

Press release issued by Nottingham based PR company Perfect 10 PR www.perfect10pr.co.uk

Croots Farm Shop cultivates wedding party plans after double anniversary

A double wedding celebration sparked a new business idea for husband and wife team Steve and Kay Croot.

The couple, who run Croots Farm Shop in Derbyshire, celebrated their silver wedding anniversary on 1^st September. This came two weeks after Kay’s parents Jim and Sue Yates marked their golden wedding anniversary.

When planning a joint celebration at the farm near Duffield, the couple decided that it was such an ideal place to hold a wedding reception that they should open it up to others.

“Steve and I had our own reception in a marquee at the farm in September 1990, and over the past few years we’ve had a couple of other wedding receptions in the fields in front of the farm shop,” said Kay. “It’s a beautiful location overlooking the Ecclesbourne Valley. We’ve now got our hearts set on creating a unique country setting for other happy couples who’d like to celebrate their big day on a farm.”

Croots Farm Shop is staging an open day on Tuesday 8^th September from 10am to 7pm to give couples planning their wedding the chance to find out more about what the Croots team can offer.

“We can do buffets or table service, picnics or banquets,” said Kay. “We offer drinks packages, locally sourced beers, homemade foods and can organise wedding cakes, marquees, DJs, toilets and everything else that’s needed.”

Croots Farm Shop, which is based at Farnah House Farm, Wirksworth Road, opened in June 2008 and is well known for its butchers counter, deli and Shires Eatery, which has doubled in size due to demand since it was first launched. A play area has also been added, and the farm shop regularly holds activities for children, as well as tastings, promotions and events for customers.

Situated overlooking fields of Shire horses, the farm shop was built at the farm owned by Jim and Sue Yates, the latest in a long line of generations to have bred the gentle giants of the horse world at Farnah House Farm.

For more information visit www.croots.co.uk

Press release issued by Nottingham PR company Perfect 10 PR www.perfect10pr.co.uk