First World War project gains almost £1million grant with support from Focus Consultants

Funding experts at Focus Consultants have helped a council to secure almost £1million from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) to uncover the local history of the First World War. 

The grant to Doncaster Council will also be used to research the King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (KOYLI) and create a lasting legacy which will be accessible to townspeople for years to come. 

Mike Lee, associate at Focus Consultants, which is based in Nottingham and has offices in London, Leicester, Boston and Aubourn in Lincolnshire, said: “We are pleased and proud to have played a part in helping Doncaster Council to secure this grant from the HLF by assisting with the bid. 

“As the centenary of the First World War is being marked this year, it is particularly poignant that the council and local people will be focusing on this period of the history of the area. The project will help to expand on what is already known and will create a rich resource for generations to come.” 

An earlier HLF grant had been awarded to the council to fund the work that Focus carried out on the bid. 

A five-year project entitled Doncaster 1914-1918 will be launched on Remembrance Weekend, November 9th and 10^th, and will include a range of activities and events aimed at inspiring residents to research their own family history and contribute to a new interactive Doncaster heritage website. The website will make information about the First World War and the KOYLI currently held in council archives more accessible. As well as being searchable, members of the public will also be able to upload their own information. 

The Doncaster Council bid is one of the latest successful bids that Focus Consultants has been involved in. Since it was founded 20 years ago, it has helped to secure more than £925 million of grant assistance for a range of projects and businesses across the UK and delivered more than £1.0 billion worth of projects and programmes – making it one of the most successful businesses of its kind in the country. 

It specialises in working with councils, arts and heritage organisations, leisure complexes, religious and secular groups, and tourism outlets to put together innovative bids for funding packages for development projects. 

Ros Jones, Mayor of Doncaster, said: "This is fantastic news for people in Doncaster and we are extremely grateful to the Heritage Lottery Fund for this generous investment. Doncaster has a rich heritage and it will be interesting to see what we can add to the understanding of it over the course of the five years.”

Fiona Spiers, Head of Heritage Lottery Fund Yorkshire and the Humber, said the HLF was delighted to announce support for the project. 

“Doncaster Museum holds some fascinating archives exploring the history of the conflict on the Home and Western Fronts - from rationing and zeppelin raids, to family memories and life in a battalion,” she said. “This project will enable the community to access them, bring stories to life and contribute to a digital legacy that will preserve a unique insight into the Doncastrian memory of the First World War for generations to come." 

Visit www.focus-consultants.co.uk

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

Awards shortlist announced by East Midlands fbe

The East Midlands fbe (Forum for the Built Environment) has unveiled the names of the shortlisted finalists who are in the running to receive an accolade at the organisation’s annual awards ceremony. 

The winners of the best construction projects from across Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire will be revealed at a special dinner on October 9^th. Around 120 people from the region’s construction sector are expected to attend the fourth annual East Midlands Awards evening at the City Rooms, Leicester. 

“Once again, we had some outstanding entries for the East Midlands fbe Awards. The number and standard of entries continues to grow each year, making the judges’ job more difficult,” said Jef Todd, regional chairman of the property, development and construction professionals’ group. 

The awards, sponsored by civil and structural engineering company BSP Consulting, construction firm North Midland Construction, civil engineering firm M-EC Consulting Development Engineers, and accountants Duncan & Toplis, reward the whole team on the project, as this reflects what fbe is all about … working with like-minded professionals. 

Divided into three different categories, regeneration, residential and non-residential developments, the shortlisted entries are as follows: 

Refurbishment and Regeneration; 

• Construction of a retail and commercial landmark development, Queen’s Place, Mansfield
• Third and final phase of the CODE student accommodation development on Western Road, Leicester
• Phase 1 of the mixed use development Castleward, Derby

 Residential;

•  New build housing development off Southworth Road, Breedon on the Hill, on the  Leicestershire/Derbyshire border
• Development of 165 new homes at St James Gate, Anstey, Leicestershire
• Ten new-build flats at Knighton Fields Road West, Leicester
• Eight new homes at Ruby Court, Southwell

 Non-residential;

• Structural repairs to Arnold Hill Academy, Nottingham
• Extensive refurbishment at Bagworth Community Centre, near Coalville, Leicestershire
• The development of the King Richard III Visitor Centre, Leicester

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

The fbe is a national organisation, with branches across the UK and is the longest established networking group for the property, development and construction industries. Initially established in the East Midlands, as well as running the annual awards scheme, the organisation also organises a number of social and other events. It covers Leicestershire, Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire. 

For more information about the fbe and the branch visit www.fbeonline.co.uk.

The fbe’s twitter handle is @fbeonline and the hashtag #EMfbeawards is being used. 

Just a handful of tickets for the evening remain, and can be bought from http://www.fbeonline.co.uk/east-midlands/events/east-midlands-dinner-and-awards.htm

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

Luke Evans Bakery team raises dough for charity

A sporting team from Luke Evans Bakery in Derbyshire has raised more than £1,000 for charity, partly as a thank-you for saving the life of the father-in-law of one of its employees. 

If it hadn’t been for the Derbyshire, Leicestershire & Rutland Air Ambulance, John Downs might have died after having a heart attack on the course at Alfreton Golf Club a few years ago. 

Now his son-in-law Mark Dance, who is transport manager at Luke Evans Bakery, and five others in their team have completed the Calke Abbey 10K. 

Their efforts have netted more than £1,000 which will be split between the Derbyshire, Leicestershire & Rutland Air Ambulance and the Lullaby Trust, which provides specialist support for bereaved families and anyone affected by a sudden infant death. 

For most of the six-strong team, it was the first time they had undertaken such a challenge. 

Helen Yates, operations director at Luke Evans Bakery, was part of the team and the only one who had previously run a 10K race. 

“Without the air ambulance, Mark’s father-in-law wouldn’t have been taken to hospital as quickly and may not have survived, so we felt the Derbyshire, Leicestershire & Rutland Air Ambulance was an extremely worthwhile charity to support,” said Helen. “Everyone at Luke Evans Bakery is very proud of the team, and I’d like to thank them for taking part, as well as those who have been most generous with their donations.” 

Bakery customers, family and friends all donated to the fundraising efforts. The team’s Justgiving page will stay open for a while longer to collect from anyone else who would like to support the team. It can be found at https://www.justgiving.com/lukeevans10k/ 

Other members of the Luke Evans Bakery team were drivers’ mates Daniel Wainwright and Reece Johnson, dispatch worker Jason Bacon, and Matthew Hood, the boyfriend of the daughter of Luke Evans managing director David Yates. 

First past the post for the Luke Evans team was Daniel, who completed the race in 51 minutes and 1 second, and was second in his age group. He was followed by Mark who recorded a time of 52 minutes and 37 seconds, and Jason, who came in at 54 minutes, 54 seconds. 

Luke Evans Bakery, which is based at Riddings, supplies around 300 trade and wholesale customers, including shops, delis, schools and universities, as well as selling direct from its shop in Riddings, near Alfreton. 

The family run firm was founded in 1804. 

For more information about Luke Evans Bakery visit www.lukeevans.co.uk

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

Shire Horse Show in Staffordshire

Up to 100 Shire horses will be taking part in the Midland Shire Foal Show being held in Staffordshire later this month – and the public are being invited along to find out more about the historic breed. 

The event is run every year by the Midland Shire Foal Society, which was founded in 1959. Initially the show attracted entries from across Staffordshire and Derbyshire, but today it appeals to Shire horse owners from around the country, and horses and foals are expected from as far away as Devon, Cornwall, Yorkshire and Norfolk. 

Taking place on Saturday 20^th September at Field House Equestrian Centre, Marchington, near Uttoxeter, the event also encourages the next generation of Shire horse showmen and women. It hosts the final of the national Young Handler of the Year Competition, and the 20 young people under the age of 18 taking part have been qualifying over the past year for the chance to win the title. 

As well as the opportunity to see Shire horses being shown, there is also an auction of Shire horse harnesses and memorabilia, which is being run by Derby auctioneers Derby Market Auctions and takes place at 10am. 

“It’s very much an enthusiasts show but if you like Shire horses there’s a lot to see,” said society chairman Jim Yates, who breeds award-winning Shire horses at his farm near Duffield in Derbyshire. “Last year marked the 55^th time the show has been held, and it’s a key date on the Shire horse showing calendar. It’s a way to promote and preserve this majestic breed of horse, and we would welcome anyone who is interested in finding out more about Shire horses.” 

The event, which costs £5 admission, begins at 9am and culminates with a horse sale at 1pm.

For more information visit https://www.facebook.com/midlandshirefoal?fref=ts

Press release issued by Louise Duffield at Nottingham PR agency Perfect 10 PR www.perfect10pr.co.uk