Construction Leaders Club focuses on navigating through Brexit

Construction Leaders Club workshop.

Business growth organisation, the Construction Leaders Club, is running a series of workshops to help firms in the sector become ‘Brexit ready’. 

The East Midlands-based group has created a framework to help businesses protect themselves and plan for growth and development beyond Brexit.

Now the Construction Leaders Club is planning to share the ideas in a series of workshops to be run in the Nottinghamshire/Derbyshire area – starting in February.

Business growth consultant Terry O’Mahony, who runs CLC, said: “Small business owners don't always have the time or resources to effectively lead and manage seismic changes in the marketplace and their business. We are heading into uncharted waters as the UK prepares to leave the European Union, and it’s vital that small and medium-sized businesses do what they can to prepare as much as possible for this.

“The team at the Construction Leaders Club has made it their mission to be on hand to help business leaders and managers navigate their way through and beyond Brexit.” 

The Construction Leaders Club, which is believed to be the only business growth, leadership and management development organisation for the construction industry to be awarded the new Chartered Building Consultancy status, was founded by Terry O’Mahony four years ago. It offers networking and business growth advice - supporting businesses and individuals related to or associated with the UK construction industry.

The workshops will be run by Terry and Peter Jubb, a business development and marketing consultant who has worked within the construction sector for many years, and will be held at Risley Hall Hotel, Risley in Derbyshire, near junction 25 of the M1 – starting on 9^th February 2018.

“In just one workshop, we will be offering advice on how to re-engineer businesses, accelerate profitability, reduce exposure to commercial risk and to leveraging every opportunity open to business leaders,” explained Terry. “We welcome small business owners, senior decision makers and leaders who want to develop their business and teams.”

The first half-day workshop runs from 9am to noon, and will focus on the importance of being Brexit ready, how to understand fully your current business situation; identify and evaluate the best way forward; and create an effective plan.

As well as running development programmes and workshops, the CLC also stages monthly networking events, with the next one scheduled for Thursday 8^th February at 10am at The Grill at Twenty Five, 25 Bostock’s Lane, Long Eaton, Nottinghamshire, NG10 4EP.

For more details about the workshops or networking events visit www.constructionleadersclub.com

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

Trio of promotions at BSP Consulting

BSP Consulting promotes three members of the team.

Three members of the team at civil and structural engineering firm BSP Consulting have been promoted to new positions.

Chartered civil engineer Carol Ell and chartered structural engineer Monika Anszperger have become associates, while associate Tim Wilson has stepped up to associate director.

Carol, who works in BSP’s Leicester office in De Montfort Street, joined the company in July 2004, while Monika, who is based in the Derby office at Pride Park, joined in January 2014.

Tim, who has been with BSP since 2005, heads up the civil engineering team in Leicester.

BSP MD David Sumner said: “These changes reflect the much-increased responsibility levels that Tim, Carol and Monika now embrace and perform for the company. I and the BSP team congratulate them on their achievement.”

BSP, which is based at Oxford Street, Nottingham, provides a comprehensive range of consultancy services in civil, structural, geotechnical, transportation and environmental engineering to all sectors of the construction community, from architects, project managers and contractors to developers and estate agents. It was founded in 1999 and operates across the East Midlands and the UK.

For more information, visit www.bsp-consulting.co.uk

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

Derbyshire farm shop Croots boosts its parking facilities to cater for demand

Steve Croot in the new car park.

Popular Derbyshire farm shop Croots has doubled the size of its car park to cater for increasing numbers of customers.

As it gears up for Christmas and its busiest time of the year, the farm shop near Duffield has opened a second car park to create additional spaces.

The new hardstanding area has effectively doubled the number of car parking spaces at the farm shop in Wirksworth Road to around 56.

“Croots Farm Shop & Café has become a popular destination for shoppers and diners, and we wanted to make sure that our visitors could park – whether they were coming to shop, visit our café for coffee, lunch or afternoon tea, or to use our children’s play area,” said Steve Croot, who runs the shop with wife Kay Croot.

“We’re situated at the end of a 500m drive and many of our visitors come by car, so this will make it easier for customers to find a space, especially as we are now heading towards our busiest time of the year when we expect a lot of visitors to the Christmas events we have planned, as well as those coming to do their shopping or join us in the café.”

The new car park is near the top of the drive, just a few metres away from Croots Farm Shop & Café.

Croots, which opened in June 2008, is an award-winning family run farm shop – well known for its wide array of quality food and drink, homemade produce and gifts. It has an extensive butchery counter and a well-stocked cheese display, making it a big favourite for foodie fans in Derbyshire.

It also sells a range of bakes created exclusively for Croots by Great British Bake Off contestant Val Stones who is the sister of Steve Croot.

Earlier this year, Croots Farm Shop won the People’s Choice in the Midlands Award in the Family United Business Awards.

“We’ve expanded the shop and the café since we opened, and improved the drive, so it’s logical to also extend the car park,” added Steve. “We have additional improvements in the pipeline too, as we continue to boost our facilities and customer experience.”

Croots Farm Shop, based at Farnah House Farm, Wirksworth Road, near Duffield, 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 http://www.croots.co.uk. Find Croots on Twitter @crootsfarm_shop or on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/Croots-Farm-Shop

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

J Tomlinson donates £500 to local RSPCA shelter

RSPCA Abbey Street receives a generous donation from J Tomlinson

Integrated building services company, J Tomlinson, has recently donated £500 to a Derby-based animal shelter.

Each year, the company invites internal sponsorship proposals, giving employees a chance to secure sponsorship for causes that are close to their hearts. This year, one of the chosen causes was the RSPCA Abbey Street Rehoming Centre.

Situated within Derby city centre, the Abbey Street shelter is one of 17 regional animal centres that the RSPCA runs across England and Wales. Staff and volunteers work tirelessly to rescue, rehabilitate and rehome animals across the district that have been victims of neglect and/or abuse. Depending on each animal’s unique situation, the process can include veterinary checks, veterinary treatment, providing insurance, spaying/neutering, hand-rearing and rehabilitation – all of which incurs a considerable cost.

Most of the animals that are brought to the centre have been rescued from neglectful/cruel conditions by national RSPCA inspectors; however, many are simply abandoned on the centre’s doorstep.

The centre is independently funded and as such depends on the generosity of the public and local businesses to continue its invaluable work. From maintenance bills and veterinary costs to the provision of specialist food and employee training, the centre costs a staggering £9,000 per week to run, with every single donation making a huge difference.

J Tomlinson will be sponsoring the ‘ASH’ kennel, which is currently home to Husky cross, Willow (pictured) and Patterdale cross, Oscar – both of whom have recently found new homes.

Mark Davis, CEO of J Tomlinson, commented: “As a company that places our local communities at the heart of everything we do, we are pleased to support the RSPCA Abbey Street shelter, and hope the donated amount will help the centre continue to help animals in need.”

Kerry Draper, Fundraising Manager for the centre, commented: “We are so pleased that J Tomlinson have chosen to support our independently-funded centre here at Abbey Street. Without support we would not be able to continue to rescue, rehabilitate and rehome these incredible animals. This kennel sponsorship will help fund towards veterinary care and enrichment of its residents. We were delighted by J Tomlinson’s visit to our centre; their warmth and compassion shone through for our animals in need. Once again, thank you.”

J Tomlinson, which is based at Beeston, near Nottingham, provides a range of integrated building solutions including construction, refurbishment, repairs and maintenance, mechanical and electrical services (M&E), and facilities management. It works primarily across the East Midlands, West Midlands and Yorkshire.

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

To find out more about the RSPCA Abbey Street Rehoming Centre, or to make a donation, visit www.rspcaderby.org.uk

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

Deadline extended for East Midlands fbe Awards 2017

Overall winner of the East Midlands fbe awards 2016

Organisers of the East Midlands fbe Awards have extended the deadline for nominations by one week.

Companies now have until Friday 8^th September to put forward construction projects and nominate rising stars in the industry from across the region.

“We’ve had some exciting nominations for the East Midlands fbe Awards already and know that others are on their way, so we’re extending the deadline by one week to give applicants a little extra time in which to submit their entries,” said Eddie Mewies, regional chairman of the East Midlands fbe and MD of M-EC Consulting Development Engineers.

“In previous years, we’ve had a wide range of projects nominated, showcasing some of the very best development schemes that have been undertaken in the region. We are looking forward to highlighting some of the latest projects and also putting some of our brightest young professionals under the spotlight in our rising stars award category.”

The East Midlands fbe Awards recognise and reward the teams behind some of the best development projects across Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire and Lincolnshire.

Free to enter, the awards feature the following categories: Regeneration, Residential, and Non-Residential developments, along with Rising Star of the Year. The winners of the first three categories will automatically form the shortlist for the Overall East Midlands Scheme & Team Award.

Tickets are also on sale for the East Midlands fbe Chairman’s Dinner & Awards night, held at the City Rooms in Leicester on 12^th October 2017, when the awards will be presented.

Around 150 professionals from the construction, development and property sector in the region are expected to attend the ceremony, which will raise money for Wooden Spoon - the children's charity of rugby, which aims to positively transform the lives of children and young people with a disability or facing disadvantage across the UK and Ireland through the power of rugby.

As well as award entries now being open and tickets on sale for the ceremony, two sponsorship opportunities are also still available for the event. Sponsors already on board include main sponsor DW Hicks, BSD who is sponsoring the drinks reception, M-EC, who is sponsoring the Non-Residential Award and Arthur J Gallagher, who is sponsoring the Regeneration Award.

Details and nomination forms are available from http://www.fbeonline.co.uk/east-midlands/events/fbe-east-midlands-chairmans-dinner-and-awards-2017.htm or by contacting Mary Daw on 07883 033552.

The deadline for award nominations is now Friday 8^st September 2017.

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. As well as running the annual awards scheme, the East Midlands branch also organises a number of social and other events. The East Midlands branch covers Leicestershire, Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire.

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

Growing civil and structural engineering firm BSP Consulting invests in management training

Jef Todd and Charlotte Moreland

Six members of the BSP Consulting team are undertaking management and leadership training as part of staff and company development.

Another group of employees is being lined up to get involved in the second wave of training at the East Midlands-based civil and structural engineering firm, said business development director Jef Todd.

“As a company, BSP Consulting has been growing steadily and it’s important that we equip our teams with the necessary skills to support our continued development and to provide them with ongoing professional development too,” said Jef.

“We are committed to both staff and company development, reflecting on our wider commitment to offering the best service we can to our clients across the East Midlands and the UK.”

Those currently undertaking the Apprenticeship NVQ course, run by Training for Business, are structures director Paul Elphick, associate director – civils Matt Viggars, associate director – civils Tony Goddard, chartered civil engineer Carol Ell, principal transport planner Joanna Posnett and senior engineer Oliver Dike.

Based across BSP’s offices in Nottingham, Derby and Leicester, the group will spend around 15 months completing the Level 4 NVQ Diploma in Management. The next group of employees is due to start the training in six months.

The Level 4 NVQ Diploma in Management is ideal for managers moving into a middle management position, who still retain responsibility for operational processes but are more removed from day-to-day line management duties. The qualification develops the knowledge and skills required to take on higher level responsibilities such as planning and implementing change.

Those involved will develop core leadership skills, take charge of personal and professional development, gain the skills to be able to plan and implement an operational plan, improve working relationships, and achieve a recognised qualification for personal development.

The course is governed by ILM (Institute of Leadership and Management) and is being delivered to the BSP team as an Apprenticeship Framework which includes an NVQ by Nottingham-based Training for Business, an Ofsted rated #1 Outstanding training provider, which is part of the NHTA Group Ltd that provides apprenticeships across the East Midlands.

“Training for Business are passionate about the power of quality accredited qualifications to transform people and give them the skills they need for the future. We understand all people are different and need flexible suppliers of training to ensure each and every person reaches their full potential, and as such all our qualifications are delivered one-on-one in the work place and at a time convenient to both the learner and employer,” said Charlotte Moreland, managing director of Training for Business. “We are very pleased to be supporting the team at BSP Consulting.”

BSP and Training for Business organised the training after linking up through support from Nottingham City Council via Nottingham Jobs Hub.

BSP Consulting, which is based at Oxford Street, Nottingham, and has offices at Pride Park, Derby, De Montfort Street, Leicester, and Solly Street, Sheffield, provides a comprehensive range of consultancy services in civil, structural, geotechnical, transportation and environmental engineering to all sectors of the construction community, from architects, project managers and contractors to developers and estate agents. It was founded in 1999 and operates across the UK.

For more information, visit www.bsp-consulting.co.uk

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

Appointment at BSP Consulting as firm launches new project information management system

James Payne

East Midlands civil and structural engineering firm BSP Consulting has promoted James Payne to the position of finance and IT manager.

He has been with the company for exactly 16 years, having joined BSP straight from school in August 2001.

James has recently been instrumental in introducing a new project information management system at BSP’s headquarters in Nottingham and across its offices in Derby, Leicester and Sheffield.

The Union Square software is used worldwide by organisations in the construction sector to help them work smarter and collaborate more effectively, and it has already begun showing positive results for BSP.

BSP managing director David Sumner said: “James has been a loyal and valued BSP employee since joining us in 2001. He has recently spearheaded the introduction of Union Square across the business after putting forward the case to the senior team of the benefits of integrating and streamlining our management of information – something which has become increasingly important to the efficiency of the business as we continue to expand.

“We have a commitment to staff development and are delighted to have promoted James to this newly created position at BSP Consulting, which reflects his new role.”

The Union Square system is being used throughout the business, primarily for project accounting but also for internal processes such as HR.  

“Union Square has only been in place for a short while but already it is bringing benefits to BSP in making our project accounting more efficient,” said James. “The prediction is that it will help us with our long-term forecasting and planning, and become an increasingly valuable tool in the future.”

James joined BSP as a civil engineering technician at the age of 16, before becoming civil engineering technician and IT manager in 2004 and subsequently IT manager. He is based in BSP’s Nottingham HQ in Oxford Street but works across the group.

BSP, which also has offices at Pride Park, Derby, De Montfort Street, Leicester, and Solly Street, Sheffield, provides a comprehensive range of consultancy services in civil, structural, geotechnical, transportation and environmental engineering to all sectors of the construction community, from architects, project managers and contractors to developers and estate agents. It was founded in 1999 and operates across the UK, working in sectors including education, industrial, commercial, retail, affordable housing, older persons living, leisure, private housing, heritage, and pre-planning.

For more information, visit www.bsp-consulting.co.uk

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

Croots Farm Shop in Derbyshire takes part in Open Farm Sunday

Kay Croot with one of the lambs

One of Derbyshire’s most popular farm shops is giving customers the chance to go behind the scenes of a farm during a national event that’s billed as the farm industry’s open day.

Croots Farm Shop near Duffield is throwing open the gates to Farnah House Farm, Wirksworth Road, on 11^th June when it takes part in Open Farm Sunday.

Organised by LEAF (Linking Environment And Farming), Open Farm Sunday is the opportunity for farmers to proudly showcase British farming and food. It will be the second year that Croots Farm Shop has taken part in the national event.

“After the great success that we had last year, we are proud to say that we will once again be opening our farm up to the public on Sunday 11th June 2017 from 11am until 3:30pm,” said Kay Croot, who runs Croots Farm Shop with husband Steve Croot.

Kay grew up at Farnah House Farm, which is run by her parents Jim and Sue.

During the event on 11^th June, which is free to enter, visitors can watch sheep shearing and blacksmith displays, meet the farmer, learn more about lambing, join Shire horse and cart rides, take part in competitions and look at tractors.

There will be live music from contemporary folk band Isembard’s Wheel and a BBQ will also be running.

Croots Farm shop and Café will still be accessible during the day, with events running in the fields and barns around the shop.

“We are very proud of the food we produce at the farm and are looking forward to giving our customers the chance to see behind the scenes,” said Kay. 

“Last year, more than a quarter of a million visitors went out onto farms during Open Farm Sunday, and since the first Open Farm Sunday in 2006, over 1500 farmers across the UK have opened their gates and welcomed 1.8 million people onto their farm for one Sunday each year. It’s a great opportunity to discover first-hand what it means to be a farmer and to find out more about how food is produced.”

For more information, visit http://www.croots.co.uk Find Croots on Twitter @crootsfarm_shop or on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/Croots-Farm-Shop

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

Bake Off star Val extends range of bakes at Croots Farm Shop in Derbyshire

Croots Farm Shop head baker with Val's range

Derbyshire farm shop Croots has added to its range of bakes created by Great British Bake Off star Val Stones.

Val’s brother Steve Croot runs the farm shop near Duffield, with wife Kay, and last year they teamed up to launch a tasty selection of bakes under the Val at Croots……made with love brand.

Now two new bakes – banana and pecan loaf and spelt cookies - have been added to the range.

“Val’s bakes have gone down so well with our customers that we’re delighted to now be launching two additional products,” said Steve Croot. “She was an absolute star on Bake Off last year and won many fans. She’s remained popular with the public and has thousands of followers on social media, who enjoy watching her baking.

“We are proud to sell Val’s bakes in Croots – items that she’s specially created in conjunction with our bakers at the farm shop to sell on our shelves.”

Other products in the range include Virtuous Cake (fat free and sugar free), cherry shortbread and a selection of cookies. The Virtuous Cake and the cherry shortbread have been best-sellers, added Steve.

Val, a retired head teacher who lives in Somerset, said: “I’ve had a hand in helping Steve with recipes and ideas for Croots Farm Shop products for several years now, and I was so pleased when my range Val at Croots……made with love launched in the shop. I’ve now developed two more products in conjunction with Margaret, the chief baker at Croots, and her team, which I hope will prove to be popular with customers.”

Val shot to fame in last year’s Great British Bake Off and became one of the most favourite characters on the BBC TV show.

A regular visitor to Croots, she was cheered on by staff and customers as she took part in the programme. In December, she held baking workshops at the farm shop for customers, which attracted many of her fans.

Croots, which is based at Farnah House Farm, Wirksworth Road, 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 https://www.facebook.com/Croots-Farm-Shop

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

Croots Farm Shop & Café a finalist in Family Business United Awards 2017

Kay and Steve Croot

Derbyshire farm shop Croots has been named a finalist for the Midlands Family Business of the Year Award 2017.

The farm shop and café near Duffield, run by husband and wife team Steve and Kay Croot, is one of 12 family firms shortlisted for the accolade.

“We are delighted to learn that we’ve been chosen as a finalist in this award. It’s great news for Croots Farm Shop and all the wonderful, hard-working staff we have on our team,” said Kay Croot. “The farm shop was launched at my parents’ farm in 2008, and has gone from strength to strength.

“It’s very much a family business, with our staff being part of our extended family. We have some people that have been with us at Croots Farm Shop since the start and are incredibly loyal and amazing with customers. We have shared our progress with them, they understand what we are striving to deliver, live the same values and we look after them and treat them like part of a big family.

“I’d like to thank them, as well as all our suppliers and customers, for helping this family business to grow and to get to a stage where we have been named a finalist of the Midlands Family Business of the Year Award 2017.”

The Family Business of the Year Awards are organised by Family Business United, the award-winning magazine and resource centre that champions and celebrates the family business sector. Now in their fifth year, the awards recognise the diversity, strength and depth of family firms across the UK and seek to highlight the contribution that family firms make to the UK economy.  

Open to family firms of all generations, sizes and sectors, the awards recognise some outstanding family firms and really help to put family businesses on the map.

Paul Andrews, founder and managing director of Family Business United, said: "We are delighted to be able to pull together such a vibrant bunch of family businesses, some that have succeeded for numerous generations and continue to thrive, and others that are relatively young but have great values at the heart of what they do.

“Well done to Croots Farm Shop & Café on being named a finalist.”

Sian Steele, head of family business at PwC, sponsors of the award added: "Any one of those shortlisted would make worthy winners and ambassadors for the sector. We are looking forward to finding out more about each of them and I am sure that the decisions to determine the winner will not be easy.  Previous winners of this award include Penny Hydraulics, Cropwell Bishop and Fracino so the 2017 winners will be following in the footsteps of some incredible family firms."

The awards process concludes at a gala reception and awards ceremony that takes place in London at the prestigious May Fair Hotel in London on June 8 where the winners will be crowned.

Croots Farm Shop, based at Farnah House Farm, Wirksworth Road, 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 https://www.facebook.com/Croots-Farm-Shop

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

Pupils benefit from J Tomlinson and Futures Housing Group boiler work incentive scheme

Primary school pupils and J Tomlinson

Primary school pupils have been given a boost by boiler servicing contractor J Tomlinson thanks to support from Futures Housing Group customers.

The company operates the maintenance and servicing contract for the housing organisation, and each time staff are given first-time access to a customer’s home to carry out work, the firm donates £1 to invest into the community.

Now J Tomlinson has donated £500 to Lea Primary School at Lea, near Matlock, in Derbyshire, which is a contribution towards the creation of an outdoor classroom area that the Friends of Lea School are currently fundraising for.

Operations manager at J Tomlinson, Dave Fisher, said: “We’re very pleased to have been able to present £500 to Lea Primary School to help the school expand on its outdoor learning, and it’s all thanks to cooperation from customers of Futures Housing Group.

“Allowing us first-time access to their homes to enable the J Tomlinson team to repair, maintain and service boilers helps us to provide as efficient a service as we can, and this donation represents 500 occasions on which we’ve been able to achieve first-time access. It’s great to see that this incentive is also providing support for community initiatives, as well as helping to ensure that boilers are serviced and maintained regularly, which is important for safety.”

Dave was joined at the presentation by Futures Housing Group gas surveyor Jason Topley, who said: “It’s great that J Tomlinson have continued this commitment to providing funds for local schools and colleges. It gives us another reason to celebrate them gaining first-time access to another 500 of our properties to maintain boilers and ensure customer safety.”

Head teacher at Lea Primary School, Karen Maycock, said: “This donation will make a real difference to the outdoor learning area for our children in Key Stage 1. More learning will be able to take place outside with the children having more choice in the range of activities available. I’m sure we’ll see many more smiling faces! Thank you for the generous donation.”

J Tomlinson, which is based at Beeston near Nottingham, has a long-term contract with Futures Housing Group to carry out maintenance and servicing of the organisation’s boilers at over 6,000 homes across Derbyshire, including Amber Valley and Erewash. 

Futures Housing Group provides more than 9,000 affordable homes throughout the East Midlands, including over 6,000 homes in Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire and around 3,000 homes in Northamptonshire.

J Tomlinson is looking for additional community causes to support in Derbyshire and is appealing for residents and community groups to contact the company to put forward their suggestions for sponsorship. 

J Tomlinson provides a range of integrated building solutions including construction, refurbishment, repairs and maintenance, mechanical and electrical services (M&E), and facilities management. It operates across the East Midlands, West Midlands and Yorkshire.

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 scores success in British Sausage Week Awards

Steve Croot

Derbyshire farm shop Croots has struck gold once again with its brilliant bangers after winning awards as part of British Sausage Week 2016.

The farm shop near Duffield received gold awards for its Pork Sausage, Italian Sausage and Welsh Dragon Sausage, along with a silver award for its Lincolnshire Sausage.

The awards were made to celebrate British Sausage Week 2016, which runs from 31^st October to 6^th November and is now in its 19th year.

Steve Croot, who runs Croots Farm Shop at Farnah House Farm, Wirksworth Road, with wife Kay, said: “Our butchers are renowned for their skills in creating tasty flavours of sausages, which are made here on the premises of Croots. We’ve won stacks of awards for our bangers and meat products, but it’s great news to have won four more awards as part of British Sausage Week.

“Our customers are huge fans of sausages – our biggest seller – and we’re looking forward to once again celebrating British Sausage Week with a range of offers and an extensive selection of sausages, with something to suit all tastes.”

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 https://www.facebook.com/Croots-Farm-Shop

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

Customers help J Tomlinson raise money for charitable donation

Heanor Gate Science College donation from J Tomlinson

Derbyshire students are benefiting to the tune of £1,000 thanks to the cooperation of Futures Housing Group customers and the generosity of J Tomlinson, the company that services and maintains their boilers.

J Tomlinson operates the maintenance and servicing contract for the housing organisation, and each time the company’s staff are given first-time access to a customer’s home to carry out work, the firm donates £1 to invest into the community.

Now representatives from J Tomlinson’s repairs and maintenance team and Futures Housing Group have presented £1,000 to Heanor Gate Science College to be spent on new sports equipment for the academy in Kirkley Drive, Heanor, after the success of the fundraising scheme.

“We are delighted to be donating £1,000 to Heanor Gate Science College and would like to thank customers of Futures Housing Group for their cooperation in supporting the J Tomlinson team to carry out essential servicing, repairs and maintenance on the boilers at their homes,” said Dave Fisher, operations manager at J Tomlinson.

“Allowing us first-time access helps us to provide the most efficient service that we can and this donation represents a thousand times that we’ve been able to achieve first-time access to tenants’ homes. At the same time, we’ve been able to raise money for a good community initiative, so it’s a win, win situation all round.”

Dave was joined by Futures Housing Group representatives Sharon Holmes, asset management coordinator, and Jason Topley, gas surveyor, for a cheque presentation at the college.

Principal at Heanor Gate Science College, Stephen Huntington, said: “We are very grateful for the donation from J Tomlinson and would like to add our thanks to the Futures Housing Group tenants who have supported this fundraising initiative which will allow us to purchase sports equipment for our PE department.”

Jason Topley, gas surveyor at Futures Housing Group, said: “The safety of our customers is absolutely imperative and ensuring our boilers are regularly maintained is a big part of that. J Tomlinson staff being able to gain first time access to so many of our properties provides great peace of mind and also saves a lot of time and energy. It’s fantastic that J Tomlinson have made this donation and it’s great that a local school can benefit from our organisations working together so well.”

J Tomlinson, which is based at Beeston near Nottingham, has a long-term contract with Futures Housing Group to carry out maintenance and servicing of the organisation’s boilers at over 6,000 homes across Derbyshire, including Amber Valley and Erewash.

Futures Housing Group provides more than 9,000 affordable homes throughout the East Midlands, including over 6,000 homes in Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire and around 3,000 homes in Northamptonshire.

J Tomlinson is looking for additional community causes to support in Derbyshire and is appealing for residents and community groups to contact the company to put forward their suggestions for sponsorship.

J Tomlinson provides a range of integrated building solutions including construction, refurbishment, repairs and maintenance, mechanical and electrical engineering (M&E), and facilities management. It operates across the East Midlands, West Midlands and Yorkshire.

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