In light of the recent cyber attacks on M&S and Co-op, businesses are being urged to improve their digital security or run the risk of cyber-attacks. That’s the warning from tech expert Juliet Moran from TelephoneSystems.Cloud who claims the UK’s small businesses are ill equipped to deal with data breaches and hacking. It comes after the news that M&S says its online services will continue to be disrupted until July, with the company expecting a fall in profits of £300m. According to figures from The Cyber Security Breaches Survey, half of businesses (50%) experienced some form of cyber security breach or attack in the last 12 months. For medium businesses the number was 70% and for large businesses 74%. She believes with increased knowledge and by making some adjustments, small businesses could increase their cyber security considerably. Backing up systems, running updates, replacing outdated software and using password manager will all add up to instant improvements when it comes to protecting business data. Juliet Moran from TelephoneSystems.Cloud said: “Digital security is a necessity for small businesses with cyber threats evolving rapidly. There are some simple steps businesses can take straight away. Using a password manager, for example, improves security by generating and storing complex passwords and reducing the risk of breaches from weak or reused passwords." “Implementing two-step verification adds an extra layer of security, making it much harder for attackers to gain access even if passwords are protected." “Taking proactive measures means small businesses can protect themselves and their assets and leave themselves less at risk from future digital security issues.” Here is TelephoneSystems.Cloud’s advice for improving digital security: Back up data Backing up your data means if you lose access to the original, you can restore it via the backup. You can back up using cloud storage or removable media including an external hard drive, USB. Strong passwords Do not use the same password across multiple accounts - this is a really easy way for cyber criminals to access various email accounts, bank details, in fact anything that is password protected. Always use a strong and separate password. Password manager A password manager stores all your passwords, so you don’t have to remember them. This means you can have unique passwords for every account, significantly reducing the risk of cyber-attack. Most browsers will save passwords for you - this is safe to do on your own device. Never do it on a shared device or one others have access to. Software updates If a laptop, desktop or any device is asking you to update software, make it a priority. They’re the best way of ensuring you have protection against the latest types of cyber-attack. Updates will include protection from viruses and other kinds of malware. 2-step verification On important accounts, turn on 2-step verification. When you set it up, you may be sent a pin or code to verify it’s you accessing your phone or email. Sometimes it may be your fingerprint or a face scan. Think before you click If a link or email looks suspicious, don’t click on it or open it. Inspect links and make sure they're from trusted senders. Make sure you educate your team on cyber security and encourage them to become vigilant. VPNs There are security risks associated with using public and personal WiFi networks so make sure you and your team are clear on which ones are safe to use. Consider VPNs (Virtual Private Networks) for remote working or when working on unknown or untrusted networks and ensure 2FA is enabled on your router.

Tortilla Mexican Grill plc, the UK’s most loved Mexican restaurant group, has announced a year of significant operational progress and strategic expansion, as it continues its mission to bring fresh, California-style Mexican food to more customers across the UK, Europe and the Middle East. Over the course of last year, UK like-for-like sales recovered strongly, improving from 6% decline in March to 6% growth by December. This performance reflects the success of a renewed operational strategy under new CEO Andy Naylor, who stepped into the role in April 2024 and quickly introduced a clear focus on driving UK sales, improving margins and preparing the business for international growth. Group Revenue for the period rose by 3.5% to £68.0 million, supported by a combination of strong domestic performance, new store openings and a successful entry into France via an acquisition. This move commences the strategic rollout of the brand in Europe and has already created a strong platform for future growth beyond the UK. The acquisition in France brought 27 sites into the group including 13 company-owned restaurants located in key French cities such as Paris, Lyon and Lille, and 14 franchised sites across the country. As part of the European rollout strategy in early 2025, the group launched a new Central Production Kitchen in Lille, with three times the capacity of the UK kitchen, therefore creating a springboard for growth. Tortilla’s improved UK profitability also reflects efficiencies gained through investment in kitchen automation, enhanced buying power, and sustainability initiatives, including the installation of solar panels and in-store AI energy-saving systems. Adjusted EBITDA in the UK increased from £4.6 million to £5.2 million, despite a challenging consumer environment. The wider group’s Adjusted EBITDA was slightly down year-on-year at £4.5 million due to the inclusion of £0.7 million of expected early-stage losses from the acquisition in France. The group also made significant progress in enhancing its customer offer and digital infrastructure. A major refresh of Tortilla’s core menu has resulted in higher customer satisfaction and increased visit frequency, while a new loyalty app, launched in August 2024, has already attracted nearly 200,000 users. The app features mobile ordering, referral rewards and personalised notifications, and quickly became the UK’s number one food and drink app during National Burrito Day in April 2025. The rollout of self-service kiosks continued across the estate, with sites equipped with kiosks outperforming others by over 10 percentage points in like-for-like sales, thanks to improved speed, efficiency and higher average order values. Franchise partnerships also played a key role in the group’s growth during the year. In the UK, travel hub operator SSP delivered like-for-like sales growth of 5% and opened three new Tortilla locations, while Compass Group continued to expand the brand’s presence on university campuses. Internationally, franchise partner Eathos drove exceptional performance in the Middle East, with like-for-like sales up 23.5% and plans in place for further expansion in the region. Looking ahead, the group remains focused on building momentum in the UK, where early 2025 trading has been encouraging. Like-for-like sales in the UK rose by 5.9% in the first quarter of the year, ahead of the broader restaurant market by eight percentage points. Two new franchise sites have opened in high-footfall London locations - Liverpool Street and Victoria Station - while a third opened in Silicon Central Mall in the UAE. The first conversions of Fresh Burritos sites to the Tortilla brand are scheduled to begin in the second half of 2025, signalling the next phase of the group’s international rollout. Chief Executive Officer Andy Naylor expressed confidence in the road ahead, he said: “I am pleased with the momentum the business is building and delighted to share the significant progress we collectively have made during the year. When I stepped into the CEO role in April 2024, my first priorities were the UK like-for-like sales (LFL) , which improved from a decline of 6% in March 2024 to growth of +6% by the end of 2024 and the UK profitability increased with from £4.6m in 2023 to £5.2m in 2024 (“Adjusted EBITDA”). “The second mission was to commence our European growth plans and with the acquisition of sites in France last summer, we’ve made good progress on this task too. We’ve got a great base now from which we can continue to grow as the work is far from complete and we are still at the beginning of this exciting journey." “I am incredibly proud of what we have accomplished over the past year, from the progress made in the UK to the expansion through our franchise partners, and the strategic acquisition in France, which has provided us with an important springboard into mainland Europe. With our food offering now better than it has ever been, and exciting technology developments in progress, I am looking forward to what 2025 and beyond will bring.” Tortilla’s Annual Report and Accounts for 2024, along with the Notice of Annual General Meeting, were published today (May 21) and made available on the company’s website. The AGM will take place on 19 June 2025 at the offices of Panmure Liberum in London. About Tortilla Mexican Grill plc Tortilla is the UK’s most loved Mexican restaurant brand and Europe’s largest fast-casual Mexican food operator. Founded in 2007, the company now operates over 81 locations across the UK, with an additional 27 restaurants in France and 12 franchise sites in the Middle East. Tortilla serves over seven million meals each year, offering fresh, made-to-order burritos, tacos and salads inspired by the vibrant street food of California and Mexico. Tortilla’s menu is fully customisable and 70% plant-based, featuring higher-welfare meats, vegan-friendly options and produce that is always fresh, never frozen. The company is committed to sustainability, using 100% renewable electricity and recyclable packaging, and sending zero waste to landfill. Tortilla is listed on the London Stock Exchange (LSE: MEX) and employs more than 1,200 people.

A Perthshire-based wellness business is planning to expand across the UK after the owners received specialist support from Business Gateway. Husband and wife, Paul and Tara Scott, founded Enriched Being in 2023. Tara is a qualified nutrition coach and Paul has a background in biology and aquaculture, having recently earned a Diploma in Biomedicine as a refresher for going into the business. Tara first discovered the health benefits of microgreens after facing some health challenges in her thirties. She radically altered her diet to include microgreens and noticed huge improvements. Microgreens are tender, young shoots of various vegetable or herb plants which are harvested at an early stage of growth. Despite their small size, they are full of flavour and packed with nutrients, with up to 40 times as many nutrients as adult plants. Incorporating microgreens into your diet is said to help boost your immune system, support digestion and enhance overall wellbeing. Through Enriched Being, Tara and Paul harness these health benefits by offering fresh microgreens, which can be added to most meals, whether added to a sandwich, a soup, a salad or in pesto. The couple supplies their products to several Scottish hotels, including Andy Murray’s Cromlix Hotel, Kinloch House Hotel and Cairn Lodge Hotel. The duo will soon be selling a new signature product, Big Shot, a 30ml cold-pressed microgreen shot designed to deliver a powerful burst of nutrition in a single sip. Each bottle contains a whole punnet of fresh microgreens, naturally fermented to unlock nutrients, improve absorption and last longer. These are made with all natural products and come in glass bottles to ensure freshness for longer. They currently hand-deliver the freshly harvested microgreens to local chefs and consumers to ensure maximum freshness and quality. These have a two week shelf-life, meaning the customers have all had to be local. However, with Big Shot the couple is able to expand the reach thanks to it’s naturally longer shelf life of around 30 days. This means Big Shot can be posted across the UK, making the powerful benefits of microgreens more accessible than ever. Tara and Paul are also exploring other options to expand their reach even further. Although Tara and Paul had business experience, they had never worked in the food industry before, so approached Business Gateway for support in 2024. Their Business Gateway adviser, Michelle Maddox, provided one-to-one support, shared market insights and was able to help the pair understand food safety regulations. Michelle also supported with funding applications, which has recently resulted in a Beyond Scotland Grant. This grant provides specific support to businesses to enable them to expand into new markets overseas or into other parts of the UK. Thanks to support from Business Gateway, Tara and Paul successfully applied for Futures4All funding, which is going towards a new staff member who works eight hours per week to help with harvesting. Enriched Being was also a regional winner at the Scottish EDGE Awards, where they received a £10,000 grant. Tara Scott, co-owner of Enriched Being, said: “Running a business is always full on, especially when you're growing something from the ground up – literally! Moving into the food and drink industry has been a steep learning curve, even with our previous business experience." “The support we've had from Business Gateway has been a game-changer, from helping us understand food safety regulations to giving us insight into the market and helping us with funding applications. We've also loved connecting with other local producers through events and the Perthshire community. It's been so valuable to learn from others who are on a similar journey.” Michelle Maddox, Business Gateway adviser, said: “Tara and Paul have shown incredible passion and dedication in building Enriched Being Microgreens. They came to us with a clear vision, and it’s been a pleasure to support them as they’ve grown their business. We’ve worked closely together to help them take the next steps. I’m excited to see how their innovative products continue to make an impact across Scotland and beyond.”

Morrisons is opening a new Morrisons Daily store in High Wycombe to provide a fresh and affordable shopping experience to the local area. The 3,000 sq ft store sits on the edge of a residential community with further housing developments currently under construction nearby, making it the perfect spot for all shopping needs from forgotten items to a more substantial shop. The new Morrisons Daily replaces a Nisa store that closed in December 2024 which left many local residents without a convenient place to shop. Chilled and fresh ranges will be available as well as an in-store bakery, food to go, barista-style coffee, and a premium frozen offering. Sunny and Vicky Singh, who have operated convenience stores for many years under various competitor brands, chose to join the Morrisons franchise network to offer their customers a wide range of supermarket-quality products from a brand they know and trust. Katharine Challinor, Head of New Business & Independent Franchise at Morrisons, said: “The store is a great example of how our franchise model can help bring much-needed retail services and great food back to local communities. We’re really pleased to be working with Sunny and Vicky on the launch of the new store and look forward to seeing the positive impact being quickly felt by customers.” Sunny Singh, Franchisee and Co-owner of the new store, said: “We’ve been a part of this community for a long time and know how important it is for residents to have access to quality, affordable food close to home. Partnering with Morrisons means we can deliver exactly that, and the diverse range of products and services makes the store a real benefit to those nearby.” Morrisons now has over 600 franchise stores operating in forecourts and local neighbourhoods across the UK. Independent retailers interested in becoming a Morrisons Daily franchisee or learning more about Morrisons Wholesale can visit the Morrisons Daily website.

Each May, a leafy corner of West London transforms into a botanical wonderland as the Chelsea Flower Show opens its gates to the world. Held in the grounds of the Royal Hospital Chelsea, this iconic event is more than just a flower show; it is a cultural institution, a feast for the senses, and an exemplar of British gardening artistry. Organised by the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS), the Chelsea Flower Show has been captivating visitors since 1913, with only a handful of interruptions in its storied history — most notably during the World Wars and the recent global pandemic. For over a century, it has been the pinnacle of the horticultural calendar, where tradition meets innovation and passion for plants blossoms into breath-taking design. The Setting Nestled beside the Thames, the Royal Hospital Chelsea — home to the iconic Chelsea Pensioners — provides a stately and picturesque backdrop. The event usually spans five days, with the opening day reserved for RHS members, followed by general public access and an exclusive gala evening that draws celebrities, royalty, and gardening enthusiasts alike. The grounds are meticulously arranged into various show gardens, artisan spaces, plant pavilions, and retail zones, creating a maze of colour, texture, and scent. Every square metre is a masterclass in planting design and landscape architecture. The Show Gardens The Show Gardens are undoubtedly the main draw — dramatic, ambitious, and richly conceptual. Here, the world’s leading garden designers unveil their boldest ideas, often reflecting social issues, environmental challenges, or philosophical themes through the language of landscape. Past highlights have included eco-conscious rain gardens, climate-resilient planting schemes, and even wellness spaces inspired by Japanese forest bathing. Designers such as Andy Sturgeon, Tom Stuart-Smith, and Sarah Eberle are household names in the horticultural world, and a Chelsea gold medal can elevate a garden designer’s career to stratospheric levels. This year’s gardens have explored everything from urban rewilding to mental health, blending native species with exotic flora in ways that challenge conventional aesthetics. The judging process is rigorous, and medals — gold, silver-gilt, silver, and bronze — are awarded with exacting standards. The Great Pavilion The Great Pavilion is often dubbed the “cathedral of flowers”. Under this vast canvas dome, nurseries, growers, and plant societies from across the UK and around the world showcase their finest specimens. Whether it’s the perfect peony, the rare Himalayan orchid, or the dazzling array of dahlias, the Pavilion is a paradise for plant lovers. Each display is not only a triumph of horticultural skill but also of presentation. Exhibitors spend months cultivating their entries, often using artificial lighting and temperature control to coax their plants into peak perfection for May. Royal Visits and Fashion Statements The Chelsea Flower Show is famously a favourite of the British Royal Family. Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth IIwas a regular attendee, often seen strolling the gardens in pastel ensembles and wide-brimmed hats. Today, King Charles III and Queen Camilla continue the tradition, with the King known for his keen interest in sustainable gardening. But it’s not just the royals — Chelsea has become a hotspot for fashionistas and celebrities, who turn up in linen suits, floral frocks, and straw hats, turning the show into an unofficial runway of garden chic. Sustainability and Innovation In recent years, the RHS has made concerted efforts to promote sustainability at the show. Gardens now frequently incorporate recycled materials, peat-free composts, rainwater harvesting systems, and pollinator-friendly planting. There is an increasing focus on biodiversity, rewilding, and urban greening, reflecting the wider environmental concerns of our age. Chelsea is not merely about aesthetics — it’s a platform for education and awareness, championing sustainable gardening practices and showcasing how beautiful design can coexist with ecological responsibility. A Floral Fantasy with a British Heart The Chelsea Flower Show remains a uniquely British celebration — elegant, eccentric, and utterly enchanting. Whether you’re a seasoned horticulturist or a casual admirer of blooms, it offers inspiration, delight, and a sense of seasonal joy that transcends mere gardening. As petals unfurl in the early summer sun and bees hum among the borders, Chelsea reminds us of the power of plants to uplift, connect, and transform — both spaces and spirits. And as the final day draws to a close, and the ‘Chelsea Chop’ begins — when unsold plants are auctioned off and show gardens dismantled — one thing remains certain: Chelsea is not just a flower show. It is a living, breathing expression of human creativity and nature’s boundless beauty.

The Matthew Good Foundation, established by Hull-based family business The John Good Group in memory of director Matthew Good, has won the Corporate Foundation Award at the prestigious Third Sector Business Charity Awards. This accolade is a remarkable achievement for both the John Good Group and the Matthew Good Foundation, which triumphed over some of the UK’s biggest corporate names. The Business Charity Awards, run by Third Sector – the UK’s leading publication for the non-profit sector – celebrate outstanding contributions from businesses making a real difference to society. Previous winners of the Corporate Foundation Award include major players like Sony Music, Greggs, and Aviva, highlighting how prestigious this national recognition is. The Matthew Good Foundation was established in 2011 by Matthew’s family and colleagues at the John Good Group. Matthew was a passionate charity fundraiser who tragically passed away at the age of 32 while participating in the Humber Half Marathon to support a grassroots cause he cared about. Since then, the foundation has championed his vision of employee-led giving with a focus on supporting small non-profits, providing unrestricted grants to help them thrive. Unlike many larger corporate foundations, the Matthew Good Foundation focuses on very small but impactful charities and non-profits. Through easy-to-access initiatives like the Grants for Good programme, it empowers fledgling and community-based organisations across the UK to make a lasting difference. This grassroots-first approach has earned it a reputation for meaningful, community-focused corporate philanthropy. The award ceremony, held in London’s Grosvenor Square on 8th May 2025, celebrated the foundation’s commitment to grassroots giving. The John Good Group and Matthew Good Foundation team were joined by Sailors’ Children’s Society, a Hull-based charity that nominated them for the award after receiving significant support. Natasha Barley, CEO of the Sailor’s Children Society said, “The Matthew Good Foundation is completely different to any other foundation we have worked with. Their support has been far-reaching and covered so many layers. They supported us with an Amplify Charity Film, John Good Group staff fundraised £20,000 for us through the Bridge2Bridge Challenge, the Group generously provided office space while we secured a new building, and their CEO, Adam Walsh, has become a mentor to me. They truly are a force for good." Tim Good, Matthew’s brother and sixth-generation custodian of the John Good Group, expressed his pride: “We’re incredibly proud of everyone involved in the Foundation’s success, from the John Good Group staff who choose the projects we support, to our dedicated Foundation trustees and staff, both past and present, whose hard work has been pivotal. We’re also deeply grateful to the wider Good family, whose commitment to embedding the Foundation within the core of the John Good Group ensures it continues to thrive and receive a substantial share of our profits.” This win honours the legacy of Matthew Good, whose spirit of giving remains central to the foundation’s mission. It also highlights how big-hearted philanthropy can triumph over sheer financial power, and proves that even small grants can make a significant impact. The Matthew Good Foundation continues to invite local businesses to collaborate, demonstrating that supporting grassroots projects can make giving more meaningful. For more information, visit the Matthew Good Foundation’s website here . Above Photo: John Good Group and Matthew Good Foundation picking up the Corporate Foundation Award. Left - Right: Kevin Harrison - Director at Good Travel and Trustee of Matthew Good Foundation, Jen Murden - Comms Manager at Matthew Good Foundation, Jamie Lewis - Trustee at Matthew Good Foundation, Michelle Taft - Non-Executive Director at John Good Group, Awards presenter Hal Cruttenden. Photo Credit: Haymarket Media Group

A University of Dundee scientist whose pioneering work holds promise for developing new treatments for “undruggable” diseases has been elected a Fellow of the Royal Society (FRS), one of the highest honours for any scientist. Professor Alessio Ciulli, founder and Director of the University’s Centre for Targeted Protein Degradation (CeTPD), is part of the newest cohort elected to the UK’s national academy of sciences. Targeted protein degradation (TPD) is a transformative approach in drug discovery, harnessing the cell’s own waste disposal machinery to eliminate disease-causing proteins. It is applicable across a broad range of therapeutic areas — including cancer, inflammation, metabolic, and neurological disorders. Protein degrader medicines have the potential to be more effective than traditional drugs and offer hope for patients who have no treatment options or who no longer respond to therapies. Under Professor Ciulli’s leadership, Dundee has pioneered numerous impactful discoveries and technologies that have significantly advanced the field. Professor Ciulli said, “Being elected a Fellow of the Royal Society is an incredible and humbling honour, and it’s a privilege to be recognised alongside so many esteemed colleagues. Our main goal is to make meaningful advances in fundamental understanding that accelerate the development of new medicines. It is therefore very encouraging to see our efforts acknowledged by the Royal Society.” “This recognition reflects both the innovative work of my research group over the past 15 years, during which I’ve been mentoring 200 team members, and the exceptional environment at Dundee that has been vital to our progress." “The recent establishment of CeTPD marks an exciting new chapter for our research. I look forward to leading our efforts in uncovering new discoveries and developing solutions to some of the most pressing medical challenges. This award motivates us all to continue advancing in this dynamic, impactful field.” Regius Professor of Life Sciences Sir Mike Ferguson said, “Alessio is widely recognised as one of the global leaders in his field. His achievements are outstanding. We are absolutely delighted that Dundee is his scientific home, where his research and leadership have gone from strength-to-strength. He joins a distinguished group of Fellows at our School of Life Sciences, which has one of the highest concentrations of FRS scientists in the UK.” Professor Ciulli earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Florence before completing a PhD at Cambridge. He also spent four months at Yale University before returning to Cambridge to start his independent research group. In April 2013, he joined Dundee as a Principal Investigator in the School of Life Sciences and was promoted to full Professor in 2016. In 2017, he co-founded Amphista Therapeutics, a company focused on developing drugs based on targeted protein degradation. He became the inaugural Director of CeTPD upon its opening in 2023. Later that year, he was elected to the Fellowship of the Royal Society of Edinburgh. The Royal Society is the world's oldest scientific academy in continuous existence. The 2025 cohort of Royal Society Fellows includes trailblazers across diverse fields—from artificial intelligence and electron microscopy to global health and neuroscience. Sir Adrian Smith, President of the Royal Society, said, “It is with great pleasure that I welcome the latest cohort of outstanding researchers into the Fellowship of the Royal Society." “Their achievements represent the very best of scientific endeavour, from basic discovery to research with real-world impact across health, technology and policy. From tackling global health challenges to reimagining what AI can do for humanity, their work is a testament to the power of curiosity-driven research and innovation." “The strength of the Fellowship lies not only in individual excellence, but in the diversity of backgrounds, perspectives and experiences each new member brings. This cohort represents the truly global nature of modern science and the importance of collaboration in driving scientific breakthroughs.” The new Fellows join an illustrious list that includes Stephen Hawking, Isaac Newton, Charles Darwin, Albert Einstein, Lise Meitner, Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar, and Dorothy Hodgkin. They come from over 20 UK institutions and countries including South Africa, China, Switzerland, Singapore, and Malaysia

Bradford Bulls are proud to announce a new commercial partnership with Fairway Roofing, who will serve as the official sponsor of the Bulls’ match highlights throughout the 2025 season. As part of the partnership, Fairway Roofing branding will feature prominently on all match highlights published across the Bulls’ digital platforms, including YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter/X. Fairway Roofing, a respected Bradford-based business with a strong community ethos, sees the partnership as an opportunity to support a fellow local institution while connecting with a passionate and growing fanbase. Ian Stafford, Bradford Bulls’ Commercial Manager commented: “We’re absolutely delighted to welcome Fairway Roofing into the Bradford Bulls family. Having first met Kellie and Sean when they kindly donated a cherry picker for use inside the stadium, it was clear they reflect our shared values of commitment, community, and pride in Bradford. It’s fantastic to be working with a local company who genuinely care about sport and the people in this city.” Kellie and Sean from Fairway Roofing added: “As a company rooted in Bradford, we’re proud to be partnering with such an iconic club. The Bulls are more than a rugby league team—they’re a symbol of local pride and resilience. Sponsoring the highlights package is a great way for us to give back to the community, while helping fans relive every big tackle, try, and triumph from the season."

Ross McNally, Hampshire Chamber Chief Executive and Executive Chairman, said: “Barriers to trade do no-one any good. While full details are awaited, food exporters and importers among our membership will welcome the reduction in bureaucracy involved in moving shipments across borders. The amount of regulatory checks and paperwork involved up to now has simply created extra costs and time-consuming headaches for too many farmers, producers and supply chain businesses." "The easing of the burden of red tape that was ushered in after Brexit will hopefully create more stability and scope for confidence in business investment on both sides of the Channel. The establishment of a formal defence and security pact, with greater co-ordination between the UK and EU, will create opportunities for our many defence businesses here in Hampshire. Hopefully, this will mean easier, quicker access to European markets." "Ultimately, the outcome we want to see from this agreement is economic growth so that our members can benefit and create jobs and prosperity. Time will be needed to gauge the full extent of a net benefit.”

A life-saving men’s health screening programme is coming to Uttoxeter – with the help of a £750 donation from digger giant JCB.   Uttoxeter Lions Club has announced it will be holding its annual Prostate Cancer Screening event on Thursday 5th June at Oldfields Sports Ground in Springfield Road, Uttoxeter.   The event, which will deliver 500 free PSA blood tests to men over the age of 50 in the Uttoxeter area, will help to detect the early signs of the cancer which affects more than 50,000 men every year. If left untreated prostate cancer, the most common cancer in men, can spread, so early detection through screening is crucial.   Terry Adams, one of the volunteers at Uttoxeter Lions Club, who himself benefited from the screening programme two years ago, said: For the last 11 years Uttoxeter Lions Club has provided free prostate cancer screening in the town. Each year we find that 5% of those tested require further testing, or early treatment for Prostate Cancer. In 2023 I was one of that 5% and fully appreciate the benefits our events provide. I couldn’t be more grateful to JCB for their support which will help us to save lives through early diagnosis and treatment.” JCB’s donation will help to provide around 30 lifesaving screenings with the club using funds from their Party on the Pitch fundraiser on the weekend of Friday 6th to Saturday 7th June and other donations to make up the £14,000 needed to offer the free lifesaving screening. To mark their 50th anniversary the club will be offering an additional 100 tests this year to reach their 500@50 milestone. Each test, which has to be pre-booked, takes a few minutes with a sample of blood taken by NHS registered phlebotomists and sent to a laboratory to assess how much of the prostate cancer detecting protein PSA is in the blood.

British Beekeepers Urge the Public: Know Your Hornets to Help Save Our Bees Did you know a single yellow-legged Asian hornet (YLH) nest can consume the equivalent of 90,000 honey bees every year? That’s roughly 11kg of insects — the weight of a large sack of potatoes. In France, where this invasive species has taken hold since 2005, up to 15 nests per square kilometre have been recorded. Scientists have linked the hornet to a 30% decline in honey bee populations nationwide. This year’s United Nations World Bee Day on May 20th carries the theme “Bee inspired by nature to nourish us all,” and highlights the urgent need to protect the pollinators responsible for around 75% of global food crop production. The British Beekeepers Association (BBKA) plea this World Bee Day 2025 is for public support in the face of this growing threat urging people across the UK to learn how to recognise and report sightings of the yellow-legged Asian hornet. Diane Drinkwater, Chair of the BBKA said: “World Bee Day is about celebrating bees but it’s also about protecting them. Yellow-legged hornets have already started to appear in the UK. If we don’t act now, the impact on all pollinators and the domino effect on food production and native biodiversity will be devastating. The good news is that everyone can be part of the solution.” The BBKA is encouraging people to follow three simple steps to help stop the spread: See It. Snap It. App It ● See It – Look for a black-bodied hornet with an orange face, bright yellow ‘socks’ and a single orange band near the tail. ● Snap It – Take a clear photo, from a safe distance. ● App It – Report sightings using the Asian Hornet Watch app (Apple/Android) or at here . Once reported, the National Bee Unit (NBU) reviews the photo and if the ID is confirmed, trained teams are dispatched to track, locate and destroy nests before they can spread. Given its proximity to France, Jersey is already fully engaged in a battle with the YLH and this year alone over 1000 queens have been detected, whilst activity on the UK’s south coast has been busier than ever this spring with the sighting of 13 queens and the location of a nest. “Part of the challenge is public awareness,” added Drinkwater. “Many people don’t know how to distinguish this predator from our harmless native insects or how important and easy it is to report a sighting immediately.” Join the Fight to Save the Bees The BBKA is asking for help in the fight against YLH through its Save the Bees campaign which helps fund public awareness, education and vital response work to protect UK pollinators.

Members of the Nottinghamshire Beekeepers’ Association (NBKA) have swarmed to thank global packaging giant The Wilkins Group after the firm donated £1,000 to its cause. The registered charity, which is part of the British Beekeepers’ Association (BBKA), has around 300 members with hubs in Hucknall, Newark, Nottingham and, appropriately, Beeston. The group supports millions of honeybees in colonies across the county, helping sustain nature’s natural balance as well as offering beekeeping courses to budding enthusiasts and talks to local schools. The cash injection from The Wilkins Group forms part of the firm’s ‘year of giving’ campaign, where the Colwick-based company is supporting a different Nottinghamshire charity for every month of 2025. Janet Bates, secretary of the NBKA, said: “It was a massive surprise when we got the call from The Wilkins Group. I was buzzing! It’s a really generous donation and will go a very long way towards helping our hard-working bee population and educating more people about the importance of honeybees." “We have to protect our pollinators, as they are such an important part of nature’s delicate balance. The more people that become interested in bees and beekeeping, the more the word will spread, so this fantastic donation represents more than just money for us.” Janet, who has been an NBKA member for the past 16 years, helps to maintain and sustain the association’s hub in Hucknall, one of the Nottinghamshire group’s teaching apiaries. The Hucknall site currently boasts around 20 hives, which in the high season contain between half a million and 800,000 honeybees. Justin Wilkins, joint managing director of The Wilkins Group, said: “When we launched our year of giving campaign, we were amazed at the breadth of different charity groups operating on our doorstep. We’re a successful firm, yet our success relies on the people living and working in our local community, so we have been committed to giving something back to some of the worthy causes operating in Nottinghamshire." “Nottinghamshire Beekeepers’ Association clearly plays a critically important role in supporting our bee population, which some see as pivotal to our own survival as humans." “We are delighted to make the NBKA May’s recipient of our year-long campaign – and we sincerely hope it helps take the sting out of their fundraising efforts this year.” Other charities that have been supported by a £1,000 donation so far this year include Papplewick Pumping Station, Green’s Windmill, in Sneinton, Walesby Forest outdoor activity centre and Stonebridge City Farm. The Wilkins Group, which, in addition to its Nottingham headquarters, has packaging plants in China, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, is dedicated to improving the environmental impact of industry. Creating packaging designs and innovations that aim to reduce and ultimately eradicate single-use plastics within the industry, it is already leading the way in alternatives including board trays for food packaging, including the use of compostable materials. The Wilkins Group is a family run firm that produces food packaging for the likes of Pukka, Pizza Express, Harrods and Cadbury. It also is credited with producing bespoke and award-winning items such as eco-friendly coat hangers and the iconic M&S light-up glitter gin bottles.