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A multipurpose watersports centre on the shores of Windermere is celebrating the launch of its 40th summer season. The Watersports Centre at Low Wood Bay Resort & Spa is marking its ‘ruby’ anniversary this year. Having started life back in 1984 as a small service from the jetty offering boat hire for scenic trips on Windermere, it has become a modern hive of outdoor sports activity. When officially opened by the minister for sport in the mid-1980s, Only You by The Flying Pickets was No.1 in the pop charts and Steve Jobs was about to launch the Macintosh personal computer in the US. Recent years have seen the addition of popular water-based pastimes such as paddle boarding, wake surfing and knee boarding. But visitors can still enjoy a step back in time by hiring a traditional rowing boat or fulfilling their Swallows and Amazons ambitions in a sailing dinghy. General manager of Low Wood Bay Resort & Spa Mark Needham: “The longevity, growth and popularity of our watersports facilities here are testament to the team’s commitment to providing our guests with a great deal of fun and laughter." “We’re very lucky in that not many Lake District venues benefit from their own private jetty and watersports facilities for guests to enjoy on the shoreline. Set against the backdrop of the Lakeland fells, it’s just a wonderful location for getting out on the water.” Sports activities on the water have always been an integral part of family life at English Lakes Hotels Resorts & Venues. In the 1950s, Norman Buckley, the great, great uncle of current managing director Ben Berry, broke four world water speed records on Windermere in his own designed and built boats. The Watersports Centre at Low Wood Bay offers a broad range of watersports, boat and equipment hire and an experienced team of instructors for all ages and abilities. Whilst canoes and kayaks give guests a feeling of freedom to explore, it’s stand-up paddle boarding which has become one of the most popular modern activities in recent years. The Watersports Centre is also a recognised training centre with the Royal Yachting Association. For further information, visit  he re.

Mental Health Awareness Week (13th–19th May), the theme this year is ‘Movement: Moving more for our mental health’. What better way to get moving than getting out in our gardens and sprucing up our outdoor spaces? Gardening isn’t just a way to beautify your surroundings - there can be substantial benefits to your mental wellbeing too. The mental health charity, Mind, found that nearly two-thirds of UK adults (63%) say spending time gardening or in nature helps their mental health. Engaging in gardening activities can significantly reduce stress, improve your mood and enhance your overall sense of calm and satisfaction. Whether it's mowing the lawn, pruning your perennials, or simply enjoying the tranquillity of nature and the outdoors, each moment spent in the garden can contribute positively to your mental health. In this guide, Cheryl Harper, Managing Director of Greensleeves Lawn Care, discusses how getting moving in our gardens can give us a mental health boost. More than just a hobby Gardening is not only a delightful way to spend your spare time; it is also a great way of keeping active, getting outdoors and improving mental wellbeing. Working on the garden is an excellent full-body workout that incorporates both strength and endurance. There are so many fun green activities, making gardening an accessible form of physical activity. The very nature of gardening tasks, whether it's mowing, planting, or weeding, involves a range of movements that engage different muscle groups. Physical exercise, such as gardening, has been shown to reduce stress and enhance mental wellbeing too. This natural form of exercise helps in releasing endorphins, the body's natural mood elevators, which can lead to improvements in mood and reductions in feelings of stress or anxiety. In fact, in recent years, the NHS has started ‘prescribing’ gardening as part of the mental health services set out in the NHS Long Term Plan2. Connecting with nature Simply being around greenery and nature has been shown to help with mental health problems such as anxiety and depression. The smells of fresh cut grass, blossoming flowers, or feeling the soil between our fingers all help us connect with nature. Gardening under the sunlight provides a great opportunity to soak up some vitamin D. This is essential for bone health, immune function and mental well-being. Vitamin D has been linked to improvements in mood and a reduction in depression symptoms, making gardening an excellent way to improve your physical and mental health simultaneously. Just remember to protect your skin with sunscreen and stay hydrated if you’re out for long periods of time. The rewards of growing the garden As well as enhancing the aesthetics of your surroundings, gardening can play a significant role in boosting self-esteem. The satisfaction derived from seeing a well-mowed lawn or a beautifully maintained garden cannot be overstated. It provides a tangible result for your efforts and labour, contributing to a deep sense of accomplishment and pride. Moreover, gardening offers endless learning opportunities. Whether it's mastering a new technique or understanding the specific needs of a plant species, each new piece of knowledge adds to your skills and confidence. This is especially encouraging for beginners, who can start with small, manageable projects and soon witness the fruits of their labour. The incremental successes in gardening can be incredibly rewarding, helping to boost satisfaction and morale. Quality time with family and friends Gardening is a fantastic activity that brings families together and is suitable for individuals of all ages. It provides an excellent opportunity for children to learn important life skills and understand the value of nurturing nature. The hands-on activities like planting seeds, watering plants and digging soil can be educational and enjoyable for children, offering lessons in responsibility and the cycles of nature. Community gardens serve as wonderful gathering spots that foster social interactions and build a sense of community. Participating in gardening projects allows us to meet new people and work collaboratively, enhancing social skills and creating a supportive network. You’ll often find people share not only their gardening skills but also their stories and experiences, promoting a collective spirit of cooperation and wellbeing. Breaking through the hustle and bustle In our increasingly fast-paced world, gardening offers a unique opportunity to step back from daily stresses, put down our digital devices, and engage at our own pace. This slower, more deliberate approach to tasks allows us to focus on the present moment and the task at hand, which can be incredibly therapeutic. The act of gardening itself – whether it’s deciding the layout of a flower bed or choosing which vegetables to plant – puts us in control. It's a personal retreat where we can restore a sense of order and create an environment that perfectly suits our needs and aesthetics. Lawn care is a crucial aspect of maintaining an aesthetically pleasing outdoor space, and we now understand how green spaces aren’t just for nature – they boost our mental health too. If you are looking to enhance the beauty and maintenance of your garden and want to learn more about the services offered by lawn care specialists Greensleeves, please visit here to learn more.

Political strategist Eddie Barnes has been announced as the new Director of the University of Glasgow’s John Smith Centre. He succeeds Professor Kezia Dugdalo who has joined the University's Centre for Public Policy as Associate Director. The John Smith Centre was established to inspire and empower new and diverse voices to engage with and enter British politics. Eddie brings substantial political experience to the role. Currently he is director of Our Scottish Future, set up by former Prime Minister Gordon Brown to promote devolution and reform of the UK. Prior to this, Eddie was Head of Strategy and Communications to Ruth Davidson, the former leader of the Scottish Conservative Party. He was also political editor of the Scotsman and Scotland on Sunday titles. Eddie is a graduate of the University of Glasgow. As Director, Eddie will lead on shaping and developing the Centre’s 10 year anniversary celebrations during 2024, as well as focusing on its internship programmes. Eddie Barnes said: “I’m absolutely delighted to be taking on this role at such an exciting moment in the country's public life." “Over the last decade, the John Smith Centre has been a beacon for a better type of politics, and has done a tremendous job introducing diverse voices and fresh perspectives to the public arena. I believe the political life remains the most absorbing and meaningful life you could hope to have. With the Centre marking its 10th anniversary this year, I’m looking forward to working with the brilliant team at the University of Glasgow to help strengthen our democratic system in Scotland and the UK, and to inspire more young people to claim a stake in our political future." Catherine Smith KC, co-founder and Chair of the John Smith Centre, said: “As we celebrate our 10th birthday and enter a period of growth at the John Smith Centre, we are thrilled to be doing this with Eddie Barnes taking over as our new Director." "He understands politics from all sides, and it is hard to think of anyone with better experience and skills to help us persuade people that politics matters to us all. Exciting times ahead for the Centre.” Professor Sir Anton Muscatelli, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Glasgow, said: “We are proud to have hosted the John Smith Centre for the past 10 years at the University of Glasgow and I am pleased that Eddie has been appointed at such a pivotal time for the Centre." "There is much to look forward to in the years ahead, and I know Eddie will bring a wealth of experience from working across the political spectrum to this role." “On behalf of the University I’d like to wish Eddie well as he takes on this venture and I very much look forward to advancing and deepening our partnership with the John Smith Centre, and working together to ensure our students continue to benefit from the fantastic programmes led by the Centre.” Eddie will commence the role of Director in July 2024.

Beer Cheer: Property consultancy Vail Williams, acting on behalf of Wimborne-based property developer Harry J Palmer Ltd, has let a detached unit at Stone Lane Industrial Estate, Wimborne, Dorset, to Eight Arch Brewing Co on a 10-year lease. From left, May Palmer of Harry J Palmer Ltd, Steve Farrell, Brewer and Founder of Eight Arch Brewing Co, and Bryony Thompson, a Vail Williams’ Associate. The business is named after the eight arches of historical landmark Julian’s Bridge in the minister town. An expanding brewery in Dorset has raised a glass to the future with a 10-year lease on a warehouse which has been transformed into a production centre and tap room. In a deal through property consultancy Vail Williams, Eight Arch Brewing Co signed up to 5,748 sq ft of space at Unit 1, Stone Lane Industrial Estate, Wimborne. Following a six-figure investment in equipment and fittings, part of the ground floor has been converted into a high-tech brewery, with a tap room for customers on Fridays and Saturdays at specified times, and seating areas inside and out. Eight Arch Brewing Co, named after the eight arches at nearby historical landmark Julian’s Bridge in Wimborne Minster, relocated from smaller nearby premises. Founded by brewer Steve Farrell in 2015, the business, which has pale ale Square Logic as a best seller, employs five people and sells beer primarily in and around the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole conurbation. The detached two-storey building, with a mezzanine floor and previously occupied by emporium Toad Hall, is owned through the commercial property arm of Harry J Palmer Ltd, the Wimborne-based property developer. Steve said: “We are a Wimborne brewery owned and run by a Wimborne born and bred guy and we want to continue to grow from our Wimborne home. This signing of the 10-year lease on our new premises underlines our long-term commitment to Wimborne." “This is our third brewery in Stone Lane during ten years of Eight Arch with each move prompted by growing demand for our products and because of the popularity of our Tap Room." “The founding of Eight Arch represented the first time in 80 years that an independent brewery had made and sold beer in the town." “We’ve had an incredibly warm welcome from the local community since moving in and look forward to striking up more supplier partnerships with pubs, clubs and restaurants which champion ‘buy local’ and are also looking to reduce transport emissions and costs.” Vail Williams, which has its Dorset office in Bournemouth, advises on the commercial property interests of family-run housebuilder Harry J Palmer Ltd. Bryony Thompson, a Vail Williams’ Associate working out of the consultancy’s Bournemouth office, said: “The vacant warehouse at Stone Lane Industrial Estate serves as the ideal expansion location for Eight Arch Brewing Co." “Steve and his team have worked tirelessly to create bigger and better premise for their national award winning beers and Tap Room. " May Palmer of Harry J Palmer Ltd, which was established in 1938 in Wimborne and is a member of Dorset Chamber, said: “It’s lovely to see new life breathed into the vacant warehouse, creating new jobs, inward investment and doing our home town proud.” Eight Arch Brewing Co produces hop-forward pale ales to full-bodied stouts, winning awards in regional and national competitions held by the Society of Independent Brewers (SIBA). These include the IPA Corbel being named National SIBA Bitter & Strong Pale Ale Cask Champion in 2017, and Square Logic becoming National SIBA Session IPA Small Pack Champion 2020 and National SIBA Overall Small Pack Champion 2020. According to SIBA figures, there were 1,815 active brewers in the UK at the beginning of this year, with 211 in the South West, generating employment for 10,000-plus people.

Red Roses pair Megan Jones and Ellie Kildunne will join up with Great Britain Sevens women’s squad to aid their aspirations for the ongoing HSBC SVNS Series and the 2024 Summer Olympic Games in Paris. Both players, who were influential in the Red Roses earning a third Guinness Women’s Six Nations Grand Slam in a row, have history in the 7s game. Leicester Tigers’ Jones travelled to the 2016 Rio Olympic Games as a non-playing reserve before going on to win a Commonwealth Games bronze medal in 2018. The 50-plus capped England 7s player co-captained GB at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, scoring both tries in GB’s bronze medal match before returning to the XVs game as a Red Rose. Harlequins’ Kildunne, who took inspiration from the 2016 Rio team, enjoyed her first season of 7s in 2018/19 after scoring nine tries in eight matches for the Red Roses. She featured 39 times in an England 7s jersey and links up with the programme once again after a rich vein of scoring form in the Guinness Women’s Six Nations. The duo will be available for GB selection for the Madrid 7s (31 May-2 June). The transition from Red Roses and Allianz Premiership Women’s Rugby duties into the 7s programme has been agreed and collaborated on with various stakeholders including the RFU, GB7s, Leicester Tigers, Harlequins and the RPA. RFU Head of Women’s Performance Charlie Hayter said: “It is important to support our players’ dreams and aspirations. They very much remain a part of our long-term Red Roses future and hold great ambitions in an England shirt." “The 7s provides a different stimulus from a mental and physical standpoint. We feel exposure on the 7s circuit will benefit their progression in a Red Roses shirt in the long run but also presents an opportunity for the players to put their hands up for selection at another major world event in a different environment." “It’s a good challenge for Meg and Ellie to make an impact in the GB environment over the next couple of months and give themselves a chance to compete in the short format of the game on the biggest stage." Ellie Kildunne said: “Joining up with the GB 7s squad is an incredible honour and an exciting opportunity to test myself with a new group of players. Competing at Paris 2024 would be a dream come true, and I'm determined to work hard to make it a reality." "I’m grateful to Quins for allowing me to take this opportunity. I’m already excited to be back with the group next season and can’t wait to support them for the rest of this campaign.” Megan Jones said: “It’s so exciting to join up with the talented GB 7s squad ahead of this summer’s Olympic Games. This side has a genuine shot of becoming the first female Great Britain rugby sevens team to win an Olympic medal and I would love to be part of that." "It has been a great year at Leicester Tigers and I'm grateful to them for allowing me to prepare for the Paris Olympics. I can't wait to be back with the squad next season and look forward to supporting the girls from afar with their remaining games!" Ciaran Beattie, Great Britain Sevens Head of Rugby & Women’s Head Coach, said: “We are delighted to welcome Meg and Ellie back into the 7s environment. Both have a background in 7s which has helped in their journey to date. Watching them play so well in England’s successful Six Nations campaign has been exciting to watch, knowing that they would be coming in to fight for a place in our Olympic squad. "It is an exciting few months coming up for GB 7s and we are delighted to have two of the best players in the world adding their experience to this.”

Surrey County Council has worked with residents and community groups to plant over 36,000 new trees across the county. The council remains on track to plant 1.2 million trees by 2030, marking one for every resident. Since the launch of the initiative in 2019, over 510,744 trees have now been planted across the county. This year, 1952 metres of new hedgerows have been planted during this year’s tree planting season, offering habitats for wildlife. A range of community projects have also been undertaken to support our ambitions to improve air quality and biodiversity. These include: A group of 180 community members came together to plant over 7300 hedgerow trees at Bocketts Farm to support birds, mammals and other wildlife. 42 trees were donated to Bronzefield Women’s Prison in Ashford and the tree Planting and Establishment team delivered a workshop to those women who were undertaking horticultural qualifications. 2625 native broadleaf trees were planted in The Priory C of E School in Dorking using an experimental planting technique, Miyawaki/Tiny Forest. This technique of dense tree planting restores naturally occurring native species and speeds up natural ecological succession. The new webpages have also been developed to include an interactive tree map, tree planting advice and tips for how residents can get involved. More details are available here . Marisa Heath, Surrey County Council Cabinet Member for the Environment, said, “I’m delighted that we are progressing our ambition to plant 1.2 million new trees in Surrey as we work to both meet net zero targets but also make our county as green and beautiful as possible." “This is not something we can deliver alone and we will continue to work with our partners and communities to achieve this target. I encourage residents to visit our new webpages to find out how they can get involved.“

Charlotte Dujardin rounded off an excellent week at the I.C.E. Horseboxes All England Dressage Festival at Hickstead, winning a third Grand Prix title. The World number five brought her Grand Prix victor Imhotep back for Sunday’s I.C.E Horseboxes CDI3* Grand Prix Special, where she once again topped the leader board with 81.362%. Her mentor and team-mate Carl Hester and Fame were second with 78.660%.   Charlotte said: “I’ve had a fantastic week with both my horses, finishing off the show with the Special with Imhotep, and I felt like he did one of his best tests that I’ve done." The 11-year-old Imhotep picked up nines and tens for his piaffe and passage work, as well as his pirouettes and final halt. “There was a rider error in the ones [one-time changes] but apart from that I was absolutely thrilled. It’s great preparation to make these mistakes here and hopefully get them all out of the way. Each time you do a test you feel like you’ve learned something. By Paris, hopefully there’ll be no more mistakes.” At last year’s European Championships, Charlotte and Imhotep were part of the gold medal-winning team as well as picking up two individual bronze medals. Their impressive Hickstead performance this week will have no doubt helped their selection campaign ahead of this summer’s Paris Games, when Charlotte could go ahead of cyclist Dame Laura Kenny as the British female athlete to have won the most Olympic medals. Imhotep is the more likely contender for the Games, but in her Freestyle winner Alive And Kicking Charlotte has another potential championship horse in the making. “With Paris in mind, it’s something we’re really focusing on, we’re really busy trying to get everything in tip top shape,” she said. “They’re very different horses. Pete is like being on a spring, he’s extremely bouncy and very powerful, and he’s quite big and wide to ride. Whereas Audrey [Alive And Kicking] is smaller, much neater, and a totally different mover to Pete.” It was Charlotte's first time competing at Hickstead since the birth of her daughter Isabella in 2023.  “It has definitely put a perspective on my career. Before having Isabella, this [riding] was my life, and I was so focused on doing this all the time, whereas now being a mum has made me realise what’s important. Being a mum is the best thing in the whole world, she’s my number one priority. Going out there to compete is all about going out there to make her proud, so it’s fantastic that she can come and watch me here and be a part of it.” Photo Credit: Boots and Hooves Photography

The Heart of Yorkshire Education Group was named as the Training Provider of the Year at the West Yorkshire Apprenticeship Awards 2024, acknowledging its commitment to achieving excellence in Apprenticeships. Held at Cedar Court Hotel in Bradford on Thursday 9th May, the Annual Awards celebrated apprentices, employers, colleges, trainers and supporters across 14 categories. Judges praised the effective relationships the Group has built with employers and its ability to meet skills priorities with its Apprenticeship provision, whilst supporting its apprentices to successfully complete their qualifications and progress onto fulfilling careers or further studies. Sam Wright, Principal and Chief Executive at the Heart of Yorkshire Education Group, said: “We are absolutely delighted to have won the Apprenticeship Training Provider of the Year accolade at the West Yorkshire Apprenticeship Awards, which is a testament the hard work and dedication of our staff." "Apprenticeships are vital in meeting the skills needs within our economy and colleagues go above and beyond to understand the demands and challenges faced within different sectors when it comes to designing and delivering our Apprenticeship provision. This tailored approach ensures both employers and apprentices are fully immersed and supported in their apprenticeships, resulting in positive outcomes and progression routes for all.” 18 months after merger, the Group was the one of the first in the region to receive a ‘Strong’ skills rating by Ofsted and secure good grades across the board. Employers also expressed their satisfaction with the Group’s Apprenticeship offer during consultations with Ofsted, enabling them to increase productivity, improve competitiveness and create a committed and competent workforce. The Heart of Yorkshire Education Group offers a range of Apprenticeship programmes in Business, Construction, Engineering, Healthcare and more. It works with over 500 employers to deliver its Apprenticeship provision, which includes SMEs, local authorities and national organisations such as Unilever, Coca Cola, Haribo, ENGIE, Burberry, Warburtons, the Emergency Services, Bosch, Yorkshire Purchasing Organisation, Mars and NHS Trusts. Find out more about the Heart of Yorkshire Education Group’s Apprenticeship offer here .

The 37-year-old, who has a record 374 first-team appearances, has put pen to paper on a new one-year deal which will take the scrum-half into his 19th season at the Club. One of just three players to have played more than 300 times for Quins, Care holds the record for most Club appearances, and stands alone as the only player to have scored more than 100 tries in the Quarters. A true Club legend, Care has been central to three of Quins’ most memorable days, starting the 2011 Challenge Cup triumph over Stade Francais, alongside the Premiership titles in 2012 and 2021. Renowned for his leadership, Care captained Quins during the 2015/16 and 2016/17 seasons, leading the team to the Challenge Cup final against Montpellier, before helping the Club return to Champions Cup action the following season. On the international stage, Care achieved 101 caps for England across 15 years in Test rugby, including 15 tries and three drop-goals. The scrum-half retired from England duty earlier this year as a three-time Six Nations winner, achieving Grand Slam success in 2016, alongside Rugby World Cup selection in 2015 and 2023. Commenting on his new contract, Care said: “I’m excited to extend my contract with Quins for my 19th season at the Club. This is my home, I love everything about it, the rugby we play, our amazing fans, and the memories we have made together." “It was an easy decision to sign the contract, we have a great group of lads who I love playing with, and we’re building something very special. We have the best fans in the world, and I can’t wait to pull on the Quarters for another season and run out in front of a packed Stoop.” Director of Rugby Billy Millard added: “Danny has been an incredible servant to our Club and a true Harlequin, leading from the front with his exceptional professionalism, hard work, and determination to succeed. We love having Danny in our squad, he’s a great character and his infectious energy, alongside his experience, means he’s a hugely popular and important member of our Quins DNA.”

Wakefield Children’s University will be hosting a free event for families during May half-term, offering them to the opportunity take part in a range of exciting activities. Taking place at Castleford College on Wednesday 29th May 2024 between 10am until 2pm, May-Hem will include activities such as crafts, rugby games, interactive blaze pods, gymnastics skills, learning to play drums and ukuleles, mini tennis and so much more. The sessions will be delivered by tutors from the College and our Children’s University Learning Destination partners including Castleford Heritage Trust, Castleford Library, Girlguiding Whitwood Division, Hemsworth Dragons ARLFC Youth & Junior Rugby League, Phoenix Martial Arts, Rothwell Gymnastics, RSPB Fairburn Ings and St Aidan's, Studio 64, The Hepworth Wakefield, Wakefield City Cheerleaders, Wakefield Museum & Castles and Wakefield School of Tennis. Attendees can also book onto sessions within the College’s vast range of subjects, including Carpentry & Joinery, Mechanics and Forensic Science. Children’s University members will receive learning hours for attending the event while non-members aged 5-14 are also welcome to attend and find out more. James Pennington, Head of School Partnerships at the Heart of Yorkshire Education Group, said: “The event is the perfect chance for Children’s University members and their and families and the public to enjoy a range of exciting and engaging activities delivered by some of the amazing businesses across the district. In addition to it being a free day out for families, May-Hem gives attendees an insight into the future careers which are available and how their local College can help them achieve those careers.” Wakefield Children’s University promotes extra-curricular learning for young people across the district. Pupils involved receive a ‘Passport to Learning’ which they use to collect stamps each time they participate in a learning activity such as an after-school club, with the aim of collecting as many stamps and hours as possible via the college and Learning Destinations. Once the academic year ends, the children’s achievements will be commended at an annual Children’s University Graduation Ceremony, hosted by the College and attended by parents and carers.

Four new Deputy Lieutenants have been commissioned in honour of their service to the local community by the Lord-Lieutenant of Leicestershire, Mike Kapur OBE CStJ. The new Deputy Lieutenants are: Mrs Anita Elizabeth Darlison MBE Ms Rachel Tidmarsh Mr Ian Mattioli MBE Mr Graham Smith The Lord-Lieutenant is the official representative of His Majesty The King for the City and County of Leicester. The office of Lord-Lieutenant is military in origin and can be traced back to the mid 16th Century. The Lieutenancy has evolved since the days of raising local militia and today, through the appointment of Deputy Lieutenants, represents the diverse communities of Leicester and Leicestershire. Deputy Lieutenants undertake a wide range of duties and engagements including representing the Lord-Lieutenant and participating in Citizenship Ceremonies, attending remembrance services and parades, and helping to assess local organisations nominated for awards and honours. Appointing the four new Deputy Lieutenants, Mr Kapur said: "The Lieutenancy has enjoyed longstanding links with the uniformed services and with local community and voluntary organisations of Leicester and Leicestershire. These links are further enhanced following the appointments of these very deserving candidates." About the new Deputy Lieutenants: Graham Smith Graham was born and raised in Leicestershire and attended Uppingham School before studying at Aberystwyth University, and then joining the family business of Kirby & West. Graham has been a trustee on a number of local charities including Hope Against Cancer, and the National Forest Charitable Trust. Currently he is Chair of Trustees for AgeUK Leicester Shire & Rutland and for Scholars Academy Trust, as well as being a trustee of LOROS. He is a keen runner and has completed six marathons, and is a UK Athletics qualified official. He is married to Sharon, with a son Henry. Liz Darlison MBE Liz has enjoyed 40 years of clinical practice at the University Hospitals of Leicester (UHL). After brief spells in vascular surgery and coronary care, she spent a decade in UHL’s respiratory unit. This led to an interest in service developments, research and lung cancer which became the focus for the last 24 years of her clinical practice. In response to patient need in 2004, Liz established the National Macmillan Mesothelioma Resource Centre which resulted in her being the founder of Mesothelioma UK, a national charity for mesothelioma. Liz continues to practice as a Consultant Nurse at UHL and is also CEO at Mesothelioma UK. Liz has honorary university positions in both Leicester and Sheffield, is very research active, keenly promotes nursing as a career and engages in education and training on many levels. Liz is a founder member of the International Thoracic Oncology Nurses Forum, a past chair, and now lifetime honorary member, of Lung Cancer Nursing UK, a long-serving previous board member of theBritish Thoracic Oncology Group and a current, first nurse member of the International Mesothelioma Interest Group board. Liz was awarded the Nursing Times Cancer Nurse Leader of the year in 2007, received a ten-year Achievement Award in 2012 from the British Thoracic Oncology Group and in the 2019 Queen Elizabeth’s Birthday honours list, Liz was awarded an MBE in recognition of her services to patients and cancer research. Rachel Tidmarsh Rachel was born in Sutton Coldfield and studied Geographical Information Systems at Kingston University. She began her working life at the National Remote Sensing Centre in Leicestershire. As an early entrepreneur, she founded Wildgoose Publications Ltd aged 23 later re-named BlueSky International Ltd, headquartered in Ashby. Today, BlueSky is the UK Government’s supplier of choice for aerial photography and elevation maps. In 2014 Rachel won Leicestershire’s Business Executive of the Year and is a member of Leicestershire’s Innovation Board as well as Director and founding member of the European Association of Aerial Surveying Industries. She is a proud mother to daughter Amelia and is a keen sports person and traveller, interests she shares with her partner Simon. Ian Mattioli MBE Ian Mattioli MBE is the Chief Executive Officer and co-founder of Mattioli Woods plc. Ian has over 35 years’ experience in financial services, wealth management and property businesses and is the founder of Custodian REIT plc. In 2017 Ian was awarded an MBE for services to business and the community and in 2008 won the LSE AIM Entrepreneur of the Year Award. Ian was awarded the CEO of the Year Award at the City of London Wealth Management Awards in 2018 and was awarded an Honorary Degree (Doctorate of Laws) from the University of Leicester in 2022. Ian was appointed the High Sheriff of Leicestershire for 2021-22 and is a Director of Amati Global Investors and a Director of Maven Capital Partners. Through his Trust, the Ian and Clare Mattioli Charitable Trust, Ian and his family have helped families with the purchase of specialist equipment, built water wells and homes in Malawi, supported the Leicester Riders with helping them to build a new multiple and inclusive set of indoor courts, and it has helped Leicester Cathedral build its new cultural centre. The charitable trust has provided financial donations to both Leicester University and De Montfort University to help students who need financial and social support.

A former lawyer, and graduate of the University of Aberdeen, has launched his own self-storage business in Aberdeen, introducing keyless self-storage units to the city for the first time. Based in Bridge of Don Industrial Estate, Storage Den provides highly secure self-storage units for personal or business needs for Aberdeen residents. Its 70 storage units range in size, from 25 sq. ft. to 200 sq. ft, and are all individually alarmed with motion sensors and monitored with CCTV. The business currently provides solely indoor storage options, which are all accessible from 5am – 11pm, which customers can access through an easy-to-use tailored app, making the need for a key redundant. Storage Den plans to offer external storage options in the coming months. Founder, Brian Barbour, spotted a gap in the market for self-storage provision while living and working between Edinburgh and Denver, Colorado. Brian said: “I had acted on behalf of banking clients providing finance to self-storage companies and realised that despite the UK being the third-largest self-storage market in the world behind the States and Australia, there is still a lot of room for growth." “My parents have their own business, which I’ve always found really motivating, and I realised that I had spotted an opportunity to start up one of my own. After securing my own unit in Aberdeen, I approached Business Gateway for support.” Brian accessed a range of start-up support from Business Gateway, including one-to-one guidance from a dedicated business adviser, as well as an advice on marketing. Brian currently has seen strong demand since opening, with a mixture of business owners, families, offshore oil workers and students making use of the space available. Despite only launching in March this year, Storage Den was recently named out of more than 350 applicants as one of five finalists at Storers’ Den, a UK wide competition which encouraged self-storage operators under three years old with bold ambitions for growth to pitch for investment. Looking to the future, Brian now has plans to expand into other cities in Scotland and would eventually like to take Storage Den to countries in mainland Europe. Brian Barbour, founder and owner, Storage Den, said: “It’s been a busy year or so working to get my ideas for Storage Den off the ground. The industry standard for a storage facility to become mature is two years, and I’m trying to do this within the year. “I’d like to thank Business Gateway for their support, which has been invaluable for making my vision for Storage Den a reality.” Sean Cowie, Business Gateway adviser, said: “The launch of Storage Den not only marks a significant milestone for Brian, but it also represents a bold step forward for the local community. We're proud to have played a part in bringing innovative solutions to Aberdeen and look forward to witnessing the positive impact this new venture will have on the city's landscape and economy." To find out how Business Gateway can help your business, visit here .