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A Palestinian man who has overcome conflict and a hearing disability is set to pursue his dream career when he graduates from the University of Dundee this week. Abdullah Alagha is determined to become a cancer researcher having had to leave his wife and daughter in Egypt to study in Scotland. Despite having to adapt to a new country on his own, and wearing hearing aids to overcome his deafness, Abdullah is set to join hundreds of other students for the University’s Winter Graduation ceremonies when he collects his Masters degree in Biomedical and Molecular Sciences at Caird Hall. The 31-year-old’s studies in Gaza were interrupted by the conflict with Israel, prompting him and his family to flee to Egypt. He was subsequently awarded a Humanitarian Scholarship by the University to complete his work, and as the conclusion of his time at Dundee approaches he says the opportunity to come to Scotland will allow him to fulfil his ambitions. “Due to war, my family and I moved from Gaza because the situation was very, very difficult.” he said. “It wasn't easy to take the decision to leave for Egypt. We just wanted to be safe and so we moved from our home in February 2024.” To enable Abdullah to continue his studies, his wife encouraged him to accept a Humanitarian Scholarship from Dundee. Seven months after leaving Palestine, he arrived in the city to begin his Masters degree. “It was difficult when I first arrived,” Abdullah admits. “My wife has always supported me in everything I have done. I came here so that I can support them, but when I first arrived it was difficult without them. I have been able to speak with them every day, however.” Despite the upheaval in his life, Abdullah quickly excelled in his studies, impressing University staff with his dedication and commitment to his work. In recognition of the high standards he set, he was named recipient of the School of Life Science’s Norman G Riding Prize, awarded to a student who has succeeded in their studies whilst coping with significant personal challenges. As he prepares to graduate, Abdullah says that his experience in Dundee will allow him to fulfil a dream fuelled by personal heartache. “My father was diagnosed with cancer and died in 2014,” he added. “I would like to continue my journey in biomedical research, especially in cancer research. My dream is to use science to improve lives and bring hope to others fighting cancer." “The University’s Disability Services team have given me a lot of help. Without their support, I would not have been able to succeed. To graduate will be one of the happiest and most emotional moments of my life. It is recognition of my determination to succeed in life.” Abdullah will be one of more than 1000 graduates celebrating as the University hosts its Winter Graduation ceremonies. Families and friends will fill Caird Hall to congratulate students.

The striking livery features rainbow accents and is designed to bring out the bright lights of the Strip, while also celebrating the speed and power offered by Atlassian’s Rovo. As the AI-powered solution at the centre of the Atlassian System of Work, Rovo connects knowledge, people, and workflows so teams move faster. It is one of the many technical tools that Williams has added to its arsenal since it partnered with Atlassian back in March 2025. Through the partnership, Atlassian are supporting Williams to drive complete transformation across their system of work – creating efficiencies, improving prioritisation, and breaking down silos, all in pursuit of improved lap time. This is the second Atlassian livery that Williams has run this season. The first livery, showcased at the United States Grand Prix in Austin, Texas, was a 2002 throwback design which celebrated the two organisations’ shared vision and passion for teamwork. During the weekend, Carlos Sainz brought home Williams’ first ever Sprint podium. His third-place result was the second podium Williams has celebrated in 2025, the team’s most successful season since 2016. This spectacular one-off look will form part of a suite of tech-forward activations hosted by Williams partners and taking place during the Las Vegas Grand Prix week. Other activations will include: The Las Vegas Fan Zone, presented by autonomous ride hailing partner Zoox at Brooklyn Bridge, New York New York. Fans will be able to check out the livery in all of its glory – plus try Williams’ simulators, hear from the team, and get excited for race day. A talk hosted by AI Orchestration Partner Airia, featuring Team Principal James Vowles, and exploring the impact of AI adoption in one of the world’s most high-tech sports. James Vowles, Team Principal, Atlassian Williams Racing: “This striking livery is the latest celebration of our work with partners Atlassian, who are helping to accelerate our tech transformation and bring Williams right back to the cutting edge. There could not be a more iconic place to unveil this than in Las Vegas, one of the most tech-forward cities in the world.” Sorin Cheran, Chief Information and Analytics Officer, Atlassian Williams Racing: “In the midst of a busy F1 season, we need to drive improvements and find solutions quickly. Rovo helps us to search through files, data and information on our Atlassian system, ultimately allowing us to upgrade faster and find that all-important laptime. This is essential if we want to achieve our goal: to get back to the front and win multiple World Championships.”

Pro Auction are delighted to have concluded the record-breaking sale at the iconic Luton Hoo Hotel, Golf & Spa on behalf of the Arora Charitable Foundation. Whilst the Arora Group are taking special care to ensure that all fixtures & fittings and heritage items from the building are retained to preserve the integrity and story of the historic building, the highly anticipated auction saw over 2,255 lots sold under the hammer, attracting significant global interest. The highly successful sale attracted over 390 victorious bidders from across the globe. Each buyer secured a treasured, high-quality piece from the luxury hotel's furnishings, which will now find a new life in their respective properties. This wide-ranging adoption is a powerful demonstration of the circular economy in action. By facilitating the reuse and repurposing of premium assets, the auction has significantly reduced the need for new manufacturing and the associated consumption of raw materials and energy. This approach not only preserves the legacy of the hotel's items but also embodies real-world sustainability, keeping valuable resources in use and diverting hundreds of items from potential waste streams. The proceeds generated from the auction will be dedicated to supporting community charities, in line with the committed vision of the Arora Foundation to positively impact lives in the local areas to Arora Hotels. Simon Rose, the auctioneer at Pro Auction, commented on the success of the event: "The remarkable outcome of this auction is a testament to the enduring appeal of quality and history associated with a venue like Luton Hoo. We saw phenomenal interest and competitive bidding across all categories, reflecting a truly successful clearance sale. It is particularly rewarding to know that the proceeds will go directly to support the vital work of community charities through the Arora Charitable Foundation." The clearance sale is a key step in the exciting new chapter for the estate. Luton Hoo is set to undergo significant transformation and development, whilst ensuring that the integrity of the building and its history is maintained. This transformation includes preparations to host the prestigious Ryder Cup, further solidifying the estate's status as a world-class golfing destination. Pro Auction is now preparing for its next major sales event, which will feature the exclusive contents of two more prestigious establishments: The Savoy on the 9th and 10th December 2025, and Ardencote Hotel Warwickshire on the 11th November 2025. These auctions are strategically timed in advance of significant refurbishment works at both luxury hotels, presenting a unique opportunity for buyers to acquire high-quality, sought-after furnishings and fixtures. All catalogues can be viewed here.

British Cycling unveil the 2026 calendars for the road and mountain bike cross country and downhill national series. The calendars across all disciplines promise to deliver thrilling and exciting racing up and down the nation, allowing everyone from experienced riders to hot prospects to show what they can do in front of home crowds. Further national series calendar announcements for British Cycling’s governed disciplines will be made in the next few weeks, including our Track cycling, para-cycling, BMX, Speedway, 4X under-23 road, masters and youth and junior opportunities. Lloyds National Road Race Women’s Series: Round 1: 10th Anexo/CAMS Women's CiCLE Classic, Rutland – Sunday 22 March 2026 Round 2: The East Cleveland Classic, Saltburn – Sunday 12 April 2026 Round 3: Rapha Lincoln Grand Prix – Women, Lincoln – Sunday 10 May 2026 Round 4: Tour of the Reservoir, Consett – Sunday 7 June 2026 Round 5: TBA – Sunday 12 July 2026 Round 6: South Molton GP, South Molton – Sunday 19 July 2026 Round 7: Curlew Cup, Stamfordham – Sunday 9 August 2026 Round 8: North Yorkshire Grand Prix, Ampleforth – Sunday 16 August 2026 Lloyds National Road Race Open Series: Round 1: The East Cleveland Classic, Saltburn – Sunday 12 April 2026 Round 2 Rapha Lincoln Grand Prix – Open, Lincoln – Sunday 10 May 2026 Round 3 Tour of the Reservoir, Consett – Sunday 7 June 2026 Round 4 TBA – Sunday 12 July 2026 Round 5 South Molton GP, South Molton – Sunday 19 July 2026 Round 6 Beaumont Trophy, Stamfordham – Sunday 9 August 2026 Round 7 North Yorkshire Grand Prix, Ampleforth – Sunday 16 August 2026 Lloyds National Circuit Open & Women Series: Round 1: Fort Vale Colne Grand Prix 2026, Colne – Tuesday 16 June 2026 Round 2: 2026 LOGCO Otley Cycle Races, Otley – Wednesday 1 July 2026 Round 3: 2026 Ilkley Cycle Races, Ilkley – Friday 3 July 2026 Round 4: CANYON Guildford Town Centre Races, Guildford – Wednesday 8 July 2026 Round 5: Dawlish Grand Prix, Dawlish – Friday 17 July 2026 Round 6: Sheffield Grand Prix, Sheffield – Wednesday 22 July 2026 Information on the Lloyds National Road Championships will be announced in the new year. Qualification details and further event information will be shared soon. Lloyds National MTB Cross-Country Series Round 1: Newnham Park, Plymouth - 28/29 March 2026 Round 2: Cannock Chase, Staffordshire - 11/12 April 2026 Round 3: Tong, Bradford - 9/10 May 2026 Round 4: Pippingford Park - Sussex 13/14 June 2026 Round 5: Margam Park, Port Talbot - 4/5 July 2026 Lloyds National Downhill Series Calendar: Round 1: Rhyd-Y-Felin, Wales – 18/19 April 2026 Round 2: Antur Stiniog Bike Park, Wales – 9/10 May 2026 Round 3: Glencoe, Scotland– 27/28 June 2026 Round 4: Llangollen, Wales – 8/9 August 2026 Round 5: Fort William, Scotland – 12/13 September 2026 Riders will once again have the opportunity to compete for the iconic national champion’s jersey across the same categories as last year. Lloyds National MTB Cross-Country Championships – Friday 17 July to Sunday 19 July 2026, Ae Forest Lloyds National Downhill Championships – Saturday 18 July to Sunday 19 July 2026, Revolution Bike Park, Oswestry Lloyds National Enduro & E-Enduro Championships – Saturday 1 August – Sunday 2 August 2026, Isle of Man Lloyds National Marathon Championships – Sunday 16 August 2026, Newcastleton The 2026 season will offer a platform for established riders and emerging talent alike, while giving fans an exhilarating showcase of British mountain biking. British Cycling encourages all mountain biking enthusiasts, from competitors to supporters, to join in the excitement of the 2026 season. British Cycling’s Head of Talent Development and Sport, Joe Malik said: "As we look ahead to another year of racing, we thank all our host venues and their sponsorships for helping enable some of the best we have to offer to compete in front of home crowds." “Whether you’re a seasoned competitor, an aspiring racer, or a devoted fan, the 2026 calendar offers something for everyone everywhere. New names will be heard, storylines will form and I cannot wait to see the plethora of cycling action on offer.”

M&S has returned to Bristol city centre, this morning unveiling its brand-new 80,000 sq ft flagship store at Cabot Circus. Spanning three floors, the full-line store delivers the very best of M&S Food, Fashion, Home and Beauty for customers - all in time for the run up to Christmas. On the lower ground floor, customers can find a fresh market-style foodhall, with fresh produce from M&S’ Select Farm partners (1,200 based in the South West), an in-store bakery serving up the latest launches including the popular Peppermint Bark cookies, and Hot Chicken and Mai Sushi counters. Customers can also take a pit-stop from browsing in the 200-seater Coffee Shop, delivering speedy service, barista-made coffee, and delicious food. Festive menu highlights include the brand-new Yorkshire Pudding Wrap, filled with 8-hour slow-cooked British roast beef and the Christmas tree ginger cake, crowned with a white chocolate star. Over two floors of fashion, there is plenty for customers to explore including M&S’ biggest ever in-store beauty offer to date. Across almost 3,000 sq ft, customers can find much-loved M&S brands Apothecary and Fresh Elements Skincare as well as third-party brands including Estee Lauder and Clinique. In Womenswear, customers can find the latest Jaeger womenswear collection and partywear launches. This year, M&S has launched 15 different styles of the classic black party dress – starting from just £26 – and across the range, both the Velvet and Satin Drawstring Wide Leg Trousers are expected to be bestsellers. In home, M&S x Kelly Hoppen’s latest homeware edit offers versatile and modern pieces, including the popular Christmas Joy 2 Wick Jar candle. Meanwhile in Kidswear, there is a range of daywear essentials and festive partywear to choose from. On the upper level of the store, customers will find the latest Autograph menswear collection, as well as a range of suits, perfect for dressing up ahead of the festive season. M&S Cabot Circus is one of over 20 new or renewed stores that M&S is launching in the second half of this financial year. Bath Southgate, also a flagship full-line store, is set to open in February. Long-serving colleague Stephen Bennett cut the ribbon this morning, followed by the official reveal of the store, with customers starting to queue early this morning from 7.30am. Ali Ivery, Regional Manager at M&S, said: "We have a long history here in Bristol, dating back to 1900, and so it is brilliant to be back today, with our brand-new 80,000 sq ft flagship Cabot Circus store. Over three floors, we have the very best of M&S Food, Fashion and Home waiting for customers, including our biggest ever in-store beauty offer. So, there is plenty to explore." "It's fantastic to be making such a significant investment in the city and the opening has created over 150 new jobs. We have a great supplier base here and work with over 1,200 Select Farm partners across the region. Our focus now is on delivering trusted value, unbeatable quality and that touch of M&S magic for customers in the run up to Christmas and beyond." Cabot Circus is owned and managed by Hammerson. Paul O’Brien, Director of Leasing and Commercialisation Performance at Hammerson, added: “As the number one most requested brand by our customers, we couldn’t be more thrilled to welcome M&S back into the heart of Bristol. With queues of customers snaking around Cabot Circus, we know this retail giant will be a major boost to the destination and the city more generally." "As a result of our ongoing investment, and with even more new brands launching next year, this is a golden moment for Cabot Circus as we continue to deliver a vibrant, multi-use destination at the centre of the community.”

Publicans across the South West are calling on the government to take positive action and ease mounting financial pressures on pubs ahead of this week’s Budget, warning that the sector is at a critical tipping point.   They say rising costs and increased taxation are threatening the survival of thousands of pubs - many of which are the beating heart of their communities.   Kevin Georgel, Chief Executive of St Austell Brewery, which operates 164 pubs across the region, said: “Our sector contributes tens of billions to the economy, yet pubs are under increasing pressure from unsustainable tax burdens." “Business rates are the most pressing issue - relief was cut from 75% to 40% at the last Budget, adding thousands of pounds to annual rates bills. We need meaningful reform that works for businesses, not against them."   “The government must act now to keep a pint of great British beer affordable, protect jobs and ensure pubs remain open for generations to come - they are a vital part of British life.”   The warning comes as the British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) predicts more than one pub will close every day in 2025 - an estimated 378 closures across England, Wales and Scotland.   Damian and Miranda Knight have run pubs with St Austell Brewery for 12 years and are the current publicans of the Cornubia Inn and the Royal Standard Inn in Hayle, two pubs which form part of St Austell Brewery’s 120+ strong leased and tenanted estate. Despite bouncing back after COVID, Damian says the current financial strain is unprecedented. “The spring budget changes, with business rate relief decreasing and National Insurance increasing, has been extremely tough. Our sales are up year on year but turning that into profit is the struggle." “Everywhere we look, costs are rising. At the Cornubia, our live music nights are popular, but hiring a band costs more, karaoke fees have gone up, and our wage bill has soared.”   Adam Holland and Natalie Radford run the Blue Ball Inn in Exeter, another pub in St Austell Brewery’s leased and tenanted estate. Adam, who has been a publican for 20 years, said: “We have 33 staff on the payroll, so National Insurance increases have been really challenging." “We’re not like supermarkets that can raise prices and people will pay because they need essentials. We can’t keep hitting our customers with higher costs. Pubs are the centre of communities, and these are very challenging times.”   St Austell Brewery is backing the BBPA’s Long Live the Local campaign, which is calling on the government to ease financial pressures on pubs, including beer duty, business rates and VAT.   To sign the petition and contact your MP, visit here .

Market Harborough Building Society (MHBS) has launched “Thrive! Forward Intensive,” an ambitious programme in partnership with the Market Harborough Job Centre to support local young people who are not in education, employment, or training (NEET). Thrive! Forward Intensive is MHBS’s answer to the urgent challenges facing youth today. Across the UK, nearly 13% of 16–24-year-olds (around 948,000 young people) are NEET, and many struggle with mental health pressures and financial instability. By teaming up with the Job Centre, MHBS is directly reaching those who need help the most, providing tailored mentoring, practical skills training, and emotional well-being support to boost confidence and employability – all wrapped up in a five week, intensive programme. The current cohort of twelve participants – the second intake to date - has just started their five-week Intensive course at MHBS’s new head office, taking their first steps toward brighter futures in work and education – and, all being well, will be ‘graduating’ on December 3rd. Participants from the first cohort have spoken candidly about the impact of the programme, sharing how it has transformed their confidence and outlook. One participant shared: “Before doing this I was barely talking to people. Now I can have a good conversation with people, and doing this course has been brilliant for me.” Another reflected: “After the Mental Health session I realised many people go through it – I don’t have to go through it alone.” These early successes show the power of the initiative in breaking down barriers and changing lives positively. The partnership with the Job Centre is a crucial first step to ensure that young people outside traditional education settings are not left behind. Kim Pullen, Employment Advisor at Market Harborough Job Centre, commented on the impact: “This partnership with MHBS is transforming lives by giving young people the confidence, skills, and support they need to take their next steps. It’s more than just preparation – it’s about unlocking potential and creating real opportunities for the future. We’re proud to work together on a programme that makes a lasting difference.” To deliver Thrive! Forward Intensive’s core focus areas – mental health, financial literacy, and employability – MHBS has partnered with four specialist organisations: Local Mind (Leicester, Leicestershire & Rutland, and Kettering) – provides mental health workshops to help young people manage stress and build resilience. Wize Up Financial Education – offers engaging sessions on budgeting, saving, and building financial independence. Young Enterprise – runs employability workshops on CV writing, interview skills, and business basics to prepare students for the working world. Spiral Skills – offers dynamic icebreakers to build trust, team challenges to develop communication, collaboration, and resilience; collaborative bridge-building for problem-solving and public speaking. In tandem with the Intensive version, a year-long Thrive! Forward program has begun, working with local schools and colleges. As the programme grows, MHBS is committed to listening to feedback and expanding its reach demonstrating the Society’s long-term commitment by MHBS to empower young people and positively invest in the future of the local community.

Businesses, organisations and community groups across Scotland are being encouraged to host or sign up to an event as part of CyberScotland Week 2026, which will take place from 23 to 28 February 2026. The launch of CyberScotland Week 2026 follows a sharp rise in high-profile cyber-attacks over the last year, including incidents affecting Marks and Spencer, the Co-Op and Jaguar Land Rover. These attacks underline the growing threat posed by cyber-criminals to both large corporations and everyday consumers and highlight the urgent need for organisations of all sizes to strengthen their defences and prepare for potential disruption. Now in its eighth year, the awareness week will once again bring audiences together from across the country to share knowledge, strengthen resilience and celebrate innovation in cyber security. The theme for the 2026 event will still focus on “Can’t Hack it?!” and will highlight how everyone in Scotland - from individuals and families to small businesses and large organisations - can take simple, practical steps to improve their online safety and cyber resilience. The newly published Strategic Framework for a Cyber Resilient Scotland: 2025-2030 highlights that as we embrace new and emerging technologies, government, organisations and the public must be acutely aware of the ever-evolving cyber threats and know how to manage them. CyberScotland Week is coordinated by the CyberScotland Partnership, a collaboration of key stakeholders brought together by the Scottish Government’s National Cyber Resilience Unit to promote awareness and build a stronger, safer digital Scotland. Justice Secretary Angela Constance said: “CyberScotland Week is a vital opportunity for organisations and communities to learn, connect and take practical steps to stay safe online. As our digital landscape evolves we need to be ready to respond to new challenges and emerging threats. CyberScotland Week 2026 highlights everyone - individuals, businesses and public bodies alike - plays a role in building a digitally secure and resilient Scotland.” Karen Meechan, CEO of ScotlandIS and Chair of CyberScotland Partnership, said: “CyberScotland Week is about starting conversations and taking action. From national agencies and universities to small businesses and community groups, everyone has something to contribute to our collective resilience. Whether you’re sharing top tips with staff, hosting a training session or running a local event, every effort helps make Scotland more secure online.” Organisations, community groups and individuals across Scotland are encouraged to host an event of any size during CyberScotland Week 2026. Events could include workshops, awareness sessions, school activities, webinars, or community drop-ins - anything that helps build awareness of cyber security and practical resilience. To find out more or to register your event, visit the CyberScotland website here.

Leicester College has made a successful bid for funding from the Office for Students (OfS) to support a £1 million capital project. The funding will expand the College to expand its Higher Education (HE) offer and develop additional flexible study modes to attract more students. Leicester College offers a range of ways for HE students to gain a university level qualification, from one-year full-time HNCs to part-time level 6 professional graduate certificates. The funding of £963,236 will enable the College to strengthen its HE offer and address skills shortages across five priority sectors - construction, creative, digital, health and professional/business services. The OfS capital funding will be invested in relevant facilities across the College including: Creating new teaching space for HE Construction provision at the Freemen’s Park Campus Updating spaces at the College’s City Skills Centre to support the HE Creative offer Fitting professional filming equipment at the St Margaret’s Campus Updating ICT infrastructure to support workplace-based modern digital learning requirements for HE Computing and Business Creating immersive learning environments and replicating real-world hospital wards/clinics for HE healthcare education at the Abbey Park Campus Shabir Ismail, Principal and CEO at Leicester College said: “In the last two years, the College has supported over 400 HE students and this funding will strengthen our commitment to further developing our HE offer. By securing this funding from the OfS, we will be able to transform teaching spaces into dedicated, aspirational HE zones across our campuses, addressing previous under-resourcing and supporting graduate employability across key sectors.” The Office for Students (OfS) is the regulator for higher education in England. It protects the interests of students by supporting a diverse and independent higher education sector.

Global real estate advisor, CBRE, has announced the appointment of a new head of its Edinburgh office. Angela Lowe will take up the post from 1 January 2026. Lowe succeeds Mark Little, who will continue with the firm as Head of Building Consultancy and Integrated PJM Scotland. Lowe has been with CBRE for more than a decade and leads the Office Agency team in Scotland. She brings extensive experience advising occupiers, developers and investors across the country. Lowe will continue her role as Head of Office Leasing while also taking on the responsibilities of head of CBRE’s Edinburgh office. Angela Lowe, appointed head of Edinburgh, said: “I’m very pleased to be taking up the role of head of Edinburgh at this important moment for the city and for CBRE." “Edinburgh continues to demonstrate remarkable resilience and appeal as an international capital city, with strong investor interest, a deep occupier base and a growing pipeline of transformational development. These dynamics present significant opportunities across offices, living, logistics and alternative sectors." “My focus will be on strengthening CBRE’s presence in the market, supporting clients and helping to unlock the potential of key sites across the city. I look forward to working with our exceptional team to deliver insight and long-term value for our clients.” With regional offices in Aberdeen, Glasgow and Edinburgh, CBRE has a large team across Scotland in investment properties, agency, property management, valuation, building consultancy, rating, and planning and development divisions. Lowe’s appointment in Edinburgh forms part of a series of senior appointments across the UK as CBRE strengthens its regional leadership. In Leeds, Mike Baugh will assume the role of Head of Leeds, succeeding Richard Bamford, who will continue as Head of Building Consultancy, UK Regional Markets and UK Head of Building Surveying. With over 12 years at CBRE, Baugh will continue to lead the Industrial & Logistics, North division and has a proven track record of success. CBRE has also appointed Neil Kirkham as the Head of Liverpool. Kirkham, who has been with CBRE for more than 13 years, has built strong relationships with developer, investor, leasing and occupier clients across the region. John Ogden, Managing Director, UK Regional Markets at CBRE, commented: These appointments underscore our ongoing commitment to continue to invest in our regional leadership across the UK. Angela, Mike and Neil each bring exceptional market knowledge and client relationships that will be instrumental in driving continued growth and delivering outstanding results for our clients.”

JCB has launched its fourth annual Christmas Toy Appeal as employees unite to bring festive joy to local children.   Since the appeal’s launch in 2022, employees have donated almost 4,000 gifts for distribution to children and young people in the Stoke-on-Trent and Wrexham areas – with last year seeing a record haul of 1,700 donations at 15 collection points at JCB’s UK plants.   The 2025 appeal runs until Tuesday, December 2nd and the gifts will then be handed over to two charities - Stoke-on-Trent’s Hubb Foundation and the Wrexham branch of the Salvation Army - for distribution to local communities. Donations to the appeal are also welcome from members of the public at JCB’s World HQ at Rocester.   JCB Group HR Director Laura Atkins said: “The generosity of JCB employees continues to amaze us. The appeal has flourished over the last three years and promises to, once again, bring festive cheer to local communities.” Helping to co-ordinate this year’s appeal are JCB apprentices: Kitty Hulme, 20, of Newcastle-under-Lyme, Lewis Durham, 20, of Derby, Lucy Pepper, 23, of Stoke-on-Trent, and Will Jenkins, 20, of Stone. Kitty said: “It’s fantastic to be part of something that brings so much joy to children at Christmas. Every donation counts and helps make the season magical for those who need it most.”

CocoTurf Cricket has been developed to support the growing need for environmentally responsible solutions within the sport. Notts Sport, one of the UK’s most established innovators in sports and play surfacing, has announced the launch of CocoTurf Cricket, the world’s first 100% natural, plastic-free artificial cricket surface. Designed from the ground up using natural materials, CocoTurf Cricket represents a major step forward in sustainable facility development for cricket at all levels of the game. CocoTurf Cricket builds on Notts Sport’s pioneering CocoTurf® technology and has been specifically re-engineered to meet the demands of cricket performance. The surface is constructed entirely from natural coconut fibres, jute backing, and certified natural latex, creating a high-performance wicket system with zero plastics, zero microplastics, and zero PFAS. This makes it the first artificial cricket surface of its kind worldwide and a significant milestone in reducing environmental impact in sport. The first installation of CocoTurf Cricket has already taken place at the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground, providing a real-world example of how elite facilities are beginning to embrace natural, plastic-free alternatives. The surface has undergone full cricket performance testing, including a Ball Pitch Impact Assessment, which confirmed the system’s consistent bounce, realistic pace and long-term durability comparable to professionally prepared non-turf wickets. An ECB application is currently in process, marking an important step toward official recognition and future adoption by clubs, schools, county boards and national programmes. CocoTurf Cricket has been developed to support the growing need for environmentally responsible solutions within the sport. With concerns increasing around microplastic shedding, PFAS contamination and the environmental cost of synthetic materials, CocoTurf Cricket offers a future-proofed alternative that aligns with the sport’s sustainability objectives. The system is Oeko-Tex certified, 100% recyclable, features a dense pile weight of 1,300 g/m², and achieves an exceptional water infiltration rate of 15,166 mm/hr, providing reliable use throughout the year. Each square metre of CocoTurf Cricket uses fibres from 6.5 coconuts, meaning approximately 585 coconuts contribute to a single-lane match facility. This approach transforms natural by-products into high-performance surfacing technology and reduces dependence on petrochemical-based materials. The product is protected under International Patent Application No. PCT/GB2024/050422 (pending). Duncan Bennett, CEO of Notts Sport, said: “CocoTurf Cricket is a genuine breakthrough for cricket facilities. For the first time, the sport has access to an artificial surface that performs like a professionally prepared pitch but is made entirely from natural materials. This is a major step toward eliminating plastics from non-turf systems and creating facilities that protect both players and the environment.” Adam Walker, Technical Manager at Notts Sport, added: “We engineered CocoTurf Cricket with players in mind, but with absolute commitment to sustainability. This surface shows that you no longer have to choose between performance and environmental responsibility — you can have both.” With more than 40 years of experience delivering cricket surfaces across the UK and worldwide, Notts Sport continues to lead innovation in the industry, offering solutions that support the future of the game.