An entrepreneur from Brighton is among the winners of a £6.2M* award from Innovate UK, the UK’s Innovation Agency. Mark Blake, Co-Founder and Director of Joyfully Different, a non-profit business support community and learning hub for neurodivergent entrepreneurs. Blake is one of 233 high potential entrepreneurs from every nation and region of the UK to receive funding and tailored business support. The prestigious award will support Mark to grow his innovative business idea, which aims to support neurodivergent entrepreneurs to start and grow their own businesses. Studies suggest that people with ADHD are six times more likely to start their own businesses and 20-40% of business owners are dyslexic. Only 22% of autistic adults are in any kind of employment in the UK and yet the UK’s Autism Strategy does not include any mention of self-employment. As an autistic entrepreneur with ADHD and dyslexia, Mark Blake is determined to change things for neurodivergent founders. Mark is among the 233 high-potential innovators awarded a £5,000 grant and £10,000 contribution to living allowances. Critically, they will also receive 12 months of tailored business support to help them grow, stimulating the UK’s economy. Joyfully Different’s idea of a neurodivergent-friendly business accelerator aims to support a cohort of 12 aspiring neurodivergent entrepreneurs to gain the knowledge, skills and confidence they need to launch their own businesses in 2024. Blake, who runs Joyfully Different alongside co-founder Alice Reeves, said: “It’s the honour of my life to work on a project that is the first of its kind with such incredible people. The project is going to reach so many people who have been ignored by mainstream business support and give them the chance to build a business that can help unlock their authenticity and have economic independence. It feels humbling and amazing to be chosen for such a prestigious award.” Building on the success of Innovate UK’s targeted programmes, like Women in Innovation and Young Innovators, this latest funding is designed to find and support the fresh innovation talent the UK needs. In line with the UK’s growing appetite for innovation, this new award programme was among the most highly engaged funding competitions Innovate UK has ever delivered - with over 2,100 entrepreneurs applying for funding and business mentorship. There is an urgent need to transform the UK’s skills and talent pipeline, through inspiring and connecting people to new opportunities and pathways into innovation. Innovate UK estimates that, to achieve the UK’s full economic potential, 400,000 more innovators need to be supported, from entrepreneurs to engineers. Coinciding with the Awards announcement, Innovate UK has joined forces with over 150 partner organisations to launch its free and accessible No Limits digital platform, which makes it easy for aspiring innovators to discover new career paths, sharpen their skills and access opportunities to develop life-changing innovations and future-proof the UK economy.

Leading glass packaging company, Croxsons, has announced the appointment of Lindsay Martin as the latest addition to its business development team. Lindsay brings an abundance of knowledge and expertise to her new role. Having initially worked in the hospitality sector where she studied for her WSET 1 and 2 programmes (Wine & Spirit Education Trust), she has since spent the last 5 years in the packaging industry, focusing on food and drink categories and a variety of primary packaging types. In her new role at Croxsons, Lindsay aims to foster strong, personal relationships with clients, assisting them across all aspects of their closures needs, from standard options to fully bespoke closures. She will also scrutinise the entire supply chain process to ensure Croxsons delivers efficient, cost-effective and high-quality solutions, covering logistics, warehousing, manufacturing and product development. Lindsay's choice to join Croxsons was influenced by the company's family-oriented culture and its strong commitment to sustainability. She looks forward to contributing to brand development for clients through tailor-made solutions and being an integral part of Croxsons' continued success. Commenting on her appointment, Tim Croxson, Croxsons' CEO, said: "We are thrilled to welcome Lindsay into the Croxsons family." "She comes to us with a wealth of packaging industry experience and is very relationship-led, which fits our team perfectly. We are confident that her contributions will be pivotal in creating added value for our customers.” For more information about Croxsons, visit https://www.croxsons.com/ .

British Airways is embarking on a multi-million-pound investment programme to overhaul its ground support equipment at Heathrow Airport, as part of its commitment to reducing emissions both in the air and on the ground. The airline will gradually be replacing its ground vehicles at Heathrow, such as vans and cars, cargo transporters and passenger steps, moving towards hybrid or electric alternatives where available. Already, more than 90% of British Airways’ vehicles and ground equipment at Heathrow are either zero emissions electrical equipment when being used or driven, (hybrids) or are operating on hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) fuel. Improvements include: Replacing more than 750 pieces of ground equipment, including fuel bowsers from fossil fuel to HVO. HVO is an interim measure whilst the airline gradually transitions to zero-emissions (when being used or driven) or hybrid equipment. Supplied by the airline’s current sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) supplier, Phillips 66, the use of HVO is anticipated to save more than 6,000 tonnes of CO2 per year compared to traditional diesel fuel, the equivalent of more than 8,000 round-trip economy passenger journeys between London Heathrow and JFK. Replacing all diesel passenger aircraft steps with electric alternatives. This aims to reduce fuel consumption by more than 370 tonnes of CO2 emissions per year, based on previous diesel usage, which is the equivalent of more than 500 round-trip economy passenger journeys between London Heathrow and JFK. Many of the electric steps will be in full service by the end of the year. Phasing out its fleet of 20 diesel-powered vehicles which support the loading and unloading of cargo containers onto aircraft, replacing them with Hybrid Electric models. Introducing 135 new electric baggage tugs, accounting for 40% of our tugs, to transport customer's luggage. This improved battery and charging technology utilises highly efficient lithium-ion battery technology, requiring less energy and producing 30% less C02 when in use compared to traditional lead acid batteries. We are working closely with our supply chain in order to recycle as many battery components as possible at the end of life. Gradually phasing out all 38 diesel passenger buses over the next two years, with 23 expected to be fully electric and the remaining 15 operating on HVO fuel, with a large charging park at Heathrow now in the early stages of development. The use of these vehicles is expected to save 800 tonnes of CO2 emissions per year, helping to reduce negative air quality impacts around the Heathrow area. Tom Moran, British Airways’ Director of Heathrow, said: “At British Airways, we are committed to reaching net zero emissions by 2050 or sooner and our focus isn’t just about reducing emissions in the air, but on the ground too. This major investment into our vehicles at Heathrow is our largest investment in more sustainable airport ground operations to date and is part of our wider environmental objective to minimise emissions from our airside ground operation." "We’re proud of the work we are doing in this space and are excited to continue improving the running of our ground operations at Heathrow.” Carrie Harris, British Airways’ Director of Sustainability said: “I am incredibly proud of this project, which has been driven by our Heathrow ground operations teams and encapsulates our BA Better World ethos of raising awareness of our strategy to all of our colleagues, and inspiring them to play a part in minimising our environmental impact where possible." "Their energy, enthusiasm and innovative approach in bringing the project to life shows what can be achieved and this investment demonstrates our ongoing commitment to making improvements across our business that will benefit both our customers and colleagues." These improvements form part of British Airways’ £7 billion investment in transformation across many aspects of its business over the next three years. They also build on previous ground improvements made by the airline, including the introduction of electric and hybrid cars for driving airside-based colleagues around the airside roadways, using remote-controlled pushback vehicles, called Mototoks, for short-haul aircraft and ensuring aircraft plug into electricity at Heathrow when on stand to help power the lights and air conditioning.

Sainsbury’s becomes the largest supermarket to launch a dedicated ‘Best of British’ page on its groceries website, in a move to better champion and profile British grown and produced products with its millions of online customers. Thanks to the new page spotlighting over 450 100% British-sourced grocery products – including popular produce, meat, dairy, eggs and chilled essentials - customers can now find and buy locally produced products even more easily and better support local producers and growers. Customers can also choose from a range of recipes using British products to inspire mealtimes such as a British Beef Wellington and a Big British Salad. Sainsbury’s already helps customers shopping in its stores to identify British sourced products through labelling and packaging and has permanent signage in over 1,000 of its larger supermarkets. Sainsbury’s works with over 15,000 British farmers sourcing £2bn worth of produce every year. The retailer has made a series of investments to help them, including a significant £72m of support in the last couple of years alone. Last year the retailer also announced that it would be making an annual investment into its Dairy Development Group to support dairy farms in the future. Simon Roberts, Chief Executive Officer at Sainsbury’s, said: “Many of our customers want to support British suppliers and make more conscious choices when doing their food shop, and our new Buy British webpage helps them to do just that through a curation of over 450 quality, 100% locally sourced products." “We recognise the pressures that British farmers are facing and the importance of supporting them to maintain a resilient UK food system for the long term. Our relationships with farmers and suppliers are incredibly important to us and we remain committed to sourcing British as much as we can, now and in the future.” Dr Luke Evans MP said: “This is another huge step forward for my ‘Buy British’ button campaign! With Sainsbury’s launching a ‘Buy British’ section online they become the latest supermarket to support homegrown produce." “Sainsbury’s have taken a further step forward by placing signposting to buy homegrown produce on the homepage and in other sections on the website such as those dedicated to dairy, fruit and vegetables." “Farmers always tell me the best thing we can do to support them is to buy local, homegrown produce and the new ‘Best of British’ section on Sainsbury’s website makes it even easier for shoppers to support our farmers and cut down on unnecessary food miles." “It’s great to see Sainsbury’s, Aldi and Morrisons all leading the way on the ‘Buy British’ button, I look forward to seeing other supermarkets follow their lead.” NFU President Tom Bradshaw said: “It’s fantastic to see supermarkets getting behind Dr Luke Evans campaign and I’m delighted that Sainsbury’s is also backing British farmers by adding a British section online in order to signpost shoppers to home-grown produce." “Our own independent research shows the public want to buy more British food from retailers and we have been championing this issue for some time. The addition of the British section online by Sainsbury’s will help customers support British farmers.” Customers will see a varying selection of products on the page which is dependent on the seasonal availability and ranging in their local store.

A new chapter is being marked in the 200-year-old history of a popular Leamington watering hole, as work gets under way on its major transformation into a new-look Italian restaurant. The first glimpse of the new design for Tavola has been unveiled - inspired by Italian surrealist painters of the 1920's - as the doors close on the current café in Clarendon Street this week. It comes exactly one year after 44 Café, Bar & Bistro was taken over by entrepreneur Rob Singleton, supported by Gavin Leach, both from Leamington, and marks the boldest change yet for this familiar corner of the town. Rob said: “The building is so bright and airy with the roof lantern and full-length windows. We love the quirky layout that comes from organic changes over the history of the pub." “The rebranding is a natural extension of the refurbishment. Bar 44 has history that we are proud of but it doesn't capture what we do now. When we took over last year it seemed natural to put up a sign saying 44 as that is what the locals know this building as. For the last year we have been trading as 44, but as much as we love 44 the way it is, the long term plan was always to refurbish when we had established ourselves and built a good team.” Heading up that team is a familiar face to regulars, Luke Hampson, who stayed on as front of house manager and mixologist after several years in the business’s more recent history. Central to the restaurant’s new culinary identity though is executive chef hailing from Tuscany, Martin Serafino. From his kitchen he looks forward to showcasing his passion for authentic Italian cooking through his new menu, the secret to which, he says, is a combination of ‘tradition and innovation' and says: “The Tavola ethos is all about using the very best quality Italian products, sourced from Northern Italy, and for me that's just a joy." “I'm very excited for this new menu. I want to encourage people to try something they never tried before. I love to express myself through food so there will be some experimenting. But my main goal is to share the beauty of my own country as well as celebrating how every country has different traditions and different ways to cook.” Martin’s own cooking influences also include time working in kitchens in New York and London. But it was only after a health condition forced him to abandon his aspiring career as a professional footballer in Tuscany, that he instead decided to pursue his second passion for cooking. He said: “When I developed gastroenteritis, I changed my diet completely but, unfortunately, after two years, I had to stop playing at a high level. I was trying to eat healthier so started eliminating all processed food and eating vegetables from our own garden as well as educating myself about healthy eating. This helped create my passion for food and cooking and I started to dedicate myself instead to food. I got very involved in what I was eating, how I was making the food and where it was coming from.” Martin will also be serving up what he believes to be a first for Leamington - his signature Schiacciata sandwich range – a special pressed focaccia that promises a ‘light and fluffy explosion of flavours.’ As the doors closing on 44, signal the end of one chapter, they also herald in the start of a new exciting one for this Leamington business, in May. Rob said: “We chose the name Tavola, which translates from Italian as ‘a table you would dine at,’ as it perfectly encapsulates the way our guests have been utilising our restaurant. The focus is on the table, not only the food and drink on it but the people around it." “We look forward to unveiling the vibrant and fresh new look which befits this quirky building and complements the imaginative new menu as we start this new chapter of the story of this little corner of Leamington Spa.” Credit photos to Harrison Charles Design

Charity leaders from across the south gathered in Winchester for the second annual Charity Think Tank hosted by HWB Chartered Accountants and Charisma Charity Recruitment. The breakfast time event at the Hotel du Vin featured a round table discussion on the challenges and opportunities currently facing the charity sector. These included the cost of living crisis, difficulties of fundraising, squeezed local authority budgets, sourcing new income streams, attracting and retaining talented staff and utilising the latest technology. Adam Stacey, Managing Director of Charisma Charity Recruitment, chaired the discussion, which involved charity leaders from a variety of central south-based organisations. Represented were charities involved in mental health, housing, seafaring, life-saving, loans for older people, wildlife, homelessness, active lives, the arts and education. The event gave attendees an occasion at which to find out what other charities were doing, share concerns and challenges, bounce ideas, discover different perspectives, expand their network and take away specific action items to be implemented in their own organisations. Michaela said: “Following the success of last year’s Think Tank, held in Southampton, we wanted to repeat the process by gathering a varied group of leaders and decision-makers in a forum setting to discuss and share the challenges – and successes – of our charities in 2024." “We have again partnered with Charisma to put something back into the community we both serve. Charity leaders are constantly busy and this event gives them a chance to pause and talk to their counterparts, compare notes and take away good ideas to explore." “Our volatile economic climate and cost of living crisis has made it an extremely difficult period for the south’s charities, particularly in terms of fundraising and identifying new revenue streams." “Leaders have got to be a bit savvy in the modern world, perhaps utilising AI in writing bids for fundraising and being at the forefront of embracing the best new technology as they strive to constantly find new ways of delivering their services with less.” Long-established Charisma Charity Recruitment, a nationwide search firm based in Winchester, works with charity, education and not-for-profit organisations. Managing Director Adam Stacey said: “An event like today is an opportunity to get shared learning, peer-to-peer engagement and collaboration and it is a privilege for the two host organisations to facilitate this type of meeting." “Recruitment in the charity sector remains volatile with a severe talent shortage at the moment. We are seeing more fundraisers leaving the sector and going to work in commercial or private settings. Also, at senior levels there is less movement than we have previously seen, meaning finding and retaining top talent is trickier and it remains a priority." “In the short term we will probably see more charity mergers and acquisitions, as well as collaborations, with people working together to deliver services to the same high standards as in the past." “However, we have a resilient sector that has stood the test of time and will still be here, committed to delivering the best services that it can within the budgets it has.”

Popular heritage Leicestershire attractions have been given top marks, following inspections from national tourism body, Visit England. Bosworth Battlefield Heritage Centre, the 1620s House & Garden, Charnwood Museum, Harborough Museum and Melton Carnegie Museum all saw their marks increase since their last inspections. Melton Carnegie Museum was praised for the ‘exceptional customer service’ from a ‘dedicated team of staff’, as well as the new and innovative children’s trails, and informative and fascinating temporary exhibitions and high-quality permanent displays. Highlights at the 1620s House and Garden included the quality of the welcome and interpretation provided by the reception staff, the work of the volunteers and the commitment to engage with people on social media. Bosworth Battlefield Heritage Centre’s report summarised the visitor experience as an enjoyable and informative one. The inspector noted that visitors were able to engage with some excellent and thought-provoking displays and interpretation, in the Exhibition Centre, the country park and through the entertaining and informative events. Charnwood Museum was praised for its offer across all age ranges and abilities, as was its engaging hands-on and sensory activities. The knowledgeable and welcoming staff at Harborough Museum were praised in the inspector’s report, which also made special mention of the Hallaton Treasure exhibition, as well as the museum’s high standards of cleanliness. All of the heritage sites are run and managed by Leicestershire County Council. Councillor Christine Radford, cabinet member for adults and communities, said: “It is fantastic to see that the hard work of everyone at our heritage sites have once again been recognised by Visit England." “All our heritage venues across the county are gems for residents to enjoy opportunities for learning, health and leisure. This national recognition from Visit England showcases just what a great place Leicestershire is and the facilities available on our doorstep.”

As the vibrant colours of spring begin to emerge, cyclists eagerly dust off their bikes in anticipation of the thrilling rides under the warm sun. However, before venturing onto the open road or hitting the trails, it's essential to ensure that their trusty two-wheeled companion is in optimal condition. James Whitten, Marketing Manager at cycleGuard said: “For many of us, our bikes have been locked away over winter. Now that the spring sunshine is here, it’s time to make sure that your bike is ready." Leading cycle and e-bike insurer cycleGuard shares effective tips to help cyclists prepare their bike for spring. Checking the tyre pressure One of the first things any cyclist should check is the tyre pressure. All tyres will lose air pressure over time, even if they have been standing still. It is important to check the manufacturer’s instructions as to what the recommended tyre pressure should be for a specific bike. Either a floor pump or an electric bike pump can be used to get the correct tyre pressure. Adjusting the bike seat If a bike has been in storage for a while, ensure to tighten the bike seat before the first ride. A loose bike seat is not just uncomfortable, but it can also cause trouble to cyclists. If the seat cover has been worn out after not being used in a while, it may cause riding in discomfort. It is recommended to replace it as soon as possible. Checking the brake pads Cyclists will also need to check their brake pads properly before they set off. The brake pads on a bike shouldn’t be loose or appear worn. It is crucial to adjust the brake cable with a screwdriver if the brake pads are too far away from the rim, and to replace the pads if they look worn. Checking the safety gear Do the bike lights work? What about your reflectors? Cyclists will need to make sure that all the safety equipment is working correctly on their bike before they head out. In the UK, it’s illegal to ride a bike on a public road without lights after sunset, so cyclists will need to make sure that they work properly. “There are many steps you can take to prepare your bike for the season, but it is important to keep yourself and your bike safe. At cycleGuard, we’re serious about providing cover to cyclists of all abilities” adds Whitten.

Aldi is raising pay for store colleagues for the second time this year, extending its position as the UK’s best-paying supermarket. Its new national minimum rate of £12.40 an hour for Store Assistants and Deputy Store Managers is the highest level of entry pay ever to be paid by a British supermarket. The supermarket became the first UK supermarket to pay all store and warehouse colleagues at least £12.00 an hour nationally, and £13.55 within the M25, in February. The new pay increases will see the hourly rate of Store Assistants and Deputy Store Managers nationally rise from £12.00 to £12.40, and from £13.55 to £13.65 for those within the M25. Aldi also remains the only supermarket to offer paid breaks, which for the average store colleague is worth more than £900 a year. The latest increase takes Aldi’s investment in pay so far this year to £79m. It is also planning to create 5,500 new jobs in the UK this year. Giles Hurley, Chief Executive Officer of Aldi UK and Ireland, said: “We firmly believe that our colleagues are the best in the business, so it is only right that they remain the best-paid and we are committed to never being beaten on pay by any other supermarket." “Our Store Operations colleagues play an integral part in our ever-increasing popularity among shoppers and our continued investment in their pay is another way to thank them for the role they play in making Aldi what it is today.” Aldi is the UK’s fourth-largest supermarket and has more than 1,000 stores, 11 regional distribution centres and 45,000 colleagues across Britain.

With February likely to be confirmed as the warmest on record, the unseasonably mild temperatures over the winter and wet weather of recent weeks have caused various flowering trees and blossom to emerge four weeks earlier than usual, according to gardeners at the National Trust. As the conservation charity gears up for its annual blossom campaign – where it encourages people everywhere to share the joy of blossom – pockets of blooming trees and shrubs are already starting to emerge in Trust gardens across the south-west and south-east of England and Wales, indicating the start of what could be a very drawn-out and hopefully long spring flowering period. One of the earliest to bloom is the renowned white magnolia tree - campbellii ‘Alba’ – at Glendurgan in Cornwall. Towering above the historic maze, this 60-foot magnolia is flanked by two other spectacular varieties – the dark pink Magnolia campbellii subsp mollicomata – and cream coloured evergreen Magnolia doltsopa. Last year, the magnolias reached their peak flowering in late March, whereas this year, they started emerging and reached optimum flowering four weeks early. Elsewhere in the garden, camelias and rhododendrons are also blooming forming a spectacular mosaic of colour for visitors to enjoy. At Trellisick, also in Cornwall, the Cornish red rhododendrons are in full bloom after starting to flower early in November last year. And, at Trengwainton Garden, the first of its 39 varieties of gigantic magnolias is laden with blooms, far earlier than usual. The most spectacular of these, the towering 103-year-old Magnolia campbellii in the walled garden – an English Champion tree due to the width of its canopy – has just reached its peak and is now beginning to drop its petals, resulting in one of this year’s first ‘magnolia blizzard’ spectacles. John Lanyon, National Trust Garden Manager for Trelissick, Glendurgan, Trerice and Bosloe in Cornwall said: “Due to Cornwall’s unique microclimate, we haven’t been hit as badly by the heavy rainfall that has been persistent across many areas of the country since the autumn. It has been so mild that some of the varieties of rhododendrons that we care for have been blooming since late November, and not properly ‘shutting’ down." “Throughout the winter, the bare trees monitor day length and temperature through their bark, helping to keep the flowers safe until the conditions are right for them to flower. But we have been very surprised to see some of our notable magnolias already at their peak, particularly those at Glendurgan which are four weeks ahead of their typical blooming schedule." “This is the earliest I’ve ever known them to bloom, a sure sign of our changing climate.” Elsewhere in the south-west, at Coleton Fishacre in south Devon, azaleas are also flowering early and some agapanthuses have continued to flower throughout the winter due to the milder conditions. At Knightshayes near Tiverton, both the magnolia and quince are already reaching their peak. In Wales, Bodnant Garden’s renowned collection of magnolia is also blooming several weeks ahead of last year, and species whose blossom is normally staggered have emerged at the same time. Together with the garden’s rhododendrons, such as the special Bodnant hybrid variety ‘Welkin’, which are also flowering early, this has created a wealth of colour in the garden that is very unusual for this time of the year. Similar sights can be seen at Llanerchaeron in Ceredigion and Dyffryn Gardens in the Vale of Glamorgan. Chris Flynn, Head Gardener at Dyffryn said: “Across our garden, the warm and wet weather has really turned up the dial, with our Magnolia Campbellii already showing their best spring ‘dress’ and our Magnolia denudata, liliflora and soulangeana are both out three weeks ahead of the norm. Similarly, the apricots with their soft pink blossom are already out, and even the apple trees in our orchard are starting to bud up, which is exceptionally early." “On the plus side, this early emergence of blossom means there is plenty of food for our white-tailed bumblebees, of which we have seen quite a few flying around already, coaxed out of their hibernation by the promise of spring." “We are very conscious however, that any late frosts could be disastrous by damaging the blooms they rely on for food – so we have actively been planting a wide variety of flowers, shrubs and trees to ensure all of our insects can rely on a rich succession of flowers coming into bloom, as we adapt our gardens to a changing climate.” In the south-east early blooms include peach and almond blossoms in the kitchen garden at Ham House and at Nymans in west-Sussex the magnolia campbellii are currently flowering, whereas the magnolia stellata, a variety which usually flowers later, is just about to pop. Andy Jasper, Director of Gardens and Parklands at the National Trust said: “Some of the early flowering we’re witnessing in our gardens is absolutely spectacular – and certainly brings welcome cheer – but these blooms are also a very visual sign of how our seasons are shifting, and the consequences of a rapidly changing climate, especially over the last decade." “This year’s weather patterns are a stark contrast to last year, where we had the driest February in thirty years and repeated cold snaps into March." “The blooms we are seeing now are partly a direct impact of those weather patterns – together with increased daylight hours which triggers the chemical reactions causing buds to bloom. That dry start to last year followed by the prolonged period of largely wet and mild weather for many areas of the country, has meant our trees and plants haven’t really stopped growing or had a particularly long period of shut down." “As long as we don’t now experience any prolonged sharp dip in temperatures, we should be able to look forward to a very drawn-out blossom season with ripples of blossom spreading across the country, from the south-west and Wales through to Northern Ireland, north-east England and Scotland, followed by a bumper year for fruit harvests." “With these changing weather patterns, it is becoming ever more important for our talented gardeners to plant for the unprecedented conditions we are experiencing. This means helping the nature in our gardens adapt to the changes while ensuring that our visitors continue to delight in well thought out planting schemes throughout the year.” Blossom more typical for this time of year is also starting to put on a show with clouds of billowing white blackthorn blossom gracing hedgerows across parts of England and Wales. The Trust’s blossom campaign is part of the charity’s long-term efforts to return blossoming trees to landscapes; and to create a UK equivalent of Japan’s ‘hanami’, the popular traditional custom where people of all generations celebrate the transient beauty of blossom.

British Showjumping has selected the All England Jumping Course at Hickstead as the new host venue for the British Young Horse Championships (9-12 August 2024). The show, which boasts a total prize fund of nearly £80,000, will take place on the all-weather arenas and will host qualifiers and finals for four-, five, six- and seven-year-old horses. There will be additional prizes, sponsored by British Showjumping, for the breeders of the top five British Bred horses in their respective Finals, as well as generous bonuses for horses jumping clear throughout the week. The Finals will also act as the UK qualifier for the prestigious World Breeding Championship for Young Horses in Lanaken in Belgium, which takes place each year in September. Hickstead Director Lizzie Bunn said: “We are really pleased to be the new hosts of this prestigious championships, which will be a showcase for the very best of young showjumping horses in this country. While there are a few other Open classes at this show, ranging from 1.10m up to a 1.40m Grand Prix, the focus is very much on our young horse classes and celebrating the up-and-coming equine talent in this country.” Riders in the Prestige Italia Six Year Old Championship will compete for the Big Star Trophy, awarded in honour of Nick Skelton’s 2016 Olympic gold medal winner. Any horse jumping a treble clear in one of the four Big Star qualifiers held between May and July will automatically be eligible for the £1,000 Big Star Bonus, which will be awarded in the Final. Iain Graham, Chief Executive of British Showjumping said: “The Prestige Italia Six Year Old Championship is one of the most important championships in this country for young equine stars. We are delighted that the final will form part of the British Young Horse Championships in its new home at Hickstead.” William Funnell, who has won countless Hickstead titles over the years, has agreed to sponsor the Billy Stud Auction Five Year Old Championship as well as putting forward two special £5,000 prizes for the highest-placed horse bought in a Billy Stud Auction in both the four- and five-year-old championships. “As a breeder, shows like the Hickstead Young Horse Championships are invaluable for producing young horses and highlighting their abilities. Having chaired the committee that established and spearheaded these Championships 15 years ago, I think the move to Hickstead is an excellent choice.” Al Shira’aa, already a major sponsor of Hickstead including the iconic Al Shira’aa Derby, has taken naming rights for the Four-Year-Old final. “We are happy to support the Four Year Old Championship at the first ever young horse championships at Hickstead. We at Al Shira'aa thoroughly enjoy the production of young horses and look forward to being a part of this event,” said Alicia MacDonald, Director of Al Shira’aa Farms. Hickstead-based Breen Equestrian has also taken on sponsorship of one of the young horse finals. Chloe Breen says: "Breeding future superstars has always been the goal of Breen Equestrian, and as such we are delighted to sponsor the British Seven Year Old Championship at its new home, here at Hickstead.” Spectator admission and parking is free of charge for the duration of the show, with competitor entries opening in July. For more information, visit here . Photo Credit: Elli Birch/Boots and Hooves Photography

Lloyds Banking Group has announced a strategic partnership with Projects for Nature to upgrade the protection and restoration of England's natural environment. Projects for Nature, launched by the Secretary of State for Defra at COP28 in December 2023, connects companies with nature recovery projects that have been screened by Defra, Natural England and the Environment Agency. This partnership is the first of its kind, and as a founding business partner, Lloyds Banking Group has donated £250,000 split between three nature recovery projects. The projects are designed to address national nature recovery priorities and spearhead efforts to secure wider societal benefits for Britain’s communities. Lloyds Banking Group will also be able to gather learnings about both the commercial risk management and environmental benefits of nature-based solutions, including flood risk management and regenerative agriculture to support the Group’s long-term nature strategy and its own biodiversity gain with customers and clients. Local landowners and experts will play a key role in delivering the projects, to help ensure outcomes for communities are at the heart of the partnership’s efforts. Weald to Waves : Creation of a 100-mile nature recovery corridor, connecting over 20,000ha of habitats along 3 main rivers in Sussex to the coast; helping to boost biodiversity, reduce flooding, capture carbon and enhance the rural economy. The land-manager led project, run in collaboration with the Knepp Wildland Foundation, aims to offer a blueprint for nature recovery across built-up landscapes. Resilient Glenderamackin : Project in Cumbria aims to deliver nature-based solutions to reduce flood risk, restore nature and mitigate climate change. Led by the West Cumbria Rivers Trust, the project will be co-designed with farmers and land managers to ensure the natural flood management interventions – which include re-wiggling rivers, planting trees and restoring wetlands. Over 40 land managers, including 3 commons associations, covering 11,000ha are already supporting the project. Peak District : Nature Recovery at Dalehead: The National Trust are working with partners and tenant farmers in the High Peak to establish more trees, healthy peatlands, and thriving wetlands and grasslands. This will help to improve soil health and water quality, create more space for nature, increase resilience in a changing climate, as well as increase and provide public access for communities to enjoy the shared history of the landscape. The funding will support the restoration of 2.6km of wetland on a site nestled between the iconic landmarks of Mam Tor and Kinder Scout. Andrew Walton, Chief Sustainability Officer, Lloyds Banking Group said: “The UK ranks among the most nature-depleted countries globally, highlighting the pressing need for collective action. As the UK’s largest financial services provider, we recognise the crucial role we must play in tackling the loss of nature to ensure a more resilient and thriving natural environment for the future." "Becoming a founding partner of Projects for Nature will enable us to make a tangible difference to combating nature loss in communities across England, exploring innovative approaches to protect and restore our natural ecosystems, ultimately helping Britain prosper. " Justin Francis, Chair of Projects for Nature said: “It has been hugely encouraging to see that businesses, their employees and customers, are increasingly interested in taking action to address their impacts on nature—whilst actively looking for ways to aid its recovery." "Projects for Nature helps to bridge the gap, providing a digital platform that connects carefully selected corporate supporters, with 25 of England’s very best nature recovery projects, that have been initially funded by Government and screened by its agencies." "Whilst support from corporate donors for the projects is additional to any actions taken to avoid and reduce their own environmental impacts, our monitoring framework can help businesses evidence their contributions towards their nature targets from the Science Based Targets Network and form part of their reporting under the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosure framework." "We are incredibly grateful to Lloyds Banking Group for supporting this initiative, and I am thrilled to welcome them as our first founding business partner.”