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Northern Ireland’s largest airline easyJet has celebrated 25 years of flying passengers to and from Belfast International Airport. The airline operated its largest ever flying programme from Belfast International this summer with 9.4% per cent more capacity than pre-pandemic, flying 3.2 million seats. The airline welcomed an 8th A320 family aircraft to the base for this summer and has flown over 4.5 million passengers in the last year. Unrivalled short-haul network continues to go from strength to strength, with inaugural flights from to Hurghada in Egypt and to Southampton set to take off for the first time later this month. easyJet, Europe's leading airline and the largest airline in Northern Ireland is celebrating 25 years of flying passengers to and from Belfast International Airport. To mark the occasion the airline surprised passengers flying from Belfast International with giveaways throughout the day including free easyJet return flights. Other celebrations, including cake giveaways, happened at the airport throughout the morning. Since easyJet’s very first flight from Belfast to London Luton a quarter of a century ago, the airline has gone from strength to strength flying over 70 million passengers in that time with over 4.5 million flown in last year. This year easyJet welcomed its eighth Airbus A320 family aircraft to the base, the most since operations began, demonstrating the airline’s long-term commitment to Northern Ireland and operated its largest flying programme from Belfast International with 9.4% more capacity than pre-pandemic, flying 3.2 million seats to and from Belfast International. In the past year, the airline’s network has gone from strength to strength, adding four new routes to Antalya in Turkey, Rhodes in Greece, Southampton and most recently Hurghada, providing connections between Belfast and Egypt for the first time. easyJet now offers more capacity from Belfast to Spain and Portugal than any other airline and links Belfast International with more London airports than any other airline, providing over 90 flights a week from Belfast International. Ali Gayward, easyJet UK country manager, commented: ”For over two decades, we are proud to have served millions of customers flying from Belfast International, where we have grown to become the largest airline not just as the airport but in Northern Ireland, with customers choosing us for our unrivalled network, fantastic service and great value fares." “And our continued success at Belfast International is testament to the strong demand we see for travel, coupled with the importance of the UK market in supporting our profitable growth." “I have to thank our fantastic customers who have travelled from Belfast International Airport with us over the past 25 years for their loyalty and support as well as our dedicated team in Belfast for their hard work and commitment. We can’t wait to see where the next 25 years takes us.” Graham Keddie, Managing Director, Belfast International Airport, said: “easyJet revolutionised air travel when they arrived at Belfast international Airport 25 years ago. They have become an integral part of the airport’s growth in that time, bringing unrivalled connectivity, significant investment and providing employment to hundreds of people. We are incredibly proud to stand alongside them today to celebrate this fantastic milestone. We look forward to the launch of new routes later this month to both Hurghada and Southampton and also to working alongside them on further developments.” Last month the airline put on sale its summer 2024 schedule on sale meaning millions of seats across 155,000 easyJet flights between 3 June 2024 and 1 September 2024 including thousands of flights to and from Belfast International are now available, so customers have the opportunity to book early and get the best fares for next summer. For more information on easyJet’s network from Belfast, visit easyJet.com .

Across the UK it is often the brewery which firmly places its pubs at the heart of community. And now iconic 174 year old family business, Joseph Holt, has added to its estate – with the purchase of Thornberries in Alkrington. A pub which according to Richard Kershaw, chief executive of Joseph Holt and great great grandson of its eponymous founder ,already has all the hallmarks of a Joseph Holt venue. “Thornberries is already very much a community pub and is so much more than just a place to have a drink or something to eat. It`s a place for charity events, social groups and other community gatherings – all the things which mark out our pubs as places which are central to the local areas they serve." “Admittedly Thornberries looks a little tired which is why we have plans for its redevelopment. The potential however is enormous. As such we are planning a full refurbishment inside and out, optimising existing unused space as well as creating a stunning beer garden. But at the centre of this will be a pub which serves award winning ales, delicious food and which is a key part of the community” Thornberries has been a popular fixture in the area for many years and thanks to a seamless sale, has remained open after the takeover by Joseph Holt, an independent business which has been in the same family for six generations. The brewery, which will be celebrating its 175th anniversary next year, is now making plans to redevelop Thornberries - but won`t be making any changes before talking to customers and finding out what they want from the pub. In the meantime, it will remain open with business as usual. The purchase and subsequent refurbishment of Thornberries will cost close to one and a half million pounds. It`s envisaged that the pub will relaunch around February of next year following refurbishment in January to mark the brewery`s 175th anniversary. Joseph Holt , which was founded in 1849, owns 127 pubs across the North West. However, as Richard Kershaw explains, the company is constantly looking for places where there is a `gap` in the geography of its estate. “Although we already own pubs in Blackley and Middleton, we didn`t have one in Alkrington. Joseph Holt is a family business and as such as are so aware of our history and of the role we play in the communities where we operate which is why location is so important to us. For example, to mark our 175th anniversary we have launched an appeal to raise £500,000 for the Christie Hospital and the Radium Institute. Throughout the year we are always arranging initiatives to help the areas around our pubs - recent projects include a campaign to put defibrillators in our pubs, a school uniform collection for those struggling with the cost, and warm spaces with free food during the cold winter months." “We plan to carry on this tradition at Thornberries and that`s why we aren`t rushing into any changes before talking to customers. We are delighted that this lovely pub is now a part of the Joseph Holt family.”

Aston University’s Vice-Chancellor has told Birmingham Tech Week that diversity is the region’s ‘superpower’, and it must be used to drive forward tech innovation. Professor Aleks Subic, Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive of Aston University, closed the week-long event which is the UK’s largest regional tech festival and conference. Speaking at the black-tie dinner and awards ceremony the Vice-Chancellor said that breakthrough ideas rely on diversity, inclusion and collaboration. This month Aston University was ranked as the second-best university in the country for social mobility. For the third year running, the Higher Education Policy Institute (HEPI) placed the University in the top two in the country, based on several factors including access to education, continuation and the outcomes of undergraduate students. Professor Subic told the audience of 1,000 technology experts and digital leaders that many of the world’s most innovative ideas occur at the intersection of different cultures, disciplines, backgrounds and experiences. He said: “With more than 1,000 starts-ups in the tech innovation space in the region, the West Midlands is once again becoming a powerhouse of technology in UK. Aston University as an anchor institution in the centre of Birmingham is committed to driving socio-economic transformation and inclusive growth through science, technology and innovation." "The 10 universities within the West Midlands Combined Authority area have the largest impact on the UK economic output and employment of all combined authority areas: together we are responsible for £6.4 billion of economic output, £3.9 billion of GVA and close to 46,000 jobs across the UK.” Aston University, which is a patron of Birmingham Tech Week, recently announced its 2030 Strategy designed to shape our future around the Fourth Industrial Revolution, exponential technologies and digital transformation, which are impacting every business and sector, and every part of our society in ways never seen before. This year the University announced the establishment of the Birmingham Innovation Quarter (B-IQ) through strategic partnership with Bruntwood SciTech, Birmingham City Council, West Midlands Combined Authority and Tech West Midlands. The Birmingham Innovation Quarter will focus on groundbreaking innovations in genomics, bioinformatics, machine learning and artificial intelligence which will be used to create personalised digital tech solutions and heath tech and med tech of the future. The University has already taken major strides this year to realise the strategy by establishing the new Aston Digital Futures Institute, Adobe Creative Campus for Midlands and Health Tech Innovation Accelerator, supported by Aston University Ventures, Centre for Growth and Centre for Research in Ethnic Minority Entrepreneurship. Professor Subic added: “We are building a digital innovation powerhouse in the heart of Birmingham – a place where digital tech innovation, the brightest talent, most exciting businesses and cultural institutions come together to foster an environment which continually reinvents itself by harnessing fresh ideas and by pursuing innovations that make a positive impact." “At Aston University we are creating an enterprising University that is embedded within the Birmingham Innovation Quarter, with all the essential ingredients of a globally interconnected ecosystem, to enable innovation at scale and pace, to attract enterprising talent, and create enterprising students, our future leaders of innovation and change." “As the HEPI results show we are renowned for our social mobility, and now at Aston University the scale up work to further support the region is underway." “Aston University looks forward to working together with Tech West Midlands and other partners within the Birmingham Innovation Quarter and beyond, to continue to create positive change, drive socio-economic transformation and inclusive growth in our region.” Birmingham Tech Week took place between 16-20 October 2023 during which Aston University played an active role in nurturing and promoting the region’s innovators. Professor Abdul Sadka the director of the Aston Digital Futures Institute helped start the week by taking took part in a roundtable with Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Dept. for Science, Innovation and Technology), Paul Scully MP. He used his platform to highlight the need to improve the region’s AI and other digital skills to create a boost the local, national and international economy. He was also a judge of the ‘Startup of the Year’ Award which recognises new companies with a turnover of under £1million per annum. The University played host to of Brum AI’s postgraduate showcase which brought together AI students and professionals to share research and ideas. Finally, Aston University staff gave support and advice to budding tech entrepreneurs at the ScaleUp Summit: StartUp Zone.

University researchers have discovered a new way of identifying ‘zombie’ cells which drive aging and age-related diseases such as cancer, cardiac disease and neurodegenerative diseases. A team at the University of Dundee, working in collaboration with colleagues from the University of Athens, have developed a novel compound to detect senescent cells. Senescent cells are coined ‘zombie’ cells as they are still alive within the body, but do not function as normal. These cells are no longer capable of dividing and can negatively impact the cells around them, over time weakening our tissues, organs and immune system, and can lead to aging and disease. The newly developed compound, named GLF16, targets a pigment within these cells that is associated with aging. The pigment, lipofuscin, is a type of cellular waste that increases as we get older. This is the first time it has been possible to identify these cells in real time as the compound can be used in living tissues and cells, meaning senescence can be visualised as it happens. The discovery opens new possibilities for studying how these cells, which increase in our bodies as we age, cause age-related diseases and can ultimately help develop treatments that revitalise aging tissues and organs, increasing the years of our lives where we remain healthy. The research has been published in the journal Molecular Cell. Professor Russell Petty, who led the team at Dundee’s School of Medicine, said, “Our population is aging and with this comes age-related diseases, such as cancer, heart disease and neurodegenerative diseases. Combating these diseases and increasing the healthy span of our lives is incredibly important." “Our new development provides an unprecedented opportunity to study cell senescence in the laboratory and in human tissues, including clinical specimens such as cancers from patients, and ultimately image and track cellular senescence in human beings as part of clinical scans, capturing the aging and disease process as it occurs." "We hope the new methodology we have developed can be applied to study the processes of cell senescence in many diseases, and in doing so, help explain how aging and disease are linked, and help develop ways of treating and preventing age related disease. Ultimately, this may help us lead healthier lives for longer.” Professor Vassilis Gorgoulis, who led the team at the University of Athens Medical School, said, “The development of such a senescence-detecting tool is of immense importance, as ‘zombie’ cells are known to gradually lead to serious life-threatening diseases, including cancer." “By using this tool we now have the unique opportunity to fully analyse the DNA of those cells and propose meaningful therapeutic strategies.”

The winners of the Travel Media Awards 2023, in association with the Moroccan National Tourist Office, have been announced. The ceremony, held at The Savoy in London, saw 127 finalists compete across a range of categories covering all areas in print, digital, broadcasting and photography. Many of the industry’s leading figures were in attendance, some of whom were fortunate enough to walk away with a coveted Travel Media Awards trophy.   Among the winners were The Sunday Times Travel for National Broadsheet Newsprint Section of the Year and The Sun for National Tabloid Newsprint Section of the Year. In the new Sustainability Travel Writer of the Year category, Holly Tuppen was the inaugural winner. The judges said: “Holly's research and expertise within the responsible travel sector shines in abundance throughout her writing.” Separately, the Sustainability Travel Feature of the Year had joint winners, with articles by Phoebe Smith and Sam Haddad for The Guardian chosen for this category. Writer Adrian Phillips’s spectacular piece ‘Into the Deep’ — published by National Geographic Traveller (UK) — also impressed the judges, with the panel naming it National Consumer Feature of the Year. Ben Clatworthy of The Times took home the trophy for Breaking Travel News and Jacqui Agate was named as the 2023 Young Writer of the Year. The 2023 Special Contribution Award went to TTG’s Pippa Jacks. Pippa began her journey with a work experience placement at TTG Magazine in 2006 before joining the team as features writer, later becoming features editor, then taking the helm as editor of the 70-year-old trade publication between 2013 and 2017. As editorial director, Pippa now manages an award-winning team of 14 editorial staff across TTG’s print magazines, digital channels and events.  Anthony Leyens, co-founder of the Travel Media Awards and CEO of APL Media, said: “After a difficult few years for the industry, it’s truly inspiring to see it in such good health. The works produced by this year’s finalists are some of the best to date, so thank you to the entrants, the finalists, the judges and everyone who came to this year’s ceremony. We’ll see you in 2024!”  Giles Harper, co-founder of the Travel Media Awards and managing director of Travega, added: “Thank you to everyone who participated in this year’s Travel Media Awards and ensured that the night went as spectacularly as it did. Additionally, I would like to thank our headline sponsor, the Moroccan National Tourist Office; our consumer media partner, easyJet Holidays; and all our category sponsors. This event would not have been possible without your continued commitment and generosity, for which we are all very grateful.”

Luke Consiglio of The Pantry has been named the UK’s Most Ambitious Business Leader as part of The LDC Top 50 Most Ambitious Business Leaders programme for 2023. Created by trusted investment partner LDC - part of Lloyds Banking Group, and supported by The Times, The LDC Top 50 champions the business leaders who are pushing for growth and building successful medium-sized businesses. This year’s nominations were of an exceptionally high calibre and the competition was fierce, showcasing the drive and determination that unites business leaders across the UK. The leaders featured in The LDC Top 50 are growing their businesses at home and overseas, making a positive contribution to society and driving progress against their sustainability goals. They hail from every corner of the UK and span every sector of the economy. Together, they employ more than 6,700 people and turn over more than £1.2bn. The awards, presented last night at a celebratory event at BAFTA in London, were given out after an intense judging session, during which this year’s judging panel of Carl Castledine, CEO of Away Resorts; Janette Martin, CEO of Talos360; John Garner, Managing Partner of LDC; and Kate Bassett and Bex Burn-Callander, editors of The LDC Top 50 2023 selected the final award winners. The Pantry began life as a humble sandwich shop on Hayes High Street in 2006 –with ambitions to become something far greater. Now as a Contract Caterer with nearly 150 clients across the education sector, The Pantry are one of the fastest-growing companies in the industry, thanks to a unwavering commitment to staff support, client care and exceptional fresh food! The judges commended Luke for the strength of his mission and values, his dedication to nurturing his team and the remarkable transformation of a small investment into an impressive business. Since buying a small sandwich shop, he has grown The Pantry into a £17m turnover contract caterer that employs 500 people and supplies some of the UK’s biggest names with corporate buffets and staff lunches as well as providing over 15,000 daily meals for schools. This commercial success combined with Luke’s commitment to do good by helping children eat well and understand the power of healthy foods, set him apart. Luke Consiglio, Founder of The Pantry, said: “I’ve always been ambitious for The Pantry, but being named ‘Most Ambitious Business Leader’ was a very pleasant surprise, even for me!" "It’s recognition not only for myself, but for the whole Pantry Family, as they’re the ones driving our business forward every day." "And the journey doesn’t end here. We’re hungrier than ever to achieve our ultimate ambition – to become the biggest company in our industry and feed more children every day than anyone else!” John Garner, Managing Partner at LDC, said: “We started The LDC Top 50 six years ago to champion the remarkable success stories of medium-sized businesses, the unsung heroes of the British economy. In business, ambition is the driving force that propels innovation, growth and success, and the winners, as well as all of those recognised in The Top 50 and Ones to Watch should be proud of their achievements." “We’re pleased to announce Luke Consiglio of The Pantry as our Most Ambitious Business Leader for 2023. Luke is not only growing his business and investing in his team, but also helping school children across the country to understand the power of healthy eating. His goal is to be the biggest in his industry, helping to feed more children than any other company – that is an ambition worth celebrating and I’d like to congratulate him on his achievements.”

Bullabaloo, known for its quality baby products, is excited to introduce its latest Sensory Collection Range. Building upon the well-received muslin range, this new collection includes baby comforters, pram blankets, muslin squares, and swaddles, and employs a well-researched approach to support infant visual development through high-contrast patterns. Numerous scientific studies have shown that infants are more responsive to high-contrast patterns, which assist in stimulating and focusing their developing vision. Capitalising on this research, Bullabaloo’s Sensory Collection Range is designed to provide not only comfort but also a visually stimulating environment for infants, promoting better engagement and visual exploration. The purpose-driven design of the Sensory Collection Range does not only cater to the developmental needs of infants but also offers practical solutions for parents. While the infants are engaged and comforted by the collection's items, parents can enjoy some free time. Moreover, the multipurpose nature of these essentials makes them a cost-effective choice for parents, aligning with Bullabaloo’s ongoing commitment to delivering value. The Sensory Collection Range exemplifies Bullabaloo’s initiative in integrating scientifically-backed concepts with everyday infant essentials, making them more than just comfortable— a tool for learning and engagement. Susanna Morrison, the founder at Bullabaloo, commented, “The extension of our muslin range to include the Sensory Collection is a logical step in offering parents products that provide both comfort and sensory stimulation for their infants, without stretching their budget.” The Sensory Collection is now available on the Bullabaloo website and will be rolled out internationally soon.

In recent months the debate around sustainability and Net Zero has become increasingly polarised. With Rishi’s intervention, one might even question the point of trying to do anything. Yet, everyone I have worked with since that announcement has recognised the urgency and need to become as sustainable as possible. Yet they fear they aren’t doing enough, or even anything. So how do we translate that acknowledgement into successful action? Well, the first and most simple step is to harness the actions you’re already taking, whether you know it or not. Size Doesn’t Matter, It’s What You Do With It So the old adage goes, and it is certainly true when it comes to sustainability. There is a relatively new term now in common parlance – ESG. For those unsure, it means Environmental, Social and Governance and this approach embraces holistic sustainability. In some ways it’s become the new CSR, but for SME’s and micro-SME’s in particular it can be incredibly daunting. But I’m here to reassure you that it needn’t be. If you are a micro-SME you may feel that taking any actions will be insignificant. As an individual in a staff of thousands it’s easy to feel, “I’m only one person, what can I do?” At Spenbeck, a two-person, second generation business, we never let size limit our ambition. Our motto is ‘small company, big impact’ and we’re always focused on the positives of what we can achieve and what our size affords us: agility, tenacity, speed. Add in that as a family business our values are inherently aligned with sustainability and ESG in all its forms, and we’re good to go! Be Loud And Proud Change management models abound, but the most effective are those which start with a celebration, as most things should! Kotter’s ‘8 Steps’ starts with you finding a sense of urgency – something Rishi unfortunately hasn’t quite grasped – and identifying the importance of a quick win in generating future success. Kotter's 8-Step Change Model Step 1: Create Urgency Step 2: Form a Powerful Coalition Step 3: Create a Vision for Change Step 4: Communicate the Vision Step 5: Remove Obstacles Step 6: Create Short-Term Wins Step 7: Build on the Change Step 8: Anchor the Changes in Corporate Culture. In the world of sustainability this is much easier than you think. Take ESG. This is the framework you are now expected to focus your activities on. While it is prevalent in the corporate world, it is filtering down supply chains and it won’t be long before mandatory ESG reporting is required for businesses of all sizes. You might not have come across it before this article, or believe you have nothing to report. But I can guarantee you are already achieving much in this sphere - and I can prove it! Take a piece of paper, recycled of course. Draw 3 columns, headed Environment, Social, Governance. Now place all of your activities, policies, charitable works and so on across your business in the relevant column. Very quickly you’ll see it’s simply a way of re-framing what you are already doing. And the very handy part is that it acts as a gap analysis to help guide your next steps. But for now its time to shout about what you are doing: Share the results of this activity with your staff and suppliers Include this in your recruitment and onboarding materials Use it as a core part of your social media strategy Leverage this positivity to motivate your stakeholders to help move further along your sustainability and ESG journey together. Yes, there are plenty more sustainable actions to focus on, there always are. But for now, we celebrate! Cheers! About the Author: Becky Valentine is a multi-award-winning Sustainability and Building Health consultant at second-generation family business Spenbeck, helping businesses, schools and charities prosper through sustainability. Visit their website here to find out more

LockerQuest, the parcel locker location experts, has been working with Amey TPT for the installation of YEEP! parcel lockers across 50 Southeastern Train Stations. YEEP! is a deep residential network of open, agnostic, battery powered parcel lockers, allowing all carriers and all consumers to pick-up and drop-off parcels in the heart of their local communities in an eco-friendly and convenient way. The YEEP! parcel locker service is already live across a number of locations, with over 400 lockers anticipated this year, including the 50 which can be found at Southeastern stations. The parcel locker network will grow to 1,000 by Q2 2024 and with further plans to install 10,000 across the entire UK. YEEP! operates as a high-density, hyper-local parcel delivery network, using a highly focused data driven model to guide location selection in order to meet its ambition of 90% of people being within 250 metres 'slipper distance' of a YEEP! locker. The easy to install and maintenance-free battery-powered lockers are available to all UK carriers, retailers and local authorities and offer convenient 24/7 parcel drop-off and pick-ups, significantly cutting the carbon footprint associated with conventional courier deliveries. Jonathan White, CEO of LockerQuest, says: “Thanks to Amey TPT, we were delighted to facilitate an agreement between YEEP! parcel lockers and Southeastern Trains. We have worked with Amey TPT to identify locations for YEEP! parcel lockers and the stations selected where based on where people live and go.” “The programme has been very successful based on the governance that Amey TPT follows. From our initial list of stations that met the criteria of a YEEP! locker location, our surveyors were able to follow a clear set of rules regarding station safety and operational activities resulting in excellent conversion rates for final installation.” Following the success of Southeastern, LockerQuest are already working with other Amey TPT portfolio managers to identify further opportunities on the rail estate. Noël Shapton, CEO and founding Director at YEEP!, says: “I am thrilled to bring our pioneering parcel delivery solution to locations throughout the UK including many across the rail network. We’re going further and faster and have big ambitions to become the largest, most sustainable agnostic parcel locker network in the UK within a very few years, working with LockerQuest really helps to support our growth plans.” “The LockerQuest team is very knowledgeable and work closely with the YEEP! team to ensure locations are where people live and go. They know what makes a perfect YEEP! location and have provided some excellent places for our lockers to operate. Being positioned in the heart of many local communities, railway stations are high footfall locations and provide convenient access to parcel lockers for both commuters and people that live close by.” LockerQuest are looking for new hosts for YEEP! parcel lockers. If you have locations that are visible, accessible and safe, get in touch by visiting their website here

Now that summer is firmly in the rear-view mirror, it's time to start preparing your lawn for the cooler, wetter weather ahead. It’s important to stay ahead of the curve and recognise in advance how your lawn’s needs change with the seasons. Summer's blend of intense weather and bustling activities can be demanding on our lawns. However, with the arrival of autumn's refreshing rains and reduced activity, it's the perfect opportunity to give your lawn a much-needed boost to ensure it's in prime condition before the chill of winter arrives. Cheryl Harper, Managing Director of lawn care experts Greensleeves, has put together the following top tips to help prepare your lawn for the months ahead. Scarify To Satisfy - The Key To Keeping Lawns Lush In Autumn Keeping a check on moss and thatch is crucial for your lawn's overall vitality, especially during the autumnal season. This is due to the cooler and damper conditions at this time of year which allow the pair to thrive. Aesthetically, moss can diminish your lawn's charm, but the real concern runs deeper. If moss growth remains uncurbed, it gradually siphons off vital nutrients in a leech-like manner, at a time of year when your lawn needs all the nourishment it can get. Lawn thatch is a naturally occurring layer of lawn material that lies between the soil and the top level of the grass shoots. Some thatch is healthy, but if your thatch has become too thick it can cause numerous issues and can restrict oxygen and water getting to the soil and grass roots. The best treatment for combating moss and thatch is a scarification treatment which will thin out and remove much of the moss and dead material that has built up. Breathe Life Into Your Lawn Staying on the topic of mechanical treatments, aeration is a very effective treatment when combined with scarification. Aeration refers to two different types of lawn treatment – hollow tine aeration and spiking. Both of these treatments are designed to allow water, air and nutrients to more easily penetrate the soil in order to feed your lawn’s roots. Hollow tine aeration works by using a machine to drive hollow spikes into the lawn which remove small plugs of soil and thatch. While the principle of spiking is the same, it is a less intensive method of aeration. If you want to achieve a lawn that turns heads, you need to get the foundations right ahead of time. Feed, Seed, And Succeed After the stresses of summer, it’s time to give your lawn a much-needed feed and overseed. Use an autumn fertiliser to provide your lawn with the nutrients it needs to withstand the winter cold and snow, as well as helping to protect it from various pests and lawn diseases. You’ll naturally be on your lawn less as the days get shorter and the temperature dips, which means you can easily keep off the treated areas for a couple of weeks while the seeds germinate. Leaf It Out While leaves adorning trees can be a sight to behold, they often become a challenge when they start to fall in autumn, littering drains, gutters, and lawns. For those who take pride in their green spaces, you’ll want to stay on top of falling leaves. Unattended leaves can inflict prolonged damage, compromising the health and vitality of even the most resilient lawns. Large amounts of leaves will smother grass, creating ideal conditions for lawn diseases and breeding grounds for lawn pests. Save yourself time and energy in the long run by clearing leaves off your lawn. Autumn lawn care is all about repairing the damage from summer while preparing your lawn for winter and laying the foundations for next year. If you’re struggling to find the time to manage your garden or need help or advice with lawn care treatments, you can always rely on the services of a professional lawn care company who can help identify common issues and save you time, energy, and often money. For further information about Greensleeves and how they can help you with your lawn care, visit their website here

IT professionals are increasingly turning to contract roles as permanent hiring slows, according to new research from the Association of Professional Staffing Companies (APSCo), the trade association for the professional recruitment sector.  The data – provided by the world’s largest network of job boards, Broadbean Technology – revealed an 11% month-on-month fall in permanent jobs in the sector as demand continues to slow following the spikes of hiring noted last year. Contract vacancies also dropped 10% in this time frame. However, despite this decline in demand, the data suggests that skills shortages still prevail, with application numbers continuing to fall. The number of professionals applying for permanent positions in September 2023 was down 30% year-on-year, despite the tech layoffs reported at the beginning of the year. Applications for contract positions, in comparison, remained stable when compared to September last year, suggesting that more professionals are turning to temporary employment opportunities in the current climate. Ann Swain, Global CEO of APSCo, comments: “The last nine months have been turbulent for the IT sector with tech layoffs influencing the market. However, as a skill-short remit, an influx of active candidates isn’t necessarily bad news." "What is noteworthy, though, is the broad stabilisation in applications for contract positions, which suggests that many professionals are choosing to move into this more lucrative avenue as demand for permanent positions declines. For businesses and recruiters, this will have a longer-term impact on future recruitment in the profession." "As more experts capitalise on the opportunity to command higher pay through contract work, securing top IT talent will become increasingly expensive.”

Halloween, that magical night when the boundary between the living and the dead blurs, has captivated people around the world for centuries. It's a holiday that transcends cultures and generations, uniting people in the shared excitement of dressing up, indulging in sweets, and reveling in the eerie and mysterious. But why do we celebrate Halloween? What's the history behind this enchanting holiday? The origins of Halloween can be traced back to the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, celebrated over 2,000 years ago in what is now modern-day Ireland, the United Kingdom, and northern France. Samhain marked the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter, a time when the boundary between the living and the dead was believed to be at its thinnest. It was thought that on this night, spirits could pass between realms and roam the earth. One of the most iconic Halloween traditions, "trick or treating," has its roots in medieval Europe. During a custom known as 'souling' where poor individuals would visit homes and offer prayers for the deceased in exchange for 'soul cakes.' This practice evolved over the centuries into the modern-day tradition of dressing up in costumes and going door-to-door for treats. Halloween as we know it today was heavily influenced by Irish and Scottish immigrants who took their Halloween customs to the United States in the 19th century. In America, Halloween began to incorporate various elements, such as pumpkin carving, and it evolved into the festive and spooky celebration that it is now. Halloween's popularity is not limited to one demographic; it's an inclusive holiday that appeals to people of all ages. Children eagerly anticipate the day to don costumes and gather sweets, while adults relish the chance to unleash their creativity through elaborate costumes and decorations. Halloween has become a time for fun, creativity, and community. It allows people to temporarily become someone or something else, to indulge in the eerie, and to face their fears in a safe and controlled environment. It also encourages social interactions, as neighbours come together for festivities, haunted houses, and other communal events. Moreover, the timeless allure of Halloween lies in its ability to unite generations. Grandparents pass down the traditions they enjoyed as children to their grandchildren, creating a sense of continuity and shared experiences. The celebration of Halloween is deeply rooted in history, with a rich tapestry of traditions and customs. While its origins may be mysterious and shrouded in ancient beliefs, Halloween has evolved into a modern-day celebration that transcends cultures and brings people together. Its enduring appeal lies in the thrill of dressing up, the joy of trick or treating, and the magic of a night when the spooky and the playful collide, reminding us all to embrace our inner child and the enchantment of the unknown.