As the holiday season approaches, many families around the world eagerly anticipate the arrival of Advent calendars. These enchanting and tradition-rich creations are more than just a way to count down the days until Christmas; they embody the spirit of anticipation and wonder. On mantelpieces around the world the Advent calendar sits proudly with it's numbered doors opened daily in the run up to Christmas Day providing countless memories for each and every child as they open each door with wonder, and captivating others later in life as they continue the tradition that they were introduced to at such a young age. Advent calendars have a long and fascinating history that traces back to the 19th century in Germany. The word "advent" comes from the Latin word "adventus," meaning "coming." Advent calendars were initially a religious tradition, used to mark the 24 days leading up to Christmas. These early versions often featured Bible verses, prayers, or religious images behind the doors, reflecting the spiritual significance of the season. While their roots are steeped in tradition, Advent calendars have evolved over the years, adapting to modern tastes and lifestyles. Today, these calendars come in various forms, from the traditional paper windows to digital versions and even gourmet treats calendars. This evolution has made them accessible and appealing to a wide range of people, regardless of their religious or cultural background. The traditional paper Advent calendars remain popular, especially in Europe. These calendars typically feature 24 numbered windows, each concealing a tiny surprise. Whether it's a piece of chocolate, a small toy, or a charming illustration, these daily discoveries add an extra layer of joy and excitement to the holiday season. In the age of technology and very much a sign of the times in which we now live, digital Advent calendars have gained popularity. These virtual versions often take the form of mobile apps or websites, offering daily activities, puzzles, or stories for children and adults to enjoy. With the convenience of digital calendars, families can participate in the countdown to Christmas from anywhere in the world. The advent of gourmet and specialty Advent calendars has brought a delightful twist to the tradition. Instead of chocolate, these calendars may contain gourmet teas, cosmetics, or even craft beers, making each day a tantalizing experience for adults. These calendars cater to a wide range of interests and preferences, demonstrating the versatility of the concept. Advent calendars are not limited to personal enjoyment. They can also serve as a wonderful way to share the holiday spirit with loved ones. Personalized Advent calendars with messages or small gifts for each day can be given as thoughtful presents, reinforcing the sense of togetherness that the holiday season embodies. Advent calendars, with their roots in history and their ever-evolving nature, continue to captivate people of all ages. Whether you embrace the traditional paper calendar, explore the digital realm, or savour gourmet surprises, these calendars are a joyful and cherished part of the holiday season. The excitement of counting down to Christmas, coupled with the anticipation of daily surprises, makes Advent calendars a delightful tradition that celebrates the magic of the season.

Portsmouth and Southsea estate, letting and property management agency Chinneck Shaw has been appointed to manage the first purpose-built Build to Rent (BtR) project from Ravelin Housing Ltd, Portsmouth City Council’s wholly owned development company. As managing agent for Brewery House in Hambrook Street, Southsea, Chinneck Shaw will oversee the professional letting and management of 17 new apartments, including four affordable homes for key workers. The scheme has involved the renovation of the former Hambrook Street bottling store, a locally listed building originally operated by Long & Co Brewery and recognised for its character and historic interest. In 1941, a German air raid on Portsmouth flattened the brewery, with bomb damage painstakingly repaired and the building restored in 1973. But although recognised as a heritage asset for the city, it eventually fell into disuse. Topped out in December 2022, the four-storey Brewery House has been converted into 13 two-bedroom and 4 one-bedroom apartments in a sensitive and environmentally friendly renovation signed on the frontage as The Brewery. Chinneck Shaw Associate Director Harry Renton-Rose, who has extensive experience of BtR developments including in London, said: “The Brewery House scheme is all about contributing much needed, modern homes to address housing demand in our city. While being the first of its kind here in Portsmouth, it reflects growing interest in Build to Rent developments nationally as part of the private rented sector." “Our bid to the Council emphasised our long-standing Portsmouth presence and success as a trusted management partner for landlords and property owners across the city and wider region." “We are hugely excited to be appointed as managing agent for Brewery House and have the opportunity to play our part in the scheme’s future.” Brewery House is the first BtR scheme to be taken forward by Ravelin Housing, tasked by the Council with the delivery of private and affordable housing for sale and rent. The building contractor is Ascia Construction and the eventual owners will be Hambrook Street Ltd. Profits from Brewery House and other Ravelin developments will be used to support council services. After the topping out, extensive interior works took place ahead of practical completion in the autumn. Chinneck Shaw will now begin marketing the homes with the first tenants expected to move in within weeks. Tom Southall, Managing Director of Ravelin Housing Ltd, said: “We are very pleased to have appointed Chinneck Shaw as the managing agent for our first development under Ravelin Housing." "The building boasts modern, affordable and efficient housing that helps to support our local housing demand. This is a significant step forward for Ravelin Housing and the city alike and I am pleased that we can offer housing to local people ahead of the festive period.”

Loughborough-based packaging design company, Colton Packaging, has bolstered its ranks with the addition of experienced Key Account Manager, Giorgio Provenzano. The company strengthened its Business Development function earlier in 2023 with the addition of three new Business Development Managers - Laura Kalnina, Hayden Perry and Leigh Booth - while also adding to its administration and logistics teams. Colton’s Director, Duncan Smith, recently identified a need to add further in-house customer service and account management expertise to ensure that customers continue to receive a proactive, solutions-focused service. After a thorough recruitment process, Giorgio was identified as the ideal candidate to support the company’s long-term growth ambitions, having been known to the Colton family for over 20 years. With a career in corrugated packaging spanning over thirty years, Giorgio started out as a Trainee Sales Representative for Rigid Containers before moving into Account Management positions. He joined TRM Packaging in 2003, which was subsequently sold to DS Smith Packaging for whom he managed national key accounts. Embarking on this latest challenge with Colton Packaging marks an exciting new chapter for Giorgio and he can’t wait to get started and bring his many years of expertise to the team. “My career has seen me fulfil a wide range of roles for companies right across the corrugated industry - all with an account management focus,” “I built many long-lasting relationships with my customers and I think that my people skills are one of my greatest strengths. I’m also a real team player, having previously supported colleagues within sales and design with the delivery of bespoke solutions that meet exacting customer requirements,” he adds. “I’m excited to get going with Laura, Duncan and the team at Colton and look forward to embarking on a fresh and exciting challenge at what is a very promising time for the company.” Colton Packaging is an independent, family-run firm, specialising in corrugated cardboard packaging. The company supplies into a range of sectors including manufacturing, e-commerce and food services, delivering in-house design and stock and fill solutions. Established in the 1850’s and owned by the fifth-generation of the Colton family, the business prides itself on its ability to deliver innovative packaging solutions by understanding customer challenges and offering high-quality, cost-effective solutions. Speaking about Giorgio joining the business, Duncan added, “Giorgio is a great addition for us, bringing solution-based selling expertise and an in-depth understanding of corrugated packaging. His experience really can’t be underestimated.” Duncan continues, “It feels like this year has been crucial for us in terms of having the right people in the right strategic positions - and we’re now perfectly placed to go to the next level and enhance our customer offering further as we move into 2024.”

The University Centre at the Heart of Yorkshire Education Group has been awarded ‘Silver’ for student experience in the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) 2023. Conducted by the Office for Students (OfS), the panel of judges praised the University Centre for the outstanding student experience it offers – with data showing it significantly outperforms TEF’s benchmarks in this area. The report concludes that the University Centre’s teaching, assessment and feedback; course content and delivery; student engagement in learning and stretch; staff professional development and academic practice; learning environment and academic support; learning resources; and student engagement in improvement, were all rated high-quality features. This follows the University Centre’s National Student Survey 2023 results, in which it placed significantly higher than the national average for student experience. Over 92% of students stated they feel positive about the teaching and support they receive at the University Centre as part of the survey, 8% higher than the sector average. The University Centre also placed significantly higher than the national average in terms of learning opportunities, assessment, academic support, student voice and course organisation. Regarding student outcomes, the Group was also ranked highly for its approach to supporting student success; continuation and completion rates; progression rates; intended educational gains; approaches to supporting educational gains; and evaluation and demonstration of educational gains. In the Teaching Excellence Framework, the Group was rated ‘Bronze’ for student outcomes, meaning the Group received an overall grade of ‘Bronze’ – with both student experience and student outcomes rated as high quality, with some very high-quality features. Sam Wright, Principal and Chief Executive at the Heart of Yorkshire Education Group, said: “Ensuring that our students have an exceptional experience and can progress onto positive destinations are at the forefront of what we do at the Heart of Yorkshire Education Group, so we are delighted to have been rated ‘Silver’ in this area." "Providing a supportive environment where our students can learn, grow and develop on an academic and personal level is something which we feel strongly about and TEF’s feedback will help us to further build on this, enabling our students to move successfully onto their next steps and achieve their dream careers.” Across its three campuses in Castleford, Selby and Wakefield, the University Centre offers a range of degree-level programmes including Foundation Degrees, Full Degrees, Higher National Certificates and Diplomas, Top-Up Degrees and Teacher Training. Covering a wide range of subject areas including Animal Management, Art & Design, Business, Construction, Childhood Studies, Digital Technologies, Education, Engineering, Health & Wellbeing, Music, Performing Arts, Public Services, Social Science, Sport and more, the programmes are validated by some of the region’s most well-established universities. The Group also provides a variety of Access to Higher Education courses which are designed to provide learners with the relevant knowledge and study skills they require if they’ve been out of education for some time and hope to successfully complete a degree course.

Emma Gold, founder of GSP Events , the events production agency responsible for some of the most iconic weddings of the last 27 years, unveils the trends for nuptials in 2024, along with other experts in the industry. Virtual Reality Unnecessary Destination weddings remain one of the top trends in weddings for 2024. More and more couples are choosing to host nuptials in far flung destinations across the world – and this is only growing. Vineyards in Italy and Villas in France are now the norm; couples are looking for the biggest and best new destinations further afield, the more unusual the better. Looking ahead to 2024, couples are planning multi-day extravaganzas in beachside locations on the Turkish coast; or Mallorcan mega-parties. That being said, there is a reason the old favourites remain. "Destinations in the South of France and Tuscan Hills never lose their spots at the top of the destination hit list; it is simply that the events become more ambitious and as planners, our ideas become more wild. Recent examples include a South of France celebration over 4 days. Each day was an entirely different theme; overnight builds with cranes and a massive amount of logistics meant that guests awoke to an entirely new setting every single day. It involved boundless creativity from our team to design the concepts, using the absolutely magnificent setting we were in. Cap Estel was this couple’s for the weekend, and they certainly made it their own.” Hotel Takeovers As Emma continues; “Another trend we are seeing more and more of – the hotel buyout; guests are keen for total exclusivity and privacy for their guests. It is no longer enough to simply take a few rooms or the events spaces for the day or the weekend. Going forward, guests are taking over entire hotels. Clients of ours this year had the Maybourne Riviera for the weekend. One event was hosted there, with best friends and family all accommodated in the hotel. It means the celebrations never stop, and it allows guests to spend good quality down time together too. From a logistical perspective, it’s hugely helpful in ensuring guests are at the right place at the right time; but also, what a dream to be able to have all your loved ones in one place.” Artificial Intelligence Enters “As with many of the tasks in life these days, there is a place for A.I. as a tool to help couples with administrative tasks. AI-generated wedding speeches have been around for some time and we are now seeing couples use it to help with guest list and table planning, too. By entering some key references, such as ‘relationship to the couple’ and which category they sit into (old friend, family etc) a plan can be generated within moments. Of course, refining the seating plan is necessary and the couples’ input is essential to ensure the most perfect of plans. A.I. isn’t going to know the history of guest x and guest y, and that’s why the human touch never goes amiss!” Creativity With A Conscience “Creativity is king – we are always on the lookout for the newest, hottest, most unusual and beautiful ideas. Previously, this may have been without consideration; more and more we are seeing that guests are truly interested in what we are doing to protect the planet whilst we party. This may be from something as ‘small’ as having biodegradable confetti – which is easy to make at home if you are lucky to have a garden with some flowering plants and some time on your hands!" "Our couples are moving away from excess for excess’ sake, and looking to how they can make changes to improve the sustainability of their celebrations. An example might be how for the floral displays and decorations, we are often tasked to use local, seasonal plants and flowers indigenous to the area we are in. Having excellent quality produce is paramount, so finding local flower suppliers who can meet our needs is always the first port of call." "With all the travelling that can be required for destination weddings, more and more of our couples will look at ways of off-setting carbon emissions. This may be by planting trees or donating to carbon off-setting funds. It extends from environment to social, with many couples not requesting gifts, but donations to favourite charities. This is continuing to become more and more popular across the scene.” Larger suppliers are also seeking to reduce their footprint in innovative ways. Leading marquee provider, English Marquee Company, is investing heavily in sustainable alternatives to traditional canvas pole or steel frame tents. Managing Director Sam Peters commented: “Marquees by nature are relatively sustainable as they are used time and again, however we are increasingly looking at solutions that take it further. 2024 will see wedding couples opting for marquees made of natural materials such as timber and transported in hydrogen trucks, with any canvas donated to humanitarian aid schemes to be remade as tents.” Back To Basics? “As we know, food is a huge part of celebrations for many. For our clients, it can be one of the most integral parts, or a minor focus, but there is one requirement that never changes – quality of ingredient. Despite trends of deconstructed dishes or crazy flavour combinations, we always ensure when choosing our food suppliers to work with, that the quality of the ingredients is the best it could possibly be. This is of particular importance for the year ahead, when the culinary trend we are seeing across events is the notion of back to basics – within reason of course!" "More and more, guests are asking for hyper-local, provenance-traceable ingredients, that speak for themselves on the plate. It is eating like a local from the local area. It is freshly caught fish grilled with Provence herbs when on the South Coast of France; it’s homemade ravioli with local olive oil and locally sourced vegetables when in Italy. This simplicity is what we are seeing many of our guests searching for – and that is reliant on ingredient access, which is a luxury in itself. Of course, there is always a place for complicated dishes of expert flavour combinations, but it can be just as difficult to create something equally as delicious with a handful of ingredients of what’s available then and there. It’s part of the consciousness of consumption we are seeing, and also a change of preference following many years of over the top fine dining taking centre stage.” Max Uyanik, Chef Patron of leading event caterer Food Show, notes “Wedding food in 2024 will be much less fussy. Caterers will do away with unnecessary theatre whilst retaining the beautiful presentation and fun elements that keep guests talking." "We’ll be using shorter supply chains and the very best ingredients, with produce sourced as close to the venue as possible." "This freshness and seasonality will let the ingredients speak for themselves as well as telling the story of the location.” Floral Fantasies “In the industry, we are always pushing the boundaries with design and creativity, and when it comes to decoration, this is even more true, as one of the best ways to ensure a true wow-factor is through the flowers. Epic, flowing displays in thematic colours to match the surroundings of a grand-dame hotel; quaint bud vases with grasses and pops of colour for an English Country Estate recovery lunch. The sky is the limit with flower arches for framing couple as they make their vows, totally picture perfect. Aisles lined with vases, bouquets, and candles .. there is no end to what can be achieved with the beauty of flowers, plants and foliage. Incredible displays from the intricate to the over the top can make a huge difference to the overall feel of the day." "When it comes to picking the styles and what to use, there is an abundance of choice, and trends really vary on location and couple, of course. We are seeing couples choosing local flowers more and more; this means working with the best florist but choosing seasonal and indigenous options, even grown in the surrounding areas. We might look at masses of heavenly lavender to be an element of a Provence Chateau wedding; Amalfi lemons as table dressings for a Sicilian soiree." "Guests holding nuptials in Bodrum, Turkey in peak summer may choose the bright pink bougainvillea and mandarin trees local to the area, combined with other Turkish plant varieties.”

More than 9,600 students have graduated from Sheffield Hallam University as part of the biggest ever annual programme of ceremonies. The celebrations, held at Ponds Forge, have seen 9,668 students from across the University graduate in front of 33,818 guests including family and friends at 35 different ceremonies during the last fortnight. Of those graduating, more than 750 were nursing and midwifery students, 600 from allied health professions, such as paramedics and physiotherapists, with another 900 completing their degrees in the University’s Sheffield Institute of Education on teaching related courses. The majority of those graduates have joined the regional workforce since completing their studies in the summer, supporting the NHS and local schools. Among the nursing students who graduated last week was Yordanos Gebrehiwot, who came to Sheffield in 2014 after fleeing war in her home country of Ethiopia. She started on a journey to overcome language barriers and secure the right qualifications to study to become a nurse. In 2020, she was offered a place at Sheffield Hallam after completing her English and Maths GCSEs and securing a Sanctuary Scholarship from the University, a fund set up to support asylum seekers with the cost of their studies. Yordanos wanted to become a mental health nurse after losing her mother at a young age and seeing her brother struggle with addiction and mental health issues. She is now a full-time nurse. Yordanos said: “Throughout my journey, my dream of going to university to study to become a mental health nurse never changed." “My journey could not have been made possible without Sheffield Hallam University. When nobody considered me as a human being, the University provided me with an opportunity to make me feel like a complete person again. I cannot say thank you enough.” Sheffield Hallam University Vice-Chancellor Professor Sir Chris Husbands said: “This year’s graduation ceremonies have once again been a huge success and I would like to thank everyone who contributed to making them so special for graduates and their families." “Seeing more than 2,000 nurses, midwives, healthcare and teaching professionals graduate drives home the impact Sheffield Hallam University has on the region and the training of its workforce, and that makes me immensely proud." “It is always a delight for me to chat to attendees before and after the ceremonies, and to understand just how important graduation, and the University, is to them. I wish them the very best for what the future holds.” The annual graduation events also saw notable individuals from across business, media, human rights and the creative industries receive honorary doctorates for their contributions to their fields.

Sheffield Hallam University degree apprentice Francesca Hume has been named Degree Apprentice of the Year at the National Apprenticeship Awards, considered the most prestigious award ceremony for UK apprentices. A BSc Packaging Professional degree apprentice, Francesca works with GSK plc, currently based in Research & Development. She is also a STEM ambassador and a passionately promotes careers in the industry. The Apprentice of the Year award is facilitated by the Department for Education and recognises those who have made exceptional contributions to their employer, while progressing their personal skills and studies. On winning the award, Francesca said: “I am thrilled to have been awarded this award. Pursuing an apprenticeship with GSK and Sheffield Hallam University has allowed me to gain technical skills and confidence, helping me to progress in the workplace. I have been so well supported on my academic journey by Hallam, and I would recommend the packaging professional degree apprenticeship to anyone wishing to develop or upskill in the industry.” Sheffield Hallam is home to the National Centre of Excellence in Degree Apprenticeships (NCEDA). Its Packaging Professional degree apprenticeship is the only course of its kind in the UK; students work in the packaging supply chain on projects including the development of new recyclable and sustainable materials. Dr Iain Garner, Dean of College, Social Sciences and Arts at Sheffield Hallam University, said: “Everyone at Hallam is tremendously proud to see Francesca win this award, which caps an incredibly successful year for our apprenticeship staff and students. Francesca’s exceptional work with a major multinational business like GSK is a fantastic example of the ways which degree apprenticeships can open doors for students and turbocharge careers." “As home of the National Centre of Excellence in Degree Apprenticeships, we are proud to provide the UK’s only undergraduate degree program focused on the packaging supply chain. Degree apprenticeships offer opportunities for people from all kinds of backgrounds, in all manner of critical industries. Through courses like this one, we are training the next generation of leaders – people who will go on to work on crucial issues like the future of sustainable packaging.” Francesca’s award follows success for Hallam packaging students and staff at the Food & Drink Federation (FDF) awards, the North East National Apprenticeship Awards and the UK Packaging Awards in 2023.

Businesses urge government to provide business support urgently to enable the UK to hit future growth targets. Almost 100% of the country’s key business growth drivers are calling on the government to prioritise business support. The National Enterprise Network (NEN), the country’s leading representative of enterprise support for start-up, small and micro-businesses, has released the results of its 2023 Business Barometer, one of the country’s largest surveys of new start-ups and early-stage businesses. Key Findings: More than half (52%) said they were expecting growth in the coming year Three quarters (76%) were worried about rising costs and a similar number expected to need funding Almost all of them (99%) said they needed business support NOW. Carol Daniels, Operations Director at NEN said: “We need a manifesto for change in enterprise support in this country. The impact of the UK Shared Prosperity Funding and the changes to business support as a result of policies around Local Enterprise Partnerships and devolution has combined with rising costs, in particular wages, to create a massive mountain of challenges for those small businesses we are so passionate about." “Businesses are desperate for support so they can deliver the growth our country needs, so we need policies now around how we sustain and support economic growth, how SMEs can access finance and accommodation, and how they can get the right advice as and when they need it.” Speaking at the recent NEN conference, A Manifesto for Change in Enterprise Support, Alex Till, NEN Chairman said: “This is important to all of us because small and micro businesses drive innovation, which drives growth." "Looking at the statistics, with six million entrepreneurs, small businesses account for 50% of the country’s GDP, 50% of its growth and 75% of its innovation — making them absolutely critical in pushing the nation’s economy.” NEN conducted the Business Barometer survey in collaboration with Enterprise Northern Ireland (ENI) in order to best understand the challenges small businesses face and the support they need to address these challenges. More than 1,000 respondents, who included the owners, founders and senior managers of largely micro, small and self-employed businesses and sole traders from a broad spectrum of business sectors, took part in the survey. The NEN results showed that 52% of the businesses are expecting growth within the coming year, while 38% have seen their turnover increase and 40% have seen an increase in their profits. 82% of businesses report a strong or stable cashflow position and 26% have recruited additional staff in the past year. 81% rate the productivity of their staff as good to excellent. However, 77% of those surveyed reported that they are likely to need additional financing within the next 12 months. Half of businesses looking for finance will be using it for investment in equipment, premises or software and 19% of businesses will be doing it to help fund their transition to net zero. 99% of respondents indicated that they need immediate support. Their concerns centred on increases in the cost of energy, goods and services and staff wages, as well a rise in the cost of debt and late payment by customers. Other concerns included cyber security and privacy and the difficulty of accessing supplies and the difficulty in recruiting. The survey identified that the main areas of support that businesses require include help with sales, business development and export; being efficient and more effective; digital marketing and social media trends; people and skills; financing; new technology and leadership and strategy. Introducing sustainable business practices also presented a challenge for those surveyed. 30% of businesses who took part in the survey turn to Enterprise Agencies or business and trade membership bodies in the first instance when they need support. Others sought the help and advice of local government departments, professional services firms such as lawyers or accountants, or a college or university. The full survey results are available here

Levels of banned chemicals in UK-stranded orcas are 30 times over the toxic threshold, uncovers new ZSL-led research. The finding is just one alarming discovery from the investigation into the scale at which chemical pollution threatens the future of marine mammals. The first-of-its-kind study, reveals that levels of six chemical pollutants remain at highly toxic levels within UK marine mammals – exceeding the safe limits in half of animals investigated – more than two decades after the use of many of them was restricted or banned. Collected over 30 years, the data behind the shocking findings comes from one of the world’s largest marine mammal toxicology datasets, created by partners across the UK - including the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas) and ZSL’s Cetacean Stranding Investigation Programme (CSIP), a Defra-funded programme which investigates strandings of marine mammals, marine turtles and sharks around the English and Welsh coast to understand the threats they face. By analysing post-mortem records and associated tissue samples from over 1000 animals spanning 11 species of whales, dolphins and seals stranded in the UK, the research uncovered how concentrations of these dangerous chemicals were highest in long-lived species at the top of the food chain - orcas, bottlenose dolphins and white-beaked dolphins. The scientists behind the research call for urgent action to protect marine wildlife from the lethal impacts of chemical pollution. The team identified that in recent years, the average concentrations of banned toxic chemicals known as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in orcas were thirty times the amount at which marine mammals would start to face negative health effects. Once used widely - including in paints, adhesives and motor oil - PCB’s were internationally banned in 2004. However, the report highlights how many of these chemicals continue to impact the natural world. Dr Rosie Williams, lead author and postdoctoral researcher at ZSL’s Institute of Zoology explained: “It’s been over 20 years since several of these chemicals were banned globally, yet we still see concerningly high concentrations in wildlife." "Chemical pollutants such as PCB’s pose one of the biggest threats to marine mammal health. Although concentrations of the pollutants appear to be declining, our findings reveal that, in many species, they are still present at levels associated with negative effects on the immune and reproductive systems.” The research identified that in the most recent five years of the study (2014-2018), almost half of the animals studied had pollutant levels exceeding toxic thresholds. In bottlenose dolphins, the concentrations of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) – a chemical used as a flame retardant in several products including electronics and soft furnishings– was on average 200 per cent above the threshold for the onset of negative health effects. Like PCBs, PBDEs are known to weaken the immune system, increasing disease susceptibility. Rosie explained why pollutant levels are so high: “These toxins are initially taken up by plankton at the bottom of the food chain. Unable to be broken down or excreted, these persistent chemicals increase in concentration the further up the food chain they go, in a process known as ‘biomagnification’. As apex predators, many marine mammal species consume large amounts of toxins every time they feed, making them some of the most contaminated wildlife species.” The study identified the rates of decline of most pollutants has slowed – indicating that concentrations are approaching a constant level and raising concern about the potential for ongoing pollution. The situation threatens to worsen further with climate change, as around 10,000 landfills in Europe are situated on coasts at risk of climate change, sea-level rise, flooding or erosion with the potential to release their contaminant load directly to the marine environment. Rosie added: “This is a huge wake-up call. We rely on this same ecosystem for some of our own food – so these findings ring alarm bells not only for the future of marine life, but indicate a risk to human wellbeing. For example, PBDE exposure in humans has been linked to impaired development in children. The global costs associated with environmental chemical exposures – such as the costs of medical treatment - are estimated to be around 10% of global GDP– so there’s a huge economical incentive to address this problem now. Tackling the issue of chemical pollution will not only protect the environment and wildlife but will also protect humans too.” The research was made possible by lab analysis from Cefas, along with partners from Brunel University London, The University of Glasgow/Scottish Marine Animal Strandings Scheme, the Natural History Museum, Cornwall Wildlife Trust, Cornwall Marine Pathology Team, Marine Environmental Monitoring and Atlantic Technological University. The scientists behind the alarming discovery are calling for urgent action to protect the marine environment from both historic and emerging pollutants - by improving current pollution control measures and encouraging governments to take a more proactive approach to regulation – such as phasing out all non-essential use of hazardous chemicals and preventing one harmful chemical from being replaced by a closely-related and equally damaging substitution. Rosie explained: “We’re still cleaning up the mess of historic pollutants that were banned over two decades ago. We need to act now, learn from our past mistakes and employ stronger, science-backed measures to curb pollution. Ambitious and urgent action is required and by taking action today we can start mitigating the profound impact that chemical pollution continues to have on marine life.” Rob Deaville, CSIP Project Manager and researcher at ZSL’s Institute of Zoology explained: “As highly mobile marine species living in the vast expanse of the sea, gaining a better understanding of the dangers that marine mammals face can be difficult." "Our investigations give a unique insight into these threats – including exposure to chemical pollutants. Members of the UK public can continue to directly help us by reporting any strandings they see, so we can further investigate these threats and try to improve the future for these iconic species found in our waters.” Rosie added: “This isn’t just a UK problem and chemical pollution is just one of multiple threats facing marine ecosystems worldwide. We are putting our ocean under an ever-increasing amount of stress as climate change, overfishing and plastic pollution all continue to worsen. As our understanding of these interconnected issues grows, world decision makers must act now to protect our oceans from further harm.”

Tim Smith CBE has been appointed as the Chair of the Board (Designate) of Sheffield Hallam University. Tim is the Chairman of Cranswick plc, a leading supplier in the food sector, and the Co-Chair of the Food and Drink Sector Council. He has been the Chairman of the Government’s Trade and Agriculture Commission and was previously Chief Executive of the UK’s Food Standards Agency. Tim was named a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) for services to agriculture, food, and drink trade policy in the 2022 New Year Honours. Since 2017 Tim has also been a Trustee and Board Member of Farm Africa where he is also the Chair of its Fundraising Committee. He has also been a member of Council for the University of Leeds where he was a member of the Audit and Risk Committee, the Strategy and Investment Committee and Chaired other Council committees. The new Chair was selected by a committee including members of the Board of Governors, staff and the President of the Students’ Union. The Board is responsible for overseeing University activities and determining its future direction. Current Chair of Sheffield Hallam Board of Governors, Meg Munn, said: “I am delighted that we have appointed Tim Smith to the role of Chair. He brings extensive experience from his professional life and thorough knowledge of higher education from his time serving on the University of Leeds Council. Working alongside our new Vice-Chancellor, he will bring strong leadership to ensure the University's continued success.” In response to his appointment, Tim said: “In today’s complex and fast-changing world, the role of our universities has never been more important. They matter not only to their students, their staff and the communities they serve but they have a critical place in the future of society as a whole." “By setting challenging goals, being an integral part of the city and region and living to a clear set of values, Hallam has established a unique place for itself and brought ‘knowledge applied’ to life." “As a native of Sheffield, being appointed to Chair of the Board of Governors at Hallam is a delight and privilege and I’m very much looking forward to leading the Board in their support of the Vice-Chancellor and her team.”

With temperatures set to plummet this weekend and the Met Office issuing a weather warning for snow, local charity Age UK Leicester Shire & Rutland has issued an urgent call for older people to access the support and services to help keep them warm and well this winter. New research for Age UK reveals that 60% of over 60s with a household income of £20k or less have recently cut back on heating or powering their homes in order to make ends meet. With annual household bills set to continue to increase in the new year, this will have a catastrophic effect on mental and physical health, particularly for older and vulnerable households. Staying warm and well this winter is of utmost importance as lower temperatures increase the risk of flu and other breathing problems and can raise your blood pressure which puts you at risk of a heart attack. The days may be sunny but the reality is it’s cold and people should take necessary precautions to stay well including wearing several layers of clothing, covering any drafts in the home, staying active and eating and drinking well. Age UK Leicester Shire & Rutland has already seen a steep rise in calls, with many expressing their fears and concerns about the rising energy prices and making the tough of prioritising heating or eating. As demand increases, they want people of Leicester, Leicestershire & Rutland to know they are here to listen, to give expert advice and to provide support whenever they, their family or someone they know needs it. Tony Donovan, Executive Director at Age UK Leicester Shire & Rutland said: “As we head into the winter months, the demand for our services rises and we expect that to be even more so this winter particularly due to the ongoing energy price increases where people are struggling to pay their bills or are fearful of turning on the heating at all. Winter can be hard and we want to encourage anyone who may be struggling to reach out and not be afraid to ask for help.” Age UK Leicester Shire & Rutland can support with A free home energy assessment to help reduce energy bills. Identifying benefits entitlements to maximise income Providing a warm space to connect with others and enjoy a cuppa Companionship for those feeling lonely or isolated If you’re unsure of the support you or looking for or simply just need some information and advice, please contact Age UK Leicester Shire & Rutland’s Advice Line on 0116 299 2278 (9am - 1pm Monday – Thursday). For more information, please visit www.ageukleics.org.uk

This powerful new research shows the importance of young people taking part in sport and physical activity at school. New research shows sports participation in school is associated with higher levels of wellbeing for young people. It also shows that participation in sport is a significant predictor of self-belief and mental toughness and the continued promotion of school sport throughout a child’s time at school, up to and including during exams, should be encouraged. The survey of 5,481 young people aged 13-15 was undertaken by Manchester Metropolitan University, on behalf of the Youth Sport Trust (YST) and HMC – the Heads Conference. Conducted across both state and independent schools, the results showed similar levels of correlation between wellbeing and sports participation in both. The research showed that the wellbeing benefits of sports participation can be gained for all students, regardless of the sector they are educated within. Participation in sport was identified by using survey data to create a composite score reflecting the number of sports a child had participated in, their involvement in sports at school, and the perceived importance of sport at school. The research found that: Greater sports participation in school is associated with higher levels of wellbeing. Sports participation is also a significant predictor of self-belief and mental toughness, key life skills for young people. Students in year 10 reported lower participation in sport than those in year 9, and also lower levels of wellbeing, self-belief, and mental toughness. The effects of mental toughness and self-efficacy on life satisfaction and happiness were greater for girls than boys. Ali Oliver MBE, CEO at Youth Sport Trust said: “This powerful new research clearly shows not just the importance of young people taking part in sport and physical activity at school, but crucially continuing to take part throughout exam season." "We know that healthy and happy children learn better, and with mock exam season approaching for many young people, this research highlights the need for young people to remain engaged in sport throughout the school year." "In particular, more needs to be done to ensure that girls remain active throughout their school careers. We have seen both enjoyment and participation levels in PE drop in recent years and as this latest research shows, taking part in sport can play an important role in life satisfaction and happiness for girls.” Simon Hyde, General Secretary of HMC, said; “The research HMC and the Youth Sport Trust have published today is incredibly valuable to schools, parents and policymakers and shows the true value of sport and physical activity to our children. Physical activity is not only great for the wellbeing of young people today, but helps boost their self-belief and mental health." We know that healthy children are more attentive and perform better in the classroom – that is why HMC schools put such an emphasis on the academic but also the co-curricular, extracurricular, pastoral and sporting aspects of their provision.” Kevin Knibbs, Chair of the HMC Sports Committee and Headmaster, Hampton School “These important research findings highlight the hugely beneficial role that sport is able to play in the lives of young people and its positive effects upon their wellbeing, self-esteem and resilience. Ensuring that pupils have plenty of active involvement in sport at school throughout the year - including and especially in the run-up to exams - helps them to maintain a healthy balance and navigate teenage life’s pressures and demands.” For further information and to read the full report entitled ‘The benefits of sport participation and physical activity in schools’ please visit our website. About the Youth Sport Trust The Youth Sport Trust is a UK leading children’s charity for improving young people's wellbeing through sport and play. It empowers young people and equips educators to transform lives. Founded in 1995, it works with around 20,000 schools and inspires Changemakers to build a sense of belonging. Its vision is to create a future where every child enjoys the life-changing benefits of play and sport. Visit the YST website for ideas, tips and information www.youthsporttrust.org About HMC (The Heads’ Conference) HMC (The Heads’ Conference) is a professional association of heads of the world’s leading independent schools. HMC has over 300 member schools in the British Isles educating more than 270,000 children, and a further 50 international members. Our members lead schools that are distinguished by their excellence in sport, pastoral care, co-curricular provision and classroom teaching. Members of HMC have met annually in conference since the first meeting in 1869. HMC is a thriving, proactive Association of leading figures in school education.