Plumpton College in Sussex has been awarded the highest National Honour in education, a Queen’s Anniversary Prize for its work in wine education and wider impact on the English and Welsh wine sector. Granted every two years by the reigning Monarch, the Prizes celebrate excellence, innovation and benefit for the wider world in Further & Higher Education. Chair of Governors Julie Dougill and Principal Jeremy Kerswell attended an event at St James’s Palace by kind permission of His Majesty the King where the prizes were officially announced by the Royal Anniversary Trust. The prize recognises the work of Plumpton College as the sole innovator and developer of industry-led training and education programmes for the English and Welsh wine industry since 1985. This progressive employer-college partnership has grown from foundation and degree programmes to an offer including a Master’s programme, industry CPD and more recently introductory-level wine academies and apprenticeships. Ground-breaking work in the late 1980’s and 1990’s helped professionalise the industry when it was fledgling and struggling to produce the quality of vintage that could compete in an international market. In 2006, a period of rapid expansion occurred due to an increasing need for economic diversification on land estates, changing weather patterns favouring grape ripening and an economic push to increase product exports whilst reducing imports. Responding to employer demand for a production process to develop a high-quality English wine, the college’s own vineyard and winery has always been at the forefront of producing internationally award-winning sparkling wines. This resultant expertise, developed amongst Plumpton College graduates, has led the way to create a real competitor to champagne and other sparkling wines. Subsequently, through continual close working with wine employers and employer representative bodies, programmes have been regularly reviewed and updated through the college’s advisory panels with industry to ensure they meet the sector’s emerging technical and business needs. Currently, over 95% of wineries and vineyards across the UK employ staff who have been trained and educated at the college. Principal Jeremy Kerswell shares: “I am delighted to accept this most prestigious award, not only on behalf of Plumpton College, but for all those who have been part of this journey, and those who continue to shape our curriculum today. It’s a story that has been 40 years in the making but is now more important than ever before. Plumpton College continues to meet the needs of the industry by providing sector-leading graduates, with the right skills for sustained growth within the UK’s wine sector and beyond through our vast alumni network.” Chair Julie Dougill shares: “We are deeply honoured Plumpton College has been announced as a recipient of the Queen’s Anniversary Prize. It is the recognition the industry deserves and a testament to our unwavering commitment to excellence in wine training and education as leaders in this field.” Nicola Bates, CEO of WineGB, the UK wine industry body added: “Congratulations to Plumpton on this highly prized and special award. Plumpton has contributed significantly to the development of the UK wine industry over the last decades through training, education and knowledge – their graduates make up many of the business owners, winemakers and viticulturists who drive the work of WineGB." “As one of the fastest growing agriculture sectors in the UK today our wine industry offers an extensive and diverse range of highly skilled career opportunities. We considerably value our partnership with Plumpton to help shape the future of our member’s teams.“ Sir Damon Buffini, Chair of The Royal Anniversary Trust said: “The Queen’s Anniversary Prizes for Higher and Further Education are an integral part of our national Honours system, shining a light on the groundbreaking work taking place in universities and colleges across the UK. All 22 Prize-winners demonstrate excellence, innovation and impact, with many tackling some of the toughest problems we as a society face today. They are to be commended for reaching this pinnacle of achievement in the tertiary education sector. Congratulations!” Sam Linter, Director of Plumpton Wine Division “This is a very proud moment for all of us who are and have been involved with the development of Plumpton Wine Division. The culmination of more than 35 years as the UK’s Centre of Excellence in wine education, research and training has been the driving force to lead us to this incredible point in contributing and supporting this innovative and progressive industry.” This is the fifteenth round of the scheme. There were over 100 entries this round and just twenty-two institutions were awarded a Prize. Winners will be presented with a medal and certificate at a formal Honours ceremony in February 2024. The Queen’s Anniversary Prizes are part of the UK’s national Honours system, recognising outstanding work by UK colleges and universities which demonstrates excellence and innovation and delivers real benefit to the wider world. Open to eligible universities and colleges of Further and Higher Education in the United Kingdom, the Prizes may be awarded in any field of study. First awarded in 1994, the Prizes are granted every two years by the Sovereign on the advice of the Prime Minister following a rigorous and independent process of review carried out by The Royal Anniversary Trust, an independent charity.

Christmas is coming early for the UK’s corporate retail sector, with nearly half (49 per cent) opting to display festive-themed goods earlier this year to help their customers spread out the cost of Christmas. In fact, a quarter (25 per cent) now put up Christmas displays as early as September, with the majority (57 per cent) going up by October. A small number of retailers (1 per cent) even started putting up Christmas displays in June. This is according to data from the Barclays Business Barometer, which measures the UK corporate business environment in the hospitality and leisure, retail and manufacturing industries. Retailers are showing strong resilience in the face of a challenging economic environment, with optimism that the coming ‘critical Christmas’ period will deliver a rebound in sales compared to last year’s disappointing season. In addition to selling Christmas goods earlier, the industry expects sales will accelerate in Q4, with retailers anticipating average revenue growth of 20 per cent quarter on quarter compared to 2022. The sector’s optimism is fuelled by expectations that consumers will return to the high street, with three in five retailers (60 per cent) expecting greater footfall in stores this year, compared to online shopping. Santa’s Helpers More than four in five (82 per cent) retailers anticipate relying on a temp workforce during this festive season, with those hiring expecting to expand the size of their current workforce by more than a quarter (28 per cent) in order to meet anticipated demand. The sector’s resilience is further underscored by the fact that 23 per cent of retailers plan to hire more compared to previous Christmases. This is set to impact all demographics of workers, with 43 per cent of large retailers expecting to hire over-50s in order to meet demand. At the same time, employee welfare remains a top priority. More than half of large retailers (51 per cent) stated that they would not be opening for sales on Boxing Day, in order to give their employees an extra day off. Investing In Infrastructure With more consumers opting to do their Christmas shops in person rather than online, over two-thirds (67 per cent) of retailers have invested in better customer experiences at their stores. In addition, 64 per cent have invested in data analytics and other similar technologies in order to improve customer loyalty. Furthermore, the majority (56 per cent) have also invested in their own delivery infrastructure this year, in order to minimise any supply chain disruptions for consumers. Karen Johnson, Head of Retail and Wholesale, Barclays Corporate Banking, said: “After a not-so-festive 2022 season, and amidst widespread concern over the health of the economy, retailers have moved decisively to build resilience. Focusing on Christmas goods earlier, investing in infrastructure and expanding temporary hiring are all positive indicators that the sector is well-placed for what is a critical Christmas." “Though consumer demand has been weak in recent months as warm weather has dampened the Christmas spirit, there are early signs that customers remain committed to Christmas and this year will see strong sales for retailers, benefiting the industry and giving the UK economy a potential boost as the year draws to a close.”

The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) is delighted to announce that Hidden Valley Gardens, an intimate three-acre cottage style garden in Treesmill, Cornwall, has been voted overall winner in the RHS Partner Garden of the Year Competition 2023. Owners Tricia and Peter Howard have spent 24 years transforming an overgrown ‘pick your own’ into an idyllic and peaceful garden, encapsulating the ‘Feel Good’ theme of the competition. Visitors describe it as “a warm and welcoming garden” and as having “an imaginative design, incorporating flowers and vegetables, with insect and bird life taken into consideration.” The winners said: “We were quite emotional when we had the telephone call to say we won the overall 2023 Partner Garden of the Year. It is a great privilege and honour and lovely to think our visitors have loved the garden as much as we do.” Hidden Valley Gardens was selected from six regional finalists after visitors chose their favourite gardens in each of six regions. The regional winners were: Scotland: Attadale Gardens North of England and Northern Ireland: Holehird Gardens Midlands and East Anglia: Wyken Hall South East and Channel Islands: Denmans Garden South West and Wales: Hidden Valley Gardens Overseas: Brahman Hills Garden Attadale Gardens in Scotland’s Highlands offers meandering paths through water gardens and woodland, with sculptures, a herb garden, sunken garden and Japanese garden, all against the wild backdrop of the mountains and the sea loch. Overlooking Lake Windermere, Holehird Gardens comprises a walled garden with herbaceous borders and island beds, spring bulbs, autumn colours, collections of rhododendrons, hydrangeas, alpines and six National Plant Collections. Nine miles north east of Bury St Edmunds, Wyken Hall is home to a series of old-style gardens to complement the Elizabethan house. These include a knot garden, herb garden, traditional English kitchen garden, wildflower meadows, nuttery and a copper beech maze. Denmans Garden is a tranquil contemporary garden on the southern slope of the South Downs. Converted by plantswoman Joyce Robinson from a post-war market garden to an ornamental garden it features extensive gravel gardens dating to 1970. From 1980 this Grade II garden was taken over and stylized by world-renowned landscape designer John Brookes MBE who lived at Denmans until 2018. Denmans is horticulturally diverse, and comprises a diverse series of spaces connected by curving paths of gravel and mown lawn through rough grass. A new Partner Garden for 2023, South Africa’s Brahman Hills Gardens boasts a formal layout with repeating geometric motifs in circles and rectangles of hard landscaping softened and beautifully contrasted by abundant flowers and plants. Interspersed are oases of water – fountains, ponds, formal pools and the lake beside the Lake House. Helen Feary, RHS Partner Gardens Manager, said: “In this third year of the RHS Partner Garden of the Year competition, visitors have once again touched us by voting in their thousands for their favourite gardens. Their heartfelt comments, describing gardens as ‘magical’ or even ‘balm to the soul’ show just how much good a visit to a garden can do for us.” Details of the 2024 RHS Partner Garden of the Year competition, and how to vote, will be revealed next spring. There are currently 221 gardens in the RHS Partner Gardens scheme, which allows RHS Members to visit non-RHS gardens free at selected times of the year. They comprise some of the most famous gardens in the world as well as privately-owned hidden gems, and beyond the UK can be found in 9 countries across the globe, including Barbados, France, Japan, Singapore, and South Africa. To find out more about RHS Partner Gardens, visit their website here

Six months on from the Farm to Fork Summit hosted by Number 10, the NFU has called for government to deliver on its promises to back British farming by ensuring fairness in food supply chains. NFU President Minette Batters said: “Food security should always remain a top priority for any government. It is not just about sustaining farmers; it’s about safeguarding a fundamental part of our nation’s resilience and stability via a secure supply of homegrown food." “Britain’s farmers and growers have faced a perfect storm of challenges in recent months, including crippling input costs, volatile supply chains and extreme weather events, against a backdrop of changes to farm support and agricultural policy. These have all created unsustainable levels of uncertainty and low confidence across the sector." “After meeting with the new Defra Secretary of State Steve Barclay the day after his appointment this week, I pressed the need for urgent action on the vitally important sector reviews that are taking place. They must have tangible impact on the relationship with farmers and the supply chain. Currently farmers and growers bear the brunt of the risks and cost within the food supply chain and this is unsustainable for all involved." “This reality is playing out in real time with a fractured sugar supply chain – an acute example of the burden put on primary producers. Meanwhile, other sectors such as dairy, eggs and horticulture remain under pressure as Defra conducts the promised supply chain investigations in each one." “It has been six months since I sat down at the Farm to Fork summit3 with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and I appreciate the positive steps that have been made. We called for a national food security summit and a government commitment to work towards 60% self-sufficiency, both of which have happened, as well as the new agri-food attachés to help sell more British food abroad." “But I have urged the new Secretary of State to ensure Defra’s supply chain reviews within the dairy, horticulture and poultry sectors deliver much-needed improvements to the operation, fairness and transparency for all farmers and growers, so we can continue what we do best – provide high-quality, climate-friendly food for the nation.”

Historic Environment Scotland has awarded £188,000 to help secure future of Dunblane’s Leighton Library. The category A-listed building, near Dunblane Cathedral, dates from the 17th century, and was commissioned through the will of Robert Leighton, a former Principal of Edinburgh University, Bishop of Dunblane, and Archbishop of Glasgow, who died in 1684. In bequeathing a sum for a building to house his books, Robert Leighton gave his collection to the clergy of the Cathedral of Dunblane. The oldest book dates from 1504. Beyond the Bishop’s personal collection, the Trustees added to the collection from 1701 with many important books from the Age of Enlightenment. The building and collection has remained in use as a library and, unusually, the books and many of the original library fixtures survive intact, including six Jacobean chairs and the original book presses that line one wall. The HES funding will go towards a programme of restoration that includes repairs to the walls, stonework, chimneys, and roof to ensure the collection of rare and antique books can remain housed in their original building. Central to the project is work to remove modern cement-based harling and replace it with a lime-based material, closer to that used on the original 17th-century exterior. The project will also restore the marble cartouche ordered by the Bishop’s executors, his sister and her son, a wealthy City of London brewer. The restoration project, started earlier this year, has already unearthed some unexpected finds. A fireplace and press, still with its original lime plaster, were discovered after the removal of harling applied around 1990. One notable find was a finely carved stone with the initials ‘MGK’ which had been reused to bolster a chimney, identified as those of a Dean of Dunblane in the 1680s. One replaced crow-step stone was found to have carving beneath it suggesting it was reused from another building nearby, possibly the (then) ruined Cathedral or Bishop’s Palace. Dr Susan O’Connor, Head of Grants at Historic Environment Scotland, said, “We’re thrilled to award funding to this project and to play a part in the incredible history of the Leighton Library and, by extension, Scotland’s world-renowned history of libraries and learning." “Not only does this project conserve a historic building, but, through the care and patience of those involved in the work, we now know more about the library’s history and have a further insight into the centuries of change witnessed by this building.” Alastair MacDonald, Restoration Lead from the Leighton Library Trust said, “We are very grateful for the significant support HES has given to our wonderful library. The restoration work has revealed that the repairs we have now been able to undertake are in the nick of time, as the fabric had deteriorated badly over the years. This grant, and other generous donations, have made a significant difference to the project. There’s still a long way to go to ensure the collection and its unique building are saved for future generations.” The Leighton Library Trust hopes that, following repair works, the library will offer increased opportunities for tourists and locals alike to visit and experience the remarkable building and collection for themselves.

A new nationwide poll reveals that Brits have a taste for top-notch pizza toppings with pizza customisation at home sweeping the nation and giving rise to a new breed of pizza 'super toppers' too. Every year, the UK sees a massive GBP 5 billion spent on pizzas, and while 80% of these are typically purchased from restaurants and takeaways, the landscape is evolving. This shift has led to a growing appetite for homemade pizzas and shop-bought alternatives that can be personalised and enjoyed in the comfort of one's own home. Cooks&Co , the award-winning range of store cupboard ingredients, is at the forefront of this pizza revolution, witnessing first-hand the surging demand for its quality ingredients as pizza toppings. Its Green Frenk Chillies is now the no.1 best seller and its Sweety Drop Peppers has entered the top 10 best sellers list . In response, the brand recently conducted an extensive nationwide study to delve into the pizza-topping preferences of Brits, revealing a nation of astute pizza enthusiasts who relish the opportunity to become culinary pizza artists, experimenting with a diverse range of favourite toppings and flavours. DIY Pizza Customisation Sweeps The Nation On average, pizza-loving Brits across the UK tastefully embellish their pizzas with just under 3 distinct toppings. However, there's an extraordinary league of pizza enthusiasts - 2.7 million strong - known as the "super toppers," who take culinary creativity to new heights by piling on an impressive 6 or more toppings. The art of pizza customization isn’t just reserved for home-made pizzas either, nearly half (47%) of Brits admit to pimping up their shop-bought pizzas with extra toppings. Surprisingly, nearly a fifth (19%) of Brits admit to going one step further and stripping away toppings from store-bought pizzas and replacing them with their own favourites. The 25-34 age group takes the reins in this picky topping transformation, with a third (33%) of them doing it. Northern Ireland residents proudly claim the title of champions in the customization arena, with a quarter (25%) confessing to taking part in this flavourful makeover. Beloved Ingredients, Taste Divisions And Trending Ingredients In the world of pizza toppings, the preferences are crystal clear. The top five favourites include extra cheese, shredded or chopped chicken, pepperoni, onions, and mushrooms. Conversely, the list of least-liked toppings comprises figs, jackfruit, aubergine, broccoli, artichoke, and seafood. The ever-controversial pineapple is a topic of fierce debate, with nearly half (48%) embracing its sweet tang, just over 2 in 5 (43%) staunchly refusing it, and 1 in 12 (9%) remaining undecided. The popularity of pizza toppings like sweet peppers, chillies/jalapeños, and sundried tomatoes mirrors broader culinary trends. These flavours offer bold and unique taste experiences, aligning with the growing interest in Mediterranean and Latin American cuisines, where these ingredients frequently shine. Paired with other ingredients they help elevate pizzas to new heights of flavour and excitement, making them increasingly popular among pizza enthusiasts in the UK. Katie Atkin, Brand Manager, Cooks&Co, comments, "In Britain, we are a nation of pizza lovers who value quality ingredients and enjoy experimenting with different toppings and flavours. The findings shed light on the ever-evolving world of pizza, where customisation knows no bounds, and the quest for the perfect slice is a culinary adventure." “Our commitment to providing premium ingredients for the pizza-loving community and other dishes aligns perfectly with the creativity and passion we see in Brits' pizza-making endeavours and we're thrilled to be part of this flavourful journey.” The research was conducted by Censuswide with 2,000 UK General Consumers (National-Representation) between 11.09.23 to 13.09.23. Censuswide abide by and employ members of the Market Research Society which is based on the ESOMAR principles and are members of The British Polling Council.

Leicestershire CCC is delighted to announce the return of Ben Mike on a three-year contract. The Academy graduate will rejoin the Foxes after reaching an agreement with Yorkshire to sanction an early release from his deal at Headingley. Mike made 86 appearances across five seasons during his first spell at Uptonsteel County Ground, before departing for the White Rose at the end of the 2022 campaign. He featured on 18 occasions for Yorkshire, although only two appearances came in the County Championship, with the desire to play more red-ball cricket cited as the main reason behind Mike’s desire to return home to Leicestershire. After signing his first professional deal in August 2018, the all-rounder made an instant impact on debut at Sussex the following month, claiming his career-best match figures of 9/94, before ending the campaign with 19 wickets at 20.26 from four matches. Mike went on to establish himself as an integral component of the side across all formats, registering 78 first-class wickets at 36.68 apiece, while amassing 1,178 runs at an average of 23.56. The 25-year-old has also developed a reputation as both an effectual strike bowler and a big-hitter at the death in T20 cricket, taking 43 wickets at 26.76 and scoring 567 runs striking at just under 150. Discussing his decision to return to the Club, Mike said: “I’m very thankful for my time at Yorkshire. I had some honest conversations with the management and whilst they wanted me to stay, it just felt right for my career to make the move back. It’s a really exciting time to be at Leicestershire, as we saw at the end of last season with the achievements the Club made. It was great to see close friends do so well, and my aim is to help add to that in the seasons ahead." “I think I’ll really thrive under Alfonso [Thomas]. I spent a short time with him in 2022, but I’m looking forward to linking back up with him. Naturally I’m very excited to work with James Taylor too. His addition last year was a massive boost, and the guys I’ve spoken to couldn’t speak highly enough of him. I’ve learned a lot in my year away. I want to provide exciting moments and be a match-winner, but now is time for me to step up and put those performances in more consistently.” Director of Cricket, Claude Henderson, said: “We’re delighted to share the fantastic news that Ben is coming back to Leicestershire." “He brings an x-factor with both bat and ball in all three formats, which makes our squad really exciting for the coming seasons. He’s the final jigsaw piece in our puzzle.” Mike is the third new arrival at Uptonsteel County Ground this winter, following the arrivals of Ben Cox and Liam Trevaskis.

Project Speedbird – a joint partnership between Nova Pangaea Technologies (NPT), LanzaJet and British Airways (BA) – has secured new funding totalling £9 million from the Government’s Advanced Fuels Fund (AFF) competition. NPT, a Teesside-based cleantech company developing advanced biofuels used to produce Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), was awarded £7.5 million as part of the partnership, and LanzaJet, the world’s leading ethanol to SAF technology company and sustainable fuels producer, will receive £1.5 million. It is hoped that the funding will help establish the UK as a world-leader in SAF production and the decarbonisation of aviation. It follows the multi-million-pound investments from International Airlines Group (IAG) and British Airways earlier this year into NPT and Project Speedbird, respectively. IAG – British Airways’ parent company – is also a founding investor and shareholder of LanzaJet dating back to 2021. Technological Innovation The SAF will be developed using a combination of NPT’s innovative technology, which converts agricultural waste and wood residue feedstocks into second-generation biofuels such as ethanol, and LanzaJet’s proprietary technology that converts ethanol into SAF. The NPT ethanol will be initially processed into SAF using LanzaJet’s Alcohol to Jet (ATJ) plant in Georgia, USA - the first of its kind in the world - prior to Project Speedbird’s own larger ATJ facility, planned to be built in the UK by 2027. British Airways is intending to purchase all the SAF produced through Project Speedbird to help power some of its flights. Project Speedbird will produce 102 million litres of SAF per year, which will reduce CO2 emissions, on a net lifecycle basis, by 230,000 tonnes per year, the equivalent of approximately 26,000 British Airways domestic flights. Project Speedbird will produce SAF at full capacity by 2028, supporting progress towards the UK’s SAF mandate which will require at least 10% of jet fuel used by airlines to be made from sustainable feedstocks by 2030. Sarah Ellerby, Chief Executive of Nova Pangaea Technologies, said: “Nova Pangaea Technologies are delighted to have secured this multi-million-pound investment. With support from the Government, and in partnership with British Airways and LanzaJet, we can now accelerate our next phase of development and the commercialisation of our technology, to help take the UK one step closer to becoming a global leader in SAF." “Our first commercial-scale production facility will be the first of its kind in the UK, and will use wood residues and non-food derived agricultural waste as its feedstocks. Our partnership, Project Speedbird, will play a transformational role in decarbonising the aviation sector, as well as providing local employment opportunities in the North East.” Carrie Harris, Director of Sustainability at British Airways, said: “Sustainable aviation fuel will play a critical role in meeting our net zero targets and is currently the only realistic low carbon solution for long-haul flights, so it is vital that we continue to invest and develop SAF technology in order to create enough supply. We welcome the government's investment and continued support in Project Speedbird which represents landmark new technology for UK SAF supply." "The UK has the potential to become a leader in the production of SAF, and this pioneering project is one step closer to this becoming a reality and a big moment for British Airways and UK SAF production more generally." Jimmy Samartzis, Chief Executive Officer at LanzaJet, said: “The aviation industry has set ambitious and necessary targets to address the urgency of climate change, and this next generation of sustainable aviation fuels will be critical to meeting the industry’s goals. Project Speedbird is a tremendous example of what it takes to scale the industry and meet this moment. Government support like this is critical in facilitating that growth and we’re thrilled to be working with exceptional partners like Nova Pangaea Technologies and British Airways – making sure these goals become reality.”

The team at a garden centre in Bingley is making it fun for families this Christmas by introducing special festive events for the first time. Bingley Garden Centre, formerly Stephen H Smith’s, was acquired by Yorkshire Garden Centres in July last year and the team is looking forward to celebrating Christmas with a host of family activities, including Breakfast with Santa, Christmas Crafternoons, a singing reindeer and a Christmas treasure hunt throughout the centre. Marc Salama, Centre Manager is looking forward to the festive season adding: “We’re excited to bring our Christmas experiences to our new centre at Bingley. People travel for miles to experience Christmas at our sister centre at Tong and we want to replicate the magic of Tong, but with a Bingley stamp." November 25 sees the launch of the festive experiences with a free family fun day with a princess singalong, elftastic fun with the cheeky elves , a Christmas treasure hunt, Rudy the singing reindeer, free Elfie Selfies in a giant bauble and the opening of Santa’s magical post box, with proceeds going to Yorkshire Air Ambulance. They’ve also got donkey rides from November 26, Christmas Crafternoons for children every Monday from November 27, Meet and Greet Santa on December 2 and 3 and Breakfast with Santa on December 2, 3 and 23. For the grown-ups, seasonal dishes are being served in Hattie’s Kitchen from November 13 and festive afternoon teas from December 5. “The centre is full of inspirational festive looks and there’s a great range of gift ideas for all the family. It feels very special, and we can’t wait to share the magic with our visitors young and old this festive season.” Breakfast with Santa costs £19.95 for children and includes a set breakfast, juice, a cracker plus a toy and a visit from Santa. The Christmas Crafternoons are suitable for children aged three to 10 and cost £5.95. Each child receives a craft kit packed with two crafts to create, festive colouring sheets and a beaker to take home. Booking for both events is online . Bingley Garden Centre is part of the Yorkshire Garden Centres family with Tong, Tingley and Otley Garden Centres.

The team at a garden centre in Otley is broadening its family appeal by introducing special festive events, including a special Grotto launch weekend on 25th and 26th November. Otley Garden Centre, formerly Stephen H Smith’s, was acquired by Yorkshire Garden Centres in July last year and the team is looking forward to celebrating Christmas with a variety of family activities, including Santa’s Grotto, breakfast with Santa, donkey rides, Santa’s magical post box, singing princesses and elf antics. Andy Bradley, Centre Manager is excited about the launch and the forthcoming festive season, adding: “We’re excited to bring our Christmas experiences to our new centre at Otley. The grotto at Tong Garden Centre is always hugely successful, with visitors saying how much they love the professional performers taking them on a magical journey." The Grotto launch weekend will be full of fun and starts with Santa’s arrival and Grotto opening at 10am on Saturday, 25th November. The fun continues with cheeky elves, who will be painting Rudolph red noses, singing, dancing and teaching Christmas sign language, and Mrs Claus who will be sharing heart-warming stories and spreading festive cheer. At 1pm on Sunday, 26th they will be welcoming singing princesses to Otley for a seasonal sing-a-long and selfies. As Andy concludes: “The centre is full of inspirational festive looks and there’s an impressive range of gift ideas for all the family. It feels very special, and we can’t wait to share the magic with our visitors young and old this festive season.” Tickets for the Grotto cost £20.95 per child and are free for up to two accompanying adults. Breakfast with Santa starts on 16th December, costs £19.95 for children and includes a set breakfast, juice, a cracker plus a toy and a visit from Santa. Book online here. Otley Garden Centre is part of the Yorkshire Garden Centres family with Tong, Tingley and Bingley Garden Centres.

Latest research from The Social Mobility Foundation has identified that professionals from working-class backgrounds are paid over £6k less per year than more privileged peers in the same occupation. In fact, the research confirms that they are paid an average of £6,291 – or 12 per cent – less per year than those from professional-managerial backgrounds, despite them working in the same occupational groups. Professional workers from professional-managerial origins receive an average salary of £51,728 compared to an average salary of £45,437 for employees from working-class backgrounds, research into the Class Pay Gap found. That means that Class Pay Gap Day – when those from working-class backgrounds in professional occupations effectively stop getting paid – happens on 17th November this year. It means professionals from working-class backgrounds are effectively working one in eight days for free. Workers in the private sector face a larger Class Pay Gap than those in other sectors. Those from working-class backgrounds who are in a professional occupation in the private sector are paid £7,575 less per year than those from professional-managerial origins. Whilst in the ‘other’ sectors there is still a Class Pay Gap of £4,750, it is less pronounced than in the private sector. Latest figures show that the private sector employs 82% of the UK’s workforce. When it comes to gender, professional women from working-class backgrounds are hit with a double disadvantage. There is a Class Pay Gap of £7,042 between women from working class and professional-managerial origins in the same occupation. Separate polling of 1,280 young people (aged 16-18) carried out in Summer 2023, found that nearly three in four young people (72%) said the Class Pay Gap put them off applying for a job in elite professions such as law and finance. Nearly 9 in 10 (89%) said that they would be more enthusiastic about working for an employer who prioritised tackling social mobility/socioeconomic diversity. Rt. Hon Alan Milburn, Chair, Social Mobility Foundation, said: “A fair day’s pay for a fair day’s work is the least anyone should expect. But too many of Britain’s workplaces share a shameful secret. It cannot be right that professionals from working-class backgrounds are paid significantly less than their peers in the same occupation." “Some pioneering employers are measuring their Class Pay Gap – as a precursor to closing it. But it will take action from Government to see the step-change that’s needed. As they did with Gender Pay Gap reporting, it is time to mandate the reporting of socioeconomic background data. What gets measured, gets done. Without government action, millions of people will continue to be undervalued and underpaid.” Kevin Ellis, Senior Partner at PwC UK, said: “The gap in pay between professionals from a lower socioeconomic background and their more privileged peers, is not only a societal issue but an issue for business and the economy. Businesses need diversity of talent and thought. We’ve seen the benefits of improving the diversity of our workforce – you can't measure this without collecting socioeconomic background data. Gathering data helps you understand what interventions to make because these changes don’t happen naturally. We always strive to do more – so it’s positive to see other employers now starting to collect data and making efforts to close their socioeconomic background pay gaps.” Shirine Khoury-Haq, CEO at the Co-operative Group, said: “The evidence is compelling, for children born in the UK today socioeconomic background remains a strong predictor of life chances and opportunities. Employers, including the Co-op, have a responsibility to step up and address the inequalities that persist in our society. We strive to lead by example, taking action to identify where unfairness holds our people back. That's why we will publish our first socioeconomic pay gap report in 2024 and why we’ll be encouraging our partners and suppliers to do the same.” Shanice Katana, aged 24, Project Assistant (Consultancy) at Mace said: “In the workplace, equity is as important as equality. Closing the Class Pay Gap will benefit any employer as it will foster unity and create a working culture with a sense of togetherness." In my early career journey, I looked out for employers' attitudes to improving social mobility and their Class Pay Gap as a key measure to the possibility of me working there. Employers that are public and intentional about trying to improve, make me feel valued and hopeful." "It’s important for me that they value having a range of people from different backgrounds and encourage cultural diversity. When deciding whether to work for an employer, I gauge how willing they are to improve in this area, and sometimes we may need to be the change we don’t see.”

A charity hospice shop has become the latest to complete work on its shop front thanks to funding from Wakefield Council who are investing £1.1 million in improving local shops and businesses in the district. The Prince of Wales Hospice shop, in South Elmsall, received funding from the Shop Improvement Grant Scheme that was set up to enhance the look of shops and businesses in local high streets and encourage people to shop and visit the town centres. Nearly £110,000 worth of grants have been allocated so far to eligible business owners in South Elmsall, South Kirkby and Moorthorpe. In total, £876,000 is being spent on shop improvements and an additional £229,000 has been made available for owners who want to upgrade their existing security measures, under the Shop Security Grant Scheme. Cllr Michael Graham, Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economic Growth, said: “The Council is committed to doing all it can to support local shops that have been on our high streets for many years. Our aim is to deliver quality regeneration projects that will inspire and encourage new investment into our towns and the surrounding areas." “Our Shop Improvement Grant scheme is one of the ways we are helping them by investing in the appearance and vibrancy of local high street shops. We want the district’s town centres to be attractive destinations for residents and visitors alike, to boost our local economies." “I’m looking forward to seeing more shops undergoing a revamp and as grants are still available in many areas of the district, I would encourage businesses to get in touch.” Jackie Jones, Retail Manager at The Prince of Wales Hospice, said: “It’s been more than ten years since our South Elmsall charity shop was last refurbished. Customers were telling us that although they loved our little shop, it was looking rather tired, uninspiring, and dated." “The Shop Improvement Grant from Wakefield Council gave us the opportunity to enhance the shop's front appearance, making it more appealing to customers." “After reopening, customers have been incredibly positive, praising the new designs, improved lighting, and customer-friendly layouts. This upgrade brings a fresh and vibrant shopping experience for customers while supporting the Hospice’s mission to provide specialist care for people with life-limiting illness and their families.” The Shop Improvement Grant scheme is still open to new enquiries in South Elmsall, South Kirkby and Moorthorpe, with plans to include Hemsworth in the upcoming months. Further information on the Hemsworth scheme will be made available shortly. The money can be spent on improvements to the outside of the premises, such as repairing or restoring façades and new or improved canopies and signage. New tenants can also apply for funding if they are occupying a vacant property. The Shop Security Grant scheme is also still open to new enquiries in Castleford and Wakefield with phase two recently launched.