Artist Penny Hunt, co-founder of Yorkshire Dales Wildlife Rescue, shares her studio with injured or abandoned wildlife while creating her landscape art. Last year, she and other volunteers cared for around 1,000 animals at their headquarters, a former school. Penny's dual commitment to art and wildlife rescue highlights the intersection of creativity and conservation in her work and community involvement.
Trident Utilities, an energy consultancy based in Blackpool, has been awarded the Great Place to Work Certification after 96% of its employees rated it as an excellent workplace. The company, which helps high-energy users manage costs and work towards net-zero, received high marks for its supportive culture, employee wellbeing initiatives, and leadership. This recognition highlights Trident's commitment to fostering a positive work environment and its ongoing efforts to support staff through men
Jeweller Joanne Gowan is creating a piece inspired by "Wuthering Heights," featuring a carved rock crystal image of Cathy, to be showcased at the Pateley Jewellery Quarter event in North Yorkshire. The event, taking place on 25-26 April, will highlight local craftsmanship and include works from other jewellers, despite setbacks like a recent fire affecting some studios. This initiative aims to establish Pateley Bridge as a destination for jewellery enthusiasts and support the town's creative com
OneBeyond has introduced a range of affordable solar garden lights, including designs like highland cows, strawberries, and frogs, to enhance outdoor spaces. These lights are designed to be both decorative and functional, charging during the day and illuminating at night. They offer a budget-friendly way to add charm and ambience to gardens, patios, and balconies.
The Center for Internet Security, Astrix Security, and Cequence Security have released three new guides to help enterprises secure AI environments, focusing on large language models, autonomous agents, and Model Context Protocol integrations. These guides provide practical advice for addressing unique risks in AI systems, such as data leakage and unsafe tool execution, by extending existing security controls to AI-specific challenges. This collaboration aims to help organisations safely adopt AI
Coleg Cambria is investing up to £1.5 million in sustainability upgrades at its Yale campus in Wrexham, funded by the Welsh Government and Salix Finance. The improvements include modernising the E Block, installing more electric vehicle charging points, and expanding solar energy projects, all part of a strategy to make the college one of the greenest in Wales. This initiative aims to integrate sustainability into college life, reduce carbon footprints, and engage students in environmental activ
A female-led startup has launched F-E-A-T, a framework to assess the credibility of AI-generated content, addressing the rise of misinformation online. Developed by PlatformAlt5™ and Cloud202, F-E-A-T evaluates content based on factual accuracy, engagement, acclaim, and transparency, aiming to improve content quality and support journalists and creators. This initiative seeks to mend issues with poor-quality content and briefing in marketing, which leads to wasted budgets and misaligned work.
Maynard Burton, a retired solicitor, has been appointed as the new High Sheriff of Worcestershire, officially sworn in on 15 April at Worcester’s Shirehall. During his year in office, he plans to support young people and community heroes, work with schools and reformed offenders, and develop initiatives with St John Ambulance. His appointment is a direct selection by His Majesty the King, and he aims to continue the work of his predecessor, Ian Smith.
Bolton will host a walking football tournament on 18 July 2026 to promote community unity and raise funds for charity. Organised by Bolton Council's Let's Keep Bolton Moving initiative, the event will feature competitive and community tournaments at Bolton Arena and Leverhulme Park, with proceeds supporting charities like the Stroke Association and Cancer Research UK. The event honours Ken Heathcote's charitable legacy and is named after his late wife, Brenda, with Ken swimming 91 lengths to rai
Midnight, a B Corp certified PR agency, has been hired by ethical insurance intermediary Surewise to enhance its reputation and authority among UK local authorities, care organisations, insurers, and communities. Surewise, in partnership with the Salvation Army General Insurance Corporation, provides insurance for vulnerable individuals and runs a Safer Mobility campaign to improve road safety for mobility scooter users. This collaboration aims to increase Surewise's profile in the media and pro
YMCA Cardiff is organising its first overseas fundraising challenge, with a team of 11, including the CEO and Chair of Trustees, set to climb Mount Toubkal in Morocco. The trek aims to raise funds to support the charity's services for young people and those facing homelessness. This initiative marks a significant step in YMCA Cardiff's fundraising efforts, highlighting their commitment to helping the community.
SCI-FI-LONDON 2026 will take place from 13 to 17 May at Rich Mix in Shoreditch, showcasing world premieres, UK premieres, and short films from around the globe. The festival will open with the world premiere of "Signal One," a sci-fi thriller by Jonathan Sobol, and close with "Voidance," a British sci-fi film directed by Marianna Dean. The event highlights debut features and independent voices, offering a platform for new filmmakers to present their work internationally.
Ninety girls from Leeds will participate in the TCS Mini London Marathon, marking the first time participants from the Leeds M2 programme have taken part in the event. This initiative, supported by the Leeds Well School Partnership and funded by the Jane Tomlinson Appeal, aims to boost confidence and resilience in primary school girls through physical activity. The event highlights the programme's success and provides national visibility for the participants, while also fostering future opportun
Bradford College's new £19.3 million Junction Mills building on Thornton Road is set to open in September, offering students training in modern automotive and digital engineering, electric/hybrid vehicles, and advanced manufacturing. The project, funded by the Department for Education and the college, aims to support the growth of technology and low-carbon skills in West Yorkshire, accommodating up to 650 students. The building, constructed with sustainability in mind, has achieved significant c
Dalcour Maclaren has opened a new office in Cardiff, its 21st location in the UK, to meet increasing demand for infrastructure, renewables, and water projects in Wales. This expansion aims to enhance the company's local service delivery, especially in light of the new Infrastructure (Wales) Act, which changes how projects are planned and executed. The firm is already involved in significant projects with organisations like Welsh Water and National Grid and is focusing on helping clients navigate
Industry experts have observed a shift in the construction sector, where job-hopping is now more common than long-term career progression within a single company. This change is attributed to a tightening labour market and ongoing skills shortages, particularly in regions like the South East. The trend affects how skills are developed in the industry, which traditionally relied on continuity and long-term experience.
Reece Borg, founder of RB Business Consultancy, has released a new book titled "The Hustle Mindset," aimed at entrepreneurs looking to build successful startups through perseverance and practical strategies. The book offers insights into navigating business challenges, focusing on long-term thinking and learning from setbacks, rather than relying on shortcuts. It is intended for those who want to create lasting impact and growth in their ventures.
NEWydd Cleaning and Catering is expanding its Board to support regional growth into Cheshire and the Wirral, beyond its North Wales base. The organisation, which provides school meals and community services, is seeking experienced leaders as Non-Executive Directors to guide its strategy and maintain its community-focused values. This expansion aims to enhance its services while staying committed to sustainable practices and improving school dining environments.
Food 2 Go, a catering brand from Leeds-based Abu Bakr Supermarket, has been commissioned to provide catering for models at London Fashion Week, highlighting Yorkshire's growing reputation in premium service industries. This collaboration places the brand on an international platform, showcasing its quality and professionalism in high-pressure environments. The event underscores the region's expanding influence in delivering premium services globally.
Forest Garden has introduced a new collection of Larchlap fencing, featuring three designs: Heritage, Premium, and Signature. These fences combine traditional British design with modern finishes, offering options that are durable and require minimal maintenance. The launch provides homeowners with reliable and aesthetically pleasing fencing options that enhance garden spaces.
