In just three months, St. Modwen Homes has seen a flurry of sales at the development, selling a total of 26 properties out of the 34 houses and apartments offered in the first phase of Locking Parklands, ‘The Parkside’, demonstrating strong demand for high quality new homes in Weston-super-Mare.

Neil Simpson, residential sales and marketing director at St. Modwen Homes said: “The response to these stunning new homes at Locking Parklands has been overwhelming. For us to have reserved more than 75 per cent of the properties in the first three months is quite amazing in the current climate and is a really positive indication of the high demand that we expect to continue across the entire development. It is also very encouraging that much of this demand has been from first time buyers in the local area looking to get on the property ladder.

A selection of homes are now available for immediate occupation, including three bedroom town houses starting from £212,500 and four bedroom houses priced from £239,500. A range of luxury two bedroom apartments are also available from £125,000.

The fully-furnished three bedroom show home, located off Farnborough Road, is now open to view seven days a week between 10am and 6pm. More details on this new residential development can be found at www.lockingparklands.co.uk. To contact the St. Modwen Homes sales team please call 0844 243 4545.

Alison Lowry

South West-based supplier Warm Glass UK is giving glass artists across the globe the chance to display their work and win one of three titles in the prestigious Warm Glass UK Glass Prize 2012.

Glass fusing enthusiasts are being asked to design and make a piece of contemporary kiln glass, with the Artist’s Prize, Students Prize or Bullseye Glass Prize up for grabs.

The competition, run by the country’s leading art glass supplier, Warm Glass UK, based in Wrington, allows artists to demonstrate their creative skills using glass. The deadline for entries is 20 March 2012 and the winners will be announced on 13 April 2012.

Warm Glass UK Director Pippa Bluck said: “The Warm Glass UK Glass Prize 2012 is more exciting than ever and this year, with no specific theme for the competition, we are really looking forward to seeing what innovative ideas artists can come up with when there are no boundaries or guidelines.

“The great thing about this prize is that anyone who works with glass can enter, regardless of experience or artistic taste. There are some fabulous prizes on offer and we’ve had some really exciting entries in previous years so we’re expecting some real ‘wow’ pieces for 2012. This is an international competition but it’s always great to see South West artists enter.”

The first Warm Glass UK Glass Prize was launched in 2005 at the Contemporary Glass Society AGM in London and has grown each year.

The Artist’s Prize is open to everyone and is decided by independent judges. The winner of this category will receive a selection of best-selling glass products, worth approximately £500, including tools, glass moulds and accessories.

The Student’s Prize is for those currently studying at college or university and is determined by a public vote. The winner will get £300 worth of education gift vouchers to be spent on classes from the 2012 Education Programme at Warm Glass UK.

Entries into the Bullseye Glass Prize must be made wholly from Bullseye Glass. The prize for this category has been donated by Oregon-based Bullseye Glass Company and is a contribution of up to $2,100 towards the cost of a nine-day symposium run by Jane Bruce at Northlands Creative Glass on 5-13 July 2012.

Warm Glass UK is an internet-based mail order art glass supplier based in Wrington, focussing on providing fusing glass and art glass supplies with an informative and educational website.

For full details or to enter the competition visit www.warmglassprize.co.uk

Powervamp, who design and manufacture equipment for the powering and starting of all types of vehicles, aircraft, plant and marine craft has acquired Milton Keynes based Effeka UK Ltd, in what has been described as a shrewd business move.

Effeka UK Ltd manufacture advanced solid state 40Hz aircraft converters and standby lighting systems for airport terminals and office blocks and according to Powevamp’s Managing Director Richard Roller the acquistion strengthens the Weston company right across the board:

“The company is a perfect fit to our business and skills. By acquiring Effekta, Powervamp has also added technical and commercial strength to its financial reserves meaning it can tender for major international projects and continue its growth strategy.”

Powervamp had steadily strengthened its engineering department to cope with the merger and industry observers have labelled the move as a perfect synergy of product range, additional engineering skills and growth opportunities.

To find out more about Powevamp, who supply 55 countries globally, visit: http://www.powervamp.com/index.asp

The Apprenticeship Grant for Employers (AGE) offers grants towards wages and is aimed at helping eligible employers taking on their first apprentice through the Apprenticeship Scheme.

The AGE fund will provide up to 40,000 Apprenticeship grants nationwide to employers with less than 250 employees recruiting 16 to 24 year olds.

The grant of up to £1,500 is in addition to any funding towards training costs of the Apprenticeship framework.

Weston College Business Enterprise Centre Manager Liz Redwood, said “This is a fantastic opportunity for smaller companies who may not have been able to afford to take on staff. We can also help them apply for the grant and recruit the right apprentice”.

Wookey Hole Caves Catering Manager, Lynn Moore, said “I would highly recommend companies to work with the Business Enterprise Centre.

“Developing the skills of new staff can have a hugely positive impact on a business. On a personal note, I did a Management Apprenticeship with the College, which was a great experience which has helped me become a much better professional.”

Weston College, which is a large provider of apprenticeship programmes in the North Somerset and Bristol area and has seen a huge growth in the number of people taking up apprenticeships.

Liz Redwood added: “The best news is 80% of Weston College Apprentices become permanent employees of the company with whom they undertake their apprenticeship.”

For more information contact the The Business Enterprise Centre on 01934 411 594 or email business.enterprise.centre@weston.ac.uk.

For courses at Weston College call 01934 411 481 or go to www.weston.ac.uk

DoubleTree by Hilton

Brides-to-be wanting to pop the question on February 29 can take advantage not only of this once-every-four-year opportunity but some additional incentives at the region’s premier hotel.

Tradition was that throughout a whole leap year, women could propose to the man of their dreams however because men felt that a whole year put them at too great a risk, the tradition was tightened to restricting female proposals to the modern leap day!

So with more women plucking up the courage to pop the question, the management team at the Marco Pierre White Steakhouse Bar & Grill at DoubleTree by Hilton, Cadbury House in Congresbury are encouraging as many women as possible to ask the question at the four-star venue where they will be able to take advantage of some fantastic offers including £1,000 discount off wedding packages at the award-winning venue*.

Colin Badcock, general manager at the four-star venue said: “Leap day has been associated with many age-old traditions, superstitions and folklore with the most well known being proposals by women.

“We’re all aware that men can sometimes be a bit slow on the uptake and, occasionally, just need a shove in the right direction, so many women take matters into their own hands and make the most of this once-every-four-year opportunity.

“Our idea is to add a little sparkle to what could turn out to be quite an occasion. So those who do propose in the Marco Pierre White Steakhouse Bar & Grill will firstly be given a bottle of bubbly to celebrate. We will also have in place a number of fantastic offers including the £1,000 discounted wedding package.”

For menus and further information on the Marco Pierre White Steakhouse Bar and Grill Bristol visit www.mpwsteakhousebristol.co.uk or call 01934 839 019.

The Weston scheme, which was the first to launch in the South West, asks for businesses to give a warm welcome, special acknowledgement or discount to all force’s personnel.

Participants join for free, can offer a discount or benefit of their choice and show their support by putting up a Heroes Welcome sticker on their premises.

Puxton Park, in Hewish, says it is delighted to be on board offering extra hospitality and a 50 per cent discount to force personnel and their families.

Alistair Mead, managing director of Puxton, said: “Joining Heroes Welcome Weston helps to remind our heroes that they are indeed very welcome at Puxton Park.

“Weston is one of the main recruitment areas for 40 Commando therefore we should show our support to the armed forces personnel living in our area.

“By signing up to the scheme we are demonstrating our overriding gratitude to all these servicemen and women who put their life on the line nearly every day for our country.”

The 50 per cent discount is available at Puxton Park on production of a valid service photo ID or veterans badge and is available for up to two adults and three children per visit.

Cllr Philip Judd, Weston Heroes Co-ordinator, said: “I am absolutely delighted to have Puxton Park on board and obviously we are always looking for more companies locally to get involved in this extremely worthwhile scheme.”

For further information please contact reception on 01934 523500, visit www.puxton.co.uk or email marketing@meadgroup.co.uk

North Somerset Enterprise Agency, in partnership with Business West, has organised the workshops to run from 9.15 a.m. – 4.00 p.m, on Tuesday 21 February and Thursday 29 March at its offices in Oldmixon Crescent, Weston-super-Mare.

The workshops are part of three high growth business services – Starting a High Growth Business, Coaching for High Growth and Understanding Finance for Business – being offered by the local business support organisations. The services are all funded by the European Regional Development Fund, so are free to participating businesses.

“Each of the services delivers one-to-one assistance through over 100 of the top independent business coaches in our region,” explains Angela Hicks, Chief Executive of North Somerset Enterprise Agency:

“Growth businesses can benefit from their extensive boardroom experience and a carefully planned combination of advice, workshops, business strategy and finance guidance, with support being long-term and tailored to the exact requirements of each participating business.”

To qualify, businesses will be starting up or less than a year old and have the right attitude or innovation such as a new product, service of concept to achieve fast growth.

Places for the February and March events can be booked by contacting Hazel Wintle on 01934 418118. More information about the growth services available can be found at www.growthsouthwest.co.uk

The event will take place on February 25 and according to Jayne Symons of Cowan House, a number of taster sessions with the organisation’s consultants and practitioners will be available to the general public for a minimal fee.

“Sessions for beauty therapy, physiotherapy, hynotherapy, sports massge and EMDR counselling are all available for £5.00 for twenty-minutes, with all proceeds going to the chosen charity.

“There will also be demonstrations showing what the centre has to offer, including podiatry and bio mechanics, swiss ball classes, dance fitness and yoga.”

Jayne is keen to point out there are no administration charges, so 100% will go to help the children’s well being and happiness who are in the care of the hospital.

For more information on Cowan House’s services please visit: www.cowanhouse.co.uk

Jayne Penney

Local law firm, Wards Solicitors is pleased to announce a raft of personell changes to its Family Law practices in its Clevedon and Weston-super-Mare offices.

Firstly, childcare specialist in Weston-super-Mare, Natalie Amor, has been admitted to the Law Society’s Children Law Panel. Members are appointed when they have demonstrated that they have and maintain a high level of knowledge, skills, experience and practice in the area of children law.

Secondly, existing Children Law Panel member, Jayne Penney will be moving from Weston-super-Mare to the Clevedon office. Jayne has been a panel member for a number of years and joins existing Clevedon Children Law specialist, Suzanne Henderson.

Head of Family Law at the firm, Georgina Peacock said: “It’s important to us that Wards Solicitors is there for everyone in the local community. Going through a relationship or family breakdown is highly traumatic, without worrying that your legal advisor might not understand your complicated child-related matters.

“We believe that everyone has a right to high-level, expert legal support during this time. This new accreditation means that we can broaden our regional spread and provide the very best service, at all Wards offices.”

To find out more about Wards Solicitors visit: http://wards.uk.com/office/weston-super-mare/

Steve Townsend, who is Town Centre Manager and spearheading the BID scheme told The Echo that Weston couldn’t afford a no vote, adding that with a number of capital projects coming to fruition around the town the BID initiative would be the operational icing on the cake:

“I believe a no vote would be a disaster and if it happens the town will regress. With all the capital projects being implemented such as the re-development of Dolphin Square and the seafront enhancement we need an operational plan put in place to make sure litter is cleared up, anti-social behaviour is reported and people see Weston as a place to invest in and visit.

“The BID would act in addition to the work carried out by North Somerset Council and the police, but it’s no secret that both authorities are experiencing cuts to their budgets. So as a business community we need to do our bit by agreeing to contribute a small sum each year to make the town a better place.”

The Weston BID is an initiave launched to raise a pot of cash which will be used on a number of initiatives to improve the Town Centre. It can only go ahead if more than half of eligible traders vote in favour of it and this is made up of at least 51 per cent of the businesses’ combined rateable value.

If they do, firms in the Business Improvement Distrcit will be asked to pay 1.5% of their rateable value into a common pot which will then be used to implement the Weston BID programme.

All 703 businesses have been sent a 24 page bid plan, which is the result of months of consultation and survey taking with traders in the town to find out what they’d like to see done to improve the area. The plan will outline how much money there will be and how it will be spent.

Steve explains in more detail what the plan contains and what would happen if the ballot is successful:

“If we get a yes vote we would initially look to set up a team of wardens. They would have access to a truck and equipment such as a snow plough and jet wash so they can pounce on problems, such as litter, dog mess and icy-pavements before they escalate. They would also work to alleviate anti-social behaviour.

“We also want to use the extra cash to put on a series of events throughout the year, such as music events, triathlons even a mock Monaco Grand Prix.

“At the moment we have the Enduro, Carnival and T4 which are great events but tend to just benefit specific pockets of traders in the town. We’ve based the plan on the feedback we’ve received from traders.”

All 703 businesses in the town centre, both big and small, have the chance to vote in the postal ballot, which opened on February 1 and will close at the end of that month.

Similar BID plans have been rolled out in Broadmead and Bath and The Echo understands that a should yes vote be the outcome in Weston, the town centre will be split into six zones. With one representative from each zone sitting on a steering committee alongside Steve, and representatives from North Somerset Council and the Town Council.

Everyone on the steering committee will be elected democratically and once formed it will ensure the BID plan is implemented.

Steve Townsend is Town Centre Manager and one of the leading figures behind the BID. To find out more about the bid visit: http://www.wsmtcp.co.uk/weston-bid.htm