Press release: Doncaster scrap firm fined for illegal activity in Tyne & Wear

A Doncaster-based scrap car dismantling and salvage firm has been ordered to pay nearly £25,000 for breaking environmental laws at a site in Tyne & Wear.

Motorhog Ltd, which used the now-closed site on Wallsend Road in North Shields, to depollute and bale end of life vehicles, repeatedly broke the terms of its environmental permit. Yesterday (29 November 2017) the company, which continues to operate sites in Leeds, Doncaster and Hull, was fined £20,000 by North Tyneside Magistrates’ Court after pleading guilty to two of three charges. It was also ordered to pay £4,936.88 costs.

The prosecution was brought by the Environment Agency after officers spent a significant amount of time attempting, unsuccessfully, to bring the site into compliance.

Environment Agency Officers visited the site on 1 December 2015 to assess permit compliance after several breaches were identified during a previous inspection. During the visit they identified further permit breaches, against which they issued two enforcement notices.

The first gave Motorhog Ltd until 8 February 2016 to carry out maintenance to the vehicle baler so it could operate without spilling or leaking potentially polluting materials. It also required the company to clean all observed spillages on site and keep appropriate records.

The second notice required Motorhog Ltd to either ensure the concrete surface where the vehicle baler operated was compliant with permit requirements or to move the baler to a more suitable area. The firm was given until 11 April 2016 to comply.

Environment Agency Officers visited the site again on 2 March and 12 April and noted failure to comply with each of the orders. They also noted unattended spills throughout the site, including fluids visibly leaking from the baler onto the surface below where there was no sealed drainage.

Environment Agency spokesperson, Rachael Caldwell, said:

I hope that Motorhog Ltd takes a long hard look at its operations across the north to ensure that all its sites are compliant and its staff are properly trained.

The regulations exist to protect the environment and local communities from the risk of harm. Vehicles contain liquids that are harmful to the environment and they must be dealt with correctly.

We will not hesitate to take action against any operator that repeatedly breaks the law and disregards its environmental obligations.

Link: Press release: Doncaster scrap firm fined for illegal activity in Tyne & Wear
Source: Environment Agency

Press release: Improving efficiency at mine water treatment schemes

The Coal Authority, which manages Britain’s coal mining legacy, employs contractors to clean water cascades and pipework across its 75 mine water treatment sites on a regular basis.

The manual ‘wash and brush-ups’ are needed to prevent a build-up of iron solids (ochre) that are produced as part of the treatment process. The ochre clogs up the system and reduces the effectiveness of the treatment scheme that pump the water out from disused coal mines.

In a move to reduce costs, the Coal Authority is working with Dr Maria Romero-Gonzalez and her research group in the Department of Geography at the University of Sheffield, in a 6 month trial of new super hydrophobic materials that will aim to repel the ochre and prevent it from clogging up the treatment systems.

“Hydrophobic materials are nothing new,” explained Dr Chris Satterley, Technical Research and Development Manager for the Coal Authority. “But the most recent generation of super hydrophobic materials are now available commercially and we want to see whether they will help us to improve the efficiency of our operations.

“Currently we need to regularly remove the build-up of ochre, which obstructs the process of the schemes. But if this simple process works, it could be a significant development for our on-going maintenance programme.”

Various hydrophobic materials were tested in laboratory conditions by Maria and her team and 2 were selected to be used on site at the A Winning mine water treatment scheme in Derbyshire.

“It worked very well in the laboratory but now we need to see if it is just as effective out in the open and on site,” added Chris. “Initial observations show that the coating is working and is repelling large solids and ochre flocs. But it is still early days and we will be working closely with our University of Sheffield colleagues to see how it works over a longer period of time.”

The mine water treatment schemes run by the Coal Authority are all individual and depend on the amount of water being pumped out of disused coal mines and the local geology. Typically, they comprise of water cascades, a series of settlement lagoons and reed beds. They treat around 122 billion litres of water each year and prevent 4,000 tonnes of iron solids from entering local watercourses and also protect important sources of drinking water for local communities.

At the treatment scheme located at the site of the former Blackwell A Winning pit at South Normanton, there are 4 water cascades. For the trial, one was fully cleaned and coated for testing, a second has also been cleaned to act as a control and the remaining 2 are continuing under the current maintenance regime for comparison.

The four water cascades at the mine water treatment scheme
The 4 water cascades at the mine water treatment scheme

Further testing and studies will also be carried out on a series of concrete slabs installed in the cascades. One sample will be retrieved every week for the first month followed by monthly sampling for the remainder of the 6 month trial.

Dr Maria Romero-Gonzalez, Director of the Environmental Science Programme at the University of Sheffield, said: “This is a unique opportunity to study the durability and performance of the coatings under a variety of weather conditions.

“We will use electron microscopy and other surface analysis techniques to investigate the efficiency of the coatings at surface level. This will help us to assess how good the coating is and evaluate its application for treating ochre accumulation. The results will allow us to estimate the technical and economic benefits of using coatings for treating mine water, providing the Coal Authority with innovative solutions for the future.”


Link: Press release: Improving efficiency at mine water treatment schemes
Source: Gov Press Releases

Press release: Sellafield Emergency Exercise – Wednesday 6 December 2017

The exercise will take place after 7:30pm and will involve activities that may be visible and audible to neighbouring communities.

The site siren may be sounded and the public and agency alert cascade system may be activated. This means that local residents who have registered to receive automated SMS text, email and telephone warnings from us, may be contacted.

Exercise umpires and safety marshalls wearing high visibility clothing might be visible to people off site.
The exercise scenario will require the use of blank firearms and low level pyrotechnics which might be audible to neighbouring communities.

At no time will live ammunition be carried by those involved in the exercise.

The exercise scenario may also include the use of simulated casualties and injuries, although this is unlikely to be visible outside of the site boundary.

Emergency exercises are held regularly at all nuclear licensed sites to test their readiness in the event of an emergency.

If you would like any further information please contact us:

Public/stakeholder queries – 07736640682 / 01946 823362

Media queries – 07590 493749 / 019467 86227

Link: Press release: Sellafield Emergency Exercise – Wednesday 6 December 2017
Source: Gov Press Releases

Press release: Official commemorative note launched to mark the release of Star Wars: The Last Jedi

  • Produced by the world’s leading commercial currency provider De La Rue in partnership with the UK Government’s GREAT Britain campaign
  • Fans will be supporting Together for Short Lives

From Thursday 7th December 2017 fans and collectors across the globe will get the chance to own an official commemorative note that has been specially created to celebrate the launch of the year’s most anticipated film, Star Wars: The Last Jedi, the follow up to the UK’s biggest film of all time.

The note will be available exclusively on online marketplace ebay.co.uk and has been created using the technological and design expertise of British company De La Rue, a company that provides currency to over two thirds of the world’s countries, including the United Kingdom. This forms part of a special initiative between Disney and the GREAT Britain Campaign to celebrate the 40 years of British creativity behind the Star Wars films.

This holiday season, Disney UK has combined forces to launch a broad campaign across its range of businesses and its partners’ platforms to raise money, awareness and to create magical memories for the children under hospice care. 100% of the money raised from the commemorative note will be donated to Together for Short Lives, on behalf of Star Wars: Force for Change. Together for Short Lives, a UK-based charity, supports children’s hospices and all children with life-threatening and life-limiting conditions and their families. Star Wars: Force for Change, a charitable initiative from Lucasfilm and Disney, harnesses the strength of Star Wars to empower and improve the lives of children around the world.

eBay will be the exclusive home to a limited run of 1,000 commemorative notes, available at a fixed price of £100 plus a further 50 unique premium notes up for auction. The notes are crafted with 100% cotton cylinder mould paper, securitised and printed in De La Rue’s high security proofing department based in Hampshire. They incorporate an original light side/dark side artwork composition and several special features including serial numbers; pattern work of the First Order and Resistance emblems; hidden scenes (discoverable under 365nm UV light); hidden messages in microtext (discoverable with an eye glass); a message in Aurebesh, one of the languages of the galaxy; and the signature of Director/Writer Rian Johnson. The 50 unique, premium notes will also include an intaglio (a raised, hand-engraving of Rey) and each will have a unique, sequenced serial number.

The film’s director Rian Johnson, whose signature appears on the official note, said:

It’s incredibly exciting to be part of this one of a kind initiative to mark the release of The Last Jedi and for such a fantastic cause.

It was a joy filming in the UK and working with a British crew and I’m delighted the GREAT Britain Campaign and De La Rue are celebrating this with the commemorative note.

The commemorative notes support the Star Wars: Made GREAT in Britain initiative which celebrates the special relationship between Great Britain and the Star Wars films. Over 40 years ago the incredible story between Great Britain and Star Wars began with the production of Star Wars: A New Hope at Elstree Studios. The imagination, inspiration and innovation of the filmmakers included the original lightsaber design by British set decorator Roger Christian – who fashioned it from spare camera parts and collected junk, Academy Award®-winning costume designs from British-born John Mollo – the man who brought Darth Vader’s iconic look to life; and the key roles of the London Symphony Orchestra and Abbey Road – the birthplace of one the most iconic themes in the galaxy. The story continues this year with Star Wars: The Last Jedi which was filmed in the UK using world-class British
talent in both the production team and amongst the on screen stars.

Creative Industries Minister Matt Hancock said:

We are thrilled the new Star Wars film will be celebrated with a commemorative note. The film proudly flies the flag for the UK’s creative industries.
Shot at the iconic Pinewood Studios, it features some of the best British talent in front and behind the cameras and bodes well for the future of UK film. Star Wars is part of the huge success of our film industry. Supported by the Government’s highly successful film tax relief, UK film contributes over £4 billion a year to the economy and supports nearly 70,000 full time jobs. We love film and support the film industry at every turn.

Barbara Gelb OBE, CEO of Together for Short Lives said:

We are absolutely delighted to be partnering with Disney on this incredibly exciting campaign, celebrating the launch of the eagerly awaited Star Wars: The Last Jedi. These commemorative notes are sure to be a huge hit with Star Wars fans; such a fantastic way to raise some ‘real-world’ money to support seriously ill children and young people across the UK. Together for Short Lives will receive 100% of the income so please get bidding and be a Force for Change.

Martin Sutherland, Chief Executive of De La Rue, said:

As a huge Star Wars fan it has been incredibly exciting to be part of this fantastic collaboration with Disney and the GREAT campaign and for our talented design team to transfer the characters from the film onto the commemorative notes. As a great British business we were delighted to have this opportunity to bring together the talent in the British film industry, with the innovation and creative expertise of our design studio, for such a
worthwhile cause. De La Rue produces bank notes and passports which are icons of national pride, so
we are incredibly proud to be able to use our skills to celebrate Star Wars, an icon of intergalactic
pride.

Rob Hattrell, VP, eBay UK , said:

eBay partnered with The Walt Disney Company earlier this month to launch our first dedicated Star Wars shop (ebay.co.uk/StarWars), offering the most diverse range of Star Wars products and memorabilia for fans of the film. Now, we are giving people the opportunity to own a unique piece of Star Wars history with these limited edition commemorative notes, whilst also raising money for a fantastic cause. With 23 million shoppers on site every month, we are able to tap into the nation’s passions and create exciting retail moments like these. On eBay we see shoppers searching every three seconds for Star Wars merchandise and so we are confident that these limited edition notes will result in a buying frenzy that the galaxy has never seen before.

Star Wars: The Last Jedi releases in UK cinemas from 14th December 2017. On Thursday 7th December from 8pm GMT the 1,000 commemorative notes will become available to
buy at a fixed price on www.ebay.co.uk/starwars and the 50 premium notes will be up for auction for 10 days until Sunday 17th December 2017.

For video assets please contact: paris.penmandavies@fco.gov.uk

For Disney please contact: stu.oakley@disney.com

Star Wars note

About Star Wars: The Last Jedi

In Lucasfilm’s Star Wars: The Last Jedi, the Skywalker saga continues as the heroes of the UK’s biggest film of all time, The Force Awakens, join the galactic legends in an epic adventure that unlocks age-old mysteries of the Force and shocking revelations of the past. The film stars Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Adam Driver, Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Lupita Nyong’o, Andy Serkis, Domhnall Gleeson, Anthony Daniels, Gwendoline Christie, Kelly Marie Tran, Laura Dern and Benicio Del Toro. Star Wars: The Last Jedi is written and directed by Rian Johnson and produced by Kathleen Kennedy and Ram Bergman. J.J. Abrams, Tom Karnowski and Jason McGatlin are the executive producers. Star Wars: The Last Jedi opens in U.K. cinemas on December 14, 2017.
CONTACT: ashleigh.richardson@disney.com

About the GREAT Britain campaign

The GREAT Britain Campaign is the UK Government’s most ambitious international marketing campaign ever and showcases the very best of what Britain has to offer in order to encourage the world to visit, study and do business with the UK. It is active in over 144 countries and has so far generated over £3bn in economic returns for Britain.

For questions about the UK’s creative industries including film please contact: joyce.omope@culture.gov.uk

About De La Rue

De La Rue is the world’s largest commercial producer of currency and passports, supplying two thirds of the world’s countries. We are a great British business, with 200 years of experience in international trade and export 80% of our products globally. De La Rue also creates security features that ensure banknotes are protected against counterfeiting and provides governments and commercial organisations with the tools they need to tackle illicit trade. In the last three years alone, De La Rue generating over 7 billion unique products and solutions annually – in the form of banknotes, passports and secure product identifiers. De La Rue is listed on the London Stock Exchange (LON-DLAR).
Contact Sinead.Keller@delarue.com

About Star Wars: Force for Change

Star Wars: Force for Change, a charitable initiative from Lucasfilm and Disney, harnesses the strength of Star Wars to empower and improve the lives of children around the world. Since 2014, it was inspired by Star Wars fans, and the countless hours they have dedicated to philanthropy over the past four decades. To date, over $16 million has been raised for charitable causes around the world on behalf of Star Wars: Force for Change. With a bright future ahead, and new Star Wars stories to be told, Force for Change aims to continue collaborating with causes and encouraging others to be forces for change in their own community.

About eBay.co.uk

eBay Inc. (NASDAQ: EBAY) is a global commerce leader including the Marketplace, StubHub and Classifieds platforms. Collectively, we connect millions of buyers and sellers around the world, empowering people and creating opportunity through Connected Commerce. Founded in 1995 in San Jose, Calif., eBay is one of the world’s largest and most vibrant marketplaces for discovering great value and unique selection. In 2016, eBay enabled $83 billion of gross merchandise volume
Contact: ahague@ebay.com

About Together for Short Lives

Together for Short Lives is a UK wide charity that, together with its members, speaks out for all children and young people who are expected to have short lives. The charity is there to help children and their families to access specialist children’s palliative care services when and where they need it. They provide information so families know where to go for support and have the help they need to make the right choices about their child’s care. Together for Short Lives supports all the professionals, children’s palliative care services and children’s hospices that deliver lifeline care to children and families across the UK. Together with everyone who provides care and support to these children and families, the charity is there to help them have as fulfilling lives as possible and the very best care at the end of life.

Contact Together for Short Lives press office: 0117 989 7820
Visit www.togetherforshortlives.org.uk for more information.
Follow Together for Short Lives on Twitter www.twitter.com/Tog4ShortLives
Like Together for Short Lives on Facebook at www.facebook.com/togetherforshortlives
Together for Short Lives is a registered charity in England and Wales (1144022) and Scotland
(SC044139)


Link: Press release: Official commemorative note launched to mark the release of Star Wars: The Last Jedi
Source: Gov Press Releases

Press release: Free flood warning service for Silsden residents

The Environment Agency has been updating its flood warning systems across West Yorkshire, using new data to provide more accurate alerts to help communities to be better prepared for flooding.

Due to these changes, the Environment Agency is encouraging Silsden residents to check if they are at risk of flooding and to sign up to receive these early flood alert and warning messages so they can be aware of when flooding is possible.

Members of the Environment Agency’s flood resilience team will be at Silsden Town Hall on Wednesday 6th December between 4-7pm, to give residents an opportunity to come and have their say on the new flood warning area, register for the free service and learn how to be prepared for flooding.

Heather Cottrill, from the Environment Agency’s Flood Resilience team said:

Silsden Beck can rise and flow very quickly after heavy rain, but this new warning aims to alert the community in a timely manner, giving them more time to prepare, and to be aware of flooding so that they do not put themselves at danger.

Flood warnings give people valuable time to prepare for flooding – time that allows them to move themselves, their families and precious items to safety. Flood warnings save lives and enable the emergency services to prepare and help communities.

5.2 million homes and businesses in England are at risk of flooding.

Residents can find out if they are eligible to receive free flood warnings, and also register, by calling Floodline on 0345 988 1188, or by visiting https://floodsdestroy.campaign.gov.uk/. This website also includes information on how you can prepare for a flood and keep yourself safe.

Link: Press release: Free flood warning service for Silsden residents
Source: Gov Press Releases

Press release: UKHO Apprentice wins Bridgwater and Taunton College Apprenticeship Award

Sophie Hodson has won the ‘Apprentice Champion’ award at Bridgwater and Taunton College’s Celebration of Apprenticeships Awards, which was held on 29 November at the college’s McMillan Theatre.

UKHO partners with the college to deliver their apprenticeships and was the main sponsor of the event, which saw 21 of the college’s 2500 apprentices making it to the final.

Sophie (Finance Assistant and Apprentice) won the ‘Apprentice Champion’ award, and was also a finalist in the ‘Apprentice of the Year’ category.

Catherine Porter, Agency & Cost Financial Controller at the UKHO and Sophie’s line manager, said:

“Sophie has impressed us all since the day that she joined us. She had never used our financial system before but picked this up very quickly which is key in our roles. Working with her is a delight as she has got a lovely personality and is always proactive. She is forming good relationships around the business and the internal stakeholders that she interacts with are always extremely positive about her. This area is new to her but her commitment to the job and team is commendable.”

Amy Carrillo, Head of Human Resources at the UKHO, was a guest speaker at the awards. Speaking about the importance of apprenticeships to the UKHO, Amy said:

“We have found that apprenticeships have helped us address skill shortages, particularly in the digital field where there is a nationwide skill shortage. We have 20 digital apprenticeships covering cyber security, IT professions, software testing and data analysis. These apprentices are helping us to build a more sustainable future for our digital transition.

We are harnessing new talent and bringing in fresh ideas. Not only that, we are also using apprenticeships to re-train or upskill existing team members.

We have three Data Analyst apprentices that were already part of our production team and have 11 Management apprentices from our teams.

In addition, the UKHO are offering 12 professional apprenticeships across the organisation in finance, HR, procurement, marketing, customer services and business administration up to level 5.”

Link: Press release: UKHO Apprentice wins Bridgwater and Taunton College Apprenticeship Award
Source: Gov Press Releases

Press release: New UK Chief Veterinary Officer appointed

She will take over from Nigel Gibbens who is stepping down at the end of February 2018 following a highly successful 10 years in the post.

Christine will join Defra from her current high profile position in Australia, where she has been working as the CVO in New South Wales since August 2016. During her time there she led major improvements to biosecurity across many farming sectors.

She comes from a farming family in the south of Scotland, with a background in beef cattle and sheep.

Christine will be returning to Defra where she was Deputy Director for Animal Traceability and Public Health in 2016. She is an experienced veterinarian and worked for a number of years in private practice in Scotland and the north of England, prior to joining the Animal Health agency (now part of the Animal and Plant Health Agency) in 2008 as a Divisional Veterinary Manager in Scotland.

During a decade as Chief Vet Nigel Gibbens has been instrumental in driving animal welfare improvements both at a national and international level, and Christine will now build on that work.

The Government has recently made a number of announcements on improving animal welfare and is committed to further reforms as we leave the EU.

Speaking about her appointment, Christine Middlemiss said:

I am delighted to have been appointed and it will be a privilege to lead my veterinary colleagues to support our farming and food industry in this hugely important role.

I am very much looking forward to working again with the team at Defra, its agencies, the devolved administrations and all the individuals and groups which will contribute to meet future challenges across animal health and welfare.

The UK Government has made no secret it wants to cement its place as a world-leader on animal welfare as they leave the European Union, and I’m delighted to have an opportunity to play a part in that.

Welcoming the appointment, the government’s Chief Veterinary Officer, Nigel Gibbens, said:

I would like to congratulate Christine on her success against a strong field of candidates and I am certain she will be a great addition to the department.

Her breadth of experience from work within Government and in the private sector will enable her to provide excellent veterinary leadership to the Defra group to deliver government’s ongoing commitment to maintaining our high animal health and welfare standards and to represent the interests of the whole of the UK internationally.

Animal Welfare Minister Lord Gardiner added:

I warmly welcome Christine to her important role. She brings to it a wealth of experience and enthusiasm.

This Government is embarking on an ambitious programme of animal welfare reform, including plans to increase the maximum sentence for animal cruelty to five years in prison and introducing mandatory CCTV in all abattoirs. Christine will be invaluable in helping us in achieving world leading standards.

I thank Nigel Gibbens for his outstanding contribution as CVO over the past ten years. Leaving the department at the end of February, he is hugely respected across the veterinary community and beyond – leading on responses to disease outbreaks including avian influenza and advising government on issues from antimicrobial resistance to animal welfare.

Christine will take up her new role as CVO for the UK on the 1 March 2018.

Link: Press release: New UK Chief Veterinary Officer appointed
Source: Gov Press Releases