construct News from The Casey Companies
November 2011
HRH The Duke of Gloucester Officially opens new Casey Head Office On 17th November, His Royal Highness The Duke of Gloucester KG GCVO officially opened the new offices of The Casey Companies in Rochdale.
energy use. A limited pallet of materials with good sustainability ratings was chosen for the external envelope, in particular timber windows, cladding and a striking brise soliel to shade high summer sun. An extensive green roof was specified as a positive measure in relation to site ecology, rainwater drainage attenuation and insulation of the building envelope. It is also an important acknowledgment that the building can be seen from above and so should sit comfortably in its environment.
Prince Richard, Duke of Gloucester, is the youngest grandson of King George V and Queen Mary. He practised architecture as a partner of a London firm until he commenced royal duties on behalf of his cousin, Queen Elizabeth II, in 1972.
The Duke has remained particularly interested in architecture and conservation. He became a corporate Tony Chell, Casey Managing DirecHRH The Duke of Gloucester, with Chairman Peter Casey and MD Tony tor, said, “It has taken us a very long member of the Royal Institute of Chell, at the official opening ceremony at Casey head office. time to assemble the individual British Architects (RIBA) in 1972, and serves as a commissioner of the Historcomponents that bring together our vision of with the local authority was required and ic Building and Monuments Commission for the perfect working environment. The esrestrictions were placed on the design inEngland (English Heritage). tablishment of our new office building on cluding limits on the height and footprint of the site of the former Rydings Mill within the the building. This led to the configuration of Peter Casey, company Chairman, said, “We green belt area has been a truly remarkable a main core with two two-storey, flat roofed are very proud of our new office building achievement. wings. A third, northern wing was also conand it is an honour that His Royal Highness, sented allowing for future expansion. The Duke of Gloucester, is here to celebrate This transformation and redevelopment of it with our staff and our guests. The buildthe approach to the office through our now The design philosophy was to produce good ing illustrates how far the company has well established wild life corridor is absoenvironmental performance using simple come over the past 43 years and, with his lutely amazing. services and natural ventilation linked to experience, it is particularly fitting that it is thermal mass. The use of a concrete frame We genuinely recognise that our staff are The Duke performing our opening ceremoand green roof, insulated render and timber one of the most important components in ny“. cladding allowed the insulation layer to be the making of a successful company and we on the outside of the external masonry. The offices were designed by Taylor Young, are proud to be able to provide them with This was combined with internal walls of based in Handforth. The brief was for a these beautiful surroundings. We are, and feature stone work and large areas of striking, environmentally responsive buildwill continue to be, Pro-Environment Pro‘slate’ tiled flooring providing the building ing and pleasant environment for staff, in People Pro-Casey.” with a very high thermal mass. This helps keeping with the values of the company. to maintain stable temperature conditions As the site is in the green belt, close liaison across the day.
Talking to staff about current Casey projects
A good quality working environment was achieved within a simply serviced building by sizing the width of the floor plates to provide good lighting and cross flow ventilation. Opening panels behind sets of louvres also allow for night time cooling. The major office spaces benefit from higher than usual soffit heights, and raised floors are provided throughout for services distribution. The early choice of a concrete frame enabled flat ‘clean’ soffits and external walls free from column intrusions. Lighting control in most areas is automatic, to minimise
Peter Casey and Tony Chell, The Duke of Gloucester, the High Sherrif of Manchester and The Mayor and Mayoress of Rochdale.
To submit articles or information for this newsletter, contact Debbie Hubbard on 07834 867580 or debbie.hubbard@casey.co.uk. Thank you to all contributors to this issue.
construct Apprentice Case Study
New Family Homes for St Vincent’s
MICHAEL DAWSON Background Information Local lad Michael started his career within construction, working with a few small local window companies, which he enjoyed for a number of years prior to joining The Casey Group through Fusion 21’s Shared Training Initiative. Michael has been offered a minimum 6 month placement on a project for Plus Dane Housing and he has the prospect of this being extended subject to workload and his own individual performance. Michael, 25, was keen to progress his career and was looking for new challenges with more rewards. Michael heard through a friend that Fusion 21 provided further training, help and guidance with employment opportunities around the local area and so he contacted them to see how they could help him. After attending an interview day at Fusion 21’s offices and a successful interview with Casey’s Labour Manager John Walmsley, Michael soon joined the Casey site team currently working with Plus Dane Group on a Window and Door replacement scheme in the Toxteth area of Liverpool. Michael : ‘I have been very lucky to receive the support from both Casey and Fusion 21, their support has been fantastic, they have helped funding for my courses and without it I don’t think I would have had the opportunity to gain new qualifications and skills. With their help I have completed, First Aid Training, Asbestos Awareness Training, Health & Safety training and soon will be starting an NVQ 2 in Fenestration and want to continue towards achieving NVQ 3. If I achieve these goals then the sky’s the limit for me’. Mike Hyde, Project Manager for Casey: Michael is a pleasure to have on any site team. He is a hardworking, dedicated, enthusiastic lad. He is a fantastic team member who works extremely well with residents while working in and around their homes. Both Michael and the Casey Site Team have received very positive feedback regarding the work carried out.
September saw Casey hand over an exciting new affordable housing development to St Vincent’s Housing Association. The 11 new homes on Spring Street, Bury, are now fully completed and the development comprises of 3 bedroomed, six person accommodation. The new homes are built on the redeveloped site of an old vicarage. All the properties have been built to the Lifetime Homes standard which means they are accessible and adaptable to meet the changing needs of residents. They also include energy efficient features to reduce their impact on the environment and the energy bills of residents. All the properties are for affordable rent and will be managed by St Vincent’s Housing Association. All the units have been designed to Housing Quality Indicators, Code for Sustainable Homes 3 and 4 and to Lifetime Homes standard. The overall capital and lifecycle cost savings has meant that St.Vincent’s Housing Association were able to upgrade two of the units to CSH level 4 with the use of PV’s on the south facing roof slopes.
One of the Code 4 units has been adapted for disabled residents who are benefitting directly from the free energy generated from the PV’s that can be used to charge wheelchairs and equipment. Casey have been working closely with partners Jennings Design Associates Ltd and Wilkinson Cowan Partnership who have a thorough understanding of the design principles associated with each of the standards and an in-depth understanding of the technical issues associated with delivering CSH compliance on complicated urban schemes. Rob Henderson, Director at JDA commented, “We are delighted to hand over the scheme on what we feel is a really successful project in meeting the needs of the local residents. The homes not only deliver quality family accommodation, but are an example of what can be achieved on a sensible budget whilst still delivering a variety of standards including Silver Award for Building for Life, Secured by Design and Code for Sustainable Homes Level 4”
New frameworks for Casey Casey are delighted to have been appointed to the new £100 million E N Procure Elemental Works Framework, which is a collaborative procurement consisting of seven Landlords from the Yorkshire and Humberside region. Members include Barnsley MBC and Berneslai Homes; Doncaster MBC and St Leger Homes; East Riding of Yorkshire Council; Kingston upon Hull City Council; Selby District Council; Sheffield City Council and Sheffield Homes; and Wakefield and District Housing. We have also been appointed to Liverpool Housing Trust’s new window replacement programme in the conservation areas of the city. LHT is part of the Symphony Housing Group and has been providing affordable housing in Merseyside since 1965. Works on these frameworks have not yet been awarded, however we have been awarded a comprehensive works package at Tamworth Towers for Trafford Housing Trust. This scheme consists of various internal works to three tower blocks and will be programmed in two phases— Phase 1 commencing in January 2012 and Phase 2 in September/October 2012.
construct A-a-a-achoo!!! What you need to know about flu Flu, or influenza, is a highly infectious illness caused by the flu virus. It spreads rapidly through small droplets coughed or sneezed into the air by an infected person. Studies have shown that flu vaccines provide effective protection against the flu, although protection may not be complete and may vary between people. Protection from the vaccine gradually decreases and flu strains change over time. Therefore, new vaccines are made each year and people at risk of flu are encouraged to be vaccinated every year. The flu vaccination is offered to people in atrisk groups. These people are at greater risk of developing serious complications if they catch flu, such as pregnant women and elderly people. Who should have the flu vaccination? Certain people are at risk of developing serious complications of flu, such as bronchitis and pneumonia, which may require hospital treatment.
Is the vaccine safe? Although no medical procedure is totally free of risk, flu vaccines are generally very safe. The most common reaction to the jab is a sore arm, or you may feel hot for a day or two after the vaccination. This year’s flu jabs have been tested and approved for use across the UK and in Europe. The jab cannot give you flu because it doesn't contain any active viruses. The Department of Health recommends that everyone who is eligible for a flu jab should have it as soon as the vaccine is available. If you are in an at-risk group and do not have the jab, you will have a greater risk of developing serious complications or even dying if you get flu this winter. If you haven't had the flu vaccine and you are in a risk group, make an appointment to get vaccinated.
• Postpone the New Year detox. It could weaken your immune system.
eg asthma, COPD, bronchitis
• Be altruistic: cover your mouth and nose
• chronic heart disease eg heart failure • chronic liver disease eg hepatitis • chronic kidney disease This year's flu jab (2011) This winter’s flu jab protects against the same three strains of flu as last year’s vaccines. These include the H1N1 strain of the flu virus. H1N1 is the same strain of flu that caused the 2009 swine flu pandemic.
National Road Safety Week As highlighted in the last issue of construct, 21-27 November is National Road Safety Week. Fleet drivers are at the coal face of road safety. Whether you drive a 38 tonne truck or a pizza delivery moped, you make the difference between life and death on our roads. About one in three deaths on roads involves a vehicle being driven for work purposes and more involve people driving to and from work. We have been running a series of short sessions raising the awareness of safe driving
• Wash hands with soap and warm water,
chances of infection from your hands).
• chronic (long term) respiratory disease
or chemotherapy.
Make sure you
• Avoid touching your face (to cut the
or you have
• a weakened immune system due to HIV
Flu has a very efficient transmission mechanism. "It works a bit like an aerosol," says Professor Steve Field, chair of the Royal College of GPs. "When someone sneezes, droplets fly from the nose and mouth." The virus then enters your respiratory system via "flu receptors" in your mouth, nose and eyes. The problem is that the flu virus can also live on surfaces – door handles, lift buttons, phones, a shared towel – for up to two days. You touch an infected surface, touch your own flu receptors and, achoo!
and use them every hour or two.
• are pregnant
• diabetes
And if I don’t have the vaccine?
• Carry alcohol gels if you can't get to a tap
• are 65 or over
TIA or post-polio syndrome
The best time to have a flu jab is in the autumn, from September to November.
on both sides, scrubbing under the nails. Some flu experts say you should keep going as long as it takes to sing Happy Birthday twice.
It is recommended that you have a flu jab if you:
• chronic neurological disease eg stroke,
H1N1 is included because it is likely to be one of the major flu strains circulating in Britain this winter.
for all our company vehicle users, and other employees if they wished. All attendees are asked to make a small donation to Brake, the charity organising this important week, and to make a pledge to drive safely. If you have missed out an a session, please call our Health & Safety Department.
with a disposable tissue when you cough or sneeze, bin the tissue immediately and, yes, wash your hands. If you don’t have a tissue, sneeze into your elbow rather than your hands. Studies also show that strengthening your immune system can protect you. It is important to get adequate sleep, stop smoking and reduce stress levels. Eating a healthy diet also works wonders.
construct Changing Behaviour & Cutting Carbon We have been working with Eastlands Homes to educate residents on how changing behaviour is important when it comes to reducing carbon footprints and working well together keeping fuel bills down. Casey staff, Roy Looms and Tony Duran, recently held a presentation explaining the ways you can
reduce your power consumption and your carbon footprint. As power prices continue to rise, this has never been more important and Eastlands Homes are keen that residents know how they can benefit by changing behaviour. More on this topic next issue.
We’ve All Been Digging Deep There has been a lot of fundraising fun this month, with several charities benefitting. Thank you to everyone who joined in, and to those of you who made donations.
Best wishes of the season to all our Staff, Clients, Partners, and Suppliers
Remember, it’s still not too late. If you would like to donate to any of our charities, just contact Marie on Reception at Head Office.
Breast Cancer Campaign Here we all are Wearing It Pink on 28 Oct. (And I’ve donated an extra £10 just for the pleasure of publishing this picture of George O’Neill and his feather boa—Ed).
Movember During November each year, Movember is responsible for the sprouting of moustaches on thousands of men’s faces in the UK and around the world. The aim is to raise vital funds and awareness for men’s health, specifically prostate cancer and other cancers that affect men. This year, in memory of former employee Dave Lett who died of prostate cancer a couple of years ago, we have formed our very own Mo Growing Team: MoMo-People, MoMo-Progress, MoMo-Environment. Our team consists of several Casey Mo Bros, and a few Mo Sistas to support our guys along the way. Follow us on Facebook and you can sponsor us, or even join our team by going to uk.movember.com/donate/findteam/ . Type in Mo-People and look for the Casey logo. The team is open to anyone, so feel free to join. It’s all for a very good cause.
Help for Heroes The full team of 54 Site Managers, operatives and subcontractors at our Eastlands Low Rise Internals project are all proudly wearing their Help for Heroes bands. It’s spread to our Head Office too. We have a supply of bands on Reception if you would like one.
The Mustard Tree Some of our lads took part in a football tournament organised by Arcus for this charity for the homeless. We got knocked out in the quarter finals, but it was by the tournament winners!
There is always a lot of input required to produce this newsletter, and it’s a team effort. We would like to say a big Thank You! to all contributors: Peter Casey, Tony Chell, Paul Turner, James Billing, Roy Looms, Tony Doran, Dave Stoddart, Gareth Edwards, Sarah Harwood, Mike Hyde, Paul Byrne
The Casey Companies Rydings Road, Rochdale, OL12 9PS T: 01706 341121
F: 01706 861156
E: info@casey.co.uk
W: www.casey.co.uk