Apprentice joiners build street libraries

Apprentice joiners create community street libraries for new housing developments

Apprentice joiners have put the finishing touches to community street libraries they have created for new housing developments being built by Barratt Homes. The initiative is part of leading housebuilder Barratt Homes' commitment to fostering a sense of community within its new developments. The street libraries have been installed at three of its new housing developments, including Blackberry Park near Bristol, Charfield Gardens in South Gloucestershire, and Great Oldbury in Gloucestershire.

The street library is a wooden, fully weather-proofed outdoor store with a Perspex door that can hold around 50 books for exchange by residents. It offers people the chance to take part in a simple, free to access, community book-swap.

The street libraries have been constructed by young people on Barratt Homes' apprenticeship programme. Barratt Homes' Bristol division takes on six apprentices every year and the joinery apprentices have been busy building the street libraries as part of their level two and three qualifications in carpentry. Apprentice Cezary Poniatowski, 21, from Bristol, started his apprenticeship in 2018 and has been working on the street library for Blackberry Park in Coalpit Heath near Bristol. He says: "I'm in my third year of my apprenticeship at Barratt Homes and I'm getting a great learning experience and high level skills. I have been working on first and second fix jobs such as fitting doors, skirting boards, and roof joists. I'm really lucky because I started my apprenticeship with Carillion, then, when they went into receivership, Barratt Homes took me on and now I have nearly completed my level three qualification in joinery. After that I will be all set to continue my career in construction." Surrounded by countryside, Blackberry Park, near the village of Frampton Cottrell, is a development of more than 200, two, three four and five-bedroom homes, where the first residents moved in last year. Here, the new street library is just one small part of Barratt Homes' approach to creating a thriving community at Blackberry Park. Barratt Homes is making a contribution worth more than £700,000 towards wider community improvements including outdoor sports facilities, allotments and recreational open spaces.

Charfield Gardens, near Wotton-Under-Edge, South Gloucestershire, a growing community of 115 two, three and four-bedroom homes, will also be home to a new street library. Complete with allotments and an orchard, Charfield Gardens also has shared outdoor facilities including a new play area and a trim trail connecting to local countryside walks. Barratt Homes is contributing over £885,000 in community benefits through section 106 contributions, as well as additional support for local organisations over and above the planning requirements, including £6,000 towards Charfield Village Hall. Local apprentice Drew Lewis, 19, who has been working on the street library for Charfield Gardens, is halfway through his level two apprenticeship. He says: "I really like the variety of work we do - no two days are the same. Working with all the other trades on site is fun and it's satisfying watching the houses go up. I'm enjoying it so much I'm hoping to go onto do my level 3." Great Oldbury in Stonehouse will also be home to a new street library. Set within walking distance to the beautiful Thames and Severn Canal, this development of hundreds of two, three and four-bedroom homes will have multiple play areas, sports pitches and a new school, which is opening later this year. Barratt Homes is also planting over 350 trees at Great Oldbury. Apprentice Ethan Godwin, 18, who has been working on Great Oldbury's street library, says: "I feel incredibly lucky to be here, I came straight onto this apprenticeship from school and it's great - with on the job training I can earn as I learn. I really enjoy working in a team on-site, everyone is really friendly and supportive. I would like to stay with Barratt Homes to do my level three qualification and after that, the opportunities are endless. "

The apprenticeships at Barratt Homes are available to anyone who has just left school or college, and those looking for a new challenge or a career change.

Andrea Pilgrim sales director at Barratt Homes' Bristol division which covers the wider South Gloucestershire region, says: "These street libraries are just one way we are working to create a real sense of community within the new developments we are building. We hope that people enjoy using them, perhaps discover a new book they might not have tried otherwise, or even make new connections within their community through the initiative. It is particularly rewarding to see our young apprentices embracing this project; they have done a fantastic job of creating the street libraries and we congratulate them on their excellent craftsmanship."

To find out more about the new homes or to register your interest in visiting the new show homes just click the image on the left.

Bristol salon NOCO Hair received global recognition in the Salon Business Awards on Monday 19th July in a glamorous awards ceremony at the decadent Quaglino’s in London.

The international hairdressing awards recognise salons and stylists that go the extra mile for their staff, clients and local community. After beating hundreds of entries in the Customer Service Salon category to win top spot, NOCO Hair’s Corey Taylor said: “We are over the moon with this award, customer service means a lot to us, as we love to look after people. If a client leaves the salon in a better emotional state than when they have come in because of the service they have received, then we have succeeded. To be recognised in such a prestigious way feels amazing!” Over 250 guests turned up to the Mayfair hot-spot to see 14 salons and two individuals receive their certificate and award, while feasting on delicious canapes and bubbles aplenty.

Dubbed Freedom Day, due to the national lifting of Government Covid restrictions the same day, the most often heard comment was “perfect timing”. Salon Business Publishing Editor Joanne Charlton said: “The SBAwards Grand Final brought the industry back together in the way we remember – with hugs, dancing and networking from start to finish.” “We were proud to give the winners the recognition they deserve in glorious surroundings filled with friends. Each of the winners truly represents everything that’s good about our industry - dedication, hard work, creativity and togetherness.”

Upon arriving at the venue, guests were led down a grand staircase to the main floor, where Brendan Mills was on the saxophone, warming the crowd. Mingling was high on the agenda for guests meeting friends old and new, before the awards announcements began. Paul Simbler, HOB Salons Director, joined Joanne Charlton onstage to present the first half of the awards, with representatives of the sponsors taking to the stage for the final half. The awards would not have happened without the unwavering support of the sponsors, including Schwarzkopf Professional, Remi Cachet, Joico, Paul Mitchell, iSalon and Unite, who also contributed generously to the SBAwards Goody bag, making it the best one yet.

Every entry was judged by representatives from prestigious professional hair brands including Schwarzkopf Professional, Remi Cachet, Joico, Paul Mitchell, iSalon and Unite, as well as award-winning hairdressers including Errol Douglas MBE and Guy Kremer.

Consultation on the A4 Corridor Project

26th July sees the long-awaited launch of the public consultation on the A4 Corridor project. The consultation is being led by the West of England Combined Authority in partnership with Bristol City Council and Bath and North East Somerset Council. The survey can be found on the Travel West website and runs until 10 September.

The long-term aim of the project is to deliver a mass-transit link between the two cities of Bristol and Bath but in the short term is looking at improving bus reliability and encouraging more walking and cycling. Congestion and air quality is very poor in the area and so the more we can encourage people to travel sustainably, the better, especially as the local population is set to grow in the coming years.

The survey includes sections on general travel behaviour, bus use, Park and Ride, cycling and walking. You can skip questions that are not relevant to you and there is also space to add your own comments. As well as the survey, there is an interactive mapping tool where you make comments relating to specific locations. You can also see what other people have suggested and ‘like’ comments you agree with. The elephant in the room is of course the Callington Road Link, which is not mentioned in this consultation but is a key part of the project.

Despite official claims that nothing has been decided, it’s pretty clear that if road space on the A4 is reallocated for bus lanes then private vehicles will be diverted onto a new road along the route of the former Brislington Railway Line.

In our survey comments, we’ll be suggesting that building new roads is not the best way to encourage sustainable travel choices or improve air quality!

We would like to encourage everyone to participate in this survey, including residents and local businesses, and especially those who live and work in the vicinity or who use the route on a regular basis. This is your chance to have your say on an important project that will shape our area for decades to come.

By Cllr. Jos Clark and Cllr. Andrew Varney

cllr.jos.clark@bristol.gov.uk 07584 370429

cllr.andrew.varney@bristol.gov.uk 07584 183381