North East engineering firm British Engines has celebrated its 100th anniversary with a special event at Sage Gateshead.
Employees were invited to a 1920s themed event which featured performances from soul singer Beverley Knight and R&B singer Lemar, as well as the Strictly Smokin’ Big Band. The event - which raised £5,560 for the charity Mind - also saw the Gateshead Millennium Bridge lit in British Engines red.
Alex Lamb, chairman at the British Engines Group, said: “There is no doubt that my grandfather and great uncle would have been amazed by this achievement after starting in a small workshop on the St Peters site. I am incredibly proud to say that the group is a major employer of 900 people in the region and 1,200 people across the world, and what better way to celebrate than to come together at this amazing venue”.
British Engines increased its headcount by 45 people during 2021 and has launched a recruitment drive to attract 100 new employees.
Equestrian supplies company Bedmax Limited has made a donation to a charity which helps people in rural Northumberland to heat their homes.
The Belford firm has donated wood to The Northumberland Log Bank which offers ready-cut, seasoned logs free of charge to people in need. Managing director Tim Smalley said: “The Northumberland Log Bank is going to be even more imperative this winter, given the huge price hike for energy and fuel. In a rural community like Northumberland, many houses are not particularly energy efficient and are difficult, and often costly, to keep warm. The Log Banks provide a little relief for those concerned about heating their homes and we are delighted to be able to contribute towards this by providing wood.”
Kate Thick, founding trustee of The Northumberland Log Bank, said: “We are very grateful to Bedmax for the donation of the wood. We could not provide support to households in need in rural Northumberland without such generosity.
“The Northumberland Log Bank is no longer a sapling, it is steadily expanding, but this could not have happened without the support of the individuals and organisations that have volunteered and donated, so thank you.”
Newcastle-based payroll and outsourcing firm The Payroll Software and Services Group (PSSG) has donated £500 to support female football in Berwick.
The Hoults Yard company has made the donation to the Berwick Rangers Community Foundation to support the Berwick Wildcats girls’ football group. The money will help the Wildcats with its expansion plans to allow more local girls and women to enjoy training, playing and coaching football.
PSSG CEO Eric Dunmore said: “We are delighted to support the Berwick Rangers Wildcats girls’ football programme, which was nominated by our colleague, Jennifer Wallace, along with eight other women’s sports teams nationwide. The initiative was inspired by the success of the England women at the Euro 2022 final.”
A Newcastle charity is giving businesses a chance to discover the benefits of hiring people with autism in a bid to increase employment rates of people with the condition.
Smile For Life Children’s Charity is hosting Autism Awareness At Work, an event designed to highlight the skills associated with autism. The event will hear from expert Phillippa Chaplin, and from James Middleton, a young person with the condition who now has a paid apprenticeship as a chef in Smile For Life’s Café Beam in Gosforth.
The event takes place at Harry’s Bar on Grey Street, Newcastle, on Thursday, starting at 12noon.
