Author: James Anderson, FRSA, CMgr MCMI

V&D Interiors Ltd has already had a trial run of their scheme, a six-week scheme supported by Saint Gobains British Gypsum, which led to five students passing a course, two with distinction.The business, which is working with SBC Training, now aims to stage apprenticeships in May and September and want to provide an opportunity for local people, bridging the construction gap.Contracts manager and head trainer Paul Nightingale: “We know there is a serious shortage in skilled labour in the industry and wanted to do something about it.”We purchased a building in 2019 which has three separate units and there was…

The National Access and Scaffolding Confederation (NASC) has announced the death of Wayne Connolly, its president and chairman.Connolly, who was also chairman of the Construction Industry Scaffolders Record Scheme (CISRS), had a long-standing involvement in the scaffolding sector.He previously chaired the NASC’s Membership Standards Committee and served as a regional chair before joining its board in 2022. He became president and chairman of both NASC and CISRS earlier this year.Connolly also held the position of chair at the International Access and Scaffolding Association (IASA), where he promoted best practice and collaboration among global trade bodies.He founded Connolly Scaffolding in 1993…

A suspected rapist and a criminal at large are among the most wanted people in Sussex.Crimestoppers currently lists 218 people who Sussex Police want to track down or who have links to the county and are wanted by other police forces.Mohammed AhmadiMohammed Ahmadi (Image: Crimestoppers)Crimestopppers said Ahmadi absconded after being charged in August 2018 with serious sexual offences that occurred in February 2018.He is accused of the rape of a female aged 16 and over.He failed to attend court and is now wanted on warrant.If you have any information in relation to his whereabouts contact Crimestoppers using their anonymous online reporting…

The A29, Church Hill, in Pulborough, has been only partly accessible to traffic following a landslide in late December 2022. An ongoing stalemate between the council and the landowners of the embankments on the side of the road has meant the situation has yet to be resolved. The embankments are in private ownership and this has complicated repair efforts for the council, as it is unable to undertake work without the owners’ approval. Geo-technical experts have determined the embankments’ instability puts both vehicles and pedestrians in danger, compelling the current restrictions on road use. The council set up single-file traffic…

The Met Office has confirmed 30C is expected on Thursday and 29C on Friday and Saturday – and households in England are being urged to keep their windows closed in the heatDirect sunlight can really heat up a room(Image: Tatiana Maksimova via Getty Images)The heatwave is set to make a comeback across the UK, with temperatures expected to rise starting Tuesday and reaching a scorching 29C by Thursday, continuing into the weekend. As the mercury soars, households in England and throughout the UK are advised to keep their windows, curtains, and blinds shut this coming Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.After a…

A large fire has broken out at an electrical substation in north west London, sending heavy smoke billowing over the capital.Fifteen fire engines and around 100 firefighters were called to the scene at Victoria Passage, Aberdeen Place, St John’s Wood, at 5.29am today.Locals have been told to keep their doors and windows closed, with 80 people having been evacuated from a nearby block of flats.The blaze has sent a large plume of smoke into the sky as firefighters confirm an electrical transformer is alight. Part of the roof of a neighbouring residential block was also alight but this is now…

A new report shows that visitor trips across East and West Sussex (excluding Brighton and Hove) generated more than £4 billion in 2024. The Economic Impact of Tourism in East and West Sussex report, published by Experience Sussex, reveals that 50.6 million visitor trips brought in more than £4.06 billion for the region’s economy. Overnight visitors contributed £1.384 billion from 5.4 million stays, while 45.1 million day-trippers generated £1.599 billion. Councillor Garry Wall, West Sussex County Council’s cabinet member for economic development, said: “Sussex has a world class offer with some of the finest places to visit, stay, and experience…

Wednesday, 24 December 2025 07:07 Picture credit: Adobe Stock Treasury Minister says it’s important to give building firms time to prepare for upcoming developments The treasury minister says publishing a five-year plan of the upcoming major capital projects is important to give the construction industry time to prepare. Alex Allinson’s department includes a five-year spending plan on government developments as part of its annual budget. He faced questions about progress on a number of projects when he presented Treasury’s department plan to Tynwald earlier this month. Minister Allinson told Manx Radio it’s important to stagger new builds: Listen to this…

Trusted Roofing Homeowners learn a monthly, seasonal, and annual care schedule as Trusted Roofing explains roof inspection Nashville, TN best practices. Trusted Roofing Guides Homeowners Through Roof Maintenance in Nashville, TN With a Clear Year-Round Plan Homeowners learn a monthly, seasonal, and annual care schedule as Trusted Roofing explains roof inspection Nashville, TN best practices. Hendersonville, TN , Dec. 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) —  Most roof failures do not happen suddenly. They develop quietly over time as missed inspections and inconsistent upkeep allow minor issues to escalate. Trusted Roofing explains that homeowners who follow a defined monthly, seasonal, and annual…

Adur and Worthing Councils have launched an ambitious plan to protect and restore the natural environment from the South Downs to the coast. The strategy builds on existing efforts and introduces five new nature recovery corridors to connect and strengthen habitats across the region. Councillor Andy Harvey, Adur’s cabinet member for the environment and leisure, said: “From the coastline to the downs and everything in between, we’re fortunate to have such a diverse range of habitats across Adur that are capable of supporting so much wildlife. “I’m really excited by our new vision for nature, which has great ambitions to…