I have written many pieces over the years, many of them for RPS Group Plc between 2007 and 2020. Some of the most appealing subjects have been presented by the world outside the business from 'no news' to topical subjects, or the one part of a bigger enterprise that everyone asks about - an entire ecological survey project was completely overshadowed in popularity by the cute critters it featured ...Who gives a quoll? Most folk it seems!
A few of my favourite written pieces appear below. During 2020-2021 I have been co-writing and editing for Cowley News, with written pieces including Standing with Giants, Cowley and the Battle for Britain, Meet the Venda, and Waste2Taste in lockdown,
A few of my favourite written pieces appear below. During 2020-2021 I have been co-writing and editing for Cowley News, with written pieces including Standing with Giants, Cowley and the Battle for Britain, Meet the Venda, and Waste2Taste in lockdown,
Why dividing the Os and joining the dots is the way forward in the carbon free race
(September 2020)
The role of hydrogen in getting to Net Zero
(independent writing for an application)
While there is no one clear answer for achieving Net Zero carbon emissions from our industry and domestic activity, it is evident that conventional renewables alone are not the perfect solution without a little help. Broadening the playing field, governments worldwide are looking to the opportunities presented by hydrogen.
(September 2020)
The role of hydrogen in getting to Net Zero
(independent writing for an application)
While there is no one clear answer for achieving Net Zero carbon emissions from our industry and domestic activity, it is evident that conventional renewables alone are not the perfect solution without a little help. Broadening the playing field, governments worldwide are looking to the opportunities presented by hydrogen.
Last year, the European Union, US and Japan pledged to cooperate toward developing mainstream hydrogen and hydrogen fuel cell technology at the 2019 G20 Summit. February this year, the UK government announced a £90m package to tackle emissions – including the first large-scale low carbon hydrogen plants in Europe – capable of heating over 200,000 homes.
Several countries are already carving a strong path for hydrogen technology. Western Australia’s Murchisson project is planned to tie-in existing resource and optimise current outputs and carbon performance. The project[1] is set to generate up to 5000MW solar and wind energy, and extract green hydrogen[2], using Carbon Capture and Storage[3] (CCS), to be used for heavy transport fuel (itself a significant contributor to renewable power infrastructure), blended into existing natural gas supply lines, and exported to Asian markets.
Like Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), hydrogen is a valuable commodity in particular demand from Europe, Asia and America. Its future as a greener and purer resource for transport fuel is unquestionable, especially when the existing provisions for electric vehicles remains little off the starting blocks. As a naturally occurring gas which does not require the refinement processes of oil-based fuels and whose main by-product is water, its application in running the world’s first hydrogen fuel cell commuter trains in Germany is an inspiring step forward.
Like Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), hydrogen is a valuable commodity in particular demand from Europe, Asia and America. Its future as a greener and purer resource for transport fuel is unquestionable, especially when the existing provisions for electric vehicles remains little off the starting blocks. As a naturally occurring gas which does not require the refinement processes of oil-based fuels and whose main by-product is water, its application in running the world’s first hydrogen fuel cell commuter trains in Germany is an inspiring step forward.
In Britain, the North West Hydrogen Alliance[4] (NWHA) – a consortium of some of the UK’s main listed consultants working with Shell and the University of Chester – is committed to making hydrogen the answer for the UK Government’s Road to Zero strategy, and the domestic concerns raised by dwindling stored gas resources.
As exemplified by the G20 pledge, and recent proposals from Germany for joined-up European and international commitment to certification, the way forward for hydrogen to firmly achieve its rightful place in realising net zero, is together, with global political bodies and governments working together, supported by consultants, scientists, and industry.
NWHA’s Cadent has been given the green light for the first live trial of blended hydrogen and natural gas for domestic supply in England’s north-east through its HyDeploy programme. As hydrogen can be stored easily, in pressurised cannisters, or subsea salt caverns (where the UK has previously stored natural gas reserves), and the gas pipelines already exist, the infrastructure needed is already more than partway there.
Add in the plans for subsea grids linking energy supply networks across islands and channels and a comprehensive approach to District Heating plans, with more reliance on renewable energy as primary sources and we could, as a world, be almost there.
Add in the plans for subsea grids linking energy supply networks across islands and channels and a comprehensive approach to District Heating plans, with more reliance on renewable energy as primary sources and we could, as a world, be almost there.
Notes
[1] The government-sponsored project is led by Hydrogen Renewables Australia (leading the planned Star of the South wind farm – tabled to be Australia’s first offshore wind development) and global innovative technology business Siemens.
[2] Blue hydrogen – water is electrolysed to split the components into hydrogen and oxygen, with the resultant release of CO2 being captured through carbon capture and storage. Green hydrogen – if the electric current used to split the components is generated from a renewable energy source such as solar or wind power then the extraction result is ‘green hydrogen’.
[3] Carbon Capture and Storage separates out the CO2 produced in generating electricity, removing up to 90% of it, and stores it for further use in industry – it can be used with renewable biomass to achieve carbon-negative impacts.
[4] Atkins, BOC (Linde Group), Cadent, Costain, Peel, INOVYN, Shell and the University of Chester.
[2] Blue hydrogen – water is electrolysed to split the components into hydrogen and oxygen, with the resultant release of CO2 being captured through carbon capture and storage. Green hydrogen – if the electric current used to split the components is generated from a renewable energy source such as solar or wind power then the extraction result is ‘green hydrogen’.
[3] Carbon Capture and Storage separates out the CO2 produced in generating electricity, removing up to 90% of it, and stores it for further use in industry – it can be used with renewable biomass to achieve carbon-negative impacts.
[4] Atkins, BOC (Linde Group), Cadent, Costain, Peel, INOVYN, Shell and the University of Chester.
Cypripedium orchid - a common member of the orchid family
'Myth or artifice?' RPS orchid report at centre of media attention (April 2019)
Have I Got News For You?
Question of orchids near Gatwick Airport is focus of a topical satire show
A report by RPS Group Plc on the Government’s assessment of the second runway at Gatwick as an alternative to the third runway at Heathrow has been prominent in UK news over the last two weeks.
Question of orchids near Gatwick Airport is focus of a topical satire show
A report by RPS Group Plc on the Government’s assessment of the second runway at Gatwick as an alternative to the third runway at Heathrow has been prominent in UK news over the last two weeks.
The Government’s assessment in 2017 was that the option of a new runway at Gatwick shouldn’t be chosen because extra traffic on the M25 would threaten rare orchids around 15 miles from the airport; even though the Heathrow scheme had a number of potentially significant impacts on habitats designated as European Sites.
RPS was appointed by Gatwick to review the Government’s assessment. Our subsequent report showed no evidence that the orchids in question were present in the area that may be affected. The grassland in the survey area was found unlikely to support orchid growth of that nature, and with no plans to change the management of this area in the foreseeable future, there would not be significant relevant impacts.
Nevertheless, the Heathrow scheme was recommended by the Government and approved by MPs in June 2018. Now, amidst a judicial review of the resulting National Policy Statement, the significance of the RPS report to the Government’s decision-making process featured heavily; with the report’s findings having been introduced to the argument by London Mayor Sadiq Khan’s team.
With regards to the missing orchids, the Sunday Times (31 March) quickly picked up on the possibility that rabbits, or four cows with access to the area, may have eaten them. This was also debated at some length by Ian Hislop and David Dimbleby during the Pictures round of the satirical UK current affairs quiz show 'Have I Got News for You' (BBC, 5 April). The judicial review continues….
Providing a solution to a matter of public health (2019)
In a unique move within the highly competitive laboratory analysis market, RPS in the Netherlands and SGS, the leading multinational verifier and certifier, have cast aside any hesitancy and decided to share analysis techniques for hexavalent chromium (known as Chromium 6).
The two businesses are working together, under the advice of the Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management, to develop one reliable approach for testing for Chromium 6, a carcinogenic compound formed as a result of some industrial processes.
Frank Vrolijks (General Director at RPS) and Udo Waltman (Director of SGS Search) explain why they decided to suddenly put all their cards on the table: it is a matter of public health. See their interview here
How easy can it be to deliver a Zero Emission Zone in a couple of years? (2018)
Considering the Oxford Zero Emission Zone Plan – a grand scheme for an historic congested city
There are some foggy mornings in Oxford where you can almost taste the traffic fumes in the air, and you half begin to wonder whether the local authorities aren't onto a bad thing when they talk about banning all but completely electric vehicles from six of the major streets in the city centre by 2020. If it does this it will be the first UK city to ban (almost) all petrol and diesel vehicles from its centre.
With time, the council plans that the Zero Emission Zone will be expanded to draw in more of the city’s streets, focussing foremost on those with the greatest traffic density during daytime hours. It is intended that almost the entire city centre will be free of petrol and diesel cars, taxis and buses by 2030, in time for the UK Government’s ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel vehicles coming into force in 2040. HGVs won’t be affected until 2035 but also make up a significant volume of traffic density in the early and late daytime hours, delivering supplies to the city centre’s many chain stores, the enormous new Westgate centre that has just opened, and the various university colleges.
Although Oxford has managed to achieve an overall reduction in traffic-derived air pollution levels across the city in the last decade, the improvement is not evenly spread. Areas of the city centre still fail to meet the UK and EU legal limits for nitrogen dioxide (NO2) eight years after they were mandated to achieve compliance. Pollution from suspended particulate matter (PM) is within legal limits, although a recent World Health Organisation study indicated the city exceeds their own non-statutory guideline levels. The argument for the zone is pretty compelling. If you then consider that many of the UK’s cities and towns show similar excedences, the case for it as the start of a nationwide move begins to feel quite urgent.
Of course, it’s all well and good for the authority to promise sweeping changes, but can it deliver the level of infrastructure needed? The city currently offers three public electric vehicle charging points within the city centre and a handful of others at various points around the edges of the city – mostly Park and Ride sites. However, there are plans to install 100 on-street points across the city’s residential areas under the Go Ultra Low trial by the city and county councils which will be a world first on this scale – supported by the UEOne project to install 20 retractable on-street charging points. This is intended to help answer the issue of many homes in the city having no off-street parking. The trials are being funded through a combination of government grant and private investment.
The city bus companies are running fleets of fairly recently purchased hybrid PSVs which by dint of being only hybrid would therefore need replacing. A government grant will need to cover most of the cost of these significant changes, and considering that the city council is pretty much starting from scratch to meet a self-imposed two-year deadline it sounds perhaps a little over-optimistic. Maybe as fantastical as the notion of an underground highway to relieve the city’s congestion problems…
The councils’ own vehicle stocks at the end of 2017 were recorded as 365 diesel and one hybrid vehicle operated by Oxfordshire County Council, and 17 electric and 22 hybrid of a 322 fleet operated by Oxford City Council. Needless to say, plans are being made to improve on this.
It is not that the city’s residents are opposed to cleaning up Oxford’s smog, but many question quite how they will personally manage to afford a vehicle that complies with the ZEZ requirements when petrol and diesel vehicles still fill much of the second-hand market and electric vehicles are notably more expensive. The costs of living in the UK’s least affordable city clearly won’t help.
Although many locals opt to walk, cycle or bus around the city, the fact remains that getting from one side of the city to another is still usually easiest done by private car having regard to the time it takes to walk, the need to brave the bottlenecks and blind junctions by bicycle and the succession of costly bus trips that ironically get held up by the congestion that they seek to resolve. The city centre is largely dedicated to tourism, retail and students, and there is the risk of reducing the tourist, retail and dining footfall considerably without providing a robust, integrated and attractive travel option. Theoretically the Park and Ride facilities cover this point but seem to make little dent in the centre’s traffic.
Would making the city centre a ZEZ force more vehicles to the edges of the city? In all likelihood, yes. However, there is next to no capacity to accommodate such displaced traffic, particularly on the congested ring road. Congestion is spreading way beyond the peaks, forcing through-traffic to rat run through the surrounding villages and countryside. With few attractive alternatives, it is likely that cross-city traffic will simply join the queue, forcing yet further longer distance through-traffic to divert through wider and more tortuous rat runs. The ‘vicious circle’ will widen and widen meaning the resolution of one environmental problem will potentially lead to the creation of many more.
Overall, it could be a fantastic initiative kick-starting very successful ZEZ’s country-wide if it can be delivered effectively. However, there are far too many other issues at play to allow for a sticking-plaster remedy.
There are some foggy mornings in Oxford where you can almost taste the traffic fumes in the air, and you half begin to wonder whether the local authorities aren't onto a bad thing when they talk about banning all but completely electric vehicles from six of the major streets in the city centre by 2020. If it does this it will be the first UK city to ban (almost) all petrol and diesel vehicles from its centre.
With time, the council plans that the Zero Emission Zone will be expanded to draw in more of the city’s streets, focussing foremost on those with the greatest traffic density during daytime hours. It is intended that almost the entire city centre will be free of petrol and diesel cars, taxis and buses by 2030, in time for the UK Government’s ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel vehicles coming into force in 2040. HGVs won’t be affected until 2035 but also make up a significant volume of traffic density in the early and late daytime hours, delivering supplies to the city centre’s many chain stores, the enormous new Westgate centre that has just opened, and the various university colleges.
Although Oxford has managed to achieve an overall reduction in traffic-derived air pollution levels across the city in the last decade, the improvement is not evenly spread. Areas of the city centre still fail to meet the UK and EU legal limits for nitrogen dioxide (NO2) eight years after they were mandated to achieve compliance. Pollution from suspended particulate matter (PM) is within legal limits, although a recent World Health Organisation study indicated the city exceeds their own non-statutory guideline levels. The argument for the zone is pretty compelling. If you then consider that many of the UK’s cities and towns show similar excedences, the case for it as the start of a nationwide move begins to feel quite urgent.
Of course, it’s all well and good for the authority to promise sweeping changes, but can it deliver the level of infrastructure needed? The city currently offers three public electric vehicle charging points within the city centre and a handful of others at various points around the edges of the city – mostly Park and Ride sites. However, there are plans to install 100 on-street points across the city’s residential areas under the Go Ultra Low trial by the city and county councils which will be a world first on this scale – supported by the UEOne project to install 20 retractable on-street charging points. This is intended to help answer the issue of many homes in the city having no off-street parking. The trials are being funded through a combination of government grant and private investment.
The city bus companies are running fleets of fairly recently purchased hybrid PSVs which by dint of being only hybrid would therefore need replacing. A government grant will need to cover most of the cost of these significant changes, and considering that the city council is pretty much starting from scratch to meet a self-imposed two-year deadline it sounds perhaps a little over-optimistic. Maybe as fantastical as the notion of an underground highway to relieve the city’s congestion problems…
The councils’ own vehicle stocks at the end of 2017 were recorded as 365 diesel and one hybrid vehicle operated by Oxfordshire County Council, and 17 electric and 22 hybrid of a 322 fleet operated by Oxford City Council. Needless to say, plans are being made to improve on this.
It is not that the city’s residents are opposed to cleaning up Oxford’s smog, but many question quite how they will personally manage to afford a vehicle that complies with the ZEZ requirements when petrol and diesel vehicles still fill much of the second-hand market and electric vehicles are notably more expensive. The costs of living in the UK’s least affordable city clearly won’t help.
Although many locals opt to walk, cycle or bus around the city, the fact remains that getting from one side of the city to another is still usually easiest done by private car having regard to the time it takes to walk, the need to brave the bottlenecks and blind junctions by bicycle and the succession of costly bus trips that ironically get held up by the congestion that they seek to resolve. The city centre is largely dedicated to tourism, retail and students, and there is the risk of reducing the tourist, retail and dining footfall considerably without providing a robust, integrated and attractive travel option. Theoretically the Park and Ride facilities cover this point but seem to make little dent in the centre’s traffic.
Would making the city centre a ZEZ force more vehicles to the edges of the city? In all likelihood, yes. However, there is next to no capacity to accommodate such displaced traffic, particularly on the congested ring road. Congestion is spreading way beyond the peaks, forcing through-traffic to rat run through the surrounding villages and countryside. With few attractive alternatives, it is likely that cross-city traffic will simply join the queue, forcing yet further longer distance through-traffic to divert through wider and more tortuous rat runs. The ‘vicious circle’ will widen and widen meaning the resolution of one environmental problem will potentially lead to the creation of many more.
Overall, it could be a fantastic initiative kick-starting very successful ZEZ’s country-wide if it can be delivered effectively. However, there are far too many other issues at play to allow for a sticking-plaster remedy.
Update reading: See Oxford Zero Emission Zone plans relaxed as 2020 driving plan dropped - Oxford Mail 16 January 2019
Further reading on infrastructure for electric vehicles:
The decarbonisation of transport (Network magazine November 2018, Faversham House Ltd.)
Enabling the electric vehicle revolution (Network magazine November 2018, Faversham House Ltd.)
The decarbonisation of transport (Network magazine November 2018, Faversham House Ltd.)
Enabling the electric vehicle revolution (Network magazine November 2018, Faversham House Ltd.)
Drift modelling training for Indonesian Search and Rescue Authority (2015)
RPS APASA’s Sasha Zigic joined Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) Emergency Response Division in Jakarta to deliver SARMAP (Search and Rescue modelling tool developed by APASA) drift modelling training under the Indonesian Transport Safety Assistance Package.
Fifteen Indonesian search and rescue authority (Badan Nasional Pencarian dan Pertolongan, or Search and Rescue National Agency) BASARNAS officers attended the two-day course, including some who had previously spent time in AMSA Search and Rescue under an ongoing exchange program.
Equipped with newly acquired skills, BASARNAS officers are now able to access real time wind and ocean current data to maximise their search efforts and to formulate a more accurate search area. This computer-based program will be integrated into BASARNAS’ current search and rescue tools to assist in locating survivors and missing people who find themselves in distress in the vast oceans and waterways within the Indonesian Search and Rescue Region.
The course was well received and an additional two SARMAP courses are planned to be rolled out at other Indonesian rescue coordination centres during this year.
RPS APASA’s Sasha Zigic joined Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) Emergency Response Division in Jakarta to deliver SARMAP (Search and Rescue modelling tool developed by APASA) drift modelling training under the Indonesian Transport Safety Assistance Package.
Fifteen Indonesian search and rescue authority (Badan Nasional Pencarian dan Pertolongan, or Search and Rescue National Agency) BASARNAS officers attended the two-day course, including some who had previously spent time in AMSA Search and Rescue under an ongoing exchange program.
Equipped with newly acquired skills, BASARNAS officers are now able to access real time wind and ocean current data to maximise their search efforts and to formulate a more accurate search area. This computer-based program will be integrated into BASARNAS’ current search and rescue tools to assist in locating survivors and missing people who find themselves in distress in the vast oceans and waterways within the Indonesian Search and Rescue Region.
The course was well received and an additional two SARMAP courses are planned to be rolled out at other Indonesian rescue coordination centres during this year.
An icon in Oz (2011)
The RPS Sydney office is providing planning advice and has managed the preparation of the Environmental Assessment for the landmark new Faculty of Business building on the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) campus, as part of its $1bn, ten year renewal programme.
Named the Dr Chau Chak Wing Building –after the Australian-Chinese businessman who has donated $20m towards its construction; it is the first building in Australia to be designed by internationally acclaimed architect Frank Gehry, and has received considerable interest from international press.
Gehry is creating a design to transform a former industrial site at Ultimo into a building of international repute. The $150m building will be the 81-year-old architect's first in Australia, pending the University's council approval of his finished concept design next year.
The site on the corners of Ultimo Road and Omnibus Lane is in the midst of an inner suburbia of utilitarian architecture and narrow streets –asked if he liked the site at the start of the project, Gehry is reported to have responded thoughtfully: “I like the problem.”
Gehry has described the building as a 'trunk and core of activity, with branches for people to connect and [to] do their private work'. The sandy hues of the building echo the sandstone used in Ultimo’s older housing, and tonal contrast is achieved with glass walls to the west –mirroring sections of the surrounding cityscape, and a brick façade to the east –nodding to the dignity of Sydney’s brick heritage. Affectionately dubbed the ‘brown bag’ building by the media, it has attracted a good deal of public interest over its aesthetic design, but the creative innovation of such a complex construction has to be admired.
Construction is due to start next year and it is expected to be completed in 2014. The ‘Treehouse’ –as Gehry refers to it- will be 15,488 square metres, approximately 50 metres high, and is estimated to house 2,907 students and around 326 staff.
The concept of urban renewal is key to the new UTS City Campus Masterplan, which will see the creation of four buildings and precincts that will make the campus an integral part of the surrounding urban and social fabric.
Gehry has won international accolades for his buildings including the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Spain, the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles and the InterActive Corp headquarters in New York. His designs have earned him the British Royal Gold Medal and the US Pritzker Prize - the two biggest honours in architecture.
Named the Dr Chau Chak Wing Building –after the Australian-Chinese businessman who has donated $20m towards its construction; it is the first building in Australia to be designed by internationally acclaimed architect Frank Gehry, and has received considerable interest from international press.
Gehry is creating a design to transform a former industrial site at Ultimo into a building of international repute. The $150m building will be the 81-year-old architect's first in Australia, pending the University's council approval of his finished concept design next year.
The site on the corners of Ultimo Road and Omnibus Lane is in the midst of an inner suburbia of utilitarian architecture and narrow streets –asked if he liked the site at the start of the project, Gehry is reported to have responded thoughtfully: “I like the problem.”
Gehry has described the building as a 'trunk and core of activity, with branches for people to connect and [to] do their private work'. The sandy hues of the building echo the sandstone used in Ultimo’s older housing, and tonal contrast is achieved with glass walls to the west –mirroring sections of the surrounding cityscape, and a brick façade to the east –nodding to the dignity of Sydney’s brick heritage. Affectionately dubbed the ‘brown bag’ building by the media, it has attracted a good deal of public interest over its aesthetic design, but the creative innovation of such a complex construction has to be admired.
Construction is due to start next year and it is expected to be completed in 2014. The ‘Treehouse’ –as Gehry refers to it- will be 15,488 square metres, approximately 50 metres high, and is estimated to house 2,907 students and around 326 staff.
The concept of urban renewal is key to the new UTS City Campus Masterplan, which will see the creation of four buildings and precincts that will make the campus an integral part of the surrounding urban and social fabric.
Gehry has won international accolades for his buildings including the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Spain, the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles and the InterActive Corp headquarters in New York. His designs have earned him the British Royal Gold Medal and the US Pritzker Prize - the two biggest honours in architecture.
Further press reading:
Frank Gehry's "Paper Bag" - a new architectural icon for Australia?_New Atlas 3 February 2015
Frank Gehry's "Paper Bag" - a new architectural icon for Australia?_New Atlas 3 February 2015
Lucky 13 Raising £17,000 for Cancer Care (2016)
Lucky number 13 holds a special significance for British Road Racing star Lee Johnston – not only is it his race number but it is also the number for the campaign he has set up with friend Stephen Henderson to raise money for Marie Curie Cancer Care.
Both Lee and Stephen saw parents being diagnosed with cancer last year. “One of the worst feelings in this world is not being able to help people close to your heart” explains Lee. “For that reason alone we are starting this campaign to raise awareness and funds for Marie Curie, as the sad fact is – nearly everyone is close to someone with cancer” adds Stephen.
The campaign, named F13K Cancer was started last year with a target fundraising achievement of £13,000 – a chance to help give something back to and help continue the ongoing dedicated work of Marie Curie Cancer Care. At the end of 2015 the campaign had raised almost £20,000 and after a small donation during the year both Lee and Stephen were very proud to present Marie Curie with a cheque for £17,000 at Marie Curie Hospice on 29 January (shown on BBC Northern Ireland, Setanta Sports Irl and Eurosports).
Whilst incorporating Lee’s racing number, the campaign’s logo also helps to build a positive spur from the helplessness we feel when confronted by cancer – “When I think of cancer it’s the first thing I say” says Lee “It’s a defiant declaration that we are standing up to it!”
Stephen developed the campaign’s very popular social media campaign and mid January 2016 launched its own dedicated Twitter account – within 10 days of its launch it had 1800 followers and over 400,000 views. Additionally to managing the Twitter account, Stephen created the F13K Cancer website, produced all the graphics and press releases required for the campaign.
Lee’s fellow road racers including engineering mad and TV personality Guy Martin have donated helmets for auction throughout the 2015 racing season with all proceeds going to Marie Curie Cancer Care. Logo t-shirts and mobile ‘phone cases are also sold through the campaign’s website, in partnership with manufacturing suppliers.
The campaign now has a following of over 100,000 across various social media services, with the largest user figures recorded during last year’s Isle of Man TT race reaching in excess of one million views over the two-week race period. The Isle of Man TT has subsequently given a marquee and talk-show spot for the campaign and in 2016 F13K Cancer will also have a fundraising night at the Ulster Grand Prix. With an amazing start to the year, several large events have now signed to have F13K as charity partners in Northern Ireland and England, which could return tens of thousands for the campaign in 2016.
The biking community has taken the charity to heart and the logo and name have successfully attracted more overt attention from social groups where outward support for Marie Curie’s daffodil emblem has been historically muted. Such positive uptake means that Marie Curie is now formally backing the campaign including handling funds raised, press engagements and site volunteers at events.
F13K Cancer aims to raise at least £50,000 for Marie Curie Cancer Care over the course of 2016[i][i].
Notes:
[i][i] F13k Cancer 2016 fundraising so far: 1000 donated t-shirts = £10,000; letters of intent from several large events (20k-30k visitors each) = £10,000 donations from the events (no collection buckets required).
[i][i] F13k Cancer 2016 fundraising so far: 1000 donated t-shirts = £10,000; letters of intent from several large events (20k-30k visitors each) = £10,000 donations from the events (no collection buckets required).
Northern quoll by Wildlife explorer/CC BY
Collaring Quolls at the Emerald Mountain (2013)
An environmental specialist team in Cairns has been getting acquainted with some furry friends while working on the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Mount Emerald Wind Farm, near Mareeba in Far North Queensland.
The endangered Northern Quoll (Dasyurus hallucatus) is known to populate the site and over the past few months the team has trapped and collared a number of juveniles. Jeff Middleton, the senior ecologist on site, said the quolls are quite placid and the team were able to collar and photograph juveniles without the usual escape attempts.
The juveniles are currently being tracked across the site to ascertain their movements and denning behaviour. As they mature the juvenile’s collars will be replaced with adult collars which will make tracking of breeding adults and subsequently their litters possible. This work will provide important information on the protection and management of Northern Quoll populations.
Northern Quolls are only found in a few distinct populations across northern Australia. They are a carnivorous marsupial feeding primarily on invertebrates, frogs and lizards although they are also known to scavenge.
The species is distinct in that males completely die off after mating season after having only survived one year. They have a preference for rocky habitats in a variety of vegetation types, particularly in eucalypt and savannah. Threats to this species are particularly due to clearing and fragmentation, fire regimes and introduction of the cane toad although north Queensland populations are now known to either avoid cane toads or have adapted to their toxin.
An environmental specialist team in Cairns has been getting acquainted with some furry friends while working on the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Mount Emerald Wind Farm, near Mareeba in Far North Queensland.
The endangered Northern Quoll (Dasyurus hallucatus) is known to populate the site and over the past few months the team has trapped and collared a number of juveniles. Jeff Middleton, the senior ecologist on site, said the quolls are quite placid and the team were able to collar and photograph juveniles without the usual escape attempts.
The juveniles are currently being tracked across the site to ascertain their movements and denning behaviour. As they mature the juvenile’s collars will be replaced with adult collars which will make tracking of breeding adults and subsequently their litters possible. This work will provide important information on the protection and management of Northern Quoll populations.
Northern Quolls are only found in a few distinct populations across northern Australia. They are a carnivorous marsupial feeding primarily on invertebrates, frogs and lizards although they are also known to scavenge.
The species is distinct in that males completely die off after mating season after having only survived one year. They have a preference for rocky habitats in a variety of vegetation types, particularly in eucalypt and savannah. Threats to this species are particularly due to clearing and fragmentation, fire regimes and introduction of the cane toad although north Queensland populations are now known to either avoid cane toads or have adapted to their toxin.
Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay
Engagement with Education (2017)
STEM, or Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths, is now the leading buzzword in UK schools. STEM is an integrated, interdisciplinary approach to learning that provides hands-on and relevant learning experiences for students. It engages students and equips them with critical thinking, problem solving, creative and collaborative skills, and ultimately establishes connections between the school, work place, community and the global economy.
Taking this into account, we do not tend to think of it as something that is particularly relevant to the corporate business world. However, as Corporate Social Responsibility is becoming a focus point for employers, an increased number of companies are not only getting on board with STEM and other educational relationships, but finding it is very much a two-way path. It’s not only what your business can do for local schools, and indeed colleges and universities, but what they can do for you.
Professional bodies are already well into the lead with formalising this. ICE NI G&S (Institute of Civil Engineers Northern Ireland, Graduates Students and Technicians) actively promotes industry engagement in STEM activities.
RPS’ Dr. Grainne McQuaid is the current ICE Graduate and Students Chairperson for Northern Ireland and works flexibly around the needs of her roles. Within this role Grainne has led a committee in organising events for ICE graduates and students including training evenings, competitions, social events and a well-attended conference on 'Digital Transformation', where RPS also provided a workshop on its use of VR technology. She has provided presentations and speed mentoring to university students as a part of her ICE STEM engagement – demonstrating the working life of a civil engineer and the opportunities available within a multidisciplinary organisation. A number of these STEM events have focused particularly on encouraging women into STEM careers, which is becoming increasingly more important than ever with the growing skills shortage within industry. Grainne, along with RPS colleagues represented RPS and ICE at the two-day Skills NI careers event in Belfast which was attended by over 7,500 students and teachers.
Close work with universities has helped RPS share key research resources and new ways of thinking: currently through its PhD coordination with Delft Technical University reviewing water safety geotechnics and through collaboration with Western Australian final year high school students to survey introduced marine species in Casuarina Harbour and Koombana Bay. Students have the benefit of working directly with and learning from professionals as well as using latest technology data capture instruments and RPS has the benefit of a fresh input from the perspective of the latest educational viewpoints and standards.
Many businesses already have a number of staff who are very active in their local primary/elementary and secondary/high schools, ranging from school governors to voluntary lesson and activities assistance. Until quite recently this was just what people did, but now companies can be encouraged to celebrate this properly as not only does it tick CSR boxes, but it makes us look at the relationships we have with the schools through this.
Above all else, STEM doesn’t have to be a tedious subject! Some of RPS’ most popular educational events have included showcasing VR at careers events with the VR attracting thousands of stand visitors, and demonstrating balloon kebabs at the Institute of Physics ‘Physics in the Field’ day where James Daley and colleagues from RPS' Risk Management teams regularly demonstrate Physics experiments to family audiences. The Warrington Risk team also attend an annual STEM event at a local school, with increased popularity each year, with the teachers stating the students ‘were buzzing around school talking about the RPS Risk Stand’ for weeks afterwards. How many new risk consultants might join RPS in coming years citing their career inspiration as watching its science demonstrations?!
STEM, or Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths, is now the leading buzzword in UK schools. STEM is an integrated, interdisciplinary approach to learning that provides hands-on and relevant learning experiences for students. It engages students and equips them with critical thinking, problem solving, creative and collaborative skills, and ultimately establishes connections between the school, work place, community and the global economy.
Taking this into account, we do not tend to think of it as something that is particularly relevant to the corporate business world. However, as Corporate Social Responsibility is becoming a focus point for employers, an increased number of companies are not only getting on board with STEM and other educational relationships, but finding it is very much a two-way path. It’s not only what your business can do for local schools, and indeed colleges and universities, but what they can do for you.
Professional bodies are already well into the lead with formalising this. ICE NI G&S (Institute of Civil Engineers Northern Ireland, Graduates Students and Technicians) actively promotes industry engagement in STEM activities.
RPS’ Dr. Grainne McQuaid is the current ICE Graduate and Students Chairperson for Northern Ireland and works flexibly around the needs of her roles. Within this role Grainne has led a committee in organising events for ICE graduates and students including training evenings, competitions, social events and a well-attended conference on 'Digital Transformation', where RPS also provided a workshop on its use of VR technology. She has provided presentations and speed mentoring to university students as a part of her ICE STEM engagement – demonstrating the working life of a civil engineer and the opportunities available within a multidisciplinary organisation. A number of these STEM events have focused particularly on encouraging women into STEM careers, which is becoming increasingly more important than ever with the growing skills shortage within industry. Grainne, along with RPS colleagues represented RPS and ICE at the two-day Skills NI careers event in Belfast which was attended by over 7,500 students and teachers.
Close work with universities has helped RPS share key research resources and new ways of thinking: currently through its PhD coordination with Delft Technical University reviewing water safety geotechnics and through collaboration with Western Australian final year high school students to survey introduced marine species in Casuarina Harbour and Koombana Bay. Students have the benefit of working directly with and learning from professionals as well as using latest technology data capture instruments and RPS has the benefit of a fresh input from the perspective of the latest educational viewpoints and standards.
Many businesses already have a number of staff who are very active in their local primary/elementary and secondary/high schools, ranging from school governors to voluntary lesson and activities assistance. Until quite recently this was just what people did, but now companies can be encouraged to celebrate this properly as not only does it tick CSR boxes, but it makes us look at the relationships we have with the schools through this.
Above all else, STEM doesn’t have to be a tedious subject! Some of RPS’ most popular educational events have included showcasing VR at careers events with the VR attracting thousands of stand visitors, and demonstrating balloon kebabs at the Institute of Physics ‘Physics in the Field’ day where James Daley and colleagues from RPS' Risk Management teams regularly demonstrate Physics experiments to family audiences. The Warrington Risk team also attend an annual STEM event at a local school, with increased popularity each year, with the teachers stating the students ‘were buzzing around school talking about the RPS Risk Stand’ for weeks afterwards. How many new risk consultants might join RPS in coming years citing their career inspiration as watching its science demonstrations?!
Rising above the floods and crocs: Bloomfield River Bridge (2014)
Ahead of the rain, the major Bloomfield River Bridge project is taking form to prevent communities being completely cut off during Far North Queensland’s famous wet season, and also give a little peace of mind, by putting more distance between feet and croc in the worst flooding events!
The pre-stressed concrete all-weather bridge is specifically designed to maintain better access between the South side of the Bloomfield River and larger urban areas, especially Cooktown across the river even during flooding. Boasting six 19m long spans, 6m above the river bed on piled foundations, it is an impressive sight. It is part of the 30km Bloomfield Track connecting Cape Tribulation with Cooktown, and crosses the river near Wujal Wujal. The Bloomfield Track carries some 50-200 vehicles each day[i] – over quarter of which are heavy vehicles. Stretching from Cairns to the northernmost tip of the Torres Strait, Far North Queensland is home to 26% of the state’s overall indigenous population. The region’s main activities are agriculture (livestock sugar cane and fruit) and bauxite and sand mining. The region’s stunning tropical landscapes and year-round warm climate make it a prime tourist trap and most of the track’s heavy traffic is from the tourism industry.
The crossing is surrounded by World Heritage Rainforest and some of the most beautiful wild river systems in the country. The Bloomfield River estuary is in near pristine conditions and home to around 12 large crocodiles, and the Bloomfield River Cod – both being protected species. May to October is usually hot and dry with low humidity but November to April, however (approximate) is the wet season – with high humidity and torrential rain. The Bloomfield River regularly floods during this time. The region is also especially prone to cyclones during the wet season. In 2011 the previous Bloomfield River Track crossing was destroyed by Cyclone Yasi. A temporary crossing was erected – with local communities expecting a permanent replacement in time for the next wet season, and many using personal boats or the passenger-only cross-river ferry service instead, and some crossing on the creek bed itself.
Ongoing conflicts of political and social interests around the track itself[ii], along with funding issues to finance the expensive project have not made the realisation of the new permanent bridge an easy achievement in themselves, but the wet season has been the major contender.
Construction preparation began in September 2013 and much of the construction of the bridge took place during considerable rainfall. ‘Brad’s Blog’ online notes water height at the crossing varying between .6 to .2 m lows and 3.6m highs over just a few days in the later wet season[iii]. The nearby crossing point was impassable by many vehicles at several points during the bridge’s construction and Croc Spotters were employed to watch out for crocodiles in the river and warn people from crossing during those times. Access to bring the bridge materials – pre-manufactured in the south of Queensland was only possible at certain points due to the rainfall damaging the highway as much as causing flooding: ‘Some of the potholes are a metre and a half across ... in places you have to gently walk your vehicle through ...[the] red soil on hills turn[s] to bog holes and are as slick as grease’.[iv]
Local Journalist Mike D’Arcy writes that the Bloomfield Bridge Project team has dealt with 'shocking weather conditions and potentially inquisitive crocs' to get the bridge to the current stage. He goes on to say: “This, seriously, has been epic. Frontiers of construction! They are local heroes and should be acknowledged as such.”
Ahead of the rain, the major Bloomfield River Bridge project is taking form to prevent communities being completely cut off during Far North Queensland’s famous wet season, and also give a little peace of mind, by putting more distance between feet and croc in the worst flooding events!
The pre-stressed concrete all-weather bridge is specifically designed to maintain better access between the South side of the Bloomfield River and larger urban areas, especially Cooktown across the river even during flooding. Boasting six 19m long spans, 6m above the river bed on piled foundations, it is an impressive sight. It is part of the 30km Bloomfield Track connecting Cape Tribulation with Cooktown, and crosses the river near Wujal Wujal. The Bloomfield Track carries some 50-200 vehicles each day[i] – over quarter of which are heavy vehicles. Stretching from Cairns to the northernmost tip of the Torres Strait, Far North Queensland is home to 26% of the state’s overall indigenous population. The region’s main activities are agriculture (livestock sugar cane and fruit) and bauxite and sand mining. The region’s stunning tropical landscapes and year-round warm climate make it a prime tourist trap and most of the track’s heavy traffic is from the tourism industry.
The crossing is surrounded by World Heritage Rainforest and some of the most beautiful wild river systems in the country. The Bloomfield River estuary is in near pristine conditions and home to around 12 large crocodiles, and the Bloomfield River Cod – both being protected species. May to October is usually hot and dry with low humidity but November to April, however (approximate) is the wet season – with high humidity and torrential rain. The Bloomfield River regularly floods during this time. The region is also especially prone to cyclones during the wet season. In 2011 the previous Bloomfield River Track crossing was destroyed by Cyclone Yasi. A temporary crossing was erected – with local communities expecting a permanent replacement in time for the next wet season, and many using personal boats or the passenger-only cross-river ferry service instead, and some crossing on the creek bed itself.
Ongoing conflicts of political and social interests around the track itself[ii], along with funding issues to finance the expensive project have not made the realisation of the new permanent bridge an easy achievement in themselves, but the wet season has been the major contender.
Construction preparation began in September 2013 and much of the construction of the bridge took place during considerable rainfall. ‘Brad’s Blog’ online notes water height at the crossing varying between .6 to .2 m lows and 3.6m highs over just a few days in the later wet season[iii]. The nearby crossing point was impassable by many vehicles at several points during the bridge’s construction and Croc Spotters were employed to watch out for crocodiles in the river and warn people from crossing during those times. Access to bring the bridge materials – pre-manufactured in the south of Queensland was only possible at certain points due to the rainfall damaging the highway as much as causing flooding: ‘Some of the potholes are a metre and a half across ... in places you have to gently walk your vehicle through ...[the] red soil on hills turn[s] to bog holes and are as slick as grease’.[iv]
Local Journalist Mike D’Arcy writes that the Bloomfield Bridge Project team has dealt with 'shocking weather conditions and potentially inquisitive crocs' to get the bridge to the current stage. He goes on to say: “This, seriously, has been epic. Frontiers of construction! They are local heroes and should be acknowledged as such.”
Notes:
[i] ‘The ‘Bloomfield Track’ carries approximately 50 - 200 vehicles per day. Heavy vehicles make up a high percentage of the traffic (approximately 25%), with the majority believed to be associated with the eco-tourism industry.’ Cairns Regional Council Agenda for Ordinary Meeting 24 April 2013. This document is concerned specifically with environmental impact and safety issues surrounding frequent use of the Woobadda Creek-bed crossing just south of the Bloomfield Track crossing. The Bloomfield Track is considered as the main highway infrastructure. Document is publicly available.
[ii] An academic paper attempts to establish the roots of some of the original – and later – political conflicts around the track.
[iii] The New Bloomfield River Bridge: Part Four – March 1 2014.
[iv] The New Bloomfield River Bridge: Part Five – March 15 2014.
[i] ‘The ‘Bloomfield Track’ carries approximately 50 - 200 vehicles per day. Heavy vehicles make up a high percentage of the traffic (approximately 25%), with the majority believed to be associated with the eco-tourism industry.’ Cairns Regional Council Agenda for Ordinary Meeting 24 April 2013. This document is concerned specifically with environmental impact and safety issues surrounding frequent use of the Woobadda Creek-bed crossing just south of the Bloomfield Track crossing. The Bloomfield Track is considered as the main highway infrastructure. Document is publicly available.
[ii] An academic paper attempts to establish the roots of some of the original – and later – political conflicts around the track.
[iii] The New Bloomfield River Bridge: Part Four – March 1 2014.
[iv] The New Bloomfield River Bridge: Part Five – March 15 2014.
Natural gas field. Image by Rudy and Peter Skitterians from Pixabay
Marine and sub-marine (2009)
The race is on to sustainably answer the problem of Britain’s dwindling energy resources. With the EU target to generate 15% of total energy from renewable sources by 2020 (reduced from previous 20%), and the UK’s long-term goal to cut carbon emissions by 80% by 2050, the pressure grows to increase the number of renewable energy projects being realised, and to improve the levels of existing fuel sources to meet consumer need.
As UK gas production from the North Sea and east Irish Sea declines the country will become increasingly dependent upon imported gas. The UK currently has a low level of gas storage (around 13 days capacity) compared to continental European Countries (France has 122 days), having previously been able to rely upon increasing output from the North Sea and the east Irish Sea during times of high demand. However, the depleted gas fields in the North and east Irish Sea now provide an ideal gas storage opportunity for the UK.
Centrica has submitted plans for an offshore gas storage facility in a project estimated to be worth around £300m. The largely depleted Bains Gas Field in the Irish Sea, close to Centrica’s Morecambe Gas Field, would be converted into a storage facility with the potential to hold up to 20 billion cubic feet of natural gas. The proximity of the Bains Field to the UK mainland and existing infrastructure means that the facility would be able to supply gas to consumers at short notice, greatly reducing the risk of low supply.
The Welsh Assembly Government (WAG) has commissioned a Marine Renewable Energy Strategic Framework. The framework is critical to the sustainable delivery of WAG’s renewable energy targets, and must meet Wales’ social and economic needs, whilst not impacting on the environment. RPS Energy and Environmental specialists have consulted across a wide range of marine stakeholders, regulators and developers to inform a comprehensive knowledge base from which areas of potential resource can be identified and analysed for environmental sensitivity.
The race is on to sustainably answer the problem of Britain’s dwindling energy resources. With the EU target to generate 15% of total energy from renewable sources by 2020 (reduced from previous 20%), and the UK’s long-term goal to cut carbon emissions by 80% by 2050, the pressure grows to increase the number of renewable energy projects being realised, and to improve the levels of existing fuel sources to meet consumer need.
As UK gas production from the North Sea and east Irish Sea declines the country will become increasingly dependent upon imported gas. The UK currently has a low level of gas storage (around 13 days capacity) compared to continental European Countries (France has 122 days), having previously been able to rely upon increasing output from the North Sea and the east Irish Sea during times of high demand. However, the depleted gas fields in the North and east Irish Sea now provide an ideal gas storage opportunity for the UK.
Centrica has submitted plans for an offshore gas storage facility in a project estimated to be worth around £300m. The largely depleted Bains Gas Field in the Irish Sea, close to Centrica’s Morecambe Gas Field, would be converted into a storage facility with the potential to hold up to 20 billion cubic feet of natural gas. The proximity of the Bains Field to the UK mainland and existing infrastructure means that the facility would be able to supply gas to consumers at short notice, greatly reducing the risk of low supply.
The Welsh Assembly Government (WAG) has commissioned a Marine Renewable Energy Strategic Framework. The framework is critical to the sustainable delivery of WAG’s renewable energy targets, and must meet Wales’ social and economic needs, whilst not impacting on the environment. RPS Energy and Environmental specialists have consulted across a wide range of marine stakeholders, regulators and developers to inform a comprehensive knowledge base from which areas of potential resource can be identified and analysed for environmental sensitivity.
HenkvD / CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)
Dutch dykes stronger by design (2012)
By completing the Zuiderzee flood defense works with the Afsluitdijk enclosure dam in 1932, the safety of the area north of Amersfoort in the Netherlands seemed assured. However, investigations in 2006 found that 24km of primary flood defenses along the River Eem and the Markermeer and Randmeren lakes needed further attention.
It was calculated that the dykes would potentially not withstand the impact of a combination of a northwesterly storm with high waves and high water levels in the main rivers – as had been suffered in the North Sea Flood of 1953 that had severely damaged southern parts of the Netherlands with significant loss of life.
RPS was contracted by the Waterboard of Vallei and Eem to design and supervise the construction of improved defenses due to RPS’ track record of successful landscape restoration projects within similar topographies.
The old Zuiderzee dykes separate the southern border lakes and the wider locale. The slope on the border lake side is not stable at high water and allows water and sediment to flow beneath the dyke, undermining it. The project includes a plan for the recovery of the entire dyke.
The project area includes a section of the Grebbeliniedijk[1] - the nation’s significant historic military defensive line. Along with the old Zuiderzee Dykes (Putterzeedijk, Oostdijk and the Arkenheemsezeedijk), the landscape also includes ecologically important Natura 2000 protected conservation areas. RPS is ensuring a limited degradation of these areas by using environmentally friendly design and construction methods.
The landscape extends to the western edge of Amersfoort where the team is focusing on engineering a geotechnically stable design for the dykes to ensure their continued preservation.
Multidisciplinary project teams are currently completing the project design and preparation ready for construction to start in 2013. The project is scheduled to complete by 2015.
Note:
[1] Grebbelinie – Military Defensive Line. Built in 1745 to protect against invasion, it was planned that the waterway would be flooded to cover parts of the area between Spakenberg and the Grebbeburg in the event of invasion. It was largely decommissioned in 1926 to save money but fortified again by the Dutch military in 1939. General Winkelman designated it as the nation’s main defensive line in 1940, but it was breached by German forces in 1940, at the Battle of the Grebbeburg. A war memorial is at the site commemorating those lost in the battle. The Grebbelinie impressed the German armies who used it as the basis for some of their own defenses during their four-year occupation. The Grebbelinie was decommissioned permanently in 1951 by the Dutch Government.
By completing the Zuiderzee flood defense works with the Afsluitdijk enclosure dam in 1932, the safety of the area north of Amersfoort in the Netherlands seemed assured. However, investigations in 2006 found that 24km of primary flood defenses along the River Eem and the Markermeer and Randmeren lakes needed further attention.
It was calculated that the dykes would potentially not withstand the impact of a combination of a northwesterly storm with high waves and high water levels in the main rivers – as had been suffered in the North Sea Flood of 1953 that had severely damaged southern parts of the Netherlands with significant loss of life.
RPS was contracted by the Waterboard of Vallei and Eem to design and supervise the construction of improved defenses due to RPS’ track record of successful landscape restoration projects within similar topographies.
The old Zuiderzee dykes separate the southern border lakes and the wider locale. The slope on the border lake side is not stable at high water and allows water and sediment to flow beneath the dyke, undermining it. The project includes a plan for the recovery of the entire dyke.
The project area includes a section of the Grebbeliniedijk[1] - the nation’s significant historic military defensive line. Along with the old Zuiderzee Dykes (Putterzeedijk, Oostdijk and the Arkenheemsezeedijk), the landscape also includes ecologically important Natura 2000 protected conservation areas. RPS is ensuring a limited degradation of these areas by using environmentally friendly design and construction methods.
The landscape extends to the western edge of Amersfoort where the team is focusing on engineering a geotechnically stable design for the dykes to ensure their continued preservation.
Multidisciplinary project teams are currently completing the project design and preparation ready for construction to start in 2013. The project is scheduled to complete by 2015.
Note:
[1] Grebbelinie – Military Defensive Line. Built in 1745 to protect against invasion, it was planned that the waterway would be flooded to cover parts of the area between Spakenberg and the Grebbeburg in the event of invasion. It was largely decommissioned in 1926 to save money but fortified again by the Dutch military in 1939. General Winkelman designated it as the nation’s main defensive line in 1940, but it was breached by German forces in 1940, at the Battle of the Grebbeburg. A war memorial is at the site commemorating those lost in the battle. The Grebbelinie impressed the German armies who used it as the basis for some of their own defenses during their four-year occupation. The Grebbelinie was decommissioned permanently in 1951 by the Dutch Government.
The great train recovery (2012)
A soot-stained Sean Connery struggles across the shaking carriage roofs of a steam train, travelling at over 50mph[1], to execute a fast-paced crime that has been planned in minute detail. His goal is to unlock the safe wagon and steal £25,000 of gold bullion that is en route to the Crimean. The film’s box-office profits will be more than double the production expenditure, and The First Great Train Robbery will be recorded in the annals of movie history as one of the classics. The train is authentic, beautifully restored, and lent by the Railway Preservation Society of Ireland (RPSI).
The RPSI has been operating numerous extremely popular rail trips using faithfully restored steam and diesel locomotives and original carriages since the 1960s, running from Dublin, Belfast, and its headquarters at the Whitehead Excursion Station in County Antrim, where it carries out almost all of its locomotive and rolling stock maintenance and restoration work. The 1879 Great Southern and Western Railway (GSWR) No. 186[2] that was used in The First Great Train Robbery operates on a regular basis from the headquarters.
Just a few minutes walk from the main station at Whitehead, the Excursion Station was opened in 1907, during the town’s Edwardian heyday and served coastal day-trippers, in particular visitors to Berkeley Deane Wise’s Gobbins cliff-path (which had recently been extended to the Seven Sisters Caves)[3]. RPS was appointed in the 1990s to carry out a technical and economic feasibility study for the re-opening of the path which had been closed in the 1960s, and, after some funding problems slowed the project, was able to submit a planning application in 2009[4].
RPS is now providing project management, engineering and environmental consulting services for a planned 3-Phase upgrade to develop the Whitehead Excursion Station and workshops as a major heritage engineering museum with £3.2m funding from Carrickfergus Borough Council, the Heritage Lottery Fund, Ulster Garden Villages, GROW (Generating Rural Opportunities Within) South Antrim, Northern Ireland Tourist Board, and the Northern Ireland Museums Council.
The site currently has a station building, stationary refreshments car, platform and a short running line for public demonstrations and stock shunting. The original locomotive shed has been extended by the RPSI, and extra siding space added, as well as a new carriage shed and locomotive workshop. The upgrade is planned to provide a Victorian era style station building (click to view plan) as Phase 1, a viewing gallery in the workshops, a turntable, a signal cabin, new refreshments and gifts facilities, and an education centre and visitor reception area in a refurbished stables building as Phases 2 & 3. The existing workshops and rolling stock storage are also to be enlarged and improved.
Once completed the upgraded centre is anticipated to attract around 20,000 visitors each year and boost the wider local economy. For the RPSI it will enable them to better accommodate and restore an increasing amount of the steam and diesel heritage of the Irish Railway system providing sustainable vocational training opportunities, and continue to serve the enthusiastic national and international tourism interest that the centre attracts.
The RPSI has been operating numerous extremely popular rail trips using faithfully restored steam and diesel locomotives and original carriages since the 1960s, running from Dublin, Belfast, and its headquarters at the Whitehead Excursion Station in County Antrim, where it carries out almost all of its locomotive and rolling stock maintenance and restoration work. The 1879 Great Southern and Western Railway (GSWR) No. 186[2] that was used in The First Great Train Robbery operates on a regular basis from the headquarters.
Just a few minutes walk from the main station at Whitehead, the Excursion Station was opened in 1907, during the town’s Edwardian heyday and served coastal day-trippers, in particular visitors to Berkeley Deane Wise’s Gobbins cliff-path (which had recently been extended to the Seven Sisters Caves)[3]. RPS was appointed in the 1990s to carry out a technical and economic feasibility study for the re-opening of the path which had been closed in the 1960s, and, after some funding problems slowed the project, was able to submit a planning application in 2009[4].
RPS is now providing project management, engineering and environmental consulting services for a planned 3-Phase upgrade to develop the Whitehead Excursion Station and workshops as a major heritage engineering museum with £3.2m funding from Carrickfergus Borough Council, the Heritage Lottery Fund, Ulster Garden Villages, GROW (Generating Rural Opportunities Within) South Antrim, Northern Ireland Tourist Board, and the Northern Ireland Museums Council.
The site currently has a station building, stationary refreshments car, platform and a short running line for public demonstrations and stock shunting. The original locomotive shed has been extended by the RPSI, and extra siding space added, as well as a new carriage shed and locomotive workshop. The upgrade is planned to provide a Victorian era style station building (click to view plan) as Phase 1, a viewing gallery in the workshops, a turntable, a signal cabin, new refreshments and gifts facilities, and an education centre and visitor reception area in a refurbished stables building as Phases 2 & 3. The existing workshops and rolling stock storage are also to be enlarged and improved.
Once completed the upgraded centre is anticipated to attract around 20,000 visitors each year and boost the wider local economy. For the RPSI it will enable them to better accommodate and restore an increasing amount of the steam and diesel heritage of the Irish Railway system providing sustainable vocational training opportunities, and continue to serve the enthusiastic national and international tourism interest that the centre attracts.
Update: Works started on site in September 2012 and completion was realised June 2013 - on time and within budget.
Notes:
[1] ‘Sean Connery spent several days running on top of a moving train [for The First Great Train Robbery]. The train was supposed to be travelling at 35mph; Connery argued it was going faster. The train driver was counting telegraph poles to measure the speed. A helicopter pilot confirmed Connery's suspicion - the train was travelling at over 55mph. When she saw the movie, Sean Connery's wife Micheline was furious at him for doing his own dangerous stunt work on top of the train.’ http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0079240/trivia
[2] There are extensive details regarding No. 186, and her sister locomotive (also used in the film), No. 184 on the RPSI website at www.steamtrainsireland.com .
[3] Berkeley Deane Wise ICE (1855-1909) was perhaps the Irish Rail System’s most prolific civil engineer, redesigning and extending a number of stations and creating a manmade beach at Whitehead. He designed, and opened the 250ft high Gobbins cliff path towards Blackhead in 1902, intending that it should eventually exit at Heddle’s Point. Ill heath forced his retirement in 1906 but his colleague Bowman Malcolm was successful in extending the path to the Seven Sisters Caves in 1906 – lack of funding delayed the construction of the final section joining Heddle’s Point until 1908. The path was closed to save maintenance costs, for the war effort in 1940. It re-opened in 1951, but the cost of addressing new safety issues caused its closure again in 1961.
[4] Larne Borough Council is hopeful of it being possible to begin the re-opening project later this year.
Notes:
[1] ‘Sean Connery spent several days running on top of a moving train [for The First Great Train Robbery]. The train was supposed to be travelling at 35mph; Connery argued it was going faster. The train driver was counting telegraph poles to measure the speed. A helicopter pilot confirmed Connery's suspicion - the train was travelling at over 55mph. When she saw the movie, Sean Connery's wife Micheline was furious at him for doing his own dangerous stunt work on top of the train.’ http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0079240/trivia
[2] There are extensive details regarding No. 186, and her sister locomotive (also used in the film), No. 184 on the RPSI website at www.steamtrainsireland.com .
[3] Berkeley Deane Wise ICE (1855-1909) was perhaps the Irish Rail System’s most prolific civil engineer, redesigning and extending a number of stations and creating a manmade beach at Whitehead. He designed, and opened the 250ft high Gobbins cliff path towards Blackhead in 1902, intending that it should eventually exit at Heddle’s Point. Ill heath forced his retirement in 1906 but his colleague Bowman Malcolm was successful in extending the path to the Seven Sisters Caves in 1906 – lack of funding delayed the construction of the final section joining Heddle’s Point until 1908. The path was closed to save maintenance costs, for the war effort in 1940. It re-opened in 1951, but the cost of addressing new safety issues caused its closure again in 1961.
[4] Larne Borough Council is hopeful of it being possible to begin the re-opening project later this year.
Image by Parrot of Doom / CC BY-SA
Quayside Media School wired for sound (2012)
HRH the Duke of Edinburgh has recently opened the newest component of Peel Group’s 81ha MediaCityUK on Salford Quays: the University of Salford’s £30m Media School occupying four floors of the development’s landmark Orange building. RPS provided M & E services.
Home to six main BBC departments (Sport, Children’s, Learning, Future Media and Technology, and Radio FiveLive) and a wealth of production and media groups, the £650m Phase 1 of MediaCityUK has been named Building of the Year by the Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce, and is a key media hub, placing students at the epicentre of the industry. It has one of the biggest HD studio developments in Europe, using Europe’s most advanced HD facilities in its 24-hour operational studios. ITV sound production and management services, and regional news teams are also moving into the building this year.
The Media School occupies 100, 000 sq. ft (9290 m²), with a student capacity of 1500, providing film and radio studios, a digital performance lab (with 7:1 surround sound), living lab research facility, 170 editing suites, an audio-dubbing theatre, news room, and teaching space, alongside specialist IT rooms, break-out spaces and a café. It also boasts a statement glass staircase in the central atrium featuring 183m² of coloured glass and using 100 miles of technical cabling, and ‘The Egg’ public space. It not only overlooks the ITV lobby, but also the BBC’s Futures area.
Previous graduates of the University’s Media School include comedian Peter Kay and actor, director and writer Stephen Lord.
RPS Manchester acted as M&E consultant for the design of the £18m fit-out for the Media School – including the dedicated air-handling plant, specialist ventilation and cooling facilities, and electrical/IT services associated with broadcasting studio and multimedia installations. RPS Leeds was appointed by Peel Media to provide base-build M & E services to the main office building.
“The hard work, talent and dedication that has gone into the creation of our new MediaCityUK facility is evident in the premises we now have. The brief was complex and the solution that has been delivered is nothing short of brilliant,” says Jon Corner, Director of MediaCityUK for the University of Salford.
Underwater worship (2010)
Senior Archaeological Consultant Charles Le Quesne has initiated an important maritime archaeological exploration off Montenegro’s southern coast, after an amazing holiday discovery.
Columns and massive carved stones were spotted at a depth of 3m, 150m offshore from Maljevik Beach by Charles’ son. Local archaeological experts confirmed they were the remains of an ancient monumental building.
Montenegro’s considerable coastal heritage has been affected by poorly controlled development and systematic looting for several decades. The site of the remains had been sold for a marina development, with a gas LNG facility planned nearby. Recognising the need to act fast, Charles involved the local museum and the University of Southampton’s Centre for Maritime Archaeology, securing funding from sources, including the Montenegrin Ministry of Culture, and the Headley Trust[i], with support from his work.
Exploration on the Montenegrin Maritime Archaeology Rescue Project (MMARP) –the first formal maritime archaeological project ever on the Montenegrin coastline - officially began this autumn.
Work involved detailed recording of all archaeological remains in Maljevik Bay, and an initial survey and trial excavations at a well-known ancient harbour/anchorage some 5km to the south –undertaken by a team comprising on-site Montenegrin and UK archaeologists. Extensive local and national press coverage continued throughout the fieldwork.
Analysis has revealed that the columns were made from local red limestone, widely used in medieval churches along the southern Adriatic coastline. Closer examination revealed careful working, suggesting they were perhaps made specifically for a nearby building - probably a church or temple. Chemical analysis of the stone and comparison with ancient and medieval buildings in the region should provide further insight their age and the building’s identity.
A systematic underwater survey of the wider Maljevik bay - revealed extensive spreads of antique pottery, including a probable Roman wreck site c1-2 BC -marked by large numbers of amphora [ii] sherds. Traces of numerous wrecks were also found in the heavily-looted Bigovica inlet (rich in Hellenistic pottery and coins and known as one of Montenegro’s richest maritime sites).
Test pit excavations at Bigovica uncovered a substantial depth of material, and trial excavations revealed remains of a 7m long wooden hull from a small vessel, up to 500 years old. Terrestrial and extensive maritime survey is planned for future seasons to gain a more detailed understanding of the change in the coastal landscape.
Charles' colleagues developed an updatable GIS spatial database of the Bar region’s archaeology –combining a range of data and geomorphological information using satellite imagery, historic maps and existing data, as well as site plans of the underwater topography and main pottery concentrations made by the on-site archaeologists. The database is also vital to a geomorphological mapping project led by Oxford Brookes University to establish the environmental context for human development and settlement of the region over the past 10,000 years.
The first season has been an outstanding success: bringing together knowledge and expertise from across Europe, building a substantial bank of information for the little-recorded archaeological data of the Eastern Adriatic, and putting the country’s rich maritime heritage firmly in the public eye. It represents the first step in a journey that will hopefully lead to the development of permanent Montenegrin institutions to protect this irreplaceable resource.
Columns and massive carved stones were spotted at a depth of 3m, 150m offshore from Maljevik Beach by Charles’ son. Local archaeological experts confirmed they were the remains of an ancient monumental building.
Montenegro’s considerable coastal heritage has been affected by poorly controlled development and systematic looting for several decades. The site of the remains had been sold for a marina development, with a gas LNG facility planned nearby. Recognising the need to act fast, Charles involved the local museum and the University of Southampton’s Centre for Maritime Archaeology, securing funding from sources, including the Montenegrin Ministry of Culture, and the Headley Trust[i], with support from his work.
Exploration on the Montenegrin Maritime Archaeology Rescue Project (MMARP) –the first formal maritime archaeological project ever on the Montenegrin coastline - officially began this autumn.
Work involved detailed recording of all archaeological remains in Maljevik Bay, and an initial survey and trial excavations at a well-known ancient harbour/anchorage some 5km to the south –undertaken by a team comprising on-site Montenegrin and UK archaeologists. Extensive local and national press coverage continued throughout the fieldwork.
Analysis has revealed that the columns were made from local red limestone, widely used in medieval churches along the southern Adriatic coastline. Closer examination revealed careful working, suggesting they were perhaps made specifically for a nearby building - probably a church or temple. Chemical analysis of the stone and comparison with ancient and medieval buildings in the region should provide further insight their age and the building’s identity.
A systematic underwater survey of the wider Maljevik bay - revealed extensive spreads of antique pottery, including a probable Roman wreck site c1-2 BC -marked by large numbers of amphora [ii] sherds. Traces of numerous wrecks were also found in the heavily-looted Bigovica inlet (rich in Hellenistic pottery and coins and known as one of Montenegro’s richest maritime sites).
Test pit excavations at Bigovica uncovered a substantial depth of material, and trial excavations revealed remains of a 7m long wooden hull from a small vessel, up to 500 years old. Terrestrial and extensive maritime survey is planned for future seasons to gain a more detailed understanding of the change in the coastal landscape.
Charles' colleagues developed an updatable GIS spatial database of the Bar region’s archaeology –combining a range of data and geomorphological information using satellite imagery, historic maps and existing data, as well as site plans of the underwater topography and main pottery concentrations made by the on-site archaeologists. The database is also vital to a geomorphological mapping project led by Oxford Brookes University to establish the environmental context for human development and settlement of the region over the past 10,000 years.
The first season has been an outstanding success: bringing together knowledge and expertise from across Europe, building a substantial bank of information for the little-recorded archaeological data of the Eastern Adriatic, and putting the country’s rich maritime heritage firmly in the public eye. It represents the first step in a journey that will hopefully lead to the development of permanent Montenegrin institutions to protect this irreplaceable resource.
Notes:
[i] A Sainsbury family trust.
[ii] amphora, pl. amphorae. Earthenware jars for foodstuff storage and transportation -used particularly in shipping. Their pointed bases could be easily secured in soil, and were easier to store in ship's holds. Typical amphorae of the early Roman period, around 1BC will weigh around 25kg and have a 26 litre capacity. The heavy jars were lifted using ropes or hooks secured through the handles.
[i] A Sainsbury family trust.
[ii] amphora, pl. amphorae. Earthenware jars for foodstuff storage and transportation -used particularly in shipping. Their pointed bases could be easily secured in soil, and were easier to store in ship's holds. Typical amphorae of the early Roman period, around 1BC will weigh around 25kg and have a 26 litre capacity. The heavy jars were lifted using ropes or hooks secured through the handles.
Twenty per cent by 2020 (2007)
Twenty-seven governments signed the new EU directive to increase the use of renewable fuels for energy at the spring EU summit in Brussels on 8-9 March.
The directive intends to reduce CO2 emissions by 1/5, and increase the use of energy from renewable resources by 20%, by 2020. Among the countries signing were Austria –whose current national renewable energy percentage stands at 60% and Estonia, whose renewable energy figure is presently 1.1%.
Blair has called it ‘bold, ground-breaking [and] ambitious’, and German Chancellor, Angela Merkel plans to put more pressure on non-EU countries to follow this lead at the G8 meeting in June: including the USA, China, India and Brazil. She pledges that Europe will increase the emissions cut by up to 30% if other countries follow the directive.
Greenpeace has hailed it as the biggest decision to tackle global warming since the Kyoto protocol ten years ago, but Friends of the Earth have expressed concern that the deal may be too timid and fail to make concrete commitments to reduction of energy wastage.
France was among the countries expressing concern about the practical and financial achievability of the directive. 80% of France’s electricity is supplied by nuclear power. Merkel has made provisions for these circumstances by introducing a commitment to include the calculation of a country’s nuclear power capability in the assessment of its reduction potential, and by categorising nuclear power as ‘non-carbon’ [see note 2].
The directive also includes a plan to introduce new rules to phase out filament light-bulbs by 2009, replacing the 1880s design, with cheaper and more widely available energy-saving bulbs. More pressure is expected to be put on bulb manufacturers and retailers to reduce the sale price of energy-efficient light-bulbs to help implement this change, and with the already growing improvement in the availability of energy-saving bulbs that are compatible with a variety of light-fittings, as well as Merkel’s intention to establish new rules to improve the green energy performance of street-lights –also by 2009, the green light glows more steadily for a more environmentally-friendly future.
Chris Jenner, a Director for Renewables says: "By setting out this ‘2020 vision’, and crucially by backing it up with legal penalties, the Council has set the solid framework required for long-term investment in these industries. Europe will reap the reward in terms of economic development and security of supply."
The white paper on energy saving is due in May.
Notes:
1) Statistics taken from The Guardian 10/03/07, and The Times 10/03/07.
2) The ‘non-carbon’ categorisation for nuclear energy is causing some contention in the media as nuclear energy comes from limited uranium resources which are mined – the UK categorises electricity generated from nuclear power as ‘low carbon’.
Twenty-seven governments signed the new EU directive to increase the use of renewable fuels for energy at the spring EU summit in Brussels on 8-9 March.
The directive intends to reduce CO2 emissions by 1/5, and increase the use of energy from renewable resources by 20%, by 2020. Among the countries signing were Austria –whose current national renewable energy percentage stands at 60% and Estonia, whose renewable energy figure is presently 1.1%.
Blair has called it ‘bold, ground-breaking [and] ambitious’, and German Chancellor, Angela Merkel plans to put more pressure on non-EU countries to follow this lead at the G8 meeting in June: including the USA, China, India and Brazil. She pledges that Europe will increase the emissions cut by up to 30% if other countries follow the directive.
Greenpeace has hailed it as the biggest decision to tackle global warming since the Kyoto protocol ten years ago, but Friends of the Earth have expressed concern that the deal may be too timid and fail to make concrete commitments to reduction of energy wastage.
France was among the countries expressing concern about the practical and financial achievability of the directive. 80% of France’s electricity is supplied by nuclear power. Merkel has made provisions for these circumstances by introducing a commitment to include the calculation of a country’s nuclear power capability in the assessment of its reduction potential, and by categorising nuclear power as ‘non-carbon’ [see note 2].
The directive also includes a plan to introduce new rules to phase out filament light-bulbs by 2009, replacing the 1880s design, with cheaper and more widely available energy-saving bulbs. More pressure is expected to be put on bulb manufacturers and retailers to reduce the sale price of energy-efficient light-bulbs to help implement this change, and with the already growing improvement in the availability of energy-saving bulbs that are compatible with a variety of light-fittings, as well as Merkel’s intention to establish new rules to improve the green energy performance of street-lights –also by 2009, the green light glows more steadily for a more environmentally-friendly future.
Chris Jenner, a Director for Renewables says: "By setting out this ‘2020 vision’, and crucially by backing it up with legal penalties, the Council has set the solid framework required for long-term investment in these industries. Europe will reap the reward in terms of economic development and security of supply."
The white paper on energy saving is due in May.
Notes:
1) Statistics taken from The Guardian 10/03/07, and The Times 10/03/07.
2) The ‘non-carbon’ categorisation for nuclear energy is causing some contention in the media as nuclear energy comes from limited uranium resources which are mined – the UK categorises electricity generated from nuclear power as ‘low carbon’.
Dewfish/Eel-tail catfish. Image by fir 0002 flagstaffotos [at] gmail.com Canon 20D + Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 / GFDL 1.2
See GFDL link on Wikipedia for more detail on license.
See GFDL link on Wikipedia for more detail on license.
Riverprize for Condamine (2013)
The Condamine Alliance partnership was recently awarded the 2012 Australian Riverprize by the International River Foundation.
This is arguably the most prestigious environmental award in Australia for work in catchment management and river science. Each year the International River Foundation selects an outstanding project from each continent and this is only the second time in 15 years that a Queensland project has won the Australian prize.
Since early 2009 the Condamine Alliance has been undertaking a project in a section of the Condamine River catchment between Toowoomba and Dalby.
The project aimed to restore aquatic habitat, support recovery in native fish communities, rehabilitate riparian zones and river banks, communicate the social and cultural history in the area, improve water quality, and implement an enduring catchment/river management plan to ensure future environmental sustainability. It has been one of the most significant multidisciplinary Natural Resource Management projects of its kind in Australia - named the 'Dewfish[1] Demonstration Reach' project.
In the foundation stages of this project the Condamine Alliance engaged consultants to conduct aquatic ecological surveys, riparian vegetation and bird surveys, water quality investigations and to write the initial river reach environmental management plan.
Results from the most recent fish surveys (mid 2012), for example, are already demonstrating clear signs of native fish community recovery in this part of the Condamine River catchment, with numbers increasing by up to 1000% for some species.
Aquatic ecological habitat and water quality have also improved, providing environmental and social benefit locally as well as in areas further downstream in the Condamine River catchment, which is part of the northern Murray-Darling Basin.
[1] Dewfish is another name for eel-tail catfish - one of the river's fish species
The Condamine Alliance partnership was recently awarded the 2012 Australian Riverprize by the International River Foundation.
This is arguably the most prestigious environmental award in Australia for work in catchment management and river science. Each year the International River Foundation selects an outstanding project from each continent and this is only the second time in 15 years that a Queensland project has won the Australian prize.
Since early 2009 the Condamine Alliance has been undertaking a project in a section of the Condamine River catchment between Toowoomba and Dalby.
The project aimed to restore aquatic habitat, support recovery in native fish communities, rehabilitate riparian zones and river banks, communicate the social and cultural history in the area, improve water quality, and implement an enduring catchment/river management plan to ensure future environmental sustainability. It has been one of the most significant multidisciplinary Natural Resource Management projects of its kind in Australia - named the 'Dewfish[1] Demonstration Reach' project.
In the foundation stages of this project the Condamine Alliance engaged consultants to conduct aquatic ecological surveys, riparian vegetation and bird surveys, water quality investigations and to write the initial river reach environmental management plan.
Results from the most recent fish surveys (mid 2012), for example, are already demonstrating clear signs of native fish community recovery in this part of the Condamine River catchment, with numbers increasing by up to 1000% for some species.
Aquatic ecological habitat and water quality have also improved, providing environmental and social benefit locally as well as in areas further downstream in the Condamine River catchment, which is part of the northern Murray-Darling Basin.
[1] Dewfish is another name for eel-tail catfish - one of the river's fish species
Innovation in the face of rising sea levels (2019)
Civil engineers from Belfast have just attended the CIWEM Rivers and Coastal Group annual study weekend which was held in Delft, Netherlands to celebrate the group’s 70th anniversary. The theme for the weekend ‘Planning and Innovation in the Water Sector’ was very fitting considering about one third of the Netherlands lies below sea level (lowest point 6.7m below sea level)!
Engineers from the Netherlands were among a range of international guest speakers brought together to share their experience of a number of unique projects including major upgrade works of an impressive 32km long dam which was originally constructed in the North of Holland in 1932. Sandor de Kluizenaar (Technical Director at RPS Netherlands) demonstrated how the Dutch are working with the natural environment to manage water and provide recreational benefits through the innovative design of the new 'Three Man Polder' system in The Hague. Speakers from the UK also shared their experiences, which included research into the effectiveness of Natural Flood Management solutions currently ongoing in England.
The study weekend concluded with a series of site visits. First up was a trip to the Sand Motor, an experimental pilot project which is expected to naturally re-nourish the Delfland Coast for the next 20 years. The group then travelled to the nearby Maeslantkering, South Holland's iconic huge storm surge barrier. The barrier is formed by two 210m wide and 22m high doors and is one of the biggest moveable structures in the world, which can be automatically closed in less than two hours when Holland is threatened by severe flooding.
Overall, the trip provided an insight into the Dutch approach of using innovative ideas to tackle increasing challenges from urbanisation, climate change and living with water in the future. Attendees returning to the UK are hoping to spark discussions about how we can use some of these ideas to continue delivering great sustainable water and environment solutions.
Civil engineers from Belfast have just attended the CIWEM Rivers and Coastal Group annual study weekend which was held in Delft, Netherlands to celebrate the group’s 70th anniversary. The theme for the weekend ‘Planning and Innovation in the Water Sector’ was very fitting considering about one third of the Netherlands lies below sea level (lowest point 6.7m below sea level)!
Engineers from the Netherlands were among a range of international guest speakers brought together to share their experience of a number of unique projects including major upgrade works of an impressive 32km long dam which was originally constructed in the North of Holland in 1932. Sandor de Kluizenaar (Technical Director at RPS Netherlands) demonstrated how the Dutch are working with the natural environment to manage water and provide recreational benefits through the innovative design of the new 'Three Man Polder' system in The Hague. Speakers from the UK also shared their experiences, which included research into the effectiveness of Natural Flood Management solutions currently ongoing in England.
The study weekend concluded with a series of site visits. First up was a trip to the Sand Motor, an experimental pilot project which is expected to naturally re-nourish the Delfland Coast for the next 20 years. The group then travelled to the nearby Maeslantkering, South Holland's iconic huge storm surge barrier. The barrier is formed by two 210m wide and 22m high doors and is one of the biggest moveable structures in the world, which can be automatically closed in less than two hours when Holland is threatened by severe flooding.
Overall, the trip provided an insight into the Dutch approach of using innovative ideas to tackle increasing challenges from urbanisation, climate change and living with water in the future. Attendees returning to the UK are hoping to spark discussions about how we can use some of these ideas to continue delivering great sustainable water and environment solutions.
Blazing tip! (2011)
News headlines across Ireland were recently focused on an unfolding national environmental emergency at Kerdiffstown Waste Management Facility. The facility is near Naas in Co. Kildare and is located within sight of the busy M7 motorway.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) had closed the facility in early 2010 on foot of a High Court order, but on 18 January 2011 a fire was discovered in the main body of waste landfilled on-site.
Spearheaded by local fire services and the EPA, 24-hour emergency operations kicked into action immediately upon discovery of the blaze. The main objective was to bring the blaze under control and limit the overall environmental impact the incident may have on the local environment.
One week into the emergency operations, as questions arose about the composition of the burning material, the Dublin RPS Waste team were called to the assistance of the EPA. Having carried out numerous waste characterisation studies across the country, the team were appointed to devise a plan for analysis and classification of the material extracted from the burning landfill and stored on site.
Within hours, the RPS team were onsite to assess the material and devise a sampling and characterisation plan for the immense body of material (~6,000m3 of material). A day later, the approved plan kicked into action and RPS joined operations onsite, involving over 100 site personnel from organisations, including the EPA, Local Authorities, Fire Services drafted in from up to four separate jurisdictions, ground works contractors and a selection of specialist environmental consultants.
From 18 February, the Fire Service followed a phased withdrawal from the landfill site and the fire was formally declared extinguished on 25 February, when control of the site was formally handed back to the EPA.
Findings from the work undertaken by RPS has remained classified, but it is hoped that the sampling and characterisation plan developed on behalf of the EPA may play a vital role in saving millions of Euro in potential remediation costs at the facility.
News headlines across Ireland were recently focused on an unfolding national environmental emergency at Kerdiffstown Waste Management Facility. The facility is near Naas in Co. Kildare and is located within sight of the busy M7 motorway.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) had closed the facility in early 2010 on foot of a High Court order, but on 18 January 2011 a fire was discovered in the main body of waste landfilled on-site.
Spearheaded by local fire services and the EPA, 24-hour emergency operations kicked into action immediately upon discovery of the blaze. The main objective was to bring the blaze under control and limit the overall environmental impact the incident may have on the local environment.
One week into the emergency operations, as questions arose about the composition of the burning material, the Dublin RPS Waste team were called to the assistance of the EPA. Having carried out numerous waste characterisation studies across the country, the team were appointed to devise a plan for analysis and classification of the material extracted from the burning landfill and stored on site.
Within hours, the RPS team were onsite to assess the material and devise a sampling and characterisation plan for the immense body of material (~6,000m3 of material). A day later, the approved plan kicked into action and RPS joined operations onsite, involving over 100 site personnel from organisations, including the EPA, Local Authorities, Fire Services drafted in from up to four separate jurisdictions, ground works contractors and a selection of specialist environmental consultants.
From 18 February, the Fire Service followed a phased withdrawal from the landfill site and the fire was formally declared extinguished on 25 February, when control of the site was formally handed back to the EPA.
Findings from the work undertaken by RPS has remained classified, but it is hoped that the sampling and characterisation plan developed on behalf of the EPA may play a vital role in saving millions of Euro in potential remediation costs at the facility.
Image by StartupStockPhotos from Pixabay
Young RPS – stronger together (2019)
It is a crucial element of a successful business that the contribution of professional insight and expertise is valued and utilised in the pursuit of continuous improvement and innovation.
The quality of professional insight and innovative contribution is not determined by rank or hierarchy but by its own merit, helping to collectively drive a company’s ambitions and achievements further.
Recognising this potential and working in partnership to get the best from our opportunities, RPS has established a new Netherlands forum called Young RPS. The group holds strategy and development events for staff under 35 to meet and discuss RPS business direction, and personal professional journeys with RPS, sharing an online MS Teams platform.
“With Young RPS we want to provide staff under 35 year with a 'voice' within the company” explains Angelica van Burgeler, RPS HR Director “Through this kind of external gathering we facilitate development of their own careers and working on their personal development. And in the meantime, our staff get to know each other better – putting into practice our behaviours: ‘stronger together’ and ‘making it easy to connect’."
Young RPS held its first meeting in October 2018 following the Senior Leadership Conference: sharing the highlights and priorities presented by John Douglas, Chief Executive. Since then the forum has held a dedicated career development day earlier this year to focus on targeted approaches for employee career paths to benefit staff and RPS.
What staff said:
Speaking at the event, staff fed back a clear and positive feeling of the forum’s benefits already settling into place and going forwards:
“It is a very special day for me as I am not only learning more about myself but also about my role within a group, and exploring how I apply that role in reality. It is important to me to help me explore by myself in which direction I want to go and reflect on that in an active way.”
Bo Schreur, RPS Water Management Consultant
“It is great that management gives you confidence to facilitate this day with the organisation team and the youngsters themselves. It is fantastic that RPS is inspiring more than half of the RPS youngsters to work at their own development and getting to know oneself better.”
Luuk Smink, RPS Environmental Risk Management Consultant
The quality of professional insight and innovative contribution is not determined by rank or hierarchy but by its own merit, helping to collectively drive a company’s ambitions and achievements further.
Recognising this potential and working in partnership to get the best from our opportunities, RPS has established a new Netherlands forum called Young RPS. The group holds strategy and development events for staff under 35 to meet and discuss RPS business direction, and personal professional journeys with RPS, sharing an online MS Teams platform.
“With Young RPS we want to provide staff under 35 year with a 'voice' within the company” explains Angelica van Burgeler, RPS HR Director “Through this kind of external gathering we facilitate development of their own careers and working on their personal development. And in the meantime, our staff get to know each other better – putting into practice our behaviours: ‘stronger together’ and ‘making it easy to connect’."
Young RPS held its first meeting in October 2018 following the Senior Leadership Conference: sharing the highlights and priorities presented by John Douglas, Chief Executive. Since then the forum has held a dedicated career development day earlier this year to focus on targeted approaches for employee career paths to benefit staff and RPS.
What staff said:
Speaking at the event, staff fed back a clear and positive feeling of the forum’s benefits already settling into place and going forwards:
“It is a very special day for me as I am not only learning more about myself but also about my role within a group, and exploring how I apply that role in reality. It is important to me to help me explore by myself in which direction I want to go and reflect on that in an active way.”
Bo Schreur, RPS Water Management Consultant
“It is great that management gives you confidence to facilitate this day with the organisation team and the youngsters themselves. It is fantastic that RPS is inspiring more than half of the RPS youngsters to work at their own development and getting to know oneself better.”
Luuk Smink, RPS Environmental Risk Management Consultant
Providing creative and agile solutions - Shakey Bridge sketch features in Structural Engineer (2019)
RPS Design Engineer John Gamble's sketch of Cork's legendary Daly or 'Shakey' Bridge features in the newest issue of The Structural Engineer.
The Shakey Bridge rehabilitation project pushes boundaries to unlock complex issues in answering a range of client, safety and social heritage requirements and visions to deliver one agile solution - meeting safety needs, maximising service life and still retaining the customary deck movement that countless pedestrians using the bridge treasure as a unique experience.
Structural Engineer columnist, and professional Structural Engineer Ron Slade selected John Gamble’s Shakey Bridge sketch for The Drawing Board in the February edition of The Structural Engineer.
John’s sketch is a great example of communicating a large volume of information in an extremely concise way.
The Shakey Bridge rehabilitation project pushes boundaries to unlock complex issues in answering a range of client, safety and social heritage requirements and visions to deliver one agile solution - meeting safety needs, maximising service life and still retaining the customary deck movement that countless pedestrians using the bridge treasure as a unique experience.
Structural Engineer columnist, and professional Structural Engineer Ron Slade selected John Gamble’s Shakey Bridge sketch for The Drawing Board in the February edition of The Structural Engineer.
John’s sketch is a great example of communicating a large volume of information in an extremely concise way.
.jpg){kind=link}
The most defended (2010)
Guernsey, as part of the United Kingdom, has a very rare and unique World War Two (WWII) legacy in that it was occupied by both Allied (British) and Axis (German) forces during WWII and sustained attacks from both forces. Due to Guernsey being the only part of the United Kingdom that the Axis forces managed to capture, the occupying forces went to great lengths to defend and withhold the island. Records indicate that it was the most heavily defended area of land during WWII, once all of the measures were in place.
As a result of these activities it was considered that there was the potential for Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) contamination in a marine and terrestrial environment which required assessment for both terrestrial and maritime UXO risks.
Based on this knowledge, an UXO Survey was commissioned – the Desk Based Study for Potential Historic UXO contamination with Risk Assessment for the site. This process involved detailed research to be undertaken on the military history associated with Guernsey, and specifically the site location, with many local and national information sources having to be consulted. Furthermore, historic site specific use and related activities were taken into account to allow for a robust risk assessment.
Based on the collated information it was concluded that there was a Low risk from UXO at the site, and recommended that UXO Explosives Site safety Guidelines were put in place for the project which would address the risk concerning both maritime and terrestrial works taking place.
The documentation was provided to the client along with an on site management training and awareness session. The training provided relevant client and site representatives with the required knowledge and procedures that should be implemented the event of a suspicious/potential UXO item discovery, and allowed nominated personnel to deliver any subsequently required Explosive Ordnance Safety and Awareness briefings to site operatives.
As part of the project, and Explosive Ordnance Safety and Awareness Training, UXO advisers liaised with Guernsey Police Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) personnel, to ensure everyone potentially involved was aware of the procedures that had been set in place, and to allow a swift and smooth operational response should input from the authorities be required.
As a result of these activities it was considered that there was the potential for Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) contamination in a marine and terrestrial environment which required assessment for both terrestrial and maritime UXO risks.
Based on this knowledge, an UXO Survey was commissioned – the Desk Based Study for Potential Historic UXO contamination with Risk Assessment for the site. This process involved detailed research to be undertaken on the military history associated with Guernsey, and specifically the site location, with many local and national information sources having to be consulted. Furthermore, historic site specific use and related activities were taken into account to allow for a robust risk assessment.
Based on the collated information it was concluded that there was a Low risk from UXO at the site, and recommended that UXO Explosives Site safety Guidelines were put in place for the project which would address the risk concerning both maritime and terrestrial works taking place.
The documentation was provided to the client along with an on site management training and awareness session. The training provided relevant client and site representatives with the required knowledge and procedures that should be implemented the event of a suspicious/potential UXO item discovery, and allowed nominated personnel to deliver any subsequently required Explosive Ordnance Safety and Awareness briefings to site operatives.
As part of the project, and Explosive Ordnance Safety and Awareness Training, UXO advisers liaised with Guernsey Police Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) personnel, to ensure everyone potentially involved was aware of the procedures that had been set in place, and to allow a swift and smooth operational response should input from the authorities be required.
It never rains, but it pours (29 Jun 2007)
Glastonbury is a washout of mud-bogs again. One thousand Sheffield people have been evacuated from their homes as the rainwater rises. Residents in South Yorkshire were urged to leave their homes by local authorities following the collapse of a sizeable section of the Ulley Dam[1]. And the Met’ Office warns that it is only getting worse.
A turn-around from fears of another impending hosepipe ban earlier this year, the official line is that ‘a large area of low pressure [is] meandering across Britain, and a slow-moving warm front [is] keeping the rain in the same place.’[2] Sheffield had already endured 236mm of rainfall by the 26th June, and several weather stations were reported to have already recorded their highest levels of rainfall for June –despite the month end still being a few days away.
Last year, the autumn and winter seasons together were Britain’s wettest on record, following the warmest spring since 1914. The Fire Service have taken more than seven thousand calls relating to the flooding and rescued about three and a half thousand[3] people. Recorded injuries are in excess of six hundred. The highest numbers of calls were in Humberside and West Yorkshire, but the Met’ Offices severe weather warning for this weekend covers all of England and Wales.
The Environment Agency has warned that homes in East Anglia, Northamptonshire and Oxfordshire that were badly hit in the November 2000 flooding may well be hit again this year. The recent heavy rain has caused a number of rivers to burst their waterlogged banks, has had the RAF airlifting sandbags to hold back the floodwaters, and caused heavy traffic build-up in Sheffield as the M1 was temporarily closed due to flooding[4]. Less than an inch of rain is needed to ensure June 2007’s place in history as the wettest June on record[5]. With the weekend’s estimated two inches to come, this achievement seems safe –providing the majority falls before midnight on Saturday.
So, is this a possible result of climate change, or just another wet summer? And are we suitably equipped to deal with the deluge? The Times reports that Simon Hughes, Flood-Risk Manager for the Environment Agency, has confirmed that flood defences are being inspected to not only check their condition, but also assess how they have performed in this week’s extreme weather.
Matt Travis, a Technical Director says “Flooding is becoming an increasing part of life within the UK. In the last ten years we have seen more extreme rainfall events and the devastating consequences of flooding on peoples property. Climate change models have been predicting that rainfall intensities would increase for a number of years, and we are now starting to see some of these predictions becoming reality. There is a growing body of evidence that climate change has occurred and is causing real impacts.”
Notes:
[1] Some Ulley Dam evacuees were allowed to return to their homes on Wednesday night (27 June 2007), but the houses remain flooded. Fire crews have been pumping water from Ulley Reservoir to reduce pressure, and lorries have been bringing in stone to make repair works.
[2] The Guardian. Tuesday June 26, 2007. ‘Records Tumble as Britain is Hit by Months of Extremes’ John Vidal.
[3] The Guardian. Thursday June 28, 2007. ‘Flood Rescue Crews “Working to Point of Collapse”’ James Sturcke.
[4] The M1 has re-opened with sections near the Ulley Dam remaining closed as a precaution against the embankment collapsing further.
[5] The Times. Thursday June 28 2007. ‘Flood-Hit Towns and Villages Told to Get Ready for More Heavy Rain’ Lewis Smith. The wettest June on record, according to The Times, is currently June 1980, which endured 4.8inches of rainfall.
A turn-around from fears of another impending hosepipe ban earlier this year, the official line is that ‘a large area of low pressure [is] meandering across Britain, and a slow-moving warm front [is] keeping the rain in the same place.’[2] Sheffield had already endured 236mm of rainfall by the 26th June, and several weather stations were reported to have already recorded their highest levels of rainfall for June –despite the month end still being a few days away.
Last year, the autumn and winter seasons together were Britain’s wettest on record, following the warmest spring since 1914. The Fire Service have taken more than seven thousand calls relating to the flooding and rescued about three and a half thousand[3] people. Recorded injuries are in excess of six hundred. The highest numbers of calls were in Humberside and West Yorkshire, but the Met’ Offices severe weather warning for this weekend covers all of England and Wales.
The Environment Agency has warned that homes in East Anglia, Northamptonshire and Oxfordshire that were badly hit in the November 2000 flooding may well be hit again this year. The recent heavy rain has caused a number of rivers to burst their waterlogged banks, has had the RAF airlifting sandbags to hold back the floodwaters, and caused heavy traffic build-up in Sheffield as the M1 was temporarily closed due to flooding[4]. Less than an inch of rain is needed to ensure June 2007’s place in history as the wettest June on record[5]. With the weekend’s estimated two inches to come, this achievement seems safe –providing the majority falls before midnight on Saturday.
So, is this a possible result of climate change, or just another wet summer? And are we suitably equipped to deal with the deluge? The Times reports that Simon Hughes, Flood-Risk Manager for the Environment Agency, has confirmed that flood defences are being inspected to not only check their condition, but also assess how they have performed in this week’s extreme weather.
Matt Travis, a Technical Director says “Flooding is becoming an increasing part of life within the UK. In the last ten years we have seen more extreme rainfall events and the devastating consequences of flooding on peoples property. Climate change models have been predicting that rainfall intensities would increase for a number of years, and we are now starting to see some of these predictions becoming reality. There is a growing body of evidence that climate change has occurred and is causing real impacts.”
Notes:
[1] Some Ulley Dam evacuees were allowed to return to their homes on Wednesday night (27 June 2007), but the houses remain flooded. Fire crews have been pumping water from Ulley Reservoir to reduce pressure, and lorries have been bringing in stone to make repair works.
[2] The Guardian. Tuesday June 26, 2007. ‘Records Tumble as Britain is Hit by Months of Extremes’ John Vidal.
[3] The Guardian. Thursday June 28, 2007. ‘Flood Rescue Crews “Working to Point of Collapse”’ James Sturcke.
[4] The M1 has re-opened with sections near the Ulley Dam remaining closed as a precaution against the embankment collapsing further.
[5] The Times. Thursday June 28 2007. ‘Flood-Hit Towns and Villages Told to Get Ready for More Heavy Rain’ Lewis Smith. The wettest June on record, according to The Times, is currently June 1980, which endured 4.8inches of rainfall.
Investigating alternative routes: Province of North Holland ecocorridor (2014)
For many animal species in Holland the roads, railways and waterways are major barriers, and so scenic areas are increasingly connected by wildlife passages to let the animals reach the other side safely – using such methods as ecoducts (wildlife crossings). The ecoduct gives the animals the chance to move without infrastructural barriers and to exchange genetic material: maintaining biodiversity and avoiding extinction of small, isolated populations.
The Zwaluwenberg ecocorridor in North Holland is constructed under the Netherlands’ Multiannual Defragmentation Plan (MJPO). As part of this, the Province of North Holland is also realizing an ecoduct over the N417/Utrechtseweg, and the recently constructed ecoduct over the A27 and the railway Utrecht/Hilversum is also part of this ecocorridor. Once completed, the Zwaluwenberg will connect the Utrechtse Heuvelrug and het Gooi and help to preserve the survival of larger species such as the badger, pine marten and sand lizard, and the silver-studded blue butterfly.
A consortium team of RPS, Alterra and Movares is conducting a seven-year monitoring study of animal species that use the Zwaluwenberg. The research goes further than only the registration of types of species that use the corridor: including employing genetic techniques to study populations on either side of the infrastructural barriers.
This will provide more insight into the effects ecoducts have on the viability of animal species, and in this way the effectiveness of ecoducts, such as the Zwaluwenberg, will be scientifically substantiated.
For many animal species in Holland the roads, railways and waterways are major barriers, and so scenic areas are increasingly connected by wildlife passages to let the animals reach the other side safely – using such methods as ecoducts (wildlife crossings). The ecoduct gives the animals the chance to move without infrastructural barriers and to exchange genetic material: maintaining biodiversity and avoiding extinction of small, isolated populations.
The Zwaluwenberg ecocorridor in North Holland is constructed under the Netherlands’ Multiannual Defragmentation Plan (MJPO). As part of this, the Province of North Holland is also realizing an ecoduct over the N417/Utrechtseweg, and the recently constructed ecoduct over the A27 and the railway Utrecht/Hilversum is also part of this ecocorridor. Once completed, the Zwaluwenberg will connect the Utrechtse Heuvelrug and het Gooi and help to preserve the survival of larger species such as the badger, pine marten and sand lizard, and the silver-studded blue butterfly.
A consortium team of RPS, Alterra and Movares is conducting a seven-year monitoring study of animal species that use the Zwaluwenberg. The research goes further than only the registration of types of species that use the corridor: including employing genetic techniques to study populations on either side of the infrastructural barriers.
This will provide more insight into the effects ecoducts have on the viability of animal species, and in this way the effectiveness of ecoducts, such as the Zwaluwenberg, will be scientifically substantiated.
Cypripedium orchid - a common member of the orchid family
Orchids on ice (2014)
UrbanGrowth NSW (formerly Landcom) has commissioned targeted field surveys for the terrestrial orchid, Genoplesium littorale, to support one of New South Wales' largest proposed rezoning projects at Tuncurry on its mid North Coast.
The deciduous orchid, which only flowers for a few weeks every autumn, is listed as Critically Endangered under NSW and Commonwealth legislation and represents one of the key issues or potential constraints in relation to the proposed residential rezoning.
2008 reports for the NSW Scientific Committee identified the rare orchid growing in a small area north of Tuncurry, but predicted that the species might also be found in some other nearby areas along the NSW coast. The survey informing the report estimated that the species chiefly occupied an area of only 8km². It is not found in other states or countries – in fact more than 85% of Australia’s total plant species are unique to the Australian wilderness according to a United Nations Environmental Protection report.
The field surveys aimed to determine specific habitat requirements for the species (recording soil type and detailed floristics) and were successful in identifying additional (sub) populations in the Forster and Minimbah localities outside its known occurrence at Tuncurry.
Field surveys required a keen observer ‘eye’ to detect the notoriously cryptic species amongst shrub and ground vegetation as well as a 10x hand lens (magnifier) to accurately identify the tiny flowers (5mm wide) from other co-occurring species of Genoplesium. Surveyors prepared a detailed report on the known biology and ecology of the species as well as the results of the extensive field surveys undertaken over a three year period.
The survey team coordinated the work undertaken by the Royal Botanic Gardens (Mt Annan) to isolate soil fungi and collect orchid seed for seedbanking in a huge refrigerated vault in the new Royal Botanic Gardens Plantbank at Mount Annan, NSW in Australia, and the possible future development of an ex situ orchid population (as insurance against future potential catastrophe). They also coordinated a pollination study undertaken by a well known orchid pollination specialist to capture and identify the orchid pollinator(s) and give a desktop assessment as to their likely habitat requirements.
The deciduous orchid, which only flowers for a few weeks every autumn, is listed as Critically Endangered under NSW and Commonwealth legislation and represents one of the key issues or potential constraints in relation to the proposed residential rezoning.
2008 reports for the NSW Scientific Committee identified the rare orchid growing in a small area north of Tuncurry, but predicted that the species might also be found in some other nearby areas along the NSW coast. The survey informing the report estimated that the species chiefly occupied an area of only 8km². It is not found in other states or countries – in fact more than 85% of Australia’s total plant species are unique to the Australian wilderness according to a United Nations Environmental Protection report.
The field surveys aimed to determine specific habitat requirements for the species (recording soil type and detailed floristics) and were successful in identifying additional (sub) populations in the Forster and Minimbah localities outside its known occurrence at Tuncurry.
Field surveys required a keen observer ‘eye’ to detect the notoriously cryptic species amongst shrub and ground vegetation as well as a 10x hand lens (magnifier) to accurately identify the tiny flowers (5mm wide) from other co-occurring species of Genoplesium. Surveyors prepared a detailed report on the known biology and ecology of the species as well as the results of the extensive field surveys undertaken over a three year period.
The survey team coordinated the work undertaken by the Royal Botanic Gardens (Mt Annan) to isolate soil fungi and collect orchid seed for seedbanking in a huge refrigerated vault in the new Royal Botanic Gardens Plantbank at Mount Annan, NSW in Australia, and the possible future development of an ex situ orchid population (as insurance against future potential catastrophe). They also coordinated a pollination study undertaken by a well known orchid pollination specialist to capture and identify the orchid pollinator(s) and give a desktop assessment as to their likely habitat requirements.
Taking learning outdoors for RIBA award (2012)
Endeavour Primary School and Forest Park Primary School have been awarded RIBA Regional Awards at the recent 2012 RIBA Award Ceremony. Nationally there were some 780 schemes submitted with 94 awards across all regions reflecting a much tougher judging criterion than previous years.
Southampton-based landscape consultants from RPS helped deliver the external environment for the new schools as part of their long standing partnering framework with Hampshire County Council, including new playgrounds, car parking and infrastructure. Working as part of a multi disciplinary team, RPS provided detailed design through to completion on site to ensure the delivery of hard and soft landscaping to a very high standard worthy of an award winning scheme.
Endeavour Primary School is a brand new school for 420 pupils as part of a major urban expansion north of Andover. The design involves simple dual-pitched roofed buildings around a central courtyard with the main school hall on the street front, all linked by flat roofed, glazed cloisters. The building forms allows each class a covered external space for outdoor learning with other external resources including a wetland area and dipping platform, biodome, sports pitches and nature trail. The use of modern materials including pre-formed core ten steel edging, artificial grass and bespoke outdoor furniture provide a high quality outdoor learning environment.
Located on the edge of the New Forest National Park, Forest Park Primary is for children with a wide range of complex learning difficulties. The school provides a state of the art specialist learning and caring environment with an equal emphasis on the internal and external environment. A forest theme underpins the design from inside to out with heathland colours, use of timber and woodland edge planting. The building form embraces a series of external courtyards that provide specialist play and sensory equipment set within an informal landscape setting to promote calm and tranquillity amongst pupils. Materials such as artificial grass, timber and sensory planting are used to enrich the pupils experience along with an interactive water feature, musical instruments and willow domes.
Endeavour Primary School and Forest Park Primary School have been awarded RIBA Regional Awards at the recent 2012 RIBA Award Ceremony. Nationally there were some 780 schemes submitted with 94 awards across all regions reflecting a much tougher judging criterion than previous years.
Southampton-based landscape consultants from RPS helped deliver the external environment for the new schools as part of their long standing partnering framework with Hampshire County Council, including new playgrounds, car parking and infrastructure. Working as part of a multi disciplinary team, RPS provided detailed design through to completion on site to ensure the delivery of hard and soft landscaping to a very high standard worthy of an award winning scheme.
Endeavour Primary School is a brand new school for 420 pupils as part of a major urban expansion north of Andover. The design involves simple dual-pitched roofed buildings around a central courtyard with the main school hall on the street front, all linked by flat roofed, glazed cloisters. The building forms allows each class a covered external space for outdoor learning with other external resources including a wetland area and dipping platform, biodome, sports pitches and nature trail. The use of modern materials including pre-formed core ten steel edging, artificial grass and bespoke outdoor furniture provide a high quality outdoor learning environment.
Located on the edge of the New Forest National Park, Forest Park Primary is for children with a wide range of complex learning difficulties. The school provides a state of the art specialist learning and caring environment with an equal emphasis on the internal and external environment. A forest theme underpins the design from inside to out with heathland colours, use of timber and woodland edge planting. The building form embraces a series of external courtyards that provide specialist play and sensory equipment set within an informal landscape setting to promote calm and tranquillity amongst pupils. Materials such as artificial grass, timber and sensory planting are used to enrich the pupils experience along with an interactive water feature, musical instruments and willow domes.
An exemplary act of care as water staff help injured man (2019)
Field Technicians Ross Kemp and Scott Kennedy were working through a night shift on behalf of Caledonia Water Alliance contract (in support of Scottish Water) when they discovered an injured man unconscious in the road.
He had serious head injuries, so acting swiftly and using their first aid skills Ross and Scott checked the man’s condition and carefully moved him into the recovery position using their jackets to keep him warm while they waited with him for emergency services to attend.The ambulance and police arrived shortly after, taking the man into hospital for further treatment.
“Ross and Scott had been working on a Mains Cleaning Project in Wick” explains their regional director “In the early hours of the morning they had arrived to set up and operate a control valve and subsequently found the injured man in the road. We are extremely proud of Ross and Scott who have both demonstrated an exemplary act of care to an injured member of the public. Their actions and behaviour are a credit to themselves and us.”
Safety is paramount and underpins the entire operations of their employer. First Aid training modules form part of the mandatory induction training that it provides to all its water staff in Scotland who work out on site, as a part of its commitment to safety and responsibility on site, ensuring staff are fully informed and equipped to deliver the best outcome using sound judgement.
As part of its Health and Safety plans for 2019, a First Aid mobile phone app is due to be made available soon to all the company's UK Water employees to assist them working on site.
Field Technicians Ross Kemp and Scott Kennedy were working through a night shift on behalf of Caledonia Water Alliance contract (in support of Scottish Water) when they discovered an injured man unconscious in the road.
He had serious head injuries, so acting swiftly and using their first aid skills Ross and Scott checked the man’s condition and carefully moved him into the recovery position using their jackets to keep him warm while they waited with him for emergency services to attend.The ambulance and police arrived shortly after, taking the man into hospital for further treatment.
“Ross and Scott had been working on a Mains Cleaning Project in Wick” explains their regional director “In the early hours of the morning they had arrived to set up and operate a control valve and subsequently found the injured man in the road. We are extremely proud of Ross and Scott who have both demonstrated an exemplary act of care to an injured member of the public. Their actions and behaviour are a credit to themselves and us.”
Safety is paramount and underpins the entire operations of their employer. First Aid training modules form part of the mandatory induction training that it provides to all its water staff in Scotland who work out on site, as a part of its commitment to safety and responsibility on site, ensuring staff are fully informed and equipped to deliver the best outcome using sound judgement.
As part of its Health and Safety plans for 2019, a First Aid mobile phone app is due to be made available soon to all the company's UK Water employees to assist them working on site.
Keith Hall from UK / CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)
Calliope: the unsinkable ship (2012)
It may not actually be based on board a boat (it’s in a concrete building), but HMS Calliope is still a ship under Royal Navy terms: a self-contained unit with a commanding officer.
The Tyneside ‘stone frigate’ beside the Gateshead Millennium Bridge in Newcastle has been the home of the principal Royal Navy reserve unit for the north-east of England since 1968, when the 1905 commissioned unit’s last floating base (HMS Calliope, formerly HMS Falmouth[1]) reached the end of her serviceable life.
The unit is the home base for around 100 naval reservists when they are not performing their day-to-day occupations, and up to 400 people use it altogether including students from university naval units, and other Royal Naval personnel from around the UK.
As the Armed Forces Careers Organisation was relocating from Newcastle city centre to join colleagues from the reserve unit, a considerable level of remodelling and refurbishment was required at the unit’s base to accommodate them. It was necessary for a number of changes to be made to not only meet the AFCO’s specific requirements, but to also replicate facilities for the existing Royal Navy personnel using the building.
The time constraints of the project were very tight, but close team work between designers and engineers to realise a variety of mechanical & electrical engineering works including heating, ventilation, lighting and emergency lighting, small power, ICT installation, fire alarm systems and a PA system; ensured that the project was delivered successfully, and in a cost-effective way with minimum disruption to the everyday operations of the unit.
Notes:
[1] The original drill ship for the unit was the former Calypso class third class cruiser HMS Calliope from 1907 until 1951. She was built in Portsmouth, and launched in 1884. The 1932-built Falmouth class sloop HMS Falmouth replaced her as the unit’s drill ship in 1952 when she was renamed HMS Calliope.
[-] Further note to the title: Besides the obvious point that a fixed building can’t really put out to sea so is therefore relatively ‘unsinkable’ – the ship from which the unit originally takes its name gained fame as an ‘unsinkable’ ship …The 1884-built HMS Calliope was the only ship (of thirteen) in the harbour at Apia, Samoa (where she was deployed on peacekeeping duties) during the 14 March 1889 cyclone to survive – which was accomplished by her crew managing to steer the ship onto the open sea, in the face of the storm. After returning to UK waters in 1890, HMS Calliope was present for Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee Review of the Fleet at Spithead in 1897.
The Tyneside ‘stone frigate’ beside the Gateshead Millennium Bridge in Newcastle has been the home of the principal Royal Navy reserve unit for the north-east of England since 1968, when the 1905 commissioned unit’s last floating base (HMS Calliope, formerly HMS Falmouth[1]) reached the end of her serviceable life.
The unit is the home base for around 100 naval reservists when they are not performing their day-to-day occupations, and up to 400 people use it altogether including students from university naval units, and other Royal Naval personnel from around the UK.
As the Armed Forces Careers Organisation was relocating from Newcastle city centre to join colleagues from the reserve unit, a considerable level of remodelling and refurbishment was required at the unit’s base to accommodate them. It was necessary for a number of changes to be made to not only meet the AFCO’s specific requirements, but to also replicate facilities for the existing Royal Navy personnel using the building.
The time constraints of the project were very tight, but close team work between designers and engineers to realise a variety of mechanical & electrical engineering works including heating, ventilation, lighting and emergency lighting, small power, ICT installation, fire alarm systems and a PA system; ensured that the project was delivered successfully, and in a cost-effective way with minimum disruption to the everyday operations of the unit.
Notes:
[1] The original drill ship for the unit was the former Calypso class third class cruiser HMS Calliope from 1907 until 1951. She was built in Portsmouth, and launched in 1884. The 1932-built Falmouth class sloop HMS Falmouth replaced her as the unit’s drill ship in 1952 when she was renamed HMS Calliope.
[-] Further note to the title: Besides the obvious point that a fixed building can’t really put out to sea so is therefore relatively ‘unsinkable’ – the ship from which the unit originally takes its name gained fame as an ‘unsinkable’ ship …The 1884-built HMS Calliope was the only ship (of thirteen) in the harbour at Apia, Samoa (where she was deployed on peacekeeping duties) during the 14 March 1889 cyclone to survive – which was accomplished by her crew managing to steer the ship onto the open sea, in the face of the storm. After returning to UK waters in 1890, HMS Calliope was present for Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee Review of the Fleet at Spithead in 1897.
Mo Money for Facial Fuzz (2012)
November – the month of fireworks … and moustaches. Since its Melbourne beginning in 2003, the international Movember Foundation has raised over £184m for prostate cancer charities[1]. Targeted to increase men’s awareness of their own health risks and change established attitudes and habits to encourage more men to consult their doctors earlier if they have a concern, the charity gets people to cultivate a fine moustache for a month and raise money.
Prostate cancer is the most common cause of cancer in men with three-quarters of diagnoses being in men over 65[2]. Almost 900,000 men were diagnosed with the illness worldwide in 2008. Between 2005 and 2009, 81% of those diagnosed lived for five or more years after diagnosis, and nearly 70% survived the illness by ten or more years – a massive improvement upon the comparative 1970s statistics of 30% and 20% respectively. The improvement is largely a result of the now widespread use of the PSA (prostate-specific antigen) test measuring levels of PSAs in the blood, but the test is not infallible. Early detection is one of the most important key points in targeting and treating cancer.
Men are typically noted by GPs as being particularly reluctant to waste a doctor’s time or appear to be over-fretting about their health. However, talking to a GP early if you have any concerns can expel that nagging worry that something doesn’t seem quite right, or ensure the best odds possible if there is a problem.
Funds raised by Movember 2012 are being specifically targeted at cancer survivorship and research, and, in Australia, at raising awareness of depression and anxiety through national charity Beyond Blue. More than 854,000 people worldwide took part in Movember 2011 including a number of ‘Mo Bros and Sistas’ from RPS.
This year, more than 50 RPS staff have raised money for Movember 2012 with many more donating to the cause to support their colleagues. Some have formed office groups and grown a range of facial fluff through to the full handlebar upper-lip dressing as part of the Movember RPS Network which boasts eight teams across Australia, Britain and Ireland.
Movember encourages its fundraisers to have plenty of fun while raising money and RPS entered into the spirit of the cause with great enthusiasm – RPS Mogrowing Society organised a cake sale, and a full-on Movember election – complete with campaign posters and winner’s trophy, all driven by indefatigable fundraiser and team leader Ronan Kane, which efforts helped secure them a position at the top of the RPS leaderboard, with tireless team member Conor Doherty top of the individual board raising £457/€565/$698. And, in a twist of the normal rules, Rob Bradley from the Edinburgh RathoPark office, has been seeking sponsorship to shave off his beloved upper-lip warmer.
In all, the RPS Network of RPS Mogrowing Society, MOsbestos Mugs, RPS Echuca, RPS Mo Bros, RPS – Back fo’ Mo, RPS Water, It Tickles and RPS Caval Ridge has raised £5610/AU$8,582/€6,945 for the Movember Foundation. Team Mo’ RPS from the Edinburgh Ocean Point Office raised £460/AU$703/€567. Ben Austin, Simon Mason, Gareth Gardener, Stephen Ravenscroft, CJ Biggs, Russell Jordan, James Hutchinson, Daniel Luckett and Matthew Bates have also individually raised £700/AU$1070/€863 (and rising) for the charity[3]. And the even better news is that you can still donate to colleagues through their fundraising web pages on the Movember site (current totals raised stand at AU$10,355/£6,772/€8,348).
What has inspired RPS staff to raise money for Movember?
"It raises money for a good cause while looking like an eejit at the same time!"
Conor Doherty (RPS Mogrowing Society)
"The team at RPS Mapping is predominately male and we would like to support Movember and men’s health."
Linda Moffat (RPS Mo Bros)
"My dad was recently diagnosed with prostate cancer, and it’s a great way to help the cause!"
Stephen Ravenscroft (Salford Sausages)
"[I'm] lookin’ for some dough for my mo’!! Please support - it's for a good cause plus the added benefit of me looking ridiculous for a month!"
Adrian Minogue (RPS Mogrowing Society)
"I want to unleash the Burt Reynolds ‘Magnum shtyle!"
Merlyn Reed (RPS Mogrowing Society)
"How can I refuse?! - raising money for a good cause and making people smile at the same time!"
Keith Cohen (Mo’ RPS)
"1 in 9 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime - This year 20,000 new cases of the disease will be diagnosed - 1 in 8 men will experience depression in their lifetime. Please help us change these statistics."
Stephanie Power (RPS Mo Bros)
"You know what's not funny? Depression. One out of eight men will suffer from depression. Donate today, and raise awareness for men's health."
Jesse Reilly (RPS Mo Bros)
"A bit of fun to help raise money for the good cause that is prostate cancer."
James Hutchinson
"For many years, I had a beard then, before removing it on request for my wife, I kept the Mo for a week. As well as donating to many other Mo Bro's in the past, I felt that this year, it was time to take the challenge myself. So here goes! The cause needs more acknowledgement so what better way to combine the two?"
Rob Bradley (It Tickles)
And the best of the posts ...
'Day 3 - there's a definite something appearing now...looks like a third eyebrow.
Day 4 - nothing much more happening at the Mo!
… Day 9 - The lip weasel's gettin' itchy now!'
Daniel Blyton
'Hmmm, I'm not sure if my head is tilted or my handlebars are uneven, will get the measuring tape out later!
… There was a time I could have been mistaken for Burt Reynolds. I had a moustache and so did he. But he was the number one star in the world, so there wasn't really much confusion.'
Johnny Jnr Finegan
'Week 1 Fail - Had to wet shave the head to compensate.... Fluff 1 - Ronan 0.
Week 2 Fail - Blond moustache does not a good Movember make. As close to the camera as I could get with the darkest filter too... Fluff 2 - Ronan 0.
Week 3 - No its not a rash, it’s ma ‘tache! Bonus points for visibility to the naked eye at four feet. Super bonus points for "Twits" style food retention capabilities... Fluff 2 - Ronan 1.'
Ro Murphy
'My moustache is strong. But it still needs your help.'
Jesse Reilly
'Day 17: I'm starting to like it now. I might keep it…'
Ben Austin
'Day 4. Salt 'n' pepper peachfuzz has arrived. Humiliation begins.'
Andre Dunn-Johnston
'As you can see from my picture, I dyed mine black so am now the new face for 'Just for Men' ha! It was fun while it lasted and we raised a lot of money for a good cause so hopefully more people will join in next year!'
James Hutchinson (Email quote)
'Glad to shave it off this year - boring ‘tache – need to try something new next year!'
Jaimie Drummond
'The challenge to grow the ‘tache is not that much of a trial. Shaving it off once it reaches its full glory, on the other hand has all the potential to create real angst. So, here's my offer; instead of the usual incremental updates on growing progress, I put to you the chance to make a one-off donation that guarantees that I will shave it off come the 1st December.'
Rob Bradley
Notes:
[1] Including the Institute of Cancer Research, Prostate Cancer UK, Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia.
[2] Figures from Cancer Research UK website: http://www.cancerresearchuk.org . Movember statistics from the Movember website.
[3] All figures correct at time of going to press. Ben Austin and Simon Mason as part of Hungerford RFC (team raised £311), Gareth Gardener as part of The Village People (team raised £205), Stephen Ravenscroft as part of Salford Sausages (team raised £766), James Hutchinson as part of Tucks Hairy Monsters (team raised £443), Daniel Luckett with a local physiotherapists’ group and Matthew Bates as part of his local football team (team raised £735). All conversion figures are subject to minor variation as exchange rates fluctuate.
November – the month of fireworks … and moustaches. Since its Melbourne beginning in 2003, the international Movember Foundation has raised over £184m for prostate cancer charities[1]. Targeted to increase men’s awareness of their own health risks and change established attitudes and habits to encourage more men to consult their doctors earlier if they have a concern, the charity gets people to cultivate a fine moustache for a month and raise money.
Prostate cancer is the most common cause of cancer in men with three-quarters of diagnoses being in men over 65[2]. Almost 900,000 men were diagnosed with the illness worldwide in 2008. Between 2005 and 2009, 81% of those diagnosed lived for five or more years after diagnosis, and nearly 70% survived the illness by ten or more years – a massive improvement upon the comparative 1970s statistics of 30% and 20% respectively. The improvement is largely a result of the now widespread use of the PSA (prostate-specific antigen) test measuring levels of PSAs in the blood, but the test is not infallible. Early detection is one of the most important key points in targeting and treating cancer.
Men are typically noted by GPs as being particularly reluctant to waste a doctor’s time or appear to be over-fretting about their health. However, talking to a GP early if you have any concerns can expel that nagging worry that something doesn’t seem quite right, or ensure the best odds possible if there is a problem.
Funds raised by Movember 2012 are being specifically targeted at cancer survivorship and research, and, in Australia, at raising awareness of depression and anxiety through national charity Beyond Blue. More than 854,000 people worldwide took part in Movember 2011 including a number of ‘Mo Bros and Sistas’ from RPS.
This year, more than 50 RPS staff have raised money for Movember 2012 with many more donating to the cause to support their colleagues. Some have formed office groups and grown a range of facial fluff through to the full handlebar upper-lip dressing as part of the Movember RPS Network which boasts eight teams across Australia, Britain and Ireland.
Movember encourages its fundraisers to have plenty of fun while raising money and RPS entered into the spirit of the cause with great enthusiasm – RPS Mogrowing Society organised a cake sale, and a full-on Movember election – complete with campaign posters and winner’s trophy, all driven by indefatigable fundraiser and team leader Ronan Kane, which efforts helped secure them a position at the top of the RPS leaderboard, with tireless team member Conor Doherty top of the individual board raising £457/€565/$698. And, in a twist of the normal rules, Rob Bradley from the Edinburgh RathoPark office, has been seeking sponsorship to shave off his beloved upper-lip warmer.
In all, the RPS Network of RPS Mogrowing Society, MOsbestos Mugs, RPS Echuca, RPS Mo Bros, RPS – Back fo’ Mo, RPS Water, It Tickles and RPS Caval Ridge has raised £5610/AU$8,582/€6,945 for the Movember Foundation. Team Mo’ RPS from the Edinburgh Ocean Point Office raised £460/AU$703/€567. Ben Austin, Simon Mason, Gareth Gardener, Stephen Ravenscroft, CJ Biggs, Russell Jordan, James Hutchinson, Daniel Luckett and Matthew Bates have also individually raised £700/AU$1070/€863 (and rising) for the charity[3]. And the even better news is that you can still donate to colleagues through their fundraising web pages on the Movember site (current totals raised stand at AU$10,355/£6,772/€8,348).
What has inspired RPS staff to raise money for Movember?
"It raises money for a good cause while looking like an eejit at the same time!"
Conor Doherty (RPS Mogrowing Society)
"The team at RPS Mapping is predominately male and we would like to support Movember and men’s health."
Linda Moffat (RPS Mo Bros)
"My dad was recently diagnosed with prostate cancer, and it’s a great way to help the cause!"
Stephen Ravenscroft (Salford Sausages)
"[I'm] lookin’ for some dough for my mo’!! Please support - it's for a good cause plus the added benefit of me looking ridiculous for a month!"
Adrian Minogue (RPS Mogrowing Society)
"I want to unleash the Burt Reynolds ‘Magnum shtyle!"
Merlyn Reed (RPS Mogrowing Society)
"How can I refuse?! - raising money for a good cause and making people smile at the same time!"
Keith Cohen (Mo’ RPS)
"1 in 9 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime - This year 20,000 new cases of the disease will be diagnosed - 1 in 8 men will experience depression in their lifetime. Please help us change these statistics."
Stephanie Power (RPS Mo Bros)
"You know what's not funny? Depression. One out of eight men will suffer from depression. Donate today, and raise awareness for men's health."
Jesse Reilly (RPS Mo Bros)
"A bit of fun to help raise money for the good cause that is prostate cancer."
James Hutchinson
"For many years, I had a beard then, before removing it on request for my wife, I kept the Mo for a week. As well as donating to many other Mo Bro's in the past, I felt that this year, it was time to take the challenge myself. So here goes! The cause needs more acknowledgement so what better way to combine the two?"
Rob Bradley (It Tickles)
And the best of the posts ...
'Day 3 - there's a definite something appearing now...looks like a third eyebrow.
Day 4 - nothing much more happening at the Mo!
… Day 9 - The lip weasel's gettin' itchy now!'
Daniel Blyton
'Hmmm, I'm not sure if my head is tilted or my handlebars are uneven, will get the measuring tape out later!
… There was a time I could have been mistaken for Burt Reynolds. I had a moustache and so did he. But he was the number one star in the world, so there wasn't really much confusion.'
Johnny Jnr Finegan
'Week 1 Fail - Had to wet shave the head to compensate.... Fluff 1 - Ronan 0.
Week 2 Fail - Blond moustache does not a good Movember make. As close to the camera as I could get with the darkest filter too... Fluff 2 - Ronan 0.
Week 3 - No its not a rash, it’s ma ‘tache! Bonus points for visibility to the naked eye at four feet. Super bonus points for "Twits" style food retention capabilities... Fluff 2 - Ronan 1.'
Ro Murphy
'My moustache is strong. But it still needs your help.'
Jesse Reilly
'Day 17: I'm starting to like it now. I might keep it…'
Ben Austin
'Day 4. Salt 'n' pepper peachfuzz has arrived. Humiliation begins.'
Andre Dunn-Johnston
'As you can see from my picture, I dyed mine black so am now the new face for 'Just for Men' ha! It was fun while it lasted and we raised a lot of money for a good cause so hopefully more people will join in next year!'
James Hutchinson (Email quote)
'Glad to shave it off this year - boring ‘tache – need to try something new next year!'
Jaimie Drummond
'The challenge to grow the ‘tache is not that much of a trial. Shaving it off once it reaches its full glory, on the other hand has all the potential to create real angst. So, here's my offer; instead of the usual incremental updates on growing progress, I put to you the chance to make a one-off donation that guarantees that I will shave it off come the 1st December.'
Rob Bradley
Notes:
[1] Including the Institute of Cancer Research, Prostate Cancer UK, Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia.
[2] Figures from Cancer Research UK website: http://www.cancerresearchuk.org . Movember statistics from the Movember website.
[3] All figures correct at time of going to press. Ben Austin and Simon Mason as part of Hungerford RFC (team raised £311), Gareth Gardener as part of The Village People (team raised £205), Stephen Ravenscroft as part of Salford Sausages (team raised £766), James Hutchinson as part of Tucks Hairy Monsters (team raised £443), Daniel Luckett with a local physiotherapists’ group and Matthew Bates as part of his local football team (team raised £735). All conversion figures are subject to minor variation as exchange rates fluctuate.
Title page image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay