Site Manager, Franc Parziale and his site team on the Wyre Operating Centre kindly donated their Considerate Contractor Scheme incentive to Brian House Children’s Hospice, Trinity Hospice and Cancer Research after the project scored over 34 points. To support their kind gesture the company rounded up each charity donation to £100.
The company held its annual Apprentice of the Year award on Monday 2nd April. All company apprentices and trainees attended the event at the Village Hotel in Bury.
The winner is selected based upon College feedback, comments from their Site Manager and other colleague’s comments.
This year’s winner was Luke Pennington, who was chosen due to his continual enthusiasm, commitment and standard of work produced.
We currently have 8 joinery apprentices, fully indentured with 4 enrolled each year. All have our full support and encouragement to gain their trade skills. We work with local colleges in furthering their training and are committed to assisting local colleges and other educational organisations to promote construction as a career.
At Cherry Tree Gardens in Blackpool, members of the local community and pupils from St Georges School are working together to create a new path which will benefit all.
The company has provided the materials for the new path, Managing Director Ray Eyre said: “As a company we always like to help the local community and this is a worthwhile project that everyone was involved in and everyone will benefit from.”
Blackpool Council’s Community Volunteers leader Neil Froggett has developed the Cherry Tree Gardens project from small beginnings seven years ago.
St. George’s Acting Head Mr Dan Berry said: “The whole project has been fantastic and this has transformed this area. We’re going to keep this going because the social value is immeasurable.”
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As part of our commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility, the company sponsored a new Year 11 football strip at Whitby Community College, where we have recently completed the £120k refurbishment of the gym, dance and changing rooms.
Regional Director Steve Jackson said “From my own experience of playing, managing and coaching teams, I know how difficult it is to find sponsors, especially in the current economic climate. The regular construction work that the company undertakes through the North Yorkshire County Council’s Framework allows us to give something back to the local community”.
Year 1 and Year 2 Construction Diploma Students from Lancaster and Morecambe College visited the Heysham Primary Care Centre project over the course of 1 day.
The students were given a site tour by the Site Supervisor and then given a short presentation on the project by members of the construction team followed by a question and answer section with the Site Manager. Staff from various disciplines attended the event and spoke to students regarding construction techniques, company procedures we have in place, matters of programming and the various stages of a project.
On the 14th March the company gave a short presentation at the local Wyred Up business networking event which meets every quarter in the Wyre area and is supported by Wyre Council.
Wyred Up is for Business and encourages local companies to trade with each other and take advantage of significant inward investment opportunities that are coming to Wyre.
Managing Director, Ray Eyre and Business Development Manager, Mike Tyler discussed the local projects the company has undertaken in previous years, the projects that we are currently constructing in the Wyre area and our commitment to local employment and local the community.
As one of 127 proud sponsors of FC United of Manchester, Parkinson has purchased 2 adult season tickets and 4 children season tickets; which are given to members of the local community on a rota basis.
The Club is unlike any other football club as it is fully owned and democratically run by supporters, on a one member one vote basis.
Parkinson chose to support FC United due to their excellent work within their local community.
We recently donated the tickets to local Primary School, St Edmund’s Roman Catholic Primary School. The Headteacher, Mrs Clinton, organised a competition with the pupils asking them to write a letter to state why they should win and why they should receive the FC Utd Tickets.
The Winner, Scott Dolan “a massive football fan” took one of his school friends along to watch the home match.
Headteacher, Mrs Clinton expressed her thanks to company “Many Thanks, you have made 2 boys and their families very happy!”.
Following the extensive refurbishment undertaken by the company, Stockton Central Library was formally reopened by Best-Selling Author, Philippa Gregory.
Four decades since its first opening the new-look library now incorporates a new Customer Service Centre on the ground floor offering local residents a single point to find out information, apply for services and make payments to the Council.
Councillor David Coleman, Stockton Council’s cabinet member for access and communities, said: “By putting many of our services under one roof, we are creating a one-stop-shop which means residents will no longer need to visit several council offices.”
In addition to the existing library facilities, there is now a specialist technology suite for blind and visually impaired people, another suite is dedicated to local and family history and a multi-media conference facility caters for up to 100 people.
The picture shows our Regional Director, Steve Jackson (Right) talking to Councillor Paul Baker (Left), Lord Mayor of Stockton-on-Tees at the official opening of Stockton Central Library.
On Thursday 15th December local VIP’s got their first look inside the iconic Festival House – Blackpool’s newest wedding and celebration venue located on Blackpool Promenade.
The event, which was sponsored by the company, was to mark the official opening of the new venue.
The first ceremony is due to take place on January 12th 2012 however over 100 bookings have already been taken for weddings in the new year.
The event was well attended by the local press and appeared on BBC North West Tonight along with an interview with our very own Business Development Manager, Mike Tyler. The news report can be viewed by clicking on the click below.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/i/b0185qf6/?t=18m58s
Members of the public are invited to take a look around the new venue on Saturday 17th and Sunday 18th December 10am – 4pm.
Why not take a look inside Festival House?
Blackpool’s newest building on the Promenade is almost open for business and you can take a sneaky look inside.
The register office will be available for people to look around as it hosts open days in December.
An open weekend for the public to take a first look around the building will take place on Sat 17/Sun 18 December.
28 Construction Diploma Students from Blackpool and the Fylde College visited the Fleetwood Primary Care Centre Project over the course of 1 day.
The students were given a site tour by the Site Manager and then given a short presentation on the roles within the construction industry. Staff from various disciplines attended the event and spoke to students regarding construction legislation, company procedures, types of construction methods and the various stages of a project.
The company received some great feedback from the students who attended:-
“It was interesting and informative, shed light on a lot of questions I had”
“Good trip. Interesting to see how building sites operate and function”
“Great trip. Useful information and would like to go on another trip when its complete”
“Good trip. Helped answer some questions that helped me have a better understanding of what goes on, on a site”
“By going on this trip I got more of an understanding of how on site construction takes place and the many different aspects involved”
“Useful trip!”
“It was a good trip, now able to visualise what goes on, on site easier. It will be helpful when it comes to assignments”
“Very intellectual trip, helped me understand the different roles in the construction industry and the different aspects of construction methods”
“Enjoyed the trip a lot, was good to speak to the Site Manager and Health & Safety Inspector and to how they got to where they are. It gave me a better perspective of what I need to do in my career”
Members of the Parkinson construction team, Blackpool Council, the Registrar and
the Architect were all in attendance for the handover of Festival House on Blackpool’s Promenade.
Superintendent Registrar, David Hill and project Architect, Saskia
Koopman from dRMM Architects officially handed over the new wedding
chapel by the cutting of a wedding cake.
Special thanks were given to Parkinson by Blackpool Council and the
Architect for the delivery of the quality project; with a special
mention to our Site Manager, Steve Bather.
The new facility provides a focal point for visitors with a Tourist Information centre occupying the ground floor with Registrar office and ceremony hall located on the first and second floor. The building also provides a panoramic view of Blackpool’s famous promenade.
The company is pleased to announce the successful completion of the 3 year ISOQAR re-certification audit of our IMS (Integrated Management System) which compiles of the following Standards; ISO 9001 Quality, ISO 14001 Environment & OHSAS 18001 Health & Safety.
The audit took place over the last two days and involved the auditors checking company procedures and documentation of all departments as well as a site visit to our Heysham Primary Care Centre project.
Below is an extract of the ISOQAR audit findings.
A well received visit with an IMS which is operating effectively with good commitment by those involved on the audit. The evidence presented over the two days recertification audit demonstrated the company’s approach and commitment to Quality, Environmental and Health & Safety beyond merely compliance and towards continual improvement. This approach is exemplified by the level of auditing and transparency shown on site with four types of auditing present which has been recently introduced: 1) Internal 2) D. Evans / Consultant 3) 2nd Party Consultants and 4) 3rd Party auditing. The depth of audits is also good with site audits covering fourteen separate areas: Policy, Asbestos, Waste, Storage, Emergencies, Site Plan, Site Documentation, Drawing Control, Sub Contractors, Purchasing, Direct Employees, Calibrated Equipment, Hired Equipment, Small Tools, Management, Inspection and Training. Legislation regarding the Environment and H & S was also referenced on the documentation: In addition a more detailed document is also in use that is used as a check list and is an example of good practice. Employees spoken to were to very helpful and approachable during the audit both on site and head office. Process controls are well maintained via the well established practical documentation on site which is reflected in the electronic data held at Head Office. There was very good evidence of improvements and forward thinking demonstrated at the opening meeting and when viewed alongside visits 4 and 5 show a high level of commitment to the three standards and improvement.
The partnered project at Winstanley Community Primary School was successfully handed over to the staff and pupils in September.
The scheme involved the construction of a new build extension and a refurbishment to various parts of the existing school.
Various Corporate Social Responsibility were also undertaken during the contract duration; the company’s Health and Safety mascot Isla Be Safe attended their school assembly to promote site safety and to inform the school pupils of the works. We also involved the pupils in a poster competition with the winners receiving prizes as well as a the posters being framed and displayed around the site perimeter. As part of our legacy we have supplied the school with a much needed football kit.
Site Manager Franc Parziale was presented with various Thank you gifts from Winstanley School staff and pupils.
The company is committed to the training and development of its workforce and currently employs 8 apprentices across all regions.
Every year the company commits to employing further apprentices in the joinery and carpentry trades working alongside local colleges and Construction Skills.
Joining us in September 2011 was;
Olivia Bradley – Joinery – York Region (as pictured)
Joshua Butler – Joinery – York Region
Jack Cook – Joinery – Manchester Region
Harry Hargreaves – Joinery – Blackpool Region
To further encourage our Apprentices we hold an “Apprentice of the Year Award” annually, the selection is based upon College feedback, Site Manager feedback and colleagues comments. This year’s winner was given a new laptop to help him further his studies, with all other apprentices given a £30 tool voucher.
On Thursday 22nd September the company held its annual Fylde Supplier Day at the Parkside Stand at Fleetwood Town FC.
The Parkside Stand is one of three recent projects the company has undertaken in Fleetwood, of which many of the attendees at the event helped to create.
The important local event was aimed to provide attendees with a brief overview of what projects the company is are currently undertaking, what the future holds and how we can help each other moving forward within the industry.
The event was well attended by over 45 companies whose offices are located on the Fylde Coast and has generated some great, positive feedback, see below;
“I very much enjoyed the event, & especially the opportunity to hear first hand, the very clear message being sent to your supply chain.”
“I would like to say thank you for such an excellent event in which You and your team delivered a most impressive message i.e. you care about this area and want to support the local chain.”
“Thanks for inviting us and we look forward to being part of your future success.”
“Very useful informative event and good to see a high turn out. Well organised and good venue.”
“Excellent presentation and interesting insight into developments in Blackpool.”
“Very informative event, well organised. Interesting to hear of the social responsibilities that the company undertakes.”
“Found it very interesting and informative, thank you for the invite”.
The company has recently completed the refurbishment of Manchester’s iconic Corporation Street bridge. The bridge, which links the Arndale with Selfridges and Marks and Spencer, was encased in scaffolding while repair work – including replacing huge glass panels – was carried out over the summer.
The picture shows Lord Major, Harry Lyons officially reopening the bridge.
Picture From Left: Mark Higgins (Arndale Centre Operations Manager), Steve Williamson (F Parkinson Regional Director), Glen Barkworth (Arndale Centre General Manager), Lord Mayor Harry Lyons and David Leigh (F Parkinson Site Manager)
We provided work experience placements for 2 students from Montgomery High School who were interested in a career within the construction industry.
The two students were mentored and accompanied on site by Parkinson Joiners who demonstrated and taught them how to undertake various joinery tasks.
Joshua Crowe was mentored at the multi-million Fleetwood Primary Care Centre project while his peer, Austin Aldred was busy onsite at the Ponden Mill refurbishment in Blackpool Town Centre.