A family-run dealership in the UK have won an international award. The DAF Dealership have been crowned as a top dealer,  with the ceremony held in Malaga, Spain. The business was founded in Bury by David Ruffles and is still managed by the family. It began as a maintenance and repair service for the local community but since then has expanded to Isleham and Cambridgeshire. The company, which to date, employs 174 staff members have invested a grand total of £6 million in their facilities, with plans for further, more significant investments. The business has seen sales increase from 99 trucks, in the year 1999, to having well over 800 trucks just last year. Some of their high-profile customers include Seven Asset, Turners of Soham and Glasswells. 

Robert Baxter, manager of the company has said that he is hugely proud to have a gold award at the DAF International Dealer Meeting. The awards recognise the highest-performing dealers in the whole of Europe. It takes note of those who excel in customer satisfaction and who have higher-than-average business performance metrics.  The top title goes to the dealer that can surpass the standards in every area.

Chassis Cab was given the title after they achieved consistently strong sales performances as a result of their relationships with key customers. This is an award that businesses can be proud of, and with the dealership coming away with gold, it’s a sign that great things can be achieved even in the midst of challenging economic conditions.

Robert stated that it has always been their aim to provide exemplary service and that they aim to keep their customer’s businesses running as smoothly as possible. A lot of their success can indeed be put down to their loyal and hardworking team of people, who continually want the business to be the best that it can be. 

The company works by matching customers with the trucks that are going to give them the highest competitive edge. The DAF truck range has excellent driving properties and always delivers. The company got its name from when they used to repair chassis and cabs using a chassis-straightening jig, which was at the time, the only one available. 

So far, the company has two electric DAF trucks that have been supplied to the region, and the fully intend to utilise new types of fuel, including HVO, or hydro-treated vegetable oil.

The company are strong believers that whatever comes next, they intend to be at the forefront of new technology. As a DAF distributor, they are looking forward to the future as a pioneering family business, and they fully intend to improve fleet fitness so that growing businesses in the region can benefit. So far DAF Trucks have 1,100 locations across Europe.

A £250m package that is going to benefit local communities has now been activated. This is going to be available in phases over a construction period. Andrew Bowie, the Minister for Nuclear Power and Renewables has since visited the site. Business owners have welcomed the news and said that it is going to have a long-lasting, positive impact on the region. Sizewell C has triggered the DCO, or Developmental Consent Order, which opens the path for construction. The 3.2GW nuclear power station is going to be established on the Suffolk coast. The project was originally granted permission in 2022 and while preparatory work has begun, a lot of the obligations needed satisfying before work could commence. The obligations, as set out in the DCO document have been signed off by the East Suffolk Council and the Suffolk County Council. They allow a range of activities to take place, ranging from road surveys to Governance Groups. They have all since been satisfied, allowing the stage of construction to begin.

 Nigel Cann and Julia Pyke, who are both managing directors at Sizewell C have said that this is a significant project and it is a big step in general for Britain’s energy security. They have had a good year of pre-commencement work and since then, they have been working with a range of local partners and organisations. This is to ensure that everyone is on the same page when the next phase of the project commences.

Even though Sizewell C is going to be a linchpin of the energy system, it’s more than just a power station. Entering the construction phase as a whole is going to be a game-changer. It’s going to help boost employee skills while enhancing the local environment. New clean energy is also going to be developed.

Sizewell C is going to play a major part in the grand scheme of things. It’s going to be responsible for generating low-carbon energy for over six million homes. Andrew Bowie, the Nuclear Minister visited the Sizewell C construction site to mark the project’s latest milestone. 

The aim is to provide over 24GW of power by 2050. This comes after the second-biggest expansion for nuclear power was announced, in 70 years. This is going to bring down energy bills and it is going to boost the energy security Britain has. Thousands of people are going to benefit from having new jobs and a lot of apprenticeships are also going to be created. Thai demonstrates the reward that comes with backing nuclear power.

In 2023, Sizewell C, the Government and EDF launched a process to try and bring private investors into the project. They triggered the DCO and although entering the phase of construction is not dependent on the final investment decision, constructive decisions that are taking place with qualified investors are ongoing. A final decision is expected to take place later this year.

By commencing construction,  £250m worth of funding has been granted to the local community. This is going to be available in several phases, as the construction phase of the project continues. This funding includes £100m for the environment, £12m for local tourism support, £23m for community projects and £12m for housing. This is going to support both private housing, as well as tourist accommodation. It appears that Sizewell C are determined that the opportunities that arise from construction should spread as far and wide as possible. With a long-standing partnership with the Suffolk Chamber of Commerce, as well as MENTA, this is going to bring several benefits to the region. 

Sizewell C is going to deliver 1500 apprenticeships while supporting the creation of thousands of jobs. This is going to span across the country, with one-third of the construction workforce coming from within the local area. The project is going to invest in the skills of local people, ensuring that there is talent ready to not only support Sizewell C, but also the future nuclear ambitions of the UK.

The project will have a huge impact on local supply chains, and several business leaders have welcomed the news of the next phase.

Jack Nicholls, who is the Managing Director of Tru7 Group has said that as a local employer of well over 350 people, this is going to provide a lasting legacy for the region. The construction is going to give Suffolk businesses the chance to invest in people and their skills, and they are so happy to be able to play a role in this project.

Tim Capey, from Poundfield Precast, has said they are truly excited about this development. The scale of the project is going to provide many opportunities over the coming decade, and the duration of the project is going to allow even more further investment.

Mark Burrows, Commercial Director of Breheny Civil Engineering Ltd has said that this is a nationally strategic project that grants businesses the chance to showcase their talent and resources. It’s going to provide work opportunities for a number of years. They are participating in projects now on the Sizewell complex, and welcome more opportunities to get involved with. 300+ people and their families live within the geographical area that is going to be impacted by this project. They for one are looking forward to the economic, environmental and social benefits that this is going to provide.

In an attempt to ensure that local people have a voice during the construction phase, the new Sizewell C forums have also been launched. This allows residents to talk about key issues that could arise with the project over the long term. There are four main forums which are all chaired independently, allowing people to speak up while keeping everyone up to date on the latest news.

Work has started on Sizewell C, but is it all just a theatre stage for politics? There have been big fanfares and even major ceremonies which have helped to mark the start of the construction phase. The question is, does that even mean anything? In one sense, the construction has already begun. Land around the area has been dug up and lots of mature trees have been cut down to make space for the new development. One of the new entrances to the site has also been cleared. The Final Investment Decision, or FID, however, is the point where parties commit to building the station. This is several months away, so the ceremony that has taken place is nothing more than a stage for political theatre.

One thing to take note of here is that there is a clear political need for this particular project to go ahead. The government and opposition have shown that they are committed to whatever this project may cost. When you take into account the uncertainty regarding energy around the globe, and the need to move to carbon-zero energy, it’s obvious that we have to proceed regardless of the cost. 

A lot of people don’t have concerns about the safety of the planet, and although there are dangers associated with nuclear generation, the experience of the country so far suggests that there is nothing to fear. It can be operated safely. Given the fact that there are two nuclear plants at Sizewell right now, that need protection from the sea, it doesn’t seem that unreasonable to put the plant there as it means that the protection given, can be shared.

There are, however, worries regarding the government and the EDF. They must be seen as being equal in terms of the project. This means equality over the way it’s going to be built, as well as the impact that it is going to have on the local community. It seems that right now, an aggressive approach is being adopted. The government and EDF are planning to cause a huge amount of damage to the environment, including damage to the Heritage Coast. This is closely linked with Minsmere and Dunwich Heath.

It didn’t have to be this way though, there were other options. The 1990 plan for Sizewell C could have been built on the same footprint that has been proposed in the past but without the damage to the environment. There were plans to use the entrance that’s already there, for Sizewell B, along with the service area. Offering alternatives for wildlife, such as part of the Aldhurst Farm is great. The point about the land that is next to the Eastbridge Marshes is that there is a huge amount of wildlife and a very rich, diverse ecosystem that stretches from Sizewell to Dunwich Heath and beyond. Creating a new, star-studded nature reserve that is two miles inland looks great on paper, but you cannot replace the area that is being taken. This would be the area that is linked directly to the coast.

The battle is unfortunately lost. The government, and any future governments are going to be keen on the project. All we can do now is hope that the new habitats are going to make up for the ones that have been lost. Nick Collinson, who is from the Suffolk Coasts and Heaths group was incredibly positive about the contribution that Sizewell can offer to the area. There are, however, still concerns amongst guardians of the countryside, such as the Suffolk Wildlife Trust and even the RSPB, and quite rightfully so.

A lot of this comes down to the fact that people haven’t been engaged. This is especially the case with local people. Community forums have been set up, but a lot of people are suspicious of them. EDF has a strong record of telling people what they are going to do, but they don’t actually listen or take concerns onboard. As a result of this, people who were once supportive of Sizewell A and B have been turned off the latest project. It’s going to take a lot to bring them back on board. 

Ipswich has been granted Heritage Harbour status. This is to recognise the historical significance of its harbour. The use of the port can be dated back to the 7th Century, and it soon became the biggest wet dock in Britain. This was achieved in 1842. It’s one of 12 harbours and inland ports. Wells-Next-The-Sea in Norfolk, along with Heybridge have also been awarded the status. The award has helped to highlight the timeless legacy of Ipswich.

Heritage Harbour Status can only be given by the National Working Group of Heritage Harbours.  This happens to be supported by the Maritime Heritage Trust, Historic England and National Historic Ships UK.

Ipswich’s port is owned and operated by the ABP, or Associated British Ports. It is the UK’s leading export port and handles over two million tonnes of cargo every single year.  Ben Good, the chairman of the Ipswich Maritime Trust, has released a statement saying that they are thrilled that the city’s importance as a historical trading port has finally been recognised, and that they are proud to acknowledge the warehouses and wharves that can be seen to this day, alongside the historical Waterfront. 

The trust have plans to showcase the heritage through boats, buildings and artefacts, as well as unveiling a number of youth event programmes. The Wet Dock was the biggest in the country in 1842. Receiving the prestigious status helps to celebrate the dock as being one of the oldest trading ports within the UK. This recognition, when coupled with the port’s consistent ranking as being the best port for agricultural products, has helped to highlight ABP’s commitment to the whole maritime sector. The port is also blazing a trail for others, as integrated drones and AI are fused into port operations.

Ipswich Waterfront could easily become a heritage attraction thanks to several famous vessels, with the opportunity to find out more about the history of the town. The Ipswich Maritime Trust promotes the area’s heritage and there are hopes that it is going to relaunch itself as a top player when it comes to the cultural vibrancy of the area. It’s been estimated that it will attract 50,000 people to the festival and paid staff will be brought in to help promote the Waterfront as well. Maritime Ipswich Festivals have been popular for quite some time and it’s not hard to see why.

Chairman Ben Good has released a statement saying that he hopes it will create a home for heritage vessels. This will most likely happen when the Neptune Marina is integrated into the Ipswich Haven Marina. This could provide a home for a range of historic vessels, some of which took part in the Dunkirk rescue mission in 1940. Others include the replica of the Sutton Hoo burial ship, which is currently under construction at Woodbridge. 

The Ipswich Maritime Trust wants to do more to try and actively promote the Waterfront. Mr Good has said that the trust have high hopes when it comes to expanding their work and they are keen to adopt a much larger portfolio. This is going to come with a bigger budget as well. Organisers are hopeful that this is going to attract support from philanthropists, with hopes of being able to appoint paid positions that range from chief executives to social workers.

Ben Good is very keen to bring more younger people into the area. By doing this, the team behind the project believe that they can keep things moving forward for the next 40 years. The Trust was set up to carry on the work of the Maritime Ipswich Festival which originally took place in 1982. They have worked with several organisations, including the famous sailing barge Victor. They are doing this in an attempt to take the historic Waterfront to new heights.

The Ipswich Maritime Trust has a display exhibition so that work can be showcased.  Mr. Good has said that Associated British Ports are going to be consulted regarding their plans, but so far they have been very supportive of the proposals. The council was very keen on the idea, with sponsorships being handed to numerous festivals since the original 1982 event. This kick-started the rebirth of the Waterfront and paved the way for the events which are happening today.

If there’s one thing that Kieran McKenna knows, it’s football. He knows that it only takes a couple of games to upset the Championship table and even though his team are in a safe position, he’s not taking any chances. In fact, he’s not even looking at the league table. 

The Irishman believes that the promotion race is going to take shape in early January, which is when the Blues are going to reach the crucial halfway point in the campaign. When the team faces Leicester City on Boxing Day, they will have played all other teams at least once. 

McKenna strongly believes that this will give at least a basic indication of where teams stand in terms of their ranking on the table. He is aware though that a lot can still change between January and May. Realistically, at the halfway point, it’s natural to know whether teams are in for a chance at battling it out for the championship.

With that being said, throughout the history of football, teams have often started weak and then gone on to have a blazing second half. There are teams who have been on the top of their game but then fallen from grace as the Championship continues. At the end of the day, every manager is different, and different teams will view the table in different ways. 

It’s McKenna’s belief that things can change quickly and that you should never look beyond your next game. If you pull this off for a total of 46 games, which is more difficult than it sounds, you will end up with a better and more motivated team. McKenna wants his team to focus on each match individually, and not get wrapped up with the hype of winning, or the pain of losing. By adopting this approach, he believes that he can steer his team to victory.

At the halfway mark last season, in League One, the team sat comfortably in second place with a grand total of 48 points. The Plymouth Argyle team had a narrow lead with Sheffield Wednesday coming in hot at third. The three teams all finished in that same order, with them mirroring the same points they achieved in the first half of the campaign. This proves that the league table can take shape after 23 games.

The Blues, who currently sit in second place with 39 points, are going to versus West Brom in seventh place on Saturday.

MSC Michel Capellini is currently tied for the biggest container ship in the world. It arrived at Felixstowe port just after midnight on Thursday. Measuring at just under 400 metres long, it’s 1 of the 3 biggest container vessels in the world. The gross tonnage stands at 233,328 and the vessel has a total capacity of 24,346.

Boat lovers won’t be able to view the ship, however, as it left at 4 am on Saturday. The Ever A lot arrived on Thursday as well, with the MSC Loreto making its voyage in June.

Planners have given a new warehouse in Ipswich, which is to be built off the A14, the green light. Quod, who are operating on behalf of Orwell Truck Stop LTD have gone ahead and submitted the scheme for the project. The site is on the outskirts of town, close to the Ransomes industrial estate. The filed documents have stated that this is an amazing opportunity and will make efficient use of the land. Developers envision that the new warehouse is going to create significant employment opportunities.

The development is also going to present a number of social and economic benefits, while supporting the aim of the economic policy at both a national and local level. As many as 355 full-time jobs could be created as part of this scheme.

Leaders in Brightwell and Foxhall have some concerns, however. Their apprehension stems from the roads that could be constructed as part of the project.

Even though the concerns are valid, East Suffolk have given the build the green light. The application is going ahead, and the warehouses are being built as planned.

Developers have purchased an eight-acre site at Eastern Gateway. This is opposite junction 54 at Sproughton. The pair have plans to develop the site, which will allow several new businesses to join La Doria and Amazon, which already have a presence at the business park. It’s said that this new venture is going to create over 350 new jobs. Hillwood and Trebor Developments have acquired the commercial land for a sum that’s yet to be disclosed. They currently have plans to build five units.

Trebor have secured planning approval for warehousing and industrial units. This ranges from 12,905 to 52,250 square feet of space, with plans to build on a speculative basis.

Magrock Ltd. Have been Hired as the Main Contractor

Magrock Ltd. is the main contractor, and the project is set to reach completion by spring 2024. The scheme which is being marketed under “Access @ Eastern Gateway, Ipswich” is going to join both Amazon and La Doria on the site. Greg Dalton, the boss of Trebor has released a statement detailing that Ipswich is a logistical hub with key links to eastern England. They are delighted to have been able to work with the local council, as it meant that they were able to acquire the site.
Investing in a New Commercial Project

Dalton believes that the area is crying out for industrialisation and that his company is going to bring a new lease of life to the area. The units are going to be built on a speculative basis. This is yet another example of how construction can release prime land for development.

Neil MacDonald, the Ipswich council leader has described the deal as being a great step forward for the area. Eastern Gateway is highly developable land, and by taking on this site, new potential has been unlocked. So far, the council has been highly successful in stimulating investment while encouraging the creation of new jobs. The local economy is being bolstered as a result of these decisions and it’s going to pave the way for new projects going forward.

Lambert Smith Hampton, as well as Savills, have acted for the council in the deal, and are currently agents for Trebor.