Raising the roof for Children in Need

December 2009

The work of Roof Truss, part of the Northern Bear group, was featured on this year’s BBC’s Children in Need. As part of the annual fundraising event, the team from the popular programme DIY SOS were challenged to build an extension to a house in Anglesey and the trussed rafters came all the way from the Roof Truss factory in Washington, Tyne & Wear.

DIY SOS: The Big Build was shown on BBC One on Thursday 10 December 2009 and is currently available to watch online at www.bbc.com/iplayer.

The programme followed a single dad of four, who has spent the past four years living in a small caravan in the garden of the family’s one-bedroom house. The mission was to build an extension to make the house suitable for the whole family and in just two weeks, the DIY SOS team and its contractors succeeded in building a three bed extension as well as renovating the whole house.

“We didn’t realise when we got the order that it was going to end up on Children in Need but we are delighted.” said Roof Truss Managing Director, Kevin Gray. “It was just another order from a fairly new customer.”

The customer was Maple Timber Systems, based in Preston and specialists in timber frame construction for commercial and residential buildings.  Earlier this year Roof Truss supplied them with trussed rafters for two sports centres in Preston and Rochdale. Another Northern Bear company, Jennings Roofing, has also done work for Maple Timber Systems.

In addition to the Children in Need project, Roof Truss has recently secured an order of 130 houses and 2 apartment blocks for a new customer. The work is expected to start on 5 January 2010 and will be carried out over a 12-month period.

www.roof-truss.co.uk

Asbestos service accreditation confirmed

July 2009

Chirmarn (Surveying) Ltd, part of the Northern Bear group, which provides an independent asbestos survey and accredited asbestos testing service, has successfully maintained its UKAS accreditation.

The annual surveillance visit was carried out by a UKAS Assessment Team over a three-day period and assessed the company’s compliance for sampling and inspection activities which it performs to the International Standard ISO/IEC 17020:1998.

The assessment involved a number of investigative activities including a review of the company’s Quality Manual and associated quality and technical procedures, reports, training, audits and management review.

Site witness audits were also carried out on the activities of Chirmarn’s surveying staff and the assessor recorded the following statement in his executive summary ‘the surveying personnel are fully qualified and experienced in all aspects of  surveying and have demonstrated a good level of competence’.

Gordon Drummond, General Manager of Chirmarn (Surveying) Ltd, said: “Overall it was found that we are continuing to comply with the Standard and are pro-actively identifying areas where continual improvements can be made.”

www.chirmarn.co.uk/asbestos_surveys.htm

New designer for Roof Truss

June 2009

Roof Truss, part of the Northern Bear support services group, has expanded its design capability and its regional market penetration with the appointment of a new design consultant.

David Jackson, 33, has joined Roof Truss from Palgrave Brown where he worked for nine years, most recently as the Darlington branch manager.  At the end of last year Palgrave Brown went into receivership, so Roof Truss is now benefiting from a reduction in competition as well as from David’s expertise and useful contacts.

David has a degree in design and marketing from the University of Teesside.  He will also be using his expertise working for Floor Joist, a sister company to Roof Truss.

Kevin Gray, managing director of Roof Truss and Floor Joist, said: “I’m delighted that David Jackson has joined us.  We are lucky to be able to recruit someone with his expertise and range of contacts.”

www.roof-truss.co.uk

Northern Bear companies do well in inspection blitz

June 2009

Northern Bear companies have fared well during a recent Health and Safety Executive (HSE) ‘intensive inspection initiative’, when HSE inspectors visited 1,759 sites across the UK and inspected 2,145 clients, principal contractors and sub-contractors.

As a result of these visits, inspectors issued 296 Prohibition Notices and 195 Improvement Notices due to a number of issues ranging from working at height, asbestos and slips trips and falls.

No notices were issued to any Northern Bear company, despite HSE inspectors visiting numerous sites where they were working as either Principal Contractor or as a Contractor.

Jason Harrison, safety manager for the Northern Bear group, commented: “It is pleasing that the inspectors did not have any issues with Northern Bear companies. That said, there are lessons to be learnt from this exercise, particularly relating to planning any work at height and the importance of good site housekeeping. I will be discussing the HSE’s findings with each company in order to ensure we maintain our good safety performance.”

Five year record of safety awards

May 2009

Wensley Roofing, part of the Northern Bear group, has added to its excellent record for health and safety with two more Gold Awards, one from the National Federation of Roofing Contractors (NFRC) and one from the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA).

Wensley Roofing has now won a Gold Awards for Safety from both organisations every year for the last five years. RoSPA specifically recognises organisations that achieve the Gold Award for five consecutive years with an award of Gold Medal status.

Managing director Ian Young said: "We are delighted to receive this further public recognition of the company's total commitment to health and safety. Over the last five years we have developed and rigourously implemented policies and procedures that protect the workforce, the general public and the environment."

www.rospa.com

www.nfrc.co.uk

Foundation stone laid for new church

February 2009

For the first time in over 50 years Tyneside building company Hastie D Burton Ltd, part of the Northern Bear group, is building a brand new church.

On Friday 13 February 2009 the foundation stone was laid for the new St Pius X Roman Catholic Church in, Moorside, Consett, at a ceremony conducted by the Canon Seamus Cunningham, the Bishop elect of Hexham and Newcastle Roman Catholic Dioceses.

The new stone and brick church, designed by architect John Waugh, will feature an undulating roof and a huge two-storey high steel cross which should be visible for many miles.  Hastie D Burton Ltd has already installed the foundations for the cross.

The church replaces a previous structure, demolished after land the land it stood on was sold for housing to fund the building of the new church.

Hastie D Burton Ltd, started in 1903, is one of the oldest building firms in the region.  In recent years it has renovated and built extensions to many ecclesiastical buildings but this is the first time since it has built a brand new church since the 1950s.

The picture shows Canon Seamus Cunningham (left) and parish priest Jeff Dodds (holding trowel).

www.hastieburton.co.uk

Mapping the past, building the future

January 2009

Specialist construction services company MGM Ltd, part of the Northern Bear group, is working with archaeologists on one of the oldest buildings on Newcastle’s historic quayside.

28-30 The Close, known locally as ‘The Buttress’, is a Grade 1 listed building.  The large merchant’s house, which probably combined living accommodation with warehouse space, was built in the 16th century.  There were major renovations in the late 17th and early 19th centuries.  In recent years it has been neglected and it has been on Newcastle City Council’s register of listed buildings at risk.

MGM is working with Edinburgh architects Simpson & Brown, who specialise in historic buildings, to make the building ready for a major refurbishment as a restaurant and offices.  Archaeologists have conducted a detailed inspection of the fabric of the building and have been involved in the excavations.

“It’s been fascinating to work on this old building,” said Lance Rainey, joint managing director of MGM.  “We discovered a well which was probably there when the house was built.  We are storing many of the original stones at our premises in Walker on behalf of the archaeologists.”

MGM Ltd has helped to renovate a number of historic buildings in the region, including Belsay Hall and Saltwell Towers, but ‘The Buttress’ is certainly one of the oldest.

www.mgm.ltd.uk

Northern Bear sponsors football legend’s cancer charity

October 2008

Northern Bear has helped the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation raise over £1m for the new Cancer Trials Research Centre at Newcastle’s Freeman Hospital.

Northern Bear was the lead corporate sponsor for the Night of All Knights fundraising evening held in County Durham on 30 October 2008.  Nearly £175,000 was raised at the event which featured a host of top names from the world of sport including the former Newcastle manager himself.

The picture shows Sir Bobby Robson (centre) with Sir Bobby Charlton (left) and Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson (right).

The event was hosted at Rainton Meadows Suites, Houghton-le-Spring, by former cricketer Michael Roseberry, managing director of Roseberry Leisure, and was sponsored by Northern Bear, Scottish & Newcastle UK, Constellation Wines and The Mail On Sunday.

www.sirbobbyrobsonfoundation.org.uk/

Northern Bear scales new heights

October 2008

The recently appointed managing director of one of Tyneside’s oldest building companies has taken the Northern Bear logo to the roof of the world.  Steve Rudd, managing director of Hastie D Burton Ltd was climbing peaks near Mount Everest in October this year, just a few weeks after taking up his new post.

Steve took over the day-to-day running of the business from Garry Burton, the grandson of Hastie Duff Burton who founded the famous firm in 1903.  Garry is continuing to advise the business on a consultancy basis. The company became part of the Northern Bear group of support services businesses in 2007, but has retained all of its experienced workforce. Steve joined the company in 1999 as an estimator and surveyor.

Steve said that the three weeks he spent trekking in the Everest region of Nepal was a great opportunity, a tough challenge and an unforgettable experience – and he used similar words to describe his new job at Hastie D Burton.

 “Of course it’s going to be tough in the current economic climate, but I like a challenge,” said Steve. “Like climbing a mountain, the main thing is to keep on going.  I’m confident that Hastie Burton will be building for another 100 years.”

The photograph shows Steve Rudd with his Northern Bear T shirt, just in case he needs to add to the five layers of clothing he is wearing.  And yes, that is Mount Everest.

www.hastieburton.co.uk

Public sector keeps roofing companies buoyant

October 2008

Northern Bear’s roofing companies – Jennings Roofing, Springs Roofing and Wensley Roofing – are staying buoyant in the looming recession thanks to ongoing public sector contracts.

Jennings Roofing has completed three major re-roofing contracts for the Contour Housing Group, one of the largest social largest social landlords in the North West region which manages properties on behalf of 27 local authorities.  The work involved reroofing, leadwork, repointing chimneys and renewal of rainwater goods in 200 houses and 32 blocks of flats in Bury, Leyland and Preston.

Springs Roofing, based in County Durham, has just completed refurbishing the large flat roof of Mount Pleasant School in Darlington with the application of new insulation and single-ply rubber membrane.

Meanwhile Wensley Roofing is looking to a higher authority during the recession – the church.  In November the company will start new slating and leadwork on two Methodist churches, one in Chester-le-Street and one in Ferryhill.

Keith Soulsby, operations director for Northern Bear, said: “There is a wide and deep well of expertise in the roofing companies of the Northern Bear group.  We have an excellent track record in delivering public sector contracts and heritage work.”

www.jenningsroofing.com
www.springsroofing.co.uk
www.wensleyroofing.co.uk

Three group companies at work on Europe’s biggest army base

April 2008

Three Northern Bear companies are working at Catterick Garrison in North Yorkshire, the UK’s largest army base, and said to be the biggest in Europe.

Jennings Roofing, Wensley Roofing and Isoler have won independent contracts to carry out a range of work at the garrison which has a population of around 12,000.

Jennings Roofing is contracted directly by the Ministry of Defence to repair and reroof at a number of locations.  Jennings is currently retiling 136 officers’ dwellings at Catterick.

Wensley Roofing and Isoler are both working ‘within the wire’ (ie, in the secure area) for MOD contractor Carillion.  Wensley Roofing is repairing the roofs of a number of buildings in Cambrai Barracks with single-ply membrane.

Isoler is installing passive fire protection systems in new and refurbished accommodation at Gaza Barracks and Megiddo Barracks and in large new specialist workshops and garaging for army vehicles.

Northern Bear’s Operations Director Keith Soulsby said: “These three separate contracts to carry out work at Britain’s biggest army base demonstrate the range of skills and level of expertise within the Northern Bear group.”

www.wensleyroofing.co.uk
www.jenningsroofing.com
www.isoler.co.uk

Award for barn conversion

January 2008

MGM’s  barn conversion at Kirkharle Courtyard has won the award for the best conversion in the North-East at the Country Land and Business Association (CLA) Rural Building Awards, run in association with Knight Frank.

Steve Gray of Northern Bear and the architect Bryony Roff of Spence and Dover received special certificates for their work on the conversion at the award ceremony on 25 January.

MGM converted the derelict stone barn, part of the Kirkharle estate in Northumberland, into six craft workshops and retail space.

The stone barn was facing the demolition when the owner John Anderson decided to revive Kirkharle, the ancestral home of Loraine family and the birthplace of the famous landscape gardener Capability Brown. The conversion has become part of the overall redevelopment of the site while retaining its original appearance.

www.mgm.ltd.uk

Roof Truss achieves PEFC accreditation

November 2007

Roof Truss has had its commitment to environmentally responsible sourcing of materials independently verified by the Timber Research and Development Association (TRADA).

Roof Truss is now part of the Programme for Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) scheme which operates in 13 European countries. This scheme provides a verifiable chain of custody for timber and wood fibre from sustainable forest to end user.

"This accreditation demonstrates our commitment to quality of materials and responsibility to the environment ," said managing director Kevin Gray.

For more information follow the link to the BM TRADA website.

www.roof-truss.co.uk

New facilities completed at historic church ahead of schedule

October 2007

Hastie D Burton was praised for the quality of its workmanship on completion of an extension and new facilities at St Mary's Catholic Church in Hexham.

The work at the historic church involved the building of a new entrance (called a narthex) including a wheelchair ramp, toilets and office, adaptations to the existing office and toilets and the construction of an extension to the existing worship space.

Hastie D Burton was engaged to undertake the building work by specialist architect Pascal J Stienlet on behalf of the client the Roman Catholic Diocese of Hexham and Newcastle. Hastie Burton has worked with Pascal J Stienlet on a number of similar projects.

Speaking at the opening of the new facilities, Alex Waters, chair of the parish council, said: "Please be kind enough to let all your team know what an outstanding job you did. The quality of work and site management were exemplary, with the added bonus that work was completed ahead of schedule and on budget."

www.hastieburton.co.uk

Luxury homes completed on historic brownfield site

July 2007

Springs Roofing, part of the Northern Bear group, has completed the roofing for a luxury housing development in Durham on a landmark site to the south of the city. The Roundhaven development for Shepherd Homes is built on the site of the famous Cock o' the North pub which for many years was an important staging post on the Great North Road.

Springs Roofing gave their most experienced slater, Arthur Smith, the task of roofing the three storey, 25 apartment block with natural slate. The contract also included tiling 17 four and five bedroom houses.

Shepherd Homes often engages Springs Roofing for its developments in North East England.

www.springsroofing.co.uk

Luxury homes completed on historic brownfield site

July 2007

Springs Roofing, part of the Northern Bear group, has completed the roofing for a luxury housing development in Durham on a landmark site to the south of the city. The Roundhaven development for Shepherd Homes is built on the site of the famous Cock o' the North pub which for many years was an important staging post on the Great North Road.

Springs Roofing gave their most experienced slater, Arthur Smith, the task of roofing the three storey, 25 apartment block with natural slate. The contract also included tiling 17 four and five bedroom houses.

Shepherd Homes often engages Springs Roofing for its developments in North East England.

www.springsroofing.co.uk

Another safety award for Wensley Roofing

May 2007

Wensley Roofing, part of the Northern Bear group, has added to its excellent record for health and safety with a Gold Award from the National Federation of Roofing Contractors (NFRC).

This is the third year running that Wensley Roofing has won an NFRC Gold Award for Safety and this year it achieved the highest score of all award winners.

Wensley Roofing has also won Gold Awards for Occupational Safety from the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents for the last four years.

www.wensleyroofing.co.uk

Roof finished for latest 'Dragon's Den'

March 2007

Wensley Roofing has just completed the roofing of Durham's newest hotel, part of the group run by North East entrepreneur Duncan Bannatyne who is one of the panel on BBC TV's Dragons' Den.

The 60-room Hotel Bannatyne Durham is the second hotel opened by the Bannatyne Group, which is well known as the UK's largest independently owned operator of health clubs. The hotel is situated next to the Bannatyne Durham health club.

Wensley Roofing was contracted by Stephen Easten Building to put the roof on this prestigious new £2.5 million hotel.

www.wensleyroofing.co.uk