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News

Woman discovers rare photo of her mother in 1960s on E&S archive

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13th November 2019

- News

A woman has snapped up a rare photo of her mother at work in the 1960s for a chainmakers after spotting it on the Express & Star’s archive website.

Jane Lloyd, aged 55, of Purlin Wharf, Netherton, Dudley, came across the photo of her mother Alice Griffiths online by chance after it was among 3,000 from the archive to be digitised for a free website.

She had never seen the image of her mother, who died in 2016 aged 91, at work at Joseph Woodhouse, in Cradley Heath.

The archive photo, stamped with the date January 21, 1961, is attached to a newspaper cutting which says: “Mrs Alice Griffiths, of Cradley Heath, working at a modern machine. Some of the chains, however, can still only be made by hand, like a very complicated double link type.”

Jane said: “The photo was taken three years before I was born and I had no idea it existed.

“I was doing some online research into local history for Cradley Heath on behalf of a friend when I came across the Express & Star photo archive website.

“When I was scrolling through the photos of Cradley Heath, I was taken aback to see my mum in there. It brought a lump to my throat as none of the family knew she had been photographed at work back then. It was unbelievable to see her.”

Photo archive

Mrs Griffiths, a grandmother of three and great-grandmother of two, worked at Joseph Woodhouse from the 60s through to the 1980s as Jane, who works as a human resources and health and safety co-ordinator, remembers well.

“Chainmaking was a very, very dirty job back then,” she said. “Health and safety was nothing like it is today.

“Mum would regularly come back with holes in her apron from work and the dirt would get everywhere.” Mother-of-one Jane said she and her sister Wendy Chater were delighted to see their family past brought back to life through the photo.

Jane said: “Mum never spoke about being photographed for the Express & Star.

“It was probably around the time she started work there so I was really pleased to see the photo online.”

She was the first person to order a copy of a photo from the Express & Star website, which went live in March to share images from the region’s industrial past not seen since they appeared in print in years gone by.

Historic photos of the Black Country and its surrounding areas have been digitised for future generations.

They were then published on the website https://photo-archive.expressandstar.co.uk

The Express & Star Photographic Collection partnership, co-ordinated with the University of Wolverhampton and council-run City Archives, received a grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund to digitise photographs dating back over the past century.

After volunteers gave the equivalent of 260 working days to sort all the photographs and get them digitised, the launch realised the partnership’s ambition of making the photos available through a single, free web portal for anybody to use for historical research.
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News

STEM mentors can develop new opportunities

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8th November 2019

- News

The Express & Star STEM Challenge sees schools and businesses work together on projects, all with the aim of making a positive impact on the community around them. It is aimed at boosting student engagement. Showing them that what they learn in the classroom can be used in the world of work.

Earlier this year, executives from Petford Group, based in Dudley, worked with students to create a range of games for blind and partially sighted people. One hundred of those are now being used at the Beacon Centre for the Blind. 

Petford Group has been taking part in the STEM Challenge for the last two years and has been successful each time, mentoring students at two different schools. Students also had a rare opportunity to step into a manufacturing environment, which they would not usually get a chance to do that while they are at school.


Kira Edwards, sales and business manager at Petford Group, said she felt inspired by the students she mentored. “It is a great experience and I would recommend anyone to get involved in it,” she said. 

“At the beginning, you worry about how you are going to fit the mentoring into your already busy day. But seeing the students so committed and staying after school hours, even after their GCSEs studies, inspired us. We thought if they can do it, so can we.”

The brief required to design a product that has a positive impact on people’s emotional wellbeing and mental health. 


“We kept pushing the kids to take the challenge that one step further,” said Kira. To get an understanding of a struggle some face on a day to day basis, Petford Group mentors arranged to call local charities like Beacon Centre for the Blind and the mental health charity MIND. “At the charities, children heard about the struggles some people face every day,” Kira added.

It was also great to hear some feedback from the students themselves. One pupil who took part said: “I think it is amazing that people will be playing something that we designed. It is great to think we have made an impact. ” There is a possibility that their Connect 4 product could be put into production and go on the market. 

Girls and woman are beginning to close the STEM gender gap thanks to inspiration from strong female role models. “At the second year’s registration stage we saw that 70% of applicants were female,” said Kira. “If more business got involved in events like the Express & Star STEM Challenge it would definitely change the industry and create more job opportunities for the next generation – it’s time for mentors to step up and help close the skill gap.”

For information on how to become a mentor get in touch with Darren Griffin, corporate manager at the Express & Star, on 01902 314439 or email darren.griffin@expressandstar.co.uk

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News Titles

Websites under the microscope at MNA Digital event

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31st October 2019

- News Titles

Businesses were given top tips on how to improve their digital skills and grow their companies at an event in Wolverhampton.

Bosses from local companies of all shapes and sizes were given advice on changes to help them attract more custom and boost their businesses.

The event, run by MNA Digital and the Black Country Chamber of Commerce, saw attendees offered expert advice on and tips on how to increase their web traffic and improve their websites to make customers more likely to use their services.
 
Intrepid volunteers allowed their own websites to be scrutinised in front of the audience at Casino 36 on Temple Street to see what changes could be made to make them more customer-friendly.
 
They included Ricky Shea-Francis, 24, of Nike Computing on Tettenhall Road, who was advised on several changes which could make his website easier for visitors to navigate.
 
He said: “I found it really useful and there are a lot of points that I will implement. I felt Matt gave some points that can help me.”
 
Mr Shea-Francis said he wasn’t daunted by having his website critiqued in front of the audience of around 30 people.
 
He added: “I knew my website wasn’t perfect so I felt fine. I will go back to the office and make some of the changes. The things he did mention I will implement them straight away.”
 
Kerry Closswick, from Bradley Environment in Halesowen, which was another company to have its website scrutinised, said: “I found out a lot of information which is good for me as I’m the marketing manager. It is good for an outsider to look at it and for someone else to critique it and give feedback.”
 
Matt Fowell, head of paid search at MNA Digital, who delivered the presentation and was the man tasked with judging businesses’ websites but said he found that the most exciting part of the event.
 
He said: “I always enjoy these events where people are genuinely passionate about building their businesses.
 
“It’s about finding brave people who put their hand up and have their websites critiqued in front of an audience. It opens their eyes. You’re taking a bit of them so obviously they are going to listen intently.”
 
Kris Jones, training and events co-ordinator at the Black Country Chamber of Commerce, said: “We have put together a series of courses to help businesses in the Black Country. 
 
“Things like this help to complement our offering and working with MNA Digital and the Express & Star has allowed us a platform to provide it.
 
“Offering these taster sessions can get smaller businesses in that may be daunted by larger sessions. It is good to mix and interact and bring businesses together and give them things like this.”
 
Business can access a free website review by visiting https://www.mnadigital.co.uk/website-health-check.
 
The next free business support events will be on November 7 at Hawkesyard Estate in Cannock and then on November 14 at Casino 36 in Wolverhampton. To register visit mnadigital.co.uk/events
 
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News

Shropshire Star gives unsung heroes a Great Big Thank You

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23rd October 2019

- News

Shropshire’s unsung heroes were given a Great Big Thank You on behalf of our readers at a prestigious awards ceremony organised by the Shropshire Star.
 
Radio personality Eric Smith outlined the stories of 11 remarkable individuals at the Great Big Thank You awards in Telford.
 
The winners of 11 different categories – voted for by readers – were presented with their awards over afternoon tea at Hadley Park House Hotel. 
 
Guests sat in awe as they were told tales about the winners’ courage, kindness and selfless devotion to the communities in which they lived. 
 
They ranged from a five-year-old boy to community stalwarts still working hard in their 80s.
 
Each winner was presented with a trophy hand made by the British Ironwork Centre at Oswestry, which had been donated free of charge.
 
Shropshire Star editor-in-chief Martin Wright said it had been a privilege to hold the event for the second year running.
 
“When you hear what these people have achieved, many of them in the face of severe hardship and adversity, it makes you realise how privileged we are to live and work in such a wonderful place,” he said.
 
The winners for 10 of the categories were chosen by a public vote of readers, after a shortlist of 28 was printed in the paper in July.
 
The 11th winner, for Outstanding Bravery, was selected by Mr Wright as the editor’s choice.
 
First up was 80-year-old Doug Boulter from Shrewsbury, who took the Fundraiser of the Year title. 
 
Over the past 10 years Doug, helped by a loyal team of volunteers, has raised more than £100,000 for good causes, including the Lingen Davies Cancer Fund, the Midland Air Ambulance, the Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Hospital in Gobowen, and Pontesbury Surgery. 
 
He was presented with his accolade by Chris Lindsey of sponsor Denso.
 
Doug said he was amazed when he heard that he had won the award.
 
“I’m honoured that so many people voted for me,” he said.
 
The Environmental Champion award went to Penny and Dominic Jones-Parry and their friend Charlie Price, who spent their Easter holidays picking up litter for the entire length of the Great Glen Way.
 
Paula Reynolds from Shire Living presented the Grandparent of the Year award to Suman Bala who is described as ‘grandmother to Telford’.
 
Eric, presenter of BBC Radio Shropshire’s breakfast show, told guests that even bus drivers and cabbies know her as ‘Grandmother’, and about her devotion to grandsons Rahul, 14, and Swastik, who is seven. 
 
Volunteer of the Year title went to Paulette Bruce who, along with husband Bob, has been running Telford Gateway Club for 32 years. 
 
After being presented with her trophy, she said: “It’s a great honour.”
 
This year’s awards featured a category for Farming Community Champion for the first time. 
 
Mike Shepherd, of sponsor Whittingham Riddell, presented the inaugural award to Brenda Sturrock. 
 
As co-ordinator of Shropshire Rural Support Network, Brenda has encouraged and organised a team of volunteers to support those in need of help at times of crisis.
 
Nigel Downs, of sponsor Choices, presented the Carer of the Year award to Teresa Ball who looked after her father for 26 years after a stroke left him paralysed.
 
There was rapturous applause for the Young Star award, which went to 11-year-old Harlie McGowan. 
 
He lost his mother Sonia in 2011 and received support from a counsellor at Hope House Children’s Hospice. 
 
For the past three years he has worked to repay the charity for its help by raising money and helping other children also experiencing difficult times. 
 
Carey Bloomer from Marches Care presented the Good Neighbour award to Joyce Emmerton, who is is well known to people living at the Ridgway retirement complex in High Ercall near Telford. 
 
Another new category for 2019 was the Teacher of the Year category, which went to Rob Davies, a PE teacher from Southall School in Dawley, Telford.
 
The school provides specialist support for children with disabilities, and Rob was nominated for boosting a boy’s confidence in playing football and learning how to be a team player.
 
The Community Champion award, presented by Alison Fisher of Wrekin Housing Group, went to Mandie Mulloy for her work chairing the YMCA in Wellington.
 
The final award, presented by Amanda Round of Hadley Park House Hotel, was also met with huge applause. 
The Outstanding Bravery award went to five-year-old Zac Oliver, who was the editor’s choice for the way he had fought off a rare type of leukaemia.

The 2019 winners 

Doug Boulter – Fundraiser of the Year
Doug, 80, has raised £100,000 for charities over the past decade, including the Lingen Davies Cancer Care Fund, Midland Air Ambulance, and the Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Hospital in Gobowen.
 
Penny & Dominic Jones-Parry and Charlie Price
 – Environmental Champions
Penny, 11, her brother Dominic, 10, and their friend Charlie, also 10, spent their Easter holidays removing litter from the 79-mile Great Glen Way across the Scottish Highlands.
 
Suman Bala – Grandparent of the Year
Suman is described by her son Councillor Rajesh Mehta as the ‘grandmother of Telford’, who is even known as ‘grandmother’ by the bus drivers and cabbies. She still visits the nursery school which her grandsons used to attend, where she is known by everyone as ‘Nanny’.
 
Paulette Bruce – Volunteer of the Year
Known for her infectious energy, Paulette has been the driving force behind Telford Gateway Club for 32 years, organising activities for adults with learning disabilities.
 
Brenda Sturrock – Farming Community Champion
For 12 years, Brenda was the voice at the end of the phone for people in rural areas who were going through difficult times. She recently stepped down as co-ordinator for Shropshire Rural Support Network.
 
Teresa Ball – Carer of the Year
Teresa cared for her paralysed father for 26 years after he suffered a massive stroke. Following the death of her mother she moved back to the family home in Ketley, Telford, to look after him. Sadly, he died earlier this year.
 
Harlie McGowan – Young Star
Harlie, 11, has spent the past three years helping youngsters cared for by Hope House Children’s Hospice, as a thank-you for the support the hospice gave him when his mother Sonia died in 2011. He makes Easter and Christmas hampers for the youngsters, raises funds, and has collected DVDs for them.
 
Joyce Emmerton – Good Neighbour Award
Described as a ‘great tenant’ of Ridgway retirement complex in High Ercall, near Telford, Joyce is always willing to help out with events and activities, helps her neighbours look after their pets if they go on holiday or unwell, and walks them back from events at the complex.
 
Rob Davies – Teacher of the Year
Rob, or ‘Mr D’ as he is known by pupils, was praised for his work building up the confidence of children with disabilities and other special needs. His positive attitude is a great example to youngsters.
 
Mandie Mulloy – Community Champion
The chief executive of Wellington YMCA, Mandie is known for her tireless work for a number of good causes in both Telford and Shrewsbury, as well as helping countless young people in the county.
 
Zac Oliver – Outstanding Bravery
Zac, five, fought back after being diagnosed with a rare form of leukaemia. People raised £500,000 for Zac to receive lifesaving treatment in the US, and the youngster is now cancer-free.
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News

Business group hears editor-in-chief’s news on importance of local papers

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22nd October 2019

- News

Leading business people heard about the importance of trusted news brands in the modern age during a talk by the editor of the Express & Star.
 
Martin Wright, editor-in-chief of the Midland News Association, publisher of the Express & Star and Shropshire Star, revealed how his team of journalists deliver content in the age of “fake news” during his presentation to members of the Black Country Chamber of Commerce.
 
Representatives of NatWest, the University of Wolverhampton, Walsall College and Autobase Citroen were among the platinum and patron members of the Chamber who attended the invite-only event, held at the MNA’s head office in Queen Street, Wolverhampton, on Wednesday.
 
During the hour-long session, Martin explained how research by YouGov showed 74 per cent of those surveyed trusted local newspapers in print and digital for news and information, compared with 22 per cent for social media platforms.
 
He also explained how regional newspapers put localness at the centre of their output, holding authority to account in the communities where their staff live and work.
 
Martin contrasted the approach of regional publishers with the work of “fake news” creators, who upload false information passed off as credible on to the internet to cause mischief or drive website traffic for financial gain.
 
He also outlined the positive difference which the newspaper makes through its community and social campaigns, including the STEM Challenge for local schools, the annual Express & Star business awards and the Christmas reader food appeal.
 
Martin then answered questions from the audience on a range of topics, including the future for local publishers, the types of stories which get coverage in a newspaper and the history of the Express & Star.
 
Speaking afterwards, Martin said: “We are proud of the role which our newspapers and websites play in local life so it was fantastic to have the opportunity to present to the Chamber group.
 
“The MNA’s roots in local life date back to the 19th century, with the Express & Star still the biggest selling newspaper in England.
 
“As a local success story it was good to be able to outline our approach to news and to explain how digital is forming part of our future.”
 
Director of marketing and communications Chris Leggett said: “It was a pleasure to host representatives of so many leading brands from the region to showcase how our business is changing.”
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News, News Titles

Recruiters need to generate employee loyalty

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8th October 2019

- News, News Titles

Building on a recent discussion about the importance of generating employee loyalty, in her monthly blog Kylee Russon, head of Star Employment Services, has some further guidance for prospective employers: 

 
Employers need to recognise that it really is a candidate driven marketplace at the moment, especially for specific roles, such as sales.
 
There will always be more people to fill less skilled roles, often on lower wages, and the difference between them staying and showing loyalty to a company, rather than moving on could come down to as little as an additional 20p an hour. 
 
The same is true for a more skilled professional role – when recruiting anyone for any job it is imperative to offer the very best salary your company can afford.
 
I always encourage employers to offer the most they really can to candidates, even if that means a stretch. 
 
You will stand a far greater chance of keeping a good, well-paid candidate, than opting for a cheaper one who potentially will not have much loyalty towards you and the business.
 
All too often I see situations where a company might advertise a role at £20-25K, but when the candidate asks for £25K the company is unable to honour it. Employers get embarrassed about saying what they can afford but it is better to set correct expectations from the start.
 
Companies need to have a real look at the market and should expect to pay a bit more, especially for sales roles when good people really do drive a business forward. 
 
It’s always better to spend a bit more on a 10/10 candidate, than settle for a 7/10 person. Especially if the difference between the two is just an extra £1,000 p.a. requested by the better employee.
 
If you aim to get the best person for the best pay that you can, it will save having to re-advertise and re-hire. 
 
It’s a challenging marketplace and here at Star Employment Services we’ve had to work at improving our own offering to keep good people, it’s important to stay in line with competitors and the general trends of the market.
 
Attracting quality candidates to apply for a role could just be about increasing the offering by £1,000 a year. 
 
Added to other benefits such as good holiday entitlement, a day off on your birthday, or actively recognising the importance of a healthy work/life balance are also key to attracting and retaining good employees. 
 
If we reward our employees then there is a higher probability they will do well for us. It’s a give and take relationship in the workplace.
 
It’s all about creating a balance. Especially with millennials, they know what they want and what they think they are worth.
 
Companies need to start acknowledging that a bit more.
 
 
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Events

Young engineers of the future take part in Shropshire STEM Challenge

By on

4th October 2019

- Events

Students showed off their potential as engineers of the future at the 2019 STEM Challenge.
 
The Shropshire Star competition, involving teams from nine primary schools, tasked pupils with coming up with a wildlife centre which would be open to visitors all year round, and creating a model to show how their creation would work.
 
They were given the day to come up with the design in a challenge intended to test their skills under pressure, including budgeting and ‘purchasing’ the materials required from a ‘shop’ set up for the competition.
 
The overall competition was won John Randall Primary School from Telford, with judges saying that the six-pupil team had “thought of everything” with their design.
 
Stephanie Dowley, the headteacher at the school, said they were thrilled at the pupils’ achievement. 
 
She said: “We are incredibly proud of them. The teacher that accompanied them said they understood the brief very quickly and used problem solving skills to understand what was required and wasn’t required. We are all so proud of them for what they have done.”
 
Ms Dowley explained that STEM skills form a key part of the learning at the school as they prepare their pupils for the future.
 
She said: “We have been working with a STEM specialist for about a year now as we recognise the importance of science and design and we know our children will be doing jobs that have not even been invented yet, so we want them to have the clear analytical skills and scientific thinking they will need to succeed.”
 
There were a number of other awards handed out on the day with Apley Wood Primary School taking the prize for best planning, and Lawley Primary School recognised for best problem solving.
 
The award for best teamwork was taken by Radbrook Primary School, with the best design category being claimed by Hadley Learning Community Primary.
 
Other schools taking part on the day were Donnington Wood, Our Lady & St Oswald’s, Stoke-on-Tern, and Wrockwardine Wood Junior School.
 
Martin Wright, editor in chief of the Shropshire Star, praised the efforts of the pupils competing in the challenge, and thanked the sponsors who enabled it to take place.
 
He said: “It is fantastic to see the enthusiasm for science, technology, engineering and maths. 
 
“The talent of the young people was obvious to everyone and they really embraced the brief that was set to design a wildlife centre. 
 
“Inspiring the future generations of engineers is critical to this country’s future and we are delighted to very hopefully play a small part in this.
 
“I would also like to thank the sponsors and our mentors for giving us the support to help this happen.”
 
The event was sponsored by Telford & Wrekin Council, biT, and apT.
 
7 Video also filmed at the event for a film that will be featured on the Shropshire Star website and social media channels in the near future.
 
Key to the event was the support of Northwood Hygiene Products, which provided some of the materials used by the children in their designs.
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Events

Firms take advantage of free digital advice

By on

1st October 2019

- Events

About 30 businesses from across the county were represented at a free digital workshop.
 
Digital marketing experts from MNA Digital shared their knowledge to help guests increase understanding and awareness of the benefits of this discipline in order to boost their businesses.
 
Wolverhampton-based MNA Digital’s latest event focussed on paid search, specifically Google Adwords, and was held at Hadley Park Hotel in Telford on Thursday.
 
The team has already successfully launched a series of free workshops that have been well attended by businesses from Shropshire and the Black Country.
 
Topics covered at the event in Telford included creating an effective social presence, using SEO and Adwords correctly, and improving websites. 
 
The session was led by Matthew Fowell, head of paid search at MNA Digital. 
 
One of the attendees was personal trainer Stuart Henderson who launched his Telford-based business, Ideal Fitness in 2009, after recovering from a serious car accident in which he broke his back.
 
Mr Henderson said: “I want to expand my business and I want to find out how I can get out there in the digital world.
 
“I’m already out there in the digital world but it’s not my field of expertise. 
 
“I want to find out from the experts what I’m doing right at the moment and what I can do to further that and make myself more relevant. 
 
“Today has been fantastic. I realise I need to go back and have a look at my website and take things from there.”
 
Claire Roche is a qualified counsellor, Reiki master and yoga instructor, who is looking to relocate her business from Australia to the region. 
 
Claire, who runs Infinity Healing, said: “I have received lots of information which is very useful and I know what I need to do going forward.”
 
Event organiser Natalie Coughlan, digital sales campaign manager for MNA Digital, said: “The event was really successful and we have received positive feedback from attendees.
 
“For anyone unsure how to grow their business online I’d recommend starting with a free website health check which we offer at www.mnadigital.co.uk/website-health-check.”
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