August 2010

Long-term unemployed young people get into work thanks to scheme

Scunthorpe Telegraph Monday, 30th August, 2010

EIGHT new employees are ready to enter the world of work after securing positions through the Future Jobs Fund scheme.

The programme provides jobs for people aged 18 to 24 who live in unemployment hotspots and have been without employment for between six and 12 months.

The latest batch of people to complete a two-week induction programme with the Crosby Employment Bureau in Scunthorpe were presented with their certificates on Friday.

They will now take up six-month contracts at firms within the voluntary sector across the region, with the prospect of being awarded permanent positions if they are successful.

Among the new employees is Jodie Hodson, 18, of Barton-Upon-Humber, who will work in administration at the town's Ropewalk centre.

She said: "I am very excited because I haven't been in work for ages.

"I have been looking for about a year and it has been very difficult.

"I am looking forward to getting paid, so I can go shopping.

"I would tell a lot of my friends to come to Crosby as it has helped me a lot.

"I wouldn't have a job now if it wasn't for them."

Damon Scott, 19, of Winteringham, will work in catering at Riddings Drop-in Centre in Scunthorpe.

He said: "I am definitely looking forward to it.

"I would say I have been looking for a job for just over six months, or probably a bit more than that.

"I am looking forward to meeting new people. I have done cooking before, so I know what I am doing."

The Future Jobs Fund has helped to secure 184 jobs in North Lincolnshire, from January this year through to March 2011.

The jobs were made possible after North Lincolnshire Council's successful bid for funding and money from the council.

Crosby Employment Bureau is initially taking on 30 people through the scheme.

The bureau's managing director, Jan Williams, said the two-week induction programme aimed to give the jobseekers an overview of work in the voluntary sector.

She said: "They have done days on different subjects, like funding and supporting the local community.

"They find out more about crime and have been to visit the magistrates' court and it gives them a better understanding and realisation that there are a lot of different jobs and opportunities."

North Lincolnshire Council's Cabinet member for housing and strategic planning, Councillor Mick Grant, said: "The scheme provides an excellent opportunity for young people to get much-needed jobs.

"In the current economic climate, jobs are hard to come by, so any help we can give through the scheme is to be welcomed.

"I wish them every success in their future careers."
 

Decision to axe fund for new play areas is a 'devastating blow' for children

Scunthorpe Telegraph Friday, 13th August, 2010

COMMUNITIES across North Lincolnshire have been told they will have to wait for planned park improvements.

The region is to miss out on £600,000 of funding to rejuvenate tired play areas after the Government scrapped the Playbuilder scheme.

The cut affects 12 parks in both urban and rural areas, including Winteringham, Crowle, Scunthorpe and Barton-Upon-Humber, which had originally been promised funding under the previous Labour administration.

Two of the schemes would have benefited residents in the Ashby ward – Somervell Road was due a £196,000 facelift, while Everest Road was expected to receive £60,000.

Ashby ward councillor Andrea Davison said: "This is a devastating blow to the local community.

"Somervell Road residents actually set up a neighbourhood group to help them get a new and improved play area.

"This is a big blow, especially for them."

Others which will miss out are Parkwood, Lilac Avenue, Foxhills and Bellingham Road, all in Scunthorpe, as well as Baysgarth Park in Barton-Upon-Humber, Burringham, Crowle, Keadby, Winteringham and Winterton.

Jessica Deans, 29, from Lilac Avenue, said: "I have a little boy and am pregnant with my second so it's a real disappointment.

"It would have been good to know I'd have somewhere nice to take them, particularly because I don't drive.

"Central Park is great but it is just too far."

Some Playbuilder projects have already been completed in North Lincolnshire and communities were originally told to reapply for funding for the 12 which had been approved, but were not yet in development.

But there is now no money to bid for and no chance the schemes will get the go ahead.

Ashby ward councillor John Collinson added: "This is an attack on the most vulnerable members of our society.

"The Government won't repair schools, have cancelled free swimming for kids and now this."
 

World famous wood turner Binh Pho's work on show

Scunthorpe Telegraph Friday, 6th August, 2010

A WORLD famous wood turner, whose work can sell for hundreds of thousands of pounds, will appear at this year's Winteringham Art and Gardens event.

Art will be displayed in Winteringham Village Hall, Frost Close, on Saturday and Sunday.

This will include pieces by Binh Pho – a Vietnamese wood turner who fled communism to begin a well documented artistic career.

It is only his second display in the UK.

Entry to the art exhibition, which runs from noon to 6pm each day, is free and entry to the gardens is £4.

Tickets will be available from the Village Hall. Call 01724 735076.

Rare chance to see the work of one of world's greatest wood turners

Scunthorpe Telegraph Tuesday, 3rd August, 2010

Rare chance to see the work of one of world's greatest wood turners

BINH Pho is one of the best wood turners the world has seen and he is bringing his work to Winteringham Art And Gardens.

The Vietnamese artist's intricate creations are sought out by art enthusiasts across the globe and can fetch hundreds of thousands of pounds.

Kay Ashberry, 61 of Winteringham, is organising the event and is delighted to have such a huge name artist's work on show.

He has designed a piece especially for the event.

Ms Ashberry said: "To even be able to touch a piece by him is unheard of, but to have a piece made for us is extremely special.

"The fact I've had people ringing me up from across the country asking 'is he really sending a piece' shows he's the bees' knees in the turning world."

His colourful designs focus on abstract themes and many are being remade in glass to reach a wider audience.

"Binh is a leader in his field – the skill of the man is unbelievable," said Ms Ashberry.

"He turns something so fine starting from something freshly chopped down – he'll turn it so fine you can see your hand through the wood."

But Binh is not concerned with the value of his work so long as it has artistic merit.

He said: "When I make a piece, I don't think about the selling price.

"I just focus on my work.

"What inspires me is the story of a piece."

Binh has already had a real influence on North Lincolnshire.

Budding artist Joey Richardson, of Great Limber, got in touch with Binh.

He took her under his wing, she flew to America to be his apprentice and now she is a rising name in the world of wood turning.

"My work inspired her and, thanks to the internet, she could see images of it," said Binh. "She chose me as her mentor.

"We have a bit of trouble understanding each other, but she learned the techniques, she started to explore her own voice and the rest is history."

Though a specialist enthusiasm in the UK, wood turning is huge in the US.

Visitors are invited to sample Binh's work, along with that of numerous North Lincolnshire artists, at the event next weekend.

The art exhibition will be in Winteringham Village Hall and various gardens, running from 12pm to 6pm on Saturday and Sunday. The open garden event is on Sunday from 1pm to 5pm.

The art exhibition is free and the gardens cost £4, with tickets available from the Village Hall, Frost Close, Winteringham.

For more details, call Kay Ashberry on 01724 735076.