http://www.GeminiForces.co.uk/ en-gb Sat, 19 May 2012 00:14:13 GMT http://www.GeminiForces.co.uk/News/February-2012/Greater-Manchester-Police-to-take-on-150-new-officers.aspx http://www.GeminiForces.co.uk/News/February-2012/Greater-Manchester-Police-to-take-on-150-new-officers.aspx Mon, 20 Feb 2012 07:54:38 GMT Fifty new police officers are to be taken on in Greater Manchester each year for the next three years. It follows a two-year recruitment freeze designed to help the force save £134m by 2015. The new posts were announced by the Greater Manchester Police Authority as it sets its budget for the year. Chairman of the police authority Paul Murphy said: "We would have liked to taken on more but we are not in the financial position to do so." 'Not great' He said: "In years gone by we would normally take on 200 new officers a year so it's not great but it is the best we can do in these challenging times." Chief Constable Peter Fahy said the recruitment drive would help the force "to continue to reduce crime and disorder". He said: "Over the past year we have had to make fundamental changes so that we can maintain the service to the public as more than 1000 staff have left the force. "We are determined to do the best we can for the people of Greater Manchester despite the difficult financial situation." The first 50 vacancies are expected to be advertised in the summer. http://www.GeminiForces.co.uk/News/February-2012/UK-and-France-sign-nuclear-energy-agreement.aspx http://www.GeminiForces.co.uk/News/February-2012/UK-and-France-sign-nuclear-energy-agreement.aspx Fri, 17 Feb 2012 08:08:44 GMT The UK is to sign a deal with France to strengthen co-operation in the development of civil nuclear energy. The government says it reiterates the UK's commitment to nuclear energy "as part of a diversified energy mix". The coalition says the agreement will create a number of commercial deals in the nuclear energy field, worth more than £500m and creating 1,500 UK jobs. Defence will also be on the agenda as PM David Cameron and President Nicolas Sarkozy hold a summit in Paris. An announcement about joint development of a future unmanned aircraft is also expected. 'Joint framework' "This joint declaration will signal our shared commitment to the future of civil nuclear power, setting out a shared long term vision of safe, secure, sustainable and affordable energy, that supports growth and helps to deliver our emission reductions targets," a statement from Downing Street said. The two governments will work together with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) "to strengthen international capability to react to nuclear emergencies and establish a joint framework for cooperation and exchanging good practice on civil nuclear security". The move comes 11 months after the tsunami in Japan which wrecked the nearby the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant, leaking radioactive material into the air and sea. UK and French public and private sector bodies in the civil nuclear power industry will also work more closely in a number of areas. These include education and training; research and development, and security. "As two great civil nuclear nations, we will combine our expertise to strengthen industrial partnership, improve nuclear safety and create jobs at home," said Mr Cameron. Eight sites Last June, ministers announced plans for the next generation of UK nuclear plants. The government confirmed a list of eight sites it deems suitable for new power stations by 2025, all of which are adjacent to existing nuclear sites. The sites are: Bradwell, Essex; Hartlepool; Heysham, Lancashire; Hinkley Point, Somerset; Oldbury, Gloucestershire; Sellafield, Cumbria; Sizewell, Suffolk; and Wylfa, Anglesey. Rolls-Royce is expected to win a £400m ($632m) share in the building of the first of the planned power plants. France's Areva will supply the core of the nuclear reactors and Rolls-Royce will supply other engineering work. "Rolls-Royce will become our prime manufacturing partner to supply some £100m of key critical components of the reactor for each EPR [next generation nuclear power plant] that's constructed in the UK." said Robert Davies from Areva UK. Rolls-Royce plans to build a factory in Rotherham to meet orders resulting from the deal. Earlier this month, the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission approved the first nuclear reactors to be built in the country since 1978. http://www.GeminiForces.co.uk/News/February-2012/Dyson-to-create-300-jobs-after-hitting-turnover-record.aspx http://www.GeminiForces.co.uk/News/February-2012/Dyson-to-create-300-jobs-after-hitting-turnover-record.aspx Mon, 13 Feb 2012 07:59:19 GMT The engineering firm Dyson says it has made £1bn ($1.58bn, 1.19bn euros) turnover for the first time and will create 300 skilled jobs, around 8% of its workforce. The firm, best known for its bagless vacuum cleaners, said sales rose by a quarter in 2011, with some markets growing by 30%. The company's new chief executive, Max Conze, said 200 of the new jobs would be engineering positions. At least 150 will go to graduates. The Wiltshire-based group, founded by Sir James Dyson, employs 3,600 staff worldwide. It was founded in 1992 and now sells machines, including hand dryers, in more than 50 markets. Dyson designs its products in the UK but after initially making them in the UK, moved much of the manufacturing to Malaysia to cut costs. It did not reveal its profit figure for the year. In 2010, the business made a profit of £210m on turnover of £887m. http://www.GeminiForces.co.uk/News/February-2012/Jobs-added-by-employers-in-January-says-REC.aspx http://www.GeminiForces.co.uk/News/February-2012/Jobs-added-by-employers-in-January-says-REC.aspx Thu, 09 Feb 2012 08:43:17 GMT Employers added permanent jobs for the first time in four months in January, according to the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC). The REC said its measure of permanent staff replacements went into positive territory, rising from 48.5 to 51.2. The survey, which questioned 400 recruitment and employment agencies, showed engineering and construction staff were the most in demand. But there were fewer positions in the hotel and catering industries. It was the first time that the index had risen above 50 since September, indicating growth instead of contraction. "This is the first positive indicator for some time that employers are looking to hire staff despite the ongoing weakness of the economy," said Kevin Green, chief executive of the REC. "It is particularly encouraging that six out of eight sectors surveyed show growth in demand, including engineering, IT and office professionals." The REC report, which is also sponsored by accountants KPMG, showed companies' spending on temporary staff fell slightly in January. http://www.GeminiForces.co.uk/News/February-2012/Virgin-Media-creates-250-jobs-in-Swansea.aspx http://www.GeminiForces.co.uk/News/February-2012/Virgin-Media-creates-250-jobs-in-Swansea.aspx Wed, 08 Feb 2012 15:33:07 GMT Virgin Media has confirmed that around 250 new jobs are being created in Swansea. The company is expanding to meet demand for its TV offering, TiVo, and superfast broadband service. A total of 620 jobs are being created nationwide with the majority of the new staff being based in Swansea and Manchester. The company said 500 customer service positions will be offered in its call centres and training will be given. The business is also looking for 120 people to train as engineers as part of its apprenticeship scheme. The positions, aimed at young people, will be spread around the UK, but specific areas have not been confirmed. "The new jobs that we've announced today will ensure we're meeting the increasing demand for our next generation digital products and will help our customers get the kind of service they expect from a Virgin company," said Paul Buttery, chief customer and networks officer. 'Fantastic' "This investment will benefit a number of communities across the country and we're particularly proud that we're able to provide so many young people with a much needed start in these challenging economic times." The news comes as Virgin Media announced it returned to profit in the final three months of 2011. Strong demand for its new TV service and Virgin's broadband products helped it make £48.2m in the fourth quarter. That compares with a loss in the previous quarter of £73.8m. Swansea council leader Chris Holley described the jobs as "fantastic news" and a boost during the difficult economic climate. He said Swansea has an "outstanding reputation" in the service sector with the Admiral Group and Virgin Atlantic employing thousands. "The city has a proven a track record in attracting companies of this nature and this news will help generate further investment in future," said the councillor. http://www.GeminiForces.co.uk/News/February-2012/Artillery-Regiments-Start-Diamond-Jubilee-Year-With-A-Bang.aspx http://www.GeminiForces.co.uk/News/February-2012/Artillery-Regiments-Start-Diamond-Jubilee-Year-With-A-Bang.aspx Tue, 07 Feb 2012 13:47:19 GMT Various artillery regiments have been firing salutes across the country today to mark the 60th anniversary of the accession of Her Majesty The Queen to the throne and the formal start of her Diamond Jubilee year. In London's Hyde Park, 71 horses from the King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery, pulling six guns, dramatically galloped across the lawns, before getting into position to fire a 41-gun salute at noon. The King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery arrived in the park having been cheered by two-and-a-half-thousand schoolchildren in the morning as they rode through St John's Wood for the last time. They will be arriving at their new purpose-built equestrian training facility and accommodation centre in Woolwich Garrison tomorrow. Meanwhile, the Honourable Artillery Company (HAC), the City of London's Territorial Army Regiment, also fired a salute from Gun Wharf at the Tower of London at 1300hrs. The HAC provided three L118 ceremonial Light Guns, similar to those currently used in Afghanistan, and fired a 62-gun Royal Salute. Whilst a Royal Salute normally comprises 21 guns, increased to 41 if fired from a Royal residence, 62 rounds are fired from the Tower on Royal anniversaries; the additional 21 guns for the Royal Salute are for the citizens of the City of London to show their loyalty to the monarch. In Scotland, Gunners from 105 Regiment Royal Artillery (Volunteers) fired a 21-gun Royal Salute at Edinburgh Castle at noon. Commenting on the salute, Commanding Officer of 105 Regiment Royal Artillery (Volunteers), Lieutenant Colonel Chris Huthwaite, said: "105 Regiment Royal Artillery (Volunteers) is honoured to be firing a 21-gun Royal Salute today, as the nation begins its tributes on this unique year, celebrating Her Majesty's 60th anniversary accession to the throne." Royal Salutes were fired by artillery regiments in twelve saluting stations today, including in Belfast, Cardiff and York. http://www.GeminiForces.co.uk/News/February-2012/Prince-Charles-leads-Charles-Dickens-celebrations.aspx http://www.GeminiForces.co.uk/News/February-2012/Prince-Charles-leads-Charles-Dickens-celebrations.aspx Tue, 07 Feb 2012 13:32:52 GMT The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall is leading global celebrations marking the 200th anniversary of Charles Dickens's birth later. Prince Charles laid a wreath at the author's grave in Poets' Corner as part of a service at Westminster Abbey. A 24-hour "readathon" is taking place in countries from Albania to Zimbabwe. Biographer Simon Callow, taking part in a service in Portsmouth, where Dickens was born, said the day would be "dangerously moving". Callow is reading from David Copperfield, a coming-of-age story about an orphan boy that is largely considered to be autobiographical. The service, which began at St Mary's Church at noon, will also feature actress Sheila Hancock reading from Oliver Twist. "I really made the strong decision to come to the place where he was born rather than to Westminster Cathedral where he never wanted to be," actor Callow said. He was referring to Dickens's desire to be buried at Rochester Cathedral, instead of Westminster Abbey, where he was interred following a public outcry. Celebrations in Portsmouth began at a ceremony outside the writer's birthplace, where his great-great-grandson, Ian Dickens, laid a wreath Dickens's parents set up home in Portsmouth when his father was transferred there by the Navy Pay Office. Their son was born on 7 February, 1812 at 1 Mile End Terrace, Landport, Portsea - now 393 Old Commercial Road. The family moved back to London in 1814. In London on Tuesday, Prince Charles and Camilla visited the Charles Dickens museum in Doughty Street - which opened in 1925 in the house where the novelist lived from 1837-1839. US actress Gillian Anderson, who played Miss Havisham in the BBC's adaptation of Great Expectations, gave a private reading for the royal visitors. The Westminster Abbey service was attended by a large gathering of the author's descendants and also included readings from actor Ralph Fiennes, biographer Claire Tomalin, and another great-great-grandson, Mark Dickens. The Dean of Westminster, the Very Reverend Dr John Hall, said: "Dickens's humanity and compassion made an extraordinary impact on Victorian England through his writings, which remain immensely popular. "This bicentenary should help renew our commitment to improving the lot of the disadvantaged of our own day." The BFI Southbank, in London, is hosting the UK leg of the international readathon which began in Australia with a reading of Dombey and Son. Susie Nicklin, director of literature at the British Council, which organised the event, said: "We are responding to the huge global demand from audiences in 66 countries with whom Dickens has struck a chord as his themes and characters seem as fresh to them today as they did to British readers in the Victorian era." Other events include a bi-centenary dinner at the capital's Mansion House, as well as the launch of a Dickens newspaper and iPad app using his work as content. At the weekend, biographer Claire Tomalin said children did not have the the attention span necessary to appreciate the novelist's works because they were "being reared on dreadful television programmes". http://www.GeminiForces.co.uk/News/February-2012/London-Underground-recruits-300-Tube-station-staff.aspx http://www.GeminiForces.co.uk/News/February-2012/London-Underground-recruits-300-Tube-station-staff.aspx Mon, 06 Feb 2012 14:21:26 GMT London Underground (LU) is recruiting 300 Tube station staff. 'Promotion opportunities' An internal bulletin from LU on the new jobs reads: "It has been over three years since our last recruitment campaign, and we are now in a position to fill a number of vacancies in our station operations. "These vacancies are as a result of a number of promotion opportunities that have been offered to existing staff who have moved on to be train operators (as lines run more services), station supervisors or work in other roles across the business." LU chief operating officer Howard Collins said: "We are looking to recruit up to 300 new customer service assistants over the next six months to replace employees who have retired, left or moved to other jobs within LU. "This will maintain our station staff numbers to the level we implemented in February 2011. "That recruitment is all about continuing the Mayor's pledge to ensure we maintain a high visibility presence on all of our stations whenever services are running." http://www.GeminiForces.co.uk/News/February-2012/Diamond-Jubilee-Queen-celebrating-60year-reign.aspx http://www.GeminiForces.co.uk/News/February-2012/Diamond-Jubilee-Queen-celebrating-60year-reign.aspx Mon, 06 Feb 2012 08:42:32 GMT The Queen has said she is dedicating herself "anew to your service", as she marks the 60th anniversary of her accession to the throne In a message, she also said she felt "deeply moved" by the support shown for her Diamond Jubilee. It will be marked by several events, with the main celebrations in June. The Queen, 85, usually spends Accession Day - the day her father, George VI, died in 1952 - privately but this year has two engagements in Norfolk. This year's anniversary will be marked by visits to King's Lynn Town Hall and the nearby Dersingham Infant and Nursery School. Crowds are expected to gather to greet the Queen, despite the cold weather. Two official photographs were released, and a 41-gun salute will be held in Hyde Park, London, followed by a 62-gun salute at the Tower of London. During her reign, Queen Elizabeth II has seen 11 UK prime ministers come and go, with David Cameron her 12th. Mr Cameron praised the "magnificent service" given by the Queen and called her a "source of wisdom and continuity". "With experience, dignity and quiet authority she has guided and united our nation and the Commonwealth over six varied decades," he said One former Prime Minister, John Major, reflected on the counsel of the Queen and the many private meetings he had with her during his premiership during an interview on BBC One's Andrew Marr Show on Sunday. He said: "Most of the present cabinet weren't born when the Queen became monarch. So there's very little she hasn't seen, very little she doesn't understand. And anyone who doesn't listen to her view and consult her when necessary is missing a huge opportunity." Meanwhile, Sir John has formally launched the Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Trust to help those in need across the Commonwealth. He will chair the grant-making body, which will focus on areas such as fighting curable diseases and the promotion of education and culture. A set of six 1st class definitive stamps, all of which feature official portraits of the Queen, are also being issued to mark the monarch's milestone. Moya Greene, Royal Mail's chief executive, said: "The Queen's image is one of the most recognisable in the world and we are delighted to bring these iconic images together to mark the 60th anniversary of the Queen's accession." The Diamond Jubilee Miniature Sheet marks the first occasion on which official images of the monarch, sourced from stamps, coins and banknotes, have been brought together for a stamp issue. The Queen's 60 years as monarch are set to be marked by a series of regional, national and international events during 2012, culminating in a four-day long UK Bank Holiday weekend in June. Events planned to take place during the summer include the Queen leading a flotilla of a thousand boats along the Thames and a chain of beacons being lit across the country. The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh also intend to travel as widely as possible across the UK. Other members of the Royal Family will visit the 15 other countries where the Queen is head of state, as well as some other Commonwealth countries. In her message to mark the anniversary, the Queen said: "I am writing to thank you for the wonderful support and encouragement that you have given to me and Prince Philip over these years and to tell you how deeply moved we have been to receive so many kind messages about the Diamond Jubilee. "In this special year, as I dedicate myself anew to your service, I hope we will all be reminded of the power of togetherness and the convening strength of family, friendship and good neighbourliness, examples of which I have been fortunate to see throughout my reign and which my family and I look forward to seeing in many forms as we travel throughout the United Kingdom and the wider Commonwealth." http://www.GeminiForces.co.uk/News/February-2012/Morrisons-supermarket-warehouse-jobs-in-Bridgwater.aspx http://www.GeminiForces.co.uk/News/February-2012/Morrisons-supermarket-warehouse-jobs-in-Bridgwater.aspx Fri, 03 Feb 2012 11:29:19 GMT Up to 100 new warehouse jobs are to be created in Bridgwater by the supermarket chain Morrisons. The site, alongside the company's existing distribution centre, will be used to pack fruit and vegetables ahead of distribution to stores. A spokeswoman said the move would allow the company to save two million road miles each year delivering to its shops in the South West and Wales. She said 300 more jobs could be added depending on Morrisons' growth. The existing Willow Green facility, close to the M5 in Somerset, looks after the transfer of all grocery, household, chilled foods and bread for the South West and south Wales Martyn Fletcher from Morrisons Group said: "Having our manufacturing site so close to our regional distribution centre for the area will reduce food miles and improve our strong environmental credentials. "We are delighted to be creating these jobs in Bridgwater and hope to be able to fill a large proportion of them with suitable local candidates."