08-07-2010 | Big It Up Bulletin -June 2010
Here is the latest update for Big It Up campaigners on major projects and good news stories for Leicester and Leicestershire, brought to you by Leicester Shire Promotions.
If you have any more Big It Up stories to tell of how you, your colleagues or organisation have championed the cause of Leicester and Leicestershire, please feed appropriate details through to Simon Gribbon at Leicester Shire Promotions on 0116 225 4001 or email simon.gribbon@l-p-l.com
DNA tops the poll of most important discovery by UK universities
A poll of UK academics has revealed that DNA was considered to be the most important discovery made by their peers. The poll was carried out to mark Universities Week, which took place from 14-20 June. It placed the discovery of the structure of DNA, unveiled on 28 February 1953 at the University of Leicester, ahead of other key UK university discoveries such as the computer, Dolly the Sheep and the contraceptive pill.
Loughborough launches UK Corporate Games
The official launch of the business world's version of the Olympic Games took place at Loughborough University in June. The UK Corporate Games is to take place at the University between July 11 and 14, 2011 and is set to attract over 6,000 people from across the country who will compete in a range of sporting activities, including swimming, badminton, hockey, football and rugby.
Confidence high amongst tourism businesses
Encouraging results of a new survey have shown that confidence is high amongst tourism businesses in Leicester and Leicestershire. The Tourism Business Barometer surveyed over 100 tourism businesses in the city and county during May 2010 and the results show a positive outlook with advance bookings for the summer up for 26 per cent of businesses, with 45 per cent at the same level as last year. Twenty one per cent of businesses say domestic visitors are up compared to 2009 and 80 per cent of operators say they are confident about good trade during the summer season.
City is one of spiciest in the UK
Curry lovers have always known Leicester was one of the spiciest cities in the UK and now it's official. A survey has found Leicester has more curry houses per person than any other city, ahead of the likes of London, Birmingham and Manchester. Research carried out by Cobra beer found a restaurant for every 2,947 people in the city and one for every 3,600 in Loughborough.
Airline ranked in UK's top ten
BMI has been named the UK's 10th-best airline for customer satisfaction in a Which? survey. The Castle Donington carrier achieved a 60 per cent satisfaction score. Its subsidiary BMI Baby, also based in Castle Donington, was ranked 14th in the survey with a score of 47 per cent. Ryanair, which also operates services from East Midlands Airport, was ranked 17th.
City to pilot world-first Hydrogen cars
Leicester became the first to make a giant leap into the unknown, signing an agreement to see 30 hydrogen-fuelled cars leased out to members of the public. The two-seater car, which weighs a quarter of small average car at 350kg, emits only drops of water and is seen as a vital step in cutting emissions. The deal between Leicester City Council and Riversimple, a small Shropshire-based manufacturer, is for a 12-month pilot which will see 30 of the cars - which do the petrol-equivalent of 300 miles per gallon - rented out at a cost of £200 a month and 15p a mile.
Lorry maker is named winner of green prize
A company which makes environmentally-friendly refrigeration lorries has won an environmental award. Jackson Coachworks, of Loughborough, was presented with the silver prize at the National Green Apple Awards for the Environment, which are sponsored by the Environment Agency. It gives the firm entry into the European Business Awards.
Hotel group is industry award winner again
Hotel group Barceló UK has won an industry award for the second year in a row. The company from Hinckley was named Accommodation Provider of the Year at the 2010 Coach Tourism Awards. The hotel group beat Marriott, Hilton, Best Western and Warner Hotels at the awards ceremony, which was held at the Holiday Inn in Stratford-Upon-Avon.
Academic wins national teaching accolade
Dr Deborah Cartmell, Reader in English at De Montfort University, Leicester, has been made a National Teaching Fellow (NTF) in recognition of excellence in teaching and learning support. Dr Cartmell's work has had an international impact and her achievements include being a founding member of the British Shakespeare Association and the Association of Adaptation Studies, as well as editing two academic journals and developing unique teaching on TV and film adaptations of literature.
Stitching 'world's biggest' football shirt
A football fan from Leicestershire is attempting to break the world record for creating the largest football shirt. Justin Walley and Norwegian friend Bjorn Heidenstrom have stitched 600 shirts together to create a single giant masterpiece. The shirt, which has been made in support of the United Nations refugee agency, the UNHCR, is currently on display in South Africa during the World Cup tournament.
Himalaya wins awards
Twycross Zoo's new Himalaya visitor centre was awarded the Best Large Commercial Project award and commended for its sustainability credentials at the LABC East Midlands Region Building Excellence Awards 2010. The awards scheme recognise the best quality construction in the East Midlands and Himalaya caught the attention of the judges due to its incorporation of a number of sustainable technologies and eco-friendly features.
University fashion project wins accolade
De Montfort University (DMU) Fashion Design lecturer, Jo Cope, has been selected as one of the 78 most talented creative individuals and is taking part in a project with Nike78 and London Design Festival later this year. Known for her unique and boundary-pushing conceptual fashion work, Jo Cope has created a radical interpretation of the NIKE trainer for the project created by Paul Jenkins which can be seen at www.nike78.co.uk
University of Leicester climbs national league table
The University of Leicester has risen to its highest ever position in The Guardian University league table - placed 12th out of 118 universities. Leicester climbed three places from last year's position. This is the third consecutive year the University has been placed amongst the Guardian's top-15. This latest table of university performance follows that of The Times which placed Leicester 15th - again in the top-15 for the third successive year.
Businessman up for top green award
A Leicester businessman has been shortlisted for a prestigious environmental award. Ian Jackson, managing director of IT firm Imerja, of Market Harborough, is one of six finalists vying for the Institute of Directors' (IoD) National Director of the Year for Environmental Leadership award. Last year, Mr Jackson won the regional IoD Yorkshire Bank Ackroyd Award, which recognised outstanding contribution to corporate social responsibility.
IoD names local director amongst best in country
The founder of a management consultancy business has been named among the best young directors in the UK. Steve Walker is one of six finalists in the Institute of Directors' Young Director of the Year national awards. Last year, the 32-year-old, who runs Steve Walker Associates (SWA), was named the IoD's East Midlands young director of the year.
And finally...
The Big It Up Bulletin is produced in conjunction with Leicester Mercury's ‘The
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