fdmatters Facilities Directorate newsletter VISIBLE INVESTMENT, VIABLE INNOVATION in this area, it could be even better. and prospective students are considering their options. It is pleasing to note that so far With that in mind, a paper submitted to the there are positive signs, with the number of March Council meeting outlines a plan to applications up on the same time last year. develop business incubation space, with a However, we also know that the student proposal to construct a new building capable experience is critical to their fnal decision of hosting new high-tech companies in their to choose a particular university and so our early stages. The building would provide high facilities continue to play a critical role. quality serviced offces, general laboratory and workshop space and include a café, meeting space and conference facilities. “Council had approved plans The aim of the plan is to foster a culture for our Capital Development of enterprise and innovation generally, and Programme, and as you walk encourage high growth start-up businesses, for example graduates looking to set up around campus you will see ample a company would have easy access to evidence of our commitment to “ dedicated facilities and the University’s own continue to invest in the estate. expertise in enterprise and innovation. All of this is designed to create an environment where good ideas can be turned into viable businesses and the University encourages the When they come to an open day or an next generation of entrepreneurs. accommodation viewing day, prospective students experience the whole range of As the University’s strategy develops, the services from catering to sport, residences to was delighted to be able to let you know in to invest in our facilities and buildings, to Facilities Directorate will be instrumental teaching space through to the maintenance of the last issue of FD Matters how Council support the best possible campus experience. in supporting it – and the Directorate’s the estate and car parking. Ihad approved plans for our Capital management team will develop plans to Development Programme, and as you walk As a University, we are now in a good position provide such support for the strategy through It really is no exaggeration to say that we around campus you will see ample evidence to think about our strategy for the future – the coming year. can make the difference between a student of our commitment to continue to invest and there is already a strong desire to set a choosing us or another university and I in the estate. Building improvements, new greater ambition for research and innovation Meanwhile, you may be wondering how would like to take this opportunity to thank construction and the re-design of existing in the years ahead. Many experts already see things are looking for student recruitment each member of staff for their hard work, spaces may be disruptive and look unsightly these as crucial for the UK’s prospects for in 2014. This is a critical time of year for dedication and commitment to helping for a time, but they are very visible reminders economic recovery, with universities at the undergraduate applications – the deadline for provide the best possible experience for all of the importance we place on continuing forefront – and while Leeds has a good record applying for most courses has now passed concerned. NEW BOATHOUSE FOR ROWING CLUB oney has been secured from Rowing Club, will be based at Thwaites Rowing team and will provide an excellent Sport England (£150K), British Mill on the Aire Calder Navigation. facility from which to train and compete. MRowing (£300K) and the University of Leeds (£300K) to build a new Leeds is one of three priority cities for The project is due for completion in Spring boathouse in Leeds. British Rowing and the University of Leeds 2014 and we will keep you updated on the will play a key role in supporting their progress. The Boathouse, which is a partnership aims to get more people into the sport. The between the University of Leeds and Leeds Boathouse will be home to the University 2 Facilities Directorate newsletter fdmatters St Marks offcially opens he 6th February 2014 was set for Residences was offcially opened by the Vice Following this introduction Sir Alan was It is pleasing to note that residents expressed the offcial opening of St Marks Chancellor, Sir Alan Langlands. Following an escorted around the site, dropping in to view appreciation of the international atmosphere TResidences. Residential Manager, introduction from Dennis Hopper, Director an apartment and individual bedroom as and St Marks residences being a ‘home from David Owen and his team of Mass Njie and of Facilities Management at the University of well as the cooking facilities shared by six home’, Taylor Howarth had worked meticulously Leeds, Sir Alan formally unveiled the plaque residents from Nigeria, Hong Kong, Australia, to ensure the site was in great condition and and spoke to invited guests. He was then India (2) and the UK. The various arrays Following the site walk around Sir Alan everything was in place for the visit. On the introduced to the residence team and the of international cooking equipment and returned to the Pavilion common area to day 60 guests, including Heads of Service/ Warden, Mr Mike Anderson. Sub Warden, ingredients from around the world were on enjoy a buffet and drinks with the invited Schools, Deans and the building architects Ms Sue Fortescue and the President of the show and Sir Alan showed a key interest in guests. and designers attended and St Marks Hall Executive at St Marks, Ms Sneha Bose. how residents cooked and socialised together. FOOD FOR THE BRAIN AWARD GREAT FOOD Embedding Sustainability As part of the process of embedding when the University bids for research or at sustainability practice into the University other funding, and with that in mind, the we are starting to develop an ISO 14001 University is committed to developing an LEEDS accredited Environmental Management EMS and gaining accreditation as soon as System (EMS). Although we have possible. With many Facilities Diectorate reat Food at Leeds is proud to have scored highly in the ’Provision for special environmental plans and objectives staff at the sharp end of maintaining and been awarded the ‘Food for the Brain’ diets’ section. To learn more about the covering the majority of our key impact running the University you will be coming GNutritional Accreditation for the 6th products Great Food at Leeds provides please areas, we are currently lacking evidence into contact with the development of the year in a row. visit the ‘Our Food’ page: www.leeds.ac.uk/gfal of an auditable management system. Such EMS over the coming months. Your help evidence of this is increasingly required and support as always is appreciated. The Great Food at Leeds team maintained their excellent score of 82% in the annual audit which took place in February. “The Great Food at Leeds team maintained their excellent score The team were praised for their continued enthusiasm and commitment to Food for the of 82% in the annual audit “ Brain and healthy eating options. Particular which took place in February. recognition was gained for the impressive focus on sustainability, seasonality and provenance of products with 45% of suppliers being within 20 miles of the University and For more information on the Food for the 75% of suppliers within 60 miles. Brain Nutritional Accreditation visit the Food for the Brain website: The team were also complimented for their www.foodforthebrain.org/ expanding range of gluten free products and 3 fdmatters Facilities Directorate newsletter ROMANS, COAL & ORCHIDS (from left to right): Ian Brine; Antonio Calunga; Cat Miller; Anna Walker; Kevin Thompson; Julia Kinch; Sarah Plant; Mike Leonard; Anna-Marie Vickerstaff; Tim Brear; Lesley Smith; Nick Holdsworth; and Kara Jackson (YWT), not forgetting Mark Ball behind the camera! hirteen volunteers from Residential certainly operational in 1880. The mine was closing in 1980, and Ledston Luck, the last meadow areas of the nature reserve, and which Services, Accommodation Offce, Leeds owned by the Micklefeld Coal & Lime Co working coal mine in the Leeds area, in 1986. would adversely impact on the orchid species. TUniversity Union, and Sustainability, Ltd, and they subsequently opened further pits On closure, the steel headgear/winding towers The volunteers used a variety of loppers and recently spent a day ‘scrub-bashing’, at Ledston nearby at Peckfeld (1888), and Ledston Luck were removed, but the Edwardian winding saws to remove the scrub and the cuttings were Luck Nature Reserve, near Leeds. Ledston (1909). houses and satellite buildings all still remain used to form a ‘dead hedge’ of inter-twined Luck is a small community of some twenty- with a Grade II listing, accommodating local wood that would provide a refuge/cover for odd houses, situated to the east of Leeds, near businesses, including a cafe. The site was local animal and bird species. All in all, it was the larger villages of Micklefeld, Garforth and remediated in the early 1990s, and purchased a really successful day, as it didn’t rain; the Kippax. The hamlet is located next to the A656 Leeds has a strong coal mining by Leeds City Council as a nature reserve, and work was done; and all present left with a smile from Castleford, and its straight course and “ its management has recently been taken over on their face, albeit with aching bodies the location on the ridge hints at its Roman origins, heritage, and it is thought that the by Yorkshire Wildlife Trust www.ywt.org. following day! providing an alternative route to Ermine Street, Romans may have extracted coal uk/reserves/ledston-luck.