PLUS: Engineering a brighter future

gridlineThe magazine for landowners AUTUMN 2014 blooming… naturally Wedding businessis • Allaboard fortunnel vision confetti confetti The • Plant awood… thesafe way queen GAMBLING ON GAMBLING ON sweet treat onthemap The coupleputtingthe A tasteofAsiamaking Buff Barnsley? its markinYorkshire CHERRIES CHERRIES alo in • Win a tablet Win a tablet Autumn 2014

Welcome to Some useful contact numbers The Land & Business Support team is responsible for acquiring all rights and permissions from statutory authorities and landowners needed gridline to install, operate and maintain National Grid’s electricity and gas transmission networks. The We’re seeking the engineers of tomorrow to match Group acts as the main interface for landowners who have gas and electricity equipment installed the innovation and ingenuity of our landowners on their land. Your local contacts are listed below. ELECTRICITY AND GAS Æ North-west and Scotland 0161 776 0706 or many grantors, engineering feat that Æ South-east 01268 642 091 Æ South-west 01452 316 059 National Grid’s only created the longest canal Æ East 0113 290 8235

impact on their daily tunnel in the UK, which WAYLEAVE PAYMENTS F For information on wayleave payments, routine is when engineers you can read about on page Æ telephone the payments helpline on arrive to carry out essential 15. We also take a look at 0800 389 5113 work or our helicopters the pioneers of a different CHANGE OF DETAILS carry out safety checks. kind, who epitomise the Æ To inform National Grid of changes in ownership or contact details, telephone We are always striving to spirit of enterprise by 0800 389 5113 for electric and 01926 654 844 for ensure gas and electricity diversifying to grow gas, or email [email protected]

reaches your homes and businesses confetti, breed buffalo and even to take ELECTRICITY EMERGENCY safely and reliably, and are increasingly a chance on cherries. Æ Emergency calls to report pylon damage to National Grid can be made on 0800 404 090. looking to the future in researching The ingenuity of our grantors never Note the tower’s number – found just below the property plate – to help crews locate it more efficient ways of achieving that ceases to impress, so please keep with new, alternative energy sources. sharing your success stories with us to ELECTRIC AND MAGNETIC FIELDS Æ For information on electric and magnetic fields, To stay ahead of the game we need to inspire others, as we hope to inspire the call the EMF information line on 08457 023 270 maintain our reputation for being at the next generation of engineers. (local call rate). Website: www.emfs.info forefront of engineering, but it’s an area GAS EMERGENCY Æ 0800 111 999 experiencing a growing and alarming skills gap. DIAL BEFORE YOU DIG Æ Before carrying out any work in the vicinity In this edition of Gridline, you’ll see Dawn McCarroll of gas pipelines, overhead power lines or how National Grid is committed to Editor, Gridline underground electric cables, you should contact Plant Protection on 0800 688 588 so that searches redressing the balance to make sure the can be made to determine the exact position of any National Grid assets next generation of young engineers – many of whom are still at school – keeps BE A PART OF GRIDLINE CUSTOMER COMMENTS Write to Land & Development, Four of the five grantors we featured in the Æ emerging. National Grid House, Warwick last edition contacted us with their story, so We’ve developed a raft of educational Technology Park, Gallows Hill, Warwick, why not drop us a line? Warwickshire, CV34 6DA. Or email programmes, as well as supporting [email protected] Tel: 01926 656 325 schemes in communities near you, to Email: [email protected] Gridline is produced by help make this happen and maintain, Write to: Gridline, Summersault Communications Summersault Communications, 23-25 Waterloo Place improve and innovate the infrastructure Warwick Street 23-25 Waterloo Place, Warwick Street, that serves the nation. Leamington Spa Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, CV32 5LA. Warwickshire, CV32 5LA It’s the modern day equivalent of the

02 AUTUMN 2014 GRIDLINE Contents 10 18 08 13 15

Regulars Features

04 The robots helping to 07 We safely planted a 20 engineer a brighter future woodland near pipelines, Moth in 05 Small changes mean a lot with help from our friends on World Environment Day 08 How petal power is making bloom 06 The historic waterway big days even better, off ering a thoroughly perfectly naturally Jon Avon from Devon won a £150 M&S modern solution 10 The cherry gamblers soon giftcard for this set to savour the sweet sensational snap. You taste of success could be next – see 13 National Grid: inspiring how on page 20. today’s youngsters to fi nd 04 solutions for the future Competition winner 15 One group’s tunnel vision and the impossible dream Congratulations to Gemma Bland, from Hyde in Cheshire, that became reality who won a two-night luxury gourmet getaway for correctly 18 By ‘eck! They’ve got water telling us that farmer Harry Wilson grazes cross-bred Mule sheep on his Lancashire estate. buff alo in Barnsley! For your chance to be a winner this time, turn to page 20. 20 Win a 7-inch Samsung Galaxy tablet

GRIDLINE AUTUMN 2014 03 04

AUTUMN 2014 AUTUMN 2014

The latest news from National Grid and its GRIDLINE Newslineoooolandowner partners key totomorrow’s success March oftherobotsis donated VEX Robotics equipment aff sources oflow-carbon at energy an change targets by connecting new of theUK’s drive tomeetclimate company’s engineers areat theheart external aff said Steve Knight Gregson, regional a careerinscienceorengineering,” growing skillsshortage by following up STEMsubjects,andtacklea generation ofyoung peopletotake engaging andinspiring thenext “National Gridispassionate about Passionate remote-control devices. objects using handheld such aslifting andmoving small by VEXRobotics activities, infun UK’s energychallenge. bekey the tosolving skills will engineering andmaths (STEM) found outwhy science,technology, into theworld ofrobotics–and Show gainedafascinating insight Grid’s standat theGreat Yorkshire YOUNGSTERS VISITING Na ordable pricetotheconsumer. This year, National Gridhas Display boards explained how the usedrobotssupplied The visitors discover more aboutengineering remote-controlled robots to Young get visitors togrips with airs manager. tional tional national championships. compete intheVEXRobotics schoolsgo onto qualifying specifi programming robots tosolve a designing, building and to anumberofstudent teams Steve said:“Working robots with the company’s achievementsin winner wasJaguarLandRover. prosperity now’.Lastyear’s supporting theneedforeconomic solutions forthefuture while to creating sustainableenergy companies forits‘commitment National Gridfrom afi its business. of responsible practicethrough the highestdegree ofintegration organisation thathasachieved award celebratesthesingle accolade giveneachyear, the of theYear. (BITCs) ResponsibleBusiness Business intheCommunity’s National Gridhasbeennamed At ourresponsiblebest The judgesdrew attentionto The judgessingledout The mostprestigious ed challenge. year, Each eld of 150 eld of150 For moreinformation… Æ and commissioning.” and build,testing, faultdiagnosis project management, todesign engineer, team-working from and into aspectofbeing every an gives theyoungsters arealinsight generation onpage13 CEO SteveHolliday. here atNationalGrid,”said central toeverythingwedo and responsible behaviouris us, confi well-deserved accoladefor programmes. of talentthrough education inspiring thenextgeneration in itsownorganisation,and develop responsible practices 1990, whileinvestingbillionsto gas emissionsby53%since lowering itsowngreenhouse “This is a fabulous and “This isafabulousand For more, seeInspiringa com/responsibility … gotowww2.nationalgrid. rming that sustainable rming thatsustainable We’re making a difference News in brief

MORE THAN 400 National Grid college. Invasive species were every mile an employee employees at 21 sites marked cleared to create a new abandoned their car in favour World Environment Day with a wildflower meadow, and new of walking or cycling. variety of activities inspired by raised beds, pathways and a the theme ‘make a small change shed are planned. ÆIn the Our World, Your Planet to make a big difference’. competition, employees were ÆOld pallets have been upcycled asked to come up with ways ÆA team of volunteers, led by into bird and bat boxes, to improve the sustainability SAVING A PEARL OF the Warwickshire Wildlife creating much-needed spaces of their local community. The THE WOODS Trust, created foraging and for nature and demonstrating winners were given £1,000 to Tree felling near a power line access areas for water voles in the principle of ‘resource, create new school allotments in the south-west is set to help create a valuable habitat the banks of the Oxfordshire not waste’. and orchards, energy-efficient for a rare butterfly. Canal, which cuts through 30 lighting for a Scout group, and The Pearl-bordered acres of woodland and fields ÆEmployees got on their bikes a wildlife haven at a stroke Fritillary butterfly thrives in owned by National Grid, near to raise £4,966 for Macmillan rehabilitation hospital. woodland clearings, but the last 25 years have seen two to Coventry substation. Cancer Support by using thirds of its colonies become more sustainable forms extinct due to a decline in ÆVolunteers from Neepsend of transport. National traditional woodland substation joined forces with Grid donated a pound for management practices, such as coppicing, which have Hillsborough College and caused habitats to become the Canal & River Trust to shady or overgrown. regenerate non-operational As part of our Enhancing land at the substation for Ecosystems strategy, National Grid is managing its educational use by the land differently to create havens for nature and stepping stones for wildlife. Nearly an acre of mixed conifers and broadleaf trees near the power line in Haldon Forest, Kennford, Exeter, will be removed by contractors to maintain safe clearances from conductors. By opening up the area it will also allow the rare butterflies to thrive. The charity Butterfly Conservation is working with the Forestry Commission on a project to expand and link existing habitats.

A HELPING HAND FOR HOSPICE National Grid volunteers have helped to create a woodland walk at Shropshire based Severn Hospice – an independent charity that cares for people with complex and progressive illnesses. They cleared a huge area of The Neepsend team opened up land for overgrown land, and relocated use by college students (main pic). The a garden shed from an area Coventry crew by the canal (above) prone to flooding.

GRIDLINE AUTUMN 2014 05 Newsline

One- minute interview

Amanda Pritchard, acquisitions manager

BACKGROUND: I’ve worked in the electricity industry on property matters for about 20 years, apart from taking eight years off to have children.

CURRENT FOCUS: Leading a small team of specialist surveyors and town planners (l-r) Connah’s Quay councillors providing strategic property Paul Shotton and Andy advice for major National Grid Dunbobbin with Prysmian site projects and third party engineer Quentin Amboise projects that affect the company’s assets. I also support our regional lands teams and occasionally do case work on compensation and land acquisitions. The path to knowledge

LEISURE INTERESTS: I enjoy A NEW NOTICE BOARD AT other sculptures in the area. It was install electricity cables under the hiking and recently spent three weeks in Brazil, which The Rock, Connah’s Quay – a installed by cable manufacturer River Dee, which will link National included walking. well-known vantage point on Prysmian, part of the consortium Grid’s substation in Connah’s Quay the Wales Coastal Path – is building the £1 billion Western with a new electricity converter MOST LIKELY TO SAY: sparking interest from passing Link project bringing renewable station being built on Deeside ‘Goodness, really?’ (or so my children tell me). walkers and cyclists. energy from Scotland, via sub-sea as part of the scheme. The Designed by local blacksmith cables, to homes and businesses noticeboard will provide project NOT MANY PEOPLE KNOW: Richard Jones, the board has been in England and Wales. updates, before being handed over I have a pathological fear crafted from steel to complement Prysmian is currently preparing to for community use. of heights.

DREAM JOB: I work with a great team of people, the can be switched off when there work is varied and challenging Historic canal are sudden peaks of demand, – I wouldn’t change anything. solution to such as when millions of people UNFULFILLED AMBITION: To switch on kettles and other visit the Silk Route in China. 21st-century electrical equipment during ad breaks in major sporting events FAVOURITE HOLIDAY demands DESTINATION: Iceland. It’s or popular programmes. just awesome. A 200-YEAR-OLD LOCK FLIGHT Conversely, the pumps can is helping National Grid cope with be turned on if there is too much IDEAL DINNER GUEST: extreme demands on the grid. the hills along the canal, after the energy on the grid – like when Gregory Peck or Cary Grant – such gentlemen. In normal use, pumps at the lock movement of boats through the 17 million people watched Andy fl ight are used by the Canal & River locks has brought the water down Murray’s Wimbledon win. The FAVOURITE FILM: Lord of the Trust to send the equivalent of the slopes. pumps helped absorb the excess Rings – it’s a family ritual to 9,000 Olympic-size swimming But the pumps on the Avon & energy left on the grid while watch it every Christmas. pools of water back to the top of Kennet Canal in Calne, Wiltshire, people were cheering him on.

06 AUTUMN 2014 GRIDLINE Feature Safety

Branching out Planting a wood in the vicinity of a gas pipeline turned out to be straightforward for grantors Graham and Miriam Clarke, who consulted with National Grid from the outset

day out at the Norfolk Show provided But one potential stumbling the spark of inspiration for an block remained – the presence A ambitious woodland creation project. of a gas transmission pipeline A chance chat between Miriam Clarke crossing the proposed site. and a Woodland Trust charity worker led to “We knew from advice in the change at Church Farm in Porlingland, Gridline, and in the annual near Norwich. calendar they send us each year, “I found the charity would contribute that anybody thinking of doing 60% of the cost of planting native any work near a pipeline should broadleaved trees on farms like ours, as part make contact at the earliest of a strategy to create small-scale areas of opportunity,” said Graham. connected woodland habitat,” she said. On calling the helpline, Miriam and husband Graham have always Graham was asked for the site’s been fond of trees, but were also attracted map reference and told that a by the idea that in 10 to 15 years, the wood technician would visit to detect could be harvested and used as fuel in a and mark out the pipeline’s large boiler that supplies all their hot water exact position with pegs. After and heating needs. first preparing the ground by The trees (below left) ploughing, planting was completed in January 2014. Suitability provide a woodland habitat. Graham and After a site visit to confirm the farm’s suitability, the Trust Miriam (above) worked Harvesting drew up a plan for 1,250 trees on a three-acre site with National Grid “We planted small groups of same-species tree in random previously used for crops. Fourteen different species of from the outset patterns to give a natural look to the wood,” said Miriam. native trees and shrubs were chosen, both for their habitat “National Grid had given us an information sheet setting value and suitability for coppicing. out the minimum distances that various species of tree could be planted from the pipeline. We planted shallow-rooted shrubs like hazel and hawthorn closest and trees with more aggressive root systems further away.” PLANTING GUIDE A four-metre width of land was left unplanted over the Æ Large-growing species of and roses should not be pipeline to double up as vehicle access for harvesting, and poplars and willows must not planted within 1.5 metres. to provide a walkway when the trees mature. The couple be planted within 10 metres Æ Hedge plants and ground have a 12-year agreement with the Trust to maintain of the pipeline’s centre. cover may only be planted the woodland. Æ Large conifers and across a pipeline to screen deciduous forest trees must or mark boundaries. “It’s great to think we will be leaving a footprint on the not be planted within 6 Æ For a full list of permitted landscape that will have lasting benefit for wildlife, as well metres (and only as individual trees and distances visit as being enjoyed by future generations,” said Miriam. specimens or a single row www2.nationalgrid.com/UK/ between 6 and 10 metres). Safety/Trees-and-vegetation- Æ Dwarf stock fruit trees near-gas-pipelines/ (including amenity and Æ If you are planning work For more information… ornamental trees) cannot be placed or have a query about tree planting, within 3 metres. call Plant Protection immediately on ... about the Woodland Trust’s MOREwoods Æ Shrub-planting bushes, fruit bushes 0800 688 588. scheme, go to www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/ plant-trees/help-and-support

GRIDLINE AUTUMN 2014 07 Feature Confetti petals

Lilian had just put in an off er on a dilapidated house in the forgotten countryside behind the M6 Corley services want a new near Coventry, and within hours of returning from the celebration, the fate of its 23 acres had been decided. She said: “We had nothing after buying and renovating the house, so we rented the land to a farmer friend who challenge? planted maize to get it going.” Trials of delphinium seeds proved successful, despite the exposed fi eld’s gentle slope inviting unforgiving winds to do their worst. “After I’d seen how hardy they were and dried them, we planted £3,000 worth of seeds over three acres. If it didn’t work it wasn’t a disastrous gamble – that was Tom’s attitude,” she said.

Living art A stroll through the vivid pink, lilac and white rows of swaying perennial fl owering plants suggests it’s a gamble that’s in the early stages of paying off . Lilian said: “We IThe quest fordo the perfect wedding with planted in April and started hand picking in August. I’ve never worked so hard. It was a 12-hour a day job because green credentials is gathering pace, and one we were picking the tops like gardeners rather than taking gas and electric grantor is determined to be the whole stem. Then we planted again in September.” If the dream gathers momentum – much will depend fi rst up the aisle to meet demand on Lilian’s sales skills in the competitive wedding planning market – she has her sights set on a £1 million turnover business covering all 23 acres inside fi ve years. his time last year the extent of Lilian Sykes’s “By then we might have staff and knowledge of the countryside and its quirks a sales team, but for now it’s T was a night in watching Monty Don on the telly. incredibly rewarding But an invitation to a family wedding was to prove being in at the beginning the spark for a new venture that has changed all that of something that is so to dramatic, and colourful, eff ect. sustainable and makes our The mother of four once dreamed of a career in acting fi elds look like a living art but, after drama school, embarked on a career in canvas,” she said. retail marketing and sales instead. Once harvested, the Skills learned along the way are now set small, textured fl owers – a to come to the fore once more now her world away from the bland fl edgling natural confetti business has synthetic confetti resisted by celebrated its inaugural harvest. church wardens – are hung out to dry. If the dried fl owers remain damp-free and packaged Metallic confetti in plastic, they keep their colour for fi ve years, Redundancy from her last job selling but signifi cantly, break down in the construction and DIY materials left a nagging churchyards far quicker. gap in the life of a woman who, you sense, isn’t Lilian expects to make little fi nancial keen on sitting still for too long. headway until the business develops its She and retired builder husband Tom, proud of not Lilian has thrown herself volume, but is convinced the average wedding wearing the trousers in the business, considered a bed into her confetti venture, day spend supports her plans. and hopes to eventually and breakfast and came within an oar’s length of buying As well as brightening up ceremonies, Lilian turn over £1 million a a boatyard in Stratford-upon-Avon. year as part of a booming is proud of her small role in redressing the But keen gardener Lilian hopes Shakespeare Country’s wedding industry decline in wildfl ower meadows and the bee, bird and insect loss is the nation’s newlyweds’ gain. “It all started at a life that thrives in them. wedding reception when I saw a bowl of metallic confetti. Tom, as silent as a nervous groom throughout, has no I felt it just wasn’t right in terms of how it looked and the doubts about the project’s future: “If Lilian puts her mind fact that it would take 80 years to biodegrade,” she said. to it, it will be done,” he said.

08 AUTUMN 2014 GRIDLINE Petal points Æ The word confetti comes from the Italian for small sweets or confit, which were traditionally thrown during carnivals. Æ The use of rice or grain as a fertility symbol dates back to ancient times, and was common in pagan wedding ceremonies. Æ The name delphinium hails from the Latin for dolphin, referring to the shape of the nectary. Æ Italian businessman Enrico Mangili was the first to sell paper confetti for the Carnevale di Milano in 1875, to replace silk. Æ New Year’s Eve 1885 in Paris sparked confetti’s growth throughout Europe and its boom in Victorian England.

In numbers For more information… of couples spend for a 50-guest kit

£10-20k on their of Lilian’s natural … visit 34% wedding day £89 confetti www.confettipetals.com

GRIDLINE AUTUMN 2014 09 Feature Cherry orchard

“The gamble looks like it’s paying off as supermarkets are responding to customers’ desire for quality and knowledge of the provenance of their food. We’re retaking the cherry for Britain.”

10 AUTUMN 2014 GRIDLINE Romancing the stone Chris Price and his National Grid land officer wife are fighting to put cherries back on the British landscape, but they’ve had to be brave

hoppers browsing their supermarket’s fruit aisles to the nation’s consumers, heading off a flood of less tasty will always find one of the smallest sections devoted extended season rivals from abroad. S to the sweet yet unassuming cherry. “It was a gamble because at the time supermarkets were Comparatively expensive, tricky to eat politely and not extending the season at both ends with cherries from the most versatile ingredient unless twinned with crumble, abroad, but they were inconsistent in quality and smaller,” it’s suffered from a lack of positive PR over the years. he said. So when Chris Price decided to build on the success of “Now it looks like it’s paying off as supermarkets are his cider apple orchards by planting three cherry orchards, responding to customers’ desire for quality and knowledge his farming neighbours thought he was taking on too great of the provenance of their food. We’re retaking the cherry a challenge. for Britain.” After all, Britain isn’t even in the top 20 producers and until a decade ago, Kent was the only county having a Labour intensive decent stab at producing the succulent treats. Ironically, the 15-strong team of pickers helping them Eight years on though, the only scoffing going on is do it are largely eastern Europeans, who work the lines being done by those same farming neighbours buying of polytunnels daily under instructions to ‘pick big’ the Moorcourt Fruit farm crop by the boxload. or ‘pick small’ depending on the destination. High-end supermarkets like M&S insist on a plump, Leap of faith burgundy coloured crop of 28mm or more in diameter, The 500-acre farm, north-east of the Brecon Beacons with the smaller 22mm ones heading for other retailers Chris and Catherine in Herefordshire, was split between arable, sheep with boxes of the most and the rest destined for the wholesale market. and cattle until Chris’s father diversified into apples popular Kordia cherries The 10ft tall dwarf root trees are a leap forward from in 1999. the 30ft giants of yesteryear that made It was a change that ignited a passion cherries a delicacy reserved for the wealthy, for fruit farming in Chris who, despite the due to the costs of big-ladder harvesting. naysayers’ warnings of difficult soil and But it’s still a hugely labour intensive inconsistent climate, dived in headfirst. job from the hand-mixed trickle irrigation “It was very much a leap of faith because feed to the branch pruning and downward for the first five years it is all cost until the tying that ensures the best quality fruit. trees are established,” said Chris. Then there’s the picking itself, which “Only now, after eight years, are we Catherine describes as absolutely manic starting to turn a profit. Last year we had from the end of July to September as the two orchards and produced 40 tonnes. six different varieties ripen week by week. This year with three it’s 70, and next year “I like cherries in June, but by we hope to hit 100.” September I’m not so sure,” she joked. Chris is delighted the demand for quality The British cherry harvest had been and locally produced cherries is returning rooted in Kent until changing climate and Æ

GRIDLINE AUTUMN 2014 11 Feature Cherry orchard

consumer demand saw it edge inexorably northwards to Herefordshire. Catherine said: “We grow six varieties of cherry – Regina, Karina, Kordia, Lapin, Sweetheart and Skeena – and they all vary slightly, but you’d need a very fine palate to be able to tell the difference. “Having mixed varieties is good for pollination, so we buy in bumble bees and honey bees to do the job. They come from Holland and cost around £100 a box.” But even with the help of nature, the crop is never guaranteed – frost, mild winters and too much rain are all enemies of the perfect cherry. Despite the elements of chance and failure percentage, 29-year-old Chris is adamant he has made the right decision and has invested in two six-tonne cold stores to keep the crop ready for delivery to a nearby pack house, which handles the distribution to supermarkets. He said: “We’ve always been a family farm and want to stay that way, so I’m mindful that we don’t become too big. We wanted to do something niche that had less impact on the environment and although we had some issues with the weather to start with, I think we definitely made the right decision.”

Dual vision keeps everyone happy In numbers Catherine’s been notified of major engineering double life works or National Grid updates on means she their land. She said: “I appreciate understands the huge effort that goes into perfectly the running a rural business and try to pressures of get that across to our contractors 15,000 running a farm to find the best, least impactive cherry trees are harvested each year at the while ensuring vital work is way of getting the work done. couples’ Moorcourt Fruit farm carried out in the countryside. “I might suggest a different Most of the time she’s a meadow instead of the prime National Grid land officer liaising agricultural field the engineers with grantors and contractors, but have identified. It may be when annual leave comes around, proposing a different time of year it’s all hands on deck at the farm. acceptable to all parties. Usually 5 weeks “In my two weeks’ leave it’s all there’s a compromise.” the time the team have to collect the paperwork, such as checking Catherine prides herself on the entire crop of cherries contracts, and some cherry rapport she enjoys with grantors picking too – it’s absolutely on her patch, and added: “The manic,” she said. engineers come in, do the work But the stark contrast means and then move on to another job. she is fully aware of the pressures It’s the nature of the essential facing many of the landowners safety work they do. she comes into contact with as “The landowners and land 3,000 part of her day job. She spans an officers like me are left behind, so tonnes of cherries grown in the UK. Turkey, area from Cornwall to Oxford and it’s our job to ensure the grantors the USA and Iran are the top three growers Birmingham to south Wales, are happy. Hopefully, having a engaging with grantors who have foot in both camps is a help.”

12 AUTUMN 2014 GRIDLINE Feature Inspiring a generation

designs on the future Innovation and creative design are key to protecting Britain’s engineering future, but fi rst we have to inspire a generation

s the man in charge of ensuring gas and electricity subjects at their core, making the Grid’s groundbreaking reaches our homes and businesses safely and reliably, eff orts to bridge the skills gap even more important. A Steve Holliday knows standing still is not an option. Steve said: “We safely connect people to the energy they His teams silently power the nation today, but National use, so we need people who think creatively and innovatively Grid’s CEO is aware his business must also leave a lasting to fi nd answers to complex engineering problems.” and visible legacy. He hopes young people inspired by exciting initiatives It’s a challenging ask, especially given the dwindling already under way in schools – where last year only a fi fth ranks of young people taking up engineering as a of the 97,000 A-level maths and physics students were profession. The industry needs 156,000 people a year to girls – may one day end up working for National Grid. meet demand over the next decade – last year 74,500 Infrastructure to move gas and electricity has to be joined the profession, which is why National Grid is constantly upgraded to provide a reliable service that launching a string of long-term educational and training meets demand, ensures landowners’ businesses fl ourish initiatives Steve is confi dent will inspire a generation. without disruption and does so with minimum intrusion It’s critical. Without creative new minds working on on the landscape. It’s a challenge that will increasingly solutions to today’s challenges on the land and in our cities, need the sharpest of young minds, and Steve added: “We’re his business and industry in general will struggle to achieve working with schools, parents, government departments their ambitions in the future. and other organisations and businesses who share our Over the next decade, 6 in 10 new UK jobs will have vision to realise young people’s potential in STEM careers science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) that benefi t them, their communities and our economy.” Æ

GRIDLINE AUTUMN 2014 13 Feature Inspiring a generation

STEM-ming the skills gap Once attracted to STEM subjects and, hopefully, a One programme giving the previously stuffy subject career in engineering – potentially with National Grid of design technology a new lease of life is capturing the – the progression is swift and rewarding, with A-level imaginations of children at schools around the UK, and and degree candidates on the company’s two-year proving that engineering and fun do go hand in hand. Engineering Training Programme starting on £23,500 VEX Robotics, where teenagers use sensors, motors a year rising to £30,150 on completion. and 3D modelling design technology to create The company’s Learning and Development working robots, is one of the new projects and “I firmly believe that the Centre in Nottinghamshire is home to apprenticeships National Grid is investing in. high-voltage and high-pressure gas training Steve (pictured below with one of the VEX 21st-century workforce facilities, where 848 apprentices and teams) said: “We are also supporting the engineering training students have learned teachers of the future through Teach First, we need will come from their trade since 2004. a charity that trains and supports committed young minds active in people to become inspirational classroom Igniting a spark leaders in low-income communities.” and affected by Key to getting them there – once signed The scheme puts more than 1,300 top programmes like this” up, the retention rate is impressive – is graduates a year into schools, many supported igniting a spark while recruits are still at school. by National Grid employees as part of our volunteer Projects include work experience days, open house programme. The business is also a founding partner of visits to our operational sites and support for engineering City Year, a youth and education charity that takes young roadshows like Big Bang. Careers Lab, where ambassadors adults and places them into volunteer service for a year. from businesses like National Grid share their career Teams of City Year Corps Members help raise their experiences with schoolchildren in specially devised attainment levels while developing their own personal lessons, is also pivotal to raising awareness. and professional skills, making them perfect candidates Steve said: “All these projects will hopefully help for employment in the future. us find young people able to work with communities “I firmly believe that the 21st-century workforce we need and stakeholders to design, develop and implement will, in part, come from young minds active in and affected sustainable, reliable and affordable energy solutions by programmes like this,” said Steve. that will continue to underpin our way of life.”

Inspirational numbers £23,715 the starting salary for National Grid apprentices on completion of training

the number of apprentices and graduates we’re taking 178 on next year 6 in 10 teenagers aged between 14 and 19 couldn’t name a recent engineering achievement

the ratio of professionally registered female engineers 4% in the UK

14 AUTUMN 2014 GRIDLINE Feature Canal restoration

Tunnel

Alan Stopher at the Marsden entrance to vision the tunnel For an enthusiastic group of campaigners, bringing the Huddersfi eld Narrow Canal back to life after 60 years of dereliction was the impossible dream

ith the boat’s engines cut and lights extinguished, built because the area’s mill owners needed a cheap an impenetrable darkness descends in Standedge and reliable way to transport raw materials and fi nished W canal tunnel, which runs more than 600ft below cloth for export. The canal provided the shortest one of the wildest stretches of the Pennines. connection to existing waterways serving the ports of Visitors travelling half a mile into the barrel-vaulted Liverpool and Hull. tunnel on daily boat trips can only marvel at this Previously, all goods had to go over the Pennines by remarkable feat of engineering, completed by fl ickering packhorse, but one narrow boat could carry 20 tonnes candlelight 200 years ago by gangs of navvies using picks, of goods – the equivalent of 200 packhorses – and shovels and explosives. dramatically slash the cost of transport. At 3.2 miles, it’s the longest navigable canal tunnel in the Eventually superseded by the railway, the canal fell into UK, as well as the highest in the country at 645ft above sea dereliction and closed in 1944. But 30 years later in 1974, a level, and the deepest at 638ft. group of 20 like-minded canal The tunnel lies at the heart of enthusiasts met in the Zetland the Huddersfi eld Narrow Canal, Arms pub in Huddersfi eld to today owned and operated by form the Huddersfi eld Canal National Grid grantor the Canal Society, with the ‘impossible & River Trust. dream’ of restoring the canal. Stretching for just under 20 “Seventy-four locks had been miles between Ashton-under- fi lled in with concrete and Lyne and Huddersfi eld, either turned into weirs, 17 bridges side of the Pennines, it was lowered, and almost two miles Æ

GRIDLINE AUTUMN 2014 15 Feature Canal restoration

of canal fi lled in and obliterated,” Uppermill said Alan Stopher, chairman of the Society and a member since Housed in an old mill building on the canal 1983. “In some cases, factories edge, the Saddleworth had been built over the canal.” Museum explores the The volunteers, from a variety area’s heritage and has of backgrounds, brought a diverse a working woollen mill range of skills to the project, along with an unwavering enthusiasm and capacity for hard work. Saddleworth viaduct

Regeneration The 22 brick-built In the mid-1980s, the Society teamed up with British arches of the Grade II Waterways – which had initially dismissed the project as listed Saddleworth unfeasible – and three local authorities (Kirklees, Tameside Portland Basin viaduct soar over the canal. The viaduct was and Oldham councils) to form a partnership. The canal The starting point for constructed in 1849 for restoration came to be seen as a potential catalyst for canal trips and site of a a new rail link between regeneration and inward investment in the region. museum that enables Manchester and visitors to step back in Huddersfi eld Additional funding for the Society came from hosting time to learn about the job creation schemes aimed at equipping unemployed lifestyle and industries people with new building skills, while also carrying out of previous generations vital dredging works, as well as lock and towpath repairs. of Tamesiders “The major breakthrough came in 1997 with the award of a £30 million grant from the National Lottery-funded Millennium Commission and government regeneration agency English Partnerships,” said Alan. The award enabled work to begin on some of the remaining substantial blockages, such as the 16,000 tonnes Y E of silt that remained in the tunnel. SL OS With a 30-year background as a civil and mining M engineer, Alan took on a project manager role in the fi nal four years of works, liaising with the three local councils, the Millennium Commission, Huddersfi eld Canal Society, ASHTO British Waterways and English Partnerships. N-U -L YN Finally, after 27 years of restoration and an estimated E Stalybridge £50 million investment, the canal was offi cially reopened With no trace of the by the Prince of Wales in September 2001. canal left after a new sports centre, car park and industrial buildings were built, a completely new section of canal Feat of engineering was excavated in a The Stakes multi-million pound Æ A total of 74 locks were required for Æ With the additional burden of aqueduct makeover at the centre the Huddersfi eld Narrow Canal when fi nancial constraints during the of the market town work started under the engineer Napoleonic Wars, the total cost of the The oldest surviving Benjamin Outram in 1794, as well as fi ve canal more than doubled to £402,653 navigable cast iron aqueducts and 10 reservoirs to replenish (equivalent to £20 million today). aqueduct in England, water in the canal. Æ The canal was opened in 1811, but built by renowned Æ Although the waterway was largely it was another 13 years before a dividend engineer Benjamin completed in fi ve years, the tunnel took was paid, by which time it faced Outram in 1801 another 11 to fi nish, due to the diffi culties competition from the railways. By 1847, of excavating Pennine millstone grit – a a railway company owned the canal and, particularly hard form of sandstone. in the succeeding decades, three rail Excavated from both ends, the tunnel tunnels were built, running parallel to it was also found to be 38ft out of line on under Standedge Moor. completion, requiring an S-bend to be Æ After operating for 133 years, the made in the middle. canal was offi cially abandoned in 1944.

16 AUTUMN 2014 GRIDLINE Standedge tunnel Wildlife The 3.2-mile tunnel took Sections of the canal 16 years to construct and have been designated as Huddersfi eld opened in 1811. Guided a Site of Special boat trips enable the Scientifi c Interest (SSSI) In 2011, as part of the public to explore deep for a range of aquatic Waterfront regeneration into the tunnel from the plants and is home to a scheme, the relocation Standedge Visitor Centre range of other wildlife of Sellers Engineers Ltd at Marsden, where there is also an exhibition enabled a 350-metre on the tunnel and tea rooms section of the canal that had passed under workshops in a tunnel to be brought to the MA RSD surface again EN MILNSBRIDGE

Slaithwaite Currently the only town in the UK with a canal The Diggle running the length of its main street, it also E L Flight provided the backdrop GG for fi ctional Skelthwaite DI Originally designed by in the TV series Where Thomas Telford, and The Heart Is restored in 1996, this fl ight of locks is the most impressive on the canal, with the fi nal climb to the summit set against a stunning moorland landscape eld Canal Society, Eric Woulds, Alan Stopher, Bob Gough. Alan Stopher, Eric Woulds, eld Canal Society,

Legging it through “The impossible proved possible and nothing could the tunnel have been achieved without the Canal Society,” said Alan.

Over the last 13 years, the Society has protected that To keep costs down, the tunnel was built without a Huddersfi Picture credits: legacy, acting as a local interest group and promoting towpath. So while horses were led over the hills to join the boat at the other end, professional leggers were the canal at every opportunity. Its volunteers carry out employed to move the maintenance activities such as trimming vegetation, boat through the tunnel. repainting lock gates and re-greasing lock gear. It took four hours for two In July 2012, responsibility for the nation’s 2,000 men to move a fully laden narrowboat through. The miles of canal passed from British solo record of just 1.25 Waterways to the Canal & River Trust, a hours – in an empty boat registered charity, which the Society works – was achieved by David closely with. Whitehead in 1914. A commemorative stone The canal is now a leisure, heritage and records the tunnel’s wildlife resource, visited by three million reopening in 2001 by his people a year, and there are ongoing daughter Lily Turner. restorations of mills and other buildings. The Society has just celebrated its 40th anniversary. “The aim was to look back, but also forward,” said Alan. For more information… “We’ve reinvented ourselves since the ... go to www.canalrivertrust.org.uk/standedge- canal reopened and aim to be around for years to come, by tunnel. More information on the restoration pushing for improvements and ensuring the canal never campaign and the work of the Huddersfi eld Canal again falls into disrepair.” Society can be found at www.huddersfi eldcanal.com

GRIDLINE AUTUMN 2014 17 Feature Water buffalo

Where the water buffalo Yorkshire grantors Steven and roam Cath Battye have swapped their traditional herd of dairy cows for a more unusual animal

f you’d said to me a few years ago that I’d be at a farmer’s market every weekend selling meat to the “I public, I’d have said you were mad,” smiled former dairy farmer Steven Battye. He and his wife Cath quit dairy farming 11 years ago after becoming disillusioned by plummeting milk prices and soaring feed costs, switching to buying and fattening Holstein cattle for meat production instead. Then, in 2009, they purchased 15 domestic Asian water buffalo from a farmer in Wales, after reading an article about how easy they were to keep and the high quality of Have you ‘herd’? the meat. Snowden Hill Water Buffalo was born, and the Æ Asian water buffalo are members of couple haven’t looked back. the bovine family, which also includes yaks, They now have more than 100 of the animals grazing bison, antelope and domestic cattle. peacefully in grassy paddocks on 168 acres at Tenter House Æ Water buffalo should not be confused Farm, just outside the village of Oxspring, close to Barnsley. with North American bison – sometimes called buffalo – which are closer to wild animals, or with the volatile African Hardy and unaffected Cape buffalo. Their eldest son Robert helps manage the herd, while his Æ Wild water buffalo, from which younger brother Edward, a trained chef, often joins his parents domesticated water buffalo are descended, are now an endangered animal, with only selling buffalo burgers and fresh meat at farmer’s markets, 4,000 surviving in isolated pockets of Asia. food festivals and events throughout South Yorkshire. The Æ Water buffalo have far fewer sweat meat is also available at a nearby farm shop, while the glands than cows and use their horns to burgers are on the menu of the local pub in Oxspring. regulate temperature. Æ Former Formula 1 champion Jody “We love talking to customers about the water buffalo. Scheckter has a herd of 3,000, producing Before they taste it, people think it will be tougher than beef, award-winning mozzarella cheese. but it has a softer texture and a sweeter taste,” explained Cath. Æ Water buffalo are doing their bit for “There are health benefits too, because it’s a very lean meat, wetland conservation on wildlife reserves in the UK, including the Teifi Marshes in high in protein but very low in cholesterol and saturated fats.” Cardigan, Wales. Their grazing keeps Water buffalo have been domesticated for more than down uncontrolled vegetation. 5,000 years in India and south-east Asia, where they are a

In numbers million water buffaloare commercially farmed across the globe for their milk, meat and hide, with more people 168 depending on them than any other domestic animal

18 AUTUMN 2014 GRIDLINE beast of burden and a valuable source of meat and milk. An amazingly hardy and low-maintenance animal, water buffalo thrive on grass and silage, without the need for additional concentrates, antibiotics or growth-promoting hormones. They are unaffected by many diseases common to cows, and no cases of BSE have been recorded. Living happily outdoors for most of the year, they are moved indoors in winter to avoid churning up the ground. “More intelligent than cows, they can be stubborn, but are docile by nature, as well as curious and affectionate. You just have to be careful of the long horns when they nuzzle in for a scratch,” Steven said.

Trial milking Each cow produces a single calf each year. The farm keeps two bulls to avoid any risk of interbreeding and has a bull-swapping arrangement with a farmer in Wales to improve genetic diversity further. Having established the herd, the Battye’s are now considering their next step. This winter they intend to carry out a trial milking of the cows, using existing equipment from their dairy farming days. “The milk is naturally smooth and creamy and makes wonderful mozzarella cheese, ice cream, milkshakes and yogurt,” said Cath. “We’ve had a couple of local ice cream and cheese processors approach us already.” Although water buffalo produce only half the milk of dairy cows, the milk sells at a premium, while labour costs are lower because milking only takes place once a day. A phone call out of the blue recently has thrown up yet another potential new direction for the herd. One of the farm’s bulls has been to Pinewood Studios in London to audition for a walk-on part in a forthcoming film.

For more information…

… on Snowden Hill Water Buffalo and its calendar of events, go to www.snowdenhillbuffalo.co.uk

GRIDLINE AUTUMN 2014 19 Your chance to enter Lastword two great competitions

WIN! A Samsung Galaxy Tab 4 7.0 Tablet, Wi-Fi, 8GB Richard did. Can you? ENTERTAINMENT FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY is just a touch away with this Samsung Galaxy tablet. The palm-size Tab 4’s multi-user mode means everyone can have their own personalised tablet experience, whether it’s music, movies, apps, games or photos. It comes with an 8GB hard drive and seven-inch screen and is slim and light, making using it on the go really easy. The Android device comes with a range of apps from Samsung and Google, as well as a six-month subscription to music streaming service Deezer, a monthly free Kindle Richard Williams ebook and 50GB of Dropbox cloud storage. contacted Gridline to tell us about his So if you fancy making the most of your downtime, simply growing Morgan answer the question below and email or post your answer, dealership, and said: and we’ll be in touch. “We’re glad we did. The article was excellent, the photos How many tonnes Send your answer, name and contact wonderful, so it was of cherries do land details to Gridline Cherry Competition, good for business.” Q offi cer Catherine 23-25 Waterloo Place, Warwick Street, Price and her farmer Leamington Spa, Warwickshire Tel: 01926 656 325 email: gridline@ husband hope to harvest at CV32 5LA or email them to nationalgrid.com their farm in Herefordshire [email protected] next year? Closing date is 14 November 2014.

COMPETITION TERMS AND CONDITIONS WIN! SAMSUNG TABLET: The winner will be the fi rst entrant selected at random who correctly identifi es the answer (to be featured in the next Photo edition) and who is a National competition Grid grantor at the time of the draw. The editor’s decision is fi nal and no correspondence Winner Jon Avon, will be entered into. Gridline from Newton Abbot, reserves the right to change snapped this six-spot the prize without prior notice. The prize is not transferable burnet moth on a and cannot be exchanged common spotted TURN OVER for cash. The closing date orchid beneath A NEW LEAF is 14 November 2014. the pylons as he PHOTO: The winning image walked through Winning a £150 M&S giftcard will be the one judged to be Stover Country Park is easier than you might think. the most visually appealing, Local Nature Reserve original and relevant to the Simply grab your camera and theme and will feature in the in Devon. send us any shots on the next edition. The winner must He said: “I’ve never theme of ‘autumn hues’. be a National Grid grantor. entered a photo Send in your photo to The editor’s decision is fi nal competition before, and no correspondence will Gridline Photo Competition, be entered into. Gridline but I saw this scene 23-25 Waterloo Place, reserves the right to change one lunchtime and Warwick Street, Leamington the prize without prior notice. had my camera. Spa, CV32 5LA, or email it to The prize is not transferable “The sun was out and cannot be exchanged [email protected] for cash. The closing date and the orchids were including your name, address is 14 November 2014. Prints just at their best, so and phone number. cannot be returned. I was really lucky to The closing date for entries take a few photos.” is 14 November 2014.

20 AUTUMN 2014 GRIDLINE