AUTUMN 2014 GAMBLING ON CHERRIES The couple putting the sweet treat on the map Buff alo in Barnsley? A taste of Asia making its mark in Yorkshire confettiThe Wedding business is queen blooming… naturally The magazine for landowners gridline PLUS: Engineering a brighter future • All aboard for tunnel vision • Plant a wood… the safe way • 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 and its and its Young visitors get to grips with remote-controlled robots to The latest news from The latest Grid National partners landowner discover more about engineering oooo March of the robots is key to tomorrow’s success YOUNGSTERS VISITING National to a number of student teams gives the youngsters a real insight Grid’s stand at the Great Yorkshire designing, building and into every aspect of being an Show gained a fascinating insight programming robots to solve a engineer, from team-working and into the world of robotics – and specifi ed challenge. Each year, project management, to design found out why science, technology, qualifying schools go on to and build, testing, fault diagnosis engineering and maths (STEM) compete in the VEX Robotics and commissioning.” skills will be key to solving the national championships. Æ For more, see Inspiring a UK’s energy challenge. Steve said: “Working with robots generation on page 13 The visitors used robots supplied line by VEX Robotics in fun activities, such as lifting and moving small objects using handheld remote-control devices. At our responsible best National Grid has been named lowering its own greenhouse Passionate Business in the Community’s gas emissions by 53% since “National Grid is passionate about (BITCs) Responsible Business 1990, while investing billions to of the Year. develop responsible practices engaging and inspiring the next The most prestigious in its own organisation, and generation of young people to take accolade given each year, the inspiring the next generation up STEM subjects, and tackle a award celebrates the single of talent through education growing skills shortage by following organisation that has achieved programmes. the highest degree of integration “This is a fabulous and a career in science or engineering,” of responsible practice through well-deserved accolade for said Steve Knight Gregson, regional its business. us, confi rming that sustainable external aff airs manager. The judges singled out and responsible behaviour is Display boards explained how the National Grid from a fi eld of 150 central to everything we do companies for its ‘commitment here at National Grid,” said company’s engineers are at the heart to creating sustainable energy CEO Steve Holliday. of the UK’s drive to meet climate solutions for the future while change targets by connecting new supporting the need for economic For more information… sources of low-carbon energy at an prosperity now’. Last year’s winner was Jaguar Land Rover. aff ordable price to the consumer. The judges drew attention to … go to www2.nationalgrid. This year, National Grid has the company’s achievements in com/responsibility News donated VEX Robotics equipment 04 AUTUMN 2014 GRIDLINE 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.