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Woolies vacancy

Who says there are no jobs around? The National Apprenticeship Service has kindly informed us that an apprentice shepherd is being sought in Warwickshire.

Apparently it is one of about 2,279 apprenticeship vacancies in the West Midlands on its website, many of them working outdoors with other colleagues. These range from an apprentice groundsman and assistant head green keeper to an apprentice tree surgeon and activity instructor.

The shepherd apprenticeship is on a modern pedigree sheep unit. If you’re worried it might be a bit isolated, fear not. As an apprentice you will come into contact with other humans when you attend one of Warwickshire College’s six centres one day per week.

Marriage spats

If you haven’t paid for your street party yet, it might be worth holding fire. The royal wedding day is in danger of being marred by disagreements between companies and their employees, Mike Wakeling - a partner in the Stratford-upon-Avon office of Lodders Solicitors - has warned.

He said confusion reigns - geddit? - over whether staff are entitled to take the day off, whether employers could force them to work, whether staff could demand a day in lieu if they did work, and whether overtime rates applied.

And the jury is out on whether there will be widespread absenteeism among those expected to turn in. "That is clearly possible but we just don’t know," says Wakeling.

While Prince William and Kate Middleton’s big day had been declared by the government to be a public holiday, it was not a statutory bank holiday, noted Wakeling.

He concludes it all leaves "considerable scope for confusion".

The bald truth

Staff at Tipton manufacturing company BHJ UK Protein Foods have shaved off their hair to help make dreams come true for terminally ill children.

A group of eight production operators from the meat protein ingredients manufacturer took part in the sponsored head shave to raise over £1,200 for local charity Promise Dreams.

The Wolverhampton-based charity raises money for seriously and terminally ill children to provide treatment, help and support for both them and their families.

Chris Cory, production operative from BHJ UK, said: "We’re delighted to have exceeded our fund raising target and present such a fantastic charity with some vital funds to support on-going projects in the region.

"Losing our hair is a small price to pay for helping Promise Dreams make a wish a reality for a number of seriously and terminally ill children."