Something for the weekend
Building for the future
Birmingham Science Park Aston (BSPA) hosted intrepid teams from across the city yesterday as they sampled the international FIRST LEGO League (FLL) challenge.
The teams, which were made up of children aged from nine to 16, took part in an event which is designed to inspire interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics by developing high-tech solutions to set problems, as well as teaching valuable employment and life skills.
The theme of this year’s challenge was ‘Body Forward’, with participants working alongside adult mentors to design, build and programme autonomous LEGO MINDSTORMS robots in order to complete specific tasks relating to biomedical engineering.
Adding up to three quarters of a century
Two employees at East Midlands chartered accountants Newby Castleman are retiring after working more than 75 years at the firm between them.
Senior accountant Peter Newland (70) and senior manager Roger Herrick (66) are leaving the firm’s head office on Regent Road in Leicester after 40 and 38 years of service respectively.
Roger says: "In recent times technology has changed the ways businesses operate and the constant changes in legislation is something that is a challenge to keep on top of. However, it remains a secure profession and youngsters will still have to work hard to succeed."
To Wales with wheels
Jolyon Canlin, an associate solicitor with Midlands law firm Challinors, is one of five keen amateur cyclists taking on one of Wales’ most grueling long distance cycle routes from Cardiff to Holyhead, with the target of raising £1,500 for charities Help for Heroes and Cancer Research.
Jolyon with his friends and cycling buddies Neil Griffiths, Graham Schultz, Simon Thwaite and Simon Whittham, will take on the 250-mile Lon Las Cycle Route over five days starting in Cardiff on 28th May.
The journey includes sections through the Brecon Beacons and Snowdonia, before cycling through Carnarvon on day-four and the final day’s leg into Holyhead.
