Adam Wins Insight Technical Service Award

Adam Norton one of Elements Europe’s CAD Technicians has won an award from Wolverhampton University in recognition of his outstanding work during his two year HNC course.

Adam has worked for The Pickstock Group for 3 years, two of which have been spent working within the Elements Europe drawing team as CAD Technician, an integral member of the team.

During his two years in the drawings department Adam has studied part time at Wolverhampton University, doing a HNC in Architectural Technology. His two years of hard work has certainly paid off, gaining the highest possible mark of Distinction. Not only this, Adam has been notified that he has won an award for obtaining the highest average grade scored out of all of the students on the course.

Adams ambition doesn’t stop there, in September he will go on to continue his studies at Birmingham University to complete the remaining two years of the course which will result in gaining a BSc Hons in Architectural Technology.

Adam commented “Having the opportunity to study whilst working in a construction industry environment enables me to apply more relevance to my studies. It has undoubtedly helped me to complete work to a higher standard in my job within Elements Europe and for my University coursework” Adam added “I was really pleased to have heard I had won an award after all the hard work that I have put in.  I would like to say thank you to The Pickstock Group in the opportunity I have been given to continue my studies”.

Sara Pickstock commented on Adams achievements “Here at The Pickstock Group we like to encourage our employees to further educate themselves to become specialists in their field and keep up to date with current standards, something which is extremely important in the construction industry. By doing this The Pickstock Group will continue to develop and lead the way in innovative construction methods. Adam is a perfect example of why investing in people is important to us and we are confident that he will continue to do well in his forthcoming studies”.

The Pickstock Group raise over £21,000 for Marie Curie

In June of this year 16 members of The Pickstock Group tackled the gruesome challenge of completing the National Three Peaks in memory of Martin Thorpe a colleague and friend to many at The Pickstock Group, who died suddenly in 2011 after being diagnosed with cancer. Marie Curie Cancer Care allowed Martin to come home by providing him with a nurse who took care of him during his final days. Not only did the nurse help Martin but she also supported his family through the traumatic time. Katie, Martins wife was very touched to hear that The Pickstock Group were taking up the challenge in memory of Martin and Martin’s son Thomas, decided to join them on the expedition.

The Pickstock Group also held a Charity Ball at The Walls Restaurant in Oswestry further boosting funds for the charity. 185 guests attended the evening raising £5,500 through ticket sales, a raffle and auction.
In total The Pickstock Group raised £21,500 for Marie Curie. This week, along with some of the participants of the Three Peak challenge and Martins family, a cheque was proudly presented by Sara Pickstock to Judy Breese, chair of Marie Curie Cancer Care, Oswestry.

Sara Pickstock commented “Everyone felt a great sense of achievement once the challenge was completed. Raising money for such a worthy charity as Marie Curie and to honour the memory of Martin a great friend and colleague made it extra special”. Sara added “We would like to give a big thank you to those local businesses who supplied auction and raffle prizes for the Ball and also a special thanks to Oswestry School who lent us their minibus so that we could all travel together to the Three Peaks.

Pictured from left: Katie Thorpe, Nick Scott, Adam Norton, Ben Bawtree-Jobson, Thomas Thorpe, Tom Shillito, Terry Lunt, Andrew Chadwick, Kevin Arthur
Front from Left: Sara Pickstock and Judy Breese

The Pickstock Group Provides New Learning Facility for the National Botanic Garden of Wales

Elements Europe, a Pickstock Group Company, is an established market leader in Modern Methods of Construction, delivering a wide range of off-site building solutions to a number of sectors.

Elements Europe’s latest project will deliver a new 1,300 sq ft learning facility to its client, the National Botanic Garden of Wales, enhancing the attractions educational offering to its visitors.

The learning facility will be constructed by using Elements Europe’s Ty Unnos frame system, an off-site build solution. The Ty Unnos system encompasses Welsh Sipka Spruce Timber to provide a robust structural frame. The frame is constructed using the traditional Ty Unnos methods with modern technology to create a highly sustainable energy efficient build.

Andrea Powell, Project Manager of the new Growing the Future project commented on the new learning centre, “Elements Europe stood out from the crowd for us due to their innovative Ty Unnos system. We feel that this method of construction and the materials used fits well with our core values here at the National Botanic Garden of Wales of conservation, inspiration and education. Its sustainable benefits of the timber frame and the fact that it is welsh sourced timber as well as their history in working on projects in Wales really struck a chord with us. We very much look forward to working with Elements Europe in delivering this new learning facility to the Garden”.

Substructure works have commenced at the Botanic Garden with the facility due to open in October 2013. Sales Director Kevin Arthur says: “Elements Europe are proud to be selected as the delivery partner for such an important scheme that will provide high quality accommodation in a sensitive and sustainable manner”.

Elements Europe, the main contractor for the project, is working with Welsh timber frame manufacturer Kenton Jones of Welshpool and G Adams Construction, a well-established South Wales contractor taking this project through to completion. The architects for the project are Dough Hughes of Newtown who through experience specialise in ensuring that sustainable buildings not only look and feel great, are sustainable, but work to a high standard.

The Pickstock Group Provides Turn Key Student Scheme in Colchester

Work has commenced on a 779 bedroom student accommodation scheme in Colchester which sees The Pickstock Group do what they do best, in offering a complete turnkey solution.

The Pickstock Group, based in the West Midlands will utilise businesses within their Group to complete the project. JR Pickstock Ltd, the Groups building contractor will drive the build and the Groups off-site building solutions business Elements Europe will be pivotal in the project with the off-site build of 779 student Room Pods. This project will be the largest student accommodation scheme that Elements Europe has been involved in using the full volumetric Roompod system. Elements Europe also specialise in Pods for the Hotel, Health Care, Residential and Defence sectors.

Andy Jones Managing Director of The Pickstock Group says “The expertise we can draw from the different businesses in our Group enables us to offer our clients the very best service. From land acquisition right through to the snagging list, we manage the whole process resulting in an outstandingly efficient build. The client also benefits from cost efficiencies and the project is completed with exacting quality and standards that we strive for throughout the whole Group”.

The student scheme on King Edwards Quay in Colchester comprises 779 student rooms across eight floors. The development offers two types of accommodation, studio apartments and student cluster rooms. There will also be a shop, bar and spacious communal areas both internally and externally. The accommodation which overlooks the River Colne will provide residents with easy access to both Essex University’s Colchester Campus and Colchester town centre.

The scheme has been carefully planned with The Pickstock Group working closely with their client.

The construction programme of the Colchester student accommodation scheme will be achieved in two phases, with phase one completed by September 2014 and phase two, which will be a mirror image of the first phase completed by September 2015, both in time for the new academic year.

You can view an architectural fly through video of the building on You Tube by searching “Student Smart Accommodation Colchester”.