Monthly Archives: April 2024

Case Study: King George V Sports Hub – Enhancing Community Sports in Chester

Chester’s new £1.8 million community sports hub, the King George V Sports Hub in Blacon, opened its doors to the public last year. This state-of-the-art facility boasts a full-size floodlit artificial grass pitch and clubhouse complete with changing accommodation, kitchen, office, and training room.

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Project Collaboration

The development of the King George V Sports Hub was a collaborative effort between Chester FC Community Trust and Cheshire West and Chester Council. The project received a significant boost with a £1 million grant from the Premier League, The FA, and Government’s Football Foundation. The Duke of Westminster’s Westminster Foundation also committed a grant of £520,000 over five years, alongside additional funding from the council, Avenue Services, and Ursula Keyes Trust.

Twinfix’s Involvement

As part of the initiative, Twinfix was approached by Principal Contractor Wernick Buildings to design, manufacture, and install a canopy for the changing pavilion. The canopy, which spans 7 metres in length, features Twinfix’s Alu-Link-Panel system. This innovative roofing system provides excellent durability, weather resistance, and aesthetics, ensuring the longevity and functionality of the canopy for years to come.

Vicky Evans, Director at Twinfix commented: “At Twinfix, we are proud to have been involved in the King George V Sports Hub project. Our Alu-Link-Panel roofing system not only enhances the functionality and aesthetics of the changing pavilion but also contributes to the overall success of the sports hub. It’s inspiring to see the positive impact this facility will have on the community, and we are honoured to have played a part in its creation.”

Benefits of Twinfix’s Alu-Link-Panel System

  • Durability: The Alu-Link-Panel system is built to withstand harsh weather conditions, ensuring that the canopy remains in top condition.
  • Weather Resistance: With its robust construction, the canopy provides reliable protection from rain, wind, and UV rays, creating a comfortable environment for users regardless of the weather.
  • Aesthetics: The sleek and modern design of the Alu-Link-Panel system enhances the overall appearance of the changing pavilion, adding to the aesthetic appeal of the sports hub.

Community Impact

Local councillors Carol Gahan, Shelia Little, and Trish Richards recently visited the site and expressed their delight with the completed project. They emphasised the significant benefits that the King George V Sports Hub will bring to Blacon and the wider community. “This is a fantastic project that will have huge benefits for Blacon and the wider community,” said the councillors. “It has been so pleasing to see how the partners have demonstrated determination in working together to overcome obstacles and deliver this wonderful new facility for the community.”

The King George V Sports Hub stands as a testament to the power of collaboration and community spirit in creating positive change. It provides a hub for sports and recreation, fostering health, well-being, and community cohesion in Chester and beyond.

 

 

 

 

Maximising Sustainability Through Outdoor Spaces: Twinfix’s Eco-Friendly Solutions

In today’s world, sustainability is not just a trend but a necessity. At Twinfix, we understand the importance of sustainable practices and the role outdoor spaces play in promoting eco-friendly lifestyles. In this article, we’ll explore how our range of sustainable products and outdoor solutions contribute to a greener future.

Sustainable Products for Outdoor Spaces

Our commitment to sustainability begins with the materials we use:

Recycled Materials: Twinfix offers a variety of canopies and roof glazing solutions made from recycled materials. These products not only help in reducing waste but also provide durable and aesthetically pleasing outdoor shelter options.

Solar Energy Integration: Our innovative designs include solar panels integrated into canopies. These solar panels not only provide renewable energy but also offer shade and protection from the elements. By harnessing solar energy, we reduce reliance on non-renewable energy sources.

Natural Ventilation: Our outdoor structures are designed to facilitate natural ventilation, reducing the need for artificial cooling systems and improving air quality.

Utilising Outdoor Spaces Sustainably

We believe that outdoor spaces can be utilised sustainably across various sectors:

  • Outdoor Dining Solutions: With the increasing demand for outdoor dining spaces, Twinfix provides eco-friendly canopies that enhance the dining experience while minimising environmental impact.
  • School Canopies: Our school canopies serve not only as shelter for students but also as outdoor learning spaces. By incorporating sustainable features like solar panels and educational signage about environmental conservation, these structures can promote eco-awareness among students.
  • Retail Canopies: Retailers can benefit from our sustainable canopies, offering shoppers a comfortable and eco-friendly outdoor shopping experience. These canopies can be customised with branding and messaging to reflect the retailer’s commitment to sustainability.
  • Rail Platform Canopies: Twinfix’s rail platform canopies contribute to sustainability through energy-efficient design and materials. By providing shelter for commuters, these structures enhance the overall public transportation experience.

The Benefits of Sustainable Outdoor Spaces

There are numerous benefits to embracing sustainable outdoor spaces:

  • Environmental Preservation: By using sustainable products and utilising outdoor spaces efficiently, we help reduce resource consumption and minimise environmental impact.
  • Enhanced Well-being: Access to well-designed outdoor spaces has been shown to improve mental and physical well-being. Our sustainable outdoor solutions create inviting environments for relaxation, socialising, and recreation.
  • Cost Savings: Sustainable outdoor structures can lead to long-term cost savings through reduced maintenance costs and increased durability.

At Twinfix, we are committed to providing eco-friendly solutions that enhance outdoor spaces while minimising environmental impact. Through our range of sustainable products and innovative designs, we strive to create a greener future for all. Join us in embracing sustainable living and making a positive impact on our planet. Happy Earth Day from all of us at Twinfix!

Twinfix Supports Parkinson’s UK: Walking Towards a Brighter Future

At Twinfix, we believe in giving back to the community and making a positive impact wherever we can. That’s why we’re proud to announce that Parkinson’s UK is our chosen charity of the year. As part of our commitment to supporting this worthy cause, we’ve eagerly signed up for their 100-mile walking challenge, coinciding with May’s National Walking month.

Parkinson’s UK is a charity close to our hearts, dedicated to improving the lives of people affected by Parkinson’s disease. With their focus on research, support, and raising awareness, they play a crucial role in driving progress towards better treatments and ultimately a cure for this debilitating condition.

As part of National Walking Month this May, our team at Twinfix is lacing up our walking shoes and hitting the pavements, trails, and countryside paths, all in the name of raising funds and awareness for Parkinson’s UK’s 100 mile walking challenge. Walking not only promotes physical health but also fosters a sense of community and connection, reflecting the values we hold dear at Twinfix.

We invite you to join us on this journey by supporting Team Twinfix in our fundraising efforts. Every step we take and every pound we raise brings us closer to our goal of making a difference in the lives of those living with Parkinson’s.

To show your support and make a donation, please visit our fundraising page at https://events.parkinsons.org.uk/fundraisers/teamtwinfix. Your generosity will help Parkinson’s UK continue their vital work and bring hope to individuals and families affected by Parkinson’s disease.

Together, we can stride towards a brighter future for everyone impacted by Parkinson’s. Thank you for your support!

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Case Study – Great Malvern Station

Great Malvern

For some, the train is merely a form of public transport allowing them to commute into the cities or move around the country. Almost 1.5 billion passenger journeys were recorded last year in the period up to September 2023. For many, travelling by train is seen as a journey back in time, conjuring romantic scenes of the Victorian era when there was something of a “Railway Mania” around. During the Victoria era £3 billion was spent on the railways resulting in over 1.1 billion passengers travelling up and down the country on 16,000 miles of track.

The railway system was built primarily to move goods around, but it also offered people opportunities for travel and adventure, holidays, and developing business; this all fuelled the growth of towns and cities. The railway erased the distances between towns, the countryside, and the coast. Fresh produce could be delivered within hours, easily, to different parts of the country. As trains and times became standardised, timetables were published and displayed allowing people to plan journeys and in turn the railways aided communication as an enabler of the spread of ideas and national newspapers.

However, you may view the railways, either as an essential form of transportation or as a nostalgic reminder of days long past, there is no denying that the train is one of the greenest and lowest-carbon forms of transportation we have. The railway only contributed 1.4% towards total UK transport emissions last year. The railway also offers a rare and unique trip through time. Regardless of your reason for travelling, you will undoubtedly pass through both modern and historic places of interest along your journey. The railway has a vast array of infrastructure spanning hundreds of years of development and while there is little of the early wooden wagonways from the 1560s there are plenty of relics from the nineteenth century showcasing nearly 200 years of important heritage.

A piece of historical and important rail infrastructure is Great Malvern Station. Originally opened in 1860 as part of the Worcester and Hereford Railway it is a unique piece of Victorian architecture. Rated as one of the most attractive stations in the country, it draws tourists and visitors throughout the year. Great Malvern Station became a grade II listed building in 1969 due to its cast iron girders and stunning sculptured floral arrangements again in cast iron. It had, unfortunately suffered the ravages of time in its 162 years of service so a plan to refurbish the station and platforms was put into action in April 2022.

Created by British Rail in 1985, the Railway Heritage Trust (RHT) was set up as an independent company, to assist the operational railway in its preservation and upkeep of listed buildings and structures. Network Rail and National Highways (Historic Railways Estate) now sponsor the work of the Trust since privatisation of the railways.

It fell to the RHT to help support Network Rail to ensure the refurbishment at Great Malvern Station was carried out to the highest standards while maintaining an operational station for passengers. The £4 million scheme was completed at Christmas 2023 and has breathed new life into the Victorian station. Apart from the refurbishment of the ornate iron work and the bright colours and gilding used to pick out the detail in the floral patterns, the most obvious and striking part of the refurbishment is the platform roofs which flood the platforms below with natural light. Due to modern building regulations and an increase in health & safety since the Victorian era, simply replacing the old glazing with new panes wasn’t possible or practical. There was a need to update the building materials without losing any of that period charm.

Twinfix, the Warrington based pioneers of polycarbonate and the recognised experts in the industry, were approached to help solve this problem. Having already brought new life and importantly light into old stations as part of refurbishment work, Twinfix recommended their Multi-Link-Panel Non-Fragile system glazed with polycarbonate to keep the overall aesthetics of the station but add a much-needed resilience to the canopies.

Twinfix, utilise aluminium structural bars that are glazed with lightweight, yet tough, solid polycarbonate. The aluminium can be powder coated to a range of colours for a rust and maintenance-free life. As panels are pre-assembled in a controlled factory environment possible contamination and errors in installation caused by on-site cutting of the glazing sheet are avoided.

Handling during installation is easier and safer than with traditional glass systems as panels are constructed from materials that are both strong and light weight. The reduction in weight compared with glass systems has the added benefit of lowering the overall weight of the roof construction, decreasing the stresses on the existing fabric of a building, especially important where a refurbishment is being undertaken. Working with Everlast Roofing, the roof was effortlessly transformed.

Twinfix, as British manufacturers are in an ideal position to help with designing out potential problems. Each roofing system is unique and bespoke, so Twinfix used their deep understanding of the product and the legislation covering such projects to ensure the system they designed and installed was as close to the Victorian aesthetics as possible. However, the system still had to comply with modern legislation such as CDM (Construction Design and Management Regulations), something our Victorian counterparts didn’t need to worry about.

Tim Hedley-Jones, Executive Director of the Railway Heritage Trust said: “We are very pleased to have supported Network Rail in their recent restoration work at Great Malvern Station. It is an artistic and architectural masterpiece of Victorian railway engineering.”

Vicky Evans, Director at Twinfix said; “Twinfix were pleased to be part of the restoration at Great Malvern station which looks spectacular. The work of the expert restoration team may largely go unnoticed as people pass by on their way to a new adventure, but when you know a bit about the past stories of how the railway came about, you might just spot a new piece of history as you travel by train and go back to the future.”

Should you need support on any of your projects or advice on any of our products or services, please contact us at enquiries@twinfix.co.uk

CREDIT: Photographs taken by Paul Childs, Spheroview