AND FINALLY


Merchant men take on first-ever Marathon for Teenage Cancer Trust


Luke Tuffield, 29, of Parker Building Supplies Maidstone, alongside his friend and colleague, Mark Barrett, 35, of Fairalls Builder Merchants, Taylors Hill, have signed up to run the London Marathon for charity.


Tuffield and Barrett work for builders’ merchants within the


Independent Builders Merchant Group (IBMG) – Tuffield as branch manager of Parker Building Supplies, Maidstone and, Barrett as branch director of Fairalls - both are complete running novices.


Tuffield said: “This is a big challenge for both of us. We have never really run before, let alone do a marathon! 26.2 miles/ 40 km is actually quite a distance, particularly when we started out in June running just 5kms. We have now gradually worked our way up from there and run 25kms most weekends.”


The pair are aiming to raise £4,000 between them by April; currently they are only a quarter of the way there.


Barrett commented: “It is a big commitment, and often difficult to get out of bed on a dark morning to go running, but we both want to do something great for Teenage Cancer Trust and are 100% committed. Helping to raise funds to support young people aged 13-24 diagnosed with cancer is a motivation like no other!”


Vaillant and Derby College welcomes UK’s first low carbon heating technician apprentices


Vaillant is supporting the inaugural cohort of Low Carbon Heating Technician Apprentices accredited with the King’s Standard, by partnering with Derby College Group, where the students will be based, Vaillant has ensured that – for the first time – apprentices are able to take advantage of training with low carbon technology as its focus.


Mark Wilkins, Training and Technologies Director at Vaillant comments: “Investing in young people and encouraging new entrants to the industry is paramount for the future of low carbon technologies. I was delighted to see such a huge interest in the Low Carbon Heating Technician Apprenticeship, and we have been overwhelmed with the amount of passion and drive that all applicants displayed.


“It is also encouraging to see a diverse group of applicants – we are seeing a shift in the industry, historically being male dominant, so it is exciting to be part of these changes, building the future workforce.


“The industry is developing, and there’s a fantastic support network out there for those interested in pursuing a career, no matter your background – there are opportunities for everyone.”


Collins 116wx77h BMJ Apr22.qxp_Layout 1 28/3/22 15:48 Page 1


Across 9 Strangle (9) 10 “Steady State” astronomer Sir Fred --- (5)


11 Creatures (7) 12 Senior Australian politician (7)


13 Deliberate destruction of property (9)


14 Career golfers (4) 17 Six legged creatures (7) 20 Superficial area (7) 21 Short death notice (4) 22 Not here (9) 27 Makes sorrowful (7) 28 Regulate (7) 29 Essentials (5) 30 Genuine (9)


Down 1 Dam across the Nile (5) 2 Second-largest continent (6) 3 Timidity (9) 4 Maiden (6) 5 Continues obstinately (8) 6 Ring (5) 7 Emotional outburst (8) 8 Downcast (9) 15 Luxurious car (9) 16 Northern Russian city (9) 18 Superficial (4-4) 19 Rep (8) 23 Stir to action (6) 24 Something unusual (6) 25 Animal (5) 26 Absence of light (5)


WIN a bottle of something fizzy from BMJ’s local award-winning winery Chapel Down. Simply send in your completed scanned crossword entry, including your name and address to bmjournaldotnet@gmail.com by the end of the month. Or, post it to BMJ, Dateam Business Media, 15A London Road, Maidstone ME16 8LY


Entries must be received by March 28th Last month’s solution


If you’re looking to buy a business or sell yours, Collins M&A Consultants facilitate the smoothest of transitions.


With decades of experience and an impressive network of contacts, we’ll put you in prime position to secure the right result for all parties.


Contact the experts for a transition that ticks all the boxes.


Mobile: 07721 844051 Email: jim@collinsma.com www.collinsma.com


March 2024 www.buildersmerchantsjournal.net • Last Month


Across: 1 Material, 9 Yearning, 10 Retailer, 11 Envisage, 12 Nominee, 13 Unstable, 14 Reverses, 18 Electric, 22 Man-of-war, 23 Spartan, 24 Corridor, 26 Academia, 27 Arkansas, 28 Pinpoint.


Down: 2 Awesome, 3 Evasive, 4 Illness, 5 Lyre, 6 Harvest, 7 Unusual, 8 Snuggle, 13 Usher, 15 Masonry, 16 Doorway, 17 Swedish, 19 Explain, 20 Torpedo, 21 Iranian, 25 Rasp.


Congratulations to Ellis Hardware’s Julie Ellis for sending in the first correct crossword pulled out of the Editor’s jaunty French beret. Your prize should be with you shortly.


BMJ BRAIN TEASER PRIZE CROSSWORD


>>>


47


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48