A regional daily marked the golden anniversary of an engine making firm’s presence on its patch with a front page wrap.

The Northern Echo recently celebrated 50 years since Cummins Engines opened its Darlington plant with a four-page wraparound and eight-page supplement on the history of the American company in the town.

The factory originally opened in 1965 as a joint venture with Chrysler, and produced its millionth mid-range engine in 2011.

Echo editor Peter Barron said: “Cummins is one of the great names of North-East industry, and Darlington is immensely proud that engines made in the town are exported all over the world.

“When we heard 2015 was the company’s 50th anniversary, we wanted to do something special, and we made a proposal for a wrap-round of the main paper.

“This is not something we do often but this was a special anniversary of a special local company and we are delighted to have been able to work together to celebrate the milestone.”

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The Yorkshire Post has launched a new digital service to provide business readers with live news on enterprise, industry, finance and economics.

Business editor Bernard Ginns and journalists Greg Wright, Ros Snowdon, Naomi Rainey and Ismail Mulla will be staffing the service from Monday to Friday.

The channel will be known as Business Live, and is available via the Post’s website.

It will will include video reports and opportunities for businesses and public relations companies to engage with the Post’s reporters.

Said Bernard: “We are delighted to be launching this new product in response to changing audience demands.

“While we will continue to invest in our prestigious print title, we need to develop new platforms to reach readers where they choose to consume content.”

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Chancellor George Osborne has praised the Express & Star, Wolverhampton’s Ladder for the Black Country apprenticeship campaign.

The drive has seen 557 jobs created in the area since September.

During a visit to the newspaper’s patch, Mr Osborne said: “A huge congratulations to the Express & Star and its partners on a powerful campaign.

“The Ladder for the Black Country has clearly caught the imagination and the fact that over 500 apprenticeships has been created is great news for 500 young people who are looking forward to a bright future.”

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A regional newspaper’s “most versatile employee” has retired after 40 years.

Alistair Jones, known as the Nottingham Post’s “Mr Reliability”, went from head chef to facilities supervisor with the paper during his four decades at the paper.

Dundee-born Alistair, 65, first moved to Nottingham in 1968 and was taken on by the Post in 1975.

After the Post outsourced its catering operation in the 1990s he moved to its maintenance department, becoming cleaning foreman, then mail room supervisor and buildings supervisor.

Terry Ponsford, regional facilities manager for Local World, owner of the Post since 2012, told the Post: “Alistair swapped his spatula for a screwdriver and proved to be totally reliable

“When we were based at Castle Wharf, before the move to managed offices, he was absolutely crucial, turning out in all hours to deal with any emergencies. I’m going to miss him, both professionally and personally.”

 

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A regional daily has launched a monthly awards scheme honouring National Health Service employees on its patch.

South Wales Echo readers are being asked to nominate a health worker who has gone above and beyond their duty of care for them or a loved one through the paperr’s new Health Hero scheme.

The campaign is being run in conjunction with Cardiff and Vale University Health Board and the city’s Park Plaza hotel, which is offering prizes for winners including spa treatment or champagne afternoon tea.

Editor Catrin Pascoe said: “So many are touched by the care those in the NHS show but too often their work goes unsung.  We wanted to have the perfect excuse to celebrate those who often go above and beyond.

The first winner of a Health Hero award is Robert Penduck, pictured above left, who works in the haematology department at the University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff.

Maria Battle, chairman of the health board, said: “I would like to thank the South Wales Echo and the Park Plaza for giving the public we serve the chance to say thank you in such a powerful and meaningful way.”