No tricks, just treats at Dobbies' Southport store this Halloween

DOBBIES Garden Centres is inviting:- families, friends, and 4 legged companions along to celebrate Halloween at its Southport store, with its 2024 line up of seasonal events including:- a Pumpkin Patch and brand new Pup kin Patch experience, with tickets on sale now.

At Dobbies' Pumpkin Patch, for each ticket, there's the chance to select a pumpkin to take home and carve, with additional pumpkins available on the day to purchase; a voucher to exchange for a tempting sweet treat from the restaurant; family friendly fun with activity sheets and a scavenger hunt; plus the chance to download digital photos worth £5.

Known for its love of dogs, Dobbies has also introduced a Pup kin Patch experience this autumn for those who want their pooches to join in the fun. This event allows dogs at Dobbies to explore the Pup kin Patch and pick out a Halloween themed toy to take home before getting their photo taken in an autumnal setting by a Dobbies' colleague. Digital photos are also included in the ticket price.

Both events start on 19 October 2024, at Dobbies' Southport store.

For the 1st time, Dobbies is supporting Dogs Trust, the UK's largest dog welfare charity, for the Pup kin Patch experience. When buying a ticket online, Dobbies' customers have the opportunity to make a donation to Dogs Trust's vital work to provide care, rehabilitate and rehome thousands of dogs each year.

Dobbies' Events Programme Manager, Ayesha Nickson, is passionate about getting the whole family involved in seasonal fun. She said:- "We're thrilled to offer families and pooches the chance to enjoy a fun filled Halloween experience at our Southport store this year. Our Pumpkin and brand new Pup kin Patch events have been designed to be an enjoyable family experience where everyone, including our furry friends, can get involved. We know 47% of our customers own a dog and following the popularity of our Santa Paws events at Christmas, we wanted to create something special for Halloween too. We're especially excited to encourage our visitors to support Dogs Trust and the incredible work they do for dogs across the UK."

Nick Daniel, Marketing Director, at Dogs Trust said:- "We're delighted that Dobbies' Southport store chose to highlight our vital work for the Pup kin Patch experience. It's wonderful to see such an exciting event that allows our 4 legged friends to get involved, while encouraging guests to support our mission to provide care and love to dogs in need. A big thank you to all the guests who donate to Dogs Trust through this event, as the funds raised will go a long way in helping us continue our vital work."

Also taking place this Halloween, families can also get involved in Dobbies' Little Scare lings, a frightfully fun Howl-o-ween party taking place in the Southport store with various dates throughout October.

If you're looking to create a stylish Halloween decoration, Dobbies' Southport store is also hosting a Planting and Afternoon Tea: Autumn Edition with the chance to create a pumpkin succulent planter where you can make your very own display to take home. This takes place on both:- Tuesday 8 October and Saturday, 12 October 2024.

To learn more about the autumnal events and to make a booking, visit:- Dobbies.Com.

Metro Mayor Visit Highlights Hugh Baird College's Future Ready Construction Training and Pioneering Green Skills Development for the Region

HUGH Baird College recently welcomed Steve Rotheram, Metro Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, to visit its cutting edge construction training facilities. The Metro Mayor toured the facilities, meeting with students, apprentices and employer partners, and learned about their ongoing initiatives to provide exceptional training and support to the region's future workforce.

During the visit, the College showcased its on campus Modular Building Project in collaboration with Starship Group, which provides Construction and Building Services students with hands-on experience in innovative modular construction techniques. This partnership allows their students to engage directly with modern industry practices, ensuring they are equipped with skills in high demand today and prepared to meet future skills requirements.

The College also highlighted its partnership with Sterling Plastering, emphasising their joint efforts to address the skills gap in the plastering industry. This collaboration reflects their commitment to providing students and apprentices with industry-relevant skills and preparing them to meet the evolving demands of the construction sector.

The Metro Mayor had the opportunity to engage with Plumbing students training on the latest green technologies, including:- air source heat pumps, biomass boilers and solar thermal systems. These technologies are crucial for the Liverpool City Region's progress towards its net zero targets, and the College's students are gaining the essential skills required to lead this transformation.

The Metro Mayor was also briefed on the College's partnership with Cadent Gas, which focuses on providing students with up to date training for thriving careers in the energy sector, including their involvement in an employer-led project at the Hydrogen Village in Ellesmere Port. This project ensures students gain practical, real-world experience with emerging hydrogen technologies, preparing them for the future of sustainable energy.

Kevin Hardy, Head of Manufacturing at Starship Group, said:- "Partnering with Hugh Baird College has been an incredible opportunity to help shape the next generation of construction professionals. By working directly with students, we can ensure they are not only familiar with modular building techniques but also understand the needs of the industry as it evolves. The hands-on experience they gain here is invaluable, and we are proud to be part of their journey towards successful careers in construction."

Rachael Hennigan, Principal and Chief Executive of Hugh Baird College, said:- "We were delighted to welcome the Metro Mayor and showcase the impactful work of our staff, students and partners. Hugh Baird College provides high-quality education that aligns with the evolving needs of employers while offering life-changing opportunities for our students. By working closely with our industry partners, we ensure students have access to practical, relevant training that prepares them for the challenges of today and the future demands of tomorrow. We thank the Metro Mayor for taking the time to visit us and for his continued support. His visit emphasises the crucial role of further education and colleges in driving the growth and success of the Liverpool City Region."

Steve Rotheram said:- "It was fantastic to visit Hugh Baird College and see first-hand the important work they're doing to prepare our workforce for the future. As we look to tackle the skills shortages in the Liverpool City Region, especially those in modern methods of construction and retrofit, it's clear that colleges like Hugh Baird are essential. By offering flexible training options like modular and full-time courses, to apprenticeships and adult upskilling, they're responding to the needs of our local economy. Collaborations with national businesses like Starship and Cadent Gas also mean students are gaining real, hands-on experience that will set them up for a promising future in this sector. I'm proud that through the funding that we've been able to offer, Hugh Baird College has been able to invest in their facilities and training, ensuring our young people have access to the tools they need to thrive in a changing world."