Agetur Newsletter November 2021

Built on reputation since 1985 NOTE FROM OUR CHAIRMAN Welcome to our Christmas Newsletter. I cannot deny it has been a challenging year but being the size we are, allows us a better chance to cope with these tough times.

There is unquestionably still a demand for housing which hopefully bodes well for the future. Our clients have indicated that we have some potential new jobs coming our way which will start us off in 2022 positively.

John Gaughan retired earlier this year. I want to thank John for all the years he has worked for the company, the incredible influence he was with his construction site understanding and unquestionably he was a great help with his wealth of knowledge and experience. Mick Legge stepped up to the mark knowing it would be a big challenge to fill John’s boots, but he has responded exceptionally well; he is thriving in adversity as these are not easy times.

A few other notable faces missing that have retired are Gerry Molloy, Packy Gaughan, John Hannon and Steve Collier (although Steve keeps popping up). We have had a real “changing of the guard”and we wish them all well in their retirement and ask them to keep in touch.

Just an update on our horses. Elmdale which is a new acquisition (a big bold grey) will go chasing, Flying Angel and Kingsplace are both now retired and enjoying life in the country and finally Robinshill recently won at Leicester at the ripe old age of 10 against some youngsters.

We have actually managed to do some client entertaining, going to both Warwick and Newbury races then more recently we attended Twickenham to see Australia getting whupped by England :( I want to sincerely thank you all for your hard work and hope you have a great break making up for last year.

We close for Christmas on 23rd December and will start back on site on 4th January 2022; although I will be back on 18th January as I am lucky enough to be going home to Australia to catch up with some of my close family that I have not seen in over 2 years.

I wish you all a merry Christmas.

Rob Below: Presenting winning Trainer to Paul Nichols at Newbury on 4th November at Newbury

Right: Sam Twiston Davies on Robinshill when he won at Leicester on 15th November Unit 4, St David’s Court, Top Station Road, Brackley, Northants, NN13 7UG Tel: 01280 702121 Fax: 01280 703088 www.agetur.co.uk

Built on reputation since 1985

COMMERCIAL TEAM & UPDATE We managed to entice a good friend of mine, Leigh Naughton, to join us back in August. He has over 25 years of housing groundworks experience and worked closely with our Mike Pratt at McBrien Civils for over 15 years. He adds a touch of much-needed experience and knowledge to the commercial department, and it has been fantastic working with him again after all these years – we trained together at a local Private Quantity Surveying Practice, Peter North & Partners, back in the early nineties. When we both had hair and much smaller tummies…

I would also like to welcome Sarah Allison who joined us in October as our commercial administrator. She will deal with the day-to-day commercial admin duties and will be responsible for sub-contract orders, drawings and the commercial end of the after-sales works.

Good luck both Leigh and Sarah!

We have an excellent existing client-base and my number one priority is to cement current relationships and spend the next few months forging new ones. I am a relatively new face at Agetur, and I have only dealt with about half of our clients previously, so I am going to get out and about and meet the clients I’m new to and make sure I put Agetur at the forefront of all their thoughts.

This started with a good day at the NHBC Pride in the Job 2021 Awards where Mick Legge, Charlie Thomas, and I were all invited by Taylor Wimpey to join them at Milton Keynes and watched them pick up an award in the Large Builder category. We have also had a couple of days out at Warwick and Newbury racecourses which were well supported and hopefully kept Agetur in our Client’s thoughts.

We have been busy pricing tenders over the past couple of months and have just won Daubeney Gate (73 Units) for Taylor Wimpey South Midlands in the Shenley Church end of Milton Keynes. TWSM have also told us that they have earmarked us for a few of their other jobs coming up.

We are expecting a number of tenders in over the coming weeks and are hopeful of a positive and busy 2022.

Stuart, Leigh, Keegan, Declan and Sarah. (although not in that order on the photo!)

Going forward….

I know we have had some turbulent and disjointed times over the past few years within the commercial department, but I fully believe that we can now put down the necessary roots with our new team and start to create some much-needed stability in the commercial department.

We are very lucky to have two excellent young QSs and I’m very keen to encourage Keegan and Declan to be out on site as much as possible to forge the close relationships with both our own site teams and our clients that, I believe, is vital to improve the link between production and commercial – both internally and externally. These relationships are so important for us a firm moving forward and I will do everything I can to make sure this happens.

Our favourite new visitor to the Commercial Department — Teddy Green!

Unit 4, St David’s Court, Top Station Road, Brackley, Northants, NN13 7UG Tel: 01280 702121 Fax: 01280 703088 www.agetur.co.uk

Built on reputation since 1985

HEALTH & SAFETY + TRAINING Respiratory Silica Dust Within the construction industry there are a number of hazardous substances that are known to cause ill health or even death later on in life.

One of most common and harmful substances that construction workers are likely to come across is Crystalline Silica which through respiratory exposure is contributing to 12,000 occupational lung disease deaths each year.

Occupational diseases that have been linked to the exposure to Crystalline Silica are: • • • •

Silicosis an incurable lung disease that can lead to disability and death Lung Cancer Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary disease (COPD) Kidney Disease

It is contained in a wide variety of Construction materials such as concrete, stone, brick, rock, mortar, it is even on the beaches in some capacity, so it is very unlikely to ever be avoided completely as it is a natural occurring mineral which is found in the earths crust and like asbestos if left in its natural state it is generally not harmful.

Where it becomes an issue for us is when it needs to be processed by conducting activities such as cutting, drilling, grinding, crushing, sawing; this is where the person carrying out the task needs to be protected to ensure they are well with in the working exposure limits which currently stands at 0.1mg/m3 in an 8-hour working day.

How do we avoid the likelihood of over exposure of Silica dust to the person whilst carrying out our processes?

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We can avoid where possible the use of certain pieces of equipment such as stihl saws, floor saw, electric drills, grinders, or we can order materials where the processing is carried out away from site by the manufacture to reduce the likelihood of altercations being carried out on site.

We can look to replace the product with something not containing silica or we can where possible use less harmful processes i.e. the use of Block splitters instead of stihl saws Air Extraction or water suppression at source is a must when carrying out harmful processes to reduce the number of airborne particles being developed.

We have also the option to control the activity through a permit system so the Manager or Supervisor knows when certain processes are being carried out and a safe system can be agreed with the user.

And always last on the list if we can not reduce the risk low enough is the use of PPE. We currently provide the sites with two types • Non-tight-fitting Air fed Systems APF20 (no face fitting required) • Tight fitting FFP3/P3 mask system (must be face fitted to the user)

Sometimes in safety significant risks can be lost in amongst the extensive processes and procedures that have been accumulated in the working day but this one should have everyone's attention and must be controlled.

Stay Safe Lee, David and Jane

Unit 4, St David’s Court, Top Station Road, Brackley, Northants, NN13 7UG Tel: 01280 702121 Fax: 01280 703088 www.agetur.co.uk

Built on reputation since 1985 SEWERAGE WATER TREATMENT PLANT, Luke Hessler and his team supported by James Ludlow and John Chisnall, installed the RBS treatment unit at the old Sewerage works site in Upper Heyford, it entailed excavating limestone and shoring up with a brace and frame before backfilling in stages with RC concrete following the unit being craned into place.

PURCHASING DEPARTMENT As you are all aware we have some serious issues with the supply of various materials for our sites. It is almost irrelevant highlighting specific products as at some time or other for the full range of products we use there has been some issues with supply. At this moment in time the problems we are currently having will continue for some time.

To date we have done incredibly well with getting materials to site whether it is house drainage, block paving, aggregates etc. We appreciate your help with this especially with lead times ranging from 6 to 8 week to 3 months. For the foreseeable future lead times will remain with us and your ability to order in advance will help alleviate the problem.

Our commercial and contracting departments will keep in touch with our clients’ relevant departments and advise on programs for each of our sites to enable efficient ordering of materials.

Regarding ordering ready mix concrete, it is important we use our nominated supplier and booking of slots in advance to avoid any supply issues. This not only guarantees your supply, but from a cost point of view using others will have a substantial increase in price.

As we approach 2022, we are receiving price increase letters with enormous price increases. Due to these increases it has become essential that we use our nominated suppliers on each of the contracts.

This also applies to our ex-yard requirements; we should only be using our nominated merchant and avoid any last-minute requirements from others.

The message going forward is to consider lead times and plan accordingly.

Pat and Guy Unit 4, St David’s Court, Top Station Road, Brackley, Northants, NN13 7UG Tel: 01280 702121 Fax: 01280 703088 www.agetur.co.uk

Built on reputation since 1985 CONSTRUCTION

In this difficult time we find ourselves in this year, with the shortage of labour and not to mention the shortages of materials, (or HGV drivers to deliver them) also not getting any confirmation of delivery dates, it’s been very difficult to plan far enough ahead. We are often chasing suppliers and begging for delivery dates and finally getting materials just in the nick of time to meet deadlines. I thought maybe it would be worth highlighting some more constructive achievements that Agetur have been involved in, mainly quality awards or NHBC pride in the job awards.

Firstly James Ludlow (pictured with James Silman) and his team working for Dorchester Living at Upper Heyford, Oxfordshire.

James started out as site supervisor before being promoted to project manager and carrying out various tasks across Upper Heyford to a very high standard involving much more than just house building.

Also Charlie Thomas, Charlie and his team have worked on the Berryfields development in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire on multiple phases for Taylor Wimpey South Midlands for several years producing top quality work to a very high standard. The pride in the job certificate was awarded in recognition of his and Agetur’s contribution in helping TWSM to achieve a pride in the job award (we are just still waiting for a hard copy of this award to share with you).

Next Daniel McGovern, Daniel and his team are doing a great job working on the Stotfold development in Hitchin, Hertfordshire, also for Taylor Wimpey South Midlands producing top quality work to a very high standard to help TWSM achieve their pride in the job award (again we have yet to get hard copy).

And finally Dara Molloy (pictured with Danny O’Brien) and his team working for Taylor Wimpey Oxfordshire at the Bampton Meadow, development Bampton, Oxfordshire.

They have turned out some top quality work to help Taylor Wimpey Oxfordshire achieve their pride in the job award but that’s not all.

Matt Harris the Bampton Meadow site agent was entered into “The Seal of Excellence award” where Agetur were invited along to the awards ceremony lunch at the Marshalls arena in Milton Keynes. It was a great moment when Matt Harris‘s name was announced as one of eleven winners of the central region Seal of Excellence Award. Matt Harris below showing off his seal of excellence, Well Done Matt.

Quote from Mark Edmonds MD for Taylor Wimpey Oxfordshire “Our Site Managers on these two sites, Matt Harris and Matt Winter are a self-effacing pair, and tend to blame everyone else for their successes. Whilst I do want them to take the credit for leading their team, I am fully aware that we only achieve our success because we have a team of subcontractor partners that are willing to that little bit extra. I am also aware that in some instances, it is more than just a ‘little bit’ extra!”

The proud team from Taylor Wimpey Oxfordshire: Simon Cook, Matt Harris, Ross Graves and Mark Edmonds.

So keep up the good work guys, not all of us are on pride in the job sites but that doesn’t mean we can’t still achieve the same high quality required.

Mick Legge

Unit 4, St David’s Court, Top Station Road, Brackley, Northants, NN13 7UG Tel: 01280 702121 Fax: 01280 703088 www.agetur.co.uk

Built on reputation since 1985 PLANT We have 2 new members of our Plant Department Team, Denzil Beale (Denz) and Pam Hamblin. Denz joined us as a Mobile Mechanic in June and Pam(ela) started with us in August and has been brought in to assist Rachel with all things plant in the office.

We have remained cautious when it comes to major replacements and additions, we have however continued to purchase the everyday items where we felt there was good reason and again to keep external hires to a minimum. Having said that, we are now focusing on a plan for equipment replacements/ We have been working cautiously to keep our feet additions during 2022 and into 2023. firmly on the ground keeping external hire to a minimum, attending to current site needs and planning We continue to keep all existing fleet vehicles serviced, future requirements when it comes to plant machinery. repaired as and when required and again looking at Utilising our own equipment has been the key over the upgrading our existing and replacing where we feel fit in last few months which can only be achieved with the the new year and throughout 2022. help and support of all our site supervisors and their workforce, not just offering up machinery not required Site thefts and vehicle incidents have been almost nonbut also maintaining the equipment on a day-to-day existent over the last 6 months which is great, but we basis. are about to hit the winter months with Christmas The lads have also been working their socks off round the corner where all sites do become vulnerable, regarding the continual refurbishment of all our kit so please be very vigilant and if you see something not which goes through our workshop ensuring everything quite right then report it. is mechanically sound before it gets a paint job then We did however experience a mishap outside the office back out on site. and unfortunately inside the yard where a couple of trees came down and writing off 2 vehicles. Fortunately, this happened on a Sunday morning so no one was hurt but as you can see the vehicle damage was quite severe.

We’ve also refurbed all our shoring (Boxes) during the summer too.

Unit 4, St David’s Court, Top Station Road, Brackley, Northants, NN13 7UG Tel: 01280 702121 Fax: 01280 703088 www.agetur.co.uk

Built on reputation since 1985 PLANT cont’d Lastly site fuel (Red diesel) is trying to be fazed out by the government. As of April 2022, this new “Green D+” diesel is going to be more enviro friendly, fuel efficient (apparently) and will be a direct replacement for Red fuel we are using at the moment. This fuel will come as a clear liquid, but the real killer is that it will be more expensive to purchase than the Red diesel we currently buy due to the governments duty increases which are being quoted at 46.81ppl. Obviously if this new fuel is introduced this will have a serious knock-on effect. Rachel and I have been in discussions with 2 of our fuel supplying companies to see what measures we would need to take if this does go through but even our suppliers are not quite sure, so it is a case of watch this space…

Gary and the Plant Team

At Agetur UK we wholeheartedly agree with the sentiment from Taylor Wimpey and add our support to stamping out Discrimination of any form. There is NO place for discrimination.

In September we started 2 new apprentice bricklayers, Kyle Fenemore & Jack Daynes, who will be under the steady guidance of Kevin Fermor. Both boys are doing well, and we hope to get them enrolled on Level 2 bricklaying early in the New Year.

Our 2 intrepid young QS’s, Keegan Gregory and Declan Batty, continue to forge their way in our commercial department, both have taken on a lot more responsibility and are doing some fabulous work for the company.

YOUTH WORK CHANGES LIVES

Louis Rayner and Ethan Brookes have just completed a 3-week block at CITB’s NCC East Bircham Newton college near King’s Lynn where they are working towards their level 2 construction groundworker.

Luke Lowen is going great guns and making excellent progress with his Level 2 in bricklaying at Coventry college.

Kevin says he has high hopes for Luke as he is a great wee worker.

Last but not least, Louis Taylor has been finalising his NVQ in the cosy confines of the Agetur office to achieve a bricklaying level 2 qualification with the help of his assessor Ashley.

Unit 4, St David’s Court, Top Station Road, Brackley, Northants, NN13 7UG Tel: 01280 702121 Fax: 01280 703088 www.agetur.co.uk

Built on reputation since 1985 HEAD OFFICE NEWBIES Hello, I think most of you have met me by now, if not, heard about me, well anyway, I am David, Dave, Mr Fish, and answer to many others.

Brief overview of my background, 14 years British Gas, a selection of jobs, including running my own Horizontal Directional Drilling company, which was Me with one of the loves of my life fun, selling and training of cable locators, then on to a Dutch owned company for almost 18 years conducting job roles as Agent, Project, Procurement, QHSE Manager & Advisor. Working in HDD, Civils, Water, Electrical cables both onshore and offshore for the windfarms, based on a beach somewhere or out on a vessel for weeks at a time, not always fun.

I hope that I can bring this experience to Agetur UK and to assist Lee and the teams involved in the ground works and civils; from what I have seen in the three months I have been with Agetur UK, I have been impressed on all the sites with the safe working practices being carried out.

David Fish - H & S Advisor I am a married to Paul, a mum to three grown ups, and am now a grandparent too. We have recently moved house and for the first time ever I no longer reside in Banbury. I enjoy time with my family and friends, make a small attempt to keep fit and enjoy Pilates and I have a bash at running. I like baking, nothing like Bake off, but a good Victoria Sponge, flapjack (some staff have already had a slice!) and my Nan’s recipe Raspberry Buns. I have taken part in a number of charity walks and including a fire walk and have raised funds for Katharine House, Maggie’s and Moonwalk (Breast Cancer).

I was lucky enough to work with Andy (Jane’s husband)for 10 years during my last job in Brackley.

I joined Agetur in August and am enjoying being part of the team.

Pam Hamblin - Office Assistant Having started my career in quantity surveying working at a Brackley based surveying practice, alongside Stuart Green, back in 1993, I soon moved on to working for an Aylesbury based groundworks company working on housing and commercial sites for the following 16 years; happy to say I was accompanied by Mike Pratt for a number of these.

I’ve spent the last 10 years working for a surfacing company base near Buckingham, surveying and managing commercial groundworks and macadam surfacing works projects all over the Midlands and south of England, apparently now making me the default ‘go to’ surveyor for tarmacing queries in the Agetur commercial office!

Joining Agetur in August it’s been great to join up with some of the old team and meeting the new who have made for an easy transition.

Some challenging times ahead in the industry as a whole but looking forward to the new challenge.

Leigh Naughton - Senior Quantity Surveyor Unit 4, St David’s Court, Top Station Road, Brackley, Northants, NN13 7UG Tel: 01280 702121 Fax: 01280 703088 www.agetur.co.uk

Built on reputation since 1985 Some of you will know me from my first spell at Agetur back in 2019 and I am delighted to be back.

I trained in a local private QS practice, Peter North & Partners in Brackley, then went to a small local housebuilder, Coulson Construction for 8 years. Then having done everything I feel I could have done there I was enticed into the world of sub-contracting by the civils/commercial groundworker O’Brien Contractors over at Leamington Spa. Here I learnt about the commercial and contracting side of groundworks which has stood me in good stead ever since. I left O’Briens in 2016 to start my own QS practice and this chugged on nicely until covid struck last March. During my time as a freelance QS I worked 2/3 days a week for Agetur from March 2019 and really enjoyed my spell here at this time. I was approached by Richard and Maggie in April of this year and was more than delighted to accept the offer of becoming your new Commercial manager when I started back in June this year.

I live in Brackley with my wife, Lisa, and our two boys Finlay and Elijah. The bottom of our garden is literally a simple jump over the fence at the bottom of our yard! I have lived in Brackley for over 35 years and couldn’t think of anywhere better to live or work. My boys are both mad-keen footballers and both play for Brackley Town (under 11s and under 9s).

We have just bought a dog – a Hungarian Vizsla – so our life is about to change!

I wish you all the best over the coming festive period and let’s make 2022 a fantastic year.

Stuart Green - Commercial Manager

My name is Sarah and I am the newest member to join the commercial department and the Agetur family.

I live locally with my husband and 9 year old son. I have 3 cats and enjoy running and cooking in my spare time.

I love travel and have travelled extensively in America (visited 12 states) as well as getting married in Las Vegas, and am very much looking forward to a family trip to Florida next year.

Sarah Allison - Commercial Assistant I have recently joined Agetur as a plant mechanic after spending over 30 years working in and around the agricultural/commercial/plant and motor industry.

From a very early age I spent many an hour sat watching and learning how to operate many different variety of machines and how to repair them. My career then took me into the world of recovery and repair working for the AA for 18 years.

When I’m not working, I enjoy time with my family and many activities; little did I think that having girls I would be on the sidle-lines in the freezing/wet cold supporting as a footie dad or watching them during their horse riding lessons. For myself I prefer my motorbike and cycling; I have enjoyed many a mile over the years.

Denzil Beale - Mobile Plant Mechanic Unit 4, St David’s Court, Top Station Road, Brackley, Northants, NN13 7UG Tel: 01280 702121 Fax: 01280 703088 www.agetur.co.uk

Built on reputation since 1985

MAGGIE FINALLY RUNS “THE LONDON MARATHON” IN 2021 for Helen & Douglas House On Sunday 3rd October I finally ran the London Marathon. It was a day of mixed emotions; my friend who I trained with last year and did the virtual with was now jeffing (a mix of walk/run) as she was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, so I was going it alone. I also along the way lost a bit of love for running due to a variety of factors so how would I feel out there alone for 26.2 miles!

On the day I need not have worried about being alone; everyone was super excited, and I spent the first 18 miles running and talking to a girl called Lisa as well as many other people along the way. The crowds which were slightly diminished, were still amazing. Going over Tower Bridge just before 13 miles made me cry, such a beautiful and iconic landmark. At 18 miles I was on track to do 4 hours 15 mins, with a little wriggle room, which was my target time, then between 18 and 19 miles my running partner disappeared, and my right knee started to hurt, Arrgg. I still hadn’t seen my 2 boys who had come down with some friends and I was starting to really want to see them – at last at 19 miles I saw them around Canary Wharf, and a few more tears.

Until then I was taking it all in, smiling enjoying the experience; but with my knee my main aim from then on was just to finish so I hobbled round the last 7/8 miles, probably grimacing, and not taking in the sights anymore, so much so I missed the Tower of London, the London Eye, Big Ben, and Buckingham Palace. I finished in a very respectable 4 hours 34 minutes and guess what I’ve entered next year’s ballot!

I had started this adventure in October 2019 after being offered a charity place by Helen & Douglas House, a child, and young adults hospice in Oxford. I ran the virtual for them in October 2020 but decided to enter the ballot for 2021, even though I could have used my 2020 place as it had rolled over, as I knew my place would be a precious money maker for the Hospice. On being successful in the ballot I then introduced HDH to a friend whose wife was already running London and then they were both were hoping to do NY. Tim agreed to fundraise for HDH along with Fiona his wife using the two marathons as leverage and took over my charity place. So far, they have raised almost £3,000 which they will add to after NY in early November, and I am just over £7,000 a whopping amount to help Helen and Douglas House. I may be slightly annoyed with my time but I’m very proud of my fundraising.

Unit 4, St David’s Court, Top Station Road, Brackley, Northants, NN13 7UG Tel: 01280 702121 Fax: 01280 703088 www.agetur.co.uk

Built on reputation since 1985

We have just started the autumn series international rugby matches and look forward to the 6 nations in the early part of next year, so for those Rugby enthusiasts a little bit of English rugby trivia about Twickenham.

Billy Williams splashed out £5,500 for a 10-and-a-quarter acre market garden that was used to grow cabbages, hence the famous nickname of this stadium – The patch.

In 1910, England v Wales became the first international test match at the venue in front of 22,000 spectators.

Since then, Five and Six Nations titles have been won and lost, World Cups played, hopes have been raised and ruined and more sore heads have been made than anyone can care to count.

Twickenham Stadium has been redeveloped over the years and is the home of England Rugby and the largest dedicated rugby union venue in the world, seating up to 82,000 people, it’s a great day out win or lose!!

Banbury U15s Rugby team finally got a tour which should have happened in 2020.

Report from Coach: Cracking weekend of rugby and raft building.

Loss on Sunday at Bredon Rugby Club, after a heavy late night in the club room.

Draw against Bath and a victory against Minchinhampton.

Banbury Under 15’s would like to thank Agetur UK for their sponsorship for the shirts, we were supposed to go to Wales (note the dragon!), however Gloucester was a worthy substitution!!

Just a few of the many worthy Charities we have recently supported:

Unit 4, St David’s Court, Top Station Road, Brackley, Northants, NN13 7UG Tel: 01280 702121 Fax: 01280 703088 www.agetur.co.uk

Built on reputation since 1985 GUESS THE BABY/TODDLER LIST OF POTENTIAL PEOPLE TO CHOOSE FROM Jane Rexton Piers McGlynn Rachel Beattie Maggie Dixte Jason Popham Rob Rexton Sarah Allison Sam James Doreen Powell Linda Taylor Mick Legge Gary Halford Ben James Guess the baby/toddler (the black and whites are a bit of a giveaway) – we are offering £40 M&S vouchers for the first 2 people to match the correct name to all the pictures. If you list the names in order of photo and send to Maggie on maggie.dixte@agetur.co.uk the first 2 correct responses will be sent the M&S vouchers.

When Jack and Piers got married….

Please note Jack managed to get himself into both photos! I wonder who will start multiplying first ?

Photos for those not in the know are of Jack Tokelove, Project Manager and Piers McGlynn, Engineer, both from our Technical Department, who got married this past July to Ruby and Georgina (respectively). Congratulations to both couples and best wishes for their futures.

Unit 4, St David’s Court, Top Station Road, Brackley, Northants, NN13 7UG Tel: 01280 702121 Fax: 01280 703088 www.agetur.co.uk