The Square opens at Chester Zoo

The luxury 200-capacity venue, The Square, has opened at Chester Zoo, following a three-year project to restore a Grade II listed stable block, which has stood at the heart of the zoo since it opened in 1931. The original structures were once home to some of the zoo’s first animals including lions, bears and chimpanzees.

Now the historic building offers a unique setting for weddings, with couples able to tie the knot surrounded by 27,000 animals. The venue can also be booked exclusively for meetings and corporate events, while the zoo hopes it will go on to stage important global summits on wildlife conservation.

Featuring a host of preserved original features that tell the story of its remarkable history, the building boasts an impressive, gated entrance, a large private courtyard, exposed brick walls, vaulted rafters and large windows overlooking newly created gardens. Many of the patterns and textures used throughout The Square draw inspiration from some of the endangered species the zoo is working to protect.

Jamie Christon, CEO at Chester Zoo, said: “There’s nothing else quite like this stunning new venue anywhere in the UK. It’s an incredible building that’s stood at the heart of the zoo for approaching a century and, through careful restoration, it’s now been brought to life. It’s a one-of-a-kind space, which not only embodies the zoo’s rich history and character, but offers modern luxuries and comforts.

And what’s more, who wouldn’t want to get married or have a company awayday surrounded by 27,000 animals? Most importantly, each and every occasion that takes place at The Square will contribute to our charitable mission to prevent extinction, helping us to secure a brighter future for wildlife worldwide. That’s what makes our new venue incredibly special and we can’t wait to start welcoming people to it.”

Celebrating women’s achievements and contributions to the transport sector

Back in March, the Women in Transport network held an event at Xplore! Science Discovery Centre in Wrexham, to celebrate women’s achievements and contributions to the transport sector. There were keynote speakers from across the industry, who participated in a panel discussion on this year’s International Women’s Day theme of ‘embracing equity’. The panel shared their unique views, knowledge and experiences.

In their sights –Operation Crossbow

As part of a programme organised by North Wales Police, British Transport Police and Cheshire Constabulary, Uniformed Public Services (UPS) students from Coleg Cambria helped officers take aim at criminals on a day of cross-border police operations.

The joint campaign, Operation Crossbow, is focused on disrupting cross-border criminality. The day began with a convoy of police operational vehicles, which made their way from Chester to Cambria’s Deeside site.

North Wales officers met with the Level 3 cohort to give them a briefing on their plans for the morning. The group were able to keep up-to-date with proceedings via radio, before being given PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) and transported to parks across Flintshire, to help perform knife sweeps and ensure there were no weapons being carried. On returning to the college, they were given a debrief by officers and will reflect on the campaign as part of their upcoming studies.

WORK set to begin on groundbreaking £14m health and wellbeing complex at Coleg Cambria

Bodelwyddan-based Wynne

Construction – which also developed the adjoining £21m Hafod campus – is to take on the £14m health and wellbeing complex project at Coleg Cambria, which includes a fullyfurnished, industry-standard commercial spa and juice bar, simulated medical wards and virtual reality environments.

Vice Principal of Technical Studies

Vicky Edwards said: “Health and social care have always traditionally been taught in the classroom, so this is going to be revolutionary for education in this region. The practical skills and experience our learners will gain, in partnership with leading names in the sector, will ensure this is a living, breathing hub of activity, both academically and as a realistic working environment. The medical simulation wards are an example of that.

“They will be like a hospital ward, with a virtual reality setting, so the learner will be dealing with reallife, real-time scenarios and challenges, to see how they cope and thrive – that’s something you can’t pick up from the back of a lecture theatre or by reading a textbook.”