National Coal Mining Museum for England’s mission is to keep the stories of coal mining alive by collecting and preserving the industry’s rich heritage. We co-create enjoyable and inspiring ways for people of all ages, backgrounds and needs to engage with the history of coal and its legacy. 

 Journey 140m underground and discover 180 years of mining history. Explore Caphouse, a modern colliery that witnessed more than two hundred years of coal production. Find out about the people and communities at the heart of the industry and discover the life of a miner at work and play. Learn about the story of coal and how it changed our nation forever. Explore acres of woodland, spotting plants and wildlife and find out how the excess water from the mine is cleaned and pumped back into a local river. Then let off some steam in our Adventure Playground!

Production Light & Sound are a one stop shop, able to provide full production support to your events. We specialise in working on unique events, we enjoy working closely with our clients to provide customised solutions that meets the event requirements and their budget.

We have worked on a wide range of events of all sizes, including Conferences, Awards Dinners, Fashion Shows, Product launches and private events. We are experienced at working in unusual locations, both indoors and outdoors, and transforming them to meet your needs.

We have been trading for 24 years and from our base in Leeds work on events throughout Yorkshire and the rest of the country.

Sarah Buckmaster

Pre-Loved Fashion Event

A Sustainable Twist on Glamour ahead of the Wakefield Business Awards

We Are Wakefield, led by MD Claire Sutherley, has always been about community, creativity, and conscious living. So when Claire and Solupak MD Helen McDonald hatched an idea a couple of years ago, it was no surprise that it involved fashion with a twist: pre-loved, sustainable, and utterly fabulous. The event was hosted at Solupak’s manufacturing HQ in Castleford.

The Collaborators

This year, they joined forces with some remarkable partners:

• Rachel Smith from Clutter is the Enemy: A decluttering guru who knows that less is more.
• Lisa Milburn from Community Foundation Wakefield District: A champion for local causes and families in need.
• Shannon Gilbert from En Route Hair and Beauty: Because great hair is the ultimate accessory.

How It Worked

Attendees generously donated their pre-loved clothing items, creating a treasure trove of fashion waiting to find new homes. But this wasn’t just a one-way street. Oh no! The magic happened when guests were allowed to exchange their donations for other fabulous finds. It was like a high-end clothing swap, where sustainability met style.

Posing Tips and Hair Magic

The event wasn’t just about clothes—it was an experience. Ace photographer Perrin Read of Roth Read Photography shared posing tips, turning everyone into a runway model. Meanwhile, En Route’s Mel Tudor worked her hairstyling magic, ensuring that attendees looked red-carpet ready.

The Buffet: A Feast for the Senses

As guests mingled and tried on their newfound treasures, they also indulged in a beautiful buffet courtesy of The Caring Kitchen. Because nothing complements sustainable fashion like delicious food.

The Mayor’s Special Role

The Mayor of Wakefield, Cllr Darren Byford, graced the event with his presence. He even drew the raffle, adding an extra touch of elegance to the proceedings.

Giving Back

But it wasn’t all about glamour and style. We Are Wakefield believes in community impact. Proceeds from the raffle and any leftover clothing were donated to Community Foundation Wakefield District, supporting families in need across the Wakefield area.

A Toast to Sustainability

And what’s a fabulous event without a touch of wine? Jean Juvinierre Wines provided a special tasting, raising a glass to sustainability and community spirit.

Cheers!

We Are Wakefield’s pre-loved fashion event at Solupak Ltd. was more than just a soirée—it was a celebration of conscious choices, collaboration, and making a difference. Cheers to sustainable style! 🌿👗🥂

Have you got your tickets for the Wakefield Business Awards?  Join us for an amazing night celebrating the best of Wakefield!  Get your tickets HERE!

Here are some images from the event:

 Studio J Architects Awarded

Best of Houzz for fifth year in a row

The annual award highlights home renovation and design professionals with top ratings and most popular designs amongst the global Houzz community

For the fifth year in a row, Studio J Architects has won a “Best of Houzz” award for Customer Service on Houzz®, the leading platform for home renovation and design. The Wakefield based architecture firm was chosen by the millions of homeowners that comprise the Houzz community, from amongst more than 3 million active home building, renovation and design industry professionals.

Best of Houzz awards are given annually and the awards honour professionals whose work was the most popular amongst the Houzz community. They are a sign of the recipient’s commitment to excellence.

“The Best of Houzz awards serve as a symbol of trust and validation amongst homeowners seeking top-notch professionals,” said Liza Hausman, vice president of Industry Marketing for Houzz. “This year’s winners represent some of the most talented and customer-focused professionals in our industry and we are extremely pleased to give them this recognition”

You can see more of Studio J Architects work on their website: www.studio-j.co.uk

If you have a project you would like to discuss, contact the team via email at [email protected] or by phone on 0113 2449905.

Hako Machines Ltd

Hako Machines Ltd is one of the UK’s leading manufacturers and service providers of superior cleaning technology, supplying the finest equipment for industrial and commercial cleaning.

With an extensive range of scrubber driers and sweepers, from small autonomous cleaners to large road sweepers, Hako works with a multitude of sectors to ensure a high-performance total cleaning solution.

From its dedicated Training Centre in Wakefield, Hako offers bespoke training packages for operatives as well as extensive courses for its in-house team that work across the UK.

With a national network of trained engineers who provide outstanding service and maintenance support, its customer support team is split between its Northamptonshire HQ and the Yorkshire office.

Hako is committed to minimalising its impact on the environment and putting practices into place to protect the environment in the future. Part of this commitment is to is reduce its carbon emissions and become a ‘net zero’ company. Net zero will be achieved by carbon offsetting to quickly reduce the company’s impact on the environment.

The company was recently awarded ISO 14001 and ISO 45001, internationally recognised standards in environmental management systems and occupational health and safety.

Sylvie Giangolini

FSB – Federation of Small Businesses

As experts in business, we offer our members a wide range of vital business services including advice, financial expertise, support and a powerful voice heard in government. Our mission is to help smaller businesses achieve their ambitions.

Established 50 years ago to help our members succeed in business, we are a non-profit making and non-party political organisation that’s led by our members, for our members.

Members receive an exclusive package of great value business services including advice, financial products and support. The benefits include protection in the case of tax inspection, legal and HR advice, as well as local networking groups and business banking.

We don’t only provide fantastic membership benefits – FSB is also the UK’s leading business campaigner, focused on delivering change which supports smaller businesses to grow and succeed. Our policy and advocacy team in Westminster focuses on UK and English policy issues. Further to this, our expert teams in Glasgow, Cardiff and Belfast work with governments, elected members and decision-makers in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.https://www.fsb.org.uk/

Barney Mynott

Arminder Purewal

Eat IT Drink IT is a one-stop-shop solution catering for all aspect of IT within hospitality. From independent bars and restaurants to multi-national hotel chains, Eat IT Drink IT brings together all the tech to ensure your business succeeds. Initial consultation, installation, configuration, and on-going 24/7 365 days of the year tech support, all under one roof delivered by a UK based talented team. Let Eat IT Drink IT support your IT systems and allow your staff to look after your guests. Whether you need EPOS, Wi-Fi, broadband, card machines, staff planning software, guests Wi-Fi hotspot or all the above, look no further. Eat IT Drink IT bring the right solutions together to meet your requirements and exceed your expectations. They offer all new customers a free, no obligation, on site survey with a senior engineer to scope out the options for you.

Charlotte specialises in providing professional support to businesses and individuals, offering a wide range of administrative, organisational, and communication services. She can help you streamline your workload, increase efficiency, and reclaim valuable time. Partner with Charlotte for personalised solutions tailored to your unique needs.

Podmatic is an innovative audio-visual podcast production company located in Horbury, Wakefield. We specialise in producing high-quality, multi-purpose content specifically designed for small to medium-sized businesses. Our mission is to make professional podcast production accessible and effective, enabling businesses to connect with their audience through engaging audio-visual content. Our state-of-the-art studio is equipped with the latest technology, offering services that include audio recording, video podcast production, and voiceover work. We go beyond just production; we also manage the distribution of content across all major platforms, ensuring that our clients’ messages reach their target audience.

Podmatic’s approach is both innovative and client-centric. We offer an all-inclusive pricing model that provides transparency and value, helping businesses plan their marketing budgets with ease. Additionally, we understand the demands on our clients’ time, which is why we offer flexible recording slots, including evenings and weekends, to accommodate their busy schedules. Our commitment to quality and convenience has quickly established Podmatic as a trusted partner in the West Yorkshire region. We have formed strategic partnerships with prominent local organisations, such as the Mid Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce and We Are Wakefield, which have been instrumental in expanding our reach.

“The past year has been transformative for Podmatic. Our involvement in the local business community has not only elevated our profile but also reinforced our commitment to delivering exceptional value to our clients,” says Isaac Soko, Managing Director. At Podmatic, we are more than just a production studio; we are your partner in creating content that truly resonates.

Isaac Soko