19/09 Wiltshire packaging company set to wrap up International markets

Wiltshire packaging company set to wrap up International markets

A Devizes company that makes environmentally friendly packaging has
been officially listed as a supplier for the Ministry of Defence - with
help from UK Trade & Investment.

BioViron International won this prestigious listing as a result of
networking opportunities provided by UKTI. Previously, the company had been
trying to win MoD business for more than two years. Their position as
an official MoD supplier will mean that they can attract new business
from overseas customers.

Three of the company's biodegradable products, called Green Cell, are
designed for transit packaging and are now used to transport MoD goods
internationally. The products have a NATO codification, an important
status that is expected to lead to increased international business from
NATO countries.

BioViron's managing director, Bruce Bodio, said: "It is very difficult
for a small company such as ours to become an MoD supplier. It was only
through our involvement with the South West International Trade Forum -
which UKTI invited us to join - that we met the right person from the
MoD. After that everything fell into place.

"Some people might think that networking is just talk, but our story
shows other small companies that it really does pay off. Our MoD listing
demonstrates to other potential customers that our product is credible.
The NATO countries we have approached for new business have all been
interested, whereas previously we were rejected.

"We have recently been contacted by a company in Spain which wants a
quote for 138 containers of our product - and they say that is just the
tip of the iceberg. Our company is really going from strength to
strength."

BioViron has recently signed up for UKTI's Passport to Export programme
which supports new and inexperienced exporters. With UKTI's help, it
now plans to approach the US Department of Defense with a view to
becoming an official supplier for them.

UKTI's international trade adviser, Nigel Crowe, said: "This company is
relatively new but this success means many doors are about to open for
them. I am pleased we were able to put them in touch with the right
people and I look forward to helping them further with their international
growth."

BioViron also exports to Germany and Spain.

Further information on Passport to Export and other UKTI services is
available from the International Trade Team on 0845 600 9 006.

22/08 Lost secrets revealed at Stonehenge

Lost secrets revealed at Stonehenge

- Archaeological Excavation at Durrington Walls, near Stonehenge: Open
Day 26th - 28th August -

Visitors to Stonehenge over the August Bank Holiday weekend will have
the chance to catch a glimpse of life in Britain more than 4000 years
ago. A team of archaeologists from around Britain are carrying out
excavations at Woodhenge, Durrington Walls and Stonehenge Cursus to find out
more about these sites and their links with Stonehenge.

The work is part of the Stonehenge Riverside Project, designed to
explore the archaeological evidence from the landscape around Stonehenge,
Woodhenge and Durrington Walls, and to examine this wide complex of
monuments and human activities.

In 2005, archaeologists at Durrington Walls discovered remains of at
least three Neolithic houses, as well as the first known metalled road
surface from the European Neolithic period. This formed a ceremonial
avenue aligned on the Midsummer Solstice sunset. The wooden circles of
Durrington Walls and Woodhenge appeared to have been connected to
Stonehenge by their avenues and the river Avon.

This year, the team will be going further, investigating the timber
circle of Woodhenge, trying to find evidence from similar timber
structures inside the circular enclosure of Durrington Walls and looking for a
possible lost bluestone henge on the Stonehenge Cursus.

English Heritage Outreach Officer for the South West, Kath Graham,
says:
"This is a really special opportunity to see how the people who built
these unique landmarks lived and worked, and experience another side to
the Stonehenge World Heritage Site. The team are hoping for some
exciting finds this year and it will be a great day out for all the family."

The public is invited to visit these ongoing excavations at our special
open day10am to 4pm throughout the Bank Holiday weekend (26th-28th
August). Attractions include: regular tours of the site, opportunities to
meet the archaeologists, and re-enactments of life 4000 years ago.
Guided tours are available every day until 14th September between 10am and
4pm, except Fridays and 2nd September. For more details, please
contact Megan Price, on 07960 516451, or visit:
http://www.sheffield.ac.uk/archaeology/research/stonehenge.

12/06 PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE OVER M4 J16-17 NEAR SWINDON TO BE UPGRADED

PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE OVER M4 J16-17 NEAR SWINDON TO BE UPGRADED

Work starts next week to demolish the Leafy Lane footbridge over the M4
between Junctions 16 and 17 near Dauntsey and replace it with a modern
lower maintenance structure.

The design of the existing bridge restricts use of the hard shoulder
due to its height above the road. The new bridge will allow the hard
shoulder to be fully used by vehicles for emergencies and for maintenance.

Traffic management will be in place from Monday 19 June. This will
consist of hard shoulder closures, three narrow lanes on both east and
westbound carriageways with a 50mph speed restriction, which may cause
moderate delays during peak periods.

Some overnight closures of the motorway will be required. These will be
at weekends only from Saturday nights through to Sunday mornings, when
traffic is lightest. Between 20.00 hours on Saturday 1 July and 10.00
hours on Sunday 2 July the M4 will be closed to demolish the bridge, and
traffic will be diverted off the motorway.

The work is due to be complete by November.

Highways Agency project manager Dave Sledge said:

"The existing structure is now 35 years old, and although still safe,
is showing signs of reaching the end of its life.

"Most of the work can be carried out with minimal effect on road users,
so only four overnight closures will be necessary.

"The new bridge also includes improved equestrian barriers for the
safety of horses and riders using the bridleway over the Motorway."

When the overnight closure is in place the following diversions will be
in place:

Eastbound Traffic
Light Vehicles Only: Leave the M4 at J17 and take A429 north to
Malmesbury, then east on the B4042 to Wootton Bassett. From Wootton Bassett
take A3102 towards Swindon. Rejoin M4 at J16.
Heavy Vehicles: Leave the M4 at J17 and take A350 south to Chippenham
to join A4. Follow A4 eastwards to Calne, then A3102 north to Swindon
(via Lyneham and Wotton Bassett). Rejoin M4 at J16.

Westbound Traffic
Leave M4 at J17, take B4005 to Wroughton then A4361 south to join A4 at
Beckhampton. Follow A4 west to Chippenham via Calne. At Chippenham,
follow A350 north to rejoin M4 at J17.