Pupils helped dig up their history, thanks to an excavation at a new homes development site courtesy of clients, David Wilson South Midlands and Barratt Northampton, on Higham Road, Burton Latimer.

We believe one of the best ways to get the community involved and excited about new projects is to invite them in. So when planning consent for the 248 new homes required the companies to include the historical dig, we, with help from consultants CgMs, decided to get the local schools involved. In total, 360 school children from St Mary’s C of E Primary School and Meadowside Primary School were treated to a talk from archaeologist, Anna Slowikowshi, on life in Roman Britain, as well as a guided tour around the excavation site.

David Wilson South Midlands and Barratt Northampton were able to show the children how much history is underneath a development. And what a trove of treasures they brought to life! Roman pottery, including an intact vessel, roman coins and a small cast bronze shoe, which had been cut away from a statuette of a Roman God, were all found on the site surrounded by graves of the deceased inhabitants.

The children were able to see what had been unearthed and shown evidence which suggested that the land had once been used as a farm to provide meat for the growing population in Northamptonshire. To further their enjoyment, the developers suggested that the pupils draw the artefacts they had seen during the visit, with the best pictures being displayed in the respective David Wilson and Barratt sales offices.

With thanks to a few muddy hands in the PR department, the children had a historical day. Owen, aged seven, said: “I enjoyed all of it. I think the Romans lived a little bit like us but mostly different.”

Students working towards a BTEC Level 3 in Construction at Bedford College recently took the opportunity to learn the ropes of site safety from construction professionals at Barratt Northampton’s Greenkeepers Mews development at Biddenham Vale, Great Denham.

Aged from 16 to 22, the students were given a tour of Greenkeepers Mews by Site Manager Steve Tofield who was on hand to pass on his experience in the construction industry and especially his know-how when it comes to keeping people safe on-site.

Thanks to Toby Savage for the great photography.

Chrildren in Northamptonshire got festive recently for client, Barratt Northampton’s, design a Christmas card competition.  Pupils at Oakley Vale Primary School in Corby and Upton Meadow Primary School in Northampton put their drawing and painitng skills to the test as they designed a Christmas card that the company would distibute to its residents at its developments in the area. 

Another winner and the Barratt sales adviser with the cards

These were just two of more than a dozen seasonal competitions that the USA PR team managed this year and we’re already getting our thinking caps on for more community projects for Valentine’s Day 2011!

Thanks to Steve Baker for the cute photography!

Clients Barratt Mercia and Barratt Northampton picked up three awards between them in this year’s prestigious What House? competition.

Barratt Mercia was awarded a silver prize in the Best Partnership category for it’s Bluebell project in Camp Hill, Nuneaton, whilst Barratt Northampton scooped gold for its Vizion development in Milton Keynes for Best Landcape and a silver for its NU@D2 development in Northampton for Best Sustainable Development.

Barratt’s regional managing director, Richard Brooke attended the glittering ceremony at London’s Gosvenor House Hotel, hosted by Jimmy Carr, to collect the prizes.

We’ve all been getting into the World Cup with a company sweepstake but so have our clients with promotions and events that tap in to this national obsession!  Here’s just one of the promotional photos we’ve comissioned for client Barratt Northampton…

Barratt sales advisor Rachel shows her skill!

Baroness Scott of Neadham Market, peer and president of the Liberal Democrat party visited Barratt Northampton’s Vizion development in Milton Keynes today.  The visit was organised by the Milton Keynes Business Leaders Partnership and the Mayor of Milton Keynes, Councillor Euan Henderson.  The Baroness was keen to find out more about Milton Keynes, its role in the sub region and some of the key issues facing the town.

Vizion is Barratt’s £62 million landmark apartment scheme and comprises more than 300 new homes, a new Sainsbury’s superstore and underground parking.

Paul Walker, Baroness Scott and Councillor Euan Henderson

PR Snap Shot of the Month - October 2009

Jonathan Shaw MP (centre) visits Vizion

The Minister for the South East, Jonathan Shaw MP, visited Barratt Northampton’s Vizion development in Milton Keynes earlier this month as part of a day-long tour of the city to see how it is beating the recession.

Vizion is Barratt’s £62 million landmark apartment scheme and comprises more than 300 new homes, a new Sainsbury’s superstore and underground parking.