Tag: Sustainability

Planning and Building for our future environment: Constructing Excellence Yorkshire and Humber breakfast event

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There is growing concern regarding climate change and the effects of adversely inclement weather resulting in severe flooding and the rise in sea levels.  Constructing Excellence Yorkshire & Humber are pleased to showcase two award winning projects in our region that will improve the environment & protect residents homes including a flood defence protection scheme and a coastal erosion scheme.

Join us at our next breakfast event where we will hear from our CEYH Civil Engineering Project of the Year winners talking about ‘The Foss Barrier’ project in York.  We will also hear from our Innovation category winners talking about the ‘Runswick Bay Coastal Defence Scheme’ in North Yorkshire.

The Foss Barrier: Road to Recovery, JBA Bentley and the Environment Agency

In December 2015, the most severe floods in a generation hit the city of York. As water levels rose to the highest recorded on the River Foss, they entered the main control building at the Foss Barrier, which forms an important part of the city’s flood defences, rendering the facility inoperable.  The Foss Barrier and pumping station were built in the 1980s in response to severe flooding five years previous. In flood conditions, a mechanical gate can be closed to stop rising waters in the River Ouse from backing up into the River Foss, preventing flooding to a large part of the city. When the barrier is down, the facility relies on eight pumps to transfer flow (up to 30m3/s prior to the refurbishment works) from the River Foss around the barrier into the River Ouse.

After significant involvement in the initial emergency flood response, JBA Bentley were engaged to deliver the high-profile upgrade to the site, with the key objective being to enhance the resilience and capacity of the site, whilst critically ensuring the pump station remained operational throughout.

Working in challenging conditions on a constrained site – with extremely tight timescales – clever civil engineering and an innovative approach to temporary works has been pivotal to the success of the scheme. Although some elements of work are still outstanding, the pumping station is now fully operational from the new building and provides enhanced flood protection and peace of mind to the residents of York.

“Judges acknowledged the collaborative working approach and commitment in delivering a technically challenging scheme in a very public and sensitive environment. The innovative use of modular components to reduce the amount of temporary works was key in delivering the scheme to keep the people of York safe and makes this a very worthy winner”

Runswick Bay Coastal Defence Scheme, Esh Construction

The historic seawall at Runswick Bay had reached the end of its serviceable life with a failure predicted within the next 10 years. The coastal defence scheme involved concrete repairs to the toe prior to the placement of 9,500 tonnes of high-density rock armour to form a new revetment totalling 250m length. This combats the effects of degradation to the toe of the seawall by preventing undermining and scouring while combating the effects of sea level rise and increased storminess predicted as a result of climate change. Ecological enhancement also factored highly in the scheme and represented leading-edge coastal engineering practice.

This innovative award-winning coastal defence scheme involved collaboration between ecologists, engineers and coastal managers and will give 100 years of improved protection to homes and businesses and safeguard the village’s main income stream of tourism.

“Judges were impressed by the scale of this scheme, its longevity and attention to detail. The innovation shown in the project has been independently verified and showcases a great collaboration between engineers and ecologists. The knowledge will be shared within the industry and the team should be rightly proud of a really forward thinking engineering solution” 

 

Event Details

Thursday 7th November 2019 

08:30 to 10:00 (registration & networking breakfast from 08:00)

Addleshaw Goddard LLP, 3 Sovereign Square, Sovereign Street, Leeds, LS1 4ER

CLICK HERE TO BOOK

Wood for Good – Timber construction to be showcased in month long Sheffield festival

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WoodFest comes to Sheffield throughout February with a focus on health and wellbeing; low carbon; circular economy; building performance; offsite construction; and modular design.

The month-long event will feature wood in design and construction in Sheffield and Yorkshire and the programme includes an exciting line-up of events, seminars, exhibitions and challenges celebrating the versatility and sustainability of building with wood, organised by the UK timber industry’s campaign, Wood for Good.

Christiane Lellig, Wood for Good campaign director, said:

“WoodFest Sheffield promises to offer a fantastic opportunity to bring all those involved with the built environment to explore what can be achieved when we work together. Each event is a chance to learn and share about the use of timber in architecture, particularly around health and wellbeing and offsite construction. It provides a platform to discover what’s happening in the region and to be inspired by timber design.”

Constructing Excellence Yorkshire and Humber and Leeds Beckett University are pleased to support this event along with several other high profile partners including Arnold Laver; Sheffield University; Paul Testa Architecture; PEFC UK and TRADA.

PROGRAMME

Small Project / Big Challenge

WoodFest kicks off on 7 February with Small Project / Big Challenge, an evening seminar with sustainability-focused Sheffield architects Paul Testa Architecture and Jon Carr Structural Design along with Sheffield University. They will discuss design and structural challenges with examples including the multi-award-winning Hen House.

48-hour Student Challenge

On 8 and 9 February TRADA will run its annual student challenge at Sheffield University for students of engineering, architecture, architectural technology, quantity surveying and landscape architecture. Judged by high profile engineers, architects and quantity surveyors, multi-disciplinary teams will compete in an intense 48-hour challenge to design an exemplary student accommodation predominantly from timber.

Healthy Buildings

On 21 February, health and wellbeing are top of the agenda at an evening event with Edward Murphy from Ollio Consult, and further experts. The talks and panel discussion are followed by a networking and drinks reception at Kollider.

Modern joinery production – factory tour

A tour of timber door, window and stair manufacturer JELD-WEN’s production facilities will take place at 10am on 28 February. This will offer the chance to see first-hand how timber doors are made in the company’s Sheffield factory, from the timber arriving on-site through to the finished product leaving for distribution. The tour will include a presentation followed by a drinks reception for all attendees.

Sustainable procurement

Managing forests in a sustainable way is vital to protect these important ecosystems, reduce the impact of climate change and to preserve plant and animal species for the future. On 28 February, the PEFC (the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification) will deliver a lunchtime CPD to explain how to procure sustainable timber and timber from sustainably managed forests.

More CPDs, site visits and behind-the-scenes tours

Further events include window-specialist Bereco hosting a CPD session on noise and health in the build environment at their Sheffield showroom.  There will be a behind-the-scenes tour with Sheffield timber merchant Arnold Laver including a networking lunch, followed by an afternoon CPD. Visitors will have the opportunity to see their production facilities including roof truss manufacturing and its treatment plant.

Striking examples of great architecture and design, such as the Hunt House – featured in The Modern Timber House in the UK book, will offer visits focussed on sustainability and wellbeing within the Sheffield region. Modern timber design can be explored more centrally in an exhibition at The Arts Tower and a further evening event on offsite construction and modular design.

Keep checking the WoodFest Sheffield web page to book your place, find out more details, confirm dates and see further added events.

Partners include: Arnold LaverBerecoConstructing Excellence Yorkshire & HumberHalliday Clark ArchitectsIstructE YorkshireJELD-WENPaul Testa ArchitecturePEFC UKSheffield University and TRADA.

Book your place for any of the WoodFest Sheffield events here.

 

 

Representatives from local authorities, housing associations and private developers wanted for Good Homes Alliance Event

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The Good Homes Alliance are seeking interest for local authorities, housing associations and private developers who are interested in the newly launched Vanguard Campaign and wish to attend an exclusive invite only event in Leeds.

Aims of the campaign

Many local authority housing departments and progressive developers are keen Campaign partners to develop housing to “better than minimum” or “enhanced” standards, as this
will lead to better health and well-being for occupants, help reduce fuel poverty, and create better neighbourhoods and long-term local value.

The Vanguard Campaign will showcase the work of Good Homes Alliance members and partners who are working at the cutting-edge to deliver housing to enhanced sustainability standards. These Vanguards will demonstrate what is possible and how they achieved it, with the aim of inspiring others to do the same. The Leeds launch event provides a fantastic opportunity to hear from developers, architects and housing providers about their experiences of delivering to enhanced standards, to raise questions and to network with colleagues.

Leeds Event, 15th May 2018 2018, TIME: 13:30-17:00, VENUE: The Tetley, Hunslet Rd, Leeds LS10 1JQ

This afternoon seminar is the second of the GHA Vanguard Campaign’s free, invitation-only events. It provides the opportunity for local authority housing delivery arms, housing associations and developers in the region to hear from colleagues about their experiences of delivering to enhanced standards, to raise questions and to network.

Enquries

If you are interested in getting involved, please contact Liz in the first instance via e.a.schofield@leedsbeckett.ac.uk or via phone to (T) 0113 812 1902.

The Programme

 

Research, Innovation, Sustainability and Enterprise leaders crowned at Leeds Sustainability Institute annual awards

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The winners of Leeds Beckett University’s annual RISE Awards, that celebrate research, innovation, sustainability and enterprise have been announced by the School of Built Environment and Engineering.

The RISE awards (#RISE2017 for the social media savvy!), organised by the Leeds Sustainability Institute were established in 2015 as a means of bringing together both industry and academia to highlight new sustainable initiatives, schemes, technologies and products being developed or in use today. Presented by Gaynor Barnes from ITV Calendar and sponsored by CITU UK, a leading low carbon homes developer, eighteen awards were handed out in front of an audience of over one hundred and twenty individuals at the Marriott hotel in Leeds last Thursday night. Winners came from a vast array of environments, specialisms and backgrounds with accolades awarded for best research, sustainable developments, social value, enterprise, collaboration and education and training amongst others. All entrants, highly commended and winners displayed the passion and dedication to do things better and to elevate the spaces around us to being fit for twenty-first century living.

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RISE Awards back for 2017

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We are pleased to announce that following on from 2016’s highly successful event, the RISE awards are back for another year highlighting and rewarding the most pioneering initiatives in Research, Innovation, Sustainability and Enterprise. Hosted by Leeds Sustainability Institute at Leeds Beckett University we are inviting applications now for new and innovative products, technologies, processes, projects and schemes. If it challenges the status quo, we want to hear about it!

Completely FREE to enter, submissions are encouraged across 14 different categories. With awards for industry leaders in energy efficiency, new technologies social value, research and more up for grabs we are sure there is a category for you! Previous winners have come from a vast array of environments, specialisms, companies and backgrounds – what matters to us is that entrants display the passion and dedication to do things better, pushing our industry forward and driving up standards.

The winners will be revealed on 14th September at our prestigious RISE business dinner at the Marriott Hotel in Leeds.

CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS OF HOW TO ENTER

RISE BUSINESS DINNER AND AWARDS CEREMONY

Thursday 14th September 2017, 7pm onwards (approx 11pm finish)

Leeds Marriot Hotel , 4 Trevelyan Square, Boar Lane, Leeds, LS1 6ET

Dress Code: Business Smart

BOOKINGS

£680 + VAT for a table of 10

£70 + VAT for an individual place

The evening itself will be the perfect opportunity for you to showcase your initiative amongst your peers, maximising your exposure and bringing your expertise to a new audience. Our vision is that as well as celebrating achievement, the RISE awards will be a breeding ground for future successful industry, academic and third sector collaborations. There will be plenty of opportunities for entrants to have ongoing engagement with Leeds Sustainability Institute and the wider University community both at and beyond the awards.

All ticket prices include a networking reception with welcome drink, a three course dinner, our awards presentation and entertainment.

Click here to book your place

CHOSEN CHARITY

WITH THANKS TO OUR GENEROUS SPONSORS

 

Planning and Housing Strategies in the Combined Authorities – Leeds Planning Network Master Class 16 February

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Planning and housing strategies are essential for economic growth in the Combined Authorities and delegates at the Leeds Planning Network event in February had the opportunity to study three different approaches.
Speakers from Greater Manchester Combined Authority, South Yorkshire and Leeds City Regions provided much needed insight into the impact on planning and housing strategies on the city devolution agenda. They were ably chaired by consultant and researcher Jane Kettle, and addressed an audience of around 50 practitioners. Identifying a choice of strategies, the three speakers shared a vision that links housing growth to rising prosperity.

Anne Morgan, Planning Strategy Manager for Greater Manchester set out the benefits and challenges of the Combined Authority. The ability to produce a Greater Manchester spatial framework has made it possible to identify strategic growth areas, and plan collectively and consistently across ten local government areas. The spatial framework is supported by Mayoral compulsory purchase powers, and benefits from the potential to create Mayoral development companies. It has enabled the authorities to identify priorities, not only for economic growth but for the enhancement of green infrastructure. But it has also entangled the Combined Authority in public controversy over the loss of green belt land as tough decisions on housing allocations are made.
You can look at Anne Morgan’s  presentation here: Anne Morgan – GMSF Leeds .

While the route to becoming a Combined Authority has not been smooth in South Yorkshire, a collective approach to planning and housing has emerged from the bottom-up. A housing compact agreed between registered providers in South Yorkshire was hailed by Tony Stacy, chief executive of South Yorkshire Housing Association, a leap forward in co-operation and joint planning. The compact between local authorities and housing associations demonstrates a willingness to work collaboratively in meeting housing need. It has resulted in a joint bid for housing investment and plans to radically expand the number of new homes built. Housing – once excluded from the priorities of the city region – is now seen as a key part of the infrastructure of economic growth.
 You can look at Tony Stacy’s presentation here: Tony Stacey – Devolution, housing and Planning

An infrastructure investment framework has enabled the West Yorkshire Combined Authority to co-ordinate strategic planning in the Leeds city region and neighbouring areas. Colin Blackburn, Head of Infrastructure, stressed the need for a shared approach to planning and placemaking. While political structures evolve slowly, it is co-operation between authorities on development frameworks, land acquisition, site selection that makes combination possible. Significant challenges to housing delivery persist, and the Government White Paper provided few solutions, but agreement on strategy and consistency in approach are key achievements for West Yorkshire authorities.
You can find Colin Blackburn’s presentation here: Colin Blackburn RTPI – Planning and Housing Under Devo

 

By  Quintin Bradley

 

 

Professional Doctorate in Engineering starting Feb 2017

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In the coming academic year, the Leeds Sustainability Institute (Leeds Beckett University) is able to offer selected companies the opportunity to register eligible members of staff for a part time Professional Doctorate in Engineering (D.Eng.) degree, starting in February 2017. The benefits to companies include:

  • Development of staff to doctoral level
  • Enhancement of in-house research capability via staff training in research techniques
  • Development of research projects of specific company interest
  • Staff retention via investment in personal development
  • Low-cost student fees
  • Flexible learning taking account of other professional commitments

Minimum entry requirements are a 2:1 Honours degree or Master’s degree (or equivalent). Students on our part-time D.Eng program are expected to complete their doctoral study within 4-5 years. We are aware that professional doctoral candidates are able to draw on considerable professional expertise and experience, but may have grown out of touch with formal academic study, so the program seeks to offer substantial initial support in developing key academic skills.

The deadline for applications for a February start is end of September 2016 and early applications are advised. We are always happy to help with developing draft proposals for applications, especially in the areas of Built Environment, Energy or Sustainability.

For more information, or to discuss potential applications, please contact Dr Anne Stafford, a.stafford@leedsbeckett.ac.uk .

#CEYH2016 Awards: Proud to be different!

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As I write this post we are now just under five days to go until we close for this year’s Constructing Excellence in Yorkshire and Humber awards and we are very excited to see what you have all been up to in the last 12 months. We are really heartened by the response of local companies so far and can’t wait to get stuck into the judging process and organising the rest of the evening. There is still time to get your entries in – follow the links below or visit our dedicated awards page here

Not just your average awards ceremony

Here at the CKE, we take the responsibility of providing the best possible platform to showcase your projects, organisations and individuals extremely seriously, which is why you will never see us run the same event twice! Just like our entrants we aim for our awards ceremony to represent the common themes of our awards in being innovative, collaborative and dynamic.

For instance, at last year’s awards we were the only region to run a selfie competition, which was so successful that it was adopted at the nationals. Not just an excuse to take silly pictures (although that is always welcome), the selfie competition helped to raise the profile of the awards across social media giving extra coverage to the companies involved. We will be running it again this year so don’t forget to bring those phones and snap away!

If you are still undecided, here are just three more reasons why our awards are different and how your business will benefit from being involved,

  • Our dynamic team are all from construction/engineering backgrounds. With over twenty years combined industry experience, we know how to sell what the industry does best
  • Our awards are an experience as well as a ceremony. Every year the team try to do something different on the night itself to ensure the event is memorable for all the right reasons and is a real reward for the individuals and teams who take part. With this year’s Swinging from the Rooftops theme, this year is no exception! We have a number of surprises planned for you on the night – we can’t wait for you to see them!
  • Our added value with our relationships to the National Constructing Excellence network, Yorkshire and Humber Constructing Excellence Club, Leeds Beckett University, Leeds Sustainability Institute and our thinkBIM, Green Vision networks. Going forward there will be plenty of opportunities for our entrants to showcase their work at our breakfast and twilight seminars, our half day conferences and through site visits.

How to enter

Fully inclusive and completely free to enter, we welcome submissions from any organisations, companies &/or project teams involved in delivering building & civil engineering projects in our region over the last 12 months. With 13 categories to choose from we are sure there is one for you! The closing date for entries is 29th April 2016 and all the forms can be downloaded from the links below.

Achiever of the Year

BIM Project of the Year

Client of the Year

Health and Safety

Heritage

Innovation

Integration & Collaborative Working

Leadership & People Development

Project of the Year

SME of the Year

Sustainability

Value

Young Achiever of the Year

We look forward to reading your entries!

With thanks to our sponsors

Sponsors-Collage-March2016

Constructing Excellence Members’ Forum – Autumn 2015

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Details have just been released about this year’s members forum event which is taking place on 14th October at Pinsent Masons LLP in London.

Date: Wednesday 14 October 2015
Venue: Pinsent Masons LLP, 30 Crown Place, Earl Street, London EC2A 4ES
Timing: 12.30 – 4.30pm (including lunch)

This Members’ Forum will focus on our members’ theme groups and aims to help members get more value from these. Last year we held a similar event to showcase the groups and consult on any new topics which members felt should be theme groups. This year we again want to showcase the groups’ work, and attendees will hear about new outputs being launched from the Asset Management, Procurement and Collaborative Working groups. Other themes currently include Sustainability, BIM, Funding & Finance, and the Nuclear sector. Our objective is to improve members’ engagement with these themes, and to ask whether these are the right topics for 2016. We look forward to an interesting afternoon and hope as many members as possible will be able to attend.

Please note that, as usual, in the morning we will have a meeting of our members steering group. Each member is entitled to nominate a rep to attend these meetings, they are not a closed shop and new people are welcome at any time. The meetings are always in the morning of the forums (i.e. 3 per year), take 2 hours or so, and are where we develop and direct our work programme to add value for members. Please contact the office if you would like to attend or to be included in the distribution list for future meetings.

Please also note that our Annual Conference will take place at Lord’s cricket ground on 11 November. Each national member is entitled to two free places (additional places and non-members attract a fee). The theme will be learning from other industries, with speakers from IT and aerospace amongst others. You can book for the Annual Conference on EventBrite.

AGENDA

1. Welcome and Introductions Don Ward, Chief Executive
2. Innovation in Practice Demo project Öppen – John Rich, SRA Architects
3. New outputs from our theme groups; 3.1. Asset management John O’Brien, LCMB 3.2. Collaborative working Kevin Thomas, Visionality
4. Breakout session and plenary feedback See below for details
5. Glenigan – KPI findings Tom Crane, Glenigan
6. Close Murray Rowden, CE Chairman

BREAKOUT SESSION “WHAT MATTERS ABOUT…”

Prior to the afternoon’s breakout session, attendees will be invited to add their thoughts to flipcharts on what is important to them about Asset Management, BIM, Collaborative Working, Funding & Finance, Nuclear, Sustainability and Procurement.During the breakout session, the Theme Group Chairs will each facilitate an individual session during which they give a brief update on their group, and use the flipchart data to prompt further discussion/ideas, and help to prioritise and shape the work plans for the next year. Attendees will be free to move amongst as many tables as they wish during the course of the session. There will also be a table for “Missing Theme Groups/New topics” for those who want to discuss or at least propose new topics for CE attention. To book onto the event, please contact Deborah Hynes on 07968 206 115 or deborah.hynes@constructingexcellence.org.uk

UPCOMING MEETINGS

Sustainability Theme Group Meeting – 8th October

Members Steering Group – 14th October

Members’ Forum – 14th October

National Awards – 23rd October

Annual Conference – 11th November

BIM Theme Group meeting- 2nd December

Collaborative Working Champions Meeting – 3rd December

Nuclear Theme Group Meeting – 10th December

Parliamentary Reception – 15th December

 

Celebrating another year of construction success throughout the region

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On Friday 11th October 2013 over 240 construction guests attended the CEYH 2013 Awards held at The Marriot Hotel in Leeds, presented by Harry Gration. We would like to thank all the sponsors, judges and for those of you who submitted entries and we are delighted to announce the winners below.

Health and Safety Award – BAM / Morgan Sindall

Innovation Award   – Turner & Townsend

Legacy – Sustainability Award – LILAC and White Design

SME Award – The Stable Company

Achievers’ Award – Maria Fowler (Morgan Sindall / Grontmij)

Young Achiever Award – Caroline Key (CITB)

Heritage Award – East Riding of Yorkshire Council

Project of the Year – Leeds Arena – BAM Construction Ltd

Consultant of the Year – LEDA

Client of the Year – East Riding of Yorkshire Council

Contractor of the Year – BAM Construction Ltd

Value Award – Interserve Construction

Integration & Collaboration Award – Yorkshire Water

Leadership & People Development Award – Henry Boot Construction Ltd

BIM Project of the year – Leeds Arena – BAM Construction Ltd

Best of the Best – Yorkshire Water

Congratulating the overall winners Andrew Arundel Chair of the Yorkshire Constructing Excellence club said,

I congratulate all the shortlisted finalists and particularly the winners of each of the 16 categories. It was a fantastic evening and really showed how the Yorkshire and Humber region is at the forefront of delivering ‘excellence in construction’.

Organised by Leeds Metropolitan University and Constructing Excellence a packed Marriot Hotel hosted the CEYH event which is now firmly established as a highlight of the construction calendar in Yorkshire and Humber. The audience, which included guests from across the public and private sectors, was addressed by Keith Gilson giving the real contractor perspective in current economic climate.

The LILAC project emerged as winner of the Legacy – Sustainability Award a project that the judges felt truly represented ‘sustainable development’. The finished product has provided 20 homes and apartments creating community on the site of an old primary school in Bramley, Leeds. LILAC is the UK’s first affordable, ecological co-housing project. The development of twenty houses and apartments welcomed its first residents back in March 2013, and recently celebrated its official opening event. LILAC, which stands for Low Impact Living Affordable Community, is a cohousing group who have commissioned the housing with the assistance of the Homes and Communities Agency, the Technology Strategy Board and White Design. The design is contemporary and sets a new standard for both environmental performance and house design in suburban environments.

BAM Construction Ltd  , the integrated design, construction and engineering company swept the board winning the top award for its use of technology (BIM – building information modelling) and project of the year – both for its pioneering approach to the build of Leeds Arena.

BAM Nuttall and Morgan Sindall shared the top spot for another critical category – health and safety –  for their joint venture on the M62 managed motorway scheme.

Steve Wheller Design & Planning Director for BAM Construction North said:

BAM are delighted to have won 3 of the prestigious Constructing Excellence Awards for Yorkshire and the Humber Region. We are committed to the Constructing Excellence drive for change in the industry to improve performance in order to provide a better built environment.

“Our delivery of the iconic Leeds Arena, our use of BIM and overall Regional performance have all been recognised as examples of innovation and continued improvement.” 

Other winners at the awards included Yorkshire Water, East Riding of Yorkshire Council, and consultancy Turner and Townsend.

To view pictures of the evening please go to : http://vectorphotography.photoshelter.com/gallery/Excellence-in-Construction/G0000IoJHa8LrI5g

or if you would like information about sponsoring the 2014 Awards please contact us on 0113 8129106 or c.bowles@leedsmet.ac.uk