This week, a heady cocktail of London digs, youth training schemes, celebratory relays for those who built the London Olympics, Mitie鈥檚 new surveying tool, hot air balloons and a huge gin distillery

Hansom HT

Londinium calling

London is full of hidden gems, but some are only brought to light just before construction is to start - this time Bloomberg鈥檚 opulent new headquarters in the City. A dig that began before construction started on the building revealed the oldest hand-written document found in Britain. The document dates from 8 January AD 57 and will go on display as part of over 700 artefacts discovered during the excavation when Bloomberg鈥檚 HQ opens. The Roman documents were written on wooden tablets and contain the first ever reference to London, financial documents and evidence of schooling, all translated by The Museum of London Archaeology. Coins were also found - presumably to pay for the tour buses.

Going up in the world

There is on occasion a lot of hot air in the construction industry and now Keltbray has decided to add to it. The demolition specialist has launched a hot air balloon to mark its 40th anniversary. The balloon flew for the first time in the Lord Mayor鈥檚 Balloon Regatta last weekend, one of 50 invited to participate in the event to support the Lord Mayor鈥檚 Charity Appeal. Keltbray鈥檚 balloon will take to the air above cycle race Ride London on 30 July, the Bristol International Balloon Festival 11-14 August and at the Exclusive Cup at Longleat Safari Park on 15-19 September. If you spot the balloon please post a pic to Keltbray鈥檚 Facebook or Twitter page or email it to csr@keltbray.com and there may be a prize in store.

The best tonic has a gin in it

Who wouldn鈥檛 want to stay in a hotel that doubles up as a gin distillery? Portobello Road Gin in west London has announced plans to launch a huge distillery complex incorporating a pub, a G&T bar, a visitor centre and a hotel. The four-storey development on the corner of Portobello and Talbot roads will include a 400-litre gin still fitted in the basement, below the visitor centre and hotel. Not far to stagger from the distillery to your room, then.

Lap of honour

The Rio Olympics may be just around the corner, but the Great Team Relay is planning to revive the spirit of London 2012. The event will see relay teams from firms that helped deliver London鈥檚 2012 Olympics - on time and on (revised) budget - race around the stadium on 14 July for pride, fun and some fundraising. Firms already taking part include Balfour Beatty, Wilkinson Eyre and KPMG. For further information or to sign up, go to www.greatteamrelay.com

Nine days鈥� wonder

The Construction Youth Trust鈥檚 Budding Builders programme - which trains young people from disadvantaged backgrounds into construction careers - has won a share of a 拢2.5m skills fund from NatWest. The programme was one of six London community projects to get a slice of the bank鈥檚 skills and opportunites fund. The funding gives two cohorts of eight young people the chance to attend nine days of full-time training towards careers such as bricklaying, plastering, plumbing, painting, tiling and carpentry. Christine Townley, executive director of the trust, said: 鈥淭he funding will go a long way in helping us to make a difference to young people鈥檚 lives.鈥�

Hasom

Here鈥檚 looking at you

It is already fairly difficult to avoid Mitie鈥檚 63,000-strong workforce, as the ubiquitous facilities management giant seems to run most of the UK鈥檚 buildings. Well, now it鈥檚 going to get a whole lot more difficult, as the firm has launched a new drone service. The technology, the firm says, will enable improved property surveying, efficient thermal mapping and the inspection of hard-to-get-to high-rise buildings, all captured with a hi-resolution 4K camera. No mention of it being used to spy on its competitors, so there鈥檚 a relief.


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