New things for you to know about

Look what just landed in our mailbox:

First Reads

Be the first to read new books! Pre-release books are listed for giveaway by publishers and authors, and members can enter to win. Winners are picked randomly at the end of the giveaway.

All you have to do is sign up to be a member, can be linked to your Facebook account to make it easier for you to join.  Then sign up to be given a book in the giveaway.  Aside from that opportunity, it is a very interesting new-ish social media that, let's face it, will likely be interesting to BL employees.

World Book Day Newsletter

The World Book Day website is crammed with activity sheets, teaching notes, colouring and puzzles like these AlfieTeaching Notes from publishers, Random House. Head for our Resources area to discover more FREE downloads.  

Win original artwork by Rachel Bright!

They also  have 2 pieces of original artwork by World Book Day 2013′s official illustrator—the amazing Rachel Bright—to give away to two very lucky people!

To be in with a chance of winning, all you have to do is email your name and address to competitions@worldbookday.com, making sure your message has the subject header Rachel Bright giveaway. The closing date for entries is July 1st 2013.

Lifelong Learning 

Life is one long challenge. It is through the challenges of life that we learn - and it is never too late to learn. Indeed now could be the perfect opportunity to take the plunge and try something new and age shouldn't be a barrier.

Something close to home! From Hilary Hallas, Operations Learning Manager---Please see below details of another CI benchmarking visit in September. If you/members of your staff are interested in attending please let me have names asap as places are on a first come first served basis.    FTPE/Siemens - Best Practice Tour North of England Excellence is proud to be teaming up with Siemens and First TransPennine Express (FTPE) who are hosting an informative and unforgettable best practice tour of the Ardwick Traincare facility for a behind the scenes tour of a Traincare depot.  Ardwick is the principle maintenance depot for the Class 185 fleet.  The depot is one of the most modern Traincare facilities in the country. The Class 185 fleet covers several routes across the North of England including Scotland.  Delegates will have the opportunity to learn about the award winning partnership between FTPE and Siemens and the range of maintenance practices in place to continuously improve to make this one of the most reliable diesel fleets in the country For more information : http://www.noee.co.uk/events/2013-September-18.asp Thanks,   Hilary Midsummer up soon, hope we all get some SUN!

Your BL Union Learning Representatives, Iwona Jurkiewicz, Prospect [London], Marjorie Newson, Prospect [Boston Spa], Andy Robinson, Prospect [Boston Spa], Sarah Wood-Ripley, PCS [Boston Spa]