In celebration of World Book Day, we visited Blackdown Pre-School to read construction themed stories with our youngest community members. We really enjoyed our visit, where we not only got to share our love of books, but hopefully sparked curiosity about the world of construction.
To mark the day, we have added new books to our community library located in the entrance to our Project Office on Newfoundland Road. The library is open from 8am-5pm, Mon-Fri so feel free to stop by to borrow a book or even drop off those you no longer need.
We also carefully selected a variety of books from the library to donate to Camberly Manor Care Home. We would like to thank every who has generously donated books to our library, enabling us to spread the joy of reading!
Over the past few weeks we’ve been following Hiten, to understand more about his role as Technical Assurance Manager.
As a Technical Assurance Manager, I make sure all our work is compliant and the team is kept safe. I split my time between two roles: Design Manager/ Coordinator, and Temporary Works Coordinator. This means that I coordinate work and information between teams, and ensure projects run smoothly and safely.
I have worked for Skanska for nearly 14 years and joined Mindenhurst in 2018.
I act as a critical eye to the team, ensuring all our work is compliant. We work with a range of experts from utilities to landscaping, making sure our plans line up and do the job we need before submitting a planning application.
I’ve supported applications for major projects at Mindenhurst such as the new Loop Road and the DIO upgrade works.
Being a Design Manager on the Mindenhurst Development has been an incredible journey for me.
One of the things I enjoy the most about my job is collaborating with the design team to review designs, brainstorm ideas, and ultimately find the best design solutions. It is really rewarding to see our designs being constructed on site, which ultimately improve and transform the built environment
The best part of working in construction is seeing the positive impact of our work.
I studied Civil Engineering at university and joined Skanska as a placement student ahead of starting full time after graduating in 2010.
I’ve enjoyed great opportunities with Skanska. Before Mindenhurst, I worked on a 35-storey building known as The Scalpel in London, one of my favourites!
I would highly recommend working in construction since it’s an industry that offers endless variety. There’s never a dull moment as you get the opportunity to
work on different projects and face unique challenges. But what truly sets it apart is the opportunity to work with amazing teams of people who are passionate about what they do. From design to construction, you get to witness the full process unfold and be a part of bringing ideas to life.
To find out more on careers in construction, head to:
Recently, we’ve been renovating the exterior of St. Barbara’s Church. My role, as a Technical Assurance Manager was to ensure the safety of the project. We required scaffolding, which was designed by a third party company and checked by our in-house engineering specialists, Skanska Tech. I made sure the project was delivered correctly on the ground.
At Mindenhurst, I am one of the Injury Free Environment Trainers. Maintaining an Injury Free Environment is a priority for the team. All members of staff, and trade contractors must take part in our training to protect the physical and mental wellbeing of the entire team. We aim to create an Injury Free Environment (IFE) in which nobody is harmed, it encourages us to look out for one another, so we all go home safely at the end of the day
We were delighted to accept a Certificate of Excellence from the Considerate Constructor Scheme after their last visit to the Mindenhurst Development.
Specific highlights identified by CCS were:
Respect the community: The site continues to have well established and comprehensive community engagement procedures. Recently held “Surrey Feeling Good Week” to further engage with the community.
Care for the Environment: The site is fully aware of the importance of promoting the actions necessary to achieve NetZero carbon to both the operatives and the community.
Value their workforce: The site continues to provide an inclusive environment which promotes and demonstrates gender equality, amplifying the progress of women within their organisation. Also, the impact of Neurodiversity relative to diversity and inclusion. All continue to be given high prominence.
The CSS monitor said: “This is the fourteenth visit to this extensive development which continues to leave an excellent impression of the industry and aims of the Scheme”.
It’s an amazing achievement by the team at Mindenhurst that demonstrates their commitment to the highest standards in delivery of the programme of works.
RSPB’s Big Garden Birdwatch is the world’s largest garden wildlife survey. Every year, hundreds of thousands of nature lovers like you take part, helping to build a picture of how garden birds are faring.
Get involved to help the RSPB monitor and protect UK birds. To take part just watch the birds for one hour, count how many birds (of each species) lands, and finally tell the RSPB your results. To find out more visit their website: rspb.org.uk.
We’re proud to announce that our Senior Construction Manager, Carianne McIntosh, has won the Bronze Award for the Women in Construction award at this year’s National Building & Construction Awards.
As Senior Project Manager, Carianne has many different responsibilities across the site, including:
In addition to her work as a Project Manager, Carianne is always working hard to look after the physical and mental wellbeing of our workforce, and she takes extra care to ensure the team are happy and healthy at work.
As a woman in construction, Carianne recognises the difficulties minority groups may face when entering the industry, and works hard to support those who have been deterred from entering the industry due to factors such as gender, disability, or neurodiversity. Following her own ADHD diagnosis, Carianne has also gone the extra mile to educate the wider team on good mental health including toolbox talks around topics such as stress, anxiety, suicide awareness and coping mechanisms. She also meets with other colleagues with similar struggles to share advice, support their personal development, and mentor them through their own mental health challenges.
We’re delighted to see Carianne’s hard work recognised!
If you enjoy walking, then why not take part in the Mindenhurst Step Count Challenge!
The Step Count Challenge takes place every year in Britain, and this year at Mindenhurst we are taking part between 23 October and 29 October.
To participate in the challenge, sign up to Strava and track your progress against your fellow residents. Strava is an app and website which allows runners, cyclists, hikers, and walkers to track their exercise and connect with others.
We will be announcing the winner of the challenge at the end of the week to the participant who walked the longest distance across the entire week. A second winner will be chosen at random.
Sign up below to be in for a chance of winning!
strava.com/clubs/MindenhurstWalkingGroup
If you have any questions, contact us at hello@mindenhurst.co.uk.
Good luck!
The Mindenhurst team spent a week supporting the newest members of the Mindenhurst community, Lakeside School. The team hosted a full week of activities for pupils to enjoy as part of Healthy Surrey’s Feeling Good Week.
This year’s Feeling Good Week took place between 9 October and 13 October 2023, it is an annual event which supports Surrey’s Healthy Schools Approach to wellbeing, health, and achievement, focused on prioritising our own and other people’s physical, mental, and emotional health.
This year’s theme was ‘I can… We can…’ and was centred on the value of collaboration. The Mindenhurst team delivered a series of construction-themed activities which revolved around working together to achieve more and taking care of one another.
The week kicked off with an assembly, linking the values of Feeling Good Week to construction safety. The assembly encouraged students to look out for others, and to speak up if they are worried about someone or if they spot a hazard.
The Mindenhurst team led a building exercise for years 1-6 which highlighted the benefits of both working together and making sure everyone is included. This was followed by a bug hunt for reception children, delivered in partnership with Surrey Wildlife Trust, to highlight the importance of being kind to others and the world around them.
Niki Dufour, Community Relations Manager at Mindenhurst, said: “It was brilliant to see the students working together, and learning the importance of looking out for each other all whilst having fun. We really enjoyed the opportunity to collaborate with Lakeside School so thank you for having us!”
Stacey Wilkinson, Year 1 Teacher, and Mental Health Lead said: “It was so nice to see all the children working collaboratively and sharing resources to make some amazing creations. It was a great opportunity for them to listen to each other’s views and develop their understanding of ways to support each other with a fantastic open-ended task. Thank you so much!”
Lakeside School is a brand-new facility in the heart of Mindenhurst, boasting 14 classrooms all with adjoining bathrooms and a range of facilities to support pupils and staff, including: two halls, a music room, modern kitchen, student cookery room, library, medical bay, and staff room.
Wild Week returned to Mindenhurst for the third year in a row, with a full week of nature inspired activities for the whole community to enjoy.
On Monday 21 August the Mindenhurst team kicked off their annual Wild Week, with events aimed at bringing residents and local wildlife together.
The week started with a new nature trail through Mindenhurst, which residents can download at mindenhurst.co.uk.
Highlights of Wild Week 2023 included an evening bat walk led by Surrey Wildlife Trust. Equipped with bat detectors, residents were guided through the Central SANG, listening to the echolocation calls and learning how to identify the different sounds from each species. It was a wonderful experience hearing their calls and watching the bats swoop overhead to catch insects.
The Mindenhurst team, supported by Surrey Wildlife Trust, also hosted events on the Village Green throughout the week, including mini beast hunting, pond dipping, and a session making wildflower seed bombs and bird feeders.
Niki Dufour, Community Relations Manager at Mindenhurst, said: “It was brilliant to see the local community getting involved with the activities we arranged, we enjoyed meeting lots of new bug hunters helping us to catch butterflies, grasshoppers in addition to a large spider! We are thrilled to have hosted another successful Wild Week and look forward to future events at Mindenhurst in the coming months!”
To keep updated on future events at Mindenhurst visit: @MindenhurstDeepcut on Facebook or visit Mindenhurst.co.uk
We are excited to announce that we will soon begin archaeological investigations at two sites in Mindenhurst.
We will have a specialist team of archaeologists on site examining these areas, looking for items of archaeological and historical interest. It is essential to carry out this work before development takes place to ensure that we preserve and protect our cultural heritage.
It will be fascinating to see what they uncover since it will contribute to our collective understanding of the past and evidence how the area has changed over time.
Back in 2015, Cotswold Archaeology carried out a site wide archaeological survey, looking into the history of Deepcut and highlighting particular sites of interest. Based on their findings a programme of archaeological work was agreed and approved by the Surrey Heath Borough Council.
In their initial survey the archaeologists excavated test pits which helped identify areas that have archaeological potential and it is these areas that will be the focus of this archaeological investigation.
The plan below shows the two areas where these investigations will take place. Both areas are sites of future residential housing within the Mindenhurst Development and we are required to undertake this programme of work before the land is developed.
As you can see from the plan below, the archaeologists will carry out an extensive investigation by excavating trenches across the entirety of both sites. In preparation for this work, we therefore need to clear the site and remove trees. This will be done in line with our planning permission and we will be working with experienced ecologists from Surrey Wildlife Trust to ensure that all necessary measures have been taken to protect local wildlife.
It is hard to anticipate what might be found during investigations, however by understanding how Deepcut has evolved over time, this will provide us with a better idea.
The earliest recorded history dates back to the Roman era, when the area was part of the extensive road network connecting London to the south coast. However, there is no firm evidence that people lived in the area until post-medieval times (AD1500-1900).
In the 19th century the area was characterised by extensive open heathland and woods, with small clusters of housing and sporadic farmland. The British Army began to use the area of heathland around Chobham Common for training and exercises, however it wasn’t until 1900 when a semi-permanent camp of demountable buildings was built.
The extension of the Bisley Branch Railway Line through Deepcut to Blackdown in 1915 encouraged further expansion of the camp. During the two World Wars, Deepcut played a significant role and became a vital centre for military operations, housing allied forces from all over the world, and leaving a lasting impact on its landscape and community.
The historic interest of the site rests principally with its military history, so the archaeologists will be investigating these areas to see if any military training features might have survived in these areas.
A specialist archaeological contractor will carry out trail trenching at the locations shown on the previous plan. These trenches will be 30 metres in length and 1.8 metres wide and look similar to the example above. Initially the trenches will be excavated by a mechanical excavator, equipped with a toothless grading bucket, however work will continue by hand if they reveal archaeological features.
Hopefully some interesting finds will be unearthed during their investigation. If so, these artefacts will be assessed, photographed, and conserved in accordance with the appropriate museum guidelines. Arrangements will be made with the appropriate museum for the deposition of the site archive and the artefact collection.
We will be working closely with the archaeologists throughout their investigations and will share information as soon as we have it, via our Facebook page, website, and monthly newsletter.
From Monday 21 to Friday 25 August the Mindenhurst team will be hosting our annual Wild Week.
Throughout the week we will be celebrating the natural world around us through a range of nature themed activities across Mindenhurst. We have a full week of free events and activities for the whole community to enjoy. Keep reading for our Wild Week schedule in full. We look forward to seeing you there!
Join us for our Wild Week nature trail visiting spots throughout the Mindenhurst site.
Starting at the Basingstoke Canal use the map and see if you can find any of Mindenhurst’s native wildlife.
There’s plenty to see at the Mindenhurst site!
Come along to our minibeast hunt and pond dipping on the Village Green.
Lift a log, dig in the dirt, gaze into the water and search for the small insects that live on the Village Green. We will be there to help you carefully find and identify different types of minibeasts.
All ages are welcome but children must be accompanied by an adult.
Join us for a guided bat walk led by Surrey Wildlife Trust through the Central SANG. Learn about the native bat species living in and around Mindenhurst, and try to spot our new BAT HQ.
Spaces are limited and you’ll need to reserve yours to join the session. Book your place now by contacting hello@mindenhurst.co.uk
Come along to the Village Green and make your own bird feeder or wildflower seed bombs to take home with you. We’ll show you how to attract birds to your garden with your very own bird feeder which you can make again and again.
Click here for details on how to make the wildflower seed bombs at home.
Click here for details on how to make the wildflower seed bombs at home.
Our site ecologist has shared useful tips and tricks on attracting more birds to your garden.
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