Will new funding help EVs charge ahead?

One of the biggest barriers to mass take-up of electric vehicles (EVs) in the UK has been the lack of charging infrastructure, writes Andy Weltch.

It’s still much easier to top your car up with petrol or diesel than to charge the battery in your EV, as this report from PwC highlighted.

But a Government annoucement this week (30 March 2023), as part of a package to help get the UK to net zero, could pave the way to a solution.

A £381 million Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) fund alongside an additional £15 million for the On-Street Residential Charging Scheme (ORCS) aims to support the installation of tens of thousands of new chargers across the country.

Why universities need to communicate well

It is increasingly important for universities to have strong communications and public relations (PR) strategies in place, writes Rachelle Cohen.

In this digital age, universities need to ensure they are up-to-date with the latest technology and effective strategies to make the most of their communications.

Whether it’s to promote their research, share news, or build relationships with stakeholders, effective communications are essential for universities to remain relevant and successful.

Women’s sports sponsorship has come a long way

Women’s sports sponsorship in the UK has come a long way in the last few decades, writes Rachelle Cohen.

Weltch Media-sponsored Danni Wyatt of Torquay Utd Women

In the past, women’s sports were often overlooked and underfunded, with sponsorships and media coverage disproportionately focused on men’s sports. But, in recent years, there has been a big shift towards increased support and investment in women’s sports.

The year’s best looking oval track race cars

Which was the best looking car to grace the UK’s oval tracks in 2022?

It’s a question we had to ask, after conducting a very non-scientific study to find the best in the USA, writes Andy Weltch.

So we asked four of the UK’s top racing photographers to come up with their choices, and here they are: two from National Hot Rods and one each from BriSCA F1 and F2 stock car racing.

Again, it’s just down to personal opinion, and there are no prizes, but we hope race fans enjoy this gallery of automotive beauty.

Seeking the USA’s best looking short track car

There’s a wonderful account we follow on Twitter called Short Track Pictures, writes Andy Weltch. As the name suggests, it shares photos of short track racing cars.

We recently asked the account holder what do they consider the best looking short track car in the US in 2022 – and we were delighted with the response.

Study shows e-scooters five times safer than bikes

A new study has found that e-scooters are a lot safer than many may think – five times safer than bikes, writes Andy Weltch.

A report into the safety of e-scooters by The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) found an incident rate for e-scooters of 0.66 collisions for every million miles travelled – five times lower than bicycles with 3.33 collisions per million miles travelled and nine times lower than the figure of 5.88 for motorcycles.

Warwick joins green carpool network

In common with universities around the world, the UK’s higher education sector is showing its commitment to cutting carbon emissions, writes Andy Weltch.

Among the latest initiatives to reach our notice is the University Of Warwick adding Liftango’s climate-positive carpooling services to its sustainable transport initiatives.

Part of Liftango’s commitment to sustainability includes offsetting all carbon emissions from every carpool trip. 

A new home for Team GB snow sports?

Team GB snow sports could have a new home in the South Wales valleys if an ambitious plan for a major sports and leisure complex goes ahead, writes Andy Weltch.

The team behind the proposed Rhydycar West active tourism, sport and leisure resort in Merthyr Tydfil, is starting the pre-application consultation (PAC) this month (April 2022), with the planning application to be submitted afterwards.

On top of the world at Ipswich

Our senior consultant Andy Weltch reflects on a childhood ambition fulfilled – a visit to the world hot rod championship.

For many British kids of my generation, growing up in the ’70s meant the great TV sporting occasions were the FA Cup Final, maybe Wimbledon, an Ashes Test Match, or the British F1 Grand Prix.

For me, there was another TV sporting highlight – the world hot rod championship, held at Foxhall Stadium, Ipswich, every summer.

New book will inform any runner – and encourage some to go further

Tim Wills – author of The Ultra Mile

Our senior consultant Andrew Weltch reviews a new book with lessons for all runners and inspiration for many.

Running is big business these days – a healthy activity which can be done almost anywhere with relatively little specialist kit, it’s no wonder it’s the most popular participation sport in England and, no doubt, elsewhere too.

We’ve looked before in this blog at the success of organisations encouraging mass participation in accessible events like 5ks, 10ks and above – the UK-based parkrun and in the US, New York Road Runners.

But there’s a less accessible level of running beyond such popular events – it’s called ultra-running.