BIG-hearted London Stansted staff have been honoured for the vital work they carry out as fundraisers and volunteers in the local community. They were the winners of i-Volunteer Awards, presented at a ceremony at the airport’s Radisson Blu Hotel. The scheme, run by BAA Communities Trust, celebrates and rewards the many volunteering and fundraising achievements of London Stansted staff. Security Officer Heather Stevens was the overall winner. She walked away with Outstanding Contribution Award for the work she does with Help for Heroes and the Hedley Court Rehab Centre.

Heather first became involved in Help for Heroes by collecting old uniform shirts for needleworkers to turn into patchwork quilts. These were provided to patients at Hedley Court, the Armed Forces rehabilitation centre in Surrey. With the support of colleagues, she also organised an airport-wide raffle which raised over £2,000 for the centre. Modest Heather was overwhelmed by her win. “There were so many worthwhile contenders it came as a complete shock,” she said. “I couldn’t believe I had been chosen. I was so excited I couldn’t wait to get home and call Brenda, the lady who organises the quilt making. I’d told her that I was getting £250 for being shortlisted, but never expected to receive ten times that!” The money will be split between the quilting groups, to buy essentials like cotton and padding with the remainder going to Hedley Court.

PA Anne Downey took the Best Volunteering Individual award for her dedication and commitment to Epping Girlguiding. She received £2,000 which she said would make a huge difference to what they can offer the girls of Girlguiding in Epping. “This is an excellent way to recognise the work of volunteers in the local communities and for us to raise the profiles of the charities and organisations we support,” she said. Airport Systems Manager Sandie Oliver took Best Fundraising Individual for her role as a school governor at Milwards Primary School and Nursery in Harlow. “This money will make a vast difference to the school – they will be absolutely delighted,” she said.

The Stansted Airport Passenger Community Fund Committee took the award for the Best Volunteering Team for their tireless efforts in donating money to local good causes. The cash is raised from passengers’ unwanted foreign currency. Security officers Mike Stapleton and Rob Cable earned the title of Best Fundraising Team. The pair raised hundreds of pounds for Help the Heroes by taking part in an off road driving challenge.

Presenting the awards MD Nick Barton said: “Everyone should feel very proud of what they have achieved. They are all important and valued ambassadors for London Stansted in the local community and these awards are just one way in which we can say thank you.” Shortlisted entrants received a donation of £250 for their chosen charity, with category winners receiving £2000, and runners up receiving £1000. In total, £15,250 was donated to various charities and local community projects.

Pictured - The Stansted Airport Passenger Community Fund committee – (from left) Marcella M’Rabety, Sandra King, Jill Vail, Bob Wainwright, Maria North, Brian Edwards

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ROYAL Caribbean International will launch their first direct cruise connection from London Stansted this summer, using British Airways charter flights to Venice. Launching in June 2011, guests travelling from London Stansted, will connect directly onto Voyager of the Seas, one of Royal Caribbean International’s activity packed cruise ships for a seven night Adriatic sailing.

The airport’s Managing Director, Nick Barton said: “European cruise markets continue to grow in popularity and with direct flight connections, guests can enjoy warmer climates and be settled into their cruise holiday within hours of departing the UK. “We look forward to welcoming guests jetting away from London Stansted for their cruise connection this summer, and wish Royal Caribbean International every success with this new service.”

Jo Rzymowska, Associate Vice President and General Manager, Royal Caribbean International, UK and Ireland, said: “Feedback from cruise travellers tells us that convenient flight connections are a factor when selecting their next cruise experience and the new services from London Stansted are a great addition to our summer 2011 programme. “Setting off on a great value cruise holiday from an iconic destination such as Venice is now easier than ever before, and the new service will deliver an efficient route for thousands of UK cruisers to begin their holiday immediately on the day of departure”.

Highlights onboard Voyager of the Seas include an ice skating rink, rock climbing wall, and indoor ‘street’ running through the centre of the ship featuring shops, restaurants and bars, as well as huge amounts of space dedicated to fun for children and teens of all ages. For further information and reservations call 0844 493 4005, visit www.royalcaribbean.co.uk or your local travel agent.

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AVAST there, you landlubbers! All you pirate fans out there are in for a real treat this summer. Pirates have long fascinated old and young alike – just look at the popularity of the recent Pirates of the Caribbean adventures – and our appetite for tales of high jinx on the high seas shows no sign of letting up.

So a new exhibition in London this summer which chronicles the exploits of one of the most famous pirates in history should prove a swashbuckling success. Pirates: The Captain Kidd Story, opens at the Museum of London Docklands in West India Quay on May 20. Focusing on the legendary privateer turned pirate, Captain Kidd, the exhibition reveals the surprising truth of how London’s corrupt political activities were entrenched in piracy. The launch date also coincides with the anniversary of Captain Kidd’s execution on May 23 1701 in nearby Wapping.

From cannons and hidden treasure maps to female pirates and gruesome gibbet cages, the exhibition has loads of stuff that brings the legend to life. Over 170 objects will be displayed, including Kidd’s last letter with the promise of hidden treasure, a real pirate flag, a gibbet cage and images of the Quedah Merchant shipwreck, the vessel that was captured by Captain Kidd in 1698. The exhibition runs until October 30.

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A PROJECT to create a new village green in the heart of Hatfield Broad Oak has been declared the winner of a £50,000 community challenge from Stansted Airport’s charity fund. The Hatfield Broad Oak Village Green project, an ambitious scheme that plans to transform grazing land into sporting and recreational facilities in the centre of the village, has been awarded the one off donation from the Stansted Community Fund, part of the grantmaking charity BAA Communities Trust. Keith Artus, District Councillor for Broad Oak and the Hallingburys, said: “The Parish Council’s belief in its plan to turn 12.5 acres of land in the heart of the village into a country park has been rewarded with this wonderful offer of support from the Stansted Community Fund.

“Our scheme sits perfectly with the Fund’s aims in that we will be providing new recreational, sporting and wildlife facilities for the community with the benefit of environmental improvements.” Last year, the Fund announced plans to donate £50,000 to a major community project linked to either education, the environment and employment which would bring a lasting benefit for many people. There were 25 bids.

Chair of the Stansted Community Fund, Bob Wainwright, said: “We had a fantastic response to the community challenge and we’re delighted to be able to make this donation and support the Hatfield Broad Oak Village Green project. There is no doubt that the scheme will bring many benefits both to the local community and the environment for generations to come. “So many worthy causes applied for this cash boost, which is why it was important that the Fund’s members carefully reviewed each project using their local knowledge and expertise to select the best possible recipient. We will be following how the project develops with great interest.”

Pictured - Chair of the Stansted Community Fund Bob Wainwright (second from the left) hands over the £50,000 cheque to Keith Artus, District Councillor for Broad Oak and the Hallingburys watched by Stansted Community Fund members Mary Sartin (far right), Paul Schroder (centre) and Marcella M’Rabety (far left).

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LONDON Stansted Airport has been named the “world’s best low-cost airport” at the 2011 World Airports Awards. The airport – the third busiest in the UK - scooped the award at a ceremony in Copenhagen, coming top in the annual Skytrax airport customer survey, based on the feedback of 11.38 million passengers, across 100 different nationalities and covering 240 airports worldwide.

Welcoming the award, Nick Barton, London Stansted’s Managing Director, said: “I’m absolutely delighted London Stansted has been named as the best low-cost airport in the world, especially as the award is decided by those who matter the most - the passenger. “London Stansted is firmly established as a world leader at serving the low-cost airline sector that has transformed air travel. We have a route network that stretches to around 150 destinations with London Stansted now offering more direct scheduled European flights than any other airport in the world.

“We are extremely proud London Stansted is home to airlines such as Ryanair, easyJet, germanwings and airberlin, plus AirAsia X, one of the new breed of long-haul, low-cost airlines. These are some of the most profitable and innovative airlines in the world, operating modern and efficient aircraft fleets, and who continue to grow and open new markets. It’s thanks to the help and support of our excellent airline partners that we have gained this global honour and recognition.

“The airport has just celebrated the 20th anniversary of HM The Queen opening our iconic terminal building in 1991. This award is a fitting tribute to the world class airport infrastructure developed by Lord Foster that has been brilliantly complimented by the modern efficiencies and technological improvements achieved by the low-cost airline sector.”

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STANSTED Airport has more scheduled flights to Europe than any other UK airport and is now officially the main home of the leading low-cost scheduled airlines. The airport offers flights to over 140 destinations by some 41 airlines and has become the airport of choice for many discerning travellers. The stunningly modern airport has everything a traveller would expect from a 21st century airport terminus, including world class shopping. However far you are away from home or the office, Stansted Airport really does have all the facilities a leisure or business traveller would need.

One of the most convenient and fastest ways to get to the airport is by train, and now faster’s even better with the arrival of our brand new trains. The first official launch of the state-of-the art 379 Electrostar was unveiled by the Rt Hon Philip Hammond MP on March 17 2011. New trains will continue to be deployed until the end of July 2011. Stansted Express is one of the most comfortable, seamless ways to travel to and from Stansted Airport, with trains departing every 15 minutes* and an average journey time of 35 minutes to Tottenham Hale station and 45 minutes to Liverpool Street station.

All Stansted Express services start at Liverpool Street station and call at Tottenham Hale station in north-east London, which improves Stansted Airport access for passengers based both locally and in London’s West End. From Tottenham Hale, passengers can reach the rest of London via an easy link to London Underground’s Victoria Line. Stansted Express operates an extended timetable seven days a week to ensure that air passengers on early and late flights can have the ease and speed of travelling to and from the airport by rail. Trains start departing from Liverpool Street station as early as 03.40 hrs on Mondays to Fridays to get business passengers to the airport for their early flights, and continue throughout the day up to 01.30 hrs for passengers arriving on very late flights and wanting to travel into central London.

The train arrives and departs Stansted Airport railway station, which is only a two minute walk from the airport terminal, and check-in areas on the ground floor, lifts, escalators and luggage trolleys are easily accessed – couldn’t be simpler – literally train to plane and back again! With the air traveller in mind, Stansted Express trains have plenty of luggage space and on most services, an at-seat trolley service with a range of drinks, snacks and light refreshments. Express class offers a choice of seats around large tables or seats in airline style, and the First Class accommodation provides a calming and spacious environment so that you can make the most of your time whilst travelling to and from the airport.

When travelling First Class, you will benefit from extra-large seats and a Fast Track pass which allows you to speed through Security Control at the Airport, thus avoiding queues. One of the easiest ways of booking Stansted Express tickets is online at fastersgettingbetter.com Here, travellers can instantly book tickets online and benefit from a £2 discount off the full ticket price. If you also register your details online, you will be updated on all current and upcoming special offers.

*Early and late trains are every 30 minutes. For detailed timetable information visit www.stanstedexpress.com

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