Community News

The Queen's official birthday was marked with a scaled back celebration for a second year due to Covid.

This year's Trooping the Colour saw a reduced parade in the grounds of Windsor Castle, rather than in central London, led by the Scots Guards. In 2020 the event was cancelled due to the pandemic with a ceremonial tribute performed at Windsor by Welsh Guardsman and a band of the Household Division.

It came ahead of the Queen hosting US President Joe Biden. The monarch's actual birthday is on April 21 but her official birthday is marked on the second Saturday of June each year.

It is traditionally celebrated with a military parade near Buckingham Palace in which the Household Division marches carrying a regimental flag, known as a colour. The Duke of Kent - the Queen's cousin - was also present for the ceremony, which saw the F Company Scots Guards troop the colour of the 2nd Battalion Scots Guards through the ranks of guardsmen on parade.

The celebration was a lot smaller than normal and has been dubbed a mini Trooping the Colour. But the military officer in charge of planning the parade said his aim was to create a memorable and uplifting day for the monarch, who has been based at Windsor during the pandemic.

Lt Col Guy Stone said: "Last year we had 85 on parade, this year we've got 274, plus 70 horses, so we're really excited about the event having grown and getting us back to normal for next year we hope.

"It's been very challenging, but we like a challenge. Covid has got a lot to answer for in so many ways, it's made this difficult but what we want to do more than anything is give the Queen a memorable and uplifting day."

May appeared to be the month nominated to focus on mental health issues. So, the many media platforms and outlets has been full of videos, articles and debates that feature the challenges faced by those with mental health issues, carers with the responsibilities of caring for their loved ones, the professionals working to deal with the current crisis levels of need and the politicians grappling with the financial burdens of dealing with the situation.

The month, for me, has only reinforced my view that the Black Communities have been left behind when it comes to dealing with our particular crisis.  Why do I say this?

Well, the diagnosis of mental health illness has been easy to make for black youth, particularly our young men, for decades.  However, dealing with the root cause has not featured highly for those in the position to take action to deal with the disproportionate numbers of black people in mental institutions or on medication.  Given that has been a major challenge in our community, should we be surprised we are faced with the same situation when we look to the mental health of our elders?

This month has featured Dementia as the topic for our focussed attention.  So, what does that mean for us a Black Community and what is Dementia?

Dementia, simply put is a collective term for the loss of memory and thinking skills.

According to studies, Black people in the UK are more likely to develop dementia than those from other ethnic groups but are still much less likely to be diagnosed and receive support, warned the authors from University College London and King’s College London who conducted the study.

Dementia affects more than 25,000 people from black, Asian and minority ethnic groups in the UK. The population makeup of the UK means that these numbers will only increase with time. In fact in 2017, research findings predicted that by 2051 the number of people suffering from dementia will double, however, in the BME community the numbers will increase by 7 fold!

So, what is it that makes our life and death, and more importantly our health and disease patterns, so different?

One answer lies in what challenges we face in life and the toll it takes on the brain to constantly overcome those challenges. The most immediate environment in which our brain is born and developed, and later interacts with during our adult life, makes all the difference. It impacts how we view the world and react to it, and affects our brain health tremendously. If that environment is full of injustice, discrimination, and racism, our brain experiences huge amounts of stress that dramatically decrease its healthy function.

The question we always have to ask ourselves is,

“Armed with the findings from the many research and studies, what should we be doing to change the landscape of care for our elders?”

I believe we need to learn more and speak more openly about the subject.  Too often we deny these health issues and therefore deny the support that should be demanded for us and our loved ones.

WE need to work together to identify our pressure points and the existing organisation in a position to lead a movement to alleviate those challenges.

So, I ask you to contact me with your thoughts on the way forward and topics for discussion in this column to ensure we change the landscape of care for our elders.

Sherril Donaldson
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The City of Wolverhampton is gearing up for a free event for all the family to mark the national Armed Forces Day celebrations taking place at the end of the month.

Armed Forces Day, which takes place on Saturday 26 June, is a chance for people to show their support for the entire armed forces community – including those currently serving, their families, veterans and cadets. The countdown to Wolverhampton’s celebrations will begin with a flag-raising ceremony at 11am on Monday 21 June outside the Civic Centre when the Armed Forces Day flag will be proudly flown.

On Armed Forces Day itself, West Park will be buzzing with activities for people of all ages as it becomes the focus of family celebrations between 12noon and 4.30pm. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, people must pre-book their free tickets for the event in order to control the numbers attending.

There will be live music from Chris Westwood, The Bluebird Belles and Helix Acoustic and a military drill and inspection in the event arena at 1pm. This free family fun event, hosted by well-known local radio presenter Dicky Dodd, will also feature a fun fair, street food traders, bars, face painting, an appearance from Wolves FC mascot Wolfie, climbing wall and escape room.  

There will also be the chance to meet and chat with local forces as well as information stands. The finale of the event will be a skydiving display from The Wings Parachute Display Team which takes place at 4.30pm (weather permitting) with four parachutists jumping from a helicopter and landing into the event arena.  

Mayor of the City of Wolverhampton, Councillor Greg Brackenridge, said: “As a city, we have a special relationship with our armed forces.

“Armed Forces Day is an opportunity to celebrate all that the forces do to defend the nation at home and abroad and as an ex-serviceman myself, this is something that is close to my heart. We have a fantastic event planned to mark Armed Forces Day.

“I would love to see as many people as possible come along and have a great time with their families while showing their support for the forces and thanking them for all they do for our city and country.” Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, this year the event will be ticketed in order to control numbers attending.

Tickets are free but must be booked in advance.

With temperatures predicted to continue to soar over the weekend, Brits across the country are planning how to make the most of the ongoing warm weather – but a leading UK vet charity has issued a warning for pet owners in this sweltering weather.

According to PDSA Vet, Lynne James, heatstroke can unfortunately be a huge issue for dogs at this time of year, and in severe cases can be fatal. If a dog’s body temperature gets too high above the normal 38.6°C (101.5°F) they can become seriously unwell and need emergency treatment. Signs of heatstroke vary from excessive panting, trouble breathing, stopping suddenly, confusion, bright red gums, foaming at the mouth, collapse or even seizures. While this is a scary prospect, there are plenty of things we can do to keep our dogs out of harm’s way in the warm weather.

Lynne’s top five tips:

1) Avoid the heat of the day

“One of the biggest heatstroke triggers is too much exercise in hot weather. Though your dog might typically enjoy long walks and frolicking around the garden, it’s best to stay indoors for the hottest part of the day. This is generally around mid-afternoon, so aim for outdoors time in the early mornings or evenings. When you do venture out, avoid strenuous exercise like running or games of fetch. Instead stick to gentle walking and allow your dog plenty of time to sniff, keeping their brain active as well as their legs.

2) Provide access to shade and water

“If you’re planning on heading out of the house, make sure to pack a supply of water for your dog so you can hydrate them throughout the day. Even if you’re just going out for a short time and it doesn’t seem that warm to you, it’s really important to take a drink for your dog in case they get thirsty.

“Whether you’re embarking on a stroll along a coastal trail, country lane or inner-city street, try to find areas of shade and rest more often than you would if you were walking without your pet – imagine how often you’d take a break if you were hiking in a fur coat!

“Cooling your dog down with a splash of water can help them maintain a comfortable body temperature – just ensure it’s not freezing cold as this could induce shock. Allowing your dog to paddle in a shallow pool or stream is also a great way to help them stay cool- just make sure the water is safe and clean before they venture in.

3) Be wary of hot spaces

“Whatever the weather, you should never leave your dog in small, unventilated spaces, particularly cars, caravans or sheds. Even humans find it unbearable sitting in a conservatory for too long on a hot day. When you’re at home with your dog, try keeping windows and doors open on the shaded side of the house where it’s safe to do so. This will allow plenty of fresh air to filter into the room. If you’re leaving your dog for a short time at home, make sure they’re in a cool, shaded room – draw the curtains, put a fan on a high shelf out of reach or leave them a pet-safe cool mat to make sure they don’t get too warm while you’re gone.

4) Cut back on the coat

“For dogs with thicker fur, hot weather can be especially uncomfortable. During the warmer seasons, consider having your dog’s coat groomed or clipped short to help prevent them from over-heating. It’s also important to be aware that flat-faced breeds such as Bulldogs, Pugs and Shih Tzus are at a higher risk of heatstroke, as they can’t cool down as effectively through panting.

5) Watch their weight

“Though this is more of a long-term issue, watching your pet’s weight is crucial as overweight dogs are more at risk of heatstroke. Keeping your dog at a healthy weight will not only help to prevent a number of additional health problems, but also stop them getting as hot in warm weather so they can enjoy some fun this summer.”

PDSA is the UK’s largest vet charity. We’re on a mission to improve pet wellbeing through prevention, education and treatment. Support from players of People’s Postcode Lottery helps to reach even more pet owners with vital advice and information. 

Two local champions of grassroots sport - England’s first hijab-wearing boxing coach and a blind fundraising runner - have been named as Hometown Heroes, inspiring local champions of community sport celebrated by the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.

Haseebah Abdullah coaches at Windmill Boxing Gym in Smethwick. Haseebah has been key in promoting and developing female participation in boxing in her community, having also played a huge role in changing official dress code rules to allow women to wear a headscarf and full-length clothing. Known for making others feel welcome and comfortable, Haseebah has seen the confidence of the club members soar and membership numbers increase.

Haseebah said: “It feels absolutely amazing to have been selected as a Hometown Hero. My aim has always been to provide a service, a home, a safe haven and a platform for equality in my sport and community.

“I’ve fought really hard to earn my place as a boxing coach, challenging stereotypes and overcoming many barriers. Receiving this recognition proves to me that we should always be the change we wish to see! As a coach I will continue to dedicate my time to create positive noise, break down barriers, accommodate different needs and be a driving force for equality and participation.”

Sandwell’s second Hometown Hero is Black Country legend Dave Heeley OBE, or ‘Blind Dave’ as he is more commonly known. Dave lost his sight at a young age but never let this hold him back. One of his greatest achievements was becoming the first blind man to run seven marathons on seven continents in just seven days, raising staggering amounts of money for charity in 2008. Since then, Dave’s determination to raise money via gruelling challenges has never wavered. In 2011, Dave covered 1,000 miles, conquering 10 marathons and 750 miles of tandem cycling in just 10 days, travelling from John O'Groats to Land's End. In 2015, Dave persevered in the Marathon des Sables - known as the toughest race on the planet, it consists of six days across the Sahara Desert, running over 160 miles. Still a local legend at heart, Dave has inspired hundreds of people, many in similar positions to him, to take up running and fitness, and often giving up his time to help, encourage and support others on their own journeys.

Dave said: “I’m so pleased and proud – I’m a Black Country boy, and to have the Commonwealth Games here is amazing. It’s absolutely brilliant to have the opportunity to represent my home borough and be a part of this little bit of history.”

The Hometown Heroes campaign by Birmingham 2022 celebrates and recognises the diversity of the region by shining a spotlight on those that go above and beyond to develop sport, encourage participation and promote physical and mental wellbeing in their community.

To celebrate their inclusion, each Hometown Hero will be profiled on Birmingham 2022’s website and social media channels over the coming weeks and will each receive a special glass award to mark their achievement.

Sandwell Council deputy leader Councillor Maria Crompton said: “I’m so proud of our Hometown Heroes. Haseebah and Dave for me sum up the spirit of Sandwell: that determination to overcome challenges and build on the diversity of our community to create a better place to live.”

Ian Reid, CEO of Birmingham 2022, said: “I’m in awe of our Hometown Heroes. Their generosity, whether that’s giving up their time or just being a listening ear, is inspiring. Birmingham 2022 promises to be the Games for Everyone, and while it’ll be an event that brings together the best athletes in the world, we are also aiming to inspire the next generation. Shining the spotlight on these devoted individuals will no doubt encourage participation in sport and physical activity across the West Midlands.”

The Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games will be held from 28 July until 8 August 2022. The Games is already proving to be a catalyst for transformation across the West Midlands, attracting new investment and funding, creating jobs and apprenticeships for local people and new opportunities for local businesses, as well as accelerating projects that will ensure the region is ready to host a fantastic sports and cultural celebration.   

If you want to be part of history, you can apply to be one of the 13,000 spirited, dedicated and dynamic volunteers required to be the heartbeat of the Commonwealth Games. Volunteering at Birmingham 2022 is an opportunity to give something back, inspire a generation and be a part of something special - like our Hometown Heroes do every day.

HS2 has launched a national vote to name the project’s third Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) which is set to create a one-mile twin bore tunnel under Long Itchington Wood in Warwickshire.

Three names have been shortlisted from over 180 entries submitted by people in Warwickshire, who were asked to nominate the names of women closely associated with the county. The vote is now open, with the online competition running until the end of June. The names are:

·         Anne – named after Anne Hathaway, who was the wife of the country’s most famous playwright, William Shakespeare. She was born in 1556 and her childhood home nearby in Stratford-upon-Avon was bought by the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust in 1892 and turned into a museum. Suggested by a resident from Nuneaton.

·         Dorothy – named after Dorothy Hodgkin, who in 1964 became the first British woman to win the Nobel Prize in Chemistry. Her discoveries included confirming the structure of penicillin, and her work with insulin paved the way for it to be used on a large scale for treatment of diabetes. She died in 1994 in Shipston-on-Stour in Warwickshire. Suggested by a student at Warwickshire College Group.

·         Mary Ann – named after Mary Ann Evans, better known by her pen name George Eliot, who was an English novelist, poet, journalist, translator and one of the leading writers of the Victorian era. She was born in Nuneaton and her novels, most famously 'Middlemarch', are celebrated for their realism and psychological insights. Suggested by a pupil at North Leamington School.

HS2’s Civils Director, Mike Lyons, said: “The naming of this TBM marks a crucial milestone for the project, with the tunnel under Long Itchington Wood the first significant piece of Britain’s new high-speed railway to be built in the Midlands. The 170 engineers working on the TBM during its construction and assembly are amongst the 16,000 people employed by the project.

“I’d like to thank people in Warwickshire for suggesting a great selection of interesting and inspiring women who have such a close connection with the county. I look forward to finding out who the British public choose as the winning name later in the summer.”

The Long Itchington Wood TBM will begin tunnelling under Warwickshire later this year and will be operated by HS2’s main works contractor for the West Midlands, Balfour Beatty Vinci (BBV). The 2,000-tonne tunnel boring machine, which has been manufactured in Germany by Herrenknecht, will be around 10 metres wide and will take around five months to complete the first bore of two parallel tunnels.

Balfour Beatty VINCI’s Managing Director, Michael Dyke, said: “With the Tunnel Boring Machine set to start its critical journey later this year, we’re delighted to have engaged with the local community in Warwickshire to uphold the engineering tradition of naming the 2,000-tonne machine, after a notable woman.

“Alongside HS2, we’re now calling for members of the public across the UK to choose one of the three carefully selected names – and play a role in this key milestone, for Europe’s largest infrastructure project.”

The Long Itchington Wood tunnel avoids disrupting the ancient woodland located above the tunnelling works. Once the first bore is complete, the TBM will be extracted at the South Portal before being transported by road back to the North Portal to commence the second bore. The final section will become a ‘green tunnel’ – also known as a cut and cover tunnel – where a soil ‘roof’ is built around the tunnel entrance to integrate the portal into the natural landscape.

This is the third HS2 tunnel boring machine that will be put to a public vote to name it, with the first machine already tunnelling under the Chilterns. They were named after two famous local Buckinghamshire women: Florence Nightingale – the founder of modern nursing who spent many years living in Buckinghamshire; and pioneering astronomer and astrophysicist, Cecilia Payne-Gaposchkin, who was born in Buckinghamshire.

The national vote will close at the end of June, with the winner expected to be announced later in the summer. Traditionally, tunnelling machines are always named after women.

If you’re looking for a special gift for your dad this Fathers’ Day, shop in store or online with Midlands Air Ambulance Charity and support its lifesaving missions at the same time.

Midlands Air Ambulance Charity is not just a service committed to saving lives, the charity’s five high street shops are offering a promotional offer of three for two on all menswear, to help save you some pennies as well.

With Fathers’ Day coming up on Sunday June 20, Midlands Air Ambulance Charity wants to ensure you get your hero a lifesaving gift this year, as well as help keep the charity’s heroes in the skies and make their future missions possible.

The charity has a range of appealing merchandise that would make the perfect gift to celebrate Fathers’ Day and commemorate the charity’s 30^th anniversary. This includes branded clothing, lifesaving mugs, exclusive cufflinks created by heritage Midlands jewellers, Deakin & Francis, and beer from local Birmingham Brewing Company.

Anil Gupta, head of retail for Midlands Air Ambulance Trading Ltd, said: “As a dad myself, it’s always lovely to receive a thoughtful gift from my son, and Fathers’ Day is a great excuse to support the charity by visiting one of our shops or making an affordable purchase online.

“2020 was a tough year for our high street shops due to multiple temporary closures to comply with local and national Government restrictions. That’s why we are excited to continue welcoming customers safely back to our stores and offering them some of the best deals for Fathers’ Day.”

The Barbados High Commission UK, in partnership with 2nd Generation of Barbadians & Friends Birmingham present Let’s Talk About Windrush

Speaker - Dr Alan Combley

Time: Jun 22, 2021 06:00 PM London

Join Zoom Meeting

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Meeting ID: 845 6513 1225

Passcode: 400984

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Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kcmxn6QzNg

Local high street shop, Dreamland Bedding in Brierley Hill, raised £2,500 for Midlands Air Ambulance Charity, funding one of its rapid response, lifesaving air ambulance missions.

The staff at Dreamland Bedding Centre usually hold an annual get-together around the festive season and raise funds for Midlands Air Ambulance Charity. Unfortunately, due to the continuing COVID-19 pandemic, restrictions meant that the dampeners were put on the party.

However, Mike Brown, owner of Dreamland Bedding Centre, got creative and decided to send invitations out to a raffle in aid of the lifesaving charity as an alternative. After being inundated with RSVPs, which included monies for the raffle tickets and donations, Mike and the Dreamland Bedding team raised an impressive £2,500, funding a rapid response, pre-hospital emergency mission.

In April, as lockdown restrictions began to ease, Mike was finally able to present the cheque to Alison Hill, volunteer manager for Midlands Air Ambulance Charity.

Alison said: “With no Government or NHS Charities Together funding, we’re so grateful to local businesses like Dreamland Bedding who have continued to show us their support and helping us make future lifesaving missions possible. Thanks also go to everyone who took part in the raffle and donated to support our vitally important service.”

For further information about Dreamland Bedding Centre, visit: dreamlandbedding.co.uk

To find out more about the charity, visit midlandsairambulance.com and follow the service on social media.

This is My City is a programme which brings together the residents of Birmingham and celebrates the rich cultures of the UK’s second city. 

Now in its third year, the two-day online event will explore the cultures of Europe, Asia, Caribbean and Africa, through the universal components of world food, music, arts, culture and sport. The jam-packed itinerary can be enjoyed online and has been coordinated by United Community Activity Network (UCAN) and has been officially endorsed by United by Birmingham 2022.

Mark Jeffreys, UCAN Director and Director of Sport and Physical Activity, Birmingham City University, said: “The This Is My City programme and festival in particular is something that Birmingham needs, not only celebrating the culture and achievements of the diverse community of the second city but addressing issues around Black health. As a member of the TIMC team and also as a director for UCAN, the charity that has developed the initiative, this is something we all need to support and embrace”.

The second day of the festival will include the first ever global summit for Black health with US partners Black Health Matters working hard to raise awareness across the United States and now the world. Black Health Matters, host of the largest virtual health summits in the U.S. for people of colour, join the TIMC Festival to bring a wealth of health information to summit attendees. 

Joining the summit will be actor David Harewood, R&B artist Ruby Turner, international cricketer Carlos Brathwaite, international athlete Marilyn Okoro and a surprise guest appearance from an Olympic medallist born in Birmingham.  A host of medical presenters will also attend the summit, discussing various topics around black health inequalities the communities in Birmingham currently face.

“As the leading health and wellness platform that addresses the health and wellness of people from the diaspora, Black Health Matters is pleased to partner with This is My City and Birmingham City University on our Summit”, said Roslyn Y. Daniels, publisher of Black Health Matters.  

“As a group, people of the diaspora experience significant disparities with chronic conditions, access to care, preventive screenings, and mental health.  This new collaboration will have global impact and is the first of many that will encourage thousands to become more proactive and knowledgeable about their health.” 

Following the easing of Covid restrictions, a third day of celebrations has been announced on June 26 and will take place at Edgbaston Stadium alongside a T20 Cricket fixture for the resident men and women’s team.

Festival partners and sponsors include, Birmingham City University, Birmingham Commonwealth Association, Legacy West Midlands, Sport Birmingham, Edgbaston Foundation, Brum Hour and SeventyOne Media.

This Is My City festival 2021 headline sponsor is the Wickes Foundation.

West Bromwich company Jacopa has given something back to its local community by working with Sandwell Council to restore steps at the popular Sot’s Hole Local Nature Reserve. Sot’s Hole is locally important for wildlife, geology and education. It has over 5 hectares of some of the oldest woodland in the borough.

A stream flows through the site and a small pool has recently been created. The wet woodland supports a variety of tree species, plants – including water horsetail and marsh thistle – and a range of woodland bird species, such as sparrowhawks and great spotted woodpeckers – as well as many other woodland creatures.

Close to Dagger Lane/Church Vale in West Bromwich, the semi-ancient woodland provides excellent access to Sandwell Valley Country Park and the restored steps form part of this route. With their head office at Millard Industrial Estate in West Bromwich, Jacopa were ideally situated to support the project.

The park’s well-trodden steps had started to show their age and were desperately in need of being refreshed. Jacopa provided staff to help restore the steps to their original condition free of charge as part of the Community Social Responsibility/Social Value programme.

Sandwell Council arranged materials for the work, supported by the Countryside Ranger Team, and organised assistance from volunteers who observed current Covid-19 guidelines.

The work on the steps took place over three days, from 25-27 May.

Alex Lloyd of Jacopa said: “Jacopa is very pleased to support this project to improve green spaces for the local community and work closely with Sandwell Council. Our business has been located within the Sandwell community for many years, we are an environmental company helping to protect the UK’s natural water resources and most of the people who work for the business live in the Sandwell area. So, this and future green spaces projects, fit very well with the support Jacopa can give its local community.”

Councillor Maria Crompton, Cabinet Member for Strong and Resilient Communities, said: “Jacopa’s role has been key in restoring the steps at Sot’s Hole. Visitors to the Local Nature Reserve will now have better access to the wider country park from this popular site. The steps provide the only access into the country park from the Local Nature Reserve, giving visitors the opportunity to explore wonderful open areas of countryside.” 

Council Leader, Rajbir Singh, said: “I hope that this joint approach will inspire other local companies looking to give something back to communities across Sandwell. The restoration of the steps at Sot’s Hole is a great example of how Sandwell Council is bringing partners together to support environmental issues and create a safer, cleaner and greener borough.

“With the commitment and effort from Jacopa’s staff and management we have enhanced this valued green space for local people and visitors, so that they can enjoy the experiences provided by the Local Nature Reserve and Sandwell Valley Country Park.”

People are being invited to turn on radios at their doorsteps to premiere a piece of music as part of Coventry's year as UK City of Culture.

Nine radio stations will play different parts of the piece from 20:21 BST today (June 5) and these form the full version when they are heard at the same time. Residents in Coventry are being asked to talk to neighbours and plan who will listen to which station. It will mark the culmination of the signature event.

Coventry's year as UK City of Culture officially launched on May 15 with thousands of people tuning in to watch a short film posted on the festival website. Its centrepiece, Coventry Moves, was originally due to coincide with the launch, but was moved to today to because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Like other events planned for the coming months, it has had to negotiate Covid-19 restrictions, including social distancing. Starting at 08:00 BST, and broadcasting on the festival website and social media, as well as coverage on television platforms, the day will include the retelling of the city's pioneering past, present and future.

Digital content will also feature six people with Coventry connections to represent the city's energies - described by organisers as resilience, social justice, youthfulness, sustainability, people power and innovation. One of the six, Pauline Black, from 2-Tone band The Selecter, will perform a new song written for the event.

The day's activities will also include 14 modern Lady Godivas, chosen from more than 140 nominations, to represent the city's women. Although details are a closely guarded secret, some of them have been learning to ride a horse for the first time as part of films planned on the day.

The climax of the day's events at 20:21 BST will see Coventry schoolchildren feature on eight-minute tracks from composer Dan Jones as part of an event entitled Coventry Moves Together. With people switching on radios or internet devices at their doorsteps, the whole city will form an orchestra, organisers said; "weaving a musical tapestry across the city".

Flying rats, pests, vermin… seagulls don’t get the best press - but their savage attacks on bewildered binmen have sealed their reputation.

Refuse collectors across the UK are reporting being dive-bombed by starving gulls, desperate to get their talons on morsels of food. It sounds shocking, but this isn’t new behaviour for seagulls - many terrified residents of coastal towns report being terrorised by the local wildlife, often due to their reliance on human food. One man, appearing on ITV’s This Morning, even reported being ‘held hostage’ by birds living on the roof of his bungalow, adding: “I was struck on the back of the head by a fully-grown gull… It chased me up the road and had three more goes at me.”

Another man in Scotland was attacked so viciously by a gull that it drew blood - all because he was eating a sandwich, which he sadly noted [he] “ended up throwing it in the bin after it had tried to get it out of my mouth. What a lose-lose situation”.

The problem is so severe that some towns have published guides on what to do if you’re attacked by one of these angry birds.

So why are these airborne attackers now turning on bin collectors?

Part of the problem is the dramatically reduced footfall in previously busy areas as city centre footfall fell by 75% in some areas: and with far fewer shoppers and workers comes a reduction in litter and dropped food. Many gulls have adapted to live reliant on human food waste to survive, leading East Riding of Yorkshire Council to warn residents that “seagulls may be more hungry than normal and may behave aggressively”.

Liverpool Divert.co.uk binman Charlie agrees. “I’ve had them swoop at me while I pull bins up to the truck, try and pull half eaten food out of open bins while we’re emptying them, diving at the lorry… they’re absolutely feral. They’re always quite scary because they’re huge, but now it seems like they’re out for blood if you take any scrap of food away.”

“I’d cull them if it were up to me,” added his colleague, Adam. “They’re an absolute menace - there are certain routes I won’t do now unless I’m giving a hard hat and a chance of protecting myself against them.”

A cull seems drastic, but is it what’s required?

Mark Hall, spokesperson for rubbish disposal experts Divert.co.uk, said there are other options.

“While wildlife culls are used when a particular species becomes a nuisance, this behaviour is hopefully temporary, and gulls are protected by law - so we discourage anyone from taking matters into their own hands. What will help more than anything, however, is households properly disposing of waste to discourage the birds in the first place.”

Residents are advised to:

• Ensure bins are closed, with a proper lid, to stop birds getting into any waste food and becoming dependent
• Never litter - it provides a food source
• Don’t leave bin bags on the street overnight: they’re easily ripped by gulls and cause a huge headache for rubbish collectors if that happens
• Do not encourage the gulls by feeding them - this creates a vicious circle where birds will return for food

The Centre for Sustainable Energy (CSE), a national environmental charity, is offering £100,000 to community groups across Birmingham to support citywide low carbon sustainability projects.  Applications open on 7 June and more information is available on the 3D website.

Successful projects will support Birmingham’s net zero carbon targets by using data from the 3D hub, a pioneering free platform using local data to understand the needs of communities. The ten winning projects will receive up to £10,000 each. Applications for funding can focus around a wide range of areas including behaviour change, air pollution, transport, energy and health.

Bridget Newbery CSE project manager said; “We’re excited to support the decarbonisation of Birmingham by working with communities using data. We know local people can achieve the most change because they understand their local area and people best. Our 3D Hub supports this understanding with expert data across a huge range of areas; from understanding how many people are in fuel poverty or able to access broadband in a particular postcode, to looking at air quality or electric car charging points in a specific area and so much more!

“Citizens must act together to ensure the cities we live, work and socialise in are built for the future. Innovation and community are two important aspects, and through this funding competition we’re looking for people with big ideas to create new ways to reduce carbon emissions across Birmingham.” 

 
The 3D hub offers a range of data sets including open data on housing, travel, waste, energy, and emissions. The data includes statistics on regional and sub-regional fuel poverty, air quality, electric car charging points, buildings emissions, cycle routes and more. It's all fully anonymised and meets latest privacy guidance and legislation. This data is specific to the Birmingham City region and can be downloaded and used for free.

Successful projects will use data in some way, for example to engage with communities, to identify opportunities for targeting work, or in the delivery of local environmental initiatives.

Examples could include:

• A community energy group wants to install more solar PV. The 3D Hub data will help identify suitable rooftops using information on energy consumption, rooftop solar PV potential and conservation areas to identify potential sites and inform a targeted plan to engage with local installers and home owners.
• A health charity want to install outdoor gym equipment in parks working with communities with high levels of obesity. They will use data on air pollution and health outcomes overlaid with green spaces data to identify potential sites for the project.
• A foodbank is looking to start some vegetable growing projects for their customers. They will identify priority areas using data on food emissions and income levels. Potential sites will be identified using data on land use and open space.

This project is proudly supported by Birmingham City Council’s The Route to Zero (R20) Taskforce and ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability, a global network working with more than 2,500 local and regional governments committed to sustainable urban development.

CSE is offering pre application support and has a checklist to enable community groups to decide areas they may need to work on before submitting a full application.

Yesterday marked the launch of Birmingham’s Clean Air Zone with a colourful exhibition at Library of Birmingham. Smoke was emitted from the viewing platform and roof of the iconic Library of Birmingham building, representing the average amount of NOx that will be saved every 10 seconds through the introduction of the Clean Air Zone.

The Clean Air Zone is within the A4540 Middleway (but not the Middleway itself) and will be used to encourage the drivers of the most polluting vehicles to upgrade or replace their vehicle.  People are also being encouraged to think about walking, cycling or using public transport more – especially for shorter journeys.  And it will encourage this change by applying a daily fee to vehicles that do not meet the emission standards for the zone.  

Birmingham City Council announced that it will introduce the zone through a ‘soft launch’ of the scheme.  From 1 June 2021 through to 11:59:59pm 13 June 2021 the Council will not require drivers to pay the daily fee and they will not pursue enforcement.  From the 14 June 2021 the owners of non-compliant vehicles will be required to pay the daily fee (unless a valid exemption is in place).  If they do not pay the daily fee after this date the registered keeper of the vehicle will be issued with a penalty charge notice.  By adopting this approach the Council is providing with a little extra time to get ready, review the support available and to consider the alternatives to driving through the Clean Air Zone

Cabinet Member for Transport and Environment at Birmingham City Council, Councillor Waseem Zaffar MBE has said:

“Whilst we have agreed on a two-week soft launch period where people won't have to pay, I would encourage everyone to use this time to check their vehicles, familiarise themselves with the charging process and check out the support that is still available through the Brum Breathes website."

Cars, taxis and LGVs which do not meet the Clean Air Zone emission standard will be charged £8 a day and non-compliant coaches, buses and HGVs will be charged £50 per day.

The Clean Air Zone charge runs midnight to midnight. Drivers can pay six days in advance of their visit, the day of their visit and six days after the day of their visit, giving a total payment window of 13 days. Payments can be paid online using the Government's payment system or over the phone by calling 0300 029 8888 (Monday - Friday, 8am - 4:30pm).

A range of support measures have been brought in to support those immediately impacted by the changes.. This includes temporary exemption permits and financial incentives as well as the Heavy Duty Vehicle (HDV Fund).

The council recently launched a short film on clean air and why the zone is needed: https://www.14dd5266c70789bdc806364df4586335-gdprlock/watch?v=Dd_MYX8fAp8