Community News

With the region predicted to be hit with a heatwave over the next few weeks, Severn Trent has thanked its customers for being water saving heroes so far this summer and issued a reminder to be mindful of non-essential water use as the weather heats up.

Archaeologists working in West London on the HS2 project have uncovered a fascinating rare set of Iron Age potins, an early version of the coin, dating back to the 1st century BC.

The hoard of over 300 potins is a significant historical find,

Wolverhampton’s new Yo! Summer Festival is officially launched today, offering over 300 activities and events for the city’s children and young people and their families during the long school holidays.

Cyclists will use pedal power to ride from Scotland to Birmingham to raise funds for the Sikh Helpline, a nationwide charity established in Sandwell, West Midlands.

The Sikh Helpline, a registered charity based in Sandwell,

Nearly £250,000 is to be invested in tackling neighbourhood crime after the City of Wolverhampton Council, West Midlands Police and the Police and Crime Commissioner were successful in a bid to the Home Office Safer Streets Fund.

Smethwick and Langley Swimming Centres, which are managed by Sandwell Leisure Trust (SLT), have both achieved ‘Excellent’ – the highest possible accreditation – in Sport England’s Quest Prime scheme.

Birmingham City Council has announced details on the latest element of the A34 Perry Barr highways improvement scheme, including key dates for anyone who uses key transport routes in the area.

A draft Masterplan outlining an ambitious vision for how to further improve Perry Barr over the next two decades has been published. The Perry Barr 2040 Masterplan looks to maximise the opportunities presented by the existing qualities of the area,

One of Britain’s first Black British consultants, pioneering neurologist James Samuel Risien Russell has today been commemorated with an English Heritage London blue plaque. The plaque marks 44 Wimpole Street, the impressive house which served as J. S. Risien Russell’s home and private practice from 1902 until his death in March 1939.

Former professional boxer John Fury – father to two-time heavyweight champion Tyson Fury and Love Island runner-up Tommy Fury - will be opening a new Community & Wellbeing Hub today in the heart of Walsall (17:00 approx.).

A leading Black Country manufacturer has announced its first nominated charity as part of its ‘Wired for Good’ campaign.

Wolverhampton's popular Youth Zone, The Way, hopes to reopen its doors to the city’s children and young people seven days a week from September.

The centre has worked with over a thousand youngsters throughout the Covid-19

One of the City of Wolverhampton Council’s Parent Champions has braved the shave to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support.

Mercedes Fonfria, who has been a Parent Champion for four years, decided to lose her locks in honour of a friend who lost their battle with cancer earlier this year. After completing the head shave, Mercedes hopes that people will be inspired by her story and help her reach her raise hundreds of pounds for Macmillan, which provides physical, emotional and financial support to individuals and families affected by cancer.

Mercedes said: “My shave is a very small contribution towards the care of those who suffer from cancer and their relatives. It is not just about raising money, but a loving gesture of solidarity with women who suffer the trauma of losing their hair through cancer treatment. Be a sport and please help me reach my target.”

Councillor Beverley Momenabadi, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People said: “Mercedes’ choice to brave the shave, after losing a close friend, is a completely selfless act to show solidarity with people suffering from cancer and to raise money to help support those who need it most.

“Macmillan Cancer Support does a lot of fantastic work across the UK and I would encourage everybody to donate to Mercedes’ fundraiser.” Parent Champions help support other parents with advice about childcare and free early education, inform parents of forthcoming events and support them to use local services.

Bringing together 25 ordinary diverse Midlanders who are extraordinary in their own, individual endeavours, a new statue - ‘Forward Together’ - was unveiled in Birmingham city centre to highlight the everyday people who makes the UK’s second city a ‘great city’.

The real people who are not usually celebrated, now have their own unique story to motivate and inspire others. From those who suffered domestic abuse, from cancer, to disabilities, the violence and blood-shed of the Holocaust and other tragedies, to simple acceptance in society, to racism, to mental health. 

Inspired by the city’s motto – ‘Forward’ - which came to fruition following the incorporation of Birmingham as a borough in 1838, the Forward Together monument gathered pace. The monument visibly represents its multi-coloured multicultural society.

The monument was built in 14 days by a team led by artist Luke Perry, artist Pauline Bailey, author Nats Perry and musician H (Haldin Wright) and MC Raaj Shamji. With a background in public art, representing those who are underrepresented, Luke brought them together, all from the community, to build this the monument that addresses the imbalance of representation in public monuments.

Installed in Victoria Square, the steel statue supports a giant coat of arms of Birmingham. The 13-metre long structure also displays a three-metre-tall crest has quotes from Birmingham poet Benjamin Zephaniah – ‘Nobody’s here without a struggle’ and ‘We all came here from somewhere’.

“I design the piece to represent my region,” Perry said. “I was asked to design a piece that represented my region. And, for me, the obvious beauty of the Midlands is its rich diversity.

“Growing up, my life has been made a more beautiful, cultural and exciting place because of the richness of difference that surrounded me, the diversity of life is where the colour and light was to be found. In recent years there seems to be a growing mood of opposition in the world, we all are encouraged to find our tribe, pick a corner and cram ourselves into a pigeonhole.

Zephaniah, called it; “a great masterpiece for diversity” and that it’s simply a monument that demonstrates what happens when people work together in supporting the city’s ethnicity and values.

Birmingham City Council leader, Councillor Ian Ward said: “I was really looking forward to unveiling this impressive piece of work which reflects not just the diversity of our great city, but also what can happen when people work together.

“The fact that Luke has been inspired by local people with extraordinary stories to illustrate the diversity of our city and how we can come together to achieve things is a great message for everyone.” An empowering piece that allows people to represent themselves that can be copied and adopted for anywhere in the world.

The monument – which will be displayed in the city centre for 12 months and possibly longer – was created for a competition that is due to be aired on TV in October.

New research shows that the burgeoning market of pandemic dog owners fear they will no longer be able to give a suitable home to their pets as lockdown restrictions ease, unless places of leisure and employment improve their dog friendly credentials. The research, released this week by The Kennel Club as part of its Open for Dogs campaign, shows that almost two thirds (64 per cent) of people in the Midlands are worried about dogs bought during the pandemic being abandoned when 'normal' life resumes.

Nationally, almost a quarter (23 per cent) of owners fear that they will no longer be able to provide a suitable home for their dog post-lockdown, with a staggering amount – nearly one in five (17 per cent) – saying they have considered rehoming as an option. A further 21 per cent have said they have left their dogs ‘home alone’ for longer than they should and 14 per cent have left them in cars or outside of shops. Almost half (47 per cent) of people in the Midlands say that there are not enough businesses accommodating our four-legged friends, who have been a lifeline for so many during the pandemic.

“This new research worryingly shows that if dogs can’t go to places with their owners, and fit their lifestyle post-pandemic, some will be left home alone for too long, or even sadly rehomed or abandoned,” commented Bill Lambert, spokesperson for The Kennel Club. “These consequences could be quite devastating for the nation’s dogs, who frankly don’t deserve to be left behind after being there for so many during lockdown.”

And as businesses begin to open their doors to the public again following ongoing Covid-19 restrictions, those in the Midlands recognise the benefits of establishments and workplaces opening up for the estimated 14 million strong dog owning population, not only to prevent a welfare crisis for man’s best friend but to boost the local economy:

·         Two in three (66 per cent) agree more customers will visit places like pubs and cafes which struggled during lockdown, if dogs can come too

·         62 per cent agree dogs can be a conversation starter when out, after a year off socialising

·         In the workplace, 69 per cent believe dogs can alleviate stress

·         And almost three quarters (71 per cent) think four-legged friends make the workplace atmosphere more friendly

The research also suggests priorities and lifestyles are changing post-pandemic; almost all new UK dog owners, a staggering 92 per cent, want to see more places open for dogs, and three quarters (72 per cent) are more likely to go to a dog-friendly establishment than one that isn’t. Nationally, more than half of dog owners would be prepared to pay more money to go somewhere dog friendly (52 per cent) and 55 per cent say that they would stay longer if they didn’t have to race home to see their dog.

Following these findings, The Kennel Club has launched its Open for Dogs campaign, urging more businesses, establishments and workplaces to consider the benefits of being dog friendly. The campaign provides advice, tools and resources, from downloadable dog-friendly policies and window stickers, to top tips for both owners to take their dogs to dog-friendly places responsibly, as well as businesses and workplaces who want to open for dogs.

Bill added: “Hospitality, businesses and workplaces can play a role in combatting the looming welfare crisis faced by this pandemic pup generation by being open for dogs; helping owners to introduce or re-introduce their pet to ‘normal’, without leaving them behind, and preventing a legacy of separation anxiety.

“Following a year of lockdown restrictions impacting business, dog friendly policies can also reap economic benefits across the board – according to our research more than one in two owners claim they would happily stay longer and spend more if their dog was with them whilst out socialising at a pub, café or restaurant. While there may have been some short-sighted puppy buying decisions made during the pandemic, as a dog-loving nation we must look at the bigger picture and encourage more places to welcome dogs, capitalize on the benefits and ‘paw it back’, easing our four-legged friends out of lockdown, opening up more widely for their re-entry to ‘normal’ life, and celebrating their positive place within our society.

“Dogs should be a part of our lives and daily routines as much as possible, and we hope to see the UK being as faithful to dogs as they are, and have been, to us.” Further information about The Kennel Club’s Open for Dogs campaign, alongside practical advice, printable dog-friendly policies and ‘Open for Dogs’ window stickers for business owners, workplace decision makers and owners, is available at: thekennelclub.org.uk/openfordogs.

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, recently saw how local families and young people in Haringey have the chance to cook their own food at one of the most borough’s most exciting new projects - the Cookbook Edible Library at St Ann’s Library garden. 

A partnership between Haringey Libraries, Edible London and Volunteer It Yourself, the project has transformed a previously unused space into a flourishing community kitchen and growing garden. The work was partially funded through the first round of the Mayor’s Grow Back Greener Fund, part of the Mayor’s programme to secure a green recovery from COVID-19.

The project has twin aims of tackling food insecurity while providing excellent training for young people. Local families and young people have the chance to use the space to grow and cook their own food, while 14-24 year-olds are coached in outdoor activities including construction and gardening. By providing positive opportunities for young people, the project is also helping to steer them away from crime, anti-social behaviour and gangs.
 
Approximately one in six Haringey pupils are known to be eligible for and claiming free school meals (16 per cent), but provisions are not available out of school hours. This project aims to be up and running in time for their planned summer holiday food programme for children and young people who often have little or no access to healthy food.

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the vital importance of Haringey’s green spaces for Londoners’ health and wellbeing. The Edible Library garden is part of the council’s Borough Plan commitment to promote and improve Haringey’s open and green spaces.

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “As Mayor, I want London to lead the way in tacking the climate emergency and for all Londoners to be have access to great green spaces close to where they live. The new funding I am announcing today during London Climate Action Week is just the start of even more investment in green spaces, nature and projects to help tackle the climate emergency.   
 
“The community-led projects that benefit from our grants provide so much more than just improved green space for local communities. The Cookbook Edible Library project I visited today provides an educational, safe space for young people to develop new skills – providing positive opportunities and alternatives to those who might be vulnerable to getting drawn into gangs.” 
 
Councillor Zena Brabazon, Haringey Cabinet Member for Early Years, Children and Families said: “This fantastic garden is the result of hard work by dedicated volunteers and community groups, delivering a wonderful local resource. It connects this lovely local library even more to our community. 

“Our libraries are a real haven and I am proud we are seeing further developments. At St Ann’s, the garden provides children and young people with real life experience connecting valuable life skills on good nutrition and food budgeting with reading and study. A great combination of learning and activity, and we will continue to invest in training and skills for all of Haringey’s young residents.”
 

Edible London founder, Sunny Karagozlu, said: “The importance of this project goes beyond merely food and growing. Here, at Edible London, food is the connecting block to a whole new world. Disenfranchised youth can enter a safe space where they can not only read and educate themselves - in terms of using the services already on offer at the library - but where they can now also get access to an educational growing space.

“Furthermore, thanks to the state-of-the-art kitchen on site, young people will also be able to see how some of these foods can be used, first-hand, through the provision of educational cooking workshops centred around plants. Put down the knife and pick up the shovel because the seeds we sow today, helps our communities grow tomorrow.”

Ed Sellwood, Founder & Operations Director at VIY: “The community kitchen and growing garden at St Ann's Library is a great example of how VIY combines vocational skills training and employability outcomes for young people with the transformation of under-utilised 'grey space' into a brilliant new green, sustainable community asset.”