Community News

Library customers in the City of Wolverhampton can now access the latest bestselling eBooks and eAudiobooks at their fingertips – and for free.

The City of Wolverhampton Council has signed up to BorrowBox, enabling library members to download over 600 favourite eBooks and 630 eAudiobooks for free via the BorrowBox library on any Apple iOS and Google Android phone, tablet or computer.

Titles can be borrowed for free for a period of three weeks, at which point they can be renewed or will automatically be deleted from people’s devices, meaning customers won’t be fined for forgetting to return books on time.

Councillor John Reynolds, the City of Wolverhampton Council’s Cabinet Member for City Economy, said: "At a time when library services in other parts of the country are being cut back, we are continuing to invest in our libraries here in the City of Wolverhampton – and BorrowBox is the latest in a long line of exciting developments which is bringing improved services to our customers.

"BorrowBox offers a great range of titles available including thrillers, drama, romance and suspense from best-selling authors including Ruth Rendell, Bernard Cornwell, James Patterson, Jo Nesbo, Harlan Coben and David Baldacci, as well as children’s titles, non-fiction and biographies.

“These eBooks and eAudiobooks are likely to be particularly popular with busy people who find it hard to make time to go to their local library or who like to listen to books when they are out and about, and also to customers who may have a visual impairment and therefore struggle to read the printed word.

“I would encourage our customers to download the app to enjoy this fantastic new service – and if you are not already a member, BorrowBox is just another great reason to join for free.”

It's free to join Wolverhampton's libraries. To find out more, please visit www.wolverhampton.gov.uk/libraries.

BorrowBox is being introduced as part of the City of Wolverhampton Council’s 10-year Transforming Libraries Strategy to create a modern, vibrant and sustainable library service.

Christmas is coming and there is much to look forward to for the whole family – including your pet pooch.

But while your dog may enjoy their own special Christmas meal, or their own gift under the tree, it’s important to remember the busy festive season can be stressful for your pet. Travelling to new places and a busy home can cause anxiety, and that extra cheeky sausage at dinner is not balanced out with an extra-long walk on Boxing Day.

So to lend a helping hand Siobhan Griffin, Learning and Development Executive at Lintbells, manufacturer of natural premium pet supplements has shared some top tips on how to make your dog’s Christmas the best one yet.

• Travelling somewhere new

“If you are travelling in a car make sure your canine companion is safe and secure by using a harness, fixed crate or a partition in the back. You will also need to monitor the temperature, don’t let the car get too hot or too cold, and never leave them in the car alone. To ensure a stress free journey allow your dog to become familiar with the car beforehand, let them have a sniff around and even put a blanket in there with a familiar scent if needed.

• Keep calm it’s Christmas

• Time for presents

• Doggy dinners

“The key foods your furry friends should avoid this Christmas are anything with onions or garlic in including stuffing and gravy, dried fruits which can be found in mince pies and Christmas pudding, along with alcohol, cheese and of course chocolate. Try to stick to lean meats, vegetable scraps (without onions) and boiled potatoes.

• Get moving on Boxing Day

• Seeing the New Year in with a bang

As the cold spell sets in and weather conditions become increasingly unpleasant, Royal Voluntary Service in partnership with SGN is launching advice to help the many older people who are left feeling isolated and vulnerable.

The charity has teamed up with SGN, one of the UK’s largest gas network companies, to produce a free leaflet offering tips on staying physically and emotionally well whatever the weather.

Tips on staying safe and well this winter include:

·        Keep an eye on weather forecasts, particularly severe weather warnings from the Met Office

·        Don’t take any risks in bad weather. If you have to go out, make sure you wear shoes with a good grip to avoid unnecessary falls

·        Wear warm clothes in layers and, if you can, get up and move around. If your mobility is more limited do some chair exercises to help you stay warm and active

·        Make sure gas appliances have a regular service and a gas safety check every 12 months

·        Keep torches, a battery powered radio and spare batteries easy to find in case there is an unexpected power cut

·        Look out for any warning signs that your gas appliances aren’t working correctly e.g. lazy yellow or orange flames instead of crisp blue ones, black marks on or around the appliance and too much condensation in the room.

Royal Voluntary Service Chief Executive, Catherine Johnstone CBE, said: “As the colder weather sets in, some older people need to start thinking about how they can keep well and preparation plays an important part in that. The Stay Safe, Warm and Well leaflet provides a prompt or reminder for people to find out how to stay well and safe in winter and to flag more about what services are available to them.”

“Royal Voluntary Service volunteers can help with things like transport after a stint in hospital or to medical appointments, picking up prescriptions or getting some shopping in if the icy temperatures mean it’s harder than usual for an older person to get out and about. We are also encouraging anyone who has an older neighbour or relative to check on them regularly to make sure they have everything they need to stay happy and healthy during the winter months.”

Pamela Goee, Head of Community at SGN, said: “We’re supporting Royal Voluntary Service because we want to help improve the safety and well-being of older people who are isolated or more vulnerable. It is vital people are aware of gas safety, especially in winter. We’d recommend everyone has a carbon monoxide alarm. Knowing the simple warning signs to look out for such as ‘lazy’ yellow or orange flames instead of crisp blue ones or black marks on or around the appliance, could save a life. We would also recommend a locking cooker valve which is connected to the existing gas cooker pipework and stops the supply of gas once locked, eliminating the risk of the cooker being unintentionally turned on or left on.”

“If anyone smells gas, thinks they have a gas leak, or is worried that fumes containing carbon monoxide are escaping from a gas appliance, they should call the National Gas Emergency Number on 0800 111 999. Lines are open 365 days a year and calls are free.”

Royal Voluntary Service is one of Britain’s largest volunteering charities with over 25,000 volunteers supporting thousands of older people each month in hospitals and the community.  The focus is on building confidence, improving well-being and keeping loneliness at bay through an array of social activities and more structured support.  The charity is also one of the largest retailers in the NHS, with its network of cafes and shops providing a valued haven in hospitals.

The Choreographer and Movement Director of the London 2012 Paralympic Games opening ceremony has been announced as Visiting Professor of Dance at Birmingham City University’s Royal Birmingham Conservatoire.

Professor Kevin Finnan MBE is known for his dynamic, highly visual productions integrating dance, circus and digital technology. As the Founder and Artistic Director of Leamington Spa-based Motionhouse, he is responsible for the distinctive style that his dance company is renowned for around the world.

This first appointment of its kind will see Kevin Finnan visit the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire to host masterclasses for the Acting students, as they seek to be among the next generation of great performers. Kevin will also work alongside academics and artists within the University’s Faculty of Arts, Design and Media to develop exciting research projects that build upon his 30 years in practice and break boundaries with new work.

Kevin Finnan, Visiting Professor of Dance, Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, Birmingham City University, said:

“I’m thrilled to be taking up the role of Visiting Professor of Dance at Birmingham City University. I’m looking forward to contributing to and supporting the University’s dance activities and exploring the exciting opportunities that the role brings with it.

“The collaboration reflects our commitment to the dance sector in the West Midlands and will help celebrate Birmingham and the wider region as a centre of excellence in dance.”

Kevin has created major productions celebrated globally, including more than 30 theatre and outdoor festival productions, large-scale outdoor spectacles and bespoke performance events to mark cultural capital celebrations.

In September this year he created and directed ‘Watermusic’, a spectacular total experience with advanced light, sound and 3D projections for the Aarhus 2017 European Capital of Culture celebrations in Randers Harbour, Denmark.

Previously, he collaborated with Australian physical theatre company Legs On The Wall to create ‘The Voyage’ in Birmingham, which launched the London 2012 Festival in the West Midlands and was the largest free open-air spectacle ever seen in the city.

Polly Hudson, Head of Movement, Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, Birmingham City University, said:

“We are delighted to welcome Kevin Finnan to Birmingham City University as the first visiting Professor of Dance. Here in the University’s Faculty of Arts, Design and Media we have a rich community of artists and scholars that Kevin will be joining, including Professor Julian Lloyd Webber, Professor Stephen Simms and Errollyn Wallen.

“Kevin and Motionhouse have a long history of working in the West Midlands and I am excited about the new possibilities that are currently opening up for dance in the region. Kevin’s appointment will contribute to that development and we look forward to working with him on new and innovative projects.”

Kevin has a PhD in Theatre from Warwick University and MA in Contemporary Performing Arts from University College Bretton Hall. He is Associate Artist of Greenwich+Docklands International Festival and in 2013 he was awarded an MBE for his services to dance.

Part of Birmingham City University, the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire is a unique contemporary building, incorporating five public performance spaces including a new 500 seat concert hall for orchestral training and performance, a purpose-built organ studio and private rehearsal and practice rooms.

Furthermore, as the first purpose built conservatoire in the UK since 1987, the new £57 million music and acting academy is the only one of its kind in the country designed for the demands of the digital age.

Staff and volunteers at RSPCA Birmingham Animal Centre were all featured in this year’s Christmas video for the charity.

The tear-jerking video tells the tale of Woody the Christmas pup who is thrown out with the rubbish before being rescued and taken in for care by the RSPCA.

The film features an acoustic cover of the Simply Red song Stars, written by Mick Hucknall. The song was performed by up and coming singer Lucy Ellie.

Manager at RSPCA Birmingham Animal Centre Deborah Caffull said: “While this video shows the tale of a toy dog -  the sentiment behind the story is very real.

“We rescue, rehabilitate and rehome dogs just like Woody every day, all year round.

“It was lovely to show all the different aspects of the work we do - from the inspector rescuing the dog, to him being treated by vets, looked after by our canine carers and volunteers before being rehomed.

“This time of year is very busy for us as an animal rescue charity and everyone pulls together to help the animals that come into our care - and this video really shows that.”

Broadcast manager at the RSPCA, Alan Laxton, said: “It was great to be able to reflect the work of the staff at the RSPCA and also the story of so many dogs - and other animals that come into our care.

“Staff gave up their own time to help us with the filming and while this story is of a toy dog - with a twist at the end - this story is played out every day across the RSPCA, but for real. We take in the most cruelly treated and neglected animals from across England and Wales and work hard to rescue, rehabilitate and rehome them.”

The RSPCA is braced for 2,000 calls a day this festive season as it launches its Kindness at Christmas Appeal to help care for abused, neglected and sick animals.

YMCA Birmingham celebrated the twenty-fifth anniversary of the official opening of Will Steel House, one of YMCA Birmingham’s supported accommodation projects. The housing development first launched in Aston in 1992 providing 30 homes and has since helped over 2,000 people in and around Birmingham.

A celebration event, which was held on Friday, 1st December 2017 saw staff members past and present talk about the amazing work of Will Steel House and show the impact that the housing scheme is having on its Birmingham residents today. Housing Service Director, Hyacinth Blackburn spoke of the anniversary: “The 25th anniversary is a great occasion to not only reflect on the fantastic work being delivered to help people in our city who need housing but also to celebrate the life of the late Will Steel, who was the Chief Executive of YMCA Birmingham and who’s passion, drive and commitment was crucial in bringing the vision for Will Steel House to fruition. “We are also using this occasion to announce exciting some news that YMCA has bought Will Steel House from Midland Heart in a deal worth over one million pounds!”

Congratulating Will Steel House on reaching this milestone, Vice Lord Lieutenant of the West Midlands, Dr Beverly Lindsay OBE, was Guest of Honour at the celebrations. Beverly is a celebrated mentor, champion and supporter of the African Caribbean community not only in Birmingham but throughout the UK and internationally. Her success in business, aligned with her longstanding support for the local community, has resulted in her receiving many awards in appreciation of her outstanding work.

YMCA’s resident rep, Gabriel Aoimevbore who recently won the ‘Young Leader of the Year’ award was also on hand to showcase YMCA’s wider work. Located in Aston, Will Steel House has been an example of successful partnership working between Midland Heart, YMCA Birmingham, Birmingham City Council and the Homes and Communities Agency, whose generous grant allocation allowed the scheme to be built. “We want to celebrate these partnerships and the huge positive impact that it has had on so many lives” Hyacinth continued. 02 The light and modern building is made up of bed-sitting rooms with an integrated kitchenette, ideal for those who have some independent living skills. There are also shared bathrooms and toilets and a communal laundry room. “At YMCA Birmingham we like to promote a healthy community atmosphere. We have a communal lounge with a large screen TV, computers are available on site for training and general access and there is a pool table in our games room where we hold regular tournaments for those who wish to participate.

“Applicants who come to us either directly or through referral from other agencies such as, Homeless services and the Salvation Army, are supported into education, employment, volunteering and training. We work with agencies to support resident wellbeing and nurture their mental health.” Hyacinth added. The Housing Team is also based on-site, and there are staff available 24 hours per day and two of the rooms are adapted for disabled access.

As we approach the shortest days of the year, and the coldest, the last thing most homeowners will want to think about is getting out in the garden to do some clipping back or raking up the leaves that are rapidly falling.

Around this time of year gardens are  starting to look a little tired, drab and in need of some colour to brighten them up. If you’ve just moved into a new-build home, the garden is a blank canvas, and it’s all too easy to put gardening off until the warmer weather arrives, but there are plenty of things to do to keep your garden looking good and to attract winter wildlife during the colder months.

NHBC, the UK’s leading warranty and insurance provider for new homes, is offering all homeowners some autumn tips to get your garden ready for winter and spring:

-           Treat your lawn with autumn fertiliser to help strengthen the grass ahead of winter. Be careful not to use a traditional summer fertiliser because this can encourage grass to grow, making it more susceptible to frost.

-          Tidy up your garden by clipping back all the summer growth. Plant some of the off-cuts in pots if you want more in your garden or to share with friends and family.

-          Dig up your annual plants so you have space to plant pansies and other bedding plants that will be blooming in the spring. Bulbs need to be planted at a depth of two to three times their height so they’ll bloom in Spring.

-          Regular autumnal showers mean the soil is moist and perfect for transplanting work if you need to move any of your established plants around.

-          Remove dead and yellowing leaves to prevent your plants from decaying as the temperature drops. If you have a pond, make sure you cover it with a net to prevent fallen leaves from polluting the water.

-          To protect your flower beds and other frost-sensitive plants, cover them in bubble wrap.

-          To help garden wildlife during the lean winter months, fill bird feeders with nuts and seeds and plant berry bushes such as holly.

Builders, plumbers and electricians and more from across the country are taking part in the MyBuilder 2017 Hero Project, giving up a day of their time to carry out work for homeowners who would normally be unable to get essential work done.

MyBuilder.com, the leading online marketplace for homeowners to find quality tradesmen, has launched its annual Hero Project, challenging generous tradespeople to give up a day of their time to undertake jobs for people in need. Tradespeople from all over the UK are already answering the call, taking on jobs without pay in order to help people out this Christmas.

If you or someone you know has not been able to afford a small, but essential job around the house, the MyBuilder Hero Project might be able to help.

To take part, homeowners-in-need can simply post a Hero Project job on the website, explaining what the job is and why they need it done. MyBuilder will then attempt to match them with tradespeople who will volunteer up to a day of their time, as well as compensating every tradesperson who takes part up to £100 for material costs.

Jobs that have already been posted on the site include fitting an extractor fan for a homeless shelter, and painting an autistic child’s bedroom their favourite colour.

Commenting on the Hero Project, MyBuilder founder and CEO Ryan Notz said:

“We know how much the amazing tradespeople that use MyBuilder love their communities, and we knew they’d jump at the chance to give something back this Christmas. When we’ve run the Hero Project in the past, we were overwhelmed with the response we got, and we expect this year to be bigger than ever. I’m sure we can help people and families in need across the country at a time when they need it most.

Royal protocol is such, for centuries that would have forbidden the match. Not too long ago, it would have been nigh-on impossible to imagine a Prince becoming engaged to marry a woman who doesn’t ‘tick the boxes’ - in any way – that is the ‘given’ as history has revealed.

So, as 2018 is on the starting blocks, and the impending nuptials of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle gathers greater column-inches, their collective generation of royal followers, and future news-seekers of the monarchy, will continue to doth their caps to someone who is proving, ongoing, to be a man for all people.

Given that actress Meghan is Black, Catholic, divorced and from the United States, the prospect of the ‘Suits’ star being beside the fifth in line to the throne marks probably the most telling indication that the House of Windsor is, more so now than ever before, ‘representing’ their people over whom they rule.

Less of a constitutional significance than, say, had Prince Harry had been older than his brother, Prince William, but the fact that his relationship with the 36-year-old is likely to be played out on pretty much every given media platforms, for, ostensibly, an unimaginably endless period of time, it’s clear that these are changed times.

The right-wing tabloids have made Ms. Markle’s race a talking point and were criticized for dog-whistle racism in their coverage of her, with one – the Daily Mail - describing Markle’s mother’s neighbourhood as being “famous for gangs” as it detailed the number of crimes that happened in the vicinity of her home.

The young, dashing 33-year-old Prince Harry is the very epitome of what his late mother, Princess Diana, represented.  And, with his relationship with the ‘90210,’ ‘CSI: NY’ and ‘Castle’ star the subject of endless bulging discussions and mega media hype, it’s just plain to see; Love clearly does conquer ALL.

Two of Severn Trent’s senior leadership team, Sarah Bentley, Chief Customer Officer, and Jane Simpson, Head of Asset Creation, have been named in Cranfield University’s ‘100 Women to Watch’ list, further showing the company’s commitment to diversity,

Sarah Bentley, Severn Trent’s Chief Customer Officer is a member of the Executive Committee and runs the water and waste network as well as the retail operation and group technology.  She is responsible for the whole customer experience and providing great service to 3.5 million households and over 8 million customers across the Midlands and into Wales.  Jane Simpson, as Head of Asset Creation, oversees 150 engineers in house and 1000 people in the supply chain, and manages £1.2bn worth of investment, including the company’s biggest ever engineering project to secure water supplies for over a million customers in Birmingham.

In 2009, Cranfield School of Management published The 100 Women to Watch. Now in its 8^th year, it aims to highlight the broad and deep female talent pool for UK businesses to draw on, by showcasing different talent and, in so doing, refuting the myth that there is a limited supply of willing and able women to take on board-level accountability in UK listed companies.  This year is not the first time that Severn Trent has been included in the list, in 2016 Bronagh Kennedy, General Counsel and Company Secretary, was one to watch and also in 2014, Liv Garfield, now Severn Trent’s CEO.

Severn Trent has a proud record of diversity, especially female representation, with women making up 44% of Severn Trent’s Board, 60% of the Executive Committee and 27% of the senior leadership team.  In addition, Severn Trent is ranked joint first in the FTSE 100 for female representation at Board level by the Hampton-Alexander review, and has recently reported a mean gender pay gap of just 2.4%, which is well below the national and industry averages.

Liv Garfield, CEO at Severn Trent, said: “I’m delighted that two of our leading women are recognised in the Cranfield University ‘100 Women to Watch’ list.  It’s a real honour to have our colleagues listed alongside so many talented women, and I think it’s important that we have strong female role models like Sarah and Jane.

“Diversity is really important to everyone at Severn Trent and we believe that successful businesses are those that embrace a diverse and inclusive culture that welcomes people from all walks of life.  But we know there’s always more to do in our ambition to go further and deliver more opportunities for everyone.”

Earlier this year, Severn Trent was named in the first-ever Social Mobility Employer Index as one of Britain’s top employers for the actions the company is taking to make sure everyone has the opportunity to find a job and to be promoted, regardless of their gender or background.

18-month-old Daisy Blakeley, from Kingswinford, is set to be the star of Birmingham Women’s and Children’s Foundation Trust Annual Christmas Concert.

Taking place at St Martin in the Bullring on Wednesday 13 December at 7pm, the event is set to be bigger and better than ever as it’s the first time the two hospital charities will host the Christmas Concert as a joint initiative.

The event will treat guests to Christmas carols and fundraising festivities for the £2 million Critical Journey’s Appeal - a cause very close to Daisy’s family’s heart.

The Appeal will raise money to kit out four Critical Care Ambulances with the latest, life-saving medical equipment. This will enable the KIDS/NTS service to respond faster and more effectively, helping critically ill patients and their families in the West Midlands get to the right place, at the right time, for the right treatment.

At just seven-months old and following her first trip to see Father Christmas, Daisy began to have breathing difficulties and was later diagnosed with severe bronchiolitis. After reaching the final stage of her treatment she needed an urgent transfer to a different hospital to be ventilated.

Dad, Andrew, remembers: “The KIDS/NTS team arrived very quickly, straight-away we were put at ease and felt totally reassured that Daisy was in the best possible hands. Both of us were able to travel in the ambulance and the team were absolutely fantastic throughout the whole process, they told us what was happening and why.

“As a family, we know without the fantastic support the KIDS/NTS team provided Daisy, she may well not be with us today. We can’t thank them enough for everything they did.”

Daisy’s family have shared their story to help raise awareness of the appeal and Dad, Andrew, will be sharing more of his story on the evening following performances from The School of Theatre Excellence, Signature String Quartet and Benson Community School. Daisy is just one of over 2,000 babies, children and young people moved by the Critical Care Ambulances every year.

Miranda Williams, Public Fundraising Manager at Birmingham Women’s and Children’s Hospital Charity, said: “We are thrilled to welcome Daisy and her family to our annual Christmas Concert as their story is at the heart of our Critical Journeys Appeal. The money raised from the concert will transform our vital KIDS/NTS service an advice, stabilisation and transport service dedicated to the management of critically ill babies, children and young people across the West Midlands.

“Our Christmas Concert is a fantastic evening full of festive fun and it’s not too late to get your tickets so come along and join us for yuletide treats and Christmas carols whilst showing your support for the Critical Journeys Appeal.”

Discover the real 'Behind the Scenes' at Blenheim Palace, in a fascinating limited edition tour for 2018. 'Restoration & Conservation' will be the theme of the guided tours which will begin in the New Year as part of the extended opening season experience offered to visitors at the Oxford World Heritage Site.

The 'Restoration & Conservation' tour will be exclusively available from 5th January – 28th February, running twice per day excluding Sundays. The new tours will tie in to the annual deep clean of Blenheim Palace which will now be on full to visitors during this period. The tour will give an in-depth look into what is being done in each of the State Rooms.

Kate Ballenger, House Manager at Blenheim Palace: “Each year, when the Palace is usually closed, the Operations team, accompanied by various specialists, complete the 'deep clean'. This process is much more than just cleaning, it is the careful review of the entire collection followed by a thorough cleaning programme alongside the ongoing conservation and restoration work.

This tour of the Palace gives insights into both the deep clean and the conservation and restoration that is happening at present and has happened in the past.”

The new tours will look at two very important aspects of running a 300 year old Palace, including restoring a piece of art, building or tapestry to its original condition, as well as the preservation and repair of the historical and cultural site and its artefacts. The tour will also examine the theme of renovation, exploring how Blenheim Palace must also modernise and remain as a comfortable family home and appealing to visitors.

From the necessary continuing restoration of the 'Capability' Brown Cascades and Bladon dams, work which will total approximately £2m when completed to keeping the Palace safe for its inhabitants and visitors, the tour will look at which projects are undertaken, when and why.

The fascinating tour will also look at the most impactful projects including The Eyes in 1928. Painted for the 2nd wife of the 9th Duke, Gladys Deacon, these have a great visual impact on visitors. Exposure to the elements over 80 years had caused the painting and plaster work to degrade to a point where they were barely visible.

From clocks to paintings each piece of work often requires specialist and niche attention, with specialists sought from all over the world to complete the painstaking tasks of restoring priceless pieces of history.

The job of cleaning the China collection used to fall to the 10th Duchess and her unfortunate administrator, Archie Illingworth – he used to dread the call, 'Mr Illingworth, today we are going to clean the China!' The Duchess would wash the China and it was Archie's responsibility to dry it.

One of the recent renovations is the Bouchain Tapestry, the priceless 18th century tapestry depicting one of Britain's most important military victories is 25ft wide and almost 15 feet high. The giant wall hanging is made of wool and silk and was woven in the Brussels workshop of the Flemish weaver, Judocus de Vos.

Part of a set of 10, the tapestries are the most accurate and detailed contemporary records that exist of the campaign, not least because the 1st Duke, John Churchill, provided accurate battle plans and portraits of the principal characters. After being painstakingly removed from the walls of the Palace's Second State Room, the tapestry was carefully rolled up before being transported back to the city it was originally created in for renovation. It took a year to completely renovate!

From keeping the rain out, Blenheim Palace has over 7 acres of roof, to protecting ceremonial robes, the Marlborough's Coronation Robes were beginning to deteriorate in the sunlight, there is much to learn and lots of exciting facts to discover.

Princess Cruises announced today its fourth Royal-class ship will be named Sky Princess. Sky Princess is scheduled to launch in October 2019 on a series of Mediterranean voyages and will be a sister ship to Royal Princess, Regal Princess and Majestic Princess.

The 3,660-passenger vessel will include a number of the signature elements that feature on Royal-class ships. These include:

· A three-deck central Piazza-style atrium · Multiple dining, entertainment and retail venues · A top-deck outdoor “Movie Under the Stars” theatre · 80 percent of all staterooms with balconies · The adults-only Sanctuary · Camp Discovery youth and teen centres · Dining venues including the Salty Dog Grill, Alfredo's Pizzeria, Vines Wine Bar, Chef's Table Lumiere and World Fresh Marketplace

Sky Princess will also include various new innovations with details to be revealed shortly.

Sky Princess' Mediterranean voyages feature 10 departures on eight itineraries, sailing from Barcelona, Rome or Athens.

The first is a seven-day Mediterranean and Adriatic cruise from Athens to Barcelona on October 20, 2019. The voyage can be combined with the following seven-day Barcelona to Rome cruise to form a 14-day Western Mediterranean & Adriatic Medley.

The season will end in November 2019 with a 14-day Spanish Passage from Barcelona to Fort Lauderdale, USA, which can be combined with the previous seven-day Mediterranean cruises to form extended 21-day or 28-day Grand Adventure sailings.

Sky Princess' Mediterranean voyages are available to book from December 14, 2017. Princess guests holding Elite status will have the opportunity to secure their booking a day earlier on December 13, 2017.

Jan Swartz, Princess Cruises and Carnival Australia group president, said: “Sky Princess continues a Princess Cruises legacy and honours one of our previous ships. When Princess merged with Sitmar Cruises in 1988, Sky Princess joined our fleet and sailed with us for 12 years. Now more than 30 years later, a new Sky Princess will join the fleet featuring our modern design platform and contemporary innovations, offered to exceed our guests' expectations.”

City of Wolverhampton Council yesterday (Monday) welcomed representatives from the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry to the city.

It was the start of a three-day visit as part of an international exchange programme with Access to Business and the Black Country Chamber of Commerce.

The ten Bulgarian delegates were greeted by the Deputy Mayor of Wolverhampton, Councillor Phil Page, Leader of the Council, Councillor Roger Lawrence, Cabinet Member for City Economy, Councillor John Reynolds, and Managing Director, Keith Ireland, at Wolverhampton Art Gallery.

They heard a presentation on regeneration in the City of Wolverhampton and were also given an overview of the Black Country’s enterprise teams.

The aim of the visit is to exchange experience, good practices and models for promoting self-employment and entrepreneurship.

Rositca Antonova, Shumen Municipality Deputy Mayor for Economic Development, said: “We have had a fantastic welcome and we are really impressed with the regeneration in the City of Wolverhampton.

“We were also surprised by the strength and importance of the Wolverhampton economy to the region and the UK, in terms of manufacturing.

“The organisations in the city also seem well connected in helping young people gain the skills that businesses need.

“It is clear there is strong political leadership and we have learnt many things.”

Councillor Reynolds said: “We were delighted to welcome our visitors from Bulgaria.

“We are always keen to share our knowledge and spread the word about our great city on a global stage.

“This is just one of many international delegations we have welcomed to the city.”

The remainder of the trip will see the Bulgarian delegation visit Black Country Chamber of Commerce, the new University of Wolverhampton Science Park, Black Country Growth Hub, and Access to Business.