Community News

Runners, joggers and walkers are readying themselves for the 36th charity fundraising Knowle Fun Run - this year in aid of the UK Sepsis Trust, SoLO Life Opportunities and Lions locally determined causes

To be based at Greswolde Hotel, organisers are not proposing any changes to this year’s event apart from a small extension to the route to ensure the 10k is a full 10k. And after 8 years they have decided to retire their old entry system and use one provided by their timing company StuWeb.

The Knowle Fun Run 2019 organisers are looking to hear from anyone able to offer further sponsorship, would like to be involved with the planning and organisation of the day or help in any other ways to ensure the continued success of the community fundraising event.

Knowle & Dorridge Lion Adrian Harris said: “Anyone who has taken part in recent years will tell you about the great atmosphere of 1800 runners, many in fancy dress, being cheered on by the residents who always line the traffic-free streets.

“We hope runners have committed early by entering online and will make a donation or get their run sponsored to help raise funds to support this year’s partner charities – the Sepsis UK Trust and SoLO Life Opportunities with half of all proceeds being retained for local causes.”

The Knowle Fun Run 2019, plus the KidsRuns, for the under 9's, takes place on Sunday, May 19.

The Lions are already busy organising their next event – the Heart of England Bike Ride from Packwood House on Sunday 8 July and would be delighted to see people again to cycle the 12, 18 or 50 mile routes. Enter online by July 1 for the discounted rates. To pre-empt the inevitable question – yes you may run the 12 mile route if you like a challenge.

John Taylor Hospice partnered with two local solicitors to offer people a discounted will writing service.

During Wills Month people made or update a single will for £60 and a double will for £110 - with half the fee being donated to John Taylor Hospice.

Hospice Head of Fundraising Katie Mitchell said: “Making a will gives you peace of mind knowing that your wishes will be followed after you have died. Our discounted Wills Month service will help you to control your legacy and ensure that your loved ones will be taken care of.

“After making sure those close to you will be provided for, you can choose to leave a gift in your will to John Taylor Hospice. There is no obligation to do this but we would, of course, be incredibly grateful if you chose to remember our charity in your will. Gifts kindly left in wills are so important as they help us to provide care and support for hundreds of local families every day. Legacies also help to ensure our services are available for generations of families to come.”

Dawn Smith, who has motor neurone disease, attends the hospice’s Living Well Centre, in Birmingham, taking part in activities and learning techniques to manage her symptoms.

“I enjoy coming to the hospice,” says Dawn, aged 54 of Shard End. “I feel normal – no illness is ever mentioned, and the staffs are wonderful.”

Solicitors participating in John Taylor’s Wills Month are Baches LLP and Robert Shaw and Co.

To register visit: www.johntaylorhospice.org.uk 

A yellow weather warning for strong winds is in place for the West Midlands from 3pm on today until 6am tomorrow as Storm Freya passes through the region.

The Met Office is forecasting an unsettled period with scope for rain and a short spell of very strong winds during the latter part of Sunday afternoon and evening.

Storm Freya is expected to move quite quickly, with forecasters saying the strongest winds are unlikely to persist for more than two to three hours in any one place.

Nonetheless, gusts of up to 50mph or 60mph in places are expected, meaning there may be some travel disruption and possible dangerous conditions late Sunday and into Monday, including fallen trees and loss of power.

People are advised to take extra care if they are out and about, and keep an eye on weather forecasts.

The Met Office forecast can be found at:

https://beta.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/forecast/gcq7pt4g5.

Lewis Crawford, 25, from Wolverhampton, in the West Midlands, is taking on the Virgin Money London Marathon for the Stroke Association on Sunday April 28 after his best friend had two strokes aged just 25.

Curtis McGhee, now 27, had two serious strokes in the summer of 2017 which initially left him in a coma. When he regained consciousness, Curtis was unable to walk or use his left side and was blind in his left eye. Tragically, Curtis also lost his Father in early 2018 and was unable to attend the funeral, due to his condition.

Now Lewis, who has never ran a marathon, is determined to give something back after seeing everything that Curtis and his family have been through.

He said: “Despite everything that’s happened, Curtis is defying all the odds and is now on a long and tough road to recovery. All his family and friends were told he may not make it out of his coma and he did. The doctors also couldn’t believe how good his speech was, he’s amazing”

“Training for the marathon is taking its toll, especially as I have a very physically demanding job and young children. However, I know that just taking five steps is a marathon for Curtis, so the days that I’m tired from training, I just remember that I’m lucky to be able to run. Knowing what Curtis and his family have gone through to this day really pushes me on – I’m doing it for them”

Sara Adderley, Head of Stroke Support at the Stroke Association, said: “There are around 100,000 strokes every year in the UK and 1.2 million people in the UK are living with the devastating impact of stroke. We’re so grateful to Lewis for taking on this famous challenge to raise vital funds for the Stroke Association and we’ll be cheering him on all the way to the finish line.”

“A stroke can happen to anyone at any time and it turns lives upside down. However, with the support of people like Lewis we can help more stroke survivors like Curtis as they look to rebuild their lives.”

To sponsor Lewis, please visit: www.justgiving.com/teamstrokelew

A striking over-sized daffodil is coming to Birmingham to launch Marie Curie’s biggest annual fundraising campaign, the Great Daffodil Appeal. The ‘Great Big Daffodil’ will visit Grand Central on March 5 ^- 7.

The Great Daffodil Appeal raises money so thousands of people with a terminal illness can receive 1.2 million hours of free nursing care at home or in a Marie Curie hospice, as well as support for their families.

This year’s Great Daffodil Appeal is giving people the opportunity to share the personal stories behind why they wear one of Marie Curie’s instantly recognisable daffodil pins.

At the Great Big Daffodil people can take a moment to reflect, remember and pay tribute to those who have been special to them. They can write something or add a photo into the paper books within each petal or speak to one of the Marie Curie team.

Daffodil pins are available in exchange for a donation at the Great Big Daffodil from volunteers around the city until the end of March from Marie Curie shops, Superdrug, Spar, Hotter and Wyevale Garden Centres.

Birmingham is one of six cities around the UK where the giant daffodil will appear during the charity’s annual Great Daffodil Appeal. The memories, stories, pictures and tributes to people around the UK will come together and be celebrated at a special event in London.

Those who can’t get to the Great Big Daffodil can still take part by sharing stories or following its 1,500-mile journey around the UK on social media using #everydaffodil.

Marie Curie Fundraising Engagement Lead, Amy McNaughton -Brown, said: “In our busy lives, we often don’t have time to stop and pay tribute to the people who are special to us – both the loved ones we’ve lost and those that are still here. Behind every daffodil, there’s a story – and we hope our Great Big Daffodil will help people to find a moment to reflect and share theirs. Whatever your story, donating and wearing a Marie Curie daffodil will help make sure one of our nurses can be there when someone special needs us most.”

To donate £5 to Marie Curie, text DAFF to 70111.

Spring might have already sprung in some parts of Europe but that doesn’t mean ski season is over. This is a great time to get away to the slopes and enjoy a last-minute ski escape. Travellers that haven’t yet enjoyed some après ski, or challenged themselves to take on a new run, can rest assured that the perfect short-haul breaks can still be booked.

Furthermore, Easter is a great time to get away and make the most of the bank and school holidays.

Whether families are seeking more time away to make the most of the school break, or simply looking to take advantage of the bank holiday weekend, there is an Iglu Ski deal to suit every schedule.

With availability up until early May, and competitive packages designed with families in mind, take to the slopes this spring for a holiday that delivers adventure, quality time and new skills. Chalets with in-house childcare, all-inclusive options, children’s clubs and ski schools are also included in many of Iglu Ski’s deals.

Deaf children and their hearing classmates in Birmingham spent the day learning all about deafness with a series of informative and engaging workshops.

The workshops were organised by the National Deaf Children’s Society as part of its Roadshow, an eight ton purple lorry that tours the country and turns into a high-tech classroom.

The Roadshow visited Percy Shurmer Academy and passed on support, advice and information to some of the city’s 1,526 deaf children and their hearing friends, teachers and parents.

One of the workshops, Look, Smile, Chat, provided advice and tips on how to communicate with a deaf child:

• Get their attention with a wave, or a tap on the shoulder
• Speak one at a time
• Face them when speaking
• Don’t cover your mouth
• Be visual! Don’t be afraid to use gestures or actions
• Never give up and say “I’ll tell you later”!

The National Deaf Children’s Society also showcased the latest technology and equipment available to deaf children to accompany the key skills learnt on the day. This included flashing doorbells, vibrating alarm clocks and technology that helps deaf children listen to an iPod or mobile phone.

Steven Gardiner, the Roadshow’s Logistics Officer, who is deaf himself, said: “We’re travelling the country to help empower deaf children and raise awareness of deafness among their friends, family and teachers.

“When a deaf child is struggling with their confidence, independence or communication, a visit from the Roadshow can make a real difference. We want to help everyone understand what it’s like to be deaf and show deaf children some of the technology and resources available to them.

“Most importantly, we want to remind every deaf child that they have incredible potential and should be aiming high. With the right support, they can do anything other children can do.”

Sandwell Council has been praised for its efforts in engaging with the community and schools to raise awareness of elections and the importance of voting.

The council was invited to showcase its ways of reducing barriers to electoral participation at the Association of Electoral Administrators national conference held in Brighton earlier this month (February).

The conference, attended by almost 300 delegates from nearly all the electoral services in the country, heard how Sandwell has developed its work to make sure voter registration and democracy awareness barriers are reduced as much as possible.

The council’s electoral participation officer Surinder Singh highlighted the key points on how Sandwell engaged with schools and faith and community organisations.

He gave examples on how the council ran special voter registration surgeries across the borough and helped to train democracy ambassadors within the community.

Emma Smith, head of democratic engagement at the Cabinet Office, said that Sandwell Council is doing "some really wonderful work in this area and that it would be great for other councils to implement this good practice in their communities too”.

Surinder said: "Being invited to speak at the conference clearly shows that Sandwell Council’s commitment to make the voter registration process for hard-to-reach communities as simple as possible has gained national recognition.

“This would not have been possible without the help of our fantastic partnerships we have developed with schools, community and faith-based organisations in Sandwell."

New Freedom of Information data obtained by Confused.com reveals 55,610 potholes were reported to local authorities in the region in 2017/18, and a new scrolling animation highlights just how much of an issue potholes cause for motorists in the West Midlands, as the problem is revealed to stretch almost 2km deep.

The animation also allows users to drill down to specific areas within the West Midlands, and Birmingham comes out on top for having the deepest pothole problem in the region, with almost 14,000 potholes reported in one year, stretching to 545m deep.

Top 5 local authority areas in the West Midlands with the biggest pothole problem in 2017/18, ranked by depth.

“Re-claiming the costs for pothole damage can be confusing for drivers. Many don’t know if it’s best to claim from your insurer, or from the council. To help clear this confusion, drivers looking to claim for pothole damage can find all of the information they need to start the process in our guide.”

Sandwell Council is one of only 21 councils to receive money from central government from the Supporting Families Against Youth Crime fund.

The successful bid by Sandwell Council will see more than £370,000 being used in projects in partnership with Sandwell Children's Trust, West Midlands Police and the voluntary sector.

The money will be used to deliver a targeted one to one mentoring programme for at-risk students and parents which will include support in the community. They will also work with parents through the programme ‘Triple P’, an evidence-based support system for the parents of vulnerable children.

Councillor Simon Hackett, Sandwell Council's cabinet member for children's services, welcomed the funding boost. He said: "I'm pleased we have been successful in getting funds to support work to help families in Sandwell.

"I am also pleased we are being recognised on a national level for the good work we have already done. This extra money will help us and our partners continue to help vulnerable young people and make Sandwell a safer place."

The money given to Sandwell is part of a £9.5million fund set out by the government's Communities Department to help families who are vulnerable to the devastating effects of knife crime and gang culture.

Birmingham Bach Choir mark Passiontide, the final two weeks of Lent, with an inspiring revival of rarely performed choral works by Howells, Tallis, Leighton and more (30 March 2019, St Philip's Cathedral, Birmingham).

The concert, which is part of the choir's centenary celebrations, includes Antonio Lotti's timeless Crucifixus, written in the early 1700s by the German-born contemporary of JS Bach, and two motets by Austrian composer Anton Bruckner, Ave Maria and Christus factus est.

Sixteenth century choral composers Thomas Tallis' In ieiunio et fletu, and Orlande de Lassus' Tristis est anima mea are also included, as is JS Bach’s better known and loved Ruht Wohl, first performed in 1724 in Leipzig, and taken from the second part of his St John Passion.

However, the heart of the programme lies in two 20th century small-scale masterpieces, both with a personal connection to the choir's longstanding conductor, Paul Spicer.

Kenneth Leighton’s powerfully dramatic cantata Crucifixus pro nobis - a mini Passion for choir, organ and tenor soloist - was written for the choir of New College, Oxford in 1962 and Paul was a boy chorister in its first performance. The almost electrical charge of the music is heightened by the final movement, a setting of Phineas Fletcher’s beautiful words ‘Drop, drop slow tears’, being left completely unaccompanied.

The other great work in the programme is Herbert Howells’ extraordinary Requiem. Written in 1932, Requiem was originally intended for the choir of King’s College Cambridge, but never submitted and remained unpublished until 1980. However, elements of the piece later formed the core of Howells’ large-scale choral and orchestral work Hymnus Paradisi, written as a memorial for his nine-year-old son Michael, who died of polio in 1935. With its unusual structure, the searingly moving Requiem expresses not just deep grief but also eternal hope.

Paul Spicer studied composition under Howells at the Royal College Of Music, London, and went on to publish the definitive biography of the composer, Herbert Howells: Border Lines, in 1998.

Says Paul: “I shall cherish performing the Leighton and Howells again: singing at the premiere of Leighton’s powerful Crucifixus pro nobis was an unforgettable experience for me as a young impressionable boy, while Howells’ Requiem is one of his most powerful works and holds a special place in my heart."

Birmingham Bach Choir: Music For Passiontide, with tenor Robin Morton, is at St Philip's Cathedral, Birmingham, on Saturday March 30.

A regionally co-ordinated cycling strategy with funding targeted at 26 priority routes was backed by the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA).

Ambitious plans, including goals to raise cycling investment to at least £10 a head each year, were set out in a report endorsed by the WMCA board at its meeting in Birmingham.

In considering the report, which also listed potential investment of up to £250m to improve cycling infrastructure, the board reaffirmed its commitment to see more people making the switch to pedal power.

The co-ordinated, region-wide approach to cycling, which is a first for the West Midlands, puts forward 26 priority corridors for investment, covering nearly 200km through Birmingham, the Black Country, Coventry and Solihull.

The report, drawn up by Transport for West Midlands (TfWM), also sets out plans for:

The appointment of a Cycling and Walking Ambassador

A flagship cycling corridor and support for councils to deliver local schemes

The co-ordination of events into a family festival of cycling

New West Midlands Cycling and Walking brands

Working with communities to create great places to cycle and walk

Mayor of the West Midlands Andy Street said: “Cycling can reduce traffic congestion, improve health and wellbeing and reduce pollution. It is good for the cyclist and good for the wider travelling public so we have set out ambitious targets to increase the number of journeys made by bike in the region.

We have already made a significant start and have also now launched one of the country’s biggest bike share schemes with nextbike. Once fully rolled out that scheme will see thousands of bikes for hire on the streets of the West Midlands.

One of the biggest barriers to cycling is safety, so we are planning to focus investment on 26 key routes that link communities across the West Midlands and offer people a genuine alternative to their cars.

Cycling and Walking Minister Jesse Norman, said: “Getting people cycling and walking is key to improving air quality, encouraging healthy exercise, and boosting our high streets and economic productivity.

These new safe cycle routes, which the Department for Transport is supporting through the Transforming Cities Fund, will help to make cycling the natural choice for journeys across the region.

We are also investing around £2 billion to support cycling across the country as part of our long term Cycling and Walking Investment Strategy.”

Cllr Roger Lawrence, WMCA portfolio lead for transport and leader of the City of Wolverhampton Council, said: “We are witnessing a revolution in transport in the region with investment in new rail, tram and rapid bus routes. This report sets out how we are also being equally ambitious for cycling.”

The WMCA board has already allocated £6 million from the region’s Transforming Cities Fund and this will now be used to deliver one of the priority cycle routes set out in the report.

Artist Martin Firrell has partnered with Out of Home media owner Clear Channel UK, to display a series of his new public artworks that explore the idea of power and gender. The project includes perspectives from women and men on the understanding and experience of men and women in power.

Do women understand, hold and use power differently from men? 

What can be learned from the experiences of women in positions of power that might contribute to a happier and more benign use of power in society? 

Firrell explores these questions in 12 digital billboards with the participation of:

• Inga Beale, former CEO of Lloyd’s Insurance market

• Liv Garfield, CEO Severn Trent and the youngest women to head a FTSE 100 company

• Alex Mahon, CEO Channel 4

• Annie Rickard, former Global President Posterscope, now steering committee member and Director of the Women’s Equality Party

• Clare Short, Former Secretary of State for International Development

Clear Channel will be displaying ‘Power and Gender’ artwork across their digital Out of Home network nationwide through to March 8. Running across Storm, Adshel Live, and Wrap sites, the project also aims to show how the power of Out of Home can be used to drive public discourse and positive social change.

If the project Martin says: "I believe men and woman regard power differently and I want to ‘open up the layers of that difference’ in front of the public. My residency with Clear Channel makes that possible. If you can create debate, eventually change will follow.”

Clear Channel CEO, Justin Cochrane, says “Clear Channel’s national digital network of screens is uniquely positioned as the perfect “art gallery” to broadcast Martin’s thought provoking work. We’re proud to be supporting this project that opens up public conversation on progressiveness and promotes Fairness – one of Clear Channel’s core values.”

Martin Firrell is a French public artist who stimulates debate in public space to promote positive social change. His work has been summarised as 'art as debate'. Working as Clear Channel’s Artist in Residence, this first project entitled ‘Power And Gender’ is the first part of socialart.work, a mass public art project looking at women's equality and masculinity, alternative forms of economic and social organisation, Black power, and solidarity between people from different backgrounds and ethnicities.

An improved Solihull bus network with routes to support the local economy and make it easier for people to take jobs will come into effect this weekend.

Transport for West Midlands (TfWM), part of the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) is providing funding to pay for new services to key employment sites including the Blythe Valley Business Park and the Jaguar Land Rover site at Fen End.

Both sites, which employ hundreds of people, have not had regular and convenient public transport on a consistent basis during recent years.

Mayor of the West Midlands Andy Street said: “The new network is a good example of how we can step in and subsidise services that can make a real difference to people’s lives -making it easier for them to get to where jobs are available.

“So we hope these new services will better connect people not just to jobs but also health care, education and leisure pursuits. That in turn will help support the local economy and wider efforts to improve air quality.”

The new TfWM subsidised routes will see Elmdon-based LandFlight run two services to Blythe Valley while Henley-in-Arden based Johnsons will operate the 87 and 88 to Fen End.

Winning the contract to run the new services on behalf of TfWM has seen Land Flight take on 24 new drivers locally.

Cllr Bob Sleigh OBE, leader of Solihull Council joined the Mayor in meeting up with Danny Matthews, director of business development at LandFlight ahead of the new services taking to the road.

Cllr Sleigh said: “Unfortunately places like Blythe Valley and Jaguar Land Rover at Fen End, which are outside the urban area, have not always enjoyed the best public transport.

“That has made it difficult for people, and especially young people, to take advantage of the job opportunities available at such locations so we believe these new services can improve people’s job prospects while also making it easier for people already working at those locations to switch from car to bus.”The sustainable travel team at Solihull Council will also be working with businesses based at Blythe Valley and with Jaguar Land Rover to help staff make smarter travel choices and take advantage of the new services.

Lewis Payne, development director at IM Properties which owns Blythe Valley, said: “We welcome the introduction of the new bus service to Blythe Valley Park.

“This is a hugely positive step forward, providing proper public transport connectivity for some 3,300 people working at the park, linking key residential areas around Solihull as well as public transport nodes such as Solihull and Dorridge stations.”

The services are due to start on Sunday (February 24) with passengers also benefitting from low floor, low emission buses on most of the new routes.

The new network follows a public consultation held last October which saw more than 1,300 individual responses, helping to shape routes and frequencies.

This March, Birmingham St Mary’s Hospice will be celebrating 40 years of care across Birmingham and Sandwell – and to mark the occasion, the Hospice is inviting local people to a very special gala dinner.

On Friday March 1, the well-known and much loved charity will be hosting a black tie event at Edgbaston Stadium, which will include a drinks reception, three-course dinner, musical entertainment and live comedy from the self-proclaimed ‘most popular housewife in Kings Heath’ Barbara Nice. 

Barbara (mother-of-five, keen ‘Take a Break’ reader and stage-dive enthusiast) is a character created by comedian Janice Connolly and will be entertaining guests at the prestigious event. She will be joined by Antique Roadshow’s Will Farmer, who will be hosting a live auction, and former Baggies legend Brendon Batson, who is a patron of the charity.   

The event kick starts the Hospice’s 40^th anniversary celebrations and will honour the care and support it has provided across the city and beyond for the last four decades.

Birmingham St Mary’s Hospice was founded in 1979 by Monica Pearce and was the first independent hospice in the Midlands. A former NHS matron, Monica’s vision was to ‘enable anyone with a life-limiting illness to live their life to the full’ – a mission that the Hospice’s staff and volunteers still stand by today.

Doctors and nurses at the Hospice – which was first known as ‘St. Mary’s Hospice’ – cared for its first patient on Monday 5 March 1979.

Tina Swani, chief executive at Birmingham St Mary’s Hospice, said: “Monica Pearce was a remarkable woman who worked tirelessly to provide vital end of life care to local people. She pioneered hospice care in the Midlands, after recognising that much more needed to be done to support people who are living with an incurable illness.

The 40^th Anniversary Gala Dinner is our way of honouring Monica’s legacy, as well as highlighting how crucial hospice care still is in our city today. It’s set to be a fantastic evening and I look forward to welcoming Barbara Nice, Will Farmer and our wonderful supporters to a night of dinner and celebration.” 

In 1979, Birmingham St Mary’s Hospice provided care at its ward only and had a maximum bed capacity of 25. Four decades later and the Hospice is supporting over 400 people every day across Birmingham and Sandwell, providing care in people’s homes, in the community, at its Day Hospice facility and at the Hospice’s Inpatient Unit.

The vibrant Rum and Reggae Festival is returning to Birmingham this year.

The night is set out to give visitors a real reggae experience a the night features carnival dancers, steel performances and a range of authentic food.

Birmingham’s own Global Reggae Band will also be performing on the night.

On arrival at the event all guests will be greeted with their own rum atlas to get an insight into where the different types of rum are from.

The 19-date tour will have Rums from the West Indies, Philippines, Mauritius, Australia and South America.

Festival goers will then get the opportunity to create their own cocktails at demonstrations which will be going on throughout the night.

There will be special rums available on the night including Columbian tipple La Hechicera; which is typically aged for up to 21 years; Dark Matter Spiced Rum and Wray and Nephew.

On scale there will be a range of rums and service that allows customers to order and have rum posted to them after the night.

Pirates from the Caribbean Kitchen will be at the festival, serving classic Caribbean dishes such as jerk chicken and rice and peas.

The Rum and Reggae Festival is at The Mill, Digbeth on May 18.