Community News

A free online tool being launched by Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce (GBCC) aims to cut through the “noise and confusion surrounding Brexit”.

The Business Brexit Health Check helps businesses find information on how Brexit may impact their organisation, tailored to answers they provide to in a questionnaire.

Businesses will also receive a personalised report which includes suggested steps for preparing for Brexit related risks or taking up opportunities.

According to research released by British Chambers of Commerce earlier this year, 62 per cent of businesses in the West Midlands had yet to undertake a risk assessment on the impact of Brexit on their business.

Henrietta Brealey (pictured), director of policy and strategic relationships at the GBCC, said: “We are starting to get more and more questions from businesses on what they can do to start preparing for Brexit now. You asked – and we delivered. There are thousands of pages of Brexit related advice, guidance and news reports published each day. With this tool we’re aiming to cut through the noise and confusion surrounding Brexit and get businesses the practical information they need to ramp up their preparations.

“The recent huge uncertainty regarding the proposed Withdrawal Deal has highlighted how important it is for businesses to be as informed and prepared as possible. As it stands, there’s only just over 18 weeks until the UK leaves the European Union, 29 March 2019, which is not long at all in business planning terms.

“This tool shows businesses where they may be exposed to Brexit related changes and signposts to relevant Chamber materials highlighting what we know so far about two key scenarios on the table: the draft withdrawal deal and a “no-deal” Brexit.

“While clarity on the final Brexit outcome remains elusive there are practical steps that businesses can take now to understand how Brexit may impact their business and reduce their exposure to potential risks.

“Of course, while comprehensive, this tool cannot cover every possible Brexit related impact for businesses. But it does provide a lot of useful insight into the core areas exposed to Brexit related change for the majority of businesses and will be continually updated with the latest available information.”

Ms Brealey added: “I’d particularly like to extend my thanks to our GBCC Brexit Advisory group for their support in creating this resource. Their expert guidance has been invaluable.”

The GBCC Brexit Advisory Group is a sounding board of Brexit experts and business representatives who act to inform the GBCC’s Brexit activity. Current members include:

• Clare Francis, Partner, Pinsent Masons
• Jennifer Crisp, Public Affairs Manager, University of Birmingham
• Mark Modena, Director, Winning Moves
• Martin Hanson, Regional Director Business Banking, HSBC
• Omer Simjee, Partner, Constantine Law
• Paul Knobbs, EU and Large Projects Partner, Aston University
• Richard Guy, Co-Founder and Joint MD, SimkissGuy Recruitment
• Rick Grain, MD, Effigy Blinds
• Rachael Badger, Business Development Manager, RSM
• Steve Brittan, Business Advisor, BSA Tools Ltd

Legendary Indian movie playback singer Asha Bhosle is returning to the UK for one last time, and as part of her tour she will be performing at Genting Arena (soon to be renamed Resorts World Arena) on 02 March 2019.

Bhosle has lent her voice to many famous Bollywood movies including Gumrah, Waqt, Aadmi aur Insaan, Hamraaz and Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge. Her biggest movie hit songs include Parde Me Rehne Do, Chura Liya Hai, Ude Jab-Jab Zulfein Teri and Zara Sa Jhoom Lu Mein. Today, Asha Bhosle holds the Guinness World Record for the most recorded songs by an artist. This tour is dedicated to Bollywood’s Greatest Music Director and her late Husband RD Burman. She will be accompanied with most versatile singer Sudesh Bhosle.

Asha Bhosle  will come to the Genting Arena on 2nd March 201

Individuals and groups across Wolverhampton have been busy preparing for this year's Orange Wolverhampton campaign to end violence against women and girls by making thousands of ribbons.

They will be worn with pride during the 16-day safeguarding campaign, which begins on Sunday (25 November), the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and Girls) and continues until Monday 10 December, UN Human Rights Day.

In total, over 20,000 ribbons have been made by groups of volunteers from groups and organisations including Women of Wolverhampton, Wolverhampton Domestic Violence Forum, the City of Wolverhampton College, West Midlands Police, West Midlands Fire Service, Prem Vadaw, Wolverhampton's Safeguarding Boards and the City of Wolverhampton Council.

Also making ribbons were members of Jaikara Ltd, Wolverhampton Diabetes Self Help Group, St Chad's Women's Group, Wolverhampton Voluntary Sector Council, the B-Safe Team, Hope Community Project, scouts and numerous other friendship and social groups, while Wolverhampton Councillor Rupinderjit Kaur arranged a ribbon-making session at Springvale Library with local residents and fellow councillors.

By wearing the ribbons and helping to Orange Wolverhampton, people will not only raise awareness of gender-based violence – violence primarily committed against women and girls, including domestic abuse, female genital mutilation, forced marriage, so-called ‘honour-based’ violence and sexual violence – but also the help and support that is available to victims.

Councillor Hazel Malcolm, the City of Wolverhampton Council Cabinet Member for Public Health and Wellbeing, said: “Support for the Orange Wolverhampton campaign is growing each year – as demonstrated by the fact that so many individuals and groups have been willing to give up their time and energy to create thousands of ribbons for people to wear during this year's event."

Steve Dodd, from Wolverhampton Safeguarding Boards, said: “The response to our appeal for people to make ribbons for this year’s campaign has been incredible and I would like to thank everyone who has helped out.

“If you haven’t got a ribbon, don’t worry as there are plenty of other ways in which you can support the campaign – not least by wearing something orange on Wear Orange day, which this year will be Monday 26 November.”

To find out more about the Orange Wolverhampton campaign, which is championed and run by Wolverhampton Safeguarding Boards, the Safer Wolverhampton Partnership and Wolverhampton Domestic Violence Forum, please visit www.orangewolves.net.

Follow the Orange Wolverhampton campaign on Twitter and share your support and photos using the hashtag #OrangeWolves and by following www.7905d1c4e12c54933a44d19fcd5f9356-gdprlock/wvsafeguarding, or via the Wolverhampton Safeguarding Boards’ Facebook page at www.2343ec78a04c6ea9d80806345d31fd78-gdprlock/wolverhampton-safeguarding.

Anyone suffering from domestic violence, female genital mutilation, forced marriage, so-called ‘honour-based’ violence or sexual violence, or knows someone who is, should call the relevant helpline:

·         The Haven Wolverhampton 24-hour helpline for women - 08000 194400

·         St George's Hub support for male victims - 01902 421904

·         National Domestic Violence helpline for women - 0808 2000 247

·         National Domestic Violence helpline for men - 0808 8010327

·         NSPCC FGM helpline - 0800 028 3550

·         Karma Nirvana helpline for victims of so-called ‘honour-based’ violence and forced marriage - 0800 5999 247

·         Wolverhampton Adults Social Care - 01902 551199

·         Wolverhampton Children's Social Care - 01902 555392

In an emergency, always call police on 999.

Employees from Mondelēz International have chosen Sense, the national disability charity, to receive a grant of £5,000 from The Cadbury Foundation, as part of its ‘Your Charity, Your Choice’ scheme.

The charity’s pioneering, multi-purpose TouchBase Pears centre, which provides specialist services for people with complex disabilities in Birmingham, will benefit from the grant.

Staff from Mondelēz International have been supporting Sense throughout the summer. In May, they volunteered at a disabled-led arts festival at TouchBase Pears. Employees have also raised over £200 through fundraising activities at the Sense shops in Kingstanding and Shirley.

Carl Williams, Community Fundraising Manager at Sense, said:

"We are delighted to have been chosen as a charity to benefit from the generosity of Mondelēz International. TouchBase Pears is a place that brings people together in a welcoming environment. The grant will enable Sense to continue to provide opportunities to the people we support in Birmingham.”

Kelly Farrell, Community Affairs Manager at Mondelēz International, said:

“We are extremely proud to be able to support the charities that are important to our employees through our ‘Your Charity, Your Choice’ scheme. Sense supports people with complex disabilities to be understood, connected with and valued. It is the perfect choice for this donation, and we’re delighted The Cadbury Foundation will be making such a difference.”

City of Wolverhampton Council has seized an A-Class Mercedes after discovering it was being used to store counterfeit tobacco by a Wolverhampton shop owner.

The city council’s Trading Standards team carried out ‘operation icarus’ on Friday 16 November after receiving reports of illegal sales of counterfeit and foreign cigarettes at The Romanian Shop, based at Merridale Street West in Wolverhampton.

Along with West Midlands Police, and specialist BWY Canine search dogs, the team inspected the entire property to search for hidden tobacco.

The team walked out the premises almost empty handed until specialised search dog Yoyo, had taken a liking to the business owner’s illegally parked A-Class Mercedes outside the store.

A shocking £15,000 worth of fake and genuine cigarettes - which have avoided UK duty were found in the boot of the £22k vehicle.

Along with the Mercedes, over 25,000 counterfeit cigarette packets were seized by Wolverhampton Trading Standards and taken for further examination.

“Selling and supplying counterfeit tobacco is a serious crime that not only robs the public purse of much needed revenue, but also poses a real threat to public health.

“This is a perfect example of the hard work that is being undertaken by our trading standards team and the fantastic work we do with sniffer dogs who play a vital role in our success.”

Council officers also alerted its in-house Environmental Health team alert them of cockroaches discovered on the premises. The team inspected the property the following morning and formally closed the store and is currently awaiting a court date.

A Birmingham group presented a cheque for £500 to the charity Parkinson’s UK.

Members of the Birmingham Branch of the Association of Secretaries raised the money by holding a car boot sale in the summer, raffles throughout the year and collecting twenty pence pieces in Smarties tubes and proudly handed over the cheque to Regional Fundraiser Gayle Kelly on 15^th November 2018.

Parkinson's UK is the leading charity driving better care, treatments and quality of life for those with the condition. Its mission is to find a cure and improve life for everyone affected by Parkinson's through cutting edge research, information, support and campaigning.

The group decided to fundraise for Parkinson’s UK in memory of one of their longest serving members who lived with Parkinson’s for many years and sadly passed away in 2017.  Formed in 1988, with members in Birmingham, Walsall and Lichfield, the group have raised over £20,000 for different charities over the years.

Sue Morgan, secretary of the Birmingham Branch said:

“The branch closed in October and as it was our 30^th anniversary this year, we wanted to choose a charity close to our hearts.  One of our member’s dad’s also recently passed away after living with Parkinson’s, so it’s something that has affected many of us in different ways and we really hope that our money will make a difference.”

Parkinson’s is a progressive neurological condition for which there is currently no cure and it affects 145,000 people in the UK including [121,927 in England / 12,184 in Scotland / 7,692 in Wales / 3,716 in Northern Ireland].

Parkinson’s UK estimate that there are more than 40 symptoms of the condition.  As well as the most widely known symptom - tremor - these range from physical symptoms like muscle stiffness to depression, anxiety, hallucinations, memory problems and dementia, but Parkinson’s affects everyone differently.

Gayle Kelly, Regional Fundraiser for Birmingham and the Black Country at Parkinson’s UK, said:

“Nobody should have to face Parkinson’s alone - or without hope that one day we’ll find better treatments and a cure.

“The money raised means that we can be there for more people when they need us most and invest in further research that will one day bring an end to the condition.

“So we’d like to say a huge thank you to the Birmingham Branch of the Association of Secretaries for fundraising for Parkinson’s UK.”

A Hayward Gallery Touring exhbition will open at Wolverhampton Art Gallery next month.

Hand Drawn Action Packed showcases ten international artists who explore the many ways that drawings convey narratives: from stories unfolding through a sequence, to single images combined with words, and animation.

The free exhibition can be viewed between Saturday, December 15 and Sunday, March 3, during the Lichfield Street gallery’s opening hours of Monday to Saturday (10.30am – 4.30pm) and Sunday (11am – 4pm).

The artists in Hand Drawn Action Packed make imaginative use of their tools - from a smartphone, a stick of charcoal to pen and ink - for storytelling, social critique and political allegory.

The artists exhibiting are: Marcel Dzama, Marcel van Eeden, Inci Eviner, Yun-Fei Ji, William Kentridge, Nalini Malani, Otobong Nkanga, Raymond Pettibon, Amy Sillman and Rinus Van de Velde.

Three artists have created new works for the exhibition: Marcel van Eeden mixes fact and fiction in a series of 28 film noir style drawings, inspired by a 1930s newspaper reports of a secret intercept station and a body found in a ditch on the outskirts of St Albans; Nigerian artist Otobong Nkanga visualises humanity's relationship with the earth’s resources in a suite of pictographic acrylics, illustrating the politics and poetics of geography; Belgian artist Rinus Van de Velde’s two large scale charcoal drawings on canvas depict an imaginary artist, a self-mythologising painter who is preparing his own story for prosperity.

Accompanying these three artists are Raymond Pettibon, who mixes image and text in his drawings, in ways that open up the meaning of both. Language generates imagery in the animated drawings of Amy Sillman, created using smartphone technology and in collaboration with poet Lisa Robinson, or in a different work, in response to Ovid’s ‘Metamorphoses’.

In the video animation by Turkisk artist Inci Eviner human figures interact robotically with a hand-drawn underground scene - an allegory of artistic resistance to tyranny. Political realities are subtly communicated in Yun-Fei Ji’s brush and ink scroll drawings depicting dispossession, forced migration and dictatorial power.

Hindu cosmologies and fantasmatic creatures are present in Indian artist Nalini Malani’s painterly drawings on Mylar, whist her animated film - which references Greek mythology - is a quiet meditation on transience. William Kentridge’s sequence of intimate charcoal drawings of a woman getting into the bath are like stills from one of his renowned stop-frame animations. Marcel Dzama’s portrays a theatrical world of masked and costumed performers in delicately drawn illustrations.

Councillor John Reynolds, Cabinet Member for City Economy said, “Drawing has developed through the years and is not limited to the traditional pencil skill we know. Through this exhibition we see a set of skills from international artists that introduce a new form for visitors to explore. Each work and artist is unique and I urge visitors to go to the gallery and see this exhibition for themselves.”

The exhibition is accompanied by an illustrated publication, designed by Stinsensqueeze, which maintains the spirit of the exhibition and features texts by exhibition curator Roger Malbert.

He said, “This is an all-star cast of brilliant artists, from many different backgrounds, and shows how many ways there are to tell stories and depict the complexities of the world with the simplest of means.”

Hundreds of big-hearted Santas will be taking over Birmingham this Christmas, in a bid to raise vital funds for Birmingham St Mary’s Hospice.

The charity’s ‘Jingle Bell Jog’ – which is a festive 2.5k and 5k fun run – is returning to Birmingham Moseley Rugby Club on Sunday 2 December.

Taking place at the club’s ground in Billesley Common, the Hospice is expecting a record number of ‘Father Christmases’ to take part, with over 700 runners set to run, jog or walk the festive routes.

All fun runners and walkers will be given a free Mr or Mrs Claus suit before the race and rewarded with a medal and tasty mince pie once they cross the finish line.

There will also be a festive market for both runners and spectators – selling gifts, crafts and one-of-a-kind stocking fillers – as well as a special appearance from Dr Seuss’ ‘The Grinch’.

Josephine Wardell, who lives in Hopwood, has been running the Jingle Bell Jog for two years, with the fun run quickly becoming a much-loved festive tradition. She runs in memory of her sister Letitia – or Tish for short – who was cared for at the Hospice in 2016.

Josephine said: “When I first found out that Tish’s lung cancer was terminal, I was completely and utterly heartbroken. Tish was my older sister but she was also my best friend and I couldn’t imagine life without her.

“I was hesitant about Tish coming to a hospice at first but as soon as I visited Birmingham St Mary’s, I couldn’t believe how calm and peaceful it was. The nurses and doctors were just amazing – they really made Tish feel at home – and they always had time for my sister and our family.

“It was that kindness that made me want give back to the Hospice, which is why I always take part in the Jingle Bell Jog. It’s such a brilliantly festive day and I always have a lot of fun putting on my Santa suit, celebrating Tish’s memories and showing my support for the Hospice.”

This is the fifth year that the Hospice has hosted the Jingle Bell Jog and all funds raised will help provide expert care to people living with life-limiting illness across Birmingham and Sandwell.

Laura Nash, events manager at Birmingham St Mary’s Hospice, said: “"Every day Birmingham St Mary's cares for 400 people across Birmingham and Sandwell, whether that's directly providing care, helping people live life to the full or supporting families and loved ones. It's going to be great to see a huge crowd of jolly Santas raising money to make that happen and having loads of Christmassy fun while they do it!

“It costs £22,000 to run the Hospice on Christmas day so we really do rely on people's generosity to continue to provide free care and support"

The Jingle Bell Jog will be kicking-off the Hospice’s ‘Care at Christmas’ campaign, which is a festive appeal that aims to boost support for the charity leading up to and over the Christmas period.

Children in Dubai have learnt how their counterparts in Wolverhampton marked Remembrance weekend.

Pictures from last Friday’s school remembrance parade in Wolverhampton were used as part of a lesson in the United Arab Emirates.

Regent International School in Dubai wanted to demonstrate to a class of eight and nine year olds how the UK marks remembrance.

It chose Wolverhampton because the school’s head of year four – Rebecca Madeley - is from the city and her father, Andrew, works for City of Wolverhampton Council.

Andrew, who works in facilities management, was at the parade where more than 300 young people marched through Wolverhampton City Centre alongside veterans and serving forces.

Knowing Rebecca was teaching her students about the world wars, he put her in touch with the council’s communications team who supplied her with a gallery of photographs from the parade.

Rebecca said: “I used the pictures on Sunday in a lesson with my class. They went down fantastically and the children genuinely loved it.

“I explained what Wolverhampton, my hometown, had done to commemorate the 100 years since the end of the First World War.

“We study the war later in the academic year, so it sparked a huge amount of interest. The children have now developed a huge interest in both world wars and equally in Wolverhampton. We looked on google maps as well so they could see the area.

“I spotted St Edmunds school in some of them, which was my old school, which my class got very excited about.”

Councillor Linda Leach, chairwoman of Wolverhampton Remembers, said: “Our schools’ parade was a wonderful event where different generations came together to remember those who died in war.

“I am delighted that the images from that event have gone around the world and have helped to teach young people living so far away how we in Wolverhampton honour our war dead.

“Remembrance in Wolverhampton was so special this year as we pulled out all the stops to mark the centenary of the end of World War One.”

The latest Lloyds Bank Business and Charity Index reveals that half (51 per cent) of West Midlands SME organisations lack the basic digital skills that could drive growth.

By embracing digital skills, UK businesses could generate an additional £85 billion in turnover according to the report. Yet only 16 per cent of West Midlands businesses are gaining a transactional benefit from trading online domestically, significantly below the UK average of 23 per cent. This figure falls further when it comes to targeting international markets, with just six per cent of West Midlands businesses using online channels to trade overseas.

The report also found that only two per cent use digital channels to search and discover growth opportunities for their business.

Worryingly a third (35 per cent) of West Midlands SMEs have no interest in developing their cyber security capability.

For those businesses embracing advanced technologies including cloud IT, online accounting software and digital training tools there is the opportunity to generate more than £100,000 in extra annual turnover compared to those who have none.

The benefits can go beyond finances too, with 2.5m businesses saving time through digital, more than twice as many compared to 2014. Small businesses and charities with advanced digital capabilities are able to save a day a week according to the report.

Martin Dodd, Lloyds Banking Group’s Ambassador for the Midlands, said: “We have a really advanced technology sector here in the West Midlands, contributing £5.4 billion to the local economy, yet many of our SME businesses and charities are lacking the basic digital skills that could help them to grow.

“We know from our work with local businesses that having a strong online presence can attract business both in the UK and internationally, so it’s disappointing that just 16 per cent and six per cent respectively of SME organisations are using their digital channels in this way.

“With almost 3,000 specially trained digital champions in the Midlands, we are helping the region’s businesses and charities develop their skills to facilitate growth, as part of our Helping Britain Prosper plan. Over the coming 12 months we will continue to provide free to access training events for SMEs to help them close the digital skills gap.”

Despite its tropical setting, Mexico's Pacific Coast radiates traditional Christmas character. Throughout December, you'll find brightly decorated streets, festive scenes and restaurants serving up the finest seasonal cuisine. Add Puerto Vallarta, in the state of Jalisco and Riviera Nayarit, in the state of Nayarit, with its pristine beaches, crystal waters and cheerful events, and you get two unmissable Christmas destinations.

A Colourful Christmas Month

In Puerto Vallarta, the run-up to Christmas starts 1 December with the Guadalupe processions. Bearing the name of Puerto Vallarta and Mexico's patron saint, this 12-day series of parades is a sight to behold. Expect floats, folk dancers, great music and fireworks to kick off the month with a bang.

12 December marks the Festival of the Virgin of Guadalupe, an important religious and social holiday. Hundreds of people gather in Puerto Vallarta's central plaza to enjoy the region's specialties along with a fireworks display. You can also head to Quimixto, a small south shore community, where a “flotilla” of decorative fishing boats illuminates the coast.

During Christmas Week, 16–24 December, everyone celebrates with gatherings called posadas, re-enacting Mary and Joseph's search for a place to stay in Bethlehem. Then, on Christmas Day, there's a big party full of festive dishes, piñatas and Mexican Christmas traditions.

Sun, Sand and Sea Adventures

On top of the celebrations, beach bums will be glad to hear that Puerto Vallarta and Riviera Nayarit have 250 miles of coastline, as well as an average water temperature of 23°C in December.

December is also one of the best times for whale watching as migrating humpback whales flock to Banderas Bay to give birth. Eco-tours provide the chance to learn about these incredible creatures and see them up close.

If you like to hit the waves, drop by Sayulita in the Riviera Nayarit, a tranquil fishing village that draws surfers from all corners of the world. The Surf Classic is an annual surf event in December that is popular with both locals and international surfers. Bucerías is another great option to catch a wave and wind for those Kitesurfing adrenaline lovers.

Not forgetting Christmas gifts! The stalls in Riviera Nayarit are full of the native Huichol's colourful crafts. These beautiful souvenirs make for unusual presents for your loved ones, bringing a touch of Mexico at Christmas time.

New Year's Eve

In Mexico, the end of the year is celebrated with fiestas in clubs, hotels and restaurants. Live music rings out through the night and parties last well into the morning.

So, if you want a break from the dark and cold in the UK but still want all the festive spirit and colourful traditions, Mexico's Pacific Coast is the place to go. And if you can't make it this time, there's always next year.

Fly Direct

Celebrating the season? Book a direct TUI flight to Puerto Vallarta International Airport from London Gatwick and Manchester, or via AeroMexico to Mexico City from London Heathrow.

Drivers caught speeding outside an Oldbury school have been shamed into slowing down – by being hauled in front of a court of schoolchildren.

Motorists caught in an operation outside Bristnall Hall Academy were given the option of a fine or to face Year 8 pupils asking difficult questions about why they were breaking the speed limit.

Nine motorists were caught speeding near to the school during the operation yesterday (Thursday 8 November) – with the highest speed recorded being 38mph in a 30mph zone.

It’s the first time a Sandwell high school has hosted the Kids Court sessions, which have already been run at several primary schools around the borough.

The campaign is run by the council’s road safety team in partnership with West Midlands Police and West Midlands Fire Service.

The sessions see children educated about the dangers and consequences of speeding. They also design banners urging drivers to slow down outside their school.

One driver caught speeding who ended up being quizzed by the pupils said: "It was very intense and made me feel very vulnerable. Probably like the people I could have hurt."

He added that attending Kids Court had made him feel: "so bad, I'm embarrassed. Speeding affects other people not just me. I will be more aware in the future of my speed."

Sandwell Council’s cabinet member for highways and environment Councillor David Hosell said: “These sessions are really valuable – not only for educating the speeding drivers who get stopped, but for the children as well.

“Although road safety has improved hugely in Sandwell over the past decade, we can’t be complacent.

“The impact the Kids Court has on drivers is much greater than a fine. The drivers who end up being spoken to by the children tell us they will never forget the experience and that it makes them more aware of speed limits, especially around schools.”

Pupils said after the session: "I think it definitely will benefit me in the future because I want to change the people who have committed a crime."

"I think we made a difference. People will really think about what we did today."

A light-hearted take on the role food plays during the rituals and traditions of Christmas is the focus of this year's advertising campaign from Waitrose & Partners.

Central to the 'Too Good To Wait' campaign is the idea that Christmas is about enjoying great quality food with the people who matter most. But when it's Waitrose food, you really will do whatever it takes to get to it as quickly as possible.

The retailer will break with tradition this year with a series of six 30 second TV ads rather than just one. Each advert will celebrate the important role food plays in each home at Christmas, and features a familiar festive scenario, in which, families and friends hurry through to get to enjoy their festive fare.

In a first with ITV, to tie in with the idea of 'Too Good To Wait', viewers will see other television ads fast forwarded until we get to the Waitrose & Partners ad during its first airing in the break of the second episode of Coronation Street on ITV on Friday 9th November.

The first advert, 'Christmas Concert', depicts a Christmas concert where a pianist rushes through a rather speedy rendition of Jingle Bells as quickly as possible after learning that Heston from Waitrose Chocolate and Sour Cherry Crumble Mince Pies would be served afterwards.

Also airing on Friday 9th November is the second advert in the series, 'Mistletoe', where we see a couple lingering under the mistletoe to have a romantic first kiss, until a call from the dining room announces the turkey is ready which prompts the woman to rush to the table, leaving her potential partner standing on his own. We then see what has enticed her – the host is carving a succulent Waitrose & Partners Cranberry Burst Turkey Parcel.

Martin George, Customer Director at Waitrose & Partners, says: "Looking forward to the traditions and special moments is what makes Christmas the most wonderful time of year, but there's also another aspect that adults and children alike just can't wait for…the food. As much as we all love our festive activities, enjoying delicious food and drink is a priority, and when it's Waitrose & Partners food, you'll do whatever it takes to get to it as quickly as possible.”

Waitrose & Partners has taken a playful approach to the entire campaign. In the run-up to the first TV advert airing, ITV will be running a number of teasers for the campaign, during which, the continuity announcer will become distracted by some of the retailer's delicious food before remembering to announce the next programme.

The campaign will also be shown in cinemas*, television advert breaks, video on demand platforms/ catch up services, and on social media, as well as additional contextual ads such as those featured on the All4 channel suggesting 'time for a mince pie' when programmes are paused by the viewer.

This year's Waitrose & Partners campaign has been created for Waitrose by adam&eveDDB with media planning by Manning Gottlieb OMD.

Shimmering with seasonal sparkle, follow the mile-long path through the world-famous attraction to discover a winter wonderland full of surprises.

With the real animals tucked up in bed, giant glowing giraffe, larger-than-life lions and flamboyant flamingos will light up the night.

Head into the 40-metre-long Light Vortex and marvel at the canopy of over 100,000 glistening pea-lights above you.

Discover the mythical Christmas Sledge Tree and its 365 individual sledges – one for each day of the year.

As you walk beneath playful ribbons of colour changing lights, listen out for the mesmerising voices of a quartet of 30-metre-tall Singing Trees in the distance, as glowing fountains dance in time to much-loved Christmas classics at the iconic Penguin Pool.

There are hidden surprises too – look out for frosty snowflakes, shimmering stars and gigantic baubles where you least expect them.

Pause for a moment at the historic Mappin Terraces as Magic Mountain springs to life with a splash of colour and playful projections. Don't forget to keep a lookout for Father Christmas and his elves along the way.

Complete your stroll under the stars with mulled wine or hot chocolate whilst the aroma of roasting chestnuts fills the air.

Soak up the atmosphere with a vintage carousel ride*, and other family rides whilst you enjoy traditional treats, before picking up an irresistible gift or two at ZSL London Zoo's shop.

Created in partnership with Raymond Gubbay Limited and designed by Culture Creative, the team behind 'Christmas at Kew', the trail features more than two miles of LED cabling, over 200 light projections and hundreds of thousands of individual lights.

Liv Garfield, Severn Trent Chief Executive, and Bronagh Kennedy, Company Secretary and General Counsel, have been named on the Women of the Future Programme ’50 Leading Lights’ list.

The aim of the list is to recognise the contribution of kind leaders to business, the economy and society. Others recognised include England manager Gareth Southgate and Paul Polman, CEO of Unilever.

Liv said: “It’s wonderful to be recognised in this way, especially as it recognises that there’s more to the world of business than just profits and productivity.

“That fits in perfectly with Severn Trent, where we want to be a socially responsible company which means ensuring we do the right thing for the communities in which we live and for all of our stakeholders.”

“At Severn Trent we pride ourselves on creating a fantastic place for our teams to work while also doing the best possible job for our customers,” added Bronagh.

“By doing both of those things we believe that we can do the right thing for everyone whose lives we touch.”

Among the community initiatives Severn Trent is proposing for the coming years are:

·        Every primary school in the region will have the opportunity to receive a visit from innovative educational roadshow about water;

·        Positive impact on the local environment, including improving up to 2,100km of the region’s rivers; and

·        Community dividend given to local communities through volunteering, donations to the Severn Trent Trust Fund, and a new commitment to use 1% of company profits for community schemes.

Already this year, Severn Trent has helped 50,000 of its most vulnerable customers through a variety of measures and, over the past 12 months, around 40% of its people have volunteered in the communities in which it operates.

After being named on the list, Liv and Bronagh helped open the London Stock Exchange today (TUES).

Nominations for ‘Kindness & Leadership, 50 Leading Lights’ were received between June and August this year from a broad range of companies and organisations, responding to an open call for applications. To select the final 50, a panel made up of representatives from different industry sectors reviewed the entries and agreed the list of 50 leaders.

The list forms part of the Week of Women organised by the Women of the Future Programme, working alongside the Foreign & Commonwealth Office and the GREAT Britain Campaign to support a number of initiatives from 12-15 November.