Community News

Crowds gathered in Wylde Green to celebrate the launch of the John Taylor Hospice charity shop.

The store in Birmingham Road is only the second shop for the hospice which provides specialist care for people living with a terminal illness and support for their families.

The ribbon was cut by John Taylor’s Lead Nurse Jody Thompson following short speeches from hospice CEO Penny Venables and Wylde Green Councillor Alex Yip.

The charity is hoping the store will build on the success of its first retail venture which opened in Erdington High Street in May and had been hugely popular with shoppers.

“We were very keen to ensure a presence in Wylde Green as it is a vibrant shopping centre which is very close to our hospice,” said Penny. “We have been delighted at the response to our Erdington store and are confident Sutton Coldfield shoppers will ensure our second retail unit is also very successful.

“Our charity shops are bringing in much-needed income which is used to provide care and support for local families. Everyone who donates goods, volunteers or spends their money at our shops is helping us be there for families at a very difficult time.”

And she promised future John Taylor Hospice stores across the region.

“We are currently finalising deals on at least two other properties and will be aiming to open these shops in the near future. Our next shop will be in Castle Bromwich and we are looking at early December for an opening date.”

Councillor Yip said: “I was delighted to be asked to be part of this opening event. The hospice is a local charity doing so much valuable work. It’s brilliant that John Taylor Hospice now has a shop right here in Wylde Green.”

Also in attendance was Chris Brewerton, recently appointed Business Development and Relationships Manager with Sutton Coldfield, Lichfield and Tamworth Chambers of Commerce.

He said: “Our chamber is really passionate about supporting John Taylor Hospice, which is the Sutton Coldfield Chamber Charity of the Year. I visited the hospice just this week and saw for myself what a difference it is making.”

John Taylor Hospice’s charity shop at 370 Birmingham Road, Wylde Green B72 1YH is open Monday-Saturday 9am-5pm.

Head of Retail Andrew Ray appealed to local people to donate goods for the shop.

“We would like to say thank you to everyone who had already donated items for the launch of our shops. Now we’d love to receive your clothing and accessories for women, men and children, household goods, books, CDs and DVDs, toys and bric-a-brac – by giving goods to our shops you’re helping us make every moment matter for hundreds of local families.

“Merchandise can be donated at the Wylde Green or Erdington stores where we have drop-off zones behind the shops or at our hospice in Grange Road, Erdington.”

And he added: “I am also grateful to all of our retail volunteers who are essential to the smooth-running of our shops. If anyone is interested in joining the team please drop into our shops and speak to our managers or see our website.”

A heroic Haringey soldier – the last person to receive a Victoria Cross in the First World War – has been honoured yesterday, in a touching ceremony.

A commemorative paving stone was unveiled in memory of Acting Major Brett Mackay Cloutman at the Hornsey War Memorial. The ceremony was attended by Haringey Mayor Cllr Gina Adamou, Lieutenant General Tyrone Urch CBE, and Tottenham Hotspur Club Ambassador Gary Mabbutt.

Born in 1887 in Muswell Hill, Major Cloutman was awarded the Victoria Cross for “conspicuous bravery” in 1918 for preventing a bridge from being destroyed under enemy fire. Major Cloutman survived the First World War and went on to attain the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.

The Mayor said: “It is a privilege to be able to pay tribute to a true Haringey hero, Major Cloutman, 100 years since the end of the First World War. His bravery was marked with the Victoria Cross – the highest honour, and now we have a fitting tribute here in our borough. Over the last few months we have been marking the bravery of Haringey’s First World War heroes – their amazing courage will live on in our borough.”

The event was marked by having the Last Post played, a minute of silence and a poem read. It is the last of four paving stones that have been unveiled in our borough over the last year as part of the Department for Communities and Local Government campaign to recognise those who received the prestigious award because of their bravery in the face of the enemy.

Lt General Tyrone Urch said: “I am honoured to have been included in the event to celebrate this great member of the Haringey community. With the end of hostilities imminent, this extraordinary act of bravery by an ordinary man underlines the sacrifice made by millions of other ordinary people during the war who were not so honoured. On Remembrance Day this year, the centenary of the end of the First World War, I hope everyone will find a few moments to remember not only the sacrifices made in the past but those that continue to be made by members of the Armed Forces today.”

Tottenham Hotspur ambassador Gary Mabbutt said: “As a Club we are delighted to be marking the heroic actions of all four Victoria Cross recipients who lived in Haringey. During this time of Remembrance, it’s important for us to come together and reflect on the incredible courage displayed by those who made the ultimate sacrifice for us.”

More than three hundred Wolverhampton schoolchildren will join war veterans and serving soldiers to march through the city centre on Friday (NOV 9).

Youngsters from primary and secondary schools will take part in the parade through Dudley Street – the city’s main shopping street.

Led by a group of veterans, the children will march alongside serving armed forces personnel from the army, navy and RAF before taking part in a public remembrance service in St Peter’s Square outside St Peter’s Church.

Each child will be carrying a poppy on which they will have written the name of someone from Wolverhampton who died during the First World War.

The event is part of ‘Wolverhampton Remembers’ – a programme of activity to commemorate the 100^th anniversary of the end of the First World War.

The parade will set off from Dudley Street just outside the Wulfrun Shopping Centre at 10.30am, through Queen Square and into St Peter’s Square where a public outside service will then take place at the cenotaph.

The service will be attended by Mayor of the City of Wolverhampton, Cllr Phil Page, and led by the Rector of Wolverhampton, Rev David Wright.

At the service, children who won a competition to write a letter home imagining they were in the trenches on the Western Front, will read out their work.

The outdoor service will then be followed by a private service inside St Peter’s Church where more letter competition winners will read out their entries and Wolverhampton Central Youth Theatre will perform two pieces with a First World War theme.

Mayor of the City of Wolverhampton, Cllr Phil Page, said: “It is absolutely vital that our young people learn about the enormous sacrifice that previous generations made for us.

“This is why we organised this service for our city’s schoolchildren to be able to play an active part in our programme of remembrance for this very special 100^th anniversary year of the end of the First World War.”

Cllr Linda Leach, chairwoman of Wolverhampton Remembrance Committee, said: “It will be an incredibly moving sight to see our young people, all holding poppies with the name of someone from Wolverhampton who died during the First World War, marching through our city centre alongside serving armed forces personnel and veterans.

“I hope lots of people come out to watch this poignant and special event.

“It will be the precursor to our main remembrance event two days later on the Sunday. I think it is wonderful that our young people are getting involved in honouring the sacrifice of the fallen.”

City of Wolverhampton Council has organised a programme of events to mark the 100^th anniversary of the end of the First World War. These include creating an updated roll of honour, currently on display in the Civic Centre, which features the names of previously ‘forgotten’ victims of the conflict who have never appeared on any public memorial before.

Silent soldier silhouettes have also been placed across the city, as well as memorial benches and lamppost poppies.

The city’s two First World War Victoria Cross winners have been honoured with the unveiling of two memorial stones.

Ahead of the opening of Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery’s new major all-female contemporary art exhibition – Women Power Protest – MPs Jess Phillips (MP for Birmingham Yardley), Preet Kaur Gill (MP for Birmingham Edgbaston) and Dame Caroline Spelman (MP for Meriden) visited the museum to choose their favourite artworks.

The three MPs were given a sneak peek at the exhibition which was programmed as part of the Arts Council Collection’s (ACC) National Partnership Programme and brings together artworks from the ACC and Birmingham’s own collection. Opening to the public on Saturday 10^th November, the show takes a contemporary look at women’s rights in the anniversary year of the first women getting the right to vote.

The MPs were shown around by curator Emalee Beddoes-Davis and asked to pick their favourite artworks. Their choices will be highlighted in the display.

The visit came ahead of an event on Saturday 17^th November at BMAG where all three MPs will be joined by Shabana Mahmood (MP for Birmingham Ladywood) for a discussion to mark 100 years since the Parliament (Qualification of Women) Act passed, allowing women to stand for Parliament. The discussion will be chaired by leading feminist campaigner Caroline Criado-Perez.

Jess Phillips

Chosen by Jess Phillips, Cerne Abbas Lady: Self Portrait (1985) by Liz Rideal, is an Arts Council Collection work created from a collage of photobooth prints to depict a female version of the Cerne Abbas giant. The original giant is carved into the landscape in a small village in Dorset and this version focuses on the 20th century female body.

Jess said of the artwork: “The point is that it’s real and it is about representing women that haven’t been represented. The Cerne Abbas Giant has been there since the prehistoric era as an image of man…so to me to have something the represents the image of a woman, that should be how we were always presented in our beauty. I wish it had always been there (on that hill) so that woman wasn’t always just a vision of male gaze.”

Dame Caroline Spelman

Caroline Spelman picked a colourful self-portrait by Birmingham-based painter and visual artist Emily Sparkes called An Ode to Christian Joy (2015). The painting, which is part of Birmingham’s permanent collection, shows the artist dressed in a vibrant home-made outfit in tribute to the costume designer Christian Joy.

Caroline said: “I really love to support young artists. She’s young and empowered and referencing the great history of women’s portraiture with the lovely traditional background but done in a completely new way.”

Preet Kaur Gill

The artwork picked by Preet Kaur Gill was Arts Council Collection work Mr close-friend-of-the-family pays a visit whilst everyone else is out (1985) by Sonia Boyce. The charcoal drawing explores the abuse of trust experienced by a young woman and reflects some of Boyce’s concerns about power relationships.

Preet said: “As a parent, and as a mother, it’s your worse fear that your child, who is vulnerable, being abused and you’re not able to protect them. That’s the first thing that resonated with me.

“We don’t focus enough on victims; we don’t want to see, feel or even read sometimes their testimonies because as a society we can’t accept that abuse is an inherent issue grounded in the inequalities that women face. It’s an image that needs to be here in this exhibition, people do need to feel uncomfortable and people do need to think that this is sadly happening all the time around us.”

Limited free tickets are available for the Women in Parliament event on Saturday 17^th November and can be booked at www.birminghammuseums.org.uk/bmag/whats-on/women-in-parliament-past-present-and-future

The Women Power Protest exhibition is an Arts Council Collection National Partners exhibition and runs from Saturday 10^th November 2018 to Sunday 31^st March 2019 www.birminghammuseums.org.uk/bmag/whats-on/women-power-protest.

For the navy, army. royal air force officers here, the veterans, their families and the families of veterans gone, I want to say;

The Parliament of the World’s Religions (PWR) – the single largest interfaith gathering in the world – commenced its seven-day programme today in Toronto, drawing an enthusiastic audience interested in learning more about interreligious harmony. It was created to cultivate harmony among the world's religious and spiritual communities and foster their engagement with the world and its guiding institutions to achieve a just, peaceful and sustainable world. The themes for this year's Parliament are: The Promise of Inclusion, the Power of Love: Pursuing Global Understanding, Reconciliation and Change.

Bhai Sahib Bhai Mohinder Singh OBE KSG, the Co-convenor and Co-chair of the Charter for Forgiveness and Reconciliation addressed the opening plenary at the Parliament. He reflected: “Humanity’s journey with the interfaith movement has been long and arduous. The world is still in agony and the learning continues. Peace eludes us.”

He expressed continuing support of his organisation, Guru Nanak Nishkam Sewak Jatha (UK), for the work of the Parliament. He also highlighted a proposal for advancing and accelerating the work of the interfaith movement, to achieve harmony and peace. “However, before we seek peace outside, we have to generate peace within ourselves. To create and sustain peace, we must reconcile. But to reconcile we must forgive. This is why in a humble effort we are proposing together, with committed friends, a Charter for Forgiveness and Reconciliation. The love in our hearts has to be stronger than the disagreements in our minds.”

Having heard other faith leaders share their commitments to reconciliation, Bhai Sahib finished his address with a prayer for the days ahead, “May the promise of oneness of humanity guide us as this Parliament begins.”

The Preamble of the Charter states:

“The vision of the Charter for Forgiveness and Reconciliation is that the process of forgiving is vital if healing and reconciliation are to take place, as part of our collective efforts to seek justice, harmony and sustainable peace.”

A Seminar on Forgiveness and Reconciliation: Perspectives from the World’s Religions, hosted by the Charter project, took place on 2 November 2018 and was very well attended by 140 participants. They listened to the highly informative presentations of the world class speakers on the panel. Bhai Sahib Bhai Mohinder Singh (Sikh), Rabbi David Rosen (Jewish), Prof Mohammed Abu-Nimer (Muslim) and Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswati (Hindu) spoke with great passion about forgiveness and reconciliation in the context of their respective faith traditions. The panel was moderated by Dr Josef Boehle, the Director of the Charter for Forgiveness and Reconciliation.

With over 6000 participants attending the Parliament, with dozens of high-profile guest speakers and more than 1000 spiritual programs, lectures, and interactive cultural experiences, the event offers an opportunity to advance interreligious dialogue and cooperation, responding to the critical issues of our times. The initiators of the Charter for Forgiveness and Reconciliation sincerely hope that the Charter will be embraced and acted upon, to foster forgiveness, reconciliation and peacebuilding worldwide.

Ahead of opening night, the all-star cast of The Full Monty took to the rooftop of Birmingham Hippodrome for a unique photo opportunity looking out across the vast Birmingham skyline.

Leading cast members Gary Lucy, Joe Gill, Kai Owen, Andrew Dunn, Louis Emerick and James Redmond posed on the theatre roof, seven stories above street level against recognisable landmarks such as the Selfridges building and the spires of St Martin’s church.

Simon Beaufoy’s award-winning stage play based on the Fox Searchlights Pictures Motion Picture plays at Birmingham Hippodrome until Saturday 10 November.

The stage adaptation of The Full Monty has enjoyed nightly standing ovations and sell-out audiences across multiple tours of the UK and Ireland. This current tour will mark the final ever chance for audiences to see this award-winning production.

The Full Monty tells the story of six out-of-work, impoverished steelworkers from Sheffield and is based on the smash hit film of the same name. The production is adapted for the stage by Oscar-winning writer Simon Beaufoy, who also wrote the screenplay for the original film. This hilarious and heartfelt production also features the iconic songs from the film including hits by Donna Summer, Hot Chocolate and Tom Jones.

The Full Monty runs at Birmingham Hippodrome from Monday 5 – Saturday 10 November with tickets from £18.

An exhibition of artwork inspired by images of female criminals is all set to go on display at the University of Wolverhampton.

Criminal Quilts is an art and archives project crafted and researched by textile artist, Ruth Singer, in partnership with the Staffordshire Record Office and the University of Wolverhampton.

During 2017 and 2018 Ruth was Artist in Residence at the Record Office, researching and creating artworks inspired by images of female criminals who were photographed in Stafford Prison from 1877 to 1915.

The pictures provide a compelling glimpse into the lives of around 500 women imprisoned for crimes such as drunkenness and theft, in the late 19^th and early 20^th centuries.

Criminal Quilts came into being in 2012 when Ruth was commissioned by Shire Hall Gallery, Stafford, to make new textile work inspired by details of these women’s clothing. A series of miniature quilt pieces were created with a colour palette influenced by the sepia toned photographs as well as the historic Staffordshire court buildings, which were built in 1789. These pieces were later purchased by the Staffordshire Museum Service

Laura Onions, Lecturer in Fine Art at the University, said: “Ruth worked in partnership with the Wolverhampton School of Art to create new work using our facilities, staff support and research knowledge.

“She collaborated with students who were studying Fashion and Textiles and Fine Art, along with support from staff members to produce collaborative quilts inspired by research, combining digital and screen-printing methods to develop her own new work on a scale that she has not been able to previously.”

The free exhibition is taking place from Friday 2^nd November until Friday 18^th January 2019 at the Made in Wolves Gallery, Millennium City Building, City Campus, WV1 1LY and will be open from 8.30 am until 5.00 pm.

Ruth will be doing an artist talk and tour on Wednesday 21^st November between 5.00 pm and 6.30 pm.

Sandwell Council is one of the top performing local authorities in the country in dealing with 'bed-blocking' problems at local hospitals.

The council’s work on dealing with delayed transfers of care, which occurs when a patient is ready to leave hospital but is still occupying a bed, makes it one of the best achievers in the country.

Latest national figures on dealing with these 'bed-blocking' problems show Sandwell has the best record in the West Midlands – and is rated fourth in the country out of 174 local authorities.

Targets are set by NHS England, and Sandwell was the only region in the West Midlands to better the targets set, and reduce the amount of delays facing patients.

Figures have been improving over the past 12 months, and Sandwell has had strong and very positive figures during this time.

Sandwell Council works with NHS partners, including Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Hospitals Trust and Sandwell and West Birmingham Clinical Commissioning Group, and community partners to reduce delayed transfers of care.

Councillor Ann Shackleton, cabinet member for social care and chair of the Sandwell Health and Wellbeing Board, said: ”We are delighted to be so highly rated for this service but we are still ambitious to reduce these figures to ensure patients can be discharged as soon as they are medically fit to do so.

“We are working on several schemes, including the launch of an integrated social care and health hub in November at Lyng in West Bromwich, in a bid to continue to bridge the gap between health and social care.

“We are also starting a red bag scheme which will support care home residents with hospital admittance.

“It is important to realise that behind every delayed transfer of care figure, there is a Sandwell resident ready to be discharged.

"Keeping older people in hospital longer than they need be is detrimental to their health and may limit their mobility and their opportunities to live independently.

“We have been working collectively in Sandwell to continue to improve our services and support we offer to some of our most vulnerable residents."

A fun run at the University of Birmingham raised over £7,000 bringing the annual event’s overall fundraising total to £87,000. This was the fifth year that Bud’s Run has taken place and it supports charity Parkinson’s UK’s pioneering research to find a cure for the condition.

More than 400 runners took part in the 5km race on the day which also included a 2km run for under 11s. Bud’s Run is the brainchild of former UK Athletics Marathon Coach Bud Baldaro, who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2009, and has been based at the University for over a decade.

Speaking after the event, Bud said: “I have been overwhelmed by all the hard work from so many people to make this event a success. There was fantastic support from the Birmingham University runners and from all the families involved, from tiny tots to grannies and grandpas! It was a truly joyful occasion with so many coming together to increase awareness of Parkinson’s and raise money for Parkinson’s UK. It was a telling indictment that although I have Parkinson’s, it hasn’t got me! Thank you to everyone.”

Bud’s Run is a popular event, with previous runs attracting athletics stars such as world marathon record holder Paula Radcliffe, middle distance legend Steve Cram, and Olympian Sara Treacy. The event was supported once again by 1500m World Championship Silver Medallist Hannah England.

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.

Gayle Kelly, Regional Fundraiser for Parkinson’s UK in the West Midlands, said: “We’d like to thank everyone who took part and volunteered to make it such a fantastic day. A special thanks to our event sponsors University of Birmingham Sport, Go Faster Food, Up and Running, Running Imp, and Waitrose for their support.”

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.

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.

Sandwell Council and West Midlands Police have met with local head teachers to launch a new police and schools panel to help promote safety.

The new panel will identify opportunities for improved working relationships with partner organisations and agencies as well as tackling difficult social issues.

Chief Superintendent Richard Baker, Sandwell Police commander and chair of the Safer Sandwell Partnership, said: “Engaging with young people and doing all we can to make sure they are safe is so important.

“By using our strong partnership links in Sandwell and working closely with head teachers and schools, we can really make a difference.”

Councillor Simon Hackett, cabinet member for children's services, said: "It's really important we work together with schools, with parents and carers and with children and young people to promote safety. I am really pleased to hear this panel has been set up."

Councillor Elaine Costigan, cabinet member for public health and protection, said: “We believe a strong, well-planned senior partnership between the police, schools and other agencies will provide a safer and more prosperous future for young people in Sandwell."

Sandwell’s Vision for 2030 sets out 10 ambitions to be delivered by the council and its partners over the next 12 years – feeling safe is a top priority. As part of this Vision, the council and partners will continue to talk with young people about how they see themselves and the borough in the future.

The aims of the police and schools panel are to:

•           Increase trust in policing and wider authorities and services

•           Reduce crime and anti-social behaviour in local areas

•           Increase young people’s sense of safety

•           Reduce levels of offending and re-offending

•           Improve attendance and attainment in school

The Safer Sandwell Partnership’s autumn Safer 6 campaign, which runs for six weeks, is currently in full swing across Sandwell’s six towns.

Supporting young people, tackling crime and anti-social behaviour and working with partner organisations and local people are all a key focus in the campaign.

With fireworks filling our skies for Bonfire Night, Diwali and New Year’s Eve soon after, it can be a stressful time for dogs that don’t like loud noises.

How can you help keep them calm and safe? David Grice, Head of Canine Training and Behaviour at national charity Guide Dogs, shares his tips how to help dogs before, during and after Fireworks night.

Step One – Know if your dog is stressed

David says: “There are a number of warning signs to indicate that your dog fears fireworks, but every dog is different, and they show anxiety in their own way. Key to look out for is whether a dog is trembling, shaking or hiding which you might expect, but behaviours such as restlessness, destructiveness or attention-seeking can also signify anxiety. “

Step Two – Help to reduce the shock of Fireworks

“On the days leading up to firework-filled parties taking place nearby, you can make sure you are as prepared as possible to reduce the impact on your pup.

“Buy plug in adaptors that release pheromones that can help relax your dog. Plug the adaptor about a week before the start of firework season to allow the pheromones to spread around the house. Also try getting your dog used to the TV or radio being louder than usual by gradually increasing the sounds levels in the lead up to the night.

“Check with neighbours if they are planning a fireworks party and you can find information about displays near you online or on social media. If lots of fireworks are expected nearby you may want to see if a friend or relative would like you and a four-legged visitor for the night.”

Step Three – Help your dog to feel safe on the day

“On the day you are expecting fireworks to take place, make sure your dog has a good walk before dark, so they are tired and relaxed for the evening. You should also feed your pup earlier than normal, so they can relieve themselves before the fireworks start.

“Hold back a portion of their evening meal and put this into a kong for your dog to have just before fireworks are likely to start, you can also give your dog a chew to keep them busy and distracted during fireworks.

“Remember it’s not just the sound that can upset our dogs, the flashing lights and smell of burning can also cause problems. Try closing all the curtains and playing an action film to cover up the flashing lights. Popping a lavender plant outside your back door can help mask the smell which can last for days!

“Make sure you have everything you need for the evening, so you can stay at home with your dog, and prepare an area for your dog to go if it becomes scared. If they already have a puppy crate, cover it with a blanket to make a quiet, dark den. You could also use a table or a cupboard under the stairs with an open door and place a TV or radio to help hide the noise of fireworks. Try to leave the TV or radio on all night, you never know when fireworks will go off.”

Step Four – Make sure your dog is happy after fireworks have finished

“There’s often so much attention on how to help dogs during Fireworks, but how we support them afterwards is just as important. It’s a good idea to allow your pup to leave its hiding place as soon it feels safe and ready and be prepared that your dog may have an accident overnight as it may have been too scared to relieve itself.

“It helps to act as if nothing has happened - don’t make a big fuss of the fireworks ending and if your pup is worried about going out into the garden or for a walk the next day, use treats to reward it for going out to rebuild a positive association.

“You may need to keep your dog on a lead when walking for a few days after a firework night and remember that fireworks can last for more than just one night, so be prepared for the unexpected!

“Consider preparations for next year. You can find sound tracks and playlists on line to get your dog used to them in plenty of time for next year. Even if your dog appeared fine over the season, play some firework sounds quietly in the background while you play with a toy or give them a chew, this will help prevent them developing issues in the future.”

Eight time sell-out veterans of the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and one of the country's most sought after comedy club headliners, The Noise Next Door leave audiences everywhere in awe of their lightning-quick wit and totally original comedic talents. They have been performing their own distinctive brand of off-the-cuff comedy together since they met at university. Taking audience suggestions, the cheeky and charming quartet, transform them into fantastically funny scenes and songs in the blink of an eye with a perfect blend of ludicrous characters, witty one-liners, epic stories, and explosive physicality.

The Noise Next Door have appeared on BBC One, BBC Three, ITV1, BBC Radio 1 and BBC Radio 4, they were nominated for a Chortle Award in 2014, and have performed alongside the likes of Michael McIntyre, Al Murray, and Harry Hill. Having received standing ovations in front of corporate dinners, the British forces, secondary school students and even fans at 'Download' Heavy Metal music festival, they are also one of the most versatile acts in the business. Unstoppably funny and uniquely talented, The Noise Next Door are the next big thing in British comedy.

The Noise Next Door – Remix: The Slade Rooms, Wolverhampton - Thursday 14 February 2019

A play, writing workshop and exhibition are being held at Lightwoods House on Wednesday 7 November as part of Sandwell’s 100th anniversary commemorations of the end of the First World War.

Worrapalava Arts will present Two Mothers of Distant Sons: Words from the Great War, a radio-style play written by Wednesbury poet laureate Brendan Hawthorne and performed by The Belmont Rep.

The play starts at 7pm (doors open at 6.30pm) at Lightwoods House, Adkins Lane, Bearwood, Smethwick, B67 5DP.

Tickets are free but limited so booking is essential.

Earlier in the day, there will be a free writing workshop, War in Words, on a drop-in basis from 10.30am to 3.30pm (lunch break 12noon-1pm). If you wish, you can register your interest when you book for the play.

Completed work will be displayed during the evening event as well as First World War artefacts.

The play is a semi-biographical radio-style play based on the life of Corporal Billy Bolt, Brendan’s great uncle. The play is written in poetic form and contains original songs throughout the performance.

The cast gives voice to Billy and Tommy, two young signalmen from the South Staffs Regiment, setting off for Ypres, leaving their mothers, fathers and loved ones behind to air their feelings and tell the stories of their boys through letters and telegrams.

A question and answer session follows the performance where the actors and their characters can be interviewed by members of the audience relating to the play content, its concept and realisation.

Sandwell Council is supporting the project through a £850 town grant.

Council leader Councillor Steve Eling said: “This is one of the many ways Sandwell is commemorating the centenary of the end of the war and remembering the sacrifices made by people from the Sandwell area and all over the world.”

Councillor Ann Jaron, Smethwick town chair, said: “This play promises to be of real local interest in the lead up to our Remembrance weekend events, and the writing workshop and question and answer session will give people the chance to get really involved.”

The play is primarily aimed at adults though younger audiences over 14 years of age would be welcome if accompanied by parents or guardians.

Lightwoods House is fully accessible by wheelchair and interval refreshments will be available to buy.

Birmingham City University’s Royal Birmingham Conservatoire will be presenting a star-studded double bass benefit concert next month, as the institution hopes to raise funds for its growing distance learning programme with a township in South Africa.

Bass Extravaganza takes place on Tuesday 6 November and is being headlined by New York Philharmonic Principal Double Bassist, Timothy Cobb.

A native of Albany, New York, Cobb graduated from The Curtis Institute of Music, where he studied with Roger Scott. Cobb has been designated a UNESCO Artist for Peace from his affiliation with the World Orchestra.

Timothy Cobb can be heard on all Metropolitan Opera recordings released after 1986, as well as on a recording on the Naxos label of Giovanni Bottesini’s duo bass music with International Chair in Double Bass at Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, Thomas Martin. Cobb and fellow American bassist Martin will be performing together once again as part of Bass Extravaganza.

Founded in 1842 and one of the ‘Big Five’ leading American orchestras, the New York Philharmonic is based in David Geffen Hall, located in New York’s Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts. Timothy Cobb joined the New York Philharmonic as Principal Bass in May 2014, after serving as Principal Bass of The Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, and Principal Bass of the Mostly Mozart Festival Orchestra since 1989.

Ahead of his appearance at Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, Timothy Cobb, said:

“There are few greater pleasures for a musician than to visit other countries and regions of the world and share in the delight of performing and studying great music. And, when the experience includes spending time with a long-time friend and top artist like Thomas Martin, as well as performing in a wonderful benefit for South African bassists, it becomes what I know will be a fantastic event and a treasured memory!

“Helping to bring music, and the unique joy of the double bass to other parts of the world is a gift and huge honour, and I am delighted to be part of this wonderful evening!

“Tom and I spent some arduous hours recording the Bottesini Double Concerto, and I am very excited to play together again!”

One of the world's best-known bassists, Thomas Martin studied in his native America with Roger Scott.

He has held front desk positions with the Buffalo Philharmonic and Israel Philharmonic Orchestras and Principal positions with l’Orchestre Symphonique de Montreal, The Academy of St Martin-in-the-Fields, the English Chamber Orchestra, City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra (CBSO) and latterly, the London Symphony Orchestra.

Thomas Martin, International Chair in Double Bass, Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, said:

“Music truly is the international language and I have had the pleasure of performing with people from all around the globe, many of whom I could not have conversed with otherwise. Therefore, it seems rather fitting that our event will help us support friends on the other side of the world through our joint love of music and desire to nurture the next generation of double bass talent.

“Happily, my double bass career has taken me all over the world and enabled me to meet one of my best friends and a musician I greatly admire, Timothy Cobb. I have a feeling that we made the first recording of the Bottesini work we are playing back in 2006! I am thrilled to play with him once again and delighted that this event has not only brought us together once more, but will help future strings colleagues.”

The duo will also be joined by Tony Alcock and Damian Rubido Gonzalez – respective Double Bass Section Leader and Sub-Principal Double Bass at CBSO – alongside students from Royal Birmingham Conservatoire’s Strings Department.

The concert will include works by Niccolò Paganini and Sergei Rachmaninoff, and proceeds raised will be donated to the South African Youth Orchestra Foundation so that it can host its first ever course exclusively for the double bass in Cape Town in December this year. There are relatively few opportunities for young bassists in South Africa, so the Foundation is hoping this will help to develop a strong bass community within the country.

One such student hoping to benefit from this course is 17-year-old Njabulo Nxumalo from Soweto in Johannesburg. He is the first double bass student to be enrolled on the collaborative UK-South African project, Cape Gate MIAGI Centre for Music & Birmingham Conservatoire – or ARCO, which is also the name for the technique of playing a stringed instrument with a bow.

ARCO has seen 24 strings students aged between eight and 17 in South Africa selected to participate in weekly instrumental Skype lessons, given by academics, current students and alumni of Royal Birmingham Conservatoire.

ARCO aims to provide the benefits and life changing inspiration of music to children in the most deprived of circumstances. As well as providing transformative music education activities, Conservatoire staff and students have been acting as role models for vulnerable youngsters living in Soweto, a township deeply affected by poverty and crime.