Community News

Business leaders in Greater Birmingham say it is time for the Government to “be bold and fix the foundations of the economy”, after the UK suffered its weakest period of GDP growth in five years.

According to figures released today, UK gross domestic product increased by 0.1 per cent in quarter one (January to March), compared with 0.4 per cent in quarter four of 2017.

The Office for National Statistics’ estimate showed that construction was down by 3.3 per cent in the first three months of the year, while manufacturing growth slowed to 0.2 per cent.

Production, which includes electricity and gas supply in addition to manufacturing, rose by 0.7 per cent as a result of households using more energy during the cold weather. Services increased by 0.3 per cent.

Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce chief executive Paul Faulkner (pictured) said: “Today’s results make for disappointing reading as we witnessed the slowest pace of GDP growth for almost five years mainly predicated on a fall in manufacturing growth – a trend we saw mirrored in our latest Quarterly Business Report as local manufacturers revealed a drop in their domestic output.

“While it would be convenient to blame the slowdown on the period of bad weather we saw in February, it’s worth bearing in mind that this was likely to have been offset by an increase in energy production as people kept their heating on for longer periods during the snap blizzard.

“Only last month, an interest rate rise seemed a certainty – however, given the fact we are seeing a drop in inflation levels and a slower pace of economic growth, any projected uplift must surely be put on hold.

“In light of these results, we would urge the Government to be bold and fix the foundations of the economy by investing in first class infrastructure projects and upskilling our workforce – the future prosperity of our country depends on it.”

Jess Phillips, MP of Birmingham Yardley, took to the streets of Birmingham this week to get a taste of life as a Big Issue vendor.

Jess Phillips joined Big Issue vendor Michael Hadley, 25, on his pitch on Piccadilly Arcade in the second city on Thursday April 26th to experience the challenges of selling the magazine first-hand.

Phillips admitted that she “felt invisible” after spending an hour on the pitch, selling two copies of the magazine.

“It was a good experience and the sun was shining throughout,” said Phillips, who was first elected to the Birmingham Yardley constituency in 2013. “I managed to sell two magazines – the first person I sold to had no idea who I was but I think the second one knew that I was an MP.

“Michael was very nice and he gave me a few tips on how to sell, which was very helpful.”

Phillips, who featured in The Big Issue’s Letter To My Younger Self section in February, admitted that the eye-opening experience has changed her perspective on the challenges involved in selling the magazine.

“After the experience, I’ll always buy The Big Issue. I know a lot of people walk past vendors – I have done it in the past – and I will make sure, as a politician, that I will do all I can for people on the streets,” said Phillips.“I found it to be a fascinating experience to see how people ignore you and how you can feel invisible. I felt a lot of people were looking away from me.

“Selling the magazine first-hand showed me the challenges that people face and the level of independence that they get when they are doing something gainful with their life like this.”

Big Issue West Midlands team leader Jon Hyde said: “It was a pleasure to have Jess sell the magazine as she really engaged with the vendor and got stuck in to the whole process without any pretention.”

“The sell-off experience was a great opportunity to show Jess, on a small scale, what everyday life selling the magazine on the streets of Birmingham is like for Big Issue vendors.

“The vendors that supported Jess were fantastic ambassadors for The Big Issue, showing Jess the ropes, providing sales tips as well as sharing their experiences of homelessness and poverty.”

“I’d like to thank her for taking time out of her busy work and family life to sell the magazine and it was certainly interesting that Jess felt invisible while wearing the tabard, I hope it was an enlightening experience for her.”

The Big Issue, the magazine sold by vendors to lift themselves out of poverty, is available to buy from now across the UK for £2.50.

Delicacies of the Amazonian culture and cuisine are mysteries and flavours still unknown by Brazilian and foreign tourists in the state of Pará. In the itinerary Secrets and Spices of the Amazon, tour operator Vivejar invites travellers to immerse themselves in the multisensory universe of the Amazon, with significant encounters with the local community and an inspiring approach to the region's gastronomy and crafts.

The 6-day trip takes travellers on a cultural and community-based journey, where local communities are responsible for tourism activities and get from them their sources of income, development and cultural preservation. It is also the opportunity for an incredible exchange of experiences with strong and empowered women who have transformed their opportunities and realities through tourism, handicrafts and gastronomy.

The journey begins in the historic capital of Belém, with the first food immersion in the popular Ver-o-Peso market and its variety of unique regional products. The group also takes a cultural tour through the capital, that still preserves patrimonies and stories from the beginning of its foundation by the Portuguese, 400 years ago.

The trip follows to Cotijuba Island, the main of the 42 islands that are part of the Belém archipelago, and an Environmental Preservation Area with 15 kilometers of fresh and warm water beaches bathed by Marajó and Guajará rivers. In Cotijuba, the local community, organised by MMIB – Belém Islands Women's Movement, is responsible for receiving the visitors, presenting some of the island's traditions, crafts and its reality.

For 4 days, travellers have the opportunity to live close together with strong and leader women, artisans and cooks, farmers and tour guides. The transformative experience and the connection and the bonds created during the journey inspire profound and enduring changes in the travellers.

Through hands on cooking and handicraft workshops, tourists discover how to make bio jewellery with typical seeds of the region. To get even closer to the culture of Pará, activities include a scented bath ceremony and a lot of Carimbó dancing. MMIB guides also take visitors through a trail in the middle of the incredible Amazon Forest and free time can be spent on a river beach bath.

Severn Trent is looking for bright ideas that could change the way the company works in partnership to improve the water environment across the region in the future.

The company, which serves more than eight million people across the Midlands and mid-Wales, has launched a new scheme called ‘Cash for Catchments’ which will provide funding to support water environment improvements.

Applications are now open to landowners, farmers, community groups and non-governmental organisations to submit ideas that could make a real difference in the future.

Zara Turtle, who is leading the scheme for Severn Trent, explains: “We hope that the best of the ideas will be real game changers that can have a massive positive effect on the water environment right across our region.

“Submissions could cover anything from natural flood management and river restoration to improving river water quality and preserving the region’s biodiversity.

“We’re really excited that the window for ideas is now open and we’re looking forward to reviewing some really innovative projects that we can collaborate on in the future.”

The groups with the best ideas will be invited to Severn Trent’s Coventry HQ to present them to a panel of experts, ‘Dragons Den’ style, and they will then be allocated funding to take the projects forward.

Join Great British Bake Off winner and author of three cook books, Edd Kimber (@theboywhobakes) for a special charity brunch of sweet and savoury bakes on Sunday 13th May at Good & Proper Tea in Clerkenwell.

The deliciousness begins at 12:45pm with a still-warm sticky pecan bun and a cocktail created by Our/London. Unlimited premium tea and filter coffee will flow as you feast on his signature baked eggs, sourdough and spreads, chocolate babka and then complete your meal with a seasonal fruit crumble served with clotted cream or yoghurt. You'll also go home with a tote and a treat.

All of the profits of the event go to raise money for awareness and care for people with mental health challenges, a cause close to the heart of Taste Tripper founder Jennifer Earle. The Taste Tripper team have chosen the Hackney Centre for Better Health as a local charity making a big difference on the ground in their community. The bread will come from bakers they've trained as part of a programme to get people back in employment.

This Baker's Brunch is part of a series of events to be hosted by Taste Tripper throughout the year as part of their mission to help connect people to delicious food and makers in the most enjoyable and sustainable ways. Look out for feasts by cookbook authors Chetna Makan and Georgina Hayden later in the year.

Celebrating 10 years in existence, a charity supporting disabled children, young people and their families headed for the Commonwealth Heads of Government (CHOMG) Meeting in London for the first ever  Commonwealth Disabled Youth Roundtable Event as part of the ‘Commonwealth Include Me 2’ joint project represents 1.2 billion young people from across 53 countries of the Commonwealth.

Include Me TOO with the Commonwealth Youth Council organised the roundtable event at The House of Lords to increase the inclusion, rights and participation for disabled children and young people from the Commonwealth.

Hosted by The Hon Baroness Uddin and The Hon Lord Chris Holmes it was held as an official side event for the Commonwealth Forums Summit 2018.

Baroness Uddin said: “It was a privilege to host the first ever Commonwealth Disabled Youth Event on behalf of CHOMG, given that 60 percent of the Commonwealth population is under the age of 30 years.

Include Me TOO were instrumental in bringing together youth delegates from different parts of the world to the House of Lords as the event marked a step in the right direction for disabled youth to have a seat around the table and discuss issues that matter to them.”

“The presentations given by the young people from across the Commonwealth were excellent and packed with insight,” said Lord Holmes. “It was a privilege for me to attend.”

Covering topics which mattered to them and their peers, the roundtable highlighted key issues impacting on disabled young people from their respective Commonwealth member countries.

Include Me TOO Executive director, Parmi Dheensa, said: “The Commonwealth roundtable presented young people as change makers who have a clear understanding of the issues which impact them and their peers and solutions to increase disability inclusion, rights and participation for all.

We are looking forward to working with disabled young people across the Commonwealth strengthening their voices, plus impacting on local and global issues. We will be working with our young ambassadors, disabled young activists and partners to establish the Commonwealth Disabled Youth Roundtable as a key component for future CHOMG’s summits.”

The holiest month Ramadan has fast approached us. Based on current predictions, the 1st of Ramadan is most likely to be May 16 in the UK.

The ninth month of the lunar calendar, Ramadan is when the Qur’an was revealed to the Prophet Mohammed (saw). In celebration of this, Muslims around the world will embark on a month of fasting and sacrifice, regarded as one of the Five Pillars of Islam.

‘The month of Ramadan [is that] in which was revealed the Qur’an, a guidance for the people and clear proofs of guidance and criterion. So whoever sights [the new moon of] the month, let him fast it; and whoever is ill or on a journey - then an equal number of other days. Allah intends for you ease and does not intend for you hardship and [wants] for you to complete the period and to glorify Allah for that [to] which He has guided you; and perhaps you will be grateful.’ (Qur’an 2:185)

The Muslim lunar calendar consists of 12 months, six of which have 29 days and six of which have 30 days. As a result, the lunar year is 354 days long; meaning the start of Ramadan varies by around 11 days each year. Also, since the sighting of the new moon varies from country to country, the dates of Ramadan can differ all around the world.

Amongst the runners who were pushed to the limit in the hottest marathon on record, was animal-lover Lucy Williams. She was shocked to receive a proposal from her partner Gary Mitchell when she crossed the finish line.

Lucy, who lives in Solihull, said: “I had no idea it was going to happen. Gary had an injury beforehand and I kept telling him to defer but he was convinced he was going to do the marathon no matter what - and now I know why.

“All my family knew already and he’d picked the ring from the jewellery quarter in Birmingham in January.

“When we finished he was so jumpy and adamant we had to meet up with our family and friends right away. He was limping so when he dropped down on one knee I thought he was about to collapse - and then he proposed!

“It was very emotional, we were both crying!”

Gary added: “I carried the ring around for the whole race constantly thinking I would drop it or lose it.

“The idea of carrying it around was a symbolic gesture of relationships. There will be times you’re loving it and certainly times where you would rather be somewhere else but with perseverance and commitment anything can be achieved.”

Lucy decided to run and raise money for the RSPCA as she has always been an animal lover and had dogs in the family ever since they found their first dog Patch, a collie cross, who was in need of a home.

Lucy, who passed the finish line in 4 hours and 47 minutes, added: “It was an amazing experience and I raised a lot of money for a really good cause.”

Nicky Ifould, head of events at the RSPCA said: “A huge congratulations goes to Lucy and Gary after their heartwarming proposal after crossing the finish line. The atmosphere on Sunday was incredible and we would like to thank all of our 20 runners for putting themselves to the test and raising so much money for the RSPCA.

“It was a huge achievement, especially in such tough conditions. We'd also like to say a huge thank you to Liforme for supplying the yoga mats for the stretch zone at the post race reception, and to their wonderful yoga instructor Sarah for helping our runners stretch out after the race.

“Thanks also to all our volunteer cheerers, which included staff from DogBuddy, for coming down and supporting our runners at our cheer point.”

From amateur programmers, arcade subcultures and industry pioneers, to iconic titles such as ‘Dizzy’, ‘Simon the Sorcerer’ and ‘Tomb Raider’, the UK’s Midlands region has played a pivotal role in the history of computer games.

On Wednesday 9 May, Birmingham City University is bringing together a group of industry experts to celebrate the Midlands’ important contribution to this global industry and pastime, and give members of the public the chance to play some of their favourite games created in the region.

Level Up: A History of Computer Games in the Midlands will take a gathered audience on a lively audio-visual trip across the last four decades, focusing on the iconic characters, developers and companies that helped create a regional industry that is still growing today.

Featuring on the panel will be Louise O’Connor, Executive Producer at Leicestershire developer Rare. Louise will bring her wealth of knowledge and experience of the industry from her extensive career at the Twycross-based company – known for creating ‘Banjo-Kazooie’, ‘Donkey-Kong’, ‘Perfect Dark’, ‘Viva Piñata’ and ‘GoldenEye 007’, the later considered one of the greatest computer games ever made.

She said: “I’m delighted to be involved on this panel, not just because I love talking about the games industry, but especially because I think the Midlands is a key part of our thriving industry – full of exciting and talented developers.”

The event will also welcome gaming journalist Damien McFerran, Editorial Director of Nintendo Life.com, who has written for magazines, websites and television programmes such as Eurogamer, IGN UK, Pocket Gamer, ‘Retro Gamer’, ‘SFX’, ‘Stuff’, The Gadget Show and US Gamer.

Also speaking on the panel is Zuby Ahmed, a veteran games developer offering over 20 years’ industry experience with companies such as Digital Image Design, Warthog Games and EA Games. Today, Zuby is a Senior Lecturer at Birmingham City University and is Programme Director of the University’s Video Game Enterprise, Production and Design postgraduate course, as part of the internationally recognised Gamer Camp finishing school.

Zuby is also one of the founders of the University’s first set of two-year FastTrack undergraduate degrees and has taught graduates who have gone on to have successful careers, working for companies which include Sony, Ubisoft, TT Games and Rockstar North.

Completing the panel will be Birmingham City University’s Dr Alex Wade, a Senior Research Fellow who has written extensively on the history of computer games.

He said: “From Codemasters in Birmingham to Core Design in Derby, ‘Donkey Kong’ in Twycross to ‘Dizzy’ in Southam, the Midlands is a sandbox of video games which are played and respected all around the world.

“Home to bedroom coding and international imports, controversial magazines and cheat cartridges, James Bond and Lara Croft; if you've ever played, or even heard of video games, the chances are that the Midlands has had something to do with it.

“The event at Birmingham City University will be a fantastic opportunity to celebrate the rich gaming heritage we have in this region by looking back at – and playing – some iconic games, as well as look forward to exciting future developments within the local industry. As an avid gamer myself, I can’t wait!”

Birmingham’s own 8bit Lounge will be joining the event, creating an opportunity for guests to relive some old classics, with a selection of retro games available to pick up and play before and after the City Talk, including several made within the Midlands region.

Level Up: A History of Computer Games in the Midlands forms part of Birmingham City University’s City Talks series. The series features a programme of high profile speakers who share their views and insights on a range of topics, promoting the institution’s ambition and aim of being a ‘university without walls’. The talks are free of charge, and open to the public.

The computer games event will also host the launch of Dr Alex Wade’s new book, ‘The Pac-Man Principle: A User's Guide to Capitalism’. Published by Zero Books on Friday 27 July, Dr Wade’s work focuses on one of the world’s most famous characters, who has appeared in over 60 video games on virtually every games platform ever released since 1980.

Pac-Man, with its avowed commitment to non-violence was a videogame of many firsts, including being designed to appeal to children and females, and providing the first narrative interlude in a videogame. According to the Davie-Brown Index (DBI), 94 per cent of Americans were able to recognise Pac-Man in 2008, which gave the character greater brand awareness than Super Mario.

Although iconic, Pac-Man has not been subject to sustained critical analysis. Dr Wade’s book helps to fill that gap, providing an extensive but accessible analysis of the influence of Pac-Man on the way that we live in contemporary western societies.

The work also includes an afterword by Toru Iwatani, the Japanese video games designer who created the original ‘Pac-Man’ game and will be available to purchase at the event for a reduced price.

Following on from his first book looking at the UK games industry in the 1980s, Dr Wade is now researching into economies around games, with a focus on the influence of individual publishers such as Robert Maxwell and a subsequent book is planned for publication in 2021.

From skipping to scooting and face-painting to frisbee, children and families across Haringey had fun in the spring sunshine at this year’s Weekend of Play.

Streets were closed to traffic to encourage people to play outdoors, while special events were staged at schools and parks around the borough.

Highlights included adventure play at Somerford Grove Adventure Playground Palace, football skills with Tottenham Hotspur at Lordship Recreation Ground and a picnic on the ball court at Wood Green’s Commerce Road.

Alexandra Palace saw the biggest turnout, with more than 200 participants enjoying a treasure hunt and explorers’ trail around the park, organised by Friends of Alexandra Palace and volunteers.

The Weekend of Play is supported by Haringey’s Obesity Alliance, which aims to tackle childhood obesity in a fun and practical way by promoting healthier living. Read more about Haringey’s Obesity Alliance.

Celebrate VE Day with the special Fabulous 40s event at Haden Hill House and Park in Cradley Heath on May Day (Monday 7 May).

Jane Hanney, Sandwell Council's museum services manager, said the event, which kicks-off at 12 noon, will have some fantastic activities for people to see and do throughout the afternoon.

She said: "There will be loads of costumed characters, a tea van which visitors can take a peep at and a World War II soldier’s display.

"There will be a uniform display but beware of the spiv who may try and sell you some black market goods!

"Visitors will also be able to enjoy historic vehicles out in the park with some lovely examples from the period and learn about food rationing inside the house. Try some wartime recipes and see some real wartime objects."

Outside in the park, there will be fantastic rousing live music with the Steve King Big Band which is guaranteed to get visitors doing the Lindy Hop.

And Alison Hyatt, visitor services officer, added: "We are encouraging people to bring a picnic blanket or chair to picnic and enjoy the afternoon listening to the music.

"For younger visitors there will be traditional entertainment with a Punch and Judy show and street magic for people to be amazed at."

Haden Old Hall will also be open for visitors to look around and see the evacuees bedroom. It is believed evacuees stayed on site before they were found homes locally during the war.

The tearoom will also be open selling a variety of drinks and snacks courtesy of the Friends of Haden Hill Estate.

"This is a great community event to kick start this year of wartime commemorations and should be a fantastic family day out with lots of people of all ages to enjoy," added Alison.

Entrance to the event is free. The event runs from 12-4pm.

New research has found that careers in construction trades are not being considered by women despite a strong public desire to see more females in the sector. Shockingly almost three quarters of the East Midlands (85%) have never encountered a female in any of the main construction trades roles of plumber, electrician, carpenter or builder even though almost nine in ten (88%) the East Midlands would like to see more women in such roles. Yet, more than eight in ten (94%) of women surveyed from the region have never even considered a career in the industry.

The survey commissioned by Able Skills, specialists in construction training, found that only one in ten (15%) of the people surveyed from the East Midlands had encountered a female in these roles. Of those, (88%) described the service received as positive and would recommend the service to others. None reported a negative experience.

However, why are there so few women considering a role within the construction trades industry? Women reported that the career was never highlighted as an option for them to pursue. Furthermore, more than three quarters (87%) of women said no family, friends, careers advisors or teachers had ever discussed a career in the construction trades industry with them. While 73% of men in the region said their family discussed this occupation with them, this was the case for only 16% of women.

The biggest factors holding women from The East Midlands back from pursuing a career in a role traditionally associated with the opposite sex were concerns about: not being taken seriously (53%), facing prejudice in the job role (40%), and finding it intimidating (40%).

However the shortage of women in construction trades could be a trend on the way out, as overall British women aged 25-34 were the most likely to consider a career in the construction trades (35%).

Gary Measures, Managing Director of Able Skills says: “The public want to see more women in the construction trades industry and trust them to deliver a good job. Proving that women’s concerns about not being taken seriously and facing prejudice are unfounded. We really want to encourage more females to consider a career in construction trades and are really pleased to see that the younger generations may break down some of the barriers. In 2017 only 5% of Able Skills trainees were female but we really want this to change.”

Despite construction trades roles being perceived as male orientated, there is a high level of trust towards women working in the sector. Almost a third (31%) of UK adults said they would trust a female construction trades person more to give them the best and most fair price, compared to just 14% who would trust a male more.

With Saudi Arabia investing billions in high speed rail as it diversifies its transport infrastructure to include more non-oil sources, a Saudi delegation led by HRH Prince Abdulaziz Bin Faisal visited the National College for High Speed Rail in Birmingham. He was accompanied by Andrew Hammond Managing Director of Riyadh based International Transport company Future Solutions and the Group CEO Mohammad Mutabagani.

The Saudi representatives visited the campus on Lister Street to discover best practice in technical training and see first-hand the cutting-edge equipment available to learners at the National College – the world’s first dedicated high speed rail college.

The Saudi visit is one of several international delegations that have been invited to tour the college this year, with previous visits from representatives of rail projects in Malaysia, Singapore and Bulgaria, as well as a recent delegation from the 2018 International Seminar for Railway Education and Training (ISRET).

As the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) looks to reduce the nation’s reliance on crude oil and promote the entire Middle East region as part of its Vision 2030 programme, it is already investing heavily in its railway network with Haramain High Speed Rail, a 281-mile line between Medina and Mecca, due to open later this year.

The Prince requested to see the college - the largest of five new national colleges created by the Government to ensure British workers can learn world-class skills - as part of his British visit, to see how training is being delivered through innovative technologies.

He met with some of the college’s learners and experienced how the world-class learning facilities which include Virtual and Augmented Reality headsets, and 3D printing technologies, are helping to prepare a new generation of railway engineers and leaders.

It is intended that similar methods will be used for future training in Saudi Arabia: the Haramain High Speed Rail project has been developed by a Spanish consortium on a build, operate and transfer (BOT) basis. With this project now nearing completion and the Spanish team preparing to conclude operations, Saudi Arabia is looking to train its own workforce to deliver future high speed rail projects.

Clair Mowbray, chief executive of the National College for High Speed Rail, said: “As we begin to provide Britain with a talented workforce that has the skills to deliver pioneering infrastructure, fit for the 21st Century, it’s fantastic that our innovative training methods are already generating international interest.

“High-speed rail has the potential to be a Great British export industry in the coming years. As such, it’s just as important that as we continue to partner with employers here in the UK, that we develop and maintain strong international links so that we can learn from, and share best practice with the global community of railway leaders, experts and professionals.”

HRH Prince Abdulaziz Bin Faisal al Saud, said: “Everything we’ve seen at the college has been impressive – from the design to the way of teaching with new technologies. We already had high expectations before arriving but what we’ve seen here has exceeded those expectations. Our understanding of how things are working here will definitely help to inform future projects in Saudi Arabia.”

Charlotte Webster, an apprentice with WSP studying on the college’s Level 4 Higher Apprenticeship Course for High Speed Rail and Infrastructure, said: “I started with the college in September and it’s been a very different experience to previous education pathways I’ve been through. The college has high-spec, state-of-the-art technology which isn’t available anywhere else. We can apply the knowledge we learn in the classroom here and bring it forward in a practical manner when we’re out working in the field. The high level of technical education will be incredibly useful for delivering future plans and projects such as HS2.”

The Prince is in the UK following his meeting in Jeddah with the Transport Minister the Rt Hon. Chris Grayling along with senior officials from DfT.

A new opera premières in Birmingham (UK) this week that takes an audience on a musical journey through time and space to the end of the universe as we know it.

Staged in Birmingham City University’s Royal Birmingham Conservatoire on Thursday 26 and Friday 27 April, ‘Entanglement! An Entropic Tale’ is an opera in three acts and is described by its creators as “the ‘Romeo and Juliet’ of particle physics”. The production centres around the love story between an electron and a positron who are stuck in a quantum quandary arising as a result of the unstoppable, chaotic destruction of our known universe.

The story is based on traditional operatic themes such as impossible love – in this case between an electron and a positron – and the meddling of god-like figures in human’s lives. The timeless tale also explores issues of identity, free will and destruction.

The opera is being presented by Infinite Opera company, a troupe formed of postgraduate students from Royal Birmingham Conservatoire who wanted to develop a platform for their own expression and creativity, but also divulge the wonders of both science and opera.

Their first production is being codirected by the company and Aleksandar Dunđerović, Professor of Performing Arts at Royal Birmingham Conservatoire. Born in Belgrade, Serbia, Professor Dundjerović is an award-winning professional theatre director and throughout his career has worked on major productions in his home country as well as in Brazil, Canada, Columbia, Iran, the USA and the UK.

The starting point for this project came from librettist and soprano Roxanne Korda’s interest in different fields of human creativity, bringing together physics, philosophy and music. Now an MMus student at Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, she graduated in Physics and Philosophy (King’s College London), and has previously worked on raising awareness around women in physics, a traditionally male-dominated field.

Royal Birmingham Conservatoire student Roxanne Korda from London, said: “This is an opera which describes theories from physics that are not commonly discussed and presents them in a new manner, filled with emotion and connected to the human spirit. Not only does it highlight these fundamental ideas that are in fact repeated throughout history, it also exposes the art form of opera to a wider audience, ensuring it can continue to be relevant to contemporary society. 

“I wrote this libretto in order to disseminate the theories of physics that I love to think about so much, and help people feel connected to them in a way that is very approachable. I hope that this story will inspire the imagination of the audience to learn more about the universe and how we as humans perceive the world around us.”

Taking place in The Lab, a cutting edge, completely flexible black-box studio space, the set has been designed in conjunction with students from Birmingham City University’s Interior Architecture and Design course, who created inflatable structures for the show.

Spanish composer and performer Daniel Blanco Albert has composed music for several Royal Birmingham Conservatoire productions since he began studying at the college in 2015. On composing ‘Entanglement! An Entropic Tale’, he said:

“Creating an opera about physics – which I studied while preparing for university – was a project that really pushed me to do something completely new and original. The music is heavily inspired by the libretto, which mixes a very human story with science and physics, creating a sort of Greek mythological drama, but led by the elements and forces that surround us.

“Although challenging – mainly fitting an opera around the student’s education commitments – the collaborative nature of our production has been hugely rewarding and has given many of those involved their first professional experience.

“Away from Birmingham, there has been strong interest from festivals in London, Madrid and Valencia, as well as several universities, who would like to stage ‘Entanglement! An Entropic Tale’. We are also having conversations with venues in France, and even Serbia and Canada, who may wish us to take the opera on tour in those countries too.”

The Conservatoire was granted a Royal title by Her Majesty The Queen in September 2017, with the bestowment following the HRH The Earl of Wessex becoming the college’s first Royal Patron in March 2016. The Earl officially declared the building open on Sunday 11 March this year prior to the Royal Opening Gala Concert in his honour.

Featuring the Royal Conservatoire’s Symphony Orchestra and Chorus, and conducted by the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra’s (CBSO) Music Director, Mirga Gražinytė-Tyla, the Royal Opening Gala Concert marked the beginning of the college’s Opening Festival, which continues with ‘Entanglement! An Entropic Tale’.

Alongside ‘Entanglement! An Entropic Tale’ the Opening Festival will welcome a wealth of world-class artists to Birmingham, including Julia Donaldson, Peter Donohoe, Orkest de Ereprijs, Laura van der Heijden, Nigel Kennedy, Roderick Williams and Jacqueline Wilson. Birmingham City University Chancellor, Sir Lenny Henry, will also be narrating ‘Peter and the Wolf’ on Friday 4 May.

Not only will the festival see international stars grace the Conservatoire’s five performance venues, there will also be a focus on the rising stars and grass roots artists of the local music scene, as per the institution’s commitment to nurturing talent and providing a hub for performing arts in the city.

The demolition of old buildings on the Heath Town estate remains on track – with work on the first new homes to emerge in their place expected by the end of the year.

Around ten weeks remain on the demolition programme, which includes the removal of garages, a disused underground car park, 36 maisonettes and other buildings that have been vacant for some years.

The demolition will pave the way for the development of more than 300 brand new homes for sale and rent, including new council homes, across several sites as part of the revised Heath Town Masterplan.

City of Wolverhampton Council hope to appoint architects next month (May) for the first phase of 30 homes on Hobgate Road.

Director for Housing, Kate Martin, said: “Excellent progress is being on the demolition programme at Heath Town.

“Real change is happening and we are fast approaching the exciting prospect of seeing new homes being built on the estate, the majority of which will be new houses with gardens.

“This is a major regeneration programme in the city that will make a huge difference to the quality of life and housing choice for our residents.”

The new homes across Heath Town will be a mixture of one and two-bedroom apartments, and two-bedroom bungalows, as well as two, three and four-bedroom houses. All of the new homes will have their own car parking space provided.

Phase one of the enabling works at Heath Town saw the demolition of walkways and garages in the Hobgate Road area of the estate, and other works included disconnecting and re-routing the district heating pipework and the refurbishment of the ground and lower ground floors of Ling House to provide new office, meeting and activity space for the Hope Family Centre.

The demolition works will also create an interim car park of 50 additional spaces on the site of the former Chervil Rise blocks. This will be available for use by Heath Town residents by the middle of May.

Heart in a Box, a revolutionary machine that could increase the number of heart transplants carried out at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham (QEHB) by up to 50% has arrived at the hospital following a successful fundraising campaign.

The machine keeps a retrieved heart alive outside of the body, by pumping blood around it, and irrigating it ready for transplantation. This radically increases the amount of time that surgeons have to perform the transplant, compared with the more traditional method of storing the heart in ice.

Heart in a Box is now ready and waiting for its first use at QEHB, following the £265,000 campaign by QEHB Charity to raise funds for the machine. Heart Research UK generously donated an incredible £132,500 towards the Heart in a Box campaign, with the rest of the money being raised by QEHB Charity’s fantastic supporters.

The arrival of Heart in a Box was marked with a special event, put on by QEHB Charity and Heart Research UK, to thank some of the inspirational fundraisers who helped to raise money for this important cause. Justine Davy, Head of Fundraising for QEHB Charity said: “I am immensely proud of all of the hard work and dedication of our fundraisers who have helped to bring Heart in a Box to the hospital. I am delighted that the machine is now at the hospital, ready to help the incredible heart team to save more lives than ever before. Huge thanks go to Heart Research UK in the West Midlands, and all of their supporters for their wonderful donation that helped make the campaign such a huge success.”

John Lloyd, Regional Executive at Heart Research UK in the Midlands, said: “The Organ Care System has the potential to allow surgeons to carry out 50% more heart transplants every year. This new technology will increase the number of suitable organs and the chance of survival for so many patients.

“Heart Research UK has always been committed to make surgery safer, and ‘heart in a box’ will help patients live healthier, happier and longer lives in the Midlands and nationwide.”

Present at the event was Sarah Codling, 31 year old mother of one from Woodgate Valley, who received a heart transplant at QEHB in 2015. Since her heart transplant, Sarah has worked tirelessly to fundraise for heart patients at the hospital, and was delighted that heart in a box is now at the hospital. Sarah said: “Heart in a Box is an astonishing piece of technology, I am really proud to have played my part in helping to fundraise for it. Since my heart transplant, I’ve wanted to give something back to the amazing hospital that saved my life. I know that Heart in a Box will completely change the way that heart transplants are carried out at QEHB, and the heart team will be able to change even more lives in the future.”