More than two-thirds (68%) of people in West Midlands think the UK should do more to help the welfare of animals, according to a new poll by the RSPCA.

Figures from the charity reveal that although a massive 85% of people in the region consider themselves animal lovers, 34% feel a lack of money and 27% cite a lack of time as barriers to doing more to help animals. Worryingly one in ten (11%) people felt that their actions couldn’t make a difference.

This week, the RSPCA is launching its new #AnimalKind campaign which aims to encourage people to join it in creating a world which is kinder to animals. The campaign aims to give people practical advice about what they can do to ensure that all animals are better protected and cared for and has produced a free guide to show how little acts of kindness can make a big difference.

Klare Kennett, Assistant Director of External Relations, Marketing and Communications at the RSPCA, said: “It is really encouraging to see that we still consider ourselves to be a nation of animal lovers but we want to show people that it doesn’t take a lot of time or money to do your bit to help create a world that’s kinder to animals.

“We at the RSPCA are dedicated to improving the lives of animals everywhere but we cannot do it alone. We know so many people want to do their best for animals, be it pets, wildlife or those reared on farms, but they may not know how they can help.

“We wanted to give people ideas of little things they can do, such as signing a petition, doing a litter pick, or volunteering to walk a dog, which do not take lots of time or money, but change animals lives for the better.”

In the survey of more than 2000 people across Great Britain, carried out by YouGov, respondents in West Midlands said that the animal welfare issue they were most concerned about (39%) was animals being used in blood sports such as badger baiting or cock fighting.

However, just seven per cent said a lack of homes for animals was a major concern. Twenty-three percent, more than the national average of 17%, said farm animal welfare was one of their main worries.

While blood sports undoubtedly cause horrific suffering to animals, the numbers of animals involved are relatively small. However, in the UK each year hundreds of thousands of rescue pets are waiting in adoption centres looking for homes, and nearly a billion animals are reared on farms in the UK.

Klare added: “People are rightly concerned about barbaric and illegal blood sports which cause the animals involved untold suffering. However, the numbers remain, thankfully, relatively small.

“What many people perhaps don’t realise is that rescue centres are bursting at the seams with animals needing homes, and that kennel-life can be stressful and difficult for many animals who wait for weeks, months or even years for their forever home.

“Similarly, people probably don’t know that millions of farm animals are kept in conditions which just aren’t good enough, and currently only a relatively small proportion are in higher welfare schemes.

“So by choosing to adopt rather than buy a pet, or checking food for the RSPCA Assured label, you could be making a difference.”

With litter and plastic high on the public agenda, 33% of people revealed they were concerned about the destruction or damage to wildlife habitats and 21% worried about litter and plastic being hazardous to animals.

Coco, Twycross Zoo’s oldest animal, recently celebrated an impressive 53 years of life with the ultimate birthday bash! The chimpanzee, who has been a favourite with visitors since her arrival in 1969, had a super fun day with her family, during which the whole troop got to tuck in to the ultimate birthday treat of peanut butter and blueberries!

Coco was the fourth resident to ever be registered to the Zoo, therefore a very popular member of the family. Since her arrival she has created quite the chimp clan, having had six children, 20 grandchildren, five great grandchildren and one great great granddaughter; she takes conservation seriously!

Kris Hern, Team Leader of Great Apes at Twycross Zoo, said: “We all absolutely adore Coco and she is very special to us here at the Zoo. We are extremely proud of her and all she has done for her species. To have created a family of over 30 chimps is quite staggering and she has been a vital part of our breeding programme, setting a tremendous example to all her young, who we hope follow in her footsteps.”

A RARE and precious jewel, given to a West Midlands Army regiment over a century ago and valued as one of the most expensive items ever on the BBC’s Antiques Roadshow, has been unveiled in the Black Country.

The Faberge flower, a five-inch pear blossom set in rock crystal, gold, silver stamens and diamonds, is set to feature in the first episode of the Antiques Roadshow, hosted by Fiona Bruce, on 15 April.  

The jewel was on display at Himley Hall and Park near Dudley today.

On 21 June 2017 Stamford Cartwright, Honorary Colonel of The Royal Yeomanry’s B (Staffordshire, Warwickshire and Worcestershire) Squadron, brought the Faberge flower to the Antiques Roadshow which was filming at the Black Country Living Museum.

Fiona Bruce said “word quickly got around that something very special had been brought in,” adding: “We weren’t disappointed.”

The Antiques Roadshow’s jewellery expert Geoffrey Munn described how his “pulse was racing” at the sight of the precious object.

When the episode is broadcast on Sunday, viewers will see that it is one of only three items to be valued at £1million in the Antiques Roadshow’s 40-year history. Previous items given a valuation of over £1million are a model of Antony Gormley’s Angel of the North and the FA Cup which was presented between 1911 and 1992.

Colonel Cartwright said:

”This is a very special piece that is a focal point for the regiment, veterans and serving soldiers. It reminds us of the sacrifice of fallen comrades and our links to the past. Despite uniforms and personnel changing, the jewel is a symbol of continuity that goes back over a century.”

The Black Country soldiers thought the pear blossom sculpture was worth around £50,000 and for decades used it as a centrepiece at formal dinners and events. According to Colonel Cartwright, it became “part of the furniture”.

Rachel, Countess of Dudley, presented the jewel to the Queen’s Own Worcestershire Hussars on the soldiers’ return to the Midlands from the Boer War in South Africa in or around 1904. Rachel’s husband was William Ward, the second Earl of Dudley who, at the start of the twentieth century, was a major in the Queen’s Own Worcestershire Hussars.

Despite the staggering valuation, the jewel will keep its place as a table decoration for Army dinners.

Major Will Mawby, Officer Commanding B Squadron, also known as the Black Country Cavalry and the modern-day successor to the Worcestershire Hussars, said:

“We are very proud of the jewel but gone are the days when it would come on exercise and be kept under the Squadron leader’s bed. It is kept in the most secure of locations. On special occasions it sits in front of me but I daren’t touch it with my butter fingers!”

West Midlands businesses looking to grow their export programmes could benefit from a project that is offering financial support to get them trading overseas.

The West Midlands ERDF SME International Growth Project (SME IGP), funded via the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), has already approved more than 150 grants – worth more than £340,000 – to more than 80 companies in the region, enabling them to access specialist support.

However, the call has gone out to eligible companies in the West Midlands region, which covers Staffordshire, Shropshire, Herefordshire, Worcestershire, Warwickshire and the West Midlands, that further funding is available.

Allen Matty, managing director of West Midlands Chamber of Commerce (WMCC), said businesses that need a helping hand with exporting can apply for match-funded grants of between £1,000 and £3,000.

“This scheme aims to stimulate export growth within the region by addressing business needs and providing financial support,” he said. “Internationalising a business is a significant step and by accessing specialist support, companies can minimise the risks and gain the knowledge and confidence they need to move into new overseas markets.”

One of the companies that has benefitted from the ERDF grant is Redditch-based Scribble Down, which produces fun and educational transfer packs for children.

Sales director Peter Hendrickx, who runs the business with his wife Sarah, said the £3,000 grant it received gave the company the boost it required to promote the brand after disappointing sales last year. It meant they were able to attend Spielwarenmesse, the world’s biggest toy fair in Nuremberg, Germany, in February.

“It made a massive difference for us,” he said. “We’d wanted to go for years but the outlay was just too much for a same family business as ours, last year it was as though someone had simply turned the tap off to our overseas sales, therefore we knew we had to go. This funding meant we had half of the exhibition, flight and accomodation costs paid for.

“While we were there, we met people we used to do business with and new customers and came away with more than £25,000 of solid orders, as well as many great leads that we are now actively following up. There’s no doubt that ERDF funding has given our company the much needed life line and in turn has invigorated us to grow the business in 2018.”

The available support includes grants and access to sector expert events, such as Meet the Buyer, and opportunities such as invitations to market visits to investigate potential business openings, trade shows where they can arrange to meet identified business contacts, and take part in joint Local Enterprise Partnership and Growth Hub events, including workshops, export tasters or local marketing campaigns to encourage sustainable exporters to grow.