Australia's first under-the-stars dining experience, the iconic Sounds of Silence, is celebrating an incredible 25 years of operation this year, with a gala celebration being held on 21 March 2018. Upon opening its 'doors' in 1993, guests from all over the world immediately embraced the concept of dining in the middle of the Australian desert with magnificent views of Uluru and nothing but the vast expanse of the night sky above and the experience has wowed guests every night since.

“Sounds of Silence has been a key element to the Uluru experience for hundreds of thousands of guests to Ayers Rock Resort over the last 25 years,” said Ray Stone, Voyages Executive GM Sales, Marketing and Distribution.

With the magic of sunset over Uluru combined with the drama of being surrounded in red dunes and, as night falls, the majesty of the night sky with thousands of stars, many of which are not able to be viewed elsewhere in the world, it is an unforgettable evening.

With such a winning formula, the experience has remained largely unchanged throughout the last 25 years – guests still arrive to the lyrical sound of the Didgeridoo and enjoy sparkling wine and canapes while viewing sunset over Uluru and Kata Tjuta, a star talk during dinner brings the night sky to life and telescopes are available for closer viewing. Australian ingredients have always featured on the menu and in celebration of the anniversary this year a new menu is being launched that will ensure Bush Tucker native Australian ingredients are featured throughout the many dishes on offer.

The tempting menu includes canapés such as Smoked Kangaroo with Native Pepperberry Yoghurt and Poached Prawn, Sea Parsley and Finger Lime Aioli Bun; an entrée of Roasted Tomato and Native Thyme Soup, and mains such as Barramundi, Lemon Myrtle Cream, Caramelised Lemon, Glazed Green and Native Dukkah Crusted Kangaroo, Organic Quinoa, Roasted Capsicum Salsa. A range of salads are on offer, including Braised Crocodile, Shaved Vegetable and Fragrant Herb Salad and Pepperberry Roasted Cauliflower, Pickled Muntries, Spinach and Mint Yoghurt Dressing. Dinner concludes with a sumptuous range of desserts including Desert Lime Cheesecake, Warm Apple and Quandong Crumble Tart and Warm Chocolate and Wattleseed Slice.

Other extensions of the famous Sounds of Silence experience include the Night at Field of Light dining experience which includes a walk-though of the phenomenal Field of Light installation following dinner and the premium Tali Wiru and Mayu Wiru dinners which are limited to just 20 people per night.

“Sounds of Silence has always been a celebration of the true essence of the Australian Outback, which is no doubt why it has been successful for so many years,” said Ray.

Sounds of Silence has long been recognised for its place as an important Australian Tourism experience and featured in Tourism Australia's advertisements across the world from the early 1990s. It was also recognised for its unique offering and was inducted into the Australian Tourism Hall of Fame in 1999.

In his Spring Statement, Phillip Hammond revealed that 60,000 first time buyers have benefited from the stamp duty exemption announced as part of the Government’s Autumn Budget.

Under the new rules, first time buyers purchasing homes under the value of £300,000 are exempt from paying stamp duty and, those who are purchasing in London and other expensive areas, will not pay tax on the first £300,000 of their purchase on properties up to the value of £500,000.

Figures reported by Halifax in January of this year, echo the Chancellor’s Spring Statement showing a 6% annual increaseon the number of first time buyers making a purchase – meaning the number of first time buyers has reached a ten year high! Back in November, the Government predicted that the change to stamp duty would benefit up to 95% of first time buyers and, if these early stats are anything to go by, it is clear that it has already had a positive impact on the housing market.

Managing Sales Director at Romans, Antony Gibson comments: “The change to stamp duty was great news for first time buyers who are now able to divert these funds to their deposit or, bring their purchase dates forward.

“Low mortgage rates, high employment and Help to Buy have all supported young people in getting on the ladder and so, I expect the trend for rising numbers of first time buyers to continue through 2018 and beyond.

“First time buyers are incredibly important to the overall housing market as they allow existing owners to sell up and take their second step. Despite a lack of supply, the fact first time buyers are increasing in number is extremely positive.”

WaterSafe is helping homeowners make sure that a leaky loo isn’t flushing potential savings in water, energy and money down the pan.

WaterSafe, the UK body for approved plumbers, is partnering with Waterwise, the UK leading authority on water efficiency, for Water Saving Week, which runs from 19–23 March.

The national campaign encourages everyone to take action and save water with daily themed packs containing challenges, tips and resources. These can be downloaded at watersafe.org.uk.

As toilets are one of the most common leaks – with around 1 in 10 homes and businesses having a leaky loo – this is the focus of Saving Water in Your Home day.

A toilet leaking clean water from the cistern to the pan can waste up to 400 litres of water a day (that’s five full bath tubs) and add around £300 a year to metered water bills if left unfixed.

To keep toilets feeling flush, people can contact their local water supplier who may be able to provide free toilet leak detection strips.

Alternatively, WaterSafe’s advice is:

• Half an hour after a flush, wipe the back of the pan dry with toilet tissue.
• Then place a new, dry sheet of toilet tissue across the back of the pan.
• Leave it in place for up to three hours without using the toilet, or overnight.
• If the paper is wet or torn in the morning – you have a leaky loo.

If you need help always use a WaterSafe approved plumber – you’ll be safe in the knowledge they are trained to work safely with your drinking water, and can also help homes become more water-efficient.”

Waterwise’s Managing Director, Nicci Russell, added: “In recent months there's been a need to use water wisely in the UK as a result of both dry weather and freezing weather. We need to make the water we do have go further every day, and these simple tips to find and fix leaky loos help us all to ensure there's enough water to go round, for people, the economy and the environment.”

WaterSafe is also highlighting the importance of finding and fixing other common leaks in the home using an approved plumber.

Look out for dripping taps, showers, radiators and pipework. Tell-tale signs are loss of pressure, rust, water stains on walls, floors or carpets, or mould on ceilings and walls.

Not all leaks are easy to spot. Signs that you may have a hidden leak in the home include a higher than normal water bill if you’re on a meter.

For more on how to check for a leak at your property and to find an approved plumber visit watersafe.org.uk/leaks. You can also find information on Twitter @WatersafeUK #LeakyLoos.

Other water-saving themes during Water Saving Week include gardens, schools, workplaces and communities.

Children are invited to take part in this year’s Barnardo’s Big Toddle at one of the region’s favourite attractions.

Dudley Zoo will again be hosting the charity’s annual sponsored walk for under-5s.

The event, one of the biggest organised Toddles in the UK, is due to take place on Tuesday and Wednesday June 12 and 13.

Admission is £7.50 for adults and over-5s, but free for toddlers, and will include free refreshments and children’s entertainment afterwards.

A fun warm-up begins at 10.30am followed by the walk itself at 11am, with medals for all participants.

Last year’s nationwide Big Toddle raised more than £265,000 to support the charity’s work with vulnerable youngsters across the UK.

This year, for the second consecutive year, it is being run in partnership with the CBeebies TV show Teletubbies. The theme is ‘nature’, with opportunities to dress up as animals, insects or flowers.

Aside from the organised event at Dudley Zoo, parents, playgroups, childminders and nurseries can also organise their own sponsored walks throughout the summer.

They can also access exclusive nature-themed early years learning resources and downloads.

Barnardo’s regional director Hugh Sherriffe said: “We are sincerely grateful to Dudley Zoo for hosting one of the biggest Toddles in the UK, which attracts hundreds of people every year.

“The Big Toddle is a great opportunity for under-5s to have lots of fun with their friends and families while raising money to help disadvantaged children.

“The nature theme means they can be really imaginative with fancy-dress ideas and Barnardo’s has some great resources to help everyone taking part.”

Dudley Zoo marketing manager Andrea Hales said: “We are delighted to welcome back Barnardo’s Big Toddle to Dudley Zoo as we have a strong relationship with the event spanning 19 years.

“Everyone who takes part will be helping make a difference to children’s lives and have a wonderful day to remember at the zoo!”

Nominations are now open for the second annual Wolverhampton Independent Retail Excellence (WIRE) Awards.

The aim is to celebrate and praise the entrepreneurial spirit, dedication and hard work of those involved in running and managing a successful independent business, as well as recognise the loyalty and dedication of the staff that work in this sector.

There are ten honours up for grabs this year, with nominations called for in nine categories – and all the finalists going through to a public vote for the prestigious ‘The People’s Favourite Independent Retailer’ crown.

The awards, originally commissioned by the Leader of City of Wolverhampton Council, Councillor Roger Lawrence, are being led by Wolverhampton Business Improvement District (BID) in partnership with the council.

Councillor Lawrence said: “Small businesses are the core of any city and it’s those small businesses that give us our distinctiveness.

“The independent retail sector in Wolverhampton is really strong. These businesses are very important to us, they work incredibly hard and contribute a huge amount to the local economy.

“They are what the WIRE Awards are all about and we aim to rightfully recognise them.

“The inaugural awards last year were an outstanding success which has led to this becoming an annual event in the calendar.”

John Henn, Chair of Wolverhampton BID, added: “A city is judged by - amongst other things - its independent businesses. In its second year the WIRE awards will be looking to continue to uncover our city centre’s diverse variety of stores not found anywhere else in the country.

“Run by determined, committed owners and staffed by Wolverhampton’s finest, we want you to tell us about your business.

“Wolverhampton is becoming ‘the place to invest'. Let’s make it the only place by shouting about the great diversity and quality of retailers we have. Please enter the WIRE awards and let us recognise and promote your story.”

Recognised by Revo - formally known as British Retail Council – as an example of best practice, the WIRE Awards 2017 created 12 winning businesses including Rudell the Jewellers, who scooped two awards including the headline ‘Retailer of the Year’ honour and ‘Excellence in Staff Development’, and Batteries Not Included, who won ‘Our Favourite Retailer of the Year’ as voted for by the public.

The finalists from a wide range of businesses included a market trader, seven food and beverage outlets, two hotels, four gifts/crafts/toys retailers, two jewellers, two fashion outlets, five hair and beauty salons, two florists/garden suppliers and one furniture business.

The other categories this year are Independent of the Year, Excellence in Customer Service, Best Dressed Retail Store, Best Presented Premises, Excellence in Team Development, Hospitality & Leisure Business of the Year, Community Contributor of the Year, Employee of the Year and Independent Employer of the Year.

The awards are open to independent retailers from across the city, provided their billing authority for business rates is City of Wolverhampton Council.

Campaigners, entrepreneurs, and innovative industry experts are just a few of the 20 talented young people who have been shortlisted for the 2018 Commonwealth Youth Awards.

The awards recognise outstanding young people aged 15 to 29 whose innovative projects and programmes have had a significant impact on their communities. This year’s focus is on celebrating young people’s contribution towards a fairer, more sustainable, more secure and more prosperous future for the Commonwealth: the four sub-themes of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) taking place in London in April.

The 20 finalists span every region of the Commonwealth, including Africa, Asia, the Caribbean and Americas, Europe, and the Pacific. They were shortlisted from more than 400 applications from across the globe. The programme is being coordinated by the Commonwealth Youth Programme.

Regional Young Persons of the Year will be selected, with one exceptional entrant being recognised as the Commonwealth Young Person of the Year during the Commonwealth Youth Forum, in London in April.

In addition to a grant of GBP £1,000 to continue their development work, finalists will each be awarded a trophy and certificate. The Regional Young Persons of the Year will receive £3,000, and the Commonwealth Young Person of the Year will pick up £5,000.

The Pan-Commonwealth adjudication panel for the final shortlisting of the overall regional and overall winner of the 2018 awards , convened by the Commonwealth Secretariat, , included the High Commissioner for Saint Kitts and Nevis, representatives from the High Commissions of Fiji, Malaysia, and Kenya, a trustee of the British Youth Council and the Commonwealth Local Government Forum.

Last year’s Commonwealth Young Person of the Year was Krystle Reid, an advocate for empowerment of young persons living with disabilities in her native country Sri Lanka. Speaking about her experience of winning the award, she said, “It was a highlight of my life and a great opportunity and platform to further scale up the work of the Enable Lanka Foundation for an incubator space for young entrepreneurs with disabilities. This award will allow me to reach out to even more marginalised groups and communities. It is an opportunity no young person should miss.”

The finalists this year have initiatives and projects that aim to build a more secure, prosperous, fairer and a sustainable future for all in the grassroots levels and exemplify the outstanding contribution of young people from across the Commonwealth in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and realising the CHOGM2018 aspiration “Towards a Common Future”