Homeowners blighted by destructive Japanese knotweed may be hoping that the plant has died when it fails to emerge from its winter hibernation as normal around mid to late-March. But in fact the recent cold weather, with more low temperatures forecast, is delaying the start of the plant’s growing season by 2 to 4 weeks, as it will not awaken until the ground temperature reaches around 4°C.

The ‘Beast from the East’ brought the coldest February week in five years last month, with a new cold snap last weekend and lower-than normal temperatures forecast for the rest of March. This is causing Japanese knotweed, described by the Environment Agency as  “indisputably the UK’s most aggressive, destructive and invasive plant”, to prolong its underground hibernation, before beginning its annual assault on property foundations, patios, driveways, cavity walls and drains. 

Homeowners should remain vigilant once the warmer weather arrives, looking out for signs of red or purple asparagus-like shoots which emerge from the ground and quickly turn into green bamboo-like stems. They grow at a rapid rate, up to 10cm per day, to reach up to 3 metres in height by June. The plant has flat, heart-shaped green leaves and blooms in late summer, when its stems become covered in tiny creamy-white flowers.

Environmentalist Nic Seal, Founder and MD of Environet, said, “Normally we would see Japanese knotweed shoots springing up in warmer parts of the country and in sheltered urban areas during the middle of March, but the cold weather has set the start of the growing season back by at least a fortnight, possibly as much as a month.

“Homeowners may be hopeful that their knotweed problem has disappeared, particularly if they attempted to treat it themselves, but it’s extremely unlikely that any DIY treatments will be successful and the plant is simply hibernating for longer than usual due to the unseasonably cold weather.

“Japanese knotweed has spread so rapidly across the UK in the last decade that it’s really no longer a case of winning the battle. Those who discover knotweed on their land should take immediate action and put a professional treatment plan in place to protect their property and protect themselves against litigation from their neighbours.”

While it isn’t illegal to have Japanese knotweed growing on your land, homeowners can be sued if they allow it to spread onto a neighbouring property. They must also declare the presence of knotweed on the TA6 conveyancing form when they sell their home, even if it has been successfully treated. Mortgage lenders will require an insurance-backed guarantee for the works before lending on the property.

When you think of iconic Andrew Lloyd Webber musicals, your mind is instantly drawn to the wonders of Cats, Joseph and his Technicolour Dreamcoat, Phantom of the Opera and Jesus Christ Superstar, but you would be forgiven for forgetting that he is also the man behind the impeccable Evita.

Telling the true story of Eva Perón, Evita showcases her rise from poverty stricken Los Toldos resident to a radio, film and stage actress before eventually becoming the First Lady of Argentina.

With a boldness, yet fragility, coupled with strength and determination, Madalena Alberto brought Eva to life on stage, effortlessly performing the challenging numbers throughout the evening.

Showing the different sides of Eva, both in her almost saint-like role and her less than perfect personal life, allowed the brilliance of Madalena to shine through. Topping off a wonderful performance all round was the iconic ‘Don’t Cry For Me Argentina’ sung from a balcony addressing the Argentinian people, moving many in the audience to tears.

Of course a musical is not just based on one performer, and more than ably backing Madalena was Gian Marco Schiaretti as Che. With his rugged good looks and great physique he had the audience waiting on every word. His impressive vocal range was showcased from Santa Evita to High Flying Adored and everything in between, and with each cheeky wink the audience was putty in his hands.

As Eva’s husband, and President of Argentina, Juan Perón, Jeremy Secomb’s gloriously rich and deep voice was a stark contrast with that of Eva, further emphasising the unconventional relationship.

Culminating in a standing ovation on opening night, Evita is on at Birmingham’s Hippodrome until the 24th March and is one not to miss, even if you may unfortunately be unable to adhere to Eva’s words, “Don’t cry for me….”

The RSPCA rescued a collapsed 19-year-old terrier cross who had been shut outside in the snow in temperatures of -3C during the Beast from the East.

The animal welfare charity received an anonymous call on 2 March to an address in Coventry, West Midlands.

RSPCA inspector Herchy Boal said: “Unfortunately during the recent snowy weather we received a huge number of calls - many of which were people who were concerned for dogs that had been shut outside in gardens, despite the freezing temperatures.

“The RSPCA is restricted in what we can do in many of these situations as, while we certainly wouldn’t advise keeping dogs outside, it is not illegal to do so if the dog has adequate shelter.

“However, in some cases, there is an urgent need for our involvement and, when we receive reports of vulnerable and exposed animals in this type of weather, we know we need to respond quickly.”

Stormy is a little dog with a short coat and was left outside during the cold, snowy weather.

Inspector Boal said: “Records show it was between -1 and -3C that day and there was a significant amount of snow on the ground.”

But her major concern was his age. At 19, or 92 in dog years, he should not have been outside in that weather.

He was taken into RSPCA care and Inspector Boal took him to see the vets at RSPCA Newbrook Farm Animal Hospital in Birmingham.

He has had veterinary checks and some dental work, and is now being looked after by staff in the Newbrook Farm Animal Centre where he will go up for rehoming - making him the oldest dog the centre has ever rehomed, and one of the oldest the charity has ever rescued.

“Despite his age, Stormy is in generally good health and we’d like to find him a lovely new home,” Inspector Boal said.

“He’s a really sweet little dog and he’d make the perfect companion for an older person who wants to share their sofa with a new friend.”

A report which will help tackle some of the biggest issues facing communities across the Black Country and Birmingham has been officially launched at the University of Wolverhampton.

Communities Uncovered was commissioned by the Heart of England Community Foundation, an independent charity which distributes funding across the West Midlands, to examine issues affecting the region, including unemployment, health and social welfare.

The Foundation has delivered £2.7 million to 916 community projects across the Black Country and Birmingham since 2014, and the report will help ensure future grants are strategically distributed to meet the most pressing needs across the area.

The report highlights hard-hitting facts including that across Birmingham and the Black Country a total of 4,800 people are recognised as homeless and in priority need, 68 per cent of people are overweight and in the West Midlands there are just 75 jobs for every 100 residents.

The findings were outlined at a launch event which took place at the University in front of an audience of more than 100 invited guests, including representatives from the government and local authorities, voluntary organisations, police and funding bodies.

Research was conducted by the University’s new Institute for Community Research and Development.

Dr Steve Iafrati, Senior Social Policy Lecturer at the University of Wolverhampton, who led the research said:  “This report provides an accessible way to identify areas of need and to begin to recognise the ways in which certain groups may need supporting and that certain cycles may need breaking.

“One of the outcomes of the report is to identify a range of indicators and challenges facing various geographical areas within Birmingham and the Black Country. With this information, it is possible for the Foundation to consider strategies for future funding, including which areas and themes to prioritise.

“I am very proud to have been part of this research which is going to make a difference to the lives of so many people across the area.”

Recommendations include supporting adults in areas with higher than average unemployment to access jobs through training and supporting, extended learning opportunities for young people at risk of falling below average GCSE scores. The need for support for teenage parents is also identified, as well as helping organisations working to tackle obesity, health issues and higher than average levels of homelessness.

Tina Costello, CEO of Heart of England Community Foundation, said: “This report aims to shine a light on those complex social issues which are having the most pronounced effect on local people and communities.

“It contains some worrying data but highlights the most pressing needs of communities across Birmingham and the Black Country.

“With this information we hope to be able to make more informed choices about our grant making priorities to help tackle these needs head on, communicating these to other funders, donors, philanthropists and businesses to harness more support.

“Our partnership with the University of Wolverhampton represents our serious commitment to expand our learning and data and achieve greater outcomes for local communities.”

The world’s most extensive bike-share operator, nextbike, is bringing 5,000 bicycles to the West Midlands after being chosen to operate the UK’s largest docked bike-share scheme outside of London.

Transport for West Midlands announced the news today (Tuesday March 20) alongside West Midlands Mayor Andy Street and the West Midlands Combined Authority.

The landmark scheme will bring 50 jobs to the region, with posts including area managers, van drivers and mechanics.

Bosses at nextbike said the first bikes will be hitting the streets in September this year, when 2,000 are installed across Birmingham, Coventry and Wolverhampton.

The remaining 3,000 bikes will be rolled out in phases that will also include Walsall, Sandwell, Dudley and Solihull in 2019.

Docking stations will be located around key sites in the towns and cities involved, with bikes available 24 hours a day.

Annual membership to the scheme will cost just £30 per year, meaning riders can access the bikes for as little as 8p per day.

Swift card members will be able to access the bikes as part of their regular subscription. The bikes will also be free for the first 30 minutes to people who sign up to Whim - the new smart travel service that is launching in the Midlands next month.

The bikes will feature advanced technology and enhanced security features, including integrated front locks and GPS tracking, that makes using them easy for users.

nextbike and TfWM are currently in discussion with a number of global brands interested in working in partnership to sponsor the scheme.

Julian Scriven, nextbike UK MD, said: “We’re absolutely thrilled to be bringing nextbikes to the people of the West Midlands. We are able to offer the most technologically-advanced and forward-thinking bike-share scheme and fleet in the UK and it’s amazing that the people of Birmingham, Wolverhampton, Walsall, Sandwell, Dudley, Solihull and Coventry will be able to benefit from it.

“The interconnectivity it will offer is going to be brilliant, it will really help to make journeys across the Midlands seamless. People will be able to take a nextbike to start their journey to get to their local train station, hop on the train, and pick up another nextbike to finish off their journey at the other end. No more having to lug a bike on public transport, or worrying about finding a parking space at the train station.

“We will be creating more than 50 new jobs across the area and we will be partnering with the Walsall-based Steps to Work charity to help fill the roles. They work with long-term unemployed and young people currently not in education or employment amongst others, and these are groups that we are passionate about reaching, retraining and recruiting here at nextbike.

“Although this is a fantastic initiative for Transport for West Midlands, and for nextbike, we don’t see the scheme as belonging to either organisation. We firmly see it as belonging to the people of the West Midlands and we hope the communities will take the bikes to their hearts.

“We will be offering Bikeshare4all across the West Midlands, which will mean heavily discounted membership and use of the bikes for the unemployed and other economically-deprived people to ensure that the whole of the community is truly able to benefit from the bikes.

“On a personal note for me, I’m a local boy who grew up in the Midlands and ever since I joined nextbike I knew I wanted to bring the bikes back home. It’s going to be a very proud moment being able to use the scheme with my family and friends. I can’t wait to see my mum and dad on a West Midlands nextbike!”

America’s ambassador to the UK, Robert Wood Johnson, has been named as a key speaker at a major transatlantic business conference taking place in Birmingham in June.

The British American Business Council (BABC) annual conference takes place on 7 June and will attract delegates from all over Britain and North America as businesses in the city, led by Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce (GBCC) and supported by Birmingham City University, seek new markets in the post-Brexit era.

A businessman, philanthropist and diplomat, Ambassador Johnson – also known as ‘Woody’ – is a huge coup for the event, which will feature speakers from politics, business, economics and other sectors.

He has been the US ambassador to the UK since last August, when he was nominated by the incoming president, Donald Trump.

Ambassador Johnson has served for more than 30 years as the chairman and CEO of New York-based The Johnson Company, a private asset management firm which was founded in 1978.

‘Woody’ Johnson is also a big American football fan, and for the past 18 years has been the owner of the New York Jets. He also serves as chairman and CEO of the Jets and the New York Jets Foundation.

He is the founding chairman of the Lupus Research Alliance and worked for many years with the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

The missions of these charities are to cure, treat and prevent Lupus and juvenile diabetes, both of which have affected Ambassador Johnson’s family. Ambassador Johnson has raised millions of dollars on behalf of both organisations fighting these diseases.

In politics, he has served on the President’s Export Council, the President’s Commission on White House Fellows and he is also a member of the Council on Foreign Relations.

Ambassador Johnson earned a BA from the University of Arizona and currently lives in London with wife Suzanne and their two sons.

Russell Jeans, chief operating officer at GBCC, said: “We are hugely privileged to have the Ambassador attending the conference, This underscores the huge economic importance of our bilateral relationship with the US both now and in the future.”

The BABC conference follows the success of Birmingham’s high-profile presence at last year’s event in Chicago.

The conference is a highly sought after occasion.  The event has previously been held in London, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, Washington DC and Chicago.

The BABC Midlands chapter, a section GBCC, is part of  the largest transatlantic business network, with 22 chapters and 2,000 member companies, including many of the world’s largest multinationals, based in major business centres throughout the North America and the UK.