Steps to improve green spaces, retail parades and walking routes as well as support for businesses and traders are just some of the proposals unveiled today to bring a new lease of life to Tottenham High Road.

Haringey Council’s draft Tottenham High Road strategy has been put together following earlier engagement with local people and includes a wide-range of proposals designed to improve the area such as restoring historic buildings; encouraging more people to shop and socialise in the area; reducing congestion, and creating more local job opportunities.

Local residents and businesses are being invited to share their views on the proposals as part of a consultation that runs until 23 March. There will be an exhibition at Marcus Garvey Library throughout the consultation period and public drop-in sessions on March 1 (4pm-7pm), March 3 (11am-3pm) and March 14 (5pm-8pm), also at the library.

Proposals set out in the High Road strategy follow in the footsteps of a host of recent improvements to the High Road and Tottenham’s town centres. These include landscaping and improvements at Tottenham Green; a new weekly market on the green; restoration of the war memorial; West Green Road Pocket Park; improvements to Bruce Grove Bridge; an upgraded Holcombe Road Market; Albert Place, the restoration of the former Monument Way toilets into the (soon to open) High Cross bar, and new and restored shopfronts.

Feedback will help shape future plans and investment for the High Road and surrounding areas, including Seven Sisters, West Green Road, Bruce Grove, Tottenham Green and Broad Lane.

Highlights of the draft strategy include:

Improving travel links to make it easier for people to get to Tottenham’s town centres, encouraging shopping and socialising

Working with building owners to improve the external appearance of historic buildings such as the former Barclays Bank at Seven sisters, Bruce Grove toilets, St Mark’s Church and the Palace Cathedral

Transforming the High Road in Seven Sisters to create a greener and cleaner environment with improved air quality

Making West Green Road a welcoming shopping destination with ideas like new paving, lighting and street furniture

Cllr Alan Strickland, Haringey Council Cabinet Member for Housing, Regeneration and Planning said:

Tottenham is an historic area with outstanding diversity. The High Road is the spine running through Tottenham and the community needs to be at the heart of any plans to improve the area’s environment and boost its prospects. We’ve already delivered a raft of positive changes, and we want to work with local people to make further improvements that will help the High Road continue to thrive in the future.

Our Tottenham High Road strategy aims to set a clear vision for the area to help shape its future success, and I would encourage all residents and businesses to let us know their views.

Shortly after settling into the RSPCA’s Newbrook Animal Centre, in Birmingham, Luna started to show symptoms of fur loss and sore feet. She was put back into a foster home, where her symptoms disappeared.

Three months on from her arrival into RSPCA care, the charity is still looking for a loving home for her.

Emma Finnimore, cattery supervisor at Newbrook, said: “Luna is an absolute sweetheart and we are desperately looking to find her a home. She got very stressed out from being in a cattery environment, it was as though she was allergic to it!

“We think that her symptoms were stress-related, she simply couldn’t cope with living in a cattery environment. She seems less stressed in a foster home, although she got a little stressed out when her foster carer went away for a few days.

“She’s been with us now for 98 days*, which means she has spent Christmas, New Year and Valentine’s Day without a home to call her own.”

Luna had to have an eye removed when she arrived at the RSPCA, due to an injury - however she’s adapted well to having one eye.

Emma added: “She is a proper lap cat and climbs on the moment she sees you take a seat. If you pick her up she will give the best cuddles!

“Luna will suit a quiet home to match her personality. She could live with children of a primary school age who understand she likes a peaceful life.

“Luna enjoys being groomed as this is more fuss and attention for her. She isn't really interested in toys and when we've tried, she just looks at us as if to say, ‘yeah right!’

“We know for sure that Luna will make a great addition to her new home and will be a fantastic companion.”

With cold spells continuing for much of the UK, Cats Protection have some top tips to help protect cats from ‘the beast from the east’.

While snow can be beautiful and exciting for humans, it is important to remember some of the risks it poses to our feline friends.

These are some simple measures to help keep cats safe in plummeting temperatures:

• If your cat is seeing snow for the first time, let them explore a safe, enclosed area first and accompany them in case they get into difficulty.

   

• Check your cat’s paws when they come in and gently wipe off any road grit, salt or compacted snow.

   

• Like humans, cats can get frostbite.  Be vigilant for any signs of skin discolouration, pain, swelling and/or blisters, particularly on extremities such as their ears and toes.

   

• Consider keeping your cat indoors at night, when temperatures are lower and the risk of road traffic accidents is higher.

   

• Provide shelter for cats that have access outside. Keep the doors of sheds and outbuildings closed, or wedged slightly open or install a cat-flap so cats do not become trapped inside.

   

• Check your cat-flap regularly to ensure it hasn’t frozen over or become blocked by snow.

   

• Cats may climb into vehicle engines for warmth while out roaming. Be vigilant, and check under the bonnet of your vehicle before starting.

   

• The cold can severely affect the joints of arthritic cats. Provide plenty of warm and comfy places to sleep and ensure your cat can access them easily.

   

• Your cat may love to snuggle in front of the fire to keep warm; screen-off open fireplaces and always supervise your cat if you have a fire lit.

It is 35 years since the first Fudge Kitchen opened its doors, introducing an American concept of fresh whipping cream fudge, made to an authentic 1830s recipe. Introducing the pioneering concept of 'retail theatre', the shops still hand make fudge in full view of the customer, using traditional techniques involving copper cauldrons of bubbling fudge, poured onto marble and 'loafed and slabbed' using huge spatulas to turn the cooling fudge and achieve that FK famed creaminess.

It was risky. High-end, gift chocolate had a place in consumer comprehension, but fudge? Fudge made by true artisans, using only the finest ingredients? Fudge that didn't come in a box with a kitten on the front? Fudge that was soft, fresh and smooth …?

The first major refit of Fudge Kitchen shops in 2007 was all about educating the consumer to this potential and reflecting that premium positioning, drawing on the design language of the luxury chocolate sector. After 35 years of educating the market, in total, Fudge Kitchen's new rebrand is about communicating the collective, big personality and values of the company.

“We have successfully repositioned and educated people that fudge, done properly, with natural, and good quality ingredients can be something rather special and spectacular,” says MD Sian Holt. “Fudge Kitchen has grown-up and now is the time to let our own, very unique personality and strong brand shine through in its own right. Quirky straplines and design features reflect the group personality of the fudge family, and lighter-brighter colours let the hero of the piece, our fudge, stand out on a fresh, contemporary stage all of its own.“

Design concept-ionery …

Fudge Kitchen is variously famed: for exceptional, multiple award-winning confectionery, for trailblazing NPD innovation, for exquisite packaging, for sure. But equally for the fabulously maverick staff, replete with moonlighting musicians, stand-up comedians, artists, even bell ringers; with crazy millinery, upbeat banter and hugely theatrical skills to boot.

Poor Jamie McFarlane, from Let's Talk Agency, was tasked with communicating the whole disparate shebang. And, as he explains, he has done just that:

"As the branding agency for Fudge Kitchen, we've helped the brand update its image to bring out its personality more consistently. Previously, each of the stores had different interior designs that only followed a loose branding theme. Our designs make the branding consistent across all stores, while letting each shop retain its individual flavour.”

"We chose each store's colours according to the new brand colour palette, and implemented common features that would be present in each store. Every shop now has a large cocoa powder explosion graphic on its walls, expressing the energy, passion and fun of the brand, and highlighting the big copper pot where the fudge is made – the focal point of the stores” Jamie McFarlane, Director, Lets Talk Agency

The result is bright, light, and artisanal functional; with clear, colour-coded signage, flavour and allergen information and a layout designed for both efficiency and as a stage for the fabulously theatrical process that is traditional fudge making, which customers specifically visit to watch. Yet, with the quirky details that differentiate the brand – from the rubber duck and chainsaw listed on the Fudge Tooling board, to sage advice accompanying the Fudge Flavours: ”Remember, more is more and less is lazy” and “Don't Tap on the Glass, it Scares the Fudge”.

Hundreds of children in Sandwell have been given their breakfast during February half-term as part of "Cereal Readers" scheme.

Children at Blackheath library tucked into their breakfast and then took part in activities provided by library volunteers and the Murray Hall Trust. The scheme has also run at Glebefields library in Tipton, Rounds Green library in Oldbury and Stone Cross library in West Bromwich.

Cereal Readers is a library initiative in which children and their parents are invited to share a bowl of cereal and a glass of fruit juice as they take part in book related activities at the library during school holidays.

All the refreshments have been provided by local supermarkets and other community groups and all the sessions are run by library volunteers and it has proven popular with local families.

Councillor Simon Hackett, cabinet member for children's services said: "It's great to see so many children are enjoying 'Cereal Readers' and visiting libraries during the school holidays.

"We do lots to encourage parents and carers to take their children to libraries and having a breakfast on offer for the children is a great incentive."

"We are putting plans in place so we can provide the scheme during the Easter school holidays to more libraries in Sandwell."

Tributes have been paid to the serving Mayor of Wolverhampton and one of city’s “favourite sons”, Cllr Elias Mattu, following the sad news of his death at the age of 59.

Leader of City of Wolverhampton Council, Cllr Roger Lawrence, said: “Elias was my friend and a loyal, dedicated and loving family man. On behalf of the City of Wolverhampton, I extend my very deepest condolences to his widow Asha and his children Anthony, Ishmael and Jessica.

“Elias served his city and council for nearly two decades with huge dedication and commitment. He was one of our city’s favourite sons, a hugely popular councillor and person, hugely respected by the people he served.

“His great strength was his warmth, impeccable manners, leadership, compassion, loyalty and unifying influence. Elias worked closely with different community and faith groups across the City of Wolverhampton, bringing people from all backgrounds together and making our city a better place as a result.

“Despite illness, he continued his mayoral duties for as long as he could with unyielding strength, optimism and determination and raised thousands of pounds for his mayoral charities. He will be profoundly missed by many people.”

Councillor Mattu was the 159th Mayor of Wolverhampton, elected on 17 May 2017 for the 2017-18 municipal year.

Originally born in Punjab, North India, Cllr Mattu came to live in the City of Wolverhampton at the age of nine. Educated at Graiseley School, Wulfrun College and Wednesbury College of Commerce and Technology, he went on to study law at Wolverhampton University whist working as a volunteer at the Citizens Advice Bureau. He also studied for a certificate in Management and a Diploma in Leadership and Management at Warwick University.

He served as a councillor for Graiseley Ward for nearly 18 years and, as well as Mayor, held several other key positions on the City of Wolverhampton Council, including cabinet member for leisure and communities and cabinet member for adult services, chair of scrutiny panel, licensing committee and member champion for equalities.

Councillor Mattu also held significant roles on outside bodies representing the council, including the West Midlands Integrated Transport Authority, West Midlands Police and Crime Panel, West Midlands Equality and Diversity Board, West Midlands LGA, Association for Public Service Excellence (APSE) and its Central Regions Vice-Chairman.

As a local ward councillor, he served as a vice chair of the St Chad’s Association and Graiseley School Governing Body for 22 years, including 12 years as the chair of governors. He was shortlisted for a national award for his contribution to the development of the city’s successful community hubs.

Elias had a great passion for sports. Over the years, he participated in hockey, cricket, boxing and martial arts. He also enjoyed power-lifting, becoming a regional coach and referee – and in the late 1980s he opened his own club where he trained five British power-lifting champions and one European champion.

The flags are flying at half-mast at the Civic Centre in Wolverhampton and a public book of condolence is being set up inside the building.