An enthusiastic group of Army cadets from Rockwood Academy in Birmingham spent the weekend (10-11 February) learning about field skills from soldiers at a Shrewsbury-based Army unit.

The 21 boys and seven girls from the Academy’s Combined Cadet Force visited their affiliated Army unit, E Company of 8^th Battalion The Rifles. Following a safety brief and quick tour of the Army reserve centre, the pupils’ physical fitness was tested on an obstacle course and they were taught lifesaving skills. The youngsters also had the chance to practice basic infantry tactics including fire and manoeuvre and use of cover skills on an air soft range.

After an evening meal to refuel, the pupils dived into night time activities which included a map-reading exercise with a compass and the use of night viewing and virtual reality (VR) headsets. The VR headsets proved particularly popular with the cadets.

The pupils were woken at 6am sharp on Sunday for more practice on the paintball range, following breakfast, before being taken to Shrewsbury Castle and Museum. Colonels from The Rifles and 11 Signal & West Midlands Brigade showed the cadets the history of all the Army Regiments in Shropshire while museum curators answered the pupils’ many questions.

The cadets were then taken back to Copthorne Barracks, the home of E Company, where they enjoyed Sunday lunch before being presented with certificates and medals.

Captain Nick Vazquez from E Company 8^th Battalion The Rifles said:

“This was a fantastic weekend where every single cadet got stuck in. We tried to make it a mix of fun and serious Army discipline and training. It was really rewarding to see the smiles on the youngsters’ faces when they received their medals at the end of the weekend. Hopefully the parents were pleased that their children went home tired but having learned some important new skills.”               

Twycross Zoo spent the weekend in a flutter as it welcomed the UK’s very own butterfly whisperer, six-year-old Rebecca Bailey.

Rebecca’s love of butterflies has made her a big name in the world of conservation, with hundreds of followers on YouTube and Twitter. The primary school pupil has been described as an ‘inspiration’ for her passion to tell the world about butterflies and how to nurture them.

On hand to interview the rising star was Twycross Zoo Conservation Club member, nine-year-old Sidney Hills. The dynamic duo got up close and personal with a host of spectacular butterflies in the tropical Butterfly Forest exhibit, gaining an insight into the insects fascinating life cycle.

As a member of the Butterfly Conservation, a national charity headed up by Sir David Attenborough, Rebecca will return to the award-winning conservation charity this summer for the Big Butterfly Count, a nationwide survey aimed at helping assess the health of our environment.

Said Rebecca: “I had so much fun visiting Twycross Zoo, learning all about its wonderful butterflies! Thank you to Sid for showing me around, me and my mum are already looking forward to coming back and making some more exciting videos.”

To see Rebecca in action, visit https://www.14dd5266c70789bdc806364df4586335-gdprlock/watch?v=yIjA8p9IVFk.

The RSPCA is looking for new homes for three unusual, stripy mice who were rescued from a home where more than 100 rodents were being kept.

Zebra mice Bashful, Grumpy and Sleepy are still looking for homes while most of their friends have already been rehomed.

The striking-looking mice were rescued by RSPCA officers from a home in Birmingham last year after an anonymous caller raised concerns about a large number of rodents being kept in unsuitable conditions.

RSPCA inspector Jonathan Ratcliffe went to the property in September and found 104 rodents being kept in dirty cages inside.

“There were rows and rows, stacks and stacks of cages all with rodents inside, from mice to hamsters to rats,” he said.

“The owner just wasn’t able to cope any more and signed all 104 rodents over to us to rehome. It took us days to get them out of the house and into rescue centres up and down the country.

“Thankfully, most of them have now been rehomed and we’re just left with the final few to get into nice new homes.”

Birmingham Animal Centre is now searching for new homes for zebra mice Bashful, Grumpy and Sleepy, and marmot mice Cagney, Jonesy and Lacey.

Emma Finnimore, from the centre, said: “Sleepy is happy being handled and is quite confident once she knows you.

“She arrived here with six other mice who were all male so, unfortunately, she is currently being kept on her own.

“Bashful and Grumpy are looking for a home together. They’re both very fast and like to jump so can be quite tricky to handle!”

Striped zebra mice or grass mice are native to Africa and live for around two to three years. They need large cages with lots of enrichment include tunnels to play in, houses to hide in and lots of wood to chew.

If you’re interested in rehoming Bashful, Grumpy or Sleepy; Cagney, Lacey or Jonesy, please visit the Birmingham Animal Centre website or call 0300 123 8585.

An excited Staffordshire bull terrier runs circuits around a paddock, plays with a ball and jumps in the leaves after spending long periods inside a crate.

Ty was collected from a home in the West Midlands last week as his owners were struggling to care for him properly.

RSPCA inspector Elizabeth Boyd said: “Ty’s owners were struggling with him after he began destroying their home.

“They were finding it hard to cope with him so began using a crate to curb his destructive behaviour.

“We worked with his owners but, in the end, they decided it would be best for him if they signed him over.”

Animal collection officer (ACO) Cara Gibbon collected him and took him to RSPCA Coventry, Nuneaton & District Branch.

“This poor boy was confined to a crate 24/7,” ACO Gibbon said. “I took him down to the dog run at the rehoming centre so he could run free. He was so happy.

“He looked really happy and his tail was wagging 19 to the dozen. It was lovely to see him enjoying the freedom and fresh air.

“Hopefully we’ll be able to find him the paw-fect home where he’ll be able to run, explore and play games with his new garden - and where he’ll never be locked in a cage again.”

Staff at the branch caring for Ty said he is settling in well and will soon be ready to find a new home.

He is thought to be around seven-years-old. He’s very friendly and loves being out in the garden and playing with toys.

Crates can be a valuable tool and are often used for training and transporting dogs safely. Many owners use them to create safe, secure den-like spaces for their pets to retreat to when they want some peace and quiet. However, the RSPCA doesn’t advise keeping dogs confined in crates for any period of time that is likely to cause distress and would urge anyone whose pets is displaying behavioural problems to speak to their vet who may refer them to a clinical animal behaviourist for help.

One in five Brits (21%) feel that their bedroom is a more comfortable space to relax in than other areas of the home, according to a new study commissioned by online bed retailer, Time 4 Sleep.

The survey of more than 1,000 UK adults, conducted on behalf of the bed retailer, explored the changing nature of social spaces within the home.

Results from the survey painted the bedroom as a relaxing sanctuary in which Brits can retreat to escape the hustle and bustle. One in three UK adults say they head to their bedroom to unwind (31%), with millennials appearing particularly grateful for the calm, as 14% claim it is the only area where they can get some peace and quiet, compared to just 7% of over 55s.

With the bedroom becoming a hub of activity, it is unsurprising that people are heading here for social activities instead of other living areas in the home. One in ten (10%) are watching over 10 hours of TV in bed each week, which is roughly the same as two episodes of ‘Stranger Things’ every day.

Interestingly, a staggering 85% of 18-34 year olds watch shows and films in bed, in comparison to only 44% of over 55s. The generational gap is even more apparent when it comes to watching Netflix in the bedroom, with 35% of millennials using the service in bed, in contrast to just 4% of over 55s. It can become an addiction too, with Ofcom² reporting that around a third (32%) of UK adults lose sleep because of the temptation to watch an extra episode or two.

In terms of non-screen-based activities, women are more likely than men to turn to books as their route to relaxation, with nearly two in three reading in bed (64%), compared to just over half of the men (54%). Yet for some the bedroom isn’t all about fun and games, with one in five millennials (20%) using the space for work.

From March 31st urban thrillseekers can enjoy the ultimate adventure of abseiling down London's ArcelorMittal Orbit - the tallest sculpture in the UK.

The 114-metre tall tower, which is located in the heart of the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in Stratford, has become one of the city's most recognised landmarks since opening as part of the 2012 London Olympics.

Now Wire & Sky, pioneers of the Urban Aerial Adventure concept, are giving people the chance to enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime experience as they abseil 82-metres down the outside of this iconic structure.

Participants can take in the unrivalled 20-mile panoramic views across the city and beyond as they step off the tower's viewing platform for their dramatic 80-metre descent.

Highly-trained Wire & Sky instructors guide adventure-seekers every step of the way; providing expert tuition and preparation before helping you kit up and venture outside the sculpture to start the ride of a lifetime.

Utilising the safest triplicate rigging systems available Wire & Sky have painstakingly designed and installed the experience to ensure maximum fun in a safe and controlled environment.

The abseil is available to book now for both individuals and groups to enjoy and there are also special Twilight Abseils available so participants can experience the sun setting as they make their descents.

Abseilers can also relive their epic adventure with spectacular GoPro footage from special helmet cameras (separate charges apply).