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).

A new music-making pilot project has launched in Sandwell to help people experiencing memory loss or in the early stages of dementia.

Sandwell Council is working in partnership with Beat It Percussion to provide the Drumming Together sessions for people and their carers on Thursday mornings.

Sessions are held at West Bromwich Town Hall, supported by a team of volunteers.

Lynn Kay, founder and CEO of Beat It Percussion, said: "We use drums and percussion instruments as a way of communicating and working together in a friendly group environment so people feel less isolated.

"It’s informal but structured with activities designed to help with memory and other cognitive skills. We are really excited to be bringing our work to Sandwell and this will be the first of many new projects.

"Beat It works with many different client groups and enquiries are always welcomed."

Councillor Elaine Costigan, Sandwell Council's cabinet member for public health and protection said: "This is a great way to engage with people who are experiencing memory loss and we hope that it will help a number of Sandwell people.

"It is the latest effort by the council to get involved with people with health problems and we look forward to seeing how this new initiative works out."

Drumming Together sessions run at West Bromwich Town Hall on Thursday mornings up to and including 12 April (except for 5 April).

Sessions are held from 10am to 11.15am with a refreshment break. Sessions are £2.50 per person per session or £4 per person and carer.

Please contact Lynn at Beat It Percussion for more information and to book. Call 07875 090946 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Charity Better Understanding of Dementia for Sandwell (BUDS) is also hosting sessions in the town for invited participants.

The 444-mile wilderness adventure paddling race is held on the Yukon River from Whitehorse to Dawson City in Canada's Yukon Territory. Taking place during the last week of June (27 June - 1 July, 2018), the Yukon River Quest is the world's longest annual canoe, kayak and stand-up paddleboard race.

It is known as the “Race to the Midnight Sun,” as paddlers race round-the-clock under a sky that never gets dark. There are just two mandatory rest stops at Carmacks (7 hours) and Coffee Creek (3 hours) as teams paddle non-stop to reach the “City of Gold". The allure of the Yukon River Quest has made it a huge success, and for its 20th anniversary year in 2018, there are already 122 teams registered with paddlers from 16 countries including the United Kingdom.

Horticultural expert and plantswoman extraordinaire Carol Klein will officially open the Blenheim Palace Flower Show on Friday, June 22nd.

The hugely popular BBC Gardener's World presenter will be on hand to launch the 5th annual show, which runs from June 22nd-24th at the Oxfordshire UNESCO World Heritage Site.

A multi award-winning gardener, Carol is a much-loved television personality whose own Glebe Cottage gardens were made famous in a six-part TV series and accompanying book.

As well as opening the show on the Friday, she will also be giving two talks over the weekend on her favourite plant-based subjects.

The Grand Floral Pavilion forms the centrepiece of the Show and features the UK's finest nurseries and growers giving expert advice and gardening ideas. It is guaranteed to be a riot of colour, fragrance and weird and wonderful plants.

A highlight for 2018 will be the brand new 'Orchid Tunnel' which leads into the Pavilion. Visitors will be able to walk through the tunnel and see over 1,000 orchids from all over the world.

With workshops, talks and demonstrations taking place throughout the event, you'll be guaranteed to learn something new and take inspiration for your own gardening project.

Visitors can also enjoy fabulous food and drink as well as an outdoor Plant Village and live entertainment throughout the weekend.

Visit the shopping village featuring over 250 stands selling everything from unique garden gazebos, greenhouses and arbours to beautiful flowers, gardening sundries and hundreds of other products.

The Home and Country Living Pavilion showcases a selection of original, handmade giftware, jewellery and luxury goods.

Enjoy fabulous samples and tastings at the Food and Drink Pavilion with a wonderful range of artisans and purveyors from Masons Gin, Truckle Cheese Sausages to Dips and Marinades – there will be something to tickle all taste buds!

Admission to the show includes entry to the Park and Gardens so visitors can also make a day of it exploring Blenheim Palace's Formal Gardens and 2,000 acres of 'Capability' Brown Parkland.

A heritage trail to celebrate historical sites in Princes End is set to launch later this month (February).

Tipton Town Libraries Local History Group has worked with library staff and Tipton deputy town lead Councillor Bill Cherrington.

The trail will show former industrial and heritage sites, including Gospel Oak Ironworks, Seedhouse Brewery and Boulton and Watt’s first steam engine.

Councillor Cherrington said: “The trail will highlight the industrial significance Princes End made and encourage people to get involved in local history activities and be proud of the area.”

A special history day will be held at Glebefields Library from 10.30am to 1pm on Saturday 24 February to launch the trail, along with a series of guided walks.

The history group meets monthly at Great Bridge Library. For more details, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call Robert on 0121 557 1796.

Derek Nicholls from the history group said he welcomed the new trail as "an opportunity for people to find out more about their local area".

A unique proof of age card scheme has launched for students in Sandwell aged 16+.

The card – developed by Sandwell Council in partnership with Citizencard UK – will be recognised nationally as official photo identification.

What’s different about Sandwell’s card is that it also has the applicant’s National Insurance number on the back. This helps students keep the number handy for applying for jobs and bank accounts and to register to vote.

The launch was part of the national #Vote100 campaign run by the Electoral Commission to celebrate the 100 year anniversary of the first women getting the right to vote.

Students should ask their head of Year 11 or 12 to check if their school/college has joined the scheme. If so, they can apply for a card free of charge through their school/college.

Councillor Steve Trow, cabinet member for core council services, said: "This a wonderful example of innovation and teamwork between our electoral services, trading standards and the officers who work to tackle under-age drinking and smoking.

"Our unique card offers a single solution to help young people stay safe, apply for jobs and bank accounts and make sure they'll get their right to vote as soon as they reach 18."

Students from Oldbury and George Salter academies attended the launch to help celebrate the benefits of their new proof of age Citizencard.