Kodo is one of the best known and most influential taiko performing arts ensemble in the world and returns to the Birmingham to drum in the new year on Monday 5 February at Symphony Hall, Birmingham. This exclusive date for the Midlands is just one of five performances across the UK and marks the European premiere performances of Evolution.

Under the forward-looking artistic direction of kabuki luminary Tamasaburo Bando, Evolution showcases the creative development of Kodo, its past, its present and its commitment to the future of taiko performing arts.

Evolution is presented under Kodo’s One Earth Tour banner and received its world premiere in Tokyo in 2016. The five UK performances in Brighton, Manchester, Canterbury, Birmingham and Gateshead between 30 January and 7 February mark the production’s very first performances outside of Japan.

Based on Sado Island in northern Japan, Kodo debuted at the Berlin Festival in 1981.  Since then the internationally-renowned group of taiko drummers has presented over 5,800 performances in 49 countries on five continents. Kodo strives to preserve and reinterpret traditional Japanese performing arts in productions that encompass energetic and physically-charged ensemble drumming to smaller groups and soloists that feature authentic percussion instruments alongside Western counterparts and song and dance.

In Japanese the word ‘Kodo’ has two meanings: ‘heartbeat’, the primal source of all rhythm - the sound of the great taiko is said to resemble a mother's heartbeat as felt in the womb, and it is no myth that babies are often lulled asleep by its thunderous vibrations; Kodo can also mean ‘children of the drum’ and is a reflection of Kodo's desire to play the drums simply and with the heart of a child.

In an evening that spans over four decades of taiko, Evolution tells the artistic and creative development of Kodo as phrases from signature pieces first heard in 1973 (performed under the name Ondekoza, the group that later became Kodo) to new works created for the premiere in 2016 showcase the ensemble’s meticulously honed skills.

Opening the evening is Kei Kei (2014) as the full cast of 15 performers take to the stage playing okedo-daiko (barrel drums) placed over their shoulders allowing the musicians to move amongst the reverberations. The versatility of this taiko drum is also showcased in Phobos (2009), Mute (2013), and Kusa-wake (2013).

After a break from recent One Earth Tour productions, the gigantic o-daiko drum returns to the stage in Evolution. Weighing 300 kg and measuring 140 cm in diameter, the flagship taiko drum is flanked by timpani and bass drums and conjures up deep and powerful rhythms in O-daiko.

Act one ends with Kodo's timeless signature piece, Monochrome (1977) is by legendary composer the late Maki Ishii. Contrasting the simple yet wild nature of taiko performance that is symbolic of Kodo’s direction today, the next generation of musicians use a balance of raw power and skill and play the shime-daiko, a high-pitched roped drum.

Act two opens with Color (2009) which utilizes the shime-daiko but in a completely different way. The performers put down their drumsticks and experiment with different percussive sounds as they tap the drums with their fingernails, rub the drums with their hands and throw clusters of jingling bells onto the skins of the drums.

Tackling the gender disparity often associated with taiko, Ake no Myojo (2012) raises the profile of female drummers as women of the ensemble take to the stage in a taiko, dance and song performance. The melodic bamboo flutes in Yuyami (2013) follows and creates a sense of nostalgia that leads into a newer piece Ayaori (2016).

Rasen draws the evening to a powerful close. Rasen features eight performers - the main soloist playing a hirado (large flat) taiko surrounded by seven performers on nagado (long) taiko, okedo (barrel) taiko and timpani. The octet produces complex and precise rhythms and reveals the remarkable variety of drumming techniques Kodo has perfected during its illustrious history.

The Bank of England in partnership with Windsor Fellowship is recruiting for the African/African-Caribbean Scholarship Programme. The Programme is for students from a Black or Mixed African/ Caribbean background who are currently living or studying in Greater London, Manchester, Birmingham and surrounding areas and planning to start a full-time undergraduate degree in autumn 2018.

The African/African-Caribbean Scholarship Programme will offer successful applicants: · Up to £30,000 to be used to support living costs during an undergraduate degree · Paid Internships at the Bank of England in the summer holidays between 1st and 2nd years and 2nd and 3rd years · Mentoring, Coaching and Support from a member of the Bank of England team.

Eligibility and Application Criteria

· The Programme is open to students who have no restrictions and are eligible to work and study in the UK · Expected to secure at least 104, (Pre 2017, 260 UCAS points) UCAS points and have 5 A*-C GCSEs (or equivalent) including Mathematics and English · Have a household income below £50,000 · Have no restrictions on living/working in the UK

To find out more about the Bank of England and their Early Careers Programmes visit www.Bankofenglandearlycareers.co.uk/our-programmes

Further information about the Programme is available on the Windsor Fellowship website www.windsor-fellowship.org together with the link to the on-line application form.

The deadline for receipt of applications is midday GMT on the 22nd January 2018.

Connexions Sandwell are hosting their annual New Year, New start event to help young people aged between 14 and 19 and looking for work, training or further education.

New Year, New start is at Sandwell College’s Central Sixth campus in New Street, West Bromwich, between 10am and 2pm on Saturday 20 January 2018.

There will be around 45 colleges, universities, apprenticeship/training providers and professions including law and accountancy there to give young people advice.

Big name companies will have exhibits at the event including Aldi, EY (formerly Ernst & Young), Carillion, meat and butchery specialists Tulip and West Midlands Ambulance Service.

There will also be stands from local colleges and universities including Sandwell College, Walsall College and the University of Wolverhampton.

For those who attend, there's also the chance to be entered into a prize draw to win an iPad.

Councillor Simon Hackett, cabinet member for children's services said: "Last year’s event was really successful and attracted more than 1,300 people.

"I urge young people to come along and get advice that could help in making choices about qualifications and careers."

Parents and carers are also welcome to attend.

Birmingham’s John Taylor Hospice is aiming to reach more local families as it launches The Way Ahead, its new Three Year Strategic Plan.

The hospice, which has been at the heart of the city for more than 100 years, will achieve its aim by extending the hours of its Hospice at Home service which cares for people at end of life in their own homes, updating its day service and introducing new clinics.

An expert in providing care to people with a range of conditions including motor neurone disease and multiple sclerosis, John Taylor will also expand its non-cancer provision, ensuring more people with terminal illnesses can receive help when, how and where they need it.

Hospice CEO Penny Venables said: “We are really proud of our three year strategy which will help us achieve our mission of a compassionate and dignified death for all.

“We know that John Taylor Hospice can make all the difference as people approach end of life and we are determined to ensure that care is available for more and more people in the future.”

The strategy document, which is available to view or download on the hospice website,also sets out the hospice’s plans to increase income by opening shops and supporting fundraisers in organising events.

“Like most hospices, we receive funding from the NHS but we also need the financial support of people and businesses to ensure we can provide the care we know local families need,” said Penny.

And John Taylor, which was a pathfinder for the national Hospice UK Open Up Hospice Care campaign last year, is also committed to changing society’s perceptions around death and dying.

“The more society talks about death and dying, the more people will demand specialist care which meets their needs,” added Penny. “As a hospice, we have an essential part to play locally and nationally in ensuring end of life care remains a critical part of healthcare funding. We’re also building partnerships with other health providers including hospices to meet local need.”

John Taylor Hospice was founded in 1910 and became part of the NHS in 1948, becoming independent in 2011. It provides care for local families at its hospice in Erdington and in the local community.

Services include its In-Patient Unit, Living Well Centre which provides day services, Well-Being Service and Community Teams including Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists, Pharmacists and Patient and Family Support Worker.

Penny added: “Our mission is to provide specialist care for people living with a terminal illness and their families and we need to respond to an every changing health environment. The Way Ahead - Our Three Year Strategic Plan provides us with the tools to do that. It is an exciting time for us and we look forward to the changes we will be making to bring our specialist care to more local families.”

There was a community meeting on December 28th which was held at the Afro-Caribbean Millenium Centre, chaired by Desmond Jaddoo and Bentley Cunningham. The general consensus of the meeting was that there was a lack of information and transparency about community projects, businesses and organisations that are currently in serious trouble. There was uproar when the issue of The Mohammad Ali Centre was raised, and it became apparent that within this room, no one knew what was happening with the project, although it was also confirmed that there was a 999 year lease that is now in the hands of Hermin McIntosh who as you know is also the Chief Executive of Kajans Womens Enterprise, who ran Kajans Hospitality and Catering Studio College which had a massive amount of funds poured into it, although it has been documented that it failed to satisy the expectations required by the Government and was forced to close. Hermin is now at the head of the Mohammad Ali Centre, but was not available on the day to answer specific questions about who would benefit financially within the community with Kajan and herself holding the lease on such a well loved community initiative. There are many speculations around this issue, but it is fair to say that although there was not much public awareness given to the outcome of this decision, the community still feels that they have a right to know how it came about and why they have been granted the lease. The newspaper has been informed that Hermin would like a special meeting with those people who want to contribute to the development of the centre, either in ideas, resourcefulness or in labour. If this is enough for you, then please feel free to exercise your right to demand transparency as a member of the community. We have contacted the City Council for an official statement on the Mohammad Ali Centre, and will report back once we have had a response to this.

The Drum

We are liasing with Councillor Sharon Thompson and Birmingham City Council regarding The Drum, so that we can have a greater understanding as to what is happening to it, and again, how the community can get involved. Once again, this is a building that was purpose built for community use. It now stands empty, waiting for a prognosis on its future. We have not received any information pertaining to movements at The Drum, for, or against any developments with this particular organisation, but we are keen to keep you informed once we have spoken to the right authority so that we can give you definite responses and answers to your queries. Councillor Sharon Thompson has expressed that this is an initiative very close to her heart and she would like to see everything dealt with in the correct manner with full transparency for the benefit of the community at large.

The Bullring Indoor Markets

The Bullring Indoor Markets is such a sensitive issue, as with anything else that affects the Birmingham community, but it is one that keeps coming up time and time again. We were privileged to interview Alan Doherty, a well established and long serving butcher in the markets, who has expressed his concerns about the lack of footfall that the market is currently receiving, and has been for some time. Barlows, in particular, said that they would guarantee a sellout on Good Friday when 95% of his customers were from the Afro-Caribbean Community. How many of you remember the days when The Bullring Market was an integral place to meet friends, family and associates? If you’re like me, you’ll remember the atmosphere and vibrancy surrounding shopping days such as Tuesdays, where you could guarantee that public transport would be filled with our senior citizens along with people coming from all over to visit our wonderful market to get the finest cuts of meat. The displays were beautifully laid out, with succulent fresh choices of meat on display, with every counter promoting themselves with pride, inviting us to buy their produce. With that said, I have to say that this is unfortunately no longer the case. I very rarely go to the markets myself because it is no longer that wonderful place that it once was, in fact if I may say so myself, it’s rather scary. Although we appreciate that there are those who do purchase offal, and other parts of the animals not usually on display, it can be a little daunting for someone walking in to the market to see a display of numerous goat heads with eyes staring back at you from the counters, and the stench is said to be like no other. There are no longer attractive displays to encourage us to spend our hard earned money, and you no longer see the senior citizens out to buy produce in their droves. Do you remember when you could choose from an array of fresh fruit and vegetables, tatalisingly displayed to choose from? Now all we have are 2 bowls for £1. Everything is in a bowl, and although it may be a bargain for the few die hard shoppers, it seems to be a no-go area for many shoppers who used to delight in the pride of the stallholders of the markets. For butchers like AP Doherty, and Barlows that I personally remember from back in the day, I can only say how sorry we are to see the demise of such a legendary institution. Many things undergo change, and the Bullring Market is one of those changes that has truly affected an integral part of Birmingham and its communities. We respect the views and concerns of the market traders and sincerely hope that things will get better moving forward.

A University of Wolverhampton art graduate was short listed in this year’s Sky Arts Landscape Artist of the Year competition.

Lindsay Pritchard, 46, from Wolverhampton graduated with an Honours and Master’s Degree in Illustration in the Visual Communications department of the Wolverhampton School of Art.

Having worked in the financial sector for 20 years, she left banking in 2007 to pursue her interest in art and now works in the creative industries running workshops, exhibiting her work and taking commissions.

Lindsay entered the national competition and recently appeared as one of eight shortlisted artists on Sky Arts Landscape Artist of the Year 2017 filmed at Knaresborough Castle in Yorkshire.

She said:  “My work is mainly focused on the urban environment with a particular interest in dereliction and decay so I spend quite a lot of my time in derelict factories and junk yards.

“It was an amazing adventure being short listed for such a prestigious competition.  All the artists had to set up and complete a landscape painting in one day whilst being filmed so the pressure was really on.  Then we had to wait for our work to be judged. Whilst I didn’t make it through to the next stage of the competition, the experience was incredible.

“Studying Illustration at the University really opened up a whole new world for me and helped me to harness my true potential as an artist.”

Lindsay is an active member of the Black Country Urban Sketchers whose aim is to encourage people to sketch in their local environment. She is also a member of the Wolverhampton Society of Artists exhibiting in their exhibitions and attending their regular meets.