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.

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.

One in ten UK adults said they were considering buying or giving a home to a dog or cat before the end of the year, according to new research from Sainsbury’s Bank Pet Insurance, with an even split between those intending to get a cat or  a dog.

Throughout the festive season 5% of UK adults said they were considering buying a puppy or a kitten while 3% planned to give a home to a rescue dog or cat.

Sainsbury’s Bank says those who have a new puppy or kitten should get their pet insured from a young age as they can be particularly vulnerable to parasites and prone to accidents as they explore their new home.

Analysis of Sainsbury’s Bank’s claims data shows that from 2013 to 2017 there were 24% more claims for pets aged under two than those aged between two and three.

Further analysis of the claims data shows that the ailments that younger pets (aged 0-1) suffer more frequently than older pets (aged 2-3) are: leg/hip/shoulder disorders (56% more common), skin disorders (41% more common) and accidents and injuries (38% more common).

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.”

West Midlands Ambulance Service’s Deputy Chief Executive, Diane Scott, has been named in this year’s New Year’s Honours List as one of only two England- based recipients of the Queen’s Ambulance Service Medal (QAM).

The QAM ensures that the dedication of ambulance staff has the same level of Royal recognition as other members of the emergency services.

Diane is an Executive Director of the Trust Board and is responsible for the Corporate and Clinical Directorates. She is also a Health and Care Professions Council registered paramedic.

Speaking about her award, Diane, who’s career spans more than 30 years having started with Hampshire Ambulance Service in 1985, said: “I am immensely proud and honoured to receive this award. It is a great privilege and the QAM represents the pinnacle of my ambulance career.

“I have been proud to work for, and with, many good people at all levels throughout the ambulance service and the NHS, including many skilled and compassionate colleagues who provide excellent care on a daily basis to patients and the public.

“Whilst I have been fortunate to receive the award, it would not have happened without the hard work and support of my colleagues from within the ambulance service to whom I am extremely grateful.”