The majority of adults in the West Midlands are leaving their financial and health-related affairs to chance according to Co-op Legal Services, as four in five people (82%) don’t have a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) in place*.

A Lasting Power Attorney is the legal document that allows a trusted person to manage an individual’s affairs in the event they lose mental capacity. Yet almost a third of adults living in the region (27%) don’t know what an LPA is and a further 58% were unaware that there are two different types: one covering property and financial affairs and one to cover health and welfare wishes, including where you’d like to live and any personal medical wishes.

Putting a Lasting Power of Attorney in place is often considered to be of as much importance as drawing up a Will, yet research finds that over half (52%) of adults in the West Midlands have made a Will in comparison to just 18% with an LPA in place. With one person developing dementia every three minutes in the UK it’s expected that over 1 million people will have the disease by 2025, emphasising the significant importance of an LPA**.

James Antoniou, Head of Wills at Co-op explains: “The findings highlight that vast numbers of people are unaware that there is no automatic right for a next of kin to have authority over an individual’s affairs. If an LPA is not in place and a person becomes unable to make decisions, it can lead to a long and expensive process that involves applying to Court.

‘’At Co-op Legal Services, we advise that an LPA is put into place at the same time as a Will. Both are crucial parts of later life planning and can help to alleviate stress and worry for loved ones further down the line.’’

As well as the option to solely take out a Lasting Power of Attorney, Co-op also offers a range of Estate Planning Packages as part of its #AWill2TackleCancer campaign to raise funds for Cancer Research UK. These include a professionally drafted Will and Lasting Power of Attorney for a discounted price, compared to when bought individually. With every #AWill2TackleCancer Estate Planning package sold, Co-op will pay 10% of its fee (excluding VAT) to Cancer Research UK

Guided tours of Sandwell’s medieval Manor House are now underway every Sunday until 10 September.

Visitors can try on some armour, play medieval games and see some of the rooms displayed as they may have looked in the late medieval period.

The free tours last around an hour and start at 11.30am and 1pm, and there’s no need to pre-book.

If you are unable to get around the whole building you can pre-book a virtual tour with a member of staff using a tablet by calling 0121 588 2985.

Councillor Richard Marshall, cabinet member for leisure, said: "The guided tours days offer the only opportunity to see the whole of this fantastic building at the moment.

"The medieval Great Hall dates from 1270. It is an amazing space which you would never believe has survived in an industrial area like West Bromwich for 800 years.

"Our museums staff are also organising a number of family-friendly events during the summer holidays ranging from a teddy bear's picnic and other special themed events to entertain and capture the imagination of young minds.

"Our tour season ends on 9th and 10th September with a weekend of medieval fun as historical interpretation group Buckingham's Retinue set up camp in the grounds bringing to life 'The Wars of the Roses.”

Summer events at the Manor House:

• Horrid Histories – Tuesday 8 August 11am-3pm (last admission 2.30pm). Admission 50p per child, adults free with a child.

• Fairies, Elves and Goblins – Tuesday 15 August 1am-3pm (last admission 2.30pm). Admission £2 per child to include a ‘creature hunting pack.’

The Sandwell Storyplayers will be there at 1pm with tales of magical creatures. Crafts to make. Refreshments available.

• The Manor House Pirates – Thursday 17 August 11am-3pm (last admission 2.30pm). Admission £1 per child, adults free with a child.

• Heroes/Villains – Tuesday 22 August 11am-3pm (last admission 2.30pm). Admission 50p per child, adults free with a child.

• Mystery-solving Detectives – Tuesday 29 August 11am-3pm (last admission 2.30pm). Admission 50p per child, adults free with a child.

• Back to School Crafts – Thursday 31 August  11am – 3pm (last admission 2.30pm).

• Heritage Open Weekend – Medieval Re-enactment – Saturday 9/Sunday 10 September 11am-3pm.

They will be bringing to life the late medieval period, recreating the time now known as ‘The Wars of the Roses’, displaying an encampment, with visitor activities, both military and civilian.

Visitors will be able to see the arms, armour and firepower available to a medieval army demonstrated, and perhaps get the chance to join the army, try on a helmet or hold a sword.

For those interested in more gentle activities there will be a display of medieval music and dance with the opportunity to learn easy and highly enjoyable medieval dances. There will also be a chance to play games, hear about the gruesome surgeon and see a battle display.

Local historian Ian Bott will be giving an illustrated talk looking at the journey of the Manor House during the last 800 plus years.

The Manor House will be open for free guided tours and you can sample medieval dishes too. Refreshments available.

A Wolverhampton councillor and his wife have handed over a cheque for over £8,000 to the hospital which saved their baby son's life after completing two charity fundraisers.

Bushbury North Councillor Ian Angus completed the Stafford Half Marathon in March, while his wife Sandi tackled her first ever 10km run in Birmingham a month later.

And in doing so they have raised vital funds for the Cardiac Unit at Birmingham Children's Hospital, which performed life-saving open heart surgery on their son Joshua when he was barely 10 weeks old.

The pair presented a cheque for £8,235.89 to the hospital last month and Councillor Angus said: “We'd like to thank everyone who contributed to our fundraising efforts for Birmingham Children's Hospital – it’s a very special place which saved our little boy's life.

"The fundraising total far exceeded our expectations and we've been truly overwhelmed by people's kindness and generosity."

When Joshua was just four days old, Ian and Sandi were given the devastating news that he had a life-threating congenital heart defect that would require open heart surgery to address.

Aged just 10 weeks, he underwent a successful five-hour procedure at Birmingham Children’s Hospital.

Councillor Angus said: "It was the toughest day of our lives but the care he received was exceptional and we now have a beautiful, bonny, healthy little boy who has every chance – if I get my way – of playing for Wolves in the Premiership one day.”

Sandi said: “We are so fortunate to have this wonderful, world-class health service on our doorstep. We wanted to give something back and have been fundraising throughout the year for the Cardiac Unit."

Their fundraising efforts were supported by Councillor Angus' brother Jamie and colleagues from the City of Wolverhampton Council who also took part in the Stafford Half Marathon, including Head of Planning Stephen Alexander, Voluntary Sector Coordinator Martha Cummings, Head of the Healthier Place service Richard Welch and Councillor Paul Sweet, Cabinet Member for Public Health and Wellbeing.

Over four hundred supporters took part in Birmingham Children’s Hospital Charity’s first-ever 5k walk to raise funds for the hospital’s sick kids.

From kids to canines, parents to grandparents, the fantastic fundraisers joined forces for ‘Fun Family 5’ – the charity’s exciting new event in association with The Big Sleuth.

During the day, attendees completed a 5km sponsored stroll through Sutton’s beautiful parkland, before enjoying the bear-themed activities on offer at the event’s Activity Zone, from circus skills workshops to storytelling sessions.

At the event some very special guests, the Chatting family, helped unveil the final Big Sleuth bear, ‘Bearhug’, who was brought to life in honour of the brave children, like five-year-old Carter Chatting, cared for at Birmingham Children’s Hospital.

After Carter was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia in January 2016, the Chatting family, including mum Lucy, dad Matthew and their children, Monica and Carter, all turned to fundraising to say thank you for Carter’s care.

Mum-of-two Lucy, 45, said: “Carter has been receiving chemotherapy treatment at Birmingham Children’s Hospital for the past 18 months and while his prognosis so far is good, the worry never goes away and having a poorly child really is every parent’s worst nightmare.

“The Oncology team at Birmingham Children’s Hospital are simply amazing and we’ve turned to fundraising to not only help Carter’s plight, but so many other children battling an illness too. We all really enjoyed Fun Family 5 and we’re so proud of Carter for completing the 5k walk and playing his part in the wonderful bear unveiling. It was a real honour to get involved!"

Designed by artist Rob Bannon and Director of Wild in Art, Charlie Langhorne, Bearhug has now joined his furry friends on The Big Sleuth trail at New Street Station

Annie Eytle, Acting Events and Regional Fundraising Manager at Birmingham Children’s Hospital Charity, said: “We’re absolutely thrilled with the turnout for our very first Fun Family 5 event and would like to say a huge thank you to our incredible supporters, like the Chatting family, for making the day such a huge success.

“Every year, our hospital treats over 90,000 children and young people from across the country and the money our Fun Family 5 participants have raised will make a huge difference to each and every one of our sick kids, ensuring we can continue to be the world-class hospital that everyone knows and loves.”

Over 85 per cent of pet owners in the West Midlands believe having a dog can help to bring stress levels down. In fact, research, conducted by leading manufacturer of premium pet supplements Lintbells, has found that on average dog owners in the West Midlands are less stressed and happier in life because of their pet.

With almost a quarter of households* in the UK now owning a dog the study found that dog owners are happier, more satisfied at work and more sociable than people without a pooch. In fact over 80 per cent of people in the West Midlands now consider their dog to be an integral part of their family.

The national study, of 1,000 dog owners and 1,000 adults without a dog, found 80 per cent with a dog are ‘very happy’ or ‘happy’ with their life overall, compared to just 70 per cent of people without a four-legged friend.

In addition the research found that people with no dog spend longer watching TV and less time outdoors. In fact, it was discovered people without a pooch watch 14 hours more TV a month, averaging an extra 3.5 hours per week, than those with a four-legged friend.

Over 87 per cent of dog owners in the West Midlands put their general health at average and above average levels than those who don’t have a dog. Unsurprisingly, nationally dog owners spend an hour and 12 minutes longer outdoors each week than those without a dog. Dog owners’ hobbies are also more likely to be active and outdoor pursuits, with dog owners being bigger fans of cycling, going for walks and gardening.

The survey also found that over a third of dog owners in the West Midlands say their dog has their own spot on the sofa.

Those without a dog are more likely to enjoy reading, listening to music and watching TV. And while non-dog owners are most likely to opt for a quiet night at home alone, dog owners prefer a more social evening in with friends or a night at the pub. Dog owners are also the biggest social media users with 80 per cent spending some time on social media each day compared to just 71 of non-dog owners.

John Davies, co-founder of Lintbells said: “The results of this survey highlight the many benefits of owning a dog, from health to happiness.  Dogs are amazing companions, offering their owners much more than just a wag of their tail in the morning. They are often the first to greet anyone arriving home, they inspire us to spend more time outdoors and offer unconditional love to their owners. That said we owe it to them to take care of their needs – even those we can’t see. Natural supplements can aid your dog with their mobility, skin irritations, digestion and anxiety, helping them to be happy for longer.”

Parks across Haringey show no sign of flagging, after the borough retained its 22 prestigious Green Flag Awards.

Volunteers at Railway Fields Local Nature Reserve marked the achievement with a flag raising ceremony as they secured their status as one of Britain’s best green spaces.

The 22 flags – awarded by Keep Britain Tidy – put Haringey 5th in London and 8th in Britain for council-managed Green Flag spaces.

Green Flag status means the space boasts the highest possible environmental standards, is beautifully maintained and has excellent visitor facilities.

Cllr Peray Ahmet, Cabinet Member for Environment, was at the Railway Fields flag raising event and Nature Discovery Day on Saturday, set up by the Friends of Railway Fields.

She said:

“We’re incredibly proud of the green spaces we have across Haringey. Volunteers and council staff work tirelessly to create parks our residents can enjoy and these awards show we truly have some of the best open spaces in London and across the country.”

Railway Fields has had Green Flag status since 2004. Clif Osborne, from The Conservation Volunteers at Railway Fields, said:

“We are thrilled to get the Green Flag yet again at Railway Fields Nature Reserve. Volunteers work hard to ensure that this remains a wonderful space in Haringey and this award would not be possible without their efforts. Veolia also helped this year through a generous grant that allowed us to improve the paths and create new nature trails and habitats. We would like to thank everyone who has played a part in keeping Railway Fields a great place to visit.”

A spokeswoman for the Friends of Railway Fields said:

“I'd like to say how gratified we are that our local nature reserve has again been awarded Green Flag status. The Green Flag is a significant marker of value to nature, the environment and the community. The Conservation Volunteers and all of us who volunteered this year can be proud.”