When Kiran Seeley steps over the edge of Birmingham’s Park Regis Hotel to join John Taylor Hospice’s first abseil, she’ll be remembering her very special grandmother.

“She was always happy – just an absolute joy to be around,” says Kiran when asked to describe her grandmother Enid. “She was so supportive, loved to hear what I was up to and took a great interest in her grandchildren. I remember when I was younger and she’d come to our house to visit. When I’d go to bed that night I’d find £10 stuffed under my pillow. I’d call her up to thank her and she would say ‘don’t tell your mom and dad’! I have so many special memories of her.”

When grandmother-of-two Enid Seeley was diagnosed with cancer in 2009, Kiran and her family were devastated. “She was told that the cancer was too close to her brain so they couldn’t operate,” explains 27-year-old Kiran.

“Chemotherapy and radiotherapy weren’t an option so as a family we pulled together, helping her to still do the things she loved and making sure she was as comfortable as she could be.”

In the spring of 2010, Enid moved from her home in Fillongley, Warwickshire, to live with her son and daughter-in-law, Kiran’s parents, in Erdington.

“I was at university in Liverpool at the time but I came home early that summer to spend time with Granny and help Mom and Dad the best I could,” said Kiran. “She started to become frailer and that’s when John Taylor’s Hospice at Home Team came to support us.

“From my grandmother’s perspective she loved their company. She’d tell the nurses about her life and the little things they did meant so much – like switching on her favourite radio station Classic FM. From our family’s perspective, their support was a big relief.

“My grandmother passed away peacefully at home in August of that year. It was a bit of a blur for me at the time but now I look back I appreciate just how gentle and compassionate the hospice staff were and my grandmother needed that.”

A committed fundraiser, each year Kiran pledges to raise money for a good cause. She was en route to her job as a buyer for Marston’s Brewery in Wolverhampton when she spotted her next charitable challenge – John Taylor Hospice’s abseil.

She explains: “The last two years I’ve been baking to raise money and whilst this is both fun and tasty it is a hobby I am very much comfortable doing. This year I wanted to set myself a true challenge.

“I was on the train to work when I spotted an advert for John Taylor’s sponsored abseil and I thought ‘that’s it!’. The hospice provided specialist and considerate palliative care for my grandmother so now’s the time for me to do something for them.”

Kiran, who hopes to raise as much money as possible when she takes the 170ft plunge, is encouraging others to join her on 8 July. “It’s a great way to raise money for hospice care and will be an amazing thrill! You can even share the experience with a friend or family member as you can abseil down the building at the same time. Thank you to everyone who has sponsored me - by donating to a very worthy cause you’re helping give me the confidence to jump down!”

Head of fundraising Katie Mitchell, who is also part of the abseil team, said: “Kiran and all of our abseilers are doing something wonderful to support John Taylor Hospice. Throughout the past year, hundreds of people like Kiran have helped us provide essential care for local families by fundraising for us. Whether it’s by taking on a challenge, hosting an event or attending one of our events, we’d like to say a huge thank you to each and every one of our supporters. Together we’re making a massive difference for hundreds of patients and their families.”

The UK’s biggest mass-participation cycling event is coming to the East Midlands, kick starting a national summer of cycling this June for over half a million people.

Bike Week 2017 (10 – 18 June) is set to add another 500,000 people to the five million who already cycle three times or more a week.

From family friendly traffic-free rides, to bike breakfasts, and even naked bike rides, Bike Week brings together a host of hundreds of fun events across the UK to help make cycling a more accessible and attractive proposition to the many people who might just need a gentle nudge back into the saddle this summer.

Whether it’s for a fun leisurely off-road ride with family and friends, a chance to escape the daily grind and explore the countryside, or simply to avoid the traffic jams getting to work or on the school run, Bike Week provides a one stop shop of events and inspiration to get you out and about in the saddle. There are a wide range of events taking place across the county suitable for cyclists of all ages and levels of experience.

With cycling becoming more popular than ever, increasing numbers of people are taking up cycling as an easy and efficient way to travel. According to the National Travel Survey, over five million people cycle three or more times a week.

Cycling UK’s Chief Executive, Paul Tuohy said “Bike Week is the UK’s excuse for a party on a bike, and that’s why our theme this year is ‘Fun & Freedom’. Cycling UK wants to help millions more people to rediscover – or find out for the first time – just how much fun you can have cycling. So whether you’re out with friends, are planning a family get together, or like getting away from the daily grind, join the half a million people taking part in Bike Week from 10 – 18 June!”

To support those already cycling or new to riding a bike, Bike Week is also partnering with Halfords this year, so that Bike Week participants can get a free bike check, and 20% off the price of gold, silver and bronze servicing.

Love was in the air as Wolverhampton Art Gallery staged its first wedding ceremony on Saturday.

Bride Nisha Patel, aged 29, was eager to return to her home city of Wolverhampton to tie the knot with Northampton-born Bhavin Pandya, 28.

When she heard the Lichfield Street venue had been granted a license to hold weddings, she and her husband-to-be jumped at the chance to book their special day there.

The couple, who now live in Dudley, were joined by more than 80 guests for the occasion in the first-floor Georgian gallery room.

Nisha said: “We feel so happy and unique to be the first couple to tie the knot at the art gallery.

“I grew up in Wolverhampton and I wanted the ceremony to be in my home city.

“After months of planning and looking for a unique venue to hold our ceremony, we found that the art gallery was putting an application through to become a registered venue for civil ceremonies.

“We waited for the application to be approved, which was nerve wracking, as it was so close to the wedding date - but it was definitely worth the wait.

“The gallery is so beautiful and was the perfect setting for our ceremony where we made our own piece of art 'The Declaration of Marriage'.

“Everyone who attended loved the setting and found the ceremony so unique. It is definitely a perfect venue for the perfect ceremony.”

Wolverhampton Art Gallery is one of the new venues registered by City of Wolverhampton Council that can hold weddings. Other venues include Bantock House Museum in Finchfield and Wolverhampton’s accredited City Archives in the city centre.

As well as weddings, all the venues can be hired for private functions.

Local independent restaurant Milan Indian Cuisine, situated on Newhall Street City Centre, will be launching their ‘Good Earth Indian Vegetarian Food Festival’ this month. Beginning on the 19th June and finishing on the 1st July, Milan will be showcasing some exciting and exclusive vegetarian options, with all ingredients sourced from the abundant and nutritional produce of Mother Earth.

No country in the world is as strongly associated with vegetarianism as India, and the country is often referred to as the paradise for vegetarian food. Mahatma Gandhi is perhaps India’s most famous exponent of vegetarianism, arguing vigorously that vegetarianism was more conducive to a life led according to the precepts of ahimsa (respect for all living things and avoidance of violence towards others).

In celebration of the vegetarian diet, Milan Indian Cuisine have created an exclusive menu featuring specially selected, unique creations that are prepared by their expert chefs. The festival menu will include a range of aromatic delights.

Parvinder Multani, Head Chef at Milan Indian Cuisine, comments: “The vegetarian food festival is all about enjoying what the Earth has to offer. In today's world with lifestyles becoming sedentary what more can one ask to have a low calorie well balanced nutritious food with abundant variety.” Comment ends.

Milan Indian Cuisine was established in 1988 as one of the first Indian restaurants in the area and is well-known for their great range of authentic yet innovative Indian dishes for vegetarian and non-vegetarian diners alike.

June means it’s officially summer, and the prospect of surprisingly brilliant British weather can only mean one thing… it’s time to throw a barbecue with your friends and family!

But, before you start warming those coals, we ask you to spare a thought for those dirty grills which have been languishing in the garden shed since August 2016. Oven Pride has pulled together some top tips on how to show your barbecue some summer loving that will not only make your food taste better, but help maintain one of the most loved summer cooking tools around.

1. You wouldn’t cook a steak in a dirty pan, so why put your steak on the barbecue before giving it a good clean? Be sure to start off by cleaning your barbecue grates, and to make your life easier Oven Pride’s Deep Cleaner is the perfect solution to rid your grills of stubborn burnt on food. All you need to do is put the grates in the plastic bag provided and pour half to ¾ of  the cleaning solution over them. Leave these to soak for a minimum of four hours or overnight for the best results, and then rinse thoroughly with hot soapy water.

Top Tip: Cooking fresh food before cleaning grates with old burnt on grime will give your food a bitter flavour and could ruin your chances of hosting a perfect BBQ

2. Don’t forget to clean the inside of your barbecue too. Start off by disposing of old ashes from the bottom of the barbecue and then pour the remaining Oven Pride solution into the tray. Wearing gloves, use a sponge to spread the

solution around the whole tray and leave for a minimum of four hours, or overnight for best results.

3. The main cleaning event might be the barbecue but let’s not forget every barbecue’s best friends… the spatula, skewer and cooking tongs. After all, how will you flip those burgers and turn your sausages? Make sure you give all of these utensils a deep clean in hot soapy water to rid them of old grease and burnt on food, as over time this can be hazardous and also impact the flavour of your food.

4. And lastly, how can I maintain this level of cleanliness for the rest of the summer we hear you say? After each use, wait until the grates are lukewarm and give them a quick clean using a grill brush and hot soapy water, this way any food residue will be easier to remove.

The dedication of teams of committed volunteers in Wolverhampton has been recognised after seven organisations they represent received the prestigious Queen's Award for Voluntary Service.

It is the highest award given to volunteer groups across the UK, presented for outstanding achievement by people who regularly volunteer their own time to enhance and improve the lives of others.

Awards were given to Access to Business, Ashmore Park Community Association, Bilston Town Community Football Club, Hope Community Project, Interfaith Wolverhampton, Jai Jashn Dance and The Haven Wolverhampton.

Mayor of Wolverhampton Councillor Elias Mattu, whose theme for his Mayoral year is recognising the value of volunteering, said: “Charities and volunteers do tremendous work helping the most needy and vulnerable people in our City, and I am delighted that these seven groups have been recognised in this way.

“We have thousands of fantastic volunteers in Wolverhampton who give up their valuable time to support others, and it is wonderful that so many are now the proud recipients of the Queen's Award for Voluntary Service."

Access to Business provides critical specialist support services for the unemployed, specialising in support for people with disabilities and health problems.

Ashmore Park Community Association offers a welcoming space where all ages come together for a wide range of activities and events which promote physical, social and mental well-being.

Bilston Town Community Football Club provides free or affordable educational coaching and access for young people to watch live sport.

Hope Community Project supports the most vulnerable and forgotten people of all ages living in the Heath Town area of Wolverhampton.

Interfaith Wolverhampton has, for more than 40 years, been dedicated to promoting dialogue, understanding and community cohesion between people of different faiths and cultures.

Jai Jashn Dance delivers Bollywood‐based community classes, exploring the dance heritage of India with members able to positively demonstrate and promote its diversity.

The Haven Wolverhampton works hard to support vulnerable women and children who are victims of domestic abuse and homelessness to regain their place in society.

Access to Business Chief Executive Josie Kelly said: "We are absolutely honoured and delighted to have received our Queen's Award for Voluntary Service.

“For over 15 years we have been providing services for unemployed and disabled people in our City to improve their skills and confidence and support their route to employment.

“Volunteers play a vitally important role in supporting our work and include our volunteer Board of Directors and many local volunteers supporting and promoting our work helping others to improve their lives."

Ann Wood, Chair of Ashmore Park Community Association, said: “I am bursting with pride. This is a great honour and privilege for our charity and all our volunteers who work so hard to provide facilities and activities for others.

“They will be delighted to know that they are award winners – and not just any awards winners, they are now Queen’s Award Winners for Voluntary Service."

Many of the nominations were supported by the City of Wolverhampton Council which worked closely with the Queen's Award for Voluntary Service Lieutenancy Assessment Assessor Sylvia Parkin MBE, from Tettenhall. She said: "I am delighted that these seven worthy groups of volunteers have been recognised in this way.

“It is impossible to overestimate the impact their organisations have on the people of Wolverhampton, and the Queen's Award for Voluntary Service highlights their commitment to the city and its residents.”

To be nominated for the Queen's Award for Voluntary Service an organisation must provide a service that meets a need for people living in the local community, be supported, recognised and respected by the local community and the people who benefit from it and be run locally.