British painter William Turner is regarded as one of the fathers of Rhine romanticism. Today, his paintings are still ambassadors for the Middle Rhine Valley, which, with its high density of castles, sloped vineyards and the various localities on the narrow banks, has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Yet, Rhineland-Palatinate has so much more to offer: Moselle romanticism certainly has as many benefits as 'Father Rhine' – one more reason to introduce the popular Moselle-Saar holiday region.

The Moselle – home to one of the most photographed castles in Germany Nostalgics from the Moselle region look at the DM500 note they may still possess melancholically. However, this is not only due to its former nominal value. Rather, they miss the vignette of the impressive Eltz Castle, which they were so proud of. Located in a side valley of the Moselle, Eltz Castle is reminiscent of Sleeping Beauty's castle to many a visitor in the area. The stone and timber-frame structure, still in perfect condition, is a source of fascination, especially since it has never been destroyed. The castle has been the family estate of the Counts of Eltz for centuries. Many visitors consider it the Neuschwanstein Castle of Rhineland-Palatinate.

Staff and volunteers at Galton Valley Pumping station in Smethwick will celebrate the building's 125^th anniversary with a free family and community fun day next month.

The wildlife themed event is on Saturday 8 July between 10am and 3pm and will be at the station itself and further down the canal.

Jane Hanney, Sandwell's museum services manager, said: “Staff from Dudley Zoo will be at the event with some of their smallest animals, as well as representatives of the RSPB and Birmingham and Black Country wildlife trust with information and activities to get involved with.

“There will be a heritage boat and an arty and crafty boat with loads to have a go at. Visitors can also enjoy the live music, craft activities and trails along the canal,” she added.

"There is something for all ages and a great opportunity to take a walk along the Galton Valley canal and spot the wildlife and nature."

Councillor Richard Marshall, cabinet member for leisure, said: “The Galton Valley pumping station  is a truly historic building and was built to regulate water levels between the old and new mainline canals.

“It is wonderful that after 125 years visitors can get along and learn about life on the canals and how they were built and played such a big part in the industrial development of the area.”

The building is opened once a month staffed by our brilliant volunteers who help Sandwell Museums look after this building.

In a bid to help those who have been affected by the Manchester bombings, TOA taxis have raised just over £2000. Half the amount was raised by collecting donations from every black cab driver on the ranks in Birmingham City Centre and Birmingham International Airport. The other half of the money has been kindly donated directly by TOA Taxis, matching the total amount collected by all of the black cabs in Birmingham.

On May 22^nd 2017, a suicide bomber detonated an explosive device at Manchester Arena following a concert by American singer Ariana Grande. The blast killed 22 victims and left 116 individuals injured. The deceased include 10 people under the age of 20, the youngest an eight-year-old girl.

The whole nation has been shocked by the attack and communities are coming together to support those affected by the dreadful event. Birmingham based taxi firm, TOA Taxis, have been doing their best to collect as much money as they can for the victims and families of those who were killed or were injured. Ram Singh, TOA taxi driver and member of the TOA board of management, has been leading the collection and has been taking time out of his day to walk down the ranks throughout the City and Birmingham International Airport, gathering funds with TOA staff from all black cab drivers to raise as much money as possible in support of the devastating aftermath of the attack.

TOA first formed in 1961, starting initially with circa 25 cabs. The company now boast an impressive 380 cabs, covering the whole of Birmingham.

Imran Akram, Secretary at TOA Taxis, comments: “The Manchester cabbies did a valiant job in taking people from the stadium home for free. This is the least we could do to support the victims of the tragedy.”

Hundreds of pupils from across Wolverhampton took part in a spectacular musical performance in Queen Square.

Around 500 children from 16 primary and special schools in the City joined the free concert, performing songs in a wide range of styles and traditions led by Paul Wilcox from Wolverhampton Music Education Hub.

The performance marked the culmination of a six-month project organised and delivered by Wolverhampton Music Service. Teachers from schools around Wolverhampton took part in regular workshops, learning songs which they could subsequently teach in their own schools in preparation for the performance.

Sarah Tulley, Wolverhampton Music Service Assistant Headteacher, said: “The concert was an enormous success. There was an amazing atmosphere as the children sang and there was even some audience participation.

“The weather was kind this year, so the children only wore waterproof ponchos for their performance of ‘Singin’ in the Rain’, unlike last year when there were downpours.

“The children really enjoyed themselves and were a huge credit to their schools. Wolverhampton is very proud of them.”

She added that Wolverhampton Music Service plans to repeat the event again next year.

Claire Darke, the City of Wolverhampton Council’s Cabinet Member for Education, said: “This performance demonstrated once again just how talented our children and young people are, and I would like to say a huge well done to everyone involved.”

Wolverhampton Music Service provides tuition and musical opportunities for youngsters from schools across the city, including the chance to perform with its flagship groups, Wolverhampton Youth Orchestra and Wolverhampton Youth Wind Orchestra.

To celebrate the 5th anniversary of Pop In The City, Geneva will be hosting the first unisex edition of the urban adventure race on 7th October 2017. Traditionally, this race has been exclusively for women, but with popularity growing at an exponential rate, event organisers couldn't resist inviting men to join in the fun as well!

Having been voted against Lisbon and Toulouse in by previous 'Pop In' participants, Europe's leading city break destination is set to offer a fantastic location for this special edition of the urban adventure race. Participants will have to complete a range of Genevan inspired challenges dotted around the city which guarantees to push people to their limits, whilst creating an exciting and rewarding experience. Challenges will include mastering the workings of a clock, rafting along the Rhone and negotiating peace at the UN.

City of Wolverhampton Council was crowned Council of the Year at the ‘Oscars of local government’ and also scooped three other awards at a ceremony in London.

The council was the star of the show at the Municipal Journal (MJ) Awards held at London’s Hilton Park Lane Hotel and hosted by television star Joanna Lumley.

The MJ Awards are open to all councils across the country and are judged by a panel of leading experts.

This year City of Wolverhampton Council was a finalist in seven out of the 14 categories – which was more than any other council.

As well as winning the top accolade of Council of the Year, City of Wolverhampton Council also took home Most Improved Council, Senior Leadership Team of the Year and Excellence in Governance and Scrutiny.

It was also highly commended in the Impact and Learning in Children’s Services category.

Winning four awards is believed to be a record.

Heather Jameson, Editor of the MJ, said: “Judges praised City of Wolverhampton Council for delivering consistently excellent services across all key areas and the council was described as an outstanding example of modern local government where the resident is at the heart of sound commercial decision-making.

“It was a truly fabulous night and congratulations to all our winners and particularly City of Wolverhampton.”

City of Wolverhampton Council leader Cllr Roger Lawrence said that the outstanding success was independent recognition of the transformation of the authority over recent years.

He added: “Receiving these four fantastic accolades is a testament to the hard work we’ve invested into putting our residents at the heart of all we do, improving services and making our city a rising star within the local government world.

“I am delighted that we took home the top prize of the night, ‘Local Authority of the Year’ after being runner up last year.

“It shows the huge strides we have made on our transformation journey to become a confident, capable council. – and I would like to thank all those involved for helping make this possible.”

Managing director Keith Ireland said: “To be finalist in seven of the 14 categories and win four of those awards is absolutely fantastic. This is a real achievement for the city council, its residents. employees, councillors and partners.”