Community News

A team of international artists will be transforming Blenheim Palace into an illuminated wonderland as part of a magical new festive trail this winter (November 25th – January 2nd). 'Christmas at Blenheim' will see the Oxfordshire estate lit up by a series of stunning outdoor attractions including a scented fire garden, dancing cascades, sparkling hedgerows, fairy-lit arbours, singing Christmas trees and a lake aglow with brightly-lit boats.

With numerous businesses being targeted by cyber criminals in recent weeks and a continuous rise in threats from social engineering, keeping our personal and private information out of the wrong hands whilst working and socialising online is becoming increasingly difficult.  Cyber crime has not only grown in its capability to do serious damage to both businesses and individuals, it has also become so sophisticated that the difference between a legitimate request and a downright scam isn’t quite as apparent as it once was.

Six months after the introduction of compulsory microchipping of dogs in England, Andrew Bucher, Chief Veterinary Officer and co-founder of MedicAnimal, the UK’s leading online pet healthcare retailer has questioned elements of the scheme and whether it can be effective in the long term. Figures reported last week by animal charity Dogs Trust show more than 4,700 stray dogs in the UK last year couldn’t be reunited with their owners, due to outdated microchips.

BIRD is most definitely not the word, according to a new study. British women want to banish ‘bird’ from the social dictionary with nearly 60 percent branding it their most hated pet name. Taking to task phrases they deem derogatory, a survey of more than 2000 British women placed ‘mumsy’, ‘hormonal’ and ‘ball breaker’ among the top 10 words they would like to see banned from day to day vocabulary.

The role of Black Country factories as part of the war effort is explored in a new exhibition at Bilston Craft Gallery. The Work in Wartime show highlights the scale and importance of factories in Wolverhampton and Bilston during the First and Second World Wars. The exhibition features dozens of archive images and original items including Villiers engines, a motorcycle and bicycle used by the British Cyclist Corps during the First World War and a very rare Sunbeam military dispatch rider’s motorcycle on loan from the Black Country Living Museum. 

German and British children will come together this weekend to remember the victims of the First World War – including those killed in aerial attacks. The annual Anglo-German Service of Remembrance and Reconciliation is organised with the support of the Royal British Legion's City of Wolverhampton Central Branch and the Mayor of Wolverhampton and involves students from the High Arcal School in Sedgley and its partner school, the Academy of English in Oldenburg, Germany.

“Black History Month is always an opportunity for us all to reflect on Britain’s diversity and rich culture, as well as serving as a reminder of the inequality that still exists. This year, more so than others, the significance of Black History Month cannot be overlooked.  Following the referendum result we have seen a rise in racist attacks and xenophobic hate crimes reminding us that we must remain vigilant against division, and always celebrate our differences as well as our shared humanity and compassion."

A main thoroughfare in Birmingham will be awash with colour as Soho Road, in Handsworth, welcomes the annual festival of light with Diwali 2016. Hosted by the Soho Road BID team, it is expected that this, the West Midlands largest Diwali festival will attract thousands to the inner-city street that will spread from Holyhead Road all the way to Soho Hill - caters to approximately 250,000 residents in the vicinity.

“I was always looking forward to Black History Month 2016, as it will provide, as it does every year, the opportunity to learn more about the history and heritage of our communities here in Britain. At the heart of the Labour Party is the promise to always campaign for equality, equality of rights and opportunity for all. As a lifelong campaigner for equal rights I will do all I can as Leader to ensure the Party delivers on that promise."

Older residents in Haringey who need a helping hand for jobs around the house can call on a new service being unveiled by Haringey Council, Haringey Clinical Commissioning Group and Homes for Haringey today. The new service allows residents aged 60 and over to get a range of DIY jobs carried out easily and quickly at an affordable price. The service has been jointly commissioned by Haringey Council and Haringey Clinical Commissioning Group to be carried out by Homes for Haringey until April 2017 and replaces a previous scheme that was run by Age UK.

Following the launch of a three-year national partnership with the NSPCC earlier this year, QHotels is inviting children to 'take over' at its golf resorts as the group looks to raise £300,000 for the charity. The leading hotel brand, the UK's largest golf resort operator, first introduced its enterprising 'kids in charge' initiative across its hotels this summer and has now extended the fun scheme to its golfing venues across England and Scotland.

“Black History Month is a fantastic opportunity to celebrate the myriad of contributions Black people have made to our country and to London. Throughout October I will be joining Londoners from all backgrounds at a variety of events across the city to pay tribute to our African and African Caribbean communities and all they have done to add to the life of the capital, helping to make it one of the most diverse, vibrant and successful places on the planet."

In supporting this year’s Black History Month, Prime Minister Teresa May, whilst at the Tory Party Conference in Birmingham, said; “I am so pleased to support Black History Month which recognises, rewards and celebrates the contribution made to our society over many years by the African and Caribbean communities. It is an opportunity for us all to recognise the incredible achievements of successful African and Caribbean men and women across sectors including financial services, retail, media, the arts, science and technology and sport."

Sandwell Council got top marks from the RSPCA, for its work with the safety of pets in homes with the council’s housing team being awarded a Silver Community Animal Welfare Footprint (CAWF) from the animal welfare charity. The award recognises the council’s commitment to protect the welfare pets living in its properties and help given to tenants who are pet owners. The Council has guidance and policies in place encouraging responsible pet ownership and setting out what is and what is not expected of them.

More than 30 Midlands children will travel on Dreamflight′s 30th anniversary flight to Orlando Florida on October 16. BA cabin stewardess Patricia Pearce founded Dreamflight in 1987 after seeing a group of children’s amazing reaction to a Disney show.  Since then Pat has worked tirelessly to ensure the trip has happened every year since and 2016 will see the charity’s 30th anniversary.

Several areas of Birmingham are about to become zero tolerance zones for troublemakers and those intent on causing antisocial behaviour. Officers from Birmingham City Council and West Midlands Police have used recent legislation in a bid to prevent individuals and groups acting anti-socially within key locations in the city centre.