Two more parks in Haringey (Woodside and Tottenham Green) have been awarded Green Flag status by Keep Britain Tidy. Green Flag status means the parks have the highest standards in the country and are judged to be welcoming, safe and well managed with active community involvement. Haringey now has 22 council -maintained Green Flag parks, an increase of six in three years and the fourth highest in London.

Families will inevitably spend more time outdoors in the summer holidays, but a new survey* by Dogs Trust, the UK’s largest dog welfare charity, has discovered that, whilst more children are afraid of wasps, bees and spiders, over a third (37%) of UK parents think that their children are fearful of dogs. With 33% of 2-14 year olds coming into contact with a dog every single day, this could be problematic for families when they are out and about this summer, especially as 25% of parents say their child’s fear of dogs affects their daily life.

In collaboration with the Black Country Growth Hub, the Black Country Chamber of Commerce held a unique networking experience to mark Black Country Day 2016. On 14^th July at the Wolverhampton Business Solutions Centre, the free to attend event brought delegates together to celebrate the cultural heritage of the region. Local businesses participated in a range of themed activities, including games and competitions, as well as having the chance to view historic archive images and sample traditional Black Country food.

Recent research commissioned to mark the launch of oral health workshops from leading charity Action for Children and its partnership with The Wrigley Company Ltd, has revealed that 21 percent of West Midlands people think that we smile the most in our 20’s. The survey identified that 23 is age that we smile the most in our lives. The research also showed that 4 percent of the region’s residents think that we smile the least from the ages of 11 – 15, when we are at secondary school.

Summer holiday season is now in full swing with thousands of families leaving the country for their long-awaited break in the sun, but many could be leaving themselves vulnerable to the threat posed by burglars. Allison Thompson, managing director at property specialist Leaders, says it is important to take steps to reduce the likelihood of thieves targeting your home while you are away.

Heath Town estate’s regeneration has taken a step forward with pre-demolition enabling works starting on site – while the process of appointing a developer will begin this summer. City of Wolverhampton Council has developed a Masterplan to transform the estate. It will bring new housing, refurbished homes, and improved leisure space. Work involves demolishing some buildings to make way for new development.