Colors: Blue Color

Wolverhampton Interchange partners are celebrating contractors Galliford Try gearing up for full demolition of the city’s railway station.

It is the next stage in delivering a £150 million transport hub to provide an attractive commercial gateway to those entering the city by national rail, bus or tram.

The first Galliford Try machines have moved in to establish the temporary station accommodation and works compound on the Banana Yard.

Hoardings will then be installed to enable the first phase of full demolition to start in early July.

The British Transport Police building and a small section of the current station building next to Platform 1 will be demolished, paving the way for the first section of the new station building to be erected. It will become operational to customers by summer 2019, when phase 2 of the programme will also start.

Throughout the works rail services will continue to operate as normal from the current station building, while the new state-of-the-art railway station to serve the city emerges adjacent to it by 2020.

Wolverhampton Interchange Partnership consists of City of Wolverhampton Council (CWC), Ion, West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA), Virgin Trains, West Midlands Trains, Network Rail, Midland Metro Alliance, Canal & River Trust, and Black Country LEP.

Council Leader and WMCA portfolio holder for transport, Councillor Roger Lawrence, said: “Our vision for the City of Wolverhampton Interchange is rapidly becoming a reality.

“There is £3.7 billion of investment currently on site or in the pipeline across Wolverhampton.

“As part of this regeneration it is crucial visitors to our city get the best first impression possible and their travel experience is enhanced - this new state-of-the-art station will deliver that.”

The new station will be connected directly to a tram stop, once work is completed on the Midland Metro city centre extension. The Midland Metro Alliance are currently delivering the next phase on Pipers Row before continuing down Railway Drive to the railway station.

Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands, added: “This project is about more than just creating a transport hub, where buses, trains, trams, cycling and walking come together and provide enhanced links to the new HS2 network.

“This is something altogether more bold. This is also about accelerating the regeneration of Wolverhampton city centre, bringing jobs, opportunities and growth. Simply, this is one of the key gateways into the city, a city that deserves a world-class welcome.

“The WMCA recognises the vital role this project plays in the ongoing success story of Wolverhampton, which is why we were enthusiastic in supporting the project."

Chris Jones, Associate Director, Ion, said: “The demolition works mark an important moment in the transformation of the city’s transport links. The new railway station is set to further improve the appeal of the city to businesses, especially with the development of the Commercial District, and improve the experience for all travellers to the City of Wolverhampton.”

Simon Courtney, Area Director for Galliford Try Building West Midlands and South West, added: “We are delighted to be able to mark this beginning alongside all the stakeholders involved. We look forward to being part of a transformational project which make its mark on the City of Wolverhampton for years to come.”

VisitEngland has announced the finalists in the tourism industry’s national Awards for Excellence. The Awards, now in their 29th year, recognise, congratulate and celebrate businesses and individuals who go above and beyond in promoting and practicing excellence across England. Finalists will be invited to attend a traditional afternoon tea at the Bath Assembly Rooms on St George’s Day, 23 April 2018. Winners will be awarded either a Bronze, Silver or Gold award at the ceremony. 

VisitEngland Chief Executive Sally Balcombe said: “These awards are a celebration of our thriving tourism industry. They highlight the people and the organisations that deliver amazing experiences for visitors, raising the profile of England as a world-class destination.

“The finalists have shown themselves to be of the highest calibre, using their talent and innovation to deliver excellence. The hundreds of applications this year reflect the quality products across our tourism landscape and I warmly congratulate all the finalists and wish them the very best of luck.” 

This years’ competition was intense with up to three finalists selected in each category from hundreds of submissions. From accommodation businesses demonstrating unparalleled service to attractions providing unforgettable experiences, from outstanding food establishments to guided tour operators, applications reflected the sheer scale and range of England’s tourism industry. They included hotels, B&Bs, self-catering operators, restaurants, pubs, visitor attractions and business tourism venues.

Latest VisitEngland statistics show that from January to November 2017 Brits took more than 44 million holidays in England, spending in excess of £10 billion on staycations, up five and six per cent respectively compared to the same period in 2016.

Tourism in England contributes £106 billion to the British economy.

The Royal Shakespeare Company has announced the 44 young people from Birmingham, Coventry and Warwickshire, who, together with 12 young people from Northamptonshire, will join the professional cast in the forthcoming production of Romeo and Juliet directed by Deputy Artistic Director, Erica Whyman.

The young people aged 12 – 18 all attend schools in the RSC’s Associate Schools programme or work in a partnership with the RSC. In teams of four they will perform each night in the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon sharing the role of the Chorus with the professional cast.

Erica Whyman said: “We were bowled over by the impact our tour of A Midsummer’s Night’s Dream: A Play for the Nation had on the young people who took part and those who came to watch as we traversed the UK. I want to build on that hugely positive experience, as we stage Romeo and Juliet, opening up a dialogue with young people in schools in ways we have never before been able to do. By inviting these young people to join us on stage I want to celebrate the diverse talent of the UK and highlight the revolutionary heart of this most timeless love story.”

From Birmingham young people join from: City Academy, Hall Green School and Moseley School and Sixth Form.

From Coventry young people join from: President Kennedy School Academy and Sidney Stringer Academy.

From Warwickshire young people join from: Campion School in Leamington Spa, Kineton High School, Myton School in Warwick, Shipston High School, Stratford-upon-Avon College, Stratford-upon-Avon School, St Benedict’s Catholic High School in Alcester and Welcombe Hills School.

The world’s oldest maritime welfare charity is asking churches in Birmingham to remember the world’s seafarers in a special service.

Congregations from around the world will take part in Sea Sunday services on July 8 in aid of Sailors’ Society.

Each year, the Christian charity, which celebrated its 200th birthday on 18 March, asks churchgoers to pray and give thanks for the world’s 1.6m seafarers.

Stuart Rivers, Sailors’ Society’s CEO, said: “Whether they know it or not, the people of Birmingham rely upon seafarers.

“More than 90 per cent of everything we own comes by sea – our clothes, phones, cars – even the bricks that make up our homes.

“All of these goods are brought into the country by seafarers who risk extreme loneliness, dangerous storms and even piracy.

“Holding a Sea Sunday service for Sailors’ Society is a fantastic way of recognising the amazing work seafarers do.”

More than 100 live apprenticeship opportunities will be on offer as part of a Residents’ Programme event next week.

The Skills and Apprenticeship Show will take place at Wolverhampton Racecourse, Gorsebrook Road, WV6 0PE, on Tuesday, March 27, between 4pm and 7pm.

It is free to anyone, whether you are leaving school, already a student or graduate, unemployed and seeking work, employed and looking to retrain or upskill, or simply wanting to find out more about apprenticeships in and around the City of Wolverhampton.

More than 30 employers and training providers from across the city will be at the event to showcase apprenticeships in engineering, hairdressing, construction, business admin, finance, health and social care, child care, nursing, management, and other sectors.

Councillor John Reynolds, City of Wolverhampton Council Cabinet Member for City Economy, said: “We work closely with city partners to develop apprenticeship opportunities across the city.

“The council itself employs a number of apprentices in a variety of departments and it has proved a very successful way to recruit staff.

"We have an ambitious long-term plan to encourage enterprise, empower people, reinvigorate our city and improve the prosperity of businesses and residents - and this event supports that.

“We're optimistic about the future of the city. It is a great place to live, learn and work."

Information will also be available on the higher/degree level apprenticeship, along with advanced and intermediate opportunities.

Career advisors from City of Wolverhampton College and Connexions will offer support on the day.

Attendees can also meet and learn more about the apprenticeships offered by City of Wolverhampton College, University of Wolverhampton, Royal Wolverhampton Hospitals NHS Trust, Wolverhampton Homes, NOVA, Performance Through People, BBC, NatWest, Mann & Hummel, City of Wolverhampton Council, MOOG, Greene King, Babcock, EEF, Express & Star, The Royal Navy and Marines, West Midlands Ambulance Service, Seesaw Nursery, plus many more.

Young people across Haringey will enjoy modern, high-tech facilities in a state of the art ‘Youth Zone’, after Haringey Council approved proposals for the centre to be built in the heart of Wood Green.

The £6.5million purpose-built Youth Zone, in partnership with young people’s charity OnSide, will offer daily affordable activities in sports, arts, music, employability and mentoring for young people aged eight to 19, or up to 25 for those with a disability.

Set to be built on an unused area within the grounds of Woodside High School, White Hart Lane, Haringey Youth Zone will provide over 20 different activities for more than 200 young people each evening, with a commitment to raising young people’s aspirations, enhancing prospects and improving health and wellbeing.

A new locally-led charity will be established to run the new Youth Zone, bringing on board a local team of youth and activity workers. £3m of the capital cost of creating the Youth Zone will be funded by the council, while a number of charitable funders committed to the future of Haringey and its young people will provide the remaining £3.5m.

The council will also contribute £250,000 per year towards running costs, with OnSide working to secure the first three years’ £950,000 annual revenue costs in full prior to opening through a combination of private sector support and charitable trusts and grants.

Plans for the Youth Zone were originally approved by Haringey’s Cabinet last year and Onside have worked closely with the council, community and schools to find the right site for the centre, which will operate in addition to the council-owned Bruce Grove Youth Centre.

Jamie Masraff, Project Director at OnSide Youth Zones said:

“Youth Zones are safe, inspiring and affordable places for young people to spend their leisure time and we are delighted that Haringey Council has partnered with us to bring one of our facilities to the area.

“We will be working closely with the local community to ensure that the Youth Zone will support all young people from across the borough, including harder-to-reach young people, particularly those from deprived backgrounds. We have every confidence that this offer for young people will provide a transformational experience, supporting and enhancing the current youth provision in the community.”

Haringey Council Leader, Cllr Claire Kober, said:

“This is a fantastic facility that will give young people from across Haringey the opportunity they deserve to access cutting-edge facilities that the council would simply be unable to provide without such an innovative partnership. I’m proud that we’ve been able to commit to making this investment in the borough’s young people in addition to funding we already provide for other youth services in the borough.”

Elma McElligott, Co-Headteacher of Woodside High School, said:

“Woodside High School is a firm supporter of the plans to develop a Youth Zone for Haringey, which will provide an incredible range of positive leisure-time activities for thousands of local young people who need access to a safe and inspiring environment outside of school hours. As well as benefiting the community, use of the Youth Zone’s facilities during the day time will help Woodside High School meet its priorities.”

Ashling Float, Volunteer Manager at local community organisation, Haringey Shed Company is excited to work in collaboration with the new OnSide Youth Zone to offer more opportunities to young people. She said:

“Here at Haringey Shed we work with a range of young people and families who all live locally, who flourish in engaging in our services and who want more. Despite our reach there are many families and young people who are not engaging in their community or in any extracurricular activities.

“We love the idea of more opportunities and safe places becoming available for the families and young people we work with, through a new Youth Zone. We look forward to continuing conversations and supporting exciting plans for Haringey’s young people.”

Launched in 2008 and based on a successful, tried and tested model, OnSide currently has a network of 10 Youth Zones in; Bolton, Manchester, Oldham, Blackburn, Wigan, Carlisle, Warrington, Wolverhampton, Wirral and Chorley. Three more Youth Zones in Barking and Dagenham, Barnet and Croydon are set open in 2019 and a number of other projects are at various stages of planning.