Community News

The £5.2million project is courtesy of a Heritage Lottery Fund grant as part of its nationwide ‘Parks for People’ initiative.

Thanks to National Lottery players, the focal point of the project will include a new two storey pavilion located in the centre of the park to replace the original refreshment rooms lost in the 1980’s. This will bring the community activity back into the centre of the park with the facility due to open to the public in January 2021.

This much anticipated restoration and revitalisation of West Smethwick Park will also include a comprehensive programme of targeted community and fitness activities ranging from dance, exercise, & martial arts classes, to environmental training exhibitions and community art projects with strong references to the history of the Chance Family Glass works. A contemporary new café will offer a good quality and value catering service on site, which reflects cultural and dietary needs.

Additionally, the new facility will be a welcoming environment for local schools and groups, as well as the local arts and heritage scene, plus there are plans to host mini sports festivals.

Sandwell Council’s cabinet member for leisure Councillor Bill Gavan said: “The new pavilion at West Smethwick Park is going to be a fantastic asset for the local community. The project as a whole is going to transform the park and a big part of that will be the new pavilion and the superb leisure, community and heritage opportunities it’s going to bring.

“It will also be a stone’s throw from the new aquatics centre and another great thing for Smethwick to look forward to. I look forward to seeing the new pavilion open to the public and being enjoyed as a place for fun, fitness and families.”

 Lynda Bateman, Chair of the SLT Board, says: “We are delighted to be awarded this exciting contract to manage what will be a fantastic new £5m+ leisure and community facility and legacy, located in the heart of West Smethwick Park from 2021. We continue to work hard in partnership with Sandwell Council to deliver the shared objectives of providing quality sport, leisure and community facilities and activity space for the whole neighbourhood to enjoy.

“One of the Council’s main aims is to make Sandwell’s green spaces highly valued, well used and a focus for community pride and this timely investment will breathe new life and potential into West Smethwick Park, strengthen our local communities and provide a great outdoor place for people to get together, relax and exercise.”

Thank you to everyone who attended on Friday evening at the ICC, from our sponsors, to our readers and everyone inbetween, and a massive congratulations to all of the award winners, we hope you had an amazing night.

Look out for photos coming soon!

Liz Topliss, 75, from Sutton Coldfield in the West Midlands, has won a national award for volunteering after leading a stroke group and supporting the stroke community in various roles for almost 40 years.

The Stroke Association’s ‘Life After Stroke Award for Volunteering’ was presented to Liz by Actress Elizabeth McGovern, at a ceremony at the Landmark hotel in London on 21 November 2018.

On hearing that she had won a Life After Stroke Award, Liz said: “I wasn’t expecting it and I feel very humbled and surprised. Stroke survivors are very inspiring people, so to be part of that community is an honour. It’s so encouraging to see such courage every day. Stroke has become a passion and it did take over my life – wherever I go I have my ‘stroke’ hat on.”

Liz decided to join the Sutton Coldfield stroke club after a close friend had a stroke. Unfortunately Liz had lost three of her grandparents to the condition and later on, in addition to running the club, she cared for her mother for nine years following a stroke.

Originally applying to volunteer as a driver for the club, Liz soon found herself on the committee before being made secretary of the club and eventually club organiser.

Liz said: “I ended up becoming a member of the committee almost by accident. I was there a couple of months before I was made secretary of the club. When the organiser resigned, I stepped up as I felt as Secretary, it was my role to keep things going for a few months.”

Remarkably, Liz was still leading the club 32 years later. With over 50 members and 25 volunteers, the club has become a life line for many people. Stroke survivors have said it’s a place they can find empathy and mutual support as well as stimulating activities including speech therapy, group outings, craft workshops and physiotherapy sessions.

Liz said: “One of the things that made the group such a success is that we didn’t look at people as stroke survivors but as people who enjoyed being together but just happened to have strokes. We would help our members have a go at things and in turn they could start living again.”

Liz retired from the organiser role in 2017 after over three decades but still maintains a close association to the club as one its Trustees.

As if managing a hugely successful stroke club wasn’t enough, in 2014 Liz also became a committee member for the UK Stroke Forum, a coalition of 30 organisations committed to improving stroke care in the UK. The annual conference attracts over 1,400 professionals from across the whole stroke pathway.

As a member of the scientific conference committee, Liz engages with stroke survivors and carers across the UK to ensure their concerns are being heard by professionals and other decision makers. She has also worked on various projects including developing a scientific session at the Forum to showcase the importance of difficult decisions at the end of life and how vital it is to engage carers.

Throughout her work, Liz has become fascinated with the brain and the priceless value of research especially in the field of vascular dementia, a condition often associated with stroke.

Liz said: “Working with professionals at the top of their game was a bit scary at first but everyone was very welcoming. Unfortunately, the resources just aren’t there to do everything we want to do. There isn’t enough provision for rehabilitation but things have changed a lot thanks to the work of the Stroke Association, they have put stroke on the map but there is still a lot of work to do.”

This year’s UKSF will be the last one for Liz who is the Lead Service User representative and the longest standing member on the committee.

Tony Banks who is head of Stroke Association conferences and events said: “This is our last year with Liz at the forefront of volunteering which will be such a huge loss to the stroke community. Everyone that has worked with Liz comments on how dedicated, knowledgeable and passionate she is – they can’t quite imagine the stroke world without her. We would like to wish her well with her retirement and hope she enjoys some well-earned downtime with her devoted husband Colin.”

Elizabeth, who presented Liz with her award said: “It is a real joy to be asked to give Liz this award. She is a remarkable volunteer who has so much drive and genuine determination to improve stroke care and the quality of life for stroke survivors. She is an inspiration after 40 years of loyal service to this amazing cause.”

Wolverhampton has marked the 100^th anniversary of then Prime Minister David Lloyd George delivering a famous speech at the city’s Grand Theatre.

The politician chose Wolverhampton to launch his general election campaign on November 23, 1918 – just days after the armistice was signed ending the First World War.

He took to the stage at a packed Grand Theatre to rapturous cheers and applause and told of his desire to “make Britain a fit country for heroes to live in”.

Lloyd George, dubbed ‘the man who won the war’, was considered a national hero at the time and huge crowds greeted him everywhere he went.

He came to Wolverhampton after being invited by the council to become an honorary freeman of the borough. As well as accepting the honour, he felt the West Midlands was the right place to launch his election campaign.

During his trip, he stayed with the Mander Family at their home – The Mount (now The Mount Hotel) - in Tettenhall Wood.

Now, exactly 100 years on, civic leaders have marked the anniversary with a special reception at the Grand Theatre.

Mayor of Wolverhampton, Cllr Phil Page, was joined by Emma Reynolds MP, fellow councillors, local historians and other invited guests to learn more about this fascinating chapter of Wolverhampton history.

Historian Jefny Ashcroft gave a talk about Lloyd George and Ottis Pickard, an actor from Wolverhampton Central Youth Theatre, re-enacted extracts of the famous speech.

Mayor, Cllr Phil Page, said: “Our city has such a rich history and we want to make more people aware of it. It is hugely significant that Lloyd George chose to come to Wolverhampton to make this famous speech and it was very important that we marked the anniversary.

“Our city has changed dramatically over the past 100 years, but our magnificent Grand Theatre, where Lloyd George took to the stage, is still thriving and I’m so pleased we were able to host the anniversary event there.”

The Wolverhampton Chronicle reported Lloyd George’s visit to Wolverhampton in detail, including the full text of the Prime Minister’s speech. The newspaper describes a packed Grand Theatre where the desire to see the Lloyd George was so great that some enthusiastic members of the audience obtained ‘seats’ on the rafters.

The article said: “Every available seat was rapidly occupied. As the Premier entered the theatre he was accorded a magnificent reception from the vast assembly, the people rose and cheered vociferously and the Premier stood and bowed, his face wreathed with smiles.”

Lloyd George continued as Prime Minister until 1922. He was Britain's chief delegate to the Paris Peace Conference that drafted the Versailles Treaty. In 1921 he secured the settlement that established the Irish Free State. In 1944 he was made Earl Lloyd George of Dwyfor. He died on 26 March 1945 at Ty Newydd, Llanystumdwy, Wales.

A magical evening of songs and festive readings is being held in St Martin’s Church in the Bullring to raise vital funds for Alzheimer’s Society.

Carols at Christmas takes place at St Martin’s Church by the Bullring in central Birmingham on Friday 14 December to support the charity’s work, challenging perceptions, funding research and improving and providing care and support.

Dementia is now the UK’s biggest killer, with someone developing it every three minutes.

Highlights at the event will include musical performances from Eternal Taal Bhangra Drummers, Redditch Community Gospel Choir, Magic Voices Choir and Singing for the Brain. There will also be plenty of well-known, sing-along festive favourites that everyone can join in with.

The event will be ‘dementia-friendly’ with stewards on hand who have completed Dementia Friends information sessions and there will be clear signs in the venue to help people find their way around.

Carolyn McDonald, Community Fundraiser for Alzheimer’s Society in Birmingham, Solihull, Coventry and Warwickshire said: “In 2019, Alzheimer’s Society will be 40 years old. From 1979, we have been fighting to improve the lives of everyone affected by dementia.

“We could not have come this far without the fantastic support we enjoy, but there’s still a long way to go before we win the fight against dementia.

“Too many are facing the condition alone without adequate support. We urgently need to find a cure, improve care and offer help and understanding for people affected.

“Proceeds from the event will help Alzheimer’s Society to ensure people living with dementia get the support they need now, and contribute towards vital research to help future generations.”

Carolyn added: “Coming together for a good cause will hopefully ensure that, one day, countless families across the country will be spared the emotional traumas and pressures that those living with dementia at Christmas often experience.

“We’re hoping people will bring along the whole family to unite in song against dementia.”

The University of Wolverhampton and Black Country Living Museum have launched a new education partnership to provide enhanced learning opportunities for communities across the Black Country.

The new Black Country Studies Centre will offer guest talks, taster courses, student placements and research projects, creating a unique learning proposition for the region which builds on the history of the Black Country.

The partnership will nurture enterprise and entrepreneurship with a view to developing employability skills, targeting the social needs of the local community to create opportunities, raise aspirations and encourage cohesion.

The two organisations have worked together for a number of years on joint educational programmes, offering a range of immersive learning experiences focusing on skills and resources that helped to shape the Black Country through a lifelong learning initiative called IgnitEd.

Professor Jackie Dunne, Deputy Vice-Chancellor at the University of Wolverhampton, said: “The provision of lifelong and life-wide learning opportunities is a core function of both the University and the Black Country Living Museum.

“We are committed to ensuring that the rich artistic and industrial heritage of the region is shared with our local communities and used to enrich lives, strengthen identity, raise aspirations and improve health and wellbeing.

“Both organisations have a significant presence within the Black Country, with strong links to our local communities, and the new Black Country Studies Centre will be ideally placed to offer enhanced learning opportunities for local people.”

Andrew Lovett, Director & Chief Executive at Black Country Living Museum, said: “The Black Country Studies Centre has been created to formalise our current relationship with the University. Together, through a programme of inspirational activities, we will continue to explore the history of the area and how that history informs our understanding of ourselves and our communities.”

A surprising majority of shoppers have confessed to stealing plastic carrier bags during their weekly shop, it has been revealed.

Despite the 5p plastic bag levy introduced by the Government in 2015, a survey collated by waste management agency, BusinessWaste.co.uk, shows that light-fingered shoppers are still sneaking bags past the scanners in a bid to avoid paying.

The survey, which covered 1,000 shoppers from across the UK, showed that 41% admitted to the theft of plastic bags at least once in the past 12 months, blaming shops who charge more than the minimum 5p amount set by the legislation.

One unabashed shopper added: “Most places charge 10p now - that’s just too much, especially when I’ve got a grand’s worth of them under the sink already!”

This appears to be a common attitude, with social media awash with jokes about plastic bag stashes being worth a small fortune after the charge came into effect - suggesting that households are well aware that bags should, and can, be reused.

However, those who avoid paying the levy despite hoarding plenty of bags at home highlight a misunderstanding of the purpose of the charge - in that it was introduced by the Government to encourage reuse of existing carrier bags, or a switch to a reusable product such as cotton shopping bags.

The move saw a dramatic reduction on the number of carrier bags issued in the year after the charge was introduced - down to 19 per person from 140, suggesting that Brits have responded to the financial disincentive and are adopting more eco-friendly shopping habits. However, 1.04 billion plastic bags were still sold by the seven major supermarkets in 2017-18 - and single use plastic bags can take up to 1,000 years to break down, meaning there’s still an enormous risk to the environment if shoppers don’t change their ways.

Mark Hall, Communications Director of BusinessWaste.co.uk, warned:

“Shoppers may resent paying for plastic bags - but the solution is certainly not to steal them! A cotton or jute tote bag is easy to keep in the car, your handbag, or by the front door and can be used hundreds of times. Of course, it means remembering to take it with you, but with a bit of preparation you never need to buy a plastic bag again - which is great, not only for the environment, but also for your wallet.”

Shoppers may soon find themselves more inclined to switch to reusable bags, as the Government has announced a consultation on the plastic bag levy, to take place at the end of this year. The consultation could see the charge rolled out to all retailers, not just supermarkets - and crucially, could see the minimum levy double to 10p per bag.

Hall added:

“With Government plans to further increase scope and cost of the plastic bag levy following the success of the initial 5p charge, it’s the perfect time for shoppers to make the switch over to reusable bags.

“Many people will have suitable bags lying around already, but they’re readily and cheaply available and, as with many lifestyle changes, once you’re used to taking a cloth bag with you, it’ll become second nature. A tiny amount of forethought could have an enormously positive environmental impact, and that is something we should all endeavour to spend an extra second or two on before we head to the shops.”

New research reveals that a record 8.7 million visitors came to the National Forest in 2017. As the total number of trees planted in the National Forest since the early 1990s now stands at 8.7 million, that's effectively one tree per visitor.

Visitor numbers have increased by 6.4% on the previous year, exceeding the average increase nationally, while the value of tourism to the Forest has also increased to £428m, sustaining more than 5,000 jobs for the first time.

John Everitt, Chief Executive, National Forest Company, said: “This is great news for the tourism industry within the National Forest. Tourism is the fastest-growing sector for the UK, and here in the heart of the country we are demonstrating how the creation of the National Forest is growing the economy as well as improving the environment and people's wellbeing. Where better to experience all the benefits of getting outdoors and being amongst trees and woodlands, than in a Forest that is easily accessible to 10 million people in our Midlands conurbations.”

The figures reported today cover the first year of the National Forest's ten-year Tourism Growth Plan, which was launched in 2017 and builds on 27 years of successful partnership working, to strengthen and grow sustainable tourism in the National Forest. The figures demonstrate excellent progress towards the Plan's goal of increasing spend and jobs by 15%.

The first expression of this ambition was the inaugural Timber festival in the National Forest, held in July this year. Over 4,000 people attended the three day camping festival, which was held amongst woodlands just outside Ashby de la Zouch and celebrated the transformative impact of trees and forests through the story of the National Forest.

Local craft ale and street food providers added to a lively programme of music, arts, talks and woodland activities, and local accommodation providers enjoyed extra business where festival-goers chose not to camp.

Timber gained four star reviews in The Guardian and five star Facebook reviews, and is nominated for several awards in its first year. Tickets are already on sale for next year's festival at www.timberfestival.org.uk

Everitt added: “This is a great start to our ambition to grow tourism and develop investment opportunities for green growth in the Forest. Through events such as Timber festival, we're showing how businesses can benefit from being within the National Forest, one of the UK's most accessible woodland destinations.”

Keen amateur artist Austin Clifford has won Sandwell's Hidden Treasures competition with a stunning drawing of an old chestnut tree in a local ancient woodland.

Austin, a keen sketcher, won the public vote in the competition run by Sandwell Council’s museums and arts service.

Austin, who lives in the Sandwell Valley area of West Bromwich, drew a tree he has seen daily on his walks through the woods – after increasing his walking to recover from a triple bypass heart operation in 2009.

He said: "I try to walk between four and six miles across the Valley before breakfast on five or six mornings a week."

He achieved a life-long ambition to walk the Camino Frances in North Spain, from St Jean Pied de Port, in the foothills of the French Pyrenees to Santiago de Compostela in Galicia, Northern Spain, in 2014 when he was 71 years of age.

“This was an opportunity to combine my love of walking and sketching," he said.

On his return, he published a book, Drawn Down the Way, of sketches and anecdotes of his experiences.

Austin knows the old chestnut tree – in the ancient woodland section of the Valley off Park Lane – very well. “I have been mentally drawing the trees for years and it took the Hidden Treasures competition to spur me into action,” he said.

His prize-winning entry was the most popular with people who voted online at the Discover Sandwell website or went to local libraries to vote for their favourite entry.

Austin, pictured with his winning entry and the award, said: “I was really delighted to have won the competition. I certainly did not expect to win it.”

Councillor Steve Trow, Sandwell Council’s cabinet member for culture and core council services, said: “This competition has helped to promote what wonderful hidden treasures we have in Sandwell as well as showcasing some very talented artists. I would like to thank everyone who entered and congratulations to Austin on his fantastic drawing.”

The competition was open to all amateur artists, schools and community groups. Entrants were asked to highlight their favourite building, open space, visitor attraction, walk and view of Sandwell.

Entries were displayed on the summer arts trail at Sandwell museums where visitors voted for their favourites. The winner from each of the four museum sites was then put to the public vote in the autumn to find the overall winner.

Next year’s arts trail theme will be All The Fun of the Fair – details will be announced in the spring.

After months of planning the very first Christmas at Beaulieu has opened to visitors with a switch-on of over a million lights in the grounds of the New Forest attraction.

Beaulieu has been transformed with over 11 individual installations on a mile-long shimmering trail. Over 437 theatrical lighting units have been put in place and 11 miles of power cable laid to create the magical Christmas at Beaulieu experience.

Lord Montagu said: “The gardens of Palace House are usually difficult to appreciate in the dark winter evenings, so this first illuminated trail is presenting the landscape in a new, magical light. The varied forms of illumination, changing scenes and music really accentuate the Christmas atmosphere in different ways throughout the grounds and gardens. I am looking forward to seeing people's faces light up as they make their way around the trail.”

Joni Marks, Chief Development Director at Raymond Gubbay Ltd which is collaborating on the light trail event with Beaulieu, said: “It has been a privilege to work closely with all the team at Beaulieu to create this wonderful new illuminated trail and we are looking forward to sharing Christmas at Beaulieu with the public now it is open.”

Visitors will marvel at the 200ft long Cathedral of Light with a tunnel of 30,000 bud lights and the Canopy of Lights with over 20,000 twinkling pea-lights. A musical installation set to the tune of The Twelve Days of Christmas will play over 2,200 times during the course of the event and Father Christmas and his elves will give 1,110 performances to greet visitors from the roof of Beaulieu's veteran bus.

Beaulieu Abbey, in the grounds of the attraction, is the perfect setting for the Fire Garden – an atmospheric installation with over 180 flickering torches which will use as many as 5,132 individually hand-made candles by Christmas.

Along the Icicle Walk, larger-than-life gleaming shards guide visitors towards the Meadow of Light where thousands of fibre optics light up the tree-lined Mill Pond Walk on the banks of the Beaulieu River. There are hidden surprises too – watch out for frosty snowflakes, shimmering stars and trees awash with seasonal colour.

A fabulous finale is waiting at the end of the trail with larger-than-life illuminated trees. Rising high into the night sky, visitors will finish the breathtaking trail with a cheerful Christmas blast of colour, sound and light.

The study of Brummies with beloved pets has revealed the close bond we have with the animals in our care.

When quizzed on the strength of their bond with their pet, 54 per cent said they preferred spending time with their fluffy friend more than a human companion.

And 22 per cent favoured quality time with their pet over their partner, according to new research conducted by dog-friendly Mercure Hotels.

And for good reason. Most pet owners see their animal as a positive influence on their well-being.

Fifty three per cent of pet owners in Birmingham find their pet works as a de-stressor after a tough day, and 56 per cent feel less alone when their pet is beside them.

And two thirds find their pet a calming presence in their home.

James Lys, General Manager for Mercure Stratford-upon-Avon, a very popular doggie hotel, said:  “Our pets are a huge part of our lives and can make our day to day richer than it would be without them.

“We have noticed a marked increase in guests who bring their pets, specifically their dogs, travelling with them to share in the experience.”

Seventy nine per cent of pet owners miss their pets when they travel away from home, and a quarter feel lost without their animal companion with them on the trip.

Though 38 per cent have brought their pet along for a trip at one time or another rather than leaving them at home.

And a third found the trip away from their usual surroundings made their pet more excitable than they normally would be.

Fifty one per cent think their trip could be made better with the presence of their furry friend.

If a hotel offered a service where you could keep your pet in your room during your stay, one in two pet owners would take the opportunity to bring their animals along.

When asked to consider the things they miss most about home when they go on a trip away, 17 per cent said their pet was the thing they missed most.

Though 42 per cent crave their own bed the most after a few nights away.

James Lys added: “We take time to get to know our guests and understand their needs so we can try and deliver personal and meaningful experiences.

“Being able to bring your dog when you’re away makes all the difference in the world to some of our guests, so that’s why Mercure hotels across the country now welcome dogs.

“It’s important to our guests so it’s important to us. We’ll create special menus and treats for guests’ dogs and our hotel teams have even been known to walk the dogs when their owners couldn’t.”

A Hamilton takeaway beat off competition from 30,000 restaurants and takeaways to be crowned the Just Eat Best Takeaway In Britain as the Asian Curry Awards. They have successfully defended this title for the second year running.

Mushtaq's Restaurant in Almada Street, was named the Best Takeaway in Britain.

Over 1,000 VIP guests attended a glittering gala dinner at The Great Room, Grosvenor House Hotel in London on Sunday 18th November, to honour the winners.

The awards were co-hosted by BBC TV presenter Babita Sharma and Tommy Sandhu from the BBC Radio Asian Network.

Chef Director Ajmal Mushtaq said, “It was overwhelming when it was announced that we had won the title of being the Best Takeaway in Britain.  This is great news for Hamilton and we are just honoured to have put Hamilton on the culinary map once again. We are really grateful for the love and support we have received from the people of Hamilton – they are the best!  My wonderful team deserve this great award. There is an incredible amount of hard work, skill and quality control that goes into making every meal the very best it can be and for Mushtaqs to be recognised at the highest level was a great achievement.”

Asian Curry Awards chairman Yawar Khan said, “The standard of takeaways across Britain continues to rise and it is an honour to be recognising Mushtaqs at the pinnacle of this industry. They run the most impressive takeaway service that I have ever seen.”

Graham Corfield, UK Managing Director of Just Eat said, "The curry industry is a multi-billion-pound sector thanks to the sheer hard work and dedication of every entrepreneur, restaurant owner, chef, waiter and delivery driver. I'd like to congratulate all the winners."

Yawar Khan added, “The judges were really impressed by Mushtaqs and their very high standards of hygiene, efficiency, flavour of food and their important role in the community.”

Head Chef Garry said, “I am just so delighted for the team. The competition was very tough indeed and this award is testament to the great work that goes on behind the scenes.  We are a team based here in Hamilton, and to be recognised at the highest level in the industry is a truly special feeling.”

Mushtaqs is officially the biggest takeaway operation and was featured on BBC2's Best of British Takeaways. Head Chef Ajmal was crowned Scotland's Chef of the Year at the Food Awards Scotland in August last year where he beat off competition from the best fine dining and Michelin trained chefs in the country.

Birmingham Hippodrome is urging people to dig deep during their annual festive fundraising campaign, aiming to raise £20,000 for Relaxed Performances. To achieve this ambitious target the theatre has joined The Big Give’s #ChristmasChallenge18, which will see all donations doubled for just seven days (27 November – 4 December).

Money raised will go towards the expansion of the theatre’s existing Relaxed Performance programme, enabling theatre-goers with Autism, Asperger’s Syndrome and special needs to experience the magic of live theatre.

The inclusive shows see loud noises and bright lights reduced, and house lights raised. Guests are free to walk in and out of the auditorium and if anyone wants to take a break there are calm spaces and sensory rooms nearby.

Birmingham Hippodrome staged its first Relaxed Performance in 2013, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Since then, thanks to the generosity and support of donors, volunteers and funders there has been12 other inclusive shows.

Vicki Darby, Relaxed Performance attendee, said: “I was so impressed with the way Birmingham Hippodrome include all types of disabilities with the use of audio, signing and captions available.

“I liked that staff were very visible with their sparkly hats handing out toys for children to choose and hold. The word searches and puzzles were great and kept my daughter busy while we waited to go in and then the performance was so perfect for them.”

Rob Macpherson, Director of Marketing & Development at Birmingham Hippodrome commented: “As a charity, fundraising support is essential to help us continue our Hippodrome Projects work with the community. Our Relaxed Performances are incredibly popular and by supporting this campaign you can help ensure even more people get to enjoy the magic of live theatre.

“I encourage everyone to donate as much or as little as they can remembering that all donations will be doubled!”

When the air is cold, and the sun isn’t shining it can be difficult to motivate yourself to get off your comfy sofa and stay active. However, your dog still needs exercise and stimulation in the autumn and winter months, no matter how cosy they look curled up by the fire! Exercise is vital for a dog’s physical and mental wellbeing and is also a crucial part of maintaining that special bond with your pooch.

Lintbells, manufacturers of natural supplements, has put together some handy tips on how to keep yourself motivated and active with your dog during the winter seasons:

Walkies!

The weather might not be very welcoming outside, but your dog will need to get outdoors and enjoy the fresh air – you’ll probably need it too.

When outside, be aware of those fallen conkers and acorns. While they are a wonderful part of the colder months, they can be harmful to dogs and can cause nasty stomach problems. Also watch out for the salt and other chemicals used to prevent ice on roads and pavements as this can be harmful to your pet. Don’t let this stop you from walking them, but always wash their paws when you get home.

It’s always best to walk your dog in the daylight, but if that isn’t possible with the nights drawing in earlier, stay safe and get high-visibility jackets for you both. You could even get your dog an LED jacket, making them both safe and the coolest dog in the neighbourhood!

Indoor Activities

When the weather is too cold to take your dog on a walk, make sure to keep them active indoors instead. Hide and seek is a brilliant activity, as it can be done safely even in the smallest homes. Hide yourself in a room away from your four-legged friend and shout “come” when you’re ready. Once your dog finds you, reward them with a treat!

You can even find fun, engaging toys that encourage them to bat, run, jump and play. When playing with pets indoors, be safe and make sure there are no dangerous items around that could injure your dog and yourself as well.

Agility Classes

Why not start a new hobby that is fun for both you and your dog? Agility courses can be indoor or outdoor, but either way you’ll keep warm with the amount of running you’ll both be doing. With tunnels, see-saws, hurdles, and other stimulating obstacles, your dog will have the time of their life all while staying active. Taking part in agility classes and competitions is also a great way to strengthen the bond you have with your pup further.

Stay Sociable

Making new friends while staying active as you walk or run around the park and play games can also be a good motivator. You could even turn it into a fitness group. Get your running shoes on, and off you and your four-legged friend go! Today, most phones have a health and fitness app that you can use to set a target number of steps or active time. Maybe even increase it every few weeks to give yourself an extra challenge. Having a target and making you and your dog’s workout a social experience, will make you far more motivated to get outside this winter.

Start a new health routine

Being less active, especially during the colder months, can give rise to stiff joints. Joint stiffness can be quite common in dogs, regardless of their age. So, this winter why not take a pledge to stay active and eat right to ensure you and your dog are getting all the right nutrients.

Asylum Art Gallery has become the first City of Wolverhampton project to benefit from a new pot of council match funding via the Crowdfund Wolves platform.

City of Wolverhampton Council is interested in funding a range of projects that contribute to improving places, spaces or residents’ quality of life.

The council will provide up to ten per cent of the total project costs to projects that have reached 50 per cent of their funding target on Crowdfund Wolves.

Asylum Art Gallery in Chapel Ash has been running for four years and is fundraising to continue offering free space for artists in the community to develop and showcase their artwork.

It has received £430 from the council, which is one of 57 Crowdfund Wolves backers that have so far pledged £3,854.

The project only needs to find another £431 to reach its goal by December 10.

City of Wolverhampton Council Cabinet Member for City Economy, Councillor John Reynolds, said: “Crowdfund Wolves is part of our approach to community engagement where we enable communities to support and develop the projects that they are passionate about.

“The council is delighted to be able to support the Asylum Art Gallery project and we look forward to helping many other projects towards their goals.

“We are hoping to see many more unusual, interesting and innovative projects to make the City of Wolverhampton even better.”

Asylum Art Gallery will use the funding to deliver mentoring and exhibition space for students, six more free places for local artists to exhibit, space for the Junction Festival to provide local music, free space for local artists workshops and local bands to rehearse and arrange events, a free workshop delivered by Royal College of Art students, and a safe space for people affected by mental health or disabilities to develop art.

Hannah Taylor of Asylum Art Gallery said: “We believe that regeneration is possible through culture and the renovation of unused spaces into public spaces. When people are given space, projects develop that benefit the entire community.

“Our crowdfunding campaign on Crowdfund Wolves if successful will enable us to continue giving the Asylum Art Gallery for free, inclusively to the community, and finish renovating our new studio spaces.

“We want to close the gap between institutions and the market and provide invaluable experience for artists to achieve and grow – keep creatives in the City of Wolverhampton!

Crowdfund Wolves is a website that connects people, communities and businesses to everything they need to make their idea a reality.

The council has joined with the Wolverhampton Voluntary Sector Council to develop the platform.

Anyone can back the great ideas on this site and play their part in bringing them to life. To view other projects head to: www.crowdfundwolves.co.uk. Online donations can start from as little as £2.

A free online tool being launched by Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce (GBCC) aims to cut through the “noise and confusion surrounding Brexit”.

The Business Brexit Health Check helps businesses find information on how Brexit may impact their organisation, tailored to answers they provide to in a questionnaire.

Businesses will also receive a personalised report which includes suggested steps for preparing for Brexit related risks or taking up opportunities.

According to research released by British Chambers of Commerce earlier this year, 62 per cent of businesses in the West Midlands had yet to undertake a risk assessment on the impact of Brexit on their business.

Henrietta Brealey (pictured), director of policy and strategic relationships at the GBCC, said: “We are starting to get more and more questions from businesses on what they can do to start preparing for Brexit now. You asked – and we delivered. There are thousands of pages of Brexit related advice, guidance and news reports published each day. With this tool we’re aiming to cut through the noise and confusion surrounding Brexit and get businesses the practical information they need to ramp up their preparations.

“The recent huge uncertainty regarding the proposed Withdrawal Deal has highlighted how important it is for businesses to be as informed and prepared as possible. As it stands, there’s only just over 18 weeks until the UK leaves the European Union, 29 March 2019, which is not long at all in business planning terms.

“This tool shows businesses where they may be exposed to Brexit related changes and signposts to relevant Chamber materials highlighting what we know so far about two key scenarios on the table: the draft withdrawal deal and a “no-deal” Brexit.

“While clarity on the final Brexit outcome remains elusive there are practical steps that businesses can take now to understand how Brexit may impact their business and reduce their exposure to potential risks.

“Of course, while comprehensive, this tool cannot cover every possible Brexit related impact for businesses. But it does provide a lot of useful insight into the core areas exposed to Brexit related change for the majority of businesses and will be continually updated with the latest available information.”

Ms Brealey added: “I’d particularly like to extend my thanks to our GBCC Brexit Advisory group for their support in creating this resource. Their expert guidance has been invaluable.”

The GBCC Brexit Advisory Group is a sounding board of Brexit experts and business representatives who act to inform the GBCC’s Brexit activity. Current members include:

• Clare Francis, Partner, Pinsent Masons
• Jennifer Crisp, Public Affairs Manager, University of Birmingham
• Mark Modena, Director, Winning Moves
• Martin Hanson, Regional Director Business Banking, HSBC
• Omer Simjee, Partner, Constantine Law
• Paul Knobbs, EU and Large Projects Partner, Aston University
• Richard Guy, Co-Founder and Joint MD, SimkissGuy Recruitment
• Rick Grain, MD, Effigy Blinds
• Rachael Badger, Business Development Manager, RSM
• Steve Brittan, Business Advisor, BSA Tools Ltd