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Network Rail has teamed up with Thomas the Tank Engine to help educate children about railway safety.

The 'Stay Safe with Thomas’ book sees the mischievous Thomas misbehaving on the railway - putting both himself and his friends in danger.

Thomas learns valuable lessons on the dangers of not stopping at a level crossing when the red light shows, leaving gates open to allow animals on the tracks, and when people stand too close to the edge of a platform.

Network Rail, along with British Transport Police, hopes the book will encourage parents to discuss rail safety with their young children to help keep them safe when they are on or near the railway.

The books will be distributed to local schools, libraries, nurseries and doctors’ surgeries across the country.

A free, electronic version of the book will be available to download, from mid-October 2018, at www.networkrail.co.uk/thomas.

Allan Spence, head of public and passenger safety at Network Rail, said: “The railway is full of both obvious and hidden dangers. By offering parents an engaging and fun way to talk to their children at a young age about safety on the railway, we hope children will grow up knowing the dangers and keep themselves and their friends safe.”

Superintendent Susan Peters of British Transport Police said: “We are delighted to be collaborating on this initiative, our focus is keeping people safe and working with such a well-known children’s television character is exciting. This Thomas the Tank engine story book gives us an engaging and accessible way to ensure essential safety messaging is reaching young children. Although BTP runs activity through the year to educate the public of the seen and unseen dangers in and around the railway tracks, we hope that being able discuss this subject through the use of these books will make our safety messages go further.”

Senior regional licensing manager, publishing at Mattel Consumer Products, Maribel Le Gelebart, said: “We are thrilled to be partnering with Network Rail on the launch of the Stay Safe with Thomas storybook.  Thomas & FriendsTM has been teaching life lessons for over 70 years through storybooks as well as its exciting content and product ranges. So, it was a natural fit to collaborate on a rail safety storybook which leverages and reinforces the brands’ key values of friendship, teamwork and safety.”

The launch of the story book comes off the back of the ‘You vs Train’ campaign, ran by the rail industry and the British Transport Police (BTP), which targeted older children and teenagers to warn them of the dangers of the railway and that it isn’t a playground.

In the last five years, the number of young people taking risks on the railway has gone up by almost 80 per cent.

Sandwell Council has unveiled an initial site plan and design principles for a new leisure centre development in Smethwick – which include an urban park, children’s play area and changing facilities for football teams.

The new aquatics centre will host the swimming and diving events for the 2022 Commonwealth Games – as well as serving Smethwick as a world class leisure centre for decades to come.

It will have an Olympic-sized competition swimming pool, a 25m diving pool, sports hall, gyms and a cycling studio.

The site, at Londonderry Playing Fields, will also have hundreds of parking spaces while trees and paths around the site will be preserved and improved.

A full planning application will follow later in the winter, which will include a public consultation.

Sandwell Council’s cabinet member for leisure and the Commonwealth Games Councillor Bill Gavan said: “We’re now getting close to the planning application being finalised.

“We’ve outlined what we want to do with the site, which includes a new urban park, keeping and improving a football pitch and building new team changing rooms as well as a brand-new outdoor children’s play area – not to mention the fantastic facilities we’ll have inside the building.

“It’s exciting for us to be hosting an international event while creating a building that’s going to deliver top-class leisure opportunities for local people.”

Leader of Sandwell Council, Councillor Steve Eling, said: “Smethwick desperately needs new leisure facilities – the big public survey we did last year told us that.

“We’ve worked hard to identify a suitable site that is not green-belt and to draw up plans that retain this as a green space combined with what will be a fantastic leisure facility.

"It’s a huge honour for us to be hosting the swimming and diving events for the 2022 Commonwealth Games and not only that, for us to have the opportunity to build the best possible leisure centre we can for Smethwick.”

The new leisure facility will also include as a minimum:

  • An Olympic-sized competition swimming pool, a 25m diving pool, and a community pool;
  • 1,000 spectator seats;
  • Diving and swimming events for the Games in 2022;
  • Three activity studios;
  • Minimum of 8-court sports hall;
  • 125-station gym;
  • 25-station ladies-only gym;
  • Indoor cycling studio;
  • Dry-dive facility;
  • Sauna/steam room; and a
  • Café

The depths of winter might seem far away but new research by E.ON has revealed that the Autumn blues have hit as nearly half (45%) of people from Birmingham admit to having lower energy levels and needing a recharge.

All the statistics add up to this week being the most fatiguing over the year, with 49% of people from Birmingham feeling more drained this year compared to last – with a quarter (25%) saying this is because we’ve not had time to recharge our mind, body or soul. A third (33%) found October one of the most draining months, with the main reason for this being family stress (45%) or UK politics (29%).

Brits are more likely to search online for ‘relaxation’ in October than at any other time of the year, research from Google has revealed, and over a third (34%) of those in Birmingham say the wet and windy autumnal weather is one of the main reasons for their seasonal drop in energy levels.

Eating unhealthily (22%) and not exercising (13%) also make people feel drained, which is why E.ON has partnered with broadcaster Melanie Sykes, known for her passion for health and wellbeing, to share her tips on how you can recharge your energy levels.

Melanie Sykes says: “For some, October is traditionally a pretty miserable month and can feel quite flat at times. The weather’s getting wetter, days are getting darker and there are no bank holidays to look forward to until Christmas; which is three months away! But rather than resigning yourself to months of feeling drained and miserable, why not look at the ways you can turn the change of season to benefit you now, and for the rest of the year?”

Belinda Moore, Marketing & Communications Director at E.ON UK, adds: “As the research suggests we all need an extra recharge in the autumn. Not only do we need to recharge our own mind, body and soul, but it’s also important to ensure we keep the heart of our homes, the boiler, in good service too. While energy is essential to our lives we wanted to showcase the amazing things people can do with energy which is why we’re bringing the Recharge Retreat to London with Melanie. Her can-do attitude, coupled with our innovative energy solutions, should help recharge people’s batteries this autumn making their lives that bit easier.”

Melanie Sykes’ top tips to recharge your batteries

·         Get creative in the kitchen: After a busy day, it might seem much easier to order a takeaway rather than cook something fresh for dinner. However, spending time in the kitchen creating and preparing food – whether that’s a bowl of a pasta for one or a family meal – can be a great way to relieve stress and wind down for the evening. The best part of this is you can use all-natural ingredients to ensure you get the healthy kick you need this autumn.

·         The literary prize: Reading is the perfect chance to escape those autumn blues and transport yourself into another world. It doesn’t matter where I am; in the house or on the commute, a good book gives me the chance to take time out of the day to relax!

·         Bring warmth to your relaxation: Surprisingly, only 2% of people from Birmingham said a spa was their favourite place to relax, with the number one spot being at home. Make sure your home is cosy by using a smart thermostat, like tado° from E.ON, to ensure its nice and toasty for when you arrive home.

·         Turn feeling down into a downward dog: With 45% of people from Birmingham admitting to having low energy levels this time of year, one solution to recharge batteries is to start practising yoga. Yoga is not only great for your body, but also your mind, as it provides the perfect opportunity to meditate while you pose, leaving me feeling refreshed after every session.

·         The final piece of the puzzle: Relaxation can come from simply distracting yourself. Personally, I find solving a jigsaw puzzle with my family the perfect way to recharge my batteries and feel a fun sense of achievement once we’ve finished a puzzle. In the wet and windy autumnal weather why not challenge your friends to complete a jigsaw with you?

To provide some help with an energy boost this October, Melanie is working with E.ON to launch the Recharge Retreat from Wednesday 17th to Friday 19th October at London’s South Bank. Visitors can take a little time out of their busy days for meditation led by Roxie Nafousi, a quick workout from fitness guru Roger Frampton or a soulful cooking lesson with Jasmine Hemsley while enjoying a revitalising juice or smoothie from the Detox Kitchen, all while overlooking the Thames.

Lightwater Valley will be staging a spectacular fireworks finale on Saturday, 3rd November.

Taking place from 5pm visitors will be able enjoy a 10-minute fireworks finale set above the theme park's picturesque Swan Lake.

The display, which will be choreographed to music, is included in the admission price and will provide the perfect ending to a day out at the North Yorkshire attraction.

With over 35 rides and attractions for thrill seekers of all ages, Lightwater Valley Theme Park is one of the UK's most popular theme parks.

Among its signature rides is the 1.5 mile long Ultimate rollercoaster – the longest coaster ride in Europe - and the Eagle's Claw aerial ride.

Visitors can take to the skies in the grip of the Eagle's Claw, venture into the underground world of Raptor Attack, see the park from a whole different viewpoint aboard Black Pearl and then hop on Apollo and take a spinning ride above the tree tops.

There's the chance to enjoy wet 'n' wild fun on the Wild River Rapids, and swashbuckling adventures aboard speedy Skull Rock and the tummy-tickling Flying Cutlass. Plus jump around on the huge Jumpin' Jack's bouncy pillow.

There is plenty for younger visitors to enjoy as well including the Lightwater Express train ride around the park, Eagle's Creek Farm tractor ride with animals as well as play areas indoors and out!

Did you know Porthcawl is hosting a brand new fire and water festival this half term? The sizzling event will celebrate the spirit of the sea, jam-packed with flaming excitement. From world record attempts, to fire eating, dancing and juggling, here's what you won't want to miss.

Witness a world record attempt on water

Watch history unfold as 200 surfers attempt to break the world record for the most people surfing at once. Kicking off Porthcawl's Fire and Water event, this world record attempt is not to be missed. With the current record standing at 120, there's never been a better reason to come along and hop on a surf board!27th October, 9am, Sandy Bay. Time will be weather and surf permitting.

Enjoy an afternoon of beach themed adventure

Join SeaQuest and National Marine Aquarium for an afternoon of family fun on 27th. Toast up a marshmallow for an indulgent smore, learn to build your own beach shelter, discover fascinating marine artefacts washed ashore and take part in an epic beach clean blitz! If you've still got energy, why not get hands on and make a microbead mosaic?1pm-5pm, times may vary according to weather.

Everything from street theatre to wellie wanging

Enjoy an afternoon jam-packed with entertainment. Keep your eye on the beach for sand art bought to you by the Awen Cultural Trust, or test yourself with a flags competition hosted by Sker and Pink Bay SLSQ. If you'd like to try something new, get your boots on and try a wellie wanging competition later in the day!All taking place between 1pm and 5pm. These times are weather dependent and may be subject to change.

Witness Seaquest's epic Night Surf

See the action as surfers battle it out on the floodlit waves. 6pm-9pm

Feel the heat with a night of flames and Grand Finale

Porthcawl's Fire and Water event will continue with a night of flames. Expect an extravagant firework display and performances from world-travelled FlameOz, throughout the course of the evening. FlameOz will not only be dancing and juggling with fire - they'll even be eating it! 27th October, 8.30pm, Sandy Bay.

Immersive surf experience

Step on a virtual surfboard and try virtually riding the waves of Rest Bay without getting wet! If paddle boarding is more your thing, SUP through the harbour in the stunning autumn sunshine. This innovative immersion room experience will come to Trecco Bay for half term from 27th October.

Snap away with Porthcawl's brand new selfie-board!

To get you warmed up for the event, Porthcawl is launching a brand new selfie-board nearby. Take a selfie in front of a giant 10m x 2.4m selfie board at the Rest Bay Watersports Centre site, when it launches this weekend. Snap away in front of the brand new feature and use the hashtags #DiscoverPorthcawl and #DarganfodPorthcawl to share it with your friends.

Ms. Sangita Reddy, Vice President of FICCI and Joint Managing Director of the Apollo Hospitals Group, said in New Delhi, India, today that corporate India will stand up and recognize the meritocracy of the LGBTQ+ community within the overarching ambit of inclusiveness and equality.

Speaking at the first National Dialogue: “Queering the Pitch – Agents of Change,” organized by The Lalit Suri Hospitality Group in partnership with the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), Ms. Reddy said: “Corporate India is ready. We stand for inclusiveness.” She, however, cautioned that this change movement should be handled with sensitivity and positively so that it is kept on the right direction.

Mythology Guru and Author, Mr. Devdutt Pattanaik, expounded on relevance of love and inclusiveness, stating that Indian culture and tradition enjoin equality amongst all sexes – male, female and transgender and more – in the face of socially constructed norms associated with their birth sex.

Mr. Pattanaik said, “Where there is fear, there is exclusion; when people don’t accept inclusiveness, they fail to experience the divine”, and added, “To realize God, you have to love.” He said that businesses are all about giving back to society and therefore one cannot separate industry from society and society from nature.

The dialogue followed the launch of the Keshav Suri Foundation (KSF) by Dr. Jyotsna Suri, Chairperson and Managing Director, The Lalit Suri Hospitality Group and Past President, FICCI.

Dr. Suri said that the time was ripe to accept, embrace and empower the LGBTQ+ community. The landscape for the community had changed with the reading down of Section 377 of the IPC by the Supreme Court, she said and added that KSF was a unique platform where relevant people can engage in a meaningful dialogue about the extremely marginalized LGBTQ community. “We need to break the stereotyped image of the community, accept them socially and mainstream them professionally and economically,” she emphasized.

KSF has become the official affiliate of ‘It Gets Better India’, a global platform to uplift, empower and connect the LGBTQ+ community through storytelling and community building. With over 60 million views online, this campaign has been one of the most successful social campaigns in modern history. The ‘It Gets Better India’ campaign has seen personalities such as Barack Obama, Stephen Colbert & organizations such as Google, Apple and various others participate in spreading positive messages that encourage queer youth to live their truth, with pride and dignity.

Mr. Keshav Suri, Executive Director, The Lalit Suri Hospitality Group, said, “The Foundation aims to equip our people with skills to enable them to lead meaningful lives. It is time to queer the pitch”. It builds on the success of the ‘It Gets Better campaign’ and will seek to provide employable skills to the community and sensitize organizations on more diverse and inclusive practices.

A memorial stone to a “fearless” First World War hero from Wolverhampton has been unveiled – exactly 100 years to the day that he performed a remarkable act of bravery on the battlefield.

Cpl Roland Elcock, of the Royal Scots Regiment, ran alone towards firing enemy machine-guns in Capelle-St. Catherine, France, in 1918.

He got to within 10 yards of the enemy guns, which had been causing heavy casualties, put them out of action, captured five prisoners and saved the British advance from being held up.

Later that day, near the River Lys, he again attacked an enemy machine-gun and captured the crew.

In recognition of his bravery, Elcock was awarded the Victoria Cross – the highest award for gallantry – and the official citation described him as “absolutely fearless”.

All 469 British soldiers who were awarded a VC during the First World War are having a memorial stone laid in the town of their birth as part of the national centenary commemorations of the conflict.

Elcock, who was born in the Heath Town, Wolverhampton, in 1889, had his stone unveiled at the cenotaph in St Peter’s Square, Wolverhampton City Centre, today at a ceremony attended by his grandchildren and civic and military dignitaries.

His granddaughter, Christine Kinsella, who lives in Stoke-on-Trent, said: “My grandfather must have been absolutely fearless, he was only 19 at the time. The family are all so very proud, there aren’t many people who can Google their grandfather and find what we have found.

“It has been a very proud and emotional day. He was a very shy and modest man and I think he would have been embarrassed by all the fuss that has been made over him, but he deserves it – this is his day.”

Grandson Dominic Owen, who lives in Northern Ireland, followed in his grandfather’s footsteps. He said: “On hearing my grandfather had the Victoria Cross, when I left school the only thing I wanted to do was follow in his footsteps and I joined the Royal Scots. He was a big inspiration and I’m so proud of him, I don’t think I was as brave as him though. I served a good few years, I saw active service in Northern Ireland and The Gulf and it was a wonderful career.”

Councillor Phil Page, Mayor of the City of Wolverhampton, said: “Roland Elcock is a true war hero, his bravery on the battlefield 100 years ago was nothing short of astonishing.

“He was rightly awarded the Victoria Cross for his gallantry and this memorial stone will ensure his memory lives on.”

Councillor Linda Leach, chairwoman of the City of Wolverhampton Remembrance Committee, said: “In this centenary year of the end of the First World War, it is fitting that we have remembered Roland Elcock VC, a Wulfrunian who demonstrated such amazing gallantry on the field of battle.

“Elcock returned to Wolverhampton to a heroes’ welcome and newspaper stories from the time describe thousands of cheering citizens and a civic reception in his honour. Elcock sounds like a typically modest Wolverhampton chap, he did not boast about his actions and felt he had done no more than duty to king and country required.”

After the war, Elcock worked at Wolverhampton Corporation Electricity Department and later moved to India finding employment in the post and telegraph service. He was promoted to the Director-General of Posts and Telegraphs on the North-West Frontier.

During World War Two he achieved the rank of Major in the British Indian Army. He died of ill health at Dehra Dun, India, on 6th October 1944 where he is buried.

In August this year, a memorial stone was unveiled in honour of Wolverhampton’s only other First World War VC holder, George Onions, at Oxford Street in Bilston.

Tricks and treats at Birmingham Museums this October half term holiday are guaranteed to entertain the whole family. Here’s a full rundown of the spooky goings-on at all of the Birmingham Museums sites.

Halloween fun at Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery

Come along to Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery for frights and delights for little ones from Saturday 27th October – Sunday 4th November.

There’s something different to enjoy every day, with activities, trails and wonderful collections, it’s a fun-packed week at the museum. You can make spooky masks, get hands on with creepy objects in the collection or get your photo taken in the portrait booth of fear.

On 31st October visit the museum for Family Halloween Day. See the museum dressed ready for some spooky goings-on and join in with lots of great and ghoulish activities. Come along in your best Halloween costumes and enjoy the fun.

To kick off the half term week on Saturday 27th October Michelin starred Chef Glynn Purnell will be at the museum to celebrate his new children’s book - The Adventures of Whoops the Wonder Dog. From 11am-1pm proud Brummie Glynn will be signing copies of his first children’s story book, inspired by his beloved Jack Russell Terrie Whoops who sadly passed away earlier this year. He will then be reading his story alongside illustrator Ashley King, who will be demonstrating his drawings from the book.

Plan your visit to Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery at birminghammuseums.org.uk/bmag/whats-on.

 

Spooky Science Week at Thinktank, Birmingham Science Museum

At Thinktank prepare for a week full of spooky fun, from Saturday 27th October to 4th November. Take part in the scary slime lab, learn how to build your own monster or try and find the witch’s house in an interactive storytelling session.

You can also get creative with one of the Halloween-themed crafts, along with enjoying four floors of fascinating hands-on displays on science and technology, including the science garden and Planetarium.

For something extra special the museum will be opening its doors after hours for a Spooky Science Night on Sat 27th October, 6-9pm. During this magical evening children can get dressed as their favourite creepy creature and take part in eerie experiments. There’s also the chance to enjoy the science of fright show, dance the night away at the Silent Zombie Disco, and take part in lots more tricks and treats. Come in fancy dress to be entered into a fantastic prize draw on the night! For more details and tickets visit birminghammuseums.org.uk/thinktank/whats-on.

 

 

Halloween happenings at the Heritage Sites

 

Visit one of the Birmingham Museums Heritage Sites for hair-raising adventures throughout the half term holiday.

Take a ghostly tour of Aston Hall, one of Birmingham’s most haunted buildings, on Tuesday 30th October and Thursday 1st November. This daytime tour guided by a friendly member of the team means the whole family will have a frightfully good time!

On Wednesday 31st October Aston Hall’oween will see the Hall transformed into a haunted mansion with a children’s pumpkin trail and a chance to see a witch trial.

Travel back to some of history’s most terrifying periods and find out about the great plaque at Blakesley Hall from Tuesday 30th October to Friday 2nd November. On Tuesday you can make ghoulish masks and try out some pumpkin racing and on Thursday there will be creepy crawly crafts.

Museum of the Jewellery Quarter is giving visitors the chance to explore the abandoned Smith & Pepper factory with a spooky makeover on Wednesday 31st October. Explore this atmospheric museum with the help of costumed guides and the haunted factory trail.

Do you dare to explore the spooky cellars at Soho House? From Wednesday 31st October to Thursday 1st November help hunt down all the bats which have escaped around this Georgian house with your flashlight and watch out for creepy goings-on that lurk the rooms.

Sarehole Mill has fun trails and crafts throughout the week and on Friday 2nd November visit Weoley Castle to create terrifying gargoyle masks.w

Visitors will be able to discover the largest collection of Turner Paintings ever to visit Oxfordshire.

Works in the collection include 'Untitled, a view of Oxford from Headington Hill', various Lecture diagrams and many more of Turner's famous artworks.

Turner painted 'Blenheim, Oxfordshire' in 1833, the aspect depicting the 'Finest View in England' in his Picturesque Views in England and Wales series. Visitors will be able to see a print of this iconic image at Blenheim Palace.

The paintings will be exhibited in the opulent State Rooms and set amongst the priceless heritage of the Palace.

Items from this collection are kindly on loan from the Tate, Ashmoleon Museum and University of Oxford. This is an unmissable opportunity for visitors to see an extensive Turner collection set within the landscape that Turner has painted.

A master of history, landscape and marine painting, he challenged the style of the old masters, trailblazing in technique and subject matter.

Described as the 'father of modern art' by John Ruskin, Turner often shocked his contemporaries with his loose brushwork and vibrant colour palette while portraying the development of the modern world unlike any other artist at the time.

It is no wonder that Turner became the most celebrated painter in England and that over one hundred and fifty years later, we celebrate contemporary artists of the same innovating spirit through the aptly named Turner Prize.

Legendary composer Hans Zimmer has announced a spectacular new tour, ‘The World of Hans Zimmer’, set to tour the UK in March 2019, visiting Arena Birmingham on Thursday, March 21st, 2019.

Under the direction of Gavin Greenaway, Hans Zimmer’s soundtrack conductor – whom, he says, he trusts more than he trusts himself – a large symphony orchestra will deliver an intense and unforgettable concert experience in arenas around the country, including London’s iconic Wembley Arena.

In contrast to the renowned “Hans Zimmer Live” tour, where the sound focuses on Zimmer’s band and the electronic sounds of the music, “The World of Hans Zimmer – A Symphonic Celebration” will present the composer’s works arranged for a live symphony orchestra for the very first time. Zimmer spent months working on transforming his soundtracks into opulent concert suites, curating a stunning, genre-defying stage show but leaving the actual live performance to Greenaway.

The Oscar, Grammy and Golden Globe Award winner is undoubtedly one of the best-known and influential film score composers of our time. His powerful soundscapes have shaped contemporary cinema like those of no other composer. His soundtracks have endowed a nearly endless list of blockbuster productions with drama and emotional depth: The Lion King, Gladiator, Pirates of the Caribbean, The Da Vinci Code, The Dark Knight, Inception and Interstellar are just a few of the most famous films he has scored. In January 2018, Hans Zimmer received his 11th Oscar nomination for the breath-taking film score of Christopher Nolan’s box-office hit Dunkirk.

The concerts themselves will see Zimmer’s hugely influential soundtracks presented it in a less elite world, offering fans young and old the chance to experience the legendary composer’s work in an exciting new way, in what promises to be a spectacular.

Many homeowners take their electrics for granted. Faulty electrics can be one of the most dangerous, yet invisible, risks to the home which is why it is imperative to hire qualified, registered contractors who will be able to complete any work to a safe and high standard.

According to research by NICEIC, the UK’s leading name for registered electricians, as little as seven per cent of homeowners in the UK would think to check professional accreditation bodies before hiring a tradesperson. Instead, 30% would take their friends word as a justified recommendation.

Aligned to this, a worryingly 57% of homeowners would feel confident enough to have a go at tackling DIY jobs around the house without any prior experience, with 38% admitting they would even dabble in electrics.

Darren Staniforth, technical expert at NICEIC, said: “It’s shocking to see that so many homeowners will happily hire an electrician without checking for any professional accreditation. Unfortunately, this is something that we have seen a lot of in recent years, with many taking to social media to ask for help.

“While it’s all well and good asking friends for advice, homeowners need assurance that any tradesperson visiting their home is competent to carry out the work required and that their work has been checked and assessed by a recognised approval body. NICEIC-registered electricians provide the ultimate assurance and peace of mind.”

Top four reasons to hire a registered electrician:

1.    Cheapest is not always the best

Using an approved tradesperson provides additional assurances that the work will be carried out safely and to the appropriate regulations. You should always get at least three quotes for all work to contrast and compare – but remember, the cheapest is not always the best.

2.    Ensuring safety and competence

NICEIC registered electricians are assessed to the highest standards. They undergo a rigorous assessment process, as well as being re-assessed on a regular basis to ensure continued compliance.

3.    Compliance with building regulations

Part P of the building regulations requires certain electrical work carried out in the home to be notified to your local building control authority (England and Wales only).

If the homeowner cannot produce the right evidence to prove that the electrical work has been carried out in accordance with the building regulations, then your local building control may insist that the work is re-done at the homeowners cost.

In addition, not having the appropriate certification may cause problems when it comes to selling your home further down the line.

A straightforward way of meeting the requirements is to use an electrician who is registered with a competent person scheme such as NICEIC. They can self-certify the work and notify the local building control department on your behalf.

4.    Platinum Promise

All NICEIC registered businesses are covered by the Platinum Promise – a guarantee that protects the homeowner against all non-compliant installation work. Should any work carried out by a NICEIC registered contractor be found to not comply with the Building Regulations, they can be instructed to return and complete the work to the required standard.

The National Pet Show has just announced a raft of fantastic new animal-mad features for next month’s show, together with more special guests and organisations added to the bill…

Guinness World Records Editor-in-Chief, Craig Glenday will be hosting a show-stopping parade of four-legged record breakers and their owners. They include Lynne Land and her poodle, Mojo (Most rotations by a dog on the hind legs in 30 seconds), Rachael Grylls and her skipping Jack Russell, Jessica (Most skips by a dog and person in one minute-single rope), plus Hagrid the giant shaggy Leonberger (Fastest time to catch 10 items by a dog)!

Also new on the 2018 VIP list is Doug the Pug Therapy Dog whose owner, Cate, will be speaking about his vital role in transforming people’s lives in hospitals, schools and care homes. Doug will feature in the ‘Hound Hangout’ alongside a cast of social media’s brightest doggy celebrities and Insta-pooches who can’t wait to meet their two-legged fans!

Other highlights include Supervet Noel Fitzpatrick who will inspire young visitors at his specially built ‘Noel’s Ark’. He will also be doing a book signing at the show, following the release of his brand new book Listening to the Animals: Becoming the Supervet. Wildlife fanatic and TV presenter Michaela Strachan will host SuperDogs Live (a jaw-dropping live extravaganza celebrating the nation’s love of dogs) and signing copies of her wonderful book Michaela Strachan's Really Wild Adventures.

Newly announced for the amazing Animal Rescue Barn are Manchester and Cheshire Dogs’ Home and the Greyhound Trust who work tirelessly to find perfect, forever homes for our four-legged friends. These two inspiring charities will be rehoming as many animals as possible during two marathon weekend sessions. Bring it on!

Stuntdogs & Animals Ltd will also wow the crowds. This crack team are in demand internationally for their ‘animal whispering’ techniques on blockbuster films and TV shows such as Fantastic Beasts, Kingsman, Poldark, Beauty and the Beast, and Vanity Fair. Look out for them in massive upcoming releases Spider-Man and Aladdin! They, and their furry charges, will be demonstrating a series of awe inspiring activities and tricks at the show.

The National Pet Show is the purrfect opportunity for visitors to treat themselves and their pets with the ultimate pre-Christmas shopping experience. Amazing gift ideas (for the pet who’s got everything) abound throughout the show, with such luxuries as beautiful pure wool dog beds, scrumptious top of the range pet treats and even ‘pawsecco’ fizz for dogs and cats (yes, you heard us right!). Alternatively, for smaller, bespoke or exclusive stocking fillers the show’s Marketplace area promises to be an Aladdin’s cave of goodies for pets and pet lovers alike.

With all this, and even more to be announced, The National Pet Show is the ultimate weekend event in celebration of all things pets!

A group of women from the Royal Airforce have been jointly awarded at the annual Women of the Year Luncheon and Awards ceremony held in Birmingham today, in honour of their centenary year.

Accepting the Women of Achievement Award 2018 on behalf of the women of the Royal Airforce was Air Vice Marshall Tamara Jennings.

Prior to the award being presented, 2017 Business Woman of the Year winner Fleur Sexton gave a speech in which she spoke of her achievements over the past twelve months since winning the award.

The women take over from the current holders who were also a collective of women from across the Emergency Services, who received the award in recognition of their leadership and dedication in the face of the terrorist atrocities in Manchester and London and the terrible tragedy at Grenfell Tower.

Former winners of the Woman of Courage or Achievement Award include Martine Wright, who overcame the horrific loss of both of her legs in the 7/7 terrorist bombings of 2005 to rebuild her life and compete at the London 2012 Paralympics, and Katie Piper, whose personal story My Beautiful Face inspired millions.

Also recognised at the awards was Sally Preston, founder and Managing Director of Kiddylicious, a global and award-winning brand, creating snacks and meals for children. The brand is sold in every major UK supermarket and in over 27 countries worldwide.

In addition to the Women of the Year and Business Woman of the Year accolades, Fiona Allan, Chief Executive and Artistic Director at the Birmingham Hippodrome, was presented with the Jaguar Show Your Edge Award for defying convention and showing an edge in a transformative way from within her business life. Fiona was also among those shortlisted to receive the Business Woman of the Year Awards.

A final accolade, a Special Recognition Award, was dedicated to the Women of the Suffragette Movement, also on the centenary of the 1918 Suffrage Act. The presence of keynote speaker, Dr Helen Pankhurst, great-granddaughter of Emmeline Pankhurst added even greater worth to this award.

The 36th annual Women of the Year Luncheon and Awards ceremony, hosted by BBC Midlands Today’s Arti Halai, took place at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole Hotel, NEC on 12 October 2018. In excess of 600 guests came together to highlight and celebrate the achievements of their peers from across the UK. Proceeds from this year’s event will be split between the nominated charities, which this year are Revitalise and The Prince’s Trust – Women Supporting Women initiative.

Revitalise CEO Chris Simmonds, who was among those in attendance at the event commented: “It has been an absolute pleasure to be here today in celebration of the outstanding achievements of so many exceptional women. I can’t think of a more fitting tribute to honour the centenary of the Royal Airforce, than by awarding the exemplary women who have displayed such incredible dedication and innovation over the past 100 years.

“The qualities displayed by these remarkable women are very much reflective of those of our founder Joan Brander, who worked tirelessly to ensure that she created a legacy which revolutionised the quality and accessibility of respite care for disabled people and carers.

“I would like to personally thank everyone here today for their continued support of our charity. Your generosity has enabled us to support disabled people and carers to enjoy respite holidays for over three decades, bringing happiness to the lives of our guests from right across the UK, including right here in the Midlands.”

Pauline Edden, Board Director of the Women of the Year Luncheon and Awards commented: “Never has it been more timely or important to celebrate women’s achievements in business and society. 2018 has been an incredibly successful year for the Woman of the Year Luncheon and Awards and I would like to give thanks to all the wonderful supporters who continually help to make our event successful.”

Earlier this year, The Directors of the Women of the Year Luncheon and Awards were proud to welcome two high profile female achievers and former winners of WOTY, Jenny Campbell who is also a well-known entrepreneur on BBC’s Dragons Den and Baroness Helen Newlove to the board.

The Women of the Year Awards honour women’s outstanding individual achievement in all professions. In addition to the Women of the Year Awards, the Business Woman of the Year Award recognises outstanding achievement in the sphere of business and provides positive role models to encourage other women to enter the business arena.

Revitalise is proud to have been a beneficiary of the awards since the event’s foundation.

Revitalise is a national charity providing respite holidays for disabled people and carers. Revitalise provides short breaks, with 24-hour nurse-led care on-call and personal support at its three accessible UK centres in Chigwell in Essex, Southampton and Southport. Each centre offers a wide range of accessible activities and excursions in a holiday environment.

Local children did their bit to keep Haringey clean yesterday, holding a litter pick near their school, joined by Cabinet Member Cllr Elin Weston.

Trinity Primary Academy’s Year 5 and 6 students, joined by parents and the community, decided that litter needed to be cleared from the Trinity Gardens next to their school.

Calling themselves the Trinity Eco Warriors, the Bounds Green Road pupils decided to write to the council about their planned litter pick.

Councillor Elin Weston, Cabinet Member for Children and Families, said:

“It was great to see Haringey’s young people taking proactive action like this, and taking pride in their environment. I was really pleased to be able to get involved and that our Parks team were able to join us and support the litter pick.

“We know that residents of all ages want to live, work and go to school in a clean borough and I’d like to say a big well done to the Trinity Eco Warriors for helping to keep Haringey clean and green.”

The council is committed to tackling those who dump rubbish in our borough. Find out how you can help Haringey catch those responsible

A memorial stone to a “fearless” World War One hero from Wolverhampton will be unveiled on Monday – exactly 100 years to the day that he performed a remarkable act of bravery on the battlefield.

Cpl Roland Elcock, of the Royal Scots Regiment, ran alone towards firing enemy machine-guns in Capelle-St. Catherine, France, in 1918.

He got to within 10 yards of the enemy guns, which had been causing heavy casualties, put them out of action, captured five prisoners and saved the British advance from being held up.

Later that day, near the River Lys, he again attacked an enemy machine-gun and captured the crew.

In recognition of his bravery, Elcock was awarded the Victoria Cross – the highest award for gallantry – and the official citation described him as “absolutely fearless”.

All 469 British soliders who was awarded a VC during the First World War are having a memorial stone laid in the town of their birth as part of the national centenary commemorations of the conflict.

Elcock, who was born in the Heath Town, Wolverhampton, in 1889, will have his stone unveiled at the cenotaph in St Peter’s Square, Wolverhampton City Centre, on Monday at a ceremony attended by his grandchildren and civic and military dignitaries.

Councillor Phil Page, Mayor of the City of Wolverhampton, said: “Roland Elcock is a true war hero, his bravery on the battlefield 100 years ago was nothing short of astonishing.

“He was rightly awarded the Victoria Cross for his gallantry and this memorial stone will ensure his memory lives on.”

Councillor Linda Leach, chairwoman of the City of Wolverhampton Remembrance Committee, said: “In this centenary year of the end of the First World War, it is fitting that we will gather on Monday to remember Roland Elcock VC, a Wulfrunian who demonstrated such amazing gallantry on the field of battle.

“Elcock returned to Wolverhampton to a heroes’ welcome and newspaper stories from the time describe thousands of cheering citizens and a civic reception in his honour. Elcock sounds like a typically modest Wolverhampton chap, he did not boast about his actions and felt he had done no more than duty to king and country required.”

After the war, Elcock worked at Wolverhampton Corporation Electricity Department and later moved to India finding employment in the post and telegraph service. He was promoted to the Director-General of Posts and Telegraphs on the North-West Frontier.

During World War Two he achieved the rank of Major in the British Indian Army. He died of ill health at Dehra Dun, India, on 6th October 1944 where he is buried.

The plaque will be unveiled during a public memorial service at 11am at the Cenotaph in St Peter’s Square, Wolverhampton on Monday.

In August this year, a memorial stone was unveiled in honour of Wolverhampton’s only other First World War VC holder, George Onions, at Oxford Street in Bilston.

Two retired military dogs have become the face of Pets at Home’s new Remembrance poppy range developed exclusively with The Royal British Legion.

Billie, 8, a Labrador, and Buster, 7, a German Shepherd, who both recently retired from serving in the military returned to the Defence Animal Training Regiment in Melton Mowbray to take part in an exclusive photoshoot.

The two hero dogs were given the chance to proudly model a new range of poppy-themed pet accessories, created to support the Armed Forces charity, in the Centenary year of the end of the First World War.

Billie, who retired three days before Christmas last year, served as a vehicle search dog and Buster trained as an RAF Police dog. This week, however, they turned their paws to modelling the three new pet accessories, of which 100% of the profits* go to The Royal British Legion.

The range features a Poppy Collar Charm that fits seamlessly on to any dog or cat collar or horse harness, a Poppy Bandana, featuring a poppy print that also fits on to any collar and a Poppy Bowtie, perfect for an official engagement.

Billie and Buster’s owner Claire Martin, 33, who served in the Veterinary Corp until 2010 before becoming a Senior Instructional Officer was on hand to see her two dogs strut their stuff in the photoshoot. She said: “I’m so proud of both Billie and Buster, they definitely weren’t camera shy and they looked honoured to be wearing their Remembrance poppy accessories.

“Remembrance Day is chance for us to remember those who lost their lives securing our freedom and it’s fantastic that pet owners can now get involved whilst also raising money for such a worthy cause.”

Peter Pritchard, Group CEO, said: “We are delighted to be working with The Royal British Legion and Poppyscotland to help the UK’s pets support such fantastic charities.

“Heroes Billie and Buster both looked sensational in their poppy attire and we are so proud to have them model our range.

“We are already absolutely staggered by the response of our customers and their pets to our poppy range – all three products are flying off the shelves faster than we could ever have hoped so we are thrilled.  We’ve now ordered more stock of the accessories to cope with demand and urge customers to get their hands on them before they sell out again."  

The Royal British Legion provides lifelong support for the Armed Forces community - serving men and women, veterans, and their families. Their diverse range of services covers employment, finance, independent living, respite, recovery and care. They either offer services directly, or work with partners to direct support wherever and whenever it’s needed.

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