Community News

A Walsall College apprentice has reached the final of the L’Oreal Colour Trophy in London, after passing the Liverpool semi-finals with flying colours.

Established in 1956, L'Oréal Colour Trophy is the longest running live hairdressing competition, which showcases some of the best hairdressing talents across the country.

Yasmine Byfield, who is studying a Level 3 Hairdressing Apprenticeship, applied for the competition through her employer at Sassy’s Hair Salon in Wolverhampton.

“This competition is something that the salon has done for years,” said Yasmine, “As I had gained enough confidence and experience in the industry, I asked to be put forward.”

Entrants were required to create a look inspired by current trends, featuring a colour that has not been used before and could be a trend in the near future.

Yasmine had only 30 minutes to style her model’s hair, which was presented at the competition’s catwalk show in front of an expert panel of judges.

“They based their final decision on the overall look of the model, with the main focus being on her hair,” she added.

“The competition was split into eight regions around the country, and they selected the top 10 to win ‘Best in Region’. Then from this group, only two were selected to go through to the finals.”

The final of the competition will take place at the L’Oreal Academy in London, where Yasmine will showcase the talents she had developed through her apprenticeship in front of the competition organisers.

“My apprenticeship has brought out a confidence in me that I didn’t realise I had. I’ve learned a lot from working full time in a salon, and I don’t think my degree of understanding would be the same if I had studied in a different way.

I have a talented, supportive team around me at work and through college that have taught me and encouraged me along the way and continue to do so every day.”

Yasmine hopes to specialise in creative colour and train in other areas of hairdressing.

“This apprenticeship has made my career aims more achievable, as I have learned so much and have had many opportunities, such as entering this competition. One day, I’d like to have my own salon, but for now, I really enjoy what I’m doing and building up my clients.”

Visit Twycross Zoo this May half term for a host of exciting activities as the award-winning conservation charity celebrates ‘Love Your Zoo Week’.

This nationwide event organised by the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA), is the perfect opportunity for people to show their support for the hard work, dedication and care undertaken every day by the team at Twycross Zoo.

From 26^th May to 3^rd June families can enjoy an action-packed programme, including a Heart Trail, where visitors scour the 80-acre site in search of hidden hearts in a bid to win prizes!

As well as special conservation talks, the Leicestershire-based zoo will host its popular Keeper Talks, where visitors can meet the Twycross conservation experts and learn all about the animals in their care. The jam-packed calendar of daily talks will cover all sorts of species, great and small, and include everything from lemurs to zebras.

As members of BIAZA, Twycross Zoo is home to over 500 animals of 130 different species from all around the world, many of which are enrolled in conservation breeding programmes. As the only place in the UK where you can see all four great apes – chimpanzees, orang utans, gorillas and bonobos, the zoo is also a member of the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA) and The Great Ape Survival Partnership (GRASP).

Open from 10am to 6pm, 364 days a year, whatever the weather, there is something for everyone at Twycross Zoo. Visitors to the impressive 80-acre site can get up close and learn all about the animals in their indoor and outdoor enclosures including the state of the art Gibbon Forest and Giraffe Savanna.

There is so much to see on a family day out, walk the Wetlands area, marvel at the winged wonders of the Butterfly Farm, meet the meerkats, pop and see the penguins, and let your little ones splash around in the Wet and Wild play area, whilst Mum and Dad have a good rest.

Explore the Himalaya Centre, with its warm and inviting coffee shop, super soft play and newly refurbished, fully licensed restaurant, with breath-taking views overlooking the snow leopard enclosure.

Twycross Zoo Conservation initiative contributes to conservation in the wild since 2006 and has supported over 55 conservation and welfare projects from many different countries around the world, including Ape Action Africa in Cameroon, Lola Ya Bonobo in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Cao Vit Conservation Programme in Vietnam.

The UK is renowned for its hatred of confrontation, and nothing sums this up better than leaving a passive aggressive note on a driver’s windscreen to remark on their bad parking, whether that be their inability to park within the lines or some seriously inconsiderate car parking abandonment.

To celebrate this quirky British trait, used car supermarket, The Car People, has launched a search to find some of the angriest and funniest notes left on driver’s cars, and is inviting drivers in West Midlands to submit their examples.

The used car supermarket, which currently has four UK sites is asking drivers to submit a picture of the angriest, funniest and most ludicrous note that has been left on their car or that they have left for someone else, for the chance to win a £100 Love2Shop voucher.

Jonathan Allbones, director at The Car People, said: “Most drivers have at one time or another experienced a moment of frustration with an inconveniently parked car. Lately we are seeing more and more people responding to this frustration by leaving an ‘angry note’ on the car that’s causing the irritation. These notes are often shared on social media and can sometimes provide entertainment.

“We want to find great examples of some of the angriest, wittiest and silliest notes that people leave each other.”

Amateur sleuths are being invited to solve a fun new Murder Mystery Treasure Trail set on the streets of Clerkenwell.

The Clerkenwell Clown Caper is the latest in a series of more than 50 downloadable self-guided Treasure Trails based in and around the capital.

The plot involves circus entertainer and part-time PR exec Lottie Goodwill who has been found with her head buried in an enormous foam-topped pie in a Clerkenwell cafe. A clown was spotted running from the scene carrying a pair of over-sized shoes.

The Trail's theme was inspired by one of Clerkenwell's famous ex-residents, Joseph Grimaldi the 19th century clown, who lived in Exmouth Market for a decade and now has a blue plaque outside his former home.

Lasting around two hours, the aim of the Trail is to solve a set of fiendish clues incorporating plaques, signs, statues, monuments, images, engravings and other landmarks.

The Clerkenwell Clown Caper is the creation of Treasure Trails' Kathy Brown, who has written all of the London Trails including; 'The Missing Royal Wedding Ring Trail' in St James' Park, 'The Muswell Hill Menagerie Murder' and 'Lion Hunting in Stoke Newington'.

“I'd visited the area a few times while working in London and knew it was a 'cool' place, it's also a very historic area, one of the oldest areas of London outside of the City walls, with twisting streets and alley ways,” said Kathy.

“It's home to the medieval priory of the Knights of St John and the Trail passes close to the site of Clerkenwell gaol, which is now used for underground film locations and events.

“One of the most fun parts for me of Trail writing is discovering new areas and finding out about their rich history and quirky characters. It's great when patches of learning join up and you start to build a bigger picture of London and the people who lived here, and how it all comes together,” she added.

BritishCharcuterie.live has announced that Door4Montpellier of Montpellier Walk, Cheltenham is the first monthly winner in a new nationwide competition to find Britain's Best Charcuterie Boards, sponsored by Tracklements.

The family-run cocktail bar is well-loved for its cheese and charcuterie boards, and the winning April board is a sensational combination of British sourced meats turned into Charcuterie by local producers The Cotswold Curer and Native Breeds Charcuterie.

Both these charcuterie producers have entered BritishCharcuterie.live's British Charcuterie Awards, which are being held in August this year.

Door4Montpellier's board received plenty of likes in the open contest on Instagram @britainsbestcharcuterieboards, #BBCharcuterieBoards. It was chosen from nearly 20 entries by the judges who include Guy Tullberg MD of Tracklements, Henrietta Green co-founder of BritishCharcuterie.live and Josh Barrie journalist & Charcuterie Lover.

Door4Montpellier will receive a selection of Tracklements retail jars worth £50, a pair of tickets to BBC Countryfile Live worth £60, and a certificate from BritishCharcuterie.live. The nominator who posted the winning board will receive six jars of Tracklements chutneys & preserves and an apron worth £40, plus two tickets to BBC Countryfile Live worth £60.

The search is still on for the most appealing boards from all over the UK. The monthly contest will run until mid-July, so there are three more opportunities for nominations from the public or the restaurants, bars, pubs, cafes and delis themselves who serve a really fabulous selection of charcuterie, of whatever origin. A national winner will be selected from the monthly winners by public vote taking place in the British Charcuterie Tent at BBC Countryfile Live at Blenheim Palace from August 2nd – 5th.

How to enter: Every Charcuterie Board is eligible provided it is served in a restaurant, bar pub, café and deli. Entry is simple, just take a picture of a Charcuterie Board and post it on your Instagram page, tag it with @britainsbestcharcuterieboards or #bbcharcuterieboards and spread the word!

Co-founders of BritishCharcuterie.live Henrietta Green and Charlotte Sharpe-Neal are dedicated to encouraging diversity of production and widening public appreciation of British Charcuterie.

The clock is officially ticking as the countdown to Dippy the Diplodocus’ journey from Dorset to Birmingham, as part of Dippy on Tour: A Natural History Adventure, has begun.

Dorset County Museum and the Jurassic Coast Trust have officially marked the handover to Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery at a celebration attended by local schoolchildren.

Dippy has been at Dorset County Museum since 10th February with more than 153,189 people visiting the display in just under three months.

The Natural History Museum’s iconic Diplodocus cast, never before seen outside of London, is travelling the length and the breadth of the UK, visiting Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, and five regions across England over two years.

Each tour partner venue is using Dippy's visit to showcase their local nature and natural history collections, forging new partnerships between regional cultural, scientific and wildlife organisations in a bid to reconnect the nation with nature. 

Opening at Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery on Saturday 26th May, the highly-anticipated exhibition will be the only chance to see the impressive diplodocus cast in the Midlands.

Free tickets can be booked now at: birminghammuseums.org.uk/bmag/whats-on/dippy-on-tour-a-natural-history-adventure

The Jurassic Coast Trust jointly hosted Dippy in Dorset, working in collaboration with other local organisations it has helped more than 25,000 people adventure outside to enjoy their own Dippy-themed natural history adventures.

The handover moment from Dorset to Birmingham was marked at Dorset County Museum with attendance from John Murden, Director of Dorset County Museum and Gurminder Kenth, Museum Manager at Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery. Local schoolchildren from St Nicholas Church of England Primary School, Henstridge in Somerset joined in the celebrations to bid Dippy farewell, as the excitement builds ahead of his move to the Midlands.

In Birmingham Dippy will be accompanied by an exciting and engaging exhibition which will bring the city’s extensive bird collection back to the museum for the first time in 20 years, showcasing the evolution of dinosaurs to the birds we know today. Other star exhibits include a velociraptor cast, a cast of a dinosaur nest and a real Great auk, the famous bird which became extinct in the mid-19^th century.

The Natural History Museum's Head of National Public Programmes, Katrina Nilsson said: “We could not have asked for a better start to the tour. Dippy has received such an overwhelming welcome in Dorset and has prompted thousands to explore the fantastic nature available on their doorstep. For the next leg of the tour, Birmingham has an exciting exhibition and events offer and there is a huge array of activities on offer across the Midlands which we hope will inspire a greater understanding and passion for the natural world.”

Dippy on Tour has been brought about in partnership with the Garfield Weston Foundation which has just made its £1billionth donation in its 60th Anniversary Year. Philippa Charles, Director of the Garfield Weston Foundation, says: “We look to work in partnership with inspiring and engaging causes that make a real difference so it is very exciting to see the impact Dippy is already making in encouraging people to venture outdoors and reigniting children’s curiosity with nature. We hope Dippy will leave an inspiring legacy in Dorchester and look forward to seeing him settle into his new home in Birmingham. What a wonderful way to celebrate Garfield Weston’s 60^th year!” 

Dippy has delighted visitors since he arrived in London in 1905. The British icon is on a mission to inspire five million natural history adventures, encouraging families and schools to explore nature on their doorstep.

Dippy in Birmingham

Dippy’s stint in Birmingham doesn’t stop at the exhibition itself. Throughout the museum, there are plenty of dino-fuelled activities to join in with. Fun for all ages, try out your hand (or spade) at palaeontology with an exciting Dino Dig, or step back 156 million years to the late Jurassic period and explore Dippy’s past with the curator’s tours.

Fancy a pit stop? There are plenty of fun crafts and trails to try throughout the school holidays, and there’s even a Dino Children’s Menu in the Edwardian Tearooms to fuel a fun day at the museum!

The exhibition aims to encourage people in the region to go on their own natural history adventures and explore the incredible natural history collections and amazing biodiversity right on their doorstep. Venues across the Midlands, from Wolverhampton to Coventry and Shropshire to Warwickshire, will be hosting their very own events and activities.

In Warwick, locals can visit the Market Hall Museum to learn all about Jurassic Warwickshire, and see evidence of the county’s dinosaurs and witness some real dinosaur bones and fossils.

Over in Shropshire, at Ludlow Library & Resource Centre, visitors can hear about Jurassic tales and discover natural and prehistoric secrets. Whilst in Coventry, families can see the Herbert Art Gallery & Museum’s ichthyosaur skull, feel the curves of a seashell and listen to birdsong in their multi-sensory gallery.

Two free to attend Dippy Mini-BioBlitzes will also be taking place at Birmingham Museums Trust venues, Weoley Castle and Sarehole Mill. At Weoley Castle, join scientists to search for and identify wildlife in the remains of a 750 year old manor house – spotting local birds, butterflies and bees. At Sarehole Mill they will be investigating the mill pond, searching for and identifying dragonflies and water beetles, pond snails, frogs and newts, and water plants.

Other Birmingham Museums Trust sites will also be gearing up for dino-sized fun. Make dinosaur headgear at Blakesley Hall and join the Operation Earth team at the Museum of the Jewellery Quarter to learn about natural history.

Gurminder Kenth, Museum Manager at Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery, said: “The countdown has officially begun and we can’t wait to welcome Dippy to Birmingham. It’s been amazing to see how popular the exhibition has been in Dorset and we know people in the Midlands can’t wait to finally see him at Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery.

“The clock is ticking so make sure to book your free tickets to guarantee your visit to see the Natural History Museum’s famous dinosaur cast and our inspiring exhibition showcasing Birmingham’s natural history collection.”

Dippy on Tour has been brought about by the Natural History Museum, in partnership with the Garfield Weston Foundation and supported by Dell EMC and Williams & Hill.  Made possible by close collaboration with a wide range of institutions and organisations across the UK, this three-year tour aims to introduce 1.5 million people to this awe-inspiring exhibit.

Legend has it if there are no ravens in the Tower of London, the Kingdom will fall.  Not something Harry and Meghan would be keen to hear in the run up their nuptials next weekend.

However, new research released today, 11^th May - which shows that whilst us Brits love our wildlife, the majority (65%) would like to see more - has prompted smartphone manufacturer Huawei to commission five supersized ravens to tour the UK.

In celebration of the launch of the Huawei P20 Pro – the first smartphone to come equipped with three camera lenses and a 5x hybrid zoom – Huawei commissioned the research to discover what Brits are most keen to take photos of.

To bring wildlife closer to people in key cities around the UK, Huawei has supersized a number of elusive Ravens, making them 5x bigger so they are all the more easy to get a perfect shot of.

One bird is currently positioned at Potters Field, right opposite the home of some of the most famous ravens in the UK, the Tower of London.  The other giant birds will be touring the UK this weekend to make sure people in the cities where wildlife is hardest to see get the chance to catch a rare glimpse of these mysterious creatures.

The ravens will be flying off to Glasgow, Edinburgh, Newcastle, York, Leeds, Manchester, Liverpool, Birmingham and Cardiff over the next few days.

If people spot one in their city this weekend, they can simply take a photo of it and take the picture into their local Vodafone store to be in with a chance of winning a dream wildlife photographer’s trip – a luxury safari holiday for two.

You can take an exclusive look at the ravens and how the magnificent birds were created by watching our behind the scenes video.

The Ravens will be coming to Birmingham in the Bull Ring on the 12^th May, from 10.00-12.00, Unit 313 Level 3, Bull Ring, Birmingham.

To enter the competition, take the picture on your phone into the Vodafone store at either Birmingham Cathedral or Villa Park

Over 1714 reels of thread, one 1920’s manual treadle machine, 3500 pairs of shoes, 36 mannequins and one 80-year-old anvil are just some of the items that will be temporarily relocated in preparation for the Costume Workshop restoration and redevelopment.

The Royal Shakespeare Company has begun the temporary move of its Costume Workshop ahead of its restoration and redevelopment, which is due to begin this summer.

The move coincides with a £950,000 National Lottery grant towards the conservation of the RSC’s Costume Workshop’s Grade II listed buildings. Awarded by the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF), the grant will also give the public access to the building’s heritage for the first time, with a focus on the craftspeople, designers and actors who have worked there.

Vanessa Harbar, Head of HLF West Midlands, said: “I’m delighted that we can support the RSC to restore the Costume Workshop and open the building to the public. Thanks to National Lottery players, this project will celebrate the theatre’s unique history of costume-making and ensure its talented craftspeople continue to weave their magic for years to come.”

As part of the move, the 30-strong Costume Workshop team will pack and temporarily relocate:

• Over 1714 reels of thread
• 7885m of stock fabric
• 3500 pairs of shoes
• 862 square feet of stock leather
• 1131 magnets
• one pricing gun
• 126 paintbrushes
• 5 Sheila’s Maids
• 115kg salt
• 97 hat blocks
• 2 hat stretchers
• 27 fob watches
• one Sonic Jewellery Cleaner
• one swivel knife
• one power file
• one anvil pre-1950s
• 36 Mannequins
• 45 Sewing machines
• one manual treadle machine from the 1920’s
• 7 tailor’s hams
• 8 velvet boards

The RSC, a registered charity, has the largest in-house costume-making department of any British theatre. Alongside its own armoury, the workshop includes many specialist skills and crafts including men’s and ladies’ costume-making, millinery, dyeing and printing. The team create hundreds of costumes each year, which are seen by audiences across the world.

The Costume Workshop is located opposite the Royal Shakespeare Theatre hidden behind the Grade II-listed 1887 former scene dock constructed for the original Shakespeare Memorial Theatre. Costume making on the site dates to this time, with the current workshop being here since the 1950s. The close proximity to the theatre is essential as the workshop also includes facilities for fitting and maintenance of costumes during the life of a show.

The team will continue to produce costumes during the project, relocating to a temporary space across town for the duration of the works, which are due to be completed by spring 2020.

The restoration and redevelopment will:

• Create the best facilities for costume-making, in a working environment fit for the 21^st century including more space, more natural light and improved heating and cooling
• Care for the heritage Grade II listed buildings, including the 1887 Scene Dock
• Enable visitors to experience our world-class Costume Workshop for themselves on tours and online
• Create new training and apprenticeships opportunities to enable costume-making skills to be passed on to future generations and to secure the future of costume-making in Stratford-upon-Avon

Birmingham St Mary’s will be opening its doors this month [MAY], in a bid to get local people talking more openly about death, dying and bereavement.

To coincide with national campaign ‘Dying Matters Awareness Week’, the Selly Park-based hospice will be hosting a day full of arts, mindfulness and conversations to help break the taboo around discussing death.

The unusual open day, which takes place on Friday 18 May, is open to everyone and will include activities such as meditation, creative art sessions, and exercise – all of which will inspire and provoke conversations about end of life.

Attendees will be able to tour the hospice’s garden and conservatory, as well as take part in a Q&A session with nurses and End of Life Doulas – a group of trained individuals who help those who are dying to feel safe and supported. They will be talking about ‘What does dying actually look like?’ and ‘All the questions you wanted to know about death but were too afraid to ask’.

Families are also welcome, as there will be a dedicated crafts corner for kids, whilst parents will have an opportunity to speak to the hospice’s child bereavement counsellors on how to talk to children about death and dying.

The open day is in collaboration with BrumYODO – which is a growing group of local artists, undertakers, hospice care professionals and more – who believe that talking openly about dying will support more people to experience a “good death”. The day forms part of their ‘A Matter of Life and Death’ festival – an eclectic two-week programme of events, performances, exhibitions and workshops across Birmingham.

Sharon Hudson, community lead nurse at Birmingham St Mary’s and BrumYODO committee member, said: “We all face death, dying and bereavement in our lives and yet, it’s a topic that many of us are either too scared to talk about or don’t know how to bring up. By giving people the confidence to open up those conversations as a part of everyday life, we can help break down the taboo and ensure more people and their families have the best possible quality of life as they deal with illness and approach dying.

“We hope that by welcoming people to Birmingham St Mary’s, we can show them what really happens behind the doors of a hospice. More often than not, people will tell me that they are pleasantly surprised at how positive and peaceful our hospice is – there is a lot of living happening here – so it’s about getting people here and altering any preconceptions they may have.”

Birmingham St Mary’s provides vital care and support to local people living with life-limiting illness.

Its open day takes place between 12 and 6pm at 176 Raddlebarn Road, Selly Park, B29 7DA. All activities are free of charge and there is no need to book.

It’s no secret that big events held in the UK such as the Olympics and royal weddings have a positive effect on the economy. The Guardian has recently reported that in the lead up to the Royal Wedding retailers can expect an additional £60 million spending thanks not only to the influx of tourists but also the national pride that will no doubt sweep the nation.

Something which is often overlooked is the impact this boost in the economy has on the property market across the UK. Research carried out by My Home Move suggests that it’s not just Windsor’s residents who will benefit from the Royal Wedding - when looking at the monthly increases in house prices in years with royal weddings or births, the biggest month on month increase occurred in the same month as the weddings or births!

The month of William and Kate’s marriage saw the biggest month on month increase for 2011 sitting at 1.55%, the wedding of Charles and Camilla had a similar effect back in 2005 with a month on month increase of 1.49%. And, it’s not just weddings which boost the market, the birth month of Prince George saw prices rise by 1.12% month on month whilst the birth of Princess Charlotte saw the modest increase of 1.08% month on month.

With many areas across the South having royal connections, we are set to see an increase in tourism and, as a result, increased spending in the local economy – this will in turn positively impact the housing market. With more profit to be made, independent shops and restaurants along with farmers markets will thrive and attract more people into the local area increasing desire from buyers and tenants to move into the area.

This notion is backed up by research carried out by American Express which found that on average, in towns with lots of independent shops and eateries on the high street, properties are on average £40,000 more expensive. This is great news for locations such as Gerrards Cross, Sunningdale and Henley-on-Thames with bustling high streets full of independent shops and restaurants as they are also likely to benefit from the Royal Wedding effect.

Antony comments; “Whilst there is some debate on which came first, the high-end businesses or affluent residents, one thing we can be certain of, is properties in close proximity to amenities such as independent shops, high-end restaurants, are highly desirable and therefore achieve higher prices.

“The same concept can be applied to the Royal Wedding effect on house prices, the aspirational, glitz and glamour associated not only with the wedding but other locations associated with royalty will likely see a similar boost in desirability and possibly house prices.”

There's still plenty of time for local artists to enter Sandwell's Hidden Treasures competition.

Hidden Treasures is open to all amateur artists, schools and community groups, with 31 May as the deadline for entries.

Artists are being urged to submit a themed piece of work to feature in the borough's summer arts trail.

They can select a favourite building, open space, walk, view or local attraction as an inspiration their Hidden Treasures entry.

Art work will be shortlisted to a collection of pieces which will then be exhibited across the borough, allowing members of the public to vote for the best piece of art work.

Councillor Syeda Khatun, deputy leader of Sandwell Council, said: "This is a fantastic opportunity for people of all ages to get inspired and showcase their artistic talents. It will also shine a light on the many 'hidden treasures' across Sandwell's six towns."

• Painting - oils, acrylics, watercolours
• Drawing - pencils, charcoals, inks, pastels
• Photographs - colour/black and white
• Mixed media - mixture of the above

Two Reservists and a Triathlete will be embarking on gruelling walk for charity. Matt, Rob and Ad who all work together at Design Built Exhibitions in Redditch love to push themselves to the limit. On 20^th May 2018 they will start at St Bees Bay in Cumbria and take on Wainwrights Walk all the way to Robin Hood Bay in Scarborough, in just five days. The walk was originally depicted in Alfred Wainwright’s 1973 book A Coast to Coast Walk and was described in 12 stages. The usual time to complete this walk would be 14-21 days.

The 192 mile walk reaching heights of 2,560ft will cross three national parks, the Lake District, the Yorkshire Dales and the Yorkshire Moors. Their aim of five days will mean the trio will have to cover over 40 miles each day, which will be made tougher by carrying their own kit with all of their supplies weighing between 20kg and 25kg, depending on the weather conditions.

However, they aren’t just having a nice walk, they are setting themselves a challenge to raise £3,000 for their chosen charities: Dementia UK, Bliss and Charlotte & Craig Saving Hearts Foundation (CCSHF). Dementia UK provides dementia support for families through their Admiral Nurse service, giving them one-to-one support, expert guidance and practical solutions. Bliss exists to give every baby born premature or sick in the UK the best chance of survival and quality of life. CCSHF are raising money to install defibrillators into community venues to give people a better chance of survival should something happen.

Training for the event has been going well and has involved running or cycling to work every morning and circuit training twice a week. Matt said “I am running 10 miles to work every morning, which is quite a detour as I only live 2 miles away.”

Rob said: “I’m looking forward to the first two days in the Lake District the most as it will be the best scenery, and also when I can see the sea at Robin Hood Bay. I’ll be running to the end then!”

Every day is going to be challenging, but the longest day will be day four covering 48 ½ miles, especially after the hilly terrain of the Lake District on days one and two and 44 ½ miles on day three.

The endurance and willingness to succeed is something all three of them have in common, with Ad taking part in triathlons on a regular basis, his next one is just two weeks before this challenge. Matt and Rob, who are brothers, have both been in the Reserve Forces for 10 years and based at HMS Forward in Birmingham. Matt is a Royal Marines Reservist and Rob is a Royal Naval Reservist. They both said, “Being in the Reserves has given us the mentality to succeed and know that we are 100% sure we will complete this challenge as nothing is impossible.”

During their 10 years of Service they have been deployed on Operations and dedicated themselves to their training. If you’re interested in finding out more about the Reserve Forces you can find out more on West Midland Reserve Forces & Cadets Associations website www.wmrfca.org

You can find out how to sponsor the trio and follow their training and progress during the challenge through their Facebook page www.2343ec78a04c6ea9d80806345d31fd78-gdprlock/coasttocoastchallenge.

The Denise Coates Foundation has given a generous grant of over £1million to support the Critical Journeys Appeal at Birmingham Children’s Hospital Charity.

The substantial donation will be used to provide the hospital’s KIDS/NTS ambulance fleet with the latest life-saving medical equipment needed so the hospital can respond faster and more effectively; helping vulnerable patients and their families get to the right place, at the right time for the right treatment.

Louise McCathie, Director of Fundraising at Birmingham Women’s and Children’s Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, comments: “This incredible grant from the Denise Coates Foundation means we can now make further impact on the lives of the young children and babies we treat at our hospital. The journey to and from hospitals can be a very critical time for sick children, so to know that we have the right equipment in our mobile intensive care unit is vital. We are extremely grateful to the Denise Coates Foundation for such a generous donation.”

The new equipment will mean all four KIDS/NTS ambulances can be deployed at the same time to meet the critical needs of all patients, no matter their age or illness, allowing the KIDS/NTS team to respond to any emergency – neonatal or paediatric.

Denise Coates CBE said of the decision to support the Critical Journeys Appeal: “I am so pleased that the Foundation’s grant will enable the KIDS/NTS Ambulance Service to acquire state of the art equipment that will make such a positive difference to the quality of the medical care provided to children and babies across the Midlands region and beyond.”

In 2016, Kids’ Intensive Care and Decision Support (KIDS) and the Newborn Transfer Service (NTS) merged to form KIDS/NTS. The service offers an acute transport and advice service for the management of critically ill children requiring intensive care in the Midlands. It is dedicated to moving babies between neonatal units in the West Midlands to ensure right care for the right baby at the right time.

Parents of children in Wolverhampton who have missed their MMR (mumps, measles and rubella) vaccine are being encouraged to get it as soon as possible following a measles outbreak in parts of the West Midlands.

Public Health England is writing to all West Midlands GPs asking them to be alert to the symptoms of measles and to take the opportunity to immunise children and adults who may not have received two doses of the MMR vaccine.

The call comes as the outbreak, which originally focused in Birmingham and Solihull, spreads to other parts of the region – though no cases have yet been reported in Wolverhampton.

Symptoms of measles include: a high fever; sore, red, watery eyes; coughing; aching and feeling generally unwell; and a blotchy red brown rash, which usually appears after the initial symptoms.

John Denley, the City of Wolverhampton Council's Director of Public Health, said: "Measles can be a very serious illness and lead to severe complications, especially in people who are particularly vulnerable or have other health conditions.

"The good news is that the misery caused by measles is entirely preventable, and the free MMR vaccine is a safe and effective way of protecting against measles, as well as mumps and rubella."

The first MMR vaccine is given when a child is one-year-old, with a booster due at three years and four months of age. Parents who have missed one or both appointments are urged to contact their GP as soon as possible. Parents can check their child’s Red Book to see if they’ve received MMR vaccinations as scheduled, or speak to their GP if they are not sure.

Dr Bharat Sibal, from Public Health England West Midlands, said: “Most of the recent cases we’ve seen had not received the required doses of the MMR vaccine.

“It is possible for anyone at any age to get measles, and the illness can be more severe in teenagers and adults than in young children, which is why we are trying to make sure anyone who has missed vaccinations get immunised as soon as possible.”

HeadStart Wolverhampton is supporting Mental Health Awareness Week (14-20 May) with a series of free events and activities designed to raise awareness and support emotional wellbeing.

This year’s awareness week focuses on the theme of “Stress: Are we coping?”, and the HeadStart team have developed activities designed to help young people in Wolverhampton cope with a range of stress-related issues, including exam stress and the pressures of social media, and to help parents better support their children to cope with stress.

The week of activities begins with the opening of a pop-up shop on the first floor of the Mander Centre, between New Look and The Works, on Saturday 12 May.

The shop is open to all and is offering a range of activities will help support emotional mental health and wellbeing throughout the day, including arts and crafts, Lego workshops and a chance to explore the new HeadStart support portal. Visitors will also be able to pick up free goodie bags with art activity packs and additional resources to help young people cope with stress.

Throughout the rest of the week, HeadStart’s commissioned providers will be continuing their weekly timetable of activities to support young people, parents and families living in each of HeadStart’s four target areas.

The WV10 Consortium, part of Bushbury Hill Estate Management Board, are holding a range of activities in Low Hill, The Scotlands & Bushbury South, including digital workshops, karate and cooking workshops. In Bilston East, Gazebo Theatre is hosting the “Place to be Me” club for young people, with dance, drama and musical activities.

Meanwhile, in Springfield, Heath Town, Old Heath and Eastfield; and in All Saints, Blakenhall, Parkfields, Ettingshall, YMCA Black Country is offering activities including zumba and yoga, ‘Relax and Craft’ arts and crafts sessions, and cookery workshops.

Andrew Wolverson, the City of Wolverhampton Council’s HeadStart Strategic Lead, said “We are delighted to support Mental Health Awareness Week again this year, and have a week of fantastic activities to support young people and encourage everyone to take care of their mental health and wellbeing.

“Stress is something which can affect anyone and everyone, and young people are no exception. We hope this week will help young people to cope better with stress, particularly exam stress and the pressures of social media.”

Mental Health Awareness Week runs from 14-20 May and is organised by the Mental Health Foundation. For more information, please visit www.mentalhealth.org.uk.

HeadStart Wolverhampton, funded by Big Lottery Fund, is designed to improve the emotional mental health and wellbeing of children and young people aged 10 to 16 by giving them the skills they need to cope with the challenges of modern life.

As well as running a series of specific programmes in its four key target areas, HeadStart Wolverhampton offers city-wide help through a Support and Guidance Directory at http://support.headstartonline.co.uk which provides emotional mental health and wellbeing resources from different organisations, including information targeted at young people, parents and carers, and professionals.

A member of the public contacted the animal charity after seeing the two ponies in a field in Highfield Road, on Thursday 19 April. One of the ponies had collapsed and was breathing rapidly.

When RSPCA inspector Vicki Taylor arrived, the member of the public had managed to get the pony to stand - however, she was so weak and dehydrated that she was shaking uncontrollably.

“She was clearly in a bad way,” said Inspector Taylor. “A vet was of the opinion that the ponies were dehydrated and there was no water in the field. This was during the spell of hot weather we had.

“As well as being dehydrated, the ponies were emaciated. We contacted the police, who seized the ponies, which allowed us to remove them and take them into a private boarding establishment so that they could be cared for.

“Despite making enquiries, we haven’t been able to establish who these horses belong to. We are urging anyone who has any information to contact us in complete confidence on 0300 123 8018.”

Last week, the RSPCA revealed that the number of horses rescued by the charity has reached a four-year high, as the equine crisis continues to have devastating consequences.

The charity’s annual Cruelty Statistics revealed that nearly 1,000 horses were rescued by the charity from cruelty, suffering and neglect last year (2017), and a staggering 928 horses are currently in the charity's care.

The national horse crisis, which charities first highlighted in 2012, has since seen RSPCA officers called out to neglected and abandoned horses every day in England and Wales, with many of the animals extremely sick or dying.