Community News

Six spectacular lights switch-ons – including a city centre celebration featuring a fantastic firework finale – are all lined up to get Wolverhampton counting down to Christmas. Santa and his reindeer will be joined by the Mayor of Wolverhampton Councillor Barry Findlay, CBeebies favourite Boj, Doreen, who is appearing in the Grand Theatre’s pantomime Aladdin, and Wolverhampton Wanderers footballers for the magical Christmas lights switch on in the city centre on Wednesday 23 November, 2016.

This Halloween we're working with environmental charity Hubbub to save pumpkins from going to waste. It might be getting spooky, as the ghouls and goblins begin to descend on London, but research suggests that it's pumpkins that have got the most to be scared of this Halloween. That's why the people of north London are being asked to go on a rescue mission, to salvage the little orange squashes from their otherwise grisly doom, and save unnecessary food waste.

It’s my goldfishes birthday, I’ve broken my leg and we’re trying for a baby are amongst some of the oddest excuses being used by Brits to get out of a night out according to a new survey. Half of Brits (50%) admit to ditching their friends ahead of a night out in favour of a takeaway and a box set. If FOMO (fear of missing out) was 2015. JOMO (joy of missing out) is 2016.

The latest round of the coveted Commonwealth Education Good Practice awards is now open to organisations that are delivering innovative education projects around the Commonwealth. Civil society groups, ministries of education and other private and public organisations can be nominated or nominate themselves for the accolade. Organisations vying for the award must demonstrate excellence in one of five key areas of education delivery.

A couple whose lives have been transformed by Telecare in their home which is keeping them safe are urging other people in Wolverhampton to sign up for the “valuable” service. Telecare is offered by the City of Wolverhampton Council and supports people to live independently in their own homes by giving them a range of assistive technology, from emergency alarms and fall detectors to smoke and flood sensors.

The RSPCA was called to Gate Street in Tipton, in the West Midlands, on Sunday (16 October) after the reptile was found and safely retrieved from the dog. RSPCA inspector Dawn Burrell went along to collect the spur thigh tortoise, believed to be aged around one, and took him to a nearby specialist exotic vet. “Dogs and cats often bring in rather random things for their owners but I think this gentleman had a bit of a shock when his pet brought in a tiny tortoise!” inspector Burrell said.

A drive to make sure people recognise hate crime and know how to report it is under way in Sandwell. A best practice forum held as part of National Hate Crime Awareness Week highlighted concerns about under-reporting of incidents. Organisations including Sandwell Council, West Midlands Police, Rights and Equality Sandwell and Victim Support agreed to raise greater awareness, especially around how to report incidents.

With bonfire night only a few weeks away and Christmas and New Year on the horizon, many pets will feel anxious with the looming firework displays. Lots of animals are afraid of the loud sounds and flashing lights that accompany fireworks, but there are lots of ways to make sure your pet feels as comfortable and safe as possible on the night.

People who want to combine volunteering with discovering England and Wales are being offered a free holiday as part of YHA's Working Holiday programme. The youth hostelling charity, YHA (England and Wales), is offering up to five nights' free accommodation at 40 of its properties throughout England and Wales in exchange for volunteers' time to help them get Youth Hostels ship-shape for spring 2017.

Black Country Chamber has taken action after receiving a number of reports from members relating to crime in the Bilston area. The crimes included break-ins at businesses which have resulted in criminal damage and theft. This impacts heavily on local industry and can result in companies considering relocation if problems persist. To support local Black Country businesses, Craig Fowler, a Black Country Chamber Relationship Manager, contacted the Wolverhampton Business Crime Reduction Group to advise them on the issues businesses are facing.

Drivers in the West Midlands commit more emotion-related road offences than any other UK region, according to new research from motoring experts Confused.com. The survey of UK drivers revealed that 4.5 million motorists admit to committing motoring offences, such as running red lights or speeding, as a result of feeling emotional. And it turns out 23% of drivers in the West Midlands alone do this.

West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner David Jamieson is co-hosting a special event on modern slavery. The all-day conference will detail a victim’s journey from their first contact with the trafficker right through to rescue and aftercare. Experts from the police, West Midlands Anti Slavery Network and more will share their knowledge and best practice. The event – hosted by the PCC, West Midlands Police, West Midlands Anti Slavery Network and Barnardo’s – will take place on Tuesday (18) at Tally Ho, Birmingham.

A team of international artists will be transforming Blenheim Palace into an illuminated wonderland as part of a magical new festive trail this winter (November 25th – January 2nd). 'Christmas at Blenheim' will see the Oxfordshire estate lit up by a series of stunning outdoor attractions including a scented fire garden, dancing cascades, sparkling hedgerows, fairy-lit arbours, singing Christmas trees and a lake aglow with brightly-lit boats.

With numerous businesses being targeted by cyber criminals in recent weeks and a continuous rise in threats from social engineering, keeping our personal and private information out of the wrong hands whilst working and socialising online is becoming increasingly difficult.  Cyber crime has not only grown in its capability to do serious damage to both businesses and individuals, it has also become so sophisticated that the difference between a legitimate request and a downright scam isn’t quite as apparent as it once was.

Six months after the introduction of compulsory microchipping of dogs in England, Andrew Bucher, Chief Veterinary Officer and co-founder of MedicAnimal, the UK’s leading online pet healthcare retailer has questioned elements of the scheme and whether it can be effective in the long term. Figures reported last week by animal charity Dogs Trust show more than 4,700 stray dogs in the UK last year couldn’t be reunited with their owners, due to outdated microchips.