Community News

Birmingham’s planned launch event for Black History Month went ahead, following careful consideration in light of the death of Queen Elizabeth II.

The event took place at The Patrick Centre, Birmingham Hippodrome, featuring inspiring speakers and creative performances – including pieces by Aston Performing Arts Academy, Eloquent Praise Dance, a reading from She’s Royal and poetry readings.

We are deeply saddened by the passing of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II. Along with so many of you, we find ourselves mourning the loss of a truly inspirational woman – a figurehead of national unity.

Nomads will join those of you paying your respects to Our Queen on Monday 19th September. 

Tapping into a reservoir of grief and divinity, this was history as solemnity and spectacle were in equal measures as the world said their final “good-bye” to Queen Elizabeth II. With heads of state, dignitaries and community heroes and sheroes, side-by-side inside Westminster Abbey, the significance of the moment was almost audible on this once-in a-lifetime international occasion marked the end of an era – the end of the second Elizabethan Era.

The Monarch was then given a tour of the tram where she met workers behind the city centre extension, and even got in the driving seat herself for a look around the cab. She was fittingly dressed in fuscia pink coat and hat, a close match to the branding colour of the trams.

Among those to speak with the Queen was Nicky Haigh, who was West Midlands Metro’s head of engagement with businesses and communities along the route of the extension, responsible for keeping them updated on progress.

The OPEC Fund for International Development has adopted its first Climate Action Plan, which commits the organization to increase its climate financing to 25 percent by 2025 and 40 percent by 2030 with a cross-cutting approach to all its projects. The current share of climate finance in approved projects is 20 percent.

The new Climate Action Plan will boost the Fund's support for sustainable, low-carbon, inclusive and climate resilient investments in partner countries.

The University of Wolverhampton’s Centre for Sikh and Panjabi Studies (CSPS) has secured £35,000 to deliver three externally funded projects which highlight the continued success of the Centre in addressing issues in local and regional faith communities. 

The Director of CSPS, Dr Opinderjit Kaur Takhar, has brought together a team of academics from the University’s School of Society and Community, School of Public Health, School of Allied Health and the Wolverhampton School of Art to deliver the projects which are focused around healthy lifestyles and organ donation.

The state funeral of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II will be shown on a big screen in Queen Square in Wolverhampton on Bank Holiday Monday (19 September).

The City of Wolverhampton Council has organised the event to enable residents to come together to mark the occasion and give their thanks to Her Majesty.

Black History Month (BHM) UK is a time to celebrate and remember African and Caribbean heritage peoples' achievements and contributions to the British economy, culture, and history. It's a chance to tell the stories of those less well-known Black Britons who we will forget if we don't showcase them.

The Queen's eight grandchildren, including the Prince of Wales and the Duke of Sussex, have stood vigil around her coffin as she lies in state at Westminster Hall. At King Charles's request, Prince Harry wore military uniform, for the first time since 2020.

Prince Harry has worn civilian clothes at public events since the Queen died. It is the first time in history that the grandchildren of a monarch have taken part in the ceremony.

As the UK continues living through the ongoing cost of living crisis, research undertaken by UltraLEDs has revealed the regions that are paying the most for their energy in the UK.

By analysing ONS and UK government data, the lighting supplier highlighted residents living in Merseyside and North Wales were paying the most for gas and electricity in 2021, spending around £116 per month.

UK media coverage of the Queen’s death has exposed wide-ranging systemic issues with diversity and representation in domestic news and media organisations, according to journalist and academic Marcus Ryder.

In an exclusive opinion piece for the Sir Lenny Henry Centre for Media Diversity, based at Birmingham City University, Ryder says that the dominant British mainstream media narrative of “a nation in mourning” fails to reflect the wide range of views about the monarchy across the nations of the United Kingdom and contrasts starkly with reports by US, African and European media.

The end of one reign and the start of another brings with it many changes with the introduction of the King’s head on currency and stamps to amended cyphers and altered signatures. Coins featuring the new King will show him facing to the left - Elizabeth II’s effigy faced the right.

It is a tradition from the 17th century to alternate the way successive monarchs are facing. New coins and notes will need to be designed and minted or printed, but are not likely to appear in general circulation for some time.

As the nation pays its final respects to HRH the Queen, a number of essential frontline services will continue to be delivered by council staff, as they are on a daily basis all year round to meet the needs of the people of Birmingham. However, some services will not operate as part of the council's effort to mark the occasion and the contribution Her Majesty has made to the nation during her 70 years as monarch.

As the nation mourns the death of Her Majesty the Queen, the RAF Benevolent Fund would like to celebrate her life, and unwavering dedication to the country following a historic 70 years on the throne. The Queen showed an inspirational sense of duty during her reign and, as the RAF Benevolent Fund’s Patron from 1952 until her death, provided endless support for those who served her country, including the RAF Family.

Errol Taylor, Chief Executive of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, said: “On behalf of all members of the Society, in the UK and throughout the world, I should like to offer our heartfelt sympathy to King Charles and the Royal Family at the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth.

After the Princess Royal, Princess Anne accompanied her mother, Queen Elizabeth II's coffin continues to lie in state at rest Buckingham Palace, where it was met by King Charles III and Camilla, Queen Consort, as well as other members of the Royal Family.

A guard of honour, formed by the King's Guard, received the coffin, before it was taken to the Bow Room, inside the palace, and watched over by a rota of chaplains.