Community News

This is one of the oldest traditional fruit in the world and every part of it is medicinal.it is found in all tropical region of the world, wherever the soil is fertile enough.it is a member of the Caricaceae family. Pawpaw is also called papaw or papaya 

Pawpaw plants grow in three sexes and are relatives: The male produces only pollen and never bear fruit, the female produces small, inedible fruits unless pollinated, and the hermaphrodite can self-pollinate since its flowers contain both male stamens and female ovaries. Almost all commercial pawpaw orchards contain only hermaphrodites. 

Pawpaw may help protect against health conditions. 

In Africa, pawpaw leaves are used as a treatment for malaria, hepatitis, cough, bronchitis and gonorrhoea, infected wounds, fungal infections, Asthma attacks, indigestion cases, guinea worms, cancer. Pawpaw is a plant for every illness. The plant contains substances of medicinal value, such as antibiotics, vitamins, flavonoids and enzymes. Pawpaw contains an enzyme called papain that aids digestion. Pawpaw seeds also contain the cyanogenic substance called prunasin. 

Ripe and unripe fruits, seeds flowers, leaves and roots are all used for various treatment. In fact, the pawpaw tree is a pharmacy in itself. 

The fruits give sufficient supply of vitamins: vitamin A for good eyesight and also necessary for the growth of all bodily tissues, including skin and hair, vitamin B for good nerves impulses, assists in the absorption of fat, and reduces chronic inflammation. Choline is a very important and versatile nutrient found in papayas that aids our bodies in sleep, muscle movement, learning, and memory. Choline also helps to maintain the structure of cellular membranes, vitamin C to support the immune system against infections. 

The fiber, potassium, and vitamin content in papaya all help to ward off heart disease. An increase in potassium intake along with a decrease in sodium intake is the most important dietary change that a person can make to reduce their risk of cardiovascular disease. 

Raw pawpaw pulp contains 88% water, 11% carbohydrates, and negligible fat and protein. In a 100-g amount, papaya fruit provides 43 kilocalories and is a significant source of vitamin C (75% of the Daily Value, DV) and a moderate source of folate (10% DV), but otherwise has a low content of nutrients. 

The possible health benefits of consuming pawpaw include a reduced risk of heart disease, improving blood glucose control in people with diabetes, and lowering blood pressure and progression of age-related macular degeneration. 

Coronavirus restrictions mean that ecotherapy project Livability Flourish can’t welcome the public to their wildlife-friendly summer garden at the moment – but with the Flourish at Home Art to Fundraise, they’re inviting artists to share summer blooms with an online audience.

Artists are invited to create and donate one or more postcard-size images in any medium, on the theme of bee-friendly flowers and plants. This inclusive project wants to inspire artists young and old, professional and amateur, of all abilities, reflecting Flourish’s diverse and inclusive ethos. Artists’ completed images will be displayed in the Flourish online gallery, available for sale for a minimum £20 donation.

Flourish supports individuals who live with disability or mental health challenges, engaging and training people in horticulture and eco-skills, conservation and crafts. Just as important is Flourish’s role in building friendships and community connections, with many service users naming this social contact as a key aspect of Flourish. 75% of individuals attending Flourish report a high sense of wellbeing after four months’ participation, and some go onto volunteering, employment or education. ‘It’s nice to feel useful,’ says one client, and another adds: ‘A lot of fun and laughter today – I’m buzzing!’

The initiative is part of Flourish’s annual fundraising appeal, which due to the pandemic, has been forced to move online to raise much-needed funds for Flourish at Livability’s wellbeing discovery centre Holton Lee, near Poole. The centre is home to a beautiful flower garden, large vegetable plots and 350 acres of Dorset countryside. Usually the site is open to the public and welcomes people with disabilities, those living with mental health issues and people wanting to improve their wellbeing.  The space has become a haven to many as it provides the opportunity to learn new skills, work with others and connect with nature. Guests can also enjoy walks, nature-spotting and accessible trails, and the opportunity to buy fresh produce and craft items created at Flourish.

‘With the art world having to take a rest during the lockdown, we thought this was good timing to launch an online gallery of artworks that can raise money for the project,’ says Emma Browning, Wellbeing Programmes Manager. ‘Like most charities and businesses, Covid-19 has had a financial impact on Flourish and a fundraising project at this point will help greatly with the additional costs we will incur moving forward. The artworks will be available for sale during September, when we would have normally hosted our annual community fair, now postponed. This offers an opportunity for new and old friends and supporters of Holton Lee to support us in a different way.’
 
Dorset artist Maria Burns says she is taking part because she’s seen the value of Holton Lee’s work at first-hand: ‘My dad attended the Flourish project when he had Alzheimer’s and I saw the benefit [to him]. He was a very sociable man so he loved being surrounded by friendly people on the project. It’s a really lovely and very peaceful place at Holton Lee. My dad always loved gardening, so the Flourish project gave him the opportunity to carry on with one of his passions in a safe way.’

Closing date for postcard entry is 24 August 2020 and artwork will be on display until the end of September.

The Black Country Chamber of Commerce are celebrating after being named the first Chamber in England to have been awarded the Defence Gold Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) Award 2020.

The Armed Forces Covenant Scheme enables employers to publicly declare their support for Defence personnel. The three-tier scheme of bronze, silver and gold awards encourages employers to support defence and the wider armed forces community by aligning their company values and providing a working environment that openly advocates support for employees from the service community. The awards enable the Ministry of Defence to publicly thank and honour organisations for their support.

British Chambers of Commerce Co-Executive Director Hannah Essex said: “I am delighted that the Black Country Chamber has been recognised for their support of our defence personnel. Not only have they championed this work in their local communities, they are also coordinating and encouraging greater efforts across the Chamber Network.
 
“This Award serves as another example of how local Chambers are striving to make their communities a better place to live and work.”
 
Corin Crane, Chief Executive for Black Country Chamber of Commerce said: “The Defence Employer Recognition Awards represent the value of our UK Armed Forces and the many benefits they bring to employers and business. As an organisation we are committed to upholding our covenant pledge, receiving gold status is testimony to the hard work and endeavours of our team and we congratulate our fellow award winners for the recognition and value they place on our Armed Forces and those in the wider defence community.”
 
Speaking on behalf of the Ministry of Defence, Johnny Mercer, Minister for Defence People and Veterans said: “ The breadth and diversity of the winners this year show business support for the Armed forces continues to grow no matter the sector, company size or location. I am grateful for the positive attitude and flexible policies these organisations have adopted towards the defence community, which is testament to the fantastic contribution our serving personnel, veterans and their families can make to any organisation.”
 
Sarah Walker, Project Manager and Armed Forces Champion for Black Country Chamber of Commerce told Prosper; “Gold ERS status is a huge achievement which publicly recognises our support for the Armed Forces Community within the Black Country and through our nationwide project the Chamber Military Network (CMN).

“As a Chamber, we are the lead on the CMN project and the award winning ‘Supporting the Unsung Hero’ business start-up programme. We remain committed to ensuring the profile of our military community is raised at the highest levels.”

Martineau Gardens, a Therapeutic Community Garden in Edgbaston, Birmingham is on the shortlist to win a share of Persimmon Homes’ Building Futures £1million pot supporting under-18s nationwide but first they need online votes to win.

Persimmon Homes West Midlands is backing Martineau Gardens to be a prize winner in October, where cash awards of £100,000, £50,000 or £20,000 will be made to those winning the most online votes.

Tim Bruton representing Martineau Gardens said: “It is a huge achievement to have been selected as a regional finalist, but now we really need people to get behind us and get voting so that we are in the strongest possible position to earn one of the top three cash awards on the night.

We have an excellent Environmental Education programme and thousands of family visits each year. If we are fortunate enough to win the public vote we will be able to build a dedicated classroom and improve the children’s play area to enhance the natural play experience.”

Tim added: “Voting could not be simpler. Just log on to www.persimmonhomes.com/building-futures/finalists and select Martineau Gardens and vote for us. We would really appreciate everyone’s support. Please vote as often as you can.”

Building Futures is being delivered through the Persimmon Charitable Foundation. Through the scheme, a total of 128 grants of £1,000 have been awarded to groups supporting sport, education & arts and health across Persimmon’s 31 regional businesses and its head office.

Persimmon Homes is an official partner of Team GB and the Persimmon Charitable Commission enlisted the help of athletes Jason Kenny and Laviai Nielsen to help determine the three regional finalists for each business division.

One initiative from each category will go on to win £100,000 each through a national award scheme to be decided by a public vote.

As well as the £100,000 first prize, there will be a £50,000 second prize and a £20,000 third prize in each sector; while a further 87 shortlisted projects will each receive £5,000.

Online voting opened on 27 July and will close at midnight on 18 September 2020.

The continuing efforts of health and social care workers in the city have been praised as they continue to face up to the coronavirus pandemic.

Leader of the City of Wolverhampton Council, Councillor Ian Brookfield, and Cabinet Member for Adult Services Councillor Linda Leach visited the council-run Bradley Resource Centre and HARP (Home Assisted Reablement Programme) last week to meet staff who provide short term intensive reablement for people when they are discharged from hospital.

And they paid tribute to the hard work and dedication of care workers across Wolverhampton who have continued to support the city's most vulnerable residents throughout the national emergency.

Cllr Brookfield said: "It was a pleasure to visit Bradley Resource Centre and speak to the team who work there. They have had a really difficult time over the last four months, but their energy and commitment to the elderly and vulnerable people who need their help has been absolutely amazing.

“We got the chance to speak with staff and service users and see for ourselves the various safety measures that have been put into place at Bradley, like other council facilities, to make them Covid-secure.”

Cllr Leach added: "We should all be incredibly proud of the work of health and social care staff in our city.

"They have shown incredible dedication and compassion through what has been a terrible time for our country, and on behalf of the council I want to thank them all for their fantastic work."

The council’s Stay Safe, Be Kind campaign offers clear and simple advice about how people can help themselves, and how they can support others who may be particularly vulnerable at this time.

Further easing of Covid-19 restrictions - due to come in this weekend - has been postponed for at least two weeks by the Prime Minister, amid concerns over an increase in coronavirus cases.

Speaking in Downing Street, Boris Johnson said "we must squeeze the brake pedal" to keep the virus under control. Wedding receptions of up to 30 people were meant to be allowed as part of the changes but cannot yet happen. Face coverings will be mandatory in more indoor settings, such as cinemas.

He also postponed the reopening of casinos, bowling alleys and skating rinks and other close contact services, indoor performances, pilots of larger events to 15 August.

The Prime Minister also imposed further restrictions on slowly opening up the admission of people to large sporting events, including the Goodwood race meeting, snooker at the Crucible and cricketing.

Mr Johnson said progress against coronavirus was continuing with  the daily and weekly number of deaths falling, but warned that some European countries are "struggling" to control it. The UK must be ready to "react", he added.

But business leaders in Greater Birmingham called for a “rapid improvement” in Downing Street communications.

Paul Faulkner, chief executive of Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce, said: “Ensuring there is no second peak or second national lockdown is critical for businesses. But so too is the need for a rapid improvement in Government communication.

“One day’s notice on a huge change in guidance for those businesses due to reopen tomorrow and communication of local lockdown measures via twitter late in the evening are not effective ways of engaging businesses. In order to enforce government guidance, businesses need clear messaging and time to understand and apply it.

“This also reinforces the need for a more nuanced approach to government support for businesses including sector-specific support and ongoing access to the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme for those businesses most impacted by ongoing Covid-19-secure measures and local lockdowns.”

A weekly ONS survey shows the prevalence of the virus in communities is likely to be rising for the first time since May and last night the health secretary announced new restrictions on household contact in the North West and parts of West Yorkshire.

Guidance for employers having more discretion over whether employees work from home or return to the workplace from tomorrow remains unchanged.

Extending the requirement to wear a face covering to other indoor settings (such as museums) where you are likely to encounter individuals you would not usually meet will become law from 8 August.

Sandwell Council has today issued urgent advice for Sandwell residents in an attempt to avoid a local lockdown.

The council’s emergency committee met to discuss the rise in Covid-19 cases in Sandwell, which has seen 85 people test positive over the past seven days.

The committee has issued three key pieces of advice to people in Sandwell as part of ongoing efforts to slow the spread of the virus and avoid a local lockdown:

Sandwell residents who are currently shielding are being strongly advised to continue shielding for their own safety.
All residents are being strongly advised NOT to go inside the homes of other people.
Anyone who has symptoms must self-isolate and book a test.

All Sandwell residents are asked to follow this advice and play their part in reducing the number of Covid-19 cases.

Sandwell Council’s Deputy Leader Councillor Maria Crompton said: “The coronavirus situation in Sandwell is serious.

“To avoid a local lockdown we’re strongly advising those who are shielding in Sandwell to continue to do so after the national shielding period ends today (31 July) while there is an increase in cases locally.”

Cllr Crompton re-iterated that the advice was a strong recommendation from the council and public health professionals for everyone in Sandwell who is shielding.

“We know that people who are shielding are vulnerable to Covid-19 and they are more likely to become very ill or to die if they are infected.

“We know people are looking forward to going out again but we’re really strongly advising people who are shielding to stay put for now and go out as little as possible. This applies to everyone in Sandwell who is shielding.

“We’re also asking people across Sandwell not to socialise with others inside each other’s homes.

“We know that Covid-19 spreads more easily indoors. So, we really strongly recommend that people do not go inside other people’s houses while the infection rate is increasing.

“We also need people to continue washing their hands regularly, wearing face coverings in shops and on public transport, to social distance from other people and – most importantly – to get a test and self-isolate if you have symptoms.

“We really need people to follow this important advice.

“We are seeing a significant increase in coronavirus cases and by working together we can do our best to avoid lockdown in Sandwell.”

Further announcements will be made by the council as the situation develops.

Some of Birmingham’s most fascinating historic venues are opening their sites for a series of special events that will delight families, food fans and culture lovers throughout the rest of 2020.

These are the first events the Birmingham Museums Historic Properties, including Aston Hall and Blakesley Hall, have been able to run following the coronavirus lockdown – and there’s not long to wait as they begin in August!
 
Alex Nicholson-Evans, Commercial Director at Birmingham Museums Trust, said: “We’ve really missed our visitors, and while we can’t fully reopen our Historic Properties, we’re thrilled we can welcome the public back for these unique events. We’ve created a fun programme we are confident we can run safely, so everyone can relax and enjoy themselves. What’s more buying a ticket is a great way to support Birmingham Museums in these incredibly difficult times. We can’t wait to see you!”
 
The first event on Sunday 23 August is an outdoor theatre experience in the stunning grounds of Aston Hall. Enjoy a charming performance of the classic children’s tale Wind in the Willows by the Attic Theatre and Tread the Boards Theatre Company, with the grand mansion as the backdrop.
 
Join Toad, Badger, Ratty and Mole in this heart-warming and hilarious show suitable for all ages. Add a Badger’s picnic box, with a range of tasty options to choose from, for an extra treat.

With two performance times to choose from (2pm or 5.30pm) this will be an enchanting experience everyone will enjoy.

On Sunday 30 August visit the beautiful gardens of Blakesley Hall for a relaxing summer picnic from 11.30am-3.30pm. The surroundings of this picturesque Tudor house are the perfect setting for this Bank Holiday weekend event. For the ticket price you’ll get a reserved picnic spot on the lawn, a delicious picnic box, be able to enjoy live music from a local folk band, and craft stalls selling handmade gifts. All picnic spots are arranged in order to facilitate social distancing.
 
Visited should bring their own picnic blankets, outdoor chairs and even a small gazebo and really make a day of it. Pre-order tokens for Pimm’s and cider or enjoy hot and chilled drinks from the Herb Garden Café.

Pre-booking will give you a kid’s craft activity bag, so everything is ready for you when you arrive and available at: www.birminghammuseums.org.uk/blakesley/whats-on/blakesley-summer-picnic.
 
Are you a pizza and wine lover? On Saturday 5 September Sarehole Mill is the place to be for a fun and informal pizza and wine tasting evening. Celebrating all things Italian, you’ll enjoy delicious canapés, pizza tasters and wine tasting in Sarehole Mill’s scenic outdoor courtyard.
 
The stone baked pizzas are prepared and baked on site by the resident baker who uses the finest ingredients to create authentic Italian style pizza.
The event is hosted by Tony Elvin of The Wine Events Company, who will provide a brief introduction to the basics of wine tasting and guide people through an evening of relaxed and entertaining tasting.

All who attend will be provide with the chance to taste five Italian wines and learn about the regions they come from and why pizza and wine match so perfectly.

With more unique events taking place throughout September, including guided walks at Blakesley Hall and Sarehole Mill that will bring the local area to life, there’s plenty to look forward to. 

Into the autumn and winter months look out for more, including the popular Halloween Pumpkin Flotilla at Sarehole Mill and spooky Ghost Tours, Torch Lit Tours and Christmas Spectacular events at Aston Hall.
 

The borough Sandwell, in the West Midlands, has been named as an area of concern by Public Health England (PHE) following a rise in the number of coronavirus cases.

In the last two weeks, 173 people have tested positive for the virus in the borough.
Council officials are urging those who are shielding to continue doing so, and residents are being strongly advised not to go inside other people's homes.

Sandwell Council's deputy leader said the situation was "very serious".

The local authority held an emergency meeting as the area was added to the official watchlist and called for residents' help in a bid to avoid a local lockdown. The latest figures saw Sandwell's rate of infections rise to 28.1 per 100,000 people in the week up to 27 July, up from 26.9.

However, the rate is still less than half that of Blackburn & Darwen, England's current hot spot, while areas such as Leicester, Oldham, Bradford and Pendle all saw much higher rates of infection. In recent weeks, Smethwick has been seen as the centre of the outbreak in Sandwell, but figures presented to the emergency council meeting on Friday showed the rate of infections in West Bromwich was almost as high.

While a rate of 4.5 infections per 10,000 people was registered in Smethwick for 22-28 July, West Bromwich was 4.1. Far above the 0.2 in Rowley Regis.

Maria Crompton, Deputy Leader of Sandwell Council, called on anyone with symptoms to get a test and self-isolate immediately. She also asked those shielding to keep doing so, despite a national "pause" being introduced at the weekend.

"We know people are looking forward to going out again but we're really strongly advising people who are shielding to stay put for now and go out as little as possible," she said.

"Area of concern" is the lowest level on the PHE watchlist, which helps guide the national response to the pandemic.

It reflects not just the highest weekly incidence rate and trend in areas, but also experts' advice and local plans to tackle the spread.

Staying alert for Eid Al-Adha this month will help to protect friends and family from coronavirus (COVID-19). The great effort communities across the country made to adapt ritual practise and control the virus during Ramadan and Eid Al-Fitr, now needs to continue, so that people can celebrate safely while preventing the spread of infection.

A huge number of sacrifices have been made in recent months, as communities have had to adapt how they celebrate different festivals and other important occasions. It is vital this work is not undone and that we continue to remain flexible in order to control the virus. The most important actions you can take are to maintain social distancing during festivities and practise frequent hand washing, for 20 seconds.

The festival of Eid Al-Adha starts on Thursday 30th July and ends on Monday 3rd August. As with other religious festivals during COVID-19, it is essential to adapt traditional practices for people to protect themselves, their friends and families. The Government’s stay alert and safe (social distancing) rules apply to all UK citizens.

Mosques have now reopened for prayer and service, but in a COVID-Secure way and to ensure social distancing. This means most Mosques are not able to welcome as many worshippers as before. You should speak to your local Mosque to find out what arrangements have been put in place.

There are also guidelines everyone needs to follow when outside the Mosque to ensure they stay safe for Eid. These include not gathering in large groups in people’s homes. Whilst you can gather outdoors in groups of no more than 30, these gatherings will be organised by local Mosques in partnership with local councils, in compliance with COVID-19 Secure guidance.

These restrictions are in place to keep all our families, friends and communities safe during this time, and we recognise that this may make Eid-Al-Adha feel different. Faith leaders continue to use digital tools to bring worshippers together for prayers and sermons and we would encourage you to take advantage of these services to mark Eid-Al-Adha safely.

Osman Dar, Consultant in Global Health at Public Health England said: “Please do continue to keep your distance from those people you don’t live with and wash your hands for at least 20 seconds more often throughout the day. In enclosed public spaces make sure to wear a face mask and stay alert to your surroundings. Please have a happy and blessed Eid”.

Maintaining social distancing is vital for multigenerational households with elderly parents and grandparents, who may also have underlying health issues. Visiting families and friends homes over Eid will increase the risk of spreading COVID-19, especially to those who may be most vulnerable, at a time when the virus is still widely circulating.

We are learning more about the impacts of COVID-19 all the time. Social distancing may be especially important for people of black, Asian and ethnic minority backgrounds, as evidence suggests a disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on different ethnic groups.

Mosques have had to adapt, and it means that fewer people than normal are able to attend. Where feasible it would be advisable to organise Eid prayers outdoors in an appropriately spaced and COVID-secure settings. You could also celebrate with families and friends using digital technology such as Skype, Zoom, WhatsApp, Facetime, Viber and other technological means.

In addition to performing wudu at home before prayers and bringing your own prayer mat to the mosque or Eid prayers venue, healthy hygiene should also be maintained through handwashing for at least 20 seconds, using soap and water or a hand sanitiser, when you enter your home, blow your nose, sneeze or cough and eat or handle food, to help protect yourself and others. People preparing food for others, shouldn’t do so if they have any symptoms of COVID-19 or any other flu-like illness, even if the symptoms are mild.

Remember, if you have symptoms that may be caused by COVID-19, and do not require hospital treatment, or if you live in a household with someone who shows symptoms that may be caused by COVID-19, you must remain at home until you are well. Read more about the availability of testing if you are symptomatic and about self-isolation and household isolation.

Please Read the staying alert and safe social distancing guidance for the full details on the reasons you can leave your house and who you can meet up with.

When you do need to go out, you should follow the guidelines on staying safe outside your home. Most importantly, this includes the key advice that you should stay two metres apart from anyone outside of your household. Face coverings play an important role and can help us protect each other, reducing the spread of the disease if you are in an enclosed space where social distancing isn’t possible, where you will meet people you do not normally meet.

This is most relevant for short periods indoors in crowded areas, for example on public transport or in shops.

The most important thing we can all do in fighting COVID-19 is to stay alert. We must control the spread of the virus to protect the NHS and save lives.

To all celebrating stay safe and Eid Mubarak.
 

Notting Hill Carnival will be held online this year after its street party was cancelled due to the pandemic.

About one million revellers usually attend the event in west London, which has been held since 1966. But this year the carnival festivities will be streamed over four channels online, from 29 to 31 August.

Executive director Matthew Phillip said the event had a "responsibility to protect the black community".

He added: "Carnival is such an important part of people's lives and key celebration of the multiculturalism of the UK.

"We have a responsibility to our community and pioneers to honour that."

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic the event that is usually held in Westbourne Park in Notting Hill and parts of Kensington became the latest in a string of summer calendar events to have been postponed, including the Glastonbury Festival and the Tokyo Olympics. 

It meant that this year's music and performances had to be filmed so the event could be held virtually.

Spotify will dedicate a microsite highlighting the importance of carnival culture in the UK later in August, organisers said.

The 16th of July was just another day that Prison Links CEO Ricky Dehaney collected food bags for his clients but this time he was joined by The Phoenix Newspaper boss Dr Marcia McLaughlin.

Each week at least 30 families and individuals benefit from the distribution and this has happened right from the beginning of the lockdown period. The project is supported by Birmingham’s Active Wellbeing society and especially for some of the more vulnerable recipients, the bags are a lifeline in a period where conventional shopping can not only be challenging but risky.

"We have no idea how long we can keep the supplies going but our trustees Bishop Mike Wilson and Bishop James Herbert are grateful to the Active Wellbeing Society for providing the food for our clients" said Dehaney.

Prison Link are sponsored by Tropical Sun who also support the food distribution project .

The RSPCA is taking care of a beautiful and unusual ‘dragon’ who was found alone in a West Midlands street. 

The 12in-long bright green Chinese water dragon was found wandering along a city street in Birmingham by a member of the public. 

The Chinese water dragon - also known as the Asian water dragon or green water dragon - is a lizard that’s native to China and mainland Southeast Asia.

RSPCA deputy chief inspector Vicki Taylor said: “A member of the public spotted him wandering along the road and was concerned that he’d been dumped. They were also worried that he seemed to be walking with a limp.  

“Thankfully they were able to take him to a nearby vet and I was able to collect him and take him for specialist care.”

Exotic pets aren’t easy to care for and, sadly, this does mean we often see them abandoned when their owners struggle to cope. That’s why we urge people to do their research before taking on an exotic pet. 

Reptiles are completely reliant on their owners to meet their welfare needs, which include the need to be provided with the correct levels of heat, light and humidity, plus an appropriate diet and environment for the particular species. 

“We’ll take good care of him and if no one comes forward to claim him then we’ll find him a suitable new home with people who understand exotic pets and their needs,” Vicki added. 

“We’d urge anyone who is struggling to take care of their pet to ask for help. Please don’t abandon your pet, there are always other options. You could contact the original seller or a local reptile rescue centre for help rehoming your reptile if you feel you are no longer able to care for them.” 

Anyone who would like further information on how to care for exotic pets should visit: www.rspca.org.uk/adviceandwelfare/pets/other.

Expansion works on a major Midlands business park are running ahead of schedule with the construction of fully-serviced factory platforms now underway.

Advanced works involving site clearance, land investigation and testing across a 60-acre site at i54 South Staffordshire were completed last week, just two months after the opening of a newly-built access road – and while following the Government’s Covid-19 safety guidelines.

The western extension at i54, which is located on the county border with the City of Wolverhampton, will deliver up to 100,000 square metres of ready-made development platforms for companies at what is a globally-recognised advanced manufacturing employment zone.

The main works are expected to be completed next year and it is anticipated new occupiers could start arriving from 2022, providing around 1,700 new jobs for local residents.

The current i54 site has a workforce of over 2,500 people, with half of the jobs held by people living within a ten-mile radius. City of Wolverhampton Council, Staffordshire County Council and South Staffordshire Council have agreed a funding and delivery strategy for the initial 60 acres of the extension.

In addition to the councils’ investment, there has been strong support and financial commitment from the Black Country Local Enterprise Partnership and Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire Local Enterprise Partnership.

City of Wolverhampton Council Cabinet Member for City Economy, Councillor Stephen Simkins, said: “i54 plays a major part in the lives of thousands of people in Wolverhampton and south Staffordshire and, at this worrying time with Covid-19, it is more important than ever that we can make rapid progress on projects such as this and welcome new investment.

“We see the western extension as critical to the long-term recovery of our local economy after the crisis. Our joint investment at i54 has secured hundreds of millions of pounds of investment and has brought thousands of jobs to the area, with half of employees living within a ten-mile radius. We are now building on the success of what is already one of the UK’s premier advanced manufacturing business parks.”

Staffordshire County Council’s economic growth leader, Councillor Mark Winnington, added: “We’re pleased to have maintained construction work on our major projects site where possible, so we can maintain long-term economic stability. The safety of public and our teams remains the top priority. It’s great to visit the i54 South Staffordshire western extension site to see the progress made.

“This is vital work that will support our economy in getting back on its feet post-Covid-19. This is a critical project for our partnership and we know there is still high demand for businesses to locate here. That is why we made the decision to expand the site. We anticipate the western extension could generate hundreds more jobs and lever in millions of pounds’ worth of private investment. Successful business parks like i54 South Staffordshire generate business rates which support the funding of public services.”

South Staffordshire Council Leader, Councillor Brian Edwards MBE, said: “All of the partners associated with i54 South Staffordshire are committed to supporting the local economy and bringing more jobs and investment to the area.

“Our award-winning work continues at pace despite the Covid-19 pandemic and the new western extension is really starting to take shape and show its full potential now the construction of the fully-serviced factory platforms is underway. It’s encouraging news about this outstanding business location and I’m very proud to support this project.”

The western extension scheme brings a plan to boost employment skills, training and recruitment to local people with a £150,000 contribution – helping them to access the newly generated jobs.

The partners have also agreed a further £500,000 to support and promote sustainable travel activities, and £50,000 has been granted to Pendeford Hall Nature Reserve to help continue and develop its education, health and wellbeing, and personal and social skills development outdoor activities for local communities.

More than £1 billion has so far been invested in the original i54 site, with 2,700 people employed by multi-national companies JLR, Moog, ISP, Eurofins, ERA and Atlas Copco. Morris Site Machinery, one of the leading site machinery businesses, is also well underway with its new facility.

Over 3,500 students have also benefitted from a targeted skills and education programme.

A charity is highlighting the importance of early neutering after a cat arrived in its care heavily pregnant at just nine months old. 

Black-and-white Maddie was barely more than a kitten herself when she was taken into care by Cats Protection’s Birmingham Adoption Centre after her owner had died. She arrived at the centre with 18-month-old Margot and three-year-old Mason.

None of the cats had been neutered and staff at the centre believe Margot and Mason are likely to be Maddie’s parents while Mason is likely to also be the father of Maddie’s two kittens who are now a week old.

The young family’s story illustrates commonly held misconceptions about pregnancy and mating between cats. In a recent survey of 1,000 cat owners, Cats Protection discovered 77 per cent of respondents were unaware a female cat can become pregnant as early as four months of age, while 86 per cent did not know an unneutered female can have as many as 18 kittens in a year.

As a result of fewer vets being able to carry out neutering during lockdown, Cats Protection has estimated as many as 84,000 extra kittens could be born this summer. The charity has produced an infographic with useful tips for owners on how to stop cats becoming pregnant and to prevent additional pressure on already over-stretched vets. Some of the tips include:

keep unneutered cats and kittens indoors to prevent unplanned litters
contact your vet to discuss whether you can book ahead for a neutering operation
ensure unneutered brothers and sisters are separated – cats will mate with their family members, so it is best to keep them apart

Cat Care Assistant Alice Batchelor-Reynolds says: “Even though Maddie is only nine months old herself she is being a great mum. We often find with our young mums that they need a bit of support and guidance when it comes to having kittens. As they are essentially only kittens themselves they don’t always have a fully developed nurturing instinct. In these cases we sometimes have to help them to clean and toilet their kittens but Maddie is doing everything perfectly so all we need to do is watch them grow and make sure everyone is happy and healthy.

“It’s very easy to forget that pregnancy in cats is risky and with limited vet appointments currently available, if your cat becomes pregnant she may not have easy access to the help she needs. Cats have no emotional need to become pregnant and neutering has a number of health benefits to both male and female cats. As a charity we are able to support owners on limited incomes with the costs of neutering pet cats once vet practices are fully operational again.”

Maddie’s kittens have been named Micah and Maddox and their progress can be followed at www.8dc6460bbbb088757ed67ed8fb316b1b-gdprlock/birminghamcatsprotection/. They will be available for homing once they are past nine-weeks-old.

Like all cats in the charity’s care they will be neutered, vaccinated and up-to-date with their flea and worm treatments.

The RSPCA received 1,127 reports about guinea pigs in need throughout England and Wales last year (2019) and 338 so far this year (up to 10 July). In the West Midlands, the charity received 40 reports about guinea pigs in 2019, the third highest in England, and 18 so far this year.

One of the biggest issues the charity deals with regarding guinea pigs is multi-animal households where breeding has become out of control.

Now the RSPCA is concerned that as vets have understandably had to prioritise emergencies during the Coronavirus crisis that there could be lots more unneutered guinea pigs having unwanted litters.

Dr Jane Tyson, the RSPCA’s rodent expert, said: “Guinea pigs breed incredibly quickly so one unneutered pair can quickly lead to an owner having lots of guinea pigs on their hands! We would always advise owners to have their male guinea pigs neutered before introducing them to a female. We also find that guinea pigs can sometimes be mis-sexed by the seller or previous owner which leads to accidental breeding so it’s also important to make sure that your guinea pigs see a vet regularly who would be able to spot if they have been identified incorrectly.

“Many of the guinea pigs that come into our care have come from a multi-animal home where there have been large numbers of guinea pigs living in often cramped, dirty and unsuitable conditions. This also means that they may have experienced very little handling and are wary and fearful of human hands and need their confidence building up in RSPCA care.

“This is why, this Guinea Pig Appreciation Day, we wanted to encourage people to neuter their guinea pigs and help tackle the problem of overbreeding.”

Chief Veterinary Officer, Caroline Allen said: "On average a litter contains two to four guinea pigs, but can be as large as eight pups. A female can have up to five litters per year and can become pregnant within hours of giving birth.

“This, coupled with the fact that guinea pigs can breed at just a few weeks of age, means that if females are housed with unneutered males, numbers can very quickly get out of hand as even siblings will mate with each other. However, guinea pigs are social animals and it is important for their welfare that they are kept with other guinea pigs. 

“Whilst a good combination can be a male with one or more females, it is really important that the male is neutered before being paired with the females and even after neutering the males can remain fertile for 4-6 weeks so will need to be separated from the females. Female guinea pigs tend not to be routinely neutered as the procedure is more complex. Neutering of male guinea pigs is generally a straightforward procedure."