Community News

Following new guidance from the Government, Birmingham City Council has increased the number of mourners allowed to attend funerals from six to 16.

During the Covid crisis, Birmingham City Council has closely followed government and public health guidance around social distancing measures.

With new guidance issued allowing for more social interaction between different households, Birmingham City Council has been able to review its policies including its approach to bereavement services and the number of people allowed at funerals.

Councillor Sharon Thompson, Cabinet Member for Homes and Neighbourhoods said: “We fully understand the stress and anxiety caused by minimising the number of people allowed to attend the funeral of a loved one. Therefore, I am pleased to say that after fully reviewing our processes, we can now safely increase that number to 16. This is a first step in getting us back on track and allowing families to grieve in a way that they would wish.”

The council has also seen a steady reduction in the number of funerals taking place across the city. This means, with fewer graves being needed to be dug in advance, more people are able to stand around a graveside while maintaining a 2m social distance. This has been a key factor in allowing the change to take effect and which have be introduced since Monday June 1
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Cllr Thompson continued, “While we have increased the number of mourners, we are continuing to constantly review the situation. Should we see local restrictions introduced by the government, this may need to again change to reflect the measures needed to keep our residents safe.”

In addition, the opening hours of cemeteries and crematoria will also be reviewed with a decision expected next week.

National Trust says it will phase reopening of gardens and parklands in England and Northern Ireland with advance booking needed to limit numbers and maintain public safety

The National Trust has announced that it has begun a phased reopening of its gardens and parklands in England and Northern Ireland with advance bookings needed to limit visitor numbers and maintain public safety.
 
The announcement comes after the UK government updated its advice on ticketed garden venues on May 23, confirming that people in England can now visit gardens and land maintained for public use. And in Northern Ireland, the Executive permitted the reopening of outdoor spaces as part of step one in its Pathway to Recovery Plan.
 
The Trust has now begun a phased and gradual reopening of a small number of its gardens and parklands in England and Northern Ireland. Over the coming weeks more places will begin reopening. People will be able to book their tickets in advance on property web pages.

They will be free for Trust members, and other visitors will pay an admission fee.
 
In the Midlands, the gardens and parklands reopening to those who have booked tickets in advance are: Attingham Park in Shropshire; Hardwick and Calke Abbey in Derbyshire; Clumber Park in Nottinghamshire and Belton House in Lincolnshire.
 
All the Trust’s houses, shops, holiday cottages and campsites remain closed in line with government guidelines.
 
All car parks and properties in Wales remain closed in line with Welsh Government guidance.
 
The charity will begin to reopen gardens and open spaces in England and Northern Ireland where social distancing can be observed, and will open to around a third of their normal capacity at any one time. Visitors arriving at reopening properties by car will be asked to show pre-booked tickets through their vehicle window before parking. Those arriving on foot will have bookings checked by a small team of staff who will adhere to social distancing.
 
Most of the Trust’s countryside and coastal car parks are now open, but car parks with a risk of high demand may need to be closed, and some may need to be booked in advance. Visitors are asked to check property web pages before travelling to see what is open and what needs to be booked. All admission to gardens and parklands will be by pre-booked ticket only.
 
Director General Hilary McGrady said: “We want to provide safe, local, welcoming spaces for people, and wherever possible we will open our gardens and parks, and coast and countryside car parks.
 
“The fresh air, bird song, big skies and open spaces people have missed will be there, but things will be very different, particularly at first. We want to thank people for their patience and support while we gradually begin reopening and welcoming our visitors.”
 
The booking system will be available on individual property web pages via www.nationaltrust.org.uk.
 
The charity is also urging visitors to limit how many visits they book, to stay local if they can and to avoid busy hot-spots.
 
Signs at properties and information ahead of visits will advise visitors how to stay safe during their visit and routes will be marked out.
 
Hilary McGrady said: “I am so thankful that our members and supporters have stood by us as we work through these unprecedented times. We know they desperately want to return to our places, and we need their support to do our vital conservation work to look after the coastline, countryside, rivers and properties in our care.
 
“Like so many other organisations, the Trust has been badly affected by the coronavirus lockdown, not least our vital conservation work and our finances. Reopening is the first phase of our recovery, and we need our members and supporters to help us make this gradual transition a success so we can get back to offering nature, beauty and history for everyone.”
 
The latest information and updates on which places and facilities are opened can be found on individual property web pages, and all visitors are urged to check online before planning a visit.

The ticket booking system is also available at www.nationaltrust.org.uk

Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council has announced that they have now reopened the tip at Shidas Lane, in Oldbury.
 
After working closely together on the re-opening of the Household Recycling Centre, the Council and its environmental services partner Serco, is happy to announce that site will now return to its normal opening hours.

The tip is now open every day from Monday from 8am until 4pm included Saturdays and Sundays. 

The tip continues to be very busy so residents are advised to plan ahead before visiting the site.
 
Vans and trailers are not permitted to enter the site at the moment and only one person will be permitted in each car, unless bringing a bulky item that requires two people to unload it or if the person is registered as having a disability and carries an unauthorised Blue Badge. 

Those planning on using the site will need to bring proof that they live in Sandwell such as a driving licence, recent utility bill or current council tax summary, which they will be asked to show against closed car windows.

Given the coronavirus pandemic is not over, social distancing will be maintained on site at all times, which means the site may operate in a different way to normal. Therefore, the staff on site will not be able to assist the public with their waste disposal/unloading, to ensure social distancing rules are upheld.

Residents are also being asked to separate their waste and recycling prior to visiting. There are bays specifically for recycling items like garden waste, clothing and textiles, wood, carpet, cardboard and many other items. The council is urging the public not to place everything in the general waste bin. 

Councillor Maria Crompton, Deputy Leader of Sandwell Council, said: “I would like to thank all our residents for being patient while we worked out the best time to reopen the tip fully. We now feel we are in the right position to reopen the tip from 8am to 4pm which will allow residents the opportunity to visit over an extended period of time.  

“I would like to remind residents that we still expect queues to be long, so only visit if absolutely necessary. Please remember that we are still observing social distancing practices on site in line with government guidelines for Covid-19, so please be patient when visiting the site.”

“Drivers should be considerate in not blocking access for businesses on the surrounding roads and should remain in their vehicles while queuing.”

Dave Lynas, Senior Contract Manager, said: “We thank everyone for their patience when visiting the centre and our teams are doing all that they can to ensure the site runs smoothly whilst social distancing measures are in place.

"Unfortunately, we are finding residents from neighbouring authorities are attempting to use the tip. This facility should only be utilised by Sandwell residents so, if you are not from the borough, please do not try and visit. Proof of address will be required before entry and we will have no choice but to turn away anyone found not to be from the area.”

The Electoral Commission of Jamaica (ECJ) has just announced a new appointment.

The Commission has just declared that The Honourable Earl Jarrett O.J., C.D. J.P., Hon. LL.D. has been appointed as its new Chair following a selection process that was undertaken by the commission’s four members and under the Electoral Commission (Interim) Act 2006 which states that; “the selected commissioners shall select one of the number to be chairman of the commission and so inform the Governor General.”

Under the previous chair, The Honourable Dorothy Pine-McLarty, who has now retired after 19-years of service, he was originally appointed to the electoral commission, as a select commissioner, in 2013.

A graduate of the University of the West Indies and now a Chartered Accountant, among the grand number of post he has, or still holds, he is, or has been, the Honorary Secretary of the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica, the North American Regional Director of the FIA; a Director of the Edna Marley College Art Foundation, Chair of the Jamaican Diaspora Foundation and is a member of the Executive Board of the Caribbean Association of Housing Finance Institute (CASHFI).

She (Mrs Pine-McLarty) joined the Electoral Advisory Commission, as a Select Commissioner, in 2000.

Sandwell Council is supporting a petition created by a Sandwell student.

Harvey from St Michaels CE High School, is campaigning for an annual day to pay tribute to the bravery and sacrifice of NHS staff, after seeing how many health and care workers have lost their lives.

Councillor Yvonne Davies, Leader of Sandwell Council, said: “The council is backing the idea of having a day to celebrate all of the individuals who have been there for all of us through this crisis.

“So many people have sacrificed a huge amount to make sure the rest of us are safe and looked after - our NHS staff, our carers, our binmen and women, all our bus drivers and all of those important workers.”

Councillor Danny Millard, deputy leader of Sandwell Council said: “I was approached by Harvey’s family who asked if I could help publicise the petition Harvey had started.

“We are so proud of Harvey and the difference he wants to make. The NHS do a fantastic job and have faced such a terrible time through the pandemic so a day to celebrate each and every NHS worker seems fitting. It’s also great to see the younger generation leading the way.

“I urge everyone to get behind Harvey and sign the petition.”

To sign Harvey’s petition, which has already attracted nearly 400 signatures, go to www.change.org and search ‘Annual National Health Service (NHS) Day.’

The direct link to the petition is: http://chng.it/zCsjDbVd 

The video of the leader and Harvey can been seen at: https://youtu.be/JVYZ8JpFyjw
 

A floral display is being constructed in the city centre as a gesture of thanks from Birmingham City Council to key workers during the coronavirus pandemic.

The installation, in front of the Council House in Victoria Square, features as its centrepiece the NHS logo surrounded by a rainbow and other items associated with key workers or community activity during the pandemic.

All the features will be made up of flowers that were originally due to be used as part of the city council’s 2020 Chelsea Flower Show entry.

Following the cancellation of the event, the flowers are being put to this alternative use, along with items that formed part of past entries, including a floral double decker bus, a nod to the public transport services that have continued to operate during the lockdown for key workers.

To reflect the retail workers who kept up the supply of essential items during lockdown, there will be a planted-out shopping trolley. The display will also mark the contribution from our refuse and street cleansing teams with some planted-out bins.

The edging will be a mixture of the posters of support that council workers and employees from partner organisations have received.

Birmingham’s Chelsea sponsor, Veolia, has kindly agreed to fund the changes, to enable the 10 metre x 2 metre display to be developed.

Councillor John O’Shea, Cabinet Member for Street Scene and Parks at Birmingham City Council, said: “Our Parks and Nurseries team never cease to amaze with their creativity and resourcefulness.

“It’s great that we have been able to find a fitting alternative use for the flowers and plants that would have been used at Chelsea – as well as being a way to demonstrate our gratitude, it symbolises our commitment to reuse and recycling wherever possible.

“The finished display will hopefully be appreciated by everyone who has played a part in keeping the city safe and operational during these challenging times. On behalf of everyone at the city council, I would like to repeat our thanks to everyone involved and to the parks staff for doing this.”

General Manager at Veolia in Birmingham, Mark Powell, said: “Birmingham residents have been very supportive of our teams on the front line and we are proud to sponsor this exhibit honouring all the city's key workers during the pandemic.

“Repurposing the plants that were intended for the Chelsea Flower Show aligns with Veolia's values on reusing and recycling resources and our shared appreciation for those who have contributed most in these difficult times.”

The one tortoiseshell and four black-and-white kittens, who are believed to be around two to three weeks old, were found inside a locked bin, in Castle Bromwich, Birmingham by quick-thinking mum Louise as she walked nearby, with a friend and their families.
 
Louise says: “Whoever dumped these poor kittens in the bin at Parkfield should be ashamed. They were so tiny they weren’t even ready to leave their mom. It’s got to be someone close, it’s not like they even put them in a box, they just put them in the bin one by one. Disgusting people out there. Vile.”
 
After fishing the kittens out of the bin where they had been crawling on dirty bottles and food waste, the group took the kittens to 608 Vet Practice on Warwick Road in Solihull where they were checked over. The practice then contacted Cats Protection’s South Birmingham Branch, who which arranged for them to be taken into the care of the charity’s Birmingham Adoption Centre in Hollywood.
 
She added: “I’m just glad that we got the kittens out in time.  It was a real group effort, it was my son, pal Sophie, her son and her niece. The kids were really brave, they were able to reach the kittens after we ripped the bag and pulled them to the top of the bin, then played with them while Sophie went home to get a box.
 
“It was cruel that someone had done that. They were meowing all the time, it was so sad, they only calmed down in the car when my kids were holding and cuddling them. I’m glad they are being looked after. I would have loved to keep one but I didn’t want to separate them at such a young age, especially after they had been through so much already. It’s nice to see the photos of them looking so much better.”  
 
The kittens have been named Spike, Giles, Xander, Faith and Willow after characters from TV show ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’, as the centre thought they could use a little slayer-inspired strength after their ordeal. They are receiving round-the clock care from one of the centre’s volunteer fosterers, who is also a registered veterinary nurse, providing them with bottle feeds to top-up their first tastes of solid food.
 
Deputy centre manager Paula Beswick says: “Seeing the video of the tiny, vulnerable kittens struggling on top of rubbish at the bottom of the bin is heart-breaking. They are so lucky that Louise, Sophie and the children not only heard them but had the patience and kindness to get them out and take them to the vet. They were still terrified when they came to us, screaming and covered in dust and dirt.
 
“We know having an unexpected litter of kittens is a shock and can be difficult but we would urge anyone in a similar situation to bring the kittens to us. We won’t judge, we will just ensure the kittens are given the best care before finding them loving homes. 
 
“We’d also like to hear from whoever dumped the kittens, anonymously if they wish, as we can support them to ensure the mother cat is neutered so that the same situation doesn’t happen again. Luckily the five bundles of fur are now safe and well but the situation could have been very different.”
 
The kittens are expected to return from foster care back into the centre by mid-June and will be available for homing once they are at least nine weeks old.

Anyone wishing to give the kittens a home or find out more about Cats Protection’s work in Birmingham should visit www.cats.org.uk/birmingham where details of the kittens’ availability will be posted first.
  
A video of the kittens in the bin and being rescued as well as images of the kittens on arrival at the centre and in their foster home are available at:
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/20bgp64e8a9ecy7/AABUdNZu_vMSjKcHf9NKSe9Oa?dl=0
                                                                                                                                    

The City of Wolverhampton Council will introduce phase two of re-opening its markets on Wednesday June 3.
Phase two includes:
Strict social distancing measures
Separate entrance/exit
Sanitation station
A guided one-way system
A queuing system
Managed maximum capacity at any given time and extra security  
The measures have been put in place to ensure the safety of staff, traders and the public. 
 
Phase two will see traders of household items (including DIY, hardware, electrical goods), confectionary, pet supplies, key cutting/shoe repair. Along with take away food, mobile phone accessories.
The third phase will see all three markets re-open fully - subject to level of compliance and feedback.
Under the Government guidance, it is recommended to shop where possible on your own or for others who are self-isolating. 
 
Councillor Steve Evans, Cabinet Member for City Environment at City of Wolverhampton Council, said: “On review of Government guidance and the success of phase one re-opening, phase two will be in operation from Wednesday 3 June across the city markets.
This, like phase one, will be carefully managed and reviewed so we can get markets back up and opened fully. We understand there will be concerns from residents, but measures are in place to ensure the safety of the public, staff and traders. 
 
“Traders who fall into the category of phase two have been informed and we are working with them to make sure they have the correct measures in place to operate safely. To support stall holders further, we will continue to charge only 50% of rent charges.”
 
Bilston indoor and outdoor market opening times are Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays (8.30am to 4pm). Wolverhampton City Centre Market opening times are Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays (7.30am to 4pm). Wednesfield opening times are Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday (8am to 3.30pm).
When out in public, people must stay 2 metres – or 6 feet – away from other people at all times, unless they are from the same household. 
To enable shoppers to keep their distance, retailers which have been permitted to remain open, and encouraged to place limits on how many people can be in-store at any one time.
And to ask customers to stand two metres apart when in-store and while queuing.
In addition, customers are encouraged to pay using contactless to reduce the amount of cash being handled by staff. The council has produced a poster for shops and businesses to print off and display, advising staff and customers of social distancing measures in operation on the premises.

Soho Road Business Improvement District (BID) received the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service 2020, a group of volunteers based in Handsworth, in Birmingham, have been honoured with the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, the highest award a voluntary group can receive in the UK.

Soho Road BID is a volunteer led organisation that manages the Soho Road Town Centre, with over 700 members and a team of approximately 100 volunteers who get involved in many different elements of their work.

And it is one of 230 charities, social enterprises and voluntary groups to receive the prestigious award this year. The number of nominations remains high year on year, showing that the voluntary sector is thriving and full of innovative ideas to make life better for those around them.

The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service aims to recognise outstanding work by volunteer groups to benefit their local communities. It was created in 2002 to celebrate the Queen’s Golden Jubilee.

Award recipients are announced each year on June 2 and the anniversary of the Queen’s Coronation, with this year’s, as ever, wonderfully diverse.

They include volunteer groups from across the UK, including a community shop in Cornwall, an environmental group in Swansea, a group working with refugees and vulnerable people in Stirling and a thriving community arts centre in County Down.

Soho Road BID is possibly the first Business Improvement District in the UK to receive such a prestigious award whose representatives will receive the award from the Lord Lieutenant of West Midlands, John Crabtree OBE, later this summer. Furthermore, two volunteers from Soho Road BID will attend a garden party at Buckingham Palace in May 2021, along with other recipients of this year’s Award.

It’s Chair, Bob Balu says: “We are delighted to receive such a prestigious award.

“This recognition means the world to the BID Board and pays tribute to all of our volunteers as it shows that the work we do is appreciated within our community and nationally. We are also honoured to be the only Business Improvement District to receive the award in 2020 and possibly in the history of the awards.

“We would also like to thank all of the partner organisations that support us including Birmingham Council’s Cleaner Greener Streets and other departments, West Midlands Combined Authority, Birmingham and Solihull LEP, West Midlands Police, West Midlands Fire Service, Kier Highways to name just a few.”

Birmingham City Council Leader, Councillor Ian Ward said: "This award speaks volumes about Soho Road BID and its importance to the local community. At their best, they are about so much more than business interests, they're about a sense of place, local pride and community.

“The Soho Road BID team clearly understand this, and the award is richly deserved recognition for a lot of hard work."

People caught spitting at bus drivers or passengers are increasingly likely to be caught and face long jail sentences, transport and police bosses have warned.
 
The act of spitting has moved to potentially being life threatening for victims following the coronavirus outbreak as highlighted by the recent death of a London ticket collector following an attack.
 
Only last month a 43-year-old man from Northfield, Birmingham was jailed for 17 weeks for spitting at a bus driver after refusing to pay his fare.
 
And in June 2019 a 28-year-old was jailed to 14 weeks in prison after spitting at a driver in Erdington.
 
But new figures have revealed that during the year to March 31, 2020, while there was a fall in all other types of recorded crime on the West Midlands bus network, there was an increase in common assault incidents.
 
This increase was to a large extent accounted for by incidents of spitting, with male bus drivers frequently being the target. 10% of attacks have also been racially aggravated.
 
The Safer Travel Partnership, through which West Midlands Police, British Transport Police and Transport for West Midlands (TfWM) collaborate to fight crime on buses, trains and trams, has been encouraging more drivers and passengers to report incidents.
  
Measures taken include:
 
Issuing DNA spit kits to all drivers meaning that vital DNA evidence is now gathered in more than half of incidents
A dedicated Safer Travel team officer dealing with incidents
Driver training to encourage reporting of incidents and to improve the quality of evidence gathered
Regular electronic bulletins to bus company staff highlighting incidents, arrests and successful prosecutions
Since the coronavirus outbreak the talk holes in driver screens have been covered to further protect staff
 
The DNA evidence, combined with security camera coverage - buses have up to 12 cameras on board - means there is a 75% chance of identifying attackers.
 
Mayor of the West Midlands Andy Street said: “Spitting is not only a vile act but one which can, as we saw in London, have fatal consequences in the midst of the coronavirus outbreak.
 
“I am pleased to say that we are getting results and that the courts are backing us with stiff sentences for those found guilty.
 
“The vast majority of people using our public transport are polite and law abiding. But we will do all we can to root out and deal with those who act in a violent and abhorrent way and make the transport network safe for both our frontline staff and passengers.”
 
West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner David Jamieson said: “Spitting is one of the most disgusting forms of behaviour there is. Not only is spitting repulsive and contemptable, but with the coronavirus pandemic, this action is deliberately a life threatening attack.
 
“Evidence suggests that a significant number of these offences are racially provoked. There is never an excuse and we will do all we can to stamp it out.
 
“Tremendous progress has been made since spit kits were first introduced on our public transport in 2017 and the perpetrators of these horrible actions in many cases are identified and action is taken.
 
“Therefore my message to anyone who indulges in this vulgar form of attack in which spitting is so dangerous because of coronavirus, you will be found, you will be arrested and you will be prosecuted.”
 
David Bradford, managing director of National Express West Midlands: “Spitting is not only disgusting - it's a criminal offence. Our drivers and passengers should not be expected to tolerate it.

“We work very closely with the Safer Travel team, and we have spit kits on every bus. These give us irrefutable DNA evidence to help us track down offenders and secure convictions at court. In addition, we have CCTV all over our buses which give police crystal clear images of offenders.”  

Following the record-breaking efforts of Captain Sir Tom Moore, a nine-year-old boy who has cerebral palsy was inspired to follow suit by walking the distance of a marathon in his street.

The Sheffield-born school boy used a walking frame to walk about 50 metres a day having originally planned to complete I kilometre in his local park to raise money for charity,.

Instead, Tobias, who is also autistic and cannot stand or walk unaided walked 750m per day until he completed the 26-mile challenge.

Saying that heard about Captain Tom and that he wanted to raise £10,000 by doing what he described as a “ginormous challenge”, he raised a staggering target sum – and still counting – for his two favourite charities; Sheffield Children’s Hospital where he attends for regular treatment and Paces School, where he attends for conductive education, which emphasises on developing the children so that they can achieve as much independence as possible by following physiotherapy programmes as well as being educated at the same time.

His proud mother, Ruth, said: “When Tobias heard about Captain Tom’s challenge, he felt a kinship with him and decided to replace his sponsored walk with a marathon attempt instead.

He started on March 21, which was pretty much the time when the lockdown started and looked to finish by the end of May.

“Tobias”, she added, “is just thrilled at the response that he has got – and still getting”.

The plucky young boy wants to raise money towards the ‘A New Home for Paces’ to provide a new school with improved facilities.

Scientific advisors to the UK government have warned of the risk of lifting the lockdown rules in England, as the UK begin the final weekend before rules change.

Professor John Edmunds said that it was a “political decision” to ease measures; Sir Jeremy Farrer said that the NHS test and tracking system should be “fully working”.

From Monday, schools will be reopened and up to six people will be able to meet in England, with other nations also easing their measures.

The government have said that it had followed the data and evidence at all times.

Sir Jeremy, director of the Wellcome Trust and a member of Saga (the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies), said in a Tweet that Covid-19 is “spreading too fast to lift lockdown in England” and that NHS test and trace “has to be fully working and infection rates have to be lower”.

Sage has published of its confidential meetings which include minutes of 34 sessions, going back to January 22 and a series of scientific reports.

They show one Sage meeting, on April 23, which estimated that there would be only 1,000 cases per day by mid-May.

Instead, estimates by the Office for National Statistics suggest that there are currently 8,000 cases per day in England alone. Those figures do not include cases in care homes or hospitals.

Wolverhampton Art Gallery has used its collections to create a digital exhibition while closed during lockdown.

To the Sea, inspired by travel, showcases a selection of paintings and seascapes, including works by Edwin Butler Bayliss and Bilston-born painter William Harold Dudley that will help you escape to the coast – virtually.

Dudley’s art developed at a time when the influence of French Impressionism, the Newlyn School of artists, and the plein air technique of working outside drew many painters to the ocean.

He made regular visits to Polperro, Cornwall; depicting the village and coastline in a celebrated series that formed part of the original collection at Bilston Gallery. Previously exhibited in ‘Under Open Skies: The Life and Art of William Harold Dudley 1890-1949’, this display showcases Dudley’s art once more, alongside rarely-seen works from Wolverhampton Art Gallery’s permanent collection.

Also, on display are oils and sketches from Bayliss that reveal an alternative side to “Poet Painter of the Black Country”, as well as maritime studies by the renowned Cornish painter Alfred Wallis and Vorticist artist Edward Wadsworth.

City of Wolverhampton Council Cabinet Member for City Economy, Councillor Harman Banger, said: “We understand that art is an escape for most so I am glad to see that we are working in a new way to ensure our collection is still reaching those who have an interest in art.

“We recognise our visitors are missing our cultural venues but we hope that through our digital platforms we can still inspire people and make art accessible.
“Over recent months many of us have had to change our holiday plans, so we hope this selection of artwork will help people escape to the coast – virtually at least.”

To view the collection visit: www.wolverhamptonart.org.uk/tothesea.
 

A woman who is the first to wear a hijab whilst sitting as a deputy district judge in the UK has said that she hopes to be a “trailblazer”.

Raffia Arshad, a member of St Mary’s Chambers in Nottingham, recently received her letter of appointment as a judge for the Midlands circuit.

On her appointment, Raffia, 40, said: “I don’t just see it as a personal achievement, it’s much bigger than that”.

The joint heads of St. Mary’s Chambers said; “She (Raffia) has led the way for Muslim women to succeed in the law”.

Mother of three, Judge Arshad, from Burton-upon-Trent in Staffordshire, said: “I almost feel a little detached from it being me. It’s become more about making sure that I am inspiring other people, no matter what their background may be.

“It’s taken me a while to get to where I am now, but I have to say that I am incredibly pleased with what I have achieved.

“I also see this as a huge achievement for anyone from a diverse background”.

An expert in Islamic family law, Judge Arshad is, however concerned about a lack o diversity in the judiciary.

The National Trust in the UK is set to reopen some of its gardens and parks in England and Northern Ireland from June 3.

Around 29 sites are due to open for people with pre-booked tickets, with more to follow in the coming weeks.

Only around a third of the usual number of visitors will be permitted in order to maintain social distancing.

It comes after Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced a further easing of lockdown measures in England, while in Northern Ireland they have moved to reopen outdoor spaces.

All properties and car parks in Wales will remain closed, however, in line with Welsh lockdown rules.

The Trust said that most coastal and countryside car parks are already open, but some busier ones may need to be closed or pre-booked.

Hilary McGrady, the National Trust’s director general, said that the aim was to reopen gardens and parks “wherever possible”.

But she cautioned that “things will be very difficult, especially in the first instance”.

The RHS (Royal Horticultural Society) is also reopening its four gardens around England with a pre-booked ticketing system.

A University of Wolverhampton student is taking a novel approach to talking about mental health and wellbeing by illustrating the issues that children face in a new book.

Bethany Pickford, a third Visual Communication (Illustration) degree student, created the illustrated children’s book, “My Brother’s Monster”, in time for Mental Health Awareness week.

Drawing on personal experience of mental health issues suffered by friends and loved ones, Beth wanted to use her art to help children understand and relate to the complex issues surrounding depression.

Beth, 20 from Kidderminster, said: “The story focuses on a little girl who tries her best to reach out to her older brother as he suffers with his “monster”, and tries to free him of it. I wanted to find a way that translated how being with a loved one who’s suffering can make you feel, in a simple but effective way.

“I chose to illustrate this as a children’s book because I believe that it’s important for children to be introduced to mental health issues at an early age, as they or the people in their family, can also suffer from them. I wanted to try and show how it can feel from both sides, as someone who suffers and as someone who just wants to help, but can’t. Most of all I wanted the book to have a positive and heart-warming meaning even though it deals with a dark and sensitive topic.

“Initially I planned to work in watercolours, however after some experiments with coloured pencils I found that they were ideal for capturing the itchy, always moving texture of the monster and illustrating this story. It allowed me to push the colours and keep my style original and true to me. I’m really happy with how it turned out!”

Beth has had the full support of the staff of the Wolverhampton School of Art, especially Ben Kelly, Amy Evans, Howard Read and Stuart Varley, who have continued to mentor Beth, despite teaching moving to a virtual space during the COVID-19 lockdown.

Ben Kelly, Course Leader in Illustration at the University, said: ‘’Beth has worked incredibly hard on this project over the course of the final semester of her Degree programme. She has used this period of uncertainty in such a positive way, she is a credit to the course and we know she will go on to have a successful career within the creative industries.”

Beth aims to pursue a career in writing and illustration. She said “It would be amazing to get “My Brother’s Monster” published! It has been my first attempt at creating a full book of final artworks, and I am extremely proud of what I was able to achieve. This project means a lot to me, as it has lasted throughout the whole of third year and developed leaps and bounds since the concept was thought of last September. It would be a dream to hold a physical, printed, and published copy of a book that I both wrote and illustrated. Ultimately I would love to be a freelance illustrator and self-author!”

Another of Beth’s mentors at the University, Amy Evans, a lecturer on the Illustration course, views work that talks about mental health as absolutely vital. She said: “Mental Health Awareness Week has arrived at a time when it has never been more important to check in on our wellbeing. Mental health and depression can be a really challenging topic to discuss with children, but it is also so important to address. Beth has developed a really accessible way to approach the subject with a real sensitivity and understanding of communicating to young children in her picture book.”

The support and encouragement of her lecturers has meant a lot to Beth, helping her make the most of her course and hone her abilities. She said: “I always wanted to stay local for university and the Illustration course at Wolverhampton seemed approachable and welcoming to me. There hasn’t been a time where I regretted my decision, as I’ve always felt super supported by my lecturers and I am extremely happy with what I have managed to achieve over the past three years.”