Community News

The Lord-Lieutenant of the West Midlands has presented a fundraising award to a local chief executive after he raised £57,000 running the London Marathon to support Midlands-based charity, The ExtraCare Charitable Trust.

ExtraCare Chief Executive, Mick Laverty, who lives in Sutton Coldfield, has been named one of the highest money raisers at the 2019 Virgin Money London Marathon. Mick was presented with the glass trophy by John Crabtree OBE, Her Majesty’s personal representative in the West Midlands.

Money raised will support the health and well-being of over 1,500 older people living in ExtraCare’s seven Birmingham and Coventry-based retirement villages and housing schemes, as well as the charity’s other retirement communities across the Midlands and North.

“It was my pleasure to present Mick with such an outstanding and well-deserved award,” said The Lord-Lieutenant, who is also is also the Chair of the Organising Committee for the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.

“To have raised £57,000 for charity is an exceptional effort and one that I’m sure everyone at The ExtraCare Charitable Trust is very proud of.”

The ExtraCare Charitable Trust raised the most money for a ‘Silver Bond’ charity at the 2019 Marathon. There are 550 charities with ‘Silver Bond’ status and holders automatically receive a place in the Marathon every five years (the next place for ExtraCare being due in 2024).

However, in recognition of Mick’s top fundraising achievement, he has also been awarded a place in the 2020 Marathon as well as the glass trophy.

Mick has offered his 2020 place to Birmingham-based staff member, Simon Downtown, who is ExtraCare’s Cluster Contract Manager, based at its 180-home Pannel Croft Retirement Village in Newtown.

Mick, who is also Deputy Lieutenant of the West Midlands, said: “It was an honour to invite The Lord Lieutenant to Pannel Croft Village to present the award. Being part of the Virgin Money London Marathon really was a fantastic experience and all the funds raised will help provide better lives for older people here in the West Midlands and beyond.

“I’m proud to be passing on the ‘Marathon baton’ and wish Simon the very best of luck at the 2020 event.”

A registered charity since 1988, the ExtraCare Charitable Trust is based in Coventry and operates 20 retirement villages and schemes, located in central, south and north midlands and the north west and is developing a new village in Solihull which opens in 2021. Its Lark Hill village in Nottingham, the largest retirement village in the UK, recently featured in the second series of BAFTA nominated Old People’s Home for 4-Year Olds on Channel 4.

A study conducted with Aston University and Lancaster Universities, published in April 2019, found that residents living in ExtraCare’s retirement villages showed a reduction in their dependence on GP and hospital services, leading to a 38% reduction in NHS costs per year.

Residents' levels of exercise increased by 75%, while their anxiety levels dropped by 23%; meanwhile, 86.5% reported never or hardly ever feeling lonely.

The UK’s first and only pair of Sea Otters, Ozzy and Ola, have officially been introduced as new residents at the National SEA LIFE Centre in Birmingham as part of a global education and conservation programme with SEA LIFE Trust.

The Sea Otters, who are a rescued male and female pairing, arrived in to the country following an incredible 5,000 mile journey from their former holding in Seward, Alaska and have been settling in to their new, state-of-the-art and purpose built Marine Mammal Rescue Facility in Birmingham. Their residency is one of just three in the whole of Europe and of 17 collectives globally.

Ozzy – or Mr Bishop as he’s become lovingly known – was rescued when he was just two months old from Bishops Beach, Alaska. Weighing 6.3kgs (13.9 pounds) meant he was underweight, dehydrated and suffering with coat issues, all of which were contributing factors to a later seizure. Now at 2 years old and following his rehabilitation, his inquisitive and somewhat mischievous nature is settling well in to his forever home in Birmingham. He is laid back and loves a good nap!

His soul mate, Ola – also affectionately known as Ms Ranney – was less than a week old when she was rescued back in June 2018 and weighed just 1.86kgs (4 pounds). Found by fishermen near Ranney Glacier face down in the water, she was suffering with mild dehydration and a matted fur coat upon admission to the Alaskan Rescue Center. Ola, whilst a little smaller in size to Ozzy, is now your typical one-and-a-half year old; very active and in to everything – frisbee being her favourite toy!

These endearing creatures are an important poster boy species for conservation and the escalating climate crisis. However, with our world under threat like never before, there are now more orphaned sea otters than the world’s aquariums have room for and their future looks bleak – but Birmingham made space.

At the end of last year, Centre bosses revealed that following a two-and-a-half-year gruelling guardianship application, the financing of care and major investment in a brand-new purpose-built facility over in the United Kingdom to meet strict animal welfare requirements, the United States Fishing & Wildlife Service (USFWS) had finally granted Birmingham’s SEA LIFE Centre a permit to rehome a pair of un-releasable Sea Otters.

Jonny Rudd, Curator at the National SEA LIFE Centre Birmingham said: “This is such an incredibly exciting time for us. It’s been a pioneering project for the country, taking global efforts and a collective vision with our conservation partners to protect the world’s oceans and the incredible marine life which lives within.

“Sadly, an ‘out of sight, out of mind’ mentality can have detrimental consequences to our planet, but this is now our opportunity to open up the reality of a world which feels very far removed from our own. Ozzy and Ola’s residency is a landmark moment for the country and gives us a sense of connection to nature and wildlife from across the globe, highlighting the unconscious impact we’re having so we can start to make small differences. 

“It’s a guardianship commitment with full 360 vision, meaning that monies raised through the Sea Otters residency in Birmingham will have a direct and positive impact to environmental efforts on the ground in Alaska through our partners, SEA LIFE Trust.”

A heritage regeneration company has put forward bold plans to revitalise an under-used area of Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter, with a creative and media centre, complete with commercial studio space, retail and housing.

Post_hoc Developments, which specialises in creative sector projects, has submitted a planning application to Birmingham City Council to transform the Key Hill area, off Great Hampton Street, into a 100,000 sq ft creative hub, with film, photography, digital, music and jewellery studios and workspaces, as well as commercial space, shops and homes.

The plans for Key Hill Studios includes the refurbishment of the grade II listed Harry Smith Building on the corner of Key Hill and Hockley Hill – one of the oldest buildings in the Jewellery Quarter, dating back to 1824 – and the grade II listed Gem Buildings, also on Key Hill, which were built in 1913.

The site has been pieced together from a number of separate owners, with PCPT Architects given the brief to create an urban mixed-use scheme for a site that has been derelict or under-used for 20 years.

Included is a mews of 18 townhouses, plus apartments above shops and studios linked by a series of squares in a traditional format, with new pedestrian routes through the whole site.

In addition to Key Hill Studios, the plans also include a new bar/restaurant in the Gem, to be designed as a key meeting and networking base, supported by cafes and useful shops.

Award-winning conservation architect David Mahony, the principal architect on the scheme and co-director at Post_hoc, said: “We wanted the ground floor to be vibrant, which also fits in with the proposed new masterplan for the Jewellery Quarter, so adding shops for independents made sense.”

Key to the development is The Lampworks, a film and creative studio set up by Jewellery Quarter-based Post_hoc and Birmingham Film Festival’s Kevin McDonagh, after they acquired a former factory and two adjoining Victorian houses in Key Hill Drive. They launched the studio in June 2019 and it has already played host to filmmakers, photographers and video-makers, as well as dance companies, musicians and television production companies, some of whom have travelled from Yorkshire and London to use the space.

Chris Barrow, co-director at Post_hoc, said: “This project is very much looking to support smaller, independent companies, producers and artists from the ground up, helping them to realise their projects, as well as working with creative companies that create content for the BBC and other major channels.

“The whole scheme could accommodate up to 150 full time jobs and the proven interest in using The Lampworks, which is only a few minutes’ walk from the tram and railway station, has shown the need for managed studios, so we look forward to adding more flexible spaces and bringing more essential resources.”

As part of Post_hoc’s new plans, The Lampworks will have three fully equipped studios for hire, with the former factory space being split into a 700 sq ft green screen studio with an infinity wall and a 1400 sq ft "shiny floor" TV-style studio. These would be available for independent filmmakers, music and fashion video makers, as well as larger production companies, and would complement the already popular ‘Loft’ studio on the first floor.

The work of an amateur photographer from the West Midlands has been recognised at a prestigious awards ceremony at the National Army Museum in London.

Colour Sergeant Phil Carr, from Sutton Coldfield, scooped the Amateur Sport and Adventure Training category of the Army Film and Photographic Competition.

He is currently employed as the communications and information systems Company Quartermaster Sergeant with 1st Battalion Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment in Dhekelia, Cyprus.

"I hadn't really picked up a camera until 2012”, Phil said. “I then started to enjoy the process and invested in my first DSLR. Since then I've lost count of how much money I've spent on equipment and upgrades."

His winning entry - Take the Strain - focused on an inter-company sports competition, held annually. He said: "The winning team gets the honour of being called Salerno Company for a year and I took some images of the tug 'o war part of the competition, capturing all the aggression on the competitors' faces.

Reacting to his award, he said: “It’s been absolutely fantastic and I’ve loved the experience because, even though I’ve entered my work before, this is the first time I’ve been nominated.

My wife is really over the moon with it all. My Second in Command is also so pleased with my involvement in the final of this competition. I’ve loved every minute of it.”

Command Master Photographer, Warrant Officer Class One Daniel Harmer, said 2019 was a benchmark year for the competition with a record number of video packages entered.

“The overall standard of what we’ve seen is a new high,” said Daniel, who is based at British Army headquarters in Andover.

“The awards is a showcase of excellence and a celebration of what was achieved in 2019. The photographer’s role is so important in capturing the British Army’s history.

"Army photographers are the professional eyes and documenters of the military actions that shape our times. Often working in extreme conditions and environments, their iconic imagery captures moments in history and very often the very deepest of human emotions with vivid honesty and clarity.  

"The excellent standard of what was submitted made it the toughest challenge for the judges, who took more than four hours to conclude the judging.” 

The Knife Angel – a powerful symbol of hope and cohesion, and a salient warning of the dangers of carrying and using bladed weapons – is in Wolverhampton throughout April.

The 20ft tall sculpture, created from over 100,000 confiscated and surrendered blades by the team at the British Ironwork Centre, aims to highlight the negative effects of violent and aggressive behaviour and to help bring about social change.

 Also known as the National Monument Against Violence and Aggression, the Knife Angel weighs around 4.5 tonnes and on display in the city centre for 28 days as part of a nationwide anti-violence tour.

 Councillor Ian Brookfield, Leader of the City of Wolverhampton Council, said: "We are delighted to be working with our partners to bring the Knife Angel to our city.

"Fewer young people in Wolverhampton were victims of knife crime in the last six months of 2019 – and we want to ensure that downward trend continues.

"It's important that we get the message across that violence needs to stop and we hope that displaying the Knife Angel in our city will not only help continue to turn the tide against knife crime and all other forms of violent behaviour, but also enable us to remember those whose lives have been lost or irrevocably changed as a result of violent and thoughtless actions."

Wolverhampton Neighbourhood Policing Unit Commander, Chief Superintendent Andy Beard, said: "The carrying and use of knives is a serious matter which won't be tolerated by the communities of Wolverhampton.

"Bringing the Knife Angel to Wolverhampton symbolises the impact such weapons can have and should remind everyone to think twice before carrying knives."

Businesses, organisations, schools and community groups were encouraged to hold events and activities to mark the Knife Angel's visit to Wolverhampton. People were invited to take part in a national photography competition to capture the most inspiring and impactful picture of the Knife Angel during its time in the city.

Cllr. Jasbir Jaspal, Cabinet Member for Public Health and Wellbeing, said: "We want the Knife Angel's visit to be an event which involving the whole community. We encouraged people to think about what they could do during the 28 days visit of the sculpture.

Three teenagers had some help from Wolverhampton Wanderers players in preparation for the kick-off of this year’s search for the Young Citizen of the Year.Three teenagers had some help from Wolverhampton Wanderers players in preparation for the kick-off of this year’s search for the Young Citizen of the Year.

Samuel Iyawe, 15, who won the 2019 award, was joined by last year’s finalists Melvin Riley, 18 and Jude Aston, 15, at Wolves’ training base at Compton Park. Chris Thompson from Tettenhall Rotary Club was also present, representing the city’s Rotarians who organise the prestigious awards.

Samuel, who has grown up in the care system, was named Young Citizen of the Year in recognition of being a voice for young people in the city and trying to improve the lives of others while working with the Children in Care Council and the City of Wolverhampton Youth Council. He is extremely passionate about combatting knife crime.

During the meet-and-greet, the youngsters got the chance to tell Wolves players Adama Traore, Max Kilman, Diogo Jota, Bruno Jordao and Benny Ashley-Seal of their community efforts which saw them nominated for the award. It was also their chance to ask the players about their successes, with Wolves flying high in the Premier League and heading towards the latter stages of this year’s Europa League.

Kilman said: “I think it’s good that children are able to express themselves in their community and I’m very proud to have young people like this in Wolverhampton.”
Benny Ashley-Seal added: “It’s great to be involved and see what these young people have achieved. It is important for us as footballers to see all the good things that happen in our local community.”

Councillor John Reynolds, the City of Wolverhampton Council’s Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, said: “Young people in Wolverhampton do some incredible things and it is key that they are recognised for going above and beyond. Doing so can only help in ensuring that the city’s future is a bright one.”

Young Citizen of the Year recognises young people aged 13-19 who have made a significant contribution to the city, people around them and their local communities.
The search is already on for this year’s Young Citizen of the Year.

Ghanaian-born UK MP tells British government to cancel debts and return stolen items of colonised countries Ghanaian-born UK MP tells British government to cancel debts and return stolen items of colonised countries 

The Labour Member of Parliament for Streatham, Bell Ribeiro-Addy has urged the UK government to return items forcefully taken from countries colonised; as part of efforts to rectify its history as slave masters.

This, according to the MP, together with the cancellation of debts, will show that the Britain government is truly remorseful for its acts during the colonial days like slavery.

This comes days after France announced a decision to return artifacts stolen from Benin during its colonial occupation by 2021.“I am someone who firmly believes that the only way you can tackle an issue is at its very root. And the racism which I and many others in this country face on a daily basis has its very root in these injustices.

“Not only will this country not apologize, but they also have not once offered a form of reparations. People see reparation as handing over a large sum of money, but why could we not start with it today? Simple things like fairer trade, simple things like returning items that do not belong to us and simple things like cancelling debts that we have had paid over and over again.
“And I believe the reason for this is because we only apologize to our equals,” she said as part of her speech on the floor of the House of Commons, during the Global Britain debate.
The British politician of Ghanaian descent maintained that the UK will be left in the cold if appropriate measures are not taken to make amends and address issues of racism and injustice.
“Whilst we spent years debating Brexit – engaged in monumental self-harm, India surpassed the UK to become the fifth richest economy in the world. India, a former British colony, this country presided over bloody partition, the Amritsar massacre and Bengal famine.

“We also see countries in Africa like Ghana, Kenya and Uganda amongst the fastest growing economies in the world. Countries that Britain deliberately underdeveloped stole resources from and brutally enslaved its people.”  

Bell Ribeiro-Addy, together with three other Ghanaians are in the UK House of Commons after securing a win in the elections held in December last year.The four, made up of two females and two males, won on the tickets of the Labour Party and the Conservative Party respectfully.

While, Abena Oppong-Asare won the Erith and Thamesmead Constituency with 48 per cent of the votes and a majority of 3,758, Bell Ribeiro-Addy won the seat to represent the Streatham constituency after securing 54.8 per cent with 30,976 vTheir male counterparts, Adam Afriyie also retained the Windsor seat with 31,501 votes and Kwasi Kwarteng, also kept possession of his Spelthorne seat with 18,000 votes.

At the last Nishkam Civic Association Board Meeting of 2019 the Chair and Board were presented with a prestigious certificate. The Nishkam Centre had been put through its paces by an assessor from Investing in Volunteers (IiV) who tested the organisation against nine indicators to confirm continued adherance to the IiV Standard. The Centre provides innovative support via group work activities that is creative, responsive and sensitive to the needs of many diverse communities.

The ethos of the Nishkam Centre is based upon a framework which provides a pathway to community integration, empowerment, involvement and cohesion. As Nishkam means ‘selfless service’ the undepinning and cutting-edge differentiator is voluntary service.

The Centre provides many services to enable civic engagement and involvement. These services incorporate built-in progressions, enabling clients to improve coping strategies and work towards sustainable mental health recovery, increasing social networks and opportunities for training, volunteering, employment and community integration. The Investing in Volunteers website states, ‘Investing in Volunteers (IiV) is the UK quality standard for good practice in volunteer management. The benefits of doing so are claimed to be; ‘enhancing volunteers’ experience and increasing their motivation; strengthen the organisational reputation and encourage more people to volunteer; minimises risk, maintains knowledge, and plans for the future.’

Bhai Sahib, Bhai (Dr) Mohinder Singh OBE KSG, Chair of the Nishkam Group of Organisations said: “The Nishkam volunteers are our organisations’ cutting-edge. It is only possible for our organisations to deliver what they do because of the dedication of selfless volunteers who are inspired by their faith values to help others and give something back to community. We are committed to supporting and developing our volunteers and the award is recognition of the importance we place on them.”

The Nishkam Team’s volunteers are more and more reflective of the communities served, helping to build deeper understanding and cohesion as it is located in one of the most diverse neighbourhoods in Birmingham and the UK.

Nishkam Centre Contracts Manager, Ajit Singh, said, “It is an absolute pleasure and privilege to work with and support our volunteers. Our volunteers are our best ambassadors, who selflessly volunteer to support others in the community whilst developing themselves along the way. For many, volunteering has been a life changing experience supporting the individual’s general wellbeing in so many ways”.

Amrick Singh, Director of the Nishkam Centre, said: “It is amazing to have been assessed against the Standard for the third time and to be told that we were better than last time. We applaud and recognise the enormous value our volunteers add on a daily basis.

For some it is a genuine desire to give back, to serve, to help and to develop new skills. For others it may be an escape from isolation, depression, loneliness or even a sense of guilt that they are not putting their skills to use to help others.

“The award sets a benchmark of high standards, good practice and quality in respect of volunteering, this is a great accolade for all concerned.

“The Nishkam Centre has yet again demonstrated its commitment towards, and appreciation of, its volunteers.”

At the turn of the year, staff and volunteers at St Giles Hospice, in the West Midlands, have been on a high after receiving an ‘Outstanding’ rating from the Care Quality Commission (CQC) – the independent regulator of health and social care services in England.

St Giles Hospice, which provides individually-tailored care both on-site and in patients’ own homes, is one of just a handful of hospices to ever have been awarded the highest possible accolade.

Under the new CQC inspection regime, hospices are also subject to the same level of scrutiny as hospitals, making this ‘Outstanding’ rating incredibly special. 

Publishing the full report on its website, the CQC praised St Giles for its “compassionate” range of speciality services.

Inspectors highlighted how staff treated patients, families and their carers with dignity and kindness, stating: ‘People were truly respected and valued as individuals. They were empowered as partners in their care, practically and emotionally, by an exceptional and distinctive service’.

Jo Maidment, Chair of Trustees at St Giles Hospice, said: “We know that our staff and volunteers strive to deliver outstanding care every day, but to have this acknowledged by the CQC is truly wonderful and a very exciting start to 2020!

“On behalf of our Senior Management Team and Board of Trustees, I would like to say a massive thank you and congratulations to each and every member of our St Giles family.”

Helping more than 7,000 people a year facing the challenges associated with a potentially terminal illness, St Giles staff was also commended for aiming to “make every day meaningful for people who used the service” and “consistently displaying determination and creativity” in delivering care.

Chief Executive of St Giles Hospice, Emma Hodges, said: “This fantastic achievement is testament to the hard work, compassion and unwavering commitment of our staff, volunteers and not forgetting, our loyal supporters – without whom this would not have been possible.”

“We’re outstanding, because you’re outstanding!”

A new road in the West Midlands has been named after a popular former city Mayor.

Elias Mattu Avenue, in Graiseley, in Wolverhampton, was officially opened as a tribute to the ex-Councillor who died in February 2018.

At the time of his death, aged 59, Cllr Mattu was the serving Mayor of Wolverhampton.

The new road is situated in the heart of the Graiseley neighbourhood where Cllr Mattu had lived ever since he moved from India to England aged nine. He went on to represent the area as a ward councillor for almost 20 years.

His widow, Asha Mattu, who is now also a Graiseley councillor, joined the current Mayor, Cllr Claire Darke and others to open the road today. 

Cllr Mattu said: “We are very proud and honoured to have a road named after Elias in the ward that he served for almost 20 years. We are also grateful to the City of Wolverhampton Council for making this possible.”

Mayor of Wolverhampton, Cllr Claire Darke, said: “I know what an honour it is to be Mayor and I know that Elias was so proud to be the first citizen of the city which he moved to as a boy and which became his home and where he raised his family. 

“Tragically, his year in office was cut short by illness, but I remember how he fought on for as long as he could despite rapidly failing health. Elias Mattu Avenue is a lasting memorial to a very special person and I was honoured to be able to join his widow Asha to officially open it.”

Council leader, Cllr Ian Brookfield, said: “Elias was a great man, a friend to so many of us and a dedicated councillor who cared deeply for the people of his ward and the city. Having a road named after him, right in the heart of his beloved Graiseley, is a fitting tribute to someone who we will never forget."

Elias Mattu Avenue is part of a 77-home development being built by contractors, Vistry Partnerships, on the site of the former Tower and Works factory.

The site was derelict before construction got underway, but in its heyday it was the home of leading car builder Clyno as well as record-breaking motorbike manufacturer A. J. Stevens & Co.

Local charity John Taylor Hospice has achieved the Investing in Volunteers Quality Standard in recognition of the excellent work the charity does with volunteers.

The hospice, which provides care for families across the West Midlands, was assessed against a range of best practice standards and proved to excel in all aspects of working with its volunteers.

Investing in Volunteers is the leading UK quality standard for all organisations involving volunteers – aimed at improving the quality of their experience and acknowledging the enormous contribution made by people who give their time voluntarily.

Mark Jones, head of community engagement and volunteering at John Taylor Hospice, said: “Investing in Volunteers is a standard focusing on four areas – planning for involvement, recruitment, selecting and matching people, and supporting and retaining volunteers.

“We are delighted to receive this accreditation and will be displaying our certificate and plaque in the hospice with pride. We are incredibly grateful to people who gift their time to help local families and their support has a huge impact. Not only do volunteers provide much-needed practical support for staff, patients and their loved ones but they offer friendship and enthusiasm while contributing valuable skills and experience.”

From driving patients to and from the day hospice, working in charity shops, maintaining the gardens, meeting and greeting visitors in reception and acting as community ambassadors – volunteers are an integral part of the John Taylor Hospice team.

Mark added: “In a recent survey of hospice volunteers 100% of people said they enjoyed volunteering and 100% said they would recommend John Taylor Hospice as a place to volunteer which was wonderful to hear. We would love to grow our team even further and we have exciting plans for the future so, if you would like to be a part of this, we would love to hear from you.”

Next time you are returning a book to your local library, why not also return an unwanted DIY, gardening or crafting tool?

Central, Pendeford, East Park and Spring Vale libraries are acting as collection points for good quality tools – from decorating equipment, leaf blowers, ladders and power tools to sewing machines and trowels.

The tools will form part of All Saints Action Network’s Tool Library and be free to borrow for people who live and work in the All Saints area of Wolverhampton.

Councillor Harman Banger, the City of Wolverhampton Council’s Cabinet Member for City Economy, said: “We are pleased to be working with All Saints Action Network to support the recycling and re-use of unwanted, good quality, tools and through that helping people to improve their homes and gardens in an affordable and sustainable manner.”

Shobha Asar-Paul, Chief Officer of All Saints Action Network, added: “This is a great way to support the local community and help reduce household consumption and waste. De-clutter your shed, kitchen and garage to help reduce waste and support the re-use of items.”

It’s free to join Wolverhampton’s libraries. For more information, please visit www.wolverhampton.gov.uk/libraries.

Dr Toni Luck, Chair of the African Legacy Fund was awarded the Emissary of Peace Award and spoke at The Phoenix Newspaper's 9th Anniversary Gala Dinner and Awards at the ICC in Birmingham on the 16th November 2019

RSPCA officers spent two hours trying to corner, confine and rescue a feisty fox with a plastic bottle stuck on his head.

Animal collection officers Adam McConkey and Victoria Hurr were called to Grove School in Dawson Road, Birmingham, on Wednesday (12 February) after families spotted the frightened fox in a bit of a pickle.

Victoria said: “The large 2litre bottle was missing the narrow neck so the fox had managed to push his head inside the cavity and got it stuck. Goodness knows how long he’d been like that but if he hadn’t have been spotted he would have died from dehydration and starvation, or could have even been hit and killed by a vehicle.

“He was very distressed and confused but still gave us the run-around! It took us two hours before we were able to get him out from underneath a cabin, corner him and get him onto a grasper so we could safely remove the bottle.

“Thankfully, he wasn’t injured so we released him there and then and he scarpered happily off into the undergrowth.”

The RSPCA is called to around 5,000 incidents every year regarding animals and litter – with hundreds of incidents of animals caught up in plastic litter.

Adam said: “We’ve seen a huge rise in the number of incidents of wild animals being injured or trapped due to plastic litter.

“We see seals with plastic stuck around their necks causing deep lacerations and wounds; we see wildlife with plastic and glass jars stuck over their heads or plastic taping wrapped around their bodies; we see birds with plastic fishing wire wrapped around their legs cutting off the blood circulation.

“It’s so important to cut down on the amount of plastic waste we’re using and to ensure our litter is properly disposed of so animals don’t pay the price for our waste.”

Tributes have been paid to long-serving City of Wolverhampton Councillor Peter Bilson, who sadly passed away at Russells Hall Hospital on Saturday following a period of illness. He was 66.

Councillor Bilson, who was a councillor for the Bushbury South and Low Hill ward, was first elected in 1982 and had served Wolverhampton for nearly four decades.

He was the Deputy Leader of the Council and the Cabinet Member for City Assets and Housing, and proud to serve as Mayor of Wolverhampton at the turn of the Millennium when city status was granted.

He was also a huge Wolverhampton Wanderers fan, being a season ticket holder for many years.

Leader of the Council, Councillor Ian Brookfield, led tributes to Councillor Bilson, saying he left behind a “great legacy of public service”.

He said: “This tragic news comes as a huge blow to everyone who was lucky enough to know and work with Councillor Bilson.

“He was devoted to the City of Wolverhampton and its residents which is shown by nearly four decades of public service.

“He played an instrumental role in the ongoing regeneration of the city and his work to improve housing in Wolverhampton, through the Decent Homes programme, the redevelopment of the Heath Town estate and with the council-owned housing company, WV Living.

“He also played a key role in our ongoing work to tackle homelessness and rough sleeping.

“As we come to terms with this sad news our thoughts are with his family and friends at this difficult time.”

Originally employed as a firefighter, then as a Trade Union Official, Councillor Bilson went on to serve as the Chair of the Regional Fire Authority (WMFCDA) for six years before becoming the Millennium Mayor of Wolverhampton for 1999-2000.

Chief Executive of the City of Wolverhampton Council Tim Johnson said: “Councillor Bilson had a wealth of experience of involvement in various roles in Local Government, the Fire Service and the Voluntary and Community Sector, over a period spanning many years.

“He was an extremely supportive councillor who cared passionately about doing his best for Wolverhampton and those who live here.

“His work over the years has been recognised nationally and he will be greatly missed by the people he served and staff alike.”

Councillor Bilson also previously chaired a number of multi-agency and other community and business organisations including the Board of Directors of the Grand Theatre, a city-wide Millennium Working Party and the Wolverhampton City Centre Company.

Councillor Bilson leaves behind a wife, Nicky, and two children, James and Emma. Funeral arrangements will be announced at a later date.

Midlands Air Ambulance Charity’s Strensham airbase, located in Worcestershire, has received an extensive refurbishment and extension to include larger aircrew facilities and a dedicated education and training area.

In line with the charity’s commitment to continuously improving its pre-hospital patient care offering, the new building now includes a brand new training room.

Hanna Sebright, chief executive for Midlands Air Ambulance Charity, explains why a new training room was required. “As a progressive charity we are always looking for efficient and effective ways to develop our operations. At our Strensham airbase, due to irreparable weather damage to our stand-alone education and training centre in 2018, we made the strategic decision to combine our aircrew accommodation building with a new fit-for-purpose facility and training room for the community and education purposes.

“The training area allows the specialist clinicians to undertake theoretical and practical simulations in a larger and more suitable environment, helping them to continually develop their skills to support patient care.”

A carport was also built for the charity’s rapid response vehicle and Worcester-based cardiac car. This means the aircrew do not have to de-ice the cars in the winter, and provides cover during the daily vehicle and kit checks. Works to the hangar included a specialist gel coating painted to the walls and roof, which allows natural movement of the hangar without joint leakage.

Funding for the £200,000 renovation, which took seven weeks to complete, was partly funded by donations from the public and by a grant from the HELP Appeal – the only charity in the country dedicated to funding hospital and air ambulance base helipads.

Robert Bertram, chief executive for the HELP Appeal, states: “We are delighted to have been able to make a further donation to the Midlands Air Ambulance Charity to help fund a larger aircrew facility. Also having a new carport protecting its emergency responder vehicles from freezing weather, will mean that the vehicles will be ready to respond to an incident immediately, which will save time and save lives.”

The build was completed by Redditch-based contractors DES Build, using Wernick module buildings, following design and build consultancy from Lambert Smith Hampton.

For more information on Midlands Air Ambulance Charity and how you can support the lifesaving service, visit www.midlandsairambulance.com, find Midlands Air Ambulance Charity on social media, or call the team on 0800 8 40 20 40.