Community News

Her Holiness, Mata Sudiksha Ji Maharaj, the spiritual head of the world-wide Sant Nirankari Mission, has paid a goodwill visit to meet civic leaders in Sandwell.

Her Holiness met the Mayor of Sandwell Councillor Ann Jaron and council leader Councillor Yvonne Davies during a visit to Sandwell to attend a three-day Nirankari Youth Symposium.

Councillor Davies said: “It was a pleasure to meet Her Holiness who had travelled to Sandwell to meet members of the mission based in the borough. I was pleased to hear that so many people enjoyed activities as part of the Symposium at Tipton and Wednesbury.

Event organiser Gurpreet Bhatia said the Symposium was a very important event for mission followers and they were greatly honoured to have Her Holiness attending the activities.

The Mission, which has more than 10 million followers across the world and its Headquarters are in New Delhi, India.

It has a local Centre for Oneness which are the Charitie's UK headquarters at Great Western Street in Wednesbury, which organises numerous initiatives with a view to creating greater understanding within our diverse community and to build bridges.

Mr Bhatia said the first day of the event involved a special games event at Tipton Sports Academy which was designed to promote good health and well-being.

The other two days were held at the Wednesbury centre including a symposium to encourage youth to participate and make a positive contribution to their local communities and yesterday a conference was held on the theme of humanness

Mr Bhatia , who serves the region as a Deputy Lieutenant of the West Midlands and works to raise the profile of the region, by encouraging organisations, to bring their events to the area, in particular Sandwell to establish positive social and economic impact.

Her Holiness, Mata Sudiksha Ji Maharaj, the spiritual head of the world-wide Sant Nirankari Mission, paid a goodwill visit to meet civic leaders in Sandwell, in the West Midlands.

Her Holiness met the Mayor of Sandwell, Councillor Ann Jaron, and council leader Councillor Yvonne Davies during a visit to attend a three-day Nirankari Youth Symposium.

Councillor Davies said: “It was a pleasure to meet Her Holiness who had travelled to Sandwell to meet members of the mission based in the borough. I was pleased to hear that so many people enjoyed activities as part of the Symposium at Tipton and Wednesbury.

Event organiser Gurpreet Bhatia said the Symposium was a very important event for mission followers and they were greatly honoured to have Her Holiness attending the activities.

The Mission, which has more than 10 million followers across the world and its Headquarters are in New Delhi, India.

It has a local Centre for Oneness which is the charity's UK headquarters, in Wednesbury, which organises numerous initiatives with a view to creating greater understanding within our diverse community and to build bridges.

Mr Bhatia said the first day of the event involved a special games event at Tipton Sports Academy which was designed to promote good health and well-being.

The other two days were held at the Wednesbury Centre including a symposium to encourage youth to participate and make a positive contribution to their local communities and yesterday a conference was held on the theme of humanness

Mr Bhatia , who serves the region as a Deputy Lieutenant of the West Midlands and works to raise the profile of the region, by encouraging organisations, to bring their events to the area, in particular Sandwell to establish positive social and economic impact.

Following the announcement of a Government-commissioned independent review to examine ‘how and whether’ the controversial High Speed 2 railway project should go ahead, the Department for Transport said it will consider a number of factors relating to HS2, including its benefits, impacts, affordability, efficiency, deliverability, scope and phasing.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said: “The Prime Minister has been clear that transport infrastructure has the potential to drive economic growth, redistribute opportunity and support towns and cities across the UK, but that investments must be subject to continuous assessment of their costs and benefits.

“That’s why we are undertaking this independent and rigorous review of HS2. ‘Douglas Oakervee and his expert panel will consider all the evidence available, and provide the department with clear advice on the future of the project.’ Mr Oakervee said he is ‘looking forward’ to working with Lord Berkeley to advise the Government on ‘how and whether to progress with HS2, based on all existing evidence”.

Campaigners against the project welcomed the review but criticised the appointment of Mr Oakervee. Stop HS2 campaign manager Joe Rukin said: “We have serious questions as to whether a review headed by former chair of HS2 could ever be described as independent.

“We worry, as happened in the past when it comes to jobs and economic benefits, that they are simply going to go away and make up some increasingly outlandish and improbable numbers to justify this white elephant”.

A final report will be sent to Mr Shapps – with oversight from Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Chancellor Sajid Javid – by the autumn. This will ‘inform the Government’s decisions on next steps for the project’, the DfT said.

In July, the Financial Times reported HS2 Ltd chair, Allan Cook, had written to the DfT to warn the project could end up costing £85 billion – £30 billion over the original budget. At the time, HS2 Ltd said it did not comment on ‘leaks or speculation’.

With the children returning to school, it won’t be long before the baubles, tinsel, chocolates and gifts are all available in the supermarkets in the run-up to Christmas.

If you’ve overindulged this summer holiday, then now is the time to start thinking about the forthcoming festive parties and start to focus on the waistline.

Simon Bandy, General Manager at Health Plus, here shares his tips for shedding some pounds in the lead up to Christmas and the party season:

1. Eat breakfast like a king:There’s an old saying, ‘Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a pauper.’ If you fill up at breakfast it kick-starts the metabolism, and gives the body a tank of energy to burn throughout the day.  Having the smallest meal at the end of the day means that you won’t have excess calories when you are generally the most sedentary.
2. Be prepared:If you spend time preparing healthy snacks for home and work then you are less likely to fall off the dieting wagon.  If you have crudités ready for when you are feeling peckish or high-fibre snacks like dried fruits and nuts around the house, then you can curb the hunger without the guilt.
3. Water: Don’t underestimate the power of H20 when you think you are feeling hungry.  More often than not the body is thirsty so have a large glass of water and wait 20 minutes before bounding to the kitchen or the shop.
4. Simple maths: You’ve heard the expression, ‘Eat less and move more’ - this is a simple formula for losing weight. Fewer calories in and more burnt through exercise will result in weight loss.  Remember, to lose 1lb in weight you need to burn 3,500 more calories than you consume.  To help aid weight loss try Health Plus Xtra-Slim capsules (£21.95 for 90 capsules) which create a thermogenic reaction in the body, burning fat cells and allowing proper weight management and helping to maintain the metabolism.
5. Make the naughty list – Don’t totally restrict everything from your diet.  If you do this it is highly likely you’ll break your diet through binging on your taboo food.  Better to include a little of what you fancy as a weekly treat.

A third of properties (31.4%) currently for sale in major UK towns and cities don’t have any outside space, according to research by Housesimple. The online estate agent looked at properties currently on the market in more than 100 major UK towns and cities.

Grimsby is the UK's greenest town with nine out of every ten of properties (90.7%) listed for sale having a garden, compared to just over a third (38.9%) in Salford, home to MediaCityUK, and the BBC’s headquarters in the north.

Of the UK’s largest cities by population, Bristol is the greenest, with 82.1% of properties currently on the market having outside space, compared to just 53% in Manchester and 54% in Liverpool.

Outside space is on many London buyers’ wish lists, but not surprisingly it’s at a premium in the capital, with six in every ten properties (39.2%) currently for sale not having any garden space. The greenest borough is Bexley, with 85.7% of properties having a garden of some description, compared to just 29.9% in Islington.

The following table shows the bottom and top five greenest UK towns and cities based on the percentage of properties for sale with gardens:

The following table shows the bottom and top five greenest UK towns and cities based on the percentage of properties for sale with gardens:

The following table shows the bottom and top five greenest London boroughs based on the percentage of properties for sale with gardens:

Sam Mitchell, CEO of online estate agents Housesimple comments: “The back garden isn’t on its last legs, but the relentless pursuit of profit has seen outside space sacrificed, particularly in densely populated areas. Developers are building upwards to squeeze every pound of profit out of a plot of land, and gardens take up valuable square footage. Something has to give.

“Sadly, it’s a similar trend with new build family homes. Houses no longer have the expansive back gardens you might have seen 30 to 40 years ago, as developers look to pack as many properties as possible onto new estates. Big three and four bedroom houses with postage stamp sized gardens are becoming the norm, and although a new build might be family-friendly on the inside, the small gardens are not children friendly.

“If a large garden is top of your wish list, search for older properties in areas that are well established. Many period properties have beautiful, mature gardens, and although the property itself might need some updating, particularly if it’s been in the same family for years, it will be worth the extra expense if it’s on a large plot of land.”

Eager heritage fans can now begin planning as the list of over 100 ‘Birmingham Heritage Week’ events can now be found at: birminghamheritageweek.co.uk.

The festival is back for 2019 and consists of 11 days of varied and fascinating events, from 12 – 22 September. From exhibitions and tours to open days and concerts, Birmingham Heritage Week is the perfect time for local residents and tourists alike to discover parts of the city they have never seen before, or rediscover popular places from a new perspective.

The full listings can be found online but some highlights from the Birmingham Heritage Week line-up include:

• The Baskerville Keyhill Cemetery Tour during the dusky hours of twilight. You will discover the surprising story of John Baskerville, the famous Birmingham printer and typewriter, whilst seeing the cemeteries and catacombs at their most atmospheric, as your torch guides you through the darkness.
• Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery’s stunning Waterhall Gallery will open for an opportunity to admire this amazing Victorian architectural space, along with artworks from the city’s collection.
• Bournville is home to some of the city’s most historical and beautiful buildings. Numerous buildings will be open to the public for free on Saturday 14 September.
• The Lost Children showcases a hugely important, yet little known, aspect of Birmingham’s history. The Birmingham & Midland Institute’s exhibition showcases the emotional and fascinating life stories of just a few of the 6000 destitute children sent from Emigration Homes in Highgate to Canada.
• Discover the hidden green spaces of the Secret Gardens in Handsworth on a specially-extended tour. You will gain access to the magical walled gardens behind nine striking Georgian houses, which are usually closed to the public.
• Truly see what life was like for those ‘downstairs’ with a special guided tour at the beautiful Jacobean mansion, Aston Hall, which focuses on the lives of servants in the 17^th
• View the Ikon Gallery’s display by Stuart Whipps, a multifaceted reflection on the closure of the Longbridge motor works in Birmingham which is part of his long-term art project ‘The Kipper and The Corpse’. The factory was the last British owned volume car manufacturer and through making the work ‘Whipps’ seeks to understand its inevitable closure.

And, there’s so much more, so to delve deeper into what Birmingham Heritage Week has to offer, be sure to visit the Birmingham Heritage Week website and social media pages for more details.

Irene De Boo, Co-ordinator for Birmingham Heritage Week 2019, said: “We’re back with a brilliant array of events for Birmingham Heritage Week 2019 and the listings are even easier to navigate on our website, so it’s the perfect time for visitors to start planning and filling up their diaries with exciting events!”

Birmingham Heritage Week 2019 is supported by Jewellery Quarter BID, Birmingham City Council, Birmingham Museums Trust and ScanTech Digital.

The state-of-the-art redevelopment of the Symphony Hall was officially launched as three of Birmingham’s most esteemed musicians were present at the world-renowned music venue to celebrate the beginning of redevelopment that will create a performance space for talented local artists to have even more opportunities to perform as part of a daily programme with free and affordable performances.

Three of Birmingham’s leading musicals stars Jaki Graham, Reuben James and Lady Sanity were specially invited to the launch with world-renowned singing group, Black Voices – associate artists at Symphony Hall - on hand for a short performance.

Performances Birmingham (Town Hall and Symphony Hall) Chair of the Board, Anita Bhalla OBE, saying: “Birmingham has a strong music tradition with the likes of Black Sabbath – and the ‘birth’ of heavy metal - and Bhangra music so prominent hailing from here – and that tradition is still strong today.

“That’s why this journey is led by the heart and soul – making music accessible”.

One of the most popular R&B and dance artists of all time, soul legend, Jaki – who enjoyed 6 consecutive top 20 hits - said: “I have had the privilege of performing on stage at Symphony Hall and, as a Birmingham-born artist, it filled me with pride. I’m honoured to be invited to launch this major transformation, which will provide many more talented local musicians the opportunity to perform in this incredible venue". She headlined Jamaica’s 50th Independence Cultural Extravaganza at Symphony Hall in 2012.

Town Hall Symphony Hall Chief Executive, Nick Reed, said: “We currently reach over 18,000 people with our learning and community programme and over the coming years we will be able to reach thousands more in the transformed spaces that this project will create. As significant cuts are made to music tuition in our region’s schools, this transformation will support local talent by providing an enhanced space for people to be musically creative".

Following his promise for a more diverse front bench, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s Cabinet reshuffle sees the MP for Spelthorne in Surrey, in south-east England, Kwasi Alfred Addo Kwarteng, British-born with Ghanaian roots, installed as the Minister of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy and become a senior member of the government’s cabinet.

Born in Waltham Forest, to Ghanaian parents, the Eton-educated front-bencher who has also served as a member of the public accounts committee in the UK was parliamentary private secretary to the Leader of the House of Lords, Baroness Evans of Bowes Park.

Having studied for a doctorate in British History at Cambridge, he is a graduate of Harvard University and has written several books, including Ghost of Empire: War and Gold and Thatcher’s Trial.

Elected as MP in 2010, he has consistently supported local enterprise and called in Parliament for business-friendly reforms - one of his achievements being finding local entrepreneurs of tomorrow.

He also launched the Spelthorne Business Plan Competition in 2013.

Frequently tipped to become Britain’s first Black Tory cabinet minister, in 2018, the former junior Brexit minister, popularly known as the ‘Black Boris’, was appointed Undersecretary of State in the Department for Exiting the European Union following the resignation of Sue-Ellen Braverman.

The appointment of Kwasi Alfred Addo Kwarteng adds to former home secretary – and former leadership contender -Sajid Javid becoming Chancellor of the Exchequer whilst Priti Patel returns to front-line politics as the new Home Secretary.

James Cleverly, the MP for Braintree in Essex, is the new Part Chair in PM Johnson’s re-shuffle.

Research by the UK’s leading online spare parts retailer, eSpares, has found that Brummies are better than residents from Wolverhampton at saving money and protecting the environment by fixing household appliances. In fact, the survey found Wolverhampton to be the joint-worst city in the UK at disposing of broken appliances and buying new, alongside Newcastle. The results come as part of a national survey, which identified that a staggering 75% of Brits don’t attempt to fix broken appliances themselves.

Over a third of Birmingham residents who fix broken appliances themselves said their main motivation to do so was because they ‘enjoy fixing things’. Conversely, of those in Wolverhampton who dispose of household appliances, more than half say it was because they believe it’s ‘not cost effective’ to fix broken appliances.

“Birmingham has come out top in the Midlands rivalry this time, with Wolverhampton having the highest broken appliance rate in the UK,” commented Ad Casey, head of brand at eSpares. “Unfortunately, as a nation, drastic behavioural change is needed towards broken household appliances. That step can only be made if the support is there to give householders the confidence and knowledge to fix repairable appliances.”

Casey continued: “With this in mind, we’ve launched our #FixFirst campaign – a national initiative that provides householders with all the information they need to fix appliances themselves. It also helps consumers to protect the environment, save money and enjoy the satisfaction that comes from fixing things themselves.”

Statistics from Europe show that if the UK fixed just 10% more of perfectly repairable appliances, the nation would save an estimated 100,000 tonnes of waste electrical and electronic equipment from being thrown away.

To help encourage the UK population to #FixFirst, the eSpares Advice Centre has more than 500 ‘how to’ tutorial videos, 700 repair articles and 9,000 manufacturer appliance manuals, all supported by an inventory of a million spare parts ready for next day delivery.

Halesowen-based IT services company, EBC Group, was awarded with social responsibility recognition at Midlands Air Ambulance Charity’s Recognition Awards and Charity Ball.

The event took place at The Vox Conference Centre in Resorts World in Birmingham, and was an evening of celebration of those who selflessly give to the charity.

During a fabulous evening of entertainment, the charity recognised some of the aircrew, volunteers, fundraisers and supporters who went above and beyond over the last 12 months.

Sponsored by Unity 4, the social responsibility award went to EBC Group, which has been one of MAAC’s corporate partners since 2013, raising over £35,000.

The company has sponsored several events including the Corporate Golf Day and Charity Ball, and organised their own Race Day’s to raise funds.

EBC’s employees have hosted fundraisers in the office and taken part in challenges such as Bear Grylls Survival Weekend and the longest zipwire, and even volunteered in our charity shops.

The ceremony was hosted by actor and TV personality Will Mellor, and radio presenter Ed James. A host of famous faces including Paul Chuckle and Sally Bee presented the awards before a live auction to raise further funds for the charity.

The event will help to fund 34 lifesaving air ambulance missions, and 31 critical care car missions.

Emma Gray, fundraising and marketing director for Midlands Air Ambulance Charity, said: “Our recognition awards are a wonderful way to show our thanks to our supporters, aircrew and volunteers who have gone above and beyond over recent years.

“EBC Group is a trusted supporter, fundraiser and supplier to the charity, and this award is a small symbol of our gratitude for their passion, hard work and dedication.”

City of Wolverhampton Council is set to declare a 'climate emergency' as part of a national drive to reduce carbon emissions.

The UK Government has committed to reducing CO₂ net emissions 100% by 2050.

The City Council has ambitions to make the authority zero-carbon by 2028.

A motion will be put forward by Councillor John Reynolds, Chair of the Sustainability Advisory Group, to make Wolverhampton a more sustainable city at full council on Tuesday 16 July.

If the 'climate emergency' motion is approved, Wolverhampton will be the first local authority in the Black Country to declare a climate emergency and announce its commitment to tackling climate change.

Councillor John Reynolds, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People at City of Wolverhampton Council said: “We are listening to our communities and especially the concerns of the city’s young people who are relying on us to take action to ensure Wolverhampton is a cleaner, greener city for future generations.

“The impact of climate change is already causing serious damage around the world and as a council, we have a duty to make our city sustainable.

“We are already making progress. Over the past 12 months, we have made major improvements including the installation of LED street lighting, the launch of the refill scheme, electric vehicle charging points at WV Living properties, building carbon neutral schools and the roll out of bio-mass heat networks. However, we are conscious that we can do so much more.

“This important declaration means we will continue to proactively make significant changes and work with our partners to make Wolverhampton zero carbon by 2028.”

More than £30million will be invested in care for older people in the borough after Haringey Council agreed at Cabinet on Tuesday night to build a new 70-bed nursing home at Osborne Grove.

The new home will include bigger bedrooms with wet rooms, a larger garden, improved communal spaces such as separate living and dining rooms within each household and a café space that will improve links to the community and offer space for relatives and friends to visit with residents overlooking garden space.

The new care home will also see Osborne Grove double the number of rooms that are currently available and is expected to be completed within four-years.

Following a cabinet decision back in July 2018, a detailed Feasibility Study was carried out to examine the future of Osborne Grove at a time when there is increased demand for local nursing care provision.

Haringey Council has shown they are fully committed to investing in public services and have opted to develop a new state-of-the-art home.

Councillor Sarah James, Cabinet Member for Adults and Health, said:

“We are making a major investment in a new nursing home that has been co-designed with the involvement of community and union representatives.

“There is a shortage of nursing beds, not just in Haringey, but across the capital, and the council are determined to make a significant investment in public services.

“We have a clear vision for the future and are committed to building a fairer borough and providing our residents with a high-quality nursing home provision that they can be proud of.”

The new nursing home at Osborne Grove will be run in partnership with the NHS and will cater for older people with complex health needs.

The three-metre-wide gentle giant, affectionately named Freckles by local divers, approaches them, flips over in the water and remains still to show them her problem – hooks embedded under her right eye. It is as if she knows that without their help she will be in danger.

Underwater Photographer from Ningaloo Marine Interactions, Jake Wilton, was diving with British TV broadcaster and marine biologist Monty Hall on Ningaloo Reef, in Western Australia when the ray approached them.

He said: “I’m often guiding snorkellers in the area and it’s as if she recognised me and was trusting me to help her. She got closer and closer and then started unfurling to present the eye to me. I knew we had to get the hooks out of her eye or she would have been in big trouble.”

Monty Halls, who was aboard the boat when the scene was captured, said: “Jake went down and down again. She never moved. I’m sure that manta knew that Jake was trying to get the hooks out.”

Jake added: “I went down for one last try and the manta stayed completely still in the water.”

Amazing video shows Jake rise triumphantly from the ocean with the hooks before the grateful giant ray swims majestically away.

Monty recalls: “That manta absolutely understood what was going on. Jake went down again and again and she just remained still for him. I came to Ningaloo Reef as it’s one of the best places in the world to swim with whale sharks – so to experience this as well is just phenomenal.”

Manta rays are believed to be some of the most intelligent creatures in the ocean. Unlike stingrays, they don’t have an external spike and are totally harmless to humans.

Manta Rays can grow up to 7 meters wide and live for around 50 years. Experts believe that the injured manta’s eye could have become infected, leading to blindness and even death.

Coral Bay, located along a section of Ningaloo Reef, is one of the best places in the world to swim with manta rays which congregate in large numbers year-round. Other marine wildlife which can be spotted on the World-heritage listed reef include humpback whales, dolphins, whale sharks, dugongs and turtles.

See here for a video of Jake in action: https://www.14dd5266c70789bdc806364df4586335-gdprlock/embed/cJ1dg6uWMu0

10 fins you never knew about manta rays…

• They can live up to 50 years
• They have the biggest brain of all fish, including dolphins!
• Affectionately are known as Devil Rays thanks to their horns
• If they keep still, they will die and they travel up to 43 miles per day
• They prefer the tropics and are often found off the coast of Western Australia
• They eat a diet of mostly plankton, small fish and krill
• They love a cleaning station where a ‘cleaner’ fish comes aboard to eat all the attached organisms
• They have approximately 300 rows of skin-covered teeth in their lower jaw
• Their spots mean they can be individually identified
• Pups are born every other year and are born rolled up like a burrito!

Children and young people across Wolverhampton can look forward to a summer of fun as part of a £250,000 boost over this financial year from the City of Wolverhampton Council.

The council is investing money to organise and promote holiday activities which will keep younger residents across the city active, engaged and entertained, with more than 250 'Summer Squad' events already scheduled throughout Wolverhampton between Saturday 20 July and Sunday 1 September – and more being planned every day.

This commitment to the city’s children and young people follows on from Leader of the Council Ian Brookfield’s announcement last month of a £600,000 boost for the city’s Youth Zone, The Way, which will see the council contribute £200,000 towards the popular facility’s running costs each year between now and 2021-22.

Summer Squad includes arts and crafts, holiday clubs, sports and games, family fun days, science workshops and much, much more with events aimed primarily at children and young people aged between five and 18. Most events are free. Parents, children and young people can see and book activities at www.summersquad.co.uk.

The initiative is the brainchild of Councillor Brookfield, who has made a public pledge to boost investment in the city's children and young people.

He said: "Giving our children and young people the best possible start in life is a key priority for the City of Wolverhampton Council, and that's why we are delighted to unveil this further investment and fantastic programme of summer activities.

"People of all ages have been telling me there’s nothing for youngsters to do in our city. That surprised me - since becoming leader of the council in May, I’ve seen first-hand a huge amount of good work going on. But I’ve also learnt it’s really hard for children, young people and parents to find out about it, easily, in one place.

"That’s why we’ve launched Summer Squad – a new handy guide to what's happening in Wolverhampton for young people online and in print. It’s also why we've committed substantial new investment in summer activities for our young people.

"We haven’t done this alone; everything has been developed with the support of young people. I’d especially like to thank pupils at St Matthias School, Colton Hills Community School and St Jude’s Primary School, members of the city’s Youth Council and the many fantastic schools they represent as well as our city partners and friends for their valuable input.

"There's a huge amount going on right across the city and it’s great that there are so many activities taking place in our communities – there’s sure to be something for everyone, no matter what you are interested in or where you live."

Summer Squad already features more than 250 events and activities, taking place at nearly 50 venues right across the city and offered by a wide range of local organisations.

They include dozens of special events at the city's galleries and museums, a wide range of activities - including the ever-popular Summer Reading challenge - across Wolverhampton's 16 libraries, and Disney-themed and family swim sessions, athletics, badminton, table tennis and tennis at the council's WV Active leisure centres.

There are football schools with Wolves Foundation, and sports and games sessions in Wolverhampton's parks in association with Wolves Foundation, WV Active and The Way. Residents are even being encouraged to apply for temporary road closures so that they can hold community events such as Street Olympics and picnics outside their homes.

Children and young people can get close to nature with a range of outdoor events – from Fairy Festivals and pond dipping to bat walks and boat trips at venues including Northycote Farm, Wildside Activity Centre and Gatis Community Space, while there is an extensive programme of activities being offered by HeadStart Wolverhampton in partnership with Gazebo Theatre, the WV10 Consortium and YMCA Black Country.

Organisations across the city are holding a number of family fun days while The Way, WV Active and Wolverhampton Wanderers also have holiday clubs, with bookings being taken now.

For more information, please visit www.summersquad.co.uk or pick up a free Summer Squad guide from local libraries. Guides will also be distributed to pupils and parents through schools over the coming few days.

The investment in the summer activity programme comes on top of a £600,000 boost for the city's Youth Zone, The Way, announced last month, which will see the council contribute £200,000 towards the popular facility's running costs each year between now and 2021-22.

Groups organising activities for children and young people this summer can get them included on the Summer Squad website by emailing details to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Southside Safe Space, which can be found in nightlife hotspot The Arcadian, has helped over 75 people stay safe on nights out since its inception just one month ago.

The facility is available between 12am and 5.30am on Saturday night and Sunday morning, and was introduced by Southside BID and West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner to support and protect revellers who may feel unwell, have lost their phone or bag or have become detached from their friends.

Operated by St John Ambulance Service and wardens from Southside BID, the initiative is helping around 15 people a night, who may otherwise have required emergency services support had Southside Safe Space not been introduced. The team are able to administer first-aid, decide on appropriate measures for each person and arrange for licenced taxis to take people home if needed.

Southside Safe Space is located in the walkway to The Arcadian car park, between popular bars Indi and Missoula, with local wardens raising awareness of the programme to people who may need it. Along with being a combative measure to help locals, the project is already having a positive impact on the number of police and ambulance call-outs.

The scheme is being funded for an initial three month trial by the West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner and Southside BID, with instrumental assistance from Birmingham Community Safety Partnership.

Jo Kinsella, centre manager at The Arcadian, said: “Birmingham is a lively and fun place for a night out and the vast majority of people have a fabulous time and head home without incident.

“However, we do see people who end up in difficult situations - often through no fault of their own. That is why we wanted to establish a place for them to go, which is safe and secure. I’m so proud of the instant impact the space has had – the whole of Southside wants to say thank you to the team who are working in the early hours.”

Ashley Bertie, deputy West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner, said: “We know that some people on a night out can run into difficulties, perhaps drink too much, and need help. That’s why we’re backing the Safe Space, and we have invested £8,000 in the project.

“If this facility keeps people safe and eases demand on our hard working police officers in the West Midlands then it will be money very well spent.”

Julia Robinson, manager at Southside BID, added: “The number of people Southside Safe Space has helped in just four weeks shows how necessary this project is. Everyone involved should feel immensely proud, and we’re glad to be making a difference to our community.”

For more information on the work of Southside BID, visit www.enjoysouthside.co.uk and follow the BID on Instagram @southsidebid and Twitter @enjoysouthside

Chaplain to the Speaker of the House of Commons, and also Chaplain to the Queen, Rev Dr Rose Hudson-Wilkin has been announced as the new Bishop of Dover.

Jamaican-born Hudson-Wilkin was praised by Archbishop of Canterbury Rev Justin Welby, who was "absolutely delighted" by the appointment.

One of the most influential and effective ministers through her long service as Chaplain to the Speaker of the House of Commons, Dr Hudson-Wilkin led prayers at Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding in May last year.

John Bercow, the Commons Speaker, said: “Rose is one of the warmest, kindest and most loving people I have ever met, so she will be sorely missed by members across the house, the staff and, especially, by me.

“She has an unfailing sense of duty and an ability – more than she would herself ever know – to bring comfort in times of tragedy. Furthermore, her steely resolve when confronted with loss and evil, following the death of our dear colleague Jo Cox, and in the wake of the Westminster Bridge attack, was plain for all to see. Both in the celebration of happiness and in condolence and prayer, she has the most reassuring, fortifying presence anyone could want.”

Rev Dr Hudson-Wilkin was also honoured recently at the Victoria Mutual Women of Purpose awards.

Rose will be consecrated in November, and succeeds the Rt Rev Trevor Willmott, who retired from the role in May.