Community News

Next month will mark the launch of Art.quarter, a new concept for Birmingham’s arty, hip Digbeth area.

A pioneering new halal complex that promises to reflect and celebrate the culturally diverse nature of our city, Art.quarter is the perfect blank canvas for a completely new scene.

Founded by Jordan Patel, a Birmingham-based Muslim revert with Indian heritage, Art.quarter has been over a year in the making, and will provide employment and development opportunities in the local area, as well as injecting new life into the Digbeth scene.

The complex is set over 20,000 square feet and three floors, and will be an explosion of culture and creativity, with talent from around the city contributing to create a space that caters for every aspect of modern life. Launching in late November with a food court, gallery and boutique barbershop, Art.quarter will quickly develop to include a ladies-only hair salon, patisserie, kids’ dessert parlour, fitness studio, multimedia centre, retail and more. With the full complex planned for completion by March 2020, Art.quarter promises to quickly become the beating heart of the city.

Jordan’s vision for the complex is simple but ambitious - he wants to create unity through common interests, and create an environment for everyone to thrive, no matter their beliefs or heritage.

“The idea for Art.quarter comes from a deep understanding of the divisions in our city, and our society, and a desire to help to heal those wounds though creativity,

“I want to create a space for people to share experiences and begin to understand one another,

“Muslim, Indian and British values all coexist peacefully inside me; I want Art.quarter to show that they can coexist peacefully in society, too.”

In line with the collaborative nature of the project, the Art.quarter team are looking for local creatives to put their stamp on the space and staff of all levels. They also welcome enquiries from parties who are interested in business partnership opportunities.

Members of the public were invited to the funeral of RAF Veteran Oswald Dixon who died with no known family.

Broughton House Veterans Home in Salford, where Dixon lived, put out a plea for people to attend the funeral of the 100 year old Veteran.

In a hearse decorated with 100 poppies, Mr Dixon's coffin was taken to Agecroft Crematorium where despite the rain, hundreds had turned out to honour him.

Broughton House had posted to Facebook saying “It is with regret that Oswald has no family members in the UK and his funeral will take place at Agecroft Crematorium on Wednesday 9th of October at 2.20pm.

“At his 100th birthday celebration Oswald stated that he ‘always tried to live life as it should be lived, by doing things for other people’ His warm character will be missed by everyone involved at Broughton House.”

Serving members of 34 Squadron RAF Regiment and RAF Cadets formed a guard of honour, as representatives from the Ministry of Defence, Salford Council, Residents and Staff from Broughton House and the Ceremonial Mayor of Salford Council Charlie McIntyre were also in attendance.

Jamaica Honorary Consul, Wade Lyn CBE read a tribute on behalf of His Excellency Seth George Ramocan, Jamaica High Commissioner.

Donald Campbell, a retired RAF Veteran himself and one of the driving forces behind the National Caribbean Monument Charity, said "It was an excellent farewell to Mr Oswald Dixon, people came from far and wide, local, national & international to pay their respects. RIP Sir. Lest We Forget."

The new chair of The Lunar Society has pledged to foster high social impact and inter-generational discussion, engage more with young people, hold constructive debate, grow the Society’s membership and build a global reach - whilst ensuring that the heritage of the Society is promoted and preserved.

Deirdre LaBassiere, Governance and Assurance Manager at Housing21 was elected as Chair of The Lunar Society following the Annual General Meeting, when there was a tie in the voting for Chair between two candidates, Peter Borg-Bartolo and Deirdre LaBassiere.

It was agreed at the meeting that, following the AGM, a meeting of the new Executive Committee would be held to determine how the election process should be pursued. Dr Borg-Bartolo withdrew his nomination as Chair and has been appointed as Vice-Chair.

The Lunar Society’s new Executive Committee comprises:

Frances Anderson and John Rainford have become co-opted members.

Deirdre LaBassiere, who was elected Hon. Secretary in 2017, paid tribute to the work of the outgoing Chair, Vice-Chair and Executive Committee members, saying: “It is a huge privilege to be appointed as Chair of this remarkable and well-respected Society and my intention is to continue the extraordinarily good work of my predecessor, the Rt. Hon. Jacqui Smith, and the Society’s former Vice-Chair, Sir Michael Lyons. I am delighted that both are remaining on the executive. This both ensures continuity and retains their valued counsel and wisdom.

“Peter and I and the rest of the committee are intent on working together to maximise our influence in Birmingham and further afield and serve the needs and interests of our members and many supporters.”

Peter Borg-Bartolo, who has served as an Executive Committee member since 2017, said: “I am looking forward to working with Deirdre and the rest of the Executive Committee. I am grateful to the members for their support and am also pleased that we have resolved what was a close-run election! Our commitment is to the long-term future of the Society, serving our members and upholding our goals of stimulating ideas, broadening debate and catalysing action.”

The committee also includes Olwen Brown who has been appointed Hon. Secretary succeeding Deirdre, and Mark Purcell, who succeeds Nigel Webb as Hon. Treasurer. Also joining the committee is Clive Stone.

Deirdre thanked Frances Anderson and Olwen Brown for their advice on constitutional issues arising from the tied vote.

According to a statement from Clarence House, Prince Charles will be attending the Canonization of Cardinal John Henry Newman at the Vatican on Sunday, October. 13.

He will be attending a reception at the Pontifical Urban College following the Mass. Newman studied at the college while preparing to become a Catholic priest.

Cardinal Newman was a leading proponent of the Oxford Movement in the Anglican church, which advocated reintroducing older practices into worship. He eventually converted to Catholicism in 1845, becoming a priest soon thereafter. He was created a cardinal by Leo XIII in 1879. He died in 1890. Newman was beatified by Pope Benedict XVI in Birmingham during the pope’s 2010 visit to the United Kingdom.

A patron of Newman University, which he founded, in Birmingham, he will be the first English saint since the Forty Martyrs were canonized in 1970, and the first British saint since Scottish St. John Ogilvie in 1976.

Cardinal Vincent Nichols, the Archbishop of Westminster and president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales, said he was “delighted” about the announcement.

“Cardinal Newman’s exploration of faith, depth of personal courage, intellectual clarity and cultural sensitivity make him a deeply admired follower of Christ. His ministry, especially among the poor, is a permanent sign of the Church’s pastoral compassion and a challenge to us all today,” the cardinal said.

Nichols concluded: “As one who has been a lifelong champion of the spiritual in everyday life, to promote understanding between faiths, and who has sought to alleviate poverty and disadvantage through his charitable work, The Prince of Wales is particularly qualified to mark the canonization, which will be such a significant and joyful moment for this country.”

The Vatican is preparing to receive a delegation of thirteen MPs and peers from the All-Party Parliamentary Group on the Holy See for events surrounding the canonisation of Cardinal John Henry Newman.

The Archbishop of Canterbury is sending the Rt Rev Christopher Foster, Bishop of Portsmouth, as his representative, while Newman’s old university of Oxford will be represented by Neil Mendoza, the Provost of Oriel College where Newman was a Fellow, and Dame Hilary Boulding, the President of Trinity College where Newman studied as an undergraduate.

Birmingham, where the soon-to-be saint founded the first English Oratory, will be represented by the Lord Mayor, Councillor Mohammed Azim.

Despite more than 15,000 objections, Birmingham City Council seem set to go ahead with plans to tear down a major flyover close to the site of the 2022 Commonwealth Games’ athletes village.

The £27.1 million project to remove the flyover on the A34 - takes motorists from Walsall and Great Barr into Birmingham city centre - in Perry Barr, in the city, in favour of putting all traffic onto a dual carriageway at ground level, will be voted on by the Council’s cabinet members in the next few days.

With no alternative yet to be found, Councillor Waseem Zaffar MBE, Cabinet Member for Transport and Environment, has admitted the scheme is now likely to go ahead.

This follows months of controversy after a 15,273-signature petition was handed in to the Council opposing the removal of the flyover.

Cllr Zaffar said that no suitable alternative proposals had been suggested to the council and, as such, they would be going ahead with plans to remove the flyover.

He said: “With the changes that are coming, with 5,000 new homes being built, half a billion pounds being invested into Perry Barr, it’s going to see major changes.

“One of the biggest changes it will see is the Aldridge old connection from the A453 onto the A34 dual carriageway is being taken away because of the new homes that are being built on that particular site.

“And in line with that closure, also connecting people across Perry Barr with the One Stop shopping centre.

“It’s clearly not feasible to do this, and there isn’t the amount of space to do this, without removing the flyover and capping the Birchfield island.

“We have considered a range of other proposals but, in order to keep people moving efficiently through Perry Barr, in particular on public transport and having that cycling offer that we will have, we will not be able to offer all these real alternatives for sustainable forms of transport through the north of the city without removing this flyover.

“We are very confident that we will achieve this with minimal disruption, we will achieve this within the time allocated that we need to achieve it for the big event in 2022, and we will achieve it to benefit the residents in the short, medium and long term.”

As part of the Midlands Air Ambulance Charity’s CPR Training Challenge, Critical care paramedics trained over 100 adults and children during the Charity’s Strensham Airbase Open Day at the Northbound Strensham Service Area, in Worcestershire

Last year, the service attended 3,861 missions by air and critical care cars, of which nearly quarter were related to cardiac arrests. Visitors who attended the free event were given the opportunity to learn the lifesaving skill, alongside learning more about the emergency service, which is funded entirely by donations.

Emma Gray, fundraising and marketing director for the charity says: “Every September we open the doors of our Strensham Airbase so our supporters can see behind the scenes, meeting our aircrew and having a close look at our aircraft.

“This year the event raised enough funds to ensure we can undertake five future air ambulance missions, and we’re delighted that our aircrew with support from West Midlands Ambulance Service, were able to train 100 people in the lifesaving skill of CPR.”

Visitors were also treated to live incident demonstrations, classic vehicle displays and children’s entertainment including character mascots, face painting and fairground rides.

Taking place at NEC Birmingham, Grand Designs Live (GDL) will be back 9th-13th October 2019. Proud headline sponsor will be Love Your Postcode, the Midland’s leading performance property brand which is giving away 100 pairs of weekday tickets, usually worth up to £40 each, it’s the must-visit event for anyone looking to learn about renovations, self-builds, interior designs and expert advice.

Bobby Singh’s brand image is powerful, the “Sikh Business Man” award of the year recipient – graces the much sought after premium advertising spaces and personifies the success of his group with a personal iconic image which shows him twisting his raised moustache and is nothing short of extremely dynamic and clever successful brand strategic marketing, which has seen Love Your Postcode group expand internationally this year and secure the Channel 4 contract for the second year running with Grand Designs Live, the TV stations successful home renovating lifestyle event; which takes place at Birmingham’s National Exhibition Centre and makes Love Your Post Code the only British estate agent to engage as official partner and sponsor in the shows 20 year event history.

It’s an exciting partnership for the Birmingham brand which has rapidly built an enviable reputation as strong as it’s address book and specialises in off market property sales under the mantle Performance&™. Bobby Singh’s innovative strategy has increased the extensive private client list due to it’s “out of home reach”, and the award winning model works both on the sell and buy side without any conflict of interest. Unlike other agencies, it firstly works with a fully vetted client list and as a last resort property portals. The brand loyalty culminates to the overall performance aspect which is measured on time, from instruction to completion, with required prices being achieved 99% of the time. The exclusivity and correct brand partnerships create premium outcomes that other agencies find difficult to match and the 28 day asking price guarantee proposition sets it apart from the competition.

“The exclusive property partnership, with a leading international brand for the second year running leverages Love Your Postcodes position something Catalina Lopez group co-founder is proud of as the group celebrate their tenth year anniversary. “We are excited for our staff, clients, friends to join in this momentous occasion and explore the world of property design, interiors, gardens, eco project builds all under one roof. We will be providing personal 30-minute appointment slots with Bobby Singh who will also be interviewed by Kevin McCloud on his successful journey into property.”

For more information, personal appointment slots with Love Your Postcode in the Premium Lounge and to claim your free pairs of weekday tickets to Grand Designs Live – hurry, there are only 100! – head to www.loveyourpostcode.com/grand-designs-live and use the code bemorelion before the 9th October 2019.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson recognised Jay Singh-Sohal for his exceptional service commemorating Sikh contributions to the British Armed Forces.

Jay, from Sutton Coldfield in the West Midlands, led the successful campaign to create the UK’s only memorial to the more than 120,000 Sikh soldiers who fought during the First World War.

The Conservative candidate for West Midlands Police & Crime Commissioner, Jay is an Army Reserve Captain, also working with the British Army to commemorate Sikh contributions to the British Armed Forces on Saragarhi Day, every September.

The Battle of Saragarhi saw 21 Sikh soldiers fight for the British Indian Army and defend the North-West Frontier with Afghanistan against 10,000 enemy forces in 1897. While the battle has long been commemorated in India by the Indian Army, Jay was inspired to bring commemorations to the UK to serve as an opportunity to engage British Sikhs with their heritage and celebrate continued Sikh contributions to the British military today.

He is the latest recipient of the Points of Light award, which recognises outstanding volunteers who are making a change in their community and inspiring others. Each day, someone, somewhere in the country is selected to receive the award to celebrate their remarkable achievements.

In a personal letter to Jay PM Johnson said: “I know you do this with no thought of praise or reward, but allow me to offer my own recognition of how you have created our country’s first memorial to the 120,000 brave Sikh soldiers who fought during the First World War. It is fitting that we honour their enormous courage and sacrifice in ensuring the freedoms we all enjoy today.”

Jay, the 1244th winner of the Points of Light award, which has been developed in partnership with the hugely successful Points of Light programme in the USA, said: "I’m delighted to be receiving a Points of Light award from the Prime Minister.

“Telling the story of shared British Sikh history through the battle of Saragarhi has been a fantastic journey working with wonderful people with the same enthusiasm for our heritage. It continues to inspire many more to serve our country in whichever way they can.

I’m proud of the part I’ve been able to play in driving grassroots community activity in this way”.

Tributes were paid to "trailblazing" Sikh sheriff's deputy in the US after he was killed on duty.

Sandeep Dhaliwal died after being shot from behind during a traffic stop in Texas, in the USA.

A man was been arrested and charged with murder.

Deputy Dhaliwal made history as the first Sikh to become a sheriff's deputy in Texas's Harris County where he was allowed to wear his turban and beard while on patrol.

Sheriff Ed Gonzalez said: "He wore a turban and represented his community with integrity, respect and pride.

“Deputy Dhaliwal was a hero, he was a respected member of the community and he was a trailblazer".

The brother of a Wolverhampton councillor, a memorial service was organised in West Midlands city in recognition of his family links to the city after it emerged his sister was a member of the council.

Rupinderjit Kaur a Labour representative for the Spring Vale ward was told of her brother’s killing after receiving a call from officials in the US.

She said her family had always feared that his job could put him in danger, especially because of much-publicised problems with gun crime and racism in America’s south.

But she said she was proud of him for following his dream of becoming a police officer, despite the challenges of being a Sikh in Texas.

Cllr Kaur said: “When he said he was joining the police force we were scared but at the same time we were proud of his decision and supported him”.

Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner said Deputy Dhaliwal was a "bold and ground-breaking law enforcement officer in the eyes of our county, our state, our nation, and around the world, because he sought and received permission to patrol while wearing the outward signs of his Sikh faith, including a turban and beard".

"He was a walking lesson in tolerance and understanding," he added.

2019 marks the 32nd year of Black History Month in the UK, where we observe those who came before us, making a difference to Empower the Youth to pick up the mantle left by previous generations as we move forward into a brighter future.

The global world is shrinking, with advances in communication and technology, as black people now the opportunities are endless and the boundaries removed. This year The Phoenix Newspaper celebrates Black History Month: The Next Generation, as we look towards the leading lights of our communities to inspire the next generation to believe that no dream is impossible.

With this special 12 page supplement, we are highlighting the unsung heroes and role models of all ages, backgrounds and cultures to produce an inspirational publication for our youth.

We want to thank Town Hall Symphony Hall for their unending support of both the newspaper, and the ongoing work sharing our vision of all people under one banner. We would also like to give thanks to the Royal Air Force, who have been staunch supporters of all communities, especially the black community in the region. Black History Month has a special place in many peoples hearts, for a wide variety of reasons.

While we will always look back and remember the feats and sacrifices made by previous generations for the betterment of all, especially those who were ‘Called To Order’ during and after the war, we must also be looking forward to our youth as the next generation in whom we trust.

We have planted the seeds so now it is time for our children to  reap the fruits of our labour.

The Phoenix Newspaper, in collaboration with Town Hall & Symphony Hall Birmingham, celebrated the official launch of Black History Month 2019 in the Director's Suite at Symphony Hall.

Presented by The Phoenix’s Dee Burrowes & Town Hall Symphony Hall's Richard Loftus, specially invited guests; including multi-award winning musician, Apache Indian, Aisha Anifowoshe, Trade Development Officer at Grace Foods UK, filmed by the BBC, McDonald’s Restaurant franchisee, entrepreneur and philanthropist, Paul Ramsey, Phyllis Peters, Branch Manager at Victoria Mutual Finance Ltd in Birmingham, Joy Bailey of HSBC Bank, Town Hall Symphony Hall’s recently appointed Manager of Classical Music, Toks Dada, Birmingham Deputy Lord Mayor Councillor Yvonne Mosquito, Sam Duru of The Wolverhampton Black Business Network, lecturer and music impresario, Mykal Wassifa Brown, Donald Campbell, world record breaking muscleman ‘Big Dave’ Gauder, plus officials from the Royal Air Force, Royal Navy and West Midlands Police Force were just a few who were on hand, in the Director’s Suite which was especially convened for an exquisite afternoon of celebration and notification.

Richard Loftus, Director of Sales and Marketing at Town Hall and Symphony Hall Birmingham, whose diligence, hard work and on-going relationship help put the whole thing together, made a point that he was “extremely proud to work with The Phoenix Newspaper”. He also made note of the death of international opera star Jessye Norman, who performed at Symphony Hall in 1991, who died at the age of 74, and whose portait adorns the wall in Symphony Hall's Directors Lounge.

The recently appointment Manager of Classical Music Toks Dada gave a heartwarming speech on the achievements of this great role model, including her Grammy Awards, and being the first black female opera singer to perform at the Symphony Hall.

“Despite your difficulties”, Cllr Mosquito said, “I have to especially thank you.” “When you read The Phoenix Newspaper it is a privilege and a complete honour. I look forward to attend the Gala night and thank you for the work you do”.

Singer/songwriter, producer, radio and TV presenter, Apache Indian, who also runs the A.I.M. (Apache Indian Music) Academy at South & City College Birmingham (Handsworth Campus) was one who praised, wholeheartedly, The Phoenix Newspaper’s previous Anniversary Gala Dinner & Awards Show, highlighting the elevation it has brought to his already-stellar career and was “so looking forward to be performing at this year’s event – on November 16.

“I’ve performed around the world on numerous occasions, had seven Top 30 hits and performed tracks for Hollywood film classics like ‘Dumb and Dumber, but, to be performing at the ICC Birmingham on the night will go down as one of my all-time greatest achievements”.

The Phoenix Newspaper's 9th Anniversary Gala Dinner & Awards Masquerade Ball props were visible in the masks worn by Marcia and her personal assistant Dee Burrowes, with everyone holding the coconuts, representative of the Caribbean and the cocktail red carpet reception at this years gala after party.

In thanking the huge gathering, The Phoenix Newspaper’s Founder/Editor-In-Chief, Marcia McLaughlin emphasized: “It took me 30 years of relentless work to be now able to demonstrate what my – our (The Phoenix Newspaper) aim has always remained to be and I thank all who attended today, and look forward to what promises to be a spectacular evening on November 16”.

Two Friends of Wolverhampton Music Service have got on their bikes and are helping raise funds to ‘Make Wolves Rock’.

Ted and Denise Pearson are riding the length of the United Kingdom by cycling nearly 1,000 miles from Land's End to John o' Groats. The husband and wife team left Penzance and called in to the Music Service, based at Graiseley Primary School. Cycling around 50 miles per day, they hope to reach the far north east of Scotland by 17 September.

They are undertaking the epic challenge in support of Music Service, which is raising funds to purchase new rock instruments and equipment and upgrade the lighting system at the Music School so that it can launch new Make Wolves Rock music classes for local children and young people this autumn.

Ted and Denise hope to raise around £2,000 towards the Music Service's target of £5,855, which will then be match funded by the Arts Council of England.

Denise said: "Our eldest grandchild Ella learnt to play the oboe through the Wolverhampton Music Service, and she's now at Cardiff Welsh Royal College studying the oboe. Our grandson Jack played the guitar here and our other grandson Billy played the cello. All of them have benefited so much from the Music Service that we wanted to give something back.”

Ted joked: "The plan was for it to be 312 miles from Land's End to Wolverhampton, but given the fact we got hopelessly lost when we were in Bristol we have added 10 miles onto the trip already."

Ciaran O'Donnell, Head of Wolverhampton Music Service, said: "Wolverhampton has so much talent and a history of producing world class rock and pop musicians, and we’re looking to provide new, free opportunities for the city to find the stars of the future that we know exist in this talented city.

"Our first step is to raise this money and upgrade our equipment so that we can do this to the best of our ability. To have the support of Ted, Denise and the Friends of the Music Service is invaluable. They are an example to everyone and I hope they will convince Wulfrunians to back the Music Service and donate where they can.”

The Friends Group was formed over 25 years ago to support the work of the music school. They raise funds by raffles, refreshments at events and the school tuck shop, with proceeds used to buy any items requested by the school.

Wolverhampton Music Service provides tuition and musical opportunities for youngsters from schools across the city, including the chance to perform with Wolverhampton Youth Orchestra and Wolverhampton Youth Wind Orchestra.

Participants on the Frontline programme, the largest social work training programme in the country, started working in local authorities across England. Of the 393 participants, the Midlands has welcomed 87 trainees, over 20% of the 2019 intake, to support the most vulnerable children and families in the region. 23 social workers have started in child protection teams in Birmingham.

They have started in child protection teams across 11 local authority partners in the Midlands, including; Birmingham, Coventry and Wolverhampton, after attending a five-week Summer Institute where they were taught by leading academics and experts by experience. This is the third year that the charity has partnered with local authorities in the region to offer placements to participants in one of the country's toughest but most rewarding professions.

To date, over 1,000 social workers have been trained through the Frontline programme across 48% of local authorities in England. The charity continues to increase its impact on the lives of the country’s most vulnerable, this week opening applications for 452 participants for the 2020 Cohort.

Josh MacAlister, Frontline’s Chief Executive, said: Children and families often on the fringes of society rely on social workers to stand alongside them during their most difficult moments. We need more outstanding individuals joining the profession to support vulnerable children and families up and down the country. Social work has the power to change lives and we’re looking forward to developing more social workers across the Midlands to help give every child a safe and stable home”.

Children and Families Minister, Kemi Badenoch, said: “Social workers do one of the most challenging jobs in society, supporting the most vulnerable children in the country. There are more social workers than ever, but we want to keep recruiting and retaining the best, from graduates to career changers, which is why we have invested more than £1.2 billion since 2010 in supporting a range of routes into the profession, including fast-track schemes like Frontline.

“Frontline plays a key role in boosting the profile of rewarding careers in social work all over England, joining a talented workforce that provides support for children and families across the Midlands who need it the most”.

Frontline works with local authorities across London and the South East, East of England, North West, North East, Midlands and South West. Over 340 participants began the Frontline programme in summer 2018, with over 400 participants joining the 2019 Cohort.

A group of Jesuit Novices from countries across Western Europe visited Smethwick, in the West Midlands, to learn about inter-faith engagement and meet religious groups in the town.

The visitors - members of the Roman Catholic Order of the Society of Jesus, known as the Jesuits - attended a week-long conference, the Internovitiate, at Manressa House, an international centre for novices, in nearby Harborne, Birmingham.

Arriving at Galton Bridge railway station, they were welcomed by Sandwell Deputy Mayor, Councillor Suzanne Hartwell, on the historic Thomas Telford bridge built in 1829, giving them a taste of Smethwick's industrial heritage.

They then walked along the High Street to get a feel of modern-day Smethwick, where they were greeted by Surinder Josan, owner of All Seasons DIY, a family-run business in the area for more than 40 years and the immediate past President of the British Independent Retailers Association.

The day was hosted by Holy Trinity Church, Smethwick and also included visits to the nearby Abrahamic Foundation and the Guru Nanak Gurdwara to meet members of the local Muslim and Sikh communities.

The group also enjoyed presentations about a number of local inter-faith projects including Faithful Friends on Tour, Women First and the Common Ground Community Orchard.

Event co-ordinator and Novice of the Society of Jesus, Dunstan Rodrigues, said: "We're delighted to have been invited to Smethwick, we've had an extremely warm welcome from everyone we have met, beginning with the Deputy Mayor, the team at Holy Trinity and the other individuals and groups we have visited.

"It's been extremely encouraging to see the work going on in Smethwick and to learn from the wide range of different religious traditions in this diverse community of Smethwick."

Reverend Nick Ross, from Holy Trinity Church, said: "It was a privilege to host this visit so we could talk about the richness of Smethwick's diverse faiths and cultures, and the experience of interfaith work in the town, and to be refocused by the questions and comments from young people who are much less familiar with ministry in this sort of setting."

A mound near a train station in Smethwick has seen a massive improvement as volunteers have cleaned up the area immediately behind the ‘Lions of the Great War’ statue on the High Street.

Just by the Rolfe Street Train Station is home to the water feature, Boulton and Watt’s Governor Sculpture, pathways, seating and a circle of trees.

With the support of Sandwell Council, volunteers from Guru Nanak Gurdwara in Smethwick cleared the paved area which was partially covered in overgrowth and moss. The benches have also been cleaned, with the steel sculpture renovated and repainted.

The fountain, which was replaced by the Gurdwara in 2018, has also been pumped out and cleaned.

Guru Nanak Gurdwara Smethwick's Jatinder Singh said: "The ‘Lions of the Great War’ honours all those brave people from South Asia who served and died in the two World Wars.

Together with the newly-created paved public space, it also provides a stunning and symbolic gateway to Smethwick”.

Councillor Bob Lloyd, Sandwell Council's Cabinet Member with responsibility for Culture, said: "This is a wonderful example of community volunteers working with the Council to improve the area and keep it looking clean and tidy.

"As the backdrop to the awe-inspiring ‘Lions of the Great War’ statue and public space, this is an area that has considerable significance for the Gurdwara and wider community. I would like to thank everyone who has been involved and volunteered their time."

Guru Nanak Gurdwara Smethwick commissioned Black Country sculptor Luke Perry to create the statue to honour the sacrifices made by South Asian service personnel of all faiths from the Indian subcontinent who fought for Britain in the Great War and other conflicts.

The gurdwara covered the cost of designing and building the statue, while Sandwell Council worked closely with the gurdwara to create a paved public space with seating and lighting.

Millions of men from the Indian subcontinent fought in the two world wars, serving in the British Indian Army. Most never visited the country they were fighting for, yet many sacrificed their lives on the battlefield or afterwards.

The Mayor of Wolverhampton was on hand at a special event which marked the 80th anniversary of an Advice Centre in the city.

As one of the first bureaux in the country, Citizens Advice Wolverhampton, which was first opened in September 1939, has remained open ever since.

Back then some 50 people a day visited the bureau to seek help with issues like evacuation, allowances for dependents of serving men, housing problems and questions concerning National Registration and food rationing.

80 years on, now, it continues to offer free, confidential and independent advice.

Mayor of the City of Wolverhampton, Councillor Claire Darke, was present with volunteers, staff and friends to acknowledge the longstanding contribution Citizens Advice Wolverhampton has made to people in the city.

She said: “We were delighted to be able to celebrate Citizens Advice Wolverhampton’s special milestone, which has seen it provide 80 years of unbroken service.”

Citizens Advice Wolverhampton’s Chief Officer, Craig Alford, said: “Our advice changes lives because we are constantly adapting to the challenges people face.

“Whatever the problem, our fantastically amazing staff and volunteers do all they can to help people find their way forward. We are here to help everyone and will continue to do so.”

Citizens Advice Wolverhampton is a charitable organisation offering free information, advice and specialist casework to people concerning debt, housing, benefits, work, family issues, discrimination, consumer complaints and much more.

Sutton Coldfield Town Hall, together with Care UK have teamed up to create a new community event aimed at those of retirement age and above.

Sutton Coldfield Senior Showcase is a free entry event to be held at the Town Hall, in the West Midlands, on the afternoon of Thursday 12th September.

There will be around 50 stallholders, with many offering taster sessions of activities ranging from senior ballet to sing-alongs, nordic walking to a quiz. Visitors can learn to become a Dementia Friend in a one hour session, sit in a financial planning talk or learn about wills and power of attorney in a presentation by local solicitors Enoch Evans.

Sutton Ramblers will lead a one hour walk into the park at 3pm and a dementia friendly barber will be on hand to give free gentlemen's haircuts.

Coffee, Tea and Muffins, plus full bar service will be available in the Sir Doug Ellis Lounge. Sessions and stalls will take place between 12pm and 4pm.

Organisers Julie Rennison from the Town Hall and Rachel Mackay from Care UK's Mercia Grange have enjoyed the support of many local companies to put together this inaugural event.

Julie said: "There are so many charities, services and activities available to our senior community and we hope this event will present them in a fun and informative environment." Rachel added "There will be lots of things to try and experts on hand - from I.T. advice to transport and accommodation. There are also plenty of chances to learn where to volunteer and meet new people. We've had two meetings for stallholders and people are really keen to make this a lively and interesting day out."

The charity venue is very close to the train station, public car parks and is a short walk from the bus station and from Lichfield Road bus stops. A raffle will be held to support the Town Hall's ambitious renovation plans and maintenance.