Community News

This is a one day conference - Theme: Transformative Power of Love and Kindness

What is involved?

Registration at opens at 0800 hours with coffee or tea

0900 Conference opens

Key Themes to be discussed:

• Positive workplace culture
• Courage to be your best
• Living Peacefully from Love to Action
• Promoting a culture of peace and non-violence through education
• Moving from Conflict to Connection
• Paths to deeper connection with the true self
• Transformation and Healing
• Confidence and Authenticity
• Love for all – the power of kindness

Home Page: http://birmingham-westmidlandswef.com/

Facebook Page: https://www.2343ec78a04c6ea9d80806345d31fd78-gdprlock/BWMWEF/

For more information visit: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/transformative-power-of-love-and-kindness-tickets-63976678969

Cost of the conference £69.95

Organiser: Dr neslyn Watson-Druée, CBE

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

As a nod to International Women in Engineering Day this week, Severn Trent is showcasing its flagship £300M Birmingham Resilience Project.  There is a female engineer at every level of the project, from project engineer, right up through programme director and the Head of Capital Delivery, to the Capital Delivery and Commercial Director and even right up to the CEO.

Jane Simpson, Head of Capital Delivery, said: “I am the head of capital delivery for Severn Trent, delivering £3 billion of capital schemes. The Birmingham Resilience Project is an amazing piece of work, and my largest, in terms of both what we’re trying to deliver, and to the women in particular who’re delivering it.  This is our flagship programme, where we’re investing around £300M to make sure water supplies to Birmingham are more secure.  It involves work on the existing Elan Valley Aqueduct, to keep the water flowing, and also building a brand new pipe, 26km from the River Severn into a brand new water treatment works in Birmingham.  When the work is done, Birmingham will have a second back up water supply, making everything much more resilient.

“I love working on large infrastructure projects, you leave a legacy behind which I don't think cares if you are male or female.  As much as people say that engineering is still a “man’s job”, it doesn't feel like that at Severn Trent.  When you have senior women in organisations, it hopefully encourages more women to join and see the opportunity.  However, outside Severn Trent it is still very male - the supply chain senior leaders are all male, as are the majority of their workforce.  I have seen things change, but there still needs to be more women in engineering.

“I became an apprentice at the age of 16, not really because I wanted to be an engineer, but because I liked physics and maths, so my dad encouraged me to apply for apprenticeships.  And I’d love it if more young women felt like this could be a career for them.”

Hayley Gladstone, Programme Director adds: “When I started my career, I went from an all-girls school to an apprenticeship, which being predominantly male was an uncomfortable transition.  However, during my working life I’ve always gained the respect from my colleagues. Things have moved on massively in recent years, and it’s much easier interacting with the younger generation as they don’t see any difference between male and female, you’re just doing your job.

“I found it strange moving to Severn Trent to work on this project.  I’d never had a female boss before and now the whole hierarchy is female!  I do think it’s different in engineering these days, although it’s still predominantly male.  But now that I’m working with a number of females, in senior positions on the project – I don’t see people as male or female I just admire people who do a good job.

“It’s definitely different working on a project where so many of the lead roles are taken up by women. But surprisingly the less emotional members of the team are the females!”

Jane finishes by saying: “I think that it’s amazing that we have so many women on this project.  I’m really proud of the whole team for what they have delivered so far and how they are delivering the last bits of the project so that everything is ready for next year when it comes to an end and Birmingham’s water supplies will be much more secure.”

Local community housing projects and charities are being urged to put their case forward as Nationwide, the world’s largest building society, makes £500,000 available to help make a difference to communities across the region.

The Society is inviting applications for grants of between £10,000 and £50,000 for housing projects that will support the most vulnerable in local communities.

Gareth Franks, Nationwide’s Regional Director of the West region, said: “In 2007, our members voted for us to donate at least one percent of our pre-tax profits to good causes and asked that we focus on tackling housing issues.  We recognise there is a housing crisis, resulting in many people living in unsuitable, insecure or unaffordable accommodation. So, to help make a real and lasting difference, we are aiming to make £5.5 million available in grant funding for housing-related charities and organisations across the UK per year.

“We are delighted to open the local application process and encourage housing related charities and organisations to apply so that they can collectively benefit from the £500,000 award that is available to communities across the West.”

A Community Board, which is comprised of Nationwide members and employees, will review all the grant applications and award grants of up to a £50,000. The Board and Nationwide branches within the region will also be providing time and expertise to these charities.

So far Nationwide has awarded £4 million in grants to more than 100 projects and will be investing £5.5 million in housing projects across the UK per year. The programme is being delivered with support from the UK Community Foundations programme, the national network for all accredited Community Foundations across the UK.

Nationwide is now inviting applications for housing community projects in the West until 5 July 2019.

Full details can be found at: www.nationwide.co.uk/communityfunding or in local Nationwide branches in this region.

Dr Joshua Johnson has been instructing the traditional martial artwork since 1978 when he first opened the JJ Karate Academy.

The varsity, positioned on the Graiseley Centre in Pool Avenue, Blakenhall, has seen numerous champions come by way of the ranks, having their expertise nurtured by Dr Johnson.

The 68-year-old was awarded his MBE by Prince William at a “as soon as in a lifetime” ceremony at Buckingham Palace.

He mentioned: “It was an extended day and I am very drained, but it surely was so thrilling for me and my household, an unimaginable event.

“It was as soon as in a lifetime, it was a really proud second for me.

“Assembly Prince William was very thrilling and touching, it appears so unreal, I cannot imagine it occurred to me, it was a second to treasure.

“There are a lot of individuals who do good work within the Wolverhampton neighborhood so it is an honour for me to be recognised.

“My father, Radcliffe Ellis Johnson got here to Stafford in 1944, in the course of the Second World Warfare, aged 22, so this has been an enormous journey for my household from the place we had been to me now receiving an MBE.

“He handed away 10 years in the past now and I do know he’ll be wanting down smiling on me and saying ‘that is my boy’.

“I have not obtained another celebrations deliberate however I need to do one thing with the scholars, they made all this potential.

“The scholars come to me for one hour from their households and for the remainder of our lives we’re a household collectively.”

Dr Johnson, who lives in Whitmore Reans, first got here to Wolverhampton when he moved from Jamaica as a 16-year-old and shortly turned his hand to the game.

He fell in love with Wolverhampton and has known as it house ever since.

He added: “It is town that I like and I need to give again, I’ve achieved a lot in my time – I need to thank the individuals of Wolverhampton for making this all potential.

“The honest heat of the individuals of Wolverhampton is what makes me love town a lot

“I used to be 16 once I arrived in England and the 1960’s was powerful, we needed to educate ourselves on the streets and take care of ourselves after which I obtained into karate.

“I began to take care of myself after which I ended up taking care of different individuals and passing my expertise onto them.”

The well-established membership remains to be operating to today with Dr Johnson on the forefront of coaching and instructing and he is exhibiting no indicators of slowing down.

He mentioned: “We have had native, nationwide and worldwide champions come from our academy and we’re doing our greatest to proceed producing them – I am very happy with what we have achieved with native individuals.

“The membership remains to be operating and I am nonetheless coaching now at my age.”

No matter how prestigious, literary awards are far from perfect. It is no secret that white men reign supreme when it comes to winning prizes like the Pulitzer (no woman has won a Pulitzer since 2014 and only three women of colour have won) and the Nobel (only 14 women have been awarded a Nobel Prize in Literature). All too often, women — particularly women of colour — go overlooked.

But Elizabeth Acevedo, author of National Book Award winning YA novel ‘The Poet X’, has made history in a big way - by becaming the first writer of colour to receive the Carnegie Medal in the prizes' 83-year history.

The Carnegie Medal is an annual British literary award that recognizes one outstanding new English-language book for children or young adults. Voted upon by the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals, it is called "the UK's oldest and most prestigious children's book awards."

Acevedo, the daughter of Dominican immigrants, won the Carnegie just two years after the prestigious award came under fire in March 2017 for releasing a 20-book long list of nominees, all by white writers. According to an article in the Guardian, the organizers instigated an independent review and concluded "that the UK’s overwhelmingly white librarian workforce, who nominate books for the medal, were mostly unaware of titles by writers of colour."

Organizers of the Carnegie Medal promised to restructure to account for its lack of diverse winners, which makes Acevedo's win even more meaningful: Not only is she the first writer of colour to win, but she won for a debut ‘Own Voices’ release, written in verse, about an Afro-Latina teen.

‘The Poet X’ follows Xiomara Batista, a teen from Harlem who struggles with body image, her first experience with love, her religious mother's strict rules, and her changing relationship with her twin brother. Desperate to find an outlet for all of her emotions, Xiomara turns to her leather notebook, where she writes poems and verses. When she's asked the join her school's slam poetry club, she knows it could change everything. In addition to the Carnegie Prize, ‘The Poet X’ is the recipient of the National Book Award for Young People's Literature, the Michael L. Printz Award, and the Pura Belpré Award.

Acevedo has been busy in recent months — and not just accepting awards. In May 2019, she released her second book, ‘With the Fire on High’. The novel follows Latina teen Emoni Santiago, a teen mom who feels magic in the kitchen when she cooks, but knows that her responsibilities at home come first. But when a cooking club at school presents her with a huge opportunity, Emoni might have no choice but to embrace her passion.

Hard Rock Hotel London and the UK’s largest independent music therapy charity, Nordoff Robbins, have unveiled the victor of their nationwide search to discover Britain’s next big DJ star.

As part of their commitment to support budding talent and champion health and wellbeing through the power of music, Nordoff Robbins and Hard Rock Hotel London launched a national competition to encourage aspiring DJs to make beats behind bedroom doors and upload their own music mix to the Bedroom 2 Dancefloor website - Bedroom2Dancefloor.com. The most popular musical pieces were then judged by an expert panel of electronic aficionados, who then selected the top five finalists to be put forward for the people’s choice.

Winning the competition after going head-to-head with five finalists in a public vote, Connor Scott from Birmingham spoke about the inspiration behind their mix.

“Winning the bedroom to dancefloor competition has opened up so many opportunities for me. I’ve always wanted to work in big music events - seeing how a DJ can change the hype of a crowd and the whole experience of an event or even a night out, made realise that is what I wanted to be. Playing to different crowds, meeting new people, travelling and being able to work with and make music is what I love most.

Music is very important to me, and Nordoff Robbins are a charity that I think is doing amazing work. Music has had a massive benefit on my own mental health and I’ve seen how it can give someone who maybe can’t speak or communicate easily, an outlet”

The winner was crowned champion from the five finalists who were judged and selected by an expert panel of electronic dance music’s (EDM) best in the business. The judges included world-famous DJs and industry experts across club land, labels, music schools, equipment and media. The esteemed panel of experts included:

• Sister Blissfrom Faithless
• Happy Days for Everyone, Brandon Block
• BBC 6 Music, Chris Hawkins
• Ministry of Sound, George Thomas
• DJ Mag, Carl Loben
• Point Blank Music School, Rob Cowan
• Sentric, Mark Lawrence
• Toolroom, Stuart Knight
• Native Instruments, David Eserin

• A two-night stay at Hard Rock Hotel London in a Rock Royalty Suite
• The chance to perform live at one of Nordoff Robbins events
• A slot on Soho Radio
• S4 DJ controller by Native Instruments
• Online DJ course with Point Blank Music School

Founded in 1959, Nordoff Robbins offers those with life-limiting illnesses, physical disabilities or emotional challenges life-changing music therapy through its dedicated open access centres and over 200 partner organisations. With the announcement of this new partnership, Hard Rock Hotel London will join musical royalty such as Sir Paul McCartney, Sting, Barry Gibb and Dame Shirley Bassey, who have supported the charity over the years.

With approximately 900 stylish suites and rooms, Hard Rock Hotel London will serve as a landmark within the London landscape, as well as a permanent home to celebrate the heritage of the musical and cultural legends that have previously stayed at the iconic Marble Arch location, including Bob Dylan, Madonna, Jimi Hendrix and Diana Ross.

Following last year’s successful week of events to celebrate Windrush 70th, this year the Windrush1948Central, will be hosting a weekend of events in Birmingham following a very turbulent year for the Windrush Generation which has been plagued with the fallout from the Windrush Scandal.

This year’s events commence with:

Today (Saturday 22nd June) - A Public Service Day and Family Funday Day at The Sport Hub Holford Drive Perry Barr Birmingham, for which there is will an opening ceremony to mark Windrush day at 12 Noon, with the Lord Mayor, Chief Constable, Police and crime Commissioner and other public figures in attendance. This is a day when we celebrate the contribution of the Windrush Generation in public service which includes the NHS and also a day of activities for the family.

Following yesterday’s Elders Night at Pannel Croft Village in Newtown, this evening there will be a Gala Dinner and Ball at The Holte Suite Villa Park  for which the proceeds will go to assisting those caught up in the Windrush Scandal.

The to round off the weekend there will be a Church Service on Sunday 23rd June at The Assemblies of the First Born Church 23 Lozells Road Lozells Birmingham at 5pm, which is a service of thanksgiving and commemoration.

All events are free and open to the public with the exclusion of the Gala Dinner at Villa Park.

Chair of the Organisor's Reverend Dr. Desmond Jaddoo says: "This year’s events is the joining together of 7 organisations, which continues the legacy created by our elders, hence, demonstrating that the spirit of the windrush is alive and well and we must take this opportunity, to empower, educate, commemorate, give thanks and ensure that this rich contribution and legacy is never forgotten. We also wish to thank Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals NHS Trust for their continued support along with Victoria Mutual Building Society".

Detailed preparations involving famous international rugby star and broadcaster Christian Martin are under way for the live Black Sabbath event that’s attracting thousands of heavy metal fans to Birmingham.

The canal bridge over Broad Street will be renamed as the Black Sabbath Bridge at 3pm on Wednesday 26 June at the celebrations organised by Westside Business Improvement District (BID).

Meanwhile, the heavy metal bench dedicated to the band which is to be located on the bridge will be unveiled to the general public at the same time.

Sabbra Cadabra, the renowned Black Sabbath tribute band, will be transported along with their instruments and sound equipment onto a tiny island on the canal located between The Malt House pub, the Sea Life Centre and the Arena Birmingham.

The band will start playing from 2.30pm on 26 June to warm up gathering crowds while Black Sabbath founding members Tony Iommi and Geezer Butler hold a press conference at a nearby venue.

At 3pm, two canal barges will then take the legendary rock stars across to the island where they will be interviewed by former sports star and current TV broadcaster Christian Martin.

Martin, a lifelong Black Sabbath fan, once played rugby for Argentina and UK teams like the Saracens and Pontypridd. He is now a star TV presenter who commands an audience of millions across South America.

Sabbra Cadabra will continue to pump out top hits while Iommi and Butler cruise on to unveil the new Black Sabbath Bridge name and the heavy metal bench, cheered on by thousands of fans gathered at canalside bars and footpaths.

The band will continue playing to the crowds celebrating the new Black Sabbath venue until around 4.30pm and are scheduled to play again that evening at The Brasshouse and O’Neill’s bars on Broad Street.

Christian Martin, who still avidly follows Black Sabbath, said: “It will be an honour to play a little part in this event and to bring it to our people on the far side of the world.”

Mike Olley, general manager of Westside BID, said: “The afternoon of Wednesday 26 June will see an extraordinary event here in Birmingham in honour of the city’s legendary heavy metal rockers.

“We’re grateful to the Canal & River Trust, Birmingham City Council, Sabbra Cadabra and our many other partners for helping us to realise our ambition to pay this special tribute to Black Sabbath.”

Ani Sutton, community engagement manager at the Canal & River Trust, said: “We’re thrilled to be involved in helping people enjoy this event on the canal in Birmingham – which is celebrating its 250th birthday this year.

“Dozens of our volunteers will be on duty throughout the day to make sure that everyone has a great time but also that they keep safe.”

The whole event coincides with a major Home of Metal exhibition celebrating Black Sabbath and the band’s legacy, running from 26 June to 29 September at the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery.

This has created a captive audience for the Black Sabbath Bridge unveiling, adding to rock fans would have anyway gathered in Birmingham just to catch a glimpse of Iommi and Butler.

Jim Simpson, managing director of Big Bear Music which has arranged Sabbra Cadabra’s performance, added: “This fabulous event could easily see thousands of fans lining the canalside in the heart of Birmingham’s entertainment district. We and the band can’t wait to play our part!”

Tony Iommi said: “We’re thrilled that everyone can now enjoy what has become a special location for Black Sabbath history.”

Geezer Butler added: “I can’t wait for what’s going to be such a memorable event.”

The smash-hit ‘In the Night Garden Live’ will be at The Birmingham Repertory Theatre this summer on its first-ever UK tour of theatres. This brand new show will take audiences on a spectacular journey into the magical world of In the Night Garden, as the enchanting characters from the UK’s favourite family show are brought to life on stage from 31 July – 4 August.

‘In The Night Garden Live’ at Birmingham Repertory Theatre also promises a world first, as the Pinky Ponk Air Orb soars over the heads of In the Night Garden Live audiences – the first time an effect like this has been used in theatres anywhere in the UK. This amazing new 2.5 metre long flying Pinky Ponk, uses cutting-edge, patented aerodynamic technology pioneered by the specialist German company, Airstage, who have designed and built similar Air Orbs all over the world, including for the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympics and the Radio City Musical Hall Christmas Spectacular in New York.

Executive Producer Oliver Seadon said: “We’ve toured In the Night Garden Live in our own venue for the last ten years and audiences always felt like they were being transported into the Night Garden. We knew that when we brought the show into theatres for the first time we had to do something magical for our little fans and their families. What better way than to take the Night Garden literally into the auditorium in the form of this incredible flying Pinky Ponk? If the toddlers in the audiences are half as excited as I was about seeing it for the first time, it’s going to be such a special experience.” 

In the Night Garden Live is the perfect musical theatre experience for the entire family. Children’s favourite CBeebies stars – Igglepiggle, Upsy Daisy, Makka Pakka and friends – are all brought beautifully to life in a specially written new story using full-size characters and magical puppets with enchanting music and dancing.

This delightful classic, which premiered in 2010 before becoming a summer entertainment fixture, is a firm favourite with pre-schoolers and their parents. Seen by over one million people, the critically acclaimed production has established itself as a must-see first theatre experience for young children.

‘In the Night Garden Live’ is written by Helen Eastman (writer of Bing Live) and based on the DHX Media television series created by Andrew Davenport. Directed by acclaimed Royal Ballet choreographer and director Will Tuckett, the show is produced by Minor Entertainment under licence from DHX Brands.

Leicester Riders chairman Kevin Routledge has received a British Empire Medal for services to the sport of basketball and the local community of Leicester.

Canadian-born Kevin is currently the longest serving club Chairman within the British Basketball League and joined entertainment stars such as Olivia Colman, Elvis Costello, MIA, Bear Grylls, Feargal Sharkey, Dan Snow in being formally acknowledged by the Queen as part of her Birthday Honours list.

His association with British basketball first began as a player (1974 - 1979) representing the Loughborough All Stars team. After a brief business secondment to Pittsburgh he returned to successfully combine his playing career with club administration and media duties.

He eventually went onto become the Chairman of the British Basketball League from 1988 to 2002; and was also a Director of the national governing body, England Basketball.

Routledge has worked on many multi-sport and community activities in the Leicester area and was responsible for the new £6m Leicester Arena build and launch. The Arena opened on budget on 27 January 2016 and on top of being home to the Leicester Riders it has become a much-valued asset for community use.

Sir Rodney Walker, BBL Chairman, congratulated Kevin on being bestowed such a prestigious honour:

"Kevin has been a magnificent servant to the game of basketball in this country for a number of decades and it is fantastic this unwavering service has been formally recognised by the Queen.

"His passion for the sport and its continual development, alongside the great community work he undertakes has long been acknowledged by his peers within British basketball and the people of Leicester.

"I am very proud to pass on my congratulations to Keven and his family for this great honour."

Kevin Routledge's passion for the sport of basketball shows no sign of slowing down - alongside being the current Chairman of Leicester Riders, Kevin is a Director of Morningside Arena, Leicester, Trustee of the Riders charity (the Leicester Riders Foundation), a Director of the British Basketball League, Vice Chair of the Basketball Foundation, and Secretary of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Basketball.

Sandwell’s streets and pavements are being lit up by thousands of new smart streetlights that will save cash and cut carbon emissions.

Over the next three years, Sandwell Council will install more than 7,000 of the new energy-saving LED lights, which can also be centrally controlled, altered and monitored – unlike old-fashioned lamps.

The announcement comes as part of Sandwell Council’s #HighwaysWeek – a week of activity highlighting the work of the council’s road safety, maintenance, parking, street lighting and other teams.

Sandwell Council’s cabinet member for sustainable transport Councillor Jackie Taylor said: “We’ll have already installed 4,000 of the new lights by next year (2020) and we’ve committed to make that 11,000 in total by 2022.

“The new streetlights allow us to control light levels depending on location, we’re able to record power consumption and we’ll be alerted when there’s a fault with an individual lamppost.

“Not only will this save money, it also helps us reduce our carbon footprint."

On Thursday 20 June members of the House of Lords will debate the increase in incidents of antisemitism in recent years. Tabled by Baroness Berridge, the motion reads:

Baroness Berridge to move that this House takes note of the incidence of antisemitism worldwide.

Members scheduled to speak include: Baroness Altmann Lord Alton of Liverpool Baroness Berridge Lord Collins of Highbury Lord Dykes Lord Harries of Pentregarth Lord Palmer of Childs Hill Lord Pickles Lord Polak Lord Shinkwin Lord Singh of Wimbledon

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon will respond on behalf of the Government.

Baroness Berridge will be focusing the debate on the global trend of incidents of antisemitism, and the ease with which hateful content is spread online. She hopes to encourage unity to prevent the spread of antisemitism, and action to hold online companies to account.

Speaking ahead of the debate, Baroness Berridge said:

“From Berlin to Buenos Aires, incidents of antisemitism have increased drastically in recent years. It seems that the ease with which content that encourages hatred towards Jewish people can now be spread online has combined with political instability and historic antisemitism to cause age-old stereotypes to resurface, as societies look for scapegoats and simple answers to complex problems. As Co-Chair of the APPG for International Freedom of Religion or Belief, I urge the UK and all Governments to work together to hold Internet Service Providers to account and take national measures to prevent the spread of hateful internet messaging about Jews and to do whatever else they can to protect Jewish communities around the world who are suffering once again. This scourge needs eradicating once and for all. ”

The debate is expected to start at some point after 11.30am on Thursday 20 June 2019.

Members of the public are welcome to attend

Members of the public will have the opportunity to quiz Mayor of the West Midlands Andy Street at an event in Pheasey.

The Mayor will be holding his latest ‘Ask Andy’ public session at Beacon Church, Collingwood Drive, Pheasey B43 7JL, on Wednesday, 26^th June from 6.45pm to 7.45pm.

Mayor of the West Midlands Andy Street

He said: “This is your chance to ask me about the progress we are making as a region in strengthening communities by transforming transport, homes, employment and skills.

“These are exciting times for the West Midlands and I want as many people as possible to be there at Beacon Church.

“I’m keen to hear about what matters to local residents and the wider West Midlands community, so that we can continue to work together to improve people’s lives.”

Click here for more information and to book your place at the ‘Ask Andy’ session.

Friends, colleagues, supporters and admirers gathered at the Jamaica High Commission in London to celebrate the life and achievements of the Jamaican 'King of Comedy', Oliver Samuels.

Master of Ceremonies Delores Cooper OD welcomed everyone to the proceedings, before the man of the moment himself graced the room, flanked by both Jamaica High Commissioner Seth George Ramocan CD and Deputy High Commissioner Angella Rose-Howell.

In a room of smiling faces (not least at Olivers jokes and stories), Oliver's previous colleagues and friends paid tribute to a man who has dedicated nearly 50 years of his life to acting and comedy.

"I want to pay tribute to an undisputed treasure of Jamaica, Oliver Adolphus Samuels," started the High Commissioner.

"Just saying the name Oliver, you begin to feel good, just look at him and you begin to laugh. Oliver of course you are a born entertainer with an inate gift of bringing laughter, pleasantry and joy to the hearts and souls of people in Jamaica, outside of Jamaica, and we honour you today."

Oliver is currently on tour throughout the UK in 56 East Avenue - the hilarious story of life in a ‘tenament yaad,’ it details the chronicles of a landlord trying to collect rent from delinquent tenants while at the same time creating a comfortable living space for the others. What is taking place down at 56 East Avenue?

Cast member and friend 'Maffy' spoke of Oliver fondly, "When we worked together in theatre, we always have fun. We have had great times together. We'd stop and have a drink and chat foolishness and share dreams."

Before the night was finished Oliver was presented with a Birthday Cake, a guestbook signed by all attendees, and a personal commendation from the Jamaica High Commission.

In the presence of the likes of Linton Kwesi Johnson, the legendary David 'Ram Jam' Rodigan, Marcia McLaughlin of The Phoenix Newspaper and many more, a great time was had by all, sharing food, drinks, and stories of Oliver. Congratulations on your 70th Birthday Oliver, here's to many more years of laughs and entertainment.

British Athletics has announced Toyota (GB) PLC as an event sponsor to two of the world’s biggest athletics events: the 2019 Müller Anniversary Games and Müller Grand Prix Birmingham.

The partnership is a continuation of Toyota’s commitment to para sport, having become a Worldwide Paralympic Partner in 2015 and having supported ParalympicsGB to launch the grassroots participation programme “Parasport powered by Toyota” earlier this year. Toyota will use LED advertising windows during the para athletics events hosted at both meetings this summer.

In July, five para athletics events will be hosted at the 2019 Müller Anniversary Games, with a range of track and field showcasing both ambulant and wheelchair events in the very same stadium that saw para sport showcasing the biggest audiences ever at London 2012. The para athletics events set to take place at August’s Müller Grand Prix Birmingham will be announced in due course.

Following a magnificent world record from Kare Adenegan in 2018, the women’s T33/34 100m will return to the London Stadium during 2019.

Adenegan enjoyed a breakthrough moment on home soil as she powered to a time of 16.80 becoming the first female T34 athlete to clock under 17 seconds over the distance.

Always a fast and furious race on the track, the best in Britain will line-up in the women’s T35-38 100m. Last year, Sophie Hahn warmed up for the WPA European Championships by setting a world record over 200m in London, so Hahn and the rest of the field will be looking at this world-class meeting as an important competition on the road to the World Para Athletics Championships in Dubai.

In what is set to be a highly-entertaining contest, a host of domestic talent will go head-to-head in the T53/54 800m.

During 2018, world medallist Richard Chiassaro lowered the T54 800m world record – which has since been improved by America’s Daniel Romanchuk – so he is one of the world’s leading competitors in the class.

With the likes of 2018 European medallists Nathan Maguire (T54), Dillon Labrooy (T54) and Mo Jomni (T53) amongst the emerging talent in these classes, this is set to be an event not to be missed across the weekend of action in London.

The three para athletics events will join Jonnie Peacock and Stef Reid who were announced in the T64 100m and T44-64 long jump line-up last month.

British Athletics’ Major Events Director, Cherry Alexander MBE commented: “We are excited to have lined up some brilliant events for our para athletes at the Müller Anniversary Games. We saw last year two brilliant World Record moments that proved to be the performances of the entire weekend and we know their events this year are simply not to be missed!”

Andrew Cullis, Toyota GB Marketing Director said: “Our partnership for these headline events reflects our commitment to delivering mobility for all, and our support for getting more people involved in sport through the Parasport powered by Toyota programme. We are sure the 2019 Müller Anniversary Games and Müller Grand Prix Birmingham will be great showcases for exceptional personal achievements and will inspire many more people to enjoy and participate in para athletics.”

British Athletics’ Paralympic Head Coach, Paula Dunn MBE added: “It’s great that once again our para athletes are headlining a world class weekend of athletics. There is no doubt about it that from a performance angle these events give us vital preparation. With a World Championships in November this year and long term preparations for Tokyo well underway, I know the Müller Anniversary Games, offer a great platform for our World Class programme athletes.”

According to research over half of UK women (52%) say it has been several years since they made a valued friendship, with nearly two thirds (61%) citing work as the primary reason they feel too busy to make new connections.

However, technology now means it needn’t be difficult to connect with new people and form meaningful relationships, and it doesn’t take a huge commitment to help yourself and others make new connections.

To celebrate National Best Friends Day on June 8, Mobiles.co.uk, has worked with a leading life coach to share a few tips on the top ways adults can use technology to build new connections.

1. Find like-minded online communities Using your hobbies and interests is a great way to connect with similar people online, and there are plenty of forums catering to everyone from sports fans to film fanatics. Websites like Reddit have countless chatrooms for a huge variety of interests. With platforms like these it’s easier than ever to make connections with like-minded people.

Then there are more specialised apps and websites dedicated to linking people over a specific interest. Spotify, for example, has a feature that allows users to find and connect with music lovers of similar tastes, while fitness apps like Strava give cyclists the ability to share their favourite routes and connect with other users nearby.

If you’re thinking of travelling but don’t have anyone to go with, websites like SoloTraveller and Backpackr allow users to connect with their fellow globetrotters, letting them meet up in advance, or at their destination.

2. There’s an app for that Friend finding apps are becoming increasingly common, with several alternatives to choose from. Bumble BFF, Friender and Hey! VINA are some examples of apps that are built like dating profiles, allowing you to match with people who you would like to be friends with.

Bumble BFF for example works like a dating site and is built specifically for women. You build your profile and can then swipe through other people’s profiles to find someone you want to connect with.

The user specifies a distance and Bumble finds people within this area, prioritising people who have liked you first. The app’s algorithm doesn’t take your past matches into account, allowing you to branch out from your comfort zone and meet new people from all walks of life.

Rachel Pountney from Leeds was concerned about how she would make friends in a new city before she discovered Bumble BFF: “I moved to Leeds four years ago to live with my boyfriend, but I was conscious that I didn’t know anyone else in the area and started looking for ways to meet new people. I heard about Bumble BFF and gave it a go. It was a bit strange at first, but eventually I got chatting to an American girl called Kat Fish (no, seriously!)

“We met up and instantly got on like a house on fire! She’s moved back to the US, but we’ve met up in America and back in Leeds since then, and we still chat regularly.”

3. Get social Humble social media channels like Facebook and Twitter, which for many have become a part of their everyday lives, can easily be used to help find and join new online communities. Consider searching keywords related to topics and hobbies you’re interested in to find groups and conversations to join.

Nicola Fulstow was able to make the most of Facebook to bond with other new mums: “As a stay at home mum I found it challenging to get out of the house and meet new people. So I decided to put a post on my local resident’s Facebook page to see if there were any other stay at home mums with young kids who would be open to meeting up for coffee.

“Four years later and there are seven of us who are the best of friends and still speak nearly every week! What started out as a group of mums desperate for some adult conversation has led to me having the most incredible group of friends who are all neighbours!”

Carole Ann Rice, one of the UK’s leading life coaches, explains why friendships are such an important part of living a healthy life: “Friendships are essential for our wellbeing as they can make us feel understood, appreciated, heard and less lonely. A good friend makes us feel supported, brings happiness and connectivity, and someone to share our interests with.

“We can have different friends for different areas of our life – friends who share hobbies, colleagues, or school or college friends. With a lot of different types of friends we find a composite picture of connection, togetherness and wellbeing.”

Andrew Cartledge, Mobile Expert and Mobiles.co.uk, added: “Whilst having connections in various areas of our lives is great for our wellbeing, modern life can make it challenging to establish new friendships. Technology has undoubtedly made it easier for people to find and connect with other like-minded individuals, and has removed barriers such as simply not having the time to get out there and meet new people.”