Community News

A University of Wolverhampton lecturer is crowdfunding to get a unique art project off the ground to raise awareness of migration and settlement in the UK.

Gavin Rogers, Senior Lecturer in Fine Art in the University of Wolverhampton School of Art, has set up a crowdfunding page to bring a flock of migrant red stork sculptures to the West Midlands.

His idea is based around the migration of storks from the East African Savannah towards Southern, Central and Eastern Europe.

He said:  “Many people across mainland Europe welcome these multi-continental migrants each year as they are the bearers of good luck, life, health and vitality.  Once nested, pairs of storks will return for the same nest every year for the rest of their life.

“Interestingly, storks have not nested in the UK for over 600 years until, in 2014, a pair found their way to Great Yarmouth and they are now starting to settle in the UK in small numbers.”

Gavin is offering individuals, venues and businesses across the West Midlands the chance to buy, host or adopt a migrant stork sculpture during Spring 2018, from March to June, for display on buildings or grounds.

Gavin said:  “I am currently working with cultural venues and workplaces across the West Midlands, with some great venues already confirmed from galleries to builders’ merchants – all of whom employ migrant European Union workers.  I’m hoping for a really positive response to ensure this project has a good regional impact.”

All the money raised will contribute towards the manufacture of the 2D storks and there will be community events, talks and workshops surrounding the project.  The aim of the project is to bring all of the storks together in one place in Spring 2019 to coincide with the UK’s exit from the European Union.

“The stork re-appropriated as a silhouette in multiples has the potential to provoke debates and conversations about belonging, nostalgia and migration for both for home and/or migrant citizens,” Gavin said. “This is a topic which really resonates in the recent political landscapes.”

Progress on delivering a new eye-catching modern office development at the heart of the City of Wolverhampton Interchange reached a major milestone.

A planning application has been submitted by Interchange partner and leading property developer, Ion, for the proposed i9 building on Railway Drive

It has emerged as a scheme following the success of the award-winning i10 complex on the opposite side of the road, which was fully let within nine months of its doors opening.

i9 will provide 50,000 sq ft of stunning Grade A office space for a national or regional headquarters for a major business when completed in 2020.

The proposals were well received at a public consultation event at the city’s Light House last month.

It is the next step in building a thriving commercial quarter at the heart of Wolverhampton Interchange - bringing further investment and jobs.

City of Wolverhampton Council and Ion selected Glenn Howells Architects’ design for i9 as the winner from a strong field of ten UK leading architects and urban design practices.

They are the architects behind the Paradise Birmingham scheme - one of the biggest city centre development projects in the UK.

Councillor John Reynolds, Cabinet Member for City Economy, said: “Since i10 was completed we have seen increasing demand for quality office space in that location of the city, particularly from large space users.

“i9 was always envisaged to satisfy that demand, and it is great news that the official planning application has now been put forward for consideration.

“We want this building to become the design and quality benchmark for future developments in the city and to demonstrate our ambition for the city centre.

“This important site ideally lends itself to a distinctive, high-quality headquarters building. We know there are inquiries swirling around the market for that kind of building.”

Steve Parry, Managing Director of Ion, said: “The i9 competition attracted some excellent submissions, but Glenn Howells design stood out as an iconic building that is sympathetic within its environment, whilst still demonstrating City of Wolverhampton’s ambition to compete as a prime city centre office location.

“The development of this quality of building will broaden the appeal of City of Wolverhampton to a range of office occupiers who are seeking the highest standards. The proximity of transportation hubs and availability of cafés and restaurants on the ground floor will reinforce this part of the Interchange as a place to spend leisure time.”

Keith Pryce-Jones will travel to Atlanta, Georgia in the USA to compete in World’s Toughest Mudder. This is a 24 hour timed event with Keith aiming to do 24 laps, covering 60 miles raising money for Muscular Dystrophy UK. Keith has the condition Type 2 Myotonic Dystrophy.

Keith became a regular on the Tough Mudder scene after taking on the challenge of completing 10 laps of UK Tough Mudders in 2016 to help raise funds to fight muscle-wasting conditions. Last year he really showed his love for the event, completing another 15 events, all whilst proudly wearing his Muscular Dystrophy UK top.

Whist this would be a huge challenge for anyone, it is an even bigger one for Keith as he explains;

“A few years ago I was diagnosed with Type 2 Myotonic Dystrophy following the confirmation of my father suffering the same condition. I am trying to raise money for the charity as a whole to support people who suffer from muscle-wasting conditions, as well as helping fund research into treatments and cures.”

“The symptoms of my condition include an elevated risk of heart disease, degeneration of skeletal muscles, and Myotonia which means certain muscle groups don't relax properly. I get this symptom most frequently in my legs.”

Taking part in World’s Toughest Mudder with a muscle-wasting condition makes this an extraordinary challenge. Keith is very aware of how challenging any Tough Mudder can be and he has come together with other members of the community to form the Vagabond Legion.  This is a team that welcomes anyone new to the mud obstacle event or who has no one to run with.

“It doesn't matter if it's your first or 50th Tough Mudder, but anyone is welcome to join provided they adhere to the Tough Mudder principles: teamwork, camaraderie, and light-heartedness.”

Rachael Voss, Regional Development Manager for Midlands and Anglia said: “We feel proud that Keith has chosen to rise to this challenge for Muscular Dystrophy UK and to help us change the lives of thousands of families living with muscle-wasting conditions for the better. We hope that people will show him all the support he deserves. Keith is aiming to raise £1000 which would fund almost four full days’ work for a scientist developing treatments for muscular dystrophy.”

Keith can be supported here: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/keith-pryce-jones1

The story of The Shepherdess has been set to music with narration by Conservatoire composer Cam Athanasiades and additional music by Soul Zisso.  Paintings and animations by Birmingham City University Visual Communications student Daniella Allen, based on the originals in the book, have also been created as part of the project.

The Shepherdess will be performed on the final day of the Festival by 70 young players from across the UK and marks the 30^th anniversary of the death of the recorder player and early music scholar Walter Bergmann.  It was to Bergmann that the original, unpublished, book was dedicated.

Walter Bergmann (1902-1988) escaped to England from Germany in 1939 and spent the war years interned on the Isle of Man.  His associations with Michael Tippett and the countertenor Alfred Deller led to a revival of the countertenor voice.  He was a key figure in the Society of Recorder Players encouraging playing by amateurs, and his role at Schott’s publishers enabled the publication of arrangements and new editions for recorder.  He is remembered not only as a fine music editor and scholar, but also for his tireless and generous support of young recorder players.

The concert will also feature Bergmann’s final (unpublished) recorder and piano quartet arrangement of Mozart’s piano sonata for four hands K381, plus his solo recorder sonatas and other music for children.

The Festival, which takes place over four days, features over 30 different events and includes headline performances by Birmingham’s own folk-world outfit the Bonfire Radicals, Synth-Bach with The Art of Moog, marking the 50^th anniversary of Wendy Carlos’s seminal album Switched-on Bach, and   Baroque music and dance from the London Handel Orchestra in Baroque Rebellion.  As well as concerts, the Festival includes workshops, masterclasses, an Early Music market and demonstrations such as Tim Cranmore Makes a Recorder from a Carrot – sure to be one of the tastier sessions.

Birmingham International Recorder and Early Music Festival runs from 15-18 February at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire.  The Walter Bergmann 30^th Anniversary Concert, featuringThe Shepherdess, is on Sunday 18 February at 3pm.

“Rock Form”, the much-loved sculpture by renowned artist Barbara Hepworth, will go on temporary display at Wolverhampton Central Library while the city’s art gallery undergoes a refurbishment.

The popular piece was being moved out of the Lichfield Street gallery today ready for its move to the main foyer of the library in Snow Hill.

“Rock Form” has been housed at the art gallery since 2015 after its owner, Royal Bank of Scotland, agreed to keep it on long-term display in the city.

The bronze sculpture has a long association with the City of Wolverhampton having been on public display in the Mander Centre since the 1968 after being donated by the Mander family.

The art gallery is undergoing significant improvement works which means “Rock Form” requires a new temporary home.

Cllr John Reynolds, City of Wolverhampton Council’s cabinet member for city economy, said: “Rock Form has a long history with the City of Wolverhampton and the art gallery has been proud to house this iconic piece for the last two and a half years.

“We need to move it temporarily for the next year or so while improvement works are carried out at the gallery and Central Library is the perfect venue. It means it will still be very much on public display where lots of people, including children, will be able to appreciate this magnificent work of art.”

Rock Form will be installed in the library next month after some minor works are carried out to its plinth.

Barbara Hepworth created Rock Form in 1964. It is one of 6 similar bronze castings - the others are held in the at Edinburgh Royal Botanic Gardens, Truro, The Boston Museum of Fine Arts, The Association for Public Art in Philadelphia and the Norton Simon Museum in Pasadena.

Hepworth is considered one of the most significant sculptors of modern times. Her work is internationally famous and during the 1950s and 60s she was one of the most successful artists in the world.

West Midlands-based motor sport, automotive supply chain, transport technology and plastics and composites companies have the chance to join a trade visit to Le Mans, home of the world’s oldest active motorsport endurance race.

Organised by West Midlands Chambers of Commerce, the visit will take place between Tuesday, June 12, and Friday, June 15, and is aimed at small to medium enterprises (SMEs).

Andy Smith, International Relationships Manager for the EU/ DIT co-financed SME International Growth Project, said funded places were available for eligible West Midlands SMEs, which have the opportunity to win business through a series of high-profile B2B meetings with some of the Europe’s leading automotive and transport companies firms.

“This is the perfect opportunity for the innovative motor sport, automotive and supply chain companies in our area to showcase their expertise to a global market,” he said.

“The West Midlands has a long and proud heritage in this industry and we’d love to see more businesses introducing their products to markets across the world. These B2B events around the iconic Le Mans race provide an excellent platform for them to do so”

The programme includes up to 12 timetabled one-to-one meetings as part of the International Business Days Le Mans 2018, networking opportunities and conferences covering topics such as additives and automotive / mobility innovation. There is  also a parallel one-day multi-sector plastics and composites event Plasti-Ouest, which will cover aerospace, packaging, construction, medical and automotive usage of these materials.

Places are strictly limited and to receive a funded place, applicants must be eligible under the DIT’s SME International Growth Project (IGP).

Returning to Birmingham’s NEC from 20 to 25 February, the Caravan, Camping and Motorhome Show 2018 is the family-friendly event to visit this half-term, with children aged 15 and under going free and a host of activities for all of the family. The show brings together over 370 exhibitors as part of the UK’s largest showcase of caravans, campervans, motorhomes, caravan holiday homes and lodges as well as new season tents, trailer tents and folding caravans.

Throughout the six-day show, fun and free activities are on offer. Children can learn basic survival skills at bushcraft workshops, challenge themselves on the climbing wall with guidance from experienced instructors, clamber over the assault course and enjoy the new-for-2018 skate rink. Adults can take advantage of free campervan test driving sessions, with opportunities to brush up on motorhome manoeuvring and caravan towing skills*. The Top Dog Arena also provides a variety of entertainment, with performances from four-legged friends.

Explorer Sir Ranulph Fiennes and female adventurer Anna McNuff take to the stage to recount tales of their latest journeys and show support for the event’s ‘24 hours outdoors’ initiative, encouraging people to spend more time with nature in 2018. The campaign aims to motivate people and raise awareness of the mental and physical health benefits of being outdoors. A study by The Camping and Caravanning Club also shows 55% of people agree camping is a great way to re-engage with old friends and family^.

The Discovery Theatre’s line-up of celebrity names includes wildlife presenter Gordan Buchanan, who officially opens the show on 20 February, and Chelsea Ladies FC captain Katie Chapman. Renowned cooks such as Rustie Lee, Paul Da Costa Greaves, Dean Edwards and Eat Well For Less’ Chris Bavin host live cookery demonstrations, sharing their top tips and favourite camping recipes.

Wishing everyone a very Happy Chinese New Year 2018 as we enter the Year of the Dog!

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Fed up with the same old walkies? Stuck for ideas on how to keep your hound happy in the winter months? Well worry no more… pet insurer MORE TH>N has developed a free ideas generator for days out with dogs - owners simply pop in their postcode and push the button, and hey presto, the tool will recommend dog-friendly holidays and days out for dogs in the UK.

So whether you and your faithful friend want to explore the paw-fectly named Roundball Woods or Barky Beach, or you’re simply looking for a nearby dog-friendly beach, dog-friendly pub or a new walking route in the countryside, town or a new dog-friendly park – all the information is at a touch of a button.

The generator has a number of filters enabling owners to select a location and the distance they are willing to travel with a dog for some new fun. The results page also includes testimonials from other dog owners who use the recommended places regularly.

MORE TH>N’s vet Andrew Moore said: “No matter what the weather, dogs need to be walked and go out every day. This new dog days out tool is the perfect solution for owners stuck in a rut, as new smells, sights and sounds are very stimulating for dogs and a paw-some antidote to the rainy day blues.”

Owners can click here for the generator and to find the perfect dog-friendly holiday or day out.

Youngsters are on the career ladder thanks to an imaginative initiative between Haringey Council and a range of companies and charities. Called the Tottenham Charter it aims to ensure Tottenham residents get the most from the regeneration in the area in terms of jobs, health, education and training.

The organisation signs up to the charter and pledges, in their own way, to improve the quality of life for residents in the area.

One of these is leading engineering and construction company VolkerFitzpatrick, currently working to improve Northumberland Park’s railway station. Thanks to the charter, VolkerFitzpatrick’s Anglia Rail Skills Academy was brought together with Haringey Play Association which runs a popular adventure playground in north Tottenham. A ‘pre-apprenticeship programme’ was launched which saw a group of 16-19-year-olds build a new sandpit and water play area in the playground, aided by VolkerFitzpatrick staff who also organised a site tour and a construction workshop.

Indeed, the programme has been so successful that one of the group, 16-year-old Asha Clarke, has recently secured a job at the company as a trainee engineer.

“I did the pre-apprenticeship programme and then came on a week’s work experience at VolkerFitzpatrick,” he said. “I think they liked my attitude and how I performed but I was shocked when I was phoned to be told the good news. I couldn’t stop smiling for the whole day!”

Asha admits his life could have turned out very differently. He had fallen in with a particular crowd at school and found himself on a final warning.

“Six months ago I never would have dreamt I would have a full-time job in engineering. But this is my time to shine.”

Asha’s ‘mentor’ at the adventure playground in Somerford Grove was Tam Carrigan who encouraged Asha to apply for the programme.

“I’m so proud of him,” said Tam, beaming. “He still comes in to see us every week and tells the younger kids to think about their future and he is also a constant encouragement for his peers, just by the example he has set, which is wonderful. The charter is a great idea and it gives big companies like VolkerFitzpatrick the opportunity to give something back to the community.”

Children will be getting breakfast with their books during half term "Cereal Readers" sessions at several local libraries as the popular scheme returns to Sandwell for the half-term holidays.

Cereal Readers is a library initiative in which children and their parents are invited to share a bowl of cereal and a glass of fruit juice as they take part in book related activities at the library during school holidays.

All the refreshments have been provided by local supermarkets and other community groups and all the sessions are run by library volunteers and it has proven popular with local families.

Councillor Syeda Khatun, deputy leader, said: "This is a brilliant idea for young people who love books and like to get along to their local library."

Cereal Readers sessions are taking place from 19 to 23 February at the following libraries.

Blackheath Library – Monday – Friday 9.30am-11am

Glebefields Library  Monday – Friday 9.30-10.30am

Rounds Green Library - Monday, Wednesday and Friday 11-11.30am

Stone Cross Library -  Monday, Tuesday and Friday 9.30-10.30am

The National Wedding Show returns the NEC Birmingham again highlighting the biggest name in wedding events offering every bride and groom much needed inspiration, advice and planning tips for their big day, all in one place.

Show-stopping favourites will run alongside brand new features over three days, during which guests will have the chance to imagine the reality of their own wedding day providing over 300 of the best experts, planners and brands the world of weddings has to offer, including David’s Bridal, Confetti.co.uk, Debenhams, Oasis, Ben Sherman, Your Singing Waiters, Exclusive Yacht Weddings and Warwick Castle alongside many more.

Brand new for 2018 is the Money Matters Theatre, the must visit feature for all couples seeking budgeting and financial advice ahead of their big day. The theatre welcomes a host of expert speakers who’ll advise on everything from “Spend V’s Save” and “How best to create a reliable wedding budget.”

Must visit show-stopping features include: ‘The Catwalk’ where you can take a seat at the FROW where the season’s newest wedding dress designs are showcased alongside beautiful bridal hair, accessories and make-up, as well as the latest looks for the whole of the wedding party, including suits and bridesmaid dresses.

Following sell out sessions in the Autumn, ‘The Inspiration Lab’ offers brides, grooms, family and friends the chance to be inspired ahead of their big day.  The workshops, ranging from calligraphy to creating flower crowns, help guests tap into their own creativity and flair, encouraging them to take away armfuls of tips in how to create something personal, unique and beautiful for their special day.

An extraordinary panel of planning experts, from artisan cake companies to photographers, will be on hand at the ‘Hitched.co.uk Wedding Planning Platform’ to answer any queries and relieve any wedding worries.  They’ll be ready to answer any questions!

Weddings and honeymoons are held around the world. ‘TUI Wedding Travel Lounge’ will be hosting the Wedding Travel Lounge and providing the ultimate in destination wedding and honeymoon services at the show, including advice on creating a celebration that is unique and bespoke, as well as the ability to book the perfect weddings and honeymoons there and then.

Visitors will be invited to take a time-out and toast each other, or a loved one, when they reach the heart of the show, at ‘The Champagne Bar.’

With so much to enjoy, the ‘VIP Experience’ is also a must for visitors this Spring.  No queues for the VIP’s as they swan past the crowds at the door and make their way straight to the private lounge, collecting their goody bag on the way.  They’re also the envy of the bunch as they get seated in the VIP section for The Catwalk!

The National Wedding Show NEC Birmingham (Between February 23 and 25) will provide everything a couple needs to plan their dream wedding in one exciting event.

All National Wedding Show ticket holders will receive complimentary access to visit ‘The Destination Wedding & Honeymoon Show’ which is also new for 2018, and an essential event for all couples planning a wedding or honeymoon abroad, hosted in association with BookYourWeddingDay.com.

A major campaign designed to help businesses address the region’s alarming productivity gap is being launched by Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce (GBCC).

Growth Through People – which gets underway on Monday 26 February - is a month-long campaign of seminars, workshops and leadership content which aims to inspire businesses to develop skills within their organisation and manage employees more effectively.

GVA per head in West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) area is £19,423 – nearly £3,500 lower than the national average.

At a national level, the UK’s productivity is 30 per cent lower than the USA and 35 per cent lower than Germany.

And new figures from the GBCC’s Quarterly Business Report for the fourth quarter of 2017 show that just 31 per cent of organisations in the region offer employees formal training opportunities in leadership and/or management skills and techniques.

Henrietta Brealey, director of policy and strategic relationships at GBCC, said: “We are excited to be launching this campaign for the second year running.

“People are often a business’s biggest cost – and asset. These latest statistics show that many organisations in Greater Birmingham are not training their employees in leadership and people management, a key component of productivity which feeds into low productivity figures for the region.

“We hope that by offering these free sessions, professionals in the region will take up the opportunity to develop these crucial skills and that, long term, businesses might be encouraged to reconsider investing in them.

“The Chamber is striving to create a real, lasting change to the productivity gap in the region, and as always, to ensure our members are equipped with the best skills to thrive and grow.”

GBCC will deliver 20 events over four weeks in partnership with more than 40 organisations across the region.

Events will range from intimate, interactive workshops to larger, high-profile panel discussions.

All Growth Through People events are free to attend for Chamber members and non-member businesses.

Events include a session on the importance of Developing More Female Leaders on International Women’s Day (Thursday 8 March), National Apprenticeship Week events and a ‘Get On Board’ event which will provide an overview of the Asian Business Chamber of Commerce’s new pledge to encourage greater diversity at board level.

The West Midlands Combined Authority is the official partner for the first week of the campaign, focusing on Growth Through Responsible Leadership.

Aston University are sponsoring Growth Through Attracting & Retaining Talent week.

Sponsorship is available for the third week of the campaign - Growth Through Workplace Environment week.

Curium solutions are sponsoring Growth Through Unlocking Potential week.

Wishing all of our readers, advertisers and friends a Happy Valentines Day! Treat your loved one to something special, and if you don't have a special someone, treat yourself!

Roses are red Violets are blue I know it's hard But you'll make it through With your hear up high And your friends at your side Ready to hold you Just in case you cry You have so much left So much to do That alone's a motive For you to fight through And the roses are still red The Violets still blue They'll be here for a while And so should you.

A pair of Gentoo penguins at the National Sea Life Centre in Birmingham have been treated to a private Valentine’s Day serenade by a violinist from Birmingham City University’s Royal Birmingham Conservatoire.

Parents to the aquarium’s baby penguin chicks born last year, Arabel and Pablo have been working hard to raise their young, but like many new parents, they can sometimes struggle to find time for romance amidst the demands of parenthood.

As the attraction now begins to prepare for breeding season, animal care experts at the National Sea Life Centre, with the help of nearby friends at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, have rewarded Arabel and Pablo with a well-earned extra special date experience for Valentine’s Day. However, the rest of the colony soon followed behind to see what all the fuss was about.

“Every parent knows it’s hard to get time alone once a little one comes along,” said Jonny Rudd, Curator at the National Sea Life Centre.

“With Valentine’s Day being so close to the start of breeding season it was the perfect opportunity to treat our dedicated penguin parents, in the hope we can encourage another successful period of breeding.”

Last year, two of the aquarium’s resident penguins Arabel and Pablo became parents to two chicks, nicknamed Hulk and Dumpling due to their sizes. The rare pair are the first to hatch at the centre as part of a global breeding programme after Gentoo penguin numbers declined rapidly. Their parents crossed continents to conceive, coming all the way to Birmingham from as far as New Zealand, Canada and Denmark.

Royal Birmingham Conservatoire student and violinist Markéta Nádvorníková said: “Students at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire get to play in some of the world’s greatest venues, but this is certainly the most unique place I’ve performed in!

“I am delighted to have played my part in creating such a special Valentine’s Day for the National Sea Life Centre’s infamous penguins and hope that my performance has helped reignite a spark ahead of breeding season.”

Originally from Police nad Metují in the Czech Republic, Markéta is currently in her final year of study on the Birmingham music and acting college’s BMus Music undergraduate course.

Visitors can meet the Gentoo penguin family for themselves at the Penguin Ice Adventure exhibit at the National Sea Life Centre in Birmingham.