Community News

Groups working with under 18s across Birmingham could be in with a chance of scooping a share of £1million thanks to a major funding scheme launched today by a leading housebuilder.

Persimmon Homes is launching its national Building Futures programme in partnership with Team GB, the British Olympic Association.

The scheme, being run locally by Persimmon Homes Central, aims to support community groups across three categories: sports, education & arts, and health.

Neil Williams, managing director for Persimmon Homes Central, said: “We are looking for groups, charities and individuals who have amazing ideas on how to spend the big cash prizes to come forward.  We will consider anything from new clubhouses and kit, to education and arts centres, research and support.”

Monthly grants of £1,000 will be awarded across Persimmon’s 32 regional businesses to improve facilities and the delivery of vital grassroots community projects.

Building Futures is being delivered through the Persimmon Charitable Foundation, which last year gave away £620,000 to support children’s sport.

This year’s scheme is aimed solely at community projects for people aged under 18 and targeted at grassroots sports groups, charities dealing with physical and mental health issues or awareness, as well as community arts and education projects.

In addition to the £1,000 monthly awards, three initiatives will go on to win £100,000 each through a national award scheme voted on by the public. The winners will be named at a gala dinner for finalists in October.

In each sector – sport, education & arts, and health – as well as the £100,000 first prize, there will be a £50,000 second prize and a £20,000 third prize, while a further 87 shortlisted projects will each receive £5,000.

Building Futures was launched at The Heart of England Community Boxing Club in Hinckley, just months after it received a £200,000 cheque from the Persimmon Foundation. The cash helped to save the club from collapse.

Young people at the club were treated to a sparring session with London 2012 Olympic bronze medallist Anthony Ogogo as part of the Team GB link-up.

Anthony said: “Persimmon Homes and Team GB through Building Futures can change thousands of kids’ lives and that gets a massive thank you from me.”

Persimmon Homes is an official partner of Team GB as it prepares for Tokyo 2020 and beyond.

Neil Williams added: “Building Futures comes on the back of our hugely successful Healthy Communities, which recently gave away £600,000 to support youth sport.

“Our 2019 campaign is bigger and better than ever so that we can bring positive change to the lives of even more children. Not only have we upped our prize money to more than £1 million, we have moved the goalposts so that as well as sporting groups and clubs, we are able to support projects in health as well as education/arts.

“We are looking for groups, charities and individuals who have amazing ideas on how to spend the big cash prizes to come forward.  We will consider anything from new clubhouses and kit, to education and arts centres, research and support.”

The animal welfare charity has recorded a rise in incidents affecting animals involving plastic litter in England and Wales from 473 in 2015 to 579 in 2018, bucking a downward trend for all types of litter (from 4968 in 2015 to 4579 in 2018).

The West Midlands saw 60 plastic litter incidents affecting animals in 2015, which rose to 77 in 2018.

The charity’s latest data also reveals that there are certain animals - especially those that live in water habitats - which are being affected disproportionately by plastic.

For example, there has been a fourfold rise in seals affected by incidents involving plastic litter with 28 recorded across England and Wales in 2018 compared to just 5 in 2015. Plastic litter is also a particular problem for certain water birds, with incidents involving geese rising from 37 to 70 and swans rising from 40 to 48 across England and Wales during that same four-year period.

RSPCA Head of Wildlife, Adam Grogan said:   “This shocking rise in plastic litter incidents suggests that plastic is a growing threat to animals.

“Every year, the RSPCA deals with increasing numbers of mammals, birds and reptiles that have become entangled or affected in some way by discarded plastic.  From seals with deep infected wounds caused by plastic frisbees cutting into their necks, to swans and geese trapped in fishing line or netting, plastic is clearly having an increasing impact on animal welfare.

“Our latest data sadly reflects the wider litter crisis taking place right now across the globe and action is urgently needed.  It’s up to every one of us to do our bit in the war against litter.”

In the West Midlands, incidents where animals have been affected by general litter have decreased  while plastic-related litter incidents increased.

The Churnet Valley Railway takes you on a journey back to the 1950s and 1960s. Take a break from busy urban life and hop on board a steam train to ride in a heritage carriage behind one of our beautifully restored heritage steam or diesel locomotives. Pass through delightful countryside with riverside views and The Cauldon Canal.

You can learn more about the history of Churnet Valley Railway and the North Staffordshire Railway Company in the small museum based at Cheddleton Station, which houses a wealth of information and memorabilia.

Fancy a bite to eat during your day out? Then enjoy the traditional atmosphere in the Signals Tea Room at Froghall Station, The Tea Room offers freshly brewed coffee, cooked breakfast, lunch including hot and cold sandwiches, cream teas and a delicious selection of cakes. On a cold day bask in the warmth of an open fire and listen to some music on the wireless. Signals Tea Room is wheelchair accessible and child-friendly.

Pick up a railway-themed souvenir, keepsake or a gift for family or friends at the delightful and well stocked Signal Souvenir shop at Froghall Station.

Children from schools in West Bromwich took part in workshops about the dangers of young people being drawn into gang culture and crime.

The years-six and seven pupils spent the day learning about the dangers of being drawn into in gang culture and of carrying a knife.

The day-long event organized by West Bromwich Central Learning Community, included pupils from ten Sandwell schools (primary and secondary) in West Bromwich, featured a talk from author Dan Freedman who is renowned for writing the Jamie Johnson football novels which have also been made into a popular CBBC drama.

He’s just released a new book; ‘Unstoppable,’ which deals with these issues. Each child was given their own signed copy of the book.

PC Hughie Treasure MBE, a young person’s officer from West Midlands Police, talked to the children about his experiences and conducted workshops.

Councillor Elaine Costigan cabinet member for public health and protection: “It was a delight to meet Dan and see how he inspired the children at this event.

The book tackles some difficult issues and will give the children important lessons for life that will hopefully help keep them safe and protect them from harm.”

Andrew Orgill, from West Bromwich Central Learning Community and Headteacher at Hargate Primary School said: "This was a unique opportunity for the children we serve in Central West Bromwich. The day was all about raising awareness of an issue that is affecting our young people right now and keeping them safe.

All of the children have received a copy of Unstoppable and will have a chance to enjoy it. It was a pleasure to have Dan Freedman at the event and a real privilege for our children."

Black Country Housing Group (BCHG) have signed the ‘Time to Change’ – Employer Pledge, showing its commitment to supporting its colleagues’ mental health and wellbeing.

Time to Change, which further supports one of BCHG’s five strategic aims; to have a ‘Resilient and Healthy Workforce,’ is a growing social movement which aims to tackle the stigma surrounding mental health.

To celebrate the occasion, BCHG invited Director of Wellbeing for West Midlands Combined Authority, Sean Russell to co-sign the pledge, as part of promoting good mental health. The day before on ‘Time to Talk’ day, self-help coach, Sabahat Latif provided a 90-minute workshop and a presentation on confidence, mental health and wellbeing. This was followed by a Vintage Tea Party for colleagues from around the organisation to gather for ‘Time to Talk.’

Superintendent, Sean Russell said: “I am so pleased to be supporting Black Country Housing Group who are already leading the way in engaging their workforce by raising the profile of mental health and wellbeing at work. This approach supports the Thrive at Work programme, where we are trying to help employers improve their staff wellbeing. We want the West Midlands to be the region of choice for employees and we are seeking to give the right tools to the employers that demonstrates that they care for their staff.”

Amanda Tomlinson, Chief Executive, Black Country Housing Group said: “Committing to Thrive to Change is a significant step to encourage a better way of looking at mental health for not only BCHG employees but also other organisations who could do more.

BCHG is committed to ensuring that it is an employer that cares about its colleagues. We will do all we can to assist our colleagues with managing their mental health and wellbeing.”

One initiative, is the Black Country Buddies’, which is made up of trained BCHG employees in mental health first aid who offer free, confidential advice and arrange free mental health and wellbeing events available to all colleagues. At the end of 2018, BCHG also signed up to West Midlands Combined Authority Thrive at Work Programme, committing to promoting employee health and wellbeing.

“We are constantly looking at new ways we can support colleagues, including making our workplace a healthy environment to be, ensuring flexible working policies and sustaining an inclusive culture where no-one feels disadvantaged.” Amanda added.

According to West Midlands Combined Authority, Mental ill-health affects a huge number of people in the West Midlands, with just under 25% of adults affected by a mental health condition at an annual cost of £12.6 billion to the economy.

Philadelphia will host America’s largest and longest-running horticultural event when The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (PHS) Philadelphia Flower Show returns. As well as admiring the incredible floral displays, visitors to this year’s show can also show their support for the UK’s talented competitor Laura Leong at the prestigious Florists' Transworld Delivery (FTD) World Cup 2019.

Held across ten acres of show floor at the Pennsylvania Convention Center and hosted by the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society since 1829, the theme for this year’s Philadelphia Flower Show will be ‘Flower Power’ and pay tribute to the wide range of emotional impacts flowers have on people’s lives. Through imaginative floral exhibits, guests will see concepts such as community, healing, peace, transformation, and hope brought to life in surprising and vibrant ways.

Along with stunning landscapes, imaginative gardens and breath-taking floral displays, visitors to the Flower Show will also have the exciting opportunity to witness the Florists' Transworld Delivery (FTD) World Cup 2019, one of the world’s most prestigious floral design competitions that haven’t been held in the United States since 1985. The FTD World Cup will see award-winning floral designers from 23 countries, including Laura Leong from the UK’s West Midlands; showcase their floral masterpieces to show attendees. The creations will then be judged by six expert judges and displayed throughout the week of the Flower Show.

The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society will also host special evening events and daily attractions at the show to pay tribute to the ‘Flower Power’-era and the 50th anniversary of the Woodstock music festival. These include an elegant black-tie fundraiser event the night before the Flower Show and a 60s-inspired Flowers After Hours dance party on the opening night of the show. Each day, guests are invited to enhance their Flower Show visit by joining early morning tours, walking through an immersive butterfly garden, and creating their own floral crown in the Make & Take area of the show.

The PHS Philadelphia Flower Show will take place from March 2 - 10, with the FTD World Cup taking place at the show from March 1 - 3.

The Birmingham Oratory has announced that Pope Francis has decreed Cardinal John Henry Newman as being close to being canonised after a second miracle in his name was confirmed.

Two authenticated miracles are required before sainthood and Newman, who was already attributed with curing a man's spinal disease, is now said to have healed a woman's unstoppable bleeding.

The first miracle the Catholic convert is said by the Vatican to have performed was curing a deacon from Boston, Massachusetts, of a crippling spinal disease.

Pope Francis since decreed a second miracle, with Newman said to have healed a pregnant woman "suffering from unstoppable internal bleeding" and he was beatified in 2010 by Pope Benedict before tens of thousands of people in his home city of Birmingham after the first miracle was recognised.

Born in 1801, he become the first English saint to have lived since the Reformation.

During his life, Newman was a respected religious scholar, who spent much of his time helping the poor and sick.

Newman University, there, is named after the religious figure who was a member of the Birmingham Oratory.

The UK's leading Catholic, Cardinal Vincent Nichols, said Newman was "deeply admired", particularly by the people of Birmingham who "lined the streets" when he died.

The former Archbishop of Birmingham added that the announcement of Newman's pending canonisation was "wonderful news.

Birmingham Oratory, the community founded by Newman in 1849, said the confirmation of his "heroic sanctity will be welcomed by Catholics and Anglicans alike."

The last English canonisations were in 1970 of the Forty Martyrs of England and Wales, a group of Catholics who were executed between 1535 and 1679 under laws enacted during the English Reformation.

Pope Francis, it is said, made the announcement with "great joy."

1. Spend the night in a fancy hotel room - Make your Valentine’s Day special by checking into a local hotel, changing into a plush bathrobe, and dialing up some room service. Enjoy the night with your partner (or solo!), and feel free to order breakfast in bed the next morning.
2. Take a dance lesson together - Skip the traditional dinner and get on your feet for a dance lesson with your partner. It’s a perfect way to get close and create a sweet memory.
3. Host a wine and cheese night - We love this idea for couples or a group of friends. Have everyone bring their favorite bottle of wine, plus a cheese that pairs well, and let the good times roll.
4. Head to a museum - Visit that new exhibit or gallery you’ve been eyeing and be ready to experience some unexpected emotions.
5. Take a painting class - If you’d rather be making your own masterpiece, take part in a painting class with your better half.
6. Take a relaxing bath - Turn on the warm water, add in your favorite essential oil or bath bomb, and forget about your troubles. Oh, and don't skip the candles and music.
7. Sing your heart out at karaoke - Share the stage and sing your special song together. After all, science has proven that singing together with a partner or your best friends helps create strong bonds.
8. Plan a movie marathon - Get cozy by re-watching ‘Jason’s Lyric’ or laugh along with Jada Pinkett Smith and Queen Latifah while enjoying‘Girls Trip.’
9. Share a romantic night under the stars - You can go camping, or just set up for a few hours at night, in a location where the stars are visible. You can always head to a planetarium for a similar vibe if it's too cold outside.
10. Book an at-home massage - Transform your home into a spa with apps like Soothe and Zeel. The best part is that you can drift off to sleep right after because there's no long commute home.
11. Stretch it out at yoga - Attend a class after work and center yourself through a variety of poses. Calm your mind and remember the importance of self-care, one breath at a time.
12.  Reserve a cozy cabin in the woods - Take advantage of sweater weather and escape into the wilderness with a few other couples or a close group of friends.

With confirmation at yesterday’s Cabinet meeting that Labour controlled Birmingham City Council are set to offer a 'bin bounty' of thousands of pounds each to striking Unite and Unison Bin workers, the Conservative Group are calling for compensation for residents affected by 2 years of disruption to their service as a result of Labour’s dysfunctional relationship with its own ‘friends’ in the labour movement.

Councillor Robert Alden (Con, Erdington) Leader of the Opposition Conservative Group said: “The offer to pay off striking bin men a bounty carries with it some very serious legal and financial risks - risks that will be borne by the residents of this City who have had to endure a miserable two years of mounting rubbish on their streets.

Rather than seeking to reward workers taking part in an industrial dispute the Council itself has said is unlawful over a complaint the council still insists is entirely without merit, they should instead be looking to compensate the residents of Birmingham for suffering 666 days and counting of bin disputes.”

Councillor Debbie Clancy said: “The Labour Cabinet were advised soon after Unite gave notice of their dispute back in 2018 that they had good grounds to seek an injunction to halt the unlawful strike and indeed on January 15 eventually decided to do just that. Yet they failed to implement that decision and are instead making a 2nd substantial offer to workers who are in a Union who have previously said they could withdraw support from some Labour Councillors.

This is not only unfair to residents and tax payers but also to the thousands of council staff who get on with their important jobs day in and day out without making spurious claims.”

Cllr Alden added: “Residents deserve a better deal from the Council. We will now launch a petition on behalf of Birmingham’s long suffering residents calling on the council to compensate them for the abysmal bin service they are paying for.”

Children at Little Angels Nursery in Leamington Spa, in Warwickshire, are now enjoying a brand new outdoor play area suitable for use all year round thanks to LazyLawn.

After searching for an easy maintenance and harder wearing outdoor surface, Little Angels Nursery decided to brighten up their outdoor area with artificial grass. Leading brand LazyLawn suggested a bespoke roadway for the area, which was ideal for the nursery children.

Created from their award winning Which? Best Buy Wonder Yarn_’ product the outdoor roadway was designed to perfectly suit the area, providing a cushioned sub base around the play frame as well as creating an educational play tool too.

The all-weather outdoor leisure surface is being used as an outdoor play area that the children can enjoy all year round without the risk of muddy feet, dry patches or discolouring. The track is also used with added outdoor equipment including bikes, scooters and games equipment.

Angelena Grantham, Manager at Little Angels Nursery said: “We are so pleased with our new outdoor play area. LazyLawn^® advised us on the perfect products for the area and the overall result looks fantastic.

We have been searching for an easy to maintain surface and LazyLawn ticked all the boxes. The children love their new outdoor area and we can’t wait to use it throughout the warmer months too.

The team at LazyLawn  were extremely helpful from start to finish; I would definitely recommend LazyLawn to others.”

LazyLawn Area Sales Manager, Matt Shemilt, said: “It was great to be able to help Little Angels improve their outdoor area. We are so pleased with the finished project and it is so great to see the children are enjoying their new LazyLawn.

Our products are available in different colours with a variety of patterns that can be used for education and development, including tracks, golf courses, hopscotch and more.”

Hundreds of thousands of people around the world have watched Black Sabbath’s ‘heavy metal bench’ presentation, organised by Westside Business Improvement District (BID) in Birmingham.

Original band member Tony Iommi accepted the bench from Brummie comedian Jasper Carrott in an exclusive ceremony at St Luke’s Gas Street Church.

Only 350 fans could fit into the building, but hundreds of thousands of people across the world have watched the ceremony after it was expertly edited into one-minute video highlights for social media, as well as being covered by the BBC.

Mike Olley, manager of Westside BID which drove the bench project, said: “We knew there’d be huge interest and so we invited the BBC to the event and our expert media consultant commissioned videographers to create special one-minute video highlights.

When I last checked, these mini videos had been watched by more than 50,000 people via our @WestsideBID Twitter account alone, with tens of thousands more watching it via our Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn accounts.

The event was featured in prime-time slots by BBC Midlands Today – watched by hundreds of thousands of people across the region, and was also reported on by local print, online and all the mainstream music media in the UK and internationally.

These media hits happened before, during and after the event and successfully brought the world’s attention onto Westside BID and what we’re doing to promote this area and the city.”

The uniquely designed steel bench – incorporating images of the band’s original four members – will eventually be placed on the renamed Black Sabbath Bridge across the canal on Birmingham’s Broad Street.

Speaking at the event, Iommi said: “The bench looks amazing and I think it’s fantastic for Birmingham to recognise us after all the years and all the work we’ve done.

It’s so nice to see all the fans here, and see people come from abroad and all round the world. They’re just brilliant fans.”

Comedian Jasper, who chairs Westside BID’s Walk of Stars project, said: “Throughout the world, Black Sabbath and Birmingham go together and this bench has brought massive publicity for the city.”

Mike Olley added: “It gives Birmingham a new dimension, a little bit like you have in Liverpool for the Beatles. We’ve now got something for Black Sabbath in Birmingham.

And I’ve got no doubt, no doubt whatsoever; people will have day trips up to the city now just to have their photographs taken on the bench, and to celebrate Sabbath. Wonderful, ey?”

Black Sabbath super-fan Mohammed Osama came up with the original ‘heavy metal bench’ idea and this was turned into a project by Westside BID.

Egyptian artist Tarek Abdelkawi created images of Sabbath’s Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler and Bill Ward. This was applied in steel by Etch Components from Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter, with the final manufacture by Gateway Steel Fabricators, based in Tyseley, Birmingham.

Councillor Waseem Zaffar, Cabinet Member for Transport and Environment on Birmingham City Council, helped Westside BID to gain permission to rename the canal bridge on Broad Street as Black Sabbath Bridge, where the bench will eventually reside.

Three young men from Florida are being applauded after their good deed of assisting an elderly couple into their car was spotted by a police officer. A video of what exactly happened has even gone viral on social media.

Joc Koe Stoe, Marty, and Freddy G – three friends who are all rappers – were at a local gas station buying chips and soda when they saw 89-year old Rose Griest struggling to get inside their car.

They didn’t hesitate to help her 100-year old husband, David Griest, in assisting her to have her seated the car safely as her legs buckled underneath her.

Stoe said; “We saw an old couple having a hard time so we just assisted them.”

The couple of 20 years were driving from Perry after Rose’s medical appointment to their home in Orlando when they stopped by at the gas station for a restroom break.

The scene was spotted by Officer Kenesha Carnegie of the Levy County Sheriff’s Office. After asking approaching them for permission, she began recording them.

“I look over and three men were assisting the couple — it was a beautiful thing to see,” Carnegie said. “I know these men from the neighborhood, and I wanted them to have that moment to show who they really are.”

In the video, which now has over 5 million views, two of the men can be seen guiding Rose as she struggles to walk, while her husband was holding her hand, and the other one helps David with his walker.

David, who was a former lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army, can be heard saying, “Thank you so much fellas. I’m 100 years old.”

The three young men seemed to be innately gentlemen. Marty said, “We didn’t even ask if they needed help — we felt comfortable giving them a hand right away. I kept thinking, ‘She could have been my grandmother.’ 100 years old is a beautiful life.”

Meanwhile, David and Rose’s grandson, Tommy Griest, was surprised to see his grandparents on Facebook as he was scrolling through his news feed. He was thankful for the three young men and he believes his grandparents, who don’t use social media, would love to see it too. He said, “It would make them happy.”

A regionally co-ordinated cycling strategy with funding targeted at 26 priority routes was backed by the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA).

Ambitious plans, including goals to raise cycling investment to at least £10 a head each year, were set out in a report endorsed by the WMCA board at its meeting in Birmingham.

In considering the report, which also listed potential investment of up to £250m to improve cycling infrastructure, the board reaffirmed its commitment to see more people making the switch to pedal power.

The co-ordinated, region-wide approach to cycling, which is a first for the West Midlands, puts forward 26 priority corridors for investment, covering nearly 200km through Birmingham, the Black Country, Coventry and Solihull.

The report, drawn up by Transport for West Midlands (TfWM), also sets out plans for:

• The appointment of a Cycling and Walking Ambassador
• A flagship cycling corridor and support for councils to deliver local schemes
• The co-ordination of events into a family festival of cycling
• New West Midlands Cycling and Walking brands
• Working with communities to create great places to cycle and walk

“We have already made a significant start and have also now launched one of the country’s biggest bike share schemes with nextbike. Once fully rolled out that scheme will see thousands of bikes for hire on the streets of the West Midlands.

This shows the scale of our ambitions for cycling but we also know that one of the biggest barriers to cycling is safety, so we are planning to focus investment on 26 key routes that link communities across the West Midlands and offer people a genuine alternative to their cars.”

The Cycling and Walking Minister Jesse Norman, who visited Birmingham this week, said: “Getting people cycling and walking is key to improving air quality, encouraging healthy exercise, and boosting our high streets and economic productivity.

These new safe cycle routes, which the Department for Transport is supporting through the Transforming Cities Fund, will help to make cycling the natural choice for journeys across the region.

We are also investing around £2 billion to support cycling across the country as part of our long term Cycling and Walking Investment Strategy.”

Leader of Birmingham City Council, Cllr Ian Ward, added: “It's clear that we need to change the way people travel across the West Midlands, so in addition to getting more people walking and using public transport, one of our key ambitions is to see more people cycling.

In recent years we've launched innovative schemes to get people on their bikes. Through the Birmingham Cycle Revolution and initiatives like the award-winning Big Birmingham Bikes, we've focussed on education, training and of course promoting the many benefits of cycling.

But if we are going to persuade more people to make the transition from four wheels to two, people have to feel safe on their bikes and we have to look at everything from road layouts to other cycling routes across the region.

By increasing the investment in cycling and walking, we're signalling our determination to improve air quality, tackle congestion and improve the health of people across the region."

Cllr Roger Lawrence, WMCA portfolio lead for transport and leader of the City of Wolverhampton Council, said: “Cycling and walking are a vital part of an integrated transport system.

We are witnessing a revolution in transport in the region with investment in new rail, tram and rapid bus routes. This report sets out how we are also being equally ambitious for cycling.”

The WMCA board has already allocated £6 million from the region’s Transforming Cities Fund and this will now be used to deliver one of the priority cycle routes set out in today’s report.

It is also forecast that a total of £104 million will be invested in West Midlands cycling infrastructure by a range of organisations over the next four years. This will often involve installation of facilities alongside other developments.

The streets of Birmingham will awash with colour today as the city's Chinese New Year celebrations began – with thousands of visitors expected in the city to welcome the ‘Year of the Pig.’

Festivities kicked off earlier with a parade through the city's Colmore Business District and special concerts – one already held at St Philip's Cathedral with performances by Birmingham Conservatoire and Dans Dance Company – throughout the celebrated Chinese Quarter in Southside.

Anticipating a full day of music, fun and games for all the family, James Wong, chair of Birmingham's Chinese Festival Committee, said: "This year's programme is hugely exciting and diverse, and will see us working with all our partners to bring Chinese New Year to places and spaces across the city.

 We are very proud of our heritage in bringing this unique and unforgettable spectacle to life."

Celebrations will continue throughout the city centre, with a parade of lion and dragon dancers through Bullring and Grand Central.

Shoppers will also be entertained by acrobatic displays and martial arts from Shaolin Warriors.

Marking the pig, one of 12 signs of the Chinese zodiac, which is believed to be a symbol of optimism, enthusiasm and hard work, the Chinese New Year celebrations will continue in the city's Chinatown area near to Birmingham Hippodrome - who is staging a series of free performances in The Patrick Studio, including music, dance and spoken word.

Gardeners keen to stay on top of their allotments this winter have been urged to follow nine top tips.

Researchers from gardening specialists; GardenBuildingsDirect.co.uk have rooted out handy advice to help green-fingered Brits maintain a productive plot during the colder months.

From general maintenance tasks to getting ready for the new year, the guidance will assist gardeners to make the best of their allotment in spite of the worst of the weather.

A spokesperson for the company said: “British allotment holders can’t afford to simply down tools during the winter.

Every keen gardener knows that the colder months are hardly peak growing season, but there are still many ways to maintain productivity on your plot when the days get shorter.

It’s crucial to make the best of limited time on allotments whilst the weather is at its worst or else gardeners could start the growing season in the new year on the wrong foot.

Simply put, green-fingered Brits need make sure they are tidy, well organised and proactive on their plots this winter.”

Here are the nine winter allotment top tips courtesy of GardenBuildingsDirect.co.uk:

1. Clear up - Wait for a dry day to weed, rake fallen leaves and remove the remains of summer crops in preparation for next year; leaving them to rot will only invite disease or pests.

2. Help crops - Apply a layer of compost or manure wherever possible to give allotment beds a winter nutritional boost, spread mulch to keep weak crops warm and move any particularly vulnerable species into safe storage before the worst of the weather.

3. Harvest well - Pluck Brussels sprouts from the bottom up and only pick parsnips only after the first frost or two because the drop in temperature gives them their sweet flavour by turning starches into sugars.

4. Take a flask - Nothing warms a gardener’s body better on a cold winter plot than taking a break with a hot and convenient flask of tea, coffee or soup – so don’t leave it on the kitchen table at home.

5. Check equipment - With the lack of heat and daylight preventing much growing on the allotment over the winter, it is the perfect time to give everything a once-over: Do any tools need fixing or replacing? Is the wheelbarrow wheel wobbly? Do metal or wooden items need oiling? Are the mouse traps working? Are the shed door locks and window latches secure?

6. Keep off the grass - Try not to walk on frozen grass wherever possible as it could severely damage brittle strands and any footprints could remain until regrowth in warmer spring conditions.

7. Dress warm - Make sure to always wear thick socks, a couple of jumpers and appropriate gardening gloves during the winter so being outdoors for a prolonged period doesn’t become unpleasant; also keep a spare woolly hat on the allotment for particularly chilly days.

8. Organise for spring - Down-time on the allotment during a bleak winter day is the perfect opportunity to do some planning for when the weather improves and flick through seed catalogues.

9. Water - Don’t neglect the watering needs of your soil and any winter plants just because the temperature is low – several consecutive dry days could be just as devastating in the winter as in the summer, so take the watering can around the plot if it hasn’t rained for a while.