Community News

Helen Tomblin and Jamie Bloomfield, who are part of the team that have delivered Make, Move & Munch Clubs across Sandwell since 2016 have been recognised for their work working alongside the National Charity Partnership, a partnership between Tesco, Diabetes UK and British Heart Foundation. The Make, Move & Much Clubs are a programme where mums are supported and motivated to improve their health through physical activity and healthy eating.

Helen was honoured with the Working in Partnership award and Jamie received the Most Improved Use of PR at the third annual National Charity Partnership Awards - a black tie event at the Riverside Park Plaza hotel in central London on Thursday 25 January 2018.

Helen who works for Accord Group has transformed the way Make, Move & Munch Clubs are delivered in Sandwell to ensure a lasting legacy. She commissioned five different local providers, trained them and has since led the team to outstanding results. In 2017, 170 clubs were delivered with 700 people taking part.

Jamie who works for Groundwork West Midlands (one of the five providers who deliver the Clubs) embraced a new approach to increase the profile of the Clubs which were funded by the National Charity Partnership. He coordinated a successful taster event with several local partners and secured TV coverage in the West Midlands. Furthermore, he rose to the challenge of his first media interview hitting all the key messages with confidence.

Mr Bloomfield said “I’m very proud to win this award. I felt it was important to provide an opportunity for the delivery partners and funders to work together on an event that would really demonstrate to the public what fantastic work everyone was doing on MMM. It was an extremely successful programme that made a huge difference to many people’s lives and made a lasting impression on the public’s health going forward.”

Ms Tomblin said “I am delighted to have won the award for ‘Partnership Working’ but credit must also go to those I have working in partnership with; our programme delivery partners Kaleidoscope Plus Group, Complete Kidz, Ideal for All, Groundwork, and My Time Active. We have also continued to develop strong relationships with Sandwell Public Health enabling us to build on the legacy of the National Charity Partnership and secure more programmes with the Sandwell Learning Communities in 2018. On Friday, Accord are very excited to be holding a dissemination event with Public Health England which will bring together all the learning, as we continue to explore how we develop this work further across the West Midlands.”

Jenna Hall, Director of National Charity Partnership said “I’m delighted that Helen and Jamie have been recognised for all the hard work they have contributed to making a success of the partnership. This dedication, enthusiasm and creativity has seen not only local families engaged but also the wider public and I’m excited to hear their contribution to changing health behaviours in Sandwell will continue in 2018.”

Nominations are now open for the Wednesbury Community Awards - a chance to celebrate Wednesbury people who help improve the town.

It's an opportunity for local people to be recognised for their outstanding contributions to the town and its people.

The Wednesbury Community Awards Panel is seeking nominations for six categories to recognise the work of people in the community and voluntary sector in the Friar Park, Wednesbury North and Wednesbury South wards.

The categories are: Outstanding Volunteer Award, Outstanding Young Person Award and Outstanding Good Neighbourhood Award, for someone who has helped their neighbours.

There is a Community Project Award, for a scheme that has made a difference in the town, and a Community Special Ward for an individual who has contributed positive lifelong service.

The Outstanding Partnership Award is for someone (or a group) where partnership working has made a positive contribution to local people.

To nominate local people, go to the awards website www.wednesburycommunityawards.com by 23 February.

Councillor Pam Hughes, town lead member for Wednesbury, said: “This awards scheme is an excellent way of rewarding people for the outstanding work that they do in the town.

“Wednesbury has a great tradition for community-minded people getting involved in voluntary work and the panel is anxious to recognise the work they do as individuals or in a group.

“People who have been helped by these hard-working volunteers should get involved in the scheme and nominate those they believe should be recognised.  We hope that there will be a good response to this to mark the excellent work done in the town by so many community-minded townspeople.”

Selected finalists will be invited to an awards evening to be held on Thursday 15 March at Wednesbury Town Hall.

According to Lloyd’s of London boss, Igna Beale, Brexit negotiations are causing anxiety for UK businesses, many of whom “can’t live with this uncertainty”. As pressure mounts on central government to provide increased clarity relating to Brexit, the Black Country Chamber of Commerce have announced they have received funding from the European Commission to deliver the Europe Direct Information Centre (EDIC) for the Black Country, a local information contact point relating to Europe and the ongoing Brexit negotiations.

Furthermore, during the Brexit negotiation process, the Centre will work to ensure that businesses and residents of the Black Country are kept up-to-date with the latest developments through a series of events and workshops, as well as dedicated newsletters.

“Locally, business confidence in the Brexit negotiations has been relatively low, and this lack of confidence has led to nervousness about exporting and importing, both inside and outside of Europe. As part of our manufacturing campaign, Making the Future, Black Country businesses stressed the importance of clarity on future trading relationships and post-Brexit immigration policy. Hopefully, the information provided as part of our EDIC programme can deliver the clarity over our future relationship with the EU that local businesses and residents desperately need.”

BRITISH lovebirds will be nesting at home for Valentine’s Day this year, according to new research. A survey of 1,012 UK adults carried out by lighting store, LED Hut, found that 52% are planning on staying at home for their date this Valentine’s Day.

Cooking and enjoying a meal (45%) topped the list as the number one thing to do at home for couples on Valentine’s Day.

This was closely followed by watching a movie, with 38% of the votes.

33% of those surveyed said listening to music was what they plan to do when staying in with their sweetheart.

Not as popular as music, but remaining in the top five, making cocktails came in fourth place (29%).

And more than 1 in 5 (21%) said that they play a board game when at home with their significant other on Valentine’s Day.

Paul Garner, Ecommerce & Marketing Director at LED Hut commented: “Ahead of Valentine’s Day, many partners have already started to think of how to sweep their loved one off their feet, which is great to see. Whilst going out is always going to be a popular option, many Brits want to add their own unique touches, and what better place to do so than in their own homes?

“This trend is being prompted by Netflix, boxsets and the fact that it is taking people longer to get on the property ladder, which means it is becoming more customary for people to spend time together at home.”

Paul continued “By planning ahead and setting a romantic mood using everything from the food served to special mood lighting, the perfect atmosphere can easily be created for your admirer in the home. Valentine’s Day is a great time to show your other half just how much they mean to you and how much you value them, which is why staying at home is now such a popular option.”

Cost was also an important factor when it comes to deciding to stay at home, as 34% of Brits said it was less expensive than going out.

The data also revealed that this trend of staying in at Valentine’s Day is most prevalent amongst a younger demographic of those aged 18 – 24 years old.

Wynn Resorts adds a new level of modern vigor to its world-class art collection with the acquisition of Smiling King Bear, a pop-surreal sculpture created by the famed Spanish contemporary artist Okuda San Miguel. At a towering 16-feet tall and executed in the artist’s signature prismatic style, the sculpture is a multicolored geometric masterpiece featuring a whimsical bear with a spiked crown, holding an equally imposing smiling ball.

“We are delighted to include Okuda’s Smiling King Bear in the Wynn Resorts Collection of Fine Art. It is an exuberant, sophisticated and original statement of joy, and a colorful reference to a cherished childhood toy or the memory of a fictional character of benevolent protection,” said Roger Thomas, Executive Vice President of Design for Wynn Resorts. “Steve Wynn established the first important art collection in Las Vegas, and has continued to add significant examples of 20th and 21st century art in each Wynn resort. The most delightful and rewarding aspect of designing our iconic destinations has been the selection and installation of these wonderful creations. Each work is selected for its beauty, joyous expression, and distinctive relevance to the art of its time.”

Fashioned from fiberglass, aluminum, and highly pigmented synthetic enamel, Smiling King Bear originally arrived in the United States from Spain as part of an outdoor art exhibition in Downtown Las Vegas curated by global creative house, Justkids. After its acquisition, the sculpture was installed at Wynn Las Vegas during a meticulous multi-day process overseen by the artist, and is now on display in the Wynn Plaza rotunda as part of the resort’s continued appreciation and commitment to public art.

“It is great to be displayed in a prestigious Las Vegas resort like Wynn, and to continue the collaboration with Justkids in the United States. Wynn has a remarkable art collection and I am honored to be a part of it. The architectural elements of the hotel and its luminosity highlights the shapes and colors of my Smiling King Bear. This juxtaposition of classical and contemporary is very often part of my artistic concept, so the resort is a perfect fit for the sculpture,” said Okuda.

Okuda is considered to be one of the most renowned artists among the contemporary art movement, celebrated for his unique geometric structures and patterns that have developed their own instantly recognizable iconographic language. Featured in hundreds of solo and group exhibitions, his works can be seen in streets and galleries around the world including India, Mali, Mozambique, United States, Japan, Chile, Brazil, Peru, South Africa, Mexico, many parts of Europe, and beyond. Highly sought after for large scale projects, Okuda is perhaps best known for his conversion of an abandoned Spanish church aptly named Kaos Temple, which has become a new icon of contemporary art.

Headlining the Jam House this February and considered one of the most successful bands ever to come out of the 70’s, Hot Chocolate. The only band ever to have had a hit every year in the UK charts during the 1970’s.

The five-piece band started their recording career with a reggae cover of John Lennon’s ‘Give Peace a Chance’ which John himself highly rated. During the disco era Hot Chocolate boomed, their tight vocal harmonies presented success with big hits such as ‘You Sexy Thing’ and ‘Everyone 1’s a Winner’ which also peaked in the US. The band’s enduring popularity ensured that two of their compilation albums reached No. 1 in the UK Albums chart. In 1986 the group disbanded only to reform in 1992 and they are now touring with Kennie Simon as vocalist.

Hot Chocolate said “We love the Jam House and are genuinely looking forward to be playing here! There’s always so much energy, the people are fantastic! Overall such a good atmosphere. We love it.”

One of Birmingham Children’s Hospital Charity’s largest annual fundraising events, Big Bandage is back for 2018, and the charity is looking for it to be BIGGER, braver and better than ever with its Big Bandage Day on Friday 9 March!

Urging supporters to be brave in bandages, the charity is asking people to step out of their comfort zone and take on a brave challenge in support of the hospital’s many courageous kids. From taking on our sponsored abseil on the 10 March, to braving the shave and going bald in aid of the charity, there are many ways to fundraise and help the 90,000 sick children fight another day.

Miranda Williams, Public Fundraising Manager at Birmingham Women’s and Children’s Hospital Charity, said: “Big Bandage Day is back, and it’s going to be bigger and better than ever! And all we’re asking is for people to be brave. Of course, we’re not expecting everyone to jump out of a plane or scale the side of a building (although you’re more than welcome to!). We’re just looking for people to take on a challenge which tests their nerve and pushes their comfort zone.

“However people decide to fundraise, all money raised will support Birmingham Children’s Hospital Charity in our mission to raise the vital funds needed to make a real difference to all our incredibly brave children, offering them the best experience possible when treated at our hospital.”

One inspirationally brave patient in particular is four-year-old Penny Powell, who is a regular visitor to Birmingham Children’s Hospital.

Sutton-born Penny underwent a renal transplant in June last year after she was born weighing just 1lb 7oz and diagnosed at birth with renal failure.  First time parents Michelle and Stuart were keen to be Penny’s donor, but after tests revealed they were unfortunately not a match, Granddad John Powell stepped in.

Since her transplant just over six months ago, Penny is doing extremely well and Mum and Dad describe her as ‘the bravest little girl they know’.

How can you get involved in Big Bandage Day?

All it takes is three easy steps!

1.       Save the date – Friday 9^th March

2.       Register to get your free fundraising pack at www.bch.org.uk/bb18

3.       Start planning your Big Bandage Day!

Get your work place or kids involved too and boost your fundraising by getting everyone to pay £2 and wear a bandage in support of our extraordinarily brave children.

The University of Wolverhampton has secured an additional £460k funding to deliver training for Degree Apprenticeships to non-levy paying companies.

The allocation of money was approved by the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) recently and means that the University can widen its support for local businesses looking to upskill their workforce.

The University is already offering Higher and Degree Apprenticeships in Chartered Management (CMDA), Higher Apprenticeship in Construction Management with pathways for Civil Engineering & Built Environment, Chartered Surveying, Chartered Legal Executive and Healthcare Science Practitioner Degree Apprenticeships.

Future Higher/Degree Apprenticeships will include Digital Technologies, Manufacturing Engineering, Product Design & Engineer, Civil Engineering, Policing, Social Work, Nursing, Nursing Associate and Paramedic Degree Apprenticeships.

Having been awarded £250,000 funding from the Higher Education Funding Council (HEFCE) in 2017 to develop its Apprenticeship offer, over 150 apprentices are already studying for Higher and Degree level qualifications at the University.

Michele Roberts, Head of the Apprenticeship Hub at the University, said:  “This is fantastic news for the University and will really help us to build on the work that has already gone into developing our industry-standard Degree Apprenticeships.

“Companies with a wage bill of under £3 million are eligible for 90% funding for Degree Apprenticeships and this additional money will allow us to increase our offer and support more and more businesses looking for Higher/Degree level Apprenticeships for their employees.

“For example, companies will only pay 10% of the course fees, with the other 90% being funded by the government through this allocation. Other incentives will mean that for SMEs with less than 50 employees and who recruit a 16-18 year old the training/course element of the Apprenticeship will be fully funded.”

Derby man Phill Alcock has backed Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham (QEHB) Charity’s appeal to bring the revolutionary Heart in a Box to the hospital, saying that it has the potential to change the lives of people like him who are waiting for a heart transplant.

Heart in a Box keeps a heart waiting to be transplanted alive outside of the body, greatly increasing the window of time that surgeons have to transplant it into the recipient before the organ begins deteriorating. QEHB Charity is fundraising to bring Heart in a Box to the hospital and doctors estimate that it will increase the number of heart transplants carried out at QEHB by up to 50%.

This will make a world of difference to patients such as Phill Alcock who is currently awaiting a heart transplant. Sadly, 20% of people on the waiting list for a heart transplant will die before an organ becomes available.

Phill has had four heart attacks in the past ten years, with the first occurring in 2007 whilst playing football. He made a swift recovery and was playing football again within seven weeks however; a year on Phill was once again playing football when he was hit by a second heart attack.

Phill went on to recover from this second heart attack only to have a third, two years on in 2010 after coaching his football team Holbrook Sports to the fifth round of the FA Vase. Phill said: “I started to feel unwell during extra time of the match and the next day I had a heart attack, my third in only three years.”

After being taken to Papworth for tests, Phill was told that he was not healthy enough for a heart transplant due to high pressure on his heart and lungs. He then faced years of waiting for his health to improve to the state where he could be considered for a transplant.

In 2015, Phill had a fourth heart attack whilst playing walking football and was taken to QEHB where Dr Lim decided that Phill required an LVAD machine to be installed. An LVAD is an artificial pump that keeps a patient with heart failure alive. It works through battery packs that the patient carries around with them, and can also be plugged into the mains.

The decision to fit Phill with an LVAD was taken around his50^th birthday and this proved to be a tough time, he said: “I thought that I was going to have to say goodbye to everyone and that I wouldn’t make it. This was especially tough on my daughter Olivia who was only 15 at the time.”

Phill had separated from his wife over the previous years and said that he was “determined to carry on for my daughter’s sake.” He decided to take a trip to Liverpool with his friends and family before being admitted to hospital for his procedure.

On the Sunday night before his operation, Phill went to see a local band, The Modest, with friends when he happened to get chatting to a woman called Sarah, telling her of his reasons for going to see the band and the procedure that awaited him the next week.

Sarah said that this first encounter came out of the blue: “He initiated our first-ever conversation and came and sat down next to me. We chatted lots and made each other laugh. I remember he touched on the fact that he was going into hospital the next day, I was impressed as I would have chosen to be at home, worrying, rather than out having a good time.

“I had no idea just how inspirational to my life I would find this man in the future and when I found out the extent of the operation I was blown away by his attitude to life.”

The LVAD operation was a success and two months later Phill was well enough to leave hospital. Upon leaving, Phill returned to see The Modest, where again he bumped into Sarah. Sarah said: “He had only just come out of hospital and I was struck by how he had chosen to ‘live’ the rest of his life, his determination to live and not choose to lie on the sofa all day.”

Phill said: “I never intended to find love, I was focused on my health and taking care of Olivia but it was wonderful to meet Sarah.”

In November 2015 Phill received some wonderful news at his six month assessment; he was told that the valves in his heart and lungs had recovered sufficiently that he could go onto the list for a heart transplant. “I finally had a plan B” Phill said, “I decided that it was high time that I asked Sarah out on a date.”

Sarah said that Phill asking her out was “The best birthday present ever. Life definitely began at 40!”

However, following a couple of incidents including the bag carrying his LVAD batteries being pulled by a bystander at a gig, and falling and hitting his head on the counter at home, Phill had a bleed on the brain and went into a fit.

Phill’s family were told that he was unlikely to survive the ambulance journey. Against all the odds, Phill made it to hospital and received life-saving surgery to remove the pressure on his brain and spent the next two weeks in a coma.

Whilst Phill was in a coma, Sarah was in contact with his sister-in-law who told her that Phill had confided in her some time ago, saying that he was in love with Sarah.

He spent weeks in hospital surrounded by his family and Sarah, who said: “These weeks went by very slowly, everyone was really supportive of me, telling me all the lovely things that he had said about me. His family and friends kept me strong. I refused to believe that I had found my one and that he was going to be taken away from me.”

Phill recovered well and upon leaving hospital they were finally able to go on a date. Phill said: “It was a little surreal; she had met my entire family by this point so it was hardly a traditional first date!”

Since then, Phill and Sarah’s relationship has gone from strength to strength as Phill’s recovery has continued. Phill said: “Sarah is a wonderful person; she is always there for me and has given me a confidence and hope for the future.

“She’s had a positive impact on the whole family, especially taking the pressure off Olivia and my mother when it comes to caring for me. She is able to help me with my LVAD machine, helping to charge the batteries and plug me into the mains!”

Sarah is glad to have been able to make a difference not only to Phill’s life, but to Olivia’s too, saying: “I recognised from early on that Olivia, his daughter, had put all the pressure of keeping her father alive on her own shoulders because she wanted her father in her life for as long as possible.

“I wanted to give her the support and security that she had been without for so long.  At the same time, she had been used to being Phill’s main carer for so long that I couldn’t expect her to give up this role straight away.

“Between us we shared the responsibility and Olivia grew confident to know that she could spend time away and her father would be cared for and that I would contact her for help if I needed her.”

Phill’s recovery continues, saying: “I’m in a much better way physically, I’m back up to 11 stone from a low of just eight, I’m back doing some DJ-ing and even coaching the occasional football match. My life use to revolve around my health to the point where every conversation I had was about it. Now, I just want to talk to people about things that I like. Sarah and I are planning on going on holiday next which proves how much better I am now!”

Speaking of life with an LVAD machine, Phill said: “It can be tough. Every time I go to Sarah’s house I have to take two suitcases full of batteries and other things to keep me going. Whenever I’m on the road I’m worried about my batteries, we all hate it when our phones die on us but I’ve got even bigger things to worry about!”

Phill knows that the long term plan has to include a heart transplant and is still waiting on the call to come through to say that there is a heart ready for him. One thing that keeps him going is the thought of competing in the transplant games: “I love to play sport and I really miss that aspect of my life, it would be amazing to be able to compete again if I have a heart transplant.”

Speaking of the difference that Heart in a Box would make, Phill said: “It sounds like an incredible invention. At the moment it’s hard to stay positive whilst waiting for a transplant, I know that the chances of a suitable heart becoming available for me are slim.

“A lot of the difficulties come from basic factors like geography. If a heart becomes available in Glasgow it’s going to take a long time to get to where I need it and during this time it’s going to be deteriorating. The longer it’s out of the body the less chance you’ve got of it being accepted by the recipient’s body.

“Heart in a Box can change this, and I know that it will have such an amazing impact on people like me who are waiting for a heart to become available.”

Justine Davy, Head of Fundraising for QEHB Charity said: “Phill has been through such a lot and his story of survival is frankly incredible. It means a huge amount to have his support for the Charity’s appeal, Phill’s story highlights the need for this amazing piece of equipment and demonstrates the difference it will make to people’s lives.”

“The generous donations that the Charity receives will make it possible to bring Heart in a Box to QEHB, changing lives and increasing the number of transplants carried out at the hospital.

“I look forward to hearing the stories of patients in the future who have benefitted from Heart in a Box and I wish Phill and Sarah the very best for the future.”

To find out more about Heart in a Box and to donate to the appeal, go to qehb.org/heart

Some of the images from the Celebration of Life of Cyrille Regis MBE at West Bromwich Albion Football Club

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Winnipeg may not be the first place you think of for a city break but one that will not disappoint.   A small compact city where you will find arts and culture with world-class museums, live music, dance and theatre. Winnipeg is the type of city visitors need to get underneath the skin of to find hidden gems that the locals know.

For a romantic getaway you need a place to stay, and the one Winnipeg hotel tailor made for romance is Mariaggi's Theme Suite Hotel, a highly rated hotel where every room is an exotic, worldly location. TripAdvisor has li

sted Mariaggi's as one of the 10 most-romantic hotels in the world.

Start the day exploring the city on tandem bikes. With two locations in the city, including The Forks, The Forks and Assiniboine Park, these bike rentals (Bee-2-Gether) are ideally situated to see some of the best, and romantic, spots in the city.

Select The Forks route, to explore all the curves along the river and then pedal over the Esplanade Riel, Winnipeg's stylish pedestrian bridge, to St. Boniface, Winnipeg's Francophone neighbourhood which is oozing with French culture and flavour.

On a quiet street corner tucked-in behind the St. Boniface Cathedral you'll find La Belle Baguette . The bakery itself smells like heaven, while the pastries, breads and baked goods that come out of its kitchen are guaranteed to be love at first sight.

St. Boniface is teeming with delightful patios, and one of the best is found at Promenade Café and Wine, which provides stunning vistas of the downtown. Promenade itself is an excellent restaurant for French cuisine.

From here take a trip along Winnipeg's winding rivers with Splash Dash Guided River Tours. These river taxis take off and pick up passengers at multiple stops throughout the Assiniboine and Red rivers while providing stunning perspectives of Winnipeg's riverbanks and architecture.

For a leisurely stroll through gardens and past wondrous works of art head to Assiniboine Park , Winnipeg's verdant 1,110-acre masterpiece. From the abundance of flowers in the Formal English Gardens to the tree lined paths leading to the Leo Mol Sculpture Garden. This tranquil garden contains more than 300 awe-inspiring works from Mol, the renowned Ukrainian Canadian sculptor. Throughout summer free jazz performances are a regular occurrence here, adding to the ambiance.

Have a picnic amongst Assiniboine Park's expansive green spaces. Pick up lunch from The Park Café at the Qualico Family Centre then take a seat in one of Assiniboine Park's six other gardens where floral fragrances hang in the air.

For another way to relax try Thermëa by Nordik Spa-Nature , a Scandinavian spa in the Fort Garry neighbourhood, All you need is a bathing suit, a robe and some flip flops, and this place will do the rest with its hot thermal pools, steamy and dry saunas, and cold pools and waterfall, which are all meant to use in a hot-cold-hot cycle. Thermëa is ideal for couples, as you'll need someone to rub the invigorating and exfoliating lavender salts on your back between steam room sessions. Plus, they have tantalizing cuisine for lunch and dinner where dining in robes is mandatory.

The Inn at the Forks' Riverstone Spa is cited as one of the best hotel spas in Canada. Riverstone has three different couples packages — Spa for Two, the Aaaaahhh Package and Together We Will Escape — that involve massages, hand and foot therapy, an overnight stay in the beautiful hotel, and breakfast in SMITH restaurant, the ultimate 24-hour pampering treat.

As night falls, head out to one of Winnipeg's celebrated tapas restaurants because nothing entices like sharing bites. In Osborne Village you can savour Spanish flavours at Segovia — Winnipeg's most acclaimed restaurant. If you get there early be sure to get a seat on the charming little patio where you can sip some cava and enjoy delectable bites.

Children are being given a love of books from an early age thanks to trailblazing library scheme in Sandwell.

The Booktastic scheme gives reception age children at every Sandwell primary school a special library card and encourages them to visit their local library to borrow books.

Four and five-year-olds borrowed almost 12,000 books over the last school year and there are now a record number of young children who are library members - standing at nearly 13,000 members through the Booktastic scheme.

This week, children from Mesty Croft Academy visited Wednesbury Library for a session called Buzz Buzz Bumble Bee and to be presented with their library cards.

Each reception child across Sandwell is given a special Booktastic membership pack, including a membership card, folder and information about the library service.

Sandwell Council’s cabinet member for children’s services Councillor Simon Hackett said: “It’s so important that children learn to love books and reading from a young age.

“I set up the Booktastic scheme and it’s now in its fourth year - it’s really popular with children and families. It raises awareness of how great our libraries are and how valuable it is for children and their education to enjoy reading.

“Children who read for pleasure have higher literacy levels and achieve better results at school, so our libraries are great places for children to come along, choose some great books and really learn to love reading.”

An academic from Birmingham City University has been working with PhD students at the University of Rwanda (UR) to help them advance academic research in the East African country and the wider region.

Senior Lecturer Dr Peter Samuels previously volunteered at UR in 2016 and 2017 before returning in December last year to teach a group of doctoral researchers on a trip made possible with an International Credit Mobility from Erasmus+.

Dr Samuels is based in Birmingham City University’s Centre for Academic Success, which equips students with the skills they need to make the best of every opportunity during their studies.

The Centre offers advice on study skills, helps students improve their academic writing and bolsters competencies in maths and statistics in both one-to-one tutorials or group workshops. It was using this model that Dr Samuels was able to assist these African PhD students towards their own academic goals.

In 2016, the World Bank Board approved the award of 24, competitively-selected, African Centres of Excellence (ACEs) for eight countries in Eastern and Southern Africa, with four being based at the University of Rwanda.

During his recent visit, Dr Samuels spent time teaching 26 students at one such Centre – the African Center of Excellence for Data Science (ACE-DS) – based in the College of Business and Economics in the country’s capital Kigali and in partnership with Carnegie Mellon University (CMU).

The Center is aiming to produce 40 academically qualified PhD students from across Eastern and Southern Africa within the next five years. Dr Samuels supported the first cohort with contextualised teaching that is assisting them in formulating project proposals and writing in an academic style, using an objective, evidence-based and formal voice.

Dr Peter Samuels, Senior Lecturer, Birmingham City University, said: “By encouraging scholars in ACE-DS to think differently, it allows them to be more engaging and understand how their research can not only change their lives, but have a positive impact on their country, continent and the wider world. In more established education systems, this is perhaps something that is taken for granted, but in Rwanda a lot of what I was teaching the students had never been shared with them before and it was humbling to see a methodology used back in the UK making an immediate impression on the way they took ownership of their ideas and studies going forward.

“As well as helping them prepare for postgraduate study, we also spent time exploring how one goes about writing for publication and how to maintain a good relationship with their supervisor, which are all important milestones in the development of an outward, globally-conscious academic.”

In the growing and interdisciplinary area of data science, ACE-DS will combine expertise from statistics, economics, business, computer science and engineering to use big data and data analytics to solve some of the 21st century’s biggest challenges across the continent.

It aims to serve an important role of helping the region to satisfy the aims of the Science, Technology and Innovation Strategy for Africa (STISA) 2024 by collecting, sharing and analysing data. It will also provide expertise to measure and monitor the United Nation’s new Sustainable Development Goals and the African aspirations for 2063.

Reflecting on Dr Samuels’ course, one student commented: “Before attending the course, I knew little about academic writing, especially for journal papers. Throughout the course I learnt a lot in terms of critical thinking and analysis, paragraph writing through structured arguments and how to use different argument styles. In addition, I learnt how to use evidence properly in academic writing.

“Furthermore, I practiced a lot all the tips and guidance from the course to improve my PhD research proposal and I have seen a big improvement and difference in my academic writing before and after the course. You could say that I am a completely different person in terms of academic writing.”

Dr Samuels’ third trip to the University of Rwanda took place in December 2017. He also visited the African Centre of Excellence for Innovative Teaching and Learning Mathematics and Science (ACEITLMS) at the institution’s Rukara Campus in the east of the country, and plans to work more with this Centre on future visits.

Incidentally, the Vice-Chancellor of UR is Birmingham-born Professor Phil Cotton, a former GP and Fellow of the Royal College of General Practitioners. As well as his role at UR, Professor Cotton is a Methodist Preacher, founding chair of a Scottish fair trade organisation and Board member of several development charities working in Africa.

Last year, Professor Cotton was awarded an OBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours for services to education in Rwanda.

Durham City has another accolade to add to its collection, after being shortlisted as one of the ten most romantic UK city break destinations by TripAdvisor-owned site HolidayLettings.co.uk.

According to research generated by the online holiday lettings company, Durham received the second highest percentage of reviews mentioning 'romance', and the vote is now open for the public to choose their winner.

Michelle Gorman, managing director at Visit County Durham, said: “We are thrilled that this shortlist is shining a light on Durham as a romantic city. With our award-winning eateries, luxury accommodation, breath-taking scenery and world-class spas, Durham is a year-round destination for romance and winning this award would be an incredible way to showcase Durham as a romantic getaway destination”.

Spokesperson for Holiday Lettings Laurel Greatrix added: “Durham's vibrant history, stunning architecture, and proximity to the Durham Dales, makes for a perfect romantic getaway travellers will enjoy”.

Voting is open until Tuesday February 13, with the winner being revealed on Valentine's Day.

A Surrey woman will be busking in 15 cities across the UK, in three days, in a bid to raise vital funds for Alzheimer’s Society.

Kitty Pandya hopes to raise more than £500 for the charity, during the first weekend of March this year. She will start her journey from Winchester, to Southampton, through the West Midlands and finishing in London.

The 23-year-old said: “I decided to take part in this challenge for Alzheimer’s Society because of both my personal experience and the challenges dementia causes to society and people living with dementia.  My nana was diagnosed with dementia around three and a half years ago, and it was only then that I began to understand exactly what the disease entails.

“I’m one person out of millions affected by Alzheimer’s disease – directly or indirectly – and my hope with this challenge is that I can do a little to help fund both the vital research conducted and support offered by Alzheimer’s Society.

“It’s great to think that I will be raising funds to help support people to live well with dementia and to fund research to one day find a cure for dementia.”

Alzheimer's Society community fundraiser for Coventry, Birmingham and Stoke-on-Trent, Lisa Courtney welcomed Kitty’s decision to boost the charity.  She said: “It’s great that Kitty is giving her time to support Alzheimer’s Society. Dementia can happen to anyone and there is currently no cure. But with the right support, people can live well with dementia.​

“As a charity, we rely on the generosity of individuals like Kitty to help us continue our vital work so that Alzheimer's Society can continue leading the fight against dementia.”

Work has this week started on landscaping the open areas of Bilston Urban Village. The City of Wolverhampton Council project ties in with the Garden City concept commissioned by the Black Country Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP).

Up to 450 homes will be built by private developers on the former brownfield land, which will be connected by around 14 hectares of land designated for public open space and a nature conservation.

idverde, who boast award-winning landscaping works such as Media City in Salford, and award-winning maintenance of prominent sites such as Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in their portfolio, are carrying out the open space landscaping works, which are expected to be completed this summer.

The aim is to improve biodiversity and recreation, with works to include developing a network of paths for walking and cycling, clearing overgrown trees and shrubs, and providing fencing to properly define and protect areas.

Work will also be undertaken to significantly improve the nature conservation value of the sites. This will involve a range of activity such as woodland management, development of ground flora, meadow creation, tree planting, hedge planting, development of the attenuation pond, possible creation of a community orchard, provision of bird and bat boxes, and actions to increase biodiversity along the edges of the canal.

All this will lead to a significant enhancement of the open spaces within Bilston Urban Village, and it is proposed, on completion of the works, to declare the open space sites a Local Nature Reserve (LNR).

Councillor John Reynolds, Cabinet Member for City Economy, said: “This is a major milestone for Bilston Urban Village.

“People are already moving into the first of up to 450 new homes being developed.

“The open space strategy will see idverde deliver a green environment for the community to enjoy and thrive in as it becomes established.”

Phil Topping, Operation Director for idverde, added: “We are delighted to have been awarded the landscape improvement contract located within the Bilston Urban Village development area.

“We look forward to working closely with the wider project team in ensuring the successful delivery of this important recreational area, and improving access arrangements with the provision of new footpaths, planting, fencing, creation of meadow areas and lighting.

“Very importantly, we are privileged in being able to assist with the development and improvement of the nature conservation elements of the scheme.”

The council has secured a £681,000 boost from the European Regional Development Fund for the Bilston Urban Village Open Space Development Strategy.

The remainder of the £1.5 million needed for the landscaping scheme will be funded from £156,000 Section 106 private sector money already secured from developers, and council investment.

A Steering Group for the Bilston Urban Village Open Space Development Strategy is in place, consisting of City of Wolverhampton Council, Birmingham and Black Country Wildlife Trust, Canal & River Trust, University of Wolverhampton, local residents, the Land Trust, and Ormiston South Wolverhampton and Bilston Academy.