Community News

The RSPCA Newbrook Farm Animal Centre and Hospital in Birmingham is one of the busiest RSPCA centres in the country. Last year, the centre took in 1,331 animals, including 267 dogs, and rehomed more than a thousand animals to their new forever homes.

In 2017, the hospital treated more than 15,000 patients from dogs, cats, rabbits and wildlife, and carried out 1,129 neutering operations.

Craig Osborne, RSPCA Newbrook Farm Animal Hospital said: “Our work to protect the welfare of animals is unrelenting.

“Each year more than 10,000 animals are cared for at the hospital - some require minor procedures, although a lot do require life saving surgery and the numbers are rising every year.

“My Big Walkies is a great challenge for both you and your dog. By taking on 10,000 steps a day and raising money to support the RSPCA you can help us rescue, rehabilitate and rehome animals in desperate need of care.”

Data collected by pet tech company PitPat showed that on average people in the West Midlands walk their dog for 53 minutes a day. This is slightly lower than the UK average which is 57 minutes a day.*

Dr Samantha Gaines, the RSPCA’s dog welfare expert, said: “Lots of us know how much our dogs love their walkies. Walking and playing with your dog is a great opportunity to form a strong bond with your pet as well as keeping you both fit and active, as well as raising money for some less fortunate furry friends.

“My Big Walkies is a big challenge - 10,000 steps is about five miles a day - so some dogs will relish the chance to get out for some extra long walks however those with less active dogs due to age or health for example have the perfect excuse to do fewer steps or leave them at home and enjoy a solo stroll.”

A range of outstanding young people aged 15-29 have been honoured with Commonwealth Youth Awards at the Youth Forum of the Commonwealth Summit.  The awards recognise young people whose innovative projects have had a significant impact on their communities. This year’s awards celebrated young people’s contribution towards a fairer, more sustainable, more secure and more prosperous future for the Commonwealth: the four sub-themes of the Summit that is taking place this week in London.

Usman Iftikhar was named Commonwealth Young Person of the Year and received his award from Prince Harry. “The Commonwealth is such an amazing platform to share our ideas and perspectives,” he said.

Usman, 27, was also the regional winner for the Pacific.  He founded Catalysr, a startup incubator that enables migrants and refugees in Australia to start their own businesses and create a sustainable future for themselves and their communities. The company has a four-month incubator programme that offers office space, mentoring sessions, networking opportunities and access to capital. Usman believes that the Youth Forum and the Commonwealth Summit is an opportunity to collaborate on a long term sustainable future for everyone.

The regional winners were presented with their awards by the UK’s Secretary of State for Education, Damian Hinds.

Jonathan Barcant, 29, the regional winner for Caribbean and Americas, is from Trinidad and Tobago. He founded Vetiver TT, a cost-effective bio-engineering scheme to build climate change resilience. He would like to take the scheme to other nations affected by hurricanes such Antigua and Barbuda and Dominica, and says that “to be part of this network to showcase on this platform is very useful” for expanding his work.

The regional winner for Asia, Vanessa Paranjothy, said that the award will enable her to promote her social enterprise, Freedom Cups, to a wider market.  Vanessa, 29, from Singapore, co-founded Freedom Cups with her sisters. It provides underprivileged women with menstrual products in a buy-one-give-one model.

The regional winner for Africa and Europe, Sherifah Tumusiime, 29, is from Uganda.  She founded Zimba Women, a social enterprise that helps underserved women get internet access.  She said she was deeply humbled to be honoured by the award: “it’s not just East Africa or Africa that I’m working with now, it’s global.”

Layne Robinson, the Head of Social Policy Development at the Commonwealth, said that the Regional Winners and Commonwealth Young Person of the Year “demonstrate real innovation and dedication in working to make the Commonwealth fairer, more secure, more sustainable and more prosperous. Their projects demonstrate the powerful potential of young people all over the Commonwealth and we are thrilled to recognise them during the Youth Forum this year.”

The 20 finalists span every region of the Commonwealth and were shortlisted from more than 400 applications from around the world. The awards are coordinated by the Commonwealth Youth Programme.

Finalists receive a grant of £1,000 to continue their development work.  The Regional Young Persons of the Year receive £3,000 and the Commonwealth Young Person of the Year receives £5,000.

The Pan-Commonwealth adjudication panel included the High Commissioner for Saint Kitts and Nevis, representatives from the High Commissions of Fiji, Malaysia, and Kenya, a trustee of the British Youth Council and a representative of the Commonwealth Local Government Forum.

Independent charity Crimestoppers and the Electoral Commission are urging the public in Birmingham to protect their right to vote by reporting any cases of electoral fraud.

The campaign asks people to tell Crimestoppers if they suspect or have information on someone breaking electoral law. This includes cases of:

·         Personation (people pretending to be someone else in order to vote / at the polling station)

·         Bribery (offer of money or other inducements to vote in a particular way)

·         Intimidation (influencing a voter through the use of threats)

·         More than one person using a polling booth at the same time

During 2017, police forces across the UK investigated 336 electoral fraud allegations. Of these, 104 alleged cases related to voting offences and 36 to registration offences.

Of these, there was one prosecution and conviction for personation. Two suspects accepted police cautions regarding personation when voting by post, and four suspects accepted cautions for registration offences.

The ‘Your vote is yours alone’ campaign materials depict different types of electoral fraud offences taking place in a polling station or in someone’s home as they complete their postal vote. They are designed to empower voters to protect their vote and report any concerns about possible fraud to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, or via our anonymous online form which can be found at crimestoppers-uk.org.

In addition, local authorities have been provided with resources – including videos, posters and a leaflet – which they can use in their local areas.

Mark Hallas, Chief Executive of the charity Crimestoppers, said: “Whilst electoral fraud is quite rare, it’s important for us all to be aware, lookout for it and work together to stop people from jeopardising our tradition of fair and free elections.

“Last year, as a charity, over 400,000 people trusted us to pass on their information about all sorts of crimes – safe in the knowledge that they remain 100% anonymous. Always.

”With elections on the horizon, we are asking people who – for whatever reason may not wish to speak to the police – to contact us on 0800 555 111 or via our anonymous online form at crimestoppers-uk.org. Once you hang up the phone, or click send, you’re done.”

Crimestoppers and the Electoral Commission have been working together since the 2015 general election when they first joined forces to raise public awareness and encourage people to speak up about their electoral fraud suspicions or concerns.

Craig Westwood, Director of Communications and Research at the Electoral Commission, said: “Electoral fraud is a serious crime, and the cautions and convictions handed down in the last year show that the police take reports seriously. No one should feel pressured to vote a certain way whether at the poll station on 3 May or by post. Our campaign seeks to empower voters to protect their vote; anyone who suspects fraud should contact Crimestoppers as soon as possible.”

This year, Sydney will host both a historic standalone State of Origin encounter on Sunday 24 June, when the NSW Blues face rivals QLD Maroons at ANZ Stadium in Game Two of the 2018 Series, and the first ever Women's State of Origin game played under the Origin brand on Friday 22 June.

To add to the anticipation, the men's Game Two in Sydney could be the 2018 Series decider; with either the Brad Fittler led Blues creating history in claiming just their second Series victory since 2005 or the Maroons continuing their decade long dominance of Australia's most watched sporting event.

This clash will also be the first time in 17 years that a State of Origin game will have been played on a Sunday and furthermore, there will be no NRL Premiership games contested that weekend, allowing State of Origin Game Two in Sydney to take centre stage.

NSW Minister for Tourism and Major Events Adam Marshall said the State was proud to host the first Sunday State of Origin encounter in almost two decades and the Women's State of Origin on the same weekend, providing fans with a wonderful opportunity to enjoy a long weekend in the Harbour City.

“NSW is the country's number one state for tourism and major events, with the annual State of Origin Series one of Sydney's key sporting events both in terms of visitation and exposure via broadcast audiences.

“In 2017, Sydney hosted Game Two of the Series which attracted 19,000 overnight visitors, delivered $12 million in visitor expenditure to the NSW economy and was watched by 3.5 million people across Australia.

“Fans attending this year's Game Two in Sydney could witness history in the making, with the fixture a potential Series decider, adding further significance to this Sunday encounter.

“History will also be made in Sydney that weekend when the first ever Women's State of Origin game will be contested under lights on Friday night, showcasing the passion, skill and determination of the country's finest players.

“We look forward to welcoming supporters to Sydney for these must see events and to enjoy an extended break in NSW,” Mr Marshall said.

In partnership with the NRL, Queensland State of Origin legend, Cooper Cronk features in a short video, personally urging fans to visit Sydney for Game Two of this year's State of Origin Series.

The dual Dally M Medallist was filmed in locations across Sydney, where he highlights some of his favourite activities, attractions, food destinations and hangouts.

Having retired from representative rugby league at the end of 2017, Cronk is a firm fan favourite in both Queensland and Victoria having played for the QLD Maroons on 22 occasions including seven series wins and 323 NRL games for the Melbourne Storm.

This year, Cronk will join 83,000 fans in the stands at ANZ Stadium on Sunday 24 June as State of Origin fever grips the nation.

“As a rugby league player you aspire to play State of Origin football. There is nothing like it. It's more than just a sporting contest, it's an event that means so much to so many,” Mr Cronk said.

“This year I'll be experiencing State of Origin as a fan for the first time in a long time. And while I'm sure I'll have the same nerves as my playing days, I'm looking forward to being part of a passionate crowd in Sydney.”

Cronk, who now plays for the Sydney Roosters, said Sydney has so much on offer for travelling fans.

“I love Sydney, it's a special city with so much to see and do,” Mr Cronk explained.

“You can't go past Sydney's famous attractions and stunning beaches, its world-class museums, theatres and festivals, plus Sydney has amazing cafés and restaurants.

“With Game Two of this year's State of Origin being played on a Sunday night, what a fantastic opportunity for fans to rally up their friends, teammates or work colleagues for a few days of fun and excitement in Sydney,” he concluded.

Alzheimer’s Society’s Dementia Awareness Week has been renamed as Dementia Action Week.

It takes place from 21-27 May 2018 and Alzheimer’s Society is calling on everyone in Birmingham to unite today and plan actions, big or small, to make a huge difference to people affected by dementia.

There are more than 10,000 people living with dementia in Birmingham and too many face the condition alone without adequate support. Here are top five ways you can get involved in 2018:

1. Become a Dementia Friend Alzheimer’s Society’s Dementia Friends initiative allows people to learn a little bit more about what it's like to live with dementia and then turn that understanding into action. In Birmingham there are already more than 64,490 Dementia Friends across Birmingham, Solihull, Coventry and Warwickshire. To get involved you can either find your nearest Dementia Friends Information Session – a fun, interactive session that covers five key messages through activities and discussion – or watch an online video. The growing dementia movement has already seen two million people become Alzheimer’s Society Dementia Friends in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. To find your nearest session, visit dementiafriends.org.uk

2. Spread the news This year’s Dementia Action Week theme is community change and we want to see a big impact in Birmingham. People with dementia and carers have shared actions with us that will make a difference, from ‘invite me out. Friends still mean the world to me’ to ‘take time to listen. I can still teach you a thing or two.’ Unite against dementia and help people affected to feel included in their community and able to live the life they want. Get your family, friends or work colleagues to sign up and be the first to hear more about Dementia Action Week, unite now at alzheimers.org.uk/DementiaActionWeek

3. Arrange a quiz event Sign up, team up and compete to unite against dementia with our all-new, action-packed mega-quiz. With someone developing dementia every three minutes, it’s the biggest health and social care challenge we face right now. This is your chance to help us outsmart it, using the mighty power of the quiz to raise funds – and have a lot of fun. Sign up today for your free Challenge Dementia Quiz pack at alzheimers.org.uk/challengedementia You can also contact your local Community Fundraising Officer, Lisa Courtney on 07484 504 822.

4. Join dementia research In the UK, one person develops dementia every three minutes and almost everyone knows someone whose life has been affected. There hasn’t been a new drug for dementia in 15 years. But since 2013, the number of clinical trials for Alzheimer’s drugs has doubled. Alzheimer’s Society will continue to drive forward research for effective treatments for dementia and – ultimately – a cure. Unite against dementia and sign up to take part in research, visit alzheimers.org.uk/joindementiaresearch

5. Get involved on social media Whether you are planning your own fundraising event, attending a Dementia Friends Information Session or have a unique action to help make a difference, Alzheimer’s Society wants to hear about it. Share what you are planning on social media by using #DAW2018. You can ‘like’ or ‘follow’ your local Alzheimer’s Society pages: Alzheimer's Society West Midlands.

As the resurgence in house plants takes the UK by storm in 2018, BBC Gardeners’ World Live has introduced a new stage dedicated to the art of indoor gardening – Blooming Interiors.

The Blooming Interiors stage brings indoor gardening gurus to the fore including Matt Biggs, author of Practical Guide to Growing Healthy Houseplants and Jane Perrone, presenter of podcast On The Ledge. Michael Perry (Mr Plant Geek) completes the line-up with an exclusive Houseplant Edition of his Weird and Wacky Plant Show. Complementing the houseplant hotshots, British Florist Association experts present daily demos on how to create the most stunning indoor displays with your garden flowers. You can even pay a visit to renowned floral designer Jonathan Moseley and his team on the British Flower Bus for more floristry tips, including wedding florals, situated next to the Blooming Interiors stage.

Then all you need to do is start creating your own indoor jungle! Browse over 100 places selling quality plants, many suitable for indoor gardening, in the Floral Marquee and Plant Village at BBC Gardeners’ World Live (14-17 June at Birmingham’s NEC). From Streptocarpus, orchids and air plants to cacti, carnivorous plants and the stunningly colourful Coleus you’ll be spoilt for choice!

As houseplant-mania hits the streets, we’ve asked Jane Perrone, famed Gardening Editor of Guardian and presenter of On the Ledge, for her top tips for extending your garden indoors.

1. Know your plants!

2. Don't overwater

3. Keep them close

The warm weather has finally arrived – and about time too!  This inevitably means that people will be heading into the garden to start getting ready for summer, and Severn Trent has some great tips on how to look after your garden and be water savvy at the same time.

Doug Clarke, water efficiency manager at Severn Trent, said: ““We all want to keep our gardens looking their best and now is the time that people will be planting bedding plants and seedlings.  These can take a lot of watering in, and the biggest temptation is to get the hosepipe or sprinkler out and leave it running.  But this can use as much as 1,000 litres of drinking water in just one hour. To put it in perspective, that’s more water than a family of four would normally use in a whole day!

“We’re also urging gardeners not to worry about the health of their lawns just yet – in fact, watering established lawns is not only unnecessary, but can cause many common lawn problems.  Watering encourages shallow rooting, which in turn means the lawn is more at risk in dry conditions.  So once you start watering, you can’t stop.

“When we do get a shower or two, and no doubt we will – the warm weather never seems to last long - that’s probably all your garden needs.  And it’s also the perfect time to collect April showers in a water butt, that way you can keep the garden watered without using water from the tap, and save money too!”

It’s been over 20 years since Severn Trent last had a hosepipe ban in place and while the company is confident it has enough supply to meet demand, it's still encouraging customers to save what they can.

Doug continues: “Our reservoirs and other water sources are in a healthy position and looking good for the summer ahead, despite the rainfall over the winter being less than average.

“Now, we’re asking our customers not to be complacent and to think about being ‘water wise’ in whatever they do.  If there’s even a chance that it’s going to be a long dry summer, then we need to get into good habits now.”

Time is running out if you want to see the popular children’s and family entertainment exhibitions currently running at Wolverhampton Art Gallery.

It is free admission to ‘Clangers, Bagpuss & Co.’ a V&A Museum of Childhood touring exhibition and ‘TV Puppets: Icons from 80 Years of Entertainment’, with the final day for both on Sunday, April 29, at the gallery on Lichfield Street.

Oliver Postgate’s voice and Peter Firmin’s puppets shaped the childhood memories of millions since they started collaborating in the 1950s. As well as telling the story of Bagpuss and the Clangers, the exhibition from the V&A Museum of Childhood goes behind the scenes of some of their other creations, including Pogles’ Wood, Noggin the Nog and Ivor the Engine.

Enter the world of Smallfilms to discover original puppets, sets, and filming equipment and see how characters developed over time and learn how Oliver and Peter developed their stop-frame animation techniques. You can also have a go yourself using 21st-century technology.

Alongside ‘Clangers, Bagpuss & Co.’ visitors to the gallery will also be able to see ‘TV Puppets: Icons from 80 Years of Entertainment’ curated in partnership with the National Puppetry Archive.

From the earliest TV puppets such as Soko and Muffin the Mule to familiar characters that have entertained recent generations, this exhibition features a delightful array of original creations. Exhibits range from simple hand puppets such as Iver from The Hoobs to elaborate marionettes such as Lady Penelope and Parker from Thunderbirds. Audience favourites such as Basil Brush and caricatures from ITV’s Spitting Image are also on show.

Carol Thompson, Curator for Wolverhampton Art Gallery, said: “The exhibitions have been really popular and we have welcomed thousands of people of all ages through the doors.

“We hope visitors take these final couple of weeks to see these two exhibitions and are inspired to share their memories of these iconic characters and TV shows.”

The gallery opening times are Monday to Saturday (10.30am – 4.30pm) and Sunday (11am – 4pm).

City of Wolverhampton’s Bantock House Museum is holding a Dolls House Fair today (April 22) between 11am and 4pm.

Visitors can wander around stalls at the Finchfield Road venue (WV3 9LQ), see wooden cottages, dolls houses and caravans for sale in the most popular scales.

Stallholders will offer all of the intricate details doll enthusiasts need to complete the scenes for their doll families, including wooden furniture, soft furnishings such as rugs, cushions and curtains, lamps, fireplaces and kitchenware.

Tracey Spillsbury, organiser of the Dolls House Fair, said: “We love being at Bantock House Museum and we have seen the fair grow each time we do it.

“Visitors of all ages are welcome and we hope they will be able to find that something special to complete their scene.”

Visitors can also enjoy the Courtyard Café and take a look around the museum which showcases Edwardian life and local history.

At the Gaumont State Cinema in Kilburn last night, thousands turned out to greet the Jamaican Prime Minister The Most Honourable Andrew Holness to hear him speak about issues both at home in Jamaica and over here in the UK, including Crime, Business, Finance, Debt, and the hot topic of the moment, the Windrush Generation in the UK.

So much of his speech was met with rapturous applause as the cinema was filled out with people of Jamaican descent, friends of Jamaica, and interested onlookers.

Check out the full story in the May edition of The Phoenix Newspaper.

[gallery columns="4" ids="85100,85101,85102,85103"]

His Excellency, Seth George Ramocan, High Commisisoner of Jamaica invites you to a Town Hall Meeting with the Prime Minsiter of JAmaica The Most Honourable Andrew Holness O.N. M.P.on Friday 20th April 2018. Full details below!

Most Britons hate litter, but are too nervous to confront people dropping rubbish in the street, it seems.

News stories of people being assaulted or even killed after they've faced up to litter louts have made many Britons think twice about doing the same themselves, a major waste management company has found.

This fear of 'street rage' doesn't stop a significant number from dropping litter themselves if there isn't a rubbish bin nearby, BusinessWaste.co.uk has learned.

"People's attitude to litter is the stereotype of the British character in a nutshell," says BusinessWaste.co.uk spokesman Mark Hall, "We put up with a lot of inconvenience and rude behaviour, but we are generally to polite or too nervous to speak out."

A poll of over 3000 people conducted for the company found that:

• 94% would not confront someone they saw dropping litter
• 3% said they would confront a litter lout, depending on the circumstance
• 3% didn't know

"Definitely not if they looked like a yob," one person told us, while another said "It would probably be OK but manners have disappeared and I should have to say anything."

The 94% were overwhelming in their reasoning: "I don't want to get beaten up" and "Not my problem" were the two most popular answers. These answers have a minor grounding in reality, with small numbers reporting abuse or worse in return:

• 12% said they had confronted somebody and got rude comments in return
• One person said they had confronted somebody and have been physically attacked

In fact, assaults and serious incidents leading to death are relatively rare, but cause nervousness among the general public because they get wide publicity.

The third most popular reason for not calling out litter louts came as a surprise: "I don't want to be one of those people who moans all the time", and "I don't want to be seen as a 'do-gooder'", people told BusinessWaste.co.uk researchers.

"That's a depressing sign of the times," says Mark Hall, "We're living in a world where doing the right thing is frowned upon because it gets you the reputation for being a moaning Victor Meldrew character."

However, it's not entirely about people's reluctance to be seen as do-gooders, with the poll finding one unexpected outcome when it comes from canine littering:

• 6% said they'd make a comment about somebody letting their dog foul the pavement or a park without picking it up
• This rises to 18% if the witness is a fellow dog owner

Despite saying they disliked litter, asked if they would drop litter in the street if there wasn't a bin nearby and there weren't any witnesses, the answers were just a little bit depressing:

• 31% said they would
• 69% said they'd find a bin or take their rubbish home

BusinessWaste.co.uk ‘s Mark Hall says that street litter – which costs councils tens of millions of pounds every year – wouldn't be a problem if people's attitude to dropping litter changed.

"Friends don't let friends drop litter in the street," he says, "But it's the fear of unpredictable strangers that puts people off speaking out more often."

City of Wolverhampton Council’s preferred developer for housing at Bilston Urban Village has submitted an initial planning application for enabling works.

If approved, Countryside will start detailed profiling of the land levels in preparation for housing on the site ahead of their residential planning application.

The award-winning home builder and regeneration specialist is lined up to develop 450 homes across 27 acres of land south of Bilston town centre and the Black Country Route.

City of Wolverhampton Council Director for City Economy, Keren Jones, said: “We are working closely with Countryside to finalise the scheme and this is a major milestone for housing development on Bilston Urban Village.

“Our plans to develop up to 500 homes on the site will make a significant impact in achieving our housing targets in the City of Wolverhampton.

“The council has spent a lot of time making sure there is good road access, and ensuring that, with a bus-only link, cycle ways and pedestrian routes, the new housing will be well connected to the town centre.

“The urban village is a key part of the wider regeneration of the city, bringing new homes, new jobs and more investment. It demonstrates our commitment to Bilston and ensures it will continue to be a thriving area.”

John Gilbert, Regional Operations Director for Countryside’s Midlands division, said: “With a wealth of experience in regeneration and community building, our aim is to fulfil the council’s vision for rejuvenating the area by transforming this brownfield site into a high-quality housing development.

“This scheme will play a critical role in the city’s regeneration activity and, with our strong partnership model in place, the plans for Bilston Urban Village would provide residents with a vibrant, mixed-tenure neighbourhood, where the new homes are both affordable and accessible for a wide range of people.”

People have already moved into some of the two, three and four-bedroom homes being developed by Kier on two other Bilston Urban Village plots either side of the entrance to Carder Crescent.

Works are also underway on landscaping extensive areas of open space on the site, with a network of paths for walking and cycling being created, clearing overgrown trees and shrubs, and fencing to properly define and protect areas.

The first phases of Bilston Urban Village produced significant investment in the building of the Bert Williams Leisure Centre and South Wolverhampton and Bilston Academy – improving health and increasing opportunities. A commercial development plot fronting the Black Country Route and the newly-named Bert Turner Boulevard linking the site with the town centre was also created.

This has been followed by the recently-opened Marston’s family pub/restaurant, the White Rabbit, and a planning application to build a new Loxdale Primary School on the site.

From skipping to scooting and hopscotch to handstands, the streets of Haringey will be buzzing with outdoor fun for the Weekend of Play.

Building on last year’s success, Haringey’s second Weekend of Play will offer children and families the chance to come together outside to enjoy all the borough has to offer.

Residents are encouraged to ditch their TVs, video games and mobile devices for three days of activities to be held in local parks and closed off streets from April 20-22.

Various primary schools and community organisations will mark the Weekend of Play by hosting their own activities.

Events will be held in parks across the borough, including cycling with Pedal Power in Finsbury Park, a range of free sports opportunities at Albert Road Rec, an interactive activity trail at Alexandra Park, and much more.

The Weekend of Play is supported by Haringey’s Obesity Alliance, aiming to tackle childhood obesity in a fun and practical way by promoting healthier living.

A new 750 place secondary school in West Bromwich has been given the go ahead by the Department for Education.

The school will be built on Kelvin Way, West Bromwich, subject to planning permission.

It is hoped the first 150 year seven pupils will start at the school in September 2019 and parents will be able to apply for a place from July 2018. The school will eventually accommodate 750 pupils.

It is being sponsored by Shireland Collegiate Academy Trust who run a number of successful schools including Shireland Collegiate Academy in Smethwick, consistently rated 'Outstanding' by Ofsted.

Chris Ward, Director of Education, Skills and Employment said: "This will be the second new secondary school to open in Sandwell in the last ten years, following on from the successful Q3 Academy in Oldbury which opened in 2016.

"The Shireland Collegiate Academy in Smethwick is giving young people an outstanding level of education and we hope to continue this in the new school in Kelvin Way.

"This is a much needed school in West Bromwich where it is expected there will be increasing demand for secondary school places in the next few years.”

The next steps will be to confirm funding streams and obtain planning permission before work can start on site.

Chief Executive of the Shireland Collegiate Academy Trust, Sir Mark Grundy said: “We are incredibly proud to have been asked to work with Sandwell Council on the development of this new school.

"Shireland has consistently been judged as Outstanding by Ofsted coupled with exceptional Progress 8 levels of achievement and the development of the West Bromwich Collegiate Academy will allow us to establish this quality of provision for the families and the community."

Birmingham Children’s Hospital Charity is calling on its kind-hearted supporters to get involved in its much-anticipated second annual Fun Family 5.

Taking place in Sutton Park on Saturday 16 June, the eventful sponsored 5K walk will raise vital funds for the sick children and families at the hospital, and aims to top last year’s event which saw over 400 participants raise nearly £20,000.

One of the first to put their name down for this year’s event was Cheryl Beardmore, 42, and her husband Mark, 47. Since July, their three-year-old son Oscar has come to know Birmingham Children’s Hospital all too well, after undergoing 13 rounds of chemotherapy in his battle against rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare form of cancer.

“We are indebted to Birmingham Children’s Hospital Charity,” says Cheryl. “There aren't enough words to say how we feel and how grateful we are to the hospital. Their work is amazing, and the oncology ward and clinic are fantastic. We've got so much thanks for them and everything they've done for us.”

Along with Oscar’s cousins Isla, Madison, Flyn and Kye, and grandmother Diane, the Beardmore family will be raising funds to show their gratitude to the doctors, nurses and support staff at Birmingham Children’s Hospital who have cared for them since Oscar was diagnosed with the disease.

“We did the Fun Family 5 last year,” says Cheryl. “Oscar was in hospital up until the evening before, but on the day he walked the 5k himself along with family and friends. We managed to raise over £5,000 for Ward 15, which is the Oncology ward.”

Miranda Williams, Public Fundraising Manager at Birmingham Children’s Hospital Charity, adds: “We’re really excited to welcome supporters for the second year to our 5km fundraising walk, Fun Family 5. We love seeing families, friends and patients coming together to take on the course, collect their medals and enjoy some family time. During its first year in 2017, our amazing supporters raised almost £20,000 for the sick kids like Oscar who are in our care, and we know this year will be bigger and better – we can’t wait!”

The event promises to be fun for all ages, with activity zones featuring a circus skills workshop, face painters, a bouncy castle, arts and crafts and sporting entertainment.

Families are encouraged to bring a picnic or enjoy one of the food stalls on offer after conquering the 5km walk around one of Birmingham’s most picturesque parks.

To sign up for the Birmingham Children’s Hospital Charity Fun Family 5 and receive a fundraising pack, visit https://www.bch.org.uk/Event/funfamily5