The Phoenix Newspaper UK | Latest news in UK | Positive news | Inspiring The Next Generation
Inspiring The Next Generation 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:
"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:
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:
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:
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
Jack Russell Terrier Sheldon has bounced back and is looking for his forever home thanks to kind members of the public who funded his life-saving surgery.
Two-year-old Sheldon was brought into the RSPCA’s Coventry branch last summer and was diagnosed with a grade five heart murmur. He urgently needed a scan and surgery to fix his broken heart.
Surgery to fix the hole in his heart cost £1,500 and was generously raised by supporters who had been touched by Sheldon’s story.
Jade Mason at the RSPCA Coventry, Nuneaton and District branch said: “We can’t thank our supporters enough for raising the money needed to fix Sheldon’s heart. The surgery was a success and he has made an amazing recovery which means we are confident he can now live a long and happy life without further complications.
“We are looking for a loving home for him with someone who has had experience of terriers previously. He would like to live in a home without other pets and will need to live with families who have teenagers or older.
“Sheldon is a loving, happy boy and he is quite a character.”
Future Faces – the young professionals’ arm of the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce - is extending its reach to Solihull.
It follows on from a record-breaking year for Future Faces, which more than doubled its membership in 2017.
The first Future Faces social event in Solihull will take place on 3 May, at Revolution Solihull and is being sponsored by Prime Accountants Group.
Anna Assinder (pictured), Future Faces manager, said: “We’ve seen such fantastic growth this past year, it only felt right to extend our membership further to members of the Solihull business community in order to help them to develop their ambitious young professionals.
“We’re looking forward to seeing more Solihull faces at our networking and professional development events, it will only help strengthen networks and ties across the region further, and contribute to the development of Solihull’s fantastic business community.“
Kevin Johns, president of Solihull Chamber and director of Prime Accountants, said: “Here at Prime we have always supported young talent and take great pride in developing our team and preparing them for the next step in their careers.
“We have often looked to promote from within and currently have many individuals in senior positions that have been promoted through our firm.
“In order to continually develop our staff we provide training and look for opportunities for the team to gain experience. Future Faces provides the environment to gain networking experience and build a professional network with others at a similar level.
“Solihull has a fantastic business community with lots of young talent coming through across a wide variety of industries.
“Launching Future Faces in Solihull is an excellent opportunity to give the future faces of Solihull the opportunity to meet new contact and establish relationships that they will keep throughout their careers.”
Revolution Bars Group, the UK’s largest operator of premium bars with 73 venues across the UK including has removed plastic straws across its estate as part of a new sustainability campaign. Revolution and Revolución de Cuba in Birmingham and Solihull will champion #TheFinalStraw and #NoStrawPorFavor, banning all plastic straw purchasing and putting an end to its annual 30 million order in time for its new menu launch. A biodegradable, fully compostable alternative manufactured from PLA (a plant-based plastic), will be available to customers who specifically ask for and require a straw.
Further significant measures to reduce wastage include switching to dehydrated fruit garnishes, replacing all beverage napkins with ceramic coasters at Revolución de Cuba sites and partnering with Refill (www.refill.org.uk), a free tap water initiative, adding all bars within the group to the 1,600 refill stations currently available across the UK.
Myles Doran, Commercial Director of Revolution Bars Group comments: “We have a huge responsibility as one of the leading premium bar groups in the UK to get behind the ‘no straws’ campaign. In 2017, we used over 30 million straws and removing these is us playing our part in significantly reducing the volume of plastic that damages our environment.”
Birmingham brought the house down as it celebrated the official handover of the Commonwealth Games to the second city from Australia's Gold Coast.
During the closing ceremony in Australia, Lord Mayor Cllr Anne Underwood received the flag in front of a TV audience of up to one billion.
Showcasing Birmingham's Diversity, Youth and Talent, Victoria Square erupted in an explosion of colour as dancers performed a number of different routines across an uninterrupted shot.
The Floozie In The Jacuzzi was transformed into a tropical wonderland complete with Drag Queens, while pre-recorded raps, celebrations and chats played as the wonderfully choreographed performance
Speaking from the closing ceremony Birmingham's Lord Mayor Anne Underwood urged viewers to make their travel plans to visit Birmingham now, and stated "We are a very young and diverse city - we will showcase our city's youth and diversity."
The Commonwealth Games were awarded to Birmingham for 2022 and by the very high bar set for itself on this handover performance, the games in 4 years time will be a breathtaking spectacle.
Performing to ELO's Mr Blue Sky in a 5 minute uninterrupted shot was a bold move, started by poet Amerah Saleh as she ushered viewers out of a door that appeared to be backstage in the Gold Coast, but opened out onto Birmingham's Victoria Square.
“Birmingham you have stayed back too long. Told them to take the limelight for a while. They sparked coloured lights in celebration of everything but never in celebration of us.” Amerah explained.
Despite the mention by the BBC commentator of "months" of planning, the whole event, including casting and rehearsals was put on in just over a month. If this is what the team behind delivering the event in 2022 are capable of in a short space of time, just imagine what is to come with 4 years of planning.
Cllr Paulette Hamilton, Cabinet Member for Adult Health and Social Care said, "I am so honoured that Birminghamhas managed to pull this off, not on it's own but with the help of many others, and we will at last be able to show what this City is capable of.
"At this moment in time I am beaming, I am so so proud as we have pulled this off in a matter of weeks."
These are exciting times ahead for Birmingham, and we look forward, along with the rest of the city, to what is in store.
Ian Ward, Leader of Birmingham City Council, speaking in Victoria Square after the spectacle said: "I think this has been a fantastic day for Birmingham, it was our first opportunity to show what we've got ahead of Birmingham 2022, to present ourselves to the Commonwealth and the wider world.
"I think that all of the young people that have been involved in puling off this dance routine today have been amazing and we're really showcasing the diversity and youth of this city and of course the talent.
"It's one of the reasons we were awarded the games on a shortened time frame because we are a city that can deliver as you have seen today."
The countdown to Vaisakhi has begun, with thousands of visitors expected at Wolverhampton's premier park for the annual celebrations in May.
The Council of Sikh Gurdwaras in Wolverhampton together with the Asian community is holding the popular cultural festival at West Park on Sunday, May 6, 2018, between 10am and 5pm.
It promises entertainment for all the family, including a fun fair, stalls and prominent Asian musicians and singers performing live on stage.
There will be speeches by religious leaders, a variety of local organisations will showcase their services and free food will also be served throughout the day. Entry is also free.
Keren Jones, Director for City Economy, said: "Vaisakhi is always hugely popular and with less than a month to go preparations are underway by the Council of Sikh Gurdwaras in Wolverhampton and the Asian community to ensure another fun filled family event.
"The City of Wolverhampton Council urge everyone to put the date in their diary and see West Park come alive to the sights and sounds of the Vaisakhi Festival."
Beforehand, there will be a parade from the Guru Nanak Satsang Gurdwara on Cannock Road to West Park, starting at 9am. Motorists are advised that temporary road closures will be in place while the procession makes it way to the park.
Vaisakhi is one of the most important dates in the Sikh calendar. It is the Sikh New Year festival, and this year marks the 319th Anniversary of the Creation of the Khalsa Order and making of Saint-Solider by Guru Gobind Singh Ji in 1699.
Since their inception in 1981 Culture Club have sold more than 50 million records worldwide, with a stream of classic hits including; ‘Do You Really Want to Hurt Me’, ‘Karma Chameleon’, ‘Church Of The Poison Mind’, ‘Victims’, ‘It’s A Miracle’ and ‘The War Song’ .
The group is fronted by singer/songwriter Boy George, universally recognised as one of music's most iconic artists. George was recently presented with the Ivor Novello lifetime achievement award in 2015 for his contribution to the music industry.
Roy Hay, Mikey Craig and Jon Moss make up the remaining original line up for one of the most exciting tours of the decade!
The Life Tour: starring Boy George & Culture Club will also feature 80’s pop sweetheart Belinda Carlisle and new wave, synth pop artist Thompson Twins’ Tom Bailey, the tour will visit 11 cities across the U.K, stopping at Arena Birmingham on 16 November 2018.
‘We put together an amazing show that is going to be filled with hits and fabulous memories, we know it will be hands down this summer’s best night out,” says Boy George.
Culture Club will be at Arena Birmingham on 16 November 2018.
Two tonnes of rubbish has been collected from the Sandwell side of Forge Lane in West Bromwich after extensive fly-tipping was cleared from the side of the road.
Carpets, fridges, bin bags and kitchen cabinets had been dumped at the spot close to Sandwell Valley.
The clean-up took place on Sunday (8 April) with the road being closed from 6am - 12pm so a cleansing team could safety collect the fly-tipped rubbish.
Now that the rubbish has been cleared, CCTV cameras and banners have been put up warning fly-tippers they face a fine of £400 if caught.
Sandwell Council has issued more than 50 £400 fines to fly-tippers after a new enforcement team started patrols.
The team began issuing £400 fixed penalty notices in May 2017. The latest seven fines were issued at the end of last month, taking the total to 55.
More than two-thirds (68%) of people in West Midlands think the UK should do more to help the welfare of animals, according to a new poll by the RSPCA.
Figures from the charity reveal that although a massive 85% of people in the region consider themselves animal lovers, 34% feel a lack of money and 27% cite a lack of time as barriers to doing more to help animals. Worryingly one in ten (11%) people felt that their actions couldn’t make a difference.
This week, the RSPCA is launching its new #AnimalKind campaign which aims to encourage people to join it in creating a world which is kinder to animals. The campaign aims to give people practical advice about what they can do to ensure that all animals are better protected and cared for and has produced a free guide to show how little acts of kindness can make a big difference.
Klare Kennett, Assistant Director of External Relations, Marketing and Communications at the RSPCA, said: “It is really encouraging to see that we still consider ourselves to be a nation of animal lovers but we want to show people that it doesn’t take a lot of time or money to do your bit to help create a world that’s kinder to animals.
“We at the RSPCA are dedicated to improving the lives of animals everywhere but we cannot do it alone. We know so many people want to do their best for animals, be it pets, wildlife or those reared on farms, but they may not know how they can help.
“We wanted to give people ideas of little things they can do, such as signing a petition, doing a litter pick, or volunteering to walk a dog, which do not take lots of time or money, but change animals lives for the better.”
In the survey of more than 2000 people across Great Britain, carried out by YouGov, respondents in West Midlands said that the animal welfare issue they were most concerned about (39%) was animals being used in blood sports such as badger baiting or cock fighting.
However, just seven per cent said a lack of homes for animals was a major concern. Twenty-three percent, more than the national average of 17%, said farm animal welfare was one of their main worries.
While blood sports undoubtedly cause horrific suffering to animals, the numbers of animals involved are relatively small. However, in the UK each year hundreds of thousands of rescue pets are waiting in adoption centres looking for homes, and nearly a billion animals are reared on farms in the UK.
Klare added: “People are rightly concerned about barbaric and illegal blood sports which cause the animals involved untold suffering. However, the numbers remain, thankfully, relatively small.
“What many people perhaps don’t realise is that rescue centres are bursting at the seams with animals needing homes, and that kennel-life can be stressful and difficult for many animals who wait for weeks, months or even years for their forever home.
“Similarly, people probably don’t know that millions of farm animals are kept in conditions which just aren’t good enough, and currently only a relatively small proportion are in higher welfare schemes.
“So by choosing to adopt rather than buy a pet, or checking food for the RSPCA Assured label, you could be making a difference.”
With litter and plastic high on the public agenda, 33% of people revealed they were concerned about the destruction or damage to wildlife habitats and 21% worried about litter and plastic being hazardous to animals.
A RARE and precious jewel, given to a West Midlands Army regiment over a century ago and valued as one of the most expensive items ever on the BBC’s Antiques Roadshow, has been unveiled in the Black Country.
The Faberge flower, a five-inch pear blossom set in rock crystal, gold, silver stamens and diamonds, is set to feature in the first episode of the Antiques Roadshow, hosted by Fiona Bruce, on 15 April.
The jewel was on display at Himley Hall and Park near Dudley today.
On 21 June 2017 Stamford Cartwright, Honorary Colonel of The Royal Yeomanry’s B (Staffordshire, Warwickshire and Worcestershire) Squadron, brought the Faberge flower to the Antiques Roadshow which was filming at the Black Country Living Museum.
Fiona Bruce said “word quickly got around that something very special had been brought in,” adding: “We weren’t disappointed.”
The Antiques Roadshow’s jewellery expert Geoffrey Munn described how his “pulse was racing” at the sight of the precious object.
When the episode is broadcast on Sunday, viewers will see that it is one of only three items to be valued at £1million in the Antiques Roadshow’s 40-year history. Previous items given a valuation of over £1million are a model of Antony Gormley’s Angel of the North and the FA Cup which was presented between 1911 and 1992.
Colonel Cartwright said:
”This is a very special piece that is a focal point for the regiment, veterans and serving soldiers. It reminds us of the sacrifice of fallen comrades and our links to the past. Despite uniforms and personnel changing, the jewel is a symbol of continuity that goes back over a century.”
The Black Country soldiers thought the pear blossom sculpture was worth around £50,000 and for decades used it as a centrepiece at formal dinners and events. According to Colonel Cartwright, it became “part of the furniture”.
Rachel, Countess of Dudley, presented the jewel to the Queen’s Own Worcestershire Hussars on the soldiers’ return to the Midlands from the Boer War in South Africa in or around 1904. Rachel’s husband was William Ward, the second Earl of Dudley who, at the start of the twentieth century, was a major in the Queen’s Own Worcestershire Hussars.
Despite the staggering valuation, the jewel will keep its place as a table decoration for Army dinners.
Major Will Mawby, Officer Commanding B Squadron, also known as the Black Country Cavalry and the modern-day successor to the Worcestershire Hussars, said:
“We are very proud of the jewel but gone are the days when it would come on exercise and be kept under the Squadron leader’s bed. It is kept in the most secure of locations. On special occasions it sits in front of me but I daren’t touch it with my butter fingers!”
