Community News

Friday marked a historic moment for the City of Wolverhampton as machines began full demolition of the city’s railway station.

It is the next stage in delivering a £150 million transport hub to provide an attractive commercial gateway to those entering the city by national rail, bus or tram.

The scheme has been cleverly designed in two phases to ensure train services from City of Wolverhampton continue to operate as normal throughout.

British Transport Police and train staff recently moved into temporary accommodation on the nearby Banana Yard.

This paved the way for contractors Galliford Try to set up the works compound and today start bringing down the former British Transport Police building, with a small section of the current station building next to Platform 1 to also be demolished.

The erection of the first section of the new station building will swiftly follow and will become operational to customers by autumn 2019, when phase 2 of the programme – bringing down the remainder of the current station and completing the new build - will also start.

The new state-of-the-art railway station to serve the city will be fully open in summer 2020.

Wolverhampton Interchange Partnership consists of City of Wolverhampton Council (CWC), Ion, West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA), West Midlands Trains, Virgin Trains, Network Rail, Midland Metro Alliance, Canal & River Trust, and Black Country LEP.

Council Leader and WMCA portfolio holder for transport, Councillor Roger Lawrence, said: “This is a momentous occasion for the City of Wolverhampton.

“It has been a long-held vision for the council to deliver a new railway station befitting of our great city and seeing the first bricks tumbling brings us close to that reality.

“There is £3.7 billion of investment currently on site or in the pipeline across Wolverhampton.

“As part of this regeneration it is crucial visitors to our city get the best first impression possible and their travel experience is enhanced - this new state-of-the-art station will deliver that.”

Once work on the new station is completed it will pave the way for the Midland Metro Alliance to begin the final link of the new city centre tram extension. The Midland Metro Alliance are currently delivering the Pipers Row and Railway Drive phases of the extension to the railway station.

Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands, added: “It’s fair to say that Wolverhampton has waited a long time for this new railway station and that when it is complete it will provide a suitable gateway to a thriving city.

“Just as important, the new station will be the hub of a rail, tram and bus network which will be a huge benefit to the people of Wolverhampton.

“The start of demolition work is an important milestone and I am delighted to be able to take part and equally that the West Midlands Combined Authority investment is going towards something already making progress.”

Chris Jones, Associate Director, Ion, said: “Undertaking these key demolition works brings us a step closer to delivering the high-quality station facilities that the travelling public of Wolverhampton deserve.”

Richard Brooks, Customer Experience Director at West Midlands Railway, said: “We’ve been working closely with the council and other stakeholders to ensure that rail services aren’t disrupted by the project and the impact to our customers will be kept as low as possible. The works carried out over the next two years will give passengers in the area better transport links to the wider region than ever before.

“It’s always great to see diggers hit the ground and this is a significant step forward in the project. The West Midlands is benefitting from a huge amount of investment in its transport infrastructure and the new Wolverhampton Interchange will be one of the jewels in its crown.”

Martin Frobisher, Managing Director for Network Rail’s London North Western route, said: “We fully support third party investment like this into the railway, which along with our Railway Upgrade Plan, is helping to provide passengers with better journeys.

“Investment in new stations helps regenerate surrounding areas and encourages private sector money to be spent, helping to create jobs and boost economies.

“With the tram extension to the station, Wolverhampton will have a transport hub which will provide local people with excellent transport links across the West Midlands and beyond.”

Guardsman Christopher Bepatt, 23, from Great Barr in Birmingham, has deployed to Afghanistan as part of the UK’s uplift of 440 troops to operations in Kabul.

Troops from both the Grenadier Guards and The Mercian Regiment are currently in Kabul providing protection to NATO and coalition mentors who meet with Afghans at national defence and security institutions in the capital daily.

“My role is to provide protection from mentors from the UK, Australia, New Zealand, Denmark and even Afghan soldiers if necessary, as they advise and train at the Afghan National Army Officers Academy” said Guardsman Bepatt.

“We’re not here to control this country, we’re here to help advise and train”, he said.

The Prime Minister announced an increase of 440 additional UK troops to assist in operations in Afghanistan at the NATO summit in July, making the total number of UK troops in the country around 1100.

“I’m happy to be on a tour in Afghanistan, the experience is good”, said Guardsman Bepatt. “When I get home, I think it will feel good to know that I’ve been to Afghanistan and played my part in helping out.”

Guardsman Bepatt joined the Army in 2014, and attended the Army Foundation College in Harrogate, before arriving at the Grenadier Guards. In 2016 he was part of the world famous ‘Trooping of the Colour’.

“My first ‘Troop’ was weird – you see it on TV, then after all this training, you’re there, you’re part of it. It’s weird in a good way – exciting”, said Guardsman Bepatt.

Speaking of the men and women he serves alongside, he said, “People in civvy street wouldn’t help you out as much as the people I work with. You live together 24/7, so you count on each other. It’s like a brotherhood.”

His Company Commander, Major Neil Strachan, explained what the rest of the Grenadier Guards have been tasked to do this year, “The Grenadier Guards are deployed in three operational theatres simultaneously – The Queen’s Company is in Afghanistan, another Company (around 120 soldiers) is in Iraq providing mentors to Iraqi forces and their own force protection, and yet another Company is in South Sudan providing force protection to the UN mission there.”

Speaking of the progress he has seen in Afghanistan, Major Strachan said, “This is my third tour in Afghanistan, there has been significant investment made by the international community in Afghan security forces, and it’s clear this investment is working.”

“The current mission focuses on institutional development and ensuring that the Afghan government and military are supported in their efforts to provide security.”

Since UK combat operations ended in 2014, the UK has contributed to the NATO led, 41 nation, Resolute Support Mission which seeks to improve the capacity of Afghan national defence and security institutions through training, advising and assisting them. This is to enable Afghans to secure their borders and combat terrorism within the country.

This October animal lovers everywhere will come together to celebrate our furry – and not so furry friends – on World Animal Day.

Taking place on October 4th World Animal Day (the feast day of Francis of Assisi - the patron saint of animals) symbolises an international day of action to raise the status of animals in order to improve welfare standards around the globe.

As animal lovers first and foremost, Lintbells, manufacturers of premium natural pet supplements, have suggested what you can do to show your support for this year’s World Animal Day:

Volunteer at your local animal shelter

It’s a sad fact but all too often animals are left with no one to care for them, making them vulnerable and in need of some help. Whether they’re ill, old or still young, it’s important we show them the love and care they deserve.

This World Animal Day why not visit an animal shelter and see the amazing job they do in looking after abandoned and injured animals. Of course, volunteers play a vital role and it’s a brilliant opportunity to work with the animals directly. Often shelters are in need of local volunteers for walking, cleaning, grooming or just spending some quality play time with their animals. If you have time, you could even become a long-term supporter.

Have a sponsored dog walk

A recent survey conducted by Lintbells found that dog owners spend an hour and 12 minutes more outside each week than those without dogs. So, this year why not incorporate your daily walking routine into something that raises money for World Animal Day? Organise your own sponsored walk or take part in a sponsored walk near you for a great opportunity to meet fellow dog lovers. Make posters and invitations to raise awareness and get as many owners to come along with you as you can. You could even use your own dog’s paw prints to decorate them! If your dog isn’t quite as mobile as they once were, incorporating a natural joint support supplement such as YuMOVE into their diet can help to ease stiffness and promote long-term joint health. That way they can keep up with the young’uns!

YuMOVE is now also available in an exciting new ONE-A-DAY Chewie, making it even easier to provide your pooch with the support they need to stay fit and healthy.

Litter picking sessions

Litter is a huge problem in modern society and it can seriously harm animals and wildlife in your local area. To protect our animal friends from dangerous broken glass or plastic packaging, why not organise a litter pick with your family and friends or get involved with a community litter pick near you.

If you’ve noticed a specific area, perhaps a favourite dog walking spot that you think could benefit from a litter pick, you will need to gain permission from the landowners before you carry it out. Your local council can supply you with litter picking equipment, as well as arranging a waste collection once you’ve finished – it’s a great opportunity to get together with friends all while improving your local area and raising awareness for the environment.

Ready, set selfie!

At a time where social media has taken the world by a storm, it’s hard to scroll through a news feed without seeing a post about a beloved pet. On this special day, why not take a few cute pictures with your dog or cat and upload it onto social media with the #worldanimalday to boost the awareness of the importance of caring for our animals.

Make your garden wildlife friendly

If you love to garden and have access to your own outdoor space, you can use your gardening hobby to help the wildlife around you. Our dogs love spending time in the gardens so why not make yours a welcoming space for all creatures. Even small gardens can offer a huge variety of habitats to various animals - plant as many types of flowers as you can, as every plant is suited to different insects such as butterflies and beetles.

Hanging bird feeders with a range of nut and seed mixes can attract many species to your garden. What’s more, watching the birds from your window can be very relaxing and a fascinating insight into local wildlife! If you want to make even more of a home for your new-found friends, you can invest in a bird bath or bird box as a great way to attract whole families of birds to where you live. Be sure to put up bird boxes before spring and try to shelter them where possible to keep them safe from the elements.

The search to find the West Midlands’ standout built projects - that are having a significant positive impact on their local communities - is on, following the opening of entries for the RICS Awards 2019, West Midlands.

The annual RICS Awards celebrate the region’s top property projects that provide real value to the communities they serve by making them a better place to live, study, work or visit. The eight categories include Building Conservation, Residential, Commercial property and Infrastructure, and there’s an overall esteemed ‘Project of the Year’ title, awarded to the development that demonstrates outstanding best practice and an exemplary commitment to adding value to its local area.

Royal Birmingham Conservatoire in Birmingham won the ‘Project of the Year’ title at this year’s RICS Awards, West Midlands and it will now compete against other regional winners at the national RICS Awards Grand Final on 2 November for the chance to be crowned the 2018 ‘UK Project of the Year.’

Each category award winner is also automatically entered into the national RICS Awards Grand Final to compete against other regional winners for a chance to gain the national accolade in their respective category.

Category winners from the RICS Awards 2018, West Midlands - which will now compete for national awards - are:

• Building Conservation – Attingham Park – Visitor Centre, Biomass Plant, and Stables Café Renovations, Shrewsbury
• Commercial – Kingswood Lakeside – First Choice Catering Space, Cannock
• Community Benefit – TouchBase Pears, Selly Oak
• Design through Innovation – Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, part of Birmingham City University, Birmingham
• Infrastructure – Tool Box Talk Video Infrastructure
• Regeneration – National College for High Speed Rail, Birmingham
• Residential – Maple West, Stoke-on-Trent
• Tourism & Leisure – World of Wedgwood, Stoke-on-Trent

She adds: “Our region has some of the very best skilled property professionals, and these awards also celebrate the collaboration of such talented professionals in the teams that have delivered world-class developments that are having a positive impact not only on their local communities, but often also on the wider economy by attracting visitors and investment to the region.

“We wish this year’s winners the best of luck in representing our region at the national Grand Final in November, and showing the other UK regions that the West Midlands can offer some of the best places to live, work and visit thanks to these exemplary projects.”

Feminist artists who have explored protest, social commentary, and identity in their work, will be showcased in a major new contemporary art exhibition at Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery this November. In the anniversary year for women’s suffrage, this exhibition asks just how much has changed for women?

Women Power Protest includes bold contemporary artworks from over 55 artists drawn largely from the Arts Council Collection, along with pieces from Birmingham’s collection. The Arts Council Collection National Partnership exhibition looks at the experiences of becoming and progressing as a woman amongst varying degrees of opportunity and oppression in relation to race, class, geography and sexuality.

Through debate, protest and radical endeavours, women fought for their right to voice their opinions in a public realm that systematically silenced women. Women Power Protest showcases female artists whose work has highlighted their personal experiences and continued to push for women’s rights over the last seven decades.

Including notable names such as Lucy Gunning, Margaret Harrison, Sam Taylor-Johnson, Sonia Boyce, Susan Hiller, Lubaina Himid, Marion Coutts, Mona Hatoum and Mary Kelly, the exhibition will draw attention to the progress made since the first women were given the right to vote 100 years ago, and the immense challenges women still face today.

A work from the iconic Post-Partum Document series by Mary Kelly (1978/79) is displayed in the exhibition. The 18 slate tablets, resembling miniature Rosetta stones, are the part of a six-year exploration of motherhood and Kelly’s relationship with her son. Meanwhile For the Fallen (2001) by Marion Coutts transports the viewer back to their own school years through a wooden vaulting horse recognisable to many from P.E. lessons. Engraved with the words For the Fallen it turns the object into both a war memorial and a monument to embarrassing childhood experiences.

The exhibition does not shy away from difficult issues. An early work from Sonia Boyce, Mr close-friend-of-the-family pays a visit whilst everyone else is out (1985) is a charcoal drawing which depicts a challenging scene, that explores the abuse of trust experienced by a young woman, and reflects some of Boyce’s concerns about power relationships. Margaret Harrison’s Rape (1978) uses media texts and images to boldly highlight the injustices against women in rape cases.

A work by 2017 Turner Prize winner Lubaina Himid – Cotton.com (2002) – uses pattern to explore the conversations that may have taken place at the time of the Cotton Famine between workers in Lancashire’s cotton mills who defended the lives of African slaves in America.

All three works in Claudette Johnson’s Trilogy series (1982-86) form part of the exhibition. The large-scale portraits were created when Johnson was a member of the BLK Art Group in the 1980s in Wolverhampton and her empowering paintings aim to make black women visible in the art world.

Works from the 90s mark the rise in the popularity of female artists at this time. Lucy Gunning’s Climbing Around My Room (1995) was her first video work and is on display in Women Power Protest, alongside Tania Kovat’s Grotto (1995), a playful 2-metre high cave-like structure. Kathy Prendergast’s The End and the Beginning (1996), is a small intricate work in which three generations of human hair are wound around a wooden cotton spool. The theme of identity and heritage continues in Mona Hatoum’s Plotting Table (1998) - a fluorescent green map which viewed in the dark turns the world into a board game designed for territorial wars.

Birmingham has a history of female protest and the exhibition includes works from the city’s collection. Works from the collection include Louise Bourgeois’ The Bad Mother (1998), Barbara Walker’s Bliss (2012) and Barbara Hepworth’s Four Figures (1951).

Emalee Beddoes-Davis, Curator of Modern and Contemporary Art at Birmingham Museums Trust, said: “This exhibition acknowledges the monumental step taken for women’s rights 100 years ago, but through challenging contemporary artworks it explores some of the experiences common to being a woman in 21^st century society, and the progress still to be made. Feminist activism continues as women across the world strive to have their voices heard and this is an ideal time to reflect and showcase these artworks in Birmingham.

“As women, not all the artists featured in this exhibition have gained the recognition they deserve. The exhibition recognises the historic bias in collections and how we have to continue to strive to ensure female artists, and in particular those from black and minority ethnic backgrounds, are given the platform they deserve.”

Jill Constantine, Director of the Arts Council Collection, said: "Representing the work of female artists in the Arts Council Collection is an important aspect of our work. Last year, for the first time, we acquired more work by women than men and in this important year for all women, I am delighted that our National Partner, Birmingham Museums Trust is exploring their contribution in this exhibition."

The exhibition will be marked with a weekend of thought-provoking events and activities from Friday 16^th – Sunday 18^th November, including performances, spoken-word poetry, debates and talks. More details to be revealed soon. birminghammuseums.org.uk/bmag/whats-on/women-power-protest.

Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery is an Arts Council Collection National Partner and Women Power Protest is part of the National Partners Programme 2016-19 artscouncilcollection.org.uk/national-partners-programme.

This morning, Londoners were treated to a slice of history, as St Pancras International unveiled an enormous bespoke birthday cake in celebration of the station's 150th anniversary, created by prestigious Parisian cookery school - Le Cordon Bleu.

Featuring on the station's Grand Terrace, the five-foot showstopper depicts the iconic station's architecture and 150-year history in edible detail - from the Pullman steam trains, which first embarked from the station, to the original vaults, previously used to store beer barrels along with other goods transported to the capital, which can still be seen at the station today, along with its famous Barlow Shed roof.

Le Cordon Bleu's Head Chef Julie Walsh and her dedicated team pastry chefs spent over 200 hours on the creation which contains over 6 dozen eggs, 10 bags of flour and weighs in at a whopping 9 stone.

Julie Walsh, Head Chef at Le Cordon Bleu says: “We were so excited to be asked to create this unique design for such a prestigious London landmark. We worked closely with the station's heritage team to ensure that every element of the cake captured a moment in the station's history. Every detail was intricately replicated by hand to ensure that each element, from the brickwork to 'The Meeting Place', looked authentic.”

Other legendary station artefacts which can be found atop this impressive build include the iconic Victorian archways, the free-to-play Elton John piano – played by the man himself and most recently, Jeff Goldblum. Plus, the British Poet Laureate - Sir John Betjeman, famously known for halting the demolition of the station in the 1960s.

Wendy Spinks, Commercial Director at HS1 Ltd (owners of St Pancras International) says: ““St Pancras International has always been more than just a train station. It's a destination. We want people to discover the stunning architecture, shops and restaurants, to art and cultural events, and today, the exquisite six-foot cake, steeped in history.”

“What better way to celebrate what is a huge mile stone for us? The Le Cordon Bleu team have done a fantastic job in representing so much of the station's 150-years, including what it is today, in such intricate detail and we're really proud to share it with our visitors.”

Passers-by will be able to snap a picture of the five-foot insta-worthy showstopper, which will be displayed on the Station's Grand Terrace for today only. Celebrations will continue with an official cake cutting ceremony open to the public @6pm where a choir of 100 Year 9 boys from across the HS1 line join forces to sing Happy Birthday plus a few additional celebratory songs.

The choir is made up of 6 schools within the Creative Education Trust, brought together in partnership with The Voices Foundation. Some lucky members of the public will have the chance to take home a piece of cake too, as East Midlands Train staff will be handing out slices to visitors.

The first of 150 new homes are emerging on the Tap Works Development scheme in Low Hill – with the show home set to open its doors this Saturday (September 29).

Galliford Try Partnerships is delivering the project, which consists of three derelict locations – the historic former Armitage Shanks Tap Works Factory site, and land on Fifth Avenue and Broome Road. Once complete, the homes will be sold under the group’s Linden Homes brand.

Forty of the units will be council homes for rent, with the remainder to be sold as market housing.

The first six homes for market sale on Fifth Avenue and Broome Road are close to completion, while the first 12 council homes on the same streets are set to be handed over to the council in spring 2019.

At the same point, a specialist supported housing scheme of 14 homes on Fifth Avenue for people with mental health needs, which will be staffed at all times, will also become ready for use.

The remaining council homes, as well as market housing for sale, are expected to be completed within three years.

Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for City Assets and Housing, Councillor Peter Bilson, said: “I am delighted to see the Tap Works scheme hit this major milestone.

“This is an exciting time for house building in the city with a host of projects springing up to benefit everyone.

“Work on this site supports the house building programme and will deliver quality homes for all."

Darren Beale, Regional Director of Galliford Try Partnerships, added: “We’re delighted to be working with City of Wolverhampton Council to deliver this mixed tenure development and to transform these derelict sites into homes that people are proud to live in.

“The combination of affordable and starter housing for sale goes some way to satisfy the demand for new homes across the city.”

Hallfield School in Edgbaston today launched a year of special anniversary celebrations by planting a time capsule on the school grounds.

The capsule, which will be opened by future pupils on the School’s 150^th anniversary in 2029, contains artefacts that will give future pupils a snapshot of life at Hallfield School in 2018. This includes photographs and articles of school events in 2018, a school newsletter, items of school uniform, a school teddy, art work, a chess trophy, children’s letters to future pupils and today’s Birmingham Post and First News. The Head Master even took time out to write a letter to future staff and pupils of 2029 for the capsule.

After filling the time capsule up, the School’s Head Master, Mr Morrow, said a few words before burying the capsule in the ground.

Speaking of the event, he said: “We wanted to start a year of celebrations with an event that would capture the imagination of our pupils. They had obviously put a lot of thought and effort into the contents of the time capsule and it will be fascinating to see how life compares in 10 years’ time.”

Hallfield School will be celebrating their 140^th anniversary throughout the academic year with a series of exciting events for pupils, parents, alumni and the local community. For more information visit www.hallfieldschool.co.uk/hallfields-140th-anniversary

Works by some of the very best up and coming artists are being exhibited at the annual University of Wolverhampton MA show, at Wolverhampton Art Gallery from Thursday, September 27 to Wednesday, October 3.

It free show features the work of 45 MA students from Design and Applied Arts and Digital and Visual Communication courses as well as the university's artists in residence.

The exhibition celebrates the talent and creative output of local, national and international students across practices including glass, ceramics, textiles, product design, illustration and photography, video and film.

Councillor John Reynolds, City of Wolverhampton Cabinet Member for City Economy, said: "The artworks cover a diverse body of work and I am delighted the university's MA Show is once again at the gallery. I would also like to wish all the students taking part continued success in their creative careers."

Among artists exhibiting is Kennedy Jayne Glews, who is studying for an MA in Design and Applied Arts, Fashion in Fashion and Textiles. Kennedy, is also the owner of a dance school and teaches in Fashion and Textiles.

She has created a piece called ‘Art of Movement’ which includes moving parts.

Kennedy said: “I wanted to re-invent the connection between costume and dancing and make the costume part of the performance, as well as enhancing the movement of the dancers when they are on stage. By adding light and flexibility to the costumes it marries the two for the performers and the audience.”

Support and advice sessions are being held at four Wolverhampton libraries next month as the city marks Libraries Week.

Central Library is hosting a Coffee and Chat from 10.30am to 2pm on Mental Health Awareness Day, Wednesday 10 October.

The event will highlight support available to help people improve their mental health and wellbeing from organisations including the Community Support Service, Carer Support Team, Starfish Social Hub, Terrence Higgins Trust, St George's Hub, HeadStart Wolverhampton, The Haven, the Children's Society and Wolverhampton Healthy Minds.

Visitors will also be able to see Central Library's new Reading Well for Mental Health book collection, which was launched earlier this year and includes a variety of titles to help people manage common mental health conditions or deal with difficult feelings and experiences.

Meanwhile, members of the Community Support Service and the Carer Support Team will be holding Talking Points sessions at Penn Library on Tuesday 9 October from 11am-12.30pm, Low Hill Library on Thursday 11 October from 2.30pm-4pm and Long Knowle Library from Friday 12 October from 3pm to 4.30pm.

The Talking Points sessions give people the opportunity to speak face to face to members of the Community Support Service and Carer Support Team and find out more about services and support groups available in the local community.

Councillor John Reynolds, the City of Wolverhampton Council's Cabinet Member for City Economy, said: "Our libraries are about much more than just books, and are hosting an increasing number of events and activities such as these where residents can get access to high quality information and advice from a range of service providers.”

It's free to join Wolverhampton's libraries. For more information, please visit www.wolverhampton.gov.uk/libraries.

Libraries Week is organised by CILIP, the library and information association, and takes place from Monday to Friday, 8-13 October. This year, with a focus on wellbeing, libraries across the country will showcase how they bring communities together, combat loneliness, provide a space for reading and creativity and support people with their mental health.

Families can find out more about WV Active's Swim Academy by diving into free pool parties which are being held next month.

Parents and children are invited to visit WV Active Central from 12pm–2pm on Saturday 13 October and WV Active Bilston–Bert Williams from 12pm–2pm on Sunday 14 October to discover the swimming programmes offered at the two City of Wolverhampton Council-run leisure centres.

Instructors from the WV Active Swim Academy will be on hand at both centres to lead free taster swimming lessons and assess people's swimming abilities. And there will also be a free pool party for families with toys and inflatables taking place from noon-1pm on both days.

The WV Active Swim Academy works in partnership with Swim England to offer swimming lessons for children aged between four and 16, and for adults.

The City of Wolverhampton Council's Cabinet Member for City Environment, Councillor Steve Evans, said: “This is a great opportunity for families to find out more about the learn to swim programmes on offer through the Swim Academy at WV Active Central and WV Active Bilston-Bert Williams.

“Swimming is a hugely important skill to have, and our Swim Academy delivers lessons to thousands of children and adults every year.”

Discover the magical forest transformed into a winter wonderland as, inspired by the landscape itself, the National Pinetum lights up for Christmas. The new festive adventure offers families the chance to explore Bedgebury's woodland after-dark and dramatically drenched in seasonal colour.

Highlights for this new trail include the Tunnel of Light; over 1million pea-lights in a 70m long immersive walkway under a canopy of ancient trees. Signing lanterns and fountains of dancing light are found along the mile-long route as well as a scented Fire Garden for an unforgettable experience.

Internationally acclaimed installation artworks from Tilt and Pitaya are also to be found nestled into the forest landscape and lighting hidden nooks of the pinetum.

There are hidden surprises too – watch out for frosty snowflakes, shimmering stars and gigantic baubles where you least expect them. At the Boardwalk, the giant redwoods are surrounded by a carpet of glowing colour-changing globes.

Visitors can complete their stroll under the stars with mulled wine* or hot chocolate* whilst the aroma of roasting chestnuts fills the air. Toast marshmallows* at one of the fire pits, ride the vintage Carousel*, and spy Father Christmas and his elf along the way.

Birmingham’s sporting fans have been praised for their support to some of the nation’s best gymnasts at this weekend’s Trampoline, Tumbling and Double Mini Trampoline British Championships at Arena Birmingham.

Olympic silver medallist Bryony Page returned to Birmingham to win the British title and said “The Birmingham public love gymnastics. It is fantastic to see so many people at the Arena Birmingham this weekend and their support was outstanding.”

Leading over night after her first two routines, Bryony Page’s final routine made sure of the title, as she showcased all of her skill for a total score of 159.165 to become British champion for a fourth time.

Page was pushed all the way by Kat Driscoll who was competing in her 22nd successive British Championships. Kat scored 157.380 to take silver, with defending champion Laura Gallagher taking bronze with 154.880.

Page returned to the sport this summer following an ankle injury and said that it was great to be back competing in front of the Birmingham fans. She said “It feels really good to be back here. The event is outstanding and I’m really pleased with my routine. It’s great to come back after a few years out and win the title. It’s really special to me, especially in front of a home crowd who’ve been so supportive of me throughout my injury.”

An attendance of over 3000 people made this the most successful Trampoline, Tumbling and DMT British Championships for the last five years following its venue change to Birmingham.

Over 500 young gymnasts from 80 clubs took part in the two-day spectacular with youngsters travelling from all across the UK to compete.

There were over 85 competitors from the Midlands region with competitors from clubs including Active8 Trampolining Club, Revolution Gymnastics Club and City of Birmingham Gymnastics Club.

Revolution’s Alicia Field and Bailey Forbes both came away with golds in the Women’s 9-10 Tumbling 9-10 and Men’s 11-12 Tumbling respectively.

Alicia, 10, said: “It feels great to be British Champion. It’s been lots and fun and I can’t wait for next year.”

Bailey, 10, said of his 92.800 score: “It felt perfect to me. I really like the dismount of my routine, and today they all went really well.”

Ethan and Jessica of Active8 both took home top honours in the Disabilities Performance Trampolining events.

Ethan, 11, said: “It was really good competing in front of all my family. The favourite part of my routine has got to be the back somersault, straight and a tuck front with a twist, straight. It definitely wasn’t perfect, but I’m happy.

Jessica, also 11, said: “I’m very happy to have won gold. I love competing in Birmingham because I get to compete in front of all my family. I was really happy with how the routine went today, it was nearly perfect.”

Jane Allen, Chief Executive of British Gymnastics said: “I am thrilled to see so many talented gymnastics performing at such a high-level at the Trampoline, Tumbling and Double Mini Trampoline British Championships in Birmingham. It is great to see so many of the established stars taking part and exciting to see the depth of young talent coming through. The sport has a very bright future and Birmingham has once again staged an outstanding event.”

These are the photographs which capture the Windrush generation nurses who have helped to shape the NHS.

They feature in the Here To Stay exhibition, which will be on show at Sandwell Hospital, in West Bromwich from October to mark Black History Month.

The pictures have been taken by photographer Inės Elsa Dalal.  Those included in the powerful collection include Jennifer Simpson, whose parents came to the UK in the late 1950s.

Her mother began working for the NHS, starting as a State Enrolled Nurse, and worked her way up to become a senior staff nurse. Jennifer followed in her mother’s footsteps and also became a nurse, working at Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust, which runs Sandwell, City and Rowley Regis Hospitals.

“I was quite overwhelmed with getting the post because I had quite a few issues which made me think I wasn’t able to get a job,” explained Jennifer, who is a single mum.

“I went straight into theatres for 18 months, but during that course of time I was so interested and motivated by what I was learning that it triggered a desire in me to want to know more.”

She recalled: “The consultant hadn’t got a junior doctor at that time, the role was very new. So here I was, black, female, and a single parent of a disabled child, pioneering this new role.”

Over time, Jennifer carried out various procedures including peg insertions, as well as colonoscopies, and sigmoidoscopies, which are screening tests that use a camera to look at the colon.

“Nurses, particularly black nurses don’t get the opportunity to rise into more managerial places so for me to have pushed and blurred the boundaries between the medical profession was quite something,” she added.

The exhibition will feature Jennifer’s story in full, as well as other employees’ from the Trust.

Donna Mighty, Assistant Primary Care Liaison Manager and Co-Chair of the BME Staff Network, who has helped to organise the exhibition, said: “As a collective, it is important to acknowledge the Windrush generation and the challenges faced then and now.

“The Here to Stay exhibition is about celebrating our nurses – past and present and thanking them for their dedicated contribution to the National Health Service.  We are grateful to all the participants for agreeing to be involved in the project, for giving their time and sharing their stories with us.

“I want to say a special thanks to documentary photographer Inės for curating the exhibitions.”

To find out more head to the exhibition at the Education Centre, at Sandwell Hospital, West Bromwich, from 1^st October.

Planned to coincide with the opening of the Conservative Party Conference in Birmingham, EU in Brum is leading the way in calling for the government to ‘Bin Brexit’ by organising a Pro-EU Rally and march on Sunday September 30.

The rally will be attracting cross-party support from Labour, LibDem and even Tory activists who are alarmed at the way the Brexit negotiations are going with groups as diverse as ‘Tories Against Brexit,’ ‘Best For Britain,’ the ‘European Movement’ and ‘Another Europe is Possible’ sporting “Love Corbyn, Hate Brexit” T-shirts and will be joined by LibDems and their ‘Exit from Brexit’ T-Shirts.

After leaving Victoria Square marchers plan to return to the Square to hear a range of prominent anti-Brexit speakers, including Labour Peer Lord Adonis and Philosopher A C Grayling.

Other speakers include activists from groups including ‘RemainerNow.com,’ Scientists for EU and Veterans for Europe, along with Madaleina Kay, recently voted ‘Young European of 2018.’

Adding fun to the proceedings, ‘Best for Britain’ will be bringing their big red ‘Stop Brexit’ button, and ‘Faux BoJo,’ aka Drew Galdron, the Boris Johnson impersonator will be making an appearance.  The day’s proceedings will end with local band ‘The Lost Notes.’