Community News

Despite 46% of millennials moving rental property on average every three to four years, new research shows this age group are investing in mobile gardens that can be easily transported in an Uber - a practical and rewarding solution to many who may be destined to a lifetime of renting.

The study of over 2,000 people commissioned by gardening brand, Miracle-Gro found that for 53% of millennials in Birmingham, renting actively encourages them to create a garden so they can make their space ‘more of their own’. 39% are also driven by the desire to have an area to relax and rewind.

To this end, of Birmingham’s Generation Rent, 29% have reported they have created a mobile garden in their leased property - across spaces as varied as balconies, rooftops and courtyards – with a further 31% of this audience considering one for the future.

The most frequently purchased garden items amongst the 18-34s are flowers and plants followed by vegetables and herbs. 21% in Birmingham are growing plants or vegetables from seed, which shows the large proportion of millennials who are green-fingered, with the knowledge and initiative to tend to a garden. Birmingham dwellers are more likely to invest in clean air plants (20%) than the national average (18%), considering their urban environment.

Millennials in the UK put more value on having access to a garden or a balcony than older age groups. 18-34s in Birmingham are prepared to spend £123 on average on top of their current rent each month. In comparison, the 45-55s would spend just half of this (£62). 18-34s in Birmingham on average also invest £120 each year on buying plants.

Rental properties are more likely to give younger people the chance to develop a garden. Getting a foot on the property ladder, whilst highly advantageous for the long term, means that 18-34s will often be forced to downsize to a property where there is no access to any form of outside space in the short term.

Jo Weston from Miracle-Gro, comments: “In other parts of Europe where rental for life is the norm, gardens in smaller spaces are more widespread. It’s interesting to see with the rising trend of Generation Rent in the UK, a desire to create green space is becoming more popular, even more so than those who own a property. Research tells us that access to a garden or outside space has real benefits to mental health, and just because you rent doesn’t mean you should miss out on this. Mobile gardens can be created easily and on a budget.”

If you’re unlucky in love, you’re not alone. According to new research from Badoo, the world’s largest dating app, Brits suffer 2 million bad first dates per year, equating to 14,728 years frittered away because of love disasters.

When it comes to the why, the study reveals that that poor conversational skills, manners, a lack of humour and not resembling your profile picture are some of the biggest dating turn-offs.

Polite Brits are prepared to endure an average of 1 hour 32 minutes on a disappointing first date. While a staggering one in twelve are courteous enough to give up at least 3 hours of their time on an encounter that’s destined to go nowhere.

When it comes to first date turns offs, women are more likely to be put off by a lack of humour in men, with nearly a third (32 per cent) citing it as the reason for a bad date compared to 19 per cent of men.

More than double the amount of men however, place more emphasis on how their date speaks, with 11 per cent citing this as the reason for a bad first date in contrast to only 6 per cent of women.

Going on a date weighs heavy on our mind, with nearly a third of Brits (31 per cent) pulling the plug on a first date because of doubts. For millennials especially, the study reveals a ‘catfishing crisis’, with over half of 16 – 34 years (51 per cent) admitting they suffered first date jitters in fear of discovering fake online profiles.

Daters in Edinburgh are the most hesitant with 72 per cent suffering first date doubts. Singletons in Sheffield are the least doubtful when it comes to dating, with less than half (46 per cent) uncertain about whether to meet up.

More details of the free HeadStart Wolverhampton autumn conference – featuring a range of big name guest speakers including mental health campaigner Ruby Wax OBE – have been revealed.

Free tickets can be booked now for the conference, which takes place at Wolverhampton Racecourse on Tuesday 3 October.

Aimed at teachers, health professionals and voluntary sector staff who work with children and young people, it will focus on how they can help young people improve their resilience and emotional wellbeing and avoid developing mental health issues.

Councillor Val Gibson, the City of Wolverhampton Council's Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, said: "The HeadStart Wolverhampton conference promises to be an amazing free event and offers a golden opportunity for teachers, health professionals and voluntary sector staff to contribute to the mental health debate.

“We are particularly delighted that keynote speakers of the calibre of Ruby Wax OBE, Paul McGee and Dr Pooky Knightsmith will be joining us on the day, making this event a must for anyone who works with children and young people.

“We hope it will deliver our anti-stigma agenda while also infecting those present with our determination to improve the emotional wellbeing and resilience of children and young people. We want frontline professionals to take the learning and innovative ideas being talked about at the conference back into their work with local children and young people who in turn will benefit.”

She added: “HeadStart Wolverhampton wants as many local educational, health and voluntary sector workers as possible to be able to participate in this great event and, following approval from Big Lottery, they are delighted to announce that all conference tickets are now free.

“Given the incredible line-up of speakers, workshops and other attractions, this is an opportunity not to be missed and I would encourage people to book their places as soon possible to avoid disappointment.”

The top-class line-up of guest speakers promises a mix of academic expertise, accessible advice and real-life experience. Ruby Wax OBE has used her own experiences of depression to break down the stigma associated with discussing mental health issues, Paul McGee developed the SUMO (Stop, Understand, Move On) approach to resilience, and Dr Pooky Knightsmith is a respected mental health ambassador, educator and director at the Charlie Waller Memorial Trust.

The varied conference programme, developed by HeadStart Wolverhampton in partnership with the University of Wolverhampton, the Charlie Waller Memorial Trust, Young Minds and Time to Change, will also feature a market place and six themed workshops, and will conclude with a community showcase giving delegates the chance to meet some of the programme’s young people.

As children across the UK go back to school and Dogs Trust, the UK’s largest dog welfare charity, has identified an alarming trend which sees some families hand their dogs into rescue centres as soon as their children go back to school.  Last year, on September 5th, the start of the new school year, the charity recorded one of the highest number of calls on any one day of the year. Dogs Trust were asked to take in 220 dogs; double the number of calls the charity usually receives from struggling dog owners on an average day.

With some owners giving up their dogs due to the return to the working routine and juggling the school run after the summer holidays, Dogs Trust is encouraging owners to bring their dogs to training classes, to help overcome any issues. Sadly, the welfare charity is also seeing instances of dogs being  given up because they have been bought to entertain the children over the summer and are no longer needed when the new school year begins .

Maria Wickes, Head of Dogs Trust Dog School, explains: “Sadly it does seem to be a recurring trend that we see more dogs handed into us as soon as  children go back to school. In many cases dogs are not equipped to deal with this change in routine and may start displaying undesirable behaviour. We hope that anyone struggling to control their dog’s behaviour after the summer holidays will consider giving them up a last resort and instead send them “ Bark to School” and sign up for training classes.”

Maria adds: “In extreme cases we are finding people even buy dogs simply to keep their children occupied during the holidays . Gus, a nine-month-old Cockapoo, was handed into us because his owners bought him to entertain the children during the summer holidays and then passed him to us for rehoming when the kids weren’t around during the day anymore.  Whilst the majority of dog owners regard their dogs as valued family members, it appears some may be using dogs as four-legged nannies over the holidays and disregarding them come September. We hope people will remember that a dog is for life and carefully consider this lifetime commitment before purchasing a dog.”

Birmingham has been chosen ahead of Liverpool as the recommended city for England’s bid to host the 2022 Commonwealth Games.

Having won in a tight race to win the Department of Digital, Culture, Media and Sport’s backing, the UKs second city must now convince the government to approve the bid and underwrite the event’s costs.

The Department’s backing of the West Midlands city means it now has to convince the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) that it should stage the event.

In a statement, Sports Minister, Tracey Crouch, said: “I am grateful to the bid teams from both cities for their hard work in making the case as potential Commonwealth Games hosts.

Now, after a comprehensive assessment process, the government will look at the final bid proposal from Birmingham and decide if a formal bid will be submitted to the CGF.

The UK has fantastic expertise in hosting the biggest events in sport, as recently showcased at the London 2017 World Para Athletics and IAAF World Championships, and if we are to bid and are selected to host the Commonwealth Games in 2022 I have no doubt that Birmingham would host an excellent sporting spectacle.”

Former BBC athletics commentator and Commonwealth gold medallist Brendan Foster said he was "delighted but not surprised" Birmingham had been chosen.

"It's the right time, in the right place, in a city that has all the facilities in place," said the founder of the Great North Run, who was part of the bid team.

The city's proposal to create the UK's largest permanent athletics stadium supplemented by four indoor arenas was central to its bid.

The plan is for the Alexander Stadium to be expanded from its current capacity of 13,000 to 20,000, with 25,000 additional seats for the Games itself. This will make the Perry Barr venue, already the home of UK Athletics, the largest, permanent athletics track in the country, and it is also intended to be used for other sports, concerts and conferences.

In a statement, the chair of Birmingham’s bid committee said: “This is a great endorsement by the UK government of Birmingham’s credentials to host the Games and recognition of the city’s resolve to deliver a memorable event.

However, this is not the end of the journey and we look forward to working with the government as it makes its final decision to support a UK candidate city.”

Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia is likely to be the main rival after Durban was stripped of the event in March.

The South African city originally won the bidding process in 2015 but the CGF was not convinced it could successfully host the event and started a search for a new host city.

Submissions from candidate cities need to be received by September 30 and its executive board is expected to make its decision by the end of the year.

Keith Stokes – Smith, Chair of the Birmingham Commonwealth Association expressed delight at the city`s successful bid to be the UK`s preferred host of the 2022 Games.

Whilst attending a Commonwealth conference on India Keith said “It`s great to see Birmingham being recognised as a major sporting venue and potential host to high calibre athletes from across 71 nations. Hosting such a prestigious event will be good for Birmingham and the Midlands, its profile, business and the highlighting of our world class sporting facilities”

Subject to UK Government endorsement Birmingham will now move to the next round competing with the likes of Kuala Lumpur.

“In partnership with business and the sporting movement Birmingham can hold an event of which 2 billion Commonwealth citizens will be proud” said the head of the region’s leading Commonwealth body.

Visitors to the City of Wolverhampton will this year be able to enjoy a Victorian Christmas Market. The festive three-day market will be delivered by the council’s approved market operator LSD Promotions, and will take place on Friday, December 15 (10am-9pm), Saturday 16 (10am-9pm) and Sunday 17 (10am-5pm).

It will be located on Wulfruna Street, the Civic Centre Ceremonial car park, St Peter’s car park and the pedestrian area outside the University of Wolverhampton’s Ambika Paul building.

More than 100 stalls are expected to fill the streets at the heart of the city with the colours, sounds and irresistible aromas of Christmas.

Set to the backdrop of a Victorian funfair the offer includes a variety of traditional and international street food, local produce, seasonal handcrafted and home-baked goodies, bespoke Christmas decorations and holly wreaths, festive novelties and exclusive gifts, accessories and jewellery.

Entertainment will include street artists, choirs, vocalists, instrumental performances, chimney sweeps, dance displays, and Victorian themed stilt walkers.

City of Wolverhampton Council Cabinet Member for City Economy, Councillor Steve Evans, said: “We anticipate this will be the largest festive market the city has seen.

“There will be a variety of stalls offering festive goodies, plenty of food and drink, and fun activities for families to enjoy at this special time of year.

“It is also the ideal opportunity to make a day of it and visit Wolverhampton’s attractions, range of independent retailers and High Street names, or take the weight of your feet and relax in one of the city’s cafes, pubs and restaurants.”

Organiser Dermot McGillicuddy, LSD Promotions Director, added: "This will be an exciting event for the city and we are proud to be working in partnership with the council to provide this special market at Christmas time.”

Homeowners currently thinking about selling their property have been offered a golden chance to sell quickly and at a great price by taking part in an upcoming open house event.

Estate agents Leaders is hosting a special day of open houses on Saturday 23rd September in which it will hold open house events at a selection of properties it is currently offering for sale, providing buyers with a chance to view properties in their local area on this day.

It will also benefit sellers, who will typically find their home attracts a high number of viewers all within a two-hour window that is designed to minimise disruption.

Kevin Shaw, national sales director at Leaders, says: “Open houses are an incredibly convenient and effective way to buy or sell a property. Our statistics from previous open house events show 96 per cent of properties sold at or above the asking price, helping sellers to get the best price for their home.

“Our history of open houses also proves they are the best way to generate interest and encourage offers for a property. Some 80 per cent of properties we hold an open house at receive more than one offer, while open houses typically lead to a 62 per cent increase in viewings.

“There is no doubt that open houses are a great way to sell your home and by hosting open houses across the country on 23rd September we expect to welcome a record number of buyers, making this an opportunity not to be missed.”

Figures also show open houses are incredibly effective when it comes to enhancing online interest in a property, with homes that are advertised for such an event enjoying 58 per cent more clicks on Rightmove and Zoopla.

Anybody wishing to take part in the open house event must instruct Leaders to sell their property by 18th September. Simply contact your local Leaders branch to take your first step towards an open house and a successful sale.

A student from Sandwell is delighted to have won a state-of-the-art laptop after winning a prize draw he entered at a careers event.

Kameran Hussain, age 16, came along to a careers event, organised by Connexions Sandwell, to help him decide about his future options after leaving Ormiston Sandwell Community Academy in Tividale.

The careers event attracted more than 700 young people and Kameran's name was selected at random from the hundreds who entered the prize draw.

Kameran is delighted with his new laptop. He said: "I came along to the event so I could get help to decide what subjects I wanted to do and where I wanted to study. I really enjoy science so am thrilled to be going to Sandwell College to study A Levels in maths, physics and chemistry. I hope to go on to a career using science or possibly engineering.

"It's great to win the laptop and it will really help me with my studies."

The laptop was donated by Sandwell College who were also at the careers event in July promoting courses they have on offer. Principal of Sandwell College, Graham Pennington said: "We are happy to support Connexions with these events and help young people in choosing their next steps.

"I am sure the laptop will support Kameran in his studies and am delighted he's chosen to come to Sandwell College to study for his A Levels."

Councillor Ahmadul Haque MBE, the Mayor of Sandwell and Councillor Simon Hackett, cabinet member for children's services were both at the prize-giving ceremony. Councillor Hackett said: "I want to wish Kameran well at Sandwell College and I'm sure the new laptop will really help with his studies.

"Kameran is a great example of how these events can help young people make choices about their future studies or training.

"I would urge all young people to get in touch with Connexions if they need any help or advice on qualifications, training or careers.

Just weeks ahead of Birmingham’s largest arts festival, Birmingham Weekender (from 22 – 24 September), the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games bid team unveils its cultural programme for the Games.

Comprising a dazzling blend of traditional and contemporary arts from the region and the wider Commonwealth, the cultural programme will showcase Birmingham 2022’s urban, contemporary and digital vision through movement, dance, hip hop, urban sports, music, food, film and photography.

The cultural programme will be inspired by collaborations between the city’s internationally-renowned resident artists and the huge talent that exists across all of the region’s communities. They will work with a diverse range of community and international partners to create artistic works ranging from: major commissions; to hundreds of performances on the Victoria Square basketball stage; to showcases in local parks and streets. The programme will embrace all Commonwealth cultures and Birmingham will be reaching out to the 71 competing nations to incorporate cultural strands from across the Commonwealth.

“We have taken Birmingham Weekender as our cultural blueprint.” explained Gary Topp, Chief executive of Culture Central, “At Birmingham Weekender we encourage the city to dance together in Victoria Square; to experience Birmingham Royal Ballet in the Bullring and classical music in a car park and see the city’s artists and communities perform on the Culture Catwalk in the city centre.  We welcome world famous Sufi singer, Hans Raj Hans to the Town Hall on Sunday and our major community parade will feature Harminder, a moving mechanical elephant. Clash of Drums, a night time feast of sound and spectacular fireworks will bring Eastside Park alive on Saturday night.”

Co-ordinated by Culture Central, in cooperation with institutions including Birmingham Museums, Birmingham Hippodrome, Sampad South Asian Arts Organisation and DanceXchange, and working with arts and communities organisations from across the city the Birmingham 2022 programme will be centred on the city’s four principal squares, with a satellite hub at the NEC and the Urban Street Festival providing a bridge between sports and culture.

The beating heart of Birmingham

Festival Squares will provide the beating heart of Birmingham in Victoria Square, Centenary Square, Chamberlain Square and Brindleyplace. These buzzing locations are surrounded by major cultural institutions such as the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, Town Hall, Symphony Hall, Library of Birmingham and the world-famous REP Theatre that will all be engaged in hosting the cultural programme.

During Games time, the Squares will be the physical and spiritual heart of Birmingham, as they come alive with activities including: Sport in the Squares based around 3x3 basketball in Victoria Square; the start and finish of the Marathon and Road Cycling; the Urban Street Festival with demonstrations of skateboarding and BMX; live sites with giant screens of the sporting action with stages hosting live acts and a Culture Catwalk curated by young community leaders.

Fans, spectators and visitors will experience a carnival atmosphere with a ‘hub and spoke’ approach incorporating the main pedestrian arteries that interconnect the squares, which will help generate energy and passion across the city throughout the Games.

They turned out in their droves to celebrate the 10^th Anniversary of the Love of Christ Cherubim and Seraphim Church as hundreds of followers brought a kaleidoscope of colour, music and worship to its south London HQ venue.

With a high profile list of distinguished guests and speakers – from home and abroad - on view, which included the church's founder, Reverend Mother Esther Ajayi, it was like a home-from-home for people of the Nigerian Diaspora it attracted.

An endless array of ‘typically Nigerian’ cuisine, including; jollof rice, moi-moi, pounded yam and fried rice, followed with tuwo shinkafa, amala and ikokore provided the ideal back-drop for all.

In her address to her audience, Reverend Ajayi talked of what it means to have faith, saying: "No matter how deep your debt, the Lord can free you from it but you have to give. My family and I used to be so broke that our slogan was ‘give us this day our daily bread’ as we only knew what we will eat and where we would sleep today.”

Renowned for her endless acts of charity, she, with great verve and excitement, highlighted the troughs and eventual peaks of her life story in a sermon filled with passion and unreserved belief; "We became debt-free when I understood the act of giving with expectation from the Lord,” she said.

“I started giving out the little I had and then the more I gave the more I got. The Lord wants you today to have faith in Him and let go of the little in your hands."

After praying for the hordes of worshipers present at the Clapham-based church, a Thanks Giving service took place before a huge celebration of music and dancing marked the end of what was a historic day for all concerned.

Mount Cinnamon Resort & Beach Club is a relaxed, high-end resort set in tropical gardens around a central clubhouse on Grand Anse Beach in Grenada.

This year marks the fourth year of Green Globe certification for the property. Pursuing sustainable goals has not only been a fulfilling journey for staff, it has resulted in successful achievements that go beyond the resort’s original action plan.

“Green Globe has definitely helped to guide and tailor our efforts, enabling us to formalize our intentions and increase our marketing through a commitment to the global community,” said Jonnel Edwards, Marine Biologist & Environmental Sustainability Consultant at the resort.

The island of Grenada is populated by just under 100,000 people, fostering a close community spirit. As a British-owned property, Mount Cinnamon appreciates the opportunity to make a difference in the small town of Grand Anse. The resort supports local farmers, tradesmen and businesses and is also actively involved in local community projects. In June this year, the Green Team visited the Queen Elizabeth Home for Children delivering food, toiletries, and other much needed items to twenty-five children. In 2018, the resort aims to make community initiatives a top priority with a focus on charity events, beach clean-ups and a strong supporting presence in local schools.

Resource management including the conservation of water is an ongoing challenge for the property and dive shop staff have devised an innovative method to significantly reduce water consumption. Glass juice bottles are recycled, filled with sand and placed in toilet tanks. Over 1,000 gallons of water is saved per year using this simple technique which displaces and decreases the amount of water used per flush.

Environmental planning at the resort is carefully undertaken to ensure natural surroundings are protected. Native fruit trees dot the property providing fresh fruit for guests. The trees also serve as a food source for animals and birds thereby supporting biodiversity. Valuable ecological and gardening knowledge is also gained from the cultivation of these trees.

Harvesting the sweet nectar from its resident 350,000 Buckfast bees, a brand new Honey Afternoon Tea and Buzzy Bees Kid's Tea will be available from 4th September at the St. Ermin's Hotel. Every tea purchased throughout the month will come with a Certificate of Adoption, allowing guests to name their very own St. Ermin's bee and learn about the very specific role it plays within it's hive on the third floor Bee Terrace. In its continued efforts to support beekeeping, the hotel will be donating £1 from each sale of the Honey Afternoon Tea to the British Beekeeping Association to support their vital work and the St. Ermin's will once again be offering Urban Beekeeping Taster Workshops, lead by top beekeeper Camilla Goddard of Capital Bee.

Served in the pretty Tea Lounge or out on the sunny Caxton Terrace, the new Honey Afternoon Tea is available at £29pp or £35pp with unlimited prosecco and £15 per child for Buzzy Bees Tea. A delectable selection of savoury bites and indulgent sweet treats, the new seasonal menu not only showcases the hotel's own honey, but uses fresh produce grown on it's flourishing Roof Kitchen Garden – including salad leaves, vegetables, fruits and herbs:

• Sweet treats: 'mini beehive' – orange yoghurt mousse and honey sponge; chocolate espresso cup, honey cheesecake with lemon & sesame praline; burnt honey jelly with lavender panna cotta and a matcha sponge with yuzu & honey crème mousseline and blackberry jelly.
• Finger sandwiches: Honey & mustard chicken with coleslaw, goat's cheese roll with apricot chutney, almond flakes & bee pollen, smoked salmon with crème fraîche & cucumber and glazed pork loin with smoked cheddar, caramelised onion and watercress.
• Honey Cocktails: A selection of four special honey cocktails will also be available at the hotel's Caxton Bar priced at £12 each – served in special bee glasses.