Community News

A community centre has launched a drive to become Wolverhampton's first Healthy Living Hub – offering local residents a wide range of health and wellbeing advice and services.

The plan was unveiled during a fun day at Low Hill Community Centre on Saturday (18 August, 2018) and has come about thanks to a collaboration between Low Hill Community Association, local pharmacies, community volunteers and the Public Health Team at the City of Wolverhampton Council.

It is based on the highly successful Healthy Living Pharmacy model already rolled out across Wolverhampton and will provide a one-stop shop for individuals and families who want to improve their health and wellbeing.

Members of Low Hill Community Association teamed up with volunteers from Low Hill Nursery to undertake accredited training through Adult Education Wolverhampton to become qualified health champions, and are on hand to help visitors make healthy choices and access services.

They can show people how to access online support, for instance to help them stop smoking or reduce their alcohol consumption, and signpost them to information about local health and wellbeing services via the Wolverhampton Information Network website. The health champions can also refer people to appropriate health services such as their GP for an NHS Health Check or community pharmacy for advice on medication or minor ailments.

The Healthy Living Hub has a dedicated health promotion zone, and has already hosted an event to celebrate breastfeeding, while the community centre itself offers a wide range of services, all of which support health and wellbeing in some way. These include an Easy Line gym, employability training, computer classes, health and fitness sessions, martial arts and activities for families and young people such as cooking sessions, art and crafts and dance and drama.

The community centre is continuing to work towards Healthy Living Hub status, and hopes to achieve it by November, when it will also be celebrating its 80^th birthday.

Tony Blakeway, head of Low Hill Community Association, said: “Our motto is ‘by the community, for the community’, and we aim to become a central hub for all residents of Low Hill, the Scotlands, and Bushbury.

"We want to keep our residents up-to-date with local information, provide events, volunteering opportunities, job prospects, education, health and wellbeing and more, and becoming a Healthy Living Hub will be an important part of this."

Councillor Hazel Malcolm, the City of Wolverhampton Council's Cabinet Member for Public Health and Wellbeing, said: "The Healthy Living Hub model enables communities to get involved and help bring about better health outcomes for local residents.

"The initiative at Low Hill is building on the fantastic work already undertaken by volunteers at the community centre who are providing advice, support and signposting on a wide range of issues to people in the local community, and if successful we hope to roll it out to other venues across the city."

As is the case with the Healthy Living Pharmacy scheme, community organisations wanting to achieve the Healthy Living Hub quality mark must meet a number of requirements, including having qualified health champions and a dedicated health promotion zone and running and supporting public health campaigns.

Community organisations interested in finding out more about becoming a Healthy Living Hub are asked to contact Riva Eardley, Pharmacy Support Officer at the City of Wolverhampton Council, by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or calling 01902 554208.

Over 90% of pharmacies in Wolverhampton have secured Healthy Living Pharmacy status since the programme was launched last year, with health champions on hand to give out high quality information and support on a range of issues, including sexual health, stopping smoking and reducing alcohol intake.

They can also provide health improvement advice to local businesses, schools and community groups, and proactively engage with members of the local community in health promotion.

Sessions are being held in Wednesbury North ward on Saturday 8 September to help people protect their homes and property.

A two-year project called Beat the Burglar will see events in each of Sandwell’s 24 wards.

Volunteers from Sandwell Crime Prevention Panel, council teams and police will be running the sessions.

As well as giving advice, they will be handing out personal attack alarms, shed alarms, property marking packs, spike strips for the top of fences and gates, purse bells and fraud prevention sleeves for bank cards.

On Saturday 8 September, the Beat the Burglar team will be at the following locations in Wednesbury North ward:

• 10am - Bilston Road at its junction with The Close

• 11am - Westbury Road at its junction with Beebee Road

• 12noon - Prince George Road at its junction with Barlow Road

"This is the second Beat the Burglar event of the project, and the team will be visiting other wards over the coming months.

"We’ll let you know when we’re in your area. Look out for leaflets about the sessions."

A local hospice is taking over Birmingham this September with its annual ‘Big Brum Bucket’ campaign – and it’s asking big-hearted volunteers from the city to get on board.

Birmingham St Mary’s Hospice is encouraging hundreds of volunteers to join the city-wide bucket collection to help raise vital funds for people living with life-limiting illness.

Taking place on Friday 28 and Saturday 29 September, the initiative aims to bring local people together whilst showing their support for the Selly Park-based charity.

Collections will be happening at supermarkets, shopping centres and high streets across the city, including Birmingham New Street Station and Colmore Row. Other locations include Harborne, Kings Heath and Solihull.

Alison Deere took part in the hospice’s Big Brum Bucket collection in 2017 and has already signed up to become a ‘bucketeer’ this year.

She said: “I absolutely loved being part of Big Brum Bucket last year – people were so friendly and I really enjoyed spreading the word about the hospice. It’s such a simple but effective way to show your support – all you need is a little bit of time and a big smile.”

Lucy Watkins, head of fundraising at Birmingham St Mary’s, said: “Taking part in the Big Brum Bucket collection is a really easy and fun way to show your support for the hospice. You get to choose where you collect, when and for how long – making it a flexible volunteering role.

“We’re excited to be collecting in Birmingham this year and would love for local people to join our team and help us raise bucket-loads of money. Last year, we raised an impressive £11,000 and every penny collected really did make a difference – helping us to continue to provide our free, expert care in people’s homes, in the community and at the hospice.”

All volunteers will receive a collection bucket and goody bag of useful resources to use during the weekend, as well as a free hospice t-shirt which is theirs to keep. All funds raised will go towards Birmingham St Mary’s, which cares for 350 people every day across Birmingham and Sandwell.

To sign up or to find out more, visit: www.birminghamhospice.org.uk/bucket

A joint winner of this year’s Wolverhampton Young Citizen of the Year has been congratulated on her success by her local MP.

Wolverhampton North East MP Emma Reynolds wrote to 15-year-old Millie Betteridge to commend her for winning the award last month.

Millie was nominated for her hard work with Wolverhampton’s Youth Council on the ‘Make Your Mark’ vote – ensuring that young people’s voices and opinions from across the city are heard. She also played a key role in the design of a commissioning model for school nurses and is a serving Youth MP.

Emma wrote: "I wanted to congratulate you on being awarded the Young Citizen of the Year. This is a wonderful achievement and I'm sure both you and your family are extremely proud.

"I’m sure your experience as a Youth MP and of the Youth Council will give you lots of ideas about how to raise the profile of citizenship and how to encourage others to be good representatives for their area.

“Once again, many congratulations and I very much hope to be able to meet up with you soon."

Emma went on to invite Millie to do work experience with her or shadow her for the day to find out what it is like to be a Member of Parliament.

Councillor Paul Sweet, the City of Wolverhampton Council's Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, said: “The award shows the positive impact that young people like Millie are having on our city.

“It is fantastic that Millie’s local MP has recognised the work she is doing in her community and across the city – she has an exciting future ahead of her.”

Speaking upon winning the award, Millie said: “I want to take this opportunity and utilise it to continue my work with the Youth Council – I am hoping that I can visit primary schools and encourage younger children to also have their say on issues that matter.”

Millie was named Wolverhampton Young Citizen of the Year alongside 17-year-old Taranveer Khangura, who was nominated for her fundraising efforts for charity and working to reduce cultural prejudice in her local community.

The Young Citizen of the Year award is organised by the Rotary Clubs of Wolverhampton and seeks to celebrate the achievements and contributions of young people to the city.

Wizards, wonders, and wafers - bring your favourite books to life with The Rough Guide to Accessible Britain. A wide range of top accessible UK attractions feature in the inspiring new Guide, which encourages people with diverse needs to enjoy fun, accessible days out. The revamped The Rough Guide to Accessible Britain now includes information for visitors with more hidden conditions such as autism or mental illness.

As well as details of ramps, accessible toilets and parking spaces, visitors can find out well in advance whether a venue offers features such as quiet mornings, picture stories or bespoke queuing arrangements.

The Guide includes reviews of over 180 venues, including those from well-known literary classics such as:

• Harry Potter series – The international bestseller and blockbuster has captured the hearts of all ages. The films, inspired by J.K. Rowling’s books, were largely conjured up at the Warner Bros. Studios just outside of London, where visitors can admire the film set, design, costumes, and props used. There are ample parking bays for Blue Badge holders and accessible toilet facilities with grab rails throughout, and a new Changing Places facility.

• Charlie and the Chocolate Factory – During Roald Dahl’s infant years, he and his friends were often invited to sample and review Cadbury’s yummy chocolate. His moreish experience undoubtedly inspired the children’s classic. Cadbury World in Birmingham not only provides guests with a multi-sensory experience but is also equipped with a manual wheelchair-accessible car, available on request, on the Cadabra ride and two wheelchair spaces on the 4D chocolate adventure.

• The Chronicles of Narnia – C.S. Lewis was inspired by the breath-taking landscapes of the Mourne Mountains inhabited by dragonflies and damselflies. The Silent Valley Nature Trail in County Down is accessible and covers the KilKeel River Valley, amid the spectacular scenery of the terrain. The route passes through an accessible wooden bridge and begins at Silent Valley Mountain Park’s visitor centre.

The Eid al-Adha celebrations begin this evening, August 21st, and will continue until Saturday following the Islamic Lunar calendar.

Celebrations will begin with morning prayers, before sharing food and exchanging gifts with friends and family.

Marking the end of Hajj, the annual Islamic pilgrimage to the Kaaba in Mecca, Eid al-Adha is recognised as the holier of the two Eids.

It also marks the story of Ibrahim's sacrifice of his son to Allah to be obedient to God, before Allah replaces the child with a sheep to be sacrificed.

A memorial bench has been erected in memory of a 25 year-old Wednesbury man who died of a rare form of cancer – paid for by money raised by his friends and family in a range of fund-raising activities.

The bench at Pemberton Crescent, Wednesbury has been installed in memory of Ryan Lester, who ran Optimum Plumbing with his father Andrew when he died last October.

And when friends and family met at the bench there was a newcomer to the group – a two-week old baby named Ryan in memory, by one of Ryan’s closest friends Brad Bunce.

It has been placed near the playing fields where he played as a child and his home in Pemberton Crescent where he lived at the time of his death. He was a motorcycle enthusiast and played football for the local town team The Lamp.

His mother Wendy Lester said: “It is lovely to have a bench in memory of Ryan which has been paid for with the money his many friends and relatives have raised with various activities.

“Ryan was very popular and loved his motorbike and playing for the football team and it is wonderful that his many friends organised all kinds of events including a motorbike ride to Brighton to raise money in his name.”

“It was very touching that there was the little Ryan there and several other friends have included the name Ryan in the naming of their child, but this is the first to actually be called Ryan. It is lovely.”

Councillor Syeda Khatun, deputy leader of Sandwell Council, said: “The council was very happy to provide the site and fix the seat in place to support the family and friends with their desire to make a memorial for Ryan.

“It is very heart-warming to hear of their efforts to raise the money for the bench to be provided in memory of their friend and family member.”

Another memorial event, a fun day, is to be held at the Crown & Anchor public house in West Bromwich on Sunday 26 August from 10.30am onwards.

A 200 year old maritime charity is calling on people from Birmingham to share their memories of the sea to highlight our connection and dependence on the sea.

Stuart Rivers, Sailors’ Society’s CEO explained: “Whether it’s beach balls, flip-flops or the ingredients used to make an ice cream, 90 per cent of everything you see beside the seaside is transported by sea.

“During the heatwave, many people from Birmingham will have headed to the beach to created long-lasting memories.

“Whether you spent childhood holidays at the beach, or have made a career out of working at sea, we’d love to hear and share your stories.”

Sailors’ Society works internationally to provide practical, emotional and spiritual welfare support to the world’s 1.6m seafarers, regardless of their background or faith.

The charity’s chaplains and ship visitors have a presence in 91 global ports, with wider projects and services covering 30 countries.

You can share you stories and pictures now at www.theseaandme.org

The new West Midlands University Technical College (UTC) has been rated Good by Ofsted following its first official inspection.

The UTC, based at Springfield Campus in Wolverhampton, has a focus on construction and the application of information and communication technology in the built environment. It opened in September 2015 and welcomes students aged from 14 to 19.

Inspectors found that Principal Avtar Gill, ably supported by senior leaders, has "overseen rapid improvements in behaviour, attendance, teaching and students' progress”, while the school has a "distinctive and well-planned" curriculum.

Most teaching is very effective, with teachers using their strong subject knowledge to plan appropriate tasks that help students to make good progress. Current students are progressing well in almost all subjects.

Relationships between students and teachers are "strong and respectful", with the former happy to ask questions and try new challenges.

Attendance has improved considerably since the school opened and students behave well. They are mature, confident and articulate, develop key employability skills such as communication and team working, and are very well prepared for the world of work when they leave.

Well-planned study programmes in the sixth form, including high-quality work experience, ensure that students make good progress, with many moving into the construction and built environment sector when they leave the UTC.

Governors have considerable expertise in many areas and "know the school well, including its many strengths and few weaknesses".

Mr Gill said: "The judgement by Ofsted that we are a ‘Good’ school with ‘Outstanding’ personal development and welfare is a testament to the hard work of staff and students and the work-related experiences that we are able to provide.

“I would urge any young people going into Year 10 or Sixth Form to give serious consideration to continuing with their studies at this fantastic facility that we are so lucky to have in Wolverhampton."

Councillor Lynne Moran, the City of Wolverhampton Council's Cabinet Member for Education and Skills, said: "This is a very positive first inspection report for the West Midlands UTC, which demonstrates that it is preparing students well for the world of work, and particularly a career within the construction and built environment.

"I would like to congratulate Avtar Gill, who has provided clear, authoritative leadership since his appointment last year, and who is working well with his leadership team and staff to provide an excellent education to our city's young people."

Some 90% of schools in Wolverhampton are now rated Good or Outstanding by Ofsted, more than ever before. To find out more about education in Wolverhampton, please visit www.wolverhampton.gov.uk/education.

Springfield Campus, where the UTC is based, is also home to an Elite Centre for Manufacturing (ECMS) and will be joined by the University of Wolverhampton’s School of Architecture and Built Environment, as well as a new national brownfield research centre.

The 12-acre £100m brownfield regeneration of the old Springfield Brewery will create Europe’s largest specialist construction and built environment campus, bringing together businesses and the education sector to maximise impact on the local economy.

An award-winning chocolate fun run returns to Brum – but this time, it has a giant assault course twist

Birmingham St Mary’s Hospice is challenging Brummies to take on its ‘Chocolate 5k Obstacle Rush’ – a new assault course which involves sliding, climbing and jumping in pursuit of chocolatey goodies.

Inspired by the hospice’s ‘Chocolate 5k’ – which picked up bronze for best fun run at the national Running Awards – the course will see people tackle giant inflatables, as well as other fun obstacles, as they race to pick up tasty treats at the finish line.

Taking place on Saturday 8 September at Cofton Park, sweet-enthusiasts will take on 10 obstacles before enjoying their chocolate reward, including the inflatable ‘Pyramid Climb’, ‘Lifeboat Wobble’ and ‘Dive for Victory’ – the latter involving wriggling or diving through giant blown-up beams.

Alongside the course, there will also be music and street food to enjoy, as well as an opportunity to win prizes with a charity raffle.

All funds raised will go towards Birmingham St Mary’s, which provides vital care and support to people living with life-limiting illness across Birmingham and Sandwell.

Laura Nash, events manager at Birmingham St Mary’s, said: “Whether you choose to run, jump or climb your way through the course, whatever your tactic, The Chocolate 5k Obstacle Rush is set to be a really fun and rewarding way to enjoy tasty, chocolate treats.

“This is Birmingham’s first-ever, chocolate-inspired obstacle course and we think it’s a fantastic way to do something amazing whilst raising vital funds for the hospice. Just £65 raised in sponsorship could make a big difference, helping someone to receive expert nursing care in the comfort of their own home.”

The Chocolate 5k Obstacle Rush opens at 9am, with the race taking place from 11am to 3pm. Tickets cost £22, or £20.50 per person when booked as a team of five.

Birmingham gymnasts Dominick Cunningham and Joe Fraser were back home today to show off their European Championship medals and celebrate the return of the Gymnastics World Cup to the city next year.

Dominick, who won gold on the floor in Glasgow with a stunning routine and Joe who took silver alongside his City of Birmingham team mate in the men’s team event were at the city’s Mailbox and famous canals to look ahead to the prestigious event in their home city.

Both gymnasts, who train at the city’s GMAC centre, will be battling to be part of the GB World Cup team that will take on the best nations in the world on March 23rdat the Genting Arena.

Earlier this year, over 10,000 fans saw Alice Kinsella, also from the Midlands, and James Hall take bronze for Great Britain when the World Cup came to Birmingham for the first time.

Next year’s event will have a new format meaning fans will get the chance to see the men and the women on the same day. The event will now take place on a Saturday - with the men’s competition in the afternoon and the women’s event in the evening.

The decision to return to Birmingham follows the success of that event and comes with less than four years to go before it hosts the Commonwealth Games when both Birmingham born gymnasts will be hoping to be part of the England team.

Cunningham, who finished fourth behind Hall in March at the Gymnastics World Cup, went on to win gold and bronze medals in this year’s Commonwealth Games in Australia just over two weeks later.

“To have the World Cup back in Birmingham, and for people to get the chance to see some of the best gymnasts in the world going head to head again, is huge for gymnastics in the city and the Midlands. Taking part in this year’s World Cup in front of my home crowd was something I will never forget and it gave me the confidence to go on and perform at the Commonwealth Games and the European Championships last weekend. I want to experience it again and improve on my fourth place this year.”

Fraser who missed out on this year’s World Cup and the Commonwealth Games due to injury, said:

“I’m desperate to be part of the squad after missing out this year and having it back in here will give me extra motivation. I went to cheer the guys on in March and the atmosphere was amazing. Hopefully the fans in Birmingham and the Midlands will turn out in even greater numbers at the Genting Arena and give the British team the support it will need against some big nations and big stars.”

British Gymnastics, Chief Executive, Jane Allen added: “We’re thrilled to bring the Gymnastics World Cup back to Birmingham for 2019. Gymnastics is a fantastic ‘family-friendly’ sport. The Genting Arena is a perfect venue for families to enjoy world-class sport and entertainment. There is a real buzz around the sport in the city and the region and there’s some amazing homegrown gymnastics talent here. That, combined with the huge success of last year’s event, made it feel like the right decision to come back to the city again.”

“In Dominick and Joe, Birmingham has two of the sport’s most talented, up and coming stars and they proved that with their performances in Glasgow at the weekend. I’m sure they will both be desperate to be part of the GB team in their home city next March.”

The Birmingham event is part of the World Cup series, which takes place every year with four events staged in four different countries. Nine gymnasts from the world’s leading nations compete for their country in both the men’s and women’s competition. The men will battle it out on the floor, pommel horse, rings, vault, parallel bars and high bar whilst the women will show their skills on the vault, uneven bars, beam and the floor.

Nations compete to be crowned World Cup winners, with each individual event securing vital points on the leader board. Historically, Olympic, World and European medallists have competed for their countries which have included the USA, Russia, China, Japan, Germany, Netherlands, Brazil and of course Great Britain. As the host nation, Great Britain secure four spots automatically.

A parade and service will be held in Smethwick for First World War Victoria Cross recipient Sergeant Harold Colley – 100 years to the day since his heroic sacrifice on the Western Front.

Everyone is welcome to join the event on Saturday 25 August at Victoria Park, Smethwick, where a commemorative paving stone will be unveiled in Sergeant Colley’s memory.

The event runs from 10am to 11.30am, with the parade in the park starting at 10.30am and a service at 11am. Everyone is welcome at the event, which is being co-ordinated by the Royal British Legion and Sandwell Council.

Sergeant Colley – who was living in Cheshire Road, Smethwick, when he joined the army – was killed defending against a German attack at Martinpuich, France, on 25 August 1918

He is the last of the three Sandwell-born Victoria Cross recipients from the Great War to be honoured with one of the government’s commemorative VC paving stones. Colley was also posthumously awarded the Military Medal for his bravery under fire earlier in 1918.

Smethwick Heritage Centre will be open for the event, where people can find out more about Sergeant Colley’s life and service. The centre will also provide refreshments after the service.

Sergeant Colley’s great nephew Ian West, who will be attending the service, said: “We are very pleased that Smethwick is remembering a local lad wrought of the iron, stone and coal of the Black Country who, before he was 25, gave his life for England in a war not of his making.

“He showed this grit enough to win both the Military Medal and the Victoria Cross, but he should be remembered as a representative of all those who died in those dark days. It is sad that my Uncle Norman, who did more than anyone to keep Harold's memory alive, did not himself live to see this day.”

Sandwell Council leader Councillor Steve Eling said: “Sergeant Colley was a brave son of Smethwick who paid the ultimate price for our country and, like so many others, did not return home. This service and the commemorative stone at Victoria Park will help ensure his story and his sacrifice are remembered by people in Smethwick now and by future generations.”

Councillor Steve Melia, chair of the Sandwell Armed Forces and Veterans Parades' Committee, said: “We are very proud to be supporting this special event for Sergeant Colley. These parades and services are important as we commemorate military events from the past and show our support for our armed forces today. We will also be honouring the fallen of the Great War when we mark the centenary of the end of the war in November with services and parades across Sandwell.”

Alex, 16, who attends Redditch and Bromsgrove Sea Cadets, will join the team in Bratislava, Slovakia from 16th-19th August where they will compete against teams from across Europe.

He said: “I’m definitely looking forward to it, it’s my first real international competition and it’s my first time travelling abroad. It’s been a real pleasure having Sea Cadets help me on my first one.”

Alex, who joined the cadets as a junior, made the squad for the first time last year. He said: “You get trials every year, but I’ve always had to train myself because money has been a bit tight and personal training is expensive. But last year I went for it and I got into the squad, and then I started speaking to more people and bouncing off them. This year I went for it again and it paid off.”

The squads are made up of five members who train with the team but don’t compete, one reserve and three competitors. This year Alex skipped reserve and went straight into the team, a huge achievement.

The competition will see Alex and his two teammates complete as many highly-skilled moves – from loops to cartwheels – in a 45 second period. They will do three runs, and the best two are counted towards their score.

Speaking about his time with Sea Cadets, Alex said: “Being part of the Sea Cadets has helped massively because outside of cadets I’ve been funding it all myself. I’m classed as a young carer for my dad, and he can’t do much work and my mum tries to earn as much as she can, so I’ve had to pay for it all. I’m only 16 so I don’t have a huge wage.”

During his time with the cadets, Alex has been able to regularly kayak, completing many courses and becoming a fully-qualified kayaking instructor. He’s even managed to get a place at Hartpury College and University Centre, one of the leading sports education centres in the UK.

“I think I use Sea Cadets as an escape from home, not that it’s a bad thing but it’s just nice to get out of the house which is part of why I did it. Now that I’ve made the team it feels like it has all been worth it. It’s an honour to represent my country and next year I’ll definitely be aiming for worlds, which would be a big achievement.”

Sea Cadets Captain Phil Russell, said: “Alex really embodies the Ethos and values of Sea Cadets. He's shown great determination and self-discipline to be in this position and everyone at Sea Cadets is immensely proud of his achievements. We wish him and the rest of Team GB every success at the competition.”

December this year will see Sutton Coldfield’s first ever professional pantomime, Beauty and the Beast which is produced by the renowned Production Exchange in association with Sutton Coldfield Town Hall (11^th – 31^st December). With a core cast of multi-talented actor-musicians, the search is now on for a young ensemble, made up of the finest local young performers (aged 10-21) to complete the cast and be a part of the “feast of musical and spectacular festive fun!”

Sutton Coldfield’s landmark Town Hall has, since late 2016, been managed by Sutton Coldfield Arts and Recreational Trust and this year will be granted the freehold of the building from Birmingham City Council which means by Christmas, it will be an entirely independent, charity-run venue. Each year, the winter Pantomime is the highlight of the Town Hall calendar always looking for ways to build on and better audience experiences from years previous. This year, with additional audience experiences and the aid of an acclaimed production company, this really promises to be the best show yet!

In total, twelve young performers are needed, boys and girls, to form two troupes of six who will play alternate days during the run. The audition will include the young people learning a short dance routine, singing individually and as part of a group and lastly, to recite a very short prepared joke or poem of their choice! All young people are invited to come along whether they go to a drama or dance school or club, if they study drama or even if they are novices who just fancy having a go!

Auditions will take place the Town Hall on Sunday 9^th September 2018 from 10am with registration at 9:30am and the auditionees should come dressed for a dance audition. Details on how to apply and for more information about the day can be found on the Town Hall website under the Beauty and the Beast tab. So, if you know of any talented youngsters who might fancy being a part of the Town Hall’s story and this wonderful production, be sure to send them along!

Beauty and the Beast will run from Tuesday 11^th December until Monday 31^st.