Community News

A critically endangered ibis which became extinct in Europe more than 300 years ago has successfully bred at Birdland.

The Bourton-on-the-Water wildlife attraction is looking after no fewer than five Walldrapp, or northern bald ibis, chicks.

The ibis was once common throughout much of Europe the Middle East and northern Africa, with a fossil record dating back at least 1.8 million years.

It disappeared from Europe in the 18th century, and is now considered critically endangered.

A critically endangered (CR) species is one which has been categorised by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) as facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild.

“Two of our ibis couples, which pair for life, have successfully hatched their eggs this year which is a first for us,” said Head Keeper Alistair Keen.

“The birds have bred in the past but this is the first time we have had so many chicks together so we're extremely pleased and optimistic all five will rear successfully.

“Our waldrapp ibis are part of a European captive breeding programme and the plan will be for the chicks to eventually move to other collections and help protect these incredible birds from extinction,” he added.

Today less than 1,000 birds survive in the wild; 600 in Morocco, 200 in southern Turkey and a small remnant in east Africa. Until recently there was a small population in Syria but this is believed to have died out as a result of the civil war.

Growing up to 80cms tall, the northern bald ibis is a large, iridescent black bird with a long, curved beak, bald head and neck and bizarre ruff of feathers.

The bird has a fascinating and long association with humans. In Ancient Egypt it was revered, along with the sacred ibis, as a holy bird and a symbol of brilliance and splendour.

In Turkey the species' annual migration was believed to guide Hajj pilgrims to Mecca and, according to local legend, it was the second bird Noah released from the Ark.

In 1504, a decree by Archbishop Leonhard of Salzburg made the northern bald ibis one of the world's earliest officially protected species and in 1557 it featured in the Bird Book by Swiss naturalist Conrad Gessner - among Europe's oldest and most famous illustrated books on native wildlife.

About 98% of the population died out between 1900 and 2002, as a result of hunting, loss of habitat, pesticide poisoning, disturbance, and dam construction.

A number of conservation programmes are now underway, including an ambitious attempt by a German group to reintroduce the species into Europe. They are using a microlight plane to try and re-teach captive-bred birds, released in the northern Alps, to fly south for the winter.

This Christmas Blenheim Palace will be transformed, both inside and out, showcasing the biggest Christmas ever to take place at the Oxfordshire World Heritage Site. With a new indoor Cinderella experience taking over the Palace State Rooms during the day and a bigger and better Christmas light trail illuminating the 'Capability' Brown landscaped Parkland in the evening; visitors can expect an incredible festive experience from November 2018.

Cinderella: The Fairytale Experience

New from 23 November 2018 – 6 January 2019, the State Rooms of Britain's Greatest Palace will be adorned with seasonal decorations as it transforms into a Cinderella experience. Wander beneath garlands into rooms filled with Christmas trees glistening with ornaments, ribbons, baubles, holly and swags of mistletoe...

The story begins as visitors are welcomed into The Great Hall, from where they walk along colonnades and through historic rooms filled with hidden surprises. The Stepmother's drawing room is set for Afternoon Tea, the Ugly Sister's room is bright and bold, scattered with clothes, books and shoes, whilst Cinderella's room is home to her delicate hand-made gown.

Walk through a larger-than-life storybook into the crystal world of The Fairy Godmother, then along to the Prince's charmingly grand room.

The Long Library is transformed into a glass-inspired Ballroom, filled with laughter and dance. Midnight strikes, the clocks all chime..... as the story ends. Visitors can hang their own wish upon the Wishing Tree in the romantically candlelit chapel.

Don't forget to visit the Stables to rummage through the dressing up box. Become a King, Queen, Prince or Princess for the day. Once in your finery, pose by carriages and pumpkins to recreate your very own fairy tale Cinderella moment.

New Christmas Market in the Great Court*

Christmas at Blenheim Palace will also be hosting a brand new extended Christmas market.

Escape the bustle of the high street and soak up the festive atmosphere of the Christmas market set against the magnificent backdrop of the Great Court. Filled with a variety of hand- picked, irresistible gifts, unique works by a range of designers and tempting treats for foodies, it's the perfect addition to a Christmas day out at Blenheim Palace.

With ceramics, textiles, homewares, leather goods, jewellery, toys, stationery, bags, hats and so much more, it is the perfect place for visitors to begin their Christmas shopping!

The Illuminated Trail

Christmas at Blenheim Palace returns from 23 November, 2018 – 1 January 2019, illuminating England's finest view with a bigger, brighter and more spectacular evening trail than ever before.

New for 2018, visitors can expect over a million pea-lights, lasers and projections. Wander beneath unique tree canopies drenched in seasonal colour and dripping with silvery shards of light, frosty snowflakes, stars and baubles.

From the delicate and twinkling to the grand and spectacular, follow the lakeside path past the Gingerbread House and under hundreds of larger-than-life glowing flowers suspended in the branches. Sparkling hedgerows and tunnels lead visitors to a brand new Field of Light and on towards a garden filled with jewel-like, colour changing globes. There are hidden surprises too – watch out for Bubble Path before pausing at the flickering scented flames of the Fire Garden for a moment of tranquil reflection.

As visitors walk through a Canopy of Light festooned with over 100,000 pea-lights, the mesmerising voices of Singing Trees can be heard in the distance. Don't forget to glimpse Father Christmas and his elves along the way before you pause at the Water Terrace Finale to enjoy the jumping water jets, projections and criss-crossing beams of light as they dance in time to much-loved Christmas classics.

Visitors can complete their stroll under the stars with spiced cider, mulled wine or hot chocolate whilst the aroma of roasting chestnuts fills the air. Gather to toast your own marshmallows at one of the fire pits, ride the vintage Carousel and enjoy other traditional fare before browsing Blenheim Palace's well stocked gift shop.

Film star, Michael Sheen, is urging people to cast a vote for their local finalist in the National Lottery Awards 2018, the annual search to find the nation’s favourite Lottery funded projects.

In the running is Suited for Success which is competing for the title of the National Lottery’s Best Education Project and is the only project from the Midlands through to this year’s awards.  It’s one of 49 projects from around the UK competing in this year’s National Lottery Awards, which celebrate the inspirational people and projects who do extraordinary things with National Lottery funding.

First impressions count. Suited for Success is a charity which provides essential moral support along with free second-hand suits and workwear to help unemployed men and women make a great first impression in a job interview that could change their life.

Managing director, Patricia White, says winning a prestigious National Lottery Award and having their work showcased on national television would be an honour:

“To be able to provide job interview presentation skills and FREE interview outfits to those who have experienced long-term unemployment, have a history of offending, drug abuse, homelessness, poverty and other life challenges is hugely rewarding.

“We’re delighted that our work on building self-esteem and confidence to help the people who need it most into employment has been recognised, and we’re thrilled that Suited for Success is the only Midlands project in the running for the awards.”

Film star and National Lottery Awards ambassador, Michael Sheen, says: “I am immensely proud of the incredible work these National Lottery funded projects deliver day in and day out in our communities throughout the UK.

“Their truly life-changing work is only made possible through the amazing dedication of all the staff and volunteers who run them. My message is simple - these extraordinary finalists need your support, so please get voting!”

The project with the most votes will be crowned the winner and receive a £5,000 cash prize to spend on their project, an iconic National Lottery Awards trophy and attend a star-studded glittering awards ceremony to be broadcast on BBC One on 26 September 2018.

Jane Austen’s lively tale of love and heartbreak will be brought to life in the great outdoors this September – in a bid to raise vital funds for a Birmingham hospice.

Birmingham St Mary’s is hosting ‘Live at the Pavilion: Sense and Sensibility’, in which they’re inviting local people to enjoy a magical evening of theatre and picnic under the sky.

Taking place on Sunday 2 September in the hidden grounds of King Edward’s School’s cricket pavilion, the performance will follow the loves and lives of the famous Dashwood sisters as they make their first forays into the exciting world of Regency society.

Adapted by the award-winning writer Laura Turner, viewers will watch as Elinor and Marianne fall in love, make mistakes and experience heartbreak for the first time – as well as find that all-important balance between sense and sensibility.

In addition to the drama, spectators will be able to enjoy a luxury picnic hamper which includes honey glazed gammon, homemade quiche, seasonal berry Eton Mess and more. Prosecco, wine and other drinks will also be available to purchase.

All funds from the picnic will go towards Birmingham St Mary’s, which provides vital care and support to local people living with life-limiting illness.

Laura Nash, events manager at Birmingham St Mary’s, said: “What better way is there to enjoy Sense and Sensibility than in the magical surroundings of the great outdoors? Come rain or shine, we’re excited to bring this Jane Austen classic to Birmingham and look forward to watching the Dashwood drama unfold like never before.

“It will cost £8 million to run our hospice this year, so Live at the Pavilion is a unique way to enjoy a relaxed theatre performance whilst raising vital funds for charity. We really do rely on the kind generosity of local people to ensure we can continue to provide our expert hospice care to everyone that needs us, wherever and whenever they need us.”

Every day, Birmingham St Mary’s cares for 350 people across Birmingham and Sandwell – whether that’s at the hospice, in people’s own homes, or in community locations.

Sense and Sensibility will be performed by the Chapterhouse Theatre Company from 4.30pm to 9pm. Tickets cost £16. Picnic hampers start at £14.50 and include cutlery, plates and napkins. Spectators are encouraged to bring their own picnic blankets or deck chairs.

City of Wolverhampton residents on Thursday celebrated learning success at an event designed to show them their next steps towards employment or further education.

Participants from the Language@Work programme run by City of Wolverhampton Council in partnership with Wolverhampton Leaning Platform gathered at the Old School Building in Dudley Road, Blakenhall.

They were presented with certificates by Councillor Lynne Moran, Cabinet Member for Education and Skills, and were able to look at a range of options from employment and education providers such as Wolves at Work, YOO Recruit, City of Wolverhampton Council Community Services, Aspiring Futures, Wolverhampton Voluntary Sector Council and Workers’ Educational Association (WEA).

The Language@Work programme is one of several Learning Communities programmes helping residents access wider city education and skills services by breaking down barriers such as language, health, low or no previous education, and criminal convictions.

Wolverhampton Learning Platform, is working closely with the council to coordinate and deliver on this strategy.

Other programmes currently available across the city are Mind@Work, First Steps into Construction, and Get into Cleaning.

Cllr Moran said: “These programmes are designed to enable residents who need support to engage, integrate and contribute to society.

“The event yesterday was an opportunity for learners to access services and support they may not have known about.

“This city-wide initiative in partnership with Wolverhampton Learning Platform is geared around providing a coordinated response to learning on your door step, at a grass roots community level for those who may not have accessed learning and support previously or for a long time.”

The Language@Work programme has seen participants benefit from customised support, introductions to a range of services from across the city, IT, work-related courses and Information Advice and Guidance, with around 25 per cent going on to secure employment and 75 per cent progressing onto positive pathways.

Adam Bhardwaj of Wolverhampton Learning Platform added: “Learning Communities is an excellent initiative which provides learning, training and employment opportunities for the local residents of Wolverhampton within their local communities.”

Brits in the West Midlands have voted for their scariest movies and TV shows of all time – and say creepy dolls, serial killers and cannibals are most likely to keep them up all night.

The Exorcist, Poltergeist and Psycho were voted the top three scariest movies, and the eighties were dubbed the most terrifying movie decade.

Three of the West Midlands’ top 10 scariest movies and TV shows were made in the decade of shoulder pads and pastel leg warmers, including Friday the 13th (1980) and A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984).

A new survey of 2,004 people by Atomik Research for Universal Parks and Resorts Halloween Horror Nights showed spiders, ghosts and zombies were also in the West Midland’s top 10 screen horrors.

A quarter (26%) of Brits from the West Midlands believe their irrational fears come from movies, another quarter (25%) put it down to scary TV programmes and 23% put it down to childhood events.

Thirty-eight per cent of British horror fans from the West Midlands say they are brave enough to sit through a scary movie or TV show by themselves – with the rest needing somebody else to share the fear.

Research for Universal Parks and Resorts Halloween Horror Nights, which feature haunted houses and scare zones themed around Stranger Things, Revenge of Chucky, Trick ‘r Treat, Scream, shows that scariest films and TV shows of all time for Brits from the West Midlands are:

1. The Exorcist (1974)
2. Poltergeist (1982)
3. Psycho (1960)
4. Saw (2004)
5. Friday the 13th (1980)
6. A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)
7. Saw (2004)
8. The Walking Dead (2010)
9. The Purge (2014)
10. The Mummy (1999)

1. Creepy dolls (28%)
2. Serial killers (28%)
3. Cannibals (26%)
4. Spiders (23%)
5. Ghosts (21%)
6. Zombies (19%)
7. Aliens (17%)
8. Snakes (17%)
9. The Devil (16%)
10. Clowns (15%)

Weston-super-Mare's MP John Penrose will officially open the latest attraction at the resort's Grand Pier, the Museum of Memories, this week (Friday, 27 July, 2018).

Created by consumer historian Robert Opie, this extraordinary experience features thousands of everyday items that are displayed into a chronological context.

Starting in Victorian times, the intrepid time-traveller is taken on a journey through Britain's consumer revolution - everything from the arrival of gramophones and motor cars to the radio and Mars bars.

For many visitors the highlight will be the 1950s, '60s and '70s, crammed full of memory moments - Spangles, Fry's 5 Centre, Aqua Manda, Dan Dare, Ker Plunk, Watney's Party Seven, the rise of youth culture, transistor radios, teenage fashion and pop music.

Robert Opie said: "It's fascinating to see how this rich tapestry of consumer history conjures up so much conversation, just from seeing such simple things as breakfast cereal boxes, crisp packs, sweet wrappers and children's toys.

"It is amazing that these most ephemeral things trigger personnel recollections, whether for school days or a seaside holiday, a birthday party or a family treat."

Michelle Michael, co-owner of the Grand Pier, said: "We look forward to welcoming John Penrose to formally open the Museum of Memories. His long-standing links to the resort, as well as his work as Tourism Minister during a period which included the London Olympics and Queen's Diamond Jubilee, make him the ideal VIP to open the Museum of Memories.

"I hope he discovers a few memories of his own during his visit."

Three students with Adult Education Wolverhampton who scooped awards at this year's Festival of Learning were invited to a special celebration of their achievements this week.

Washington Shearer was named the Festival of Learning's Return to Learning award winner for 2018, with Kate Hubbard and Hala Akhras highly commended in the Learning for Health and English Language Learning categories respectively.

Their achievements were celebrated at a reception followed by afternoon tea hosted by the Mayor of Wolverhampton, Councillor Phil Page, yesterday (Thursday 19 July, 2018)

Washington, 52, had hidden the fact that he couldn’t read or write all his life, however with the help of Adult Education Wolverhampton he is now aiming to put that right.

While in prison Washington started to learn basic English and this gave him the motivation to learn more. On probation he decided it was time to turn his life around, and eventually found the confidence to sign up for an Entry Level 1 English class.

Although unsure at first, Washington soon discovered that he loved learning, and found himself looking forward to every class. He passed his exams and has progressed to Entry Level 2.

Washington can now connect and communicate with his family using social media and participate more fully in family life. His confidence and self-esteem have grown, and he now has ambitions to work as a mentor, sharing his story and helping others who are in a similar situation to the one he was in.

He said: “Studying is empowering me. I now believe in myself and have expectations for a much brighter future. I’m so happy I can now sit with my grandchildren and read them a story.

Washington’s English teacher, Pamela Lavender, said: “Washington sees this as his second chance. He is always positive and willing and helps his peers whenever he can.”

Kate was highly commended for the way that learning has transformed her life. Her world had collapsed when she was struck down with multiple life-changing illnesses. She felt destroyed mentally and physically, but her world reopened when her doctor recommended the ‘Like Minds’ classes offered by Adult Education Wolverhampton.

The 34-year-old has since moved on to mainstream classes, including pottery, painting and drawing, flower arranging and hat making. The craft activities are helping with Kate’s dexterity and her practical skills have developed tremendously. Learning has opened up new possibilities for a future career and Kate’s long-term plan is to work in a creative field, helping others in a similar situation to the one she has been in.

She said: "Adult Education Wolverhampton saved my life. I’m back on the right track, loving life and all that it might hold for me.”

Kate’s teacher, Bethune Matthews, said, “Despite the debilitating illness Kate is enduring, she comes into class each day with a glowing smile. She is positive, determined and a great motivator.”

Hala, age 41, moved to England from Syria five years ago. She had studied English in Syria but the opportunities to use it in daily life were few and far between. Living in Wolverhampton, she hesitated to communicate because she was afraid of making mistakes in her speech. She soon became depressed and pessimistic about her future.

Hala decided to change her path and learn English again. She attended ESOL classes at Adult Education Wolverhampton, starting with Entry Level 3 and moved onto Level 1 and Level 2. She also enrolled on a Childcare course and progressed through various courses including GCSE maths and English, and is now on her way to becoming a Teaching Assistant.

She said: "I have much more courage and am now happy to communicate with people around me – I am no longer isolated. I believe that my family and I will have a much better life.

Hala’s teacher, Rachel Orotayo, added: "Hala’s decision to learn English was one that took a lot of courage and personal strength but was one she knew she needed to do to integrate in her new community.”

Councillor Lynne Moran, the City of Wolverhampton Council's Cabinet Member for Education and Skills, said: "It's wonderful that the success of three of our adult learners was recognised at the Festival of Learning; their stories show that anyone can benefit from learning.

"Adult Education Wolverhampton is only one of four adult education providers in the country to have been judged as Outstanding by Ofsted.

“Inspectors commended it for its exceptionally high achievement rates, high quality teaching, excellent resources, good levels of support and for making learning enjoyable, so there couldn’t be a better time to enrol.”

A group of Birmingham researchers have conducted an in-depth study on young people’s educational needs surrounding the phenomenon of sexting, with findings suggesting that improved support needs to be provided.

The study, led by Birmingham City University, is the first of its kind to focus on the expressions of young people on the types of support, intervention and sexting education that they need.

Undertaken by health, media and education academics at Birmingham City University and University of Birmingham, the research looked to address the absence of young people’s voices in the creation of sexting interventions and to create recommendations for schools.

The term ‘sexting’ is generally understood as the sending of self-generated and sexually explicit messages, images or videos using mobile phones or other electronic media.

Academics Dr Annalise Weckesser, Dr Alex Wade, Dr Clara Rübner Jørgensen and Jerome Turner conducted interviews and focus groups with 13-15 year-olds at a UK secondary school, with students expressing a desire to learn and talk in school about sexting issues as part of their regular curriculum.

“We only had an assembly, but it only showed us how a girl was bullied after”, a female participant said.

“It never told us why not to do it and if it’s illegal”, she added.

Students felt strongly that school assemblies were an ineffective way of disseminating information about sexting, repeatedly stating that “no one listens in assemblies”.

The researchers found that the word ‘sexting’ wasn’t a term that participants generally used amongst their peers. Instead they referred to self-taken sexual digital images as ‘nudes’ or ‘pornos’.

Both male and female participants felt that boys tended to be the recipients rather than the senders of nudes, and that boys were more likely to “force”, coerce or pressure girls to send them nudes.

Boys were not believed to be coerced into sending nudes, but sent them to be “silly” or “act cool”.

Some participants made a distinction between popular and unpopular students, stating that popular students face milder consequences if they had a nude leaked, especially if the nude was deemed flattering and attractive.

“Interestingly, students also identified a number of scenarios in which sharing nudes was understandable and beneficial”, said Dr Annalise Weckesser, research co-author and senior research fellow at Birmingham City University.

“Examples included sharing naked images within friendship groups to gain reassurance that their body was normal, sharing a nude as an expression of body confidence, and sending nudes as a means for creating intimacy and establishing trust within a romantic relationship.”

The study found that students weren’t comfortable seeking support from parents of teachers, but instead would prefer speaking to someone “who you don’t see every day”, such as a youth worker, a school nurse or an older student mentor.

The majority of participants felt that the police shouldn’t be informed about the sharing of student nudes, as they had “better things like murders to investigate”.

Recent police data highlighted that 6,328 sexting offences were registered in 2016/17 – a rise of 131% when compared to 2014/15, when 2,700 cases were logged.

The researchers hope that the study will encourage schools to involve young people in the development of their educational approach to sexting.

“A key recommendation from the study would be for schools to consider carefully the forum in which materials on sexting are presented, the methods by which it is communicated and the way the varied motivations for sexting can be acknowledged”, added Dr Weckesser.

“As trust is a key issue for young people in discussions of sexting, schools and colleges need to consider both how trust can be strengthened and how confidentiality is communicated and practised.”

Birmingham Airport is excited to announce the new look SkyZone.  The Airport’s interactive and educational children’s play area located after security can be found at gate 55. Skyzone is easily accessible for all families bringing a fun and engaging experience for all children pre-flight.

As part of the family-friendly brand initiative, Birmingham Airport will launch the new look Skyzone area on Monday 23^rd of July to coincide with the start of the school holidays.  A week of fun activities is planned for children of all ages starting with special appearances from the Birmingham Airport Mascot Zoom.  Zoom’s friends, the Sky Cadets, will be on hand in SkyZone for creative sessions and much more!

SkyZone the new augmented reality experience will be open and available to all families just in time for the summer school holidays. Giving children from toddlers to teenagers an interactive and educational area where they can play before their flight.

Zoom will take children on a virtual and interactive adventure from check-in keeping them entertained and educated up until boarding their flight.

Stuart Haseley-Nejrup, Head of Customer Experience said: “This new look SkyZone has something for all ages.  The interactive area ensures that children have entertainment before their flight and can burn off some kinetic energy.

“This initiative is part of a £14.5m investment that ensures that we put the passenger at the heart of everything we do, making Birmingham Airport a welcoming, friendly and accessible Airport for all.”

Children can join Zoom and the Sky Cadets on their journey from their own home by becoming a Sky Cadet.  Simply download the free interactive app Zappar available on iPhone and Android App stores. Scan the barcodes around the Airport and Zap with Zoom.

If you are travelling with children between 23^{rd of} July and 31^st of August then visit SkyZone, take the best family picture and upload it to social media using the hashtag #bhxskyzone and one lucky winner will win an exciting family hamper filled with goodies.

A local school girl has designed new dog-fouling signs to help keep the City of Wolverhampton clear of dog mess.

Elizabeth Duff-Cole, school pupil at St Michael’s Catholic Primary Academy, had taken part in a poster competition ran by City of Wolverhampton Council to tackle selfish dog owners who don't clean up after their pets.

Elizabeth’s eye-catching design and strong, witty message has been transferred to new dog fouling signage to encourage more dog owners to clean up their dog’s poo and dispose it correctly.

The new signs will support the City Council’s ‘Cleaner, Greener, Better’ campaign and will be showcased in hot spot areas in the city’s parks where there is a known issue with dog mess.

Elizabeth was chosen as the winner of the design competition by the Mayor of the City of Wolverhampton.

Elizabeth, aged 10, said: “I’m so pleased to have won the competition. I love drawing and I couldn’t believe it when my name was called out by the Mayor in my school assembly. I have never won anything before!

“I have a dog myself and I know how important it is to clean-up after your pets. I hope my signs will make a difference and help keep poo of people’s shoes for good.”

Mayor of the City of Wolverhampton, Councillor Phil Page said: “Elizabeth’s design was fantastic!

“It completely stood out to me because it was fresh, simple and effective which is exactly what we need to put a stop to dog fouling in our city.

“I look forward to seeing the new signs in our parks and I’m sure they will make people think twice about cleaning up after their dogs.”

Councillor Steve Evans, Cabinet Member for City Environment at City of Wolverhampton Council said: “We are always looking at new ways to clamp down on dog fouling because it is something our residents consistently tell us is a problem.

"We've already made it clear with stickers on city bins stating that any public bin can be used for people to put dog mess in. However, despite our efforts, some dog owners still do not clean-up after their pets.

“Elizabeth’s eye-catching design has very clear message which will definitely stand out in our parks. I would like to thank Elizabeth for helping us tackle this horrible issue with her fantastic artwork!”

The City Council’s Public Protection team have also been clamping down on patrolling hot spot areas, providing residents with advice on how to report dog-fouling and handing out dog poo bags to dog owners and walkers to encourage them to #KeepWolvesClean.

In the week that Prince William visited Palestine on the first official royal tour, local charity YMCA Sutton Coldfield were busy hosting their own peace programme as part of a cultural youth exchange to the Royal town of Sutton Coldfield with 15 young Palestinians.

The group, aged 18 to 25, arrived from Bethlehem on the 22^nd June and for most of them, it was the first time they had ever been to another country. Many of the group had never even left Bethlehem before, making the visit a phenomenal achievement against the challenging backdrop of the ongoing geographic situation in Palestine.

This visit, funded by Erasmus plus and Ecorys UK was the reciprocal youth exchange to last year’s YMCA trip to Palestine in June 2017 aimed at bringing people from the UK and Palestine together and creating “agents of peace” to promote harmony and challenge stereotypes in an informal learning environment.

As well as a visit to Parliament, highlights of the trip included sampling the diverse cuisine of Birmingham including fish and chips, curry, a traditional Sunday home cooked roast and a “cheeky Nando’s” with the curry at Simla in Boldmere being the firm favourite among guests!

With creative workshops and cultural discussions and debates, the trip represented a unique once-in-a-lifetime learning experience for the group from Bethlehem Bible College and was also an opportunity for the YMCA to proudly showcase the diversity in Sutton Coldfield.

The group, along with the British contingent of young people from Sutton Coldfield also performed a song together to the local community at St Peter’s Church, Maney, Sutton Coldfield. The piece, written by the participants in Arabic and English, was designed to promote inclusivity; one of the core values of the YMCA Sutton Coldfield.

Sinead Frith, International Projects Manager, who organised the exchange in partnership with the German YMCA said: “I’m immensely proud of the project and what it’s trying to achieve. Under difficult circumstances, we’ve brought together a group of people from very different backgrounds to challenge cultural stereotypes and promote peace.”

“What is both amazing and exciting is that despite the many cultural differences between the UK and Palestine, there are so many similarities and shared interests amongst the 2 groups of people. In the end, regardless of race, religion or culture, we share the same fundamental values”.

Go Play Sandwell and the Sandwell Families Big Picnic are back once again to celebrate National Play Day and all the family are invited to come along and enjoy a vast variety of entertainment.

Play Day and the Big Picnic, which has previously attracted families from across the area, is being held on the front lawn of Lightwoods House in Lightwoods Park, Adkins Lane, Bearwood, Wednesday 1 August between 11am and 3pm.

The annual event, being hosted by Go Play Sandwell and Sandwell’s Family Information Service, promises bigger and better activities than ever before.

Families are encouraged to come along and bring their picnics. Children can also enjoy the free activities which include den building, circus skills with Steve the Juggler, face painting, sporting activities, the Youth Bus, mobile library and much more.

Councillor Simon Hackett, Sandwell Council's cabinet member for children’s services, said: "This is a brilliant day for all of the family, and on top of that all the activities are free.

"I encourage parents and carers to come with their children and their picnics and enjoy the day."

Families can get active together this summer with a brand new affordable family holiday experience launched by YHA (England and Wales) for summer 2018.

The two, four and seven-night camps are being held at YHA's in Edale and Okehampton, located in the Peak District and Dartmoor National Parks respectively. Accommodation in a private family room, all meals, activities and instruction are included in the price; with costs for a two-night camp starting from just £120 for under 18s and £140 for adults.

Activities at the camps include rock climbing, weaselling, orienteering, archery, high ropes courses, team building exercises, caving, canoeing and abseiling, and all are included in the price.

The camps, which are taking place during August, address YHA's recent *research that found that 65% of parents say they play only occasionally with their children

YHA's new Family Camps are designed to get families away from their screens and sun loungers this summer and encourage them to spend quality time together in the UK countryside.

The Youth Hostels holding the Family Camps have been specifically chosen for their health and wellbeing benefits. A recent YHA survey showed that 85% of guests who stayed in the charity's countryside hostels reported an increased in wellbeing and enjoyment.

The leading youth charity anticipates the camps will be welcomed by busy, modern families who feel they don't spend enough time with their children during the average working week and struggle to find time for each other between work, school and chores.

The camps are held during school holidays, making a break during peak holiday season affordable and within reach of many families.

James Blake, Chief Executive of YHA (England and Wales) commented: “As a youth charity, we understand how important it is that families spend time together, so I am delighted that we have been able to create these affordable breaks and give families the chance the reconnect and experience the countryside and all that it has to offer.

“We understand the real benefits of families spending time together and we are committed to accessibility, affordability and inclusivity and our Family Camps encompass all this.”

Itchy skin can be an uncomfortable experience for any of us including our furry friends. This can be heightened during these warmer months. An itchy dog is usually an unhappy dog, so owners are quite often anxious to try and find its cause in order to support their dogs skin and coat. Spotting the causes of an itching dog sounds simple, but can be a bit more complicated.

To help with this, Lintbells, manufacturers of premium natural pet supplements has put together some useful tips that could help detect the triggers of itchy skin and keep your dog’s skin and coat in tip top condition.

Be cautious after walks

With the glorious spells of sunshine and warmer climate now, pollen counts can be high and can cause irritation in both humans and dogs. That’s right – dogs get hay fever too!

To properly look after your dog’s skin during pollen season, ensure you are checking their skin and coat, particularly hairy, fluffy or curly haired dogs or those with long floppy ears, after walks. Check for any grass seeds on their coat, between the pads and down their ears, and wipe them down with a damp towel after any time outside.

Fortunately, there’s a lot you can do to help your dog if their itches are due to environmental factors. Start by avoiding their triggers – where practical – then boost their skin’s natural defences by adding an Omega 3 & 6 supplement like YuMEGA Itchy Dog to their food.

Hair loss and moulting

Excessive hair loss and moulting are one of the main signs that indicate your dog may be experiencing skin complaints. If you do start to spot this in your pooch, there are a number of things you can do to help. To remove dirt and debris it is important to ensure you are brushing their coat daily, carefully combing or cutting out any matted hair as this will significantly benefit your furry friend’s skin and coat. You could also consider using dog friendly shampoo that is designed to soothe irritated skin.

Fleas, ticks and mites

Sometimes, even the cleanest dogs can pick up fleas, if appropriate treatment is not applied regularly - although fleas and ticks may not always be visible, they can jump on and off your dog quite easily. Fleas can result in frequent and severe itching, hair loss and scabs on their skin. If fleas have already entered your home, it may be a good idea to use spot-on treatment and keep track of how often it needs to be reapplied.  When it comes to ear mites or a dust mite problem, it’s always best to seek the advice of a vet for expert help.

Flaking out

Dry and itchy skin along with dandruff is a very common tell-tale sign that your four-legged friend’s skin needs some serious TLC.

You should consider bathing your dog regularly using dog specific shampoos that are designed to soothe irritated skin.

It’s important to remember that while every dog has got to scratch sometimes - and that’s completely normal - incessantly licking, scratching, biting and chewing to the point of wounding is a symptom of an underlying pathology. If you’re concerned about your itching dog, we’d always recommend a trip to the vet and make sure your pet pooch is happy and healthy always.