Community News

Nura Ali, Executive Director of Allies Network and Charlotte Holmes of Birmingham Museums Trust Collecting Birmingham Team held an afternoon knowledge sharing event and celebration of the First Somali Cultural Artifact ‘Xeedho’ to be displayed in a West Midlands museum.  People came from across England and Wales included artists, activists, community workers, curators and leaders of the City of Birmingham to explore issues around material culture, power and untold stories of the Somali Community of the West Midlands.

This event marked the close of Collecting Birmingham a unique project that has, with support from the Heritage Lottery Fund and Arts Council England, significantly developed the relevance and accessibility of Birmingham’s collections. During this three-year project we worked with Nura Ali and her mother Fatumo Shabele to consult with them about the Somali cultural artifact ‘Xeedho’’ and understand the history behind the artifact. Also understand the family story behind the artifact before the museum acquired it, giving the family direct influence on the acquisition of artifact ‘Xeedho’. Nura Ali said The ‘Xeedho’ is at Birmingham Museum now and is accessible to the citizens of Birmingham for many years to come.’’

Birmingham City University’s Royal Birmingham Conservatoire and Elmhurst Ballet School are inspiring music students to experience the working life of a professional ballet pianist with its Placement for Pianists Programme.

Due to overwhelming interest and a successful inaugural first year, launched as a pilot scheme in September 2017, organisers of the initiative are pleased to announce it will continue with a second cohort in the 2018–2019 academic year.

The programme provides a very rare opportunity for music students to explore the highly specialised artistry and technique of ballet pianism during mentoring, observational and practical sessions with pianists working full-time at Elmhurst Ballet School, the associate school of Birmingham Royal Ballet.

Following initial meetings between Mikael Petersson, Elmhurst’s Music Planning Coordinator and pianist, Royal Birmingham Conservatoire’s Luan Shaw, Head of Pedagogy and Community Engagement and Katharine Lam, Piano Tutor and Pedagogy Lecturer, Petersson and Jeanette Wong, a pianist from Birmingham Royal Ballet, were invited to speak to over 100 Conservatoire music students with the aim of introducing them to the fascinating world of ballet pianism.

Uptake to join the Placement was large and after an audition process, piano students Connor Wilcox and Yung-Li Chen were selected to take part in the scheme – marking the first collaboration between the two Birmingham-based educational establishments.

Julian Lloyd Webber, Principal of Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, said: “Royal Birmingham Conservatoire pays care and attention to musicians as entrepreneurs, preparing our students for the opportunities and challenges presented by the future of the profession, and with the intention that they leave us as employable music professionals. Unique partnerships such as this one with Elmhurst Ballet School ensure that we are continually fulfilling our promise.

“I am delighted that this partnership with Elmhurst has come to fruition – the combination of some of the country’s best young dancers and pianists working together is simply electrifying, and exemplifies our joint ethos of wanting to further embed ourselves within the city we serve. It is fantastic that the Placement will continue next year and I am excited to see in which other directions our partnership follows.”

Over the last four months, Connor, from Burntisland in Fife, and Yung-Li, from Yilan County in Taiwan, have attended ten programme sessions at the Edgbaston-based ballet school, have observed and played for ballet classes, have spent a day observing pianists at Birmingham Royal Ballet and have benefitted from one-to-one tutorials with Elmhurst’s pianists Mikael Petersson and Elaine Li – both also graduates of the renowned Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, which was granted its Royal title by Her Majesty The Queen in 2017.

Mikael Petersson, Elmhurst’s Music Planning Coordinator and pianist, said: “The art world needs to be accessible to more people, so it’s vital for arts venues, training establishments and artists to reach out to wider audiences. It can begin with projects like the Placement Programme for Pianists, where young musicians meet with young dancers and new ideas are born.

“As a former Conservatoire student, I realised during my student years the importance of establishing a professional network well before the completion of the degree. Finding work is increasingly dependent on an individual’s ability to take initiative and reach out to work places. This scheme facilitates taking those first steps so entering the profession is a little easier. I hope by working together in this way, two of the world’s leading performing arts institutions and their talented students will continue to inspire each other.”

There's a cracking selection of eggciting activities on offer at Wolverhampton's libraries this Easter.

There will be Easter egg hunts with the Code-a-piller – a toy which children can programme to move forward, left, right, wiggle or dance – at Penn Library on Tuesday 3 April from noon-1pm and Wednesfield Library on Wednesday 4 April from noon-1pm, both of which are suitable for children aged four to eight.

Warstones Library will be hosting an extended Easter storytime session for pre-school children on Tuesday 3 April from 2.30pm-3.30pm, while Central Library is offering a creative writing workshop for seven to 12-year-olds on Thursday 5 April from 2.30pm-3.30pm.

Central Library is also the venue for a Spring Code-a-piller session for four to eight-year-olds on Thursday 12 April and Fun With Numbers for children aged eight and over on Friday 13 April, both of which run from 2.30pm-3.30pm.

Spring into Spring story and craft sessions for children aged four and over are taking place at Bilston Library on Thursday 5 April from noon-1pm, Spring Vale Library on Friday 6 April from 10.30am-11.30am, Ashmore Park Library on Tuesday 10 April from 2.30pm-3.30pm and Central Library on Wednesday 11 April from 2pm-3.30pm.

All events are free but please contact the venue in advance as places are limited. In addition, free tickets are required for all events at Central Library.

Robert Johnson, the City of Wolverhampton Council's Chief Librarian, said: “If you’re after something to keep the children occupied during the Easter holidays, then look no further than our libraries which have something for everyone, from Easter egg hunts to stories and crafts.”

It is free to join Wolverhampton's libraries. To find out more, please visit www.wolverhampton.gov.uk/libraries.

A three-part toolkit which cuts through the confusion and political rhetoric surrounding Brexit is launched today by Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce (GBCC) – exactly a year before the UK leaves the EU.

The first part, which calls on businesses to get Brexit ready and “Communicate, Research, Prepare and Seek Support”, is on the GBCC website today.

It includes straightforward tips on how businesses can start identifying areas of their business that may be impacted by Brexit and get thinking about their response, alongside a “Brexit dictionary” and case studies from local businesses already preparing for Brexit.

Part Two, a “fact pack” on the potential impact of Brexit on the region and businesses views on Brexit, will launch in one week.

Part Three, a manifesto for stakeholders, will launch the week after that.

Henrietta Brealey (pictured), director of policy and strategic relationships at the GBCC, said: “There is a whole lot of jargon, political positioning and confusion around Brexit.

“With part one of our Brexit toolkit, we want to cut through this uncertainty to give businesses straightforward information about Brexit and what it means for them.

“As of today, we are 12 months to Brexit and 33 months until the end of the transition period (based on the current timeline). Any business should start pinning down areas of their organisation that are exposed to Brexit-related risks (and opportunities) and be thinking what they are going to do about them.

“Regardless of where you stand on the political spectrum, there is no denying that Brexit will bring change. With change comes the need for businesses to adapt in order to remain as competitive as possible.

“The resources that we have published today are designed to give businesses the information they need to get thinking practically about how they can get ready for Brexit.

“We may not know what the final deal will be but we do know a lot about the areas most likely to be affected by Brexit which for many businesses is enough to get started on their Brexit strategy.

“The most forward thinking businesses we’ve spoken to are seeing Brexit as a catalyst for getting their business as fit and healthy as possible.

“While the initial impetus for action was Brexit, the steps they are taking make business sense regardless and are all helping them gain and maintain a competitive edge. We are publishing some of these case studies today as part of this resource, which we hope will help inspire more businesses to get Brexit ready.”

A special exhibition celebrating the work of Sandwell-born cartoon artist Charlie 'Chas' Grigg as an illustrator for The Beano and The Dandy is to be launched in Wednesbury.

The exhibition at Wednesbury Museum and Art Gallery, which will highlight his work as illustrator of Korky the Kat and Desperate Dan, will start on Wednesday 4 April and be open on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

It will contain artefacts, original drawings, letters, unseen and unpublished images, plus a chance to see video interviews with Charlie who lived in the Rood End area of Langley as a young boy.

Arts officer Alex Howell said: "This is an opportunity for fans of The Beano and The Dandy to find out more about Charlie, the man who drew some of their favourite cartoon characters.

"Visitors will be able to admire some of his brilliant work, including drawings in cartoons and comics and in caricatures."

The exhibition will run until November 2018 before touring in a smaller form around local libraries.

It will be open at Wednesbury Museum and Art Gallery on Wednesday and Thursdays from 11am-4pm and on Saturdays from 2-5pm. Last entry is 30 minutes before closing.

During the exhibition run, there will be many other events, such as the launch of the book Our Best Kept Secret written by Billy (Dr Brian Dakin) which tells the story of Charlie's life as well as the project itself.

There will also be an opportunity to buy exclusive commemorative T-shirts produced by Black Country T Shirts.

The exhibition is the latest move to mark the work of Charlie and follows the installation of a blue plaque at Rood End Primary School where he was a pupil in his younger years.

The plaque for Charlie, which describes him as a children's comic illustrator,  celebrates his work for the two comics and describes him as one of the best illustrators in British comics.

Local people have helped to raise over £8,500 so far for YMCA Sutton Coldfield at a fundraising event last Friday night that saw people spending the whole night in a DIY cardboard bed in the Gracechurch Centre.

More than 50 people took part at the event on 23rd March including local Cllr Clare Horrocks, helping to raise money for the local youth and children’s charity YMCA Sutton Coldfield. Participants included students from local BMET college and children from the Deanery Primary School as well as lots of local business owners.

Jack Dromey, MP for Erdington, also attended the fundraiser to offer encouragement to participants and raise awareness of homelessness suggesting that “in the 21^st century, there should be no such thing”.

With jazz music from The Five Knights of Nectar, and performances from YMCA’s own KKats Disability Group, there was something for everyone at this community event. Participants were also treated to hot soup later on in the evening courtesy of the nearby Ramada Hotel as well as Nando’s chicken.

It was all part of the national YMCA Sleep Easy series of events that saw YMCAs across the country come together to raise awareness and funds to prevent youth homelessness.

Kate Davarzadeh, 36, who attended the Sleep Easy for the first time, tells us more about the impact of the experience “The experience of sleeping rough for the night made me think a lot about what homeless people have to endure every night. It was cold, noisy and uncomfortable. I hope that the event will raise awareness about youth homelessness and that the money raised will help to provide somewhere safe to sleep for those in need.”

The total amount raised is still being calculated and the local charity is hoping to beat last year’s fundraising amount of £10,000. With a donation of £700 from School Farm Townswomen’s Guild and a cheque for £250 presented by Care Watch, all money raised will be used to support YMCA Sutton Coldfield’s services for children and young people.

Clive Yates, YMCA Sutton Coldfield’s Chief Executive, said: “We’re thrilled about the event’s success and I’d like to thank each and every one of the people who took part and spent the night out with us as well as all the local businesses who donated raffle prizes and food for the event.

“As an independent charity, we rely heavily on local support so we’re extremely grateful to the people of the Sutton Coldfield community who made this event possible.”

“Thanks to your support we can now help even more young people than before and support them to realise their full potential.”

YMCA Sutton Coldfield which has provided services to residents of Sutton Coldfield since 1900 and changes the lives of hundreds of young people and their families each year, not only provides accommodation to prevent youth homelessness but also supports disadvantaged young people and young carers as well as children and young people with disabilities.

If you are interested in making a donation or volunteering for YMCA Sutton Coldfield please visit www.ymcasc.org.uk

The Sick Children’s Trust is asking you to join in its choc-tastic fundraising campaign, Big Chocolate Tea, to support families with seriously ill children in hospital with free ‘Home from Home’ accommodation.

Big Chocolate Tea is The Sick Children’s Trust’s biggest annual fundraising event for chocolate, tea and baking lovers – and is back this May for a whole month! Last year, chocola-tea enthusiasts held hundreds of show-stopping events which raised enough money to support 1,167 families with free ‘Home from Home’ accommodation, just minutes from their critically ill child’s hospital bedside.

The Sick Children’s Trust runs ten ‘Homes from Home’ across the country, located at leading specialist paediatric hospitals. Every year the charity provides much-needed emotional and practical support to around 4,000 families with seriously ill children in hospital. Although the accommodation is free of charge to families, the charity relies entirely on voluntary donations to run its houses and is calling for the nation to join in with Big Chocolate Tea so it can continue to help thousands of families stay together with their sick child when it matters most.

Jane Featherstone, Chief Executive at The Sick Children’s Trust, says: “Big Chocolate Tea is our biggest and most exciting fundraising campaign of the year! It’s all about getting together with friends and family over the nation’s two loves, cake and tea, while pledging to raise £30 which will support a family with a ‘Home from Home’ for one night when their loved one is in hospital.

“Whether you bake every Sunday or it’s your first time popping on a pinnie, Big Chocolate Tea is something everyone can get involved in. We will even give you a starter pack full of recipes, fundraising ideas and much more to help you on your way. Join us this May and help raise money for families who need a ‘Home from Home’ so they can be there with their critically ill child, supporting their recovery.”

Familiar faces Heart Radio presenter Sian Welby, Channel 5’s Milkshake! presenter, Jen Pringle, and Irish Soprano, Margaret Keys, are already getting involved in the chocola-tea fun. Sian Welby, an ambassador for The Sick Children’s Trust, says:

“After a busy week, there’s nothing I enjoy more than a night in with friends, watching a movie with a hot cup of tea, and indulging in my favourite chocolate treat!

“And what could be better than doing that while raising money for a fantastic cause? If you can help The Sick Children’s Trust by joining in Big Chocolate Tea and raising at least £30, you will be giving a family with a child in hospital the best gift of all. You will be keeping them together, just minutes from their child’s bedside.

“I’ve seen first-hand how much this charity makes a difference to Mums, Dads and kids across the country. You never think about someone you love being ill, but if they are, The Sick Children’s Trust comes to the rescue and makes sure you can all be together. Time is priceless, so please have a biscuit and a brew and help us change lives.”

While the campaign runs during the month of May, supporters can choose to take part in Big Chocolate Tea at any point during the year and will receive a pack full of goodies to help host their event. If participants raise at least £30 during Big Chocolate Tea, they will be able to support a family with ‘Home from Home’ accommodation for one night.

Dance fans are invited to take part in an afternoon of Ballroom, Popular Sequence and Latin at a Spring Gala Dance at Sutton Coldfield Town Hall next month.

The event, which will be held on Sunday 15th April from 1.30pm will use both of the Edwardian venue’s maple dance floors in the grand interior of the Town Hall’s Vesey Ballroom.

John Wallis, who organises regular dances at the Town Hall, has been dancing since the end of the Second World War. Originally trained as an engineer, he helped run the Erdington Youth Club at St Barnabas Church as a teenager, and built an amplifier for the dances at the Church House, Erdington.

“After running the youth club dances I taught myself to play the trumpet and formed a band called ‘The Maestros’” he remembers. “We used to play weddings and dances all around this area, and I’ve organised dances for most of my life.”

John regularly works with Arthur Barrett, known as ‘The Umbrella Man’ for his Gala Dances. “The Umbrella Man is a fabulous DJ, with a good range and tempo of music” added John.  “These events are always popular and he always makes it a memorable occasion. Shows such as Strictly Come Dancing have really encouraged a resurgence in the popularity of ballroom and the NHS highly recommend dance as a way of keeping active too.”

A 19-year-old terrier - the oldest the RSPCA has ever taken in to rehome - has found his paw-fect match with a retired widow from Coventry.

Stormy was rescued by RSPCA inspector Herchy Boal earlier this month after he was spotted collapsed in a snowy garden in temperatures as low as -3C.

The animal welfare charity received an anonymous call on 2 March and inspector Boal was extremely concerned for the terrier - who is 92 in dog years!

His owners signed him over into the RSPCA’s care and Stormy was taken to the charity’s Birmingham Animal Hospital for a check-up before going into kennels at nearby Newbrook Farm Animal Centre.

Elizabeth Sidgwick, from Coundon, had been thinking about getting another dog when her daughter spotted Stormy’s story in the local press.

“I’d been looking for a dog for a while. I didn’t want a puppy, I wanted an older dog and I felt like I’d know when it was the right one for me,” she said. “And he is the spitting image of my previous dog, Barney, who I had for 15 years.”

She went to meet the senior pooch and knew he was the one for her. Stormy came home with Elizabeth on Sunday and is settling in brilliantly already.

“He is lovely - especially considering what he’s been through. He just wants to be loved,” she said.

“He can be a cheeky boy though. When you’re eating he thinks he should have some so he sits, stares at you and barks!

“He is just great. Everyone loves him!”

Despite a minor heart murmur and cataracts in both eyes - which have left him with poor sight - the plucky terrier is relatively healthy.

The first of four commemorative paving stones has been laid at the Tottenham war memorial sites in honour of WWI Victoria Cross recipients.

Four Haringey soldiers will be remembered as part the Department for Communities and Local Government campaign to recognise those who received the prestigious award because of their bravery in the face of the enemy.

The paving stones are laid during the centenary year of when each soldier carried out their heroic deed. Each stone is inscribed with the name of the soldier, their regiment and rank, and the date they received the award.

The first ceremony held on Friday 23 March honoured Tottenham resident, Lt Alfred Herring of the Royal Army Services Corps, who in March 1918, held off an enemy attack on the south bank of Montagne Bridge in France.

The Mayor of Haringey, Cllr Stephen Mann attended the event, along with members of the armed forces, school children from Bruce Grove Primary School, Ledley King, and the family of Lt Herring.

Speeches were delivered by the Mayor and senior military officer, Lt Col Steve Day. A one-minute silence was held to reflect on all those who have lost their lives at war. This was followed by a reading of the Victoria Cross Citation, a blessing, and the Exhortation (Act of Remembrance).

Cllr Mann said: We are delighted to have this opportunity to recognise these Haringey soldiers who fought and died in the war. The Victoria Cross is the highest of accolades and we feel privileged to assist in providing a long-lasting tribute to their memory and the sacrifices they made for their country.”

The programme for Lt Herring’s ceremony is available on the Haringey website, where you can also read more about all the Haringey Victoria Cross recipients. The next ceremonies are scheduled for April, May and November.

The West Midlands police force area now has 13 weapon surrender bins.

It’s after a new safe and secure container, which is designed for people to safely dispose of knives, was unveiled today (Monday 26 March, 2018) at St Chad and St Mark’s Church in Lime Street, Merridale, Wolverhampton.

The bins are just one of the ways the West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner is tackling the increasing problem of knife crime.

Wolverhampton now has four weapon surrender bins, all funded by the PCC. The other Wolverhampton bins are located at the New Testament Church of God, Wednesfield Road, Heath Town; Tabernacle Baptist Church, Dunstall Road, Whitmore Reans; and Morrisons, Bilston.

Commenting on the arrival of a new bin the West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner David Jamieson said: “I’m very pleased we have been able to provide another surrender bin for Wolverhampton.

“The bins are providing people with a legal and safe way to dispose of knives which they shouldn’t be carrying. Every knife posted into a surrender bin is potentially a life saved.

“These bins work best when the community wants them and in Wolverhampton the message we have been receiving loud and clear is that more are needed”.

The other bins are based across Birmingham and Sandwell.

The PCC installed the bin with the full backing of the City of Wolverhampton Council. Its leader, Councillor Roger Lawrence, said: “This is our fourth knife bin in Wolverhampton and, like the others, it will have an important role in helping to prevent crime.

"Very simply, if knives are taken off the streets then they cannot be used to commit a crime or cause injury.

"Sadly, knives are very easy to obtain. We have to ensure that people, particularly young people, are aware that if they take a knife out with them they could end up facing a murder charge."

Chief Superintendent Jayne Meir from West Midlands Police said: “We work very closely with the community, council and other partners in Wolverhampton to prevent the harm caused by knife crime.

“We are very grateful to St Chad and St Mark’s Church for allowing the placement of this additional knife bin.

“Alongside encouraging the disposal of knives, we ask the public to give us any information that might help us to protect our young people and I would urge them to contact us on 101 or through Crime Stoppers on 0800 555111.”

The 13 knife bin locations across the West Midlands are:

·         New Testament Church of God, New Spring Street, Hockley

·         New Testament Church of God, 240-244 Lozells Road, Birmingham

·         New Testament Church of God, Goosemore Lane, Erdington

·         Aldi, 273 Stratford Road, Sparkbrook

·         Tesco, 278-299 Aston Lane, Birmingham

·         The Sports Hub Perry Barr, Holford Drive, Perry Barr

·         Cannon Street Memorial Baptist Church, 330 Soho Road, Handsworth

·         Green Lane Masjid, 20 Green Lane, Small Heath

·         Corner High Street/New Street, West Bromwich Town Centre

·         New Testament Church of God, Wednesfield Road Heath Town

·         Tabernacle Baptist Church, Dunstall Road, Whitmore Reans

·         Morrisons, Black Country Route, Bilston

·         St Chad and St Mark’s Church in Lime Street, Wolverhampton.

Local celebrities have been showing a thumb for Macmillan Cancer Support’s Macbrum campaign.

Frank Skinner and Pete Waterman are amongst the celebrities who have shown their support for the regional fundraising campaign.

Frank said, ‘I've used my thumb for many purposes over the years but this is definitely the most worthwhile.’

Pete said, ‘It’s no secret that those of us from the West Midlands are the simply the best! It’s great that Macmillan Cancer Support are making sure that people affected in Birmingham and the Black Country get the vital support when cancer hits. I’m more than happy to Show a Thumb for MacBrum, hope you can support too.’

Eastenders’ Annette Badland, who grew up on Pershore Road, Bradley Simpson from the Vamps, actress and playwright Lolita Chakrabarti, actor and director Adrian Lester and actress Maya Sondhi have also expressed their support for the campaign.

The Macbrum campaign, which launch this week, aims to raise £250,000 for Macmillan services in Birmingham and the Black Country, services like the Macmillan Relate Counselling Service based in Bishopsgate Street, Birmingham. This vital service offers free counselling to people living and working in Birmingham and The Black Country who have been affected by cancer, at a time when they need it most. Cancer and its treatment can have a big impact on relationships, and the Macmillan Relate service offers up to eight free counselling sessions for people at various venues across Birmingham and The Black Country.

Liz Taylor, Regional Fundraising Manager for Macmillan, said, ‘We are so grateful for the responses we have had from local celebrities for the Macbrum campaign. Their supportive words highlight the importance of cancer services in the region, and the hugely generous and caring attitude people in Birmingham and the Black Country have. We are very excited to be launching the Macbrum campaign and hope people across both regions get behind us to raise vital funds for Macmillan services in Birmingham and the Black Country.’

To find out how you can get involved in the campaign please visit www.macmillan.org.uk/donate/macmillan-projects/macbrum.html . To donate to the campaign, please visit https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/macbrum-campaign.

You can also join the local famous faces listed above, like Frank Skinner, on social media by showing your thumb for Macbrum. Simply take a photo of you giving

us a thumbs up, then tweet the photo using the hashtags #showathumb for #macbrum.

Working with the Arts Council Collection as part of their National Partners Programme, Birmingham Museums Trust is bringing contemporary art, including work by Birmingham based artists, to two heritage venues: Aston Hall and Blakesley Hall.

Aston Hall is a magnificent 400-year-old Jacobean redbrick mansion and Blakesley Hall is a Tudor timber-framed house sited amongst avenues of modern houses that lie beyond its gates. At each site, a selection of important works from the Arts Council Collection will go on display alongside select pieces from Birmingham’s own collection. The exhibitions will engage with the unique stories of both historical properties and their surrounding communities.

Walls Have Ears: 400 Years of Change at Aston Hall will mark the Jacobean mansion’s 400^th birthday year. The exhibition will present contemporary portraiture by artists including Mawuena Kattah, Ryan Mosley, Eugene Palmer, Paul Rooney, Zineb Sedira and Donald Rodney.

In its 400 year history the house has seen many changes in the social, demographic and economic landscapes surrounding the Hall. The selected artworks explore themes of history, culture, class and race that resonate with Birmingham’s own identity.

The exhibition includes a number of Birmingham artists, including Vanley Burke, whose photograph, Rasta Man from Handsworth (1968), captures a young black man growing up in Birmingham in the late 1960s. This was period during which Britain began to face the challenges of introducing racial equality, passing the first Race Relations Act in 1965 with further amendments in 1968.

Boundary II (2000) by Barbara Walker is taken from the series ‘Private Face’, which focuses on the African-Caribbean community in Birmingham and depicts an everyday scene within a neighbourhood barbershop. The close framing of barber and client prompts the viewer to imagine what type of conversation might be happening between them.

At Blakesley Hall, Nature’s Presence takes inspiration from the hall’s historical relationship with nature and the garden. Historically the hall’s grounds have been used in different ways. In the past they have been both ornamental and working gardens, whilst today they are a hub of community activity.

The display includes different artistic perspectives on the natural world. The works present subject matter including flowers, fruit and animals through a range of media, from film and photography to paintings and sculpture. The artists in Nature’s Presence, such as photographer John Blakemore and Birmingham-based artist Ruth Claxton, explore human observations and interactions with nature.

Georgie Hopton’s photographic work Faded Blooms (2009) shows the fragility and beauty of decaying flowers. Meanwhile Sam Taylor-Johnson’s Still Life (2001) depicts a traditional fruit still life decomposing over time. Both works capture a dialogue between the contemporary world and classic still life images. Each is a contemporary take on a subject which has been richly explored throughout art history.

Jill Constantine, Director of the Arts Council Collection, said: “Both Aston Hall and Blakesley Hall offer enormous potential to present contemporary art in a new and fascinating context.  We are delighted that the Arts Council Collection will be on display in these two new exhibitions and that the local communities who enjoy these much loved houses will also have the opportunity to explore contemporary art from the Collection.”

Deborah Smith, curator of both exhibitions, said: “We are incredibly excited to be able to bring contemporary art to our heritage sites, opening up a conversation with audiences and celebrating the past and present.

“Our partnership with the Arts Council Collection has allowed for a wealth of art to reach the public, and as a Trust we aim to make contemporary art accessible and engaging to visitors.”

The award-winning conservation charity, Twycross Zoo, is celebrating the arrival of its first penguin chicks of the year!

The fluffy bundles of joy arrived to proud penguin parents Dory and Fin, one of the six breeding pairs at the Zoo. Hatching just in time for Easter, the Zoo is delighted to welcome the adorable Humboldt penguins, which are the first of many chicks to come this year.

Humboldt penguins are currently threatened by habitat loss, low food supply, and human disturbance leading to them being listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List. As a result, the number of Humboldt penguins in the wild is now thought to be less than 30,000. Twycross Zoo experts hope to continue their work to protect this much loved species, having seen the arrival of over 100 chicks since 1969.

Twycross Zoo is doing its part to safeguard all marine life by using only sustainably sourced herring to feed its penguins. Humans also get to feast on sustainable fish at all of the Zoo’s catering facilities, including “the Catch” Fish Bar, with the hope to inspire visitors to take a small action to support the world’s oceans.

Yianna Cooling, Team Leader for Large Mammals, Birds and Pets, said, “We are so happy to see the first of our penguin chicks arrive, and just in time for everyone to come say hello at Easter! The family are all doing really well and the chicks are being kept well fed by mum and dad.”