Tipton Community Funday is back and this year’s 11th annual event is set to be bigger and better than ever.

The event is being held on Sunday 23 July at Victoria Park, Tipton, from 11.30am to 6pm. Entry is free, with small charges for some attractions.

The day will be packed full of activities for all ages including fairground rides, car boots, dancing, a snake man, gatka, karate demonstrations and band music on the stage. Bouncy castles, a climbing wall, cricket tournament, Punch and Judy and a gospel choir are also planned. There will also be health and beauty stalls as well as various cultural and traditional food stalls.

The event has been organised by Bangladeshi Women’s Association (BWA) in partnership with Sandwell Council and supported by many partners including the police, Friends of the Victoria Park and many others.

Pauline Hodgetts, chair of the Friends of the Victoria Park, said: “This is the 11th community fun day and we are delighted that Victoria Park is used to bring so many people and organisations together in making Tipton wonderful place to live. We are expecting this year’s event to be bigger and better than ever!”

Councillor Richard Marshall, Sandwell Council’s cabinet member for leisure, added: “This is a very popular annual community event with fun for all the family and what a great way to start the summer holidays.”

BWA Limited’s vision is to transform the lives of those who face disadvantage, inequality and deprivation and the team will be on hand throughout the event to talk to residents and visitors about what matters to them and activities and plans for the regeneration of Tipton.

A Birmingham volunteer has received a prestigious, national accolade to honour 20-years of dedicated voluntary service.

Michael Price, a catering volunteer at Birmingham St Mary’s Hospice, took home the acclaimed ‘Badge of the Order of Mercy’– a century-old award given by The League of Mercy Foundation.

The former building society manager from Bromsgrove was presented with the distinguished medal after spending two decades in charge of the kitchen trolley, providing individuals on the Hospice’s inpatient unit with meals, drinks and a listening ear.

He was nominated for the award by colleagues at the Hospice – which provides vital care and support to families living with terminal illness – who wanted his exceptional commitment and hard work formally recognised.

The 84-year-old was presented the medal by Lord Lingfield, president of the League of Mercy Foundation, at a ceremony at Mansion House in London earlier this week. It was awarded to just 25 outstanding volunteers across the UK, who have spent at least seven years supporting others in an area of care.

Speaking of his award win, Michael Price said: “All the volunteers at Birmingham St Mary’s do fantastic work so I don’t feel very deserving of this award. However, I am incredibly grateful to have won and have had an excellent day celebrating at Mansion House.

“Volunteering has given me a great sense of purpose – it feels like you’re doing something useful. The Hospice has given so much to the community and so it’s brilliant to be able to support them and give back.”

Tina Swani, CEO of Birmingham St Mary’s Hospice, added: “Michael is a perfect gentleman who demonstrates the utmost care and respect for everyone. He is incredibly popular – both with staff and individuals on our inpatient unit – and is an absolute asset to our catering team. His dedication and high-standard of work helps us to continue to deliver the best experience of living to local families using our services.

“The Badge of the Order of Mercy is an outstanding achievement and we’re thrilled that Michael was one of the few to be honoured on the day.”

Lord Lingfield, President of the League of Mercy, said: “Michael has done extraordinary work for those most in need. He is a marvellous example of someone whose longstanding and voluntary dedication to the service and welfare of others is noteworthy and remarkable and we were delighted to be able to make this well deserved award to him.”

Workers in the West Midlands are being urged to change their lifestyle in a bid to relieve stress in the workplace as job dissatisfaction has slumped to a two year low.

According to a new survey by outdoor holiday experts, Camping in the Forest, more than a quarter (26%) of Brits in the West Midlands are desperately unhappy in their current job. It seems it’s men who are most dissatisfied (29%) compared to a quarter of women (24%).

Research also shows that surrounding yourself with some ‘green’ provides a boost in motivation and also that a glimpse of the colour green can spark creativity. Spending as little as five minutes outside can also reduce stress levels and increase brain activity.

With an average of 92,120 hours over the course of a lifetime being spent at work, it’s essential that workers take action now so they do feel motivated and stop being ground down by the everyday stresses that work causes.

Nature expert and TV personality Chris Packham, who is supporting Camping in the Forest’s campaign to get people into the great outdoors said: “I’m lucky because my job takes me outdoors a lot, so I get to spend time away from the city and experience the fantastic sights and sounds of nature, but it seems so many of us get bogged down in the daily grind of urban life.

“Not only is greenery great to help us unwind, but it’s also beautiful. If we don’t take time to get away from it all, we’re missing the wonderful smells, sounds and sights that surround us in the British countryside. No matter what job you do, I think we’d all enjoy having a bit more of this free-spirited approach to life – so if you do one thing this summer, go outside and explore.”

When asked if they are in the profession they aspired to be in as a child, almost two thirds (64%) of those polled in the West Midlands admitted they are not. When it comes to age those 55+ have strayed furthest from their childhood dream (97%) while almost a third (30%) of the 25 – 34 year old are currently doing their chosen job role.

Experts say there a number of key factors why workers are so unhappy in their job, including being underpaid, having limited career growth and enhancement, job insecurity, lack of interest and poor management.

Bob Hill, sites director from Camping in the Forest, comments: “We spend thousands of hours during our lifetime at work so it’s vital that we are able to enjoy real job satisfaction and feel motivated about what we do. It’s worrying that so many workers across the UK are stressed and unhappy in their job roles.

“The great outdoors is known as a fantastic stress reliever, with camping seen as one of the most relaxing getaways there is. It’s so important to take time away from checking emails, being glued to your laptop and feeling like you’re constantly on-call.

“Taking a camping trip enables you to escape from it all and enjoy the peacefulness and tranquillity of nature at its best. Enjoying a break outdoors allows you to think without a screen full of distractions and hopefully take stock, unwind and return to work with a clear mind and motivation for your future.”

For more information visit www.campingintheforest.co.uk

Lidl’s new distribution centre in Wednesbury has donated more than two tonnes of compost to Sandwell Council which will be used at local parks and allotments.

Lidl intends to provide compost to Sandwell Council throughout the year to help keep parks and allotments looking attractive and kept well maintained.

Richard Cooper, recycling manager for Lidl's new distribution centre in Wednesbury, said: “Part of my role is to manage the recycling of all store returns.

“This partnership with Sandwell Council will reduce waste at our facility and assist the parks department to improve their green spaces.”

Councillor Richard Marshall, Sandwell Council’s cabinet member for leisure, said: “It’s brilliant that Lidl has donated this compost. This will help to keep our parks and green spaces looking great all year round.”

From a Roman distance slab to a medieval football, Antarctic goggles to a dancing fiddle- VisitScotland has today revealed the top 25 objects that have shaped Scotland's history in a stunning new e-book.

The list has been unveiled on International Chess Day (20 July) as a special nod to the most famous chess pieces in history – the Lewis Chessmen  - who feature at number 9 on the date ordered list.

Compiled by an expert panel for the 2017 Year of History, Heritage and Archaeology, the 25 objects cover over 5000 years of Scottish history and the length and breadth of the country from Shetland to Dumfries and Galloway.

The objects were chosen based on chronological and geographic spread alongside their individual interesting stories. The final 25 were chosen by a panel that included representatives from Historic Environment Scotland, National Museums of Scotland, Society of Antiquaries of Scotland and VisitScotland.

VisitScotland hopes that visitors will go on a trail this summer to discover as many of the objects as possible and in turn discover more about Scotland's fascinating past.

The oldest object in the list is a barbed harpoon point (originally found in the Macarthur Cave, Oban) that dates back to the Middle Stone Age, and is one of the earliest instruments used to hunt and fish in Scotland.

The most modern in the list is Dolly the Sheep - the first mammal to be cloned from an adult cell – who is currently housed at the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh and celebrated her 20th anniversary in 2016.

More unusual objects on the list include the Orkney Venus – the earliest known depiction of the female human form - which dates from the Neolithic period and was uncovered at the Links of Noltland on the Orkney island of Westray in 2009.

A violin which ignited Robert Burns' rebellious streak, revealing more about the great Bard's personality is another object that makes the final cut.  The Gregg Violin was owned by Burns' dance teacher, William Gregg. In around 1779, Robert Burns started taking dancing lessons and wrote that he hoped these new skills would 'give my manners a brush', but it was most likely an act of rebellion because his father did not approve of such seemingly sinful behaviour.

Full list of Scotland's History in 25 Objects

1. Barbed Harpoon Point
2. The Orkney Venus
3. Poltalloch Jet Necklace
4. The Carpow Logboat
5. Mousa Broch
6. Roman Distance Slab
7. Carved Footprint
8. St. Martin's Cross
9. The Lewis Chessmen
10. Stone Effigy at Sweetheart Abbey
11. Robert the Bruce Equestrian Statue
12. Honours of Scotland
13. Oldest Football
14. Castle of Mey Tapestry
15. Penicuik Jewels
16. Bonnie Prince Charlie's Travelling Canteen
17. The Gregg Violin
18. Sir Walter Scott's Desk
19. Mackintosh Trail Music Room
20. Paisley Shawls
21. Tom Morris Junior Medal
22. Dallas Dhu Stencil
23. Captain Scott's Snow Goggles
24. Steam Locomotive "Maude"
25. Dolly the Sheep

Sand le Mere Holiday Village in Withernsea on the Yorkshire coast has become the first holiday park in the UK to launch a sensory playroom for children with autism, ADHD and Asperger's syndrome. Sand le Mere Holiday Village in Withernsea on the Yorkshire coast has become the first holiday park in the UK to launch a sensory playroom for children with autism, ADHD and Asperger's syndrome.

Sonny's Sensory Room is furnished with bright and tactile equipment to provide a stimulating setting in an environment that is safe for youngsters.

The space is equipped with brightly lit bubble tubes, sensory wall art, a star cloth and changing lights, multi-coloured flooring, bean bags, rollers and gym balls.

A second room provides a quiet setting where parents can relax or calm youngsters who become distressed.

The space has been named after Sonny Cooke, whose dad Allan is Complex Manager at Sand le Mere and had the original idea for the project.

Says Allan, "As a parent of a child with autism I see the wonderful benefits a sensory room provides. Going on holiday can be a scary experience for people with autism, ADHD or Asperger's syndrome and the transition from home to a new environment causes lots of anxiety, so having a safe and calming place helps to ease their worries.

“I feel like I've been on an emotional roller coaster during the development but I am very proud of the effort and enthusiasm so many people have put into creating the space.” Sonny's Sensory Room is free-to-use for guests staying at the Yorkshire Coast holiday park and is also available to local charities and groups.

Support for the project has come from suppliers who gave money, equipment and their installation skills, and from Sand le Mere team members who volunteered to renovate the room.

Amby Tatla, General Manager at Sand le Mere says the park is encouraging local groups to use make use of the sensory room: “We are proud to work closely with groups such as Hull Active Day Care, who support young adults with additional needs and visit the park to swim, eat lunch and play sport.

“Having our own dedicated sensory space means that we can provide support to even more people, and we would be delighted to hear from any groups who are interested in finding out more.”

Over the past few years Sand le Mere has invested more than £9 million in new facilities including an indoor swimming pool, entertainment lounge and restaurant for holidaymakers and holiday home owners.