Pupils from across the City of Wolverhampton have produced some outstanding art as part of a schools’ competition run to celebrate Armed Forces Day.

Students were asked to submit a piece of art based around the theme of the Armed Forces – and entries, including poems, paintings, drawings and flag designs, came in from nine schools.

Sergeant Scott Brooks, Major Sylvia Parkin and Squadron Leader Charlotte Morrison carefully selected the winners in the three categories of best poem, best art and best flag.

All the entries received are being showcased in Wolverhampton Art Gallery, Lichfield Street, this week as part of the armed forces exhibition.

The week started with the Mayor of Wolverhampton, Councillor Elias Mattu, raising the Armed Forces flag.

On the same day, he presented poetry winner, Mya Perry, aged 11, of Bilston Church of England Primary School, with her prize of a £25 Love2shop voucher, in the Mayor’s Parlour, at the Civic Centre.

The judges were impressed by the emotional language used in her poem entitled ‘Daddy Please Don’t Go’, and agreed it was a mature piece of writing for a young lady.

Mayor Mattu said: “It was a real pleasure to present Mya with her award and it is great to see the children in the city honouring our Armed Forces through this art work.

"We owe the men and women of the Royal Navy, British Army and Royal Air Force a debt of gratitude. “These Armed Forces Day events are a fantastic way for us all to do that, while at the same time finding out a little bit more about our Armed Forces and recognise the crucial role they continue to play today."

Sami Al Abadie, ten, of The Royal School was the winner in the best flag category and Olivia Greybanks, 11, of Stow Heath Primary School was the winner in the best art category.

Both will receive their prizes as part of Saturday’s Armed Forces Day celebration event at the Mander Centre from 11am to 4pm.

It will feature drumming, rigging, semaphore and drill displays by Army, Air and Sea Cadets and physical training demonstrations by the Military Preparation College, and offer people the chance to meet members of the Armed Forces past and present.

There will also be musical performances by the RAF Cosford Voluntary Band, the City of Wolverhampton Council Choir and vintage vocal harmony trio The Bluebird Belles. Plus, a range of military vehicles on display in Queen Square and Dudley Street, along with a flight simulator.

Amazon, in partnership with the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), has announced the regional results of the ‘Design a Drone’ competition in West Midlands. Over 1,700 students participated in the competition from across the UK.

Sutherland Primary Academy in Stoke-on-Trent topped the leader-board, taking first, second and third places.

Harley T was awarded the top spot for designing the Angel drone which would deliver food, medicine and plasters to people in need. Second place went to Sapphire G for her Mrs Smile drone, which would safely deliver parcels to children, and third place was awarded to Ellie-Mae L for her Automatic 101 drone.

The successful young engineers were awarded their prizes in a special ceremony during a school assembly. Winning students took home gift baskets of science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) prizes. The first place regional winner also earned a cash donation of £1,000 for her school, to be spent on in-school STEM resources.

One national winner will be selected from the 12 regional finalists and have the opportunity to travel to the Amazon Prime Air Lab in Cambridge, UK, where their design will be exhibited for a year.

The competition helped raise awareness of the CAA’s Drone Code, a simple set of rules and guidelines which outline how to fly drones safely and within the law in the UK.

All primary school students in Years Two to Five in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland were eligible to enter the competition. Students were asked to design their interpretation of a delivery drone to serve a humanitarian purpose or improve society, such as first-response medical aid, sending flowers to a loved one who is unwell or delivering toys to children in need.

Jonathan Nicholson, Assistant Director of Communications at the CAA, said: “All the entries were absolutely amazing and it was great to see so many students showing an interest in drones. By the time they are adults, drones could well be playing key roles in everyday life. But for that to happen we need everyone who flies a drone now to do so safely.”

Lauren Kisser, Operations Director at Amazon Prime Air, commented: “I’m delighted that the Design a Drone competition encouraged these students to unleash their creative thinking on how drones can be used to improve society. The entries we received were full of innovative and thoughtful ideas that could very well change the world one day.”

The renowned Elysium Hotel, located on the Greek island of Mykonos, which predominantly caters to an exclusive LGBT clientele, has recently undergone an extensive programme of refurbishment designed to consolidate its position as one of the premier boutique hotels focussing on the luxury LGBT market.

In addition to this refurbishment, the hotel has also made service-level enhancements to double its staff-to-guest ratio, thereby providing a level of excellence and attentiveness that exceeds its customers' needs.

This philosophy accompanies the guest experience from the moment of booking, and throughout the stay. The hotel offers a unique 'straight-friendly' experience. It presents one of the most extensive entertainment programmes on the island, with daily evening cabaret shows featuring international acts that welcome straight as well as LGBT guests.

The cabaret is now also supported by the Daily Sunset 'Live' programme, where guests can sip cocktails by the pool and on the refurbished terrace lounge, accompanied by live piano performances. Just 300 metres from the UNESCO-listed Mykonos town, the Elysium offers a beautiful panoramic view over the Aegean Sea.

The property features a large swimming pool, fully-equipped Kinesis gymnasium and a pool-side Jacuzzi, hot tub, massage programme and Yoga lessons. There is an on-site restaurant, and the lively Sunset Bar, where the main entertainment is held.

The hotel offers 44 luxurious en-suite guestrooms with free internet access and modern amenities. This refurbishment represents a move to position the hotel as one of the more exclusive and unique accommodation experiences that Mykonos has to offer.

Almost 10,000 free tickets have been snapped up for City of Wolverhampton’s inaugural Festival of Food and Drink.

The weekend festival on Saturday, July 8 (1pm-8pm) and Sunday 9 (12pm-7pm) is the flagship event of this year’s packed ‘Visit the City of Wolverhampton’ programme.

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

City partners have also come together to entice residents and visitors with a host of other free or purse-friendly activities and offers between Friday, June 30 and Sunday, July 16.

William Power of Street Banquet and Director of E11EVEN GROUP has staged events across the country, and will deliver the Festival of Food and Drink.

He said: “As a local businessman born in the city, I am delighted to be involved in an event that will bring visitors to Wolverhampton.

“The Festival of Food and Drink, as part of Visit the City of Wolverhampton programme, is a brand new entertainment offer for the city and I am looking forward to my family and friends being part of it.”

Other highlights in the Visit the City of Wolverhampton programme include a free afternoon of horse racing at Wolverhampton Racecourse; free entry to the Wolves Football Club Museum; free Super Saturday fitness activities at WV Active leisure centres; and a free tour of Banks’s Brewery.

Plus, there are discounted offers for an evening at Wolves Speedway, Grand Theatre productions, and eating and drinking offers.

Enjoy the ‘Wolves in Wolves’ sculpture trail - a guided fun walk around the city centre showcasing wolves decorated by different artists and placed around the city to create the largest public art event in the City of Wolverhampton.

Browse the shops and indulge yourself in the restaurants, cafes and bars.

Councillor John Reynolds, City of Wolverhampton Cabinet Member for City Economy, said: “Wolverhampton is a vibrant, thriving city with plenty to offer every day of the year.

“The summer Visit the City of Wolverhampton programme has even more on offer and it is a great way to sample places you might not normally think of visiting.

“We are really excited about this year’s programme. It is a great initiative showcasing our great city.”

The most inspiring young surveyors – who make the West Midlands a better place to live, work and visit – are currently being given the opportunity to have their talent recognised nationally and be rewarded with a car to help them in their career.

Surveyors are essential in key areas such as housing, commercial property and our road and rail systems. The national Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) Matrics Young Surveyor of the Year Awards launched three years ago, to raise awareness of the diverse range of young talented surveyors, trainees and apprentices working in such areas – aged 35 and under – and helping to shape and improve the communities we live in.

This year, surveyors who enter the 2017 RICS Matrics Young Surveyor of the Year Awards by the deadline of 21 July, are also in with a chance of winning a Volvo V40 D2 on a 23-month lease to further aid their career, courtesy of principal sponsors of the awards, Santander Consumer Finance.

The nine categories to enter are: Apprentice of the Year, Asset and Facilities Management, Building Surveying, Land (Rural and Urban), Mentor of the Year, Property (Residential & Commercial), Project Management, Quantity Surveying and Valuation.

There is also an overall ‘Young Surveyor of the Year’ accolade which is awarded to the professional who has not only achieved great success in their respective role and sector, but also demonstrates an unwavering commitment to improving the industry and the wider profession.

Last year the ‘UK Young Surveyor of the Year’ title went to Matthew Fedigan, 30, Director at Domec Facilities Management in Liverpool. Matthew co-founded the business over five years ago – which delivers technical facilities solutions relating to the management and upkeep of buildings – and it has since grown rapidly with turnover now approaching £3 million. He is an RICS ‘APC doctor’ too, responsible for advising and supporting Building Surveying candidates through their Assessment of Professional Competence (APC) - professional examinations to become a fully qualified chartered surveyor.

Lynn Robinson, RICS Regional Director said: “The West Midlands has some of the very best properties, from our airports, sports stadiums, schools, industrial assets and eco homes, which our talented young professionals in the built environment sectors either help to deliver and, or, maintain.

“To put it simply, surveyors measure, value and protect all our physical assets across the region, which ultimately keeps our towns and cities vibrant and attractive to locals and visitors. These awards celebrate such inspirational talent, which I know the West Midlands has in abundance, so we’re looking forward to recognising and rewarding these role models.”

David Keddie MRICS, Chair of the RICS UK Matrics Board – a networking and support group for young surveyors -  is heading up this year’s judging panel. He commented: “These awards celebrate the very best young role models in our industry who are enjoying hugely successful careers, working on some of the most exciting built projects and initiatives in their respective communities. So they provide an ideal opportunity for companies – however large or small - to showcase the achievements of their young talent and help inspire future talent into the industry. Potentially winning a car too is certainly a bonus for any young professional.”