Yesterday, Britain went to the polls, to choose a new government. The parties have been campaigning since April, and they have offered a variety of different options on a whole host of issues. There has been the usual rhetoric, slogans thrown about, ‘strong and stable’ performances as well as ‘weak and wobbly’ performances. After nearly two months of campaigning it all came to an end yesterday, and with the increased number of people who have registered to vote, turnout was expected to be high.

However, to ensure that nobody skips out on doing their democratic duty, Scottish Beer company BrewDog offered voters a free pint if they vote. It’s a simple process really, if a voter took a picture of themselves outside their polling station and then enters one of BrewDog’s many bars across the country and shows staff their picture, then they will get a free pint.

During the day, The Phoenix Newspaper decided to take up this offer, and at the bar located opposite Turtle Bay in the city centre, found a packed pub. When a barman was asked about the offer he had this to say. “Yeah, we did something similar with the referendum, and not many people turned up. But since there’s been more people registering to vote this time around, and turning up, I think we’ll have a lot more customers. It’s a good thing you know, people are getting out there and having their voice heard.”

A group of young workers, just finished work arrived at the bar around five thirty, and when interviewed had this to say. “Yeah, we’d normally come here anyway, but the free pint really enticed us down. It’s a great initiative.” Many of them were hoping for a Labour victory, with one member hoping for a hung Parliament!

Certainly, there was no lack of excitement over the election or the offer. A smart initiative by BrewDog and one that is sure to bring more excitement and fun to an already intriguing election season.

Although Suffragette might have you believing only white women were entrenched in the cause for women’s suffrage in Britain, there were a number of Indian suffragettes and suffragists who took part. Most notably, Princess Sophia Duleep Singh, daughter of the last Maharaja of the Sikh Empire and goddaughter of Queen Victoria, helped lead marches and played up her perceived ‘exoticness’ in order to bring much-needed attention to the movement. For International Women’s Week, I will shed light on some of her contributions, as well as that of the other wealthy Indian women fighting for suffrage in the 1900s to 1910s.

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An exciting new opportunity for schools and organisations will soon be available at the RSPCA’s Newbrook Farm Animal Centre.

The animal centre in Birmingham is expanding to include an education centre which aims to promote the importance of animal welfare to children and young people.

RSPCA Newbrook Farm Education Centre will launch in August with school visits, activity days, animal welfare programmes and outdoor learning.

It aims to support families, children and young people develop their compassionate skills, learn about nature and the five animal welfare needs.

Debbie Caffull, animal centre manager, said: “We are so excited to be launching the education arm of RSPCA’s Newbrook Farm Animal Centre this summer. Education is such a vital part in ensuring good animal welfare in the future. The centre hopes to inspire children to love and care for animals as much as we do, and teach them important life lessons along the way.”

Craig Osborne, animal hospital manager, also supports the education centre, he said: “Programmes that teach children and young people compassion towards animals can help them realise the potential they have in their own lives and the valuable contribution they can make to their community.”

Newbrook Farm has recently been awarded a Quality Badge from the Council for Learning Outside the Classroom and is now expanding on this with a dedicated education centre.

Charlie Chan, community engagement manager, who is developing the education centre, said: “All the programmes are completely free and can work alongside the national curriculum or an organisation’s own projects.

“As well as school visits, activity days and animal welfare programmes for schools, youth groups and families, there will also be opportunities for outdoor learning including fun trails to get back to nature.

“The activities are designed to be achievable and rewarding as well as having an element of discovery and learning. Education is key to ensuring that everyone is aware of the five animal welfare needs and how to meet them.”

The Newbrook Farm Education Centre is urging schools, local groups and organisations to get in touch now to find out how they can book into the education centre.

There is also a need for more volunteers to get involved with the Volunteer Speaker Scheme. This scheme sees volunteers delivering talks to school groups and assemblies about the work of the RSPCA and the five animal welfare needs. The role would suit anyone with some spare time who is comfortable speaking to groups, passionate about animal welfare and looking to help.

The education centre could also be a brilliant opportunity for a university student to use as a placement to support and enhance their studies, or for someone looking for work experience in this sector.

For more information and updates, find the Newbrook Animal Centre on Facebook, RSPCA Birmingham Animal Centre and Hospital, or follow us on Twitter @RSPCABirmingham.

Summer has arrived, and Niantic, Inc. and The Pokémon Company International will be unleashing a variety of in-game and real-world activities to celebrate Pokémon GO’s first anniversary. Downloaded more than 750 million times in its first year, Pokémon GO will be bringing Trainers together in new and unique ways this summer through a variety of in-game and live events including Pokémon GO Fest, the first live Pokémon GO event organised by Niantic.

“It’s been an incredible first year for Pokémon GO thanks to the passion and dedication from the global Trainer community,” said John Hanke, CEO of Niantic, Inc. “As part of the first anniversary, we’ll be giving players around the world the chance to enjoy fun in-game events, engage with friends and other Trainers at real-world events, and much more.”

Pokémon GO Fest is our first official dedicated real-world event for Pokémon GO and will be hosted in Chicago on July 22. Trainers from around the world will flock to Chicago’s Grant Park for a Pokémon GO celebration. The fun-filled day of Pokémon GO in the park will give Trainers the chance to meet fellow players and engage in a variety of activities. Tickets for Pokémon GO Fest will go on sale beginning June 19 at 10:00 A.M. PDT on PokemonGoLive.com/Fest.

European Trainers can look forward to Pokémon GO celebrations hosted across the continent from June through September in partnership with Unibail-Rodamco shopping centers. Trainers in the United States who are not able to make it to Pokémon GO Fest in Chicago can look for further event integration in several cities across North America as Niantic and the Knight Foundation continue their partnership on the Open Streets program.

The Pokémon Company is organizing “Pikachu Outbreak”, a Pokémon event in Yokohama, Japan, in August where they’re exploring a unique Pokémon GO experience.

Players around the world who are eager to get outside, explore and fill up their Pokédexes can look forward to the Solstice Event, Pokémon GO’s first in-game event of the summer, running from Tuesday, June 13 at 1:00 PM PDT until June 20 at 1:00 PM PDT. During this event, Trainers can expect increased encounter rates for their favorite Fire-type and Ice-type Pokémon, including Charmander, Cyndaquil, Houndour, Swinub, Sneasel, and their Evolutions, and others. Trainers will also be awarded increased XP for in-game actions like Curveballs, Nice Throws, Great Throws, Excellent Throws, and more. In addition, Lucky Eggs will be 50% off in the in-game shop, meaning even more XP can be gained when discovering and catching elusive Fire-type and Ice-type Pokémon.

Hundreds of toddlers will be dressing up and taking part in a mass march around Dudley Zoo in aid of charity next week.

The annual Barnardo’s Big Toddle is due to take place on the mornings of Tuesday and Wednesday, June 13 and 14.

This is the 20th year of the popular half-mile sponsored walk, which sees parents and children either organise their own event or attend one of the larger regional spectacles.

Dudley Zoo hosts the largest Toddle in the UK, and this year’s event has a ‘colour’ theme with children encouraged to dress up in their boldest and brightest outfits.

Admission is free to under-5s, with discounts for adults and older children. Registrations close this Friday June 9th.

Gates open at 10am, with the walk beginning at 11am.

Barnardo’s regional assistant director Emily Phelps said: “The Big Toddle is the UK’s biggest and best fundraising event for under-5s. It’s all about children helping children by taking part in short sponsored walks.

“Nurseries, playgroups, childminders and parents are welcome to organise their own events, but we also have a number of public Toddles - and the one at Dudley Zoo is one of the biggest in the UK.

“It’s a fantastic venue and we’re looking forward to seeing hundreds of happy faces across the two days.”

Children will be welcomed by a costumed mascot and entertainers, with free refreshments for each registered child.

Barnardo’s staff will also be available to talk about how they can help to give children the best possible start in life.

Dudley Zoo marketing manager Andrea Hales said: “We’re delighted once again to team up with Barnardo’s and support the incredible work they do in giving children the best start in life.

“The Big Toddle is always hugely popular. So make sure you sign up soon and have a really wild time helping to raise funds for a very worthy cause.”