Families looking for half-term fun next week are being reminded about the hit LEGO exhibition at Wolverhampton Art Gallery.

Since the show opened at Easter hundreds of visitors have been blown away by Warren Elsmore’s amazing Brick Wonders exhibition.

Using thousands and thousands of pieces of the much-loved plastic bricks the master LEGO artist and author has created more than 70 awe-inspiring models.

Under the theme of natural, ancient and modern, Elsmore has recreated everything from the Great Wall of China, Niagra Falls, the Great Pyramid of Giza, and Old London Bridge, to a modern surgical operating theatre, incredible container ships and a hi-tech airport - all in LEGO.

The Lichfield Street gallery is hosting the exhibition until Wednesday, July 5 and, as well as viewing the creations, visitors can enjoy building their own LEGO models in the gallery spaces.

Marguerite Nugent, Manager of Arts and Culture at the gallery, said: “It doesn’t matter how old or young you are LEGO has an enduring appeal and this exhibition shows what amazing structures you can make with these little plastic bricks.

“While the exhibition does run until July we hope families will take advantage of the half-term break to visit us and enjoy this child and family-friendly show.”

International Day for Biological Diversity was celebrated at Virtual University of Pakistan on May 22, 2017 for creating awareness among masses especially students on importance of biodiversity and its threats.

World Biological Diversity Day is celebrated all over the world to highlight the significance of Biodiversity conservation and importance of biodiversity in ecosystem. It provides an opportunity for all to join hands and talk about the existing and emerging problems caused by biodiversity loss and prospects of biodiversity conservation. VU Environmental Protection Society in collaboration with WWF-Pakistan organized a seminar on World Biological Diversity Day at Lawrence Road Office Lahore.

Dr. Masroor Elahi Babar, Dean Faculty of Science and Technology was the chief guest, whereas senior WWF official, Ms. Warda Javed and Dr. Fahad Rafiq were the guest speaker. Ms. Warda Javed briefed the participants about the required cooperation to halt and reverse the accelerating loss of biological and genetic resources of the planet earth. Dr. Fahad Rafiq highlighted the role of biodiversity and sustainable tourism in Pakistan. A large number of students and faculty members of Virtual University of Pakistan attended the seminar.

The Birmingham Cross City CCG Dementia Support Team topped the People Awards Pushing Boundaries category.

The category awards those that demonstrate an innovative and adaptable approach which is centred on results for the Society; taking an interest in motivating others and respectfully challenging the status quo.

In the last year the Birmingham Cross City CCG Dementia Support Team have brought about a unique shift in how GPs view dementia, championing the idea that more can be done for people with dementia in their own communities.

The team’s success has led to another year’s funding for the project from the Cross City Clinical Commissioning Group.

The team also advised and supported a neighbouring Clinical Commissioning Group that is aiming to adopt a similar approach in their GPs’ practices.

The Birmingham Cross City CCG Dementia Support Team are: Mary Keddy, Carol Bowsher, Amarjit Sagoo, Joanne Farrell, Shaheda Zaman, Esme Dawson and Mike Ayres.

Carol Bowsher, Dementia Support Worker, said: “The team were really delighted and proud to be shortlisted and it was fantastic to receive a Peoples Award. It is not that often that these sorts of things happen in life. The whole team has worked really hard in making connections with GP practices and building stronger community awareness. The work itself is rewarding in terms of reaching out to individuals who may otherwise fall through gaps. Though this is my third year with the Society I have only been providing direct dementia support for 10 months and have learnt an enormous lot from the wider team and my Line Manager, Mary, who is always there with a listening ear.”

Mary Keddy, the Birmingham Cross City CCG Dementia Support Team Line Manager said; “I am incredibly proud of my team for all that we have achieved over the last year and it is wonderful that our work has been recognised with this award. Our success so far in building connections with GP practices is a great motivation to continue to work hard and support other CCGs to do the same.”

Speaking about the event, Alzheimer's Society Chief Executive Jeremy Hughes said: “Every day Alzheimer’s Society volunteers and employees demonstrate our core values in their roles and interactions with each other and the people affected by dementia we support. This makes me particularly proud to work for this organisation. I’m humbled to celebrate the amazing work of our people and the selfless and relentless way in which they go about it.”

The awards preceded the charity’s annual Dementia Awareness Week (14 – 20 May) in which Alzheimer’s Society urged everyone to come together and unite against dementia.  

Alzheimer’s Society events took place across England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

A nine-day festival encompassing the entire output of Thelonious Monk will take place in Birmingham between 12-20 June to celebrate the centenary of the master jazz musician.

Organised by Birmingham Conservatoire’s Jazz Department, Monkathon will see all 70 of Monk’s compositions performed at venues across the city by groups, soloists and internationally-renowned guest artists.  

Born in North Carolina in 1917, Thelonious Monk has made numerous contributions to the standard jazz repertoire including ‘Blue Monk’, ‘Round Midnight’ and ‘Well, You Needn’t’. Despite writing a relatively small amount of pieces, Monk is the second most-recorded jazz composer of all time and is one of only five jazz musicians to have appeared on the cover of ‘Time’ magazine.

Dr Hans Koller, Senior Lecturer at Birmingham Conservatoire, part of Birmingham City University, said:

“Thelonious Monk is one of the 20th century giants of music, not just of jazz. His art transcends boundaries of time, style and aesthetics. Monk at 100 is a wonderful excuse to celebrate his status as an iconic figure of inspiration to us all. 

The Birmingham Monkathon features students, alumni and staff at Birmingham City University, with leading international Monk-inspired performers including Steve Cardenas from New York, Liam Noble from the UK, and Professor François Théberge from Paris Conservatoire, as well as the eminent Monk biographer Professor Robin Kelley, for this grand celebration. In addition, we have international students, outreach programmes, and many gigs across the city.” 

Highlights include performances by Steve Cardenas with Martin Speake, Hans Koller, Calum Gourlay and James Maddren, ‘Jump Monk’ with the Arnie Somogyi Small Band, and the Birmingham Jazz Orchestra in original and re-worked compositions of Monk, plus brand new arrangements by special guest Trish Clowes. 

There’s also the chance to hear exciting arrangements of Monk’s early Blue Note recordings from senior students, adjudicated by Steve Cardenas, and a keynote speech by Monk biographer Professor Robin Kelley, Chair of the Department of African American Studies at the University of California at Los Angeles. 

Liam Noble’s small group’s gig also forms part of the Conservatoire’s two-day CODA marathon of new music, marking the very last events to be held in its Paradise Place buildings.

Italian conservatoire students from Verona, Milan, Bologna and Palermo will be visiting Birmingham to participate in Monkathon and four schools in Birmingham and the local area will be treated to outreach concerts featuring some of the small bands.

Birmingham Conservatoire, part of Birmingham City University, is currently preparing to move to a new state-of-the-art £57 million home in September, which will include the city’s only permanent jazz space – Eastside Jazz Club. Earlier this year, Birmingham Conservatoire launched its big band Ellington Orchestra, who will be a regular fixture in the new club.

Residents across the West Midlands wanting to get healthier this summer now have extra support to achieve their goals thanks to a new, free online tool.

The ‘Let’s Do This Eight Week Challenge’ has been developed by the National Charity Partnership, a partnership between Diabetes UK, the British Heart Foundation (BHF) and Tesco, and allows users to set and track their health-related goals over an eight week period.

Goals focus on everyday changes - such as consuming healthier drinks and eating smaller portion sizes - and becoming more physically active. The online eight week challenge, which can be accessed from any computer, tablet or mobile phone, also contains a bank of healthy recipes endorsed by Diabetes UK and the BHF, achievable fitness tips and health-related inspiration to keep people motivated.

Alex Davis, Head of Prevention for the National Charity Partnership, said: “The idea behind our eight week challenge is to support people to make small, positive changes to their lifestyle which will ultimately help to make a big difference to their long-term health.

“The Let’s Do This Eight Week Challenge is designed to help get people started on their personal journey towards developing lifelong healthier behaviours such as eating more fruit and vegetables and getting more active.  We’re encouraging people in the West Midlands to use our online tool, make a lifestyle change for eight weeks and discover the benefits these changes can make.”

Lindsey Crompton, Head of Community at Tesco, said: “At Tesco we’re committed to helping our customers, colleagues and communities live healthier lives and the new Let’s Do This Eight Week Challenge is a great way to support people to make small, positive changes to their daily lifestyle”

The aim of the Let’s Do This Eight Week Challenge is to get people moving more and eating healthily by kick-starting small healthier habits. Being active and eating a healthy diet are both known to reduce the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes and heart and circulatory disease – serious conditions that are largely preventable.

Tottenham will play a starring role in this year’s Chelsea Fringe, the alternative garden festival which runs until 4 June.

Running at the same time as the Chelsea Flower show, the Chelsea Fringe includes a host of horticultural events around London celebrating the excitement of gardens and gardening.  This year’s festival includes  ‘Discover Green Tottenham, Yes Tottenham!’, a free walking tour of some of Tottenham’s treasured gardens, parks and allotments with a chance to enjoy some tasty locally grown treats along the way.

Although not traditionally recognised for its green credentials, Tottenham is actually home to Lee Valley Park, London’s largest green and open space, as well as a number of award winning parks and open spaces. The tour will include visits to an urban tropical garden and a thriving community allotment, a stop-off at the Tottenham Green Market, as well as a tour of the award winning Lee Valley Estates urban garden  in Hale Village.

The tour starts at Seven Sisters Tube station (exit 1) at 11am on Sunday 28 May