Despite the popularity of smartphones, traditional handwritten Christmas cards top social media messages and text messages as the West Midlands’ favourite festive greeting by far. A survey by fair trade pioneer Traidcraft, found that more than 8 in 10 (85%) people in the West Midlands prefer to receive their Christmas greetings in a card, while only 8% appreciate a festive text and no-one thinks highly of a social media message.

The wild bird was found on Moseley New Pool on Swanshurst Park, Swanshurst Lane, by a passer-by and inspectors rushed it to RSPCA Birmingham Animal Hospital for emergency treatment. RSPCA Insp Boris Lasserre said: “The bolt has gone right through the lower part of the goose’s head. Incredibly he was still alive! He was taken to the RSPCA Birmingham Animal Hospital for treatment and X-rays to establish the damage that has been caused by the bolt and the safest way to remove it."

The independent domestic violence service, delivered by Birmingham LGBT has recently received confirmation of funding from the Henry Smith Foundation enabling the service to run beyond the pilot stage. The campaign supported by Birmingham Community Safety Partnership, hopes to continue to promote this service to encourage more members of the LGBT community to seek help and is the only one of its kind in the Midlands.

The Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership (GBSLEP) has opened applications for a new Non-Executive Director (NED) that will represent and inspire young people across the region.  The GBSLEP is the first LEP in the UK to create a youth representative role on its Board, reflecting the area’s uniquely youthful profile. Birmingham is one of the youngest and most diverse cities in Europe - 40% of its population are aged under 25. Across the wider region, 38% of the population are aged between 18 - 30.

The Lord Mayor of Birmingham, Councilor Carl Rice, will lead Birmingham’s Remembrance Sunday service and parade at the Hall of Memory this Sunday with proceedings beginning with the Salvation Army Band and the West Midlands Fire Service Pipe Band to commence playing on Centenary Square, with uniformed contingents marching on to the square, followed by the Standards and Association march.