Community News

MedicAnimal, the UK’s leading online pet retailer, has carried out research to find out what pets love listening to when their owners are out and about. This comes as 58% of people said they always leave music on in the house and 28% said they sometimes do, depending on how long they’re out for. A fewer number decide to leave the TV on instead.

Historians are raising a glass to Sandwell First World War heroes with a unique project to honour their bravery on commemorative beer mats. As part of the 100th anniversary of the Battle of the Somme, Sandwell libraries, archives and museums services are shinning a spotlight on local heroes. Three heroes from each town in Sandwell have been nominated by local history groups and now the public is being asked to pick one who they want to see commemorated in November on the mats.

Arts groups and organisations wishing to engage with residents in Aston and Newtown can apply for grants from a £500,000 funding pot, it was announced. Following the closure of The Drum, in Aston, earlier this year, Birmingham City Council has worked with Arts Council England and local stakeholders, to identify priorities for cultural development in both areas and agree match funding.

Birmingham’s new Zero Hero campaign to encourage waste reduction with a series of pop-up events across the city. Birmingham City Council is urging residents to reduce, reuse and recycle waste through a new campaign called Zero Heroes. The campaign is part of a wider council initiative called Cleaner Greener Streets, which aims to help Birmingham work towards its target of becoming a zero waste to landfill city by 2035. Last year just 26.5 per cent of household waste in Birmingham was recycled, showing there’s still a long way to go.

A new study from British Seniors Insurance Agency today reveals that just under three quarters (71%) of over 50s in Britain feel a lot younger than their actual age. The research found that over 50s on average feel 10 years younger. Despite the assumption that retiring makes you slow down, those in retirement are actually much more likely to feel youthful (72% vs 69% who are still working).

The Peninsula Hotels is expanding its family programme this summer with the announcement of an exclusive partnership with the premium Norwegian baby brand, Stokke, providing a range of furniture and baby gear for families staying in suites at its 10 hotels worldwide. Additionally, enhanced Peninsula Academy programmes for families offer unique ways to explore each destination and keep the whole family engaged on holiday.

People in the West Bromwich area are to be given the chance to pass on ideas for improvements to their housing areas in a new ‘suggestion box’ scheme launched by the council. Special suggestion boxes are going into into local libraries and community centres to encourage people to pass on ideas to their local councillors. Councillor Steve Melia, town lead member for West Bromwich, said: "The suggestion box scheme is another way that people can tell us their ideas about what improvements and amenities they would like to see on their estates.

Two dedicated volunteers are in line for a top regional award after curating their first exhibition at Wolverhampton Art Gallery. Julia Foster and Dr Andrew Yarnold are part of the gallery’s Educating Team volunteers who are in line for a West Midlands Musuems Development award. Both volunteers have been nominated for the Project Award for their work on The Drawing Year currently on show in until September 25. 

Requests for help to deal with rats have significantly fallen since the introduction of wheelie bins in Birmingham, according to new figures published today. Comparing city council data for the year immediately before and after the roll-out of bins, the figures for the city (based on the areas served by the council’s four refuse collection depots) show these have fallen between 20 and 30 per cent.

Stoke-on-Trent is set to mark the 150th anniversary of the birth of Potteries author Arnold Bennett in 2017. Bennett's literary legacy is vast.  He was a writer of books, novels, plays and philosophical musings.  He was a journalist, a travel writer, a raconteur and wit.  He was a resident of the Savoy Hotel, in London.  He gave his name to an Omelette (still cooked and served by many of the leading chefs and top restaurants in Britain today).  He lived in France.  And Stoke-on-Trent.  And London.  And he was mourned nation-wide when he died.

Midlands businesses are being asked to ‘step out’ in support of a local charity next month and raise awareness of domestic abuse. The Haven Wolverhampton wants firms to collectively take one million steps during October to mark Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Any activity is welcomed, so long as the steps are counted and added to the charity’s overall tally.  There is also a 6,000 step community walk in aid of The Haven on Saturday, 8 October, which starts and finishes at the Molineux Stadium, for those who prefer to join in with an organised event.

People in Wolverhampton are being encouraged to get on their bike and join Cycle to Work Day on Wednesday 14 September, 2016. The City of Wolverhampton Council is supporting the national campaign and is urging people to register now at www.cycletoworkday.org. Councillor Paul Sweet, the City of Wolverhampton Council's Cabinet Member for Public Health and Wellbeing, said: "Cycling is low cost and something that most of us can easily make part of our daily routine.

Today, the Heritage Lottery Fund has published State of UK Public Parks 2016, its secondreport to comprehensively review the condition and management of the UK’s public parks. An investment of over £75m of National Lottery money has played a vital role in ensuring public parks across the West Midlands are in better condition, with improved facilities and renovated historic features. However, with park managers across the region reporting an expectation of further budget cuts, this investment could be lost as the risk of decline and potential facility closures continues to grow.  

Further to new research from Bristol University suggesting just under one-third (31%) of dogs were found to be carrying a tick, Andrew  Bucher, Chief Veterinary Officer at MedicAnimal has provided his thoughts to why the numbers are so high and what dog owners can do to treat ticks. A lack of adjustment to warmer winters prolonging the lives of ticks leaves pet owners and their animals at risk of contracting a range of illnesses.

Animal welfare charities are concerned the number of primates being kept as pets in ‘backyard Britain’ is on the rise as welfare complaints have increased three-fold in five years. An estimated 5,000 primates are being kept as pets up and down the UK - but new data suggests that many are suffering and not having vital social, dietary and environmental needs met.

Dads! You may be at fault if your children lack imagination and creativity and find it hard to express themselves at playtime. Only 10% of UK dads really get down with the kids it seems. A survey conducted by Novotel hotels makes it clear that Dads across the UK need to up the ante at playtime and overcome that famous British reserve. Just one in ten get involved in imaginative play. In contrast one in three mums claim to have super powers including eyes in the back of their heads and the ability to see through walls with their x ray vision.