Community News

Newly elected MPs in the West Midlands have been urged by The Children’s Society to prioritise tackling child poverty and teenage neglect. The national charity, which provides services and campaigns for disadvantaged children and teenagers, has produced tailor-made reports about the state of children’s welfare in each constituency, to arm the region’s MPs with local facts and statistics to help them make a difference in Parliament.

Blenheim Palace's Churchill Memorial Garden was officially opened by Her Royal Highness, The Duchess of Cornwall. The opening ceremony was attended by His Grace, the Duke of Marlborough, the Right Honourable Sir Nicholas Soames MP, Churchill's grandson, and Kim Wilkie, the garden's designer alongside other family members.

Birmingham is one of several cities from around the world taking part in the Climate-KIC Climathon 2015 – a 24 hour hackathon on June 18 to kickstart engagement with the most pressing environmental issues in major cities.

The tastiest of Tottenham’s tropical fruit from local shops and the sound of steel drums marked the opening of a colourful new park on one of the area’s most popular shopping streets in a regeneration project.

A UK-based blogging network for dads has proved so supremely successful that it is organising it’s first ever ‘Day of the Dad.’ The day will see dads coming together to celebrate dadhood in all its forms just ahead of Father’s Day.

Cannon Hill Park was filled with woofs, waggly tails and cries of ‘walkies’ as more than 300 dogs took the lead for animal welfare.  Dogs of all shapes and sizes enjoyed the sun as they walked around Cannon Hill Park to raise vital funds for the country’s oldest and largest animal welfare charity.

After 40-years of making us laugh, and cry, comedian, actor and philanthropist, Lenny Henry is set to become Sir Lenny after confirmation that he will receive a knighthood in the Queen's birthday honours.

Sutton Park is holding a 30 hour BioBlitz this week – and asking people of all ages to become citizen scientists to help them record in detail the huge variety of animals and plants at the National Nature Reserve.

Following budget announcements made by Chancellor George Osborne that potentially affect cycling schemes in Birmingham, a response has been made by Cllr Lisa Trickett, Cabinet Member for Sustainability at Birmingham City Council:

A by-election will be held in the Newton ward of Sandwell this summer. Former Councillor Tony Underhill, who has been a councillor in the ward since 2004, has been unable to attend meetings due to serious illness.

According to a Gilani Research Foundation Survey carried out by Gallup Pakistan, 91% Pakistanis said that fooling somebody on April Fools’ Day is wrong; 8% disagree.

To celebrate its 20^th anniversary, Brindleyplace has been busy collating people’s top memories of the estate and now, Brindleyplace is asking members of the general public to vote for their favourite story.

Muslim diabetics in Birmingham have been urged not to put their health at risk by fasting during the forthcoming month of Ramadan. Throughout Ramadan (2015: 18 June to 17 July) most Muslims are required to refrain from eating and drinking during daylight hours. But diabetics are exempt from this if fasting would put their health at risk. (Speak to your Imam for more information).

Those intrepid guardians of marine life, the Octonauts, are bringing their mission to the National Sea Life Centre Birmingham this autumn. The popular crew of the Octopod entertain fans up and down the country as they strive to save sea creatures in trouble.

Medieval Wolverhampton, Georgian enamelling and high rise flats will be the subject of talks exploring different facets of local history. Wolverhampton City Council's Arts and Museums Service regularly organises local history talks on a wide variety of topics, including two in June.

A Wolverhampton council worker has completed the challenge of a lifetime – and raised hundreds of pounds for a wildlife conservation charity in the process.