Towns and cities across the West Midlands will participate in Bike Life, the UK’s most comprehensive assessment of cycling development. Previously the report, produced by the walking and cycling charity Sustrans in partnership with Birmingham City Council, has focussed on one city. Thanks to increased funding by the Freshfield Foundation, and the cities and regions themselves, it’s now set to cover the whole of the West Midlands.

Local authorities in the seven districts of the West Midlands Combined Authority area (Birmingham, Coventry, Dudley, Sandwell, Solihull, Walsall, and Wolverhampton) will be working with Sustrans to capture data on infrastructure, travel habits, public attitudes and the impact of cycling. The project is designed to help UK cities normalise cycling and reports will be published in 2020 and 2022.

Bike Life was founded in 2014 in seven major UK cities but has grown significantly since. Between 2018 and 2022, more cities and regions will participate in the project bringing the total to 14. Collectively they cover almost 14 million people or 20% of the entire UK population.

The approach taken by Bike Life mirrors the Copenhagen Bicycle Account which outlines the development in cycling, identifies challenges and informs planning at a local level. This helps local authorities to build the case for cycling whilst shaping the political and funding landscape for active travel across the UK.

In Birmingham the council has responded to the findings of Bike Life with a programme of investment to deliver cycle friendly canals and two new segregated cycle routes. Delivered through the ‘Birmingham Cycle Revolution’ the city is aiming to provide safe, attractive and accessible infrastructure to become a healthier and happier city.

Lead member for safe and sustainable travel on the WMCA transport delivery committee, Cllr Diana Holl-Allen, said: “Our sustainable travel team work very hard to promote cycling as a transport choice and we know there is real demand out there so we certainly welcome this initiative. Cycling is a key element of our sustainable travel work and our top level priorities of reducing road congestion and carbon footprint in the region.”

Sustrans Partnerships Manager, Midlands and East, Gavin Passmore said: “We’re really excited to be rolling Bike Life out across the West Midlands. It’s fantastic that the region’s local authorities have signed up to a larger programme. Inactivity, air quality and traffic congestion are issues that can no longer be ignored and we need national and local governments to rise to these challenges. In 2017 Bike Life revealed strong public support in Birmingham for cycling - with eight out of ten residents backing more investment in dedicated spaces for cyclists. An expanded programme will help to build political support amongst a wider audience bringing about the change we really need.”

As part of the City of Wolverhampton’s Queen Street Gateway Townscape Heritage Scheme local volunteers have researched the history of several of the street’s properties.

The work carried out so far will be part of a new exhibition at Wolverhampton Art Gallery in May which tells the story of Queen Street through the years.

Volunteers and City of Wolverhampton Council employees have used a range of sources, including documents, maps and photographs, to highlight areas of continuity and change.

Councillor John Reynolds, City of Wolverhampton Council Cabinet Member for City Economy, said: “Queen Street is such an iconic street in Wolverhampton and is an important part of the city’s history.

“By working with volunteers, historians and the businesses previously located and currently located on Queens Street we will look to restore the buildings to their former glory.”

Ron Macklin, New York based artist, became involved in the exhibition through the Urban Sketchers Group. Ron said: “I really love the Queen Street project and was happy to participate in this sketching event.

“The architecture is truly beautiful even though many of the first-floor commercial stores have masked that beauty. All one needs to do is look up and you can see the beautiful, intricate and graceful details.

“Clearly the original Queen Street owners, architects and builders had a strong pride of place.”

The exhibition also includes a selection of art pieces produced by various local community groups that shine a light on this important thoroughfare.

The exhibition is located on the first floor of the Lichfield Street art gallery and opens with a special launch event on May 26. Visitors will be able to meet the curators and volunteers who have worked on the project and share Queen Street stories.

It runs until Wednesday, July 4 and admission is free.

The RSPCA Newbrook Farm Animal Centre and Hospital in Birmingham is one of the busiest RSPCA centres in the country. Last year, the centre took in 1,331 animals, including 267 dogs, and rehomed more than a thousand animals to their new forever homes.

In 2017, the hospital treated more than 15,000 patients from dogs, cats, rabbits and wildlife, and carried out 1,129 neutering operations.

That is why, this year, people taking part in the My Big Walkies challenge which kicks off in June, can raise money specifically for the Birmingham hospital.

Animal lovers can pledge 10,000 steps a day to help animals just like Bronte and Ollie.

Bronte is a black lurcher crossbreed who came into RSPCA care after she was involved in a road traffic accident.

Staff managed to trace her owners who signed her over so that she could get the treatment she needed at the animal hospital.

The one-year-old had a small fracture to her hind foot.

Deborah Caffull, Birmingham Animal Centre manager, said: “As you can imagine with Bronte being a young dog and an active breed she was so bored by not being able to run and get the exercise her breed loves so much. Now she has been given the all clear for normal exercise and rehoming.

“She loves being off the lead and chasing toys so she will need an active home. Once her energy has been spent she is a very affectionate girl and loves cuddle time. She is great with other dogs and just wants to play, so she could live with another pooch in her next home if they are also fairly playful. Bronte is an energetic typical lurcher who will benefit from experienced owners who can reassure and build her confidence when needed.”

Ollie is a brindle and white crossbreed who came into RSPCA care more than a year ago after he was rescued by an inspector when his previous owner failed to treat his poorly leg.

Ollie had been suffering with a limp in his right hind leg. Once he came into RSPCA care, it was discovered that he had a luxating patella, also known as a floating kneecap. After a month of treatment it was decided that the best option was to amputate the leg and Ollie is now coping well on three paws.

Deborah added: “Ollie is a smart dog and knows basic commands. He loves zooming around off his lead, chasing balls and running rings around us. He will need someone who can continue to socialise him with other dogs so would need an experienced owner and a family with children of secondary school age or older.”

Miranda Goodenough, head of innovation at the RSPCA said: “Birmingham Animal Hospital and Centre is relentlessly working hard to protect the welfare of animals. Each year more than 10,000 animals are cared for at the hospital and the numbers are rising every year.

“That is why you can support the hospital by signing up to My Big Walkies, and take 10,000 steps a day - that’s one step for every animal saved.”

The Phoenix Newspaper was in Windsor for the Marriage of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle and as you can see, everyone was in the party spirit! Congratulations to the happy couple from everyone at The Phoenix Newspaper!

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Former West Bromwich Albion player, Brendon Batson, joined 400 cyclists to raise an impressive £23,000 for a charity that’s close to his heart.

Brendon – who played for the Black Country club from 1978 to 1982 – cycled 75km across the West Midlands to help raise vital funds for Birmingham St Mary’s.

The event – which is known as ‘Ride the Reservoir’ – saw the footballing legend and other cycling enthusiasts ride through the scenic villages of Romsley, Belbroughton, Chaddesley Corbett and Barnt Green, before heading back to Bartley Green reservoir.

The ride was originally planned to take place on Sunday 18 March but was postponed to late April due to snowy weather. Whilst Brendon couldn’t make the new date, he decided to complete the cycle independently, to show his continued support for the hospice.

In 2009, Brendon’s wife, Cecily, was cared for by the hospice after being diagnosed with an incurable brain tumour. He said: “The care Cecily and my family received was just incredible. It was a massive comfort that she was cared for at home and I’ll never forget the kindness and dignity the nurses and doctors showed us.

“That’s why I wanted to take on Ride the Reservoir – as it’s my way of giving back to the charity that gave so much to my family. Whilst I was gutted that I couldn’t make the postponed date and ride with everyone else, I still really enjoyed getting on my bike and doing something great for the hospice.”

This year was Ride the Reservoir’s most successful event yet, as it raised a record-breaking amount of funds for the hospice and had its highest number of riders. All the money raised will go towards Birmingham St Mary’s, which provides vital care and support to local people living with life-limiting illness.

Lucy Watkins, head of fundraising at Birmingham St Mary’s, said: “This year’s Ride the Reservoir was our best yet. There was a fantastic energy before the ride and it was brilliant to see so many people get pedalling for our hospice.

“It was a tough decision to postpone the event but it’s wonderful to see people who couldn’t make the new date – like Brendon – still get on their bike and complete the ride on their own. Thank you to everyone who took part – your generous fundraising will ensure that we can continue to provide our crucial care across Birmingham and Sandwell.”

Every day, Birmingham St Mary’s cares for 350 people – whether that’s at the hospice, in people’s own homes or in the community. It costs £8 million a year to run its vital services – over half of which need to come from voluntary donations – so it truly relies on generous support to ensure it can continue to care for even more local people living with life-limiting illness.

Families are invited to a fantastic and free day out at the Sandwell Families Big Picnic this half-term.

The picnic, which attracted hundreds of children, parents and carers last year, is on Thursday 31 May by the children's play area in Dartmouth Park, West Bromwich from 11am until 3pm.

This is the ninth annual picnic hosted by Sandwell Council's Family Information Service and promises to be bigger and better than previous years.

Families are asked to bring a picnic along and join in with the free activities on offer including face painting, balloon modelling, circus skills with Steve the Juggler, storytelling, play activities, arts and crafts, sporting activities, animal fun, information stands and much more.

Councillor Simon Hackett, cabinet member for children's services said: "This is a great event for families and best of all, the activities are all free.

"I encourage parents and carers to bring their children and a picnic and enjoy the day. We just hope the weather is as kind to us as it was last year."