Mystical magicians, dazzling fire breathers and impressive aerial acts are set to take over Birmingham this June, as part of a magical walk for a local charity.

The ‘Enchanted Midsummer Walk’ – which is organised by Birmingham St Mary’s – will see hundreds of Brummies walk a 10k route across South Birmingham.

Taking place at dusk, mythical performers – including jugglers and stilt walkers – will guide participants along the route, creating a Shakespeare-inspired stroll.

The walk begins at Rowheath Pavillion in Bournville – where participants will be able to enjoy music, street food and drinks – before heading off into the leafy suburbs of Edgbaston, Harborne and Selly Oak.

Along the route, participants will be treated to an ice cream stop to help them refuel and will receive a celebratory glass of fizz and commemorative medal at the finish line.

As well as creating magical moments, the walk is also an opportunity to celebrate the lives of loved ones who are sadly no longer with us. During the walk, participants will be able to visit the hospice at Selly Park, where they will be able to light a candle in memory of their special someone.

Lucy Watkins, head of fundraising at Birmingham St Mary’s, said: “Our midsummer walk is a truly magical evening – not only is it a chance to celebrate loved ones but it’s also a special time to create new memories with family and friends. I love seeing everyone get dressed up and into the spirit of the evening and the walk is always a fun event that the whole family can enjoy.”

Last year, the Enchanted Midsummer Walk sold out, with over 400 walkers raising £32,000 for the hospice. All funds raised will go towards Birmingham St Mary’s, which provides vital care to local people living with life-limiting illness.

Lucy added: “It costs £8 million to run the hospice every year – over half of which needs to come from voluntary donations – so we truly rely on the generosity of local people to help us continue to provide our crucial care.”

Every day, Birmingham St Mary’s cares for 350 people living across Birmingham and Sandwell – whether that’s at the hospice, in people’s own homes, or in community locations such as GP surgeries.

The Enchanted Midsummer Walk takes place on Saturday 23rd June from 6.30 to 11.30pm.

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.”

A new report from TopCashback.co.uk, the UK’s most generous cashback shopping site, investigates millennials' expectations of owning a house and found that despite all (100 per cent) millennials in the west midlands wanting to buy a house in the future, over a quarter (26 per cent) do not think it will happen and 32 per cent are only hopeful about their chances. Just over two-fifths (42 per cent) are sure they will buy a property.

The uncertainty as to whether they will be able to invest in bricks and mortar means millennials in the west midlands are focusing on financial security as a savings goals instead. Around two-fifths (38 per cent) of millennials say a deposit for a house is their main savings goal, but is trumped by a savings cushion (42 per cent) an emergency fund (42 per cent) and achieving financial freedom (38 per cent).

Similarly, millennials’ main goals in life are to be healthy (47 per cent), be financially stable (35 per cent) and have financial freedom (34 per cent). Buying a house comes seventh on the list at just 23 per cent

Even of the millennials in the west midlands who are optimistic about getting on the property ladder, a quarter (25 per cent) don’t think it will happen in the next five years. The cost of housing rising quicker than salaries (58 per cent), not earning enough money for a deposit (55 per cent) and not being able to afford a house on their own (40 per cent) is giving millennials doubt about getting on the property ladder sooner rather than later.

Millennials in the west midlands want to rent a place with their partner

Of the 26 per cent of millennials who are unsure they will own a property, over a third (36 per cent) see privately renting with a partner as a long-term preference and 29 per cent plan to live with their parents.

With the chances of owning a house off the cards, millennials in the west midlands have alternative goals for the next five years. Nearly two-fifths (38 per cent) would like to rent somewhere with a partner, 36 per cent would like to rent modern property and three in 10 (30 per cent) would like somewhere with a parking space.

Interestingly, in the next five years, 13 per cent of millennials see renting somewhere that is large enough to host dinner parties as a goal.

Natasha Rachel Smith, consumer-money expert for TopCashback.co.uk, said: “Our research shows millennials are being sensible with their money and thinking about financial security. However, the current economic climate, and a change in lifestyle – people marrying and having children later – means millennials are favouring experiences over possessions and have different financial priorities at this point in their lives.

“While it may be later in life and less of a priority than it was in the past, it is important for millennials to put money aside regularly and be savvy with their spending, so they are prepared when the opportunity to buy a property does arise.”

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.”

A disabled-led arts festival, organised by national disability charity Sense, in partnership with Midland Arts Centre (MAC), took place in Birmingham this weekend (19 – 20 May), with crowds coming in to explore, play and experiment with multisensory art.

The ‘Sensibility Festival’ co-directed by Graeae Theatre Company and Stephanie Singer (BitterSuite), included a mixture of sensory experiences, guided tours and accessible activities, across two venues: MAC and TouchBase Pears. Artists Justin Wiggan, Saranjit Birdi, Lyn Cox and Becca Thomas (InterAction), led the creation of the unique arts installation, co-curated by 60 artistic advisors with sensory impairments.

Visitors were able to explore art and creativity using their senses, including the centrepiece of the festival, the ‘Sensory Labyrinth’, designed to be touched, eaten, smelt, moved and felt.

Stephanie Tyrrell, National Art Manager for Sense, said:

“The ‘Sensibility Festival’ was a hugely engaging festival, that enabled the public to explore how artists with sensory impairments can use their senses to create art. Over the three days, visitors were amazed at how they could use their senses. We hope this festival marks the beginning of people with sensory impairments, having the opportunity to be creative, to develop accessible and multisensory art in the future.”

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.