Community News

More than 220 businesses will come together at Molineux Stadium on Friday, September 29 as part of Wolverhampton Business Week’s ‘Meet the Buyer Breakfast’ event - and there is still time to sign up if you wish to attend.

It will take place between 8am and 11am in the WV1 Suite and is open to anyone interested in hearing about supplying goods or services in the city and where to find opportunities.

City partners are committed to working together to increase support for local businesses and create opportunities for local people.

A key part of this is helping businesses work together to create a supply chain that can bid for public and private sector contracts.

Representatives from the University of Wolverhampton, The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Hospital Trust, City of Wolverhampton Council, and Wolverhampton Homes will be available to answer questions.

Exhibitors include Just Patties Logistics, Find It, YPO, Pestokill, BT, Lion FPG, Zeus Packaging, Banner, Galliford Try, Midland Metro Alliance, BSI, Speller Metcalfe, Black Country Growth Hub, City of Wolverhampton College, Something Different, Accord Careers, Enterprise and The Workplace (University of Wolverhampton), The Apprenticeship Hub, Amazon Business, Obillex and Yoo Recruit/Adecco.

Fiona Ward, Head of Procurement at the University of Wolverhampton, said: “This is our third annual event and a great opportunity for local businesses to engage with, not only, public sector organisations but the private sector ones who are also exhibiting. We look forward to another successful event and future collaboration in the sector and region.”

Councillor John Reynolds, Cabinet Member for City Economy, said: “Partners in the city are working together to give local companies local procurement opportunities across all sectors.

“Together, partners are committed that every pound spent should have a maximum impact on our city, our residents and our businesses.

“I am sure suppliers of all shapes and sizes will benefit from meeting some of the biggest buyers in Wolverhampton.

“It is a great way to find out about future contracts and get support on how to tender for upcoming opportunities.”

Birmingham’s historic architecture and changing landscape will be put in the picture at a new exhibition showcasing how the city’s skyline has been transformed over the last 20 years.

Birmingham City University’s Parkside Gallery will host the ‘Brummagem Lost City Found’ exhibition from today (September 18), which brings together a collection of large-scale prints, paper constructions and rare archive materials centred around some of the city’s most iconic sites.

The artworks, which feature artistic takes on Spaghetti Junction, the Inner Ring Road and New Street Signal Box, have been produced by two local artists, Birmingham City University Professor, Andrew Kulman and Sara Kulman.

Both Andrew and Sara are residents of Birmingham and use city’s transformation as the inspiration for the work on show in ‘Brummagem Lost City Found’.

The exhibition has been compiled in a bid to recognise and honour the Brutalist architecture which characterised the  city’s architecture during the 1950s-70s.

Professor Andrew Kulman said: “Over the last 20 years Birmingham has lost much of the Brutalist architecture that characterised the city. Most recently the iconic Central Library was controversially demolished and is being replaced by brand new buildings.

“While it would be hard to deny the benefits to the city, there is an overwhelming feeling of loss as the old buildings fall and the city is reshaped. As the city is regenerated there is a sense of nostalgia among those who called the ‘concrete jungle’ home.”

‘Brummagem Lost City Found’ is free for the public to attend at Birmingham City University’s Parkside Gallery at its City Centre Campus in Eastside.

Sara Kulman added: “Birmingham is a fantastic place for artists to work and exhibit, the changing city is a great inspiration. This exhibition has given me the opportunity to reflect on the city as it is today, to bring new life and a fresh perspective to the remaining structures that defined my youth, a city that I still call home.”

The exhibition will run from September 18 to October 27.

Brits spend 48 days a year on the sofa, with nine out of ten¹ people enjoying relaxing on the sofa with their family - and it’s also having a positive impact on our relationships, new research reveals.

ScS, one of the UK’s leading furniture and flooring specialists, surveyed more than 1,000 people to find out about their sofa-time habits. The research found the majority of Brits spend at least an hour a day relaxing on the sofa, with more than half (55%) using that time to catch up with family and friends.

Brits are most likely to spend time on the sofa with their partners too, with over two thirds saying they are more likely to couple up on the couch as part of their sofa-time. Relationship expert, Caroline Brealey explains the positive impact sofa-time is having on couples and their relationships.

Caroline says: “In a relationship it's the little things that count. Big romantic gestures are lovely, but the day to day moments you share are what keep you connected and the relationship healthy.  Cuddling provides comfort and security and after a long day at work spending some quality time cuddled up on the sofa together being close and having physical contact can be hugely intimate and romantic.”

She continues: “Sofa time is also important for people with children as it brings together the family. Time spent with your children on the sofa, whether reading, watching a movie or chatting, is essential for maintaining family ties and creating common interests.”

The poll also revealed the nation’s sofa-time habits. Interestingly, when it comes to where we sit, more than half of respondents admitted that they have a favourite spot on the sofa and get annoyed if another family member ‘steals’ it. This is most common in those aged 45 – 54, with 60% admitting the trait, compared to just 36% of those aged 18-24.

Despite common belief, it’s actually older people who spend the least amount of time on the sofa each day, with 17% of those aged 65 and over spending less than an hour a day on the sofa compared to just 6% of 25 to 34 year olds.

Simon Nicholson, Furniture Buying Director at ScS, said: “With our lives seeming to get busier and busier, fitting in time with the family and our partners can be a struggle, so it’s great to see so many are putting their sofas to really great use as part of this precious family time.

“While it’s tempting to get engrossed in your favourite TV shows and other distractions, it seems that families around the country are using time together on the sofa at the end of a long day to catch up and invest in their relationships, which we think is a real testament to the benefits and comfort offered by the [modest/humble] family sofa.”

Last month marked the 100th anniversary of the death of Captain Noel Godfrey Chavasse VC & Bar, MC;  one of only three people to be awarded the Victoria Cross twice, and namesake to one of the four Help for Heroes (H4H) Recovery Centres.

This week two granddaughters of Christopher Chavasse, twin brother of Noel, visited the recovery centre named Chavasse VC House after the British Medical Doctor. Noel was engaged to his cousin, Frances Gladys Ryland Chavasse, but the captain was killed in action before they could be married. His great-nieces, Camilla Kinton and Julia Hatfield, are some of the closest living descendants. They were invited to the recovery centre to mark the anniversary of their great uncle’s passing and see how the centre has developed since they attended its opening over five years ago.

Camilla said: “This is the best possible memorial to Noel Chavasse as he cared about the whole person; not just the physical but the emotional side too. The Help for Heroes Recovery Centre does just that here; it cares for the whole person. It’s nice to be able to keep the name of Noel Chavasse alive and I feel that he very much would have approved of the recovery centre. Our great-uncle cared for “his boys” and it’s possible that if had lived then he might have opened up his own house to let his comrades recover after the war. It was quite unusual for his a man of his time to be concerned for the wellbeing of his soldiers”.

She continued: ”Noel came from a family of those with a great faith and sense of duty; they always wanted to help others. Even when Noel carried out those acts which saw him awarded the Victoria Cross he didn’t feel like he was being brave. It was just the way he was; he just wanted to help his men”.

Camilla and Julia spent time with beneficiaries of Chavasse VC House hearing how Help for Heroes has assisted them on their road to recovery; both physically and mentally. They also heard how Noel was integral to improving the wellbeing of his comrades in the trenches by setting up recreational areas which he stocked with a gramophone and books.

The Olympic athlete and British Army Officer died on August 4, 1917, during the Passchendaele offensive. He was just age 32. Captain Chavasse received serious head injuries during the battle, but refused to be evacuated and continued to venture into no man’s land and tend to the wounded.

Despite being injured Captain Chavasse saved the lives of an estimated 20 seriously wounded men while under heavy gunfire. A few days later, while resting, his trench was hit by a shell. Mortally wounded, the Captain crawled half a mile to seek help for others. He was eventually evacuated but died of his wounds two days later.

Noel Chavasse was the most highly decorated British Officer of the First World War and had previously displayed courageous acts of bravery during the Battle of the Somme. When the time came to build the Help for Heroes Recovery Centre in Colchester, it was widely agreed that it should bear his name, not only to acknowledge his sacrifice but to those who fell during the Great War.

Colchester Recovery Centre inspires, enables and supports those who are wounded, injured or sick while serving our country, encouraging them to lead active, independent and fulfilling lives, while also supporting their loved ones. With an adaptive gym, an award winning reflective garden (Hope on the Horizon), a Support Hub made up of multiple charities and other organisations, psychological well-being suite, en-suite bedrooms, family rooms and a creative studio, the Centre has been specially designed to offer the very best recovery environment. It supports those from East Anglia, East Midlands and West Midlands.

Steve Schollar, Help for Heroes’ Head of Recovery Services East, said: “No matter when someone served, H4H gives them the support they need to put them back on the road to recovery In recent years we have supported individuals aged from 18 to 90 years, focussing on the five key areas of Medical, Mind, Body, Spirit and Family. The specialist teams here create the conditions for our heroes and their families to recover and move forward with their lives. I’m proud to say that Help for Heroes and Chavasse VC House continue to play a major part in the Nation’s commitment to our veterans”.

Goaty McGoatface the rare Bagot goat is the newest addition at Sandwell Counci’s Forge Mill Farm in West Bromwich.

The six week old kid, who will be known as Goaty, was named by members of the public who suggested their favourite names on Facebook. Goaty was born in August to the farm’s oldest Bagot goat, Ivy, who is 15.

The council is supporting a scheme run by the Rare Breeds Survival Trust to breed the rare goats as there are fewer than 200 registered breeding females left.

Goaty will become part of the farm’s breeding stock, increasing the number of these rare animals for years to come.

Councillor Richard Marshall, Sandwell Council's cabinet member for leisure, said: "Goaty is very cute – and a very important little goat.

“We wanted the public to be involved in naming him. Someone suggested Goaty McGoatface, people thought it was funny and then a few more suggested it. We thought it suited him so we went with it.”

The Bagot is believed to be Britain’s oldest breed of goat with records of them being around in 1389 at Blithfield, the Staffordshire home of Sir John Bagot.

The exact origin of the Bagot goat is unknown - one theory  is they were brought to Britain during the Crusades in the Middle Ages, while others believe they originated from native goats in medieval times.

Sandwell Council is to give the West Bromwich-based People’s Orchestra a special £1,000 grant to help it to replace vital equipment it lost in a recent theft.

The orchestra lost a public address system, cables, wires and IT equipment which were snatched from the back of the van belonging the group in a second theft they have suffered.

Now Councillor Richard Marshall, Sandwell Council's cabinet member for leisure, said he was delighted to be able to announce that the council was to help the group to keep playing music for Black Country enthusiasts.

He said: “The People’s Orchestra is a well-respected organisation who have really been badly affected by two thefts of their equipment.

"They provide excellent entertainment for music lovers and do some excellent work in the community and deserve some assistance at this difficult time."

The orchestra, which is based at West Bromwich Town Hall, is made up of a diverse mix of talented musicians from varied backgrounds aged 18-75 years.

The primary objective of the orchestra is to advance, improve and develop an appreciation for arts and music through public concerts.

It also works to help unemployed people back into work by helping to boost their confidence and gain new skills.

Managing director Sarah Marshall estimated that the stolen equipment could cost as much as £2,000 to replace after the "truly heartbreaking thefts" on their vehicle.

She added: "We are absolutely delighted to hear of the council’s kind offer because we have to work so hard to raise the money to buy this equipment to help people to play music and the unemployed members to get back into work."

Dog owners can get their pets microchipped for free at an event being held in the City of Wolverhampton.

RSPCA Stafford, Wolverhampton and District Branch are working in partnership with City of Wolverhampton Council’s Public Protection team to offer the service at West Park on Saturday, September 23, from 10am to 2pm.

A new law which came into force on April 6, 2016, requires all dogs over eight weeks old in England, Scotland and Wales to be microchipped.

The measures are aimed at cracking down on vicious or illegal dogs as well as helping protect animals that may become lost.

Dogs need to be microchipped and registered with their keepers’ contact details. All keepers, including breeders, will need to keep these details up to date.

The microchip is the size of a grain of rice and its information about the dog and the owner’s contact details will be officially held on an approved micro-chip database.

Councillor Steve Evans, City of Wolverhampton Council Cabinet Member for City Environment, said: “Microchipping is a great way to make sure that you and your pet can be reunited should the unthinkable ever happen, and your dog does go missing.

“Unlike dog tags and collars, which can fall off or be removed, microchipping is a permanent form of identification. By microchipping your companion, you can help to increase your chances of being rightfully reunited with your pet, should they ever be lost or even stolen from you.”

If a pet is already microchipped, it is important to remember to keep the dog’s details updated. If people move house or change phone number, they should contact their microchip database provider to let them know.

Not only it is a legal requirement to ensure that contact details are up-to-date, but the microchip is useless without them.

Jenny Stringer, Chair of RSPCA Stafford, Wolverhampton and District Branch Chair, said: “There are so many owners that aren't aware that by law all dogs must be microchipped, so the local RSPCA Stafford Wolverhampton & District Branch have held a number of events to help microchip local animals.

“Thousands of animals are lost every year and many never reunited with their owners - having your dog microchipped reduces this happening. We are really pleased to be working in conjunction with the council to provide this free service at West Park. Microchipping can cost up to £25 so it's a huge saving.”

If a dog without a microchip comes to the attention of the authorities, its keeper could be served with a notice requiring the dog to be microchipped, and may face criminal prosecution and a £500 fine if they do not comply with the notice.

The only exemption is where a vet has certified in writing that a dog is unfit to have the chip fitted.

Cranberry and blood orange liqueur brand, Cranes, names Danilo Sassanelli of Soho based bar, Graphic Bar as the winner of their first cocktail competition.

Competitors were challenged to create innovative cocktails that will 'Paint the Town Red', with the only specification that they included 20ml of Cranes Cranberry & Blood Orange Liqueur.

Danilo of Graphic Bar, London, triumphed over two other competitors in the final of the competition, which took place at the Prince of Wales, Brixton on 11th September.

The contest was judged by Tom Arnold, who also judged the WFA Flair Bartending World Championship; Sean Cambridge, mixologist and Cocktail bar manager; and twin brothers and co-founders of the Cranes brand, Benjamin and Daniel Ritsema.

Danilo was awarded a cash prize, a years supply of Cranes liqueur for the bar he's employed by and also the title of Cranes Brand Ambassador.

The other finalists were Sammy from First Aid Box and Louis from The Shrub and Shutter, who both created exquisite cocktails.

The winning cocktail '160 Cranes' consisted of;

• 25ml Cranes
• 30ml Calvados
• 5ml Aperol
• 25ml Lime juice
• 5ml cider vinegar
• Bergamot bitters
• Egg white

The Crowne Plaza Hotel Birmingham on Monday evening played host to an auspicious gathering of BME Civic, Faith, Housing and Community Leaders, amassed for an appreciation dinner in honour of the West Midlands Combined Authority Mayor, Andy Street CBE.

Invited by Nehemiah UCHA Honorary President, Bishop W R Powell, OBE & Chairman Mr Jimmy Ogunshakin, the assembled group welcomed Mr Street and congratulated him on his election to Mayor of the West Midlands.

Nehemiah UCHA are a Housing Association with a portfolio of 1100 properties serving the multicultural African Caribbean, Asian, Irish and European communities within the West Midlands, and the night was as much a celebration of their success over the years as well as honouring Andy Street.

"With such an influential group of leaders from across the West Midlands here, thank you very much for bringing everyone together tonight," Mr Street began, "Part of my reason for coming tonight is to learn from what you all do, and to build those relationships."

"There is no point in saying what you're going to do during a campaign, if you're not prepared to actually do it when you're in office as well. I am determined to continue the engagement of all of the communities, because genuinely I believe that being Mayor has to mean being Mayor of the whole of the West Midlands, not just one community."

Mr Street fielded questions from the room adequetly, talking expertly on the topics of Social Change, Housing, and his first 100 days in office, with his usual charismatic charm shining through, immediately putting everyone at ease.

For someone who stepped into the political arena from a business background, and set out a checklist of promises that by his own admission, he would be judged on, he was brutally honest in his admission that those promises haven't all been hit to the standard he would have liked, yet. A true breath of fresh air from a politician.

With regards to the Homelessness Task Force, Andy agreed with a statement from Nehemiah UCHA Chief Executive Llewellyn Graham earlier in the evening, that "actually the government record on this is poor, we have to lobby carefully to win change and drive improvement in that area, and I'm pleased to say that everyone is coming together to do that."

Nehemiah UCHA have responded to the needs of their customers by providing large homes for those with extended families, specially designed homes for people with disabilities or specific religious/cultural needs, and energy efficient homes to minimise the impact of fuel poverty. They are committed to serving the community and aims to build it into a thriving social unit in which people of all ethnic backgrounds feel at home and valued.

With the help and support of those gathered in the room, and the wider communities they represent, Andy Street definitely has a good ear to the ground to discern exactly what is required. Whether he is able to enact change for the betterment of these communities as he has set out to do, only time will tell.

Wildflowers could be adding a splash of colour to gardens as well as grass verges in Sandwell next summer.

In the spring, Sandwell Council planted wildflowers on grass verges and roundabouts – reducing the need for mowing and creating a haven for bees and butterflies.

Photographs of the flowers received more than 1,500 likes on the council's Facebook page and were seen by close to 100,000 people.

Sandwell Council’s cabinet member for highways Councillor David Hosell said: “We’ve had so many compliments and enquiries from residents who wanted to buy the seeds that we’re working with our supplier to see if we can sell the seeds for people to plant in their own gardens next spring.”

People are being urged to sign up for adult learning in Sandwell.

Sandwell Adult and Family Learning (SAFL) has held three open days where hundreds of new learners have enrolled on a wide range of courses.

Learners have been signing up to courses in English and maths as well as employability courses offering support on writing CVs and interview skills. There has also been a good take-up of the more creative courses such as art, sewing and textiles courses.

Adult learner Moreen Campbell has already completed courses at Tipton College and has again signed up for more courses this term.

After studying English at entry level and Level 1 Moreen is going on to study for her Level 2 in English which is equivalent to a GCSE. While doing her English studies, Moreen learned about the sewing and dressmaking classes on offer and has now signed up for her third term on that course.

Moreen said: "I love coming to the adult learning classes. The staff have given me real encouragement with my studies. My confidence has improved and I'm glad I've been given the opportunity to better myself.

"Before signing up for the sewing and dressmaking course, I couldn't sew at all but now I'm making my own dresses. I'd recommend adult learning to anyone."

Students can enrol on classes for this term until the end of September. Enrolment is taking place at any of the three adult learning centres; Tipton College in Alexandra Road, Ron Davis Centre in Smethwick and Hateley Heath Family Education and Training Centre in West Bromwich.

Councillor Simon Hackett went along to the recent open day at Tipton College and met the staff along with some new learners. He said: "The learners I met were so enthusiastic about the courses they have done and the tutors who taught them. It was great to see them signing up for more courses.”

“I encourage people to have a look at the courses on offer and enrol. There really is something for everyone including GCSE equivalent qualifications.”

To find out more details about the courses on offer please visit www.learnsafl.ac.uk or call 0121 557 0387. Alternatively you can go along to any of our colleges to find out more.

Councillors are being asked to flick the switch on plans for brand new Christmas lights to brighten up Sandwell’s towns and neighbourhoods over the coming years.

A four-year contract to supply distinctive Christmas lights in each of the borough’s six towns, as well as neighbourhoods, is being considered by cabinet.

It is hoped new lights would make for great switch-on events, create a sense of community pride and overall brighten up the borough.

Councillor Syeda Khatun, deputy leader, said: “Our current contract is coming to an end and so this is an opportunity to brighten up the borough with updated Christmas lights and great switch on events at each of our towns from 2018 onwards.”

A report to cabinet says the current contract with an external company ends in January 2018 and the council needs to start the procurement process for a new four-year contract.

It says the current contract is based on a mixed hire and ownership basis whereby the council owns some of the lights and hires others with the contractor responsible for installing, repairing, removing and storing the lights as part of the contract.

And it adds some of the council-owned lights are now reaching the end of their life and need replacing.

If approved a new tender for £600,000 over four years will be drawn up looking for a supplier who can provide the most eye-catching lights to make the most impact across the borough.

The report before cabinet on September 20 says most councils hire lights because it allows the cost to be spread over the term of the contract and removes large upfront capital costs.

The new contract will place a high priority on the quality of the lights as well as excellent ongoing aftercare and would include a minimum of 396 column-mounted lighting motifs, 10 small tree lights for trees outside Oldbury Council House and Wednesbury traffic island; 16 festoon lights for Christmas trees in:

•                     Bearwood (Lightwoods);

•                     Blackheath;

•        Birchley Island sign

•                     Langley (High Street);

•                     Oldbury (Council House);

•                     Old Hill (Reddall Hill Road);

•                     Smethwick (Council House);

•                     Smethwick (rear of Victoria park hotel);

•                     Tipton (Owen Street);

•                     Cradley Heath (Mary McArthur Memorial Gardens);

•                     Wednesbury (Crankhall Lane);

•                     Wednesbury (Union Street);

•                     West Bromwich (Queens Square);

•                     West Bromwich (Junction one island;

•                     West Bromwich (Carters Green);

•                     West Bromwich (Stone Cross)

Business leaders in Greater Birmingham said the government must hold its nerve following today’s announcement that the UK's inflation rate climbed to its joint highest level in more than five years in August.

Higher petrol and air fare prices contributed as inflation, measured by the Consumer Prices Index, rose to 2.9 per cent in August, up from 2.6 per cent in July, figures show.

The bigger-than-expected rise came ahead of the Bank of England's next announcement on interest rates on Thursday. However, economists said the Bank was still highly unlikely to raise rates at the meeting.

Paul Faulkner (pictured), chief executive of Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce, said: ““The rate of inflation saw a noticeable increase over the summer, with the figure for August matching the four-year high that was recorded in May as higher petrol and air fare prices contributed to the latest rise.

“Also, the recovery of the Eurozone economy played a part as this made imports from Europe more costly.

“Stagnant wage growth and higher inflation are continuing to put a squeeze on living standards and now is the time for the government to hold their nerve and ensure the foundations are in place to ride out the economic uncertaint.

“Nevertheless, in light of today’s result, it was reassuring to see the value of the pound hit a year-long high. It remains to be seen whether the financial markets are right in predicting that the Bank of England will now have to raise interest rates to offset this uncertainty.

“From a local perspective, we have just finished the surveying for our Q3 Quarterly Business Report and concerns around interest rates were more apparent as compared to last quarter. We will be analysing these results along with wider trends across the regional economy at our next Quarterly Business Report Launch event in November.”

Visitors to Wolves Pride on Saturday, September 30 will also have the chance to become world record breakers as part of the ‘Big Howl’.

The Wolverhampton LGBT Alliance celebration, being supported by City of Wolverhampton Council, University of Wolverhampton and Wolverhampton Homes, will play host to an attempt to get the most number of people wolf howling continuously for a minute.

It runs on from the city’s largest public arts event – Wolves in Wolves – and will take place at 4pm at St Peter’s Car Park, off Wulfruna Street, in Wolverhampton city centre.

The current world record stands at 803 people and is held by Great Wolf Lodge, who broke the record at Niagara Falls on July 1, 2017, as part of the 150th Canada Day.

More than 4,000 free tickets for Wolves Pride have already been snapped up and organisers are calling on people to rally behind the world record attempt in a bid to break the 1,000 barrier.

City of Wolverhampton Council’s Member Champion for Equalities, Councillor Paula Brookfield, said: “Wolves Pride is an important event in the calendar and this year the ‘Big Howl’ record attempt gives us a chance to put the city’s rich diversity on the world map.

“The Big Howl is just one of the many family activities on offer throughout the day as the City of Wolverhampton comes together to help raise awareness of LGBT+ equality messages.”

Emma Bull, Director of Organisational Development, University of Wolverhampton, added: “As a sponsor of both Wolves Pride 2017 and the Wolves in Wolves art project, the University of Wolverhampton is proud to be supporting The Big Howl. We are working with students from our nationally-renowned Photography, Video & Film Production, and Journalism courses to support the official recording of this unique event. With campuses in the heart of the city, we know better than anybody that Wolverhampton has a lot to shout about!"

Ben Howley of Wolverhampton Homes and Chair of Wolverhampton LGBT+ Alliance, said: “As one of the sponsors behind the Wolves in Wolves project, we can’t wait to see people come together for the Big Howl, which we hope will see us take the world record and put the City of Wolverhampton on the map.

“Wolverhampton Homes is proud to be one of the organisers behind this year’s Pride event. We’re passionate about diversity and have supported Wolves Pride since 2012. This year’s Pride will see the launch of Wolverhampton LGBT+ Alliance, a network of organisations and businesses that have joined forces to improve services to the local LGBT+ community.”

Two of the city’s much-loved Wolves in Wolves - ‘Rainbow’ by Julie Fletcher and Support Life by Alex Vann - will be part of Wolves Pride.

As well as the world record attempt, it will feature a broad range of music, live entertainment and performers, as well as a fantastic range of street food, bars, information stands, merchandise stalls.

There will also be a family fun area with activities for children, including special arts and crafts workshops with some of the Wolves in Wolves artists.

Harry Potter's 20th anniversary sees fans across the world unite to celebrate The Boy Who Lived. With the theme music a firm favourite of The People's Orchestra, they make their return to West Bromwich Town Hall for their Autumn concert; Fantastic Beats and Where to Hear Them. Opening at 19:30 on Saturday 14^th October, the orchestra promises to offer audiences a night of orchestral enchantment and magical music, an evening of fantasy pieces from film, TV and classical sources.

Tickets are now on sale with audiences from across the Midlands expected to descend upon West Bromwich Town Hall to enjoy classic orchestral pieces such as Hall of The Mountain King, Devil’s Dance and Mars, straight through to more contemporary fantasy pieces from Lord of The Rings, Game of Thrones and Harry Potter and The Prisoner of Azkaban.

“It’s a wonderful time to return to West Bromwich, it’s our home town. We couldn’t be happier to return with for a performance which will see The People’s Orchestra doing what they do best!” Orchestra Director Sarah Marshall said upon request for comment. “It’s sure to be a night that our audience will not forget”

Sadly, The People’s Orchestra were devastated to find out that thieves had targeted their van and stolen sound equipment, instruments and other items.

Sarah Marshall, MD, said “We estimate that about £2000 of equipment has been lost but it may be a while before we find out the full extent of what’s been taken. It’d truly heart breaking after fundraising to buy the kit, that someone has taken it”

The People’s Orchestra, who use live music performance to help and support unemployed people back into work in The Black Country were rehearsing for the upcoming concert.

A fundraising page has been set up to help the charity recover from  the loss.

“Remember the name, and see them when you can, we have a feeling that tickets for future performances will be difficult to get your hands on once word spreads” – Phoenix Newspaper, July 2017

The introduction of polymer notes to replace old paper money is proving popular with consumers, new research from Consumer Intelligence ahead of the launch of a plastic tenner on September 14^th.

The Bank of England introduces the new £10 note next month featuring literary legend Jane Austen to join the plastic £5 note which was launched last September.

Plastic cash has been the focus of controversy with religious groups and vegans and vegetarians objecting to animal fats being used in their production as well as a campaign to ensure famous women are represented on the notes.

But the majority of people back the new currency – 51% say they prefer polymer notes to the old paper money which is being gradually phased out with a polymer £20 note due by 2019 featuring artist JMW Turner. Some 29% said they preferred the old paper money, and the remainder said they didn’t care either way.

The top reasons for the new notes’ popular was the belief that the new notes feels cleaner and more hygienic (67%) and that the plastic cash feels modern (52%).  Around 6% of people claim to like reading the new serial numbers.

But the new note’s toughness is more important than its security features, according to the study. Around two-fifths (40%) prefer the new note because it doesn’t fall apart after being in the washing machine, whereas 27% prefer it for its anti-forgery security features which were the main reason for the Bank of England’s switch. Around 77% say plastic cash is more robust.

Of those who don’t like the new fiver, 59% don’t like how it feels; a third (33%) believe it’s easier to lose than the old fiver; and 30% believe the new notes are prone to sticking together.

Nearly two-fifths of adults in the UK (39%) have never read an Austen novel and have no intention of doing so. However screen adaptations of her works have proved more popular as 51%  say they have watched Pride and Prejudice on TV.

Ian Hughes, Chief Executive of Consumer Intelligence said: “Change is often not popular and there has been a lot of controversy about the polymer notes over the past year.

“But there is clear public support for the new currency and in an age where contactless payment is growing fast it is fascinating that the public remain so invested in cash.

“There are no plans as yet to convert the £50 note into plastic so supporters of paper money have something to hang on to.”

Around 14% of adults asked for Princess Diana’s image when asked to choose one famous British woman for the next new note ahead of 11% who want Margaret Thatcher. Other choices included authors Beatrix Potter and Agatha Christie and singer, Adele.