Community News

Academics and industry partners in Birmingham are developing a new device that will ensure newborn babies could survive in the event of a crash in an ambulance at up to 40 miles per hour.

Product design experts at Birmingham City University have teamed up with Evac+Chair International – makers of the world's most popular stairway evacuation chair – to develop the first-ever stretcher interface device (SID) for neonates.

The universal device for neonatal equipment will be securely attached to European Ambulance Loading Stretchers (EALS) and those in other markets worldwide, complementing the existing range of goods and services offered by Evac+Chair International.

With the newborn contained within an incubator, the partners are devising a quick attach/release mechanism that will see the device disengage from oxygen, power and other survival supplies in the event of a road traffic incident, to be then transferred quickly to another ambulance vehicle.

Through Birmingham-based Evac+Chair International’s ParAid brand, the company already produces an award-winning ambulance child restraint (ACR) – a flexible and fully adjustable harnessing system for the safe and effective transport of infants and children. What makes SID unique to previous designs is that it will isolate the baby from sudden accelerations and decelerations to reduce the stress of road transport.

To test the effectiveness of the design, SID will be impact tested at 40 miles per hour in a similar manner to how the European New Car Assessment Programme (Euro NCAP) verifies the fit and protection offered by child restraints in the event of a front or side crash.

More than 78,000 lives have been saved since Euro NCAP’s crash safety tests were launched in 1997, and the Birmingham team hope their SID and related products will achieve a safety rating similar to those given on child restraint systems.

The project has been made possible due to a knowledge transfer partnership (KTP) which has been agreed between Birmingham School of Architecture and Design, part of Birmingham City University, and Evac+Chair International. The terms of the programme will see a recent graduate from the University’s Product and Furniture Design course employed to work on the two-year project. Research findings from the collaboration will also be fed in to the University’s curriculum, ensuring that its teaching is informed by industry practice and innovation.

Dr Panch Suntharalingam from Birmingham City University is the lead academic on the partnership programme. He said:

“The major challenge in this project will be the development of a stretcher interface device with impact-resistant fixing points and ports for oxygen, power and other survival supplies situated around what encapsulates the newborn.

“In order for the product to be desirable, it needs to be compatible with any European ambulance trolley, so this adds an additional complication, as the variation in emergency vehicles and their components differs across the continent.

“However, our work is vital in guaranteeing the safety of newborn patients in ambulances and giving their families piece of mind – something that will be at the forefront of all our minds throughout the project.”

There is a lack of research in recent ambulance accidents in Europe but in the USA, between 1992 and 2011, there was an average of 1,500 crashes involving an ambulance that resulted in an injury, with 2,600 incapacitated as a result. 29 per cent of the deaths caused in these incidents were ambulance passengers

Ges Wallace, Managing Director, Evac+Chair International, said: “Working with Birmingham City University will enable us to develop a world-class innovative safety conscious products to complement our existing range of specialist patient and casualty handling equipment.”

There are approximately 16,000 transfers of premature and sick babies each year in Britain, according to the UK Neonatal Transport Group. Many of these transfers are needed so that babies can be cared for in the correct type of neonatal unit.

44 per cent of neonatal transfers in 2014/15 were of babies who were moved to a more specialist unit. For example, this happens when a baby needs complex, long term intensive care because they are very premature or sick. Another 44 per cent of transfers were of babies moved to a less specialist unit when their condition improved.

World-leading Swedish engineering group Atlas Copco has started the build of a new state-of-the-art manufacturing facility at i54 South Staffordshire.

It is the third major business in recent months to begin construction at the advanced manufacturing hub.

The development will be the new headquarters of Tentec Ltd which is one of the leading providers of bolt tensioning solutions globally.

The bespoke facility will provide 46,000 sq ft (4,289 sq m) of high quality production and office space for 80 employees and Tentec expects this number to grow as the operation expands.

Midlands property company Mucklow Group Plc is developing the property on behalf of Atlas Copco and Tentec.

Tentec Ltd, part of the Atlas Copco group, was formed over 28 years ago and the company designs, manufactures and distributes a wide range of class leading hydraulic bolt tensioning tools from their existing site in West Bromwich.

The tools it makes are renowned for their reliability and accuracy and they are used both on land and in deep sea applications.

The Tentec development follows hot on the heels of Eurofins, the food testing company, beginning a £1.5 million major expansion last month. More than 10,000 sq ft of laboratories will be added to its UK headquarters. The Belgian-owned company moved its operations onto i54 five years ago.

ERA, the leading British security hardware and electronics business, are also four months into the construction of a state-of-the-art product development, manufacturing and distribution facility at its new i54 South Staffordshire headquarters. The new purpose built 135,000 sq ft facility will include design, prototyping, testing, manufacturing, assembly, warehousing and a customer training centre.

The three councils behind the success of i54 - City of Wolverhampton, Staffordshire County and South Staffordshire - are delighted with progress on the site, which is also home to Jaguar Land Rover, MOOG, and ISP.

Tim Johnson, City of Wolverhampton Strategic Director for Place, speaking on behalf of the i54 South Staffordshire Partnership, said: “Our joint investment in i54 has already secured hundreds of millions of pounds of further investment and brought thousands of jobs to the area. Tentec’s expansion plans come on the back of significant investment by ERA and Eurofins. Most importantly, these are high-end businesses providing skilled local jobs and research and training facilities. All this furthers i54s reputation as a leading regional hub for advanced manufacturing and engineering.”

Tentec Director and General Manager, David Jones, said: “The new Atlas Copco facility will further enhance our UK footprint with a global centre of excellence to support our worldwide client base within the Energy segment business area. It will also provide the platform to further grow the business where our standard products are used extensively in the oil and gas, power generation industries. The company also has the ability to design and manufacture hydraulic tooling for special bespoke applications in most industries where controlled bolt tightening is required. Operations within the facility will encompass R and D development, training and demonstration areas, engineering design, sales and logistics support, extensive manufacturing and assembly processes thus enabling us to provide world class Atlas Copco and Tentec branded products based on sustainable productivity.”

Development Director at Mucklow, Mark Vernon, said: "It has been great to work with the Tentec team to ensure this state-of-the-art production unit meets its exact requirements.  This is the first of up to four manufacturing facilities which we can accommodate on this high-profile site and we are able to offer fast-track delivery to occupiers."

The full impact of congestion on drivers’ commuting times has been revealed for the first time in an investigation by insurance specialist Admiral.

Drivers are losing an average of 10 days a year sitting in their cars during rush hour with journey times tripling on some routes.

Admiral compared the travel time of various routes into the centres of 13 major cities for a 9am arrival on a Monday, one of the busiest times to be driving, with 9am on a Sunday, when the roads are at their quietest. A central landmark in each city was given as the destination.

The figures reveal the full picture of congestion across the country, uncovering the shocking amount of hours drivers lose as they make their way to work. And this can mean more than just inconvenience – more bumps occur during rush hour than at any other time of day.

Unsurprisingly, London is the worst city for congestion, with commuters spending three times as much time in the car during rush hour, compared with the quieter day. That adds up to an average of 53 minutes more in the car for just one journey, which is a staggering 398 hours each year, or 17 days.

Manchester is the second most congested city in the UK – where drivers will spend an average of 45 extra minutes per journey in rush hour, compared to the same journey outside of peak times. This adds up to 335 hours, the equivalent of nearly 14 days every year.

Bristol comes third in the list, followed by Glasgow and Birmingham. Leeds is the city where congestion affects drivers the least – adding an average of 28 minutes on a journey but still doubling the time it takes for drivers to get to their destination.

The new Birmingham Conservatoire has been announced as the leading venue for the prestigious BBC Young Musician competition in 2018, as the contest prepares to celebrate its 40th anniversary.

Following the regional auditions later this year, Birmingham Conservatoire will host the Category Finals between Friday 16 and Tuesday 20 March 2018, alongside the Semi Final on Friday 23 March. All performances in Birmingham will be recorded for broadcast on BBC Four.

BBC Young Musician is a part of the BBC’s ongoing commitment to supporting and providing a platform for new and emerging talent. Musicians are judged in five categories ahead of the Semi Final; strings, keyboard, woodwind, percussion and brass.

Birmingham Conservatoire’s new £57 million home, opening in the Eastside region of the city in September this year, will also welcome the BBC Young Musician Jazz Award Final in 2018.

Launched three years ago, the BBC Young Musician Jazz Award runs alongside the established classical music format and aims to showcase another group of exceptional young musicians to audiences across the UK. Current Birmingham Conservatoire student Elliott Sansom reached the finals in 2016.

Professor Julian Lloyd Webber, Principal, Birmingham Conservatoire, said:

“We are delighted to be hosting the Category Finals, Semi Final and the Jazz Final of BBC Young Musician 2018 in our state-of-the-art new building!

“Birmingham Conservatoire will be the first fully-digital music college and it is a tribute to our wonderful new facilities that the BBC has chosen us to host its iconic competition which has launched the careers of so many of the UK’s top soloists.”

Part of Birmingham City University, the new Birmingham Conservatoire will be a unique contemporary building, incorporating five public performance spaces including a new 500 seat concert hall for orchestral training and performance, private rehearsal and practice rooms, and teaching spaces for musicians from a variety of disciplines.

Furthermore, as the first purpose built conservatoire in the UK since 1987, it will be the only one of its kind in the country designed for the demands of the digital age. The venue will also be home to a purpose-designed jazz club – Birmingham’s only permanent jazz venue. Earlier this year, Birmingham Conservatoire Jazz Department launched its Ellington Orchestra, who will be a regular fixture in the new club.

Daredevil Debbie is flying high after realising a lifelong ambition while also raising cash for her chosen charity.

Debbie Pallett, 36, took to the skies in a sponsored wing walk raising hundreds of pounds for John Taylor Hospice.

First aid trainer Debbie wanted to show her support for John Taylor after they provided care for her stepmum, Deb Pallett, in 2016.

“The hospice and all of the staff there were fantastic in looking after Deb and also made us feel welcome when we visited,” said Birmingham-born Debbie.

“Deb and my dad got together when I was about seven years old and from then she became like another mum, big sister and best friend all rolled into one. She was a real family person, would do anything for anyone and had a heart of gold.

“After losing Deb to cancer last year I decided that life was too short to put off fulfilling your dreams. I’d always wanted to do a wing walk and there’s no better reason to do it than in memory of my amazing stepmum.”

To experience the thrill of a wing walk, Debbie travelled over 100 miles from her home in Bournemouth to RFC Rendcomb Airfield in Cirencester, Gloucestershire. Strapped onto the top of the aircraft, adventurous Debbie was in the air for 12 minutes as the pilot performed a series of dives and steep climbs.

“I thoroughly enjoyed doing the wing walk, it was an amazing experience and I was very lucky with the weather being so beautiful,” said Debbie.

“I would like to thank everyone who has sponsored me. Thanks to all of my friends and family who always support me in my crazy adventures but particularly my mum and boyfriend Andy who came to support me on the day too.”

John Taylor’s Head of Fundraising Katie Mitchell said: “We’re very proud of Debbie for achieving something that she’d always dreamed of achieving. She has taken on an incredibly ambitious challenge to raise money for us - even covering the costs of the wing walk herself - ensuring all donations go directly to the hospice and to local families who need our care and support.”

Since its launch back in August last year, The Platinum Group Service Sector within the Black Country Chamber of Commerce has gone from strength to strength. There are now 12 members of The Group all committed to working together to learn and develop, through sharing best practice and deeper business relationships.

The latest companies to join The Group are Nuffield Health Wolverhampton Hospital, Coinadrink and why.

Rated as ‘good’ by the Care Quality Commission, Nuffield Health hospital has been named as a top performer in the NHS Partners Network Report of independent sector providers caring for NHS patients. The private hospital, based in Tettenhall, is one of a group of 31 hospitals nationwide, who collectively are the largest not-for-profit organisation in the UK.  This means that any surplus funds are invested back into the hospital for the benefit of patients.

Commenting on their decision to join The Platinum Group, Karen Pattison, Hospital Director at Nuffield Health Wolverhampton, said: “Leadership and development are key to running a top private healthcare service. The opportunities that The Platinum Group provides for leaders across our business to expand their knowledge and learn from others outside of our industry is unrivalled in the region.”

Coinadrink is one of the UK’s leading suppliers of vending machines to businesses, offering a comprehensive vending service, including hire, installation and maintenance.  A forward-thinking company who are committed to the impact that they have not just on the exemplary service that they offer to their customers, but also in the environmental and community impact that they have.  To this end they have several CSR initiatives in place, supporting good causes in both the UK and around the world.

Roger Williams, Managing Director of Coinadrink said: “We are very excited at taking the step to upgrade to The Platinum Group Service Sector.  We will now enjoy many additional benefits such as meeting with other members to share ideas and developments. We see the ability to reach out to other CEO’s and MD’s for support and guidance and to share best practice, as a powerful tool in our continued development.”

whg are one of the West Midlands' leading and most successful providers of high quality homes. Owning and managing around 20,000 properties across Walsall and the wider West Midlands, they provide affordable, good quality homes and community-based services.  Since they were formed in 2003, they have invested over £400 million in their portfolio of homes and developed a range of services that go beyond the traditional role of a landlord.

Gary Fulford, CEO of whg, said: “At whg we believe that everyone deserves the chance to lead a happy and fulfilled life.  We are privileged to be able to provide one of the fundamentals to that – a home.  But we know that bricks and mortar alone cannot automatically create the conditions to help people enjoy better lives.  Maintaining a one-to-one relationship with each of our customers and constantly seeking the very best for them, is what differentiates us. People are at the heart of our business, which is why we are proud of our reputation for being ‘much more than a landlord’.

Joining The Platinum Group Service Sector and being able to interact with like-minded businesses in an open and confidential setting, to learn from their experiences and work together on ways to improve the service we provide, is an exciting prospect for us and I look forward to the opportunities it will bring.”

Commenting on The Group’s expansion, Gail Arnold, Head of Premium Membership at the Black Country Chamber of Commerce, said: “We are pleased to welcome our latest members to The Platinum Group Service Sector.  Since its launch we have been delighted by the reaction that we have received and by the diverse range of businesses that it has attracted.  This diversity is an important part of the success of The Group, where the non-competitive nature of the members ensures an openness and confidentiality, that provide excellent outcomes for developing leaders and their businesses.”

Families looking for half-term fun next week are being reminded about the hit LEGO exhibition at Wolverhampton Art Gallery.

Since the show opened at Easter hundreds of visitors have been blown away by Warren Elsmore’s amazing Brick Wonders exhibition.

Using thousands and thousands of pieces of the much-loved plastic bricks the master LEGO artist and author has created more than 70 awe-inspiring models.

Under the theme of natural, ancient and modern, Elsmore has recreated everything from the Great Wall of China, Niagra Falls, the Great Pyramid of Giza, and Old London Bridge, to a modern surgical operating theatre, incredible container ships and a hi-tech airport - all in LEGO.

The Lichfield Street gallery is hosting the exhibition until Wednesday, July 5 and, as well as viewing the creations, visitors can enjoy building their own LEGO models in the gallery spaces.

Marguerite Nugent, Manager of Arts and Culture at the gallery, said: “It doesn’t matter how old or young you are LEGO has an enduring appeal and this exhibition shows what amazing structures you can make with these little plastic bricks.

“While the exhibition does run until July we hope families will take advantage of the half-term break to visit us and enjoy this child and family-friendly show.”

The Birmingham Cross City CCG Dementia Support Team topped the People Awards Pushing Boundaries category.

The category awards those that demonstrate an innovative and adaptable approach which is centred on results for the Society; taking an interest in motivating others and respectfully challenging the status quo.

In the last year the Birmingham Cross City CCG Dementia Support Team have brought about a unique shift in how GPs view dementia, championing the idea that more can be done for people with dementia in their own communities.

The team’s success has led to another year’s funding for the project from the Cross City Clinical Commissioning Group.

The team also advised and supported a neighbouring Clinical Commissioning Group that is aiming to adopt a similar approach in their GPs’ practices.

The Birmingham Cross City CCG Dementia Support Team are: Mary Keddy, Carol Bowsher, Amarjit Sagoo, Joanne Farrell, Shaheda Zaman, Esme Dawson and Mike Ayres.

Carol Bowsher, Dementia Support Worker, said: “The team were really delighted and proud to be shortlisted and it was fantastic to receive a Peoples Award. It is not that often that these sorts of things happen in life. The whole team has worked really hard in making connections with GP practices and building stronger community awareness. The work itself is rewarding in terms of reaching out to individuals who may otherwise fall through gaps. Though this is my third year with the Society I have only been providing direct dementia support for 10 months and have learnt an enormous lot from the wider team and my Line Manager, Mary, who is always there with a listening ear.”

Mary Keddy, the Birmingham Cross City CCG Dementia Support Team Line Manager said; “I am incredibly proud of my team for all that we have achieved over the last year and it is wonderful that our work has been recognised with this award. Our success so far in building connections with GP practices is a great motivation to continue to work hard and support other CCGs to do the same.”

Speaking about the event, Alzheimer's Society Chief Executive Jeremy Hughes said: “Every day Alzheimer’s Society volunteers and employees demonstrate our core values in their roles and interactions with each other and the people affected by dementia we support. This makes me particularly proud to work for this organisation. I’m humbled to celebrate the amazing work of our people and the selfless and relentless way in which they go about it.”

The awards preceded the charity’s annual Dementia Awareness Week (14 – 20 May) in which Alzheimer’s Society urged everyone to come together and unite against dementia.  

Alzheimer’s Society events took place across England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Residents across the West Midlands wanting to get healthier this summer now have extra support to achieve their goals thanks to a new, free online tool.

The ‘Let’s Do This Eight Week Challenge’ has been developed by the National Charity Partnership, a partnership between Diabetes UK, the British Heart Foundation (BHF) and Tesco, and allows users to set and track their health-related goals over an eight week period.

Goals focus on everyday changes - such as consuming healthier drinks and eating smaller portion sizes - and becoming more physically active. The online eight week challenge, which can be accessed from any computer, tablet or mobile phone, also contains a bank of healthy recipes endorsed by Diabetes UK and the BHF, achievable fitness tips and health-related inspiration to keep people motivated.

Alex Davis, Head of Prevention for the National Charity Partnership, said: “The idea behind our eight week challenge is to support people to make small, positive changes to their lifestyle which will ultimately help to make a big difference to their long-term health.

“The Let’s Do This Eight Week Challenge is designed to help get people started on their personal journey towards developing lifelong healthier behaviours such as eating more fruit and vegetables and getting more active.  We’re encouraging people in the West Midlands to use our online tool, make a lifestyle change for eight weeks and discover the benefits these changes can make.”

Lindsey Crompton, Head of Community at Tesco, said: “At Tesco we’re committed to helping our customers, colleagues and communities live healthier lives and the new Let’s Do This Eight Week Challenge is a great way to support people to make small, positive changes to their daily lifestyle”

The aim of the Let’s Do This Eight Week Challenge is to get people moving more and eating healthily by kick-starting small healthier habits. Being active and eating a healthy diet are both known to reduce the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes and heart and circulatory disease – serious conditions that are largely preventable.

International Day for Biological Diversity was celebrated at Virtual University of Pakistan on May 22, 2017 for creating awareness among masses especially students on importance of biodiversity and its threats.

World Biological Diversity Day is celebrated all over the world to highlight the significance of Biodiversity conservation and importance of biodiversity in ecosystem. It provides an opportunity for all to join hands and talk about the existing and emerging problems caused by biodiversity loss and prospects of biodiversity conservation. VU Environmental Protection Society in collaboration with WWF-Pakistan organized a seminar on World Biological Diversity Day at Lawrence Road Office Lahore.

Dr. Masroor Elahi Babar, Dean Faculty of Science and Technology was the chief guest, whereas senior WWF official, Ms. Warda Javed and Dr. Fahad Rafiq were the guest speaker. Ms. Warda Javed briefed the participants about the required cooperation to halt and reverse the accelerating loss of biological and genetic resources of the planet earth. Dr. Fahad Rafiq highlighted the role of biodiversity and sustainable tourism in Pakistan. A large number of students and faculty members of Virtual University of Pakistan attended the seminar.

A nine-day festival encompassing the entire output of Thelonious Monk will take place in Birmingham between 12-20 June to celebrate the centenary of the master jazz musician.

Organised by Birmingham Conservatoire’s Jazz Department, Monkathon will see all 70 of Monk’s compositions performed at venues across the city by groups, soloists and internationally-renowned guest artists.  

Born in North Carolina in 1917, Thelonious Monk has made numerous contributions to the standard jazz repertoire including ‘Blue Monk’, ‘Round Midnight’ and ‘Well, You Needn’t’. Despite writing a relatively small amount of pieces, Monk is the second most-recorded jazz composer of all time and is one of only five jazz musicians to have appeared on the cover of ‘Time’ magazine.

Dr Hans Koller, Senior Lecturer at Birmingham Conservatoire, part of Birmingham City University, said:

“Thelonious Monk is one of the 20th century giants of music, not just of jazz. His art transcends boundaries of time, style and aesthetics. Monk at 100 is a wonderful excuse to celebrate his status as an iconic figure of inspiration to us all. 

The Birmingham Monkathon features students, alumni and staff at Birmingham City University, with leading international Monk-inspired performers including Steve Cardenas from New York, Liam Noble from the UK, and Professor François Théberge from Paris Conservatoire, as well as the eminent Monk biographer Professor Robin Kelley, for this grand celebration. In addition, we have international students, outreach programmes, and many gigs across the city.” 

Highlights include performances by Steve Cardenas with Martin Speake, Hans Koller, Calum Gourlay and James Maddren, ‘Jump Monk’ with the Arnie Somogyi Small Band, and the Birmingham Jazz Orchestra in original and re-worked compositions of Monk, plus brand new arrangements by special guest Trish Clowes. 

There’s also the chance to hear exciting arrangements of Monk’s early Blue Note recordings from senior students, adjudicated by Steve Cardenas, and a keynote speech by Monk biographer Professor Robin Kelley, Chair of the Department of African American Studies at the University of California at Los Angeles. 

Liam Noble’s small group’s gig also forms part of the Conservatoire’s two-day CODA marathon of new music, marking the very last events to be held in its Paradise Place buildings.

Italian conservatoire students from Verona, Milan, Bologna and Palermo will be visiting Birmingham to participate in Monkathon and four schools in Birmingham and the local area will be treated to outreach concerts featuring some of the small bands.

Birmingham Conservatoire, part of Birmingham City University, is currently preparing to move to a new state-of-the-art £57 million home in September, which will include the city’s only permanent jazz space – Eastside Jazz Club. Earlier this year, Birmingham Conservatoire launched its big band Ellington Orchestra, who will be a regular fixture in the new club.

Tottenham will play a starring role in this year’s Chelsea Fringe, the alternative garden festival which runs until 4 June.

Running at the same time as the Chelsea Flower show, the Chelsea Fringe includes a host of horticultural events around London celebrating the excitement of gardens and gardening.  This year’s festival includes  ‘Discover Green Tottenham, Yes Tottenham!’, a free walking tour of some of Tottenham’s treasured gardens, parks and allotments with a chance to enjoy some tasty locally grown treats along the way.

Although not traditionally recognised for its green credentials, Tottenham is actually home to Lee Valley Park, London’s largest green and open space, as well as a number of award winning parks and open spaces. The tour will include visits to an urban tropical garden and a thriving community allotment, a stop-off at the Tottenham Green Market, as well as a tour of the award winning Lee Valley Estates urban garden  in Hale Village.

The tour starts at Seven Sisters Tube station (exit 1) at 11am on Sunday 28 May

With 1 in 3 of dogs suffering from skin complaints across the UK, YuMEGA, the UK’s No.1 veterinary skin supplement by Lintbells have launched a campaign to encourage dog owners to “Quit That Itch”. The month long campaign will raise awareness of the importance of healthy skin for dogs, whilst highlighting how dog owners can help support healthy skin and coat for their four legged friends.

To help dog owners throughout the month of June YuMEGA have put together a healthy skin guide detailing the tell-tale signs of skin complaints and top tips on how to treat them. They will also be running a number of competitions giving people the chance to win the YuMEGA Itchy Dog supplement, as well as sharing lots of tips and advice on their social media channels. Lintbells can be found on Facebook (@Lintbells.Pet.Health) and Twitter (@LintbellsPet).

John Davies, co-founder of Lintbells the creators of YuMEGA, said: “We are thrilled to be launching our first ‘Quit That Itch’ Itchy Skin Awareness campaign. The importance of a dog’s skin health is not highlighted enough nowadays and we are aiming to change this, by raising awareness among dog owners and beyond. The health and wellbeing of dogs is at the heart of everything we do and we believe that ‘Quit That Itch’ campaign proves that”

For Arsene Wenger, it’s a chance to soften the blow and saving something from what has been the worst season in his 21-year tenure. Chelsea are Premier League champions with a record 30 victories from a 38-game season and a win will complete a remarkable first season for the amiable Antonio Conte, with a League and Cup double an impressive highlight on his Premier League debut season.

A record seventh FA Cup win for the Frenchman would hold no little appeal to his remaining acolytes, the type of romantic folk who consider millennials obsessing over UEFA Champions League qualification as being as uncouth as presenting a loved one with flowers plucked from a garage forecourt.

Conte's men go into this afternoon’s FA Cup final showdown having won eight of their past 11 competitive games against Arsenal. A record of six wins from their past seven games against teams in the top half is similarly impressive.

If Gooners chief, Wenger, can engineer a victor at Wembley he will become the standalone most successful manager in FA Cup history, with seven wins to his name. Victory for the boys from the King’s Road will be an almost immaculate debut season in English football for the infectiously likable Italian.

With football being nothing if not bittersweet - so it would turn out for one part of the nation’s capital, though probably more so in the north than west.

Dads can indulge their hunter gatherer instincts in the Yorkshire Dales by enjoying a special Father's Day (Sunday 18 June) 'Catch and Cook' fishing trip.

It's hard to beat the taste of freshly-caught fish and Kilnsey Park near Skipton is ideally placed to offer a lake-to-plate experience for dads and their families.

After landing a rainbow trout from one of the scenic fishing ponds, the chef at Kilnsey's Café by the Lake will prepare and cook it before serving the park's twist on fish and chips with homemade mushy peas to the proud fishermen.

The Father's Day Catch & Cook day costs £22.50 per person which includes the fishing experience, rod, and the landing of one fish that is then served as a lunchtime meal with a drink in the café.

Kilnsey Park, in the heart of the spectacularly scenic Upper Wharfedale, runs a fly fishery which includes fishing ponds specifically for those new to fly fishing.

Jamie Roberts, managing partner of Kilnsey Park explains: “Whether it's the thrill of catching that first fish or enjoying friendly competition between other members of the family, the Catch & Cook day will be a great opportunity for dads to relax and spend time doing something a bit different from the norm.”