Community News

A new research project to uncover information about the lives of two working class Old Hill girls who were adopted by the well-to-do owner of Haden Hill House in the 1880s is under way. And local history buffs can watch online as the evidence unfolds and the project progresses over the coming months. Curator and visual artist Jo Loki intends to unravel the mystery surrounding Alice Cookin and Bertha Emma Bryant - dubbed Best's Angels for the project.

Sainsbury’s is calling for residents and community groups across the UK to nominate their town to receive £1 million investment and become a test bed of innovation for cutting down food waste. The Sainsbury’s Waste Less, Save More town challenge is being launched in response to the escalating issue of household waste, which results in the average family throwing away £700 of uneaten food a year.

Jacqui Kennedy, Acting Strategic Director of Place, urges Brummies to showcase the city’s ‘super’ side during Super September. Some might say (in jest) that Birmingham is the centre of the universe, but this month it really will be with a series of major events taking place over the next few weeks. From the Rugby World Cup – with Villa Park hosting two matches – to the reopening of New Street Station and unveiling of Grand Central, featuring a flagship John Lewis store – there’s no doubt all eyes will be on our city.

Housing and homelessness charity Shelter has revealed the potentially devastating impact of government plans to sell off council housing, with new research showing that 5,840 council homes in the West Midlands could face being sold on the private market. The proposed scheme would force council homes worth more than a set threshold for the region to be sold once they become vacant.

Waitrose is inviting budding designers and cooks to get creative and design  a special birthday cake to celebrate the historic occasion of The Queen’s 90th birthday next year. The winning design will be created by the retailer’s organic brand, Waitrose Duchy Organic, and will be sold exclusively in Waitrose branches in celebration of the The Queen’s birthday next year.

There are 20 million people currently renting a property in the UK with nearly half (45 percent) of all prospective home buyers in the UK expecting to remain shut out of the property market for the foreseeable future, according to the latest Post Office Money Mortgages survey.

On a very rainy day near Tower Bridge, Comedian and TV presenter, Rowland Rivron, assisted Londoners and tourists,  as they braved the downpours in the city. The Rain Ranger handed out free Travel Republic umbrellas and sheltered soggy passers-by from the rain.

One in 10 smartphones end up in the washing machine, new research has revealed. Batty Brits also mistakenly wash money, keys, headphones and jewellery on a regular basis, according to a survey by laundry experts Dr. Beckmann. Of the 2,000 people quizzed about their washing woes, younger Brits suffer the most mishaps with 16% of 18 to 30 years olds admitting to machine-washing their phone in the past three years.

Warwick Arts Centre has been shortlisted for a hat-trick of awards in this year’s Coventry and Warwickshire Tourism Awards.  The Coventry venue is a finalist in the Best Venue Music, Arts & Theatre;  The Kids & Familes Award and The Culture Award categories.  The event is being organised by the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce and Quidem, which owns Touch FM stations and Rugby FM, and will be hosted at the Ricoh Arena on Thursday, September 24.

Neighbourhoods of Birmingham will be seen through poetry and painting this month as visual and mural artist Mohammed Ali takes up residency across various areas of Birmingham thanks to funding from Birmingham City Council. Forming part of Birmingham Anglican Cathedral’s ‘Something Good’ festival - a 2-day arts event celebrating 300 years of Birmingham Cathedral – Mohammed will lead a series of 1-day open air residences in public spaces in Erdington, Sparkhill and Handsworth.

The third annual Global AgeWatch Index, which measures the quality of life of older people around the world, shows that the inequalities between the top and bottom ranking countries are increasing and that older women are particularly disadvantaged. Globally, Switzerland tops the Index this year and last year’s number one Norway moves into second place.

City of Wolverhampton College has been announced as the latest Founder Patron of Wolverhampton’s new Youth Zone – The Way. The college joins a number of local businesses – including Marston’s and Carvers – who have pledged their support to The Way by becoming Founder Patrons. It will be working with the Youth Zone to offer a range of services including careers advice and guidance and counselling to young people.

A number of temporary road measures are due to come into operation to ease traffic flows in central Birmingham at a time when the city is preparing to come under the national and international spotlight. Birmingham City Council’s actions are designed to support the free flow of traffic – and particularly public transport – at several key junctions close to New Street Station.

Tipton's annual community fun day comes to Victoria Park today after the original date in July was cancelled due to bad weather. Attractions on the day include a car boot sale, funfair, a mini zoo, bouncy castles and live music. Admission to the event, which runs from 11am until 6pm, is free. A wristband to cover unlimited fairground rides and inflatables all day is £3 for children under one metre and £5 for children over one metre.

Smart Energy GB, the national campaign for the smart meter roll out, today publishes the second Smart energy outlook, the largest independent barometer of national public opinion on energy and smart meters.  The report finds high levels of satisfaction, control and energy-savvy amongst those who have already upgraded to their smart meter.