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VisitEngland has cited 2017 to be the year of the Literary Hero, a subject Norwich knows much about considering its rich literary history spanning over 900 years and its status as UNESCO City of Literature (awarded in 2012); it was the first English city to achieve this. Norwich was home to Julian of Norwich - the first woman to be published in the English language - as well as the first recognisable novel, the first blank verse, the first provincial library and newspaper, the first British MA in Creative Writing, the first UK City of Refuge for persecuted writers, and so it continues.

Following the stunning success of their Platinum selling album ‘Together’ and 29 sold out shows across the UK in 2016, Michael Ball and Alfie Boe have announced today that they will return in 2017 for a selection of exclusive dates throughout the country. Summer will see them performing outdoors at some of the UK’s most beautiful stately homes and castles, with six dates announced in June. In winter, they’ll come back inside to play ten arena dates in November and December.

A retired schoolteacher from Solihull has teamed up with Birmingham Conservatoire, as they join the race for the Christmas number one, while highlighting the particular struggles faced by those affected by dementia over the Festive period. Birmingham-born Alan Stott has written big band hit ‘What Are We Gonna Do For Christmas?’ with an arrangement by Birmingham Conservatoire fourth year BMus Jazz student, Josh Tagg. Jazz students from across all years of study also perform on the track.

A memorial tea dance is to be held at Wolverhampton Civic Hall later this month to remember renowned city organist Steve Tovey, who passed away earlier this year. Steve, from Hazel Slade Cannock, had been resident organist at Wolverhampton's Civic Hall since 1993 and enjoyed an illustrious 50-year career in the music industry. He was dedicated to playing organ music in venues up and down the country, and sadly passed away suddenly in September, aged 69.

‘X Factor Arabia’ winner Hamza Hawsawi is the next artist to be part of the free concert series at Dubai International Airport The Saudi Arabian singer, who was on ‘X Factor Arabia’ in 2015, is the next #musicDXB artist, and will perform at Dubai International Airport on December 23. The singer-songwriter, who made history by winning the reality show despite singing only in English, will take the stage in Concourse B at 1am.

Local amateur photographer Simon Lea has snapped-up a top BBC Countryfile's 'Autumn colours' photo contest with his stunning photograph of Warley Woods. Simon Lea's photograph of the autumnal hues of the Wood captured the prize, seeing off competition from all over the country by winning a public vote on Countryfile's website. The eye-catching photograph is part of Simon's wide-ranging portfolio of pictures which concentrates on areas around his home town of Bearwood.

To coincide with the final of this year's X Factor, lastminute.com has polled Brits to uncover the ultimate music destinations that they are desperate to be bold and visit. Mardi Gras takes the top spot with more Brits keen to shimmy their way through the colourful streets of New Orleans than anywhere else. The samba spirit of the iconic Rio Carnival comes a close second on the list of musical pilgrimages the nation would love to experience.

Since the launch of 4DX at Cineworld Birmingham Broad Street last month, the introduction of the revolutionary cinematic experience has been a huge success for the cinema, resulting in a strong increase in sales. With over 773 effects per film, the Cineworld Birmingham Broad Street has coordinated over 100,000 4DX effects for local cinema-goers since its opening on 21st October, putting viewers right in the heart of the movie.

The world biggest girl group Little Mix have announced an extra date at Birmingham’s Genting Arena next October as part of The Glory Days Tour. Since 2011 Perrie Edwards, Jesy Nelson, Leigh-Anne Pinnock and Jade Thirlwall have established themselves as one of British pop’s brightest acts. With their new album ‘Glory Days’, led by the glorious and cheeky lead single 'Shout Out To My Ex', this only makes this fact even more glaringly obvious. 

Hollywood A-lister Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson has a Samoan mother and Canadian father and his latest project sees him drawing on his Samoan heritage and  lends his voice to demi god Maui, in Disney's Moana. Originally described as a "mythic adventure set around 2000 years ago and across a series of islands in the South Pacific", the film follows the journey of a spirited teenager named Moana as she embarks on a quest across the Pacific Ocean to save her people.

The I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! champion, Scarlett Moffatt, is truly facing up to the ‘Reality’ of stardom with news that she is in line to pocket a whopping £1million after winning the latest installment of the show which delves into the japes of the perhaps not so rich and probably no loger famous in the extremes of the Australian outback.

Tickets are selling fast for Christmas at the Valley with limited availability on the weekends. Don’t miss out – book your tickets now! There’s lots to see and do - visit Santa Claus in his grotto and receive a gift, write him a letter, visit our animals and Santa’s reindeer and enjoy festive food and drink. There will be lots of children’s activities, a festive treasure hunt and much more. Christmas in the Valley runs until 24 December with extra activities scheduled for weekends. 

The Young Filmmakers Competition 2017, launched to celebrate the British Safety Council’s 60th anniversary in 2017, is well under way. The competition for short films on the topic of ‘risk’ has already received lot of interest from film schools, festivals and young filmmakers. However, the organisers are still looking for further submissions, wishing to tap into the creativity of young filmmakers, before the deadline of 31st January 2017.

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