Just a few quick reminders:
1) The Regional Disability Network run by Council of Disabled People Coventry and Warwickshire is recruiting a part time RDN officer, here are the links:
Regional Disabilty Network - Project Worker
Would you like to be involved in supporting the Development, Sustainability & Empowerment of Organisations of Disabled People? Click Here For More information
For Person Specification CLICK HERE
For Job Description CLICK HERE
For applicaton form CLICK HERE
Closing Date 5pm on the 14th November 2008.
2) I am working with Liam Byrne's team in Hodge Hill on the development of a bid to develop a heritage project on the history of Hodge Hill. Interested? Contact me on info@bignbostin.com
3) We are running an oral history project on the history of Birmingham Disability Resource Centre and Birmingham Disability Rights Groups. We are looking for disabled people to work with us as volunteers and anyone who would like to be interviewed towards the production of a history book aorund the development of these groups and related user led disability groups in Birmingham. Email me: pete@disability.co.uk for this one. There will be a launch event in early December at BDRC for this project, watch this space.
4) An event is being planned for December 3rd between Equality and Human Rights Commission and the Regional Disability Network. It is likely to be at Government Office in Birmingham as long as we can sort out some parking spaces for disabled people. If not there will be another venue announced. Theme: 'Disability: included in or isolated from regional decision making?" The event will conincide with International Day of Disabled People - let me know if you are interested in attending at pete@cdp.org.uk
Friday, 31 October 2008
New caseworker at Saltley and Nechells Law Centre
Dear Sirs,
I am a caseworker for Saltley and Nechells Law Centre. My work covers all forms of Discrimination and Human Rights Law advice and representation. My role is funded by the Equality and Human Rights Commission therefore I am a completely free service. I specialise in covering discrimination that occurs outside the workplace, so this would include discrimination faced in accessing goods and services, healthcare, education etc. This is a new service to the City of Birmingham and I am looking at ways of raising awareness of the service amongst the community. I wondered if it would be possible to have the service mentioned in your gazette or perhaps I could send in some questions and answers (like and advice column) etc. I am completely open to suggestions and your assistance in this matter is greatly appreciated.
Kind regards
Chanel Camilleri
Equality and Discrimination Caseworker
Saltley and Nechells Law Centre
Telephone: 0121 326 1993
Fax: 0121 327 7486
I am a caseworker for Saltley and Nechells Law Centre. My work covers all forms of Discrimination and Human Rights Law advice and representation. My role is funded by the Equality and Human Rights Commission therefore I am a completely free service. I specialise in covering discrimination that occurs outside the workplace, so this would include discrimination faced in accessing goods and services, healthcare, education etc. This is a new service to the City of Birmingham and I am looking at ways of raising awareness of the service amongst the community. I wondered if it would be possible to have the service mentioned in your gazette or perhaps I could send in some questions and answers (like and advice column) etc. I am completely open to suggestions and your assistance in this matter is greatly appreciated.
Kind regards
Chanel Camilleri
Equality and Discrimination Caseworker
Saltley and Nechells Law Centre
Telephone: 0121 326 1993
Fax: 0121 327 7486
The Herbert in Coventry reveals its £20 million refurbishment
About 300 people attended the official re-opening of Coventry’s multi-million pound art gallery and museum.
The final phases of the spectacular £20 million transformation and extension of The Herbert Art Gallery and Museum in Jordan Well in the city centre have been completed.
The Herbert redevelopment project has been jointly funded by Coventry City Council, the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF), Renaissance West Midlands, the Department for Culture Media and Sport (DCMS) Wolfson Foundation Fund, Advantage West Midlands and English Heritage.
An impressive new courtyard entrance has been created for the 1960s venue which overlooks Coventry Cathedral and University Square.
The major 6,600 sqm project, which was designed by award-winning architects Pringle Richards Sharratt, has led to the opening of state-of-the-art temporary and permanent History, Art, Elements, Discover Godiva and Peace and Reconciliation galleries.
There is also a studio for performances and events, the History Centre for the city’s archives and local history collections, and learning spaces.
Guests including Mick Elliott, the director of culture at the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, the Lord Mayor of Coventry Cllr Andy Matchet, Cllr Ken Taylor, Leader of Coventry City Council, Cllr John Mutton, the leader of the Labour group on Coventry City Council, Keith Railton, chair of The Coventry Heritage & Arts Trust, and Katie Foster, chair of the West Midlands Committee for the Heritage Lottery Fund, oversaw the event.
Keith said: “Looking out into the heart of Coventry through the great glass screen of the covered court, we can see the past of the city and its re-birth after the war so evocatively symbolised by the cathedral.
“We also see the future symbolised by Coventry University with its mission to shape the thinking of future generations.
“Against that dramatic backdrop it is very clear to see how an organisation like ours that holds some of the cultural and historic assets of the past, and is dedicated to using them as a catalyst for a vibrant future, can inspire the sort of creative thinking that was the hallmark of Sir Alfred Herbert and help to develop Coventry as one of the major cities of the region in the 21st century.”
Ludo Keston, chief executive of The Herbert Art Gallery and Museum, said this was a significant event in the cultural life of the city and has seen significant investment brought to Coventry for the benefit of residents and visitors alike.
“We are all immensely proud of the transformation and I’m sure the Herbert family will share those feelings,” he said.
“The work has been carried out in phases and the new courtyard entrance will create a new tourist gateway in the city to The Herbert Art Gallery and Museum and Coventry Cathedral.
“We are already bringing high-profile national touring exhibitions to Coventry – such as the current exhibition from the Victoria and Albert Museum in London – and that will continue.
“The whole ethos here is to bring history and the arts to life and we will present a wide range of family-friendly exhibitions and events that will be of interest to every generation and we believe we can look forward with great excitement and optimism to welcoming hundreds of thousands of visitors each year.”
Councillor Andy Matchet, the Lord Mayor of Coventry, said: “The opening of the Herbert Art Gallery and Museum is a key step forward in the on-going renaissance of the city.
“Culture plays a very important role in any city, particularly one that will be undergoing a massive transformation over the coming years. An iconic building such as the new Herbert will also raise the city's cultural profile and identity.
“We want the new building to act as a centre of culture in the city; one which, local residents can use as a base for creativity and exhibiting their talents; and, one that visitors to Coventry can explore and learn more about the wonderful history of Coventry.”
Katie Foster, chair of the West Midlands Committee for the Heritage Lottery Fund, added: “HLF has supported two phases of refurbishment at Coventry’s art gallery and museum – firstly a grant of £1,912,000 awarded in 2004 for the Coventry History Centre and Galleries, and secondly a grant of £2,875,000 for Herbert Art Gallery and Museum Phase 3 which completed the vision to improve interpretation and facilities.
“We’re delighted that the museum is now read to welcome a whole new generation of users and visitors.”
John Pringle, from Pringle Richards Sharratt, said: “The courtyard roof was inspired by Basil Spence’s Cathedral of St Michael, which was built next to the ruined medieval Cathedral Church of St Michael after it was partly destroyed in World War Two. We are thrilled with the final results.”
The first phase of the development, which was already open, features creative media studios, exhibition space, education facilities, a shop and a café.
The Herbert is open daily and admission is free.
PICTURED ABOVE: At the official opening of The Herbert Art Gallery and Museum in Coventry are, from the left, Ludo Keston, Coventry Lady Mayoress Carron Matchet, the Lord Mayor of Coventry, Councillor Andy Matchet, Mick Elliott, Katie Foster and Cllr Tim Sawdon, Cabinet Member for Culture, Leisure and Libraries
The final phases of the spectacular £20 million transformation and extension of The Herbert Art Gallery and Museum in Jordan Well in the city centre have been completed.
The Herbert redevelopment project has been jointly funded by Coventry City Council, the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF), Renaissance West Midlands, the Department for Culture Media and Sport (DCMS) Wolfson Foundation Fund, Advantage West Midlands and English Heritage.
An impressive new courtyard entrance has been created for the 1960s venue which overlooks Coventry Cathedral and University Square.
The major 6,600 sqm project, which was designed by award-winning architects Pringle Richards Sharratt, has led to the opening of state-of-the-art temporary and permanent History, Art, Elements, Discover Godiva and Peace and Reconciliation galleries.
There is also a studio for performances and events, the History Centre for the city’s archives and local history collections, and learning spaces.
Guests including Mick Elliott, the director of culture at the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, the Lord Mayor of Coventry Cllr Andy Matchet, Cllr Ken Taylor, Leader of Coventry City Council, Cllr John Mutton, the leader of the Labour group on Coventry City Council, Keith Railton, chair of The Coventry Heritage & Arts Trust, and Katie Foster, chair of the West Midlands Committee for the Heritage Lottery Fund, oversaw the event.
Keith said: “Looking out into the heart of Coventry through the great glass screen of the covered court, we can see the past of the city and its re-birth after the war so evocatively symbolised by the cathedral.
“We also see the future symbolised by Coventry University with its mission to shape the thinking of future generations.
“Against that dramatic backdrop it is very clear to see how an organisation like ours that holds some of the cultural and historic assets of the past, and is dedicated to using them as a catalyst for a vibrant future, can inspire the sort of creative thinking that was the hallmark of Sir Alfred Herbert and help to develop Coventry as one of the major cities of the region in the 21st century.”
Ludo Keston, chief executive of The Herbert Art Gallery and Museum, said this was a significant event in the cultural life of the city and has seen significant investment brought to Coventry for the benefit of residents and visitors alike.
“We are all immensely proud of the transformation and I’m sure the Herbert family will share those feelings,” he said.
“The work has been carried out in phases and the new courtyard entrance will create a new tourist gateway in the city to The Herbert Art Gallery and Museum and Coventry Cathedral.
“We are already bringing high-profile national touring exhibitions to Coventry – such as the current exhibition from the Victoria and Albert Museum in London – and that will continue.
“The whole ethos here is to bring history and the arts to life and we will present a wide range of family-friendly exhibitions and events that will be of interest to every generation and we believe we can look forward with great excitement and optimism to welcoming hundreds of thousands of visitors each year.”
Councillor Andy Matchet, the Lord Mayor of Coventry, said: “The opening of the Herbert Art Gallery and Museum is a key step forward in the on-going renaissance of the city.
“Culture plays a very important role in any city, particularly one that will be undergoing a massive transformation over the coming years. An iconic building such as the new Herbert will also raise the city's cultural profile and identity.
“We want the new building to act as a centre of culture in the city; one which, local residents can use as a base for creativity and exhibiting their talents; and, one that visitors to Coventry can explore and learn more about the wonderful history of Coventry.”
Katie Foster, chair of the West Midlands Committee for the Heritage Lottery Fund, added: “HLF has supported two phases of refurbishment at Coventry’s art gallery and museum – firstly a grant of £1,912,000 awarded in 2004 for the Coventry History Centre and Galleries, and secondly a grant of £2,875,000 for Herbert Art Gallery and Museum Phase 3 which completed the vision to improve interpretation and facilities.
“We’re delighted that the museum is now read to welcome a whole new generation of users and visitors.”
John Pringle, from Pringle Richards Sharratt, said: “The courtyard roof was inspired by Basil Spence’s Cathedral of St Michael, which was built next to the ruined medieval Cathedral Church of St Michael after it was partly destroyed in World War Two. We are thrilled with the final results.”
The first phase of the development, which was already open, features creative media studios, exhibition space, education facilities, a shop and a café.
The Herbert is open daily and admission is free.
PICTURED ABOVE: At the official opening of The Herbert Art Gallery and Museum in Coventry are, from the left, Ludo Keston, Coventry Lady Mayoress Carron Matchet, the Lord Mayor of Coventry, Councillor Andy Matchet, Mick Elliott, Katie Foster and Cllr Tim Sawdon, Cabinet Member for Culture, Leisure and Libraries
New ‘Respect Yourself’ website launches
A website to help young people better understand relationships and sexual health is being re-launched by Warwickshire’s ‘Respect Yourself’ Campaign. The resource – which now has a new home athttp://www.respectyourself.info/ – includes information on contraception, sexuality and sexually transmitted infections, as well as how to say “No” to sex if you are not ready.
Contact details for a variety of agencies offering information and support regarding relationships and sexual health are also included on the site.
Helen Fielden, Warwickshire County Council’s ‘Respect Yourself Campaign’ co-ordinator, said:
“Young people can find it difficult to talk openly about sex and relationships, but we want to provide objective and up to date information for young people where they can access it easily.
“We believe the new website design achieves this and we are urging everyone to log on and take a look.”
Cllr Izzi Seccombe, Warwickshire County Council’s Portfolio Holder for Children, Young People and Families, said: “The information on the new Respect Yourself website will help young people make informed choices about relationships and sex and I congratulate the team for their hard work on the project.”
During November there will also be an opportunity for young people to win a £10 gift voucher and ‘Respect Yourself’ campaign goodie bag for the first 20 correct entries received, by taking part in an online sexual health quiz. The quiz will test their knowledge of the subjects covered on http://www.respectyourself.info/.
Contact details for a variety of agencies offering information and support regarding relationships and sexual health are also included on the site.
Helen Fielden, Warwickshire County Council’s ‘Respect Yourself Campaign’ co-ordinator, said:
“Young people can find it difficult to talk openly about sex and relationships, but we want to provide objective and up to date information for young people where they can access it easily.
“We believe the new website design achieves this and we are urging everyone to log on and take a look.”
Cllr Izzi Seccombe, Warwickshire County Council’s Portfolio Holder for Children, Young People and Families, said: “The information on the new Respect Yourself website will help young people make informed choices about relationships and sex and I congratulate the team for their hard work on the project.”
During November there will also be an opportunity for young people to win a £10 gift voucher and ‘Respect Yourself’ campaign goodie bag for the first 20 correct entries received, by taking part in an online sexual health quiz. The quiz will test their knowledge of the subjects covered on http://www.respectyourself.info/.
A-Spooking We Will Go
Daring youngsters visited Stafford Castle this week during October half term for some ghoulish Hallowe’en activities and fun.
The haunting experience was organised by Stafford Borough Council’s Leisure Services Heritage team, and offered chilling Castle encounters for 8-12 year olds.
Undeterred by this week’s snow showers, the popular visitor attraction celebrated Hallowe’en with spine tingling tours through the haunted woods, around the gruesome grounds, up to the gothic keep and through the Medieval towers.
Those that survived the daring tour were introduced to the bloodcurdling birds of prey, and even turned their hands at creating their own spooky winged creatures and pumpkin Jack O’Lanterns to scare away the evil spirits!
The Castle’s activities were mirrored at the Ancient High House during the mornings for the younger 5-7 years age group.
“Both experiences, which form part of Stafford Borough Council’s new holiday scheme, have proved very popular once again,” commented Mike Smith Cabinet Member for Leisure.
For more information on future events and activities at Stafford Castle or the Ancient High House, please phone 01785 619131.
The haunting experience was organised by Stafford Borough Council’s Leisure Services Heritage team, and offered chilling Castle encounters for 8-12 year olds.
Undeterred by this week’s snow showers, the popular visitor attraction celebrated Hallowe’en with spine tingling tours through the haunted woods, around the gruesome grounds, up to the gothic keep and through the Medieval towers.
Those that survived the daring tour were introduced to the bloodcurdling birds of prey, and even turned their hands at creating their own spooky winged creatures and pumpkin Jack O’Lanterns to scare away the evil spirits!
The Castle’s activities were mirrored at the Ancient High House during the mornings for the younger 5-7 years age group.
“Both experiences, which form part of Stafford Borough Council’s new holiday scheme, have proved very popular once again,” commented Mike Smith Cabinet Member for Leisure.
For more information on future events and activities at Stafford Castle or the Ancient High House, please phone 01785 619131.
A basketball legacy for Sheila Hopkins
Thank you to Neville Hopkins who left the following comment in response to our tribute in memory of his sister, local educational needs mentor Sheila Hopkins who died a few weeks ago. Neville suggests that a fitting legacy for Sheila would be the re-launch of a professional basketball team for the city of Birmingham. something she supported and campaigned for with great passion and commitment. We would definately get behind that one! Here is the link to the tribute, followed by Neville's comment:
Neville replied:
Thanks Peter for recognising someone that gave so much to others in this way. Sheila was a special person to lots of people, some I know and some I have met or corresponded with since she passed. She was also a fantastic sister. We will all miss her terribly and the best tribute I can think of for Sheila would be to see professional basketball re-introduced to the city she loved. So let's turn this negative into a big positive and rally behind Clive Allen and the rest of the team focused upon bringing the great sport of basketball back to where it belongs. Can I also take this opportunity of thanking everyone who has sent such kind messages of support to all of the family. They are very much appreciated.
Kindest Regards to all,
Neville Hopkins
Diabetic Support Group
Just a quick update on the Diabetic Support Group at Castle Bromwich last night. Unfortunately even though the group was very well attended, the guest speaker Professor John Gibson did not show up to talk about diabetes and eyes.
Always the opportunist, I therefore stood up to say a few words about The Gazette but also made some subjective observations about my own personal experience of being newly diagnosed with diabetes and anecdotes of working with people with diabetes when I was a nurse in the health service in Birmingham. A poor substitute for the Professor I acknowledged ...but at least no one slow hand clapped me off and the final irony was that they rewarded me with the bottle of wine intended for Professor Gibson - much to my wife's amusement when I came home from a meeting about diabetes with a bottle of alcohol!
I echoed the message of the latest campaign by the Diabetes UK charity that diabetes can be the 'silent killer' if it is not diagnosed, not controlled or combines with smoking and general over indulgence to cause longterm damage to extremities of limbs, eyes and body organs. Talking of indulgence, it gave me the opportunity to come out with one of my favourite Oscar Wilde quotes "I can resist everything ...apart from temptation" (here sayeth the man who spent lunchtime eating lamb kebabs in a Somali restaurant!)
.
What was also very interesting was to talk to Beryl and John Beards who run the East Birmingham and North Solihull Support Group and to their Chair, Mary McGeeney about the fact that many people can live successfully with diabetes, types 1 and 2, for many years as long as blood sugar levels are controlled, mainly through a sensible balanced diet. Beryl and another member of their group have recently received gold medals for living with diabetes for 50 years, so well done to them.
I picked up some very useful booklets last night about food choices, it's really not rocket science and I would urge anyone with diabetes to find out more from Diabetes UK. What I also found out last night was that the logo of Diabetes UK, a humming bird, symbolises balance and control - vital for people with diabetes who have to regulate their blood sugar levels.
Most of all, it is fantastic to know that there are so many volunteers in our community, like Beryl, John and Mary who put in so much effort to run grass-roots self help groups like the one I attended last night. If you would like to find out about your local group please contact the West Midlands regional office of Diabetes UK on 01922 614500. If you think you have symptoms of diabetes, things like continual thirst, reduced healing, compulsion to have sugar, mood swings and grumpiness when hungry, eyesight problems, etc. (especially a combination of some of these factors), then get along to your GP to have it checked out, it will be worth it, take my word for it.
Remember, its all about balance and control - something that we should all learn in life, not just people with diabetes!
Thursday, 30 October 2008
Lunchen at Hilltop
I would like to thank Mr Yusuf Waid who is chairman of the Somalian Welfare Association for lunch today at the Hillal (or Hilltop) Restaurant on Moseley Road in Balsall Heath. Mr Waid is a tireless and dedicated worker for the Somalian community in Birmingham. He told me there are around 5,000 people from Somalia living in Birmingham, mainly in the areas of Balsall Heath, Moseley, Highgate, Edgbaston, Kings Heath and Sparkhill. Many of these people live in isolation of the wider community and have specific language, disability and cultural barriers which make life difficult.
Having helped to establish the Somali Welfare Association as a self help group for the community, his dream is to set up a social and welfare centre for the elders of his community and disabled people. A high number of people from the Somali community have physical impairments from the civil war in their homeland and from other hardships. "Not having a base is a problem" Mr Waid told me "we would like to set up a centre where older and disabled people can get help around access and physical help"
Mr Waid is also keen to help his community to be more involved in the wider community and would like to help other citizens of Birmingham to learn more about Somali people and their culture. He told me that the Somali community is not well recognised in the city. In Balsall Heath and Edgbaston they have settled in the same neighbourhoods as the Yemeni community and there is much interaction between these two communities. He said that in the past decade Somali businesses have flourished in the area, especially along Coventry and Stratford Roads where there are whole rows of shops where ten years ago there might have been one.
The lunch was very delicious, comprising lamb kebabs, rice and plenty of vegetables, onions and fruit. The restaurant itself was basic in terms of decor and although very busy I could see that it's main customers are from the Somali community and it therefore has an important social role for the community.
I hope to spend a morning or afternoon with Mr Waid in the future finding out more about the Somali community in Birmingham.
This afternoon I went to a meeting at the Equality and Human Rights Commission on Newhall Street where Robert Mottram (disability equality training consultant at Council of Disabled People Warwickshire and Coventry) and I met with EHRC officers to discuss a proposed event in Birmingham on International Day of Disabled People on 3rd December. The purpose of the seminar will be for representatives of grass roots disability organisations to meet with officers and directors of regional agencies, commercial organisations and local authorities to do some thinking and talking around the inclusion of disabled people in decision making in the region. If you are interested in finding out more about this event, keep visiting this site or the RDN's website at http://www.rdn-wm.org.uk/ or email me at pete@cdp.org.uk
This evening I am off to a meeting of East Birmingham and North Solihull Diabetic Group at Castle Bromwich Health Centre. Anyone interested in finding out more about their regular events or the other activities of the group, please call Beryl Beards on 0121 748 1871.
Having helped to establish the Somali Welfare Association as a self help group for the community, his dream is to set up a social and welfare centre for the elders of his community and disabled people. A high number of people from the Somali community have physical impairments from the civil war in their homeland and from other hardships. "Not having a base is a problem" Mr Waid told me "we would like to set up a centre where older and disabled people can get help around access and physical help"
Mr Waid is also keen to help his community to be more involved in the wider community and would like to help other citizens of Birmingham to learn more about Somali people and their culture. He told me that the Somali community is not well recognised in the city. In Balsall Heath and Edgbaston they have settled in the same neighbourhoods as the Yemeni community and there is much interaction between these two communities. He said that in the past decade Somali businesses have flourished in the area, especially along Coventry and Stratford Roads where there are whole rows of shops where ten years ago there might have been one.
The lunch was very delicious, comprising lamb kebabs, rice and plenty of vegetables, onions and fruit. The restaurant itself was basic in terms of decor and although very busy I could see that it's main customers are from the Somali community and it therefore has an important social role for the community.
I hope to spend a morning or afternoon with Mr Waid in the future finding out more about the Somali community in Birmingham.
This afternoon I went to a meeting at the Equality and Human Rights Commission on Newhall Street where Robert Mottram (disability equality training consultant at Council of Disabled People Warwickshire and Coventry) and I met with EHRC officers to discuss a proposed event in Birmingham on International Day of Disabled People on 3rd December. The purpose of the seminar will be for representatives of grass roots disability organisations to meet with officers and directors of regional agencies, commercial organisations and local authorities to do some thinking and talking around the inclusion of disabled people in decision making in the region. If you are interested in finding out more about this event, keep visiting this site or the RDN's website at http://www.rdn-wm.org.uk/ or email me at pete@cdp.org.uk
This evening I am off to a meeting of East Birmingham and North Solihull Diabetic Group at Castle Bromwich Health Centre. Anyone interested in finding out more about their regular events or the other activities of the group, please call Beryl Beards on 0121 748 1871.
Birmingham choir reach Category Finals of BBC Radio 3 Choir of the Year
BIRMINGHAM BASED CHOIR – NATIONAL BARBERSHOP YOUTH CHORUS – the teenage barbershop choir have made it through to BBC Radio 3 Choir of the Year Category Finals! The choir is made up of 36 male singers aged 15 - 25!
Who Will Be The Last Choir Standing In Liverpool? UK’s Largest Amateur Singing Competition Comes to Liverpool
BBC Radio 3 Choir of the Year, (www.choiroftheyear.co.uk) the UK’s largest amateur singing competition and the inspiration behind BBC1’s Last Choir Standing is holding its prestigious Category Finals, featuring the UK’s top singing talent at the Liverpool Philharmonic Hall on 8 and 9 November, as part of Liverpool European Capital of Culture ’08. Tickets are now on sale at the Philharmonic Hall’s box office: 0151 709 378TV stars Aled Jones (Songs of Praise) and Suzi Digby (Judge, Last Choir Standing) lead the two-day singing extravaganza, providing top quality entertainment for all the family including:
Pitch perfect performance: 24 of the finest amateur choirs in the country – in styles from gospel and hip hop to barbershop and traditional – attempt to out perform each other as they sing to win a place at the Grand Final at London’s Royal Festival Hall on Sunday 7 December. Choirs in the Category Finals have beaten over 180 others to reach this point. Only six will go through to the Grand Final.
Discovering their hidden singing talent: Audience members can unleash their inner popstar during audience sing-alongs and workshops.
Live judges’ feedback: Feel the tension and witness the drama as Suzi Digby and Howard Goodall, the Government’s ‘music tsar’ and composer of famous theme tunes including Mr Bean, Blackadder and The Vicar of Dibley provide live feedback on each choir’s performance. Which choirs will make it through to the Grand Final?
A building filled with song: five children’s choirs perform throughout the weekend in the foyer as part of Sing Up’s Taking the Stage Aled Jones presenter and Choir of the Year host said:
“Liverpool has amazing singing heritage from the Beatles and the Zutons through to Liverpool and Everton football fans singing their supporters’ songs, and we’re delighted to be coming to the City for the Category Finals. We look forward to welcoming as many people as possible over the weekend, from singing fans to those just discovering the variety of modern group singing – there will be something for everyone.”
The country is going choir crazy!
The whole country is going crazy for choirs and singing with BBC’s hit talent shows Last Choir Standing, I’d Do Anything, and Any Dream Will Do captivating people across the country. Choral singing is the UK’s most popular participatory leisure activity. There are over 25,000 choirs, with 500,000 singers across the country reaching an audience of 3m.
Regular group singing has proven health benefits, from improved breathing capacity and better posture to increased self-confidence and the feel good factor that comes from singing your heart out with a group of friends. * Figures supplied by TONSIL Singing to win: The very best choirs reach the Category FinalsOver 8,000 singers from 200 singing groups entered the competition in auditions across the country. This number has been whittled down to the final 24 Choirs, with six choirs in each category – Youth, Adults, Children and Open. The final 24 now compete to win their Category and, along with two wildcards, go through to the Grand Finals on 8 December.
Suzi Digby, BBC1 Last Choir Standing and Choir of the Year Judge said: “I’ve been involved in Choir of the Year for the last five years, it is the foremost competition of its kind in the UK, the standard of singing is exceptional. I am looking forward to the weekend immensely and hope as many people as possible will be able to join us in the audience and revel in some amazing performances, as well as the hugely popular workshops and sing-alongs.”
Roger Wright, Controller, BBC Radio 3, said: “BBC Radio 3 Choir of the Year brings together singers from communities across the UK and demonstrates how music is at the heart of people’s lives. The Category Finals are no exception, the standard and range of singing over the weekend promises to be very high.”
Sing Up! Taking the Stage
The public spaces within the Philharmonic Hall will be alive with song, thanks to the competition teaming up with Sing Up on a project called Taking the Stage. Five children’s choirs showcase both their performing and composing skills. Each choir has devised their own unique version of foundscapes and soundcapes, composed by Barry Russell, which is a graphic score that uses pictures, colours and symbols to suggest sounds and rhythms.
TICKETS AND TIMINGS: BBC Radio 3 Choir of the Year 2008 Category Finals at the Liverpool Philharmonic Hall, Hope Street, Liverpool, L1 9BP:
Saturday 8 November: Youth Final 2.30 – 5.30pm, Adult Final 7 – 10 pm.
Sunday 9 November: Children’s Final 2.30 – 5.30pm. Open Final – 7 – 10pm
Tickets £12. Each show is three hours with intervals. Box Office: 0151 709 378
Live from Liverpool
Highlights of the Liverpool Category Finals are broadcast on BBC Radio 3’s The Choir on Sunday 16 November and Sunday 23 November at 6.30pm, presented by Aled Jones. The Grand Finals are broadcast on BBC Radio 3 on 8 December and BBC Four - see TV Listings. For full information about the competition, please visit www.choiroftheyear.co.uk
Employer Coaltion and b:well Birmingham
The Employer Coalition is a partner in this important initiative to promote positive mental health and well being for all by working in partnership with employers, health providers, community groups and others across Birmingham.
We'll be launching the project to employers on 26th November at Birmingham Chamber of Commerce where our guest speaker will be its Chief Executive - Jerry Blackett. Places are limited so if you'd like to attend, call Kay Stubbs on 0121 480 3788 to join the guest list.
Separately take a look at the new website to find out more about bwell, its work with employers, and what’s happening in your area.
We'll be launching the project to employers on 26th November at Birmingham Chamber of Commerce where our guest speaker will be its Chief Executive - Jerry Blackett. Places are limited so if you'd like to attend, call Kay Stubbs on 0121 480 3788 to join the guest list.
Separately take a look at the new website to find out more about bwell, its work with employers, and what’s happening in your area.
West Midlands Employer Coalition - Awards Event
We had a fantastic evening at our 2008 awards event at the ICC Birmingham, hosted by BBC Radio WM’s Phil Upton. Over 200 people joined us for an event designed to celebrate the achievements of disadvantaged jobseekers, employers and welfare-to-work partners across the region.Our keynote speaker was Jonathan Austin, Founder and Chief Executive of Best Companies, workplace engagement specialists and the name behind the annual Sunday Times "Best Companies to Work For" report. Jonathan had plenty of positive and highly complimentary things to say about our region's innovation and creative skills, particularly in relation to employer engagement.
One Year On...we visited two of last year's award winners - Ian Gibbons of Shelforce and Dalpreet Brom of Myona...both of whom are thriving in their workplaces and expanding their horizons through further training and personal development. They are both excellent ambassadors for the work we do with our partners in Birmingham City Council and Jobcentre Plus.
Some of the stories we heard from jobseekers were truly moving. As one employer said, “ I feel humbled when I hear about the sheer scale of some of the mountains these folk have had to climb to get a decent job. We don’t realise how lucky we are.”
The food was good and the company lively, the business networking was superb and we secured a number of opportunities for training places and work experience directly from the event.
Several “new” employers now also want to get involved and if you’d like to join them, then email Nichola Balmer to find out how.
One Year On...we visited two of last year's award winners - Ian Gibbons of Shelforce and Dalpreet Brom of Myona...both of whom are thriving in their workplaces and expanding their horizons through further training and personal development. They are both excellent ambassadors for the work we do with our partners in Birmingham City Council and Jobcentre Plus.
Some of the stories we heard from jobseekers were truly moving. As one employer said, “ I feel humbled when I hear about the sheer scale of some of the mountains these folk have had to climb to get a decent job. We don’t realise how lucky we are.”
The food was good and the company lively, the business networking was superb and we secured a number of opportunities for training places and work experience directly from the event.
Several “new” employers now also want to get involved and if you’d like to join them, then email Nichola Balmer to find out how.
UK Council on Deafness 2008 Annual Conference ”Action by Working Together”
Deaf Cultural Centre, Ladywood Road, Birmingham, B16 8SZ. Thursday, 6th November 2008. 10.00am – 4.30pm
A one day multi-disciplinary conference for all professionals working with deaf people
The Fifth Annual Deafness Conference is an opportunity for all professionals working with deaf people to meet and network with colleagues and to gain a greater understanding of developments taking place across the country and across the spectrum of deafness. Delegates at previous Annual Conferences have commented:
“A great networking opportunity and a chance to learn about new projects”
“Opportunity to meet and chat with other people from the sector. Get updates on other activities. Chance to publicise our own work”
“Great to hear about all that UK Council on Deafness and their members are doing. Encouragement and enthusiasm to take things forward in our area and determination to network and co-work more with other organisations”
Keynote Address: Challenging perceptions of deafness and hearing loss – RNID’s new approach. Jackie Ballard, RNID’s new Chief Executive, discusses RNID’s new strategy in the light of the changing political, scientific and public context.
Primary Presentation: Working together to improve access to health services. Steve Powell, Chief Executive of SignHealth and Phil Murden, Managing Director of SignTranslate. Surveys carried out by the NHS and by voluntary sector organisations consistently show that deaf people are denied equitable access to health services and yet the solutions are often simple to implement and cost effective and would have a significant impact on the health of deaf people. In the context of the most recent GP Patient Survey, this is a call to action for all organisations working with deaf people to work together to achieve equal access to health services for deaf people.
Supporting Presentations
Promoting Good Relations. Rob Wilks, Legal Services Manager, and Des Masterson, Social Policy Officer, Royal Association for Deaf People. Funded by the Equality and Human Rights Commission this research project will identify the barriers and social exclusion experienced by all sectors of the deaf community. Deaf organisations throughout England and Wales can be involved in collecting evidence and sharing the findings to inform their work to challenge the discrimination experienced by deaf people in employment and from service providers.
Recovery and Care Programme Approach: Making CPA work for deaf people. Denise Brown, Social Worker, John Denmark Unit, Manchester. Exploring how deaf people can be included within the Care Programme Approach in order to promote and sustain their recovery through mental health services, including examples of collaborative working throughout the sector to prevent readmission and promote recovery and inclusion.
Use of genetics services in the NHS: thoughts from deaf and hard of hearing people. Dr Anna Middleton, Consultant Research Genetic Counsellor, Institute of Medical Genetics, Cardiff University. Genetic deafness affects more than 1 in 2000 people and yet deaf people rarely access genetic counselling. This research project analyses 1000 completed questionnaires from deaf people and 30 interviews in sign language to determine why this should be and seeks to make genetic counselling more accessible to deaf people.
Changing Communication After Cochlear Implantation: The Communication Journey. Alexandra Wheeler, Research Coordinator, The Ear Foundation. Examining the choices of communication mode that parents make before and after cochlear implantation through written questionnaires and in-depth interviews, this research finds that parents choose the most effective way of communicating with child whilst retaining their goal of developing oral communication skills.
The Deafblind International guidelines for service development. Malcolm Mathews, Director of Community Support & Information, Sense. The Deafblind Guidelines outline Deafblind International’s recommendations for service provision and is intended as a statement of the particular needs of deafblind people. It aims to contribute to deafblind people receiving and achieving their rights, which requires recognition of deafblindness and access to specialised services and support.
For further information about exhibiting or booking a place at the conference contact Clare Long at c.long@deafcouncil.org.uk
A one day multi-disciplinary conference for all professionals working with deaf people
The Fifth Annual Deafness Conference is an opportunity for all professionals working with deaf people to meet and network with colleagues and to gain a greater understanding of developments taking place across the country and across the spectrum of deafness. Delegates at previous Annual Conferences have commented:
“A great networking opportunity and a chance to learn about new projects”
“Opportunity to meet and chat with other people from the sector. Get updates on other activities. Chance to publicise our own work”
“Great to hear about all that UK Council on Deafness and their members are doing. Encouragement and enthusiasm to take things forward in our area and determination to network and co-work more with other organisations”
Keynote Address: Challenging perceptions of deafness and hearing loss – RNID’s new approach. Jackie Ballard, RNID’s new Chief Executive, discusses RNID’s new strategy in the light of the changing political, scientific and public context.
Primary Presentation: Working together to improve access to health services. Steve Powell, Chief Executive of SignHealth and Phil Murden, Managing Director of SignTranslate. Surveys carried out by the NHS and by voluntary sector organisations consistently show that deaf people are denied equitable access to health services and yet the solutions are often simple to implement and cost effective and would have a significant impact on the health of deaf people. In the context of the most recent GP Patient Survey, this is a call to action for all organisations working with deaf people to work together to achieve equal access to health services for deaf people.
Supporting Presentations
Promoting Good Relations. Rob Wilks, Legal Services Manager, and Des Masterson, Social Policy Officer, Royal Association for Deaf People. Funded by the Equality and Human Rights Commission this research project will identify the barriers and social exclusion experienced by all sectors of the deaf community. Deaf organisations throughout England and Wales can be involved in collecting evidence and sharing the findings to inform their work to challenge the discrimination experienced by deaf people in employment and from service providers.
Recovery and Care Programme Approach: Making CPA work for deaf people. Denise Brown, Social Worker, John Denmark Unit, Manchester. Exploring how deaf people can be included within the Care Programme Approach in order to promote and sustain their recovery through mental health services, including examples of collaborative working throughout the sector to prevent readmission and promote recovery and inclusion.
Use of genetics services in the NHS: thoughts from deaf and hard of hearing people. Dr Anna Middleton, Consultant Research Genetic Counsellor, Institute of Medical Genetics, Cardiff University. Genetic deafness affects more than 1 in 2000 people and yet deaf people rarely access genetic counselling. This research project analyses 1000 completed questionnaires from deaf people and 30 interviews in sign language to determine why this should be and seeks to make genetic counselling more accessible to deaf people.
Changing Communication After Cochlear Implantation: The Communication Journey. Alexandra Wheeler, Research Coordinator, The Ear Foundation. Examining the choices of communication mode that parents make before and after cochlear implantation through written questionnaires and in-depth interviews, this research finds that parents choose the most effective way of communicating with child whilst retaining their goal of developing oral communication skills.
The Deafblind International guidelines for service development. Malcolm Mathews, Director of Community Support & Information, Sense. The Deafblind Guidelines outline Deafblind International’s recommendations for service provision and is intended as a statement of the particular needs of deafblind people. It aims to contribute to deafblind people receiving and achieving their rights, which requires recognition of deafblindness and access to specialised services and support.
For further information about exhibiting or booking a place at the conference contact Clare Long at c.long@deafcouncil.org.uk
Wednesday, 29 October 2008
Tonight's dilemma
Right I'm off down the Villa tonight... well it's either that or a night on the town with big John Carew!
Tara a bit.
Tara a bit.
Regional Position - Part time on Regional Disability Network Project
RDN Project Worker £22, 240 pro rata
17.5 hours per week
Would you like to be involved in supporting the Development, Sustainability & Empowerment of Organisations of Disabled People?
The Council of Disabled People is an organisation run & controlled by Disabled People. We have a long history of providing services aimed at promoting equality for Disabled people.
The Regional Disability Network’s (RDN) aim is to provide a support resource for groups of Disabled people in the West Midlands. It will provide capacity building opportunities, funding advice, training support and networking potential. The establishment and development of the RDN will lead to a stronger, more cohesive and unified ‘voice’ of Disabled People and Disability groups in the region enabling them to be better equipped to lobby and influence local and regional bodies in the planning and delivery of service.
Your role will be to support the project manager in the delivery of the project outcomes including visiting organisations across the west Midlands in order to support them with their capacity building and to assist in establishing new organisations of Disabled people in regions of the West midlands where user led organisations currently do not exist. You will need to have strong communication skills and be able to work as part of a team. You will need to have experience of organisational development and personal experience of Disability as well as an understanding of the Disability Movement with at least two years experience of working or volunteering within the voluntary sector.
To find out more and to apply, please contact us. TEL/Text phone 024 7671 2984, email: justice@cdp.org.uk or visit: http://www.cdp.org.uk/.
Closing Date: 5pm on the 14th November 2008
17.5 hours per week
Would you like to be involved in supporting the Development, Sustainability & Empowerment of Organisations of Disabled People?
The Council of Disabled People is an organisation run & controlled by Disabled People. We have a long history of providing services aimed at promoting equality for Disabled people.
The Regional Disability Network’s (RDN) aim is to provide a support resource for groups of Disabled people in the West Midlands. It will provide capacity building opportunities, funding advice, training support and networking potential. The establishment and development of the RDN will lead to a stronger, more cohesive and unified ‘voice’ of Disabled People and Disability groups in the region enabling them to be better equipped to lobby and influence local and regional bodies in the planning and delivery of service.
Your role will be to support the project manager in the delivery of the project outcomes including visiting organisations across the west Midlands in order to support them with their capacity building and to assist in establishing new organisations of Disabled people in regions of the West midlands where user led organisations currently do not exist. You will need to have strong communication skills and be able to work as part of a team. You will need to have experience of organisational development and personal experience of Disability as well as an understanding of the Disability Movement with at least two years experience of working or volunteering within the voluntary sector.
To find out more and to apply, please contact us. TEL/Text phone 024 7671 2984, email: justice@cdp.org.uk or visit: http://www.cdp.org.uk/.
Closing Date: 5pm on the 14th November 2008
Get involved with the Birmingham Disability Resource Centre History Project
A Birmingham based support organisation run by and for disabled people is searching for former members, workers and service users to help to write a history of their centre in Yardley.
A grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund is funding the history project based at the Birmingham Disability Resource Centre (BDRC) at Bierton Road, Yardley. The project will run for 12 months from November 2008 and will allow the BDRC to explore and record its history and its early beginnings in the Birmingham Disability Rights Group (BDRG); the relationship these 2 organisations had with other disability organisations in Birmingham and with the local authority; the importance of the social model of disability and its impact on user-led organisations.
Memories and photographs about the BDRC and its early beginnings will be collected and shared with the local disabled community and the wider public to encourage more people to share their stories and experiences through the production of a book, CD and permanent exhibition.
Commenting on the award, Louise Simmons, BDRC Chief Executive said
“BDRG was the first user-led disability organisation in Birmingham and we are absolutely delighted to receive this grant to enable us to create a resource for understanding the lives of disabled people in Birmingham and the role they played in instigating change in service involvement and delivery.
A number of people had expressed a wish for this work to be undertaken, including disabled people originally involved in the establishment of the Birmingham Disability Rights Group and the Birmingham Disability Resource Centre which led us to make the application to the Heritage Lottery Fund.”
Project Officer, Pete Millington said “We will be using oral history techniques to record interviews with people who were involved in the development of both of these user led organisations from the mid 1980s. We are also inviting disabled people to become involved as volunteers to support the project and have the opportunity to learn and develop new skills through their involvement in the project . If you are interested in helping us with things like transcribing audio recordings to text format, carrying out research and interviews, assisting to run a ‘Blog’ style website or providing technical support then please contact us.”
To find out more, please contact:
Pete Millington
Oral History Project Officer
Birmingham Disability Resource Centre
Bierton Road
Yardley
Birmingham
B25 8PQ
Email: pete@disability.co.uk
A grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund is funding the history project based at the Birmingham Disability Resource Centre (BDRC) at Bierton Road, Yardley. The project will run for 12 months from November 2008 and will allow the BDRC to explore and record its history and its early beginnings in the Birmingham Disability Rights Group (BDRG); the relationship these 2 organisations had with other disability organisations in Birmingham and with the local authority; the importance of the social model of disability and its impact on user-led organisations.
Memories and photographs about the BDRC and its early beginnings will be collected and shared with the local disabled community and the wider public to encourage more people to share their stories and experiences through the production of a book, CD and permanent exhibition.
Commenting on the award, Louise Simmons, BDRC Chief Executive said
“BDRG was the first user-led disability organisation in Birmingham and we are absolutely delighted to receive this grant to enable us to create a resource for understanding the lives of disabled people in Birmingham and the role they played in instigating change in service involvement and delivery.
A number of people had expressed a wish for this work to be undertaken, including disabled people originally involved in the establishment of the Birmingham Disability Rights Group and the Birmingham Disability Resource Centre which led us to make the application to the Heritage Lottery Fund.”
Project Officer, Pete Millington said “We will be using oral history techniques to record interviews with people who were involved in the development of both of these user led organisations from the mid 1980s. We are also inviting disabled people to become involved as volunteers to support the project and have the opportunity to learn and develop new skills through their involvement in the project . If you are interested in helping us with things like transcribing audio recordings to text format, carrying out research and interviews, assisting to run a ‘Blog’ style website or providing technical support then please contact us.”
To find out more, please contact:
Pete Millington
Oral History Project Officer
Birmingham Disability Resource Centre
Bierton Road
Yardley
Birmingham
B25 8PQ
Email: pete@disability.co.uk
Disability issues - quick round-up
New Employment support allowance
From 27 October 2008 Employment and Support Allowance replaces Incapacity Benefit and Income Support paid on incapacity grounds for new customers.
RNIB and Action for Blind People to merge
RNIB's planned takeover of the charity Action for Blind People will be good news for blind people, both charities have claimed.
The legal details of the agreement are yet to be agreed, but both charities are hopeful that the agreement will come into effect in April, 2009.
Council toilet closures blamed on DDA
Local authorities are using the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) as an excuse to close public toilets, a committee of MPs has claimed.
According to the report by the Commons communities and local government committee, many councils claim they cannot afford access adaptations required by the DDA and have used this as an excuse to shut their public toilets.
The committee report estimates that the number of public toilets in the UK between 2000 and 2008 fell by nearly a sixth, from around 5,410 to 4,423. But it claims that the number of these toilets with facilities for disabled people rose by about the same proportion, to 3,353, between 1994 and 2000.
Helpline faces closure
Specialist telephone helpline which provides counselling and support to people with learning difficulties faces closure because of a lack of funding.
The helpline is run by the charity Respond, which supports people with learning difficulties who are the victims and perpetrators of abuse.
It is staffed by therapists trained to offer emotional and psychological support on issues including sexual and physical abuse and bereavement.
For more information on disability issues please visit:
Birmingham Disability Resource Centre (BDRC)
Regional Disability Network (RDN)
If you want to get your news about any issue affecting disabled people in the West Midlands onto the RDN website or if your group would like to become a member organisation of the RDN, then please contact me via email at: pete@cdp.org.uk
Birmingham residents enjoy ceilidh for clean water
Residents of Birmingham danced for water on Saturday 18 October, as part of The Big National Ceilidh for WaterAid.The event, for international charity WaterAid saw people taking part in 85 ceilidhs up and down the country, as well as four international ceilidhs, three in America, and one in Nigeria. The individual ceilidhs all united at 10pm by dancing the Circassian Circle, to the tune of Jamie Allen. The event in Birmingham held at Quinborne Community Centre was attended by 100 people, and raised £560 for WaterAid.
WaterAid works in 17 countries across Africa, Asia and the Pacific Region, helping some of the world’s poorest people gain access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene education. WaterAid projects providing these essential services cost just £15 per head.
Organiser of the Birmingham event, Pam Bishop said “We joined in with The Big National Ceilidh to help WaterAid bring clean safe water to those in need, as well as the chance to have a fantastic night of fun! Just £15 can give someone a lasting supply of safe water, sanitation and hygiene education, so the £560 raised from our event will help 38 people gain access to water and toilets – things we all take for granted. Thanks so much to all the people who turned up and supported us on the night, and helped us raise money for WaterAid!”
To find out more visit http://www.bignationalceilidh.co.uk
Diabetes Awareness Day - Walsall
Who gets Diabetes?
Walsall Centre for Independent Living will be holding an information event for people with Diabetes on
Friday 14th November.
Over 13,000 people in Walsall have Diabetes. Come along and find out more about the illness, what equipment can support people with diabetes, get first hand advice about any benefits you may be entitled to and get a free cuppa and a sugar free biscuit.
The event is on from 1.00pm – 4.00pm at the
Centre for Independent Living
Bridge Street, Walsall.
For more information call 01922 650790
Philadelphia link welcomed by Minority Ethnic Business leader
THE leader of the minority ethnic business community in the West Midlands has welcomed the announcement of the start of a daily service between Birmingham International Airport and Philadelphia from next year.
Mohammad Nazir, chairman of the West Midlands Minority Ethnic Business Forum, believes the service will help with the development of international trade links between the region and parts of the world where there are strong historic and cultural links.
“An important part of our work has been to help promote trade with parts of the world where we can take advantage of the strong historic and cultural links enjoyed by our minority ethnic communities,” said Mohammad Nazir.
“Working with UKTI one of the areas where there have been successful trade missions is the Caribbean. Philadelphia can serve an important hub as it offers direct links to the Caribbean and will make business travel easier.”
“The Forum is keen to see expansion of the international network from Birmingham airport in order to make travel easier to key centres in the Indian sub-continent, the Middle East and the Caribbean. All of these are important markets where our minority ethnic business community can give the West Midlands an edge.”
Earlier this year a delegation from Jamaica led by Prime Minister Bruce Golding visited Birmingham to discuss business opportunities between the Island and the West Midlands.UF Airways, the fifth largest carrier in the United States, will operate the daily service that is due to start in May 2009.
The West Midlands Minority Ethnic Business Forum is an independent body that provides strategic advice to the regional development agency Advantage West Midlands and other agencies.
Mohammad Nazir, chairman of the West Midlands Minority Ethnic Business Forum, believes the service will help with the development of international trade links between the region and parts of the world where there are strong historic and cultural links.
“An important part of our work has been to help promote trade with parts of the world where we can take advantage of the strong historic and cultural links enjoyed by our minority ethnic communities,” said Mohammad Nazir.
“Working with UKTI one of the areas where there have been successful trade missions is the Caribbean. Philadelphia can serve an important hub as it offers direct links to the Caribbean and will make business travel easier.”
“The Forum is keen to see expansion of the international network from Birmingham airport in order to make travel easier to key centres in the Indian sub-continent, the Middle East and the Caribbean. All of these are important markets where our minority ethnic business community can give the West Midlands an edge.”
Earlier this year a delegation from Jamaica led by Prime Minister Bruce Golding visited Birmingham to discuss business opportunities between the Island and the West Midlands.UF Airways, the fifth largest carrier in the United States, will operate the daily service that is due to start in May 2009.
The West Midlands Minority Ethnic Business Forum is an independent body that provides strategic advice to the regional development agency Advantage West Midlands and other agencies.
Mayor of Stafford not Giving Up The Ghost for Charities
The Mayor of Stafford Borough is to have a sleepover in a haunted historic house to raise money for charity.
Councillor Ann Edgeller will be spending the night at the Ancient High House in Stafford in a special sponsored Halloween Ghost Watch and Sleepover.
She will be joined in the marathon ‘watch’ by a number of other community leaders.
The event kicks off at 6.00 pm on Thursday 30 October and during the evening there will be a variety of entertainment including spooky stories, a talk on birds of prey and a film about the haunted High House.
The 13-hour sponsored sleep will be raising money for the Endoscope Unit at Stafford General Hospital, Katharine House Hospice and the Staffordshire County Air Ambulance.
And the local Swan Hotel is also supporting the event by providing refreshments for the sleepy fundraisers.
The High House in the town’s Greengate Street is the tallest timber framed Elizabethan town house in the UK. It was visited by King Charles 1st in 1642 at the beginning of the English Civil War.
Councillor Edgeller said: “I don’t scare easily but this will be a real test of character spending many dark hours in the frightening surroundings of this historic building on the eve of Halloween.
“Fortunately I will have some good company for the event with everyone giving their time to raise money for some very worthy causes.”
If anyone wants to sponsor Ann or donate money to the charities they can do so by contacting the Mayor’s secretary, June Keleghan, on 01785 619228 or jkeleghan@staffordbc.gov.uk.
Councillor Ann Edgeller will be spending the night at the Ancient High House in Stafford in a special sponsored Halloween Ghost Watch and Sleepover.
She will be joined in the marathon ‘watch’ by a number of other community leaders.
The event kicks off at 6.00 pm on Thursday 30 October and during the evening there will be a variety of entertainment including spooky stories, a talk on birds of prey and a film about the haunted High House.
The 13-hour sponsored sleep will be raising money for the Endoscope Unit at Stafford General Hospital, Katharine House Hospice and the Staffordshire County Air Ambulance.
And the local Swan Hotel is also supporting the event by providing refreshments for the sleepy fundraisers.
The High House in the town’s Greengate Street is the tallest timber framed Elizabethan town house in the UK. It was visited by King Charles 1st in 1642 at the beginning of the English Civil War.
Councillor Edgeller said: “I don’t scare easily but this will be a real test of character spending many dark hours in the frightening surroundings of this historic building on the eve of Halloween.
“Fortunately I will have some good company for the event with everyone giving their time to raise money for some very worthy causes.”
If anyone wants to sponsor Ann or donate money to the charities they can do so by contacting the Mayor’s secretary, June Keleghan, on 01785 619228 or jkeleghan@staffordbc.gov.uk.
Coming soon.... folk opera of the new Millennium
Click on the above image to see more details of the forthcoming production of Tweedeleededeedee Sir Ru Barb and the Green Wolf at Birmingham Town Hall on December 6th. Don't miss it!Planning Christmas for all the family
THE ALTERNATIVE CHRISTMAS
With only 57 days until Christmas the shops are full of Christmas cheer and the pressure is on. Traditionally Christmas is a time for families to get together eat and be merry.
If your family is separated then Christmas, and indeed other religious festivals, can be a time of deep sadness. This is particularly so if you are not going to be able to spend the actual day with your children.
The months leading up to Christmas are often a busy time for me as parents seek legal advice on how to secure contact with their children over the festive period. In an ideal world the child would spend Christmas Day with both parents and their extended family. If that cannot happen then I often suggest the alternative Christmas.
This is a day a little before 25th December when the parent who is not going to have contact on the actual day creates a second Christmas. Children love it. The alternative Christmas can be a recreation of the actual day – opening presents in the morning and Christmas lunch or it can be truly alternative for example a day sking at the Snow Dome or perhaps a holiday in Lapland. Next year the child will spend Christmas Day with you and the other parent will need to be creative.
If parents cannot come to an agreement then I often suggest mediation as a way of discussing alternatives. This is a process whereby parents meet with an independent third party to try to come to an agreement. Court proceedings should be the last resort and if you think that is going to be necessary then you need to take advice now to have any chance of the matter being dealt with before Christmas.
Amanda Holland French & Co Solicitors 247a Jockey Road, Boldmere, Sutton Coldfield 0121 362 7330.
With only 57 days until Christmas the shops are full of Christmas cheer and the pressure is on. Traditionally Christmas is a time for families to get together eat and be merry.
If your family is separated then Christmas, and indeed other religious festivals, can be a time of deep sadness. This is particularly so if you are not going to be able to spend the actual day with your children.
The months leading up to Christmas are often a busy time for me as parents seek legal advice on how to secure contact with their children over the festive period. In an ideal world the child would spend Christmas Day with both parents and their extended family. If that cannot happen then I often suggest the alternative Christmas.
This is a day a little before 25th December when the parent who is not going to have contact on the actual day creates a second Christmas. Children love it. The alternative Christmas can be a recreation of the actual day – opening presents in the morning and Christmas lunch or it can be truly alternative for example a day sking at the Snow Dome or perhaps a holiday in Lapland. Next year the child will spend Christmas Day with you and the other parent will need to be creative.
If parents cannot come to an agreement then I often suggest mediation as a way of discussing alternatives. This is a process whereby parents meet with an independent third party to try to come to an agreement. Court proceedings should be the last resort and if you think that is going to be necessary then you need to take advice now to have any chance of the matter being dealt with before Christmas.
Amanda Holland French & Co Solicitors 247a Jockey Road, Boldmere, Sutton Coldfield 0121 362 7330.
Vidar's latest local theatre review
Review of audio described performance of Wuthering Heights at the Birmingham Rep by Vidar Hjardeng.
Emily Bronte’s classic novel, Wuthering Heights, has long been a personal favourite. I was therefore intrigued to see how the drama of Heathcliff and Cathy would be enacted at the Birmingham Rep, when I went to the audio described show on the evening of the 16 October, and from what I remember of the book, this production remained true to the story.
At 6 pm resident describers Julia Grundy and Janet Jackson took visually impaired patrons and their companions on the touch tour, which is now an integral part of the Rep’s audio described experience, giving us a chance to explore what was a very simple, stylised set, with the 2 houses featured in the novel – The Grange and Wuthering Heights, positioned either side of the stage. It was interesting to find out how some of the furniture doubled up as rocks on the Yorkshire moors, and how for example, one of the benches became a grave stone which the children jumped up and down on at one stage during the play. Perhaps, somewhat unusually, fellow VIPs may have been at a bit of an advantage compared to their sighted audience members who had to stretch their imaginations to accept a rolled up bit of cloth as a baby and non-existent dogs attacking one of the characters – not necessarily the easiest things to describe but nonetheless very effectively conveyed by Janet and Julia.. Much of this had been set out on CD and the Rep’s website a few days before the performance which was once again very helpful as there was a lot to take in about the set and the period costumes. If you hadn’t for some reason been able to hear the CD the describers reprised this information in the live pre-show notes 15 minutes before curtain-up. Being a straight play with a lot of dialogue it meant that time for audio description was at a premium, but Janet and Julia’s well-timed delivery was a tribute to their professionalism. It was also helpful to be reminded of who the actors were playing, in a given scene because a number of them had the challenge of portraying different characters across several generations of the families.
The next audio described show at the Birmingham Rep is Privates on Parade on the evening of Thursday 6 November and details on ticket prices, the pre-show touch tour and headsets can be obtained from the box office on 0121 236 4455.
Emily Bronte’s classic novel, Wuthering Heights, has long been a personal favourite. I was therefore intrigued to see how the drama of Heathcliff and Cathy would be enacted at the Birmingham Rep, when I went to the audio described show on the evening of the 16 October, and from what I remember of the book, this production remained true to the story.
At 6 pm resident describers Julia Grundy and Janet Jackson took visually impaired patrons and their companions on the touch tour, which is now an integral part of the Rep’s audio described experience, giving us a chance to explore what was a very simple, stylised set, with the 2 houses featured in the novel – The Grange and Wuthering Heights, positioned either side of the stage. It was interesting to find out how some of the furniture doubled up as rocks on the Yorkshire moors, and how for example, one of the benches became a grave stone which the children jumped up and down on at one stage during the play. Perhaps, somewhat unusually, fellow VIPs may have been at a bit of an advantage compared to their sighted audience members who had to stretch their imaginations to accept a rolled up bit of cloth as a baby and non-existent dogs attacking one of the characters – not necessarily the easiest things to describe but nonetheless very effectively conveyed by Janet and Julia.. Much of this had been set out on CD and the Rep’s website a few days before the performance which was once again very helpful as there was a lot to take in about the set and the period costumes. If you hadn’t for some reason been able to hear the CD the describers reprised this information in the live pre-show notes 15 minutes before curtain-up. Being a straight play with a lot of dialogue it meant that time for audio description was at a premium, but Janet and Julia’s well-timed delivery was a tribute to their professionalism. It was also helpful to be reminded of who the actors were playing, in a given scene because a number of them had the challenge of portraying different characters across several generations of the families.
The next audio described show at the Birmingham Rep is Privates on Parade on the evening of Thursday 6 November and details on ticket prices, the pre-show touch tour and headsets can be obtained from the box office on 0121 236 4455.
Moseley Road Swimming Baths - Your Memories Please
Bath Users Turn Back The Clock for Memories Day Event
A resident of Balsall Heath who shares her birthday with the district’s historic Moseley Road Swimming Baths is among numerous people who have contributed their stories and reminiscences to a Memories and Memorabilia day being staged by the Friends of Moseley Road Baths group at Moseley Road Methodist Church, opposite the baths, this Saturday, November 1st from 12:00-4:00pm.
May Allen, who will be 86 on October 30th, exactly 101 years after the baths opened, swam there during the 1940s: “I worked in the office at Dawes Brewery {now the site of Birmingham Central Mosque}. We visited the baths during our lunch hour, swimming made us hungry and we’d cook bacon and eggs when we returned to work. My mother was a dressmaker and I was one of nine children. We had to make do and mend where clothes were concerned and I knitted my own two-piece swimming costume, but it kept slipping down in the water, so that was no good.”
Like many others, May Allen used Moseley Road Baths for much more than just swimming. The ‘slipper’ - or washing baths - were a crucial community asset for those whose homes lacked bathing facilities: ’“We also used the washing baths. The tubs and the taps seemed really big and I remember how the water would gush out of the porcelain bath.”
This was a period when many of Birmingham’s swimming pools were floored over during the winter months and used for such events as billiards, card games, music recitals and dances, as May Allen recalls: “I went to dances at Moseley Road Baths in the 1940s and early 1950s; my husband was a great dancer. The music was provided by local bands. We’d take the No 42 tram along Moseley Road, there were lots of clubs along the street and you’d see all the ladies coming out in their lovely dance frocks.”
The reminiscences of May Allen, and many other bath users both past and present, form the centrepiece of Memories and Memorabilia Day, part of the Friend’s recently launched Pool of Memories project, which aims to record and archive the stories of those who swam, washed, worked, dived or danced at the building.
The day also features an exhibition of the photos, video film, and artefacts (such as swimming certificates, trophies and old costumes) already collected, which visitors will be encouraged to add to by recording their own memories and bringing along their own memorabilia.
Friends of Moseley Road Baths spokeswoman Jen Austin says: “In its 101-year history, Moseley Road Baths has been a hub of the community, playing a part in the lives of almost every Balsall Heathan and plenty more from further afield. The Pool of Memories project, of which this event is merely the beginning, aims to document and record the stories of bath users, allowing us to build a picture of a way of life that was once commonplace to thousands of Birmingham folk.”
Tours of the baths will be offered at 12:30 and 2:30pm. Alternatively, visitors will be able to view the Friends’ recently launched online Virtual Tour (www.moseleyroadbaths.co.uk). In addition, local history organisations and swimming clubs will have stalls and there will be activities for children with a swimming theme.
For more information about the Pool of Memories project and Memories and Memorabilia day, contact Rachel Gillies, Secretary, Friends of Moseley Road Baths: 07967 093 256; or e-mail. FofMRB@googlemail.com To contact May Allen please ring Jen Austin on 0777 609 5885
Friends of Moseley Road Baths
October 28th 2008
Website: www.myspace.com/moseleyrdpool
A resident of Balsall Heath who shares her birthday with the district’s historic Moseley Road Swimming Baths is among numerous people who have contributed their stories and reminiscences to a Memories and Memorabilia day being staged by the Friends of Moseley Road Baths group at Moseley Road Methodist Church, opposite the baths, this Saturday, November 1st from 12:00-4:00pm.
May Allen, who will be 86 on October 30th, exactly 101 years after the baths opened, swam there during the 1940s: “I worked in the office at Dawes Brewery {now the site of Birmingham Central Mosque}. We visited the baths during our lunch hour, swimming made us hungry and we’d cook bacon and eggs when we returned to work. My mother was a dressmaker and I was one of nine children. We had to make do and mend where clothes were concerned and I knitted my own two-piece swimming costume, but it kept slipping down in the water, so that was no good.”
Like many others, May Allen used Moseley Road Baths for much more than just swimming. The ‘slipper’ - or washing baths - were a crucial community asset for those whose homes lacked bathing facilities: ’“We also used the washing baths. The tubs and the taps seemed really big and I remember how the water would gush out of the porcelain bath.”
This was a period when many of Birmingham’s swimming pools were floored over during the winter months and used for such events as billiards, card games, music recitals and dances, as May Allen recalls: “I went to dances at Moseley Road Baths in the 1940s and early 1950s; my husband was a great dancer. The music was provided by local bands. We’d take the No 42 tram along Moseley Road, there were lots of clubs along the street and you’d see all the ladies coming out in their lovely dance frocks.”
The reminiscences of May Allen, and many other bath users both past and present, form the centrepiece of Memories and Memorabilia Day, part of the Friend’s recently launched Pool of Memories project, which aims to record and archive the stories of those who swam, washed, worked, dived or danced at the building.
The day also features an exhibition of the photos, video film, and artefacts (such as swimming certificates, trophies and old costumes) already collected, which visitors will be encouraged to add to by recording their own memories and bringing along their own memorabilia.
Friends of Moseley Road Baths spokeswoman Jen Austin says: “In its 101-year history, Moseley Road Baths has been a hub of the community, playing a part in the lives of almost every Balsall Heathan and plenty more from further afield. The Pool of Memories project, of which this event is merely the beginning, aims to document and record the stories of bath users, allowing us to build a picture of a way of life that was once commonplace to thousands of Birmingham folk.”
Tours of the baths will be offered at 12:30 and 2:30pm. Alternatively, visitors will be able to view the Friends’ recently launched online Virtual Tour (www.moseleyroadbaths.co.uk). In addition, local history organisations and swimming clubs will have stalls and there will be activities for children with a swimming theme.
For more information about the Pool of Memories project and Memories and Memorabilia day, contact Rachel Gillies, Secretary, Friends of Moseley Road Baths: 07967 093 256; or e-mail. FofMRB@googlemail.com To contact May Allen please ring Jen Austin on 0777 609 5885
Friends of Moseley Road Baths
October 28th 2008
Website: www.myspace.com/moseleyrdpool
Tuesday, 28 October 2008
Happy Diwali and well done to our winner!
When I posted up the Name That Town feature last night just after midnight, what I hadn't realised was that today is Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights. So what a very interesting coincidence that the photograph I posted is of the Hindu temple at Tividale between Oldbury and Dudley, which by another coincidence, I heard on BBC Radio WM this afternoon is the largest Hindu temple in Europe.
So well done to our entrant who left the following suggestion in the comments section:
D'log said...
Has to be the big Hindu temple between Dudley Port and Sandwell & Dudley station?
Has to be the big Hindu temple between Dudley Port and Sandwell & Dudley station?
Well done and thanks for getting into the spirit on this celebratory day in the Hindu and Sikh calendars.
Here is a bit of information about Diwali and Hinduism:
Diwali is an annual festival which originates from the Hindu tradition in India, the word Diwali comes from the Sanskrit word ‘Deepawali’ meaning a row or cluster of lights. The festival of lights is observed in honour of the goddess Lakshmi and is celebrated every year in October or November. The festival is also celebrated by Sikhs who share a common heritage with Hindus. In Birmingham there are around 30,000 Hindus, most of whom came to Britain in two waves of migration, firstly from India in the 1950s and later from African states such as Uganda and Kenya in the 1960s. Hindu migrants were amongst the first Asian people to settle in Birmingham and the highest concentration of Hindus in Birmingham is in Soho and Handsworth.
The celebration of Diwali has become more prominent in Birmingham in recent years as Hindus and Sikhs have begun to settle right across the whole city. To honour the goddess, prayers are chanted and religious books are read. Every Hindu celebrates Diwali, irrespective of their own background or religious sect. At Diwali, children are given gifts or money and firework displays take place. Colourful designs made out of lentils and spices are arranged on doorsteps or on trays with lights. Hindus always dress in their best clothes for Diwali and it is an occasion for people to visit their family and friends with Indian sweets. The day after Diwali is known as Bestu Varsh and this is the Hindu new year.
Because it falls very close to the English festivals of Halloween and Bonfire Night (November 5th), the celebration of Diwali adds to the continuing sense of noise, flashing light and general excitement which takes over the region for some two or three weeks at the end of autumn and beginning of winter.
Diwali is an annual festival which originates from the Hindu tradition in India, the word Diwali comes from the Sanskrit word ‘Deepawali’ meaning a row or cluster of lights. The festival of lights is observed in honour of the goddess Lakshmi and is celebrated every year in October or November. The festival is also celebrated by Sikhs who share a common heritage with Hindus. In Birmingham there are around 30,000 Hindus, most of whom came to Britain in two waves of migration, firstly from India in the 1950s and later from African states such as Uganda and Kenya in the 1960s. Hindu migrants were amongst the first Asian people to settle in Birmingham and the highest concentration of Hindus in Birmingham is in Soho and Handsworth.
The celebration of Diwali has become more prominent in Birmingham in recent years as Hindus and Sikhs have begun to settle right across the whole city. To honour the goddess, prayers are chanted and religious books are read. Every Hindu celebrates Diwali, irrespective of their own background or religious sect. At Diwali, children are given gifts or money and firework displays take place. Colourful designs made out of lentils and spices are arranged on doorsteps or on trays with lights. Hindus always dress in their best clothes for Diwali and it is an occasion for people to visit their family and friends with Indian sweets. The day after Diwali is known as Bestu Varsh and this is the Hindu new year.
Because it falls very close to the English festivals of Halloween and Bonfire Night (November 5th), the celebration of Diwali adds to the continuing sense of noise, flashing light and general excitement which takes over the region for some two or three weeks at the end of autumn and beginning of winter.
हैप्पी दिवाली फ्रॉम स्पघेत्ति गज़त्ति
Name That Town
The last picture in our Name That Town slot was of a sculpture next to the Pump Rooms in our region's finest spa town - Leamington Spa. Ok here's another one, this is likely to be a little more difficult, but I can assure you it is in the West Midlands and not in India!
...........name that town!
PROBUS CLUB OF COLESHILL - October Report
I am indebted once again to Jerry Dutton and colleagues for sharing with us another fascinating report from the Probus Club of Coleshill:.
ROUND the TABLES:
When the now worldwide Probus organisation was founded, many years ago, the name chosen was an acronym from PROfessional and BUSinessmen: over the years things have changed with the times and members of the Coleshill Probus Club have a wide of variety of (former) working lives; and being retired is one of the few requirements of membership. Our members range from professional careers (banking, accountancy) to farming and from the motor industry to the Police. It therefore follows that round our luncheon tables is an enormous wealth of knowledge and experience. At our second meeting in September a conversation at one of the tables was overheard and this gave rise to a general discussion involving everyone in the room, and eventually covered a wide range of subjects that had begun with the pitfalls of assembling ‘flat-pack-furniture’ from MFI, Ikea, Argos etc’ especially when wrong parts or missing fixings are encountered.
Due to a last minute change of circumstances we were without a guest speaker for our October meeting and Harry Collison (Speaker’s Secretary) thought it a good idea to pursue this informal idea by getting several members to tell us of an experience in their own working life, amusing, serious or even dangerous that would be of general interest. Harry started the proceedings by reading us a monologue we had first encountered in August 2006 when we had a talk on the ‘History of Monologues’, it was all about a dog who suffered from Diabetes and known as “Pete the Piddler”. In his role as Social Secretary Harry went on to mention that the Belgrade Theatre in Coventry would be presenting “One Night in November” a play covering the bombing of Coventry on 14th November 1940 (8th to 29th November ’08 - all tickets are now sold but you may get lucky for returns!) and then called on our Vice President, Charlie Bull to tell us how that night actually changed his whole life.
AN EVACUEE’S TALE:
Charlie told us that he was born and brought up in Coventry and on the night in question was sheltering under the stairs of their house with his mother while his Dad was out helping to put out fires started by incendiaries. A bomb fell outside their house that caused a large amount of damage to their house. Next morning he found that his school had been ‘flattened’ and there was talk of evacuating pupils to the safety of the countryside. Thanks to the emergency operations temporary repairs had been done to their damaged house that enabled them to live, cramped, in the ‘back’ part only. Consequently his parents thought that evacuation for him was a good idea until the house had been repaired, he was very keen on sports at the time and as his sports-master was heading up one group of evacuees he opted to go with this group. They arrived at Cleeve Prior in Worcestershire very close to the Warwickshire Border and Evesham where they were introduced to joys of the English wartime, countryside – quite a contrast for children from an industrial background such as Coventry. It sounds simple but, as Charlie, who was 13 years old at the time, explained, looking back it was traumatic and complex with daily visits to the school site waiting for transport to arrive that never did and a “Goodbye, see you whenever..” to his parents every day for the better part of a week. The group spent the Christmas of 1940 in the village and later the following year the lady that he and friend were living with managed to get the boys offers of jobs, one in a local garage and another on a farm that was part of the local manor. Eventually it was Charlie who began working on the farm and learning about agriculture so much so that eventually he finished up with his own farm, 100 head of cattle and a collection of farm tractors of all ages when he retired. Had he returned to Coventry as originally planned he would most likely have followed his father in the motor industry (at the ‘Rover’) and completely missed out on the joys of an agricultural life. Charlie spoke for about 10 minutes and, of course, included much more detail and anecdotes of this period of his life.
‘NOT THE ENGLISH WAY’
The joys (or should we say ‘trials and tribulations’) and experience of working overseas was then described to us by Peter Wheeler who told us of a trip he was obliged to make to Somalia when he worked for BT (British Telecom). Somalia has never been the ideal holiday location to visit (unlike the Seychelles or Maldives) it has been a hot bed of bribery, corruption and civil war for decades. At the end of World War One the country was split in two with the Northern sector being controlled by the British and the Southern under the Italians. This, as in many African states, did nothing to help the underlying nature of the Somalian people which is basically tribalism (clans) and feuds sometimes escalating into civil wars were a way of life. Recently this has lead to the Americans sending in armed troops to police the situation. Peter told how there were no airport taxes, landing fees or baggage control. After he landed in Mogadishu the passengers were besieged by young boys eager to get their trade at $5.00 a time for baggage recovery, customs clearance, immigration and health clearances etc’ as well as finding you a taxi to get to your hotel. $5.00 a time may not seem excessive but cumulatively it all adds up and he was a loss to wonder how to account for it on his expenses claim (no receipts!). The objective of his visit was to install a microwave communications system at the British Embassy to aid in the then increasing trade opportunities. On arrival at the (so called) luxury hotel there were more exciting revelations to come including getting up at 3.00am to ensure you had hot water for a morning shower! Peter explained how he was provided with a body guard who escorted him everywhere he went during his visit because as a white man the ‘underworld’ regarded all whites as wealthy and excellent kidnap/hostage potential. Peter was also targeted by one Somali “businessman” who wanted, by fair means of foul to become the local agent for BT! If you think these risks for visitors dangerous spare a thought for the ex-patriot’s who live and work out there (and not just in Somalia it is similar in other African countries). Peter told of a visit he made to one ex-pats’ villa: all the main living quarters were on the upper level with entry strictly controlled through two lockable steel doors the inner one being almost prison-cell like. Peter made two visits, the second being to check up on the communications system that had been installed successfully giving the embassy a microwave link to the British Embassy in Kenya. Shortly after this the political situation imploded and many ex-pats were forced to escape by an Arab Dhow to Mombasa.
Harry Collison echoed Peter’s remarks telling us of a business trip he made to Buenos Aries (Argentine) in the 1980’s where he found that corruption was very much the way of life. Exchanging money into the local currency was no straightforward task, on his first visit to a bank for this he was invited outside – by the bank manager who promptly offered him double the rate that he would be obliged to pay (legitimately) over the counter. And then asked if had any more Dollars he wanted to exchange; this applied to anyone going into the bank with US$ to exchange. The writer personally made several business trips overseas in the 1980’s and 90’s and came across similar examples, mainly in African countries, and can confirm that you have to become an expert in ‘Creative Accounting’ when submitting your expenses claim on your return home. Although the accountants are fully aware that bribery and corruption are the way of life ‘out-there’ (even on the large scale to win contracts; or even speed a consignment through the local Customs) they refuse to accept it as a legitimate business expense.
HIGH FLYING FINANCE:
The Credit Crunch and Financial Melt Down are very much on all our minds in the current climate and Eric Lanchester next gave us some facts and figures. He began by saying that we should recognise that there real problems and real problems and this depends on the situation you are in. If, for example, you are overseas on business or holiday in a volatile country and revolution breaks out your life and that of your loved one may well be risk: this may well impact on you/us directly far more so than we (as individuals) are going to be affected by the credit crunch (lives will not at risk). Eric then quoted several sets of figures that had been published in the Telegraph that were all in Billions of £’s and even Trillions and are that large that to many of us ‘beggar all understanding’. These were the GDP’s (= Gross Domestic Product – total value of all final goods and services for a countries economy during a specific period) compared to that countries guaranteed borrowing – the later figure was in every instance far greater than the GDP! In other words Joe Public (you and me) have absolutely no control or influence over these – in the words of Corporal Jones of Dad’s Army “Don’t Panic!” Eric went on to explain about Interest rates, the Libor (London Interbank Offered Rate), Base Rate and how these vary and affect borrowing which was quite complex. He gave an example of how a small retail business he had recently visited faced with closure due to financial problems of its owners (a much larger, foreign, corporation) were very pleased when he paid by cash; he posed the question of in the present conditions are we heading back to a retail economy based on cash transactions rather that credit? Yet again there is little we – the man in the street- can do except sit back and wait and see what happens. The penultimate word in this fascinating talk on economics was given by Jack White (our regular stand-up comedian) he told us that “…recently a White House aide told President George W Bush that six Brazilians had been killed in Iraq. The Presidents’ immediate response was ‘Six Brazilians? How much is that?”
John Jones a long serving member with over 40 years experience in Banking told us that he was reminded by his mother when he first went into banking of the old adage “Neither a borrower or a lender be…” but this proved to be impossible in his chosen career. However he went on to say that under the prevailing circumstances, and contrary to advice, there is nothing wrong in keeping part of your savings under your mattress. That way you know where your money is and can be sure of getting at it for essentials. We were then reminded that the old adage has been updated to “Never borrow short and lend long” – Northern Rock is a prime example of what this can lead to!
CONFUCIUS, HE SAY:
The session concluded with some wise words of wisdom to get us through life from Terry Murphy who told us:-
Accept that some days you’re the pigeon and some days you’re the statue.
Always keep your words soft and sweet just in case you have to eat them.
If you cannot be kind at least have the decency to be vain
Never put both feet in your mouth at the same time because then you won’t have a leg to stand on.
Since it is always the early worm that gets eaten by the bird always sleep late.
It is always the second mouse that gets the cheese.
When everything is coming your way you are in the wrong lane.
Charlie Bull the brought the meeting to a close telling us of a lady motorist who was seen driving up the M6 using her knees to steer whilst busily knitting with her hands. Ignoring all signals from a police car to stop on the hard shoulder the police car drew alongside and the officer in the passenger seat opened his window signalled and shouted at her “Pull over!” “No officer” she replied “its a scarf”
So concluded an unusual and fascinating meeting that we will no doubt repeat in the future judging by the varied and unusual experiences that have been encountered by our members over their working lives.
Jerry Dutton
Press Officer
ROUND the TABLES:
When the now worldwide Probus organisation was founded, many years ago, the name chosen was an acronym from PROfessional and BUSinessmen: over the years things have changed with the times and members of the Coleshill Probus Club have a wide of variety of (former) working lives; and being retired is one of the few requirements of membership. Our members range from professional careers (banking, accountancy) to farming and from the motor industry to the Police. It therefore follows that round our luncheon tables is an enormous wealth of knowledge and experience. At our second meeting in September a conversation at one of the tables was overheard and this gave rise to a general discussion involving everyone in the room, and eventually covered a wide range of subjects that had begun with the pitfalls of assembling ‘flat-pack-furniture’ from MFI, Ikea, Argos etc’ especially when wrong parts or missing fixings are encountered.
Due to a last minute change of circumstances we were without a guest speaker for our October meeting and Harry Collison (Speaker’s Secretary) thought it a good idea to pursue this informal idea by getting several members to tell us of an experience in their own working life, amusing, serious or even dangerous that would be of general interest. Harry started the proceedings by reading us a monologue we had first encountered in August 2006 when we had a talk on the ‘History of Monologues’, it was all about a dog who suffered from Diabetes and known as “Pete the Piddler”. In his role as Social Secretary Harry went on to mention that the Belgrade Theatre in Coventry would be presenting “One Night in November” a play covering the bombing of Coventry on 14th November 1940 (8th to 29th November ’08 - all tickets are now sold but you may get lucky for returns!) and then called on our Vice President, Charlie Bull to tell us how that night actually changed his whole life.
AN EVACUEE’S TALE:
Charlie told us that he was born and brought up in Coventry and on the night in question was sheltering under the stairs of their house with his mother while his Dad was out helping to put out fires started by incendiaries. A bomb fell outside their house that caused a large amount of damage to their house. Next morning he found that his school had been ‘flattened’ and there was talk of evacuating pupils to the safety of the countryside. Thanks to the emergency operations temporary repairs had been done to their damaged house that enabled them to live, cramped, in the ‘back’ part only. Consequently his parents thought that evacuation for him was a good idea until the house had been repaired, he was very keen on sports at the time and as his sports-master was heading up one group of evacuees he opted to go with this group. They arrived at Cleeve Prior in Worcestershire very close to the Warwickshire Border and Evesham where they were introduced to joys of the English wartime, countryside – quite a contrast for children from an industrial background such as Coventry. It sounds simple but, as Charlie, who was 13 years old at the time, explained, looking back it was traumatic and complex with daily visits to the school site waiting for transport to arrive that never did and a “Goodbye, see you whenever..” to his parents every day for the better part of a week. The group spent the Christmas of 1940 in the village and later the following year the lady that he and friend were living with managed to get the boys offers of jobs, one in a local garage and another on a farm that was part of the local manor. Eventually it was Charlie who began working on the farm and learning about agriculture so much so that eventually he finished up with his own farm, 100 head of cattle and a collection of farm tractors of all ages when he retired. Had he returned to Coventry as originally planned he would most likely have followed his father in the motor industry (at the ‘Rover’) and completely missed out on the joys of an agricultural life. Charlie spoke for about 10 minutes and, of course, included much more detail and anecdotes of this period of his life.
‘NOT THE ENGLISH WAY’
The joys (or should we say ‘trials and tribulations’) and experience of working overseas was then described to us by Peter Wheeler who told us of a trip he was obliged to make to Somalia when he worked for BT (British Telecom). Somalia has never been the ideal holiday location to visit (unlike the Seychelles or Maldives) it has been a hot bed of bribery, corruption and civil war for decades. At the end of World War One the country was split in two with the Northern sector being controlled by the British and the Southern under the Italians. This, as in many African states, did nothing to help the underlying nature of the Somalian people which is basically tribalism (clans) and feuds sometimes escalating into civil wars were a way of life. Recently this has lead to the Americans sending in armed troops to police the situation. Peter told how there were no airport taxes, landing fees or baggage control. After he landed in Mogadishu the passengers were besieged by young boys eager to get their trade at $5.00 a time for baggage recovery, customs clearance, immigration and health clearances etc’ as well as finding you a taxi to get to your hotel. $5.00 a time may not seem excessive but cumulatively it all adds up and he was a loss to wonder how to account for it on his expenses claim (no receipts!). The objective of his visit was to install a microwave communications system at the British Embassy to aid in the then increasing trade opportunities. On arrival at the (so called) luxury hotel there were more exciting revelations to come including getting up at 3.00am to ensure you had hot water for a morning shower! Peter explained how he was provided with a body guard who escorted him everywhere he went during his visit because as a white man the ‘underworld’ regarded all whites as wealthy and excellent kidnap/hostage potential. Peter was also targeted by one Somali “businessman” who wanted, by fair means of foul to become the local agent for BT! If you think these risks for visitors dangerous spare a thought for the ex-patriot’s who live and work out there (and not just in Somalia it is similar in other African countries). Peter told of a visit he made to one ex-pats’ villa: all the main living quarters were on the upper level with entry strictly controlled through two lockable steel doors the inner one being almost prison-cell like. Peter made two visits, the second being to check up on the communications system that had been installed successfully giving the embassy a microwave link to the British Embassy in Kenya. Shortly after this the political situation imploded and many ex-pats were forced to escape by an Arab Dhow to Mombasa.
Harry Collison echoed Peter’s remarks telling us of a business trip he made to Buenos Aries (Argentine) in the 1980’s where he found that corruption was very much the way of life. Exchanging money into the local currency was no straightforward task, on his first visit to a bank for this he was invited outside – by the bank manager who promptly offered him double the rate that he would be obliged to pay (legitimately) over the counter. And then asked if had any more Dollars he wanted to exchange; this applied to anyone going into the bank with US$ to exchange. The writer personally made several business trips overseas in the 1980’s and 90’s and came across similar examples, mainly in African countries, and can confirm that you have to become an expert in ‘Creative Accounting’ when submitting your expenses claim on your return home. Although the accountants are fully aware that bribery and corruption are the way of life ‘out-there’ (even on the large scale to win contracts; or even speed a consignment through the local Customs) they refuse to accept it as a legitimate business expense.
HIGH FLYING FINANCE:
The Credit Crunch and Financial Melt Down are very much on all our minds in the current climate and Eric Lanchester next gave us some facts and figures. He began by saying that we should recognise that there real problems and real problems and this depends on the situation you are in. If, for example, you are overseas on business or holiday in a volatile country and revolution breaks out your life and that of your loved one may well be risk: this may well impact on you/us directly far more so than we (as individuals) are going to be affected by the credit crunch (lives will not at risk). Eric then quoted several sets of figures that had been published in the Telegraph that were all in Billions of £’s and even Trillions and are that large that to many of us ‘beggar all understanding’. These were the GDP’s (= Gross Domestic Product – total value of all final goods and services for a countries economy during a specific period) compared to that countries guaranteed borrowing – the later figure was in every instance far greater than the GDP! In other words Joe Public (you and me) have absolutely no control or influence over these – in the words of Corporal Jones of Dad’s Army “Don’t Panic!” Eric went on to explain about Interest rates, the Libor (London Interbank Offered Rate), Base Rate and how these vary and affect borrowing which was quite complex. He gave an example of how a small retail business he had recently visited faced with closure due to financial problems of its owners (a much larger, foreign, corporation) were very pleased when he paid by cash; he posed the question of in the present conditions are we heading back to a retail economy based on cash transactions rather that credit? Yet again there is little we – the man in the street- can do except sit back and wait and see what happens. The penultimate word in this fascinating talk on economics was given by Jack White (our regular stand-up comedian) he told us that “…recently a White House aide told President George W Bush that six Brazilians had been killed in Iraq. The Presidents’ immediate response was ‘Six Brazilians? How much is that?”
John Jones a long serving member with over 40 years experience in Banking told us that he was reminded by his mother when he first went into banking of the old adage “Neither a borrower or a lender be…” but this proved to be impossible in his chosen career. However he went on to say that under the prevailing circumstances, and contrary to advice, there is nothing wrong in keeping part of your savings under your mattress. That way you know where your money is and can be sure of getting at it for essentials. We were then reminded that the old adage has been updated to “Never borrow short and lend long” – Northern Rock is a prime example of what this can lead to!
CONFUCIUS, HE SAY:
The session concluded with some wise words of wisdom to get us through life from Terry Murphy who told us:-
Accept that some days you’re the pigeon and some days you’re the statue.
Always keep your words soft and sweet just in case you have to eat them.
If you cannot be kind at least have the decency to be vain
Never put both feet in your mouth at the same time because then you won’t have a leg to stand on.
Since it is always the early worm that gets eaten by the bird always sleep late.
It is always the second mouse that gets the cheese.
When everything is coming your way you are in the wrong lane.
Charlie Bull the brought the meeting to a close telling us of a lady motorist who was seen driving up the M6 using her knees to steer whilst busily knitting with her hands. Ignoring all signals from a police car to stop on the hard shoulder the police car drew alongside and the officer in the passenger seat opened his window signalled and shouted at her “Pull over!” “No officer” she replied “its a scarf”
So concluded an unusual and fascinating meeting that we will no doubt repeat in the future judging by the varied and unusual experiences that have been encountered by our members over their working lives.
Jerry Dutton
Press Officer
Monday, 27 October 2008
Who Do I think I Am?
If you have an interest in tracing your family tree, you may be interested in taking a peek at mine. I started tracing my family tree in 1996 by interviewing my father's older brother and two sisters, then some of his cousins, before my research took me to the top floor of Birmingham Central Library and various other sources. In fact most of my research took place before I even discovered the wonderful world of the internet!
Even so, I have traced my paternal grandfather's tree back to rural Salop in the late 1600s and my grandmother's tree to famine stricken Galway in the 1840s. But what interested me more than the bare bones of a family tree as researched in census and civil records, is the anecdote and family myth discovered along the way.
I have produced two documents recording the branches of the family tree on my father's side. I have yet to start compiling my mother's family tree - both of her parents came from Dublin so we are talking even bigger families and my wife's Wexford and Westmeath rooted families are larger still! So it may be some time before I turn those out.
But if you have an interest in genealogy and you want to see what can be done with your research (don't just bung it onto Genes Reunited and forget about it), or if you think we could be related (half of Birmingham is mentioned in my research let me assure you) then please feel free to take a look at my research documents at these two links (PDF format):
My paternal grandfather's ancestors - Millington
https://share.acrobat.com/adc/document.do?docid=c74ee4cd-f07a-4cc2-a821-8fb6f530daec
My maternal grandmother's ancestors - Clayton
https://share.acrobat.com/adc/document.do?docid=55fcf8f1-0bf2-4d55-b006-ef7e43ec2860
Even so, I have traced my paternal grandfather's tree back to rural Salop in the late 1600s and my grandmother's tree to famine stricken Galway in the 1840s. But what interested me more than the bare bones of a family tree as researched in census and civil records, is the anecdote and family myth discovered along the way.
I have produced two documents recording the branches of the family tree on my father's side. I have yet to start compiling my mother's family tree - both of her parents came from Dublin so we are talking even bigger families and my wife's Wexford and Westmeath rooted families are larger still! So it may be some time before I turn those out.
But if you have an interest in genealogy and you want to see what can be done with your research (don't just bung it onto Genes Reunited and forget about it), or if you think we could be related (half of Birmingham is mentioned in my research let me assure you) then please feel free to take a look at my research documents at these two links (PDF format):
My paternal grandfather's ancestors - Millington
https://share.acrobat.com/adc/document.do?docid=c74ee4cd-f07a-4cc2-a821-8fb6f530daec
My maternal grandmother's ancestors - Clayton
https://share.acrobat.com/adc/document.do?docid=55fcf8f1-0bf2-4d55-b006-ef7e43ec2860
Poetry by Glenn Pledger
The Computer Says 'No'
Good morning sir, how may we help you?
I received this letter asking me to return
to work but, I do not know if I can.
Ah yes, the computer sent that.
Basically, what the computer is asking
you is whether you want to volunteer
to eschew disability and become useful
and productive again, earn some money?
I think, maybe Prudence would advise me
to seek qualified insight into my condition
because I don't understand my disability
well enough to answer the computer's
question. Would that be all right?
I think? Now, I think that would
be eminently sensible for someone
like you. Eminently sensible!
I'm a little confused because the
computer wrote to me last year
and it was found to be in error.
What, the computer in error? No!
Well, I'll get my doctor to send me
to the specialist. Is that okay?
Do you think that you may ask
the computer?
Quite unnecessary!
Thank you for your letter enquiring
about your suitability for work.
I've studied your previous records.
You know, your condition is unlikely
to have changed over the course of your life.
Whilst it may be the case that we know more
about it today, greater knowledge maps into
greater insight into what yesterday
refused to share with us. How do you feel
about things. Good! Good! Good!
No really, you must excuse me.
Patients waiting! Patients waiting!
I'll write to your doctor, he'll know
what to do, but you must refrain
from work. If you require my help,
Please don't be too shy to ask.
Help is what we are here for.
Hello, the doctor said no,
may you pass it on to the computer?
Dear sir, you may recall that we
have contacted you twice before.
It seems that you are in our remit.
But, the doctor said that I am
incapable of work.
Ah yes but did the doctor say that
you are outside our remit? You see,
we are obliged to ask all of those
who qualify. I see, well perhaps
you may feel differently tomorrow
about these things, time is a great healer.
Time is a great healer!
It isn't that I don't want work,
indeed, I would like some money.
It is that I am incapable of work.
That is what my doctor said to me.
Well, you have been off work for
a very long time; so, the computer
calls time on the likes of you sir.
Verily, the computer says no.
Good morning sir, how may we help you?
I received this letter asking me to return
to work but, I do not know if I can.
Ah yes, the computer sent that.
Basically, what the computer is asking
you is whether you want to volunteer
to eschew disability and become useful
and productive again, earn some money?
I think, maybe Prudence would advise me
to seek qualified insight into my condition
because I don't understand my disability
well enough to answer the computer's
question. Would that be all right?
I think? Now, I think that would
be eminently sensible for someone
like you. Eminently sensible!
I'm a little confused because the
computer wrote to me last year
and it was found to be in error.
What, the computer in error? No!
Well, I'll get my doctor to send me
to the specialist. Is that okay?
Do you think that you may ask
the computer?
Quite unnecessary!
Thank you for your letter enquiring
about your suitability for work.
I've studied your previous records.
You know, your condition is unlikely
to have changed over the course of your life.
Whilst it may be the case that we know more
about it today, greater knowledge maps into
greater insight into what yesterday
refused to share with us. How do you feel
about things. Good! Good! Good!
No really, you must excuse me.
Patients waiting! Patients waiting!
I'll write to your doctor, he'll know
what to do, but you must refrain
from work. If you require my help,
Please don't be too shy to ask.
Help is what we are here for.
Hello, the doctor said no,
may you pass it on to the computer?
Dear sir, you may recall that we
have contacted you twice before.
It seems that you are in our remit.
But, the doctor said that I am
incapable of work.
Ah yes but did the doctor say that
you are outside our remit? You see,
we are obliged to ask all of those
who qualify. I see, well perhaps
you may feel differently tomorrow
about these things, time is a great healer.
Time is a great healer!
It isn't that I don't want work,
indeed, I would like some money.
It is that I am incapable of work.
That is what my doctor said to me.
Well, you have been off work for
a very long time; so, the computer
calls time on the likes of you sir.
Verily, the computer says no.
County Boys’ Choir sing with the best
Warwickshire’s very own boys’ choir were honoured to perform alongside one of the world’s most acclaimed choirs recently. The County Boys’ Choir have formed a partnership with the prestigious Choir of New College Oxford, and both groups joined together in one voice for a special evensong performance at New College chapel on Saturday 18 October.
.
This was not the first time the two choirs performed together as they previously united earlier this year in March for a highly successful special concert at StNicholas Church, Warwick. New College were so impressed with the standard of the boys’ choir that they invited the group to join them again for the evensong performance in the college’s own chapel.
.
The day started for the county boys with rehearsal at the County Music Service’s workshop at Coten End, Warwick, before travelling to Oxford for a tour of the college and rehearsal with Oxford University’s first choral Professor Edward Higginbottom. The boys were New College’s guests for tea before their joint performance in the chapel at 6.15pm.
.
Warwickshire’s County Boys Choir, the first of its kind in Warwickshire, was formed in November 2007 by Garry Jones, former Director of Warwickshire County Council’s Music Service. Members, aged from 8 to 14 years, were recommended through their schools. Since last year membership has now reached over 80 choristers from across the county, making the group arguably the largest in the country. The Choir of New College Oxford whose origins date back to 1379 are superstars of the classical world having made 80 recordings and appeared at the BBC Proms, and in recent years to audiences in Australia, Brazil, Japan and Europe.
.
In September 2008 the choir were presented with an acclaimed international Classic FM Gramophone Award in theEarly Music category.
.
Warwickshire County Councillor Izzi Seccombe, Portfolio Holder for Children Young People and Families said: “This will be a wonderful experience for the young choir who are all really excited about the opportunity to sing at the college chapel. A strong partnership has formed between the two singing groups and it is hoped that there will be many more similar opportunities to join together in the future.
.
“Garry Jones has recently retired from the County Music Service but will continue to work with County Boys Choir to hone their talents. There is a lot of dedication and passion in the project and I’m sure the choir’s notoriety will continue to grow.”
Events at Lighthouse, Wolverhampton
Thurs 6 - Sat 8 Nov
Flip Animation Festival ‘08
This year’s Flip Festival will be the 5th animation festival to be held here in the West Midlands. The festival started out in 2004 as a regional showcase of
animation companies and talent in the West Midlands. Its aims have been to help develop the sector in the region and to bring animation to a wider audience.
This year’s programme is more exciting than ever. It starts with a pre-launch night of animation with Birmingham International Film Society on Tues 4 Nov.
Flip Animation Festival ‘08
This year’s Flip Festival will be the 5th animation festival to be held here in the West Midlands. The festival started out in 2004 as a regional showcase of
animation companies and talent in the West Midlands. Its aims have been to help develop the sector in the region and to bring animation to a wider audience.
This year’s programme is more exciting than ever. It starts with a pre-launch night of animation with Birmingham International Film Society on Tues 4 Nov.
The official Festival Launch takes place on Thurs 6 Nov at TIC in Birmingham featuring 4mations. Other highlights include: multi award winning animator Osbert Parker in conversation; the creative games development company Ninja Theory; an Animated Doctor Who theme, including screenings and talks; Irish kids cartoon specialists, Boulder Media, who will be showing some of their award winning titles. All this, as well as exhibitions, workshops and screenings.
For more info or to purchase tickets email flip@light-house.co.uk or visit http://www.flipfestival.co.uk/
Sat 8 Nov, 8pm
Colour
For more info or to purchase tickets email flip@light-house.co.uk or visit http://www.flipfestival.co.uk/
Sat 8 Nov, 8pm
Colour
Colour will host the closing party of Flip 2008. The night will be a mix of live music (acts to be confirmed), DJ sets, projected visuals and the usual free homemade cakes. For more info visit wearecolour.wordpress.com
Admission free.
Sat 8, Sun 9, Sat 22, & Sat 29 Nov, 10am - 5pm
Poised for Flight
Admission free.
Sat 8, Sun 9, Sat 22, & Sat 29 Nov, 10am - 5pm
Poised for Flight
Script, in association with Outside Centre, presents a pioneering opportunity for disabled writers to learn the art of writing the short screenplay. This in-depth
introduction to screenwriting course will provide the training for disabled writers, of all levels of experience, to write their own stories for the screen.
Course leaders are experienced filmmakers and teachers specifically trained by Phil Parker to deliver this course. Using team workshops, lectures and discussion groups, the course explores stages of development, script format, genre and how to get your script made into a film. The course lasts four days, spread over a number of weeks, and offers a valuable opportunity for feedback on your own screenplay, with opportunities for rewrites in-between sessions. Suitable for beginners.
Cost: £90 / £60 conc. This course is run in association with Script, and funded by Screen West Midlands. For more info about the course, please visit http://www.scriptonline.net/ or email info@scriptonline.net
Mon 10 Nov, 8.30/9pm
Film & TV Quiz
introduction to screenwriting course will provide the training for disabled writers, of all levels of experience, to write their own stories for the screen.
Course leaders are experienced filmmakers and teachers specifically trained by Phil Parker to deliver this course. Using team workshops, lectures and discussion groups, the course explores stages of development, script format, genre and how to get your script made into a film. The course lasts four days, spread over a number of weeks, and offers a valuable opportunity for feedback on your own screenplay, with opportunities for rewrites in-between sessions. Suitable for beginners.
Cost: £90 / £60 conc. This course is run in association with Script, and funded by Screen West Midlands. For more info about the course, please visit http://www.scriptonline.net/ or email info@scriptonline.net
Mon 10 Nov, 8.30/9pm
Film & TV Quiz
Put your film knowledge to the test with our monthly quiz. Assemble teams at 8.30pm for 9pm start. Cost: £4 per team (up to 4 members).
Thurs 13 Nov, 6.30pm
The Legend of Salt & Sauce: Wolverhampton's Elephants
Thurs 13 Nov, 6.30pm
The Legend of Salt & Sauce: Wolverhampton's Elephants
The Black Country Society and the Wolverhampton History & Heritage Society jointly present an evening devoted to the memory of Salt and Sauce -Wolverhampton's two circus elephants who lived in a yard in Gorsebrook Road from 1920 until the Second World War. Their owner was John Swallow, the proprietor of Broncho Bill's Circus and Wild West Show. Jamie Clubb and Jim Clubb, who have written a book on Salt and Sauce, will give an illustrated presentation.
The event will be chaired by Ned Williams, the President of the Black Country Society, and after the presentation the Clubbs will be selling copies of their new book. Cost: £1.
Thurs 13 Nov, Doors open 8.15/8.45pm start
L!VE with Adam Bloom & Ian Stone
The event will be chaired by Ned Williams, the President of the Black Country Society, and after the presentation the Clubbs will be selling copies of their new book. Cost: £1.
Thurs 13 Nov, Doors open 8.15/8.45pm start
L!VE with Adam Bloom & Ian Stone
Premier league stand-up, Adam Bloom and and edgy and provocative Ian Stone head up the first in a new season of comedy at Light House. L!VE also features Susan Murray as MC, probably the best export from the Midlands… Cost: £7.50. Over 18s only. Tickets can be purchased from the box office or online by visiting www.theticketsellers.co.uk
Mon 17 Nov, 5.30 - 7.30pm
Out of Hours: Creative Enterprise
Mon 17 Nov, 5.30 - 7.30pm
Out of Hours: Creative Enterprise
For November’s Out of Hours we are linking up with National Enterprise Week and inviting along speakers and organisations who can help you with your creative enterprise. Out of Hours is a regular socialising event for people in the cultural and creative sector based in Wolverhampton and the West Midlands, where you can make new contacts, keep up with old ones and find out what’s happening in the region. Resident VJs, Cinecull will provide an exclusive live audio-visual backdrop for Out of Hours. For more info about the programme and speakers contact e: plot@light-house.co.uk
Sat 22 Nov, 6.30 - 11pm
Live at Lock Works Special
Sat 22 Nov, 6.30 - 11pm
Live at Lock Works Special
Dan Whitehouse will be joined by an eclectic ensemble of 9 musicians for a purely acoustic performance of his debut release, The Balloon EP, due January 2009. This extra special event will also be filmed for a forthcoming DVD by MJH Productions, and will feature special guests Michael Colley playing the extraordinary and rare instrument 'panart hang’ and award winning jazz trio Fret and Fiddle. Advance copies of the EP will be available to purchase on the night. Admission free.
Thurs 27 Nov, 8pm
Open Words, Open Verse, Open Mic
Thurs 27 Nov, 8pm
Open Words, Open Verse, Open Mic
Perform your poems or prose at the regular open mic poetry night in Lock Works. Cost: £2. For more info email e: info@tonystringfellow.com
Fri 28 - Sun 30 Nov
Deaffest 2008
Fri 28 - Sun 30 Nov
Deaffest 2008
Deaffest, the UK’s only Deaf-led Film and Television Festival which celebrates the talents of Deaf filmmakers and media artists, returns on Fri 28 - Sun 30 Nov. The weekend of festivities will include screenings of films produced by UK and International Deaf filmmakers; Young Deaffest, which showcases work produced by young Deaf filmmakers; and a conference on Opportunities for Deaf Filmmakers, with panel discussions on how to pitch for funding for a short or feature film, a new Deaf TV channel and content for new online and mobile platforms. There will also be plenty of networking opportunities and social events.
Deaffest 2008 will be the tenth festival to be held in Wolverhampton since 1998. Deaffest aims to nurture new talent in the Deaf community and showcase the work of Deaf filmmakers and producers to a wider audience. For more info visit www.deaffest.co.uk
Thurs 4 Dec, 6.30pm & Wed 10 Dec, 2pm
Love Letters and Live Wires: Highlights from the GPO Film Unit (1936 - 1939) (U)
Thurs 4 Dec, 6.30pm & Wed 10 Dec, 2pm
Love Letters and Live Wires: Highlights from the GPO Film Unit (1936 - 1939) (U)
In 1933, the General Post Office made history by founding its own film production unit. The GPO Film Unit would become internationally renowned as a centre for creative, exciting public information films, leaving us perhaps the most evocative record of the 1930s zeitgeist on celluloid. This selection of some of its greatest short films, newly restored by the BFI National Archive, showcases the Unit’s sheer range: from quintessential documentary (Night Mail) to avant-garde animation (Trade Tattoo) and even musical comedy (The Fairy of the Phone). The films bring alive a revolution in mass communications as epoch-changing then as the internet is now. Normal cinema ticket prices apply.
Sat 6 Dec, 10am - 3pm
Festive Flair Designer Maker Fair
Sat 6 Dec, 10am - 3pm
Festive Flair Designer Maker Fair
Festive Flair returns for another Christmas season offering some of the region’s best contemporary and unique craft and designer wares. Soak up some festive cheer and stroll around over 40 stalls in the courtyard of the historic Chubb Buildings with a glass of warm mulled wine and buy hand-made craft pieces from high quality makers. Flair, Light House’s regular Designer Maker Fair aims to showcase the creative talent within the region so come and enjoy this original shopping experience and find something delightful for everyone on your Christmas list. Admission free.
Mon 8 Dec, 8.30/9pm
Film & TV Quiz
Mon 8 Dec, 8.30/9pm
Film & TV Quiz
Put your film knowledge to the test with our monthly quiz. Assemble teams at 8.30pm for 9pm start. Cost: £4 per team (up to 4 members).
Wed 17 Dec, 7.30pm
Mamma Mia! Sing-a-long Compèred By Barbara Nice
Wed 17 Dec, 7.30pm
Mamma Mia! Sing-a-long Compèred By Barbara Nice
A special screening of Mamma Mia! Sing-a-long compèred by Janice Connolly of ‘Phoenix Nights’, aka Barbara Nice. Cost: £7.50. See CINEMA for info.
Thurs 18 Dec, 8pm
Open Words, Open Verse, Open Mic
Thurs 18 Dec, 8pm
Open Words, Open Verse, Open Mic
Perform your poems or prose at the regular open mic poetry night in Lock Works. Cost: £2. For more info email e: info@tonystringfellow.com
Artist studio's to rent
Dear Artist,
Studio/Gallery space to rent for £90-120 a month (TBC)
Some of you will have heard from us before and some of you won't. We are two artists who are setting up an artist led studio space in Birmingham. After months of research it appears that there is nowhere in the city where a group of artists can collectively rent large affordable studio and exhibition space.
We think this is a disgrace and intend to change it.We have found a warehouse located in the Jewellery Quarter which could comfortably home 8-10 artists. The space is open plan and lends itself to a community type atmosphere with the development of an artist collective. We are looking for serious practising artists who want to develop their work in a creative environment whilst working alongside other artists.
We will also be using the space as a gallery for quarterly exhibitions of our work and will be sourcing funding to help prepare the space and promote the shows. The space is owned by the chairman of the Ikon gallery who has expressed an interest in supporting us and our events. We are asking artists to submit an application including a bio, some images of their work and a brief summary stating their intentions and personal benefits of being involved in an active collective.
Current submissions are open as of today, closing date Wednesday 5th November. Initially we will be selecting 8 resident artists which will be chosen by Friday 14th November with a view to move into the studio 1st December 2008. There will be spaces available for a further 8-10 artists in 2009.
We will be arranging to take artists to view the space next week, so if you are interested or would like to come along to learn more about joining the collective and/or future studio and exhibition opportunities, please get in touch leaving your phone number ASAP If you would like to any more information please feel free to contact us
Best wishes
Second City Gallery
Mark Wilkinson 07789 555097
Sophie Handy 07768 431124
Studio/Gallery space to rent for £90-120 a month (TBC)
Some of you will have heard from us before and some of you won't. We are two artists who are setting up an artist led studio space in Birmingham. After months of research it appears that there is nowhere in the city where a group of artists can collectively rent large affordable studio and exhibition space.
We think this is a disgrace and intend to change it.We have found a warehouse located in the Jewellery Quarter which could comfortably home 8-10 artists. The space is open plan and lends itself to a community type atmosphere with the development of an artist collective. We are looking for serious practising artists who want to develop their work in a creative environment whilst working alongside other artists.
We will also be using the space as a gallery for quarterly exhibitions of our work and will be sourcing funding to help prepare the space and promote the shows. The space is owned by the chairman of the Ikon gallery who has expressed an interest in supporting us and our events. We are asking artists to submit an application including a bio, some images of their work and a brief summary stating their intentions and personal benefits of being involved in an active collective.
Current submissions are open as of today, closing date Wednesday 5th November. Initially we will be selecting 8 resident artists which will be chosen by Friday 14th November with a view to move into the studio 1st December 2008. There will be spaces available for a further 8-10 artists in 2009.
We will be arranging to take artists to view the space next week, so if you are interested or would like to come along to learn more about joining the collective and/or future studio and exhibition opportunities, please get in touch leaving your phone number ASAP If you would like to any more information please feel free to contact us
Best wishes
Second City Gallery
Mark Wilkinson 07789 555097
Sophie Handy 07768 431124
More events from the organisers of Moseley Folk Festival
Bellowhead @ Birmingham Town Hall
December 16th
Our last gig of the year will be a joint effort with Birmingham Town Hall. We're proud to present Bellowhead - voted Best Live Act 2007-8- BBC Radio2 Folk awards.
With very special guest Dave Swarbrick with support from The Old Dance School.
This is really not to be missed.
Other Events Worth A Look / Listen
21st November OYSTERBAND at the Town Hall.
Click to see larger imageMoseley Folk Festival News
Moseley Folk Events Nov / Dec 2008
Dear folk lovers,
Thanks to all who came to the festival this year. We all had a lot of fun and it looked like you did too.
Since then we've been beavering away putting together our autumn / winter programme and I'm pleased to say we have some great events to tell you about.
Jack Mcneil & Charlie Heys @ The Lunar SocietyNovember 7th
Starting in November on the 7th at the Hare and Hounds the Lunar Society kicks off again with very special guests Jack McNeil & Charlie Heys - Radio 2 Young Folk Nominees.
support from our good friends, The Old Dance School.
support from our good friends, The Old Dance School.
We hope you can make it down, it promises to be a great evening.
Saturday 7th November
Upstairs at The Hare And Hounds, Kings Heath, Birmingham
Doors Open 8pm Bar Open till 1am Admission £5.00
Doors Open 8pm Bar Open till 1am Admission £5.00
Click on the above picture for a larger image
Greg Weeks
November 28th
November 28th be sure not to miss Greg Weeks (The Espers) on tour from Philadelphia. His tour support are Festival- have a listen www.myspace.com/linzandlexi
Also supporting, local singer songwriter, Kelli Ali. Kelli was lead vocalist for the Sneaker Pimps.
Mamma Matrix @ Lunar SocietyDecember 5th
Our December Lunar Society will be a lively one.
Headlining are local folk, punk hellraisers Mamma Matrix.
Support from Liz Lawrence and Tara Chinn.
School rush for Jack and The Beanstalk
Due to popular demand Solihull Arts Complex has added one extra schools performance for Jack and The Beanstalk on Tuesday 6th January at 1.30pm in the Theatre.
“Solihull Arts Complex is a perfect venue for children to enjoy the performance” said local comedian Malcolm Stent who stars as Simple Simon in this year’s production of Jack and the Beanstalk. “No-one is more than fourteen rows from the front resulting in an excellent view wherever you sit.”
Marketing and Promotions Manager Diane Fitzpatrick adds, “The school shows have been extremely popular this year. By offering this extra date we hope to make going back to school after Christmas that little bit more enjoyable.”
Jack and the Beanstalk starts on Friday 12th January 2008 and runs until Sunday 11th January 2009.
For further details on group booking rates, schools or large groups should contact Box Office 0121 704 6962.
For more information contact:
Angharad Lynch on 0121 704 6164 or Nina Scott on 0121 704 6444 or Gemma Shryane on 0121 704 6136.
www.solihull.gov.uk
“Solihull Arts Complex is a perfect venue for children to enjoy the performance” said local comedian Malcolm Stent who stars as Simple Simon in this year’s production of Jack and the Beanstalk. “No-one is more than fourteen rows from the front resulting in an excellent view wherever you sit.”
Marketing and Promotions Manager Diane Fitzpatrick adds, “The school shows have been extremely popular this year. By offering this extra date we hope to make going back to school after Christmas that little bit more enjoyable.”
Jack and the Beanstalk starts on Friday 12th January 2008 and runs until Sunday 11th January 2009.
For further details on group booking rates, schools or large groups should contact Box Office 0121 704 6962.
For more information contact:
Angharad Lynch on 0121 704 6164 or Nina Scott on 0121 704 6444 or Gemma Shryane on 0121 704 6136.
www.solihull.gov.uk
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