A local 17 year old soccer player, Louis Bridges, described by his manager as an "academy ace" was called up by the Worcester City FC first team last week. Now Louis from Bearwood is hoping to make a name for himself in a Worcester City shirt on a regular basis.
According to the Worcester News last week:
"The academy youngster was a surprise inclusion in the squad to face Bromley at the weekend and didn’t replace Matt Dodd until injury-time in the 1-0 victory. However, Dryden has been impressed by what he has seen of the attacking left-sided 17-year-old and is prepared to give him more minutes. The City manager said: “We had a practise match a couple of weeks ago when we didn’t have games and he did really well.
“I have been to watch him a couple of times and he’s come to training for the last three weeks. He’s very comfy on the ball, he’s got two decent feet and he’s something a little bit different out wide. We’ve got Matt Dodd with blistering pace and Louis is quick enough but he’ll make a yard to cross balls and we haven’t got that so he might be involved a bit more.”
Spaghetti Gazetti will follow Louis's progress at Worcester City and keep you updated on the career of this bright young star.
Saturday, 28 February 2009
CBBC search for young BSL using actor for new series
Can YOU act?
Is BSL your 1st or 2nd language?
Dream of being on TV?
CBBC are looking for a bright new star (aged 7 - 11) from the deaf community to play the youngest sibling in a brand new series being filmed this spring.
We’re looking for a young talented actor/actress to play the youngest child in a musical step-family. This main role is a cheeky, clever and lovable character. BSL essential.
If you’d like to audition, please get in touch as soon as possible
- Make sure you have the permission of your parent/guarding before getting in touch.
Call or SMS Emma on 07958 986 213 or email myalmostfamousfamily@googlemail.com
The youngest in a family comprised of a white British dad & an African American mum, this character has 4 older siblings to contend with, so needs to be sparky & energetic!
Is BSL your 1st or 2nd language?
Dream of being on TV?
CBBC are looking for a bright new star (aged 7 - 11) from the deaf community to play the youngest sibling in a brand new series being filmed this spring.
We’re looking for a young talented actor/actress to play the youngest child in a musical step-family. This main role is a cheeky, clever and lovable character. BSL essential.
If you’d like to audition, please get in touch as soon as possible
- Make sure you have the permission of your parent/guarding before getting in touch.
Call or SMS Emma on 07958 986 213 or email myalmostfamousfamily@googlemail.com
The youngest in a family comprised of a white British dad & an African American mum, this character has 4 older siblings to contend with, so needs to be sparky & energetic!
Join Children Today’s Grand Prix and Go Kart for free!
A leading children’s charity is looking for adventurous participants for their first “Go-Karting Grand Prix” event to be held at Teamworks Karting in Birmingham on Thursday 23rd April 09. The fun starts at 7.00pm.
All entrants will be guaranteed 5 heats with the top 8 drivers battling it out for first, second and third places on the podium. Additional prizes will be given for the fastest (and slowest) male and female drivers and to the person who raises the most sponsorship.
“We’re delighted to be hosting this very special event which we hope will be the first of a series”, says Penny Weir from Children Today. “We’re asking people to raise a minimum of £100 in sponsorship and for this you will get a great evening out with karting and a buffet thrown in free. Because this is such an exciting and innovative event we are sure sponsors will be easily encouraged and will turn up (again for free) to watch and cheer you on. In addition all participants will receive a special Certificate to mark the occasion together with a themed goody bag.
If all that isn’t enough you will also be raising money for a very good cause. Children Today provides grants for vital, life-changing equipment for disabled children and young people all over the UK. We believe that the provision of specialist equipment for young people with disabilities has a direct and immediate impact on their quality of life and independence and is vital in helping them to overcome obstacles to live a life of greater freedom.
For further information or if you think you might like to take part, please contact penny@childrentoday.org.uk or phone her on 07912 308575. You can also visit the Teamworks website on www.teamworkskarting.com
All entrants will be guaranteed 5 heats with the top 8 drivers battling it out for first, second and third places on the podium. Additional prizes will be given for the fastest (and slowest) male and female drivers and to the person who raises the most sponsorship.
“We’re delighted to be hosting this very special event which we hope will be the first of a series”, says Penny Weir from Children Today. “We’re asking people to raise a minimum of £100 in sponsorship and for this you will get a great evening out with karting and a buffet thrown in free. Because this is such an exciting and innovative event we are sure sponsors will be easily encouraged and will turn up (again for free) to watch and cheer you on. In addition all participants will receive a special Certificate to mark the occasion together with a themed goody bag.
If all that isn’t enough you will also be raising money for a very good cause. Children Today provides grants for vital, life-changing equipment for disabled children and young people all over the UK. We believe that the provision of specialist equipment for young people with disabilities has a direct and immediate impact on their quality of life and independence and is vital in helping them to overcome obstacles to live a life of greater freedom.
For further information or if you think you might like to take part, please contact penny@childrentoday.org.uk or phone her on 07912 308575. You can also visit the Teamworks website on www.teamworkskarting.com
New Team Pony Club Show Jumping at the British Open!
Grandstand Event Management, organiser of the British Open Show Jumping Championships, is delighted to announce that it will host the new Pony Club Home International show jumping competition alongside the prestigious international classes and equestrian entertainment on display at the 2009 Show (16th – 19th April at Birmingham’s NEC). MyHorseClub.com will sponsor the new competition which has been named, MyHorseClub.com Pony Club Home International.
The ‘Home International’ concept was created by The Pony Club and Grandstand Event Management to allow aspiring Pony Club competitors to compete at a blue chip show jumping event. Pony Club members, with ages ranging from 8 – 21 years, will compete in teams of four representing England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales over two rounds. The opening round will take place on Friday 17th, with the final following on Saturday 18th April during the daytime performance. Faults obtained by the teams will be carried over from Friday’s competition. On Saturday, the jumping order will start with the team with the worst score from Friday jumping first in the Final. Each team will consist of a four sized ponies – 12’2, 13’2, 14’2 and over 14’2. The smallest height will jump first and the jumps will be set at a different height for each section.
The British Open Show Jumping Championships takes place at the NEC, Birmingham from Thursday 16th – Sunday 19th April 2009. For tickets, call the Box Office on 0844 581 1301 or visit the official website at www.britishopenshowjumping.com
The ‘Home International’ concept was created by The Pony Club and Grandstand Event Management to allow aspiring Pony Club competitors to compete at a blue chip show jumping event. Pony Club members, with ages ranging from 8 – 21 years, will compete in teams of four representing England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales over two rounds. The opening round will take place on Friday 17th, with the final following on Saturday 18th April during the daytime performance. Faults obtained by the teams will be carried over from Friday’s competition. On Saturday, the jumping order will start with the team with the worst score from Friday jumping first in the Final. Each team will consist of a four sized ponies – 12’2, 13’2, 14’2 and over 14’2. The smallest height will jump first and the jumps will be set at a different height for each section.
The British Open Show Jumping Championships takes place at the NEC, Birmingham from Thursday 16th – Sunday 19th April 2009. For tickets, call the Box Office on 0844 581 1301 or visit the official website at www.britishopenshowjumping.com
Terminal cancer victims not offered end of life care, survey reveals
Two-fifths (40%) of patients and their carers affected by the asbestos related lung cancer, mesothelioma say that they have not been offered vital end of life care despite the terminal nature of the disease, a British Lung Foundation survey reveals.
The survey which is published today to mark Action Mesothelioma Day also revealed that:
Almost half (46%) were not offered any psychological support by health professionals about their needs and hopes for the future
Almost three-fifths (57%) had not being offered any professional support about the needs of their dependents
Almost a fifth of patients (19 %) said that they were not kept well informed by health professionals when their condition was being diagnosed – a particularly frightening time.
Patients’ carers were even more confused during the diagnosis, with over half (52 %) saying that they did not feel informed.
Almost three-fifths (59%) were not offered the opportunity to take part in a clinical trial despite the lack of treatments options available
“Mesothelioma is a particularly cruel cancer which as yet has no cure so it is absolutely vital that those diagnosed with the disease and their loved ones are offered the support they need to cope with the reality of what lays ahead”, says Dame Helena Shovelton, Chief Executive of the British Lung Foundation.
“Mesothelioma kills one person every five hours in the UK and the numbers are increasing every year so it essential that those affected are given the support they need at such a frightening and uncertain time”.
Mesothelioma develops between 15 and 60 years after exposure to asbestos. Over 2,000 people are diagnosed with mesothelioma every year in the UK – more than five people every day and sadly most will die within a year of being diagnosed and only 1 in 10 (10%) will be alive 3 years later.
Every year the death rate increases which has led experts to believe that we are heading towards an epidemic of asbestos related illness. The rising number of deaths from the condition is linked to the use of asbestos in the building industry up until the mid 1980s.
The survey which is published today to mark Action Mesothelioma Day also revealed that:
Almost half (46%) were not offered any psychological support by health professionals about their needs and hopes for the future
Almost three-fifths (57%) had not being offered any professional support about the needs of their dependents
Almost a fifth of patients (19 %) said that they were not kept well informed by health professionals when their condition was being diagnosed – a particularly frightening time.
Patients’ carers were even more confused during the diagnosis, with over half (52 %) saying that they did not feel informed.
Almost three-fifths (59%) were not offered the opportunity to take part in a clinical trial despite the lack of treatments options available
“Mesothelioma is a particularly cruel cancer which as yet has no cure so it is absolutely vital that those diagnosed with the disease and their loved ones are offered the support they need to cope with the reality of what lays ahead”, says Dame Helena Shovelton, Chief Executive of the British Lung Foundation.
“Mesothelioma kills one person every five hours in the UK and the numbers are increasing every year so it essential that those affected are given the support they need at such a frightening and uncertain time”.
Mesothelioma develops between 15 and 60 years after exposure to asbestos. Over 2,000 people are diagnosed with mesothelioma every year in the UK – more than five people every day and sadly most will die within a year of being diagnosed and only 1 in 10 (10%) will be alive 3 years later.
Every year the death rate increases which has led experts to believe that we are heading towards an epidemic of asbestos related illness. The rising number of deaths from the condition is linked to the use of asbestos in the building industry up until the mid 1980s.
LAUNCH OF BIRMINGHAM STRONG COMMUNITIES PARTNERSHIP
The Birmingham Strong Communities Partnership (BSCP) which is working to support excluded groups across Birmingham including new communities, BME, refugee and migrant groups is having a launch event at the Wardlow Rd Refugee Resource Centre on Friday 6th March.
The partnership is made up of The Digbeth Trust, B.STRONG and Birmingham New Communities Network (BNCN). They are working together as part of an Improving Reach programme funded by Capacitybuilders. By the end of this programme, they hope that excluded communities and groups across Birmingham will have better and more equal access to development support which will enable them to grow and flourish.
The launch evening will include members of the partnership further explaining the aims and expected outcomes of the programme. This will include a contribution by Surinder Singh, Regional Manager for Capacitybuilders, West Midlands, about how the Improving Reach programme aims to help build the capacity of excluded groups in the voluntary sector. Entertainment will also be provided.
For further details please contact Pauline Roche, Chief Executive, The Digbeth Trust on 0121 753 0706 / 0797 440 7017
The partnership is made up of The Digbeth Trust, B.STRONG and Birmingham New Communities Network (BNCN). They are working together as part of an Improving Reach programme funded by Capacitybuilders. By the end of this programme, they hope that excluded communities and groups across Birmingham will have better and more equal access to development support which will enable them to grow and flourish.
The launch evening will include members of the partnership further explaining the aims and expected outcomes of the programme. This will include a contribution by Surinder Singh, Regional Manager for Capacitybuilders, West Midlands, about how the Improving Reach programme aims to help build the capacity of excluded groups in the voluntary sector. Entertainment will also be provided.
For further details please contact Pauline Roche, Chief Executive, The Digbeth Trust on 0121 753 0706 / 0797 440 7017
Warwickshire library event is a national bestseller
Warwickshire’s Library Service is a national bestseller when it comes to literary events, according to a report by The Reading Agency.
Warwickshire’s Reading Partners Event with author Alexander McCall Smith last Autumn has been hailed as one of the biggest crowd pleasers during the National Year of Reading. The Reading Agency’s report praises the way that library services such as Warwickshire are working with publishers to draw in huge crowds and reach people the book trade finds hard to engage.
The Alexander McCall Smith Event was organised by Warwickshire Library and Information Service, Warwick Words Festival and the independent bookseller Warwick Books last October. More than 500 people gathered at Guy Nelson Hall, Warwick, to see the author who is best known for his No 1 Ladies Detective Agency series.
Ursula McKenzie, Chief Executive and Publisher for Little,Brown Book Group said: “It is wonderful that public libraries have become so ambitious and professional in their approach to organising talks for authors. Warwick Library organised a magical event for Alexander McCall Smith with an audience of 550. He enjoyed it more than any other reading he did that year, which, as anyone who has ever seen McCall Smith live will know, is saying something!”
Warwickshire libraries have a good track record. The Department for Culture, Media and Sport recently named the county’s service among the Top 10 most used in England and number one in the county council category. Alison McKellar, Audience Development Manager for Warwickshire Library & Information Service, said:“Libraries are changing with the times and this report highlights the ways that we are working with publishers and partners to encourage even more people to enjoy books.
“It is a great compliment to hear that Alexander McCallSmith enjoyed his time in Warwick more than any other reading last year and I should like to thank our staff, Warwick Words and Warwick Books for making this landmark event possible.”
Warwickshire’s Reading Partners Event with author Alexander McCall Smith last Autumn has been hailed as one of the biggest crowd pleasers during the National Year of Reading. The Reading Agency’s report praises the way that library services such as Warwickshire are working with publishers to draw in huge crowds and reach people the book trade finds hard to engage.
The Alexander McCall Smith Event was organised by Warwickshire Library and Information Service, Warwick Words Festival and the independent bookseller Warwick Books last October. More than 500 people gathered at Guy Nelson Hall, Warwick, to see the author who is best known for his No 1 Ladies Detective Agency series.
Ursula McKenzie, Chief Executive and Publisher for Little,Brown Book Group said: “It is wonderful that public libraries have become so ambitious and professional in their approach to organising talks for authors. Warwick Library organised a magical event for Alexander McCall Smith with an audience of 550. He enjoyed it more than any other reading he did that year, which, as anyone who has ever seen McCall Smith live will know, is saying something!”
Warwickshire libraries have a good track record. The Department for Culture, Media and Sport recently named the county’s service among the Top 10 most used in England and number one in the county council category. Alison McKellar, Audience Development Manager for Warwickshire Library & Information Service, said:“Libraries are changing with the times and this report highlights the ways that we are working with publishers and partners to encourage even more people to enjoy books.
“It is a great compliment to hear that Alexander McCallSmith enjoyed his time in Warwick more than any other reading last year and I should like to thank our staff, Warwick Words and Warwick Books for making this landmark event possible.”
People in the UK Go Bananas! for Fairtrade
World banana-eating record 6 & 7 March
200,000 already signed up to take part
Hundreds of thousands of people in Great Britain and Ireland will Go Bananas! from noon on Friday 6 March to noon Saturday 7 March by eating one Fairtrade banana each as part of a world record attempt. They’ll all be trying to break the world record for the greatest number of people eating a Fairtrade banana in a 24-hour period. More than 200,000 people are already signed up to take part a week before the event and the number is growing daily on the Fairtrade Foundation website, where the tally is being recorded.
200,000 already signed up to take part
Hundreds of thousands of people in Great Britain and Ireland will Go Bananas! from noon on Friday 6 March to noon Saturday 7 March by eating one Fairtrade banana each as part of a world record attempt. They’ll all be trying to break the world record for the greatest number of people eating a Fairtrade banana in a 24-hour period. More than 200,000 people are already signed up to take part a week before the event and the number is growing daily on the Fairtrade Foundation website, where the tally is being recorded.
From Aberdeen to Belfast, Cardiff to the Isle of Man, Plymouth to Glasgow; young and old, in churches, mosques, synagogues, schools, universities, work places, restaurants, cafés and shops, will be going ‘bananatastic’ – to support small farmers and workers in developing countries who rely on the Fairtrade price to earn a sustainable living and improve their communities.
Events will range from banana afternoon teas, banana school events, bars serving banana cocktails, banana dancing, banana plays, banana fishing games, Fairtrade suppers with banana desserts, and lots of other weird and wonderful banana-themed events. Go to www.fairtrade.org.uk/gobananas for a full list of events and to download banana resources.
The world’s first Fairtrade Town, Garstang in Lancashire will munch away at the same time as the USA’s first Fairtrade town of Media in Pennsylvania. The two will be joined via a live video link. Leeds will host its own banana-eating event in the city centre on Friday 6 March from midday onwards, with entertainment provided by a steel band and banana street theatre company. The Fairtrade London Campaign has organised a banana-eating flash mob in Trafalgar Square on Saturday (7 March) at 11.30 with hundreds expected to attend.
Many restaurants and cafés are taking part, and in the Midlands, the Birmingham Museum of Art will be having a banana afternoon tea in the Edwardian tea rooms. A special Fairtrade banana dessert will be on the menu of all restaurants and cafés at the Barbican Arts Centre in London. Staff at the Royal Lancaster Hotel plan to monkey around by dressing up in ape suits and presenting guests with a Fairtrade banana on arrival.
More than 1,000 pupils from Bradford Grammar School in West Yorkshire will join in the fun and eat a Fairtrade banana on Friday (6 March). Fairtrade Co-ordinator and Languages teacher Liz Kingsley says: ‘We are taking part in the Go Bananas! event because we think it’s a fun way to get across the serious message.’
Catering company Compass has been working hard to ensure they have sufficient Fairtrade bananas available in the schools, university and workplaces they supply for Go Bananas! and will also be running special events with both customers and staff. Companies are also going ape for the campaign with firms such as Tate & Lyle, the Wellcome Trust, Department of Works and Pension, and KPMG planning events with their staff. In Tate & Lyle’s ‘banana marquee’, staff in ‘bananaman’ costumes will give out 500 Fairtrade bananas and sales and marketing senior managers will sport Go Bananas T-shirts.
Retailers Tesco, Waitrose, Asda and Sainsbury’s have had a specially designed Go Fairtrade bananas! sticker placed onto all their bagged Fairtrade bananas since the beginning of Fairtrade Fortnight. One in four bananas in the UK are now Fairtrade and sales of these packs are flying off the shelves as the support for the national event continues to grow. Fairtrade banana sales grew by 27% in 2008 as estimated retail sales reached a whopping £185 million. One aim of the Fairtrade Foundation’s five-year strategy, Tipping the Balance, is to double the number of Fairtrade bananas in the UK by 2012, thus helping more banana farmers and workers to benefit from the Fairtrade system.
Retailers Tesco, Waitrose, Asda and Sainsbury’s have had a specially designed Go Fairtrade bananas! sticker placed onto all their bagged Fairtrade bananas since the beginning of Fairtrade Fortnight. One in four bananas in the UK are now Fairtrade and sales of these packs are flying off the shelves as the support for the national event continues to grow. Fairtrade banana sales grew by 27% in 2008 as estimated retail sales reached a whopping £185 million. One aim of the Fairtrade Foundation’s five-year strategy, Tipping the Balance, is to double the number of Fairtrade bananas in the UK by 2012, thus helping more banana farmers and workers to benefit from the Fairtrade system.
But behind all the yellow-themed fun there is a serious message. The Fairtrade Foundation has launched a new report Unpeeling the banana trade which reveals the true cost of cheap bananas and unfair trade rules (download it from http://www.fairtrade.org.uk.gobananas.co.uk/). In the UK, between 2002 and 2008, the price of loose conventional bananas has been cut dramatically in a series of price wars by big supermarkets. The research shows the impact is felt somewhere along the supply chain. It is usually the growers who are often forced to sell their fruit for very little, often less than it cost them to grow.
Fairtrade bananas currently come from 57 certified groups in ten countries in the Caribbean, West Africa and Latin America.
Banana producers Cornelius Lynch and Stephanie Joachim from the Windward Islands Farmers Association (WINFA) are touring around the UK as part of Fairtrade Fortnight, visiting Fairtrade Towns, Fairtrade Schools and companies. WINFA, which was established in 1982 to WINFA to promote social and economic welfare of small-scale farmers and workers. Producers in the Caribbean remain almost entirely dependent on UK sales.
Cornelius Lynch says: ‘Fairtrade has contributed in no short measure to the lives and livelihoods of many farming communities and the economic and social stability as a whole.’
As well as the USA, other countries will also be taking part in Go Bananas! including Ghana, Finland, Germany, Belgium and St. Vincent in the Windward Islands.
Harriet Lamb, Executive Director of the Fairtrade Foundation adds: ‘We are calling on people to make a simple decision when they shop. By choosing Fairtrade consumers are ensuring producers are given the chance to receive a minimum price and Fairtrade premium, which in turn enables them to earn a decent living and support their families. So please Go Fairtrade Bananas! not just during Fairtrade Fortnight but as part of your weekly shop.’
The event will be the finale of this year’s Fairtrade Fortnight (23 February – 7 March), themed Make it Happen, Choose Fairtrade, as it draws to a close.
Editor: I have just pledged the Millington family to eat at least one Fair Trade banana each on Friday on behalf of Spaghetti Gazetti. It took less than 2 minutes to visit the website and enter our details.
MPs vote ‘yes’ for landmark Autism Bill
In a landmark debate yesterday, MPs voted to take the Autism Bill through to its next stage in a move which the National Autistic Society (NAS) hailed as a crucial victory for the over half a million children and adults in the UK with autism.
Responding to overwhelming political pressure in the House, the Government also pledged to fully support people with autism with a raft of new measures. The Bill, which was drafted by the NAS and taken forward by Cheryl Gillan MP, will now move to committee stage where these commitments to transform the lives of people affected by autism can scrutinised by MPs.
Mark Lever, Chief Executive of the NAS said: “This is landmark victory for the thousands of people with autism who say they feel isolated and ignored – we are delighted that MPs have listened to their constituents and voted for the Bill. Furthermore, the Government’s public commitment today to hold local authorities legally accountable if they do not provide appropriate support for children and adults with autism has the potential to end the devastating postcode lottery of autism services and support across the UK. There is still has a long way to go, but we look forward to working with the Government during the Bill’s committee stage to secure a brighter future for people with autism”.
Mark Lever added; “The NAS would like to thank Cheryl Gillan MP, the 6000 people who emailed their MP and all the MPs who supported the bill.”
The autism bill makes the following key demands:
1. Improve information on the number of children and adults with autism
- Two thirds of local authorities do not know how many children with autism there are in their area.
- Just two local authorities know how many adults with autism there are in their area.
Without a clear idea of the numbers of people with autism in their area, local authorities will continue to exclude the needs of children and adults with autism from the planning and commissioning of services.
2. Ensure effective transition from child to adult services
- 40% of adults with autism live at home with their parents and are heavily reliant upon them for support
Local authorities simply aren’t providing adequate support or passing on the kind of information from children’s to adult services that would ensure the needs of children with autism are catered for in adulthood, thus preventing them from reaching their full potential.
3. Tackle the chronic lack of support for adults with autism
- Over three quarters of local authorities do not have an autism training strategy.
Responding to overwhelming political pressure in the House, the Government also pledged to fully support people with autism with a raft of new measures. The Bill, which was drafted by the NAS and taken forward by Cheryl Gillan MP, will now move to committee stage where these commitments to transform the lives of people affected by autism can scrutinised by MPs.
Mark Lever, Chief Executive of the NAS said: “This is landmark victory for the thousands of people with autism who say they feel isolated and ignored – we are delighted that MPs have listened to their constituents and voted for the Bill. Furthermore, the Government’s public commitment today to hold local authorities legally accountable if they do not provide appropriate support for children and adults with autism has the potential to end the devastating postcode lottery of autism services and support across the UK. There is still has a long way to go, but we look forward to working with the Government during the Bill’s committee stage to secure a brighter future for people with autism”.
Mark Lever added; “The NAS would like to thank Cheryl Gillan MP, the 6000 people who emailed their MP and all the MPs who supported the bill.”
The autism bill makes the following key demands:
1. Improve information on the number of children and adults with autism
- Two thirds of local authorities do not know how many children with autism there are in their area.
- Just two local authorities know how many adults with autism there are in their area.
Without a clear idea of the numbers of people with autism in their area, local authorities will continue to exclude the needs of children and adults with autism from the planning and commissioning of services.
2. Ensure effective transition from child to adult services
- 40% of adults with autism live at home with their parents and are heavily reliant upon them for support
Local authorities simply aren’t providing adequate support or passing on the kind of information from children’s to adult services that would ensure the needs of children with autism are catered for in adulthood, thus preventing them from reaching their full potential.
3. Tackle the chronic lack of support for adults with autism
- Over three quarters of local authorities do not have an autism training strategy.
Autism is a complex and much misunderstood condition, yet very little policy or guidance specifically refers adults with the disability. There continues to be a lack of understanding and training in autism within local authorities, often meaning adults with the condition receive inadequate support or fail to qualify for any support at all. This exclusion from support increases isolation and can escalate to mental health problems and other serious difficulties.
More help than you can shake a walking stick at…Herefordshire
A special event for older people will bring a host of experts together under one roof to give advice about everything from keeping fit to keeping your blood pressure down.The event for older people, which takes place in the Assembly Rooms at the Town Hall from 9.30am to 1pm on Wednesday, March 11, will also give people the chance to have their walking sticks MoT’d.
Visitors will be able to take part in a number of interactive activities, have health checks and have their questions answered at information stands.
“We’re also laying on free refreshments and there’ll be food tasting sessions throughout the morning,” said Cllr Olwyn Barnett, cabinet member for adult social care.
“The vision of the event is to improve physical and emotional wellbeing for older people – but we’re going to do this in a fun way where people can come in for a cup of tea and find out more about the services on offer to the older population in Herefordshire,” added Cllr Barnett.
During the morning there will be a number of exercise demonstrations and food taster sessions. Among the teams and organisations which will be on hand to give advice and information on the day are:
Tesco – giving away free bags of fruit and vegetables to promote five a day
Halo Leisure – exercise demos for people with restricted mobility
WRVS – tasters of meals on wheels
Walking aids MOT
Blood pressure checks
Occupational Therapy – Wii game – virtual bowling alley
Balance checks and falls prevention advice
Trading standards – “Think Twice” - consumer and safety advice for older people
Womens Institute
Community Transport
Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service
Pension service
You@home – handy man service, Home Energy Efficiency Service, home safety
Age Concern – footcare advice
Food demonstration (nutritionist from NHS Herefordshire)
Refreshment area
“This promises to be a very exciting day which has the potential to change the lives of those who attend. It will be the first time we’ve brought this breadth of expertise together under one roof.
“We’d encourage anyone who is aged over 55 to pop in and join us for a cup of tea or coffee while we chat with them to explain what’s on offer and who to see first.
“The council and NHS Herefordshire provide scores of services which improve the quality of life for the county’s older people. If you’ve got any burning questions or want to find out what’s available, you need to get along on March 11.”
Pictured above:
Sticky moment: Vicki Howard, falls prevention practitioner, gets ready for the Wellbeing event with a handful of walking sticks at Hereford’s Town Hall.
Photographer’s Talk & Two Exhibitions - Lighthouse, Wolverhampton
Light House in association with Wolverhampton Art Gallery presentMichelle Sank
Photographer’s Talk & Two Exhibitions
Saturday 28 March, 2 – 6pm.Refreshments will be served. Cost: free.
To coincide with Michelle Sank’s exhibition at Light House, she will be giving a fascinating insight about her photographic portrait work on teenage identity to date at this double Exhibition Opening. She is showing a special selection from Young Carers and Teenagers Belfast at Light House from Fri 27 Mar – Fri 15 May. She has also undertaken a new commission for Wolverhampton Art Gallery, entitled Interface, showing in their brand new gallery space until Sat 2 May. See the Wolverhampton Art Gallery website for more details.
2 – 4pm Catch Michelle Sank officially launching Interface at Wolverhampton Art Gallery.
Admission free, drop-in.4 – 6pm Join us at Light House for Michelle’s talk. No booking is required for the free talk, although seats are limited. The talk will begin at 4.15pm followed by refreshments in the gallery.
Young Carers features young people under the age of 18 who are the main carers for a sick parent or sibling. Photographed away from the demands of their home life they retain, for that moment, the freedom of childhood.
Teenagers Belfast aims to empower local teens with individuality, bearing no reference to the political struggles of the area.
These exhibitions are supported by Ffotogallery, Cardiff and Belfast Exposed Gallery, Northern Ireland
Light House, The Chubb Buildings, Fryer St, Wolverhampton, WV1 1HT t: 01902 716055
e: info@light-house.co.uk
www.light-house.co.uk
Gothic Forever Exhibition in Stafford
‘Gothic Forever: Pugin, Hardman and the Gothic Revival’ exhibition
Tuesday 3rd March to Saturday 28th March 2009
Tuesday to Saturday 10am to 4pm
The Ancient High House, Stafford
Magnificent range of 19th century Gothic Revival artefacts from the collection of Pugin, Hardman and Powell in Birmingham. Items of national significance from the Palace of Westminster and of local significance relating to Alton Towers, Burton Manor (Stafford Grammar School), St. Giles’ Church Cheadle etc.
Includes an interesting pair of huge candlesticks owned by American singer Cher during her ‘gothic’ period. One has been restored to the original state – one has been left ‘a la Cher’!
Free admission
The Mayor of Stafford Cllr. Anne Edgeller will launch the exhibition at 11am on Tuesday 3rd March.
More information from Mark Hartwell: Heritage Sites Manager
mhartwell@staffordbc.gov.uk
Tuesday 3rd March to Saturday 28th March 2009
Tuesday to Saturday 10am to 4pm
The Ancient High House, Stafford
Magnificent range of 19th century Gothic Revival artefacts from the collection of Pugin, Hardman and Powell in Birmingham. Items of national significance from the Palace of Westminster and of local significance relating to Alton Towers, Burton Manor (Stafford Grammar School), St. Giles’ Church Cheadle etc.
Includes an interesting pair of huge candlesticks owned by American singer Cher during her ‘gothic’ period. One has been restored to the original state – one has been left ‘a la Cher’!
Free admission
The Mayor of Stafford Cllr. Anne Edgeller will launch the exhibition at 11am on Tuesday 3rd March.
More information from Mark Hartwell: Heritage Sites Manager
mhartwell@staffordbc.gov.uk
In Conversation with Jasmine Johnson: Fri 20 Mar @ The Drum
The poster above promotes an event at The Drum, 144 Potters Lane, Aston:In conversation with Jasmine Johnson
Friday 20th March 2009
7.30pm
£4 (£3)
Birmingham's writer Jasmine Johnson has come a long way since her fisrt novel Mr Soon Come hit the literary scene with a bang way back in 2001. Since then, she has written and self-published two other sensations: The Devil I Know and The Day Hell Broke Loose, not forgetting the adaptation of her first novel, Mr Soon Come for the the stage.
Bring your listening ears and your burning questions, as BBC Presenter Nikki Tappa engages in coversation with this notorious and controversial writer, branded, The Lady With The Passionate Pen.
The Drum Box Office: 0121 333 2444
www.the-drum.org.uk
Click on the image to view a larger version of the poster.
Herefordshire fights the economic downturn
Herefordshire – the enterprise capital of the West Midlands - is fighting the effects of the economic downturn with a range of support measures for local businesses, families and individuals.
As a starting point, Herefordshire Council has been working with a wide range of local and regional organisations to gather in one place all the information that businesses need to face the challenges of the downturn and prepare for inevitable recovery.
An interactive guide has been published on the council’s website – www.herefordshire.gov.uk - for businesses to pick and choose areas which are relevant to them. The guide includes where to access free advice, training or finance and funding.
Herefordshire won the title Enterprise Capital of the West Midlands and runner up in the UK finals, in a national awards scheme run by the Department for Business Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR), due in part to the close partnership working between business and the local authority.
Councillor Roger Phillips, leader of Herefordshire Council, said: “We are building on our established relationships with business leaders to look for solutions. They us that companies often find it difficult to track down the opportunities available to them. Our interactive guide is an excellent resource for finding new contacts and opportunities that could help in meeting challenges of the economic downturn”.
“Businesses and individuals are suffering, but the county has a strong enterprise spirit and is in a good place to prepare for the upturn. We hope this guide points people in the right direction”.
Natalia Silver, the council’s head of economic and community services, added: “We want to make sure businesses in the county have every opportunity to take advantage of local, regional and national schemes to survive through the downturn. Pointing people in the right direction is key and is the first in our programme of activity to help businesses and individuals”.
The guide is available on Herefordshire Council’s web site - the web address is www.herefordshire.gov.uk/economicdownturn. Also published is a quick contact guide for businesses and individuals to access services, which will be available in the council’s info shops and libraries. For hard copies of the guide, local businesses are asked to contact the council on 01432 260500 or email to info@herefordshire.gov.uk.
As a starting point, Herefordshire Council has been working with a wide range of local and regional organisations to gather in one place all the information that businesses need to face the challenges of the downturn and prepare for inevitable recovery.
An interactive guide has been published on the council’s website – www.herefordshire.gov.uk - for businesses to pick and choose areas which are relevant to them. The guide includes where to access free advice, training or finance and funding.
Herefordshire won the title Enterprise Capital of the West Midlands and runner up in the UK finals, in a national awards scheme run by the Department for Business Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR), due in part to the close partnership working between business and the local authority.
Councillor Roger Phillips, leader of Herefordshire Council, said: “We are building on our established relationships with business leaders to look for solutions. They us that companies often find it difficult to track down the opportunities available to them. Our interactive guide is an excellent resource for finding new contacts and opportunities that could help in meeting challenges of the economic downturn”.
“Businesses and individuals are suffering, but the county has a strong enterprise spirit and is in a good place to prepare for the upturn. We hope this guide points people in the right direction”.
Natalia Silver, the council’s head of economic and community services, added: “We want to make sure businesses in the county have every opportunity to take advantage of local, regional and national schemes to survive through the downturn. Pointing people in the right direction is key and is the first in our programme of activity to help businesses and individuals”.
The guide is available on Herefordshire Council’s web site - the web address is www.herefordshire.gov.uk/economicdownturn. Also published is a quick contact guide for businesses and individuals to access services, which will be available in the council’s info shops and libraries. For hard copies of the guide, local businesses are asked to contact the council on 01432 260500 or email to info@herefordshire.gov.uk.
Second City Sound goes out on national airwaves
A women's barbershop choir from the West Midlands have been featured on a programme on BBC Radio 4 which documents their recent performances in a national competition.
Second City Sound were featured on Radio 4 on a programme called 'Hairspray and Harmonies' on Friday 27th February at 11am and the second part of the feature will be aired on Friday 6th March at 11am. Presenter Kit Hesketh-Harvey, herself a comic songbird, was with them all through the run up to and at the Ladies Association of British Barbershop singers Convention held in Harrogate where they gained 4th place.
.
A spokesperson on the choir's website said "What a great time we all had. Please tune in".
.
About Second City Sound
.
.
In May 1990, 5 wives & daughters of Anvil Chorus (Birmingham's BABS Chorus) members decided to form a Ladies Barbershop Harmony Club. After much fund raising the ladies managed to organise the first Open Evening on November 19th 1990. John & Margaret Riseborough agreed to help, and John became the club's first Musical Director. This official start to the Club was followed in May 1991 with acceptance into LABBS and a steady trickle of new members from open evenings and word of mouth.
.
When John and Margaret moved out of the area in 1992, John Brackpool took over as MD and took us to our first Prelims Competition in Dunstable in May 1992. We qualified for Convention for the first time in April 1993, and have been rising through the ranks ever since.
John remained our MD until 1997, when Rod Butcher took over - a very well known and respected figure in Barbershop circles. He is a gold medallist quartet singer in his own right, and also a Judge for the Men's competitions. Since Rod agreed to become our MD, we have gone from strength to strength, improving our singing techniques and performances thanks to Rod's expertise and enthusiasm and much support and help from many barbershop coaches, both from Britain and overseas.
.
In 2003 we were invited to enter the International Convention in Holland, which meant we all put a great deal of effort into fund raising, and we were very pleased to come 5th in the Competition - a grand achievement!
We have performed in concerts all over the region, including the Remembrance Day Concert 2003 and the St Georges Day Festival 2004 at the Symphony Hall in Birmingham and countless smaller singouts for private parties, homes for the elderly, hospitals, and outdoor events, like the ArtsFest in Birmingham City Centre.
.
The Club organises a show every other year to help promote the Barbershop style in the West Midlands. This brings together a variety of different entertainment styles, including comedians, brass bands and theatre groups and also gives a welcome boost to Club funds!
Since our humble beginnings in 1990 we have gained many new members, raised thousands of pounds for new stage costumes, walkout outfits, risers and charity donations, and had a huge amount of fun and friendship - our 'Post Convention Parties' are second to none! We hope that we will continue on in joy and harmony into the foreseeable future.
.
Live performances
.
Today (28th February) Second City Sound will be performing in Birmingham Town Hall along side Hereford Police Choir, West Midlands Police Male Choir & West Midlands Police Brass Band at a Charity Concert in aid of Action For Children. Tickets can be purchased £17.50p on 0121 780 3333 (groups of 15 - £15 each)
.
Second City Sound will be performing on 14th March at Blakedown Village Hall for 'LACE' - Fundraising Concert.
.
Visit their website for more information:
.
Friday, 27 February 2009
Brum rocker Al Atkins pens new book on heavy metal roots
NEW BOOK – DAWN OF THE METAL GODS: MY LIFE IN JUDAS PRIEST & HEAVY METAL by AL ATKINS (and NEIL DANIELS)
Al Atkins is the former lead singer and founder of the multi-million selling British heavy metal band Judas Priest. Atkins will forever be associated with the self-proclaimed Metal Gods. But how did it all happen?
Al Atkins is the former lead singer and founder of the multi-million selling British heavy metal band Judas Priest. Atkins will forever be associated with the self-proclaimed Metal Gods. But how did it all happen?
During the 1960s when the popular Brum Beat era produced band after band (such as The Move and The Band Of Joy,) Atkins played in various local outfits some of which laid the blue print for the heavier progressive sounds of early Judas Priest. And so it was in 1969 that a disillusioned Atkins decided to have a go at forming yet another band with his childhood friend Bruno Stapenhill. The band in question was JUDAS PRIEST.
Judas Priest quickly built up a reputation in the Midlands as a powerful live act and even secured a record deal with Immediate, which was owned by ex-Rolling Stones manager Andrew Loog Oldham. Unfortunately Immediate folded and so did Priest. Undeterred, Atkins formed yet another line-up of Priest in 1970 with guitarist K.K. Downing and bassist Ian Hill. At Atkins’ behest Downing and Hill ditched the name Freight and resurrected the mighty Judas Priest. Through the early seventies Priest supported many bands including Slade, Status Quo, Thin Lizzy and Black Sabbath. Line-up changes continued until May, 1973 when Atkins finally decided to call it a day.
Judas Priest quickly built up a reputation in the Midlands as a powerful live act and even secured a record deal with Immediate, which was owned by ex-Rolling Stones manager Andrew Loog Oldham. Unfortunately Immediate folded and so did Priest. Undeterred, Atkins formed yet another line-up of Priest in 1970 with guitarist K.K. Downing and bassist Ian Hill. At Atkins’ behest Downing and Hill ditched the name Freight and resurrected the mighty Judas Priest. Through the early seventies Priest supported many bands including Slade, Status Quo, Thin Lizzy and Black Sabbath. Line-up changes continued until May, 1973 when Atkins finally decided to call it a day.
Atkins is the co-writer of several Priest songs which are included on the band’s first two albums Rocka Rolla and Sad Wings Of Destiny both of which eventually went Gold. Atkins co-penned the heavy metal classic ‘Victim Of Changes’ which was a combination of Rob Halford’s song ‘Red Light Lady’ and Atkins’ own ‘Whisky Woman.’ He also co-wrote the fan classics ‘Winter,’ ‘Never Satisfied,’ ‘Dreamer Deceiver’ and ‘Caviar And Meths.’ His autobiography contains very rare archive photos and memorabilia from Judas Priest’s past circa 1969-1973. Also included are interviews with various members of Priest’s history and Atkins’ solo career.
Dawn Of The Metal Gods includes a foreword by Judas Priest bassist IAN HILL as well as contributions from:
Bruno Stapenhill (Judas Priest Mark I)
Ernie Chataway (Judas Priest Mark I)
John Ellis (Judas Priest Mark II)
Trevor Lunn (ex-Judas Priest roadie)
David Howells (Gull Records)
Dave Corke (ex-Judas Priest manager 1970-‘76)
Norman Hood (IMA Agency)
Atkins’ debut solo album Judgement Day was released to great acclaim in 1989. But it was Heavy Thoughts and Victim Of Changes (the latter being his collaborative album with ex-Judas Priest drummer Dave Holland) that brought him strong sales and critical acclaim around the world. Recently, Atkins has released his fifth solo opus Demon Deceiver and formed the Midlands heavy metal band The Holy Rage. They’ve shared the bill with ex-Rainbow singer Graham Bonnet, the NYC band Warrior Soul and legendary rockers Skid Row.
Bruno Stapenhill (Judas Priest Mark I)
Ernie Chataway (Judas Priest Mark I)
John Ellis (Judas Priest Mark II)
Trevor Lunn (ex-Judas Priest roadie)
David Howells (Gull Records)
Dave Corke (ex-Judas Priest manager 1970-‘76)
Norman Hood (IMA Agency)
Atkins’ debut solo album Judgement Day was released to great acclaim in 1989. But it was Heavy Thoughts and Victim Of Changes (the latter being his collaborative album with ex-Judas Priest drummer Dave Holland) that brought him strong sales and critical acclaim around the world. Recently, Atkins has released his fifth solo opus Demon Deceiver and formed the Midlands heavy metal band The Holy Rage. They’ve shared the bill with ex-Rainbow singer Graham Bonnet, the NYC band Warrior Soul and legendary rockers Skid Row.
In Dawn Of The Metal Gods Atkins share’s his entertaining life story with the reader. This is not just a book for Priest fans but a bible for anybody wishing to form a band in the tumultuous world of heavy metal.
Written in a style that represents Al’s working class Birmingham roots, Dawn Of The Metal Gods will set the story straight on the roots of the world’s most revered and dedicated heavy metal band. Celebrating 40 years of (Judas Priest style) heavy metal!
Find out more about book, man and music at:
Mike Brown Book on Forties Fashion Celebrates Wartime Chic
The 1940s are back in the fashion spotlight, with hourglass silhouettes, smooth waves and scarlet lipstick gracing catwalks and red carpets. However, it's not just 40s screen-siren fashion that's having a style renaissance: the clothes rationing and 'make do and mend' mantra of this decade resonate with the current economic climate and the rise of the 'recessionista'.
A new book by 40s aficionado, Mike Brown - 'The 1940s Look: Recreating the Fashions, Hairstyles and Make-up of The Second World War' - is published by Sabrestorm ( http://www.sabrestorm.com/).
Priced at £16.99, Mike Brown's book examines how the Second World War shaped what civilian men, women and children wore, and how they managed to stamp their own style on 'utility' clothing. His fascinating commentary details how wartime shortages and government rationing resulted in the 40s' signature styles. Pencil skirts, sharply tailored suits, and flat shoes reflected the need for fashion to be functional, not frivolous, and for clothing manufacturers to follow strict regulations to minimise the amount of material used. Zippered jumpsuits, known as 'siren suits', were developed to help citizens get dressed and to the air raid shelters as quickly as possible.
The need for women to work on farms and in factories as men went away to fight caused the trend for female trousers - a key example of fashion design being driven by the demands of everyday life. Mike Brown says: "The wartime government encouraged people to 'make do and mend', and women's magazines carried tips on how to spend clothes coupons, dress growing children, and revamp everything from blankets to old ball gowns into stylish new outfits.
Practical considerations were paramount but people still took great pride in their appearance and even saw it as a patriotic duty." Over 144 pages, with 160 full colour photographs and pictures, readers can learn how hairstyles, make-up, accessories and even tattoos became key tools in making an individual fashion statement. Wartime shortages fostered ingenuity: a scarcity of stockings led women to draw mock seams on their legs and handbags were adapted to disguise gas masks.
Mike Brown adds: "Women's magazines are once again focusing on how to be stylish in difficult economic circumstances. The 40s approach to beauty and fashion is relevant to today's recessionistas looking for chic on the cheap."
Thoroughly researched and lavishly illustrated, this retrospective is essential reading for retro-designers, social historians and anyone interested in 40s fashion. It draws on contemporary sources including government advice, periodicals and books, with a colourful commentary throughout by Mike Brown. 'The 40s Look' is available from Sabrestorm (ISBN 978-0955272318), online at http://www.1940.co.uk/, http://www.amazon.co.uk/, or through high street bookshops.
Not fooling - a Disability network event in North Warwickshire on April 1st
The Regional Disability Network West Midlands is organising a one day event for disability organisations from North Warwickshire. The event will take place on 1st April 2009 at Grimstock Country House Hotel on Gilson Road, near Coleshill. The purpose of the day is to bring together disabled people's organisations from across North Warwickshire to discuss the value of forming a network or forum of disabled people and organisations in this local authority area.
Training sessions will provide an overview of the Social model of disability and why user led forums are important in terms of the participation of disabled people in local decision making. There will also be an opportunity to look at local priorities and the models of forums and networks in other Warwickshire districts, such as in Rugby and in Nuneaton & Bedworth. At the end of the event we hope to come away with a realistic idea of the local support for a North Warwickshire network and with action points for moving this on in terms of forming a group, starting to look at terms of reference and communication strategies, setting up a mechanism for engagement with the local authority and deciding on some priority issues for activities, consultations and campaigns.
It is essential to book for this event as places will be limited to 40 because of catering and costs, etc. There will be a booking form on which people can also inform us about their access and/or communication preferences.
Interested in attending? Email pete@cdp.org.uk
Training sessions will provide an overview of the Social model of disability and why user led forums are important in terms of the participation of disabled people in local decision making. There will also be an opportunity to look at local priorities and the models of forums and networks in other Warwickshire districts, such as in Rugby and in Nuneaton & Bedworth. At the end of the event we hope to come away with a realistic idea of the local support for a North Warwickshire network and with action points for moving this on in terms of forming a group, starting to look at terms of reference and communication strategies, setting up a mechanism for engagement with the local authority and deciding on some priority issues for activities, consultations and campaigns.
It is essential to book for this event as places will be limited to 40 because of catering and costs, etc. There will be a booking form on which people can also inform us about their access and/or communication preferences.
Interested in attending? Email pete@cdp.org.uk
Regional Disability Network Newsletter - Call for information
We are putting together a Newsletter for the Regional Disability Network West Midlands to be published in March/April. The Neswletter will be printed and produced in a number of formats such as audio and PDF. Please send us your news and information about issues, services and events.
Like the network itself, the Newsletter is regional so we are particularly interested in information which will support and strengthen disability organisations across the whole West Midlands. We want to hear about innovation and capacity building projects, especially things which contribute to the strategic development of the Network and the sustainability of organisations of disabled people, such as:
Infarmration
Like the network itself, the Newsletter is regional so we are particularly interested in information which will support and strengthen disability organisations across the whole West Midlands. We want to hear about innovation and capacity building projects, especially things which contribute to the strategic development of the Network and the sustainability of organisations of disabled people, such as:
- News on the development of user led organisations
- Centres for Independent Living
- Training events for organisations
- Information on strategic issues
- Infrastructure and capacity building
- Funding for third sector organisations
- Events and information affecting disabled people
Infarmration
STORYTELLING CAFE NEWS MARCH 2009
www.TradArtsTeam.co.uk
Ten events this month: three Cafes, three sessions, two training events and an exciting weekend of young people's events
Saturday 7 March
YOUNG STORYTELLER OF THE YEAR 2009
If you want to see the future of storytelling don't miss this event High energy, High octane, a joy to behold. Don't miss it. Library Theatre, Birmingham 10:30 - 5:00. All day tickets £5 on the door www.tradartsteam.co.uk/ysoy/about.htm
Sunday 8 March MANY TONGUES, MANY VOICES
A day of training in multi-language storytelling. Young people from Sweden and Italy who are visiting YSOY will join young storytellers from Birmingham, led by Cath Aran from Wales and Love Ersare from Sweden in telling in more than one language. For more info contact Graham Langley 01629 826939 graham@storytelling.uk.net
STORYTELLING CAFE
Monday 16 March 7:30, food available from 6:30
MATLOCK STORYTELLING CAFÉ
The Boat Inn, Cromford, Derbyshire DE4 3QF
SAUL JAFFE - Lovers and Other Idiots
Where did Shakespeare get his stories? Saul will tell some of the folk tales he drew on. Full of humour, pathos and raging emotion, these stories will engage you on every level. Tickets £7.00 from 01629 826939 or the Boat nn www.tradartsteam.co.uk/storytelling/matlock.htm
Tuesday 17 March 7:30
SANDWELL STORYTELLING CAFÉ
Wednesbury Library, Walsall Street, WS10 9EH
GRAHAM LANGLEY with a host of guests - 10th YEARS CELEBRATION Tickets £3/£1.50 from the library 0121 556 0351 www.tradartsteam.co.uk/storytelling/sandwell.htm
Wednesday 18 March 7:30, food available from 6:30
BIRMINGHAM STORYTELLING CAFÉ
Kitchen Garden Cafe
JOANNE BLAKE - Fur, Feathers and scales: Animal Tales from Around the World Tickets £7.00 from KG Café, 0121 443 4725 www.tradartsteam.co.uk/storytelling/bham.htm
STORYTELLING AND SONG SESSIONS
If you can't make Storytelling Café why not come along to one of our informal storytelling (or song) sessions. You can come just to listen or tell a story if you wish, everyone is welcome and they are free. If you have some experience of storytelling and want develop yourself as a performer you might like to join our monthly storytelling school in Matlock. For more information phone Graham on 01629 826939 or email graham@storytelling.uk.net
Tue 3 March
BIRMINGHAM STORY SESSION upstairs at The Bull's Head, St Mary's Row B13 8HW www.tradartsteam.co.uk/storytelling/bhamsession.htm
Thursday 5 March 8:00
BIRMINGHAM TRADITIONAL SONG SESSION Kitchen Garden Café, York Road, B14 7SA www.tradartsteam.co.uk/song
Monday 9 March
Matlock Story Session The Boat Inn, Cromford, Derbyshire DE4 3QF www.tradartsteam.co.uk/storytelling/boatsession.htm
PEAK PERFORMANCE
Friday - Sunday, 27 Feb - 1 March
Physical Theatre and Commedia Sunday 29 March
Performance training for storytellers www.tradartsteam.co.uk/storytelling/training.htm
Storytelling Café is presented by the Traditional Arts Team with support from Arts Council England and Awards for All
Ten events this month: three Cafes, three sessions, two training events and an exciting weekend of young people's events
Saturday 7 March
YOUNG STORYTELLER OF THE YEAR 2009
If you want to see the future of storytelling don't miss this event High energy, High octane, a joy to behold. Don't miss it. Library Theatre, Birmingham 10:30 - 5:00. All day tickets £5 on the door www.tradartsteam.co.uk/ysoy/about.htm
Sunday 8 March MANY TONGUES, MANY VOICES
A day of training in multi-language storytelling. Young people from Sweden and Italy who are visiting YSOY will join young storytellers from Birmingham, led by Cath Aran from Wales and Love Ersare from Sweden in telling in more than one language. For more info contact Graham Langley 01629 826939 graham@storytelling.uk.net
STORYTELLING CAFE
Monday 16 March 7:30, food available from 6:30
MATLOCK STORYTELLING CAFÉ
The Boat Inn, Cromford, Derbyshire DE4 3QF
SAUL JAFFE - Lovers and Other Idiots
Where did Shakespeare get his stories? Saul will tell some of the folk tales he drew on. Full of humour, pathos and raging emotion, these stories will engage you on every level. Tickets £7.00 from 01629 826939 or the Boat nn www.tradartsteam.co.uk/storytelling/matlock.htm
Tuesday 17 March 7:30
SANDWELL STORYTELLING CAFÉ
Wednesbury Library, Walsall Street, WS10 9EH
GRAHAM LANGLEY with a host of guests - 10th YEARS CELEBRATION Tickets £3/£1.50 from the library 0121 556 0351 www.tradartsteam.co.uk/storytelling/sandwell.htm
Wednesday 18 March 7:30, food available from 6:30
BIRMINGHAM STORYTELLING CAFÉ
Kitchen Garden Cafe
JOANNE BLAKE - Fur, Feathers and scales: Animal Tales from Around the World Tickets £7.00 from KG Café, 0121 443 4725 www.tradartsteam.co.uk/storytelling/bham.htm
STORYTELLING AND SONG SESSIONS
If you can't make Storytelling Café why not come along to one of our informal storytelling (or song) sessions. You can come just to listen or tell a story if you wish, everyone is welcome and they are free. If you have some experience of storytelling and want develop yourself as a performer you might like to join our monthly storytelling school in Matlock. For more information phone Graham on 01629 826939 or email graham@storytelling.uk.net
Tue 3 March
BIRMINGHAM STORY SESSION upstairs at The Bull's Head, St Mary's Row B13 8HW www.tradartsteam.co.uk/storytelling/bhamsession.htm
Thursday 5 March 8:00
BIRMINGHAM TRADITIONAL SONG SESSION Kitchen Garden Café, York Road, B14 7SA www.tradartsteam.co.uk/song
Monday 9 March
Matlock Story Session The Boat Inn, Cromford, Derbyshire DE4 3QF www.tradartsteam.co.uk/storytelling/boatsession.htm
PEAK PERFORMANCE
Friday - Sunday, 27 Feb - 1 March
Physical Theatre and Commedia Sunday 29 March
Performance training for storytellers www.tradartsteam.co.uk/storytelling/training.htm
Storytelling Café is presented by the Traditional Arts Team with support from Arts Council England and Awards for All
Thursday, 26 February 2009
Test Your Two Tone Knowledge with the Big 21 Quiz
With the return of Two Tone cult band The Specials on a nationwide tour which will culminate in a home coming gig at the Ricoh Arena in Coventry later this year, why not see how much you remember about the great ska revival which was dominated by bands from Coventry, Birmingham and London in the late 1970s.Here's 21 Two Tone brain teasers (answers at the end). How much do you remember about Al Capone and the heavy heavy monster sound? Have a go at the nuttiest quiz around:
1) Which ska band were fronted by Buster Bloodvessel?
2) UK ska bands had hits with Madness, Too Hot, Whine & Grine and One Step Beyond but which Jamaican artist had the originals in the 1960s?
3) Which album by Brummie band The Beat featured Mirror in the bathroom and Can't get used to losing you ?
4) What was the name of the debut album by Madness?
5) Who was the visionary organist who masterminded The Specials and Two Tone?
6) Who was The Beat's venerable sax player?
7) Who produced the debut album of The Specials?
8) Who was the female lead singer of The Selecter?
9) Which girl ska band was fronted by Rhoda Dakar?
10) Which group did Terry Hall form with Neville Staple and Lynval Golding after The Specials?
11) Which former member of The Beat later became Special Projects Director for Greenpeace?
12) Which group did Andy Cox and David Steele form with Roland Gift after the break up of The Beat?
13) Ghost Town might have suggested the foreboding streets of early 80s Coventry, but in which less likely Warwickshire town did The Specials record this evocative track?
14) Who did The Beat suggest should stand down in 1980?
15) Who is Graham McPherson better known as ?
16) Madness were strongly influenced by a band called Kilburn and the High Roads, who was the lead singer of the Kilburns?
17) Who did the Special AKA want released in 1984?
18) What instrument was Rico Rodriguez famous for playing on both 60s Jamaican and 70s/80s UK ska?
19) What was Madness' only number 1 hit?
20) Which Brummie ska band member began his musical career as a punk rocker toasting over records at Barbarellas nightclub?
21) Which Brummie ska band member was once a psychiatric nurse student at All Saints hospital?
Answers:
1) Bad Manners
2) Prince Buster
3) I just can't stop it
4) One Step Beyond...
5) Jerry Dammers
6) Saxa
7) Elvis Costello
8) Pauline Black
9) The Bodysnatchers
10) Fun Boy Three
11) Dave Wakeling
12) Fine Young Cannibals
13) Leamington
14) Margaret
15) Suggs from Madness
16) Ian Dury
17) Nelson Mandela
18) Trombone
19) House of Fun
20) Ranking Roger
21) David Steele
War Memorial restored in Solihull
Solihull Council will be restoring the town centre’s War Memorial this March.The Council is working in partnership with the Solihull Rotary Club to restore the Memorial outside St Alphege Church and has appointed a sculptor to carry out the intricate work.Originally funded on public donations, the Memorial was erected in 1921 to remember the local men and women who died during the First World War.
The Memorial is now used to commemorate the many people who have died in conflict over the years and Remembrance Sunday ceremonies take place at the site every year. Work will begin on the 9th of March and is due to be completed by early April- the surrounding area will be fenced off from the public during this time.
Cabinet Member for Community Services and Environment Councillor Mrs Kate Wild said:” This Memorial is a part of our heritage and we should all respect what it symbolises. It is a way for the local community and the many visitors who come here to commemorate those who have died during conflict. I believe it should be a prominent feature of the town.”
The Memorial is now used to commemorate the many people who have died in conflict over the years and Remembrance Sunday ceremonies take place at the site every year. Work will begin on the 9th of March and is due to be completed by early April- the surrounding area will be fenced off from the public during this time.
Cabinet Member for Community Services and Environment Councillor Mrs Kate Wild said:” This Memorial is a part of our heritage and we should all respect what it symbolises. It is a way for the local community and the many visitors who come here to commemorate those who have died during conflict. I believe it should be a prominent feature of the town.”
Voluntary sector weak on regional policy, says think tank
By Mathew Little, Third Sector Online, 26 February 2009
Charities need to have a bigger say in policy at a regional level, report by the Institute for Public Policy Research suggests
Charity leaders do not think the sector has sufficient influence over policy at a regional level, research by think tank the Institute for Public Policy Research has indicated. The interim findings of research on regional engagement with the charity sector, carried out by IPPR North, showed that 80 per cent of charity leaders thought decision-making at a regional or sub-regional level was important.But 60 per cent said the voluntary sector's voice in policy in those arenas was "not very well established".
Katie Schmuecker, research fellow at IPPR North, said: "Given the backdrop of the recession, it is more important than ever for economic development plans to support deprived areas as well as areas of opportunity. The voluntary and community sector has much to contribute in this respect.
"The research will be unveiled at chief executives body Acevo's third north of England conference in York today. Jenny Berry, director of Acevo in the north, called on regional institutions to ensure that charities based in the regions received their fair share of the £42.5m action plan for the third sector announced by the Government earlier this month."The role of charities in helping us through these times must be championed at regional level in all of the English regions," she said.
For more articles like this one about the Third Sector visit:
http://www.thirdsector.co.uk/
Charities need to have a bigger say in policy at a regional level, report by the Institute for Public Policy Research suggests
Charity leaders do not think the sector has sufficient influence over policy at a regional level, research by think tank the Institute for Public Policy Research has indicated. The interim findings of research on regional engagement with the charity sector, carried out by IPPR North, showed that 80 per cent of charity leaders thought decision-making at a regional or sub-regional level was important.But 60 per cent said the voluntary sector's voice in policy in those arenas was "not very well established".
Katie Schmuecker, research fellow at IPPR North, said: "Given the backdrop of the recession, it is more important than ever for economic development plans to support deprived areas as well as areas of opportunity. The voluntary and community sector has much to contribute in this respect.
"The research will be unveiled at chief executives body Acevo's third north of England conference in York today. Jenny Berry, director of Acevo in the north, called on regional institutions to ensure that charities based in the regions received their fair share of the £42.5m action plan for the third sector announced by the Government earlier this month."The role of charities in helping us through these times must be championed at regional level in all of the English regions," she said.
For more articles like this one about the Third Sector visit:
http://www.thirdsector.co.uk/
Buddy Holly Story - Theatre review by Vidar Hjardeng
Review of Audio-described performance of Buddy Holly Story at the Birmingham Hippodrome Friday 20 Feb 2009.
It’s amazing to think that it is now over 50 year since Rock ‘n Roll legend, Buddy Holly was tragically killed in a plane crash but, half a century on judging by the packed theatre, his music remains as popular as ever. Many of his most famous songs including Peggy Sue, Maybe Baby and That’ll Be the Day are brought to life in the musical Buddy – The Buddy Holly Story, written by Alan Janes and Rob Bettinson. Since I was a child in the 60’s and 70’s I was surprised to find how many of the songs I was already familiar with when I went to last Friday evening’s audio described performance at the Birmingham Hippodrome.
Resident describers Jonathan Nash and Margaret Spittles from Sightlines, conducted the usual pre-show touch tour when visually impaired patrons and their companions were shown the set, which included many advertising hoardings of 1950’s favourite foods like Campbells soup. An added bonus for us was that the actor who played Buddy that evening – Glen Joseph – found time to come and meet the VI party, showing them his guitar and his iconic Buddy Holly glasses - and even giving the women a thrill by allowing them to feel his ‘quiff’!
Armed with the all important headsets and for those who required it a large print cast list, provided by the ever helpful front of house staff, we took our seats at 7.15pm to listen to Jonathan and Margaret’s ‘live’ introductory notes, reminding us of the set and giving details of the characters and their costumes, before curtain up at 7.30 pm. The production covers the last 3 years of Buddy’s life, starting in Texas and moving on to New Mexico, New York and Ohio - illustrated by images on a screen at the back of the stage which the describers explained each time they changed.
All credit to a first class cast who not only played the various characters splendidly, but also energetically played the instruments themselves – no mean feat! This combined with Jonathan and Margaret’s characteristically well-timed and informative audio-description ensured that we all had foot-tapping, hand-clapping fun evening.
The next audio described show at the Hippodrome will be the musical All the Fun Of the Fair starring David Essex, on the afternoon of Saturday 14 March and information on tickets, touch tour and headsets can be obtained, as ever, from the box office on 0870 7301234.
It’s amazing to think that it is now over 50 year since Rock ‘n Roll legend, Buddy Holly was tragically killed in a plane crash but, half a century on judging by the packed theatre, his music remains as popular as ever. Many of his most famous songs including Peggy Sue, Maybe Baby and That’ll Be the Day are brought to life in the musical Buddy – The Buddy Holly Story, written by Alan Janes and Rob Bettinson. Since I was a child in the 60’s and 70’s I was surprised to find how many of the songs I was already familiar with when I went to last Friday evening’s audio described performance at the Birmingham Hippodrome.
Resident describers Jonathan Nash and Margaret Spittles from Sightlines, conducted the usual pre-show touch tour when visually impaired patrons and their companions were shown the set, which included many advertising hoardings of 1950’s favourite foods like Campbells soup. An added bonus for us was that the actor who played Buddy that evening – Glen Joseph – found time to come and meet the VI party, showing them his guitar and his iconic Buddy Holly glasses - and even giving the women a thrill by allowing them to feel his ‘quiff’!
Armed with the all important headsets and for those who required it a large print cast list, provided by the ever helpful front of house staff, we took our seats at 7.15pm to listen to Jonathan and Margaret’s ‘live’ introductory notes, reminding us of the set and giving details of the characters and their costumes, before curtain up at 7.30 pm. The production covers the last 3 years of Buddy’s life, starting in Texas and moving on to New Mexico, New York and Ohio - illustrated by images on a screen at the back of the stage which the describers explained each time they changed.
All credit to a first class cast who not only played the various characters splendidly, but also energetically played the instruments themselves – no mean feat! This combined with Jonathan and Margaret’s characteristically well-timed and informative audio-description ensured that we all had foot-tapping, hand-clapping fun evening.
The next audio described show at the Hippodrome will be the musical All the Fun Of the Fair starring David Essex, on the afternoon of Saturday 14 March and information on tickets, touch tour and headsets can be obtained, as ever, from the box office on 0870 7301234.
5k charity run in Wyre Forest - have fun, get fit, save lives
Hi Pete,
I've just been looking on your website and was wondering whether you would mind promoting a charity 5k run to your members of the Spaghetti Gazetti?
We want to get the information out there to as many people as possible in the region to help promote health and fitness, and to also raise awareness of heart disease and how it effects hundreds of thousands of people in the UK.
People who take part in the event will get their heart fit, and also help save the lives of people suffering with heart disease.
The event is taking place at Wyre Forest on Sunday 15th March 2009.
Registration opens at 10am, closes at 10.30am and the event starts at 11am.
For online registration and more details of the event please follow this link www.bhf.org.uk/wyre
We would especially like to get the information out to as many businesses in the region as possible
Thanks,
Laura Edwards
Central Events Organiser
British Heart Foundation
Get ready to go Red for Heart!
February is National Heart Month and your chance to support the British Heart Foundation with a Red for Heart event. For your free Fundraising Kit, visit www.bhf.org.uk/red or call 0845 241 0976.
Have fun, get fit, save lives
www.bhf.org.uk/events
I've just been looking on your website and was wondering whether you would mind promoting a charity 5k run to your members of the Spaghetti Gazetti?
We want to get the information out there to as many people as possible in the region to help promote health and fitness, and to also raise awareness of heart disease and how it effects hundreds of thousands of people in the UK.
People who take part in the event will get their heart fit, and also help save the lives of people suffering with heart disease.
The event is taking place at Wyre Forest on Sunday 15th March 2009.
Registration opens at 10am, closes at 10.30am and the event starts at 11am.
For online registration and more details of the event please follow this link www.bhf.org.uk/wyre
We would especially like to get the information out to as many businesses in the region as possible
Thanks,
Laura Edwards
Central Events Organiser
British Heart Foundation
Get ready to go Red for Heart!
February is National Heart Month and your chance to support the British Heart Foundation with a Red for Heart event. For your free Fundraising Kit, visit www.bhf.org.uk/red or call 0845 241 0976.
Have fun, get fit, save lives
www.bhf.org.uk/events
Grow Your Own life’s little luxuries to save the pennies and beat the supermarket blues
The humble strawberry, once the mainstay of family tea time, is now considered an expensive treat , according to 66% of respondents to the Royal Horticultural Society’s (RHS) latest online survey** . The UK’s leading gardening charity undertook the survey to discover how the current financial climate is affecting people’s shopping habits and growing trends.37% of respondents to the RHS survey said they are planning to grow their own fruit to help save money over the next year. The RHS will be encouraging the British public to try growing fruit as it launches the next phase of its highly successful ‘Grow Your Own’ campaign, sponsored by NS&I, with a brand new fruity flavour for 2009
Gardeners, irrespective of whether they are seasoned growers or complete beginners, are invited to a free open day at all four RHS Gardens on Saturday 7th March 2009 (Wisley in Surrey, Harlow Carr in North Yorkshire, Hyde Hall in Essex and Rosemoor in Devon). The first 2,000 people through the gates will each receive a free Grow Your Own starter pack to get them growing, while the new look RHS Grow Your Own website (www.rhs.org.uk/growyourown) is full of hints, tips and growing information free to download.
Jim Arbury, Fruit Superintendent at RHS Garden Wisley explains, “The luscious strawberry will act as the centre piece to this year’s set of Wisley events. They are easy to grow, ideal for containers and gardeners with little space, and children are fascinated by them. Ingrained in peoples’ consciousness, the strawberry conjures up nostalgic thoughts of summer tea parties with lashings of cream and with this in mind we hope to inspire the nation to give growing them, and other fruit, a try.”
Tim Mack, Head of Communications at NS&I adds, “NS&I is delighted to be actively supporting and sponsoring the RHS Grow Your Own campaign for the second year. Growing your own is just like saving in many ways – it helps you financially and your initial investment benefits from good planning and nurturing. By working with the RHS again we aim to help the nation achieve healthy finances as well as a healthy diet.”
The first two year’s of the RHS Grow Your Own campaign has seen people turning to their windowsills, patio pots, gardens and allotments to cultivate their own produce. In 2008 there were 1.5 million visitors on the RHS Grow Your Own website: an increase of 250,000 visitors on the previous year, proving the popularity of the ‘grow your own’ movement.
To log on find out more visit http://www.rhs.org.uk/growyourown
Join the revolution before the revolution hits you
In today’s economic climate, some companies may see ‘green’ issues as something to put on the back burner. But Sally Taylor, of not-for-profit organisation Environmental Population, believes that taking steps to be ‘green’ could actually save money and enhance a company’s reputation.“Being environmentally aware is no longer an optional extra,” says Sally, “and companies need to realise that being green can indeed make positive changes on the bottom line.
“For example, adopting changes in simple work routines can make electric, gas and water savings part of company life and telling people what you’re doing can only improve your reputation.”
Sally believes there is still much that can be done by companies to reduce their carbon footprint, either by looking internally at their systems and procedures or externally through evaluating the company’s effect on its surroundings.
Environmental Population gives practical advice to companies who wish to be, and be seen to be, ‘green’. It provides environmental information to SMEs (small to medium enterprises) about; climate change, biodiversity, waste management and energy and water reduction.
“Publishing your energy ratings alongside improvement programmes will help your business gain accreditation whilst building a more positive profile in the tougher and greener economic landscape.
“A good example is Walker’s Crisps, who have now started to publish information on their packaging as to the carbon footprint of the product, giving customers the moral choice whether to buy – this appears to be working well.”
The Government has set some bold targets to meet: an 80% reduction in CO2 emissions by 2050 and recycling 40% of waste by 2010 rising to 75% by 2020. Savings can be made through initiatives such as landfill and fuel taxes, development of carbon neutral homes and businesses, energy efficiency certificates and greater recycling.
“The economic climate has taken over headlines for the time being…but very soon green issues will rise to the top of the agenda again,” said Sally.
Environment Population is an online network of businesses, started for companies who have recognised the importance and need for environmental policies in business, and is calling like-minded companies to join and together make a difference.
Membership of the site can provide companies with links to appropriate resources, a forum for discussing issues, downloadable white papers, plus artwork and templates for posters, newsletters and e-mail communication.
The valuable resources are in contrast to the relatively low cost of membership. No matter how large or small your company is, membership is very cost effective at £60 and then £50 annually.
For more tips and ideas visit www.Environmental-Population.com.
Parliament debates landmark Autism Bill
The Autism Bill is being debated in Parliament tomorrow (Friday 27th February) in what could be a landmark occasion for the half a million children and adults with autism in the UK.The Government are expected to commit to a raft of new measures, which The National Autistic Society (NAS) says could transform the lives of the thousands of people in the local area affected by the condition who frequently feel isolated, ignored and often at breaking point. For information about how your council is doing, please see http://www.think-differently.org.uk/Campaign/Whats%20going%20on/Local%20authority%20progress%20tables/LocalAuthorityProgress.aspx?sc_lang=en.
In response to political pressure from Cheryl Gillan’s Autism Bill, the Government admitted earlier this week that they had failed people with autism and set out in a letter to MPs a range of proposals, which when fully implemented, could help to address the devastating lack of support for people affected by the condition.
Mark Lever, Chief Executive of The National Autistic Society (NAS) said: “This could be a landmark victory for people affected by this complex disability, but it is absolutely imperative that the Government categorically and publicly pledge in Parliament to deliver these vitally important changes. After months of lobbying we are delighted that the Government have listened to autism campaigners - including the 6,000 people who emailed their MP and the 15 other autism charities we are working with - and look set to take decisive action, but we will keep campaigning until we see real change at a local level.”
Proposals announced by the Government respond to demands made by Cheryl Gillan’s Autism Bill and could, if implemented, hold local authorities legally accountable if they do not provide appropriate support for children and adults with autism.
Mark Lever added; “The NAS would like to thank Cheryl Gillan MP, the thousands of people who emailed their MP and all the MPs who pledged their support for the bill.”
Measures outlined should :
Improve local information on the number of children and adults with autism and ensure effect transition to adult services
The majority of local authorities do not have a clear idea of the numbers of people with autism in their area, which therefore means their needs are excluded in the planning and commissioning of services. The Government’s proposed amendments to the regulations for Children and Young People’s Plans will legally require local authorities to collate and share data and information on disabled children with other agencies. This could see a huge sea change in the way the needs of children with disabilities, including autism, are recognised and met and ensure that there are services in place to help them reach their potential in adulthood. 40% of adults with autism currently live at home with their parents and are heavily reliant on them for support.
Tackle the chronic lack of support for adults with autism
Research for the NAS I Exist campaign found that at least 1 in 3 adults with autism are experiencing mental health difficulties due to a lack of support. In response the Government committed to publishing a national adult autism strategy later this year. In a crucial development, as of today, this will now also place legal duties (subject to the necessary consultation process) on local authorities to address the barriers to support faced by adults with autism. The way in which adults with autism receive services at ground level could also be dramatically improved as there should be regional and local leadership in place to deliver the strategy. The Government will also work to ensure that Joint Strategic Needs Assessments (the main tool commissioners use to inform service planning and commissioning strategies) cover autism.
Heritage project delves into Birmingham Disability Resource Centre history
A 12 month project funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund is shedding light on the early origins of the Birmingham Disability Resource Centre (BDRC). With support from volunteers Ray Gormley, Sue Smith and Daniel Vincent, the project has been busy carrying out and transcribing oral history interviews with former staff, members and service users.Interviewees so far have included Bob Williams-Findlay and Katherine Walsh who were both influential in the development of the BDRC which was launched in 1992 by the Birmingham Disability Rights Group. The idea of a Disability Resource Centre in Birmingham run by disabled people was conceived by Bob as far back as 1985 and the next seven years were spent negotiating funding, identifying a site and planning the new Centre.
The project is also busy gathering old documents and our research has uncovered early reports produced in the planning stages for the Centre, early copies of Building Bridges the magazine of the Birmingham Disability Rights Group, Pinpoint the magazine of Disability West Midlands and the newsletters of the BDRC itself.
Project coordinator Pete Millington said “We are very interested to hear from more people who have a story to contribute about the history of Birmingham Disability Resource Centre. Whether you have been a service user, a member of staff, a trustee, ordinary member or you are from an organisation that has worked with or funded the BDRC, we would be delighted to hear from you. Even if you have only come into contact with BDRC in the past couple of years, your story will help to build a complete picture of the Centre”.
The project will lead to the production of a book, an audio CD and exhibition materials later in the year. If you would like to contribute through an oral history interview, by contributing documents and photos or simply by sending us a few memories via email, please make contact with Pete Millington at pmillington@disability.co.uk
Announcements from Birmingham Buddhist Centre
6-Week Course: Wisdom - Thursdays 26th February - 2nd April, 7.15pm - 9.45pm
Introductory Meditation Afternoon - Saturday 28th February, 2pm - 5pm
Day for Young Buddhists - Saturday 14th March, 10am - 6pm
Silent Meditation Day - Sunday 15th March, 10am - 4.30pm
Women's Weekend Retreat - Friday 20th March - Sunday 22nd March
Men's Mitra & Order Weekend Retreat - Friday 20th March - Sunday 22nd March
Buddha Day Choir - Sunday 29th March, 10am - 4pm
FWBO Day with Urgyen Sangharakshita - Saturday 11th April, 2pm - 7.30pm
Mindfulness-based Living Well with Stress - 19th April, 3rd, 17th & 31st May
'Responding to the Cries of the World' Lecture Series - 25th - 29th April, 7.30pm
Drop-in Sangha Night - Every Tuesday, 6pm- 9.45pm
Women's Foundation Course - Mondays at 7pm
Sutton Coldfield Group - One-Month Break
Yoga Events
6-Week Level Two Course: Wisdom
The practices of ethics and meditation help us bring about states of mind rooted in generosity, loving-kindness and clarity. On the Buddhist path we don't just encourage these states of mind simply because we see them as positive, but because to do so is to act in harmony with Reality. This course will go into the third aspect of the three-fold path of Ethics, Meditation and Wisdom, to explore what really lies at the root of our dissatisfaction, and to get a taste of what lies at the root of our ultimate happiness and freedom.
Suitable for those who have completed a level 1 introductory course
Led by Bodhaniya
Thursday 26th February - Thursday 2nd April
7.15pm - 9.45pm
Suggested Donation for the course: £42 (or £21 concession).
Please book in advance by sending your donation to the Buddhist Centre.
Introductory Meditation Afternoons
Each afternoon offers an introduction to meditation.
Saturday 28th February, 2pm - 5pm
Saturday 28th March, 2pm - 5pm
Do suggest these afternoons to anyone you think may be interested.
Suggested donation for each afternoon: £12 (or £8 concession).
Please book in advance by sending your donation to the Buddhist Centre.
Day for Young Buddhists
On Saturday 14th March, at Birmingham Buddhist Centre, we welcome all younger people in the Sangha, those in their late teens, 20s and 30s, to gather together and inspire each other. There will be space for meditation, discussion, talks, Puja, and of course opportunity to hang out and drink tea!
The programme is outlined below. If you have any questions please contact Kev: kev@birminghambuddhistcentre.org.uk, 0121 449 5279 / 07725 14 69 49.
Looking forward to seeing you there. Can’t wait!
Linds & Kev.
Programme
10am: Arrive
10.30am: Dedication & Meditation
11.30am: Tea Break
12 noon: Four talks from young people in the Sangha - ‘What inspires me’
1pm: Lunch (Please bring vegi food to share)
2pm: Open Space for activities / discussions
3.30pm: Tea Break
4pm: What next?...
4.30pm: Puja
6pm: Finish
Saturday 14th MarchDana
Silent Meditation Days
A day of silence and intensive meditation practice, all taking place within a supportive communal environment.
Suitable for anyone familiar with the Mindfulness of Breathing and Metta Bhavana meditation practices.
Sunday 15th March
Sunday 19th April
Sunday 17th May
Sunday 21st June
Sunday 19th July
Sunday 20th September
Sunday 18th October
Sunday 15th November
Sunday 13th December
10am - 4.30pm
Suggested donation is £12 or £8 concession
Please bring vegetarian or vegan lunch to share on the day
The Heart of Compassion
A Women's Weekend Dedicated to Avalokitesvara
The thousand arms of Avalokitesvara express the bodhisattva's response to suffering in the world. The weekend is a chance to explore the myth of Avalokitesvara, to connect with the heart of the bodhisattva and to dwell in the sublime abode of Compassion. There will be a chance to listen, discuss, meditate and participate in devotional practices focussing on Avalokitesvara and the Bodhicitta. There will also be free time in which to enjoy the beautiful countryside at Anybody's Barn.
Suitable for any women who are familiar with the Mindfulness of Breathing and Metta Bhavana meditation practices
Led by Samacitta
Friday 20th March - Sunday 22nd MarchSuggested Donation: £80 (or £50 concession)Please send a £25 deposit to the Buddhist Centre to secure your place
Men's Mitra & Order Weekend Retreat
The Bodhicaryavatara
Inviting all male Mitras and Order Members to gather together to deepen connections, commitment, and the strength of collective practice in the men's wing of the FWBO Midlands Sangha.
Led by Saraha.
After the success of last year's retreat, it is recommended to book in advance to avoid disappointment.
Friday 20th March - Sunday 22nd MarchAt Big Mose Basecamp
Suggested Donation: £80 (or £50 concession)Please send a £25 deposit to the Buddhist Centre to guarantee your place
Buddha Day Choir
Sunday 29th March, 10am - 4pm
For the last few years the Birmingham Buddhist Centre has participated in an inter-Buddhist Buddha Day celebration held at the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery. This year it will take place on Saturday 9th May from around 1pm and usually involves some chanting from different sanghas followed by tea and some Dharmic arts. A previous member of the sangha recollected that the BBC had a choir. This led to a request by the organisers for us to sing something, 'Dharmically-inspired', at this year's event.
Vipulakirti agreed to help 'tune' a choir for this and so we are inviting the sangha to join in a practice on the above date to see if we can produce something to offer as part of the public celebrations. The performance on Buddha Day will only take place for about 20 minutes, and may well be of Vipulakirti's own composition. So, if you are interested in singing and would like to do this with other Buddhists in words expressive of your ideal and values, then do join us on the 29th March for a day of practice. Creating vocal harmony can be an excellent way of expressing and developing spiritual community.
There no need to book, but do bring some vegetarian/vegan lunch to share for lunch if you do come along.
FWBO DAY 2009
With Urgyen Sangharakshita
Arrival from 2pm onwards
2.30pm: Optional Meditation
4pm: Booklaunch of 'The Essential Sangharakshita' with talks by Sangharakshita and Vidyadevi
5.30pm-ish: Sandwich snacks available
6.30pm: Puja
Saturday 11th April
At Birmingham Buddhist Centre
Mindfulness-based Living Well with Stress
Struggling to cope with the complexity and pace of life? Dealing with stress related to work, relationships, loss or other factors beyond your control? This course can help you deal with stress, improve the quality of your everyday life and help you develop a sense of inner peace. A gentle, supportive approach; held in a comfortable venue.
Whilst this course is primarily for those suffering from stress, it is open to anyone wishing to explore a mindfulness approach or take an existing practice deeper.
Please bring something for a shared vegetarian lunch.
Trainer: Catherine Lucas - Accredited Breathworks trainer, experienced group facilitator & teacher. Over ten years meditation practice.
Fees: £195 waged / £165 low waged / £135 unwaged - includes 3 CDs and handbook (worth £35)
Sundays 10.30-4.30pm, fortnightly
19 April / 3 May / 17 May / 31 May 2009
Closing date for bookings: 31 March
Enquiries and bookings: Catherine Lucas on 01452 813 274
www.breathworks-mindfulness.co.uk
Responding to the Cries of the World
Lecture Series
Five public talks at Birmingham Buddhist Centre, open to all. No charge for the talks but feel free to make a donation.
Forty years ago, Sangharakshita delivered one of his most challenging and inspiring lecture series, ‘Aspects of the Bodhisattva Ideal’ — a teaching that proved formative for many individual Order members as well as for the FWBO as a whole. In a series of talks at Birmingham Buddhist Centre, Dhammarati, Parami, Maitreyi, Mahamati, and Prakasha will explore how the Bodhisattva Ideal can be practised and embodied in times very different from those of the late 1960s.
Every evening between Saturday 25th April and Wednesday 29th April at 7.30pm
At Birmingham Buddhist Centre
Drop-in Sangha Night
Tuesday Nights at the Buddhist CentreSuggested donation per evening: £6 (£3 low income) 6.30pm Informal supper (baked potatoes and salad - plus any vegetarian food you’d like to bring to share)
7.30pm Programme starts (three options) (ends around 9.45pm)
Sangha Night – with Samacitta and DharmashuraSuitable for all Friends, Mitras and Order Members.
3 March: Meditation and Sevenfold PujaMuch can be said about the Sevenfold Puja (see Ritual and Devotion by Sangharakshita from Windhorse Publications). At one level it offers an opportunity for us to come together to cultivate and express our shared feelings of devotion to the ideals of Buddhism. It may also be seen as an exemplification of spiritual community.
10 March: Discussion of themes from the Mangala SuttaIn his book A Survey of Buddhism, Sangharakshita emphasises the importance of studying the word of the Buddha and his enlightened disciples in developing our understanding of the Dharma. A popular sutta, thought to be among the earliest to be written down, the Mangala Sutta offers a concise and straightforward summary of the Buddha’s teaching.
17 March: 'Let the story unfold' - Order Members' personal FWBO histories
Two guest speakers, Abhaya and Prajnabandhu, will give personal accounts of their histories as Order Members covering, between them, the four decades of the Order's existence. There will be an opportunity afterwards to raise issues and points for discussion in small groups led by the speakers.
Future Sangha Night activities to be confirmed.
OR
Introductory meditation – with SarahaSuitable for newcomers.
24 February: Start of 6-week meditation course
OR
Intensive meditation – with RatnameghaSuitable for experienced meditators. Every Tuesday
Women's Foundation Course
At Birmingham Buddhist Centre
Open to all women in the Midlands who have learned both the Mindfulness of Breathing and the Metta Bhavana meditation practices, and are interested at looking a little deeper into Buddhism.
Please contact Asokasuri on 01527 520 108 if you wish to come along.
Monday Evenings at 7pm
On Monday March 9th Bodhaniya will be holding individual meditation discussion/reviews for women. Spaces available are: 6.10, 6.30, 6.50, 7.30, and 7.50 pm. To book a time please contact Bodhaniya on 07508 609 648.
Sutton Coldfield Group
One-Month Break
This group is currently on a break until Wednesday 18th March. Classes will then run every week until 15th July.
Yoga Events...
Saturday Morning Yoga Workshops
A series of morning workshops to further explore your yoga practice.
Suitable for those with at least 12 months experience
Saturday 28th February
Saturday 14th March
Saturday 28th March
10am - 1pm
£12 (or £9 concession)
8-Week Introductory Yoga Course
Offering a complete progressive introduction to Iyengar Yoga.
Thursdays, 12th March - 30th April
6pm - 7.15pm
£45 (£35 concession) for the whole course - To be paid in full in advance
Suitable for complete beginners
Easter Friday Yoga Day
Suitable for those with 6 months experience of yoga Light lunch provided
Friday 10th April 10am - 4pm£25 (£20 concession) May Bank Holiday Yoga Workshops
Saturday 2nd May, 10am - 4pmSunday 3rd May, 10am - 4pm£25 (£20 concession)
Monday 4th May, 10am - 1pm£15 (£12 concession) £55 for all three workshops (£45 concession)
All workshops suitable for those with 6 months experience of yogaA light lunch will be provided on all three days
Introductory Meditation Afternoon - Saturday 28th February, 2pm - 5pm
Day for Young Buddhists - Saturday 14th March, 10am - 6pm
Silent Meditation Day - Sunday 15th March, 10am - 4.30pm
Women's Weekend Retreat - Friday 20th March - Sunday 22nd March
Men's Mitra & Order Weekend Retreat - Friday 20th March - Sunday 22nd March
Buddha Day Choir - Sunday 29th March, 10am - 4pm
FWBO Day with Urgyen Sangharakshita - Saturday 11th April, 2pm - 7.30pm
Mindfulness-based Living Well with Stress - 19th April, 3rd, 17th & 31st May
'Responding to the Cries of the World' Lecture Series - 25th - 29th April, 7.30pm
Drop-in Sangha Night - Every Tuesday, 6pm- 9.45pm
Women's Foundation Course - Mondays at 7pm
Sutton Coldfield Group - One-Month Break
Yoga Events
6-Week Level Two Course: Wisdom
The practices of ethics and meditation help us bring about states of mind rooted in generosity, loving-kindness and clarity. On the Buddhist path we don't just encourage these states of mind simply because we see them as positive, but because to do so is to act in harmony with Reality. This course will go into the third aspect of the three-fold path of Ethics, Meditation and Wisdom, to explore what really lies at the root of our dissatisfaction, and to get a taste of what lies at the root of our ultimate happiness and freedom.
Suitable for those who have completed a level 1 introductory course
Led by Bodhaniya
Thursday 26th February - Thursday 2nd April
7.15pm - 9.45pm
Suggested Donation for the course: £42 (or £21 concession).
Please book in advance by sending your donation to the Buddhist Centre.
Introductory Meditation Afternoons
Each afternoon offers an introduction to meditation.
Saturday 28th February, 2pm - 5pm
Saturday 28th March, 2pm - 5pm
Do suggest these afternoons to anyone you think may be interested.
Suggested donation for each afternoon: £12 (or £8 concession).
Please book in advance by sending your donation to the Buddhist Centre.
Day for Young Buddhists
On Saturday 14th March, at Birmingham Buddhist Centre, we welcome all younger people in the Sangha, those in their late teens, 20s and 30s, to gather together and inspire each other. There will be space for meditation, discussion, talks, Puja, and of course opportunity to hang out and drink tea!
The programme is outlined below. If you have any questions please contact Kev: kev@birminghambuddhistcentre.org.uk, 0121 449 5279 / 07725 14 69 49.
Looking forward to seeing you there. Can’t wait!
Linds & Kev.
Programme
10am: Arrive
10.30am: Dedication & Meditation
11.30am: Tea Break
12 noon: Four talks from young people in the Sangha - ‘What inspires me’
1pm: Lunch (Please bring vegi food to share)
2pm: Open Space for activities / discussions
3.30pm: Tea Break
4pm: What next?...
4.30pm: Puja
6pm: Finish
Saturday 14th MarchDana
Silent Meditation Days
A day of silence and intensive meditation practice, all taking place within a supportive communal environment.
Suitable for anyone familiar with the Mindfulness of Breathing and Metta Bhavana meditation practices.
Sunday 15th March
Sunday 19th April
Sunday 17th May
Sunday 21st June
Sunday 19th July
Sunday 20th September
Sunday 18th October
Sunday 15th November
Sunday 13th December
10am - 4.30pm
Suggested donation is £12 or £8 concession
Please bring vegetarian or vegan lunch to share on the day
The Heart of Compassion
A Women's Weekend Dedicated to Avalokitesvara
The thousand arms of Avalokitesvara express the bodhisattva's response to suffering in the world. The weekend is a chance to explore the myth of Avalokitesvara, to connect with the heart of the bodhisattva and to dwell in the sublime abode of Compassion. There will be a chance to listen, discuss, meditate and participate in devotional practices focussing on Avalokitesvara and the Bodhicitta. There will also be free time in which to enjoy the beautiful countryside at Anybody's Barn.
Suitable for any women who are familiar with the Mindfulness of Breathing and Metta Bhavana meditation practices
Led by Samacitta
Friday 20th March - Sunday 22nd MarchSuggested Donation: £80 (or £50 concession)Please send a £25 deposit to the Buddhist Centre to secure your place
Men's Mitra & Order Weekend Retreat
The Bodhicaryavatara
Inviting all male Mitras and Order Members to gather together to deepen connections, commitment, and the strength of collective practice in the men's wing of the FWBO Midlands Sangha.
Led by Saraha.
After the success of last year's retreat, it is recommended to book in advance to avoid disappointment.
Friday 20th March - Sunday 22nd MarchAt Big Mose Basecamp
Suggested Donation: £80 (or £50 concession)Please send a £25 deposit to the Buddhist Centre to guarantee your place
Buddha Day Choir
Sunday 29th March, 10am - 4pm
For the last few years the Birmingham Buddhist Centre has participated in an inter-Buddhist Buddha Day celebration held at the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery. This year it will take place on Saturday 9th May from around 1pm and usually involves some chanting from different sanghas followed by tea and some Dharmic arts. A previous member of the sangha recollected that the BBC had a choir. This led to a request by the organisers for us to sing something, 'Dharmically-inspired', at this year's event.
Vipulakirti agreed to help 'tune' a choir for this and so we are inviting the sangha to join in a practice on the above date to see if we can produce something to offer as part of the public celebrations. The performance on Buddha Day will only take place for about 20 minutes, and may well be of Vipulakirti's own composition. So, if you are interested in singing and would like to do this with other Buddhists in words expressive of your ideal and values, then do join us on the 29th March for a day of practice. Creating vocal harmony can be an excellent way of expressing and developing spiritual community.
There no need to book, but do bring some vegetarian/vegan lunch to share for lunch if you do come along.
FWBO DAY 2009
With Urgyen Sangharakshita
Arrival from 2pm onwards
2.30pm: Optional Meditation
4pm: Booklaunch of 'The Essential Sangharakshita' with talks by Sangharakshita and Vidyadevi
5.30pm-ish: Sandwich snacks available
6.30pm: Puja
Saturday 11th April
At Birmingham Buddhist Centre
Mindfulness-based Living Well with Stress
Struggling to cope with the complexity and pace of life? Dealing with stress related to work, relationships, loss or other factors beyond your control? This course can help you deal with stress, improve the quality of your everyday life and help you develop a sense of inner peace. A gentle, supportive approach; held in a comfortable venue.
Whilst this course is primarily for those suffering from stress, it is open to anyone wishing to explore a mindfulness approach or take an existing practice deeper.
Please bring something for a shared vegetarian lunch.
Trainer: Catherine Lucas - Accredited Breathworks trainer, experienced group facilitator & teacher. Over ten years meditation practice.
Fees: £195 waged / £165 low waged / £135 unwaged - includes 3 CDs and handbook (worth £35)
Sundays 10.30-4.30pm, fortnightly
19 April / 3 May / 17 May / 31 May 2009
Closing date for bookings: 31 March
Enquiries and bookings: Catherine Lucas on 01452 813 274
www.breathworks-mindfulness.co.uk
Responding to the Cries of the World
Lecture Series
Five public talks at Birmingham Buddhist Centre, open to all. No charge for the talks but feel free to make a donation.
Forty years ago, Sangharakshita delivered one of his most challenging and inspiring lecture series, ‘Aspects of the Bodhisattva Ideal’ — a teaching that proved formative for many individual Order members as well as for the FWBO as a whole. In a series of talks at Birmingham Buddhist Centre, Dhammarati, Parami, Maitreyi, Mahamati, and Prakasha will explore how the Bodhisattva Ideal can be practised and embodied in times very different from those of the late 1960s.
Every evening between Saturday 25th April and Wednesday 29th April at 7.30pm
At Birmingham Buddhist Centre
Drop-in Sangha Night
Tuesday Nights at the Buddhist CentreSuggested donation per evening: £6 (£3 low income) 6.30pm Informal supper (baked potatoes and salad - plus any vegetarian food you’d like to bring to share)
7.30pm Programme starts (three options) (ends around 9.45pm)
Sangha Night – with Samacitta and DharmashuraSuitable for all Friends, Mitras and Order Members.
3 March: Meditation and Sevenfold PujaMuch can be said about the Sevenfold Puja (see Ritual and Devotion by Sangharakshita from Windhorse Publications). At one level it offers an opportunity for us to come together to cultivate and express our shared feelings of devotion to the ideals of Buddhism. It may also be seen as an exemplification of spiritual community.
10 March: Discussion of themes from the Mangala SuttaIn his book A Survey of Buddhism, Sangharakshita emphasises the importance of studying the word of the Buddha and his enlightened disciples in developing our understanding of the Dharma. A popular sutta, thought to be among the earliest to be written down, the Mangala Sutta offers a concise and straightforward summary of the Buddha’s teaching.
17 March: 'Let the story unfold' - Order Members' personal FWBO histories
Two guest speakers, Abhaya and Prajnabandhu, will give personal accounts of their histories as Order Members covering, between them, the four decades of the Order's existence. There will be an opportunity afterwards to raise issues and points for discussion in small groups led by the speakers.
Future Sangha Night activities to be confirmed.
OR
Introductory meditation – with SarahaSuitable for newcomers.
24 February: Start of 6-week meditation course
OR
Intensive meditation – with RatnameghaSuitable for experienced meditators. Every Tuesday
Women's Foundation Course
At Birmingham Buddhist Centre
Open to all women in the Midlands who have learned both the Mindfulness of Breathing and the Metta Bhavana meditation practices, and are interested at looking a little deeper into Buddhism.
Please contact Asokasuri on 01527 520 108 if you wish to come along.
Monday Evenings at 7pm
On Monday March 9th Bodhaniya will be holding individual meditation discussion/reviews for women. Spaces available are: 6.10, 6.30, 6.50, 7.30, and 7.50 pm. To book a time please contact Bodhaniya on 07508 609 648.
Sutton Coldfield Group
One-Month Break
This group is currently on a break until Wednesday 18th March. Classes will then run every week until 15th July.
Yoga Events...
Saturday Morning Yoga Workshops
A series of morning workshops to further explore your yoga practice.
Suitable for those with at least 12 months experience
Saturday 28th February
Saturday 14th March
Saturday 28th March
10am - 1pm
£12 (or £9 concession)
8-Week Introductory Yoga Course
Offering a complete progressive introduction to Iyengar Yoga.
Thursdays, 12th March - 30th April
6pm - 7.15pm
£45 (£35 concession) for the whole course - To be paid in full in advance
Suitable for complete beginners
Easter Friday Yoga Day
Suitable for those with 6 months experience of yoga Light lunch provided
Friday 10th April 10am - 4pm£25 (£20 concession) May Bank Holiday Yoga Workshops
Saturday 2nd May, 10am - 4pmSunday 3rd May, 10am - 4pm£25 (£20 concession)
Monday 4th May, 10am - 1pm£15 (£12 concession) £55 for all three workshops (£45 concession)
All workshops suitable for those with 6 months experience of yogaA light lunch will be provided on all three days
Bell ringing at Avon Dassett
Bell ringers from Warwickshire took part in the 40th Birthday Celebrations of the Churches Conservation Trust last Saturday with ringers at Avon Dassett Church (see bottom picture) contributing to the joyous sound which rang out around the country.
Ringers pictured, from left to right are Graham Nabb, Robin Green & Sue Marshall.
Birthday Bells were heard across England on Saturday 21 February as over 70 Churches chimed together for the Birthday Bells Appeal, the start of the nationwide, year long 40th birthday celebrations of the Churches Conservation Trust, the national charity that cares for England’s finest historic churches no longer required for regular worship.
See our earlier post on Spaghetti Gazetti at:
Or visit the Trust’s website for more information:
Birmingham joins Great Trade Debate during Fairtrade Fortnight
23 February – 8 March 2009
Birmingham will host a trade debate entitled: Fairtrade futures: can Fairtrade transform global trade? at the Birmingham Hippodrome, on 2 March, as part of Fairtrade Fortnight in the West Midlands. Speakers taking part will be: Gareth Thomas, Minister for Trade and Development; Rob Cameron, Chief Executive Officer, Fairtrade Labelling Organisation International; Paul Chandler, Chief Executive Officer, Traidcraft; and Alex Cole, Cadbury’s Global Corporate Affairs Director.
The trade debate will explore the effects of the crisis on small-scale producers and their role in responding to the crisis. They’ll also discuss new research on the impact of the global food crisis for small-scale farmers entitled: The global food crisis and Fairtrade: Small farmers, Big solutions? 5.
This year’s Fairtrade Fortnight, themed Make it happen. Choose Fairtrade, looks set to be bigger and better than ever before with many activities around the West Midlands including banana eating events, Fairtrade producer talks and a Fairtrade wine-tasting event at the University of Birmingham. For a list of this year’s activities or to take part, download an action guide go to www.fairtrade.org.uk
Zoe Pflaeger, from the Fairtrade Association Birmingham says; ‘Birmingham has been a Fairtrade city since November 2005 and we have many community groups, faith groups, schools and universities taking part in activities this year. Now more than ever we are asking people to support Fairtrade and help producers in developing countries because change is still not happening nearly quickly enough for the millions of the world’s poorest farmers who remain trapped in trade poverty.’
One of the highlights of this year’s campaign will be a 24-hour world record attempt for the number of people simultaneously eating a Fairtrade banana across the UK. The mass banana eating will take place between noon on Friday 6 and noon on Saturday 7 March. Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery are hosting a banana themed afternoon tea on 6 March from midday onwards at the Edwardian tea rooms. Sutton Coldfield Town Hall are holding a banana extravaganza on 6 March from 2pm – 4pm. People will be invited to take part in the world record and entertainment will include Bollywood dancers and a steel band. Other banana events are also happening in the region. For a list of all events or to register to take part go to www.fairtrade.org.uk/gobananas/
This year’s theme of Fairtrade Fortnight reflects the urgency of expanding Fairtrade to benefit more farmers and their dependents in the developing world. During the current global economic crisis, the need to expand Fairtrade is more important than ever. People in developing countries, who typically spend over 50% of their income on food, are the most severely affected by rising global food costs. Many producers are also facing rising production costs as the price of fuel and other inputs soar.
Debate speaker Gareth Thomas, Minister for Trade and Development said: ‘It is encouraging to see that even when customers are feeling the pinch, one area where people are not willing to compromise is on supporting developing countries through their shopping. Shoppers in Birmingham are really lucky to have such a wide selection of places where they can buy Fairtrade goods. “It is especially important that people continue to use their purchasing power to help developing countries at this time of global economic crisis. Shoppers in Birmingham can still make a big difference with their shopping.’
Fairtrade Fortnight is the Fairtrade Foundation’s annual campaign call to people in the UK to promote awareness of Fairtrade and buy products carrying the FAIRTRADE Mark. Fairtrade Fortnight 2009 will bring together producers, campaigners, retailers, licensees and NGOs around the country to highlight global inequality and promote Fairtrade, which benefits 7.5 million people – farmers, workers and their families – who live in impoverished rural communities in the developing world.
Once again this year, farmers from will tour separate locations around the England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. The Co-operative will be hosting a visit by coffee producer Rosa Helena Lopez De Soto from the Aquadas Co-operative in Columbia who will be visiting the Annual Business and Enterprise Conference at the Belfry, Wishaw on 6 March. She will talk about the potential of Fairtrade to make a difference to global poverty with a view to inspiring people in their roles as both consumers and citizens. To find out where the producers will be, go to www.fairtrade.org.uk/get_involved/news_events.
Companies are also planning to go bananas for the campaign. Tesco’s, Waitrose, Asda and Sainsbury’s will invite their customers to Go Fairtrade bananas! with a specially designed sticker placed onto all their bagged Fairtrade bananas.
Harriet Lamb, CEO of the Fairtrade Foundation says: ‘The Fairtrade Foundation’s message for Fairtrade Fortnight 2009 is that, while sales of Fairtrade products and awareness of Fairtrade has been growing apace in recent years, the challenge now is to urgently scale up the reach and impact of Fairtrade so that by working together, we can succeed in tipping the balance of trade in favour of marginalized farmers and producers. Fairtrade Fortnight is an opportunity for us do something too by holding events at work, at home or in the community.’
The FAIRTRADE Mark is now recognised by 70% of people in the UK, and more than 4,500 food, drink and clothing items as well as other goods have now been certified Fairtrade. The value of UK Fairtrade sales has grown more than tenfold since 2001, reaching £700 million in 2008. But we still have a long way to go to make trade fair. Two billion people – a third of humanity – work hard to support themselves yet still struggle to survive on $2 per day or less.
Birmingham will host a trade debate entitled: Fairtrade futures: can Fairtrade transform global trade? at the Birmingham Hippodrome, on 2 March, as part of Fairtrade Fortnight in the West Midlands. Speakers taking part will be: Gareth Thomas, Minister for Trade and Development; Rob Cameron, Chief Executive Officer, Fairtrade Labelling Organisation International; Paul Chandler, Chief Executive Officer, Traidcraft; and Alex Cole, Cadbury’s Global Corporate Affairs Director.
The trade debate will explore the effects of the crisis on small-scale producers and their role in responding to the crisis. They’ll also discuss new research on the impact of the global food crisis for small-scale farmers entitled: The global food crisis and Fairtrade: Small farmers, Big solutions? 5.
This year’s Fairtrade Fortnight, themed Make it happen. Choose Fairtrade, looks set to be bigger and better than ever before with many activities around the West Midlands including banana eating events, Fairtrade producer talks and a Fairtrade wine-tasting event at the University of Birmingham. For a list of this year’s activities or to take part, download an action guide go to www.fairtrade.org.uk
Zoe Pflaeger, from the Fairtrade Association Birmingham says; ‘Birmingham has been a Fairtrade city since November 2005 and we have many community groups, faith groups, schools and universities taking part in activities this year. Now more than ever we are asking people to support Fairtrade and help producers in developing countries because change is still not happening nearly quickly enough for the millions of the world’s poorest farmers who remain trapped in trade poverty.’
One of the highlights of this year’s campaign will be a 24-hour world record attempt for the number of people simultaneously eating a Fairtrade banana across the UK. The mass banana eating will take place between noon on Friday 6 and noon on Saturday 7 March. Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery are hosting a banana themed afternoon tea on 6 March from midday onwards at the Edwardian tea rooms. Sutton Coldfield Town Hall are holding a banana extravaganza on 6 March from 2pm – 4pm. People will be invited to take part in the world record and entertainment will include Bollywood dancers and a steel band. Other banana events are also happening in the region. For a list of all events or to register to take part go to www.fairtrade.org.uk/gobananas/
This year’s theme of Fairtrade Fortnight reflects the urgency of expanding Fairtrade to benefit more farmers and their dependents in the developing world. During the current global economic crisis, the need to expand Fairtrade is more important than ever. People in developing countries, who typically spend over 50% of their income on food, are the most severely affected by rising global food costs. Many producers are also facing rising production costs as the price of fuel and other inputs soar.
Debate speaker Gareth Thomas, Minister for Trade and Development said: ‘It is encouraging to see that even when customers are feeling the pinch, one area where people are not willing to compromise is on supporting developing countries through their shopping. Shoppers in Birmingham are really lucky to have such a wide selection of places where they can buy Fairtrade goods. “It is especially important that people continue to use their purchasing power to help developing countries at this time of global economic crisis. Shoppers in Birmingham can still make a big difference with their shopping.’
Fairtrade Fortnight is the Fairtrade Foundation’s annual campaign call to people in the UK to promote awareness of Fairtrade and buy products carrying the FAIRTRADE Mark. Fairtrade Fortnight 2009 will bring together producers, campaigners, retailers, licensees and NGOs around the country to highlight global inequality and promote Fairtrade, which benefits 7.5 million people – farmers, workers and their families – who live in impoverished rural communities in the developing world.
Once again this year, farmers from will tour separate locations around the England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. The Co-operative will be hosting a visit by coffee producer Rosa Helena Lopez De Soto from the Aquadas Co-operative in Columbia who will be visiting the Annual Business and Enterprise Conference at the Belfry, Wishaw on 6 March. She will talk about the potential of Fairtrade to make a difference to global poverty with a view to inspiring people in their roles as both consumers and citizens. To find out where the producers will be, go to www.fairtrade.org.uk/get_involved/news_events.
Companies are also planning to go bananas for the campaign. Tesco’s, Waitrose, Asda and Sainsbury’s will invite their customers to Go Fairtrade bananas! with a specially designed sticker placed onto all their bagged Fairtrade bananas.
Harriet Lamb, CEO of the Fairtrade Foundation says: ‘The Fairtrade Foundation’s message for Fairtrade Fortnight 2009 is that, while sales of Fairtrade products and awareness of Fairtrade has been growing apace in recent years, the challenge now is to urgently scale up the reach and impact of Fairtrade so that by working together, we can succeed in tipping the balance of trade in favour of marginalized farmers and producers. Fairtrade Fortnight is an opportunity for us do something too by holding events at work, at home or in the community.’
The FAIRTRADE Mark is now recognised by 70% of people in the UK, and more than 4,500 food, drink and clothing items as well as other goods have now been certified Fairtrade. The value of UK Fairtrade sales has grown more than tenfold since 2001, reaching £700 million in 2008. But we still have a long way to go to make trade fair. Two billion people – a third of humanity – work hard to support themselves yet still struggle to survive on $2 per day or less.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)