Guides & Brownies Celebrate 100 Years of Guiding

On Wednesday 20th October 2010 over half a million girls and women across the country were celebrating the end of their 100 year Guiding celebrations. Two Brownies packs based in Castle Bromwich and one from Water Orton joined the 1st Castle Bromwich Guides and Senior Section to make this special night one to remember. The night started with a disco and then all the girls renewed their promises at 20:10. All guiding groups in the country renewed their promise at exactly the same time, 20:10 on the 20th October 2010 which was 20:10 20/10/2010.

In 1910 Baden-Powell, the founder of Scouts, formed the Girls Guides and asked his sister Agnes to look after the group. This was due to a small number of girls joining a Scouting Rally announcing that they wanted to be Girl Scouts, but when he founded the group he decided they should have a separate identity, allowing them to work for self-development independently. Since the group began millions of girls across the world have made their Guide promise. Today there are ten million girls and women involved in Guiding across the world.

Over the past 12 months Brownies and Guides around the world have been taking part in numerous activities to celebrate the first 100 years of Guiding. In June hundreds of girls from across Warwickshire were invited to attend a Picnic in The Park, with entertainment from singers and dancers across the region along face painting and cake stands. In August over a thousand girls from all over the world gathered for the Centenary Camp, Arden 2010. During the week groups from America, Japan and Australia amongst other places came together to share their Guiding experiences and traditions and to commemorate the centenary with a party night.

If you are interested in Girlguiding please contact 0800 1695901.

This article was written by Gemma Seedhouse as part of her Adult Leadership Qualification.

UK release of New British Asian feature film ‘LIFE GOES ON’

BRITISH FEATURE FILM ‘LIFE GOES ON’ TO ANNOUNCE UK CINEMA AND CD SOUNDTRACK RELEASE WITH ACCLAIMED INDIAN ACTORS OM PURI, SHARMILA TAGORE , SOHA ALI KHAN AND BOLLYWOOD SINGER ABHIJIT BHATTACHARYA IN ATTENDANCE

Storm Glass Productions (UK), SD Films LLP and Miracle Communications are proud to announce the UK release of New British Asian feature film ‘LIFE GOES ON’ by debut writer/director Sangeeta Datta.

There will be a Press Screening on Thursday 4th November from 3-5pm followed by a Q and A led by Journalist and Author Yasmin Alibhai-Brown (The Independent) with the Director and Lead Cast members Om Puri, Sharmila Tagore and Soha Ali Khan from 5-6pm at 15-17 Charlotte Street Hotel, Charlotte St, London, W1T 1RJ. Famous Bollywood playback singer, Abhijit Bhattacharya will be present at the event, which will close with the launch of the soundtrack for the film.

Regional Premieres of ‘Life Goes On’ are scheduled to take place in Birmingham (14th Nov 2010) Leicester (20th Nov 2010) and London (Nov 2010 tba) followed by a nationwide theatrical release in Jan 2011 distributed by Miracle Communications.

‘Life Goes On’ is a multi-cultural adaptation of Shakespeare’s famous ‘King Lear’, set in contemporary British Asian context. The film features a well known star cast from India headed by acclaimed international actor Om Puri (East Is East, City of Joy, Charlie Wilson’s War), revered Indian writer, playwright and actor Girish Karnad (Samsakara, Pukar, Iqbal), legendary Bollywood actress Sharmila Tagore (Apur Sansar, Aradhana, Eklavya) acting opposite her daughter Soha Ali Khan (Rang De Basanti, Tum Mile) for the first time.

Also, part of the cast are British newcomers Rez Kempton, Neerja Naik, Chris Hatherall, Mukulika Banerjee and Misha Crosby.

Outstanding young British Asian music talent, Soumik Datta, has composed the soundtrack for the film collaborating with top Bollywood lyricist Javed Akhtar, singer/songwriter Fiona Bevan, Bollywood playback singer Abhijit Bhattacharya and singer Reena Bhardwaj. The film marks the 150th anniversary of the Bengali Nobel Prize winner Rabindranath Tagore and uses Tagore’s songs as a tribute. These have been translated for first time into Hindi by Javed Akhtar.

‘Life Goes On’ is the first feature film by Writer and Director Sangeeta Datta (Associate Director of Brick Lane, The Last Lear, Choker Bali; The Raincoat). Managing Director of Stormglass Productions, Datta is also known as a film historian, lecturer, critic and documentary filmmaker. Her film, ‘The Way I See It’ on Indian female filmmakers was received to critical acclaim. ‘Life Goes On’ has travelled to film festivals Marche Du Film and Cannes Film Festival and has won Best Feature Film award at the prestigious Pravasi Film Festival, India and the Audience Appreciation Award at the Tongues on Fire Film Festival, London 2010.

Shot on location in and around London and also in Kolkota, ‘Life Goes On’ tells the story of a grief stricken British Bengali doctor who struggles to cope with his three daughters after his wife’s unexpected death. The drama explores their relationship and unfolds over five days leading up to the funeral. A series of events also leads the main protagonist, a Hindu, to face the demons of his past and his old and unspoken prejudice against Muslims. A cross generational family drama with an emotional narrative, ‘Life Goes On’ is ideal for family viewing.

View the trailer and more info on the film at http://www.lifegoeson.info/

Attached is an E-Brochure with full cast Biogs, Synopsis and Images.

Governance, Enterprise and Leadership Training from BVSC

The Social Enterprise Factory


Machine your social enterprise idea and business plan in just one day on the social enterprise assembly line!

Tuesday 16th November 2010 9.00am-3.30pm Bridge Street Sports Centre Leominster

To book your place call Emma Taylor on 01432 260652 etaylor1@herefordshire.gov.uk 
 
 

Local woman wins hospital award

Betty Alcock receivs her award from Charlie Jodan

A Castle Bromwich woman who has worked for many years with bereaved families has won an award from Birmingham’s leading hospitals trust.

Betty Allcock last night won the Member of the Year Award at the University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust’s (UHB) annual awards at the Barber Institute of Fine Arts on Thursday night.

The awards recognise excellence at UHB, which is in the top 10 per cent of hospitals trusts in England, and Joan is a perfect example of how important volunteers are in the running of the NHS.

Betty has been described as one of the most dedicated members and volunteers for the work she does to support patients and their families, particularly with bereaved families.

But she admitted she was stunned even to be shortlisted: “When I found out I was really shocked, because I know all those folk who nominated me and they’re such brilliant people.”

“I’ve been involved here since 1993 and I love it – it really is wonderful to get this award.”

She received her award from Birmingham’s former Poet Laureate, Charlie Jordan.

Betty was nominated for her award by Associate Director of Patient Affairs Carol Rawlings, who praised her energy and enthusiasm: “Betty has been a member and a volunteer with us for many years and started with us as one of our very first welcomers at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital.

“She then went on to work in the Bereavement Care Office, where she still supports bereaved families today.

“Betty has also worked with our Patient and Carer Council and with the many sub groups. She’s provided a huge amount of help with way in which we have developed our patient experience.”

Age UK Solihull launch 8th thro 14th November

Soon Age Concern Solihull will become Age UK Solihull following the merger of the two charities. To launch our new identity we will be having a shop in Touchwood Shopping Centre from Monday 8th through Sunday 14th November. We are very pleased with the positive response from our local politicians. During the week we will be visited by both local MPs and the Lord Mayor. Caroline Spelman will be visiting us on Friday 12th at 10.30am, Lorely Burt on Saturday 13th at 11.00am and the Lord Mayor of Solihull (date/time TBA). We also expect to be visited by Solihull councillors during the week.

We will be offering free information services, a number of activities and a strong appeal for volunteers and supporters. We will also have help from local FE College students.

The whole issue of the older generation is a key issue both locally and nationally. In the coming year we will be confronting a number of major challenges. Solihull has the highest percentage of older people in the West Midlands. The introduction of personal care budgets requires all charities to rethink their approach. Couple this with government spending cuts and the need for people to work longer.

We are committed to building a community (Big Society?) response to these issues and have already made some new initiatives

Bridging the generation gap through gaining support from local colleges and schools

Researching the best way to crystallise the value of the older community.

Engaging international MBA students in this research program via Warwick Business School

Building relationships with local businesses based on value exchange
 
More information please contact:
 
Brian Bennett

Director/Trustee
Age Concern Solihull
Tel: 0121 243 1839

How Best Can We Prevent And Reduce Homelessness And Improve The Lives Of Those People Who Do Become Homeless

This CPPS seminar brings together key figures from across sectors in the important debate on how policies of the new Coalition Government can tackle the challenges of eliminating the scourge of homelessness. How should all stakeholders modify their approaches to meet the agenda and expectations of the new Government?


The day encourages brief, focussed presentations followed by engaged discussion by all attending in a relaxed setting. It is hoped that it will make a valuable contribution to taking forward policy and practice on the issues.

TAKING FORWARD POLICIES OF THE NEW COALITION GOVERNMENT

What are the policies of the new Coalition Government on tackling homelessness?

How best can we eradicate rough sleeping by 2012?

How will the cross-ministerial group tackle homelessness?

How are all councils in England proving information on rough sleepers?

What is the true scale of the problem that we face locally?

What does the future hold for the Supporting People Funding?

How can the third sector stop people from becoming homeless?

What impact will the proposed housing benefit reforms have?

How best can charities, councils, housing associations and others work in partnership to effectively tackle homelessness?

How best can we build on the talents of each individual and inspire them to have more confidence?

How can we help them make the journey out of homelessness forever?

How are we identifying and targeting 'hidden homelessness'?

How can we close the door on routes into homelessness?

How are we tackling the causes of homelessness?

How are we addressing domestic violence which accounts for 13% of homelessness acceptances?

How best can we identify and focus on those most at risk of homelessness?

How can we address the complex and multiple health needs of homeless people?

What can we learn from the Scottish experience?

How best can we identify, target, prevent and address the needs of homeless children, young and older people?

Where can we hope to be in 10 years?

Read More...

MIDLANDS’ SMALL BUSINESSES UP FOR THE FIGHT

Grad Central believe the latest national report into the role small to medium sized enterprises (SMEs) in the Midlands are playing in boosting economic recovery is testament to the region’s fight and determination to tackle the recession head-on.

The survey, published this week by Barclays Business Regional Impact Index and Kingston University, revealed that SMEs in the Midlands plan to generate the highest number of new private sector jobs over the next year.

The Index showed that employers in the Midlands, which had annual sales of less than £5m, will on average increase their workforces from 49 to 62 people in sectors where the region is particularly strong, including professional services, IT, manufacturing and retailing. Research also highlighted that firms in Central England have seen the greatest increase in turnover since the beginning of the economic crisis and that the Midlands is the most bullish of regions on future job creation.

Lucy Cheatham, marketing director at Grad Central, commented: “Over the last few years, the Midlands has had to deal with a lot of extremely negative publicity, particularly when the region was named as having the highest unemployment figures in the UK. However, despite being hit the hardest by the recession, the fact that we are recovering more quickly than others shows how important the contribution of SMEs is in boosting the region’s economic recovery.

“At Grad Central, we have been saying for over 12 months now that the outlook isn’t as bleak as some experts have been making out. This has been based on the fact that the businesses we have been working with throughout the crisis have still been actively recruiting graduates. The good news is demand for recently qualified and more experienced graduates is constantly growing, with many businesses recognising the value that graduate talent can bring to their company is a major advantage.”

As part its ongoing commitment to help clients find the right graduates to help their business grow, Grad Central has recently launched its new Jobs Board. The completely unique service gives any business the opportunity to advertise their graduate vacancies free of charge to a highly focused pool of local graduate job seekers.

Continued Lucy: “The Jobs Board compliments our traditional recruitment service, where our expert consultants will continue to work with businesses every step of the way to fulfil their recruitment needs. However, for those recruiters that want more hands-on involvement, this new service gives them a quick and simple way of raising their employer brand and promoting their jobs and graduate schemes. Grad Central has over 30,000 graduates registered and around 18,000 visitors to our website each month, giving businesses access to a wide range of skills dependant on their needs.”

For further information or to register your details with Grad Central, visit http://www.grad-central.co.uk/ or phone 01675 461500.

Police, Probation, Prison and local agencies (MAPPA) working to protect the public

Public protection remains at the heart of multi-agency working with sexual and violent offenders across Staffordshire and the West Midlands.

The annual reports from the Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA) Strategic Management Boards published today outlines the work undertaken by a range of agencies in managing individuals who commit sexual and violent crimes. The essence of successful work with this group of offenders is the continuing professional commitment from a wide range of agencies that come together to share information and plan for the management of individual offenders released in to the community.

The Ministry of Justice has published details of all MAPPA reports on its website supported by a national statistical bulletin. The bulletin sets out a snapshot of the number of all categories and levels of offender managed under MAPPA, including the number of registered sexual offenders.

Staffordshire & West Midlands Probation Trust Chief Executive Mike Maiden said:

“We place great value and importance on our work with partner agencies and local communities to jointly manage and reduce the risk that individuals may pose. The Trust remains committed to ensuring this work is resourced appropriately to make communities safer at these times of public sector expenditure review.”

Assistant Chief Constable Jane Sawyers of Staffordshire Police, said:

"Robust measures are in place throughout Staffordshire to protect the public and victims, to reduce offending and to rehabilitate offenders.

"Protecting vulnerable people is a key priority for Staffordshire Police and our partners. The report outlines recent changes that have taken place to further this, such as the new Child Sex Offender Disclosure Scheme.

"The chance of becoming a victim of sexual crime in Staffordshire remains very small, and the re-offending rate of serious offenders is extremely low."

Detective Chief Superintendent Gareth Morgan of West Midlands Police, said:

“The management of violent offenders and sex offenders remains a critical area of business for West Midlands Police and we will continue to work closely with partner agencies to ensure our communities are protected.

“We recognise this is a sensitive area of policing and one that concerns the public but the robust management arrangements we have in place aim to minimise the risk posed to the public from this group of offenders.

“The MAPPA Support Team plays a vital role in helping us protect the most vulnerable in our society. Based at police headquarters, this dedicated team of police and probation staff aims to support locally based violent and sex offender managers, offering a single point of contact on all MAPPA issues, maintaining and updating the violent and sex offender register and sign posting to relevant outside agencies.”

Additional information:

This is the ninth year in which annual reports by the 42 Responsible Areas in England and Wales have been published, following the implementation of MAPPA in 2001.

The MAPPA Annual Reports for Staffordshire and the West Midlands are available online at:

www.SWMprobation.gov.uk/?page_id=368

The National Statistical Bulletin is available online at:

www.justice.gov.uk/publications/mappa-annual-reports.htm

Contact:

Gavin Pearce, Senior Communications Officer for Staffordshire and West Midlands Probation Trust, on 0121 248 6668.

FUNDING NEWS: Social Enterprise Business Development Grants

Business Link West Midlands is looking to support established social enterprises in the West Midlands region with a business development grant. The objective of the grant is to increase the commercial viability of social enterprises in the region.
They can support a small number of grant applications and expect to be fully contracted for this programme by November.

To qualify, social enterprises need to meet the social enterprise definition used by Business Link West Midlands.

A grant value of £1500+VAT is available for business development projects.

Further information on the grant is available from Razia Bibi who can be contacted by telephone on 0121 569 0703 or by email:

socialenterprise@businesslinkwm.co.uk  

All grant applicants will receive a business review conducted by one of Business Link’s Business Advisers.

Coffee Morning - Ideal For All, Sandwell

Want to know more about how the police work with disabled people? Got any concerns about policing in Sandwell?

Have Your Say on Community Safety


with special guest:


Inspector Gill Munslow

At: Independent Living Centre, 100 Oldbury Road, Smethwick B66 1JE


Date: Thursday 4th November

Time: 10.30am to 12 midday

(speaker at 11am)

Tea, coffee, cold drinks and biscuits available.

Contact Ideal for All on 0121 558 5555 for more information.

THE WAR OF THE WORLDS – ALIVE ON STAGE!

JASON DONOVAN, ATOMIC KITTEN’S LIZ McCLARNON AND XFACTOR’s RHYDIAN, JOIN MOODY BLUES’ JUSTIN HAYWARD TO STAR IN



JEFF WAYNE’S MUSICAL VERSION OF


THE WAR OF THE WORLDS – ALIVE ON STAGE!

“Dazzling…I felt a shiver of excitement...” - Daily Telegraph

“Fabulous” - The Times

“Simply Epic!” - The Sun

“…Who could ask for more…” - Evening Standard

“…Thoroughly entertaining.” “Truly impressive” - BBC News

“Mind- Melting, Multi-Media Extravaganza” - The West Australian

Back by phenomenal demand, Jeff Wayne’s Musical Version of The War of The Worlds - Alive on Stage! is set to return to major arena’s around the UK and Europe in 2010/2011.

Following the hugely successful and critically acclaimed sell-out arena tours in 2006, 2007 and 2009, singing and acting sensation Jason Donovan, Atomic Kitten’s Liz McClarnon, X-Factor’s Rhydian and Moody Blues’ Justin Hayward Manfred Mann’s Earth Band’s Chris Thompson and Ivor Novello award winning composer and producer of the show, Jeff Wayne will star in the highly anticipated new production which will be invading the UK and Europe from November 2010, through January 2011.

Jeff Wayne will once again be conducting the 10-piece Black Smoke Band and 36-piece ULLAdubULLA Strings.

Jason Donovan said “As a big fan of Jeff Wayne I feel so proud to be part of The War of The Worlds. I grew up listening to this album so it’s very special to be performing one of the main roles. The Artilleryman is a really key character and it lets me explore both the actor and singer within me. Everything about this show is spectacular. I cannot believe I will really be performing live on the same stage as an eleven foot high hologram of Richard Burton, giant screens, a Martian Fighting Machine, a band, an orchestra and of course Jeff. What a show!”

Jeff comments: “I’m most excited about Jason and Liz joining our newest production of The War of The Worlds - Alive on Stage! Having worked with them both in my studio, developing their roles, I know they will bring their own individual magic to the character of The Artilleryman, and Beth, the wife of Parson Nathaniel.

And it is also very special for me and all TWOTW team to know that Justin Hayward will once again be returning as The Sung Thoughts of The Journalist. Justin is a remarkable artist who is amongst the few, from any genre of music, who have spanned such a long and successful career both as lead singer with the Moody Blues and as a solo artist.”

The 2010-11 production is shaping up to be the most innovative and exciting yet, with a range of new ingredients, including an ensemble of specialty performers who will add new dimension to the unfolding of HG Wells’ visionary story. Groundbreaking technology featured in the production includes:

• Live Performance by 46 musicians on stage and five guest artists

• 11-foot high 3D photo-real floating hologram of Richard Burton, In Sight and Sound, as George Herbert, The Journalist

• 3-tonne, 35-foot tall Martian Fighting Machine firing new and improved real flame Heat Rays at the audience & scanning them with its bug-like eyes. For the first time, a member of the cast will be incinerated on stage right in front of the audience's eyes!!

• 100-foot wide by 25 foot high screen projecting a cutting edge CGI-animated movie in sync with the show and its live performances - brand new film created for the 2010 Tour!

• Special Effects including two spectacular Illusions never attempted in arenas – a Levitation by the World of Illusion and a Vanishing Act by illusionists The Twins

• Pyrotechnics, leaf drops, and Flame Effects

• Mixed live in Surround Sound to heighten the audience’s interactive experience!

The album originally released in June 1978 features a ground-breaking blend of prog rock, electronic instrumentation and classical orchestration, as well as a spell-binding narration by Richard Burton and outstanding performances by some of the biggest artists of the 70s, including David Essex, Justin Hayward, Phil Lynott and Julie Covington.

The album has enjoyed huge success and critical acclaim across the globe with some 15 million records sold, spending over 330 weeks in the UK Album Chart (to date) plus achieving two International hit singles ‘The Eve of The War’ and ‘Forever Autumn’.

It has also won two prestigious UK Ivor Novello Awards, and the US Best Recording in Science Fiction and Fantasy - the judges having included Alfred Hitchcock, Steven Spielberg and George Lucas. Additionally, n 2007, Jeff won Classic Rock’s ‘Showman of The Year’ Award.

Jeff Wayne’s Musical Version of The War of The Worlds has grown into a true classic, garnering new generations of devoted followers, whilst inspiring the faithful listeners from the past decades.

The War of The Worlds - Alive on Stage! 2010-2011 is a thrilling and entertaining multi-media extravaganza – one not to be missed!


Thu 09 December – BIRMINGHAM NIA

TICKETS: On-Sale now http://www.thewaroftheworlds.com/ and also from all well known ticket sales websites.

Access grants for voluntary, community and faith groups in Aston

Community, Voluntary and Faith based organisations in Aston



Are Your Services Accessible to Disabled People?

Would your service provision be enhanced by a capital grant of up to £7,000 to improve access for disabled residents?

Birmingham Disability Resource Centre is working closely with Aston Pride to widen the participation of all Aston residents in education, learning, access to employment, health, cultural and other core services.

Come along to our training and information event and find out more:

Why access is important to your service users

How to identify barriers in your services

How to apply for capital funding from this project

November 11th 2010

10.30am - 3.30pm

The Sports Pavilion, Aston Hall Park, B6
(Entrance to driveway on Witton Lane)

To book a place call Pete Millington / Kay Maguire on 0121 789 7365

or email pmillington@disability.co.uk

Pete Millington

Information & PR Manager
Birmingham Disability Resource Centre
Bierton road
Yardley
Birmingham B25 8PQ

Voice: 0121 789 7365
Minicom: 0121 789 9230
Fax: 0121 785 0104

Email: pmillington@disability.co.uk
Website: http://www.disability.co.uk/

National survey shows major drop in music lending at public libraries

Lending of music CDs at UK libraries has plummeted by 42 per cent in the last five years, according to the latest survey from the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA).

CIPFA’s annual survey of public libraries across the UK shows that library music issues has dropped from 8.4m in 2005-06 to 4.9m in 2009-10 - a drop of 42 per cent.

Book issues over the same period went down by just 4.2 per cent.

The survey also reveals a league table of the country’s most-visited libraries, topped by the Norfolk and Norwich Millennium library.

The Norwich-based library had 1,497,760 visitors in 2009–10, issuing 1,154,563 books and other items over twelve months. The next most visited library, Birmingham Central Library, attracted 1,452,150 visitors over the same period.

Chris Greene, CIPFA’s Head of Research and Statistics said:

“The UK’s libraries are as relevant to their communities as ever. But whilst many facilities continue to attract high visitor numbers, far fewer library users are borrowing music CDs compared to five years ago. With more people than ever downloading music from the internet, the way many people access music has changed fundamentally”.

Herefodshire County Council - Helping us to help the county’s older generation

With the percentage of the county’s population aged 85 and over due to double in around 16 years time, Herefordshire Council is carrying out a survey to establish which services for older people need bolstering.

Amid the cuts in budgets from central government, the council has vowed to protect services to vulnerable people – the survey will collect information to help it tailor these services to ensure residents are looked after in their old age.

The surveys are to be sent out to 13,000 households later this month to provide a robust assessment of needs for housing and associated services.

It is essential people send back completed surveys so the council has accurate information on which to base its decisions - the results of the survey will be used to help develop services to allow older people to live in suitable accommodation and enjoy a good quality of life.

“The survey will help identify the measures required to meet the challenges of an ageing population and will help form the basis for future planning of effective housing provision and services,” said Councillor John Jarvis, cabinet member for environment and strategic housing.

“We want to maximise the independence of vulnerable and disabled people and improve how services are delivered through more effective partnership working through links to housing, health and social care.

“We can’t look at any one of these areas in isolation,” added Cllr Jarvis.

The surveys are being targeted towards older residents (aged 50+)

“If you get one, please fill it in and send it back – it’s a case of you helping us to help you,” he added.

High Speed Rail Links - The Real Cost

Dear Mr. Millington,

HS2

The national media seem to be promoting High Speed Train links, but such enthusiasm has no basis in fact. This countries politicians merely have a new “bandwagon” on which to jump, and presumably think it is a good idea with which to “re-polish” their tarnish images. This is a very, very dangerous belief, in a country which is apparently at its’ lowest financial ebb for decades. This project is a National financial disaster waiting to happen, and could potentially cost more than the recent banking fiasco.

HS2 is suppose to link Central London with Central Birmingham, it doesn’t. It will cut London to Birmingham journey times by 40 minutes (BBC quote). HS2 quote a journey time 49-50 minutes; Virgin Trains ran a 60 minute service on existing track in the 1990s. The service now to be provided starts on the outskirts of the city of Birmingham, and runs to Old Oak Common in West London, and will require passengers to detrain and take a further 25-30 minute local journey to attain Central London. (What businessmen or travellers will want this option).

The original business case for the line was thought to be overstated and dubious by the DFT and Railtrack (who surely have a vested interest in seeing it proceed), while independent examiners were somewhat more brutal. Since that time, and having now reached October with no formal announcements as to its final form, cost cuttings have shorn HS2 of:- a central London station, a route for a direct link to that termini and a link to Heathrow Airport (but will have preparations made for the link). The governments own advisors have stated that the line is now devoid of any hope of being commercially viable due to the cost cutting.

The considerable “benefits” regarding economy, environmental issues, passenger numbers, potential growth and traffic relief have been shown to be overstated, inaccurate or false. HS2Ltd bases its financial case on estimates that are at best badly inaccurate, and some should begin “Once upon a time”.

In 2007 the government published a transport white paper which was solidly against high speed lines, stating that the concept was too expensive and too inflexible given the long build time before benefits might accrue. What has changed? The line will require annual cash injections of billions of pounds from taxpayers, just to meet losses, until all work is complete (estimates vary, but it could be 20-25 years), while if HS2Ltds’ figures are not correct or inflated (which most experts believe they are), we will be in possession of the most expensive and useless “white elephant” in British history, while projects which will make a difference to our economy will be robbed of funds.

To demonstrate the point; HS1 (Paris/South Coast UK/St. Pancras) had a reasonable financial basis, but was thought to be a little optimistic in its’ projections. It is potentially the most viable High Speed route in the UK, but HS1 has proved what happens when figures are made artificially high to prove a business case. Its trains presently carry only 50% of the projected passenger numbers and services are to be cut or trains shortened to save costs. Worse still, it is now up for sale for £1.5 billion, while it cost £6 billion to construct. The business case for HS1 was far more realistic than that for HS2!

The most expensive constructions in the project now being removed (see above) from the budget expenditure, it is not unreasonable to believe that the cost of the initial line should be greatly reduced, but advised costs are as follows:-

March 2010 (The initial budget):-

£13 billion for a High Speed link between central London and central Birmingham.

£75 billion for the rest of the UK network.

After removing the most potentially expensive items from the budget.

Estimates of cost Oct. 2010

£34billion Old Oak Common to Outer Birmingham. (Quote from MP)

Therefore by extrapolation-

£200billion (approx) for the UK Network. (This figure does not include any continuing operational losses)

We only gave the bankers £150billion and look at the mess!

If anyone believes that “It is not near me, so it won’t affect me”, and thinks their fireproof…… Think again!

Michael P Turner

THE MOST AMAZING VICTORIA CROSS STORY

Sergeant Norman Jackson VC, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve

The Victoria Cross is well known as being the highest military decoration which can be awarded for valour in the face of the enemy. But the most valuable part of any VC is the story behind it and one of the most remarkable of all Royal Air Force VC stories now lives on in the minds of the next generation of Nuneaton Air Cadets.

On the 8th October Mr Philip Wilson, local historian and County Chairman of the Warwickshire Royal British Legion visited 121 (Nuneaton) Squadron to talk to the cadets about the history behind the Warwickshire Yeomanry and his work with the regiment’s Warwick based museum.

Mr. Wilson’s presentation on the history of the Warwickshire Yeomanry was extremely informative and well received by the cadets but of all the stories he had to tell of courage and valour he left the most amazing to the end.

It was the story of the VC awarded to Sergeant Norman Jackson, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, which understandably captured the imagination of the Air Cadets. And just to make the whole story even more exciting, Philip Wilson had Sergeant Jackson’s medals with him, including the coveted VC.

Mr. Wilson told how on the night of 26 ~ 27 April 1944, when 215 Lancasters and 11 Mosquitoes raided Schweinfurt. The pathfinding aircraft inaccurately marked the target, strong headwinds upset the bombing schedule and enemy fighters incessantly attacked the bombers. Sergeant Norman Jackson RAFVR was a Lancaster flight engineer with 106 Squadron.

As Philip Wilson read out the citation published in the London Gazette on 26th October 1945 the room fell silent as everyone listened intently to the high drama of the account of Sergeant Norman Jackson’s exploit, which led to the award of the VC.

Nuneaton Air Cadets Nathan Tyson, William Mott and Mr Philip Wilson with Sergeant Norman Jackson’s medals.

The citation

In recognition of most conspicuous bravery. This airman was the flight engineer in a Lancaster bomber detailed to attack Schweinfurt on the night of 26th April 1944. Bombs were dropped successfully and the aircraft was climbing out of the target area. Suddenly it was attacked by a fighter at about 20,000 feet. The captain took evading action at once but the enemy secured many hits. A fire started near a petrol tank on the upper surface of the starboard wing, between the fuselage and the inner engine. Sergeant Jackson was thrown to the floor during the engagement. Wounds which he received from shell splinters in the right leg and shoulder were probably sustained at that time. Recovering himself, he remarked that he could deal with the fire on the wing and obtained his captain's permission to try to put out the flames.

Pushing a hand fire-extinguisher into the top of his life-saving jacket and slipping on his parachute pack, Sergeant Jackson jettisoned the escape hatch above the pilot's head. He then started to climb out of the cockpit and back along the top of the fuselage to the starboard wing. Before he could leave the fuselage his parachute pack opened and the whole canopy and rigging lines spilled into the cockpit. Undeterred, Sergeant Jackson continued. The pilot, bomb aimer and navigator gathered the parachute together and held on to the rigging lines, paying them out as the airman crawled aft. Eventually he slipped and, falling from the fuselage to the starboard wing, grasped an air intake on the leading edge of the wing. He succeeded in clinging on but lost the extinguisher, which was blown away.

By this time, the fire had spread rapidly and Sergeant Jackson was involved. His face, hands and clothing were severely burnt. Unable to retain his hold, he was swept through the flames and over the trailing edge of the wing, dragging his parachute behind. When last seen it was only partly inflated and was burning in a number of places.

Realising that the fire could not be controlled, the captain gave the order to abandon aircraft. Four of the remaining members of the crew landed safely. The captain and rear gunner have not been accounted for. Sergeant Jackson was unable to control his descent and landed heavily. He sustained a broken ankle, his right eye was closed through burns and his hands were useless. These injuries, together with the wounds received earlier, reduced him to a pitiable state. At daybreak he crawled to the nearest village, where he was taken prisoner. He bore the intense pain and discomfort of the journey to Dulag Luft with magnificent fortitude. After 10 months in hospital he made a good recovery, though his hands required further treatment and are only of limited use.

This airman's attempt to extinguish the fire and save the aircraft and crew from falling into enemy hands was an act of outstanding gallantry. To venture outside, when travelling at 200 miles an hour, at a great height and in intense cold, was an almost incredible feat. Had he succeeded in subduing the flames, there was little or no prospect of his regaining the cockpit. The spilling of his parachute and the risk of grave damage to its canopy reduced his chances of survival to a minimum. By his ready willingness to face these dangers he set an example of self-sacrifice which will ever be remembered.

Mr. Wilson then went on to explain how the Lancaster's captain, Flying Officer F. Mifflin, and the rear gunner were killed in the crash, the others spent the rest of the war as prisoners. Sergeant Jackson's astonishing experience did not become known until after the war when the members of the Lancaster's crew were repatriated. Sergeant Jackson had said nothing about his actions but the navigator, Flight Lieutenant F. Higgins, and the other surviving members of his crew unanimously recommended him for the award of the VC.

Norman Jackson was invested with his Victoria Cross by King George VI at Buckingham Palace on the 13th November 1945. Norman Jackson VC died in March 1994 and is buried in the Percy Road Cemetery, Twickenham, Middlesex.

Flight Lieutenant Paul Hincks RAFVR(T) of 121 (Nuneaton) Squadron said, “Sergeant Norman Jackson’s exploit may have been the most amazing of the war and certainly it was the most unusual I’ve ever heard. The high drama of his selfless valour still has the power to capture the imagination. Thanks to historians like Philip Wilson the story of Sergeant Norman Jackson VC still lives on in the minds of the next generation of air minded young people”.

Sergeant Norman Jackson’s Medals

Left to right:

• Victoria Cross

• 1939-45 Star

• Air Crew Europe Star

• Italy Star

• Defence Medal ( 1939-45 )

• War Medal ( 1939-45 )

• Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal ( 1953 )

• Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Medal ( 1977 )

Heats for Hip Hop Dance Championships to take place at The Dance Show

The regional qualifier taking place at the show aims to find the best dance crews from the Midlands and the North.

Hip hop crews from the Midlands and the North are encouraged to come and showcase their skills at The Dance Show taking place this December at Birmingham’s NEC.

4th December, 5pm - 5.45pm - Adults (18+)

5th December, 10am - 10.45am - Junior (7 – 12 year olds)

5th December, 5pm - 5.45pm - Varsity (13 – 17 year olds)

Following this heat, successful dancers will be invited to come and perform in London before finding out if they will be jetting off to America to compete in the world championships.

The Hip Hop Dance Championships is an open competition and the only event that qualifies UK hip hop crews to enter the world championship in America.

Hip Hop International is the founder of the US and World Hip Hop Championships. They are also the co-creators of America's Best Dance Crew.

At the world hip hop championships, held in Las Vegas at the end of July, over fifteen hundred of the world’s best street dancers perform. Here they compete to win the title of world’s best crew, international bragging rights and $20,000 in cash prizes.

If you would like to come and watch the show please book online at http://www.battleoftheshires.com/ and quote code HHI

Contacts

For further information / Use of pictures / Interviews

Sarah Barns: sarah.barns@ideageneration.co.uk

Emerging talent learns all the moves at the Belgrade Theatre, Coventry

Coventry’s Belgrade Theatre celebrates the launch of its Young Company with gritty new drama all the moves which premieres in the B2 auditorium from 4 to 13 November.

The Belgrade Young Company is the latest offshoot of the Belgrade’s Community & Education Company and comprises eight of the theatre’s most promising young performers. all the moves has been written especially for them by Theatre Absolute’s award winning playwright Chris O’Connell.

The story follows a group of young people whose lives are loosely connected as they deal with a diverse range of emotions and make important decisions that could change their lives forever.

Chris O’Connell said: “The idea of all the moves was that we never stop learning ‘the moves’ and by that I just mean ‘the walk of life’. It never ends. However, it seems to be most intense and accentuated in that changeover from childhood to adolescence.”

Justine Themen, Associate Director for the Community & Education Company and director of all the moves outlined the premise behind the creation of the Young Company. “With so many young people collaborating with the Belgrade on such a wide range of projects, the Community & Education Company is obviously confronted with a considerable display of talent in the performing arts. To help develop this talent, we have formed a Young Company, to provide opportunities for members of the C&E groups who have shown a particular ability and commitment to working in theatre and whom we feel are ready to take part in a more intensive production process.”

In addition to the Young Company the Community & Education Company continues to run a range of community arts activities for young people both at the theatre and in venues across the city. Community performances are taken out into community venues, and a targeted programme of work looks to engage the city’s Black and Minority Ethnic Communities, forming new partnerships to push forward new ways of working.

The Belgrade Youth Theatre has previously nurtured key figures in the world of acting and theatre, including Hollywood star Clive Owen, director Laurence Boswell and Chris O’Connell himself.

The opening of all the moves coincides with National Youth Work Week (1 to 7 Nov) which aims to highlight the contribution of youth work to the development of young people and to turn public attention towards the positive roles played by young people in their communities.

Tickets for all the moves are available now from the box office on 024 7655 3055 or via http://www.belgrade.co.uk/ priced £8, with concessions available.

The Alphaspaghettical Guide to the West Midlands

H is for Hay on Wye
A town for bookworms


Eighteen miles to the west of Hereford and close to the point where the River Wye enters England, lies the delightful market town of Hay-on-Wye. The town is so close to the border between Wales and England that both countries claim it as their own. Whilst Hay-on-Wye has a Herefordshire post code, it is officially just on the Welsh side of the national border (marked by the Dulais Brook which runs about 100 yards away from the remains of the old Town Wall), with the additional county border between Breckonshire and Radnorshire running through the town itself.

For the purpose of this guide and the sake of Anglo-Welsh relations, we will not assume ownership of Hay-on-Wye for England, but will instead bestow on it the title of ‘only honorary West Midlands town with a Welsh name’ (which is, incidentally, Y Gelli). But accepting that the old Town Wall of Y Gelli is as close as a stone’s throw away from being in the West Midlands, let us put aside these age-old territorial distractions and celebrate the more significant heritage of Hay-on-Wye.

For instance, whilst Hay-on-Wye has a population of around 1300 people making it small even for a rural town, in contrast it receives tens of thousands of visitors every year from all over the world, 80,000 of whom come into the town during just a single ten day period. The reason for such huge interest in the town can be summed up in just one word: bookshops.

Hay-on-Wye has 39 second hand bookshops, one of the highest concentrations of bookshops in any place in the world and particularly noteworthy considering it’s very rural position on the edge of the Brecon Beacons National Park. One might expect to find bookshop quarters in Oxford, London, Paris or Amsterdam, but it’s harder to explain why one should exist in a tiny town in the shadow of the Black Mountains and Offa’s Dyke.

Whilst Hay-on-Wye also has a long tradition of mythical characters and eccentric residents, people who themselves could have been the stuff of fiction, the bookshop ‘thing’ is a more recent phenomenon. The tradition was started by Richard Booth, known nowadays as the King of Wye, who opened the town’s first second hand bookshop in the 1960s. King Richard of Wye was also a leading personality in the launch of the annual Hay Book Festival, which has now become a large scale arts carnival sponsored by The Guardian newspaper.

For the book enthusiast, here’s a short list of some of the specialist booksellers of Hay-on-Wye:

Boz Books – specialise in Dickens and 19th century novels

C. Arden Books – specialise in fine, illustrated and academic books on natural history

Francis Edwards – specialise in rare books

Janice Bowen – specialise in books on social anthropology & tribal arts

Marijana Dworski – specialise in travel and language books

Mostly Maps – specialise in maps and atlases

Murder and Mayhem – specialise in horror fact and fiction

Rare comics and cards

The Children’s Bookshop

The Poetry Bookshop

…and there’s plenty more besides!

So wherever your nationalist allegiances may lie, you’ll find books in every language and on every subject in the quaint little shops of Hay-on-Wye. Whether you’re an ardent devourer of literary tomes or an occasional random page flicker… make a point of visiting Hay-on-Wye, aka Y Gelli, at least once in your lifetime and when you get there, make sure you get yourself a good book!

Other interesting facts about Hay on Wye:

Shot by both sides

Because of it’s strategic position on the road between Hereford and Brecon, Hay-on-Wye has been the site of numerous battles between England and Wales throughout the ages. In 1216 the English monarch King John virtually destroyed the castle of Hay and soon afterwards the Welsh leader Prince Llewellyn set fire to what remained of it. This history of being attacked by both sides over several centuries is said to have given the good people of Hay a unique duality in their character.

Other useful references used to research this page:

Guide to Rural England – The Heart of England by David Gerrard / Country Living Magazine & Travel Publishing Ltd. / 2003

Find out more at the website links below:

Hay on Wye website

Hay Festival website

The Alphaspaghettical Guide to the West Midlands

H is for Highgate, The Central Mosque

The Central Mosque in Highgate is one of Birmingham’s most well known landmarks, it was the second purpose built mosque in England and when it was built it was the largest mosque in western Europe. Every Friday about 2,600 people perform Jumma prayers at the Central Mosque and on Eid day about 16,000 people attend for prayer throughout the day. The Central Mosque is situated at 180 Belgrave Road, which is part of Birmingham’s Middle Ring Road. It was opened in 1975.

Islam is one of the main religions in Birmingham. Muslims believe in the supreme power of Allah and the religion of Islam is the complete acceptance of the teachings and guidance of God. Muslims believe they must surrender to the Will of Allah and follow the guidance offered by the Prophets of Allah, which included Abraham, Ishmael, Issac, Jacob, Moses and Jesus. But they believe that the message revealed to the last Prophet, Muhammad, is the most comprehensive and represents Islam in its complete and final form.

There are five Pillars of Islam which provide the framework of a Muslims spiritual life. These are the declaration of faith, “I bear witness that there is none worthy of worship except Allah and that Muhammad is His servant and messenger”; prayers five times a day; fasting during the month of Ramadaan; payment of 2.5% of one’s net savings as a purifying sum to the poor; and pilgrimage (Hajj) to Makkah (Mecca) at least once in a lifetime.

Muslims follow the teachings of the Qur’an (Koran), a holy book which was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad over a 23 year period and contains teachings on all aspects of morality, worship, wisdom, relationships, social justice, economics, politics, legislation and international relations. Muhammad was born in 570 A.D. in Makkah, Arabia and began teaching Islam at the age of forty. He died at the age of 63 and was buried in the city of Madinah.

The Central Mosque at Highgate has a minaret, which is a tower from which the call to prayer is traditionally made by the muezzin. When entering a mosque people should always take off their shoes, with the right foot first and should always talk softly. The Arabic and Urdu word for a mosque is masjid, meaning a ‘place of prostration’. All mosques have a place inside called the mihrab, a niche in the wall indicating the direction of Mecca. The Central Mosque was built on a traditional design with a large central dome.

Visiting the Central Mosque

Visits to the mosque should be booked in advance by telephone, email, post or in person. Preferred visit times are between 11.00 am and 2.00 pm. (Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday only)

Special – Friday, early morning or late evening - visits can be arranged on request and are subject to availability.

A usual visit to the mosque consists of the following:

Multi-media presentation about Islamic faith.

Q&A and discussion session.

A guided tour of the mosque building accompanied by a faith guide.

Observation of one of the daily or special prayer services.

Interactive activities for school children.

We usually provide snacks or treats for visitors. Please let us know if any visitors suffer from any allergies in this respect.

For primary school children, we also have special worksheets prepared about the mosque which they may take back with them. There is also free literature on Islam for all visitors.

For more information, please contact the Main Office. 0121 440 5355, Email: enquiries@centralmosque.org.uk
Other interesting facts about Islam in Birmingham:

Major areas for settlers to Britain

The main area of origin of Muslims who have settled in Britain is the North-West Frontier Province which lies between Pakistan and Northern India. Many Muslim settlers in Britain are therefore Pathans, Kashmiris, Mirpuris and people from Punjab. Many British Muslims also originate from Bangladesh and the border with Assam in north east India (Sylhet Bengalis). In more recent years, the Muslim communities from Pakistan, India and Bangladesh have been joined in Birmingham by many new communities from the middle east, the Arabian gulf area, northern and eastern Africa, Afghanistan and eastern Europe.

Find out more

Birmingham Central Mosque

BBC Religion

Islamic Literature

Sufi Trust Limited

Union of Faiths

Not talking to your neighbours? Blame the traffic

Charity Sustrans launches ‘Quality Streets’ campaign as Coventry street leads the way


People across the Midlands are being encouraged to improve where they live by demanding local authority investment in ‘Quality Streets’, where people feel safe to walk, cycle and socialise.

Government’s Big Society has ambitions of empowering communities. With this in mind, Sustrans is asking everyone to take the first step towards turning their roads into quality streets, the key element of which is a 20 mph speed limit. So Sustrans

is asking people to lobby their local councillor for slower speeds at www.quality-streets.org.uk.

Alexandra Allen, Sustrans’ expert in redesigning streets, says

“When we surveyed 2,000 individuals last year, 85 per cent of them said they faced problems from speeding traffic or nuisance parking. People feel powerless to deal with the problem: 90 per cent of those people we spoke to didn’t know how to make improvements to their street, yet 70 per cent were willing to get involved in making changes.

“People think of traffic as something that affects the physical environment - taking up space, causing noise and pollution - but its effect on our social lives may be even more profound. At its worst, traffic prevents community interaction and wellbeing. It is a part of modern life but it doesn’t have to dominate our lives and we want local authorities to make the first move towards more quality streets by lowering speed limits to 20mph in urban and residential areas.”

Over the last three years Sustrans’ work with hundreds of residents reveals that unsurprisingly people don’t like their streets being used as “rat runs”. The overwhelming majority are concerned that the street outside their front door is not safe for their children or even a place to meet and chat to friends, family and neighbours. The work has used inexpensive, cost effective re-designs aimed at minimising speeding traffic, rat-running, and anti-social behaviour. Simple ideas such as slowing down traffic using brighter reflective road surfacing, using greenery to act as natural chicanes and tidying up rubbish bins to clear pavements have all been done with minimum cost but big benefits.

In Coventry, residents of Iden Road in Hillfields, recently took part in the project to take control of their traffic and parking problems. They narrowed the entrance to their road, created art murals along the allocated parking spaces, placed sculptures and planters to break up the tarmac grey and create a better space for residents to enjoy as well as to deter speeding drivers. Images available for press.

Sylvia Wileman, an Iden Road resident, says,

“Our cul-de-sac was always being used as a quick turning circle by traffic in the area. By narrowing the entrance to the street, that doesn’t really happen now and any cars driving into it are much slower and more careful. Local children do play outside more now and residents really enjoyed coming together to make our street better for those that live in it. We hope that newly found sense of community continues.”

In the streets where such changes have happened residents now feel much safer, with their fear of traffic greatly reduced. Their streets have become more pedestrian friendly, half of residents agreeing that traffic speeds have been reduced and 36 per cent saying they’d be happy to let their children play outdoors, compared to just 9% before the changes were made.

The changes are also improving quality of life and bringing people together, with 40 per cent of residents now socialising much more with their neighbours, and 67 per cent enjoying being outside their front door because it is now a greener more pleasant environment.

Visit http://www.quality-streets.org.uk/ before the end of February, 2011 to lobby your local councillor.

Further information about Sustrans, including other news releases and detailed online route mapping, is available through our website: http://www.sustrans.org.uk/

Volunteers championing at the bit to help recycling in Stafford

A dozen local people have signed up to help increase the amount recycled in Stafford Borough.

The 12 have volunteered to join forces with Stafford Borough Council to be the area’s first ever ‘Recycling Champions.’

Last year the borough was named one of the ‘most improved recyclers’ in the country. Now the council wants to increase its recycling rates - as well as reducing the amount thrown away in the borough.

The ‘champions’ will help spread new information on recycling and waste minimising initiatives. And they will also be available to fellow residents who need advice on recycling.

The present waste collection service was introduced two years ago and since then nearly half of all the borough’s household waste is recycled - reducing the amount of rubbish being disposed of by an extra 9,000 tonnes.

And recent improvements mean blue recycling bins can be used for foil, waxed cartons (for example Tetra Paks,) clingfilm, aerosols and plastic bags, as well as glass, cans, cardboard, plastic bottles and food containers. The bin’s inner caddy is used for paper and magazines. The brown bins are for cut grass, hedge clippings and other garden waste while the green bins are for household rubbish which cannot be recycled.

The council, and its waste contractor Biffa, have also teamed up with European Textile Recycling to help borough residents get rid of their old clothes and shoes through the Dial-a-Bag scheme.

The ‘Champions’ met with council officers last week (Friday 22 October) to find out more about what goes on with recycling across the borough and what their new voluntary roles will be.

Councillor Stan Highfield, cabinet member for Environment and Health, said: “I was pleased so many people have come forward to help the community do its bit for the environment.

“We are proud that the new recycling scheme we put in place over two years ago now has been very well received by our residents and got us noticed on a national level for the improvements we made.

“I hope we can now go from strength to strength with the help of our champion volunteers.”

For more information on recycling www.staffordbc.gov.uk/wasteandrecycling, email info@staffordbc.gov.uk  or call 01785 619402.

New CIC specific website launched today

We are pleased to announce that our new website showcasing some of our work within the Community and Voluntary sector is now live.


The new website sits alongside our commercial heritage website and both can be accessed from the same page.

New case studies, sector specific information and other updates will be added on a regular basis.

Please click the link below and take a look at the new site now.

http://www.adp-projects.com/

Spend a Little or Pay a Lot!

A new social enterprise which aims to help organisations and businesses to make their services more accessible to disabled people is being launched this Friday in Birmingham city centre.

‘Accessible Media Information’, a social enterprise, is holding a launch event at the Library Theatre Birmingham on Friday 29th October 2010 at 10.30 am.

Accessible Media Information, under the umbrella of the Birmingham Disability Resource Centre, with funding from Be Birmingham, will meet the needs of businesses and other service providers of providing information in an accessible form, which will comply with the Equality Act 2010.

Clive Mason of Accessible Media Information said:

“The Act combines all anti-discrimination law, but also introduces new measures whilst tightening up other areas. More organisations will need to comply or risk legal action! This would be extremely costly and time consuming”

“Accessible Media Information has a range of measures and services to ensure that this won’t happen! By working with Accessible Media Information, organisations will be able to save themselves time and expense”.

Louise Simmons, who is Chief Executive of Birmingham Disability Resource Centre, said:

“This is a very exciting new enterprise which will support organisations to understand their legal commitment to making services accessible whilst also helping them to achieve good practice. We invite service providers in the city to attend out launch event to find out more”.

For more information contact Clive Mason at the BDRC on 0121 789 7365 or by e-mail at cmason@disability.co.uk.

Birmingham Disability Resource Centre
Bierton Road, Yardley, Birmingham. B25 8PQ.

Voice:0121 789 7365, Minicom: 0121 789 9230, Fax: 0121 758 0104

Email; bdrc@disability.co.uk, or clive@accessibility4all.co.uk

web: http://www.disability.co.uk/ or http://www.accessibility4all.co.uk/

Launch of a new social enterprise around accessible media

Access grants in Aston for third sector groups

Community, Voluntary and Faith based organisations in Aston

Are Your Services Accessible to Disabled People?

Would your service provision be enhanced by a capital grant of up to £7,000 to improve access for disabled residents?

Birmingham Disability Resource Centre is working closely with Aston Pride to widen the participation of all Aston residents in education, learning, access to employment, health, cultural and other core services.

Come along to our training and information event and find out more:

• How to apply for capital funding

• How to audit the accessibility of your services

• Free training session on disability equality issues

November 11th 2010


The Sports Pavilion, Aston Hall Park, B6

(Entrance to driveway on Witton Lane)

10.30 – 12.30 Free training on disability equality and access auditing

12.30 Community lunch

13.30 - 14.30 Applying for a grant / booking an access audit

14.30 – 16.30 One to one advice on the application form

To book a place call Pete Millington / Kay Maguire on 0121 789 7365 or email pmillington@disability.co.uk

EXHIBITIONS at LIGHTHOUSE Wolverhampton

MAIN GALLERY

Urban Fictions by Richard Rowland

Fri 12 Nov – Fri 14 Jan

Urban Fictions is a photographic and video exhibition examining the emergence of simulated urban developments in Eastern China. The work documents a series of new towns which have been constructed based on different European architectural models, including English, French, Dutch, German and Swedish pastiches.

These idealised reconstructions appear as hyperreal utopias that seek to create rather than reflect historical reality. The exhibition presents a complex social depiction of aspects of modern China, and its relationship with the West. It offers us a way in which we might imagine and observe early twenty-first century China as a newly international community. Through its images of modern China the exhibition raises compelling questions about the complex, shifting and uncertain character of an increasingly international world.

RIchard’s work also raises questions on photography itself. He ‘documents’ his subjects, but acknowledges a certain artifice and ambivalence in what might be termed a ‘documentary aesthetic’. The relationship between visual documentation and artificial environments offered by Urban Fictions challenges our understanding of the photographic image as document. The use of both the still and moving image in Urban Fictions recalls the complex convergences that occurred during the origins of documentary photography as it developed out of documentary film.

Richard Rowland studied at the University of Brighton. He has participated in group exhibitions across Europe including ‘This Crazy World’, Kosovo National Art Gallery, Pristina and Exposicio de Fotographies, Escola Massana, Barcelona, and had a solo exhibition at Lighthouse, Brighton. His book, The Regency Project, was published

by anotherpublication in 2007, and he is currently working on a book with FAR Architecture Center Shanghai. Urban Fictions is supported by Arts Council England.

Urban Fictions Opening

Fri 12 Nov, 6.30 – 8.30pm

Admission free

Join us for the opening of Urban Fictions when Richard will give an informal talk in the gallery about his work on the reconstructed European utopias. For more info visit: http://www.richardrowland.co.uk/

BALCONY GALLERY


From Opression to Expression

Thu 25 Nov – Fri 10 Dec

This exhibition offers a unique and poignant look at domestic violence through the eyes of the victim. Featuring photography and poetry from women and children who have fallen victim to severe abuse at the hands of their loved ones. Here they express the hurt, devastation and ongoing impact domestic violence has had on their lives in a way never seen before.

This exhibition marks the international campaign, ‘16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence’ which encourages women’s organisations across the globe to speak out against gender violence. This exhibition has been put together by local charity The Haven, Wolverhampton which supports women and children who are vulnerable to violence and abuse. The Haven provides temporary emergency accommodation and community support services to victims of domestic violence. All artwork has been produced by those who have accessed The Haven’s services.

To find out more about The Haven visit http://www.havenrefuge.org.uk/

For more info on the exhibition contact Grace Lee, Public Relations Officer for The Haven, Wolverhampton on 01902 572173 or email: publicity@havenrefuge.org.uk

LOCK WORKS

Little Brothers

Thu 25 Nov – Fri 10 Dec

At the end of last year Stuart and Shaun from SM2 Photography Studios in Wolverhampton read an article about how local homeless charity Little Brothers of the Good Shepherd Ministry were struggling to get renewed funding and donations.

They met with Brother Steven and put together a 6 month plan to follow the charity and document the work it carries out, culminating with an exhibition and inviting their clients from across the country to help raise awareness and funds for the charity. The exhibition will be on show at Light House for a one night only fundraiser, but a selection of images will also be displayed in Lock Works to raise the charity’s profile further.

To find out more about SM2 Studios visit: www.sm2studio.co.uk To contact the charity email: lbgs_uk@yahoo.co.uk

BIG SOCIETY EVENT: What Makes Communities Work?

IMPORTANT BIG SOCIETY EVENT:


What makes communities work?

8th December 2010

9am – 12.30pm @ The Lakeside Centre, Birmingham University

Join BVSC as we launch the findings of our recent research into the huge contribution that voluntary, community, and faith groups make to community cohesion in Birmingham. The research has been supported by Be Birmingham and has been conducted on behalf of Birmingham City Council’s Community Cohesion Forum.

With over 200 case studies from across the city, plus analysis of what’s working well and what needs to be improved, this piece of work will significantly contribute to Birmingham’s ongoing commitment to build and support the ‘big society’.

Joining us at this event will be the City Housing Partnership who will be launching the results of their own recent research into community cohesion and its implications for housing providers

Hosted by Councillor Alan Rudge, Cabinet Member for Equalities and Human Resources, the event promises to be a must for anyone involved in any aspect of community cohesion work in the city, and offers the following benefits to attendees:

Share in 200 best practice examples of how to better serve local communities, identified through in-depth city-wide research

Contribute to discussion around current provision gaps and how these can be addressed while benefiting from expert feedback from the research team

Focus on the housing sector with Birmingham City Council and local Housing Associations who will be highlighting good practice case studies

Listen to high profile keynote speakers including:

Harris Beider (Professor in Community Cohesion, Institute of Community Cohesion)

Brian Carr (BVSC’s Chief Executive and Be Birmingham Executive Board Member)

Jayne Francis (Head of Equalities, M.E.L Research)

Network with public and voluntary sector colleagues from across the city.

Places are limited, so to reserve yours now, register on our online booking form http://www.assembly3.org.uk/booking-form-what-makes-communities-work

We also have a limited amount of space available for stands: if you are interested in promoting your service to our visitors, please indicate this on your booking form and a member of our team will be in touch to discuss your requirements.

If you would like further information about this event, please contact us on 0121 678 8877 or email Juliew@bvsc.org

Message from the RSPB - We did it together - thank you!

Dear Supporter,

The first thing I must say is thank you. Over the last three months we've been asking for your help to keep the countryside alive. A fantastic 43,770 of you took action. You sent 86,480 e-mails to a range of politicians, including the Chancellor and the Prime Minister.

This is amazing - staggering in fact - and I thank you all.

The good news is that all your actions, all your e-mails, have made a difference. Last Wednesday, when the outcome of the comprehensive spending review was announced, we found out that there will be more money for wildlife-friendly farming. In fact, it looks like the Higher Level Scheme, the key means of halting the loss of habitats and restoring biodiversity, will grow by 83%.

This was our line in the sand, and the UK Government didn't cross it.

There was also good news on the climate change front. There will still be money to fund the development of technology to capture and store carbon emissions from coal-fired power stations. Money was also provided to help start up the green investment bank, which it is hoped will generate billions of pounds of private investment in low-carbon technologies.

However, it's not all good news. Defra have still had a budget cut of 29% over the next four years. Whilst this is better than the 40% cut we had feared was on the table, it will still have severe and far reaching consequences. Natural England and the Environment Agency have had their funding slashed and it is not yet clear what impact this will have. What is likely is that we will need to find innovative ways to raise money so that we can continue the great work we do for wildlife with less cash. We'll pay careful attention over the coming months as we strive to understand the full implications of the cuts, and we'll be sure to let you know when there are other opportunities for you to get involved.

Right now, we can afford to take a moment to reflect on a campaign well fought, and to take some measure of satisfaction from the knowledge that our worst fears were not realised. But this isn't the end – indeed it may prove to be just the beginning.

Thanks again for your support!

Martin Harper

Letter to the Future Campaign Manager

P.S. Don't forget you can keep in touch and share your love of wildlife with RSPB love nature on facebook.

New Website offers opportunities to environmental companies in Herefordshire

A new website is offering business and promotional opportunities to environmental technology companies across the Marches area.

The Marches Environmental Technology Network is a dynamic business network that exists to support and help to grow this exciting new sector across Herefordshire, Worcestershire, Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin.

Supported through regional development agency and ERDF funding the network is also a partnership between all the Councils and is administered on their behalf by Shropshire Council.

Nick Webster, Economic Development Manager at Herefordshire Council remarks that the authority is wholly behind this initiative: “We are pleased to be working together with our colleagues from all the Councils across the Marches to support this growing sector which is so important to economic health of this region. Collaborative working of this kind is certainly the way forward”.

The network seeks to bring together businesses within the environmental technology sector but also those businesses that are interested in moving into the sector.

metnet has already run a highly successful series of breakfast briefings covering important topics for environmental businesses and have also just launched their new website.

Project manager Patricia Head comments, “We are inviting environmental businesses to feature on what we hope will become the source of reference for environmental technology companies across the Marches area.

Businesses can detail what services and products they offer and can even create a mini-site which can link to their main site if they have one or provide a web presence for those smaller companies who may not have developed a website yet.

We are urging as many companies as possible to take advantage of this free opportunity as well as using the website to access information about what support, including grants, are still available to them, business opportunities and free events.”

To help business to make the most of these opportunities, metnet has organised a Breakfast Briefing in Herefordshire on Tuesday 2 November from 8.30am – 10.30am at the Three Counties Hotel.

Businesses interested in finding out more or to attend should call 01584 872302 or email : metnet@Shropshire.gov.uk

New on the BSSEC blog... Spending review pulls ŒTransition Fund¹ rabbit out of the hat

Amazingly, George Osborne has pulled a £100m hardship transition fund for third sector organisations out of his spending review bag, Third Sector Online reveals. The fund will be aimed at medium and large organisations delivering front-line services that stand to be affected in the short term by reductions in spending.

READ MORE....

http://www.bssec.org.uk/blog/?p=921

Winter hotline helps residents keep warm in Solihull

Keep Warm, Keep Well – that’s the message being sent out to vulnerable and older residents in Solihull this week.

A special Solihull Winter Warmth helpline has been set up by the Solihull Partnership on 0121 704 8080 for people who need urgent help this winter. Lines will open Monday 1 November and advisors will be available throughout the winter; Monday to Friday from 10am – 4pm.

To launch the service a stand offering free advice and information, as well as free hot soup and winter giveaways for residents, will be available at Library Square outside Central Library. The Mayor Cllr Ian Courts and Mayoress Mrs Sheila Courts will open the event from 10am on Monday 1 November.

Representatives from local organisations including Solihull Council, Solihull NHS Care Trust, Age UK Solihull, West Midlands Fire Service, Solihull Community Housing, Citizens Advice Bureau, Enable, and Solihull’s Children’s Centres, will be on hand at the event to make sure residents have the help and advice they need to be warm enough in their homes.

The Winter Warmth Helpline provides information and advice for vulnerable residents who need urgent help such as:

* Finding a tradesperson for emergency repairs

* Help with an emergency heater if the central heating system breaks down

* An electric blanket if they cannot afford to heat their bedroom

* Warm clothing if they are struggling to afford it

* Emergency food supplies

* Debt advice and assistance to pay bills.

People can also get general advice about their energy bills, and the grants and loans available for installing insulation or replacing central heating by calling the Energy Saving Trust Advice Centre on 0800 512 012.

Cabinet Member for Healthier Communities, Councillor Sue Rose said: “We want people to know that they are not alone this winter and there is help on offer to make sure that they can stay warm and healthy in their homes. I would urge anyone with concerns to phone our new helpline and I would also ask other residents for their help in keeping an eye on their older and vulnerable friends or neighbours this winter.”

Anne Hastings, Chief Executive Officer of Age UK Solihull added: “We wholeheartedly support the Solihull Winter Warmth Campaign and urge older people and vulnerable families who find themselves in difficulties this winter to contact the Winter Warmth helpline.”

Top tips for keeping warm this winter:

* Keep internal doors closed to stop draughts

* Have at least one hot meal and hot drinks throughout the day

* Layer up - many layers of clothing are best

* Close curtains at dusk

* Ensure your heating is 21°C in your home

* Keep your heating on overnight

* Ensure your home is well insulated and boiler serviced

* Contact your energy supplier about Social Tariffs or Priority Register Schemes.

Residents are urged to visit http://www.solihull.gov.uk/ for more information and to download the Winter Warmth Leaflet.

Youth Music Voices Birmingham 31st October 2010

Join in to sing as part of the London 2012 Cultural Olympiad

CBSO Centre, Birmingham on Sunday 31st October 2010

Youth Music Voices is taking over CBSO Centre on Sunday 31st October from 10.30am to 4pm.

Youth Music Voices is a major new London 2012 Cultural Olympiad project, providing 14-19 year olds with an opportunity to celebrate the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games through singing.

Led by Richard Frostick and professional guest artists, the workshop will be an inspiring, fun day for choirs and vocal groups - providing creative ideas, mixing up styles and genres and presenting a fantastic opportunity to meet other people in the region who share a passion for singing.

One hundred and fifty young singers from the broadest cultural mix across the UK will be recruited for the Youth Music Voices Ensemble – a youth vocal ensemble unlike any other in the UK. With its own style, individuality, leadership, and specially commissioned repertoire of new songs and arrangements, the young singers will produce vibrant and exciting music throughout the London 2012 Cultural Olympiad.

As well as developing these young singers to the highest standard, Youth Music Voices will be performing at a prestigious London location on the eve of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

To register interest in Youth Music Voices, Birmingham please contact:

CBSO Chorus - chorus@cbso.co.uk