Quinton not Kuala Lumpur

Thank you to all my good friends who have contacted me concerned about an email received from my Google address this morning.

Apparently I was stuck in a hotel in Malaysia with no passport or credit cards and was contacting you all for some help.

Whilst I have had many expressions of concern today, not one of you has offered me your bank account details, so it looks like I may have to start swimming.

In seriousness, some unknown third party hacked into my Google email account and not only locked me out but also sent out the fraudalent email. I think the Kuala Lumpan hotel was the give-away and hopefully anyone receiving this email has done the sensible thing and deleted it.

Just for information, re-securing the email account was fairly straight forward as Google have an online form which requests proof of ownership. So my advice to others is to always keep a note of your basic security information and dates of when you set up the account, etc.

It is also a warning to treat any email that asks for money with total suspicion. Thankfully I think everyone on my contact list has the common sense to see straight through this sort of sinister nonsense.

As an additional security measure I have set up a new email address using Yahoo to receive articles and press releases for Spaghetti Gazetti. Please use this one from now on:

spaghetti.editorial@yahoo.com

My apologies to anyone who received the Kuala Lumpan email and if anyone still feels inclined to send me a tenner, I am much more likely to be found in sunny Birmingham.

Trip to the People's History Museum, 10th February, last chance to book!

Midlands Co-operative Member Relations Dept.


invites you to join us for:


A visit to The People's History Museum, Manchester

Thursday 10th February

depart Birmingham 8.30am, arriving back by 6pm

Tickets £10

All Welcome!

The Midlands Co-operative Society Member Relations Department are organising a visit to the Pumphouse People's History Museum in Manchester on Thursday 10th February. Transport from Birmingham is included and the cost is £10 each.

For those that haven't been, this recently refurbished museum is a must for anyone interested in social history and the history of working people and their movements in the UK - see http://www.phm.org.uk/  


Prior booking is essential - please contact John Boyle, Member Relations Officer on 0121 233 1545 or by email: john.boyle@midlandsco-op.com  

New Editorial Address for Spaghetti Gazetti

Please make a note of our new editorial address for Spaghetti Gazetti:

spaghetti.editorial@yahoo.com

New on the BSSEC blog... The social enterprise brand must not become diluted by 'nearly social enterprises'

January 28th, 2011 by Alun Severn



That was what participants at iSE’s Big Society Symposium said back in October of last year. Well, how right they were. Southwark and Westminster councils plan to spin-off their communications departments as a social enterprise is muddled and opportunistic....

READ MORE/....


http://www.bssec.org.uk/blog/?p=1192

Women & Theatre's new production

Women & Theatre in association with mac present

The Palace of Wasted Dreams

At mac, Cannon Hill Park, Birmingham,

Thurs 3 – Sat 5 Feb, and Wed 9 – Sat 12 Feb, 8pm

Tickets £12 (£9) Age 14+

Sales & Information: 0121 446 3232 or book online at http://www.macarts.co.uk/

An essential night out, an intoxicating total theatre experience

It’s here, it’s arrived. Come on in! The Palace of Wasted Dreams is licensed for laughing, crying, dancing, singing, surprising and thinking on. Get a skinful of intoxicating, interactive theatre as mac’s new theatre space transforms into The Palace of Wasted Dreams; a place where anything can happen, and something always does; a place that can take you out of yourself, where you can feel alive and get involved, with all the thrills of a great night out!

The Palace of Wasted Dreams is an extravaganza with songs and sideshows, complimentary bouncers and barmen, regulars and roustabouts, cabaret and community. Original songs will be performed with gusto by a cast of community and professional performers accompanied by the eclectic, ever-changing House Band. These will be laced together with and stories told from the bottom of a glass.

The Palace of Wasted Dreams is a new participatory musical spectacular, which explores and gives voice to women’s relationship with alcohol. It is the culmination of a two-year project by acclaimed Birmingham based theatre company Women & Theatre. A company with a 27 year history of engaging diverse people with theatre, W&T opened up the production to anyone who wanted to take part, building a 25 strong community cast through research and outreach. The artistic team includes Director Gwenda Hughes, Musical Director Clare Edwards, Composer & Musician Gurdan Thomas, and Designer Andrew Purvin, with Women & Theatre’s Janice Connolly (also known as hit comedian Mrs Barbara Nice) and Terina Talbot.

The Palace of Wasted Dreams is a Women & Theatre production in association with mac. It is supported by Arts Council, England, Aquarius, the Sir Barry Jackson Trust, the Bryant Trust, Alcohol Education Research Council, the John Feeney Charitable Trust, Birmingham City Council, the Harry Payne Trust, The Grimmitt Trust and The Cole Charitable Trust.
 
http://www.womenandtheatre.co.uk/



www.facebook.com/womenandtheatre

Horse riders add their weight to forestry fight

The UK’s largest equestrian charity, The British Horse Society has pledged its commitment to fight for the future of equestrian access to public forests.

Equestrian access to thousands of acres of England’s forests could be lost if public forests are sold off as part of the Government's efforts to plug the national deficit. A consultation on the future of the public forest estate opened this morning and the Society is urging all equestrians to respond. 

As it stands, horse riders have access to just 22 percent of public rights of way and horse-drawn vehicle drivers a mere five percent - therefore the loss of any other safe off-road riding opportunities in our forests would be devastating for equestrians if access is not preserved.

The Society’s Director of Access, Safety and Welfare, Mark Weston, said: “If there is to be a sale of any forest it is important that access for equestrians is secured for future generations before any such sale takes place - if that cannot be assured then we would oppose any sale vigorously.

"Now is the time for riders to make their voices heard. It is important that all equestrians respond to the consultation to ensure that equestrian access to our forests is preserved.”

The Society is urging all riders to join them in their campaign. Anyone who wishes to be kept up-to-date with the Society’s progress should email forestryfight@bhs.org.uk, with the subject title ‘count me in’.


For further information or to confirm attendance, please contact: Alison Coleman, The British Horse Society, 02476 840463, a.coleman@bhs.org.uk

Social Media Masterclass - EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT LAST FEW DAYS!

URGENT ATTENTION - PETE IS NOT IN KUALA LUMPAR

Dear friends of Spaghetti Gazetti

During the past 12 hours my Google Mail account was hacked into and a fraudulant email was sent out to everyone in my editorial address book claiming that I was stuck in Kuala Lumpar without any money or passport and requesting unspecified contacts to telephone a hotel manager in Malaysia with their bank details. 

My guess is that most people receiving this email will have been sensible enough to see through it as a fraudulant scam, although the most worrying aspect is that it had my name at the end of the email, but I am sure this is easy enough for a hacker to have picked up.

Thanks to Google's fast response I have now re-secured my account although the inbox and contacts book has been emptied. So if you receive any further suspicious emails from me, please treat them with caution. Fortunately this address is mainly used for information, publicity and press releases, so no one should be compromised by the loss of this data, as it all generally appears online anyway. 

Thank you for your attention.



Pete Millington

Editor

      

RAWM News alert: 2 NHS consultation events

NHS Equality Delivery System - VCS consultation session

Thursday 10th February 2011, St Chads Court, Hagley Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham.

The NHS has begun a process of shaking up its equality framework for staff and stakeholders, and is committed to consulting with the voluntary sector and public. NHS West Midlands is holding a consultation session for the voluntary and community sector on Thursday 10th February. The event is open to anyone working in a voluntary organisation or community group based in or delivering services in the West Midlands in a paid or unpaid capacity.

If you wish to attend, please email Kate Gordon at katherineg@rawm.co.uk giving your name, role, organisation, any special dietary and other access requirements.


Please note the event is limited to 20, so please book as soon as possible to secure a place.

"Healthy Lives, Healthy People" - Public Health white paper consultation event


Friday 11th February 2011, Maple House, Birmingham

Public health is about the social determinants of health and health inequalities: touching on housing, environment, transport, access to good quality food, smoking, drinking, education ... so many factors that impact on health and wellbeing are determined by social factors that public health is an issue that should be at the top of everyone's agenda.

From April this year, the primary responsibility for public health is being moved from the NHS to local councils.

The NHS has been consulting on the Public Health White paper since it was published at the end of last year. The closing date for the consultation is 31st March (changed from 8th March). NHS West Midlands is holding an event on Friday 11th February, Maple House, Birmingham. They have scheduled a morning (9.30am till 12.00pm) and an afternoon (2.00 till 4.30pm) session - delegates only need attend one.


If you wish to attend, please email gill.beckett@dh.gsi.gov.uk by Friday 28th January or as soon as possible.

It's official: brap is excellent

brap has become one of the first equalities charities in the country to be granted the prestigious Investors in Excellence standard.

Investors in Excellence is awarded to organisations who are committed to embedding quality in all areas of their work for the benefit of customers and clients. Successful organisations have to meet a difficult set of criteria, including proving they have excellent customer relations and leadership skills.

In the assessment, brap was praised for being “an inspirational organisation with the aim of equipping organisations to meet the needs of a more diverse society. Its values are entirely consistent with these aims and it is evident these values are 'lived and breathed' throughout the organisation. There is genuine clarity regarding the purpose of the activities undertaken.”

Local and national organisations and commissioners are now being encouraged to work with brap to ensure their services deliver quality and equality to local communities.

In 2010, brap worked with over 50 organisations from a range of sectors including local authorities, early years provision, and counter-terrorism. Particular highlights were the establishment of a regional peer-to-peer mentoring network for social entrepreneurs; the development of a human rights standard for healthcare professionals; and the successful delivery of business support to over 150 BME organisations.

Joy Warmington, CEO of brap, said:

“This is fantastic news for the organisation and its staff, who have been recognised for their hard work and commitment.

“It’s also fantastic news for our customers and clients, who can be assured that delivering a quality service is at the heart of everything we do.

“When you consider that other organisations to have achieved the standard include Vodafone, PwC, and Pertemps, I’m extremely proud that the operations of an organisation brap’s size can stand in comparison with them."

Jonathan Driffill, Chair of brap, said:

“brap’s success has so far been built on highly skilled staff, a commitment to quality, and a passion for equality. brap has continually been at the forefront of helping organisations become fairer, and I have no doubt it will stay ahead of the game.”

In addition to achieving Investors in Excellence status, brap’s leadership programmes have been accredited by the Institute of Leadership and Management and it’s social enterprise support services have been awarded SFEDI Centre of Excellence status. It certainly is a year of excellence at brap.

how we achieved excellence:



Find out more about our work

Human rights in cancer care


an innovative project putting patients back in the driving seat when it comes to progressing equality. Click here.

Managing and resolving conflict


realistic advice grounded in real-life examples on how to deal with conflict in the workplace and in the community. Click here.

Why bother with human rights?


support for civil society organisations wanting to use human rights to improve delivery. Click here.

Access to Enterprise - LAST 2 PLACES REMAINING

HURRY – FEW PLACES REMAINING !!



We have a few final places remaining on this 1 day free training session. This is the final Session for this so will be your last chance to take up this opportunity.


Please note this training is for third sector organisations who are working with other Organisations.
 

Birmingham's voluntary sector to take hit from City Council

Community and voluntary groups in Birmingham have this week received letters from Birmingham City Council instructing them that cuts of 30% will affect service level agreements they have with the city's Adults and Communities department from April 2011. This is contrary to indications from the Council shortly after the goverment's comprehensive spending review that the local authority in Birmingham  was looking at 14% cuts at the very most.

Many organisations who do not have an extended service level agreement will not receive any renewed funding at all with many indicating that they are likely to go out of business after March 2011. The SLA cuts will probably be the largest cull of the voluntary sector in Birmingham ever seen and flies in the face of the Conservative Liberal commitment to the concept of a Big Society both nationally and locally.

Many people who work in the sector predict a sharp rise in poverty, exclusion, unemployment and homelessness in the city and widespread protests against the local authority.

Elsewhere in the country today, Unions have agreed to organise a national demonstration against the cuts to take place on 26th March. The day will include a march for the alternatives of jobs, growth and justice.

  

It's Big Garden Birdwatch weekend!

It's Big Garden Birdwatch time!

The world's biggest birdwatching event takes place this weekend, 29-30 January. So, fill your birdfeeders, grab a pen and paper, and settle into your comfy chair with a biscuit or two. Need we say anything more...?

How to take part



If like us, you love birds and want to help them, then the Big Garden Birdwatch is your chance to do something that really counts.

All you need is a pen, some scrap paper (or, a printout of our handy bird ID sheet), and an hour to spend watching the birds in your garden on either Saturday 29, or Sunday 30 January 2011.

Then simply record the highest number of each bird species seen in your garden, or local park (not flying over) at any one time, and come back to these page to tell us what you saw.

If you're not too sure what bird you've seen, try our easy to use bird identifier, or have a look on our A-Z of birds pages.

You can also ask questions, and share your tips for a brilliant birdwatch on our friendly Big Garden Birdwatch community group.

Helping garden birds really is a lot of fun, and couldn't be easier. Watch our video to see some of the more unusual places where people will be doing their birdwatch this year:

http://vimeo.com/19188195

After you've done your birdwatch, simply click on the link below and enter your results.

www.rspb.org.uk/birdwatch

Cadets become face of Birmingham Veterans

Federation Standard Bearer Peter Lloyd and Cadet Standard Bearer Cpl Jamie Fisher. Cpl Fisher has attended nearly all of the Federations events, as well as a number of funeral services. He's even given up flying to carry standards. The picture was taken in the Birmingham Western Arcade, where the Federation inaugurated the squadron at their AGM.

Cpl Jamie Fisher is 15 years old and from Smethwick. He currently attends Bistnall Hall Highs School. Peter Lloyd is 73 currently works at Temple Count (Home to HMCS and the Ministry of justice) He served in the 50's with the Royal Army Service Corps as an Ambulance Driver.

888 (Oldbury) Squadron Air Training Corps are set to become the face of veterans across the Birmingham region after cadets of the youth organisation were made members of an ex-service association.
 
The Air Cadets, based in Vicarage Road Oldbury, have become the first youth organisation in the UK to be made official members of a Veterans association. The cadets were asked to join the Federation of Birmingham Ex-Service Associations, a committee representing over 30 different veteran organisations from around Birmingham, because of the work the squadron had done on behalf of local ex-servicemen and women.
 
The Federation, whose members include not just military veterans but also Prisoner of War and evacuee groups, normally only offer membership to societies supporting those who fought in the commonwealth armed forces and associated organisations such as the Merchant Navy. However the federation changed their constitution to allow the Air Training Corps, this year celebrating its 70th anniversary, to join after the 13 to 20 year olds of 888 Squadron began parading at remembrance events such as Armed Forces Day and Remembrance Sunday.
 
A team of standard bearers from Oldbury, who have been nominated as Staffordshire’s best Air Cadet Unit, have been carrying banners on behalf of veterans who aren’t able to take part in parades, as well as attending the funerals of World War Two heros. Three cadets of 888 even gave up a chance to go flying to support the group, attending the society’s Christmas Dinner to assist elderly members to walk to their tables, and even to dance along to the live singer.
 
‘I don’t mind missing out on going flying, as I get to meet people who have lived amazing lives’, explains Cpl Fisher, one of the three cadets. ‘I’ve carried banners for various regiments and groups like the Normandy Association. It gives me a great sense of pride knowing what these veterans have done, and some of their stories really inspire me to do my best and accomplish whatever I want’.
 
The federation were impressed by the dedication of the young people, and believe that by allowing the cadets to become part of the movement, more young people and cadet groups will support local associations.
 
“The young people are the future of groups such as the Federation, Royal British Legion and National Service Association,’ said John Dolphin, Chairman of the Birmingham Federation of Ex-Service Associations. ‘888 Squadrons support in the last year has been amazing, and they have turned out immaculately dressed to all of our parades. They are a credit to the Air Cadet Movement’.
 
Standard Bearer Peter Lloyd who has marched along side the cadets on a number of occasions is proud of his Air Training Corps counterparts. ‘As we veterans get older, its up to groups like Oldbury squadron to carry on and represent us. Hopefully they will continue to ensure we remember our fallen soldiers who died in the many wars we have fought’.
 
The 86 cadets of 888 will be issued with individual membership cards, acknowledging their work for the Federation, and the squadron have already confirmed its attendance at a number of remembrance parades, including a celebration of this years Royal Wedding.
 
The Air Cadet Organisation is celebrating it's 70th anniversary throughout 2011, with squadrons across the UK commemorating the 1941 formation of the cadets. The year of events also coincides with 90 years of the Royal British legion and the 70th anniversary of the UK Search and rescue. To celebrate this historic occasion, the Air Cadet Organisation, including the Combined Cadet Force (RAF) will be holding a number of top events, parades and competitions, all under the title of Air Cadet 70.
 
Not only do cadets of 888 support local veterans, but also get amazing opportunities to learn how to fly in a plane solo, go shooting, complete the Duke of Edinburgh Award, compete in sports nationally and so much more. The Air Training Corps is a voluntary-led youth organisation for 13-18 year olds providing young people with once in a lifetime experiences every weekend. As well as the weekend activities, Oldbury Air Cadets meets Tuesday and Thursday evenings, 6.45pm till 9.30pm. 888 (Oldbury) Squadron is currently recruiting for its next induction course. For more information on the Air Cadets, phone the squadron on 0121 544 1229, or visit the website, http://www.888squadron.org.uk/.

TALES FROM INDIA COME TO WOLVERHAMPTON

British Punjabi storytellers Peter and Gorg Chand will be entertaining audiences in their home town at Arena Theatre, Wolverhampton on Thursday 17 February, 7.30pm with an evening of fantastical stories from India.

Their new show Henna, presented by sampad south asian arts, is based around wedding tales, some collected and translated from India and others pieced together from stories heard as youngsters. Many are being told here for the first time.

On the eve of a wedding a young bride-to-be is having henna applied to her hands. As the patterns emerge the stories begin to unfold. Peter, and his nephew Gorg, take you on a journey to incredible landscapes, with tales full of love, loss, betrayal, and Bollywood dancing.


Henna - L-R Gorg and Peter Chand



Peter Chand, from Wolverhampton, has been storytelling since 1999. His parents migrated to Britain from the Punjab region in the 1950’s, and though he was born in the Midlands, Peter grew up using Punjabi as his first language. He combines these two cultures seamlessly to tell stories full of life, wisdom, and humour.

For the last four years Peter has been visiting India and collecting stories which he translates into English to shares with audiences - sometimes for the first time outside of India.

Henna premiered to much acclaim at the Festival at the Edge International Storytelling Festival in Shropshire, branded the ‘highlight of the festival’ and ‘sheer unadulterated joy’.

“Lovely range of stories that mixed the tradition with believable modern day settings. Great”.


“Peter and Gorg mixed styles, energy and narrative together to bring about real magic”.

Tickets for Henna are £8 (£6 concessions) and available from the Arena Theatre Box Office on 01902 321321 or http://www.arenatheatre.info/.

Classic Indian Kathak neets Urban Hip Hop in international dance premiere at mac

Wed 16 Feb – Fri 18 Feb

mac is delighted to present Kathakbox, a dynamic stage production which brings together the Indian classical dance form Kathak, and the universal culture of Hip Hop, to celebrate the unique, diverse energy of modern Britain.

Kathakbox creates conversations between the grace and vigour of Kathak and the complex rhythms and rhymes of Hip Hop culture. This Urban Kathak is produced through collaboration between Street, Contemporary and Indian dance, Beatboxing, Spoken Word and Tabla Vox rhythms.

The much anticipated 2011 tour of Kathakbox has been co-produced by mac where Sonia Sabri is an Associate Artist. Kathakbox will have its national premiere at mac followed by the international premiere at the World Stage Festival in Abu Dhabi, hosted by the British Council and Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage. The international premiere is part of a strategic cultural exchange initiative led by Birmingham City Council, through which Sonia Sabri Company will represent the arts and cultures of Birmingham and the UK on a world stage amongst artists and dignitaries from across the globe.

Featuring Sonia Sabri performing alongside three dancers including b-boy Nathan Geering, internationally recognised tabla maestro Sarvar Sabri, acclaimed Spoken Word artist & vocalist Marcina Arnold and Beat Boxer Shan Bansil, Kathakbox is going to be one of the must-see creative highlights of 2011.

Competition to win a prize hamper!!!

Dear Clients,



Here at the trust we are having a competition for the best business idea, to help people become self-employed.

If you are interested in taking part in this competition please come along to our open day on Monday 31st January 2011 between 10:30am to 3:00pm.

The best business idea will be winning a prize hamper.

Please find attached poster for more information.





Regards






Rumie Begum






Amina Trust Ltd
1 Jenkins Street
Small Heath
Birmingham
B10 0QH


t: 0121 766 8364
 
e: aminatrust@hotmail.co.uk  

Housing chief takes up Tanzania challenge

Chief executive of WM Housing Group Pat Brandum is setting off on a 10-day trip to Tanzania to raise money for an international homeless charity

A chief executive of a Birmingham housing group is setting out on a trek across Tanzania to raise money for an international homeless charity.

Pat Brandum, chief executive of WM Housing Group, of which Digbeth-based Harden Housing is a part of, is taking part in the Community Challenge run by Homeless International.

During the 10-day trip Pat, from Solihull, will work on a community project in Arusha, supported by Homeless International’s Tanzanian partner, the Centre for Community Initiatives (CCI).

Through CCI, Homeless International supports community-led initiatives that provide better housing, water and sanitation for poor communities. Another part of the Tanzania adventure is a four-day trek across the African bush.

Pat’s trip has been sponsored by regeneration specialists Frank Haslam Milan, construction services company Wates, developers Lovell Partnerships, chartered quality surveyors Derek Evans Partnership, Nationwide and accounting firm Mazars, as well as many personal and team donations.

Pat said: “This is an incredible opportunity and a huge challenge both physically and mentally. I am hoping this is going to be a great learning experience to see how other communities and cultures deal with housing and sanitation issues.

“There are a number of housing associations from across the UK represented on the trek – but I think I can claim to be very much among the older group, so I hope my colleagues show me due consideration!

“On a serious note, I have been really impressed with Homeless International’s work in Tanzania and admire the principles they adopt in seeking local solutions to local problems. I think there could be lessons for us all. I am hoping that the trip will help to give me a new perspective that I can share with our teams working with communities here.

“I am very grateful for the generous sponsorship I have received and the support the sponsors have given me. This is a very worthwhile trip so their help is going a long way.”

Homeless International is a UK charity helping those living in slum conditions in Africa and Asia to secure and build decent housing.

A new spin on Shakespeare at the Belgrade Theatre, Coventry



David Newman (Luciana)  in The Comedy of Errors - picture by Manuel Harlan


There’s another chance to catch Propeller’s production of Shakespeare’s Richard III when it returns to the Belgrade Theatre’s Main Stage from Tues 8 to Sat 12 Feb alongside a brand new adaptation of The Comedy of Errors.

Packed with cruel wit and dark humour, Richard III follows the gripping journey of King Richard as he bloodily murders his way to the throne. Taking Hammer Horror as its inspiration, this diabolical adventure tells the story of one man’s journey to heaven, then back to hell. The script has been pared back to make the action quicker and the language easier to engage with, whilst losing none of the exciting, horrifying and dramatic events of Richard III.



The company in Richard III  Photo by Manuel Harlan



“This inventive company bring the most thrilling, and the most wayward, production you are ever likely to see - truly mesmerising.”

- British Theatre Guide on Richard III

In complete contrast, Propeller’s reworking of Shakespeare’s comic masterpiece The Comedy of Errors emphasises the light and the laughter in this smart yet farcical story, which follows two pairs of twins, each separated from their sibling at birth, as they leave a perfectly symmetrical trail of confusion behind them when a shipwreck unites them on the same island.

Ed Hall, Artistic Director of Propeller said: “We want to rediscover Shakespeare simply by doing the plays as we believe they should be done: with great clarity, speed and full of as much imagination in the staging as possible.”

"The Comedy of Errors is a jewel to enjoy, Shakespearean humour at its most energetic height." ***** The Public Reviews

Propeller is an all-male Shakespeare company, so just as it was in Shakespeare’s day the action in both Richard III and The Comedy of Errors will be played out by an ensemble cast of all male actors. The company is renowned for mixing a rigorous approach to the text with a modern physical aesthetic and they have been influenced by mask work, animation and classic and modern film and music from all ages.

Richard III will be playing on the Main Stage on Weds 9 Feb at 7.45pm and Thurs 10 Feb at 1.30pm and The Comedy of Errors will be playing on Tues 8, Thurs 10, Fri 11 and Sat 12 Feb at 7.45pm, with a matinee performance at 2.30pm on Sat 12 Feb.

Tickets are available now from the box office on 024 7655 3055 or via http://www.belgrade.co.uk/  priced from £6.50 to £17, with concessions available.

Project Pigeon: Workshops in Pigeon Keeping

Come and find out about pigeons!

2pm-4pm Fridays and Saturdays, February - April 2011

Project Pigeon’s Loft, Milk Street, Digbeth, Birmingham (in Boxxed’s backyard opposite Birmingham Backpackers under a viaduct)

Places are free but please book in advance by emailing:

projectpigeondigbeth@gmail.com  


Saturday 19th February: Introduction to pigeon fancying

Find out about the history of pigeon fancying, meet some pigeon fanciers and find out about why they keep pigeons, meet Project Pigeon’s birds and watch some pigeons fly.

Friday 25th February: A pigeon’s home and life

This workshop will be focused on the different seasons in a pigeons life, from racing season to breeding season. We will also look at the different kinds of pigeon lofts there are.

Saturday 26th February: Day to day pigeon loft management

How to keep your pigeons clean and happy - from cleaning the loft to giving the pigeons a bath.

Friday 4th March: Making nest boxes and perches

A woodwork session where we will design and make essential items for the inside of pigeon lofts and make any loft repairs.

Saturday 5th March: Racing pigeons, Birmingham rollers and tipplers

There are many kinds of pigeons, racing pigeons are used in racing, Birmingham rollers in sequence flying and tipplers in endurance flying.

Friday 11th March: A pigeon’s diet

Like any athlete a pigeons diet is very important. In this session you will find out about all the vital vitamins, minerals and foods needed to keep pigeons on top form.

Saturday 12th March: Veterinary skills

Vets in the UK know little about racing pigeons, and if you took your pigeon to the vet every time there was something wrong it would cost a lot and wouldn’t be practical. Learn about what kinds of injuries pigeon get and how you can help your pigeon.

Friday 18th March: Breeding

Come and see and learn about squeekers (baby pigeons)!

Saturday 19th March: Training and racing

How do pigeons find their way home? How do you train a racing pigeon? How do you win a race?!

Saturday 2nd April: Making a magazine about pigeons

Help Project Pigeon design a magazine based on what we have learnt during the workshops.

Saturday 16th April: Come and watch a live pigeon race!

You might have been to the horses or to the dogs but have you ever seen a pigeon race? Now is your chance! Please email if you intend to come to this because the time of the race will only be known on Saturday morning - the morning of the race.

http://www.project-pigeon.co.uk/

www.flickr.com/photos/pigeonproject

www.youtube.com/user/projectpigeon1

www.facebook.com/pages/Project-Pigeon/166000626772361

http://www.mappingbirmingham.co.uk/

http://www.hotclocks.co.uk/

http://www.weareeastside.org/

Birmingham Citizens Advice to close all five centres

Third Sector Online, 26 January 2011

The country's largest CAB has lost 'the spine of its funding' and 45 jobs will go.

Birmingham Citizens Advice Bureau is expected to shut down all five of its advice centres after the city council decided to withdraw all its funding, worth £600,000 a year.

The CAB, the largest in the country, said it would have to close all of its advice centres on 11 February with the loss of 45 jobs, unless replacement funding could be found.

"The funding provided by Birmingham City Council allows us to lever in another £2.4m in funding from other sources," said Yvonne Davies, chief executive of Birmingham CAB. "It's the spine of our funding. We can't operate without it.

"Other funders fund us to provide more specialist services based on the basic services that the council money allows us to operate. We are now looking for alternative sources of funding."

She said the council had told her that its own advice centres could provide the same services for the people of Birmingham.

"However, we feel that many people are reluctant to approach the council," she said. "We also have 150 volunteers who provide high-quality advice, and their services will be lost."

The council said it would continue to commission advice services on a smaller scale, but would not begin the commissioning process until August.

A city council spokeswoman said that the council had announced the funding cut on 31 December. She added that the council had made it clear that the CAB should not rely on it for funding.

The Prince¹s Trust and Fairbridge

We are writing to bring you news of a very positive development for disadvantaged young people. Two of the UK’s leading youth organisations – The Prince’s Trust and Fairbridge - are joining forces to form one organisation. As the Chief Executives of the two charities, we wanted to outline why this will benefit disadvantaged young people across the UK.

More young people than ever before in the UK are outside of education and employment, and the need for effective services to support them is ever more pressing. At the same time, the recent recession has put pressure on budgets in both the public and private sectors.

Both Fairbridge and The Prince’s Trust have benefited from the continued support of a tremendous range of committed individuals and organisations. This has enabled us to deliver our services to disadvantaged young people when they have most needed our support. We have tightened our belts and sought ways to maximise our efficiency. It was against this backdrop that Fairbridge approached The Prince’s Trust in the autumn, to see if we could co-operate more effectively.

We identified that we share a strikingly similar purpose – to help disadvantaged young people to overcome their barriers and move towards education, employment and training. Our programmes for young people are complementary and many of our extraordinarily committed supporters are also already involved with both organisations.

Last month, we agreed to work together towards integration into a single organisation. We intend to continue to deliver the high quality Fairbridge and Prince’s Trust programmes, supporting around 50,000 young people this year. In time, we will bring together our management and administration to provide the most effective and efficient delivery of services enabling us to reach more young people.

The united organisation will be called The Prince’s Trust and its Chief Executive will be Martina Milburn. Andrew Purvis will remain Chief Executive of Fairbridge and will support the integration process until he steps down at the end of March 2011.

We are at the start of an integration process that may take up to two years to complete – combining the best elements of both organisations. A strong team is in place to achieve the right result for our young people, for both organisations, and for our partners and supporters.

In the meantime, we are committed to continuing to deliver our services to our clients who so desperately need and deserve our support. We hope we can continue to rely on your vital support and commitment through the exciting period which lies ahead.



Andrew Purvis

Chief Executive, Fairbridge

Martina Milburn

Chief Executive, Prince’s Trust

Calling Solihull’s heroes

The Mayor of Solihull, Councillor Ian Courts, launches the Civic Honors.

Solihull Council is calling for nominations for their new civic award scheme.

Solihull Civic Honours aims to recognise the unsung heroes in the borough who give their time or skills to help improve the borough.

The Council wants to hear from residents about the people who have made a significant difference to their area, whether this is in arts, sport, volunteering or business.

It doesn’t matter the person’s age, as long as they deserve recognition for going above and beyond in Solihull.

Nomination forms can be downloaded from www.solihull.gov.uk/civichonours . The deadline for nominations is Friday 18 March 2011.

The Council is looking for people to fill the below categories:

* The Arts: An individual who has made a significant contribution to raising the profile of the arts in the borough – whether it be visual art, theatre, music, photography or dance.

* Sport: A person who has worked tirelessly behind the scenes at a local sports club or group.

* Community Involvement: People who have made a real difference in their community, for example fundraising for a local charity, running a community group or organising events.

* Making a Difference for Young People: Someone who has given up their time to make a difference to young people in the borough.

* Business: A local business which has gone that extra mile to support the community, perhaps through voluntary projects or fundraising, or an organisation that has made significant contribution to the economy.

* The Mayor’s Award: Someone who has made an outstanding contribution to the lives of the people of the borough or who have promoted the borough regionally, nationally or internationally.

The Mayor of Solihull, Councillor Ian Courts said: “Over my time as Mayor I have visited hundreds of community groups and clubs and I am always impressed by the number of people that volunteer year-in-year-out often without recognition. Solihull Civic Honours are an opportunity for us all to say thank you to these individuals.

“I am sure every Solihull resident knows at least one person who deserves this official recognition. Perhaps you know a youth group leader who has been an inspiration to your children, or someone who has worked tirelessly to raise funds for a community project. Whoever the person, whatever the good work – let us know.”

The judging panel will review all entries and decide which person or people best fit each category. Awards will be presented by the Mayor at a special celebration event at the Civic Suite in May.

For more information email civichonours@solihull.gov.uk or call 0121 704 6023.

BRUM LEGENDS DURAN DURAN ANNOUNCE FIRST UK TOUR IN SEVEN YEARS!

SJM Concerts & Live Nation Present

DURAN DURAN IN CONCERT

POP LEGENDS ANNOUNCE 11 DATE UK ARENA TOUR


“All You Need Is Now”


BAND TO PERFORM FIRST UK ARENA SHOWS IN 7 YEARS!


Tickets On Sale Friday 28th January 9:30am


25th January London


After a long absence from the live performance arena in the UK, British rock legends, Duran Duran, will return to their home market for a series of highly anticipated concerts in May 2011. The shows will mark the band’s first European performances in support of their critically acclaimed, new album ‘ALL YOU NEED IS NOW’ (produced by Mark Ronson), and the start of a world tour that will last well into 2012.

A nine track version of Duran Duran’s latest studio record was first released exclusively on iTunes on December 21, 2010 and hit the #1 spot on download charts in 15 countries (including the UK). An expanded version of the new record will be released in late March – in both digital and physical formats.

The original line up of SIMON LE BON, NICK RHODES, JOHN TAYLOR and ROGER TAYLOR will perform to over 150,000 fans in 11 arena concerts throughout the UK in May. The band will showcase material from their new record, along with classic hits from across their 30 year career. The UK leg of the tour will kick off on Wednesday 18th May at the Newcastle Metro Radio Arena and will end on Saturday 4th June at Sheffield Motorpoint Arena

Tickets priced at £65/£45/£35 (London) Brighton/Bournemouth/Cardiff £55/£45/£35 and all others £55/£40/£30 will go on sale to the general public on Friday 28th January 2011 at 9:30am online at http://www.gigsandtours.com/  / http://www.ticketmaster.co.uk/  or through the 24 hour credit card hotline: 0844 811 0051 / 0844 826 2826. Details of special ticket pre-sales will be available shortly.

The full dates are as follows:

Wednesday 18th May 2011 Newcastle Metro Radio Arena

Thursday 19th May 2011 Glasgow SECC

Saturday 21st May 2011 Birmingham LG Arena

Sunday 22nd May 2011 Nottingham Capital FM Arena

Monday 23rd May 2011 Liverpool Echo Arena

Saturday 28th May 2011 London The O2 Arena

Monday 30th May 2011 Brighton Centre

Tuesday 31st May 2011 Bournemouth International Centre

Wednesday 1st June 2011 Cardiff International Arena

Friday 3rd June 2011 Manchester MEN Arena

Saturday 4th June 2011 Sheffield Motorpoint Arena

The “ALL YOU NEED IS NOW” arena tour will be Duran Duran’s first in seven years, following their hugely successful 2004 Astronaut Arena Tour, which saw the band perform to sold out crowds for 17 nights, including a five-night residency at London’s Wembley Arena.

Duran Duran’s stunning new album: “ALL YOU NEED IS NOW”, has already been proclaimed a triumph by fans and critics alike, as buzz continues to build towards the release of the full length record in March. Produced by Grammy Award-winner Mark Ronson (Amy Winehouse, Adele, Kaiser Chiefs, Lily Allen) and mixed by Spike Stent (Madonna, Björk, No Doubt), it features guest vocals/rap from longtime Duran Duran pal/collaborator Ana Matronic of the Scissor Sisters and R&B/neo-soul superstar Kelis; while Owen Pallett of Arcade Fire contributes the album’s string arrangements. “ALL YOU NEED IS NOW” is a return-to-roots homage to Duran Duran’s most celebrated musical panache, which has already been dubbed by its producer as the “imaginary follow up to Rio that never was.”

Throughout their outstanding career Duran Duran has sold more than 80 million records, with 30 chart toppers in the UK, 18 American hit singles and a global presence that guarantees them huge concert audiences on five continents.

Now a seemingly unstoppable force, with no fewer than five prestigious Lifetime Achievement Awards under their belts in the last few years alone (MTV Video Music Awards, the Brit Awards, the Ivor Novellos, Q Magazine and the Spanish Ondas), the four original members of Duran Duran are in a category with only a handful of other internationally acclaimed artists.

As this new chapter begins, they have nothing left to prove, but everything to play for. So for them and their loyal army of fans… All You Need Is Now!

Celebrate and Step Up for Nature!

Dear Supporter,



Join the RSPB on 9 March at an event celebrating the launch of Stepping Up for Nature

After more than a year the RSPB’s Letter to the Future campaign will reach its peak in March when we present the Prime Minister with the signatures of all who gave their support. Thank you very much for being one of them.

It has been an eventful time that has included a General Election and a spending review that will affect all of us as well as the natural environment that we care so much about.

Letter to the Future helped us respond to these challenges and more, and the hand-in forms a central part of our efforts to secure a fair deal for the environment in the coalition’s first full budget on 23 March.

We have done well. Our actions around the spending review secured more money for environmentally friendly farming and ensured that there will still be funding to help tackle the challenges of a changing climate.

We know we have to do more. Despite our successes, overall funding for the natural environment has been reduced dramatically. 2010, ironically the international year of biodiversity, was the year we officially failed to meet the target to halt its loss. Our natural world continues to be degraded, species populations continue to decline and special places continue to be destroyed.

This is a stark reality but we have to face it, and it is why the hand-in is not, indeed cannot be, the end. Letter to the Future focussed on the need for the UK to pursue sustainable economic solutions to the ongoing financial challenges, solutions that recognise the value of the natural environment and the contribution it can make to the recovery, as well as to our quality of life. The hand-in marks a point of transition.

There is now a new target to halt and reverse the loss of biodiversity by 2020 and, despite having less money, we cannot afford to fail again. We will carry the support and momentum that has already achieved so much into a new phase of activity where we will call on everyone to

Step up for nature - to work together to achieve the future rich in wildlife that will benefit us all.


I would like to invite you to the launch of Stepping Up for Nature, which will take place at the Commonwealth Club in London on Wednesday 9 March, 2 - 4 pm, immediately after the hand-in to the Prime Minister. The event will celebrate the successes we have achieved so far, and thank you for the part you played. You will be the first to see the RSPB’s vision of 2020, a world where wildlife is flourishing in harmony with human endeavour. You will find out what you can do individually, in your community and as part of the RSPB to help achieve this.

Places at the event are free, and we would be delighted if you wanted to bring a guest. However, places are limited so to avoid disappointment, please e-mail Steven Roddy at steven.roddy@rspb.org.uk or give him a call on 01767 680551 as soon as possible.

I look forward to seeing you on 9 March.






Yours sincerely






Dr Mark Avery


Conservation Director

Update on BMI Study Days

Those who were interested in the news about the Study Days at the BMI: http://www.spaghettigazetti.com/2010/12/new-years-resolution.html will be pleased to hear that the website now gives fuller details of the next six events.

To read more, scroll down this page: http://bmi.org.uk/lectures.html

Friday 28th January

J B Priestley, Angel Pavement (1930) and An Inspector Calls (1943).



Our fourth bid to revive interest in Priestley’s achievement will couple analysis of an undeservedly neglected novel with assessment of his best-known play.


Friday 11th February

Shakespeare at the ‘other’ Stratford.


The potential of the open stage of the Festival Theatre in Stratford, Ontario, has contributed to thoughtful and energetic stagings of Shakespeare’s comedies.


Friday 25th February

Elizabeth Inchbald, Lovers’ Vows (1798) and Jane Austen, Mansfield Park (1814).


We shall contextualise and then assess Mrs Inchbald’s adaptation of a Geman play on its own merits before examining the perspective adopted by Jane Austen.


Friday 11th March

‘Not of an age, but for all time’.


Do updated stage and screen versions of plays such as The Changeling and Volpone serve plays by Shakespeare’s contemporaries which are woefully neglected today?


Friday 1st April

Elizabeth Bowen, The Last September (1929) and Isabel Colegate, The Shooting Party(1980).


Framing the Great War, the novels both choose a country-house setting to explore the forces of change that challenge assumptions about social structure.


Friday 15th April

Russian Shakespeare.


Less well known than Kozinstsev’s Gammlet or Korol Lir are some imaginative screen versions of the comedies.

ORCHESTRA OF THE SWAN SPREADS WINGS WITH FESTIVAL FIRSTS

Koto player Yumi Kurosawa will be performing Genji, a koto concerto by Daron Aric Hagen, with Orchestra of the Swan at Spring Sounds 2011  

The UK's most innovative and accessible orchestra is to perform three world and two European premieres with American and Far Eastern themes at its annual showcase in Stratford-upon-Avon this year.

The ground-breaking programme for Orchestra of the Swan's Spring Sounds Festival at the town's Civic Hall has resulted from partnerships with the American Composers Orchestra and Kyo-Shin-An, a New York-based arts organisation dedicated to the integration of Japanese instruments into Western classical music.

The three-day extravaganza from May 27-29 will include fascinating new works ranging from the Black Diamond Express Train to Hell by Douglas J Cuomo, whose credits include the theme music to TV's Sex and the City, to Genji, a koto concerto by Daron Aric Hagen, well-known in the US for his major opera Shining Brow.

A shakuhachi concerto by James Nyoraku Schlefer and a sinfonietta by Shu Wang will also complement a host of concert favourites that audiences can enjoy with special deals including a 2 for 1 admission offer travelling with Chiltern Railways.

Americana! Friday, May 27, 7.30pm

Commissioned jointly by OOTS and the American Composers Orchestra, The Black Diamond Express Train to Hell will be the centrepiece of Americana! - a musical panorama on life in America from the Roaring '20s to the present day.

Reviewed as “thirteen minutes of velocity and ecstasy” and”mesmerizing” following its world premiere in New York last December, the concerto for cello and electronically recorded sounds is derived from a 1927 recording of a sermon by Rev A W Nix.

Douglas J Cuomo said: “It represents a continuation of one of my main preoccupations as a composer: exploring the ecstatic in music. Here the ecstatic element is present in Rev Nix's sermon and the cello response.”

The composer will be giving an introduction to his work in What's the Score?, the orchestra's regular pre-concert discussion at 7.30pm as part of a programme that will also feature Copland's Rodeo – Three Dance Episodes and Appalachian Spring, and Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue, with Viv Maclean on piano.

The audience will also be able to meet OOTS's artistic director and principal conductor David Curtis and principal guest conductor Kenneth Woods, along with the composer and players at 9.30pm for the orchestra's regular post-concert Conversation Club.

East Meets West, Saturday May 28, 7.30pm

World-leading exponents of traditional Japanese instruments will join Orchestra of the Swan the following evening in a performance of three world premieres.

Yumi Kurosawa, who won first prize in the National Koto Competition in Japan in 1989 and 1992, will be performing Daron Aric Hagen's new work Genji, a koto concerto commissioned by both OOTS and Kyon-Shin-An Arts.

The evening will also include the first performance of Sinfonietta by young Chinese composer Shu Wang, whose works have included the music for a 26-episode TV drama series broadcast across China. Her second commission from OOTS follows the success of Dian, a composition for strings first performed in November 2006.

Shakuhachi grand master James Nyoraku Schlefer, who composes for both Japanese and Western instruments and teaches and performs in New York, will be performing the European premiere of his shakuhachi concerto.

The evening's programme, which will be recorded live by US-based Parma Recordings, will also include the world premiere of an orchestral accompaniment to Michiyo Miyagi's duet for shakuhachi and koto, Haro no Umi (The Sea in Spring). There will also be a What's the Score? from 6.30-7pm, and a Conversation Club at 9.30pm.

Summertime... and the livin' is easy, Sunday May 29, 3.30pm

The Spring Sounds Festival will culminate on the Sunday afternoon in a concert performance of American classics with soprano April Frederick.

The 2009 Kathleen Ferrier Awards semi-finalist, who has performed as a soloist in venues including St John's, Smiths Square and the Holywell Music Room, will be singing Copland's Eight Songs by Emily Dickinson, Barber's Knoxville: Summer of 1915, and Gershwin's Summertime. The orchestra, conducted by David Curtis, will also be performing the Barber Capricorn Concerto and Copland's Quiet City.

David Curtis, Artistic Director of Orchestra of the Swan, said: “This year's Spring Sounds is a meeting of East and West, with the timeless sounds of ancient instruments bringing a cross-cultural approach to some extraordinary new music.

“The programme represents the start of a three-year collaboration with two major arts organisations in the American Composers Orchestra and Kyo-Shin-An Arts to explore further joint commissions and help encourage exciting young talent.”

Orchestra of the Swan, which has residencies at Town Hall Birmingham and Cadogan Hall London, is a major champion of new music, having commissioned more than 50 new works over the past five years, more than almost any other orchestra in the UK.

This is the fourth successive year that OOTS has staged its Spring Sounds Festival in Stratford-upon-Avon, where the orchestra was founded in 1995. Its first festival in 2008 with Tamsin Little as artistic director was featured on the South Bank Show.

Tickets are available for each concert priced from £14.50 to £19.50 by calling the Stratford Civic Hall Box Office on 01789 207100 (http://www.civichall.co.uk/). Concert goers can save 20% when buying tickets for two concerts and an amazing 40% on all three concerts. In addition, those travelling to the concerts by Chiltern Railways can obtain two performance tickets for the price of one by quoting Chiltern Railways.