The Phoenix Newspaper - January 2022

CHAMPIONING DIVERSITY, EQUALITY & INCLUSION ACROSS ALL COMMUNITIES

All your Ents News SEE PAGE 17

JANUARY 2022

Positive • Informative • Objective News

A Glorious Return For Panto Page 26

NAOMI STRUTS HER STUFF IN B DUBAI ritish supermodel Naomi Campbell hit the runway in Dubai last Saturday Dec 4-5 as part of Arise Fashion Week, which celebrates the best of

Nigerian fashion and music.

Lagos is usually the home of Arise Fashion Week but there was a slight difference this year.

Continued on Page 8

Silver Win For Chauffeur, Kenneth - Page 7

Page 2 - The Phoenix Newspaper - January 2022

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WILL THE MONTH OF DECEMBER (2021) BE BORIS JOHNSON’S WORST PERIOD IN OFFICE?

By Dr Tony Talburt

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s most people look forward to the month of December as a time for friends and family to get together in celebration, or as a period to relax, how will Prime Minister Boris Johnson reflect on this month?

Perhaps he will probably be wishing this month to pass as quickly as possible because of the painful reminders of how quickly things can change in politics.

Notwithstanding his vast majority in Parliament, Boris Johnson is realizing that might not be enough to guarantee a safe ride as we go into 2022.

Four examples serve to demonstrate this point: firstly, the resignation of David Frost, secondly, the by election defeat in Shropshire, third was the Parliamentary rebellion by one hundred of MPs, many of whom were from his own party and finally, the fall out over the Christmas parties or gatherings at a time when the country was supposed to be in lockdown.

David Frost, who was Johnson’s chief policy adviser at the Foreign Office, suddenly resigned from the Cabinet.

He had been the government’s face of the Brexit deal or the de facto Secretary, but his resignation, seemed to have been fuelled by his overall dissatisfaction with Boris Johnson’s leadership of the Conservative Party and country.

Frost was particularly angry because of what was perceived to be a drift towards a high-tax and high-spend approach and the reintroduction of restrictions on people’s movement and social activity to curb the spread of Covid-19.

Of course, much of these government policies have been influenced by the unexpectedness of the pandemic, for which no government anywhere in the world was fully prepared.

December also saw UK inflation hit a ten year high of 5.1% which was associated with

l Boris Johnson rises in petrol and gas prices.

A second set back for the Prime Minister and his Conservative Party was the stunning defeat in a parliamentary by-election.

This election was regarded as a referendum on Johnson’s government and its general direction of travel.

The Liberal Democrat candidate, Helen Morgan overturned a Conservative majority of almost 23,000 votes from the last election to win the contest in North Shropshire, that has been represented by a Conservative almost continuously since 1832.

Although many people sometimes use by-elections as a way of getting important signals or messages to their government, the extent of the swing in this traditional conservative constituency, should send an important message for Johnson.

In a parliamentary vote on whether the government should consider imposing more restrictions because of Covid -19, Boris Johnson suffered the worst parliamentary rebellion of his time in office as Prime Minister.

In this Parliamentary vote, the entire leadership of the

1922 committee, joined the 100-strong backbench revolt over the Government's new Covid passes.

This committee has served as the main engine of the parliamentary party.

For them to rebel against a Conservative Prime Minister in a Parliamentary vote is a very strong statement.

The fourth incident in December centred around political party parties or social gatherings.

The main one that caused political fallout and public debates was the event that was said to have taken place on 18 December 2020.

This appeared to have been a staff party or gathering inside No 10, which would have contravened strict Covid regulations in place at the time.

In addition, it was reported by the BBC News, that Mr Shaun Bailey, who was running to be Major of London, resigned as a committee chair in the London Assembly after the Mirror published a photo of a separate party a few days earlier…

Responding to the picture, a spokesperson for Mr Bailey's campaign said: "On the evening

of 14 December 2020, at the end of the working day, the campaign hosted a post-work event to thank campaign staff for their efforts over the course of the year.

"This was a serious error of judgement and we fully accept that a gathering like this at that time was wrong and we apologise unreservedly".

What makes these allegations difficult for most people is the fact there appears to be one rule for the majority and a different rule for the leaders, despite everyone apparently being in the same boat.

Despite these four setbacks, the year 2021 for Boris Johnson’s government was not all gloom and doom. He can rightly boast of an economy that is continuing to grow, one of the fastest vaccine rollouts in the world, and a successful COP26 conference.

However, Boris needs to ensure there are no more significant slip ups.

When, in years to come, Boris Johnson reflects on his worst or most difficult period in office, the month of December 2021 will probably be the one he would not like to remember.

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The Phoenix Newspaper - January 2022 - Page 3

NEWS

A NEW YEAR BRINGS - THE JANUARY CHALLENGE

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very new year provides a chance to reflect, and for many, getting a healthier balance between work and life is a priority resolution.

So, people can start their 2022 off right by planning a few moments of creativity from day one!

Creativity and mindfulness go hand in hand, and The January Challenge, from arts organisation 64 Million Artists, now in its ninth year, offers 31 chances to get involved in an accessible creative challenge, making a positive difference to life in 2022.

People have signed-up to receive a daily email throughout the month, with a free, fun, and speedy creative challenge suitable for all the family.

Challenges have been designed by people from across the UK who submitted their ideas, as well as collaborators

including Rotherham United Community Sports Trust, chef Zoe Adjonyoh, signsong rapper SignKid, writer and performer Travis Alabanza, Derek Owusu, also a writer, and music collective Steam Down.

More than 50,000 people took part in the initiative in 2021, taking inspiration from ideas and prompts including creating a selfportrait from household items, collaging a view from a window, and writing a poem inspired by a single word.

Jo Hunter, founder of 64 Million Artists said: “Since it began in 2013, The January Challenge has had a real sense of community, because it’s been built by the people taking part sharing their creations and encouraging one another.

"Not only that, but the challenge gives everyone a brief but vital moment each day to take time out and focus on something new,

creative and fun.”

This year, there are three themed programmes to choose from: • We are Human – 31 challenges to explore the senses, the natural world and what makes us human.

• We are Culture – 31 challenges to explore our identities, cultures and communities • We are Connected – 31 challenges to explore what happens when we create together Jo added: “Challenges are designed to be accessible to everybody, taking no more than five minutes each and using only materials you’re likely to find in your home or workplace.

As well as the daily email, you can follow along on social media using the hashtag #TheJanuaryChallenge.”

The January Challenge by 64 Million Artists runs from 1 – 31 January 2022.

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Page 4 - The Phoenix Newspaper - January 2022

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STRENGTH OF BIRMINGHAM - KEITH ‘CIPHER’ SHAYAAM-SMITH

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by Daniel Riley

utting an imposing figure as he stood up to greet me, Keith ‘Cipher’ ShayaamSmith broke into a wide smile which instantly put everything at ease. A truly gentle giant, Keith is the Director at the Legacy Centre of Excellence in Aston, formerly named the Drum Arts Centre.

Since taking over ownership of the venue, it has been transformed into a state-of-the-art multipurpose building spanning across 2 floors complete with a refurbished live music theatre with 400 seats, 2 auditoriums with 1000 capacity each, 11 new rented offices, a coworking hub, events space, fully equipped multimedia suites, a café, 2 bars and a restaurant.

But who is the frontman behind the successful bid to keep a piece of arts heritage in the community?

That is what The Phoenix was here to find out.

Born and bred in Birmingham and the Black Country, Keith was born in a tower block in Caldmore, Walsall, while growing up and going to school in the area, as well as in Wolverhampton, before moving to Newtown in his mid teens.

Seemingly far afield from his current role, growing up he wanted to be an electronics engineer.

KEITH CRACKS THE CI OF COMMUNITY EXCE “My father came to the UK and his dream was to be an electrical engineer, and he really pushed for me to go in that direction,” Keith explained. “I was more into techy stuff, I was into music from a very young age, and I was always playing around trying to connect the TV to an amp.

“I’d get old equipment that would have been thrown away or sent to second hand stores and fix it for my own use, built my own little music setup from equipment that others didn’t want or was broken.”

But while he thought electronics was going to be his career, despite enjoying it previously, when he started to study it as a subject, it lost all attraction for him, especially as everything was moving more into the computer age. Despite that, he

left school with a HND in Computer Aided Engineering, while coming second in a national award during his time at Sandwell College.

All the while he had been focusing on his studies, his real passion was burning bright inside him – Music.

“I fell in love with hip-hop as soon as I heard it, was into all of the old-school, Grandmaster Flash, the Beat Street Film, Breakdancing, RunDMC with the fat laces, I was into all of it.

“I was a DJ on a community radio station QuestFM when I was 13.

I’ve always been taller than other people my age, tallest in my year at school most of the time, so by 13 I was already 5’10 or 5’11 and no one asked my age.

“It’s mad really, couldn’t do it these days but I was DJ’ing in all

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the old Reggae and Hip hop clubs at 14/15.”

Keith made his first physical record at the age of just 14, and pressed his own record with some money he earned during a summer job at 16, the beginning of starting his own label, although at the time it didn’t have a name.

“I didn’t get a name until 1993 when I made another record, and I just put Cipher recordings on there and the rest was history.”

You’ve got to remember, he was only 13 and needed to buy vinyls to keep up with his budding DJ career, and the entrepreneurial spark was lit in the young Keith.

“I don’t come from a wealthy family. I used to go to Birmingham Rag Market and buy rings and jewellery, before reselling them at school, and I got a paper round too.

I’ve always had that work ethic in me because of my father, his was amazing, still is.”

Although he wanted to go down the artist route into the music industry, with 90% of the industry based in London at the time, out of necessity Cipher Records started in 1993. An incredibly bright and switched on kid, Keith had been learning topics far above his station from a very young age thanks to his dads books on Engineering and Mathematics.

“My love of all things mathematics and scientific is where my name came from. People used to call me it, and then I decided to use it for the record label too.

“I’ve done everything in the music business – I was an artist, music producer, ran my own label.

When you’re independent you can’t be just like “I want to rap” because who is making the music for you to rap over? Out of necessity of wanting to be an artist, I learned all

these things.”

In 1996 a young Cipher started working with a collective of MC’s from all across Birmingham, ending up being 1/3 of a group called Moorish Delta 7 (MD7), and from 1998 to 2006 recorded 3 albums, “doing everything from getting the barcode, to the CD manufacturing, let alone writing and performing the music to be recorded onto them!

“I had to learn it all (… accountancy, getting a solicitor, artist management etc…) on the job, and it’s helped me in a lot of ways. I’m a creative person with some of those analytical skills.

“I also ran a security company off the back of the music side, doing events and close protection. I also ran a convenience store for about 4 years.”

Keith is the youngest of 3 brothers, and unfortunately he lost one of them this year. “I inherited a lot from him, there was only ever Liverpool Football Club for him and me, back then John Barnes was the man, to me he was the Jamaican Messi.

“My brother was into Star Wars, science fiction, he read widely and things you wouldn’t necessarily expect a young black guy to read, like Greek and Persian mythology.

“A number of times I’ve been reminded of the fragility of tomorrow, or how tomorrow is not guaranteed to any of us, so I always try to cherish every day.

“Every day is a learning day and every day is another chance to get it right.”

Not resting on his laurels, Keith has also written and published 3 books, The Secret Money Manual – about money, Know the Ledge – about British Identity and Black History which he wrote before

0121 339 5885

Brexit, and Youth Engagement 101 about street level youth engagement – which he definitely isn’t just all talk about.

“After being involved in music I had a profile, and I always wanted to give back. Always been involved in running and organising youth projects even when I was an artist doing tours, I would volunteer on projects, delivering workshops.

“I built a studio in Oaklands Youth Centre, literally running the project that engaged young people in it. I did the same at Summerfield Community Centre as well, wired all the equipment up, trained the young people up on how to use it a n d left it with the centre saying there you go.”

It’s this spirit of wanting to give back and uplifting the youth, along with his hard working nature that has brough Keith to where he is today, and why he is the perfect person to lead the Legacy Centre of Excellence forward.

In around 2006, he started to get into property development, buying a building in the Jewellery Quarter called the Sankofa Centre, a 2,500sq/ft property which he ran until 2016 where businesses owned by young entrepreneurs and creatives thrived, divided the space into units including a music shop, an estate agent, music studio, graphic designers and much more.

“Around 2016, the organisation that ran this building, The Drum - as

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IPHER ELLENCE it was then known back then, went into liquidation, and this building that was a part of the community for so many years, was in danger of leaving the community for good.

“As a young man I’d seen so many black-owned buildings, community centres and facilities leave the community for one reason or another, and every time we lost one of these buildings there was like major psychological damage, withdrawing safe spaces where people can connect, commune, network and discuss.

“Sometimes you don’t realise the value of something before it’s gone. I was determined that I wanted to do something about keeping it in the community.”

And do something h e did. He’d already been writing a proposal for a larger space off the back of his work with the Sankofa Centre, and was also doing project management for large charity organisations in London as well as community engagement, so it wasn’t long before he had written the business and action plans, and put the bid in.

“I’m blessed to be working with a fantastic team, and it was thanks to all of our efforts that we completed the purchase of the building in May 2019. We were able to partially refurb the building, and managed to open September 7th 2019 which was a really quick turnaround.

“Even some of the large

organisations we partner with kept asking if I was being too ambitious with it, but momentum is a huge thing, and pressure makes diamonds.”

“I truly believe that it’s important that this site is part of the legacy of our community, and I want it to be excellent. Why is it that we expect people in this community to expect less?

“Why should you come in here and not feel welcome? I don’t want that, I want people to have a high quality level of service in the community in which they live, we don’t lower our standards for anyone.”

There has been arts on the site of the current centre since it was the Aston Hippodrome, with the Barton Arms next door holding a detailed archive of images dating back to Laurel and Hardy performing at the centre.

“I also wanted to make sure that we integrated and had a base for entrepreneurism, creativity and business on this site as well, to empower our youth,” Keith continued.

“Don’t judge us now, judge us on a 5 year timeline. I reckon we’ve done a pretty good job actually, in the two years we’ve had already considering we’d only been open half a year before the pandemic hit.

“We used the lockdown time to improve our systems, do staff training, business and organisational development etc, so we used our

The Phoenix Newspaper - January 2022 - Page 5

STRENGTH OF BIRMINGHAM - KEITH ‘CIPHER’ SHAYAAM-SMITH time as positively as we could.

As for who the centre is for, Keith is quite clear; “The Legacy Centre of Excellence is for the people of Newtown and Aston, the people of North Birmingham, for Black and Ethnic Minorities, for all the people of Birmingham, and the UK. “It’s a black-owned business, but I don’t believe that that means only black people can use the facility, that’s the first thing, but I think that we’re keenly placed to create a resource that a lot of people can make use of, and I want it to be the best it can be for everyone.”

Despite everything that he has been doing business wise, the husband and father of 4 has ensured that he always makes time for his family, “I do school runs where I can, parents evenings, and try to stay very involved in their lives on a day to day basis.

“I’ve always wanted to be close with my children, I don’t want them to get to 18 and realise I’ve not got a good and close relationship with them.

“What is the point of gaining the world if you lose your own soul doing so?”

As Keith and the Legacy Centre look towards the future, including Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games Events planned for July and August alongside the North Birmingham Alliance and the Commonwealth Games Committee, and a number of events already scheduled, it’s great to see the passion and enthusiasm is still burning strong and bright in the leadership team at the helm.

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ADOPTION & FOSTERING Figures Show Number Of Children Adopted From Care Falls To Lowest In 21 Years

FREE EDUCATION CONFERENCE FOR ADOPTIVE PARENTS IN THE REGION

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doptive parents across the Black Country were invited to register for a new Adopter Education Conference, to hear from an education expert on all things adoption in schools and share their own views and experiences.

The free event, hosted by Adoption UK’s independent service, Adopter Voice in partnership with Adoption@ Heart, took place virtually, where adopter’s views, voice and lived experiences were heard.

Attendees learned about education from expert speaker, Stuart Guest, dad through adoption and birth, Head

Teacher at Colebourne Primary in Birmingham, and trainer of teachers in trauma and attachment matters that affect children.

Following the session, a full report was created, highlighting the views which were shared with Adoption@Heart and the Virtual Schools to influence review and change.

Mark Tobin, Head of Service at Adoption@Heart, said: “We were really excited to host our first Adopter Education Conference in partnership with Adopter Voice.

“We know that education issues are rated by adopters as being a top priority area that they would really value being supported with, and this event helped us to

understand and address adopters’ concerns.”

Contracts Delivery Manager at Adoption UK, Anita Hart, added: “We know education is one of the trickiest areas for our families, so we asked the Virtual School and Stuart Guest to spend the morning to talk about what matters to you most and using Adopter Voice to see how we can feed back on those issues.”

This event was specifically for adoptive parents who live in Wolverhampton, Dudley, Sandwell, and Walsall, regardless of whether they adopted via Adoption@Heart. Adopter Voice is a service provided by Adoption UK; the country’s largest adopter

led community.

Established to work with local authorities and regional adoption agencies, they contribute to influence local change, as well as informing regional and national adoption leadership boards, and the Department for Education on policy improvements.

Adoption@Heart is the Regional Adoption Agency for the Black Country, providing adoption services for City of Wolverhampton Council, Walsall Council, Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council and Sandwell Children’s Trust.

Adoption UK Partnership With The Masked Singer ADOPTION UK has been announced as one of the first ever charity partnerships for ITV’s The Masked Singer, ahead of the new series of the award-winning show.

Sue Armstrong Brown, Adoption UK’s chief executive, said: “Families are at the heart of all we do.

“That’s why we’re proud to partner such a much-loved family show. Family time is precious, particularly when things get tough.

“We’re thrilled to be joining The Masked Singer family on sofas

across the country.

We can’t wait for the musical mayhem to begin.”

Adoption UK will join the NSPCC and Home-Start as charity collaborators for the hit show which at its peak saw 10 million viewers trying to figure out who was behind the mask. As part of the partnership, Adoption UK will receive a range of competition giveaways

from the show and will be able to interact directly with The Masked Singer’s social channels. The third series of The Masked Singer will

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launch on 1st January, with Joel Dommett once again hosting, and Davina McCall, Mo Gilligan, Jonathan Ross and Rita Ora heading back to their detective chairs as the guessing game begins all over again.

Adoption UK is the leading charity for adoptive families. The charity aims to give children who have had an unfair start in life an equal chance of a bright future.

THE NUMBER OF children adopted from care fell to its lowest level in 21 years in 2020-21, Department for Education (DfE) figures show.

Their number fell by 18% on the year to 2,870, the lowest total since 1999-2000.

Delays in family court proceedings during Covid-19 pandemic accelerated the latest annual decline in adoptions, but the number has fallen each year since a peak of 5,360 in 201415.

The DfE figures also showed the number of children entering and leaving care both fell sharply, by 8% to 28,440 and by 6% to 28,010, respectively, their lowest levels in nine years.

But, as the number entering care still outnumbered those leaving, the number of lookedafter children increased for the 13th year running, to a record high of 80,850.

The rate of looked-after children per 10,000 children remained at 67, the same as the year before.

However, the number of unaccompanied asylum-seeking children (UASC) in care fell by a fifth, a second consecutive annual drop, to 4,070, its lowest

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level in six years.

The latest figures show that the average age of a child at adoption rose by three months in 2020-21, to three years and three months, the same level as in 2018.

Adoptions for Asian/Asian British children and Mixed/ multi-ethnic group children leaving care fell by a higherthan-average rate in 2020-21, of 25% and 24%, respectively.

In its strategy, the DfE highlighted the long waits faced by children from ethnic minorities and prioritised recruiting more adopters from ethnic minority communities.

“We know the pandemic has had a significant impact on agencies in securing permanent homes for children,” a DfE spokesperson said.

The spokesperson added that adoption numbers had recovered since the turn of the financial year in April.

“Data from the Adoption and Special Guardianship Leadership Board shows that, as of June 2021, the adoption system is recovering, with adoption orders and special guardianship orders back to preCovid levels,” they added.

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There’s something for everyone at

Symphony Hall and Town Hall Celebrating Sanctuary: Amadou Diagne Thu 27 Jan Symphony Hall

Kodo One Earth Tour 2022: Tsuzumi Sun 13 Feb Symphony Hall

BIRMINGHAM LORD MAYOR'S CHAUFFEUR, KENNETH BOND WINS SILVER AT AWARDS

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irmingham City Council chauffeur Kenneth Bond has won the Silver QSi Award in the prestigious Professional Driver of the Year Awards.

Professional Driver Editor Mark Bursa said: “Kenneth Bond is a private chauffeur working for a major city council, driving senior dignitaries.

"As well as a list of qualifications as long as your arm, he has a complete focus on customer service. Everything you’d expect from a really topgrade chauffeur.”

Professional Driver magazine’s QSi Awards ceremony was a night to remember for the cream of Britain’s chauffeur and private hire operators.

The awards, open to every chauffeur and private hire company in the UK, are designed to recognise operators and individuals that demonstrate excellent standards of Quality, Service and Innovation.

Gold, Silver and Bronze awards were presented in 10 categories at a thrilling event, held at the Celtic Manor Resort in Newport, South Wales.

The 10 categories mean there’s something for every size and type of operator, from one-man bands to large fleets. Categories also reward innovations in marketing, environmental performance and local community activities, while a special award – Professional

Driver of the Year – singles out a chauffeur or private hire driver who is judged to be the best in the UK. Mark Bursa said: “The private hire, taxi and chauffeur industry has made an enormous contribution to keeping Britain moving throughout the Covid pandemic, delivering food and medicines, transporting key workers and helping the elderly and vulnerable get to vaccination centres.”

“This year’s Professional Driver QSi Awards recognise those amazing efforts and bring the industry together for a muchneeded night of celebration.”

Mark Bursa continued: “We were overwhelmed by the quality of the entries, and it was a very tough job to pick our winners.

Only very good operators made the short list, so we can be sure our Gold, Silver and Bronze winners are among the very best in Britain.”

Musical Meet Up’s – Tehillah Henry Wed 16 Feb Symphony Hall

CBSO 2021/22: The Ordering of Moses Wed 23 Feb Symphony Hall

Aretha’s Anthems with Black Voices Sun 20 Mar Symphony Hall

Reginald D Hunter: Bombe Shuffleur Wed 30 Mar Town Hall

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NIGERIAN FASHION CELEBRATED AS NAOMI CAMPBELL TAKES TO THE RUNWAY IN DUBAI

By Delroy Constantine-Simms

Continued from Front Page

As part of Nigeria’s Day at the ongoing Dubai Expo 2020, the fashion show was held at the Armani Hotel, in Downtown Dubai where the iconic and imposing Burj Khalifa stands tall.

Guests were treated to a spectacular display of fashion created by some of Nigeria’s most celebrated designers, which includes Lisa Folawiyo, Ituen Basi, Keneth Ize, Huddaya, Odio Mimonet, Lanre Da Silva, Tzar Studios, Onalaja, Banke Kuku, Tj Who, and others.

Opening the one-night show was none other than Naomi Campbell who confidentially stomped down the catwalk, wearing a stunning design by Abuja-based label,

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Huddaya.

The look consisted of a robe dress and pants which the British supermodel teamed with a pair of peep-toe heel sandals.

Her long, straight hair also made a remarkable addition to the entire look as it continued to swing left and right.

She also walked for Banke Kuku wearing a beautiful lounge dress from the brand, as well as Keneth Ize’s patterned dress.

For both fashion enthusiasts and key stakeholders, a high point was watching Supermodel Naomi Campbell wearing Nigerian designs and doing what she does best – catwalk!

There was also an exciting musical performance by Wizkid charged through the audience to the sounds of Afrobeat music.

Speaking about the show, the

Minister of Industry, Trade, and Investment, Otunba Niyi Adebayo, who represented the Nigerian president, said by hosting AFW in Dubai, the organizers were showcasing Nigerian fashion to the world.

“I’m very glad to be here to witness another landmark achievement for the country: the first ARISE Fashion Week in Dubai.

"A city described as the Jewel of the Middle East where the best of Nigeria’s fashion and entertainment have come out in full force to celebrate our great country on this day that marks Nigeria’s Day at the Dubai Expo 2020,” Adebayo said in a statement.

The event concluded with live performances by musicians D’banj and Akon.

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COUNCILLORS SET TO BESTOW FREEDOM OF THE CITY TO HEROINE LISA

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ouncillors in Wolverhampton are consider bestowing the honour of Freedom of the City to Lisa Potts in recognition of her exceptional bravery and charity work.

Lisa, a former nursery teacher, was proclaimed as a heroine in 1996 when she protected children in her care from a machetewielding attacker who burst into St Luke’s Primary School, Blakenhall.

Aged just 21 at the time, she suffered severe injuries to her

head, back and both arms as she prevented the attacker from reaching the children she was shielding.

Her bravery was acknowledged

by Her Majesty the Queen who awarded Lisa the George Medal.

Since the attack, Lisa has done considerable charity work and founded the charity Believe 2 Achieve in 2001 which aims to encourage independence and increase self-esteem in children.

Members of the Council’s governance and ethics committee were asked to recommend

that the authority convened an extraordinary meeting of the full council to bestow freedom of the city to Lisa.

It comes after a nomination to honour her was received by the council and supported by the Mayor, Councillor Greg Brackenridge, leader of the council, Cllr Ian Brookfield and leader of the opposition, Cllr Wendy Thompson.

Previous recipients of the honour include football legend Steve Bull and singer Beverley Knight in 2018.

NEWS

l Lisa Potts, who looks to be receiving the Freedom of the City of Wolverhampton

Calls For Applicants As Taskforce Launched To Tackle Race Inequality A NEW regional Race Equalities Taskforce is being set up by the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) and recruitment to the Taskforce is now open.

It will be led by an independent Chair, Yetunde Dania, who is Partner and Birmingham Head of Office at international law firm Trowers & Hamlins.

The Taskforce will act to improve equality of opportunity for all communities across the West Midlands: concentrating on race and the extent to which people from different ethnic groups (including White British people) have different experiences and challenges.

It has been launched on the back of evidence showing that people from ethnic minority backgrounds face disparities across a range of areas, from wellbeing to accessing transport and housing.

They will be asking their partners to share the opportunity to apply to join the Taskforce with their connections so we can attract people with expertise, experience and energy, from all sectors and communities, to help us make a positive change in race equalities across the region. Applications are now open and close at midnight

l Chair,Yetunde Dania on Sunday 16 January 2022.

Membership of the Taskforce is a purely voluntary role and not paid employment with the Combined Authority. They will also be hosting two online webinars - for people interested in applying to join the Taskforce.

“Our vision,” Yetunde says, “is that in the West Midlands, ethnicity, race and heritage should never be obstacles to people having a fair start in life, or the opportunity for people to reach their full potential and flourish.”

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Page 10 - The Phoenix Newspaper - January 2022

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Still Time For Residents To Have Their Say And Shape City’s New Carer Strategy

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arers in Wo l v e r h a m p t o n are being invited to have their say and help shape a new strategy which aims to ensure the right support and services are in place for them and the people that they look after.

Carers are adults, children and young people who provide unpaid care for a friend, family member, child or neighbour who, due to illness, disability, a mental

health need or an addiction, would not be able to cope without their support. It includes people who receive Carers Allowance.

The City of Wolverhampton Council is developing an All-Age Carers Strategy and wants to hear from carers in the city to find out about their experience of caring, their needs, what is important to them and what would improve their quality of life.

It also wants to hear from professionals and organisations

that come into contact with, or provide support to, carers in Wolverhampton.

There are three surveys, one for adult carers, one for young carers aged 18-25 and one for professionals, with the closing date for comments being Friday 14 January. Other activities are also planned before the

engagement closes on 28 January.

Councillor Linda Leach, the City of Wolverhampton Council's Cabinet Member for Adult Services, said: "Carers play a crucial role in our local community and have a hugely positive impact on the lives of the people that they support.

THE MODERN WAY TO FUND CARE

Unfortunately,

one of life’s inevitabilities is that as we grow older our health starts to deteriorate and our reliance on support for our care needs increase.

Sadly, every year over 50,000 elderly people are forced to sell their homes to fund their care. There are few options available to the growing number of the older generation, who need to pay care home fees.

If you or your family require help with care funding, our care advice partner My Care My Home offer a free impartial information and advice service informing you of all

For those thinking of selling their Charity owned; Shaw Lifetime Care (SLC) are currently the only home to fund the costs of their care, they may want to reconsider. providers of this solution. The Care and Home Inheritance Plan The recent Government “CHIP®” could help fund your care announcement to cap care for as long as you require without costs in England will not be the need to sell your home. Dr implemented until at least Neslyn Watson-Druee (CBE), a October 2023, and realistically Trustee of The Shaw Foundation may not be the solution for the (TSF), the charity which developed vast majority of those seeking this solution was recently quoted ways to finance their care home as saying “we believe that no one fees today or in the future. should be forced to sell their There is a modern way to home to pay for care. We have pay for care. spent many years developing this solution which we hope will help Leasing your home to a company growing numbers of families is a new solution, where they across England and Wales from become legally obliged to pay an selling their home to pay for care”. agreed contribution towards your The solution is available to all who chosen care home costs, directly meet the criteria and is not to the care home operator. The subject to any medical assessments. great thing is that you still own Each CHIP® is personalised, the property and all future depending on our clients’ increases in its value, allowing circumstances. you to retain ownership within your family.

your options, including the CHIP®. Their customer care team are available through on-line chat or by calling them on freephone: 0800 731 8470.

Curious to find out more?

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Shaw Lifetime Care: 02921 510150 or visit our website: www.shawlifetimecare.co.uk This advertorial is sponsored by Beacon Organisational Development Ltd

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TREWITHEN DAIRY BACKS

WORLD SOIL DAY

F

amily-run Cornish business Trewithen Dairy are obsessed with nurturing the soil under their cows' hooves.

Together they are on a mission to cultivate soil that holds as much water, air, nutrients and carbon as possible, while providing a home for the ecosystem inside. This way plants thrive and dairy cows thrive.

Trewithen Dairy believe that with great dairy comes great responsibility, so they created the 'Trew Farming' standard - a code of their shared practices and beliefs between the dairy farms contracted to supply Trewithen Dairy. This set of standards ensures a commitment to grazing, high levels of animal health and welfare, regular carbon emission monitoring, and sharing of best practices amongst the supply pool - all above and beyond Red Tractor standards.

Building upon these Trew Farming Standards, they also work closely with two farms pioneering regenerative farming techniques to sequester carbon into the soil and increase biodiversity. They have adopted methods such as planting herbal lays, longer grazing rotation and minimal tilling. Trewithen Dairy call this

carbon-neutral journey their Earth Milk Project.

Managing Director, Francis Clarke, believes that working alongside nature is more productive in the long-term than intensive agricultural techniques saying: “As producers, we have a responsibility to lead by example when it comes to finding solutions to tackle climate change.

“Days like World Soil Day are important to recognise that soil health is fundamental to us all.

By making its regeneration part of our central strategy, we believe we can make a real difference to enhancing our soil for future generations.”

Alongside a carbon footprint reduction, there are a plethora of other benefits to regenerative farming, such as a decrease in fertilizer use, greater resilience to extreme weather and improved wildlife and biodiversity on the farm. Ultimately, regenerative practices are considered more flexible than organic farming and are more of an evolution of conventional farming, with a focus on soil health below ground, and diversity above ground.

It avoids being prescriptive and has the potential for dairy to be more profitable for the farmer and better for the environment.

0208 865 1922 (London)

CELEBRATING 10 YEARS OF POSITIVE NEWS

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The Phoenix Newspaper - January 2022 - Page 11

NEWS

Andy Donald Appointed Interim Chief Executive Of Haringey Council ANDY DONALD is set to be appointed as Interim Chief Executive of Haringey Council, taking over from Zina Etheridge, who will be leaving her position in February 2022.

Andy was Chief Executive of nearby Redbridge Council until earlier this year and will take up his new position with Haringey in the New Year, subject to approval at Full Council. During his five-and-a-half years with Redbridge, the east London authority was recognised for its outstanding children’s and adult services and shortlisted twice for the MJ Council of the Year award.

He led Redbridge’s Child Friendly Borough, Growth

Commission and Community Hubs work, putting engagement and collaboration with the community at the heart of what the council does. He was also the lead Chief Executive for housing and regeneration across the capital and the pandemic response in north-east London.

Andy, who lives with his family in Hackney, has spent the vast majority of his 30year career working for London local authorities, including a long spell as the Director with responsibilities for housing, regeneration and major projects at the London Borough of Brent. He says: “It is a privilege to be offered the opportunity to take on the Chief Executive role

at Haringey.

“I’m delighted to have the chance to build on Zina’s excellent work and I am really looking forward to working alongside the Leader, politicians, the staff, partners and local communities to both support Haringey through the coming months and make further progress on the Borough’s aspirations and priorities.”

Andy replaces Haringey’s current Chief Executive, Zina Etheridge, who is leaving to become Chief Executive Officer Designate of northeast London’s health and care partnership.

Pub raises £2,500 For Birmingham Children’s Hospital Former England Striker Daniel Sturridge Ordered To Pay £22k Over Lost Dog The Foresters Arms, Swadlincote has raised £2,500 and will be donating toys to Birmingham Children’s Hospital, all in memory of the late Stacey Fusco.

Last month, The Foresters Arms part of the award-winning Craft Union Pub Company, hosted a Charity Race Night in memory of pub local Stacey Fusco.

Stacey’s family along with Operator Paula Stevenson, organised the evening, in which the pub showed several different races and gave out race cards where participants could make bets, the local community also had the opportunity to sponsor the races to help raise money.

There was also a raffle where the local community donated some of the prizes. The money raised, over £2,500, has been donated to Birmingham Children’s Hospital, as Stacey used to work on the children’s cancer ward.

As well as the money raised from the charity night being donated to Birmingham Children’s Hospital, Paula will also be donating toys.

F

ormer Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge has been ordered to pay $30,000 (£22,400) to a man who says he found his lost dog.

The footballer, who now plays in Australia, said his Pomeranian named Lucci was stolen from a house in Los Angeles in 2019 and offered a reward.

Foster Washington, a rapper known as Killa Fame, says he reunited Sturridge and his pet but was not paid. A Los Angeles court ruled for Washington.

Court documents show that judgement was given against the Birmingham-born exfootballer by default, meaning he did not respond to the complaint. Judge Curtis Kin ordered that the footballer must pay Washington $30,000 in damages and costs of $85.

"Hopefully he pays up and doesn't try to appeal it," he said. "I'm excited about it, I've been fighting this case for over a year, I can't believe it's over. When we found the dog

I thought my life was going to be better."

Ex-England international Sturridge, who is 32 and now plays for Perth Glory in Australia's A-League, posted videos of damage at his West Hollywood home and CCTV images of three hooded men in 2019 when Lucci went missing. "We will pay anything for the dog," he said.

"Whoever brings my dog back, 20 grand, 30 grand, whatever." The footballer was reunited with his dog two days later, after Mr Washington posted images from his Twitter account, asking: "Is this Lucci?"

After the missing Pomeranian was returned, Sturridge said he was thankful to people who had raised awareness, but did not say whether he had paid the reward.

The footballer's representatives were not immediately available for comment following the judgement but have been contacted.

Send your stories in to newsdesk@thephoenixnewspaper.com

Page 12 - The Phoenix Newspaper - January 2022

CELEBRATING 10 YEARS OF POSITIVE NEWS

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Business & Finance BIRMINGHAM CONTENT MARKETING AGENCY TEAMS UP WITH GLOBAL BIOTECHNOLOGY BRAND

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ull service content marketing agency, HDY Agency, has expanded its portfolio of clients after securing a number of new projects with global biotechnology company, The Binding Site.

Founded by researchers at the University of Birmingham, The Binding Site provides specialist diagnostic products to clinicians and laboratory professionals around the world.

The company is dedicated to improving patient lives and delivering innovative medical solutions that improve the diagnosis and management of blood cancers and immune system disorders.

It has a presence in more than 25 countries, employing around 1,100 people worldwide.

The new partnership will see two Birmingham-based businesses that have global international visions for growth collaborating for the first time.

Specifically, HDY Agency will be supporting the business with digital and campaign marketing,

as well as producing The Binding Site’s first podcast, curated for medical professionals and educators.

HDY spans a full spectrum of creative services and expertise which is split into three core areas: Creative Content Studio, Performance Digital Marketing and Organic Content covering digital, social media and email marketing, design, brand development, PR, experiential, influencer marketing and search engine optimisation.

Claire Cooper, Head of Global Communications at The Binding Site, said: “Our new partnership with HDY is a key part of achieving our impressive growth ambitions.

"Not only do we want to get our products into the hands of more medical professionals, we also want to educate people on the importance of regular checks and detection.”

Co-founder of HDY Agency, Angel Gaskell, said: “The Binding Site plays such a vital role in medical diagnostics and the wider science sectors. We’re

proud to be partnering up with the team who are making a huge difference to people’s lives.”

HDY Agency was co-founded

by Global broadcaster Ed James and accomplished marketer

Angel Gaskell in 2018. The award-winning agency has strong growth ambitions and is set to grow its global client base in 2021.

Noon Products Ltd Continues Its Ongoing Support For NishkamSWAT

A CHILLED FOOD manufacturer based in Southall, in London, has donated a van to a local charity to help with its distribution of food to those in need.

Noon Products Ltd started supporting NishkamSWAT’s community support outreach programme at the time of the Grenfell fire.

Noon provided the charity with microwavable ready meals for people while they were waiting to be re-homed.

The relationship between the company and NishkamSWAT has gone from strength to strength and in early 2020, a new initiative started to serve freshly cooked hot food by the Noon chefs.

In 2020, homelessness surpassed 10,000 in London with a 47% increase of 16-to-25-year old's due to lockdown restrictions.

The disappearance of commuters meant that no one was offering money at a time when most soup kitchens were closed and food banks were struggling to keep up with the demand.

It was left to a few small groups of volunteers to provide thousands of meals a week through such a difficult year. Noon wanted to make an increased commitment to the partnership and decided to donate the co-branded chilled van to NishkamSWAT to help even further with the distribution of food.

CAN THE MINORITY ETHNIC BUSINESS A DIVIDEND BE MET IN 2022?

ward-wInnIng journalist, editor and publisher Dr Christopher Johnson writes his monthly column in The Phoenix aiming to inform, educate and entertain.

by Dr. Christopher A. Johnson

A

rather challenging question at a time when efforts are being made to overcome the deleterious effects of a mutating virus, still wreaking havoc across the globe in multiple ways.

Can we expect the minority ethnic business dividend to become a ‘plausible reality’? Or will it remain an illusory ideal for 2022?

Recent estimates suggest that ethnic businesses contribute £25 million to the British economy.

In the same breath, analysts and other commentators have been clamouring for a dividend that ensures fairness to deal with emerging realities affecting minorities and society as a whole (Wunnava, P., Mitra, A., & Prasch, R. 2015).

In the past year, they’ve been numerous reports and other commentary referring to the continued disadvantage ethnic firms are experiencing. So, what is new?

Whilst citing the value of ethnic firms to the economy, the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) referred to societal inequalities that impeded the progress of several ethnic firms (July 2020).

The detachment from mainstream business support, was perceived as a major issue among others, to be tackled.

The British Bank, in its report, ‘Alone, together Entrepreneurship and diversity in the UK’ (October 2020), suggested the timeliness of the ethnic dividend.

The authors of the muchvaunted ‘Commission on Race and Ethnic Disparities’ report (March 2021), analysed in detail, the under-representation of minorities across sectoralprofessions and key disciplines.

Middlesex University commissioned a literature review on ‘Minoritised Ethnic

Community and Social Enterprises’ (August 2021).

This document looked at levels of funding investment support ethnic minorityled enterprises received over a particular period. According to verified data emanating from the said report, out of the £41.82 million disbursed across six programme platforms, only 18% or £7.67 million went to ethnicled organisations.

Two examples will suffice here; the ‘COVID-19 Resilience and Recovery Fund’ (RRLF) attracted only 5% while the ‘Growth Fund example: 1 Fund’ awarded 27% funding to minority-based organisations.

The persistent use of the descriptor, ‘BAME-led’ not only obscured the factual accuracy of data analysis, but also subsumed the efficacy of [genuine] ethnic monitoring that was expected [and should be] from reputable funding agencies and institutions that tend to be vociferous about economic inclusion and social advancement.

Ethnic monitoring remains a thorny issue, bedevilling Establishment figures who are striving to ensure ethnic progress is not undermined or eroded by stereotypes that have their genesis in institutional and systemic biases.

Perhaps, the question posed and answers given by Mayank Shah, founder and CEO of Minority Supplier Diversity UK (MSDUK), are pertinent to addressing this long-standing rigidity.

“How can you produce policies to support disadvantaged business groups, if you do not collect or analyse any data?

"None of the 24 government departments or any local councils in the UK have a remit or mandate around supply diversity – this needs to change, and it needs to change quickly.

“All under-represented business groups – ethnic minorities, women, and others – should be a key part of the government’s policy to spend 33% with SMEs.”

Send your stories in to newsdesk@thephoenixnewspaper.com

CELEBRATING 10 YEARS OF POSITIVE NEWS

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The Phoenix Newspaper - January 2022 - Page 13

BUSINESS AND FINANCE

FRASERS GROUP RINGS UP NEARLY £1BN FUNDING

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rasers Group has refinanced nearly £1bn in bank facilities as it seeks to continue its Elevation Programme.

It will be able to access credit facilities and a term loan totalling £930m to support its growth ambitions. Frasers Group is on an ambitious elevation strategy and continues to invest significantly

across its portfolio of retail facias and digital platforms, with the vision to serve consumers with the world’s best sports, premium and luxury brands.

Jointly led by HSBC UK and backed by several other lenders, the deal refinances £913.5m of existing loan facilities and adds £16.5m in new funding. It is the largest bank funding package to

be secured in the British retail sector this year.

Chris Wootton, Chief Financial Officer at Frasers Group, said: “Partners like HSBC UK, will allow us to continue with our commitment to the UK high street and retail sector - investing significantly into the future with our on-going elevation strategy that fuels our long-term growth.”

Charity Boss’ Innocent Queries Result In 'Death Threats' From Local Shop

A

by Steve Williams

charity boss claimed that he was assaulted in a food store following a dispute over juice

drinks.

Lebert Dawkins, along with his wife Janet, was in the process of buying soft drinks at the Mr Khan's Authentic Jamaican Food Store, in Winson Green, Birmingham, for his community food bank, in Walsall, for a charity dinner.

But, what started as jovial, innocent questions on the variety of flavours available, turned into threats on his life by store employees.

Mr Dawkins, a director of Blessed 2 Bless (based at Darlaston Community Recreation Centre, Wednesbury), a charity that helps feed the homeless and those that are struggling financially in Birmingham and Solihull, was looking to buy a varied selection of white grape and strawberry soft drinks for a community dinner, but when he wanted to qualify that they were in place in the boxes, but during the transaction, he says that a shop employee turned on him, claiming that he had no rights in making his request.

‘Customer Service’ at the store, Mr Dawkins felt, was very much put in question – then overstepped – when a store employee – who had a bottle in one hand and a knife in the other - threatened the couple for questioning the purchase by raising his voice before punching him and fleeing immediately. He (Mr Dawkins) immediately left the shop and called the local police.

“I was totally shocked,” community worker, Mr Dawkins, said. “People need to know what happened to us in Mr Khans’.

“He could have smashed that bottle in my head or stabbed me with the knife. Justice must prevail because I could have lost my life.

Following the incident, store manager and son of the owner, Danny Khan, said: “What happened was totally wrong and involved a brand-new employee.

Mr Khan, whose father set-up the shop 35 years ago, went on to

claim that the shop worker was immediately sacked - further adding that the store would cooperate with a police investigation that was taking place.

With a swollen face – following the incident - and hospital treatment, Mr Dawkins said he hoped the perpetrator would be brought to justice. "Things like this cannot just be pushed under the carpet," he said.

This incident is another, in what’s becoming a litany of customer issues, at the Authentic Jamaican Food Store. Police investigations into this, the latest, were ongoing.

This is not the first time that a story of abuse like this concerning Mr Khan's has been brought to The Phoenix's attention It is very important that people in the community that provide a service to individuals do not abuse that right, as the black community are the people that, although Mr Khan has previously disagreed, have shopped with him regardless of the disrespect that he has shown over many years, in particular for telling black customers to get out of his shop, experienced first hand by our Editor In Chief some years ago.

We have to realise that racism is not just a black and white issue. It is a cancer that is found in other communities too infact shockingly worst that you could ever imagine.

We have to stamp out this infection.

It has also been alleged by local resident Bepe, that he was punched in the face, and called a "black b******d" by Mr Khan's son whilst he was selling his CD's a t t h e shop.

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Relationship Director at HSBC UK, Richard Bacon, added: “The retail sector is undergoing immense change and it is crucial for retailers to have the capability and flexibility to evolve. Frasers Group has a clear plan in place and this substantial package is evidence of our support for, and confidence in, its future direction.”

Page 14 - The Phoenix Newspaper - January 2022

CELEBRATING 10 YEARS OF POSITIVE NEWS

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THE EDUCATION, FUNERALTRAINING OF MOMMA AND JEN RECRUITMENT

g n i t o Prom xcellence E

As part of our ongoing commitment to promoting the positive and inspirational individuals and organisations in our communities, The Phoenix Newspaper presents Promoting Excellence - a closer look at our role models, entrepreneurs, community figures and success stories.

EDGBASTON SCHOOL TEAMS UP WITH MICHELIN CHEF TO LAUNCH ITS NEW-LOOK FOOD TECHNOLOGY CLASSROOM

H

allfield School of Edgbaston, in Birmingham, marked the launch of its state-of-the-art food technology classroom recently with a locally sourced, surprise ingredient: Michelin Chef, Andreas Antona and team of Simpsons Restaurant.

Antona, alongside Simpsons’ Executive Chef Luke Tipping and Rachel Tokitsu, teacher at Simpsons’ Eureka Cookery School, talked about his journey to becoming a Michelin-rated Chef during a special assembly.

The children were encouraged to ask their own questions, which they did with gusto and highlighted some future investigative journalists in the room!

Following the assembly, a ribboncutting ceremony took place at the brand-new Food Technology classroom with Andreas before the first lesson took place under the watchful eye of Rachel, which involved the year 7 and 8 children

working together to create their own pizzas.

Later in the day, some of the younger pupils were invited to a Five Senses Session with Rachel, where they were taught about the importance of taste and given the chance to experience this first-hand by sampling a variety of different foods.

Keith Morrow, Headmaster at Hallfield School, comments: “As a school, we understand that health and wellbeing are as important to the future success of our children as their academic achievements.

Life is really all about having a healthy body and mind, as well as intellectual curiosity and selfconfidence.”

“We were delighted to be joined by the team from Simpsons to open our new, state-of-the-art, Food Technology Classroom,” he added.

“The new classroom is another investment into the fabric of Hallfield and supports our ‘Hallfield Futures’ 5-year strategy – part of

which is to invest in the school’s facilities and build a school that is fit for the ambitious education we offer here.”

Chef-Patron and owner of Simpsons, Andreas Antona, comments: “It was an honour to be asked by the team at Hallfield School to get involved in the launch of their brand-new Food Technology Classroom.

"At Simpsons, we are passionate about creating beautiful food, but also about teaching future generations how to cook and where their food comes from.”

Rachel Tokitsu, Teacher at Simpsons’ Eureka Cookery School, adds: “It has been amazing to interact with the children and teach them that there is more to food than they might think – it’s a way of life.

"Being able to share my love of food and cooking is something I feel really grateful for and seeing the pupils’ enthusiasm fuelled this feeling even more.”

Find Your Future Website Brings Opportunities A NEW website to help adults find training, education and job opportunities in the West Midlands has been launched.

The Find Your Future website has been set up to support those looking to get into work or seeking to change career and offers practical advice on the range of options available to improve their skills or find work.

People always say it is too hard to find the right training so this website, helps people to cut through the wide range of options available to find the opportunities that are right for them.

It includes the courses funded by the £130m West Midlands adult education budget as well as support for study, training, job hunting, CV and job interview advice.

There’s also information on getting involved in volunteering, starting a business or exploring career options; as well as support for special needs and mental health concerns.

Adult Education Wolverhampton Launches Courses For 2022 ADULT EDUCATION Wolverhampton's 2022 course programme is now live – with prospective learners invited to see what's on offer.

Alternatively, open days are taking place at Adult Education Wolverhampton’s Old Hall Street headquarters in Wolverhampton city centre on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, 10-12 January, from 10am-3pm and 5pm-7pm.

Councillor Dr Michael Hardacre, the City of

Wolverhampton Council's Cabinet Member for Public Health and Wellbeing, said: "Every year thousands of people from across the city join classes at Adult Education Wolverhampton.

As we recover from the pandemic, why not make 2022 the year you join them for success, enjoyment and a path to further study, employment or better health and wellbeing?

Send your stories in to newsdesk@thephoenixnewspaper.com

@PhoenixNewsUK

CELEBRATING 10 YEARS OF POSITIVE NEWS

The Phoenix Newspaper - January 2022 - Page 15

FUNERAL OFRECRUITMENT MOMMA JEN EDUCATION,THE TRAINING AND

BOLT AND EPSON DONATE U PRINTERS AND PROJECTORS TO JAMAICA SCHOOLS

l Usain Bolt and Epson presenting one of the printers to the Ministry of Education

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sian Bolt has announced that he will be making donations across his Jamaica homeland following a partnership with Epson Europe - to donate eco-friendly printers and projectors to primary schools across the island.

On his Usain Bolt Foundation website, the 8-times Olympics champion said that the partnership will see his former school Waldensia Primary, amongst others, benefiting from the donations.

On his Instagram, he said: “Happy to have announced that I have partnered with @ epsoneurope to provide EcoTank printers and projectors to several primary schools across Jamaica. #FillandChill #CY #UBF.” At a presentation of the equipment, representatives from the Ministry of Education, Ms. Karlene Segree, and Waldensia Primary School principal, Mrs. Nicola Ottey-Anderson, were present, with the latter thanking the sprint legend, saying: “Equipment such as this is the needed solution for all educational institutions across Jamaica because our printing needs are grave.”

Ms. Segree said: “The donations will complement the virtual learning efforts for students since many still rely on printouts in light of either poor internet connections or limited access to devices.” She added: “In order to foster access to learning materials, a large volume

0121 339 5885

of materials have to be printed.”

Eagling said: “We are pleased to be part of this partnership, and we look forward to working with the foundation in the coming years and doing everything that we can to provide as much help as we can along the way.” Epson’s Marketing Communications Director, Maria Eagling, said that the donation will see a total of one hundred printers and twenty projectors valued at £100,600 being handed over.

“It is always a pleasure to give back to Jamaica,” Bold said.

“It is a wonderful feeling to see the children getting a better opportunity than I had because I know what a lot of them are going through and the hardship they have experienced throughout this pandemic.

“I believe that children have a right to the best start in life.

With access to the best equipment possible, primary schools throughout Jamaica will benefit greatly.

He continued: “Epson shares my vision of making education accessible to everyone and, together, we are helping kids across Jamaica to bring dreams of sustainable, healthier, and happier futures vividly to life.”

The Usain Bolt Foundation aims to enhance the character of children through educational and cultural development in order to effect positive change in Jamaica and, by extension, the world.

Page 16 - The Phoenix Newspaper - January 2022

CELEBRATING 10 YEARS OF POSITIVE NEWS

WOMEN OF EXCELLENCE

FOUNDER OF AUSTRALIA’S FIRST INDIGENOUS EDU-TECH FIRM DEVELOPS STORYTELLING APP TO TEACH YOUNG PEOPLE

By Maureen Dracket-Fuller & Delroy Constantine-Simms

A

former park ranger from Australia has developed a storytelling app to teach the younger generation about the country’s indigenous people.

Mikaela Jade, founder of Indigital, Australia’s first indigenous edu-tech company, said it is fitting that the technology is presented at Expo 2020 Dubai, with its theme of ‘Connecting Minds, Creating the Future.’

Jade, herself a Cabrogal from the Dharug-speaking Nations of Sydney, said: “Looking at the knowledge that we have in the past, looking at what our old

people knew about [our culture] and projecting that into the future through technologies, and imagining what we can do with all that knowledge, is so exciting.

And to have it at Expo 2020 with 192 countries thinking about the same thing is phenomenal.”

She held a workshop showcasing the app on Sunday, 12 December, at the Terra Auditorium in the Sustainability District.

The edu-tech start-up was formed in 2014. It specialises in technology development and digital skills training in augmented and mixed realities, artificial intelligence, machine learning and the Internet of Things, among others.

The company aims to close the digital divide between indigenous

and non-indigenous peoples by providing a pathway into the digital economy.

Jade, who worked as a park ranger for 21 years at the Great Barrier Reef, the Ningaloo and Kakadu National Parks, and in Canberra, said: “It seems like a good idea to be able to mix our old culture and our language and law with technology like augmented and mixed reality.”

Jade said through the programme, which is linked to the Australian educational curriculum, school children work with elders in the community, who decide what stories from the past they want to share with the next generation.

Jade said: “Language and story…they share that with the

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children and then we use that story to create three-dimensional augmented reality characters to share their story. [The school children] are learning new digital skills, [while] learning about their culture and language.”

She said 7,500 students have benefited from the programme: “It is doing so good, so far. The students love it.”

Jade said they are currently working with the Māori people in New Zealand and the Saik’Uz in Canada to introduce the programme there.

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The Phoenix Newspaper - January 2022 - Page 17

MUSIC FASHION FILM GADGETS HOLIDAY EDUCATION HEALTH AND FITNESS

JANUARY 2022

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DEBUTS HER NEW ALBUM - KEYS - IN DUBAI

Page 18 - The Phoenix Newspaper - January 2022

ENTERTAINMENT

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Rock legend Tony Iommi comes face-to-face with his 469 million-year-old fossil

S

ome might already call him an old fossil, but legendary Black Sabbath guitarist Tony Iommi has now come face-toface with a pre-historic trace of life named after him.

It comes after heavy metal-loving scientists from Scandinavia were so thrilled to discover a 469-year-old fossil in Russia that they named an entirely new species of conodonts Drepanoistodus Iommii – after their rock hero.

To celebrate the momentous occasion, Westside BID manager Mike Olley set up a surprise

Facetime meeting between Tony, his fossil and lead palaeontologist Mats Eriksson on the Black Sabbath bench in Birmingham.

Tony said: “It was a real shock to hear that a fossil’s been named after me.

“I’ve had a bit of abuse from my friends about it who’ve enjoyed calling me an old fossil, but I think it’s great, a real honour.

This has to be the weirdest thing that’s ever been named after me but I’m really proud of it and I wanted to thank Mats and his team in person for being such brilliant fans.”

Speaking to Tony from his

home in Sweden, Mats said: “What an absolute honour it was to meet you!

“The reason we do this is to have fun and to combine my love affairs with nature and with music. But this is just amazing.

For me to publish academic papers published is fun but talking to you is priceless.”

Mats, who has been a fan of Black Sabbath since he was a boy, was so thrilled by his team’s discovery that he commissioned legendary 'heavy metal painter’, Joe Petagno, to create an honorary painting to mark the occasion.

He added: “I love the painting

that Joe affectionately refers to as ‘Tony Iommi conjuring an otherworldly gargantuan conodont.” The fossil is said to be from an ancient eel-like marine vertebrate known as a conodont – depicted in the painting as a giant, alien-like creature.

Mike Olley, manager of Westside BID, said: “The purpose of having Tony here with us was to celebrate the fact that he’s officially a fossil. I’m delighted we were able to set up the meeting and I want to thank Mats for his fantastic gesture to honour one of Birmingham’s greatest rock heroes.”

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The Phoenix Newspaper - January 2022 - Page 19

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DANCEHALL KING DR LT REV STITCHIE BESTOWED WITH OD

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s an educator, through his messages of determination, righteousness and unity, Dr Lt. Stichie is one of the most respected artistes on the reggae-gospel scene who recently was honoured with a Doctor of Law degree in International Humanitarian Studies from the Dayspring Christian University, Association for Biblical Accountability in Education and Friends for Life Outreach Department of Training and Education for his involvement in outreach work, and other areas, as well as education.

His second honorary doctorate - the first was conferred in 2012 by the Cornerstone Christian University in Orlando, Florida, for his contribution to gospel reggae music - through his music career having performed at benefit shows and events in the role of motivational speaker and participated in programmes to provide prison inmates with scholarships for education.

“I’m representing the Kingdom of God,” real name Cleve Aman Laing says, “as I’m a follower of Christ. I am representing my country and its rich culture,” he continued, “for which the

Stepping Into The Fashion Invasion 2021

responsibility is on my shoulder to let people know that Jamaica is not synonymous with criminality - as some, who don’t know the country, may be made to think.

A volunteer and philanthropist, the king of the dancehall recently received an OD (Jamaica’s Order of Distinction) on the country’s National Heroes Day for his contribution to Reggae and Dancehall Music, Locally and Internationally, according to the National Awards proclamation.

He joins the ranks of other musical legends including U-Roy, Shabba Ranks, Yellowman, Sean Paul and Shaggy.

F

ashion was the name of the game as amazing designers PWR & Purpose, Black Woman, Atuu & Sassy Luxe brought their creations to Fashion Invasion 2021 at the Legacy Centre of Excellence.

With sets from DJ Mexy, Double Impact & JB 'Wassifa' Brown and live performances alongside the amazing fashion and models walking the runway, the night was hosted by the fantastic Merisha Stevenson.

Look out for more from Atuu and the other designers in future publications!

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GAU PASS BRINGING BRAZILIAN REGGAE THROUGH NEW JUBBA WHITE COLLABORATION

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razilian singer Gau Pass has made another step forward in spreading the gospel of Reggae music throughout her native land and the entire Latin American market with her latest release, a Portuguese version of Jamaican Jubba White’s song ‘You Got Me Going On’.

This is a smooth, romantic, lovecentred song which was originally written and produced by Jamaican singer, songwriter, drummer and music producer Jubba White.

With the assistance of Brazilian multi-instrumentalist Juninho V and Brazilian Reggae Band Unidade 76., Gau Pass adapted the track to Portuguese at the invitation of Jubba himself, for a larger project in which

several singers from around the world recorded their own version.

Regarding this collaboration which has already received praise by fellow musicians and producers for its instrumentation and lyrics, Gau stated: “When I chose to pursue music professionally, I understood that the lyrics of the songs which I chose to record should truly speak to me and be something meaningful for me to express, lyrics that translate my spirit and soul. So, I’m very happy to collaborate with Jubba for this musical project”.

Gau, who also dabbles in Jazz and is able to sing in Portuguese, English, Spanish and Arabic, comes from a musical family with her father being a vocalist and her two brothers being

instrumentalists. Additionally, she has received formal music education, is involved in musical curatorship and currently handles music programming for a Brazilian cultural institution.

The classically trained singing sensation considers her style to be an eclectic fusion as it incorporates elements of Reggae, Jazz, Opera and even music of Middle-Eastern origin.

No newcomer to the Reggae music world, Gau who previously recorded an English-language cover of Jesse Royal’s ‘Rock it Tonight’ has been a fan of the genre for over two decades and will soon release her first album featuring collaborations with composers from Jamaica, Nigeria, Gambia, Morocco and Brazil.

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CEMENTING HERSELF as one of the breakout stars of 2021, Bree kicked off the year shortlisted for BBC Sound of 2021 and ended it with a BRIT Rising Star award nomination.

Single releases from her widely acclaimed 2000AND4EVA Mixtape including, ATM, Gucci and HOT HOT have garnered huge global acclaim with Bree scoring a BET Award for Best New International Act (viewer’s choice) and co-signs from the likes of Doja Cat, Chloe Bailey — whom she cameoed for on “Have Mercy” — Khalid, as well as rap behemoth Cardi B. The Hackney-born singer also featured on Lady Gaga’s Dawn Of Chromatica Remix album released in September, securing what she calls the “feature of a lifetime”.

Last week Bree also received two MOBO nominations for Best Female and Video of the Year for HOT HOT. Sonically, Bree is an enigma, forever evolving global pop into her own contortions, and never one to shy-away from fashion, she’s become a muse for some of the world’s biggest labels - Gucci — synced the star’s song of the same name just days ago.

As she mentions in her 2021 PAPER cover story “It’s beyond the music, it’s a lifestyle.”

Orwell’s satirical masterpiece to receive world premiere at Birmingham REP THE MUCH-ANTICIPATED brand new production of George Orwell’s Animal Farm will receive its world premiere at Birmingham Rep prior to a national tour.

Presented by The Children’s Theatre Partnership and Birmingham Rep, Animal Farm, Orwell’s world-famous, biting political novel was first published in 1945 and tells the story of a revolution and its aftermath.

Re-imagined by an awardwinning creative team, Animal Farm is a dynamic, daring and contemporary take on a timeless story.

This brand-new production is directed and adapted by the multi award-winning Robert Icke (The Doctor, Hamlet, Mary Stuart, Oresteia).

Icke previously worked on another of Orwell’s classics, 1984, which he co-adapted and directed alongside Duncan Macmillan, garnering him his first Olivier Award nomination for Best New Play in 2014, enjoying smash-hit runs in both the West End and on Broadway.

The production also combines the forces of some of UK theatre’s most talented creatives, including designs by the four-

0121 339 5885

time Olivier Award-winning Bunny Christie (A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Company, Ink, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time), and puppetry by Toby Olié (War Horse, Running Wild, The Grinning Man, Goodnight Mister Tom).

The cast of Animal Farm includes Matt Churcher, Darcy Collins, Enrico D. Wey, Ailsa Dalling, Elisa De Grey, Edie Edmundson, Michael JeanMarain, Rayo Patel, Yana Penrose, Markus Schabbing, Sharon Sze, Ben Thompson and Matt Tait.

The production is produced by Children’s Theatre Partnership (CTP) in association with Birmingham Rep. CTP creates bold and imaginative theatre for young people, engaging new audiences and aiming to inspire a life-long love of theatre.

Animal Farm runs at The Rep from Saturday 22 January – Saturday 5 February 2022. In line with current Government regulations, The Rep is now open to full capacity, but continues to take a number of carefully managed steps and precautions to help audiences feel safe and enjoy their chosen performance.

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The Phoenix Newspaper - January 2022 - Page 21

HANGING OUT WITH HIGGINS

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MONTHLY COLUMN steve@stevehigginsproductions.com www.stevehigginsproductions.com

ROOTZ OF MUSIC

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n Hanover, Jamaica, during the early 1950’s, when he was just three years old, a Harmonica was placed in his tiny hands at Christmas, and he was in Heaven!

Mesmerized by the sound it created by simply blowing into this mouth organ, this child was instantly inspired and began discovering his world in music! Thus began his dream of filling his life with music.

Courtesy of his dad’s hobby, he later got into listening to radio - programs from The USA, Cuba, Bonaire, and Ecuador, and recalls a love of Fats Domino’s & Roscoe Gordon’s music from the age of five!

Having taught himself how to play the Harmonica, Eugene Grey and became increasingly fascinated by music, and was now experimenting with other instruments.

At twelve years old, he became lead instrumentalist for a band formed by his friends attending the Ruseas High School in western Jamaica.

In 1964, this band – The Serenaders-

l Eugene Grey with Ras Mubarak- Member of Parliament, Ghana won first place in the Jamaican Ministry of Culture’s “Pop & Mento competition” – which was THE music competition of the day!

Their prize money? £100! (Recall that in those days, Pounds, Shillings and Pence was legal tender in Jamaica).

This was a big deal and happened during the ‘Vere Johns period’.

(Vere Johns was the Impresario of

note and celebrated radio personality and journalist of the day, who had a massive impact on well-known and successful Jamaican musicians.)

They used the prize money to equip their band with state-of-theart instruments and continued to be inspired by musicians such as Byron Lee, Carlos Malcolm, Sugar Belly with his Bamboo Sax, and the likes of the Bertie King Band, Mapletoft

JAMAICANS.COM

“You can take the man out of the country, but you cannot take the country out of the Man!” This was the greeting from Kingstonians when us countrybumpkins ‘landed’ in the capital city. This rang true as well for Xavier Murphy when he found himself living in the USA without his daily diet of ‘Jamaicanizm’. So, he did something about it!

In 1992, he started monthly print Newsletter, which he called “Nuff Respect”, whose mandate to be the source of things Jamaican, providing a balm to the souls of the homesick and to share information about our beloved homeland. Soon, his newsletter morphed into a different format, and incorporated feedback from his Jamaican readers and the unlikely non-Jamaicans.

The latter relished our culture, our tasty dishes and of course, wished to visit our beautiful country! He therefore added Jamaican recipes, Tourist guide tips, lessons on speaking Jamaican patios - and more. The clever introduction of slightly provocative material prompted spirited responses from both sides of any controversial topic, such as the saucy material about the wiles of the Jamaican Man. In 1995, Xavier started a website called- “De Website on Jamaica”, but soon the name became Jamaicans.com. The popularity of this platform was explosive, with engagement from University students of Jamaican heritage and curious non-Jamaicans alike. 1996 saw the expansion of the offerings to include Community Forums –‘posts’ that covered subjects such as relationships, food,

travel and business. This was the social media of the day.

By 1998, The Forum attracted over 28,000 registered folks … all by word of mouth. Jamaicans. com added more researchers and contributors to the team, and as they pursued their mission, they always moved early with technology. Indeed, they added video content, a You Tube channel, social media presence including its Facebook page, overhauled their website and launched two (2) live shows daily on Facebook, meeting folks wherever they were!

Jamaicans.com gained serious traction and in the Diaspora became the protector of our culture, the messenger for our people and one of the great repositories of information on the Jamaican experience, always showcasing the greatness of our country and its people. They

on the Ed Sullivan show!

Eugene has opened for musical giants such as The Mighty Sparrow, Torrie Wynter, Sonny Bradshaw and a host of major acts. He played with bands such as Fab-5 and did regular engagements at the Junkanoo Lounge in New Kingston.

Grey emigrated to the USA in 1975, met with and played for Irving Burgie, Steph DePass and even graced the Apollo Theater in New York. He then opened his recording studio – “Tropic Isles Recording Studio” and recorded many musical greats.

He appeared on The Johnny Carson Show, Miss Teen America Pageant, New York at Nights TV Shows, and has played at the White House!

Today Eugene Grey is an eminent musician; a Jazz guitarist, arranger, composer, and music educator with a fan base stretching from Australia to Ghana, From Argentina to major cities in Europe.

He has been honored by his community in South Florida several times over and consistently gives back through his 501©(3) Foundation “Rootz of Music Inc”.

He teaches musicseveral instruments- to young children and continues to grace the world stage with his eclectic style, cross pollinating multiple genres of music, much to the delight of his adoring audiences….and it all started with a dream of a wideeyed kid!

Visit rootzofmusic.org and get a glimpse of Eugene Grey’s world!

Poulle Orchestra, and the Grandville Williams Orchestra.

The band played everything from “Mento” to “Ska” to smooth music by The Drifters, with Eugene experimenting with multiple instruments.

Indeed, his curiosity and passion led him to teach himself to play the Trombone. He even made a 4-stringed solid body guitar out of cedar wood, then taught himself to play the bass guitar!

After his school friends left Ruseas, Eugene’s next move was to join the band called “The Monarchs” in Grange Hill, Westmoreland. He was invited to appear at major events, as his musical prowess became known within the musical fraternity all over Jamaica, including the likes of Clive Williams & The Aces, as well as the Willie Dixon Band.

The band received a 6-month contract to play at the Bimini Hotel in the Bahamas- his first overseas assignmentand even received an invitation to appear l Eugene with wife, Felicia Grey

even incorporated Jamaicans to tell their updates and tidbits own stories, create on other Caribbean legacy programs for the countries. next generations, create Today, traffic on interesting interactive Jamaicans.com is video content and impressive, with almost provide accurate 900K pages viewed information on Jamaica over the past month! to all! He wishes to (The average is about inspire the younger 500K page views/ generations and to month), 200,000 page leave with them, a keen visits and over 4 million sense of who they are. hits across the world, Special note: Over mostly from Jamaica, the Christmas Season, Canada, Europe, the far there were many East, the UK, & The inquiries on Jamaican USA. recipes! Top recipe In addition to inquiries came in about Facebook (178 thousand Fried dumpling, Curry followers), Jamaicans. chicken, Boiled flour com has presence on dumpling, Jamaican Instagram (94K), You fried chicken (different Tube (28K Subscribers), seasoning) Cornmeal Pinterest (20K), Twitter, porridge and Bully Linked In and Tumbler. l Xavier & Karen Murphy, Founders of Jamaicans.com beef. Also, Rum Punch On average, over twenty and Curry Goat! includes the News Summary on thousand readers receive by the top seven story for Jamaica Visit Jamaicans.com and email, their Weekly Newsletter, and the Caribbean get caught up with everything and over nine hundred listen Xavier’s wish is to continue to Jamaican! to the Weekly podcast, which manage a platform that allows

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Page 22 - The Phoenix Newspaper - January 2022

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Food & Fine Dining 44 FOODS SAVES CHRISTMAS FOR FAMILIES AFFECTED BY Free Bar Staff At THE FARMDROP Training Coventry Uni COLLAPSE

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Wo r c e s t e r s h i r e based food retailer came to the rescue to save Christmas for families who had Christmas dinner orders cancelled as a result of the recent collapse of Farmdrop.

After the news broke that the farm-to-table company was to permanently close, thousands of customers, some of whom were relying on deliveries due to being in isolation, were left without their crucial festive food shops.

However, thanks to the kindhearted actions of Redditch based retailer 44 Foods, Christmas dinner was still on the menu after they reached out to a number of affected families via social media to offer replacement food bundles,

free of charge.

44 Foods operates in a similar way to Farmdrop - allowing producers to set their own prices and giving consumers a way to shop directly in an ethical and sustainable way. Having launched in January 2021, this is the firm's first Christmas.

Hattie Castelberg from London was overwhelmed by the company’s generosity after she received a bundle containing everything needed for a Christmas beef dinner for 6.

The bundle included a 21-day matured Scotch beef joint from Stirlingshire based JW Galloway, organic seasonal vegetables from Mudwalls Farm in Redditch and premium duck fat and gravy from Wiltshire based Potts.

Hattie says: “After my Farmdrop order was cancelled

and with the family all coming to mine on Christmas Day, I really didn’t know what I was going to do. I couldn’t believe it when 44 Foods got in touch to see if they could help “I just want to say a massive thank you to 44 Foods. I’m totally overwhelmed! It’s so kind and means a huge amount to us.”

Managing Director of 44 Foods, Hannah Anderson, said: “We were really sad to hear about the collapse of Farmdrop, not least because much like our offering, it gave consumers access to top quality, ethically produced products.

"We wanted to do everything we could to help Farmdrop customers and were delighted that we were able to bring a bit of festive cheer after what’s been another difficult year for many.”

COVENTRY UNIVERSITY offering free training for bar staff to help customers feel safer Coventry University is offering free training to bar staff in the city to help them identify harassment, spot drink spiking and make nights out safer. The Girls Night In campaign saw women in the UK boycott nightclubs earlier this year to highlight the issue of drink spiking and called on clubs to deliver welfare training.

Case Manager Amber Taroni, who specialises in harassment and hate incidents, had already planned to work with university bar Square One to deliver training on how to spot, report and tackle harassment and spiking before the boycott. She has just delivered a pilot session at Square One and to widen the training to help more venues across Coventry, Amber is developing a 15-minute training webinar that can be provided free of charge.

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T Aimèe Helps To Continue The Magic Of Pantomime WEST END STAR, Aimée Fisher from Wolverhampton has joined the Grand Theatre pantomime company and is ready to step in and protect the magic of panto at Wolverhampton Grand Theatre this festive season.

Aimée is currently in the UK tour of Waitress, covering the roles of Jenna and Dawn, which resumes performances in 2022. She found herself back on stage sooner than expected, covering roles in the Grand Theatre’s panto Cinderella, to ensure pantomime can continue uninterrupted - part of The Grand’s COVID-19 contingency planning.

Aimée has previously covered the roles of Elphaba and Nessarose in the West End production of Wicked and Fantine in the West End

production of Les Misérables.

She will return to Wolverhampton Grand Theatre in Waitress from 28 June – 2 July 2022 and said; “I’m delighted to be home and helping to keep the magic of pantomime well and truly alive at the Grand Theatre.

“Audiences here are among some of the most receptive and supportive in the country and the welcome by the theatre has been wonderful.

"The magic of pantomime has been truly missed over the past year and to play my part in helping to keep it going for the many families who are looking forward to seeing the show is an absolute honour.”

Tickets for Cinderella (until Sunday 9 January 2022) and Waitress (from 28 June – 2 July) are on sale now.

The Phoenix Newspaper - January 2022 - Page 23

ENTERTAINMENT

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he world of music mourned the death of internationallyrenowned reggae bassist Robbie Shakespeare who helped move the genre into new before-unheard of territory and whose presence was hugely prominent on classic works by the likes of Black Uhuru and Peter Tosh, to Bob Dylan and Mick Jagger.

His death was announced on Twitter by Jamaica’s Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment & Sport, Olivia ‘Babsy’ Grange.

Of his death, Black Uhuru’s Michael Rose said: “Nobody sounds like Robbie. He had the wickedest bass. You’ll never find nothing like that again. This is a big, big loss.”

As half of the prolifically renowned rhythm section Sly & Robbie, with long-time friend and collaborator Sly Dunbar on drums, he was rooted in the deep, rootsrhythms of his native Jamaica.

As a progressive duo, they were never afraid of trying different sounds, as they were forever moving their sound into even more styles.

Their syncopated, electronicdriven sounds became evident on classic singles like ‘Pull Up to the Bumper,’ by fellow-Jamaican legend Grace Jones.

Born and raised in East Kingston, Robbie was a protégé of bass legend Aston ‘Family Man’ Barrett before, in 1973, he was invited to hear Sly play at a reggae club. In an interview, Dunbar said: “The first time we played together it was magic.

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Paying Tributes To Legendary Bassist Robbie Shakespeare “We locked into a ‘groove’ immediately. I listen to him and he listens to me. We kept it simple.”

The pair became members of Channel One studio house band, the Revolutionaries, who pioneered the heavily syncopated reggae offshoot - known as ‘rockers’.

They then went on to start their own production company and record label ‘Taxi’.

Known as the Riddim Twins, during the mid-Seventies, they appeared on classic albums by Tosh and also recorded with nearly every major reggae act, including Gregory Isaacs, Dennis

Brown, and Barrington Levy.

Sly & Robbie reached greater success when they joined one of reggae’s biggest bands, Black Uhuru. They hooked up with Island Records head Chris Blackwell, who recruited them for Grace Jones’ genre-smashing Nightclubbing LP in 1981.

The duo was incorporating more computer-generated rhythms and sounds into their tracks and in 1985, the first year the Grammys included a category for Best Reggae Anthem, the award went to Black Uhuru’s Anthem, produced by Sly and Robbie.

Also produced music for movie

0121 339 5885

soundtracks, including Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Poetic Justice, they were nominated for 13 Grammy Awards.

Paying his tribute, Jamaica's Prime Minister Andrew Holness said on Twitter: "When it comes to Reggae bass playing, no one comes close to having the influence of Robbie Shakespeare."

A cause of death was not immediately disclosed, but the musician was said to have recently been hospitalised for kidney damage. He was 68.

Page 24 - The Phoenix Newspaper - January 2022

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Aquel J releases new Soca track ‘Breed Yuh’ NEW YORK CITY-BASED artiste Aquel J has released his latest Soca contribution entitled ‘Breed Yuh’.

Written by Aquel J and produced

by DJ Jr. Cruiza it’s a tune for the wining queens frequently seen on the global fete scene. In the song, Aquel J colourfully communicates how one such girl’s gyrations may entice him to immediately expedite the stages of their budding relationship.

Much like the song title, the danceable track’s lyrics are rooted in distinct Caribbean jargon.

Regarding the lyrics in this song, Aquel J shared: “I got lyrically inspired by the way we people of Caribbean decent communicate via slang, picong etc. We have a direct, raw way of speaking that can come off comical, flattering or off-putting depending who we’re speak to, yet we have a ‘take me

as I am’ demeanour that people tend to love.”

This provocative new track has also spawned an accompanying music video which has been turning heads and creating a buzz online for its out of the box storytelling and risqué nature.

The music video, which gives a nod to the 1996 movie ‘Set It Off’, as well as an episode of the 90’s sitcom ‘Martin’, combines intensity, sexiness and humour and has thus far been regarded by several viewers as eye-opening, unexpected and even mindblowing.

The first-generation TrinidadianAmerican who also operates the virtual World Wingz Restaurant and Soca Kitchen TV, plus music label WE Muziq Entertainment and event promotion company WE Vibe NYC, holds firm to his West Indian roots.

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Pop Superstar A Keys Debuts New Album 'KEYS' in Dubai at Expo 20 S

uperstar Alicia Keys debuted her new album live in front of a packed crowd at the Expo 2020 world’s fair in Dubai. It was a lively performance full of soaring vocals and piano solos.

“We can live on the air,” she serenaded from beneath the vast shimmering Al Wasl dome at Dubai’s Expo, a fortified stage ringed by captivated and COVID-19 vaccinated fans bouncing, grooving and nodding to the beat. “Baby, baby, we gonna rock forever.”

Keys, 40, strolled onstage in a glittery gold bodysuit, her hair

in a tight bun, and unveiled her eighth studio album along with old classics, exuding unadulterated confidence and enthusuam.

“Tonight I want you to let everything go, let everything go, and come with me on this journey,” she told revelers. “I never want this night to end.”

Her jazzy songs under the dome’s projected starry sky, set to percussive piano harmonies created a kind of ceaseless, dreamy atmosphere through the Expo grounds as the warm winter night hung over Dubai. Keys twirled, grooved int the crowd and sometimes sat alone while hitting those vocal sprano notes while skillfully playing the piano.

The 15-time Grammy Awardwinning singer’s sprawling double album, “KEYS,” includes two versions of each

By Delroy Constantine-Simms song: “Originals,” produced by Keys, and “Unlocked,” produced

by Keys and Michael Williams II, who goes by Mike Will Made-It. " Her piano-driven “Originals” consists of emotional, intimate soul tunes oozing with love and longing, while “Unlocked” showcases upbeat, more pop versions of the same tracks.

She presented the album's premise to the crowd as an experiment on Friday night.

“Tell me which version you like better,” she said before performing starkly different versions of the same track, one swooning and one synthesized, asking for the audience’s preferences through their cheers.

Her Dubai set also featured hits like “Girl on Fire," “Empire State of Mind" and “New Day,” booming anthems to which the audience danced and sang along

wholeheartedly.

Much of the new material maintains her characteristic R&B backbone and themes of soulsearching, desire and devotion.

But the “Unlocked” tracks offer a surprisingly distinct and stylized twist.

Keys’ previous album “Alicia,” released in the thick of the pandemic last year, focused on more topical and raw themes, with vulnerable confessions and references to virus-battered health workers and ordinary people’s struggles to scrape by.

Keys has said she felt the new tracks ushered her into more confidence and clarity, describing the album once as feeling just completely “comfortable in my skin.”

Over the dizzying past two decades of her career, Keys has become a global pop and R&B icon — as well as a bestselling memoir author, actress, activist, entrepreneur, Grammy host,

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Elvis Costello & The Imposters Drop New Song ‘Paint The Red Rose Blue’

Alicia w

E

lvis Costello & The Imposters' new song ‘Paint the Red Rose Blue’ is now out . ‘Paint the Red Rose Blue’ is the second song to be released from 'The Boy Named If' out January 14th 2022, the new album of urgent, immediate songs with bright melodies, guitar solos that sting and a quick step to the rhythm.

According to Costello, the song is "The account of someone who has long-courted theatrical darkness, only for its violence and cruelty to become all too real. In its wake, a bereft couple learn to love again, painting a melancholy blue over the red of romance.”

Elvis will return to the UK in June 2022 with The Imposters (Steve Nieve keyboards; Pete Thomas - drums; Davey Faragher - bass & backing vocals) along with Charlie Sexton for an extensive UK run of dates. Ian Prowse will be opening the show, performing songs from his upcoming album.

‘One Hand on the Starry Plough’ will be released 11th February, 2022.

020 philanthropist and pioneer of a #nomakeup in public trend. She's also a mother, as she reminded the crowd when she invited her two small sons to the stage to accept flowers and plant kisses on their heads.

Before singing her closing crowd-pleasing classic, “If I Ain't Got You,” she left the captivated audience with a final uplifting message from the piano bench.

“Don't wait to tell the people ... you love that you love them,” she said. “This is dedicated to you. I love you so much.”

Keys, who is also an actress, an author and an activist, is gearing up for a summer world tour in 2022.

In March, she will release “Girl On Fire,” a graphic novel based on her hit of the same name.

It tells the story of 14-year-old Lolo Wright who discovers she has telekinetic powers while protecting her brother from a cop who pulls a gun on him.

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PANTO IS BACK! AND BETTER THAN EVER BEFORE!

R

eturning the Birmingham Hippodrome main stage after a year away due to the pandemic, Matt Slack once again leads an all-singing, alldancing over the top fantastic cast in Goldilocks and the Three Bears.

From the very beginning, an opening number promising that you’re about to witness “the greatest show on earth” set to a standout light display and pyrotechnics, to Slack’s heartfelt closing speech, the audience is taken on a wild ride of ups and downs, deep belly laughs and more than a handful of double entendres.

Panto legend Matt Slack is this year joined by Panto debutant Jason Donovan, which may be confusing for many considering the long list of musicals and performances he has been a part of over the years, and both do a wonderful job, with Donovan, the Count Ramsay of Erinsborough, constantly reminded of his Australian

TV beginnings on Neighbours.

As always, pantomime is more than just the story, and this year is no different, under the guise of a circus, the acts performing as part of the show fit in perfectly, with an amazing mix of death-defying motorcycle feats from Peter Pavlov and the Globe of Speed, juggling with laser diabolos from Pierre Marchand, and genuinely mindboggling illusions provided by Phil Hitchcock as the Magical Mysterioso.

Doreen Tipton and Andrew Ryan return to the Hippodrome this time as Doreen the Lazy Lion Tamer and Panto Dame Betty Burnham respectively, aptly supporting Samantha Dorrance as Goldilocks and Alexia McIntosh as Candy Floss rounding off the cast.

It was wonderful to see pantomime back at the Hippodrome, and in his final farewells at the end of the night, you could hear in Matt Slacks voice just how much it meant to him, and no doubt all the cast and crew, that people

had turned out to support not only the panto, but Birmingham Hippodrome and theatre in general too.

Goldilocks and the Three Bears runs until the 30th January, so make sure you don’t miss it!

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The Phoenix Newspaper - January 2022 - Page 27

ENTERTAINMENT

Tunnel Club creates perfect Alethea vibe for Jazz Funk All-Dayer unleashes new EP Christmas Reunion Party

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by Steve Williams

unk, Jazz-Fusion, Broken-Beats and Deep House were the order on a night when some of the legendary DJs of today and yesteryear gathered for the second edition of the Powerhouse Jazz Funk All-Dayer Reunion, with legends including Colin Curtis, Chris Reid and E Double D leading a host of DJs who recreated what was a unique club experience once again.

Following on from the first – preCovid – edition - in 2019, Tony ‘Frenchie’ Quaile made sure, again, that this ‘Tribute to The Birmingham Powerhouse Jazz Funk All-Dayer 2nd Anniversary Christmas Reunion Party’, was to be the ‘Jam’ of all ‘Jams’ for a generation of people whose mantra remains: “It’s All About the Music”.

With just that – music – wall-towall at the Tunnel Club, from late at night, through to the early hours of the morning light, it proved, yet again, to be the perfect antidote for the worldwide ills and worries of today.

“The 2nd Anniversary Powerhouse Reunion Party took 2 years to come to fruition,” Frenchie said, “and, with a combination of Covid restrictions

and government policies, I wanted to share a special ‘Thank You’ to Jazz DJs Killer Jim, Perry Louis plus Guest DJ Fitzroy the Soul Survivor.”

DJs also included E Double D, Sean McCabe, Deli G, Lord Byron, Neil Pinnock and many more who each helped to create a vibe and energy that remained upbeat throughout. DJs in the Main Room included Robbie J, Kenny B, Fitzroy Soul Survivor and The Mexx.

“A special ‘Thanks’ for the inspirational support provided by the staff and team at The Tunnel Club,” Quaile added.

2022 brings a brand-new start for Powerhouse Reunion Party 3 with a special summer date lined up with details and announcements soon to be shared.

POP/ROCK STAR Alethea Beharry (known simply as Alethea) is fulfilling her creative destiny while simultaneously taking a major step on her journey of inspiring and connecting with others through her musical stories with the launch of her first EP, ‘Ode to My Younger Self’.

Alethea, who is based in Trinidad (also spending some of her formative years in the US and Australia) embraced and excelled in singing and playing the keyboard from a tender age.

With a professionally trained vocalist mother and supportive father, she pursued a path that has ultimately led to the release of her first solo project.

The 6 track EP ‘Ode to My Younger Self’ was written by Alethea, with added instrumentation by Zach Carpenter, Aaron Lowchewtung and Noah Rahman.

The collection of songs musically chronicles the first of many chapters of her life and journey of self-discovery.

Blue Plaque Unveiled For 2-Tone Legends The Specials’ Recording Of Ghost Town A SPECIAL PLAQUE is in placed at site where 2-Tone legends The Specials recorded their iconic ‘Ghost Town’ track in 1981. The plaque was unveiled on Woodbine Street, in Leamington, to mark it being the original site of the Woodbine Street Recording Studio.

As the Coventry band’s most successful single, the hit single, which addressed themes of poverty and violence in inner cities, spent three weeks at No.1 in the charts. With riots breaking out in cities across British the song – the song was the last single recorded by the original seven members of the group - was far more hard-hitting and poignant.

The studio - purchased by

producer John Rivers in 1973 who converted the living room and cellar into a fully functioning recording studio - became increasingly successful during the late 1970s and early 1980s.

The studio’s reputation grew dew to Rivers’ reputation as a producer who cared about artists and the music they wanted to make. It moved location to more spacious surroundings in St Mary’s Crescent in the mid-1980s but retained the original name.

Former bass player Horace Panter, recalled: “Woodbine’s growing reputation fitted the bill.

Ghost Town was a great piece of

music, with a different sound due, in part, to the studio in it was recorded in and the engineering skills of John (Rivers).”

The official unveiling of the plaque was carried out

by Leamington Mayor Susan Rasmussen and was the 34th to be unveiled in the Warwickshire town.

Send your stories in to newsdesk@thephoenixnewspaper.com

Page 28 - The Phoenix Newspaper - January 2022

ENTERTAINMENT MOTORS

CELEBRATING 10 YEARS OF POSITIVE NEWS

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A New “First Of Its Kind” Prototype Beneath The Modena Skies

AN EARLY PROTOTYPE of the new MC20 convertible has left the gates of the historic Modena plant.

This time, Maserati has selected a new look for its camouflage, featuring a cloud motif; after all, it is a convertible.

Like the MC20 coupé, the new model remains one of a kind, daring in every way and designed for perfection.

The body is made of carbon fibre and composite materials in its entirety, an identical solution studied for all the configurations to come: coupé, convertible and, in the future, electric.

LOTUS COMMEMORATES THE LAST OF THE ELISE, EXIGE AND EVORA SPORTS CARS T he trio were photographed on site with many of the Lotus team who contributed to the design, engineering, assembly and sales of the cars.

Between these three model lines and over the course of 26 years, a total of 51,738 cars will have come off the production line.

Combined, they represent almost half of the total production of Lotus in its 73-year history. In

addition, 9,715 sports cars were built for Lotus’ third-party clients, including GM and Tesla.

From 1996 to 2000, the firstgeneration Elise and Exige sports cars were built in a small assembly hall at Hethel alongside the Lotus Esprit.

The current assembly lines, which were installed in 2000, will be dismantled and replaced with all-new state-of-the-art facilities in support of the all-new Emira

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factory.

Full Emira production begins in the spring, after the prototype and test phases currently underway are completed, taking Lotus sports car production into an exciting, high-tech and semi-automated era, and increasing capacity up to 5,000 units per year on a single shift pattern.

The last examples of the Elise, Exige and Evora models are reserved for Lotus’ growing

heritage collection.

Joining the collection will be the last Elise, a Sport 240 Final Edition finished in Yellow and the last of 35,124 cars; the last Exige, a Cup 430 Final Edition in Heritage Racing Green – number 10,497; and the last Evora – a GT430 Sport finished in Dark Metallic Grey – the last of a production run of 6,117.

The Elise and Exige sports cars are built around the Lotus

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‘small car platform’. On the same platform, and also manufactured

by Lotus at Hethel were the Opel Speedster / Vauxhall VX220 (7,200 cars built between 2000 and 2005) and the Tesla Roadster (2,515 cars built between 2007 and 2012). Therefore, including the Lotus 340R, Europa, 2-Eleven and 3-Eleven cars, this brings the total Lotus small car platform production volumes to 56,618 cars.

CELEBRATING 10 YEARS OF POSITIVE NEWS

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The Phoenix Newspaper - January 2022 - Page 29

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SUNDERLAND TOGETHER IN ELECTRIC DREAMS

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elebrating 35 years of production at the Sunderland plant, Nissan has commissioned a very special conversion of the Nissan Bluebird – the first car off the factory’s production line in 1986.

Called ‘Newbird’, the oneoff project car is powered by the 100% electric drivetrain of a Nissan LEAF, the pioneering mass-market EV that kickstarted the global trend towards electrification of mobility.

The ‘Newbird’ connects 35 years of manufacturing heritage at Sunderland, as Nissan

From Britain To The World

FIRST DELIVERIES of Mini Remastered, Oselli Edition are underway, with the first bespoke model delivered to a customer in Scandinavia.

In the coming months, customers in North America, Asia and across Europe will receive their vehicles as the brand's global growth accelerates.

Each Mini Remastered, Oselli Edition is made totally bespoke and this particular model has had over 1,400 hours of dedicated precision at the hands of David Brown Automotive’s expert artisans. accelerates towards an electrified future through Ambition 2030, the company’s long-term plan to empower mobility and beyond.

Alan Johnson, Vice President, Manufacturing, at Nissan Sunderland Plant, said; “The ‘Newbird’ represents all that is great about our plant – past present and future – as we celebrate 35 years of manufacturing in Sunderland.

“We have a rich heritage of building great cars, right from the original Bluebird model, and our fantastic team is now leading the way as we drive towards an exciting electrified, carbon neutral, future.”

Aston Martin Cheltenham Delivers Christmas Cheer

l Aston Martin Cheltenham Delivers Christmas Cheer to Royal Gloucestershire Hospital ASTON MARTIN Cheltenham, operated by the H.R. Owen Group has brought a boot-full of Christmas cheer to its local hospital, with a special delivery of presents in an Aston Martin DBX. Making use of its 632 litres

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of boot space, the Aston Martin Cheltenham team filled up the DBX with toys requested by the play specialists at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital children’s ward to ensure that the presents they receive are age appropriate and sensory for

Andrew Humberstone, Managing Director, Nissan Motor GB Ltd., added; “There’s a huge pride in our dealer network that so many of the cars we sell have started life right here in the UK. Nissan’s Sunderland plant has produced ‘home-grown heroes’ for millions of UK customers with models like the Juke, Qashqai and LEAF amongst the country’s best-sellers.

This ‘Newbird’ project is a wonderful tribute to the enduring presence of high quality manufacturing that Nissan has enjoyed in the UK for more than three decades.” educational and health purposes.

The presents provide something to open over the Christmas period, as well as a bank of gifts for the coming year.

Aston Martin Cheltenham is working with the Pied Piper Appeal, which celebrates its 30th anniversary next year.

Pied Piper was formed to build a new Children’s unit for the sick children in the county, which opened in 2004. With outpatients, A&E and the unit itself 20,000 children now pass through each year.

Vice Chair Julie Kent said ‘We are thrilled that Aston Martin Cheltenham and H.R. Owen have got involved with the Toy Appeal this year as the list was pretty large – and what a way for the gifts to arrive, too. The children have had fewer visits from outside entertainers this year.

Even Father Christmas couldn’t make it last year, but the staff work hard to make their time in hospital as much fun as possible, and this visit certainly helped.

The children that could come out to see it were very excited, and plenty of the nurses!’

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Page 30 - The Phoenix Newspaper - January 2022

ENTERTAINMENT

Southside Calls For Urgent Support For Hospitality Sector BIRMINGHAM’S Southside District has added its voice to calls for urgent support for the hospitality sector, as a survey of businesses reveals that 41% fear they are facing collapse.

Southside BID represents over 270 businesses in one of Birmingham’s most vibrant and diverse districts, including leading hospitality and entertainment venues, from The Hippodrome and Birmingham Royal Ballet to The Glee Club and the O2 Academy, alongside a wealth of independent bars, restaurants and nightclubs across both Chinatown and the Gay Village.

A survey of businesses across the district has shown that 90% have faced a loss of customers since the government’s Plan B was announced last week, with 70% of those in the hospitality sector affected by booking cancellations.

CELEBRATING 10 YEARS OF POSITIVE NEWS

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GET READY TO CELEBRATE THE REP’S 50TH BIRTHDAY GALA

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n Saturday 5 February 2022 Birmingham Repertory Theatre will be hosting a spectacular Gala Dinner to celebrate 50 years on the city’s famous Centenary Square.

The award-winning theatre opened in the square in October 1971 and since then the theatre has welcomed countless stars and acclaimed new productions to its stage. Join award winning actor Adrian Lester CBE and friends for a wonderful celebration of Birmingham and its internationally renowned producing theatre alongside an extraordinary menu devised by renowned chef Glynn Purnell.

Often called the ‘Yummy Brummie’ Glynn Purnell started cooking professionally at the age of 14. After training with top chefs including Gordon Ramsay, Gary Rhodes and Claude Bosi, he went on to launch ‘Jessica’s’ in 2003, which was awarded Birmingham’s first Michelin star in 2005. Glynn is now the proud owner of two establishments in Birmingham, ‘Purnell’s’, which was awarded a Michelin star

in 2009, and ‘Purnell’s Bistro & Ginger’s Bar’.

Glynn has become a household name after winning The Great British Menu twice and then later appearing on the show as a mentor.

He can regularly be seen hosting Saturday Kitchen on BBC1.

Glynn said “I am absolutely thrilled to be involved in this fantastic celebration. It is such a wonderful achievement to be celebrating 50 years of a Birmingham institution. Purnell’s is 14 years old, so we still have a long way to go to catch up."

Birmingham born Adrian Lester CBE, Trustee of the Board at The Rep added “The Rep was one of the main reasons I applied to drama school. It was the first theatre I visited as a child and the first theatre I ever performed in."

This special Gala event promises to be a truly memorable evening of fantastic food, stellar entertainment and an auction of unmissable items and experiences that will help to raise vital funds to secure the future of The Rep.

Send your stories in to newsdesk@thephoenixnewspaper.com

@PhoenixNewsUK

CELEBRATING 10 YEARS OF POSITIVE NEWS

The Phoenix Newspaper - January 2022 - Page 31

Page 32 - The Phoenix Newspaper - January 2022

ENTERTAINMENT

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Hippodrome announces new Artistic Director and Chief Executive

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irmingham Hippodrome has announced Jon Gilchrist as its new Artistic Director and Chief Executive follows the departure of Fiona Allan to Opera Australia.

Jon has been Executive Director of HOME - the multi-arts venue which is the most visited attraction in Manchester welcoming over 900,000 people annually since 2018.

Glenn Howells, Birmingham Hippodrome Theatre Trust Chair, announced the appointment saying: “We are delighted that Jon will be joining us in Spring 2022 and leading Birmingham Hippodrome as it embarks on the next chapter of its evolution.

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“Covid has had a profound effect on the organisation, but our future plans remain as exciting and ambitious as ever – particularly as we look forward to welcoming the Commonwealth Games to the region.

“Jon brings the experience, creativity, vision and enthusiasm we need to progress the Hippodrome’s future plans and deepen our levels of engagement with the people of our region. On behalf of everyone here at Birmingham Hippodrome, we look forward to welcoming Jon to the team.”

Gilchrist was recently elected Joint President of UK Theatre, a role which he will take up in 2022.

He is also on the boards

of the Edge Theatre in Manchester and HighTide Theatre in Suffolk.

Previously he worked as Executive Director of the Bush Theatre between 2014 and 2018. Before this he worked in marketing roles at theatres across the North-West for ten years, including The Lowry in Salford, the Octagon Theatre Bolton, and the Dukes in Lancaster.

Jon Gilchrist said: “I have always admired the Hippodrome as one of the UK’s best theatres.

Now, as the team continue the path to recovery from the pandemic, it is even more important to provide people with some much-needed joy in these challenging times.

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Global DJ Jonas Blue to bring 'Electronic Nature' tour to Birmingham Mill JONAS BLUE’S career has been felt the world over with singles like "Fast Car", "Perfect Strangers", "Rise", "Mama" & "Polaroid" collectively having been certified platinum over 120 times around the globe.

With over 14 billion global streams, over 69 million singles sales, Jonas has cemented his name as a main stage DJ and pop powerhouse, and he brings his electrifying tour to the UK next January/February.

The tour is a celebration of the growth and expansion of Jonas Blue's record label Electronic Nature.

Jonas

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Blue says: “I always had the dream of Electronic Nature being very active in the live events space and curating line ups to play alongside me featuring talent from the label family. After recent times and the huge impact that has had on night life, I can’t wait to get back out there in the UK bringing my label and artists along for the ride too”.

Other artists from Electronic Nature that will be seen across the tour include: Punctual (London), Jerome Price (Newcastle and Glasgow), and TCTS (Manchester).

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Kyson, Bryson, Leyton and Logan Hoath

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he four boys died in a house fire in Sutton, south London.

They were given immediate treatment by firefighters until ambulance crews arrived but were pronounced dead at the hospital. The London Ambulance Service (LAS) said a "number of resources" were sent to the

scene including ambulance crews, advanced paramedics.

Trauma teams from London's Air Ambulance and Air Ambulance Kent Surrey Sussex were also dispatched. A 27-year-old woman was arrested on suspicion of child neglect.

The two sets of twins were aged three and four.

Arthur Labinjo-Hughes

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he six-year-old died after being left alone with step-mother Emma Tustin. Barely able to stand, he folded away his bedding in the living room as his father and new stepmother made him sleep on the floor, all the while monitored by CCTV set up to catch him "misbehaving".

His life was dictated by a cruel punishment regime enforced by Tustin and Thomas Hughes. A devoted Birmingham City fan,

despite the challenges he faced, he was a happy and cheeky child who was adored by his extended family.

Violence, cruelty and abuse, debase and dehumanisation designed to terrorise a boy who depended on them was concealed.

As he consumed at least six-anda-half teaspoons of salt the day, Hughes completely let his son down, police said, and was found guilty of his manslaughter. Tustin was convicted of his murder.

Sir Frank Williams CBE

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he founder and former team principal of F1s Williams Racing won 9 constructors' championships and 7 drivers' championships.

Born in County Durham, he founded Frank Williams Racing Cars in 1966. Following the death of Ayrton Senna, in 1994, every Williams FW17 chassis carried a tribute in the form of a small Senna logo on its front wing supports.

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Janice Long

presenter on BBC Radio 2 and Top of the Pops, she was the first woman to have her own daily show - on Radio 1.

She also presented on BBC Radio 6 Music for two years, from its launch date in 2002 and BBC Radio Wales, as well as being best-known for being one of the main presenters of the Live Aid concert in 1985. She also

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In 1988 he suffered a spinal fracture after a serious car crash in the South of France – and has been a wheelchair user ever since.

In 2012 he stepped down from the board of Williams F1 - being replaced by his daughter Claire, although remaining as team principal. In 2020 Williams F1 was sold to US investors.

Married to Virginia, who died of cancer in 2013, he was 79.

nurtured new talent from music and the arts.

Born in Liverpool, she was a judge for the Mercury Music Awards and a patron of the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts, founded by Sir Paul McCartney. She also presented a show on Greatest Hits Radio.

Her brother, fellow presenter Keith Chegwin, died in 2017. She was 66.

John Sillett

orn in Southampton, the former Coventry City manager between 198690, he guided the club to FA Cup victory in 1987 when they beat Tottenham 3-2 in the final at Wembley.

As a full-back, he played at Chelsea, playing alongside his brother Peter, before playing for Coventry - Jimmy Hill's first signing - and Plymouth Argyle.

After his playing career, he was youth coach at Bristol City, then moving into management with Hereford.

In 1991, he returned to Hereford as manager, but left at the end of his first full season – where he did some scouting work for the England national team under Sven-Göran Eriksson. He also worked as a TV pundit.

He was 85.

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The Phoenix Newspaper - January 2022 - Page 33

OBITUARIES

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Star Hobson

yeing of "catastrophic" injuries, Bradford Crown Court heard she suffered weeks of physical abuse before the fatal assault.

In evidence, family members said they began noticing bruises and marks on her body as she suffered a number of injuries at different times, including a

Eileen Ash

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laying under her maiden name, Whelan, the world's oldest former Test cricketer made her England debut in 1937, played seven Tests either side of World War Two before retiring in 1949.

Born in London, she appeared in three Tests in 1937 - under her maiden name, Whelan - and played domestically for Civil Service Women, Middlesex

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addressed both environmental and social issues in his work - with anti-racist and anti-homophobia messages at his January show in Paris. He planned to use his partnership with LVMH to expand opportunities for diverse individuals and foster greater equity and inclusion in the industries he served.

Battling against cancer for several years, he was 41.

Stephen Sondheim

he composer and lyricist was one of the most important figures in 20th-century musical theatre.

Born in New York, he wrote the lyrics for West Side Story, before composing music and lyricist for the likes of Follies, A Little Night Music and Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street. His shows addressed darker elements of the human experience in various aspects of life.

He won eight Tony Awards

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Women and South Women, before being seconded by MI6 during World War Two. In 2019 a portrait of her was unveiled at Lord's – two years after she rang the bell there before England won the 2017 Women's World Cup final.

She received an honorary life membership of the MCC on her 100th birthday.

She was 110.

Virgil Abloh

he first Black creative director of a top French fashion house (Louis Vuitton’s menswear collection), he was chosen in 2018 - bringing streetwear like hoodies and sneakers to the catwalk as he transcended the fashion world.

Born in Rockford, Illinois, to Ghanaian immigrants, he is one of the world’s most renowned fashion designers. A trailblazer and humane visionary, he

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shin fracture caused by "forceful twisting". Family members and friends made five referrals to Bradford City Council between January and September 2020, just weeks before her death.

Savannah Brockhill, 28 and Frankie Smith, 20, were both convicted over killing Star Hobson - aged just 16 months.

(including a Lifetime Achievement Tony), an Academy Award, eight Grammys, a Pulitzer Prize, a Laurence Olivier Award, and a Presidential Medal of Freedom. He also has a theatre named for him - on Broadway and in London’s West End - and wrote film music for Reds, Dick Tracy, and song in Madonna’s film which won the Academy Award for Best Original Song.

He was 91.

Marvin Morgan

he ex-Aldershot, Shrewsbury Town and Plymouth Argyle striker made more than 200 career appearances, also spending time on loan at Dagenham & Redbridge and Hartlepool.

He also played for Havant & Waterlooville, a loan spell back at his first club Wealdstone, Bath City and Hornchurch.

Born in Manchester, he founded Fresh Ego Kid, a streetwear fashion brand, whilst at Shrewsbury Town.

It became a favourite of footballers

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and celebrities including Romelu Lukaku, Harry Maguire, Cruz Beckham, and Marvin Humes. He also set up Fresh Ego FC, to raise awareness of issues surrounding mental health and racism, engaging local communities and young people to inspire change.

He collapsed twice in 2014, while at Plymouth - with cavernoma, an abnormality of blood vessels in the brain - requiring medication for the rest of his life.

Survived by partner Jerri Fletcher and son, seven, he was 38.

Page 34 - The Phoenix Newspaper - January 2022

HEALTH AND WELLBEING

CELEBRATING 10 YEARS OF POSITIVE NEWS

COUNCIL TO RECRUIT ‘ROVING’ TEAM OF CHILDREN’S SOCIAL WORKERS

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he City of Wo l v e r h a m p t o n Council is to recruit a 'roving' team of social workers to help further improve support for vulnerable children, young people and families.

Members of Cabinet (Resources) Panel have approved the recruitment of a peripatetic team of nine social workers who will cover temporary vacancies across the council’s statutory social work teams.

This will reduce the council's reliance on agency workers and

enable temporary posts to be filled in a timely manner.

Nationally, children’s social work is facing staffing challenges due to a range of pressures, with councils around the country facing high turnover, vacancies and a heavy reliance on agency staff.

Councillor Beverley Momenabadi, the City of Wolverhampton Council's Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, said: "Children’s social work is now on a national occupational shortage list,

with demand for permanent, experienced workers significantly outstripping supply.

"The recruitment and retention of high-quality social workers is key to delivering good and safe social work practice. It gives us a stable workforce which, in turn, will help further improve support for children, young people and families.

"In Wolverhampton the vacancy rate, and use of agency workers, is considerably below the national average, thanks to a sustained recruitment and retention

campaign over the last few years.

Even so, we want to do more to support our social workers to continue their incredible work.

"The recruitment of a peripatetic team of social workers will bring greater stability to our workforce, ensure the workloads of our social workers remain manageable and give them the capacity they need to continue delivering high quality services to vulnerable children and families."

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l Sherril Donaldson – NU:GEN CARE CIC

Voice For Our Black Elders

Optimistic for 2022

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s we step into 2022, I believe we can be quietly optimistic that things are changing for us as Black elders.

What does ‘Optimistic’ mean? Well, according to the Cambridge Dictionary it means: “Hoping or believing that good things will happen in the future” When I started writing this column, 12 months ago, there were few media references to the challenges face by Black Elders.

Yes, there were research papers, mostly in the United States of America, that made minor reference to Elders as a part of topics that were mainly aimed at the general population.

Now, following the Black Lives Matter movement and the pandemic, the coverage of our situation appears to be getting more coverage in the media and on the many social media platforms.

The biggest change and my reason for feeling optimistic is the growth and amplification of the Black Businesses who have decided to focus their business towards our own communities.

Three years ago, during our research to validate the need for Nu:Gen Care CIC, we were challenged for being transparent about who our services would be designed for and who would be our main customers.

We were accused of being racist and creating wider and deeper barriers within our communities.

We were told there was not a market or a very limited need

for our services. Generally, we were given strong steers to abandon our mission and reframe our vision.

Now, it would appear our mission and vision was right and others, some of those very same critics, have recognised there is ‘a need’ and ‘a market’ to provide an ‘unapologetically black’ service for our Community.

Our mission, ‘to change landscape of care for our Black Elders’ has been joined by other organisations or individuals, including The Carers Trust, ‘Menopause whilst Black’, the Windrush Movement, Age UK, local councils and many more.

There is still a very long way to go before we reach our final destination and our journey to that destination will be long, but, I am and we should be optimistic that change will happen through our collective determination and tenacity to drive for change.

I hope, in 2022, you will make some positive decisions about what and how you can help in our journey to continue to ‘..make changes to the landscape of care for our elders and our community‘, and add your voice to the voices of the elders in the community.

WE need to work together to identify our pressure points and the existing organisations in a position to lead a movement to alleviate those challenges.

So, I ask you to contact me with your thoughts on the way forward and topics for discussion in this column to ensure we change the landscape of care for our elders.

Send your stories in to newsdesk@thephoenixnewspaper.com

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BIRMINGHAM JAB CAB FREE SERVICE FOR BOOSTERS OR VACCINE A TRANSPORT facility for people struggling to get to a Covid vaccination site has been set up so citizens can get their first, second or booster jab.

The partnership between the city council, NHS and TOA Taxis (Birmingham) will provide a free taxi service to the nearest vaccination site for people with mobility issues and those who face financial and practical barriers to using private or public transport.

Funded by the NHS it will ensure anyone who wants to get vaccinated will be able to attend a clinic or vaccination site.

Councillor Ian Ward, leader of Birmingham City Council, said: “We know there are many citizens who are keen to get their vaccination but are struggling to get to a site due to mobility problems, lack of assistance or financial barriers.

“Nobody should be in the position where they cannot get a life-saving jab because of any of these issues so this it is great news that this service is up and running."

The Phoenix Newspaper - January 2022 - Page 35

GLOBAL SHORTAGE OF NURSES SET TO GROW AS PANDEMIC ENTERS THIRD YEAR

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he numbers of nurses around the world are falling further just as the Omicron coronavirus spreads, and there is also an imbalance as Western countries step up recruitment of healthcare workers from African and other poorer countries, the International Council of Nurses said on Friday.

Howard Catton, CEO of the Geneva-based group that represent 27 million nurses in 130 national associations, said: “Many nurses are burned out from the COVID-19 pandemic and rates of intention to leave within a year have doubled to 20-30%.

"I think that we are at a tipping point ... if those numbers continue the trend that we are seeing, it could be an exodus of people," he told a news briefing. "I almost think that governments need to be thinking about the life support package of measures they need to be putting together to invest in their nurses and their health care workers next year."

At least 115,000 nurses have died from COVID-19, but Catton said this World Health Organisation figure from the start of the pandemic through May was conservative and the true figure is probably twice that. There was already a global shortage of 6 million nurses prepandemic and some 4.75 million nurses are due to retire over the next few years, he added.

On average, wealthy countries have nearly 10 times the rate of nurses in terms of their populations compared with poor nations, but many are recruiting overseas to staff their hospitals, he said, noting that the Philippines and India were traditional exporters.

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Experiences Of Dementia Shared To Help Map Future Provision PEOPLE WHO HAVE experiences of dementia still have time to take part in an engagement exercise to determine the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on services for those living with the condition in Wolverhampton.

Dementia is a debilitating illness estimated to affect more than 3,000 people in the city, with that number expected to rise by over 50% by 2035. Dementia does not just have a devastating effect on the individual, but also their families and friends.

Councillor Linda Leach, the City of Wolverhampton Council's Cabinet Member for Adult Services, said: "Covid-19 has had disproportionate impact on people living with dementia and their carers, disrupting the pathways through which they can access services.

"For instance, we know that the diagnosis rate of dementia has declined across England as a result of Covid-19, with GP referrals also dropping.

"We want to hear from people living with dementia, their families and carers, and professionals who work with people with dementia, to understand what the key issues are facing those affected by this cruel condition."

Page 36 - The Phoenix Newspaper - January 2022

AZUZA STREET

Tributes Continue For Archbishop Desmond Tutu ONE OF SOUTH African's best-known figures at home and abroad, Desmond Tutu, the contemporary of Nelson Mandela, was one of the driving forces behind the anti-apartheid movement in his country.

Born of mixed Xhosa and Motswana heritage, in Klerksdorp, he was teaching theology in South Africa and Lesotho, between 1966 and 1972, teaching doctrine, the Old Testament, and Greek at a campus that allowed a level of racial-mixing - which was rare there.

He was awarded the Nobel prize in 1984 for his role in the struggle to abolish the abhorrent system – during which, he publicly endorsing an international economic boycott of his country.

The Bishop of Johannesburg from 1985 to 1986, Tutu became the Archbishop Emeritus of Cape Town from 1986 to 1996 where he chaired the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and shared a platform with anti-apartheid campaigner Winnie Mandela in opposing the government's Terrorism Act. Sharp of wit, he was a man

of impeccably strong moral convictions who strove to bring about a peaceful South Africa.

Former US president, Barak Obama said of him: "Archbishop Tutu was grounded in the struggle for liberation and justice in his own country, but also concerned with injustice everywhere.

“He never lost his impish sense of humour and willingness to find humanity in his adversaries, and Michelle and I will miss him dearly.”

In paying their tribute, the Nelson Mandela Foundation said: “His contributions to struggles against injustice, locally and globally, are matched only by the depth of his thinking about the making of liberatory futures for human societies”.

"He was an extraordinary human being,” the Foundation added.

Sharp of wit, he was a man of impeccably strong moral convictions who strove to bring about a peaceful South Africa. A week of events were held to mark his passing.

Survived by 4 children, he was 90.

CELEBRATING 10 YEARS OF POSITIVE NEWS

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SHINCHEONJI INCREASES MEMBERSHIP BY 20,000 PEOPLE THROUGH ONLINE

D

espite the pandemic, Shincheonji Church of Jesus, the Temple of the Tabernacle of the Testimony (Shincheonji Church of Jesus for short, headed by Chairman Lee Manhee) has seen a growth of 20,000 members this year.

This is particularly remarkable since it has taken everything— worship services, meetings, etc.— online up until now since the outbreak of COVID-19.

The Church recently announced that there will be an online graduation ceremony for class 112 with a total of 18,838 graduates (of which 11,162 are from Korea

and 7,676 are from overseas).

The graduation ceremony led by Chairman Lee Manhee - was made available since, on Shincheonji’s official Youtube channel for viewing and can be live-streamed from anywhere in the world.

Salutations from the general director was followed by an award ceremony for the graduation certificates, the evangelism award, and perfect attendance award, as wells as graduation speeches.

The Zion Christian Mission Centre is a Bible education institute of Shincheonji Church of Jesus, that provides free Bible courses with graduates given the

option of officially joining the Temple after graduating.

Classes at the Mission Centre have all been online since the outbreak of the pandemic with, last year, a total of 18,383 people graduating.

Even after all face-to-face religious activities were suspended due to COVID-19, 37,220 people completed the Bible course online and officially became members of Shincheonji Church of Jesus, with the Church attributing their continued growth in membership to their Biblefocused evangelism methods despite the vast majority of churches seeing a huge decrease in

the number of their congregations due to the pandemic.

Shincheonji Church of Jesus said: “In an environment where people can access various teachings online due to the pandemic, many people have taken interest and started studying the high-level Bible course that we provide.”

They added: “Through the graduation ceremony - broadcast via Youtube - everyone is now able to see why we are growing amidst the declining religious communities.”

The Face of Islam: Serving Humanity and Enriching Lives

IN A BID to exemplify the core Islamic values of volunteer service, good citizenship and caring for those in need including the environment, members of the Ismaili Muslim community in Birmingham organised a clean-up and litter picking at Canon Hill Park.

Along with the clean-up the volunteers organized a host of activities for children including making bird feeders from old milk cartons, musical shakers using recycled kitchen towel rolls and growing tulip bulbs and vegetables in biodegradable pots.

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These activities form part of a new initiative – Ismaili CIVIC – aimed at improving the quality of life of the communities in which the Ismailis live, regardless of faith, gender and background.

In the UK, it is the Ismaili Muslim community’s ambition to engage 10,000 volunteers to deliver 100,000 hours of service, accounting for over half of the Ismaili community in the UK, showing their faith in action.

“We recycle, try not to use plastic and just be socially responsible,” says Karima Gangji from Birmingham.

CELEBRATING 10 YEARS OF POSITIVE NEWS

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The Phoenix Newspaper - January 2022 - Page 37

OVERSEAS NEWS

UN-UAE EXHIBITION TAKES VISITORS ON A VISUAL JOURNEY OF YEARS OF COOPERATION

By Delroy Constantine-Simms and Maureen Drackett-Fuller

A

n exhibition at the UN Hub at Expo 2020 Dubai, titled ‘The United Nations and the United Arab Emirates: Working together for a better future’ opened on Monday, 6 December.

Visitors are taken on a visual journey celebrating the UAE’s Golden Jubilee and relationship of cooperation with the UN. The exhibition includes photographic timelines of key moments, as well as facts and figures about the areas in which partnerships have been built.

Dr Dena Assaf, the United Nations Resident Coordinator for the United Arab Emirates and Deputy Commissioner General for the UN at Expo 2020 Dubai, said the UN works with the UAE in development, humanitarian aid, maintaining international peace and security, and in the fields of culture and health through UNICEF, UNESCO and many other entities.

Dr Assaf said: “We wanted to highlight to the regular visitor here at Expo who may be wondering:

what is the role of the United Nations with the UAE, to give them an understanding to see some of the key areas of our cooperation.

So, from working in the environment to working on women, peace, and security, or even on the partnership between the UN and the UAE on humanitarian aid.”

Dr Assaf added that the UN is working with the UAE in areas such as food security, by finding scientific solutions to promote agricultural methods compatible with a desert environment, in order to achieve sustainability.

She also highlighted the significant role played by the UAE in supporting sustainable development across the world, by playing home to the world’s largest aid hub, International Humanitarian City.

Dino Francescutti, Sub-Regional Director for the Gulf Cooperation Council States and Yemen, and FAO Representative in the UAE said FAO’s partnership with the UAE has grown in many areas.

“Clearly, the overriding theme is food security… and nowadays also climate change… The fact is that we will be able to have the

COP28 here in the United Arab Emirates [in 2023]. We’re very excited about this. We will be working hand in hand with the United Arab Emirates.

“We feel that this partnership with the UAE has only started.

There is so much more to do together. The UAE is a leader on key topics like food security, like climate change and we want to go side by side in all the challenges FAO is facing for the benefit of the country but also for the benefit of many other countries.”

Muktar Farah, Head of Office United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in UAE (OCHA) underlined the long history of working with the UAE: “In 2015, we developed the first emergency manual for responding to emergencies globally and it was translated into Arabic. This was a joint work with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation… OCHA has been working closely with the UAE because the government of the UAE provides humanitarian assistance globally.

“The UAE government has been [in] the top five in providing humanitarian financing through

the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF), which is a global fund that is managed by OCHA at a global level for responding to various emergencies. We have also been working very closely on the issue of protection, providing support [for issues of] genderbased violence and women empowerment in particular.”

Cultural heritage and preservation also feature strongly at the exhibition. Zaki Aslan, Regional Director of The International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property (ICCROM) at UNESCO, said: “The office is working with the [UAE] Ministry of Culture and various relevant institutions with the aim of protecting Arab heritage and archaeological sites, such as in Iraq, through the restoration of Al-Nouri Mosque and Al-Hadba Minaret in the Iraqi city of Mosul.

“The office is working to [regulate] the antiquities trade through collaboration with various relevant authorities in the UAE and the region, such as customs and the police, not only to stop theft but also to update relevant national laws.”

De Montfort University Officially Launches Its First International Campus In Dubai

By Delroy Constantine-Simms

De Montfort University (DMU), one of the UK’s leading public universities in Leicester, officially launched their campus in Dubai Academic City yesterday, their first international branch campus outside of the UK. The educational institution brings its sustainable and innovative approach to support the personal and professional development of students, economic growth, and human capital development in the UAE and entire Gulf region.

At the inauguration, Professor

Katie Normington, ViceChancellor of DMU, said, “A campus in Dubai offers, for us, an unparalleled seat at the world’s table, a place from which we can really contribute to setting a global agenda. And, in turn, we have a lot to offer to this city. UK higher education is recognised as some of the best in the world and we pride ourselves on the quality of our teaching.”

The new DMU Dubai branch will offer students a range of undergraduate and postgraduate courses including Cyber Security, Architecture, Psychology, Accounting and Finance, Engineering, Human Resource Management, and Fashion Marketing.

JAMAICAN FASHION LABEL TO DEBUT IN MACY'S IN AMERICA

F

ashion label Things II Come, the brainchild of Sherwayne Mahoney which specialises in accessories, clothing and shoes, will debut its footwear in Macy's spring and summer 2022 collections.

Macy's is described as “America's Department Store”, an iconic brand and retail industry leader known for value and highquality products.

Mahoney, who was born to Jamaican parents in New York, made the breakthrough after 14 years of promoting awareness of his brand in the tristate area and wider markets.

His love of art and drawing, as well as production of works in high school, led to his enrolment

at Parsons School of Design, before transitioning to the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT).

There he was introduced to the luxury market where detailing, fine fabrics and rare materials were emphasised.

While at college, Mahoney worked in retail, including at Tommy Hilfiger where he was as assistant merchandiser; Escada USA, as director of merchandising and sales; Nine West Holdings; and Easy Spirit.

Even while holding down the jobs, Mahoney continued to expand his portfolio, noting, “I continued growing my brand awareness as much as I could, developed additional jewellery styles, and increased our luxury scarves customer base.

Send your stories in to newsdesk@thephoenixnewspaper.com

Page 38 - The Phoenix Newspaper - January 2022

Holiday and

CELEBRATING 10 YEARS OF POSITIVE NEWS

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Travel

EIGHT REASONS TO VISIT 'THE PEARL OF THE INDIAN OCEAN'

W

ith 2022 on the horizon, now is the perfect time to look for travel inspiration and research new destinations for next year's getaway to paradise.

Susith Jayawickrama, Managing Director at Aitken Spence Hotels, shares his eight reasons why Sri Lanka should be at the top of everyone's travel list in 2022: Ayurvedic resorts to rejuvenate and restore you – Ayurveda is the traditional natural medicine of Sri Lanka and is a vital component of the country's wellness culture.

The Ayurvedic wellness resort Heritance Ayurveda, offers an ideal setting for those seeking a rejuvenating, authentic ayurveda holiday within a nurturing environment that promotes a holistic approach to wellness and

lifestyle.

Bespoke treatments, encompassing yoga, guided meditation, balanced nutrition, as well as acupuncture sessions, allow guests to indulge in a world of pampered luxury.

Recuperation – Sri Lanka is known as the 'Pearl of the Indian Ocean' due to its incredible natural beauty, comprising pristine beaches and glistening cerulean waters.

Heritance Ahungalla's dreamy scenery provides the ideal retreat for guests wishing to recuperate in nature and re-spark their mind, body, and soul.

Discover fascinating wildlife on land and at sea – Wildlife conservation has a long and illustrious history in Sri Lanka, and the country's twenty-six protected national parks cover almost fifteen percent of the

island's land area.

Experience Sri Lanka's wonderful range of fauna while staying at Heritance Kandalama, where you can spot Brahminy Kites soaring in the air, and discover over eighty indigenous butterfly species flying within the premises, or enjoy an elephant safari at Minneriya National Park.

Marvel at astounding hotel architecture – Original creations of the world-renowned Sri Lankan architect, Geoffrey Bawa, Heritance Ayurveda, Heritance Kandalama, and Heritance Ahungalla are a fusion of nature with traditional and contemporary architecture.

For instance, Heritance Ayurveda's wellness centre is designed with lotus-filled ponds and individual therapy rooms, allowing guests to discover the art of tranquillity.

The best place in the World for High Tea – As the largest exporter of tea in the world, a visit to Sri Lanka would not be complete without exploring the esteemed tea culture of the destination.

Find comfort in the rich aroma of brewing Ceylon tea and indulge in divine delights, served at the world's finest High Tea experience at Heritance Tea Factory.

Embark on an exquisite culinary journey – Sri Lankan cuisine is celebrated for its rich flavours, combining exotic spices, herbs, and fruits. Savour the flavour while you dine at some of Sri Lanka's finest resorts.

For instance, at Heritance Negombo, the best of local ingredients and traditional techniques are fused with global influences to prepare an array of luscious international cuisines at the resort's acclaimed Bluetan and

Banyan restaurants.

A haven for water sports – Being a beautiful island surrounded by the Indian Ocean, Sri Lanka is an ideal location for trying out a variety of water sports. From surfing to canoeing, this island is certain to surprise anyone looking for an exhilarating adventure.

Endless miles of golden beaches – Sri Lanka offers untouched coves backed by swaying palms, rocky outcrops shaped by the waves of the Indian Ocean and endless miles of powdery, golden sand beaches.

Even while staying at a resort, you can find isolation on the beach. Sprawled across six acres of ocean-front land, Turyaa Kalutara is a beach and seaside sanctuary, inviting guests to relax and soak up the tropical sunshine.

Jamaica Gets Sets For The Return Of Cruises JAMAICA MINISTER of tourism, Edmund Bartlett, has welcomed the return of the cruise sector to the Caribbean destination.

The minister said the arrival of Carnival Glory at Montego Bay Cruise Port would allow the island to “cross a major threshold in its tourism recovery”.

The conquest-class cruise ship has a maximum capacity of 2,980 passengers and 1,150 crew members.

Montego Bay Cruise Port was itself recently recognised as the Caribbean’s Leading Home Port by voters at the World Travel Awards. The return of cruise to the second city in Jamaica is being managed by the Port Authority of Jamaica, the ministry of health

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and wellness, the Tourism Product Development Company (TPDCo) and Jamaica Vacations (JAMVAC).

Carnival Corporation recently committed to sending 110 or more cruises, by its various brands, to the island between October and April next year. The announcement followed discussions between Bartlett, local tourism officials and senior Carnival Corporation executives during recent meetings.

The meetings formed part of a major marketing blitz, which saw the minister and his team visiting the main tourism source markets of Canada, the United States, and the United Kingdom and the emerging market of the Middle East.

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From The Desk Of The USVI Commissioner WARM BLESSINGS of Joy to all of You from U.S. Virgin Islands Tourism!

We have much to be thankful for after such a challenging year.

As the pandemic continues to evolve, we resolve to maintain our commitment to protecting lives and livelihoods, and we remember and give thanks for lost ones as well as our frontline health care workers.

Equally important, we are grateful to you, our hospitality and tourism partners, for aligning with the Territory’s COVID-19 protocols.

Thanks to your efforts, we have been recognized as a leader in keeping our people and our visitors safe from the spread of the coronavirus.

As we head into 2022 we cannot afford to let down our guard. The Government of the Virgin Islands, and those of our Caribbean neighbours, have worked tirelessly to keep our regional bread-and-butter industry alive and well during these unprecedented times but there is much to do before we can return to pre-pandemic levels of success.

We are also indebted to our marketing and communications partners for their outstanding efforts in getting the word out clearly and consistently about the Territory’s protocols, achievements and attractiveness.

Some of the recent Caribbean accolades we received include: Innovative Destination of the Year and Yachting Destination of the Year (Caribbean Journal); and Most Resilient Caribbean Destination - 2022 Travel (ForwardKeys).

We have also consistently led the Caribbean in ADR throughout the pandemic, according to reports from STR. We are optimistic about what 2022 will bring if we continue to stay the course, strengthen our partnerships and communication, and refuse to settle into complacency.

But for now, we wish you a joy-filled and peaceful holiday with family, friends and loved ones.

Merry Christmas!

CELEBRATING 10 YEARS OF POSITIVE NEWS

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The Phoenix Newspaper - January 2022 - Page 39

HOLIDAY AND TRAVEL

DREAM YACHT CHARTER PUTS FOCUS ON CARIBBEAN, FLORIDA, BAHAMAS & MEDITERRANEAN FOR 2022 D

ream Yacht Charter makes yachting holidays possible for inexperienced sailors with many bases offering skippered and crewed charters of yachts.

There is also the option to book individual cabins on fully crewed and catered by the cabin cruises on spacious catamarans.

All bases offer yachts for bareboat charters – ideal for

experienced sailors.

Dream Yacht Charter is investing in 265 new yachts over the next two years which will be primarily based in the Caribbean and the Mediterranean.

Over 70 per cent of the new yachts will be catamarans that are extremely stable and ideal for first time sailors.

The catamarans can be as big as tennis courts with plenty of seating and relaxation space

both on deck and under cover, kitchens, and most cabins having private bathrooms,

ST THOMAS, US VIRGIN ISLANDS

The base at St Thomas offers the opportunity to explore outstanding beaches such as the mile long beach at Magen's Bay, snorkel in the amazing waters or dine at the floating pizza restaurant at Great St James.

St Thomas is also a gateway to the extensive sailing grounds of the British Virgin Islands where Dream Yacht Charter has a base at Scrub Island.

KEY WEST, FLORIDA

Key Biscayne and Key Largo are just some of the famous Florida Keys that can be explored from Dream Yacht Charter's base in Key West.

Other highlights include visiting the turtle hospital in Marathon,

scuba diving at Looe Key or snorkelling at Sombrero Reef.

MARSH ISLAND, BAHAMAS

The reopening of the base at Marsh Island gives sailors access to the 130 miles of cays in the Abaco Island chain with their abundant marine life and the chance to see the swimming pigs at No Name Cay. Dream Yacht Charter also has a base in Nassau for those who want to explore the Exumas.

SARDINIA

The 7 night Dream Costa Smeralda by the cabin cruise is on board a crewed catamaran with just 6 cabins.

Holidaymakers book individual cabins, with private bathrooms.

The itinerary includes some of the most beautiful beaches and small towns along the Sardinian coast as well as Bonifacio in Corsica.

CTO Launches Online Training, Development Learning Centre THE CARIBBEAN Tourism Organisation (CTO) has reached agreement with the Canadabased e-learning courseware development company, Velsoft, to further advance the regional tourism development agency’s virtual training and development program.

As part of the agreement, Velsoft will host the Caribbean Tourism Institute, the CTO’s online campus developed by the Canadian firm. The new portal is an open online educational, training and development learning centre designed to provide affordable access to training opportunities for everyone who works, or aspires to work, in the Caribbean tourism and hospitality sector.

“Velsoft has been working closely with us to help us realise one of our key human resources development objectives of increasing the access of Caribbean nationals to high quality training and educational opportunities,” said Neil Walters, the CTO’s acting secretary general. “This partnership has allowed us to develop and offer this virtual

training hub and will continue to help us in our mission to develop and design relevant e-learning content, which will benefit our tourism and hospitality sector.”

From its inception, the CTO has been a strong proponent of human resources development in the tourism industry and has as one of its strategic objectives, to assist its member countries in developing and strengthening their human capital to better enable them to offer high levels of professional service. The launch of the online

training platform and courses is an important step in achieving this objective and to support ongoing training and build regional and institutional capacity.

“What the Caribbean Tourism Institute presents us with is a blended approach to learning, utilising synchronous and asynchronous delivery methods as this online platform will allow for self-paced instruction and also host real-time training and development sessions,” said Sharon Banfield, the CTO’s

director of resource mobilization and development. As part of the agreement, Velsoft will provide all of the resources to convert CTO courses into e-learning activities and will allow the institute full access to its non-accredited courses, which will be promoted under the institute’s brand.

“Velsoft is excited to partner with the Caribbean Tourism Organization on the ambitious initiative to raise the collective level of skills in the Caribbean’s tourism sector. The Caribbean Tourism Institute represents the easiest and most cost-effective way to provide personalized training that is both culturally and contextually relevant,” said Jim Fitt, chief executive of Velsoft.

“Our intention is to release at least two new online courses each month as a way of ensuring the Caribbean Tourism Institute maintains its commitment to ensuring the latest and most applicable training is made available to the over 2.5 million professionals in the Caribbean’s hospitality and tourism sector, " he added.

International Travel, Higher Price Tags Lead Travel Trends AFTER NEARLY two years of waiting, people are getting back to travel with a vengeance, heading straight for destinations that are further afield and often ignoring the price tag, according to HomeToGo, one of the largest vacation rental companies in the industry.

At the same time, people are booking farther ahead, while also seeking out companies with flexible options, such as nontraditional accommodations.

“Travel has entered a new era and alternative accommodation will continue to reign as the new zeitgeists in 2022, especially with travellers who have traditionally booked hotels but tried and enjoyed vacation rentals during the pandemic,” said Dr Patrick Andrae, co-founder, and CEO of HomeToGo. Over the past several months,

searches on HomeToGo.com for international stays have increased by 88% compared to 2020. The numbers of people looking to travel internationally are back on pace with 2019 levels.

Popular destinations are booking up faster than they did pre-pandemic. As a result, travelers are booking further out, with the average booking 94 days out. In 2019, the average HomeToGo user booked 71 days in advance of travel.

Along with earlier bookings, HomeToGo has also seen that flexible booking options, such as free cancellations are also a concern for travellers. According to the survey mentioned above, 77% of travellers said that flexible options will be important for their booking decisions over the next 12 months.

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Page 40 - The Phoenix Newspaper - January 2022

PROPERTY AND REAL ESTATE Outdated Housing Estate To Be Redeveloped Following £1m Investment

THE DEMOLITION and redevelopment of an outdated housing estate in north Coventry is underway following the completion of a £1 million investment by the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA).

Houses off Milverton Road on the Wood End estate are being knocked down in order to pave the way for developer Keepmoat Homes to build 94 high quality new homes on the 5.5 acre site, of which 20 will be available for social rent in partnership with Citizen Housing.

Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands and chair of the WMCA, said: “Creating new communities and sustainable neighbourhoods on brownfield land has been one of the region’s real success stories in recent years."

CELEBRATING 10 YEARS OF POSITIVE NEWS

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T

he Hill Group donated Christmas hampers to bring some extra cheer to the SoloHaus residents at Olive Morris Court in Tottenham this festive season.

These specially designed individual modular homes were an initiative created by housebuilders Hill Group and were handed over to Haringey Council in October this year.

The homes are already at almost full capacity with people who are on the journey from homelessness to rehabilitation.

Team members from Hill and the council joined together to deliver the hampers to help make Christmas even more special this year.

The hampers included Christmas treats such as biscuits, cakes, mince pies, crackers, and more.

Andy Hill, Chief Executive, The Hill Group, said: "SoloHaus was designed to change peoples' lives for the better.

“The scheme in Haringey is a brilliant example of Hill working in partnership with a council to help tackle homelessness in the UK. I hope the new residents enjoy the contents of their hampers and wish them a very happy Christmas."

Leader of Haringey Council, Councillor Peray Ahmet, said: "These new homes are already proving to be a huge success, providing residents with a safe, warm and secure place to live.

“Having somewhere to call home is life-changing, and these modular homes are a wonderful solution. Hill Group and Haringey Council have just been awarded a Time Out Magazine Best of the City Award for Innovation of the Year for 2021 for our SoloHaus development.

“This is something we are immensely proud of, and we hope is just the start as we look to deliver other schemes across the borough."

The scheme in Tottenham is a partnership between Haringey Council and Hill Group, with half of the homes at Olive Morris Court donated by Hill and significant further funding provided by the GLA and central government.

Helping Those In Need With The Household Support Fund THE CITY COUNCIL has set out how it will support those in need using the remainder of the Household Support Fund allocation.

In October 2021 the council was awarded £12.791m and immediately used £1.22m for supermarket vouchers for those eligible for free school meals over half-term.

Vouchers will also be provided for two weeks over the Christmas holidays, using an additional £2.5m from the fund. A report to cabinet sets out how the remainder will be distributed to those in need.

Birmingham Voluntary Service Council (BVSC) will receive £4m as a package of grant assessment, distribution,

processing and payments across Birmingham’s ten districts, available to all age groups and households utilising existing welfare support channels. This will deliver financial payments in the region of £100 per household with a maximum £200 payment, reaching between 17,500 to 35,000 households across the city.

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Adult social care will receive £850,000 which will cover Home from Hospital fund support, emergency fuel payments and top-up to local welfare provision.

Birmingham Children’s Trust’s allocation of £3.262 will help with hardship payments, care leavers, those with no recourse to public funds and independent living grants.

Councillor Sharon Thompson, cabinet member for children and vulnerable families, said: “While it is good to see this funding made available, we should not be living in a society where this is necessary. We’re seeing too many families struggling and the pandemic has only made things worse."

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Patron To

The Phoenix Newspaper Countdown To The Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games Celebrating All Things Commonwealth

Page 42 - The Phoenix Newspaper - January 2022

ON YOUR MARKS SUPPLEMENT

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India Blocks Foreign Funding For Mother Teresa Charity

Canada Has No Plans To Close Borders CANADIAN PRIME Minister Justin Trudeau said he doesn’t anticipate having to close Canada’s border because of the omicron variant.

At the federal government’s COVID-19 briefing, following a discussion about rising omicron case counts and still-strong delta case counts, a reporter asked Trudeau, “why not completely shut the border?”

Trudeau noted that Canadians have a constitutional right to re-enter the country, no matter what. “We cannot close the border to any Canadian,” he said. “They are always allowed to come home.”

And as far as omicron goes, the key driver behind rising case counts is community transmission. When it comes to further travel restrictions, “we are always open to any option to better ensure Canada’s safety,” he said.

But he noted that community transmission is the far greater threat with the highly contagious omicron variant.

Plus, omicron is already well entrenched in Canada, as it is in most countries around the world.

Later in the briefing Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos reiterated that Canada has some of the strongest border measures in the world. The federal government’s travel advisory (Level 3) came into effect on Dec. 15 for at least four weeks, much to the shock and disbelief of the travel industry.

There’s a long list of testing requirements for travellers, plus all passengers must be fully vaccinated.

BIRMINGHAM 2022 LAUNCHES FREE DIGITAL BATON RELAY RESOURCES

T

he Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games has launched free online learning resources for primary schools, themed around Queen’s Baton Relay.

Designed to provide learning opportunities both in the classroom and for at-home learning, the resources have been created for Reception, Key Stage One and Key Stage Two. They aim to develop children's understanding of the Queen’s Baton Relay, covering the history of the tradition, the Baton design, and the Baton Relay route as it travels to Birmingham 2022, through themed cross-curricular activities.

Each activity has been designed to be standalone, so the resources can be used throughout the 294day journey that the Baton is currently on. The activities are

also linked to the curriculum, spanning English, maths, geography, performing arts, art and design, history, computing, physical education, and PSHE (personal, social, health and economic).

The Youth Programme, which will officially launch in early 2022, will complement the curriculum to widen knowledge, improve access to sports, arts and culture, while helping to boost confidence and resilience.

Learning activities for schools will include further digital classroom resources on the Commonwealth and Birmingham 2022, lesson activities, a range of classroom or whole school workshop activities, teacher insight and inspiration sessions, school festival days, plus visits

by Perry, the Games mascot.

Alton Brown, Head of Youth Programmes & Policy

at Birmingham 2022, said: “These free online resources will provide real value in the classroom, offering pupils a greater understanding of the significance of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games and the Queen’s Baton Relay.

“The learning packs are now available to download for schools across the West Midlands and beyond to delve into and enjoy, and our hope is that they provide hours of enjoyment for pupils.”

Senior Leader of Teaching and Learning at West Heath Primary School in Birmingham, Adam Hooper, said: “The free Queen’s Baton Relay resources will provide current, relevant learning opportunities that reaffirm our curriculum drivers.

It is important for our children to use and interact with the resources, so they develop their knowledge and understanding of

the Commonwealth Games.

Councillor Jayne Francis, Cabinet Member for Education, Skills and Culture at Birmingham City Council, said: “This package of resources shows how we are making this the Games for Everyone – it is helping some of our youngest residents, the children of our primary schools, learn more about the event and the Commonwealth in a bold and engaging way.

“The Queen’s Baton Relay resources will be fantastic asset for children across the West Midlands to broaden their knowledge of the Commonwealth countries, as well as build excitement ahead of the Games next year,” said West Midlands Mayor, Andy Street.

“This is a great initiative, and shows how Birmingham 2022 is so much more than just medals.”

INDIA'S GOVERNMENT has refused to renew the foreign-funding licence for a charity founded by Mother Teresa.

The Missionaries of Charity has thousands of nuns supervising projects like homes for abandoned children, schools, clinics and hospices.

On Christmas Day, India's home ministry announced it had not renewed the registration due to "adverse inputs".

Hindu hardliners have long accused the charity of using its programmes to convert people to Christianity. The charity has denied these allegations.

In a statement on Monday, it confirmed that its renewal application had been denied, and that it would not operate any foreign funding accounts until the matter is resolved.

Earlier the chief minister of West Bengal, Mamata Banerjee, drew criticism after tweeting that the government had frozen the charity's bank accounts.

But the government and the country have both since denied that the accounts were frozen.

The Kolkata-based charity was founded in 1950 by Mother Teresa, a Roman Catholic nun who moved to India from her native Macedonia.

It is one of the world's bestknown Catholic charities.

Mother Teresa was awarded a Nobel Peace Prize in 1979 for her humanitarian work, and she was declared a saint by Pope Francis in 2016, 19 years after her death.

The government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi has sought to squeeze foreign funding for charities and other NGOs based in India. Last year, restrictions led to the freezing of bank accounts belonging to Greenpeace and Amnesty International.

Jamaica Could Soon See Uptick In U.S. Tourists JAMAICA HAS been downgraded from level 3 to level 2 on the United States Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) travel recommendations ranking system. The decision comes in recognition of efforts to contain the spread of Covid-19.

This new classification places the destination in a risk category lower than that of more than 70 percent of countries worldwide. Jamaica minister of tourism, Edmund Bartlett, has expressed his satisfaction at this new classification.

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He noted that it will undoubtedly positively affect the number of visitors traveling to the island from the United States during the winter tourist season. Under the CDC update, US citizens should be fully vaccinated before traveling to destinations which have the level two designation.

The CDC suggests that unvaccinated travellers who are at an increased risk of developing severe illnesses from Covid-19 should avoid unnecessary travel to these locations.

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A level three country, however, has a high Covid-19 prevalence, and travellers must ensure that they are fully vaccinated prior to travel.

Unvaccinated travellers should abstain from unnecessary travel to these locations.

Jamaica is on track to receive over 1.5 million visitors by the end of 2021. With a strong start to the winter tourist season, tourism officials also anticipate that the country will reach pre-pandemic levels of arrivals by the third quarter of 2023.

@PhoenixNewsUK

CELEBRATING 10 YEARS OF POSITIVE NEWS

The Phoenix Newspaper - January 2022 - Page 43

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SUTTON COLDFIELD RESIDENT GOES VIRAL AFTER SHARING ARMY MEDAL POST ONLINE

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Royal Sutton Coldfield resident, and Army Reservist, has gone viral on social media after sharing news about receiving a special recognition medal from the military.

Captain Jay Singh-Sohal VR tweeted a photo in uniform holding up the Volunteer Reserve Service Medal (VRSM), and a message: On almost 12 years to the day since I joined the @ britisharmy I’m deeply honoured to receive the VRSM. Proud to

serve my country in uniform!

Thank you to my family & friends who’ve supported my Reservist career all these years, through the good times and hard The post has since gone viral on social media, receiving half a million impressions, more than 10.000 likes and hundreds of comments welcoming the recognition on Twitter, including from MPs, veterans, celebrities and senior military officials.

The VRSM is a special recognition awarded to Army reservists who accrue a decade of

continuous service. Recipients earn the right to carry the postnominals "VR" after their name.

Jay joined 55 Military Intelligence in Stourbridge in 2009, and has during his reservist career served on Operations against ISIS and in countries including India, South Korea, Kazakhstan, Italy and Germany.

In 2020, during the COVID emergency, he voluntarily mobilised for the Army's response to the pandemic during Op Rescript.

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CELEBRATING 10 YEARS OF POSITIVE NEWS

LOOKING BACK AND LOOKING FORWARD AS DERBY BIDS TO BECOME THE UK CITY OF CULTURE

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resh from its success in being longlisted for the UK's City of Culture 2025, Derby is set to roll out a host of new visitor experiences in 2022.

After winning praise for is innovative transformation of its traditional Market Place into a summer al fresco meeting-andeating venue and an autumn outdoor, and indoor, events space, Derby's city centre regeneration will pick up pace in the New Year.

As part of its recovery plans to breathe new life into the city centre, Derby's streets are set to come alive with colourful new canopies and its buildings light up with 'son et lumière' projections, while street graffiti projects will add an urban edge to the city's regeneration.

Derby City Council, in partnership with other

organisations, aims to deliver long term recovery schemes, all aimed at transforming the city centre into not only a place for shopping and dining, but also a vibrant base for entertainment, street performances and events.

Among new experiences already planned for 2022 are art installations, including projections onto buildings and city landmarks to create a fresh perspective of Derby as a city proud of its industrial heritage and worldwide reputation for innovation.

Despite the pandemic, Derby has already forged ahead with new developments, including the opening the Museum of Making in May 2021, celebrating the creative and manufacturing history that helped make the city one of the birthplaces of the Industrial Revolution.

A major construction project, it saw the city's historic Silk Mill, on the site of what is widely regarded as the world's first modern factory, brought back to life, revealing the whole building to the public for the first time.

Fittingly, the Museum was unveiled to visitors during the 300th anniversary of The Silk Mill, and the 20th anniversary of the Derwent Valley Mills becoming a World Heritage Site.

A contemporary space telling Derby's 300-year history of innovation and 'making', the Museum of Making stands as an inspirational new gateway to the 'city of making', as well as to the World Heritage Site, and has been designed as a place to not only celebrate past and present but encourage the makers of tomorrow through 'hands-on' experiences.

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AHI Embraces His Identity On Genre Blurring New Album ‘Prospect’

Derby also displayed its innovative approach in summer 2020, in response to Covid restrictions, by creating the new-look Derby Market Place, transforming this centuries-old central hub into an al fresco dining and meeting venue - with social distancing built in - helping to support 50 independent restaurants, cafes and stall holders in the city.

This summer a new temporary space, dubbed 'Derby Loves You', was added to the venue as part of Derby's ambitious recovery plans, designed to offer locals and visitors alike new reasons to discover, or rediscoverer, the city centre.

While the Market Place will eventually transform back into its traditional open-air role at the heart of the city, Derby is setting its sights on other new initiatives

for 2022.

While details are still being finalised, among plans are new street lighting and artwork schemes, and street art created by graffiti artists on vacant property.

Eye-catching murals will be part of a partnership project with Derby-based music and arts development organisation, 'Baby People', which works with young people of all ages who struggle to engage in mainstream education.

All the projects form part of a major city-wide partnership effort to support Derby, the city of making, to become the next UK City of Culture.

Derby is among the eight successful bids through to the longlist of places in the running to be UK City of Culture 2025, with the winner to be revealed in early 2022.

TORONTO MUSICIAN AHI (pronounced EYE) has released his new studio album Prospect, an “uplifting, original, soulful” (NPR Music) collection of ten inspired songs that blur the lines between roots, folk, pop, and soul.

Recorded in Nashville with Grammy Award-winning producer Paul Mabury, Prospect serves as a journey of selfdiscovery and liberation for AHI as he fearlessly grapples with pain, healing, faith, resilience, and identity.

While delivering on the promise of his first two critically acclaimed records, the new album finds AHI looking inward with piercing insight and unflinching honesty across tracks that revel in the healing power of human connection (“Lift Me Again”), meditate on the importance of listening to one another and knowing that you’ll be heard (“Say It To Me”), and celebrate the transformative joy of true love (“Until You”).

Unlike his previous releases, AHI finally reveals his face on the Prospect cover as he fully embraces himself, ultimately yielding the most revelatory, relatable, and fully-realized work of his career to date.

Prospect follows a breakout stretch for the JUNO-nominated Canadian songwriter, including his national TV debut on CBS This Morning and a Tiny Desk Concert, eventually leading to tour dates with the likes of Mavis Staples, Patty Griffin, Michael Franti, and Lauren Daigle at iconic venues like Radio City Music Hall, Red Rocks, and The Greek Theatre.

Send your stories in to newsdesk@thephoenixnewspaper.com

CELEBRATING 10 YEARS OF POSITIVE NEWS

@PhoenixNewsUK

The Phoenix Newspaper - January 2022 - Page 45

ON YOUR MARKS SUPPLEMENT

H

aving visited 22 countries and nations in just 79 days, the Queen’s Baton Relay completed over a quarter of its journey, most recently finishing its tour of the 19 Commonwealth countries in Africa.

While hosting the Baton, each Commonwealth Games Association organises activities to engage young people in sport, showcase their local heroes, and highlight a project that addresses at least one of the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

In Zambia, the Baton visited Victoria Falls, one of the Seven Wonders of The Natural World and the largest waterfall in the world.

During the visit to Uganda, the Baton visited the Uganda Wildlife Education Centre, which runs conservation projects, as well as the Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary, whose mission is to protect chimpanzees and their ecosystems.

Supporting the Sustainable Development Goals, Mauritius showcased their low emission transport options around the island, including an electric bus, the public metro and even a sailboat to ferry the Baton to Mahebourg Waterfront.

Celebrating youth engagement in sport, the Queen’s Baton visited Government Primary School Bastos in Cameroon.

In Lesotho and Eswatini, the Baton was taken to OlympAfrica Centres where sport activities

were hosted for children to get involved in. In Botswana, the Baton visited several schools to engage young people in the Relay.

At Tshwaragano Junior Secondary School, 72 students drew the 72 flags of the Commonwealth nations and territories. Local hero and Batonbearer, Oganne Manengene, who set up a tuck shop using a government grant and now uses its proceeds to build environmentally friendly housing for her community, represented her community.

The Baton visited St Michael and All Angels Church in Malawi, which was built by locals who had no previous formal training. Mary Waya, who previously competed at three Commonwealth Games

in the Malawi Netball Team and then founded the Mary Waya Foundation which encourages girls in Africa to take up sport, represented her country as a Batonbearer.

It also visited many incredible islands and beaches in the Seychelles, as the first night was spent at one of the beaches with locals performing the Moutya dance around a bonfire.

Speaking on the opportunity to be involved in the Queen’s Baton Relay, Malawian Batonbearer Mary Waya said: “The Commonwealth Games means a lot to me and this was a real honour.

"The young girls I train hope to one day represent our country and take on the Baton for the

Commonwealth Games.”

Lisa Hampton, Head of The Queen’s Baton Relay, said: “The Queen’s Baton has already completed over a quarter of its journey and has shone a spotlight on communities in the African Commonwealth countries and territories and highlighted all the hard work each Commonwealth Games Association puts into organising these incredible events and activities while hosting the Baton.”

The Queen’s Baton Relay is continuing its journey around the Commonwealth, starting its South Asian journey in Pakistan, the Maldives, Sri Lanka, then Bangladesh.

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Elaine Thompson Herah Voted As 2021 Person Of The Year JAMAICAN ATHLETE Elaine Thompson Herah was voted the Person of the Year for 2021 at the Best of Jamaica Awards sponsored by the world’s top website and media platform focused on Jamaican and Caribbean news, travel, food, and culture.

The Best of Jamaica is the platform’s biggest event of the year and is all about what its readers and staff vote as the best Jamaica has to offer.

The Best of Jamaica 2021 is based on the results of two surveys: The Best of Jamaica Abroad and The Best of Jamaica in Jamaica, both of which ask respondents for what – and who – they think is the best.

The surveys seek responses from members of Jamaican Diaspora communities in major cities in the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada.

The results were announced on the Jamaicans.com YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook pages on a show hosted by Jamaican media personalities Jody Ann Gray and Eddy Edwards. Thompson Herah won gold medals in the 100 and 200 meters at the 2016 Rio Olympics.

CELEBRATING 10 YEARS OF POSITIVE NEWS

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MAASAI TIKTOKERS KILI AND NEEMA WOW BOLLYWOOD

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earing traditional Maasai dress and surrounded by cows, Tanzania's newest TikTok sensations, siblings Kili and Neema Paul, get ready to record their latest video.

A smartphone is set up on a tripod a few metres from their home in Mindu Tulieni, a small village in the eastern Pwani region. The nearest town,

Lugoba, is an hour away by foot.

With no electricity in the village, Kili visits the town every day to charge his phone.

Positioning themselves in front of the camera, Kili, 26, stands just behind his 23-year-old sister Neema. Once the music begins, the siblings take it in turn to lip sync perfectly in Hindi and dance to some of Bollywood's most popular songs.

Over the past few months, their

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lip-syncing videos have become a viral sensation across India. Their most popular video, a performance of Raataan Lambiyan from this year's Bollywood film Shershaah, reached more than one million views within a few days.

It was shared by the film's leading actors Kiara Advani and Sidharth Malhotra. The song's original performer, Jubin Nautiyal, surprised the siblings when they took part in a live interview on one of India's radio stations.

"Everybody knows you in India," Nautiyal told them. "You guys are famous!" Broadcast from Mindu Tulieni, where most of the villagers do not own smartphones, Kili and Neema never imagined their videos would reach millions of people in India and worldwide.

"In the beginning it was just about having fun,” says Kili.

“We never thought we would go viral.

"So, when I started seeing the amount of views and the responses from people in India, I was so shocked. My mind was blown."

The inspiration for their videos comes from a love for Bollywood films, which Kili first watched when he went away to school in the capital, Dodoma. Despite not knowing the language, he and his sister have taught themselves to sing in Hindi.

"Since I was young, I have been watching Bollywood films in the local cinemas in Tanzania and I fell in love with the movies and the songs. When you love something, it becomes easy to learn," says Kili.

"It takes me just a couple of days to learn the lyrics and to practise the song. I find out what the lyrics mean in English so I can also add the right expressions," he says. "Even before I understand what the song is about, I connect with the music."

Australia Settles Lawsuit Over Welfare Scheme Criticised As Racist AUSTRALIA'S government will pay A$2m (£1.1m; $1.4m) in compensation to hundreds of Aboriginal people who said a welfare scheme was racist.

The "work for the dole" scheme required people in remote outback communities to work up to 25 hours a week to receive income benefits. But its strict requirements meant that many vulnerable people were pushed further into poverty, critics said.

The government settled a lawsuit but did not admit it was at fault. Several people had struggled to survive after

having their payments cut off, advocates said.

Australia controversially requires welfare recipients to record job searches and other tasks in order to receive payments. But advocates say these requirements disadvantage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people living in some of Australia's poorest and most isolated communities.

Residents there have limited access to phone, internet and transport services. Many face additional language, cultural, education and health barriers.

Critics argued the Community

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Initially performing the videos by himself, Kili enlisted his sister Neema, who shares his passion for Bollywood, to join him in the videos. She says: "When my brother asked me to do the videos with him, I refused at first because I was too shy to be in front of the camera.

"But then I started to get used to it. It is so strange what has happened - we never thought a day like this would ever come."

The duo, who previously spent their days herding cattle and farming, now juggle their time doing interviews for India's biggest television and radio channels. Back home, they are also getting attention as Tanzania's most famous TikTok stars.

"We just want people to enjoy the videos, that is why we started doing it," says Kili. "Big things are coming, so our fans should stay tuned."

Development Programme (CDP), introduced in 2015, was racist because it set harsher rules than other welfare schemes. Over 80% of those using the CDP were Aboriginal Australians.

A group representing 680 people in 10 communities in Western Australia sued the government, arguing the scheme breached anti-discrimination laws.

Critics had previously described the scheme as modern-day slavery. People were typically paid just A$10 an hour - half the national minimum wage.

Earlier this year, the government announced it would axe the programme and introduce a new one by 2023.

Last year, it was also forced to pay a A$1.2bn settlement over a welfare policy dubbed "Robodebt" that had been ruled illegal.

CELEBRATING 10 YEARS OF POSITIVE NEWS

@PhoenixNewsUK

Essex Chairman Resigns Over Historical Allegations Of Racist Language ESSEX CHAIR John Faragher was another who resigned following an allegation he used racist language in a 2017 board meeting.

Faragher strongly denied the allegation but Essex said they will review why the matter - they were not fully and independently investigated at the time, but he stood down from his post following a board meeting.

Chief executive John Stephenson said: "There is no place for discrimination of any kind at the club." Former Essex opener Stephenson, who only took over the day-to-day running of the county in October, said he first found out about the alleged incident this week.

"I was made aware of this single allegation," he added. "The board then met, during which John Faragher's resignation was unanimously accepted.

"This is a proud club with a zerotolerance policy towards racism and any form of discrimination. I will not hesitate to uphold those principles and drive out any form of discrimination that is uncovered."

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ormer India offspinner Harbhajan Singh has announced his retirement from all forms of cricket.

The 41-year-old last played for India in 2016, with his final game being for Kolkata Knight Riders in the Indian Premier League (IPL) in April 2021.

He took 417 Test wickets, 269 in one-day internationals and 25 in Twenty20 matches in 367 games for India. "All good things come to an end and today I bid adieu to the game that has given me everything in life," he said.

The Phoenix Newspaper - January 2022 - Page 47

SPORT - WITH STEVE WILLIAMS

INDIAN ‘SPIN KING’ SINGH ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT

Announcing his retirement on Twitter, he added: "I would like to thank everyone who made this 23-year-long journey beautiful and memorable. My heartfelt thank you. Grateful."

In a video posted on YouTube, he went on to say: "There comes a time in your life when you must take some tough decisions and move ahead.

"I have been meaning to make this announcement for the last few years, but I was waiting for the right moment to share it with all of you. In many ways, I had already retired as a cricketer, but hadn't been able to make a

formal announcement.

"I haven't been an active cricketer for a while, but I had a commitment to Kolkata Knight Riders in the 2021 IPL season.

But during the season itself, I made up my mind to retire."

Harbhajan played three games for Kolkata in April - failing to take a wicket - but those were his first games since May 2019.

He made his India debut in 1998, dismissing Australia's Greg Blewett for his first international wicket.

His total of 417 Test wickets puts him 14th on the all-time leading wicket-takers list –

he’s the fourth most successful Indian bowler, behind Anil Kumble, Kapil Dev and Ravichandran Ashwin. The offspinner was part of the India team who won the 2011 50-over World Cup, taking nine wickets in the tournament, and he also contributed seven wickets in their 2007 T20 World Cup win.

He is the fifth most successful bowler in IPL history, taking 150 wickets in 163 games; winning four titles - three with Mumbai Indians and one with Chennai Super Kings in 2018.

General Sale For 2022 Games Tickets Is Now Open IT’S THE BIGGEST celebration of the summer as tickets for Birmingham 2022 on General Sale now.

And this is the chance to be part of the party at the Closing Ceremony, or secure your seat to any of the remaining 150+ sessions of sport that are still available.

Don't miss out on Rugby Sevens, where each session will feature several fast-paced matches! See the next generation of Boxing superstars on show at the NEC. Plus, the Cricket T20 and Netball schedules are now confirmed, so get your tickets to watch your favourite teams compete for glory next summer.

Don’t miss out. Be part of a Games to remember!

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Indian ‘Spin king’ Singh Announces Retirement - Page 47

General Sale For 2022 Games Tickets Is Now Open- Page 47

GLASGOW TO HOST 2024 WORLD ATHLETICS INDOOR CHAMPIONSHIPS

Birmingham Brummies To Return For 2022 Season FOLLOWING uncertainty about the future of the Birmingham Brummies, there’s great news with confirmation that the speedway club will be riding again next season after a deal was agreed for its purchase from owners David and Peter Mason.

Manager Laurence Rogers confirmed that three consortiums expressed an interest in buying the club.

Nigel Tolley, on behalf of the winning consortium made the following statement: “Naturally the four directors of the company, Birmingham Speedway 2022 Ltd, have made major investment in purchasing the club and its assets but that is just the start and there

will need to be considerably more investment,” he said.

“We are actively seeking the sponsorship and advertising that will help put the club on a firm footing but, one of the most important aspects, is the involvement of the supporters.

“The consortium have been touched and delighted by the share application pledges received so far and the faith shown by the supporters in what we are trying to do."

The deal agreed for the purchase of the club from outgoing owners David and Peter Mason - approved by British Speedway Promoters Ltd – means that the Brummies will take their place in the 2022 Championship season.

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orld Athletics has announced that Glasgow will host the 2024 World Athletics Indoor Championships following a successful bid process.

The Emirates Arena will stage the biggest Indoor athletics championships in the world, five years on from holding the hugely successful European Athletics Indoor Championships in 2019.

News of the award has delighted the bid partners EventScotland, Glasgow Life, UK Athletics and UK Sport who received the outcome of the World Athletics Council vote earlier this afternoon.

Scotland’s First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, said: “I’m delighted that Glasgow has been chosen to host the prestigious World Athletics Indoor Championships in 2024.

"This underlines Scotland’s global reputation as the perfect stage for international events.”

VisitScotland’s Director of Events, Paul Bush OBE, added: “We look forward to working closely with World Athletics and our partners to deliver the truly memorable Championships, and to welcoming athletes and fans from around the world to Glasgow and Scotland in 2024.”

UK Athletics chair, Ian Beattie, said: “World Athletics have demonstrated their confidence in the UK to host global athletics championships once again.

"We’re thrilled with the outcome and look forward to a successful Championships working alongside our partners that will truly give all athletes a fantastic stage upon which to perform.”

Dame Katherine Grainger, Chair of UK Sport added: “I am delighted that we have secured another world class event in Scotland. As part of our new strategy to reach, inspire and unite communities across the UK, ensuring a wide geographical reach is of utmost importance to us.”

Dubai Globe Soccer Awards Dubai 2021 KYLIAN MBAPPE was named best men’s player of the year at the Dubai Globe Soccer Awards 2021, with Robert Lewandowski, Cristiano Ronaldo and Ronaldinho among the evening's other winners.

The French striker scoring against Spain to earn Les Bleus the UEFA Nations League title following a 2020-2021 season where he scored 42 goals for his club side.

The Paris Saint-Germain forward took top honours at the 12th edition of the Awards, held at the Armani Hotel, in Dubai.

A 2018 FIFA World Cup winner, the 23-year-old earlier featured alongside Bayern Munich’s Lewandowski in a panel discussion for the Dubai International Sports Conference, where they discussed innovations in football.

In winning, Mbappe defeated Lewandowski, plus six-time winner Ronaldo, Lionel Messi,

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Mohamed Salah and Karim Benzema.

Top-scorer in Ligue 1 last season, with 27 goals, he said: “It’s a big pleasure to be here again in Dubai.

“It’s a big pleasure to see all the big players here, big legends, big names of football. It’s a big achievement for me. I want to say thank you to my club PSG, who believed in me these past five years, and even more so this season.

“To my national team; to all the people who nobody knows who work with me, who help me a lot; to my family, they are there with me, always with me. It’s a big motivation to keep working hard and maybe come back next year.”

Lewandowski, 33, did not leave empty-handed. The Polish international won the inaugural [Diego] Maradona Award for best goal scorer of the year after striking 69 times for the German

champions in 2021.

His recent goal against Wolfsburg was his 43rd in the Bundesliga in the past 12 months, breaking German legend Gerd Muller’s record for the most Bundesliga goals in a calendar year, which had stood since 1972.

He was also named TikTok fans’ player of the year - a category organisers said attracted millions of votes.

Ronaldo, meanwhile, picked up the prize of ‘Top Scorer of AllTime’ - in his absentia. Last year, he was named ‘Globe Soccer's Player of the Century’.

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Brazil great Ronaldinho collected the ‘Player Career’ award for a CV that includes winning the 1994 and 2002 FIFA World Cups, being twice voted FIFA Player of the Year, and lifting a UEFA Champions League crown - and two La Liga titles - with Barcelona.

Elsewhere, Barcelona captain Alexia Putella’s won Best Women’s Player and Roberto Mancini was ‘Best Coach’ after guiding Italy to the Euro 2020 crown. Manchester City's Txiki Begiristain was named ‘Sporting Director of the Year’.