The Phoenix Newspaper - January 2023

Mark Bursa said: “Kenneth operates at a high level, chauffeuring dignitaries in Birmingham, including the Lord Mayor.

By Dr Tony Talburt

The month of December is normally associated, in most of the Western world at least, as a time of goodwill and the season to be jolly.

It seems, however, this festive season across the UK will, for many people, be far from jolly, unless we are referring to the season for jolly old strikes. In a mood not seen since the early 1980s, a whole host of sectors are, or will be, engaging in some form of industrial action. The list of affected sectors include: nurses, ambulance workers, rail workers, bus drives, highway workers, border force, driving examiners, postal workers, teachers and lecturers. But what is it that these workers really want, and are their demands reasonable? In these very difficult economic times, shouldn’t all of us be prepared to make less demands for higher wages, at least, for the short term? It seems, because of the compelling arguments on both sides of this debate, and the failure to compromise, we look set for a season of strikes.

Strikes are normal features of most industrial countries and are not new the UK. As long as the a majority of union workers have an organised vote or ballot, and agree to it, a strike, or industrial action can be called. This is, in fact, one of the features normally associated with modern liberal democracies. Although there are usually intense discussions between the unions and the employers, if the real value of workers’ wages is falling fast in the face of very high inflation, and unreasonable demands are being made to change working practices, the union might call for strikes in order for their demands to be met. Strikes or the threat of strikes, can sometime have the desired effect of forcing the government or employers to consider the demands of their workers. The current series of strikes are the result of a few years of deteriorating conditions of service, coupled with a decline in real wages.

One factor is that real incomes have not kept pace with the cost of living. A second factor is the rise in fuel prices associated with the disruption to oil and gas supplies because of Russia’s military attacks on Ukraine. A third factor that has led to the bleak economic conditions in the country is the after effects of the Covid-19 Pandemic. Added to this, is the fact that Britain looks set to enter into

TIS THE SEASON TO BE STRIKING

an economic recession. Almost all working people, therefore, as well as the very poor and vulnerable, are being impacted by the current economic climate. The result is that many sectors of the economy are threatening more strike action, such as the teachers' scheduled to take place in Scotland on 10 and 11 January.

There are, of course, many people who are opposed to the current round of strikes. Leading the charge against the strikers is Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who recently vowed to hold out against rail strikers’ unreasonable demands. In response to the health workers he urged the unions to consider the impact these strikes would have on people’s lives and their health and to consider whether that was really appropriate. Another claim is that strikes massively inconvenience the strikers themselves with serious loss of pay, hard times on the picket line, and further abuse

from other members of the public who are affected by their actions. For example, railway unions are in a continuing dispute with the government and railway companies over pay, job cuts and changes to terms and conditions. However, disgruntled passengers have not been pleased with the travel disruptions at Christmas and new year, when millions travel across the country. It is argued by a significant section of the population, that those involved in strikes are putting themselves first and engaging in acts of selfish behaviour and will lead to the most significant disruption to the British economy in recent times.

It seems, however, that the UK government is not prepared to back down. They claim, if they give one sector very large pay increases, this will be expected by the other sectors. The end result would be uncontrollable inflation probably worse than what we witnessed in

the late 1970s.

government is therefore planning for military staff and civil servants to cover for striking workers at air and seaports as the UK braces for industrial action set to cause major disruptions in the coming weeks. One thing seems certain, if the opposing sides do not reach some form of compromise, nobody will win. Perhaps what is needed is for a more long term approach in which the government and major employers agree to pay workers a much smaller increase of about 3-4% for the next five to seven years rather than going for larger upfront pay awards. Another option could be to prioritise or target the most essential services, for example, those earning the lowest wages such as care workers and nurses, and make significant awards to them first. One thing is clear, the current stalemate will result in a winter of discontent and a festive season remembered for strikes.

Rishi Sunak’s

Agiant sculpture was unveiled in Birmingham to create awareness of the campaign to highlight the plight of the homeless this winter.

The 14ft and 2.5 tonnes sculpture, called ‘Homelessness Can’t Be Ignored’ and highlighted a homeless person called Alex, was commissioned by the charity Crisis - which is running the campaign - is displayed outside St Martin in the Bull Ring and shows a homeless person

Produced by Sophie de Oliveira Barata, she says that it took 10 weeks to craft, with special facial mapping technology used to create the face of the model. “I’ve been incredibly privileged to work with Crisis to bring this sculpture to life”, she said.

“It’s been a fascinating process harnessing artificial intelligence to create a face that represents homelessness, a problem that all too many of us ignore and struggle to engage with. I sincerely hope it makes the desired impact and stops everyone in their tracks, so they have no choice but to reflect on the issue and hopefully support this wonderful charity.”

The sculpture’s incredibly realistic facial features – brought to life via computer technology and using the profiles of seventeen people facing homelessness who have been supported by Crisis –were created to further reinforce the humanity in people experiencing one of the most brutal forms of homelessness – rough sleeping. It was initially displayed in London at King’s Cross Station where actors Jonathan Pryce and Imelda Staunton (stars of the Netflix series The Crown) – both ambassadors for Crisis – were present

ALEX SCULPTURE HIGHLIGHTING

THE FACT THAT ‘HOMELESSNESS CAN’T BE IGNORED’ BY CRISIS

THE PHOENIX Newspaper would like to remember Mr Tajinder Singh Sagoo (Leo), who sadly passed last year.

The Nishkam Centre looked after one of their own very well, with Bhai Sahib Bhai Dr Mohinder Singh giving Leo the send off he deserved, despite throughout his life, not feeling worthy of it.

Leo was the one who first introduced The Phoenix Newspaper to the Sikh way of life, and to the Nishkam Center, which lead to the newspapers involvement in the Nishkam trip to Brussels to the first ever Sikh exhibition at the European Parliament.

when the sculpture was installed.

Matt Downie, chief executive at Crisis, said: “300,000 households face homeless next year if the UK government doesn’t change its course. It’s that simple.

“As a country, we are going through a difficult time, but we can’t ignore the mounting pres-

sure that is building on low-income households as they struggle under the weight of price rises, they cannot afford. We need to remember homelessness is solvable and can be ended for good through sensible policy changes and a good-hearted political agenda.

“Let’s keep reminding Westmin-

ster of this, because by standing together this Christmas, we can achieve great things.” With people experiencing homelessness being ignored every day, Alex is testament to the hundreds of thousands of people experiencing the worst kinds of homelessness ever - sleeping on the streets, sofa

surfing and living in temporary accommodation is now more prevalent than ever before, as the cost of living crisis really bites.

‘Homelessness Can’t Be Ignored’ was on display until Sunday December 11.

Leo accompanied Dr Marcia McLaughlin on that trip, solidifying a friendship with the newspaper that lasted the best part of a decade. Dr Marcia Mclaughlin and her Assistant Editor Daniel Riley showed their respects by attending the funeral at the Guru Nanak Nishkam Sewak Jatha Gurudwara on Soho Road, and wish Leo's family and friends peace at this time.

l Leo Sagoo (right) with Dr Marcia at the European Parliament

PRIMROSE PAVING THE WAY FOR HEALTH EQUITY

Primrose Granville is a name known by many across a number of communities, especially listeners to her on BBC Radio Bristol, but like all people living with an underlying health condition, what you see on the surface isn’t always the whole truth.

Primrose has been living with Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD), which is a degenerative disease, so you’re born with it and there isn’t anything that can be done about it. “You’re born with cysts inside your kidneys and over time they grow and become problematic,” Primrose explains.

Born and raised in Jamaica, Primrose was always at the doctor’s office, so much so that one of her first phrases was, ‘no doctor!’.

“I’ve been an enemy of the needle since I’ve been aware of myself. I had a great childhood in Jamaica. I remember when I was a child was being sent to live with my aunt in Moneague in Saint Ann, the Garden Parish of Jamaica.

“When I was 12 and in year 7

at high school, I remember seeing my mothers urine and it was red, but she didn’t know what it was because she couldn’t afford the healthcare to find out. I can always picture that image, and knew there was something not right, she was always tired, but she was a wonderful mother to me.”

Primrose’s mother was a seamstress, making her dresses and school uniforms. “It was just my mother and I after my parents split up, my two sisters lived with my father. She was the only person I was close to for the first 12 years of my life. At 13 our house burned down and I lived with my godmother.

“I went to teacher training college in Jamaica, as an early years teacher. All I wanted to do was teach. I came to the UK at 27 years old, nearly 27 years ago and did studies at The University of Roehampton doing work around special needs.”

Primrose had an accident in 2003 which damaged her spine, leading to her leaving the classroom in 2005, and in 2008 finding her way into radio by volunteering at Uji-

ma Radio Station and later BCFM Radio in Bristol, the latter of which she still volunteers at.

“In 2016 I landed a job at BBC Radio where I work for 4 hours a week, but it took me out of the doldrums of being this sick person who could only volunteer here and there.”

Through her work campaigning for the NHS Blood and Transplant service, Primrose has the ear of communities that most organisations cannot reach. “I want people here in the UK to think differently about health, healthcare, research.

“Our communities - marginalised and diverse communities have a very bad relationship with the terms research and testing which results in those communtiies who really need to be engaged by these schemes, being left out.”

About 12 years ago, Primrose was asked at an appointment if she’d be interested in doing some research around PKD, which she didn’t mind, so every time she went to clinic, she would then have a follow up with a researcher at a build-

ing somewhere else.

“My son was also born with PKD, and my sister, my mother and myself have all had transplants. My late mother had 16 years, 9 months and 5 days added to her life because of the transplant.

"So far I’ve had 4 years, 1 month and some days, and my sister has had 7 years a couple of months and some days, so I know the value of organ donation, and the value of researching stuff that has to do with the development of drugs and that kind of thing.”

As a child who was diagnosed with PKD at 9, they caught Primrose’s son early, so now he goes to the hospital once a year as his kidney function is amazing, and it will stay that way until he gets older. If he leads a lifestyle where he eats and drinks the wrong things, then his kidneys will fail quicker. But as a 23 year old black male, he also doesn’t want to take his medication.

“At his last appointment, he asked me to go along with him so I could say he’s not taking his medication,

l Primrose interviewing people in Jamaica for the first episode of the Docuseries

l Primrose during her journey in Jamaica

l Primrose with former Jamaica HC Seth George Ramocan

and the doctor said to me ‘at this age we’re not too worried about them, because we’ve done research in the last 10 years and have come up with a drug that we can give to people who will not take their medication should their kidneys fail quicker.’

“Before casually adding ‘I think you were part of that research Primrose, you would have done it with Dr Pippa Bailey”.

"They were looking at my blood samples, so I had given them permission to see my results, and from my contribution to that research has created a drug that will allow my wayward child to actually survive a little bit longer. I took part in that research, and didn’t even have to think about it, I was happy to take part in it because it was to aid people like me.

"That wasn’t about my colour, it was any person with PKD. I managed to get a transplant in 6 months and 1 day. That doesn’t happen, not just to people who look like me, but people who look like you, unless it’s a familial donation. My mother waited nearly 13 years on dialysis for hers, my sister nearly 10.

While interviewing Primrose, I suddenly realised that I too was one of Genomics England’s researchees, having taken part in their 100,000 Genomes Project with my mother, due to our hereditary heart and blood conditions. It is a British initiative to sequence and study the role our genes play in health and

disease. Recruitment was completed in December 2018, although research and analysis is still ongoing.

Participants have already helped Genomics England find actionable results for many patients with rare diseases and cancer with 18.5% of data from the Project turned into actionable findings.

Through her work for blood and organ donation within the African, Caribbean and Afro-Caribbean communities, Primrose started attracting attention, and Genomics England contacted her last year when they were putting on a COVID programme, where they thought they’d hold a clinic and people like her would just turn up. “Which I obviously knew they wouldn’t, you have to engage them first.”

“They allowed me to engage with them and I’ve seen them come out to health days that I’ve had, I’ve been able to talk to people on the radio about stuff, educating them, I’ve had so many people come up to me saying they never knew I had a transplant, because so many people think a transplant is a cure all when it isn’t.

"I practically live at the hospital, I may as well be a mortgage holder and get my own room at this rate!

“I live with constant acid reflux, I’ve picked up diabetes, the girl who only eats fruit and veggies and doesn’t fry anything yet she’s Jamaican born and raised, I don’t smoke or drink and yet I’ve picked up diabetes.”

“My diabetes diagnosis in February 2020 was delivered to me by a receptionist saying ‘Yeah you’ve got diabetes and someone will call you’. I’ve also been discriminated against and treated unequally in delivering healthcare, being told by my diabetic nurse that I shouldn’t have the symptoms I’m telling her about because I’m ‘only type-2’, and that I’m not taking my medication right. I’m not even type-2, I have Ketosis Prone Diabetes which nearly killed me as I was being incorrectly treated.

“I asked about blood tests, and was told I ‘was after a blood monitor, it’s all about money, and you’re not entitled’. When I complained to the surgery I was labelled aggressive & confrontational, was told I was upsetting the staff and should find another surgery by the practice manager.

“Because of this it has really propelled me into campaigning for medical equity. I had never suffered health inequity until my diabetes diagnosis in 2020 but that was only at my GP. I have never stepped foot in a hospital where I’ve felt I was ill treated or discriminated against. I must take my hat off to South Mead Hospital who have saved and maintained my life for me time af-

ter time.”

During COVID lockdowns, Primrose did a series of online events talking to people from the Somali, Muslim, Sikh, and Hindu communities, even ‘crossing the river’ going to communities in Bristol that nobody does anything with, largely white marginalised communities. “I wanted to go everywhere. Yes I’m a black girl, but if people are marginalised, they’re marginalised.

“Genomics England jokingly said last November that they could see me making something for them on health equity, and that solidified in April 13th, when I spoke with them about going to Jamaica, and they said they saw me doing a docuseries when I was out there, interviewing people, so that is what I did, and you’ll see that in the documentary. “Jamaica was meant to be a holiday for me, but I worked the entire time. I spent 4 hours on a beach because it was near to the school I went to interview at, I saw my uncle in a car park, and my godmother in a store, that was it. I was going here there and everywhere interviewing people, then getting home and crashing out. It was a beautiful experience and I’m so glad I got the chance to do it, and that Genomics England had the confidence in me to do it, when I didn’t even have the confidence in myself.”

Primrose is continuing this docuseries in the UK, with episodes along the same lines, but focusing on specific health issues in different parts of the country. So far she has planned for Bristol, Birmingham, Manchester and London, focusing on Sickle Cell, Male and Female Cancers, Auto-Immune Conditions, Maternal Issues and Young people focusing on health conditions and their mental health.

The documentaries are looking to use people that the audience will be able to relate to on a personal level, as Primrose wants people to understand that there are so many people in all communities that are living with these often invisible conditions and you would never know.

“There are so many factors that affect our attitudes towards our

health; they are shaped by our individual experiences, our local community, our heritage and our habits,” explained Dr Maxine Mackintosh, Programme Lead for Diverse Data, Genomics England.

“In this first episode, Primrose has given us a window into how and why people in Jamaica trust their healthcare system, and we look forward to hearing her conversations with people across the UK and seeing if and how they differ.

“With this series, we hope more people see the diversity of views different communities have towards healthcare and medical research.

Understanding this is critical in enabling us, not just as Genomics England but as a society, to tackle the problem of health inequity.”

Primrose is fiercely protective of the NHS, “I know the NHS gets a lot of stick, and sometimes we may not get the fastest or greatest treatment, but I come from Jamaica, and if you turn up at certain hospitals without insurance or being registered there, they’re not treating you, so not every hospital is free at point of need, and some of the ones that are, you don’t want to go there.

“Anything I can do to make the NHS’s job easier I will do it, I am such a passionate advocate for the NHS. I feel that I have to give back, not just for my miracle, but I had my mother for several years more than I could have had her. I want my son, should he need a transplant, to

only need to wait as long as it takes to find a theatre and a team.

“I want blood and organ donation to be normalised, and helping and saving each other to be normalised too.”

Blood and Organ Donation is a topic close to The Phoenix Newspaper, as we have championed it for many years, in particular with Michael Willis who received a double lung transplant, and received a Phoenix Award, presented to him by his surgeons from London.

We are very grateful to the surgeon for taking the time to come onto our platform to speak directly to the audience to get over the importance of Blood and Organ Donation.

If you fit any of the following criteria, and would like to be part of these documentaries, please get in touch with Primrose at primrose.granville@genomics.co.uk

People with lived experiences as a patient or carer of male and female cancer. (London)

People with lived experiences as a patient or carer of autoimmune conditions. (Birmingham)

Anyone who has been impacted by the inequitable treatment of black and brown mothers and babies (and their families). (Nationwide, in particular individuals from Manchester and Liverpool).

Mental health and young people. (Nationwide)

CITY CHAUFFEUR WINS GOLD

AT UK’S ONLY NATIONAL AWARDS FOR PRIVATE HIRE, TAXI AND CHAUFFEUR SECTOR

Continued From Front Page

“There is hardly a qualification available that he doesn’t have, and the judges praised the way he continues to strive to be the best. Professional Driver of the Year is our flagship award and goes to the individual driver or chauffeur who provides the absolute highest standard of ser vice, in terms of driving skills, customer service, personality, and ability to represent their employer.”

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 excel lent standards of Quality, Service and Innovation.

Gold, Silver and Bronze awards were presented in 9 categories at a thrilling event, held at the Celtic Manor Resort in Newport, South Wales. The 9 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

“The private hire, taxi and chauffeur industry makes an enormous contribution to keeping Britain moving”, Mark Bursa said. “This year’s Professional Driver QSi Awards recognise those amazing efforts and bring the industry together for a much-needed night of celebration.”

He 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.”

Professional Driver magazine is the national publication for the UK’s chauffeur, private hire and taxi industry. The QSi Awards were launched in 2013 as the first and only national awards for the industry.

l Kenneth Bond

Work in Birmingham to address air pollution and

the climate crisis was highlighted in the Government Chief Medical Officer's annual report.

It says: 'significant work is underway to create spaces for people that encourage exploration of the city via sustainable methods' and highlights a range of projects from the city council and partners.

Councillor Liz Clements, Cabinet Member for Transport, said: "We are working across the council and with partners to ensure a healthier environment, including through our clean air zone and by delivering the Birmingham Transport Plan which aims to make it easier and safer to walk and cycle, as well as making public transport greener and more efficient.

“This in turn supports the city's Route to Zero Carbon commitment to tackle the climate crisis and deliver sustainable and inclusive economic growth." The Birmingham case studies can be found in section 6 of the report.

CITY SHOWCASED IN CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER’S ANNUAL REPORT

Communist Radical Feminist's History And Legacy Marked With Special Zoom Conference

LONDON COMMUNITY organisation, BTWSC/ African Histories Revisited, mark the 58th anniversary of the passing of Claudia Jones with an online conference, entitled ‘Repairing Histories 2: Commemorating Claudia Jones @58’.

The aim of the conferences, which mixes academic and community historians, was to have papers that improve or expand the knowledge of the subject, mainly by highlighting the little-known aspects of that history, or challenging the received wisdom.

For example, Jones was many things, but founder of Notting Hill Carnival was not one of them. The conference covered Global African and British African history, framed around the British, US and international histories of Jones.

Professor Carole Boyce Davies presents a paper entitled 'Claudia Jones In The Context British & Global African History'; history PhD student Tionne Parris' paper is entitled 'Claudia Jones: A Titan Among Radical African Female Radicals'; whilst community historians and independent researchers Cecil Gutzmore and Kwaku cover 'Claudia Jones: A Communist In The US & UK' and 'Claudia Jones: In My Own Words Reimagined' respectively.

There was space for participants to engage in a plenary moderated by community activist Nana Asante. Jones, who died alone in her north London flat on Christmas day in 1964, seems to have lived markedly different lives in the US and UK.

In the former, she was mainly into women's affairs and was a very active and highly ranked member of the Communist Party USA. She was deported from the US because of her CPUSA affiliation to the UK in December 1954.

During her time in the UK, from the mid-1950s until her death, she became a leading activist, fighting for the rights of the post-War African community, women's and worker's rights, a pan-Africanist and internationalist. Incidentally, Jones was one of the subjects of last Repairing Histories 1 in June 2021, along with pan-African icon Marcus Garvey.

The interest in Jones then led to the solo follow up, the only online event marking the anniversary of her death.

Buckingham Palace Aide Apologises & Resigns Over Remarks To Black Charity Boss

A BUCKINGHAM Palace household member has apologised and resigned over "unacceptable comments" made to a Black British guest at a reception hosted by the Queen Consort.

Ngozi Fulani, the founder of a charity supporting victims of domestic abuse, says she was repeatedly asked by a royal aide where she was "really from". She was asked at the Buckingham Palace event where she was from in Africa.

The palace said it was taking the incident seriously. An eyewitness to the conversation, Mandu Reid, backed the account, saying that the questions put to Ms Fulani were offensive, racist and unwelcoming.

Ms Reid says she had a sense of incredulity about the exchange with a member of the Royal Household, in which Ms Fulani was interrogated about where she was fromeven though she had explained she was born and lived in the UK.

But after the event, Ms Fulani described her conversation on Twitter, where she was challenged by a royal aide to explain where she was from. She recounted how she said: "We're based in Hackney," and the aide replied: "No, what part of Africa are you from?"

She said: "I don't know, they didn't leave any records", and the Palace member responded: "Well you must know where you're from, I spent time in France. Where are you from?"

"Here, UK"

"No, but what nationality are you?"

"I am born here and am British."

"No, but where do you really come from, where do your people come from?" Also part of the conversation was Ms Reid, leader of the Women's Equality Party.

She said that members of the Royal Household were circulating at the reception and making chit chat - but she said it became a really unpleasant interaction, when despite Ms Fulani's replies there was an insistent questioning about her background.

Ms Reid said they were "stunned into silence" afterwards and says that Ms Fulani should receive an apology and those working for the palace should receive training.

Business & Finance

A Dual Celebration to mark ‘Global Entrepreneurship Week’ in Britain

Business Raises £64,000 For Homeless Support Service

SIFA FIRESIDE’S Michael McMillan, Melissa Roche, Natalie Allen with Colemans’ Mark Coleman Birmingham demolition contractor Colemans celebrated 60 years in business with a £64,000 donation to local charity, SIFA Fireside, after a year of fundraising activities.

Colemans, a family business founded by John and Norah Coleman in October 1962, hosted a 60th anniversary dinner where they presented a cheque for £60,000 to Birmingham-based SIFA Fireside. The Digbeth charity supports clients in their recovery from the effects of homelessness as well as working to prevent people in Birmingham from falling into homelessness.

Colemans employees helped to raise £30,000 with a series of

fundraising activities since March 2022 and the figure was then matched by the business. An additional £4,080.68 was raised on their 60th Anniversary celebratory evening, taking the total donation figure to £64,080.68.

Melissa Roche, head of Fundraising, Communications and Volunteering at SIFA Fireside said; “Colemans have given us invaluable support over the years, but this amazing amount of money will have a huge positive impact on the health and happiness of the homeless and vulnerably housed people of Birmingham. With the cost of living crisis beginning to have an impact, this is more important now than ever.”

CEO of Colemans, Mark Coleman, said: Our support for SIFA Fireside spans many years, built

on early relationships between my grandparents Norah and John Coleman and the founding member of the charity, Sister Sabina.

“I’m proud to have continued this support throughout the years and in particular, helping the needy and vulnerable in the city of Birmingham. The donation to SIFA Fireside was made possible thanks to the efforts of many people, and we’re delighted to be able to help support the community in this way.”

The funds raised will help to keep the doors open at SIFA Fireside’s Drop-In Centre where clients are offered tenancy support, employability advice and money management sessions as well as hot food, clean clothes and shower facilities.

Ampa Announces West Midlands Promotions

LEGAL AND PROFESSIONAL services group Ampa has announced promotions in the West Midlands across its house of brands including Shakespeare Martineau and Marrons.

Promoted to associate within Shakespeare Martineau is Elaine Hart, Fatema Miah and Victoria Kirkpatrick. Elaine Hart, associate within the private client team in Solihull, is an expert in probate matters including inheritance tax bearing estates. Fatema is an experienced real estate lawyer advising on a range of high value and complex transactions.

She specialises is Islamic finance and provides a professional and knowledgeable service to real estate finance clients, while Victoria deals with a wide range of commercial disputes including contractual, shareholder and partnership disputes, both at the Birmingham hub. Planning experts Sachin Parmar and Alasdair Thorne, who work within Ampa’s non-legal planning, design and development consultancy brand Marrons, have been promoted to planning director and associate director, respectively.

The Grand Station was the home of Community Education Academy of Leadership’s (CEAL’s) 20th anniversary celebrations and official launch of the ‘British African Entrepreneurship Journey’ (BAEJ) book, Monday, 14 November 2022.

Invitees from Europe, the USA and others from far-flung UK Regions; namely London, Midland Counites, Yorkshire & The Humber and Wales respectively, attended.

The dual event showcased a unique example of cultural and ethnic inclusion as well as representation. Amongst the leading visitors, was Rita Odumosu, a Trustee of the Council for Education in the Commonwealth (CEC) Project Manager, Harminder Kaur Bhogal, spoke about the obstacles that confronted CEAL over the last two decades and acknowledged that its sustainability was built on the commitment of directors, even while the organisation adapted consistently, to the vagaries of the funding regime.

“At times, I felt like giving up, but our Chair and other Directors encouraged me to continue. They showed faith in the work we have accomplished for so many communities.

"We have survived too,

by Dr. Christopher A. Johnson

because of our continued focus on clients who need capacity building, education, enterprise, wellbeing and other essential services. We are grateful to all of the agencies, institutions and organisations that have all made these and more, truly possible”, she asserted.

Mayor of Wolverhampton, Councillor Sandra Samuels OBE who was accompanied by her husband and consort, Karl Samuels, officiated at the event. She praised the CEAL’s stewardship, as evidenced by its core services provision.

She acknowledged its Chair, Dr Christopher A. Johnson, author of the ground-breaking ‘BAEJ’ publication, for his outstanding work of ensuring that the enterprise legacy of minority ethnic businesses and communities, remained visible and intact.

The ‘First Citizen’ of Wolverhampton identified key signifiers of the publication such as: the number of case studies, female business owners, youth entrepreneurs, the contribution of ethnic firms to the economy and the market share of the African firm sector in Britain.

CEAL presented awards and certificates to Harminder Kaur

Certificates of appreciation were presented to individuals who contributed to researching the ‘BAEJ’ book and organising book signing events respectively.

Recipients were: Professor George Karani, Bernadette Grocock, Carol Lockhart, Stephanie Thomas, Sukhi Sunner, Amanda Nalini Munroe (Chairperson of the evening’s proceedings).

A major highlight of the evening was a live-audience interview with Dr. Johnson, by Research Associate and Lecturer, Centre for Sikh and Panjabi Studies, University of Wolverhampton, Dr. Kiranpreet Kaur Baath.

The interview captured the purpose of the ‘BAEJ’ book, the issues faced by the author and the benefits that readers can derive from this historic publication. Members of the audience also had the chance to question the author on the impact of the book on Britain.

The proceedings were interspersed by musical renditions that captured the cultural, religious and social tapestry of celebrants at the dual event.

Bhogal, Glenys Jones, Ajit Singh Ubhi, Shivarjun Singh Bhogal and Ruth Edgcumbe for their contribution to civic affairs and education accordingly.

Aw a r d - w I n n I n g journalist, editor and publisher Dr Christopher Johnson writes his monthly column in The Phoenix aiming to inform, educate and entertain.

VMBS GET GREEN LIGHT FOR MAJOR RESTRUCTURING PLANS

Leading financial institution, Victoria Mutual Building Society, has been given the go-ahead for the major restructuring plans for its building society and subsidiaries, after receiving approval from the Supreme Court.

Having received approval from the board and the Bank of Jamaica, the mortgage bank, which has a variety of non-banking companies under its belt, has complied with the Banking Services Act. It means that a corporate group, which includes both financial businesses and non-financial businesses, will be reorganised by separating the financial services companies from the non-financial companies.

Marking the final in a series of steps undertaken by Victoria Mutual Building Society (VMBS), restructuring of the group is expected to be wrapped up by the close of 2023 The Group said: "Coming on the heels of our recent credit card launch will be an international debit card in 2023 and we will be pursing more local and regional expansion of our retail products."

They also said that the restructuring will also allow the group greater flexibility within the structure to raise and deploy capital into vari-

ous business lines where it sees fit.

The Building Society is already attracting high interest rates that is paid out to its members on mortgage savings product, low-processing fees, competitive interest rates, 100-per-cent financing on mortgages for self-employed people, discount on property valuations, no fees for MultiLink ABM or point-of-sale transactions and no dormancy fees. And, once completed, the restructuring will strip VMBS of its rank and obligations as a parent company.

VM’s restructuring will see the establishment of the VM Financial Group Limited and VM Innovations Limited – both under the VM Group Limited mutual holding company. Responding to the restructuring, Group President and CEO Courtney Campbell said: “This is an historic moment for VM.

“I am hugely grateful to our members for the overwhelming support they have shown for this Scheme of Arrangement and for understanding that this will no doubt lead to unprecedented growth for their organisation and consequently, more people being empowered to achieve financial well-being.”

HSBC Closing 114 Of Its Branches With More People Banking Online

HSBC SAYS IT will close 114 more branches in the UK from April, as customers using them have fallen significantly since the pandemic. The bank said it would try to redeploy affected staff but that about 100 would lose their jobs.

Banks have closed hundreds of branches in recent years as more people bank online and lenders cut costs. HSBC said it will invest tens of millions updating and improving its remaining 327 UK branches.

Jackie Uhi, managing director of UK distribution, said: "People are changing the way they bank and footfall in many branches is at an all-time low, with no signs of it returning. Banking remotely is becoming the norm for the vast majority of us."

She said the decision to close a branch was never easy or taken lightly, especially if it was the last branch in an area. She said

HSBC was investing heavily in post-closure measures, such as providing free tablet devices to help some branch customers bank digitally, alongside coaching to help them migrate to digital banking.

The fresh closures come after HSBC said in March that it planned to shut 69 branches by this autumn. It said footfall in three quarters of the branches set to close had halved over the past five years.

The trend has sped up since the pandemic, with some HSBC branches serving fewer than 250 people per week, it added. By contrast, it said more than nine in 10 transactions are now done digitally.

The shift to online banking has seen High Street banks and building societies close more than 5,200 branches since 2015, according to figures from the Which? consumer group.

l

Courtney Campbell

PromotingExcellence

HUNDREDS ATTEND FIRST CITY-WIDE SEND CAREERS FAIR

Nearly 450 students and teachers attended Wolverhampton's first citywide careers fair for children and young people with special educational needs or disabilities (SEND) recently.

The City of Wolverhampton Council, in collaboration with The Black Country Consortium and Tettenhall Wood School, held the Career, Next Steps, Transition and Preparing for Adulthood Event at Wolverhampton Racecourse.

Children, young people, their parents and carers as well staff who support the children in their current educational setting were invited to come along to find out about the op-

Student Solves 2,500-YearOld Sanskrit Problem

A SANSKRIT grammatical problem which has perplexed scholars since the 5th Century BC has been solved by a University of Cambridge PhD student.

Rishi Rajpopat decoded a rule taught by Panini, a master of the ancient Sanskrit language who lived around 2,500 years ago. Sanskrit is mostly spoken in India by an estimated 25,000 people, the university said.

Indian, Mr Rajpopat, 27, said: “I had a eureka moment in Cambridge, after spending nine months getting nowhere.

"I closed the books for a month and just enjoyed the summerswimming, cycling, cooking, praying and meditating. Then, begrudgingly I went back to work, and, within minutes, as I turned the pages, these patterns start-

tions available for further education, training or employment.

Councillor Chris Burden, the City of Wolverhampton Council's Cabinet Member for Education, Skills and Work, said: "As a council and as a city, we are determined to do all we can to ensure that children and young people with special educational needs or disabilities are able to live their lives to the full.

We were delighted to be able to hold this careers fair especially for young people in Year 9 and above with SEND and an Education, Health and Care Plan, and to be joined by a range of exhibitors including colleges, providers, supported employers, social care settings and community

groups on the day.

"The event was extremely well received by parents, schools and exhibitors, and every single young person asked said they had really enjoyed the day, and found out a lot about the options that may be open to them in the future.

"We also had really positive feedback from schools and parents and carers, and I’d like to thank everyone who came along for making the event such a success.”

He added: "This was the first time we have held a city-wide event like this, and given it proved very worthwhile for all concerned, it is something that we would like to repeat on a regular basis."

Aston University Graduates Among Highest Paid In The Country, New Data Reveals

ing emerging, and it all started to make sense."

He said he that he would spend hours in the library including in the middle of the night, but still needed to work for another twoand-a-half years on the problem. Sanskrit, although not widely spoken, is the sacred language of Hinduism and has been used in India's science, philosophy, poetry and other secular literature over the centuries.

Panini's grammar, known as the Astadhyayi, relied on a system that functioned like an algorithm to turn the base and suffix of a word into grammatically correct words and sentences. However, two or more of Panini's rules often apply simultaneously, resulting in conflicts.

GRADUATES OF Aston University are among the highest paid in the country five years after graduating, according to new data released by the Department for Education.

The 2022 Longitudinal Education Outcomes (LEO) data shows that employed Aston University graduates have the16th largest median salary overall five years after graduation at £33,400.

The latest LEO data was calculated using figures from the 2019-20 tax year and highlights medians – or middle points – of employed graduates’ salaries. The study demonstrates that Aston University’s median salary for 2013-14 graduates is in either the upper quartile or top half for 15 out of 17 subject areas including degrees in allied health, politics and technology.

The University is also in the top 20 for those assessed three years after graduation (2015-2016), being placed at 19 out of 155 institutions.

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.

l Sarah Reynolds, the City of Wolverhampton Council's Service Manager for SEND Early Identification and Support, Vicky O’Connor, Senior Enterprise Coordinator for SEND Black Country Consortium, Laura Watson, Senior Assistant Headteacher, Tettenhall Wood School, and students from Tettenhall Wood's Horizon Sixth Form at the Career, Next Steps, Transition and Preparing for Adulthood Event

ADULT EDUCATION TEAM RECEIVES

WMCA MENTAL HEALTH AWARD

Teachers from Adult Education Wolverhampton were presented with a prestigious mental health award recently.

Its Like Minds Team were winners of the Large Organisation Team, Service or Organisation category at this year's West Midlands Combined Authority Mental Health Star Awards, to recognise businesses, public services or voluntary organisations which have ‘gone above and beyond’ to support mental health and wellbeing in their area. Judges noted students’ positive comments on their experience and the important role of adult education in lessening mental health difficulties.

The Like Minds Team have built up a reputation for providing creative learning programmes, focussed on arts and crafts, yoga and pottery, that make a real difference to the lives of Wolverhampton residents with mental health issues.

The courses are designed to allow tutors to support students to move to a more positive state of mind, building friendships, gaining confidence and having a purpose.

The team were officially presented with their award by Councillor Chris Burden, the City of Wolverhampton Council's Cabinet Member for Education, Skills and Work, recently. He said: "Adult Education Wolverhampton’s Like Minds Team have achieved positive results for many students.

“Their trick is to listen to what students want and need and to flex the learning programme to meet individual needs. Ultimately, they provide a safe and nurturing environment which enable confidences, self-esteem and well-being to flourish.

"The team go above and beyond and I was delighted to be able to present their WMCA Mental Health Star Award." The Mental Health Star Awards celebrated the ground-breaking work

being done across the region to improve mental health and wellbeing.

This year hundreds of nomi-

nations were submitted which recognised acts of heroism and innovation that have helped people within our communities get

through life during the Covid-19 pandemic.

CISI AND FITCH Learning launch schools and colleges programme to improve student socio economic diversity in financial services.

The Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment (CISI) and Fitch Learning have announced their inaugural Financial Services Career Accelerator education programme.

The programme aims to support the profession to find future apprentices from a broad diverse range of young people and provide a gateway to those for whom financial services careers may be seen as inaccessible or excluding.

From January 2023 and again in April 2023, 30 NEET (Not in Employment Education or Training) students will embark on a free, 10-week bootcamp, combining the CISI Level 2 Award in Fundamentals of Financial Services with Fitch Learning skills employability training.

The programme’s target is that over 50% of students will proceed to undertake apprenticeships with Fitch Learning client firms, where they will receive structured Apprentice Learning programmes from Fitch Learning.

In addition, to celebrate and recognise the success of those applicants who undertake the Fitch Apprenticeship and go on to complete their CISI qualifications, Fitch will support their CISI professional body membership.

l Like Minds Team members Kath Jones, Amanda Hadfield and Beth Matthews receive their award from Councillor Chris Burden, the City of Wolverhampton Council's Cabinet Member for Education, Skills and Work

PAULINE WRIGHT STILL CONNECTING COMMUNITIES THROUGH LAW, LEISURE & LEARNING

Founded in 1998, in a little shop on Heathfield Road, in Handsworth, Birmingham, by the late, indomitable John Holcroft and Pauline Wright, Law, Leisure & Learning has been

helping families and individuals by ‘planting the seeds’ of hope and higher expectations into the hearts and minds of all thosE who have crossed its threshold.

Despite its travails - the greatest being the death of John who died

at the age of 68 in 2013, following a long battle with kidney disease –the charitable organisation stands stronger than ever, today, with the legendary man’s widow, Pauline, carrying on the first-class work, without funding, as it continues to change people’s lives, as it guides youngsters away from the temptation of gang culture, by creating a safe haven for them to spend time away from the streets and in a ‘welcoming’ educational setting. Doing food bank, summer sports, personal development programmes for young people – run by young people – adults also use the fully-used, multi-purpose centre, on Queens Head Road, still in Handsworth, during the day, for job search, or updating CVs. It was recognised by Birmingham City Council for the project it did during the Birmingham Commonwealth Games – through pro-

grammes of art and photography.

“A lot of our young people learned a lot from that”, Pauline recalled. “It was great because we have always been open to all.

“I don’t see colour, race, creed, or age. Law, Leisure & Learning’s door has always been open for everyone! Here, we allow every single person to fulfil their full potential.

“Three years ago, we built a beautiful community garden, where we planted fruit trees for children to plant – plum tree, plus green and red apple trees – which flourish beautifully for them (the children) and other people to pick from and create beautiful recipes to eat and share. It grows in what we call the ‘Sunshine Corner’, where the sun hits you. We also do a Community RePaint programme where we help people to brighten up their homes or/and play areas, we help community groups, young people who have just come out of care, and we also run a food bank.

“Every Wednesday we run a food bank – there are some families on our books where we regularly deliver food to their homes. Here, at Queen’s Head Road, we’ve also fixed up the building, turning them into classrooms.

Once approaching Law, Leisure & Learning (LLL), you get a picture (quite literally) of what it’s all about. On the front of the building, you will see the messages; ‘The Pen is Mightier than the Sword’ and ‘Knowledge is the Key’ are the messages of welcome

In the summer, it is split two ways – in the day it’s almost exclusively dedicated to adults and elders in the community – where we offer advice and guidancewhilst in the evening it’s a children and young people “take-over” for an after-school club.

Qualified in nursery provision, Pauline’s vision was noted by way of securing Prince’s Trust funding, which allowed LLL to develop a basketball court, play area, plus

freezers, fridges, storage and food bank. The full programme has since – as always – left its legacy as children who have grown up in the centre now volunteer to work with today’s users – children, parents and elders – and are part of the Community RePaint programme.

Furthermore, some, who have gone on to be qualified teachers and learner provide lessons there for the current cohorts. And for Pauline; “I (we) get certificates and government commendations for our work.

“But the only commendation I need is from God!”

With a Mission Statement which

reads: “To enable all people in our community to help themselves to realise their full potential for a higher quality of life”, there’s noone better than Pauline Wright to see Law, Leisure & Learning be probably the very best of its kind serve the very best of its area – no matter who you are and where you’re from.

As she continues to develop the Maths and English, all activities - inhouse, or on residentials - remain as FREE as it was in 1998. And, with the people businesses and organisations around remain part of LLL, there’s no stopping her any time soon.

l Pauline Wright welcoming everyone to Law Leisure & Learning

Matthew Bourne’s new adventures makes Wolverhampton debut with Romeo and Juliet

Wolverhampton Grand Theatre have announced that Matthew Bourne’s New Adventures will play Wolverhampton for the first time from Tuesday 17 –Saturday 21 October 2023 with Romeo and Juliet, which gives Shakespeare’s timeless story of forbidden love a scintillating injection of raw passion and youthful vitality.

Confined against their will by a society that seeks to divide, our two young lovers must follow their hearts as they risk everything to be together.

A masterful re-telling of an ageless tale of teenage discovery and the madness of first love, Romeo

and Juliet garnered universal critical acclaim when it premiered in 2019, and now joins the New Adventures repertoire alongside the very best of Bourne’s world renowned dance theatre productions.

The 2023 production of Romeo and Juliet is the first Co-Production between New Adventures and Sadler’s Wells. A relationship that dates back nearly 30 years; New Adventures have been performing at Sadler’s Wells since 1993.

In 2005 Artistic Director and Chief Executive of Sadler’s Wells, Alistair Spalding, appointed Matthew Bourne as one of the organisations first Associate Artists and in 2006 New Adventures became a Resident Company.

Matthew Bourne said: “I had resisted creating a new production of “Romeo and Juliet” for many years wondering if there was anything new to say in a much-performed work. In 2019 I found that inspiration in a countrywide young talent development project that surrounded the original production.

“Working alongside my usual world class creative team but with a team of “young artistic associates’ and a young cast of super talented emerging dance artists, we created something relevant, questioning and deeply moving…. But also, an unexpected hit show! I’m therefore thrilled to announce its long-awaited return as part of the celebrated New Adventures

repertoire to entertain and provoke audiences with its powerful and timely tale of young love.”

Directed and choreographed by Matthew Bourne, collaborating with the New Adventures Artistic team; Etta Murfitt (Associate Artistic Director), Lez Brotherston

(Set and Costume design), Paule Constable (Lighting Design), Paul Groothuis (Sound Design) and Arielle Smith (Associate Choreographer) with Terry Davies’ thrillingly fresh orchestrations of Prokofiev’s dynamic score.

Also on sale are ANNIE starring

Craig Revel Horwood from Tuesday 10 – Sat 14 October 2023,

LIFE OF PI from Monday 22 –Saturday 27 April 2024, SHANIA – 25 LIVE COME ON OVER on Thursday 1 June and THE MAKINGS OF A MURDERER on Wednesday 21 June.

Birmingham Hippodrome And Chinese Festival Committee

Birmingham Announce Lunar New Year Celebrations Return

FESTIVITIES WILL

START in the city centre with a packed programme of performances in partnership with Bullring & Grand Central on Saturday 21 January.

The celebrations will continue in Southside on Sunday 22 January with performances, family activities, food stalls and much more. Sponsored by Uber Eats and in association with Southside District and The Arcadian, the Sunday programme will celebrate the official first day of the Year of the Rabbit and mark a welcomed return to Southside after three years, with the newly redeveloped Hippodrome Square at the heart of the event.

tee Birmingham said: “We’re thrilled to bring Lunar New Year festivities back to Southside in 2023. As you may have spotted, the name of the event is different from previous years; we have made this change to recognise communities across the world who celebrate the Lunar New Year alongside our Chinese community.

ELLEN DEGENERES' DANCING DJ STEPHEN ‘TWITCH’ DIES

Best known as the dancing DJ and sidekick on The Ellen Show, Stephen "tWitch" Boss, has died by suicide.

Confirming the news, the TV star's wife Allison Holker Boss said he was "the backbone of our family, the best husband and father, and an inspiration to his fans". He became an integral part of Ellen DeGeneres' US talk show from 2014, until it finished earlier this year.

DeGeneres tweeted to say that she was heartbroken at the news. She wrote: "He was my family, and I loved him with all my heart. I will miss him."

The Los Angeles Police Department confirmed t that its West Valley Division officers responded to a radio call at a motel on Ventura Boulevard. There were no signs of foul play, and the case was being dealt with by the Los Angeles County Coroner's office.

James

Wong, Chair of the Chinese Festival Commit-

“We have created a fantastic programme of events with our co-producer, Birmingham Hippodrome, which will delight all visitors to the city, more details will be shared soon. We’d like to thank our sponsors and partners and look forward to the city-wide celebrations next month, alongside Bullring & Grand Central.”

After appearing as a dancer in movies like Blades of Glory and Hairspray, tWitch first found fame as a runner-up on So You Think You Can Dance in 2008. One of his dances was nominated for an Emmy for best choreography and he later returned to the show as a

judge. The Alabama-born entertainer went on to work as an actor, featuring in the Step Up film series and later Magic Mike XXL, and was also made an executive producer on The Ellen Show in 2020.

Paying tribute, his wife, a fellow dancer with whom he co-hosted Disney's Fairy Tale Weddings,

said: "Stephen lit up every room he stepped into."

She added: "He valued family, friends and community above all else and leading with love and light was everything to him. Stephen, we love you, we miss you, and I will always save the last dance for you." The couple, who met on an all-star season of So

You Think You Can Dance, had three children - and the family appeared together on the The Ellen show.

A host of star names from the worlds of entertainment, the arts and sport have been paying their respects to Boss, recalling memories of him and expressing their feelings on social media.

Birmingham based independent production company, Threewise Entertainment, and BOA Stage & Screen Production Academy have announced a groundbreaking film and TV industry talent partnership ahead of a new motion-caption feature film set to shoot in the UK.

The partnership will see final year students at BOA Stage & Screen Production Academy, based in Ladywood, Birmingham, given the opportunity to secure their first industry production credits working alongside a raft of industry professionals from the TV, film and games sector.

Up to 80 Trainees from the Academy will work alongside industry crew both on and offscreen to support the production of Threewise’s debut feature film intended to shoot in summer 2023. The original production will blend live-action performance and digital motion capture characters using the same technology utilised in Hollywood productions from Star Wars to Planet of the Apes and James Cameron’s forthcoming Avatar sequels.

Title and plot details for the new film are closely under wraps but the production hails from RTS winning UK Producer Mi-

Birmingham Production Company And Screen Academy Announce Groundbreaking Talent Partnership

who together co-created Nickelodeon’s newest Kids & Family adventure series, Rock Island Mysteries, currently airing worldwide on the channel. Rock Island Mysteries is produced in partnership with Fremantle Australia, with production currently underway down under on Season 2. What the trio of creators will reveal is that the film is set to fol-

low a streetwise group of teens who must save their city from a fantastical threat and is said to evoke classic creature-features such as Gremlins, Attack the Block and Goosebumps. Based on an original idea by Ford, and written by Matt & Vince, the project will also tackle real-world issues affecting millions of modern youngsters.

“As a kids and family indie, we want to create authentic con-

tent with, not just for, young audiences,” says Michael Ford, Co-Founder and Head of Content at Threewise Entertainment.

“We believe this is critical to ensuring our productions remain relevant and engaging. This is why our film partnership with BOA means so much to us.” Applications to the BOA Stage & Screen Production Academy are now open, for September 2023 intake.

PIONEERING FASHION DESIGNER VIVIENNE WESTWOOD DIES AT 81

The ‘Godmother of Punk’, British fashion designer Dame Vivienne Westwood made her name with her controversial punk and new wave styles in the 1970s and went on to dress some of the biggest names in fashion. Her husband and creative partner Andreas Kronthaler said: "I will continue with Vivienne in my heart.

"We have been working until the end and she has given me plenty of things to get on with." Westwood came to prominence with her androgynous designs, slogan T-shirts and irreverent attitude towards the establishment.

She was also known as a staunch activist and brought causes she cared about, like climate change, to the catwalk. The designer was made a Dame for services to fashion in 2006.

Derbyshire-born Westwood worked as a primary school teacher, before setting up clothing shop Let It Rock on King's Road in Chelsea with her then partner Malcolm McLaren in the early 1970s. The business was later renamed Sex and in late 1975, McLaren began managing a punk rock band made up of shop regulars - the Sex Pistols. They shot to fame wearing

Westwood and McLaren's designs. Fashion designer and Spice Girl, Victoria Beckham, paid tribute to Westwood, saying: "My thoughts are with her family at this incredibly sad time." American designer Marc Jacobs said on Instagram: "You did it first. Always. Incredible style with brilliant and meaningful substance...

By the 2000s, Westwood was designing wedding dresses for stars like model Dita Von Teese who dressed in her purple gown to marry singer Marilyn Manson, and Princess Eugenie who wore three Westwood designs for the wedding of Prince William and Catherine. Her designs also featured in the 2008 film version of Sex And The City. Memorable runway moments include her nine-inch platform shoes, which famously tripped up model Naomi Campbell.

As well as climate change, Westwood became a vocal supporter for the release of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, who is fighting extradition to the US to face charges under the Espionage Act. In July 2020, she dressed in canary yellow in a giant bird cage warning over an Assange "stitch up".

She was 81.

chael Ford, and Writer/Director duo Matt Cooke & Vince Lund

l Dame Vivian Westwood

Food & Fine Dining

RENOWNED ‘COLMORE FOOD FESTIVAL’ RETURNING FOR

ITS 10TH YEAR

The much-loved Colmore Food Festival is making a return to Birmingham for its 10th anniversary in July. The muchloved Colmore Food Festival is making a return to Birmingham for its 10th anniversary this year.

Next year, the free, must-visit festival will return in a new location in the Grounds of St Philips Cathedral and will provide guests with a tasty and affordable spread of mouth-watering mini dishes from the traders’ latest menus.

Whether you’re a diehard foodie or just fancy sampling the best of the District’s food and drink scene, the festival will be host to many food and drink stalls, with a range of options available to tingle everyone’s tastebuds!

The award-winning event showcases the best food and drink offerings from across the Colmore Business District and attracts over 30,000 visitors each year. Visitors will be spoilt for choice with the stalls made up of local restaurants, coffee shops, bars and hotels offering a selection of meat, vegetarian

and vegan options.

Organisers are also placing price caps on food and drinks, creating an affordable, but unforgettable experience. Colmore BID will now be reaching out to local ‘gourmet gurus’ operating in the District to showcase tasters of their decadent dining at the festival stalls.

Alex Tross, Deputy Chair of Colmore BID said: ‘’We are so excited to announce the return of the Colmore Food Festival, particularly with this year being the 10th anniversary of the BID delivering

the event. Birmingham’s food scene has an impressive history and still to this day has so much to offer, and this event showcases exactly that, whilst simultaneously supporting the local businesses in the Colmore Business District.”

Michelin-starred chef, Glynn Purnell, said: “The Colmore Food Festival is a one-of-a-kind event –and we’re excited to announce it’s returning better than ever for its 10th year in July 2023. The festival celebrates the best of Birmingham’s food and drinks scene, right in the beating heart of our amazing

city.

“With many venues participating as it returns for its 10th special year, the event attracts more than 30,000 visitors annually. Completely free to attend, price caps are set per item to ensure the selections on offer is both tasty and affordable for all.

“We’ll be releasing details soon, so keep your eyes peeled on Colmore BID’s social media channels for more information!” The festival will run from Friday 20 July – Saturday 21 July 2023.

The Humble Baguette Gets Unesco Heritage Status

UNESCO HAS ADDED the quintessentially French baguette to its "intangible cultural heritage" list. The body announced it had added "artisanal know-how and culture of baguette bread" to its list of 600 other items, joining things like traditional tea making in China and a Korean mask dance known as "talchum" - both also included for the first time in 2022. Its inclusion celebrates the French way of life, Unesco chief Audrey Asoulay said, adding: "The baguette is a daily ritual, a structuring element of the meal, synonymous with sharing and conviviality. It is important that these skills and social habits continue to exist in the future."

Producing some 16 million a day, the exact provenance of the baguette is not known: some suggest the bread was ordered by Napoleon because it would be easier for soldiers to carry, while others suggest it came along later - an easy bread for workers to tear and share without the need of a knife in Paris. Others still credit an Austrian baker in the 1830s for its shape.

However, the baguette as we know it today was only officially named just over 100 years ago, in 1920. It was then that strict rules about what classed as a baguette were put in place - standardised at 80cm (30ins) and 250g (8oz). It even had a fixed price until 1986.

AWARD-WINNING, climate and plastic-neutral global wellness brand, Vahdam India has announced the exciting launch of a limited-edition Self Care gift in partnership with international superstar and tea lover, Nicole Scherzinger.

While living life on the move, Nicole, a singer, songwriter, actress and TV personality, knows the importance of taking time to care for herself. With this partnership, she wants to inspire others to do the same, inviting fellow tea lovers to choose their blend

and take time to relax and reflect over the festive season.

“Self-care can come in many forms, including a warm cup of healing tea, made with the most divine ingredients. Take some tea-time out for yourself today.” said Nicole.

The limited-edition self-care gift from ethical, plastic neutral Vahdam India, comprises:

• An assorted collection of 6 x 10 delicious, carefully selected, individually enveloped tea bags, comprising: hibiscus rose herbal tea; turmeric spice herbal tea; vanilla spiced chai tea; sweet cinnamon chai tea;

mint melody green tea and sweet Himalayan green tea

• A high quality, specially autographed black, stainless steel, vacuum insulated 350ml deluxe tumbler - perfect for your warming, healing cup of delicious Vahdam India tea on the go.

Vahdam India, which is also favoured by the likes of global icons Oprah Winfrey, Mariah Carey and Ellen DeGeneres for taking India's finest teas and superfoods to the rest of the world, has a range of over 100 garden-fresh, artisanal and signature blends. These

have been shipped to over 3m people across 130 countries and places sustainability and social initiatives at the centre of its ethos.

"We're very excited to have partnered with Nicole and create this limited-edition gift box. Nicole has been very vocal about her wellness journey and continually shares her wisdom and tips for a healthy lifestyle. We're glad she has found a form of self-care in VAHDAM's healing teas." said Bala Sarda, Founder & CEO of Vahdam India.

By the middle of the 20th Century, the baguette had won over the country. But since 1970, 400 artisanal bakeries have closed down each year, with the total number across France dropping from 55,000 to 35,000 today, according to news agency AFP. And yet it remains key to French identity, with President Emmanuel Macron saying the baguette was "envied around the world".

"The baguette is flour, water, salt, yeast - and the know-how of the craftsman," Dominique Anract, president of the baker's federation, said in a press release. Parisian baker Priscilla Hayertz acknowledged that it was a basic product, but one that affects all socio-cultural categories, whether rich, poor... it doesn't matter, “everyone eats baguettes".

Panto Shines Proudly

Somehow Christmas has rolled round again, and as we rocked up to Birmingham Hippodrome that can only mean one thing - it's Panto time!

For the 9th consecutive pantomime Matt Slack returns to the Birmingham Hippodrome, a firm fan favourite now you know exactly what you're going to get from Slack, a wonderful mix of comedy, perfect timing, fantastic impressions, messing with the audience and a great chemistry with legendary panto dame Andrew Ryan.

This time Matt is the titular character of our story, Dick Whittington, and with Doreen Tipton as Doreen the Cat, you can imagine the pretty obvi-

ous jokes that will happen, and they happen often.

Panto has always been that wonderful joint mix of a great fun show for children and a whole slew of double entendre and other jokes that fly way over the little heads, specifically for the adults in the room, This year the bad guy is played by Marti Pellow as The Ratman, who is suitably booed at every opportunity, however some unfortunate audio mixing meant his dialogue was lost at times, especially on his introduction.

On another unfortunate point, Suzanne Shaw is terribly underused, as Alice Fitzwarren she never has a chance to show off any of her talents.

Dr Ranj makes a loud and glittery entrance as the Spirit Of The Bells, is always the butt of the obvious medical jokes, but is a loveable character through and through.

Now that the height of Covid has passed, children are once again allowed up as guests on stage with Slack to interview them and get some very heartwarming

responses, and some sass mind you, from the wonderful young people in the audience at each show.

He said how much he's missed that interaction and it was obvious by how kind and caring he was with the children.

As always, the Birmingham Hippodrome Panto runs into the new year, until 29 January 2023 to be precise, so there is no excuse to not get your tickets and see this family favourite to kick start your 2023!

Happy Chinese New Year

Trinidad & Tobago-born musical duo Kinetic has released its first contribution to the 2023 Soca soundtrack entitled ‘Driftin’.

The US-based sons of Trini soil, Keston ‘De Chancellor’ Harris & Kwasi ‘KHemSun’ Jones have released the new Groovy Soca track which evokes emotions of love, euphoria and mental freedom.

The new release is a combination of solid instrumentation, melodic delivery and lyrics that arouse images of exotic voyages and intimate excursions to tropical destinations with a special travel companion. Regarding the inspiration behind the new song they shared, “In a sense, it's freedom. It's all beautiful emotions metaphorically described in a vessel of love.

The plane in the lyrics is the vessel and ‘to drift’ is to be carefree in a mental state of liberation. The inspiration behind the song was to highlight the joy of total freedom (both mental and physical) with the one you love.”

Driftin was written by both Harris and Jones and produced by the famous Badjohn Republic. This latest single features vocal contributions from Peter ‘WildXFire’ Noel who has previously lent his talents to

Kinetic ‘Driftin’ into Carnival

music projects by artistes such as Machel Montano and Lyrikal. The new track has already gained positive reviews from listeners with

some stating that they gained a sense of peace, as well as feelings of joy and wanderlust upon hearing it.

Celebrating over 25 years at the pinnacle of hip hop, it’s been a career that

has seen the Doggfather cement his undisputed influence on music with chart-topping, multi-platinum records, while also solidifying his importance to wider culture as an actor, businessman and more across the board.

The tour sees Snoop Dogg enlist a selection of his key collaborators from the breadth of his iconic music career including further West Coast hip hop royalty; Warren G, Tha Dogg Pound, Obie Trice and D12. They will also be joined by the multi-million streamed Irish rap duo Versatile. Snoop Dogg collaborator and platinum-selling rapper Xzibit will join the tour for the dates in Scotland and England.

West Coast rap legend Snoop Dogg has come a long way since being discovered by Dr. Dre in the early 1990. As impressive as he was when guesting on Dre’s The Chronic in 1992, few could have guessed he’d go on to global fame, tens of millions of record sales, and a career in movies and TV. And that’s only part of the story, from battles with the law to reinvention as a reggae artist.

He was born Cordozar Calvin Broadus Jr. in Long Beach, California, on October 20, 1971. His "Snoop Dogg" nickname came from his mother because she thought he looked like Snoopy from the Peanuts cartoon.

He played piano and sang at his local Baptist church, before starting rap in sixth grade. After graduating high school, Snoop was arrested several times for drug possession and spent time in prison.

He was also associated with the Rollin’ 20 Crips Gang. He started making music as a way out of his troubles and recorded early demos with his cousin Nate Dogg and friend Warren G as 213.

A track on one of these came to the attention of Dr. Dre who invited Snoop — then rapping under the name Snoop Doggy Dogg — to audition.

From there they collaborated on a song called "Deep Cover" for the soundtrack of the film for the same name; and Snoop became the key rapper on Dre’s hugely successful first solo album, The Chronic, in 1992.

Snoop's first album, the Dre-produced Doggystyle (1993), climbed its way to the No. 1 spot on Billboard's hip-hop and Top 200 charts, based in part on the success of

the singles "Who Am I (What's My Name)?" and "Gin and Juice."

Next came a short film called Murder Was the Case, the soundtrack of which went double platinum. Snoop's next album, Tha Doggfather (1996), also reached the top of the charts, despite the absence of Dre, who had left Death Row over a contract dispute. Snoop then left Death Row himself, falling out with label mogul Suge Knight and moving to Master P’s No Limit Records.

He scored the top slot on the hip-hop charts with his next two albums: Da Game Is to Be Sold, Not to Be Told (1998) and No Limit Top Dogg (1999). His last album for No Limit, The Last Meal, came in 2000 and sold over 2 million copies. By now his sound had become less "gangsta rap" and somewhat smoother.

Snoop continued to make music throughout the

noughts, enjoying a big hit in 2004 with the chart-topping single "Drop It Like It's Hot," which sparked several fruitful collaborations with Pharrell Williams.

He reunited with Warren G and Nate Dogg as 213 to drop the album The Hard Way in 2004. In 2007, Snoop became the first artist to release a track — "It's The DOG" — as a ringtone prior to its release as a single.

He also branched out into acting during the same period and appeared in several films, including Starsky & Hutch, The Wash and Training Day. He also made guest appearances on television shows, including The L Word and Weeds, and starred in his own E! reality show, Snoop Dogg's Father Hood, in 2007.

He was part of a sketch show, Doggy Fizzle Televizzle, and participated in the Comedy Central Roast of the future president Donald Trump.

He also uses his likeable laconic personality to good effect

in a new venture for VH1, Martha & Snoop’s Potluck Dinner Party, where he and Martha Stewart host dinner parties for various celebrities.

Outside of music, Snoop has made investments in the burgeoning cannabis business. In November 2015 he launched Leafs By Snoop, becoming the first A-list celebrity to brand a line of cannabis products.

That same year he also launched a new digital-media venture called Merry Jane, which focuses on the latest mar-

ijuana news. In May 2017 Snoop dropped his fifteenth studio album Neva Left. He also released a gospel album titled Bible of Love in March 2018.

He is held in high esteem and affection by hip-hop fans worldwide, and is one of the most recognizable faces and voices of the whole genre, even to those who don’t listen to his music. He has the distinction for having the most Grammy nominations of any music artist— 17 to date — without having won one. But as Snoop Dogg shows few signs of retiring, don’t write him off just yet.

SNOOP DOGG UK & IRELAND TOUR MARCH 2023

14th – Belfast, SSE Arena

15th – Manchester, AO Arena

16th – Glasgow, SEC Hydro

21st – London, O2 Arena

26th – Dublin, 3Arena

27th – Leeds, First Direct Arena

28th – Birmingham, Resorts World Arena

Line Up Announced For Wolverhampton Literature Festival

Hosted by the City of Wolverhampton Council, Wolverhampton Literature Festival returns from 3 to 5 February 2023 for its seventh year.

The festival aims to champion the creative voices of Wolverhampton and the West Midlands and provide a platform to showcase their talents.

This year’s line-up includes Irvine Welsh, speaking about his new crime thriller and also reflecting on 2023 as the 30th anniversary year of his million-selling debut novel, Trainspotting, Robin Ince, Richard Herring, Suhaiymah Manzoor Khan, Jazzie B, Emma Kennedy, Wolverhampton’s Poet Laureate Kuli Kohli, Miki Berenyi, Brian Bilston and the Digital Sisterhood - to name only a few. There will be an exciting line up of poetry and spoken word throughout the weekend with Poets, Prattlers,

and Pandemonialists presenting the sixth Wolverhampton Literature Festival Poetry Slam along with the headline poetry event, Stars of the Slam, featuring the five winners of the regional poetry slams battling out for the overall crown.

Kuli Kohli and the Punjabi Women’s Writing Group will deliver a delightful event, entertaining audiences with their feisty, challenging and funny poetry.

Central Youth Theatre will be back, performing Lord of the Files in the atmospheric venue of Wolverhampton Grammar School. The Arena Theatre will host some of the Language for Liberation strand of the programme on the Saturday, followed by a live recording of the Dungeons and Dragons podcast, Sixteen Candlekeeps, on the Sunday.

For the first time, Wolverhampton Literature Festival is collaborating

with Wolverhampton Film Festival for a showcase of local filmmakers. There is also a range of events for children at Central Library, with the chance to see some BSL storytelling, take part in a Shakespearean insults workshop and join in with storytelling and crafts.

Wolverhampton Community Radio will also be hosting a programme of events and live broadcasts throughout the festival at the Mander Centre Community Hub. It will be an exciting weekend of literature, poetry, prose and storytelling!

DREAMGIRLS DELIGHT AT MILLENNIUM POINT

Millennium Point hosted a special festive performance for its VIP guests featuring principal members of the cast from the dazzling multi award-winning West End production of Dreamgirls, currently enjoying a month-long run at The Alexandra, Birmingham.

Nicole Raquel Dennis, Holly Liburd, Paige Peddie and Brianna Ogunbawo treated invited guests to a stunning showcase of show tunes, including the classic And I Am Telling You and One Night Only.

Roy Williams Clint Dyer And Sir Lenny Henry Film4’s New ‘Three Degrees’

THE CREATIVE team behind BAFTA-nominated Death Of England: Face To Face are in development on Three Degrees with Film4, and have attached prolific British actor Sir Lenny Henry as Executive Producer.

Clint Dyer (“Get Up, Stand Up” The Musical, Death of England: Face to Face), whose production of “Othello” is currently on at the National Theatre, will direct and Roy Williams (Death of England: Face to Face) is writing the screenplay.

Three Degrees is a remarkable true story. In 1978/9, dur-

ing the Winter Of Discontent, three young, Black footballers - Cyrille Regis, Brendon Batson and Laurie Cunningham - transformed the fortunes of West Bromwich Albion as well as becoming a beacon of hope and inspiration for Black and Ethnic Minority players. Their skills, personalities and drive left a lasting impact on the club, football and society more widely; kickstarting the long, slow and painful journey of Black and Minority Ethnic players establishing themselves in football across the western world.

Bob Marley Grandson Found Dead

He was known for songs such as “Burn it Down,” “Made It,” and “No Way Out.”

with the Melody Makers, the band made up of Ziggy Marley ― Daniel Marley’s father ― and his siblings Stephen, Cedella and Sharon. “Then, when I was around 12, my cousins and I went on the Melody Makers’ Roots Rock tour.

A cause of death was not disclosed by the representative, although, a report suggested that Marley suffered an asthma attack and was found in a vehicle.

Marley was born in Jamaica and moved to Miami when he was 11 years old. Following his father and grandfather’s footsteps, he began writing music in middle school and released his first song, “My Girl,” as a teen.

He released two EPs, “Comfortable” (2014) and “Eternal” (2021). In addition, he joined family members on several projects, including his father on “Revelation Party,” a track from Stephen Marley’s 2016 album

“Revelation Part 2: The Fruit of Life.” Music was in his blood. In a 2014 interview with the Jamaica Observer, Jo Mersa Marley said he decided to pursue a career in music at age 11 when he and his cousin Daniel Bambaata Marley started making beats together.

He would go on to collaborate

Uncle Ziggy bought my cousins an Apple laptop, and we used the Garage Band software and made our beats on it,” Jo Mersa said in the interview. “We recorded from the microphone, put on our headphones and that became our studio for a good three years. That is when my songwriting started to get more focused.” He also spoke about the musical influences he took from his father, an eight-time Grammy Award winner.

“My father has created a legacy by putting out songs with meaning. It’s something I have to live up to,” he said.

Survived by his wife and daughter, he was 31.

l Brianna Ogunbawo, Holly Liburd, Paige Peddie, & Nicole Raquel Dennis serenade guests

Joseph “Jo Mersa” Marley, son of musician Stephen Marley and grandson of reggae icon Bob Marley, has died, his representative confirmed to Rolling Stone.

REUNION PARTY BEATS THE BLUES FOR ANOTHER CHRISTMAS JAM

The ‘Tribute To The Birmingham Jazz Funk All Dayer Powerhouse Reunion’ returned when its pre-Christmas party saw stalwarts like Gordon Mac, Kenny B, Trevor M, Kwa, Neil Pinnock and Chris Reid amongst those providing another night of Classic Soul Funk Boogie Dance, Broken, Soulful, Afro House beats to get everyone in the right mood for what was the upcoming Crimbo celebrations.

With Incognito frontwoman, Imaani, plus Projection’s Doreen, and Em-Cee blasting the very best of some of their classic tunes, for those there ‘on the scene’, it was a must, as a balance for what the days ahead where to bring, at

the Penthouse Loft Lounge, in the city.

So, despite the cost-of-living crisis being at the heart of so many decision-making for those more experienced on the social scene, this was an ideal antidote and, again, reminder of days gone by. For erstwhile event organiser, Tony ‘Frenchie’ Quailey, this was the fourth in his ‘Reunion sessions, with the Big City Radio presenter staying on course, of making this the biggest of its kind in the UK.

“An easy, soothing night of music”, said one party goer, as another said: “This is another cool night for true music lovers”.

For Quailey, he’ll be looking for a bigger, funkier 2023.

Progressive Metal Band Announce Special Southampton Show For 2023

German progressive metal band The Ocean are heading to Southampton next February. Playing at The 1865 on 2nd February 2023, the six-piece are revered as one of the most devastating live bands in modern heavy music.

Founded by guitarist and composer Robin Staps at the dawn of the millennium, The Ocean immediately stood themselves apart. Coalescing around a shared vision of limitless sonic exploration and heaviness delivered straight from the gut, the German ensemble swiftly gained a formidable reputation as standard bearers for the nebulous but unstoppable post-metal movement.

After becoming a regular fixture on the European festival circuit, The Ocean appeared on

metal festival bills at Hellfest, Wacken, Resurrection and Summer Breeze just as much as they did mainstream rock open-airs like Roskilde, Dour and Pukkelpop and tastemakers’ indoor boutique festivals like Roadburn and Dunk!.

Over the course of their storied career, The Ocean have toured Europe and North America with influential artists such as Opeth, Mastodon, Mono, Cult Of Between The Buried And Me and Devin Townsend. The band’s own Pelagic Records has become one of the world leaders for post-rock and post-metal, with a catalogue of 150 physical releases since 2009.

Across the past two decades, the band have been in a perpetual state of evolution, releasing a steady succession of groundbreaking and acclaimed albums that have all sought to push

heavy music forwards, embracing the cerebral, the primal and the inexplicable unequal measure.

Blending eclectic musical style with the detail and depth that have become two of The Ocean’s most enduring trademarks, the collective released their most recent album ‘Phanerozoic II’ in 2020. Released into a world in turmoil, the record provided fans of adventurous and challenging music with all the sonic and philosophical sustenance they have come to expect from the intuitively progressive group.

After twitching in their starting blocks when the global pandemic put pay to live shows, The Ocean are primed and ready to hit the road again, with their music set to mutate and grow into ever more extraordinary shapes in its live form.

New CEO Appointed To Lead INEOS Automotive

INEOS AUTOMOTIVE has appointed Lynn Calder as CEO of INEOS Automotive. Lynn takes up her new role with immediate effect after six years in the INEOS Group, including multiple CEO roles. She was formerly in private equity.

Lynn’s appointment completes a new, strengthened leadership team for INEOS Automotive marking the transition from engineering project to commercial business.

Hans-Peter Pessler – formerly a senior executive from Magna Steyr in Austria that manufactured the G-Wagon for Mercedes – takes up a new permanent role as COO of INEOS Automotive, responsible for all engineering and operations.

“It’s an exciting time to be taking the reins,” said Lynn. “The team and the Grenadier itself have come a long way, and yet we’re still only at the beginning of creating a global automotive business. I love a challenge, and with bold plans for the future, I’m looking forward to the adventure ahead.”

AUDI PRESENTS PLAN FOR THE PRODUCTION OF THE FUTURE

Audi is all in on electromobility: As of 2026, the brand with the four rings will only launch all-electric models onto the global market, gradually phasing out production of its combustion models by 2033.

Based on this clear decision made as part of its Vorsprung 2030 corporate strategy, Audi is now taking steps to prepare its global facilities for the production of all-electric cars.

Unlike many of its competitors, Audi is building on its existing global production network to achieve this vision. “Step by step, we are bringing all our sites into the future,” says Audi Board Member for Production and Logistics Gerd Walker.

“We don’t want any standalone lighthouse projects on greenfield sites. Instead, we are investing in our existing plants so they end up being just as efficient and flexible as newly built production sites or greenfield plants.”

According to Walker, this is sustainability in action – in economic, ecological, and social aspects.

“The path Audi is taking conserves resources and accelerates our transformation to a provider of sustainable premium mobility,” Walker emphasizes.

The Audi Board Member for Production and Logistics wants to make manufacturing flexible and resilient to ensure it will be future-proof in the long term. In

keeping with this aim, Audi developed its comprehensive strategy taking various perspectives into account.

Walker and his team focused on the following questions: “What does society expect from us? What do our customers demand? What are the expectations of stakeholders, and what will our employees need in the future?”

In response, Audi has created the 360factory; a vision of the future. The approach places equal emphasis on cost-effectiveness,

sustainability, flexibility, and attractiveness.

An ambitious roadmap on the road to e-mobility

By the end of the decade, Audi will be making electric-drive models at all of its production sites worldwide. “To achieve our goal, we are relying on our highly qualified staff and will make all our employees fit for the future by 2025 with a training budget of around 500 million euros,” says Walker. Two sites, Böllinger Höfe and Brussels, are already produc-

ing all-electric vehicles. Starting next year, the Audi Q6 e-tron will be the first all-electric model to roll off the production line in Ingolstadt. And production of all-electric cars will gradually start in Neckarsulm, San José Chiapa, and Győr as well. In 2029, all production sites will be producing at least one all-electric vehicle model. Depending on local conditions, production of the remaining combustion models will be gradually phased out by the beginning of the next decade.

New plants will only be built where additional capacity is needed. For example, Audi and its partner FAW are currently building a site in Changchun (China) where models based on the PPE (Premium Platform Electric) technology platform will be locally produced. With construction set to finish by the end of 2024, this will be the first automotive plant in China where only all-electric Audi models roll off the line.

NISSAN LEAF POWERS CHRISTMAS LIGHTS AS UK PLANT HITS 250K EV MARK

ANissan LEAF is providing the sparkle for Nissan Sunderland Plant’s Christmas display to celebrate production of 250,000 of the pioneering electric vehicle in the UK.

Demonstrating the ability of the LEAF to act as a mobile power plant, the lights on the 32-foot Christmas tree and its shimmering reindeer are being powered by the vehicle’s battery, using V2X (or V2X-MAS TREE) technology.

Alan Johnson, Vice President Manufacturing at Nissan Sunderland Plant, said: “Passing a quarter of a million Nissan LEAF is a tremendous milestone, and demonstrates the electric vehicle manufacturing expertise we have built up at our plant over the past decade.

“This year we have completely electrified the plant’s line-up with

the new versions of Qashqai and Juke launched, so lighting up the Christmas tree with our original EV is a spectacular and appropriate way to end 2022.”

The Nissan LEAF’s vehicle-to-grid capability (sometimes called vehicle-to-building or vehicle-to-everything - V2X) puts energy management back in the hands of the owner by turning their vehicle into a mobile energy hub. Drivers can store electricity in their vehicle’s battery and feed it to the grid, their building, or their Christmas Tree, when needed.

The technology allows electric vehicles to be fully integrated into the electricity grid and help improve grid capability to handle renewable power as well as managing energy more efficiently.

The Nissan LEAF, built in Sunderland for more than a decade,

FORD PRO revealed the ultra-high specification Ranger Platinum pickup – raising luxury to a new level in the Ranger family.

The new Ranger Platinum joins the exciting next-generation line-up of Europe’s best-selling pickup at the pinnacle of the on-road range. Exclusive exterior detailing and finishes enhance the Ranger’s already characterful design, matched by a stylish and contemporary leather-trimmed cabin.

Ford’s powerful 240PS 3.0-litre V6 turbodiesel engine and a drivetrain specially engineered for refinement combine to deliver smooth, effortless performance for cruising, as well as exceptional torque for confident load carrying and towing up to 3,500kg.

“The Ford Ranger has set the

standard for performance, versatility and capability in the pickup segment, and now it’s setting the standard for luxury”, said Hans Schep, general manager, Ford Pro, Europe. “The stunning new Platinum will suit customers who appreciate the level of comfort and technology from high-end road cars, but who rely on the toughness and all-round productivity that consistently make Ranger Europe’s pickup sales leader.”

Bentley Flying Bees Reach New Milestone

IN PARALLEL WITH the company’s financial successes this year, Bentley’s very own extraordinary ‘Flying Bees’ too have had an exceptionally fruitful season. Following the productivity levels of their human colleagues, the bees have produced an estimated record 1,000 jars of honey from Bentley’s very own Excellence Centre for Honey Production.

A colony of 120,000 indigenous honey bees, taking up residence in May 2019 as part of Bentley’s #GOTOZERO sustainable strategy have now grown to an impressive 600,000 strong swarm across ten ac-

tive bee hives at the company’s headquarters. This is just one of many initiatives undertaken by the British marque to promote biodiversity around the expansive campus.

Working together with ‘Buckley Bees’ – Bentley’s beekeepers, the vacated honey supers have broken new records by producing more honey than ever before at the company’s Excellence Centre for Honey Production. Here, each frame, overflowing with the precious liquid gold, is spun to extract every last drop and then the honey is carefully drained and filtered before being decanted and individually jarred.

was the world’s first mass-market electric vehicle. The Nissan Qashqai, the record-breaking original crossover, is now offered with Nissan’s unique e-POWER

system, a first for the company in Europe, while its B-segment stablemate, the Nissan Juke, is now equipped with an advanced hybrid powertrain.

Europe’s best-selling pickup goes Platinum as new Ford Ranger model lifts luxury to new levels

Extra UK tour dates announced for in demand Babatunde Aléshé

BABATUNDE ALÉSHÉ is one of the fastest rising stars in British Comedy. After recently warming the hearts of the nation with his incredible stint in the jungle as part of this year’s I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!, he has announced a host

of extra dates, due to phenomenal demand, for his upcoming Babatunde Aléshé: Babahood UK headline tour, kicking off in January. A powerhouse performer, his stand up presents a hilariously fresh perspective, oozing charisma whilst showcasing im-

peccable stagecraft and comic timing.

A firm TV favourite, the hugely popular award winning comedian, actor and podcaster has appeared in shows including Guessable (Comedy Central), House of Games (BBC), Sorry

I Didn’t Know (ITV), The Stand Up Sketch Show (ITV2), Rhod Gilbert’s Growing Pains (Comedy Central), Comedians Giving Lectures (Dave) as well as a cast regular in the BAFTA nominated Celebrity Gogglebox (C4). In 2022 Babatunde’s Mission Imagination podcast series won a prestigious ARIAS Award.

With the tour starting at the Komedia, in Brighton, on December 26, 2022 and finishing on May 27th at G-Live in Guildford, extra shows include additions Nottingham’s Playhouse, Salford’s Lowry, London’s Leicester Square Theatre, Leeds’ City Varieties, the Oran Mor in Glasgow, the Tyne Oran Mor Theatre & Opera House in Newcastle and the Corn Exchange in Cambridge.

Jesy Nelson And Zion Foster ‘A Thing’ Following Romance In Jamaica?

JESY NELSON IS said to be getting close to rapper Zion Foster after the pair spent time together on a romantic trip to Jamaica.

The former Little Mix member, 31, is thought to be keeping her romance with Zion low key by keeping each other out of their social media posts while they were holidaying in the Caribbean. The luxury getaway included the couple jetting off to the five-star Sandals resort in Montego Bay on the north of the island.

The all-inclusive hotel tends to specialise in romantic breaks and honeymoons. It also features Love Nest Suites overlooking the ocean complete with bathtubs on the balcony.

It was reported that a source said: "It's early days and there is definitely no label on things but Jesy and Zion have grown close in recent weeks.

They are taking things at their own pace and playing it all by ear, but they are really enjoying each other's company. Jamaica was

the perfect chance to really get to know each other away from where they could be recognised.

This comes after it has been confirmed that Jesy is working on new music. She revealed that she's set to release brand-new music in the New Year after apparently hosting a 'listening party' with her friends.

The 31-year-old split from her record label over creative differences.

Earlier in the year Jesy parted ways with label Polydor after they failed to agree on new music. After re-working her debut album, Jesy is said to be "overwhelmed" by the positive reaction from her close pals.

Talking about her upcoming music, Jesy told her fans: "Hello my beautiful people, I am back!” she wrote after returning to social media following a break. ‘I decided I needed a bit of a social media break, and it did me the world of good. I have missed you all so much.

Burna Boy, Cardi B And Offset Boost Jamaica As No.1 For Music

Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, has lauded Nigerian international music superstar, Burna Boy, for a stellar performance.

The show attracted thousands of locals and visitors to the island’s capital, Kingston, and also welcomed the heightened exposure for Jamaica brought by American music stars Cardi B and Offset who vacationed on the island recently.

“I applaud African superstar Burna Boy for his fantastic performance at the National Stadium on the weekend, which was certainly a must-see event for many of our locals, and indeed visitors to the island, who flocked Kingston to attend this massive entertainment offering.

Likewise, having Cardi B and Offset here was another big plus too,” said Jamaica Tourism Minister Bartlett.

“Entertainment remains an important value-added product which we will continue to utilise

strategically within the tourism industry to enhance the sector’s growth. In fact, it is one of the passion points of our visitors and one of the many reasons why persons travel to Jamaica yearly. We therefore look forward to many more private sector led events in the near future, which

will continue to positively impact our tourism sector and the many small and medium entrepreneurs who benefit from them,” he added.

The GRAMMY-winning Burna Boy announced his Love, Damini Summer 2022 Tour shortly after his record-break-

ing, sold-out debut at Madison Square Garden. On December 18, at the National Stadium in Kingston, Jamaica, the Caribbean portion of the tour came to an end with performances by Popcaan, Toni-Ann Singh, and Lila Ike.

JANUARY Gig Listings

Magic of Motown (SH)

Viennese New Year with the CBSO (SH)

Mahler's First Symphony (SH)

Queen Extravaganza (SH)

Organ Concert with Thomas Trotter (TH)

B:Classical 2022/23: Julian Bliss Septet - The Genius of Gershwin (TH)

19 CBSO plays Tchaikovsky's Violin Concerto (SH)

19-20 The Classic Rock Show (TH)

20 Classic FM Hall of Fame 2023 with the CBSO (SH)

22 Black Dyke Band in Concert (SH)

25 CBSO plays Beethoven's Emperor Concerto (SH)

25 Kayhan Kalhor & Erdal Erzincan (TH)

26-27 Stewart Lee: Basic Lee (SH)

27 B:Classical 2022/23: The King's Singers - Northern Lights (TH)

28 The Conman, The Dictator & The Modernist (TH)

28 TALON: The 25th Anniversary Tour (SH)

29 CBSO Sounds New (SH)

30 Lunchtime Organ Concert with Thomas Trotter (TH)

Birmingham Rep Honoured With MINILAND Model

BIRMINGHAM

Cast members from Nativity! The Musical, which is currently playing to sold-out audiences at the theatre, helped to unveil the new model as it was added to the famous MINILAND®. The mini-Rep is made from over 700 bricks and took three weeks to make. Built from over 1.5 million bricks, the MINILAND features famous iconic buildings and locations from across Birmingham and beyond including the Rotunda, Selfridges and The Library of Birmingham.

Michelle Thompson, the LEGOLAND Discovery Centre Birmingham’s Master Model Builder said: “It was an honour to build The Rep theatre to go into our

MINILAND at the LEGOLAND Discovery Centre in Birmingham. It’s an iconic building and a part of Birmingham’s history, so it made sense to feature it here. And what better way to honour it than to have the cast of the Nativity here to see it take its place next to the library, just in time for Christmas!”

Head of Communications at The Rep, Ben Wooldridge, said: “The Rep is the oldest building-based theatre company in the country, with its roots firmly based here in Brum. Much like LEGOLAND Discovery Centre’s MINILAND, we build and create with imagination at the heart of everything we do, right here in the city centre. It is an honour to recognise The Rep’s place in the city by becoming the first Birmingham theatre to be featured in the spectacular MINILAND cityscape.”

HIPPODROME RAISE OVER £32K TO GIVE THE NEXT GENERATION A YEAR OF CREATIVITY

Birmingham Hippodrome has raised a record-breaking £32,000 with Gift Aid as part of The Big Give Christmas Challenge 2022, a match funding campaign that doubled all online donations between Tuesday 29 November and Tuesday 6 December.

An ambitious target of £30,000 was set to help enrich the lives of 5,000 disadvantaged young people through theatre. The target was beaten with over 24 hours to go and an additional £2,300 was raised; this will enable the venue to provide even more young people with a year of creativity in 2023.

The donations raised will enable the Hippodrome Education Network (HEN) to lead weekly workshops in schools throughout the academic year and help support the next generation of artists, producers and directors by offering career development paths. The funding will also enable young people from areas of low-social economic engagement to see a world-class production at the theatre for the first time, experience backstage tours and performance at festivals and events on the Hip-

l HEN school showcase at Birmingham Hippodrome

podrome stages.

Judith Greenburgh, Head of Fundraising and Development at Birmingham Hippodrome said: “Thank you to everyone who has donated to our festive fundraiser and helped us raise our largest amount to date. Your money will

introduce over 5,000 young people to a wide range of transformative opportunities and give them unforgettable experiences, including seeing a show on our stage for the first time.

“We’re incredibly grateful for everyone’s generosity and look

forward to continuing our important work with young people across the West Midlands next year.” For more information about Birmingham Hippodrome’s HEN network, visit: Birmingham Hippodrome website.

Rep became the only city-centre theatre to be honoured with a MINILAND® model at Birmingham’s LEGOLAND Discovery Centre.

l The cast of Nativity! The Musical at Lego Discovery Centre

HSBC CLOSING 114 OF ITS BRANCHES WITH MORE PEOPLE BANKING ONLINE

HSBC says it will close 114 more branches in the UK from April, as customers using them have fallen significantly since the pandemic. The bank said it would try to redeploy affected staff but that about 100 would lose their jobs.

Banks have closed hundreds of branches in recent years as more people bank online and lenders cut costs. HSBC said it will invest tens of millions updating and improving its remaining 327 UK branches.

Jackie Uhi, managing director of UK distribution, said: "People are changing the way they bank and footfall in many branches is at an all-time low, with no signs of it returning. Banking remotely is becoming the norm for the vast majority of us."

She said the decision to close a branch was never easy or taken lightly, especially if it was the last branch in an area. She said HSBC was investing heavily in post-closure measures, such as providing free tablet devices to help some branch customers bank digitally, alongside coaching to help them migrate to digital banking.

The fresh closures come after

HSBC said in March that it planned to shut 69 branches by this autumn.

It said footfall in three quarters of the branches set to close had halved over the past five years.

The trend has sped up since the pandemic, with some HSBC branches serving fewer than 250 people per week, it added. By contrast, it said more than nine in 10 transactions are now done digitally.

The shift to online banking has seen High Street banks and building societies close more than 5,200 branches since 2015, according to figures from the Which? consumer group. Of these:

• Natwest, which owns RBS and Ulster Bank, has closed more than 1,200.

• Lloyds Banking Group, which owns Halifax and Bank of Scotland, has closed more than 850, with plans to close more than 70 more in 2023.

• Barclays is the individual bank that has shrunk the most, closing more than 960 branches.

It has left some communities without access to bank branches, while many cash machines have also shut.

It has disproportionately affected the elderly and those without ac-

cess to the internet, as well as small businesses that bank in cash.

Tobias Gruber, chief executive of loan broker My Community Finance, said banks should take the money they save through closing branches to improve digital and telephone banking.

"It's unacceptable for bank customers to wait up to 30 minutes to speak to someone [by telephone]

when it's their only choice because their local branch has vanished," he said.

While Post Offices are one alternative for paying-in cash and cheques, he said the move by HSBC will leave rural customers and those unable to use internet banking even more "frustrated, stuck and unable to access their money".

Casthouse Specialist Partner With Aston University To Develop Energy-Efficient Recycling Systems

ASTON UNIVERSITY has teamed up with Midlands-based casthouse technology specialists through a Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) to develop a suite of energy-efficient aluminium recycling systems that are expected to reduce energy consumption by up to 50%.

This new partnership with Mechaterm International Ltd follows the successful completion of the company’s first collaboration with Aston University which resulted in a more intelligent design process for furnaces and ancillary equipment for the global aluminium industry using complex design automation techniques and algorithms.

A KTP is a three-way collab-

oration between a business, an academic partner and a highly qualified researcher, known as a KTP associate. Mechatherm International Limited is a leading provider of bespoke casthouse equipment to the aluminium industry.

Due to increasing energy costs, aluminium production from ore is becoming less commercially viable, leading to many producers cutting back on primary aluminium production. This partnership will enable Mechatherm to gain critical knowledge in thermal management processes to develop and take to market a range of cost-efficient solutions which improve energy efficiency through waste heat utilisation.

Chancellor Responds

To December Labour Market Statistics

THE CHANCELLOR of the Exchequer responded to ONS December labour market statistics is below. Chancellor, Jeremy Hunt, said: “While unemployment in the UK remains close to historic lows, high inflation continues to plague economies around the world as we manage the impacts of Covid-19 and Putin’s invasion of Ukraine.

“To get the British economy back on track, we have a plan which will help to more than halve inflation next year - but that requires some difficult decisions now. Any action that risks embedding high prices into our economy will only prolong the pain for everyone and stunt any prospect of long-term economic growth. With job vacancies at near record highs, we are committed to helping people back into work, and helping those in employment to raise their incomes, progress in work, and become financially independent.”

DUDLEY BACK LOCAL TRADERS ON SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY

Dudley’s independent traders enjoyed their moment in the spotlight as the borough marks Small Business Saturday.

Residents were urged to show their support for local small businesses on the tenth anniversary of the national event, which celebrates the vital contribution of small and medium-sized enterprises to the UK economy. Local firms sent promotional marketing packs to advertise Small Business Saturday throughout the borough, while Black Country Radio was live in Dudley and Brierley Hill to

interview traders.

Councillor Simon Phipps, cabinet member for regeneration and enterprise, said: “Small Business Saturday was the first big Christmas shopping day for a lot of people, so it was the perfect time to support local businesses in Dudley.

“Our borough has a really eclectic mix of small retailers and independent shops, and residents appreciated the character that these businesses bring to our town centres and discovered something new. I took a trip down to my local town centre in Halesowen using

the two hours free car parking we provide to shoppers, and I was encouraged as many local residents did the same in their local towns too”.

Local firms were sent promotional marketing packs to advertise Small Business Saturday throughout the borough, while Black Country Radio was live in Dudley and Brierley Hill on Saturday to interview traders. This year’s Small Business Saturday coincided with two of the borough’s Christmas lights switch-on spectaculars.

l Martyn Williams-owner of Café Grande

COUNCIL SAYS THANKS TO CITY'S LONG SERVING FOSTER CARERS

Wolverhampton thanked dozens of dedicated foster parents for their vital work looking after vulnerable children and young people in the city.

The city council's ‘Fostering for Wolverhampton’ team recognised the service of their foster parents at the ‘For the Love of Fostering’ awards evening at Molineux Stadium.

Over 180 people attended the event, to celebrate the foster parents and recognising those earning long-service awards.

Elaine Perks was commended for completing 10 years’ service and awards for 15 years' service were presented to Susan and Bill Collette, Denise and Stephen Sharp, Karen and Christopher Young and Dawn James.

Awards for 20 years’ service were handed to Linda Bristow while Taru and Parveen Bal, Cheryl Jackson and Kathleen Smith were commended for 30 years’ service. Meanwhile, Kathleen and Roy Shayler were thanked for an incredible 50 years’ service as foster parents for Wolverhampton.

There was also a special thankyou and commendations for the city’s retiring foster carers Dawn

Duggan, Michelle and Anthony Bucknall, Pauline Wiggan, Lisa and Philip Mann, Kathleen Smith and Cheryl Jackson. The evening was opened by the Mayor of Wolverhampton, Councillor Sandra Samuels OBE, and awards were presented by the council’s Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, Councillor Beverley Momenabadi.

Cabinet member for Children and Young People, Councillor Beverley Momenabadi said: "We are very lucky to have so many highly committed and dedicated residents who provide the best care for our most vulnerable children and young people, but we have more youngsters who are looking for a permanent foster home.

"I would urge anyone who has considered fostering to speak to our Fostering for Wolverhampton team to find out more about this life changing role.”

Fostering for Wolverhampton seek foster parents from a wide range of backgrounds, professions, and ethnic groups. The process can take as little as 16 weeks and all foster parents will receive

specialist support and training as well as a regular, tax exempt fee and allowance.

Around the clock help and support is available for foster carers, with a ‘buddy system’ in place from experienced foster parents to help newcomers along their fostering journey.

Benin Bronzes And Other Stolen Objects On Show At London Museum To Return To Nigeria

A MUSEUM in the UK is set to return the Benin Bronzes, and 71 other items, to its owner, Nigeria.

The unconditional transfer of ownership taking place in front of the African country’s royal household and other dignitaries. The decision by the Horniman Museum, in London, comes as pressure rises on other museums and galleries over the question of restitution.

The Benin Bronze and other artworks were forcibly removed during a large-scale British military expedition, in 1897. London's British Museum has 900 items from the Kingdom of Benin. Nigeria's National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM) has issued formal repatriation requests to museums across the world.

Nick Merriman, director of the Horniman Museum, said that there was a moral argument for their return. He said: "I think we're seeing a tipping point around not just restitution and repatriation, but museums acknowledging their colonial history. This move would lead to a fuller account of how collections have arrived in British museums”.

ADOPTION & FOSTERING

SINGLE MAN ADOPTS FIVE SIBLINGS TO MAKE SURE THEY STAY TOGETHER

Asingle man from Ohio, in the USA, has adopted five children from the same family because he did not want them to be separated.

Robert Carter, 29, was 12-years-old when he was placed in a foster home and split from his eight siblings. After realising the emotional trauma that it caused him, he became a foster parent himself.

He fostered three brothers in December 2018, before being told the siblings had been separated from their two sisters. He contacted the girls’ foster parents so the siblings could be reunited.

“The kids saw each other and started hugging and crying and wouldn't let go,” Carter said. “That was the moment I said; ‘okay I'm going to take all five’. I know the pain of being separated too well and I could not let that happen to them.”

Carter then adopted all five children as his own, ensuring that they will never be separated from one another again. Now, he is the father of 10-year-old Marionna, Robert Jr., nine, Makayla, eight, Giovanni, five, and Kiontae, four,

after he adopted them on 30 October.

He said that some people expressed concern that he was too young or that he would find bringing up five children difficult. But he insists that he is enjoying every moment of it.

“A lot of people think it’s hard if you’re by yourself or don’t have a house, but it’s a lot easier than people think and kids need parents whether it’s two or one,” he said.

“After it was finalised, I just cried because it was over, and I didn’t have to worry about if they were going to be moved or would have to suffer anymore.”

The Carter family is now looking to buy a home and a GoFundMe has been set up to help them raise funds.

Robert said: “I can't even explain how unbelievable it is, just to have support and people sharing our story to bring awareness to the fact that we still have so many kids that need homes. I’m just happy that I’m able to help encourage people to step up as foster and adoptive parents so we can get these kids into great hands.”

Adopted

TWO ADOPTED BROTHERS and their school friends donated their Christmas presents to children in need in Wolverhampton –all in memory of their close friend who sadly passed away this year.

The boys - seven and four and both adopted via Adoption@ Heart agency for the Black Country, came up with the idea after hearing about how many children would normally go without presents over the festive period. Having recently lost their close friend Raheel, the boys and their school friends wanted to donate the gifts in his memory

“We are lucky as we have so many toys”, they said, “and we wanted to make other children smile too, especially at Christmas.”

The boys’ mother added: “The boys and their friends decided to donate their presents also in the memory of their best friend, Raheel, and decided to call their donations ‘Raheel’s Christmas Wish’ to honour his memory."

She added: “Being blessed with everything we have, we wanted to be able to support such families who have not been so fortunate.

Equally, we all wanted to install these values with our boys. To be grateful for what they have, to be charitable, to look after those more in need and to share.”

Woman’s Lifelong Dream Of Becoming A Mum Comes True

A WOMAN WHO has suffered more than 300 broken bones had her lifelong dream come true right before Christmas.

Hayley Finch was diagnosed with OI (osteogenesis imperfecta), a genetic bone disorder commonly known as brittle bone disease, before she was born and has suffered more than 300 broken bones due to her skeleton being softer than it should be. While she decided to never have children of her own to prevent passing on her condition, she still dreamed of becoming a mum.

Her own parents fostered childrenand in March 2020 Hayley decided to become a foster-to-adopt carer. Before

she knew it, she was fostering Sheila* with her parents after she was placed in foster care at just seven weeks old.

"My parents have been fostering for 10 years now”, Hayley said. “When they first started, I was still living at home, so I saw first-hand what fostering was like. Six years ago we decided as a family, to adopt one little boy, Richard*, who is now my youngest brother.

"Sheila was placed in foster care with my parents at 7 weeks old and an amazing bond developed between us all. I approached her social worker and asked if I could be considered to adopt her. This would allow continuity for her (Sheila) as my family’s the only family

she’d ever known.

"Foster to adopt places children with foster carers who have been approved to adopt. I became a foster carer and Sheila came to live with me as a foster child in November 2021, while I went through the adoption process to make everything permanent and provide continuity and stability for her.

"The most important day of my life was when I was approved as an adoptive parent and matched with Sheila – I was so overjoyed, nervous and excited about the prospect of Sheila being with me forever. It was the best day ever."

*The childrens' names have been changed for safeguarding reasons.

How

Brothers Made Festive Donation To Children In Friend’s Memory

Mencap Launches New GP Resources For Black, Asian And Minority Ethnic People With Learning Disabilities

MENCAP, the UK’s learning disability charity, has launched its new ‘easy read’ GP Learning Disability Register resources which are designed to support people with a learning disability from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities.

The GP Learning Disability Register is an essential document for the health and wellbeing of the 1.2 million people with a learning disability in England.

It helps doctors and healthcare staff to understand the support needs of people with a learning disability – a group of people who routinely face huge inequalities every day of their lives, particularly when accessing healthcare services.

Mencap has worked with four different advocacy organisations; Bradford People First, Grace Eyre based in Hove, Midland Mencap and Roch-

dale Gateway Leisure, to create unique resources which focus on what the GP Learning Disability Register is, the benefits of joining and the range of extra support available, including reasonable adjustments that people with a learning disability or their families and carers can ask of healthcare professionals.

Data from the recent Learning from Lives and Deaths - people with a learning disability and autistic people (LeDeR) report, would suggest that those missing from the register include a high number from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic backgrounds.

The report also found that people with a learning disability of Black, Black British, African or Caribbean, mixed ethnic group and Asian or Asian British ethnicity died at a younger age in comparison to people of white ethnicity.

AIRBNB URGED TO REQUIRE CARBON MONOXIDE DEVICES AFTER THREE DIE IN MEXICO

Family members of three tourists who died while staying at an Airbnb in Mexico City, apparently of carbon monoxide poisoning, urged the short-term rental company Thursday to require detectors in properties it lists to prevent future tragedies.

“Our main goal is to try to get the word out to those planning to use short-term rentals like Airbnb,” said Jennifer Marshall, whose son, Jordan Marshall, was one of the travellers. “We want to put pressure on Airbnb to regulate and mandate carbon monoxide detectors going forward. It’s the only way we could think of to honour our children.”

Lawyer L. Chris Stewart of the Atlanta-based firm Stewart Miller Simmons Trial Attorneys also said a wrongful death lawsuit is

planned against Airbnb and others as a result of the incident. “We’re asking Airbnb to mandate that all of their listings have detectors,” he said.

“They’ve created international

and national bans on parties, on weapons, on cameras. They could easily mandate carbon monoxide detectors too. They know they’ve been killing people in their rentals. We know of at least three other

cases.”

Stewart said however that they are awaiting information from investigators in Mexico to determine “all the defendants” before filing the suit. The three travellers who died last month were Kandace Florence, 28, of Virginia Beach, Virginia; her long-time friend, Jordan Marshall, 28, who was also from Virginia Beach but was teaching in New Orleans; and Courtez Hall, 33, of New Orleans, who also taught in the city.

They visited the country for Day of the Dead and were staying at the vacation rental in an upscale part of Mexico City.

According to news reports, Florence contacted her boyfriend back in the States to say she was feeling sick, and he contacted her Airbnb host to go check on them. Authorities later found all three dead. In a statement, Airbnb said it has suspended the listing and cancelled upcoming reservations pending investigation of the incident.

“This is a terrible tragedy, and our thoughts are with the families and loved ones as they grieve such an unimaginable loss”, the company said. “Our priority right now is supporting those impacted as the authorities investigate what happened, and we stand ready to assist with their inquiries however we can.”

ROH Named The Most Inclusive NHS Employer For The Second Year Running

BIRMINGHAM’S ROYAL Orthopaedic Hospital (ROH) has been named the most inclusive NHS employer for the second year in a row, taking 7th place in the Top 50 list at the Inclusive Awards.

Compiled by Inclusive Companies, the list acknowledges and ranks businesses which are most consistent throughout the whole tenure of their organisations and encompass all types of diversity.

Now in its seventh year, it has become the definitive cross-industry index harnessing both best practice and innovation with the goal of driving inclusion for all.

The Inclusive Companies top 50 league table shines a light on the most inclusive employers in the UK across all strands of diversity – age, disability, race, faith, gender, LGBT and religion.

Sharon Malhi, Chief People Officer at the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital, said: “I am so grateful to everyone who has helped us improve our listing from last year and colleagues who help make the ROH inclusive for our staff and patients.

“Our staff survey results indicate that the Trust is the among the highest performing Trusts across

several categories, with higher-than-average response rates and notably higher rates of morale, job satisfaction and engagement. Importantly, the team feel listened to and empowered to speak upwhich is a critical part of building an open and progressive, inclusive culture.”

Feedback from Inclusive companies shone a light on leadership and engagement and reiterated staff survey results: “Results from the staff survey show great impact from leadership in driving change, and also the engagement from employees. ROH have demonstrated improvement from previous year’s and given more information to align with this.

“They clearly showcase leadership dedication and impact. The community outreach work is impressive and the focus on disability is impactful. Great to see the relationships with diversity focused partnership organisations.”

Founder and CEO of Inclusive Companies, Paul Sesay, is very clear in the intent of the Inclusive Top 50 UK Employers, saying, “The independent advisory panel of Diversity & Inclusion experts review and analyse each and every submission.

NEW ALZHEIMER’S DRUG HAILED AS A MOMENTOUS BREAKTHROUGH

The first drug to slow the destruction of the brain in Alzheimer's has been heralded as momentous. The research breakthrough ends decades of failure and shows a new era of drugs to treat Alzheimer's - the most common form of dementia - is possible.

Yet the medicine, lecanemab, has only a small effect and its impact on people's daily lives is debated. And the drug works in the early stages of the disease, so most would miss out without a revolution in spotting it.

Lecanemab attacks the sticky gunge - called beta amyloid - that builds up in the brains of people with Alzheimer's. For a medical field littered with duds, despair and disappointment, some see these trial results as a triumphant turning point.

Alzheimer's Research UK said the findings were momentous. One of the world's leading researchers behind the whole idea of targeting amyloid 30 years

ago, Prof John Hardy, said it was historic and was optimistic of seeing the beginning of Alzheimer's therapies.

Professor Tara Spires-Jones, from the University of Edinburgh, said that the results were a big deal as they've had a 100% failure rate for a long time. Currently, people with Alzheimer's are given other drugs to help manage their symptoms, but none change the course of the disease.

Lecanemab is an antibodylike those the body makes to attack viruses or bacteria - that has been engineered to tell the immune system to clear amyloid from the brain. Amyloid is a protein that clumps together in the spaces between neurons in the brain and forms distinctive plaques that are one of the hallmarks of Alzheimer's.

The large-scale trial involved 1,795 volunteers with early-stage Alzheimer's. Infusions of lecanemab were given every fortnight. The results, presented

at the Clinical Trials on Alzheimer's Disease conference in San Francisco and published in the New England Journal of Medicine, are not a miracle cure.

The disease continued to rob people of their brain power, but that decline was slowed by around a quarter over the course of the 18 months of treatment.

The data is already being assessed by regulators in the US who will soon decide whether lecanemab can be approved for wider use. The developers - the pharmaceutical companies Eisai and Biogen - plan to begin the approval process in other countries next year.

There are more than 55 million people in the world like David and the numbers with Alzheimer's disease are projected to exceed 139 million by 2050. There is debate among scientists and doctors about the real-world impact of lecanemab.

The slower decline with the drug was noticed using ratings of a person's symptoms. It's an

18-point scale, ranging from normal through to severe dementia. Those getting the drug were 0.45 points better off.

Prof Spires-Jones said that was a "small effect" on the disease, but "even though it is not dramatic, I would take it". Dr Susan Kohlhaas, from Alzheimer's Research UK, said: “This was a modest effect... but it gives us a little bit of a foothold, and the next generation of drugs would be better”.

There are also risks. Brain scans showed a risk of brain bleeds (17% of participants) and brain swelling (13%). Overall, 7% of people given the drug had to stop because of side effects.

A crucial question is what happens after the 18 months of the trial, and the answers are still speculation.

Dr Elizabeth Coulthard, who treats patients at North Bristol NHS Trust, says that people have, on average, six years of living independently once mild cognitive impairment starts.

Cayman Islands Hospital Offers Hope For Hypertensive Patients

Dr. Ravi Kishore, Chief Interventional Cardiologist and Electrophysiologist at Health City Cayman Islands, says there is hope for cardiac patients who do not respond to conventional hypertension therapy.

According to the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA), hypertension is the leading risk factor for cardiovascular diseases worldwide, and the non-Latin Caribbean has the highest mortality rate due to cardiovascular disease, accounting for 418 deaths per 100,000 persons. Worldwide, hypertension affects 1.2 billion people and can lead to an increased risk of stroke, heart attacks, heart failure, kidney disease, and death.

Hypertension may result from overactive nerves that cause higher sympathetic activity. The Medtronic Renal Denervation system ablates these nerves to reduce sympathetic activity in the arteries of the kidneys (renal arteries) leading to a reduction in blood pressure.

Dr. Kishore confirmed that this technique allows a true thickness burn and cooling of the sympathetic nerves around the renal arteries: “This procedure is performed to prevent an increased excretion of the substances leading to hypertension and forms the basis for successful outcomes.”

Extensive clinical data confirms excellent results in reducing blood pressure 24 hours a day without any negative impact on kidney function. Dr. Kishore, whose career spans over two decades, has performed more than 17,000 procedures.

DEDICATED AIR AMBULANCE PILOT WINS PRESTIGIOUS AWARD AFTER RETIREMENT

The Psychology Behind Making New Year’s Resolutions Stick

MAKING THOSE all-important New Year’s resolutions is easy – but sticking to them can be a different story. Whether it’s embarking on a new career goal, changing a behaviour, or setting out to achieve an exciting new challenge, resolving to make changes at the start of the New Year is simple, but there can be lots of reasons why our good intentions don’t last beyond January.

Chartered psychologists from the British Psychological Society share top tips to help people to achieve their goals in 2023:

Tip 1: Don’t make resolutions

“Know your goals and what you need to do to achieve them instead,” says chartered psychologist Dr Audrey Tang. “When there’s a ‘rule’, we often don’t stick to it, or we try to bend it. This can feel like cheating and that’s when we start giving up. It’s healthier to see what we want to achieve as an evolution or growth, rather than rejecting what’s gone before.

Tip 2: Understand why the change is important to you

Adedicated and passionate pilot, who spent 18 years flying the lifesaving aircrew of Midlands Air Ambulance Charity to some of the most critical incidents across the region, has won a prestigious national award.

Captain Matt Wood from Stafford was nominated, shortlisted and named winner for the Pilot of the Year Award at this year’s

Air Ambulances UK (AAUK) Awards of Excellence.

In addition to demonstrating exemplary airmanship, Captain Wood, who worked for Babcock Mission Critical Services until he retired in October, was recognised for his unfaltering support of Midlands Air Ambulance Charity, the aircrew he worked with and ultimately, his role in giving patients the very best chance of survival and good

recovery.

Hanna Sebright, chief executive officer for Midlands Air Ambulance Charity, said: "Captain Wood worked with us for 18 years, the last decade of which he was based at our Tatenhill airbase in Staffordshire.

"He undertook more than 2,300 vitally important air ambulance missions during that time.

“While he has recently retired, he'll always be part of the Mid-

lands Air Ambulance team. We could not be prouder of Captain Wood for winning the Pilot of the Year accolade

You can find out more about the lifesaving work of Midlands Air Ambulance Charity by visiting midlandsairambulance.com and follow the organisation on social media for all the latest updates.

“Sticking to your New Year's resolutions requires you to be really clear about why this change in behaviour is important to you,” says chartered psychologist Dr Tamara Russell. “To keep on track, we need to be really clear about our intentions and do small things every day to firm these up.”

Tip 3: Stack your goals

Make it easier for your brain to adapt to healthy change by focusing on goals at the same time and incorporating them into your desired behaviour. “If the resolutions are to get fitter, eat healthily and have more family time, stack your goals by cooking healthy meals together, or going out on a family walk,” says Dr Audrey Tang.

at this year’s Air Ambulances UK Awards of Excellence."

Homebuilding & Renovating Show's 2023 Predictions

THE HOMEBUILDING & Renovating Show experts gave their predictions and advice for 2023, with Paul Testa, designer of low-energy homes and director of HEM Architects, saying: "I'm predicting that 2023 will finally be the year that mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery (MVHR) is established as a key element in self-build and retrofit projects.

“It's the most convincing way to maintain excellent air-quality without increasing heat demand in the home. In the Covid world the need for good air-quality has become much more accepted and a healthy home is even more desirable than ever. The idea that we can do this by opening windows and losing the expensive heat is no longer acceptable."

Eco expert and director of Heat and Energy Ltd, David Hilton, said: “People have been experiencing the biggest energy price hikes in their lifetime and many are simply panicking.

GOVERNMENT EXTENDS MORTGAGE GUARANTEE SCHEME BY A YEAR

The Mortgage Guarantee Scheme will be extended by a year to the end of December 2023, helping people with 5% deposits on to the property ladder.

Under the scheme the government offers lenders the financial guarantees they need to provide mortgages that cover the other 95%, subject to the usual affordability checks, on a house worth up to £600,000.

Launched in April 2021, the scheme has already helped over 24,000 households. It was originally planned to close at the end of this year but will now be extended until the end of 2023.

Chief Secretary to the Treasury, John Glen MP said: “For

hard-working families facing today’s challenging economic conditions, it’s right that we continue to help them secure their first home or move into their dream house. Extending this scheme means thousands more have the chance to benefit and supports the market as we navigate through these difficult times.”

Since 2010, more than 687,000 households have been helped into home ownership through government schemes. First time buyers often find it hard to save for a large deposit, and the mortgage guarantee has helped over 24,000 households (as of November 2022) overcome this barrier and secure the keys to a new home with a deposit as small as 5%.

As well as first time buyers and current homeowners, the scheme has also helped support the wider housing sector. Lenders reduced the availability of high LTV products during the Covid-19 pandemic, with just eight 95% LTV products available in January 2021. The government’s Mortgage Guarantee Scheme helped restore competition and consumer choice to the market, which has benefited businesses and boosted the market.

Talented Schoolchildren

Crowned In Housebuilder’s Building Buddies Award

Leading Oxfordshire developer David Wilson Homes crowned the first two winners of its specially designed award programme at a school in Abingdon.

The developer’s Building Buddies Award aims to get children interested in the industry and raise awareness of the variety of roles available in construction.

The award scheme is currently being hosted at Dunmore Primary School, located close to the housebuilder’s Kings Gate and Abbey Fields developments. The scheme is comprised of four tasks which take place throughout the academic year, and teaches young children about planning and land, sales and marketing, technical and design, and site safety respectively.

The developer recently selected the winners of the first

two tasks, with each winner securing a £25 voucher for their excellent projects. For task one, the pupils each created their own fictitious housing development by coming up with a name and designing a logo for it.

Teagan Cole was named the winner by the developer. The winner of task two was Chengqi Zhang, who amongst the other pupils completed a writing task which focused on marketing the unique selling points of their invented developments.

Sam Bartholomew, Headteacher at Dunmore Primary School, said: "The children have really enjoyed taking part in the Building Buddies project. I have been impressed with their brilliant ideas for eco-friendly houses, complete with wildlife gardens.

l Pupils Chengqi Zhang and Teagan Cole pictured with their winning entries

HOW KWANZAA WAS, AND IS, CELEBRATED

Affirming African family, tradition, and social values, the annual Kwanzaa holiday - celebrated primarily in the United States from December 26 to January 1 - was celebrated around the world, with massive, and ever-growing popular in Canada and the Caribbean.

Coming from the Swahili phrase “matunda ya kwanza” or “first fruits,” Kwanzaa, was created in 1966 by Professor Maulana Karenga of Africana studies at California State University in Long Beach, who chose Swahili as the holiday’s language because it’s not defined by any particular African region or tribe.

Each day of the celebrations is dedicated to the seven principles known as ‘Nguzo Saba’.

During this time, families and communities gathered as a way to honour their ancestors while celebrating African culture. According to the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History & Culture. This was done by 7 candles being lit to represent and discuss the following seven principles:

• Umoja (Unity)

• Kujichagulia (Self-Determination)

• Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility)

• Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics)

• Nia (Purpose)

• Kuumba (Creativity)

• Imani (Faith)

A table was decorated with the symbols of Kwanzaa, such as the kinara (candle holder), mkeka (mat), muhindi (corn to represent the children), mazao (fruit to represent the harvest), and zawadi (gifts). The kinara holds seven candles-- one black, three red, and three green, which represent the people, the struggle, and the future.

On Dec. 31, family and friends got together for the community feast called the karamu, with participants wearing traditional African clothing during the celebration.

While the last day of Kwanzaa focuses on giving gifts, they are typically homemade and often based on African values and culture.

While this holiday is based on African principles, everyone was able to celebrate!

Pope Orders The Return Of Parthenon To Greece

POPE FRANCIS has ordered the return of three 2,500-yearold pieces of the Parthenon to Greece. That have been in the papal collections of the Vatican Museums for two centuries.

In a statement the Vatican said that the Pope was giving them to Archbishop Ieronymos II, the head of the Greek Orthodox Church and Greece’s spiritual leader, as a donation” and “a concrete sign of his sincere desire to follow in the ecumenical path of truth.

The Parthenon, which is on the Acropolis in Athens, was completed in the fifth century BC as a temple to the goddess Athena, and its decorative friezes contain some of the greatest examples of ancient Greek sculpture. The Vatican’s three fragments include a head of a horse, a head of a boy – which loaned to Greece for a year in 2008 - and a bearded male head, which have been held by the Vatican since the 19th century.

The decision to return the sculptures to the Greek Orthodox Church - and directly to the Greek state - is widely seen as a way for the Vatican to avoiding setting a precedent that could affect other treasures in its museums. It comes as many First Nations groups and colonised countries around the world have

been demanding that western museums should return artifacts and artworks looted during colonisation.

The Greek Ministry of Culture and Sports said he was extremely grateful for the Pope’s decision and hoped that the move would put pressure on the British Museum. Welcoming the decision. Ieronymos said that he had no immediate plans for the sculptures.

The Vatican’s decision, which is expected to still take some time to execute, is likely to add further pressure on the British Museum, which has refused to return its larger collection of Parthenon sculptures, also known as the Elgin Marbles, which has been a

centrepiece of the museum since 1816.

For decades, Greece has appealed to Britain to permanently return the 2,500-year-old sculptures, which British diplomat Lord Elgin removed from the Parthenon temple in the early 19th century while ambassador to the Ottoman Empire, Greece’s then-ruler. The British Museum has repeatedly ruled out returning the marbles, which include about half of the 160-metre frieze that adorned the Parthenon, and insists they were legally acquired.

The United Nations’ cultural agency Unesco has urged Greece and Britain to reach a settlement.

Christianity To Soon Not Be Major Religion In The Us –Study Reveals

THE UNITED STATES has, for so long, has been seen as the home to more Christians than any other country in the world. But now it seems that, according to research undertaken by the Pew Research Centre, a nonpartisan think tank based in Washington, D.C., by 2070.

The research noted that followers of non-Christian religions (e.g., Jews, Muslims, Hindus and Buddhists), would doubling their current share, to represent 12 to 13 per cent of the population. The projections, which used the country’s current religious composition as the jumping off point, were made by considering religious differences by age and sex, birth rates, migration patterns and rates of religious switching.

The report defined; “Switching, which in some cases could be described as religious conversion, is defined in this report as a change between the religion in which a person was raised, in childhood, and their present religious identity as adults.” Factors (not included in the study) that they note could significantly influence the religious composition of the country and perhaps even trigger a Christian revival in the coming decades,

Holiday and Travel

PUERTO RICO REPORTS RECORD-SETTING TOURISM RESULTS

Despite the impact of Hurricane Fiona this Fall, Puerto Rico’s tourism industry is on track to close the year with new records in visitation, visitor spending and jobs – signalling one of the best years in the history of this economic sector and solidifying the Territory’s recovery from the difficulties of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Tourism continues to lead the economic resurgence of Puerto Rico, and together, we’re setting records along the way,” said Brad

Dean, CEO of Discover Puerto Rico. “Visitation, spending, and employment continue to reach or exceed 2021 levels, which ... was our best year ever in Puerto Rico tourism. In comparison to other Caribbean islands and states in the U.S. mainland, Puerto Rico continues to outperform our peers,” he added.

The milestones were reached due to the savvy marketing approach taken by Discover Puerto Rico’s dedicated teams coupled with the investment of $50 million in American Rescue Plan

Act (ARPA) funds that have been integrated into efforts to promote Puerto Rico as a tourism destination.

Alisha Valentine, Discover Puerto Rico’s Director of Research and Analytics, revealed that 2022 is estimated to close with a seven percent increase in overall visitation compared to 2019, when the cruise industry attracted one of every three visitors to Puerto Rico. When compared with 2021, the increase is 10 percent. Between January and October of this year, travellers contrib-

uted $1.345 billion to the island's lodging sector, an increase of about 30 percent.

Labour statistics show that by October 2022 there were 91,200 jobs in the leisure and hospitality sectors, the highest number in Puerto Rico's history. Not only did job opportunities increase, but wages also rose. Demand for labour and worldwide inflation contributed to an increase of 34 percent since last year.

“In just the past three months, we’ve participated in more than 75 trade shows, road shows, and

promotional activations, all designed to position Puerto Rico as the premier leisure, meeting, and event destination in the Caribbean,” said Dean.

“It’s no coincidence that the two best years in the history of Puerto Rico tourism came when we were able to double our budget by investing one-time federal funds in tourism promotion. Unfortunately, those funds will run out after 2023, so you can be certain we are looking at ways to continue the progress that we’ve made together,” he added.

easyJet Announce Further Expansion At Birmingham With New Route To Milan

EASYJET HAS announced a new route from Birmingham to Milan in Italy, with seats on sale at easyJet. com and via the mobile app. The new route will take off from 26 June 2023 with departures up to three times a week on Mondays, Thursdays and Sundays.

Boasting a rich history, Milan attracts historians and culture enthusiasts worldwide with sights including the city’s famous gothic cathedral and La Scala opera house. Milan is also home to some of the greatest masterpieces of Italian art such as Leonardo da Vinci’s The Last Supper which can be viewed at the Santa Maria delle Grazie Church and the city is also well renowned for its shopping and extensive choice of restaurants.

easyJet’s operations in Birmingham have seen continued growth, and the new route to Milan comes following a new service to Lisbon in Portugal which launched in October 2022. The airline now serves customers in Birmingham and surrounding areas across 11 airports in the UK and Europe, connecting to city, ski, and beach destinations via Belfast, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Amsterdam, Geneva, Palma, Malaga, Faro, Nantes, Lisbon – and now Milan.

Tom Screen, aviation director for Birmingham Airport said: "We're thrilled easyJet is adding further connectivity between the second cities of Britain and Italy. I have no doubt these regular Milan Malpensa flights will be well subscribed by customers from both countries."

Blenheim Palace Voted Large Visitor Attraction Of The Year

BLENHEIM PALACE has been named Large Visitor Attraction of the Year 2022 at the Beautiful South Awards for Excellence. The Oxfordshire UNESCO World Heritage Site was awarded the title at the ceremony which took place at the Grand Hotel in Brighton.

The award recognises large visitor attraction businesses providing truly memorable visitor experiences and demonstrating excellence across every aspect of the business. The Awards are run by Tourism South East to recognise and celebrate excellence in the industry.

“We are absolutely thrilled to have received this award from an organi-

sation which represents so many of the UK's leading tourism businesses,” said Heather Carter, Managing Director at Blenheim Palace. It has been an extremely challenging past few years and to be recognised in this way by our peers is a huge boost for the entire team.

“We are always on the lookout for innovative and exciting ways to improve the visitor experience and this award will definitely spur us all on to work even harder next year,” she added. Tourism South East is a partnership organisation providing services and expertise to support the performance and growth of tourism businesses and destinations.

Fran Downton, Chief Executive of Tourism South East, said: “Achieving excellence is not easy, particularly in these past years.

“The strength of our winners is testament to the incredible standards and unwavering quality of these exceptional businesses, despite the challenges. I was blown away by the quality, positivity, and innovation of the tourism businesses we have across the South East,” she added.

Following their success Blenheim Palace will now be entered into the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence 2022/23 which take place in June.

As the Caribbean gets ready for what is expected to be a bumper tourism season

this winter, stakeholders are advised to strengthen efforts to incorporate more young people in the bread-and-butter sector.

Thanks to the efforts of regional tourism organizations such as the Caribbean Tourism Organization, the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association, and the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association; government ministries and departments; and private sector players across the region, more young people are looking at tourism for first choice career opportunities rather than a final course of action.

However, targeted education about tourism’s contribution to the socioeconomic development of the Caribbean is still needed, and continued training is necessary to develop exceptional service standards across every corner of our Caribbean archipelago.

The recent agreement between Sandals Resorts International, Florida International University and The University of the West Indies to jointly establish The Gordon “Butch” Stewart International School of Hospitality and Tourism will no doubt go a long way to meeting these essential education goals.

Similarly, the GEMS Hospitality School, an initiative of the GEMS Foundation in Dominica, affords young people interested in the hospitality sector the opportunity to gain practical skills. A key objective is to develop a generation of young people who are

INCLUDING MORE YOUNG PEOPLE IN TOURISM IS CRITICAL – SAYS CTO

passionate about working in the tourism industry and who understand its importance to Dominica.

Smart tourism leaders understand that the strategic inclusion of youth in the policy sectors can produce strategies to open their destinations to the immense power of youth and student travel, which represents a significant component of international arrivals and generates hundreds

of billions of dollars in tourism receipts worldwide, according to the WYSE Travel Federation.

Young visitors often return with family and friends and, later on, may return with their own families. So not only is youth tourism an excellent way of spreading the tourism benefits across a wider population, but it is also a way of developing long-term arrivals and expenditures.

Barbados’

was on the right track when he recently delivered a clear message about the importance of integrating young people in the sector now to help ensure future success and sustainability.

He was also on point when he called for the development of a mechanism for Caribbean ministries of tourism to work with

youth to develop an innovation lab focused on expanding innovation in tourism through technology, an area in which youth are quite knowledgeable. In the simple yet wise words of Nelson Mandela, former president of South Africa: “The youth of today are the leaders of tomorrow.”

An investment in the next generation, therefore, makes good sense.

Curaçao Looking To Differentiate Its Tourism Product

DESPITE the island’s growing popularity, leaders in Curaçao are not resting on the laurels of the Dutch Antillean nation’s post-pandemic success.

Ruisandro Cijntje, Curaçao’s Minister of Economic Development, said that even as the tourism recovery is going well and investment interest in hotels and attractions is strong, the future success of the destination resides with delivering experiences that are wide and varied.

“I am working on new experiences,” he said, explaining that cultural tourism, which features visitors connecting with the people and history of the destination, is critical.

The Curaçao Tourist Board (CTB), which continues to witness strong performance from its top three main markets, The Netherlands, United States of America and Colombia, recently reported 400,576 stayover visitor arrivals in the first 10 months of 2022, an additional 19,586 stayover visitors compared to the same period in 2019.

l Caribbean Tourism Organization Tourism Youth Congress delegates gathered in the Cayman Islands

Minister of Tourism and International Transport Ian Gooding-Edghill

l Ruisandro Cijntje

UNWTO MAKES STRONG CASE AT WTTC SUMMIT

At the recent World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC)

Global Summit in the Saudi Arabia, UNWTO stressed the vital importance of education and investments as twin factors in ensuring tourism fulfils its enormous potential as a driver of sustainable and inclusive development.

The high-level participation of UNWTO in this leading private sector forum further highlighted the Organization’s unique and natural ability to connect political ambitions and private sector capacity. This year, we brought tourism to the UN General As-

sembly for the first time and we have also put tourism on the G20 agenda

Speaking before the Summit’s two main events, UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili said: “This year, we brought tourism to the UN General Assembly for the first time and we have also put tourism on the G20 agenda”, adding “that is why I am here: UNWTO can be your voice at the global governance level”.

Carrying forward the momentum of key events held during 2022, the Ministers’ Summit at World Travel Market in London, the UNWTO Executive Council meeting in Marrakesh, the

WTTC Summit provided the latest high-level platform for UNWTO to advance its priorities of growing investments in tourism and promoting tourism education and training. As Mr Pololikasvili told participants, skills development is “an investment in the future, to build the tourism sector we need.”

Against the backdrop of the WTTC Summit, UNWTO invited all high-level delegates to return to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in 2023 for the official World Tourism Day celebrations (27 September), to be held around the theme of ‘Green Investments’. The hosting of the international day for the sector

will further advance the Kingdom’s ambition to become a top emerging destination.

The Kingdom is a strong supporter of UNWTO’s mission to make tourism a driver of sustainable and inclusive development. UNWTO opened its first Regional Office for the Middle East in May 2021 in Riyadh. Built in record time and during a pandemic, the office is set to become a regional and global hub of tourism education and training as well as of tourism for rural development.

The Solution Is... Scorelines Matter

by Khori Hyde

What if relationships are supported and managed in the same way as football teams? Would the world be a better place all the time or just seasonally?

Many eons ago Aristotle came up with the notion of the rhetorical triangle – the balanced use of ethos, pathos and logos to win persuasive arguments.

Whether intuitively or consciously, when we choose to support an idea, a product, a team/club, or a relationship (business or otherwise), it is because we have been persuaded that it is of value to us.

The Oxford Dictionary refers to ethos as “the characteristic spirit of a culture, era or community, as manifested in its attitudes and aspirations”.

In the context of persuasive construct, ethos speaks to credibility and ethics. It channels us to choose based on an endorsement from a person of renown influence, such as David Beckham to the 2022 Qatar World Cup, or based on the authenticity that comes from one’s nationality, heritage, or place of residence.

The pathos technique appeals to the emotions – nostalgia, senses, memory, and shared experiences. Choice is inspired by common values, family-ties or inheritance, the feeling of being part of, the camaraderie and supporting the dreams of others.

Shared experiences (whether in triumph or tragedy) with people who are like-minded mean so much more than going it in a silo – that’s the reason people go to the football stadium when better views/angles are shown on television.

Similarly logos appeals to the rational mind through logic and reason. The unmistakable voice of Sports Commentator Peter Drury, in belting out those statistics in such poetic style which elevates expectation, intensifies excitement, and solidifies the place of a player, a team and a game is exceptional.

History is relevant – projections are compiled based on past performance.

Numbers matter: Credit Scores, PER Scores, Account balances, Return on Investment. While the outcome is never certain because there are those who beat the odds and favourites falter, the numbers are watched.

In contemplating how our support is determined by influencers, emotional appeal and historical evidence, mindfulness of purpose/

intent and timeliness of our choices also matter.

Navigating that path of your choice must have its genesis in a desire to achieve the self-actualisation philosophy popularised through Abraham Maslow’s (1943) ‘Hierarchy of Needs’. To note though, a reason based on just a celebrity endorsement could lead to a flip-flop of commitment or as sports fans call it “band waggonist” mentality.

Ardent fans know their team's fixtures, engage in meaningful discussions of performance, track progress, offer opinions and exercise discipline in the face of temporary setbacks.

Financial relationships with your building society or bank should take on a similar level of probity and interest as that of your favourite sport team.

Just as the winning formula for a game requires strategic action before, during and after the game, it is so with life’s big challenges –choosing a life partner, home ownership and financial investments.

Most, if not all football teams will confirm that the 12th player (the fans/cheerleaders) is just as important as the 11 players on pitch.

Every successful relationship needs support, a banker who helps you craft and sharpen your business plan is your 12th player, those people who continue to offer solid counsel and advice is your 12th player.

Every reputable football team has its complement of specialists, be it: coaches, medical personnel, analysts, plus strength & coordination practitioners.

Together these experts contribute to the management of the team’s performance. These experts along with the players are consistently developing and honing their craft, with attention to both the individual and collective needs of the players and the team.

How reassuring it would be if your banker, life partner and/or investor developed strategies to support your unique needs?

Wouldn’t you feel gratified knowing that you had people cheering you on towards success and who will help pick you up even after a fall?

The world is a better place when people have others that they can depend on to metaphorically hold their hands through the maze of failures that often speckle our journey of accomplishment and that winning scoreline.

Jamaica And The UK Mourn The Passing Of Community Champion

Kenneth ‘Justice’ Rose

THE FUNERAL was held for Justice of the Peace and Magistrate, Kenneth Rose, who died recently, in Jamaica. a Church Elder, Parish Farming representative and Champion, he was noted for the many good deeds he did for his country and the people in his community. aka ‘Justice’, he was one of the early Windrush pioneers who came to UK to help rebuilt the country after World War II but returning to his native Jamaica in the early 1970’s, where he would soon become a community champion; doing a great number of services for his country as well as the England he left.

His great ongoing work – both at home and abroad – would eventually not go unnoticed when, in October 2022, he was acknowledged for his service at the Jamaica National Heroes Day Awards ceremony, where he was awarded with the Badge of Honour for long service, BH (L) just weeks before is passing.

A JP, BH (L) of the Roehampton District, in St James, and formerly from Hibernia District, in Manchester, in Jamaica, he passed away peacefully at his home in November 2022, surviving his beloved wife of 64 years, Esmeralda, 11 children – two of whom are decease grandchildren, great grandchildren, great great grandchildren, brothers and sisters-in-law, daughters and son-in laws, nieces, nephews, church family and other relatives and friends.

The funeral and thanksgiving service for Kenneth Rose was held at the Anchovy Seventh Day Adventist Church, in the Anchovy District, in St James. He was 91.

RECORD-BREAKING NONUPLETS RETURN HOME TO MALI

The world's only nonuplets - nine babies born at the same time - have safely returned home to Mali after spending the first 19 months of their lives in Morocco.

The babies broke the Guinness World Record for the most children delivered in a single birth to survive. Ahead of the birth in May 2021, the mother Halima Cissé, now 27, was flown to Morocco for specialist care.

Before returning they had been living with medical support in Casablanca. The babies - five girls and four boys - were born by Caesarean section at 30 weeks, according to the Malian authorities last year. The girls - named Kadidia, Fatouma,

Hawa, Adama and Oumou - and the boys - named Mohammed VI, Oumar, Elhadji and Bahweighed between 500g and 1kg (1.1lb and 2.2lb) at birth, Prof Youssef Alaoui, medical director of the clinic where they were born, told the AFP news agency.

There were risks that they could have developed health problems due to their premature birth and they spent the first months of their lives in hospital. They were then moved to an apartment where they received round-the-clock care from the Ain Borja clinic.

Earlier this year, on their first birthday, their father Abdelkader Arby said: “Each one of them has a unique personality. They all have different characters.

Some are quiet, while other make more noise and cry a lot. “Some want to be picked up all the time. They are all very different, which is entirely normal."

Mr Arby also said that they had become famous in Mali and people were "very keen to see the babies with their own eyes".

NZ And Finland PMs Dismiss 'Sexist' Question

THE LEADERS of New Zealand and Finland have dismissed a journalist's suggestion that they arranged a meeting because they are similar in age.

At a press conference in Auckland, Finland's Sanna Marin and New Zealand's Jacinda Ardern said they met because they are prime ministers, not because they are both young, female leaders.

Ms Ardern questioned if male leaders would have faced the same question. "Because two women meet is not simply because of their gender," she said.

A male journalist from New Zealand radio network Newstalk ZB asked about the reason for the talks, saying: "A lot of people will be wondering are you two meeting just because you're similar in age and got a lot of common stuff there."

Ms Ardern interrupted the question to say that she wondered "whether or not anyone ever asked Barack Obama and John Key if they met because they were of similar age."

Former US President, Obama and former New Zealand Prime Minister, Key, were born within days of each other in 1961. Ms Ardern, 42, added: "We, of course, have a higher proportion of men in politics, it's reality. Because two women meet, it is not simply because of their gender."

She then listed the trade relations between the countries, adding: "Our meeting is a chance... to really leverage the economic opportunities between our two countries. It's our job to further it, regardless of our gender."

Laura Muir Set For 1000m WR At Birmingham World Indoors

OLYMPIC SILVER medallist and World bronze medal winner Laura Muir will mark her return to the Birmingham World Indoor Tour Final as she attempts to break Maria Mutola’s world indoor 1000m record.

It will be Muir’s first appearance back in the city since she won 1500m gold and 800m bronze at this summer’s Commonwealth Games. The Scottish athlete has enjoyed much success in the city, including at the UK’s premier indoor meeting, which will host the World Athletics Indoor Tour Final in 2023.

Muir recorded the second fastest time in history over the 1000m distance at the 2017 edition of this event in Birmingham. The time she set then, also a British record, was 2:31.93, eclipsing Kelly Holmes’ previous mark.

Only Mozambique’s Maria Mutola has gone quicker at 2:30.94, and the Scottish athlete will aim to rewrite the record books in February 2023.

The 29-year-old will be in buoyant mood after enjoying a scintillating summer on the track following her maiden Olympic medal in 2021. The 2022 season has seen her win world 1500m bronze, and European 1500m gold alongside her Commonwealth successes.

JAPAN FANS AND PLAYERS PRAISE FOR QATAR 2022 STADIUM CLEAN-UP

Japan’s stunning victory over Germany, in the group stages of the FIFA Qatar World Cup 2022, left their football fans in a state of joyous disbelief and got the rest of the world firmly behind them.

But it’s their supporters who are earning praise in Qatar for their off-pitch tradition that appears to be uniquely Japanese: Cleaning up stadiums after other football fans have left. In what was becoming an increasingly common sight, Japanese fans stayed behind after their team’s win and helped to clean up the Khalifa International Stadium.

As soon as the stadium started to empty, the Samurai Blue supporters were seen taking out light blue disposable rubbish bags and getting to work. While the sight of spectators staying back to clean up may be a surprise to many, for the Japanese it is not out of the ordinary. Further still, Japan’s players also cleanup their changing rooms before leaving the stadium.

“What you think is special is

actually nothing unusual for us,” one Japanese fan said. “When we use the toilet, we clean it ourselves. When we leave a room, we make sure it’s tidy. That’s the custom,” the fan went on.

“We can’t leave a place without making it clean”, said another. “It’s a part of our education, everyday learning.”

A tradition of theirs - to staying behind to help clean stadiums after games - social media posts featuring Japanese football fans with rubbish bags started to do

the rounds in the days following the opening game of the tournament, between Qatar and Ecuador at Al Bayt Stadium and their fans were – and still are - earning respect from other countries in and out of the World Cup.

Further, after Japan pulled off their stunning 2-1 comeback win against the 2014 World Cup champions, and in typically classy fashion, the players and staff then left their dressing room spotless, it in dazzling condition in a show of respect which

speaks volumes about their humility.

FIFA highlighted Japan's fans, players and staff in a post on their Twitter account, which read: "After an historic victory against Germany at the #FIFAWorldCup on Match Day 4, Japan fans cleaned up their rubbish in the stadium, whilst the Samurai Blue left their changing room at Khalifa International Stadium like this. Spotless.

“Domo Arigato (Thank you)."

And Duplantis

American, McLaughlin, broke her own world record by almost three-quarters of a second as she won world 400m hurdles gold in July. She clocked 50.68 seconds in Oregon, where she also won 4x400m gold.

Sweden's Duplantis won the world pole vault indoor and outdoor double in 2022, in addition to claiming the Diamond League and European crowns. The 23-yearold, who won the award in 2020, also improved his own world record to 6.21m.

He said: "I wanted to win the world indoors, the world outdoors, the Europeans, the Diamond League final, and I wanted to break the world record a few times.

"I was able to do that and it was a bonus - the cherry on top - to do be able to break the world record at the right times, to do it at world indoors and do it at world outdoors. I can't complain."

McLaughlin, 23, said: "All of my goals were accomplished this year. We were able to accomplish everything we set out to do. It couldn't have been any better, and I was so grateful that I was able to produce that performance in front of a home crowd."

SYDNEY MCLAUGHLIN and Armand Duplantis were named world athletes of the year at the World Athletics Awards.

Mclaughlin

Named World Athletes Of The Year At World Athletics Awards 2022

Birmingham Business Guru Joins Sport 4 Life UK Ambassador Programme

RENOWNED BIRMINGHAM entrepreneur and corporate networker Professor Paul Cadman is to help disadvantaged youngsters from across the West Midlands secure better life chances after becoming a ‘Business Ambassador‘ for a leading personal development charity.

Paul, who was recently made an Honorary Fellow of University College Birmingham, is the latest influencer to join Digbeth-based Sport 4 Life UK, which harnesses the power of sport to improve employability skills among 11- to 29-year-olds. The announcement follows the recent appointment of international cycling star Emily Kay as a Sport 4 Life UK Ambassador.

Admired for having led businesses in technology, manufacturing, retail, consultancy and membership sectors to achieve multi-million pound turnovers, Paul is also well known as a champion of young people in business.

Of his appointment as a Sport 4 Life UK Business Ambassador, he said: “With 40% of young people in Birmingham living below the poverty line, there’s a massive need for this charity’s services.

"I want to do everything I can to draw attention to its incredible work as fast as possible and encourage the business community to get involved and make a difference to the futures of so many people in our region who might otherwise struggle to move forward with their lives.”

He added: “It’s not just about putting hands in pockets; it’s vital that companies get involved from a skills and infrastructure perspective too. There are so many ways to make a difference when it comes to improving people’s employability.”

Rob Wells, Head of Business Development at Sport 4 Life UK, thanked Paul for his support. He said: “We’re extremely pleased to welcome Paul as an Ambassador.

“His profile and connections around the region are phenomenal and I’ve no doubt that this will bring huge benefits to our beneficiaries at a time of increasing challenges for young people. We’re looking forward to working together to raise Sport 4 Life UK’s profile among the business community, which in turn will lead to more opportunities for youngsters from disadvantaged backgrounds.”

In addition to business interests, Paul sits on charitable boards locally and nationally, and is the Chair of Steps to Work. He is also Vice-Chair of BYSA, a trustee of St Basils, ViceChair of WASUP World against Single Use Plastic and Vice-President of Acorns Children’s Hospice.

Sport 4 Life UK works with more than 2,000 young people each year from some of the most deprived neighbourhoods across the region.

God Save THE King! - R.I.P. King

CREDITED WITH scoring a world record 1,281 goals in 1,363 appearances during a 21-year career, including 77 goals in 92 matches for his country, Pele will always be ‘the greatest’, because he was the ‘first’. Edson Arantes do Nascimento came to international recognition when, at just 17-years-old, won the World Cup three times - lifting the trophy in 1958, 1962 and 1970.

As Brazil woke up to its first day without their footballing legend, his face shone on buildings across the South American nation and landmarks were lit up and fans took to the streets dressed in his iconic number 10 shirt in his memory. With a period of mourning in state, the Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio was illuminated in green and yellow after his death.

In a statement, the Brazilian Football Confederation said: "Pele was much more than the greatest sportsperson of all time. Our king of football was the greatest exponent of a victorious Brazil, who was never afraid when faced with difficulty.

“He promised his father a World Cup and he presented us with three. The King gave us a new Brazil and we are so thank-

ful for his legacy.

“Thank you, Pele!"

During 1972, as part of a touring Santos team, he appeared in friendlies against teams including Aston Villa, Sheffield Wednesday and Coventry City, before then playing prisoner of war, Corporal Luis Fernandez, alongside Hollywood greats, Sylvester Stallone, Michael Caine and Max von Sydow in the film ‘Escape To Victory’.

Following news of his death, fellow-World Cup winner, Paris SGM and France striker, Kylian Mbappé, wrote on Twitter: ‘The king of football has left us but his legacy will never be forgotten. RIP KING …’

England’s 1966 World Cup-winning hero, Sir Geoff Hurst wrote: ‘I have so many memories of Pele, without doubt the best footballer I ever played against (with Bobby Moore being the best footballer I ever played alongside). For me Pele remains the greatest of all time and I was proud to be on the pitch with him. RIP Pele and thank you.’

His moments of magic spanned eras and defined his history – and the sport!

A legend forever, he was 82.

‘WE WILL LEARN FROM ADELAIDE THRASHING’ – INSISTS WEST INDIES CAPTAIN, BRATHWAITE

West Indies skipper Kraigg Brathwaite said he had full confidence in his young side, despite two crushing Test defeats to Australia, insisting they will learn from their mistakes.

The Caribbean team put up a fight in the first Test at Perth, taking it to a fifth day before losing by 164 runs. But in Adelaide, they were completely outclassed, being dismissed for just 77 in their second innings.

After Australia wrapped up a series victory with a dominant win in the second day-night Test, losing captain, Brathwaite, said: “We showed some

fight,” adding: “but, despite losing a few guys to injury, we did not play well.

Scott Boland left the tourists on the brink of a monstrous defeat as ten wickets fell in the space of 41 overs at the Adelaide Oval on day three, coming either side of a second Australian innings that set-up a chase of 497 runs.

The Windie’ shining light in this series, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, couldn’t offer one more act of defiance before being dismissed by Mitchell Starc three overs later for 17.

“It’s been a good Test year, but we have a lot to work on.”

Chasing an unlikely target of 497, the tourists crumbled to 77 all out in the first session of

day four at the Adelaide Oval, with Australian captain, Steven Smith, saying: “It was a nice toss to win, and the boys batted well on the first day.

“Big partnerships set us up, and the bowlers were splendid as we continue to be undefeated in pink-ball Tests”. The tourists offered little resistance with their lowest ever score in Australia - who retained the Frank Worrell Trophy, winning by 419 runs.

For the West Indies, they were hampered by a slew of injuries that depleted their bowling in both Tests, but they also failed to bat their way out of trouble.

l

Professor Paul Cadman

EURO’S WINNER MEAD CROWNED WINNER OF SPOTY 2022

England and Arsenal star striker, Beth Mead has been voted BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2022.

She starred at this summer's Euro 2022, where she helped the Lionesses to glory at Wembley, England's first ever major women's football trophy. The 27-year-old becomes the first women's footballer to win the award.

In a public vote, England Test captain Ben Stokes was second and Eve Muirhead, who led Team GB to curling gold in the Winter Olympics, came third. Athlete Jake Wightman, seven-time snooker world champion Ronnie O'Sullivan and gymnast Jessica Gadirova were also shortlisted for the award.

"I'm speechless for once," said Mead. "I'm incredibly honoured to win this award. I wouldn't have done it without the girls. The team have backed me. Yes, I've won this accolade, I've scored a few goals, but I wouldn't have done it without them," she added.

"This is for women's sport and women's sport heading in the right direction. Let's keep pushing girls, let's keep doing the right thing."

She also won the Sports Personality Team of the Year award alongside her Lionesses team-mates while England head coach Sarina Wiegman won Coach of the Year. The accolades are the latest in a long list this year where Mead has already been named Arsenal's player of the season for 2021-22, came second in the Ballon d'Or Feminin and won BBC's Women's Footballer of the Year award.

Her international goal tally for the 2021-22 campaign was 20 in 19 matches, breaking Jimmy Greaves' long-standing record for the most England goals in one season.

Other award winners at Sports Personality 2022: Lifetime Achievement: Usain Bolt Helen Rollason Award: Rob Burrow Coach of the Year: Sarina Wiegman Team of the Year: England Women Young Sports Personality of the Year: Jessica Gadirova Unsung Hero: Mike Alden World Sport Star: Lionel Messi

Bermuda To Host T20 World Cup Regional Qualifier

would like to thank the International Cricket Council for giving us this opportunity to show the world why Bermuda is such a valuable cricketing nation full of rich culture and passion for the sport,” he added. Bermuda also hosted the regional tournament in 2019 when the national team made it through to the Global Qualifier in Dubai.

Statement on Ethnic Diversity in the 2021 Census Data

ON 29 NOVEMBER 2022

the Census Data for 2021 was published. The data collected indicated that the British population is the most diverse it has ever been since records began. 18.3% of the population are ethnically diverse, nearly one in five people.

Sporting Equals has been encouraging sports governing bodies and organisations to set a target of 20% representation for ethnically diverse people in positions of leadership such as the Board, senior management and coaches. This will be representative of the population and empower ethnically diverse people to take part more.

BERMUDA IS SET to host the finals of the Americas Region Qualifier for the 2024 ICC T20 World Cup to be staged in the West Indies and United States, officials have announced.

BCB (Bermuda Cricket Board) president, Arnold Manders, said the tournament will be held in Bermuda from September 28 to October 8, 2023.

“The BCB is pleased to announce that Bermuda has been selected as the host to deliver the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 Regional Final,” Manders told a news conference also attended by Sports Minister Owen Darrell, and Tourism Minister Vance Campbell.

“On behalf of the executive of the Bermuda Cricket Board, I

Bermuda will launch their qualifying bid when they compete against Bahamas, Belize, Cayman Islands, Panama, Suriname and hosts Argentina in an ICC Sub-Regional Qualifier from February 25 to March 4.

The top three teams will then be joined in Bermuda for the Regional Final where they will compete for the last World Cup qualifying spot in the Americas Region.

So far, the 2022 iteration of the Race Representation Index has seen 90% of English National Governing Bodies submit their data or commit to doing so by 9 December. We are pleased to see this commitment from NGBs. Having this representation will ensure that pathways to participation are opened more widely, that clothing dress codes and equipment meets the needs of all, and that young people can see role models lay down a path for them to follow.

This all considered it is not enough to simply be in the room. The voices of ethnically diverse people must be heard so that Britain is reflected in the sport we play, watch and support.

will learn from Adelaide thrashing’ – insists West Indies captain, Brathwaite - Page 47

Mead's stellar performances at Euro 2022 saw her named the Player of the Tournament as well as winning the Golden Boot with six goals and five assists.