The Phoenix Newspaper - July 2015

Celebrating 5 Years Serving the Community

JULY 2015

Connecting Communities - Inspiring a New Generation

Government Cuts loom over City Council Community Cohesion Programmes

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by Sulayman Bah

irmingham is known to be Britain`s most culturally diverse city with a combined population of 53.1% white majority and 46% of ethnic minorities including Asians and Afro-Caribbean.

However the leader of the Birmingham City Council Sir Albert Bore is the least happy with the central government policies that savagely reduced revenue support grants to councils across Britain, which hinders social cohesion programmes.

In an interview with The Phoenix Newspaper, Sir Albert Bore discussed a wide range of issues affecting the city including inequality and multiculturalism.

Albert has been involved in politics since 1980 when he was elected councillor in the Ladywood Ward, and has worked tirelessly for local government ever since.

For him personally, it is a heartfelt disappointment to be in his position at the moment as leader of the City Council, when his hands are tied.

He said: “There are areas we wish to see improvements in, for example deprivation across the city”.

The City Council Boss admitted that inequality exist in the city which is a concern to the Council that needs to be addressed with policy directives.

According to the leader of the city council, deprivation has been concentrated for many years in particular areas of the city.

“We are trying to introduce skills in a particular geographical aspect to have skills in people within the communities in East Birmingham where most of that deprivation has taken off”, remarked Sir Bore.

El Borracho de Oro brings its authentic Tapas to Brum Page 27

Continued on Page 6

l Sir Albert Bore, Leader of Birmingham City Council

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How to Advertise

NEWS

If you want to showcase your business, here’s how

Dr. Adetoyese Olaskisan offering Majestic wisdom to the needy throughout the world

with

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learned and well respected leader who is always under constant demand, His Imperial Majesty King Dr. Adetoyese Olaskisan is spreading his healing hands, wisdom and holy spirit, offering his valued time and presence visiting Great Britain on a regular basis, to see his wife HRH Areiyagbogbo and children in London and providing for people worrying about their spiritual attacks, needing help by way of traditional African medicine for any diseases.

The King of Aborigine Ogboni Fraternity all over the world, he offers ladies “who are desperately wishing

for a baby, for instance,” he says, “and the doctors have given up on them, then we can help them with that dream coming true.

Anyone, anywhere around the world, who is not well, regardless of the illness, I will visited them and look after them,” he said. “I will go anywhere in the world to heal and unite Africans.”

Over the past 30 years His Imperial Majesty King Dr. Adetoyese Olaskisan has become a regular visit to the UK, and can be heard on Galaxy Radio 102.5FM, in London.

On the show, he offers blessings for traditional engagements, wedding, birthdays, novelty and festivals, ceremonies, worships, Arts & Culture, funerals, coronations,

The Phoenix – July 2015

l His Imperial Majesty King Dr. Adetoyese Olaskisan graduations, songs, drama, dance, music, entertainment, sacrifices, rites & rituals, child naming ceremonies and chieftaincy title ordinations and ceremonies.

He has visited Manchester and Liverpool, in recent times, and is looking

to offer his powers and words of wisdom to the West Midlands very soon: “I am very keen to visit Birmingham,” he says. “I want to offer help in uniting the people of the city and giving them a greater understanding of Africa and African people.”

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The Phoenix – July 2015

Page 3

NEWS

Lebara Sandwell & Birmingham Mela Promising Fun For All The Family

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fter the huge success of last year, Sandwell & Birmingham Mela 2015 is planning to be bigger and better than ever.

To be held on the weekend of Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 July in Victoria Park, Smethwick the Lebara Sandwell & Birmingham Mela, one of the largest cultural celebrations in the UK, will showcase South Asian culture and talent on an international stage.

Attracted more than 120,000 people, this, its fifth year, promises to be a weekend extravaganza combining music, dance, sport, food, shows and a funfair.

With a mix of international artists, community arts and cultural groups, the event will be a celebration of culture over nine different ‘zones’, including a

massive Mela carnival.

Following a successful partnership in 2014, Lebara has committed to support the event for a second year, this time as title sponsor.

Danny Singh, Chair of Lebara Sandwell & Birmingham Mela, said: “After the overwhelming success of last year, we look for-

ward to taking Lebara Sandwell & Birmingham Mela 2015 to the next level. This event will have something for everyone.

Sandwell Council leader Councillor Darren Cooper said, “The Mela is always a real highlight of the calendar, bringing together community events and international stars and open to everyone with a feast of entertainment, food and activities.”

Yoganathan Ratheesan, Chair and CEO of Lebara, added: "At Lebara we are passionate about embracing culture and diversity.

The spirit of Mela is all about bringing families and communities together to celebrate the richness of South Asian culture, so we are delighted to continue our partnership."

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Page 4

The Phoenix – July 2015

The Phoenix – July 2015

MISS LILY’S FLOWERS FEATURE

Miss Lily’s Flowers Working with the community at heart

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or the last 15 years, Jeanette Nicholson, or as many know her, Miss Lily, has run Miss Lily’s Flowers, Gifts & Balloons in Birmingham, serving the community which has supported her as much as she has supported it.

The business, named after Jeanette’s grandma, originated on Dudley Road, and for 13 years it built up a loyal customer base, with people coming back time and time again for the quality, and personal touch that Miss Lily’s gives.

“We always go the extra mile for our customers, whether its personalised ribbons or bespoke funeral pieces, modern and traditional” explained Jeanette, “It has to be perfect, or it won’t go out.”

With presentation bouquets and table arrangements starting from £20 Miss Lily’s also offer seasonal flower aqua packs, basket

arrangements, ceramic tea cups with fresh flowers and designs for all special occasions including birthdays, anniversaries, get well soon, thank you, retirement, and “just because”.

They are also known for their character balloons, and a teddy bear inside a balloon for children’s birthday/christening parties.

They have a selection of baby gifts and candles in lovely “keep sake” glass containers.

Take a look at their website at www.misslilysflowers.co.uk Now settled in to its new home at Studio 15 Northside Business Centre, Wellington Street Miss Lily’s is blooming, building on the already established customer base who have followed them to Studio 15.

Georgette ‘George’ Asbury is Jeanette’s right hand woman, and has worked with her for 10 years, producing stunning floral arrangements and especially enjoying the challenges that come with bespoke arrangements.

Jeanette is a peoples person, and likes to make them happy, flowers are just one way of doing that.

She has also supported a number of local charities, always donating a gift voucher for a good cause, as well as providing her services when the occasion arises.

No stranger to

This mother and daughter duo run a community drop in service CASE – Community Advisory Service and Everything Else, where the “Everything Else” literally means “Everything”.

CASE runs a drop in surgery at the Dorcas Club, 44 Nineveh Road, B21 OTT every Wednesday from 10am – 2pm.

Part of the “Everything Else” includes hair-dressing, barbering, special occasion styling & wedding/event planning services. Miss Lily has worked with the duo

l L-R Juanita Henry, Jennifer Samuels, Georgette ‘George’ Asbury, Salma Thurayya, Miss Lily, Carol Henry and Marcia Reid charitable work herself, Jeanette had her own charity in the Gambia, Credence Charitable Trust “Education and Development”, which provided a school for 144 children, including 2 uniforms each, cold running water and computers used for their development during the day and by the villages for sending emails and using the internet during the evening. “Once people have education they can do anything,” beamed Jeanette. “I believe in giving something back while I can.”

Being so community focused, Miss Lily has built up a strong relationship with other likeminded individuals and businesses, some of whom she invited along to share in her community celebration.

Since opening she has provided New Style Radio with prizes for Mothers Day and Valentines Day competitions, most recently working with Jennifer Samuels.

Salma Thurayya, who is like a sister to Jeanette, was actually one of her past students when she used to do “computer home based training” over 20 years ago

Salma Thurayya Global African Congress & Freddie McGregor Childrens Fund

Carol & Juanita Henry Project CASE

when they have held an event to guide and assist them to give that little bit extra. The relationship with Miss Lily is one of a mentor with the three ladies trying to come up with ways to make the community better.

To get involved or for more information on CASE services come and see them at, the Dorcas Club in Nineveh Road.

social155@hotmail.com 07909 676 488

Page 5

After Salma met Jeanette while as a student on her course in the early 90’s, they became fast friends and have worked together and stayed friends ever since.

She has since published a poetry book, completed a Masters degree in Information Management Systems, and a PHD in Philosophy and puts together a magazine called Club Educate.

Salma worked with Jeanette in the Flower Shop on Dudley road for about a year, fol-

lowing more teaching from Jeanette. Salma was also an Education Social Worker for 10 years from 1969-79.

Both Salma and Miss Lily’s support the charities that each other supports, and help out in any way they can.

For more information, the contact details are below.

thurayyasalma@yahoo.com 07455 308 672

and they have stayed friends ever since, helping each other where they can.

Marcia Reid and Vision2Reality Event Management have long worked with Miss Lily on numerous occasions, always involving each other in all charity and community events.

Carol and Juanita Henry, a mother and daughter duo are running Project CASE (Community, Advisory Service & Everything Else) Community Drop In centre, and have known and supported Jeanette for the last 5 years.

Miss Lily has worked with a number of charities, organisations and people over the last 15 years, including the BCA on Jenkins Street for 10 years and every day and funeral flowers for Mary Seacole House and a number of other care homes.

She has also worked with Beverly Lindsay and Diamond Travel on events across the West Midlands including Rotary Club events, The Venue, Bethel Convention Centre, Aston Villa FC, Gibson Road Church and Cannon Street Church among others, while also providing the flowers to the Jamaican High Commission for over 14 years.

At present Miss Lily is supporting the Stoke Society and intends to have a “Fun Day” for the community at the Studio 15 site on Sunday 09 August 2015 PLEASE come along.

Something for young and old to enjoy.

Miss Lily’s Flowers & Balloons Studio 15, Northside Business Centre 2 Wellington Street, Birmingham, B18 4NR

0121 454 4455 07766 641 942

misslilys@btconnect.com www.misslilysflowers.co.uk

Jennifer Samuels ACMC & NewStyle Radio

Marcia Reid Vision 2 Reality Event Management

NewStyle Radio wanted to raise some money for a worthwhile cause, in the Stroke Society, and has worked with Miss Lily to promote and raise money for them.

Prizes were donated from a number of businesses including Fitness First, Tropical Foods and Tasty Pastry for a raffle, and they are continuing to raise money together until the point that they will donate the culmination of all of their work to the society.

Miss Lily has sup-

Marcia organises Corporate and Social events and has always involved Miss Lily over the last 3 years.

She also does a number of Community events, to give back by raising funds for local charities and provides a platform for small businesses to showcase what they do.

Marcia is currently organising a Fun and Information Day at the Northside Business Centre for the Stroke Society and a Salsa Weekend break away!

ported Valentines and Mothers Day competitions on New Style Radio for years and has been there whenever needed to decorate events.

If you’re interested in helping out in any way, or for more info, please get in contact.

info@acmccentre.co.uk 07989 393 032

She also held an Elders Award Ceremony to recognise elders in the community that selflessly help others, the inaugural event last year was very well received.

For more information or to help out, please get in contact via the details below.

info@vision2realityem.com 07534 084 555

Page 6

POLITICS

The Phoenix – July 2015

Birmingham Ladywood MP insists Britain should stay in the EU

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by Sulayman Bah

s a 110 strong group of Tory MPs are preparing for Britain to exit the European Union, Shabana Mahmood, MP for Birmingham Ladywood is of the view that the UK should remain in the Union for its membership opportunities and benefits including jobs and investments.

Honourable Mahmood who is also the Shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury is against a number of Labour MPs who called themselves ‘Labour for Britain’ to be led by former Home Office Minister Kate Hoey that are in support of Britain`s EU exit.

She said: “I believe Britain should

l Gambian President Yahya Jammeh

stay in the EU for the opportunities and benefits our membership brings”.

The Birmingham Ladywood representative promised to be campaigning for Britain’s continued membership the Europe main continental union body.

She said: “I will be campaigning for continues membership in the EU, so future generations can benefit from the investments, jobs and prosperity the EU brings”.

The referendum bill is at the parliamentary committee stage this week and voting could take place early next May. However the Electoral Commission has advised that, the referendum should not be held on the same day as legislature elections.

British Foreign and Commonwealth Office, reacts to Government Cuts loom over City Council Jammeh’s law suit Community Cohesion Programmes threat and expulsion of an EU Rep Continued from Front Page

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by Sulayman Bah

t the heights of international and diplomatic controversies mustered by the Gambia`s President Yahya Jammeh, the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office has reacted to his threats to sue former colonial masters for ‘slavery and colonialism’, saying that history, culture and family connections are the core of The Gambia and Britain`s relationship.

President Jammeh disclosed his intention to sue Western nations for slavery and colonialism in the country`s capital Banjul at the end of his statutorily required nationwide tour.

A Foreign and Commonwealth Office spokesman said: “The UK and The Gambia share a long history and strong cultural and family connections are at the core of our relationship. The UK is a friend of The Gambia”.

Recently, The Gambia attracted lots of international attention following the expulsion

of an EU representative Agnes Guillards, an application to the International Criminal Court to investigate the death of African migrants in the Mediterranean Sea and, a threat to exit the ECOWAS economic block and the African Union.

On Friday 29th May, the country`s National Assembly (parliament) adopted a motion that made a declaration of slavery and colonialism as crimes against humanity.

On the expulsion of the EU representative, British Minister for Africa James Duddridge said: “I am disappointed by the decision of The Gambia government to expel the Deputy Head of EU delegation from Banjul at short notice. No prior warning, no explanation has been given for her expulsion which follows the recent resumption of important human rights discussions between the EU and The Gambia”.

Minister Duddridge further said: “I call upon the Gambian authorities to reconsider their decision as a matter of urgency”.

The city`s local authority finds it prudent to create a cabinet role and responsibility for inclusion of the diverse communities of

Birmingham.

This is to come forward with ideas and initiatives around social cohesion and inclusion in tackling inequality.

l Shabana Mahmood, MP for Birmingham, Ladywood

According to the City Council Leader, cuts made by the Central Government forced the Council to discontinue a number of community cohesion programmes and services including the Birmingham Handsworth Carnival which is not likely to come back any time soon.

He said: “This is part of the budget cuts we are now experiencing to a greater extent”. According to Sir Bore, over the years, the council has lost some £550 million out of its revenue budget and would lose a further £250 million for the next two years.

“That means the Birmingham City Council is having to discontinue a number of services and will continue to do so over the next few years” remarked Sir

Bore.

He is proud of his city, he is proud of the diverse community that it boasts, he celebrates the Afro-Caribbean community, the Asian community and every community, which is why he set up the Birmingham Commonwealth Association, in an attempt to bring people together through community groups, during a period when the funding for this sort of innovative idea is being pulled.

The Phoenix Newspaper is all about supporting Birmingham, and wishes Sir Albert and the Birmingham City Council all the best, while they are addressing such a difficult task, with such limited funds.

Leicester MP, Vaz, re-elected as chair of Home Affairs Select Committee

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ritain’s longest-running Indian MP, Keith Vaz, has been re-elected to the role of Chair of the influential Home Affairs Select Committee by Labour colleague and former home office minister Fiona McTaggert.

The Leicester MP said: "I am a genuine and passionate believer in the scrutinising role of Parliament, a role that is predicated on detailed and fair scrutiny of the

executive.

The Select Committee system is one of the most important and impressive features of our parliamentary democracy, and it is one that we should cherish.

I am deeply proud and immensely appreciative of the cross-party support that I received in this role.”

Altogether 27 chairs have been elected to the influential parliamentary positions.

l Minister Duddridge

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The Phoenix – July 2015

Page 7

Page 8

CAMARA’S SPOTLIGHT

Mandalina Stepniewska Welcome to ‘Camara features’ a new column where I will be spotlighting some of the most amazing charities, organisations and people I have had the privilege of working with. Be a part of my journey and learn and enjoy about being inspired.

I

n this months issue of Camara’s Spotlight I would like to feature my friend and a mother, Mandalina Stepniewska who lost her son when he was brutally beaten to death after trying to stop a fight!

Although the pain and her mourning for her beloved son still goes on 10 years later Mandalina has set herself a mission to help towards the healing of others who have lost someone through Violent crime.

Here Mandy as she is known by her friends tells her story of what happened to her loving son Tommie Harley, a fun loving, hard working caring son and brother.

On October 23rd 2014, Tommie was at ‘The Ram’ in Silvertown, East London, but on leaving the pub, two of his friends were attacked, stabbed and repeatedly glassed by a gang of six men.

When Tommie saw the attack he intervened and managed to stop the vicious attack on his friends.

However, it turned sour when he turned to run for his life as the

gang ran after him.

Tommie was chased down a road that turned out unfortunately to be a dead end. A brick was hurled at Tommie and hit him head on causing him to collapse.

As he fell heavily to the ground the gang pounced on Tommie and in their frenzied attack raining bricks and concrete slabs with blows to his limp lifeless body.

The first time I saw my son’s injuries was in the Trauma Unit at the Royal London Hospital in Whitechapel. My senses were paralysed in a frozen state of physical heartbreak.

Words cannot explain how it feels to see someone, born from your own flesh, with no life left in them.

He was placed upon a life support machine; a thick pipe was coming out of the back of his head with countless wads of cotton wool holding his scalp together.

Tommie was soaked in his own blood. His eyebrows and ears were hanging off, his cheeks, nose and teeth were smashed to pieces.

I could only recognize him from his bloodied hands.

That image is stuck inside my memory. It will never be erased no matter how hard I try not to see it.

I stayed by his bed for four days and four nights. A surgeon told me that the blows to my sons head were “catastrophic”; he’d been attacked with such violent force, that the stem was severed from his brain, causing it to somersault inside his skull, sadly there was no chance of survival.

It was the afternoon of October 27th that his life support was turned off. I placed my head upon Tommie’s beautiful, strong, warm chest and hugged him with all my might until it beat three times / / / and then no more.

I was weak with pain, but softly whispered my goodbyes and thanked him for being my gift for twenty years. I felt scared and as I took one more glance at his face and his lips slowly turned blue.

I could look no more. My heart blew into a million splinters. Tommie’s brain had to be removed

and sent somewhere out of London. Four post mortems later we eventually put his body to rest on March 12th 2005.

Over a thousand people came to Tommie’s funeral, a time in our lives where all who knew him were suffering the greatest loss; even those who didn’t know him, wished they had.

Most of the gang were caught they consisted of six men, four of them are serving life sentences; the other two remain free.

In December 2005, three of them received 15 years and one (the oldest) received 27 years.

This perpetrator had almost killed another young lad in June of the same year at the same place and in the very same way which left the victim with a serious brain injury leaving him with both physical and mental disabilities.

I am not an angry or an embittered mother but I believe in reform and restorative justice.

However I do believe that “Accountability is the only force powerful enough to break the cycle of violence and retribution that marks so many conflicts.

Common sense tells us what risks are weighed and decisions are made differently when crimes against humanity are punished consistently and severely.

Since my son’s death I have written up countless pages of proposals, which I have sent to the Prime Minister, highlighting changes for the better and more importantly, for the future of our fragmented and damaged society in this beautiful country of ours.

I have been a speaker for many years with Through Unity and Word4Weapons, along with the Knife Awareness Programme (run by the Metropolitan Police), delivering talks about the experience of my loss in schools, colleges, pupil referral units, and to an audience of gang members.

I know that this is worthwhile. I am not wasting my breath or my time but major change needs to happen; I want to use my experience to be part of that change.

Word4Weapons, run by Michael Smith, has been distributing weapon bins in thirteen boroughs. This is

where my vision began.

Thousands of the weapons collected could be melted down in a large furnace, filtered and purified and the ore material would be given to an artist to change something that was once ugly and evil into a beautiful, sensitive, iconic sculpture.

The design, restful and healing in nature, would honor and pay tribute to the victims of murder and provide relief for those mourning their loved ones. This idea is proving increasingly popular, with growing numbers of people and organizations wanting to be involved.

Most victims of crime are left to rebuild their lives in isolation.

With a memorial we hope that we will be able to give them the comfort to know that they are far from alone.

More importantly, the memorial will provide a focal point for remembering all those that were taken from us by violence, and

The Phoenix – July 2015

ensure they are never forgotten.

We are Blessed to have Father Rob from St Johns Church in Hackney who has gladly offered us a plot of land in the church grounds.

This is still in its infancy as planning applications have to be made which naturally will take some time.

Once planning has been approved and costings are in place, we will be seeking an appropriate artist to design an iconic sculpture to support victims of crime through contemplation, remembrance and healing.

Unfortunately, there are too many names to be put on the memorial but beautifully selected words from a variety of great writers, thinkers and philosophers could be engraved on it.

Madelina’s healing words: I have changed…I have altered.

Time is a great healer; however I will never be what I was before.

This ongoing pain feels like I am in the deepest depth of a hollow void for all I have left are photographs and images of memories that I am unable to tear myself away from. Nothing can change that.

“Move on…” people say, but we can only take one day at a time.

Perhaps the right term is “move forward”.

As I live each day, may I do my part, To make one difference, to touch one heart, And through each day, may it be my goal, To encourage one mind, and inspire one soul.

Thank you Mandy for sharing your heart rending story and inspiring vision.

If you want to add a donation (no matter how small) Please see contact details and links below: http://mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/voc

Phone: 079 3910 3149 E-mail: info@murdermemorial.com Web: www.murdermemorial.com

Get in Touch with Camara camara@thephoenixnewspaper.com www.camaraofficial.com www.youtube.com/camaraofficial www.linkedin.com/CamaraFearon

Camara (aka mizzcamara for websearch)

To Advertise - Tel : 0121 231 3235 or email advertising@thephoenixnewspaper.com

The Phoenix – July 2015

Page 9

BUSINESS AND FINANCE

PwC comments on inflation figures

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The Future Of Business In Safe Hands With Volvo-Led Initiative

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he future of business was the theme as contacts, cars and canapés were in order at the Business Scene network event at the Volvo Birmingham dealership, in Erdington.

It was a chance for the hosts to introduce their new 'Co-Pilot' initiative, with Fleet21, which is designed to help businesses stay informed & remain compliant, and take advantage of some stunning offers.

Working with company directors and senior managers, the scheme help retain more profit in business by improving driver safety culture and driver risk management systems.

Business Scene CEO and Founder, Warren Cass, emphasised the importance that is to business when he said: ”Building and sustaining relationships in business have never

l

ollowing the release of new inflation figures, Andrew Sentance, Senior Economic Adviser to professional services network, PricewaterhouseCooper, said: "As expected, UK deflation has been short-lived. Inflation is back in positive territory. As the big falls in oil prices drop out of the annual rate in the autumn, inflation should move back towards the 2% target.

Andrew Sentance, Senior Economic Adviser

There is still a big disparity between goods and services price movements. Services inflation is 2.3%, whereas goods prices have dropped by nearly 2% over the past year.

Even though inflation is set to pick up, workers should see their earnings continue to increase in real terms. With the labour market tightening and skill shortages emerging, wage growth is likely to stay ahead of inflation.

Now that fears of deflation have subsided, the

Bank of England MPC should be taking the first steps to return the UK economy to more normal interest rates. With the recovery continuing, the conditions look right for UK interest rates to rise in the second half of this year, along with expected increases in the US."

been so important as they are today.

In fact it has been described that we are living in a relationship economy,” he said.

With the way in which we do business changing dramatically, with technology advances, the rise of the internet and the social revolution, profitability and efficiency are even greater cornerstones of every business.”

Fleet21 works to help retain more of this profit in the business by improving driver safety culture and driver risk management systems.

Clogau and Hugh Rice win big at UK Jewellery Awards

MoneyGram C

logau walked away with two gongs at the UK Jewellery Awards, held at the Pavilion at the Tower of

London.

The Welsh jewellery brand, which was also headline sponsor of this year’s event, scooped the coveted Jewellery Brand of the Year accolade as well as walking away with the Bridal Collection of the Year award for its Clogau Compose range of engagement and wedding rings.

Other winners included Hugh Rice Jewellers which took home the Independent Retailer of the Year award while wedding ring manufacturer Brown & Newirth was awarded the Supplier of the Year title.

Another wedding ring manufacturer, Hockley Mint won the Employer of the Year Award for its commitment to apprenticeships while this year’s new, Innovation Award went to manufacturer and supplier Cookson Gold for its Direct Metal Laser Sintering technology.

The prestigious Outstanding Contribution to the Industry Award went to London Diamond Bourse president Harry Levy who was recognised for his 50 plus-year career in the industry which has included numerous prestigious positions of office as well as the setting up of his own gemstone business.

Almost 700 guests attended the event which was hailed as a great success.

Commenting on the event, Retail Jeweller editor Ruth Faulkner said: “The UK Jewellery Awards remains the only awards for the industry, judged by the industry and competition this year was extremely tough with a record number of entries received.

“Those who were crowned winners really are the very best at what they do and should feel incredibly proud of their achievements. The Tower of London provided a superb backdrop for the awards this year and guests all had a great night.”

Page 10

The Phoenix – July 2015

COMMUNITY NEWS WITH LJ

LJ’s

ity n u m Com Slot

T

he Sanlam Go Dad Run 5K run to support prostate cancer awareness took its natural course of action in the 6 weeks leading up to Fathers Day, since it commenced in 2013.

This event was founded by former Olympic and World Cham-

pion 110 metre hurdler Colin Jackson in 2013. “Choosing the dates as the weeks leading up to Fathers Day was important,” says Jackson, “to give this illness the male focus, as men are generally reluctant in facing health issues.”

This 5K run took place in multiple places around the UK commencing in Anglesey on the 7th June and concluding on Fathers Day 21st June 2015 in Cardiff and London.

This saw men dress up in large blue 'Y-Fronts' - an aim to make a little joke of this very serious awareness campaign.

All male relatives and partners were supported by their female family members on the run.

This year on the start line in Worcester on the 14th June 2015, Colin was able to engage the support of other former athletes such as Olympic & World Champion Donovan Bailey as they identified

there are issue for men in general as the most common form of cancer.

Statistics show one in eight men in the UK are at risk, but this is a one in four ratio for men of African and Caribbean decent.

Jackson and Bailey, who have both lost members of their families to this disease, are determined to dispelled some of the myths in these communities.

Jamaican born Donovan Bailey, who became the 100 metres Olympic champion in 1996 for Canada, believes the situation is even worse in Jamaica.

“Attitudes towards homosexuality there are preventing people from seeking treatment,” Bailey states, "In Jamaica the men are told that if a guy gives you the 'finger test' then you turn gay," referencing the rectal examination doctors can use as part of the diagnosis process.

Bailey, who ran with Jackson in Worcester, become an ambassador for the charity hoping to take the event across the Atlantic next year so it can find a new home, and grow once more, in Canada and Jamaica.

Jackson is clear on his aim: "We want more footfall through doctors surgeries. These situations affect everybody, and men need to recognise that."

What a great way to use his high profile status to help such a worthy cause.

WELL DONE GENTLEMEN!!!

Healthy & Wise

Recognition for Sisters giving back Education

C

ongratulations must go out to Rosemary Campbell-Stevens being recognised on the Queens birthday list with an MBE for her contribution to education.

Rosemary is a Educator, Consultant, Equality and Diversity Leader and Leadership trainer, and an International speaker in the field of education.

Her journey into education began 30 years ago as a teenager, where she taught at 104 Heathfield Road in their Saturday school.

After leaving teachers

l Joan Campbell

training college, her first job was teaching at Aston Manor school as a secondary school teacher.

Never failing to push for change and a higher level, Rosemary became an OFSTED inspector and a local authority officer which stood in stead for delivery and investment for change of the highest level in this field. l Rosemary Campbell-Stevens Combining this with a professional life supporting developed Investing in Diorganisations at a strategic versity (IiD) for the London and operational level, ad- Centre for Leadership and dressing issues Learning Institute of Educaof equality, tion (formerly University of diversity, so- London.

This has seen over 1000 cial justice and public speak- teachers in London complete the Leadership programme, ing.

It is fair to doubling the number of edusay if you cators of colour achieving have ever been Headship and other Leaderto a seminar ship positions.

This programme is now with Rosemary Camp- successfully operating in bell-Stevens, Leeds, Yorkshire and Humyou have left berside. Rosemary sits on a there feeling number of boards, and is the focused and chair of governors at Harper inspired to Bell Seven Day Adventist make a differ- School Birmingham.

As well as being an inspiraence.

Rosemary tion to the wider community,

Your Wellbeing l Lynne Gough, Rob Walters, Becca Moore, Sandra Tonks, Wanita (Forever Living Rep), Kevin Molloy, Eden Joseph and Dean Treasure.

Rosemarys younger sister Joan Campbell one of the Director of Community Vision West Midlands CIC, cites her sister as her inspiration.

When I caught up with Joan she stated she is very proud of this recognition her sister has received. 'I am blessed to have Rosemary as a sister and my role model'.

Joan also has recently been nominated in the West Midlands Woman of the Year Award for her contribution to education.

However do not get it twisted, Joan is not a carbon copy of Rosemary, she is very much a leader with her own vision; they are just cut from the same cloth as is said in the community.

C

hanges are afoot at the City council as they hand over responsibility for fitness centres in some city's inner city areas, in an aim to tackle isolation, promote inclusion whilst tackling the health issues in these areas.

These are some large sites that have sat under strategic sports now taken over by Serco. They will be now be known as Birmingham WellBeing Centres.

The centres taken over are Nechells, Small Heath, Kingstanding and Handsworth and in addition to these there are several Wellbeing hubs across the city.

They are set to provide

spiritual, physical and mental well being. There have been various launch events, and I was pleased to meet centre manager Kevin Molloy on the launch day for Nechells community centre.

The day held a series of different events for people to try out, such as indoor bowls, Zumba and badminton and other activities.

There were also advice on hand about detoxing and how to make natural health drinks. It was good to see people taking advantage of the opportunity to try these activities.

Some of the groups the Wellbeing centres have partnered with are working with children with obesity (classroom and physical

activities).

They are also linking with Mental health groups in the community, whilst working with internal partners such as Active Parks outdoor activities for all age groups, who are also promoting 500 open spaces across Birmingham.

Big Birmingham bikes who have delivered classes on how to ride a bike, as well as the 5000 FREE bikes given to Birmingham residents.

Moving forward the plan is to network work with groups, create steering groups to build services that local groups can benefit from and be proud of. These are yours to enjoy, so get in touch and take advantage!

To Advertise - Tel : 0121 231 3235 or email advertising@thephoenixnewspaper.com

The Phoenix – July 2015

Nominate!

Page 11

The Phoenix Newspaper Awards The Phoenix Newspaper is proud to formally announce the Award Categories for 2015.

Your nominations will shape these awards, so please send your nominations in. Some nominations have already come in, see below the category for details. If you can’t see your favourite, there is still time to nominate them!

Lifetime Achievement Award Willard Wigan Bob Warman Bing Cecil Morris

Charity of the Year 2015 Acorns Childrens Hospice John Taylor Hospice ACLT

Special Achievement Award 2015 Dean Alexander Mark Dwayne Justice Williams Deb Leary Clint Dunkley a.k.a. Beva

Community Outreach/Volunteer Award 2015 Sted Wallen Amrick Singh Ubhi Mykal Brown Leon Mukhtar Dar

Best Eatery 2015 Pushkar Turtle Bay Miller & Carter Wildmoor Oak Akamba Golden Fish Big John

Best Place of Worship 2015 GNNSJ St Chad’s Cathedral Birmingham Christian Centre The Rock Church

Business & Enterprise Award 2015 Carl George Tony Sealey Indi Deol Ed James Ammo Talwar Lee Elliot & Juanita Carmichael Steve Walker Dipak Shelat H.S. Tank & Sons Eric Ho Yvonne Kerr

Best Radio DJ/ Presenter 2015 DJ Len DJ Countryman Ed James and Rachel New Little Richie Dean Alexander Noreen Khan

Beauty & Lifestyle Award 2015

in association with Street Cred Magazine & Fabulosayou MAC Cosmetics Mary Kay Pamela Liburd Vivid Ink - Andrew Gough New Look Estilos

Sports Achiever 2015

Annie Zaidi Ellie Simmonds Brendan Batson Steve Hollinsworth Garry Peal WBC Womens Boxing Club

K-Star Thai Boxing

We need YOU to nominate people, groups, organisations and businesses that you think deserve these awards.

Email your nominations through to nominations@thephoenixnewspaper.com stating clearly the name, address and contact number of the nominee, as well as which category you are nominating them for, and why.

Page 12

NEWS

B

usiness leaders in Birmingham have welcomed the announcement that work on the High Speed 2 Rail link connection between London, Birmingham, Leeds and Manchester will start in 2017.

Transport Minister Robert Goodwill has confirmed the start date as changes were unveiled in Parliament to the HS2 hybrid Bill, which will be considered by a Select Committee.

Parliament will also debate updated plans for building the route.

Mr Goodwill said: “The changes to the Bill show the government is listening to communities along the HS2 route.

By working together, we can ensure this vital railway is designed in the right way, so we have spades in the ground in 2017 as planned.”

Jerry Blackett, chief executive of Greater Birmingham Chambers of

Commerce (GBCC), said: “It’s encouraging that the government is listening and acting on local views and we now look forward to work beginning.

Other encouraging developments have been the enthusiastic welcome for the work in the Curzon Street HS2 station area and Birmingham as a whole. These are really exciting times for the city and the arrival of HS2 will lead it into another era.”

Along the amendments to be put to the Select Committee are changes to the HS2 route near Lichfield, which mean the railway will now pass under the A38, the West Coast Main Line and the South Staffordshire line rather than run over them on viaducts.

This will avoid the need for two crossings over the Trent and Mersey Canal, which had previously been of concern to stakeholders, including the Canal & River Trust.

The Phoenix – July 2015

Chamber welcomes HS2 2017 start date

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Heritage as a stimulant for enterprise and the economy

O

ver the past 21 years, the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) has invested billions into a variety of projects and events to stimulate enterprise in local economies across England.

Yet many of these ventures are unknown to the public, more so, diverse communities. At the heart of heritage, is the distinctive link between the historic and modern.

It is clearly about the combination of physical infrastructure and social capital and the impact both have on the demand and supply chain.

In 2013, the HLF commissioned a study of the UK’s historic buildings used by businesses.

On that occasion, it was stated that ‘Heritage Enterprise’ was designed to ‘stimulate local economic growth by unlocking the commercial potential of unused buildings.

The new scheme will empower not-for-profit organisations, such as community groups and social enterprises to work in partnership with the private sector to rescue and return neglected historic buildings to productive use.

Historic buildings are particularly successful in attracting creative industries and new business start-ups, which are particularly productive in terms of contribution to GDP. On June 17 last, a leading

charity cum social enterprise, Community Education Academy of Leadership (CEAL), completed a very successful textiles heritage project funded by the HLF. This initiative captured the contribution of South Asian women to the textiles manufacturing industry in Sandwell and surrounding areas.

A senior official commended the charity for making an effort to maintain and preserve a legacy that had (and still have) a great bearing on the economic and social lives of both communities and their neighbourhoods.

Noteworthy, CEAL’s role in local heritage reflected its determination to assist in addressing these situations (although not exclusively):• Market failure where businesses are underperforming or going bust; • Attract investment for growth and development potential; • Plug the gap between repair costs and the value of the asset; • Stimulate community interest in entrepreneurial activities; • Provide valuable information and data on economic trends; • Build social capital to infuse confidence within disadvantaged groups; and • Contribute towards a policy platform for increased dialogue on social industry and manufacturing in the West Midlands.

A

w 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.

Heritage materials emanating from oral history projects are useful for recreating new vistas on enterprise for local economies struggling to compete.

The recent completion of the textiles heritage project clearly justified this fact.

The time has come therefore for heritage to be given greater prominence in the public debate on the way in which SMEs and social enterprises can create viable partnerships to assist in rebuilding local economies for the greater good.

The Phoenix – July 2015

Page 13

Hot Tips!

As summer temperatures start to soar, West Midlands Fire Service is urging people to take extra care in the sunshine, with barbecues and near water.

Our ‘hot tips’ for summer safety:

“We want everyone to enjoy the weather, but to keep an eye on their own safety at the same time,” said Pete Wilson, Head of Community Safety at WMFS. “It’s also important to check in on the elderly or vulnerable, to make sure they’re coping in the heat and staying hydrated.

* KEEP OUT OF OPEN WATER

“Barbecues and house parties are a great way to enjoy the weather and lighter nights, but we’d much rather that we don’t get invited because of an

* DON’T LIGHT BBQs USING PETROL A West Midlands man suffered burns after doing just that last month

emergency.

“It’s all too easy to get distracted when you’re having a good time with family and friends. It means you can soon forget how many drinks you’ve had, or that you’ve left something cooking away in the kitchen.

“Many of the same rules apply indoors and out. If you’re lighting up the barbecue, remember that it’s not just a matter of flicking the ‘off switch’ if

It might be warm outside, but it’s too cold for muscles to function properly under water surfaces. Never leave children unsupervised near paddling pools and ponds

* DON’T LEAVE CHILDREN OR PETS IN VEHICLES Leaving a window slightly open isn’t enough * STAY HYDRATED Especially if you’re driving - take a break if you need to. Don’t drive whilst tired

things go wrong with a charcoal one. * BE CAREFUL WITH CIGARETTES AND GLASS Be extra careful when disposing of smoking materials and glass objects like bottles - grass fires start very easily

“Whether you’re at home, in a pub beer garden, or out and about, please plan ahead. It’s a clear ‘no’ to drink-driving, whatever the weather.”

* DRINK RESPONSIBLY At home, at the pub, in the park - don’t let alcohol ruin your fun

Do something great today Become a West Midlands Fire Service Community Member

www.wmfs.net © West Midlands Fire Service Marketing 2015 1415•319

#RTB Believe

WestMidsFire

Making West Midlands Safer

www.wmfs.net Prevention

Protection

Response

Page 14

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M

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CM

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CMY

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The Phoenix – July 2015

The Phoenix – July 2015

Page 15

SPECIAL STREET CRED SUPPLEMENT IN THE PHOENIX NEWSPAPER

JULY 2015

www.streetcredmagazine.com

IDRIS MOVIE STAR, DJ, ICON

Page 16

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

www.streetcredmagazine.com

EMPIRE SOUNDTRACK IS ON MY DJ PLAYLIST! Have you heard the Soundtrack to the Empire TV Series?

Woow is all I can say, in regards to the vocals and production quality is faultless and is R&B at its best. This is the hip-hop-heavy soundtrack which has broke TV records and now topped the Billboard charts.

Get a load of Production by Timbaland with artists featured such as Estelle and Rita Ora. Yazz and Jussie are SURE to have big music careers off this groundbreaker.

TV - Online - MAGAZINE

Editors Note

It feels so good being the editor of Street Cred and having our supplement in the UKs hottest community newspaper.

Every Month we bring you our magazine with The Phoenix which boasts Fashion, Film, Gadgets, News, Gossip and of course brand new talent looking to break through the crazy music industry.

We always bring you what

deserves to be seen and we are very excited about our Street Cred TV online where you will see raw footage of interviews , events and loads more.

This month we filmed the Pastor of the Gospel music industry Mr Kirk Franklin and Mr Mojo of reggae group Morgan Heritage who you can also read about in our supplement.

Although great things are

/streetcredmag

The Phoenix – July 2015

going on I personally have lost a friend of mine who died of Sickle Cell.

We was close school friends and for years she had been fighting the disease, she was always a big fan of Street Cred and I would like to dedicate this month to her and thank her for being so strong for others while she was going through her pain.

R.I.P Serena Hamilton.

Songs to look out for are Beautiful, Money For Nothing, Good Enough Drip Drop What is love, “Money for Nothing” feat.

Jussie Smollett and Yazz & Good Enough” feat. Jussie Smollett

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Q & A With Mojo Morgan

W

e caught up with Mr Mojo of Morgan Heritage on their UK Promo tour for their brand new album Strictly Roots. We’d like to thank Punch Records for setting it up.

MOJO: We are here in Birmingham and this is the first time we have done promo in the UK in ten years MD: Tell us about the new label CTBCM? MOJO: Cool to be conscious music is about engaging with this generations music lovers I call them the galactic generation as they want every thing fast in real time, no delay.

On our return after we took a five year break we realized that the audience got younger by about ten years, so we said the new cool is being conscious; this is the movement we need to push to this next generation You don’t have to be religious to be conscious.

MD: You feel its good time now?

MOJO: Consiousness is all about balance. Its not about being too righteous, too spiritual its just about having balance in all aspects of life.

MD; So you are here to promote the album is there any shows?

MOJO: To promote the album we’re doing a series of re-

lease parties we owe the foundation of our career to the people in Europe.

We are performing a couple classics and giving you new records the responce has been overwhelming we will be back in uk for touring in October, November time.

MD: Chronixx is top now, how did you find working with him, was that good energy?

MOJO: Chronixx is a good youth a rising star in the reggae world it’s always important for us to endorse the future.

When we worked with Warrior King we was one of the first to see something special, same as Jah Cure when he was around and Capleton it means a lot to us to let them know that we support what they are doing and that we are not in competition with each other.

We should encourage each other and strengthen each other to bring this music to higher heights.

MD: How do you see the future for Morgan Heritage at the moment you’ve just started your own label?

It’s a complete new era for you really a new audience how do you see things going?

MOJO: So far it’s all good!

The album is selling well. It’s tiring though, you cant look at the VP and say why aren’t you doing this, why aren’t you do-

ing that. Now you have your destiny in your own hands.

MD: Where has been the most memorable?

MOJO: There are so many like Brixton Academy, we came here with Buju Banton. We was so unsure how it would be because the crowd was so massive and we were just starting out .

We had a signing with MCA 94 when we came and it was massive then when we came back a few years later Gramps sang Down By The River and they couldn’t even hear his voice MD: So what song have you recorded that has a magic moment for you?

MOJO: Has to be Don’t Haffi Dread, because it made people understand that if they look like you and don’t have dreads doesn’t mean they don’t have a clean heart and doesn’t mean they don’t live a good life.

That’s what being a Rastafarian is all about, and thats why Iidentify with the faith of Rastafari more I am a Rastafairian I may not have dreads but I feel it, I live it.

Art imitates life and life imitates art, we are very greatful for the blessing; we take great responsibility with the tasks that’s right before us. Strictly roots is all about a universal album with universal features.

The Phoenix – July 2015

www.streetcredmagazine.com

Page 17

ENTERTAINMENT

Discover a whole world of voyages at The CRUISE Show in Birmingham

A

Kirk Franklin Concert Review Review by Yanique Taylor

H

e came, he saw, he conquered.

When Kirk Franklin came to the Bethel Convention Centre in West Bromwich, what an amazing and incredible show he put on for the crowd.

Words are not enough to describe the show and performance, it was definitely one you had to be there to experience.

With the help of his backing band, Kirk danced, jumped, run, and sang his way across the stage, he sure is passionate about God. He had the crowed moving, grooving and definitely singing.

He took it right back to the be-

s Europe’s leading cruise event, The CRUISE Show will host the largest collection of major cruise lines and specialist operators all under one roof for one weekend!

Whether you’re looking for a once-in-alifetime expedition cruise to a far-flung destination, a sumptuous ultra-luxury voyage, maybe a relaxing cultural river cruise or a tropical family cruise-holiday with lots to entertain all ages – The CRUISE Show at the NEC has it all.

Packed with information and inspiration visitors can enjoy exclusive money-saving show offers and upgrades, be inspired by the informative free talks, gain essential expert advice that you won’t find in the brochure, discover different ship styles and incredible destinations and hear directly from the cruise lines about what’s new for 2015/2016.

So, if you’re completely new to cruising and intrigued to discover what it’s all about, or you’re a seasoned cruiser wanting inspiration for your next adventure, then make sure

you head to The CRUISE Show at Birmingham’s NEC on 12-13 September 2015.

For more show information please visit www.cruisingshow.com.

READER’S TICKET OFFER

You can also get reduced price advance tickets to the show! Get your tickets for only £4 (that’s saving £6 off the door price!!) by quoting ‘PHOENIX’ when booking tickets online at www.cruisingshow.com or when calling 0871 620 4024. (Calls cost 10p per minute plus network extras).

COMPETITION

ginning which had the crowd going crazy and getting in the spirit.

He spoke about setting your goals high as we should always be aiming high.

Without a shadow of a doubt, Birmingham gave Kirk a warm welcome. Even though he's a Gospel artist the crowd was filled with people from every community, everyone was having a blast and everyone knew all the songs word for word.

He said he was here to make “God a superstar”, and that's exactly what he did. The show was hosted by the beautiful Nikki Tapper who had the crowd laughing each time she did the famous Birmingham accent.

We are giving 10 lucky people the chance to win a pair of tickets to the show! Just answer this simple question below: Where is The CRUISE Show in Birmingham taking place? a) Olympia b) NEC c) Manchester Central Just email your answer, with your name, address and contact number to competitions@thephoenixnewspaper.com with the subject “The Cruise Show”. Competition closes at 23.59 on 21st August 2015. There is no cash alternative.

Grimey Snippets

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The new face of Easten ders is definitely the talk of the UK! Richard Bla ckwoods acting career has really gone into orbit since doing Shrek Mu sical.

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ire boastes like Emp and Orri se V T n s his ow ew Law 5O Cent ha dget. Power is the n turns but as u b l re a s ci lla n a a D n fi ing a e his ell in ng really w Empire stol an der and doi moaning again that th er h ot ll a t a usual 50 is h we cant see how e. ther hic concept w e are black people in er the fact th

Look out for Birmingha m’s own DJ DAY DAY who is doing big things at 21 playing at some of the big gest concert after parties who include J Cole & Nas. We will be having an intervie w with the new era DJ on Streetcred TV Online about his new label Hoodrich .

eonie Henry has taken her passion for hair and beauty beyond the norm in her pursuit for that perfect look for today's man and woman.

After studying for a Biomedical Science degree at university, pursuing a career in Health and Social Care, working up to a Registered Care Manager, working with all ages of children and adults, she started beauty training, initiated by her sisters, which helped her set-up her first beauty business.

Working out what she needed to do, and having taken it each day as it comes, The Complete Beauty Box by Lushious-Lee was formed and, to date, has just been going from strength-to-strength in more ways than one.

Covering an almost complete range of make-up preparations, she includes: bridal make-up, facials, microdermabrasions, manicure, pedicure, gel nails, gel polishing,semi-permanent individual

eyelash extensions, cluster lashes, high definition brows, eyebrow and eyelash tinting, threading and full body waxing.

Catering for both male and females alike, Birmingham-based Leonie is regularly called on to do exhibitions and major shows, as well as corporate events for large, medium and small businesses, throughout the Country.

She has a national client base and is now also a presenter on NewStyle Radio 98.7fm, educating her listeners on topics such as everything from the healthiest and most efficient way to apply and maintain make-up to the 'heavenly' body to beauty related health issues such as ultraviolet radiation and its effects on skin.

“I thoroughly enjoy my job,” she enthuses. “And now have a radio show on NewStyle 98.7fm, biweeky on a Tuesday, from 4-5pm, I have a great platform on which I can really enlighten the listeners in the healthiest way to apply and maintain makeup and beautify themselves using the latest treatment available within the industry."

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l Leonie Henry ceive a luxurious and quality service, at all times, with new treatments regularly added to the list.

Also covering weddings, of all sizes, Leonie always has fantastic package deals and offers; available, “Don't forget our ‘Recommend A Friend’ scheme For a wide range of treatments on offer, all carried out within the comfort of your own home, at your convenience, Be it a special occasion, a present for someone else, a girls' night in or just simply to spoil yourself, The Complete Beauty Box by Lushious-Lee is all you need, for your perfect look.

Get 10% off all treatment when you book using the code ‘PHOENIX’.

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Page 18

ENTERTAINMENT

The Phoenix – July 2015

www.streetcredmagazine.com

‘White Dee’s’ Column

The Benefit Street and Big Brother star writes EXCLUSIVELY for The Phoenix Newspaper.

Email: whitedee@streetcredmagazine.com

W

I

by Steve Williams

t proved a celebration to remember as Praza, Hagley Road’s new bar and restaurant, hosted a very special double-Gemini birthday treat for two of The Phoenix Newspaper’s finest Fabulosayou Fashion Editor, Yanique Taylor and Sports Editor…which is me!

At the sassier younger sister of award-winning Pushkar restaurant, on Broad Street, at Praza, the first restaurant in Birmingham with its own rickshaw, provided the perfect setting for what was a night of quality drinks, sumptuous food and dazzling company.

The new two-storey bar and restaurant, opposite the Oratory, in a large Victorian building, designed in striking black and copper set the tone for the evening, offering The Phoenix Newspaper party a choice of fantastically fruity wines, from around the world, before laying on some of the most sumptuous, fresh

Perfect Party at Praza by Pushkar ‘to-die-for’ food you’d have to go a long way to beat.

Sitting on the ground floor, with its two private dining rooms (one with a giant Onyx table) and

striking fireplace and tea and dessert corner, we were provided with the greatest of settings; intimate, yet open, enjoying

classy food, which is away from the norm with a seasonal menu, changing every four months, that’s not too expensive.

Yanique called it: “A 10 out of 10 night. The food was fantastic, the drinks, well, just okay - after all, I was driving that night - and the service was out of this world. I recommend it to anyone.”

For me, it has to go down as one of my most memorable of birthday celebrations, in one of the most memorable of surrounding, in one of the most memorable of companies.

In the Edgbaston suburb fast being being labelled the ‘Mayfair of Birmingham,’ Praza by Pushkar gets my vote after a birthday night to remember, for Yanique and me.

ell its official we are already half way through 2015 where on earth does the time go!

The saying ‘time flies when you’re having fun’ well maybe that’s where the past 6 months have gone, or maybe someone somewhere is willing us all to grow that little bit older - talking of which - 16th July and yep ITS MY BIRTHDAY! Whooop whooop!

I remember ‘back in the day’ when I was totally dreading reaching the big 3 0 haha. Well I’ve well and truly gone past that by quite a few years.

I’m at that stage now where I actually look forward to my birthday, I look forward to getting that little bit older as each

day passes.

I put it down to having the kids, I can still joke away and say, yeah I’m 21, but then a little voice pipes up and says ‘errrrr no Mom your gonna be 44 and that’s really old!’

Or when your helping the kids with their homework and they ask ‘What was it like in the olden days?’ or ‘I didn’t know you could take colour photos when you were little’ errrrrr excuse me! Haha, these kids don’t really know they’re born.

I don’t know if you guys feel the same, but as a Mom, I want to keep my babies as babies - even though Caitlin (who will be 18 this year) has just started work experience with West Midlands Police.

Yep, my baby girl wants to be a police officer, A RIOT POLICE OFFICER, and knowing my girl, what she wants in life, she’s gonna get.

I’m just happy in the knowledge at the moment, that my baby boy is happy being a 8year old and running around with his mates, playing footy and tig and just being a boy, so I am going to make sure he enjoys his childhood until its time for me to step in and turn him into a man.

Talking of which -

as you might all know (or you will now) I’m a Catholic, and am bringing up my children as part of the Catholic church until they are old enough to decide for themselves which route they would like to follow as they become adults.

Well on the 13th June, my little boy Gerrard celebrated his First Holy Communion, it was so different to when Caitlin made hers as he didn’t have to wear a dress, didn’t have to have the posh hair do, so we threw him a party instead.

Seeing him looking all grown up in his smart uniform and unscuffed shoes, with his communion sash, I must admit, it did bring a tear to my eye.

I just love being a Mom, I think its the best job in the whole wide world, and do you know what, I wouldn’t change it for anything.

Proud as punch me - I just hope they feel the same.

Just before I go, don’t forget peeps, Simmer Down Festival is hitting Birmingham again, Sunday 19th July in Handsworth Park It’s great to see these events being put on in this amazing city that we live in - so lets show everyone how to have a good time Brummy style.

Hope to see you all there Dee x x x

Dear Edith...

D

ear Miss Edith, I am a 18 year old guy with a problem.

I realise when having sex I climax very quick and it’s very upsetting and embarrassing.

I did discover though that

when I drink alcohol before having sex with a girl it slows me down and I last longer.

Miss Edith is it ok to just continue to drink alcohol before sex?

Edith Says...

That is what happens when unnu can’t wait. And what you doing drinking alcohol as well.

Likkle bwoy a tink you in dis one too deep. Not only that you cannot perform you have to be drinking to stay on.

So what gonna happen when you get older?

My advise is pray because only God can help you!

W

ell well well. What a situation fi such a young man.

Bwoy o bwoy this one have mi tinking. First of all serve you right because you too young anyway to be having sex yes a said it kmt.

Miss Edith is hear to ansa all a unu questions.

Just ask me anyting and I will sure to ansa unu.

Just send unu questions to

dearedith@thephoenixnewspaper.com Mi would sey call mi but a nuh all di time mi in di mood to chat!

The Phoenix – July 2015

www.streetcredmagazine.com

BIGScreen

REVIEW

Jurassic World

T

wenty-two years after the events of Jurassic Park, Isla Nublar now features a fully operational theme-park and dinosaur reserve called Jurassic World - An enormous, fun, high-tech and beautiful tourist attraction for the whole family, just as John Hammond had originally envisioned.

But with visitor numbers rapidly decreasing and satisfaction rates at an all-time low, the In-Gen Corporation decide to genetically engineer a new dinosaur in order to boost numbers.

However, their new creation turns out to be far more deadly and volatile than they ever imagined and when it manages to break free from the confines of its paddock and puts the lives of everyone on the island in grave peril, it is down to a rag-tag group of Jurassic World employees to track the beast down before it’s too late.

In the Summer of 1993, a film was released that sent shockwaves

through the world of cinema; featuring an intriguing premise, great characters, exhilarating action and game-changing visual effects that still hold up today, it changed the very landscape of Blockbuster cinema.

That film was Steven Spielberg’s Jurassic Park. In 1997, Steven Spielberg returned to the director’s chair after a four-year hiatus to helm the sequel, The Lost World: Jurassic Park – a solid and entertaining follow up to his original, but one that never quite recaptured the magic of the first.

Then, in 2001, Spielberg stepped away from the franchise and Joe Johnston stepped in as director.

Unfortunately, script issues and well-documented problems during production resulted in yet another entertaining, yet flawed sequel that was met with very little enthusiasm from critics and fans alike.

While both sequels are still entertaining, neither was the runaway hit Jurassic Park was and Jurassic Park III seemed to be the

final nail in the franchise coffin.

For years, we heard rumours of a Jurassic Park 4, one of which featured human-dinosaur hybrid soldiers (no, seriously) but nothing ever happened.

Jurassic Park fans eventually accepted the fact that one of our favourite franchises had come to an end and our hope fizzled away.

However, fast-forward to 2015 and the impossible has happened!

We finally have a new Jurassic Park movie!

Colin Trevorrow – a filmmaker with only one other feature-film in his arsenal – was hired to direct, which sent confusion throughout the film world as to why Universal would hire such an inexperienced and untested director for such an enormous movie.

This coupled with the fact that none of the original cast were returning seemed to spell disaster for many fans.

However, fear not! For Colin Trevorrow and company have delivered the best damn Jurassic

wORDS by antony brown

adventure since 1993!

Though inexperienced, Trevorrow proves himself to be a more than adequate director capable of handling enormous scales and budgets and he handles everything brilliantly.

He allows the film to be lighthearted and fun, but isn’t afraid to let it go down a very dark path when it needs to.

That is perhaps the biggest shock about Jurassic World; it is surprisingly violent and brutal in parts, more so than anything in the previous three movies, but Trevorrow manages to find a perfect balance so that it never stays too dark for too long.

Based on his work here, I imagine Colin Trevorrow will be in high-demand to tackle some big movies in the future. He is definitely one to watch.

When it was revealed that Jurassic World would feature an entirely new cast, many fans were furious.

They had waited years for another sequel and were desperate to the likes of Dr. Alan Grant and Dr. Ian Malcolm again, but Trevorrow offered a fantastic explanation that makes absolutely perfect sense.

Speaking to IGN, Trevorrow stated “I know a lot of fans want to see the original characters back.

They’re iconic. But I respect those actors too much to shoehorn them into this story for my own sentimental reasons.

The only reason they’d go back is if the screenwriters contrived a reason for them to go.” I guess you can’t argue with that!

Thankfully, the new cast is full of bright, vibrant and fun characters that light up the screen and hold our attention.

While the entire cast are fantastic, there are two in-particular who stand out.

Bryce Dallas Howard stars as the highly-intelligent and clinical director of the park Claire, who pretty much runs the entire show and Chris Pratt as the heroic Owen – a man so badass he is the Alpha to his own pack of Velociraptors.

The Velociraptors are also one of the highlights of the film (as they

are in every Jurassic Park movie).

Here, they are neither good nor bad, but tread a very fine line between the two. Owen may be in charge, but there’s a chance of them switching at any moment, which makes for some wonderfully intense scenes.

Then, of course, there is the brand new hybrid dinosaur, known as the Indominus-Rex - An enormous, relentlessly vicious beast who

Sick and twisted. It’s a novel like no other. A pair of psychologically disturbed, married characters who end up creating a masterpiece of a plot for themselves.

Ultimately their determination to outsmart one another, drives them to live within a universe of lies, pretence and a fake marriage. A true writers sacrifice as they live in a psycho-novel town.

Their failed marriage and infidelity is what pushes Amy to commit her life to ruining nick.

In the end, some might argue that she turns nick insane.

Or does he finally become sane because he is convinced he will be a better man because he will not turn out like his father who ended up in a mental

institution?

A symptom, phobia of all men whose fathers failed them.

Oedipus springs to mind.

I’ve become somewhat obsessed with Amy’s character.

Her wicked determination to be the winning human being in the quest of proving a point of being a woman that can, doesn’t pity herself and manipulates everyone and everything in such a way so that she is always the champ on the podium of successful wives competition. The admired protagonist, hero.

I did not root for her, I remained faithfully on ‘team Nick’ but her Hitchcock-like thinking and wickedness fascinated me nevertheless. With her disturbed mind, psychopathic feminist ways, a powerful character is born, dies, is reborn

as Nancy and others again, and the cycle continues.

Clever, reminiscent of a menstrual cycle, or the supposed frequent change of mindset?

Gillian Flynn knows how to write and captivate one’s mind and Amy dunne has imprinted on my brain. It felt paralysed as I tried to sleep after finishing this novel.

She is a confidently composed heroine and she knows it. Not only did she manipulate Nick into doing the most extreme actions no husband would, but she manages to hypnotise the readers into believing first that she was indeed in great danger and we read her diary.

Fake diary.

She adapts several versions of a woman and she is able to pull them all off and get away

Page 19

BIG SCREEN steamrolls her way across the island, decimating everything in her path.

The Indominus-Rex is a fantastic addition to the film and has some remarkable abilities that make her one of the most deadly predators on the island.

Now, I know what you’re thinking; “But Antony, what about the T-Rex?” Well, without spoiling anything, all that needs to be said is that the she is kept under wraps for the majority of the movie, but once the curtain is pulled back and she’s allowed to roam free, your mind will be blown.

Jurassic World is a fun, fierce and frantic ride that delivers the joy, humour, excitement, adventure and pure terror we all want in a Jurassic Park sequel.

While the original Jurassic Park still reigns as the leader of the pack – the Alpha-Velociraptor, if you will - Jurassic World stands proudly behind it as the second in command Beta-Raptor, who could hold her own in a showdown but ultimately doesn’t pack quite as much of a bite.

Even so, it stands head and shoulders above the other sequels and brings with it enough fun, intensity, violence and nostalgia to please even the biggest Jurassic Park fans.

It also features one of the best, most exhilarating pay-offs in blockbuster history and it will leave you roaring with joy and hungry for more. Bring on Jurassic World 2!

SMALLScreen Insurgent DVD & Blu-Ray Out 3rd August 2015

Insurgent, the next gripping action-adventure in the blockbuster Divergent franchise, raises the stakes for Tris as she searches for allies and answers in the dystopian ruins of a futuristic Chicago.

Tris (Shailene Woodley) and Four (Theo James) are now fugitives on the run, hunted by Jeanine (Kate Winslet), the leader of the power-hungry Erudite elite.

Literal Enlightenment

by Agata Klosowska

Chappie DVD & Blu-Ray Out 13th July 2015

with those. She is the ultimate heroine and is fully aware, whilst Nick is poisoned with her game and refuses to let her win by sending him to prison.

Instead, he is left in hell with a woman he wants to kill and expecting a child.

‘Chappie’ is a robot, and the first true artificial intelligence, able to learn and develop as a human does.

Some want to study him, and others want to destroy him.

Kidnapped from the scientist who created him, Chappie becomes part of a street gang’s dysfunctional surrogate family, who decide that he is too innocent and needs to be toughened up.

To Advertise - Tel : 0208 865 1922 or email advertising@thephoenixnewspaper.com

Page 20

FASHION

The Phoenix – July 2015

www.streetcredmagazine.com

Analogue Tales: Sounds From Arden

C

elebrated Birmingham singe r- s o n g w r i t e r James Summerfield has released his fifth studio album Analogue Tales: Sounds From Arden.

The record, a rich and vivid exploration of city of Birmingham and surrounding areas of the English Midlands, features the words of friend and poet Darren Cannan set to James S u m m e r f i e l d ’s striking yet elegant take on Americana.

Lyrically, Analogue Tales: Sounds From Arden covers ground familiar to most residents of the city, with the Jewellery Quarter, Longbridge Rover car plant, the M42, Ladywood, Birmingham city centre and Sutton Coldfield featuring in the allegories, observations, asides and stories that make up the album.

The extraordin-

ary pictures of the region’s people, landscapes and identity has further detail added by the voices of guest narrators The Beat frontman Ranking Roger, broadcaster Robin Valk, James Summerfield’s grandmother Marjorie Summerfield, authors Mike Gayle and Catherine O’Flynn, and songwriter and actor Paul Murphy.

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The Phoenix – July 2015

www.streetcredmagazine.com

E

likes of Denzel Washington, Laurence Fishburne and Chiwetel Ejiofor, the 42-year-old actor recently revealed that he is focusing on music right now, as well as his established status in Hollywood, and here.

“I love working with music and making people dance,” he said.

The son of a Sierra Leoneian father and Ghanaian mother, the 42-year-old, a former worker at the Ford car factory, in Dagenham, aka DJ Big Driis, is equally at home in a DJ booth, as he is in front of the cameras.

Idris, the product of the National Youth Music Theatre and a £1,500 Prince's Trust grant, has music, and playing music, in his blood.

He says: “Music has always been

a part of me, ever since I was much younger.

I used to carry boxes and records, plus DJ, for my uncle when he would play out at weddings and the like,” Elba recalls.

Under the name 'Big Driis the Londoner,' he has co-produced a track on rapper Jay Z's 2007 album 'American Gangster' Idrissa Akuna Elba - his name is of Krio African origin, and he is keen to hold on to his roots – is serious about his God-given talents – as an accomplished and highly sought after actor – equally so, DJ Big Dri is making waves at a dance hall, near you, pretty soon.

Movie star or DJ, Idriss Elba is an all-round icon of our times.

Local Soprano performs M Rossini classic in July

Page 21

ENTERTAINMENT

l Abigail Kelly ver since his breakthrough starring role in the U.S. award-winning TV drama series, 'The Wire,' Idris Elba's acting career has shot sky high into the stratosphere – on both sides of the Atlantic.

With an ever-growing list of starring roles to follow, both on the small and big screen, the Hackney-born actor, who many have touted to be a future James Bond, has been winning an army of friends and admirers in all walks of life, for his outstanding acting ability, his fantastically stunningly great looks and, he might say above all, his street cred.

Having co-starred along the

idland Opera presents a melodic and superbly-cast Rossini classic. Sung in English, and characterized with great heart.

In July the full company is back at the Crescent Theatre to present Rossini’s delightful opera The Thieving Magpie with the part of Ninetta sung by international soprano and local favourite Abigail Kelly.

In a seemingly idyllic

c o u n t r y c o m m u n i t y, nestled in Europe in the 1800s, Giannetto returns from war in high spirits.

His plan is to marry childhood sweetheart, the plucky servant, Ninetta.

However, a series of unfortunate incidents such as missing cutlery, a disgraced father, spiteful villagers, a sadistic mayor and a lightfingered bird, lead Ninetta to the scaffold instead of his arms!

Can anyone unpick the truth and save our feisty heroine from death? Or worse, from the clutches of the evil Mayor?

Rossini’s captivating score has been featured widely in films such as A Clockwork Orange and Once Upon a Time in America, plus a number of TV commercials.

The opera will run from July 15th to 18th at The Crescent Theatre, with tickets from £15.

Mid Season Sale Now On! Special Occasion Wear Massive Reductions New Collections for Wedding Guests have just arrived Fantastic selection of Hats, Hatinators and Fascinators in stock

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Page 22

GADGETS AND GAMING WITH DANIEL RILEY BIRMINGHAM O2 ACADEMY

July 04 Respublica 08 Area 11 11 Brendon Manders 13 Anvil 18 Jake Quickenden 18 Beres Hammond & Bunny Wailer 25 Slaughter Horse 25 Jar Music Live Presents Ones To Watch 27 Soulfly

BIRMINGHAM INSTITUTE

July 02 Big Sean 03 Goldie Lookin Chain + Night Movements + Shaun Gambowl Walsh & The Plagiarists 03 Jack Rocks Presents: Slow Club + Ekkah 05 Modest Mouse + Hippo Campus + Elle King 05 Leon Bridges + Okay Kaya 10 CHRONIXX & ZINCFENCE REDEMPTION + Special Guests 20 Nicholas McDonald + Special Guests 28 The Sonics + Electric River 31 Solstafir + Special Guests 31 90’s Night Beach Party

GENTING ARENA

July 02 Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons 04 Fleetwood Mac 07 Fleetwood Mac 11 Neil Diamond 12 Run For Home 18 Neil Diamond

TOWN HALL

July 01 University College Birmingham Further Education Celebration and Awards Evening 04 2015 Brant International Piano Competition, Birmingham: The Final 07 MFY National Festival 10 MFY National Festival Evening Jazz 15 Mary Chapin Carpenter 25 Badly Drawn Boy 26 CBSO Youth Orchestra Academy 28 The Three Little Pigs

SYMPHONY HALL

July 01 Burt Bacharach Live in Concert with Full Orchestra 02 CBSO Schools Concert: Bite-size Classics 03 Jazzlines Free Gigs: Lee Jones Quintet 03 CBSO Friday Night Classics: The Ella Fitzgerald Songbook 04 Musical Picnic: Carducci Quartet 04 Jimmy Carr: Funny Business 05 Wagner’s The Flying Dutchman 10 Jazzlines Free Gigs: Stella Roberts’ Frida 12 Brolly & Friends 2015 Irish Charity Night 14 Project Soundlounge Presents: Affiejam And David Freja 15 Services for Education Music Service Gala Concert 17 Jazzlines Free Gigs: Sam Braysher Quartet 23 CBSO Summer Concert

The Phoenix – July 2015

www.streetcredmagazine.com

24 CBSO Summer Concert 27 An Evening with Boycott & Aggers - The Second Innings!

31 Jazzlines Free Gigs: Rob Barron Trio

NEC

July 09 Solihull Apprenticeship Show 11-12 The Vaper Expo UK 23-26 Antiques For Everyone Summer

BARCLAYCARD ARENA July 03 Mary J. Blige 09 Bette Midler 29 N5L

CIVIC/WULFRUN WOLVERHAMPTON

July 05 The Wonder Stuff & The Twang (Wulfrun Hall) 10 DABS Disco (Civic Hall) 23 Camel - Greatest Hits Live (Wulfrun Hall) 24 The Drifters (Wulfrun Hall) 25 Kevin Bridges - A Whole Different Story 2015 (Civic Hall)

SLADE ROOMS, WOLVERHAMPTON

July 08 Biohazard 11 Guns Vs Roses plus Sack Sabbath and Scopyons 18 Gehtika plus Destroyed Beyond Belief 22 Bars & Melody 23 Fell Out Boy 25 Blood Youth and Trash Boat

Magnetic: Cage Closed P ortal is one of the most ingenious and beautifully created puzzle games from start to finish, with a brilliant protagonist, intriguing puzzles and amazing mechanics, and its sequel does just as good a job, if not better in some cases.

Starting with a mini review of 2 other games might have confused a number of you, but it sets the scene for what Magnetic: Cage Closed wants to be.

Magnetic: Cage Closed is a first person puzzle game where your primary tool is a Magnet gun with push and pull settings with a variety of strengths.

My main gripe with the game is the imprecise nature of the Magnet Gun, it just feels a bit too

unwieldy. thing better means that this falls short.

The game has some lovely set design, That being said, it is still worth a look, dangerous and ingenious level layout and at only £12, it can definitely scratch and a bodyless voice ominously guiding that first person puzzler itch that has you through the test chambers (familiar been present since the end of Portal 2! anyone?).

While the premise is good, sadly it does not live up to the expectations that it builds. In its We’ve got 5 Steam copies of the game to give away, and own right, it is a all you need to do is answer this simple question below: good game, with decent mechanWhat does the gun in Magnetic: Cage Closed manipulate? ics, a nice artistic a) The Weather style and some b) Magnetism head-scratchingly c) Reality infuriating puzzles, however the fact that there are other Just email your answer, with your name, address and contact games in the same number to competitions@thephoenixnewspaper.com with genre (Portal and the subject “Magnetic”. Competition closes at 23.59 on 23rd Magrunner) that July 2015. There is no cash alternative. do the same sort of

COMPETITION

What’s On Alice Cooper Pavillions, Plymouth 29th October 2015

Because Halloween would just not be the same without the king of horror rock, the mighty Alice Cooper’s always highlyanticpated All Hallow’s Eve trip to the UK returns for 2015.

Having previously celebrated his favourite holiday in style in London, Glasgow and Edinburgh, the Alice Cooper show returns to the UK for two special nights at Plymouth Pavilions (Oct 29) and Swindon Oasis (Oct 30) with blood, guts, gore and some of the greatest rock and roll music in history.

He is also appearing as the ‘Very Special Guest’ on Motley Crue’s farewell “ F i n a l Tour” in Europe, having blazed a trail with them across the USA and Australia/New Zealand throughout 2014 and 2015.

The UK shows are from Nov 2nd-6th culminating in London SSE Arena, Wembley, the 40th

USVI Music Festival St Thomas, US Virgin Islands 16-19 July 2015

anniversary of his legendary Welcome To My Nightmare tour hitting the same venue.

Until then, join Alice Cooper in all his dark majesty for the ultimate Halloween shows.

On the heels of the St. John Festival carnival celebration to be held over the July 4th holiday weekend, its sister island St. Thomas will take its turn to host America’s Paradise USVI Music Festival featuring top tier musicians and entertainers from July 16 to 19.

The summer festival features the likes of Barrington Levy, Destra, Don Omar, Third World, Cedric The Entertainer, Future, and the Virgin

Islands’ own reggae musician Pressure Busspipe.

“Special events such as Music Fest help to drive business throughout the summer months,” said Beverly Nicholson-Doty, Commissioner of Tourism for the United States Virgin Islands. “We are looking forward to, not only enjoying some great music and entertainment, but also welcoming many visitors and festival goers to Charlotte Amalie next month,” she added.

The Phoenix – July 2015

www.streetcredmagazine.com Volume 3 July 2015

The weeks are really flying now we’ve hit summer; I can’t believe all the attention Fabulosayou has been receiving!

We have so much to look forward to in this edition including our feature this month on men’s skincare.

LETS DO THIS! If you feel you can contribute to this., we have 3 months voluntary contracts available.

Contents

24

Bag to the Future Kiss Cosmetics

25

Mens Skincare Meet Indi Deol

26

Selina Besley Jump From Paper Shoot

The Skin

T

he skin is the largest organ.

It can weigh up to 3.5 kgs and cover two square meters. It also makes up about 16 percent of our body weight.

Laughing 100 times

is equivalent to 15 minutes of exercise on a stationary bicycle.

Smiling can keep you young! You only use 17 muscles when smiling as supposed to 43 when frowning, so keep on smiling through everything!

Makeup Full face from £150 Eyes & brows from £75 Prom from £45

Hair Full head extensions from £100 Half head from £65 Per Row from £30

Nails Full set of Gel from £50 Gel polish from £25

? ? ?

MODELS R US!

W

e are looking for models for photoshoots, exhibitions, events and much more, including The Phoenix Newspaper’s 5th Anniversary, Launch and Gala Awards Ceremony.

For more information and bookings

fabulosayou@thephoenixnewspaper.com Or call us on

0121 231 3235

FASHION

Believe me, you’re going to love it. I won’t say anymore, but we are so hot on bringing you the latest up to the minute styles, looks and trends.

Send in your ideas, comments and suggestions to fabulosayou@thephoenixnewspaper.com or ring us on 0121 231 3235

Hair, Makeup, Nails. Total makeover, for any occasion.

Book the FabulosaYou makeover team for that special occasion. Wedding, Anniversary, Birthdays, Parties, Proms or Special events.

Page 23

Summer loving Hey Fabulosayou summer bugs!

You too can look like a million dollars

“If you think you have the sophistication, the right look, and the right attitude to become a part of our team at FabulosaYou, get on board and drop us an email.”

modelsareus@thephoenixnewspaper.com

Yanique Taylor Fashion & Beauty Editor

What’re you looking at?

If you’re reading this advert, chances are thousands of others have too.

Get your company into the next edition of The Phoenix Newspaper to reach out to over 800,000 readers in print

QUESTION TIME

? ?

What’s on your mind? Last month we asked Phoenix readers...

What would you do if you had no fear?

I would sell everything and move to Italy. I spent summers there as a kid, and I’d love to go back and open a little cafe’ or yoga studio. Who knows? Maybe someday I will.

Sasha Wells, Brooklyn I would take more professional risks. I’m only 23, but the thought of changing career paths and losing ground is scary.

Terri Wells, Bloxwich I would write a children’s book.

Whenever I spend some quiet time brainstorming, my fear blocks the ideas from flowing. But somehow I’ll figure out how to get started.

Leah Fields, Birmingham

I would take a break. Fear of not having enough pushes me to put earning a living ahead of my passions, the fear of unpopularity keeps my social calendar full, and the fear of a messy home makes me clean more than I need to. Without all that, I’d be able to breathe and live in the moment.

Janice Smith, Coventry

Our next question: What is the weirdest thing about you?

Let us know your stories by emailing yanique.taylor@ thephoenixnewspaper.com or questiontime@ thephoenixnewspaper.com and your answer could be featured in our July edition.

Submissions for publication may be edited for length and clarity. All submissions become the property of The Phoenix Newspaper.

Page 24

ENTERTAINMENT

www.streetcredmagazine.com

Usher Raymond Holdall Bag

Jamie Fox Cross Body Bag

David Beckham Backpack

Bag to the future

by Chantelle Gillespie

Jump From Paper

T

hese genuine, reallife bags are designed to look like they're straight from the world of cartoons. Accessories looking like they’re from the 1988 film Who Framed Roger Rabbit.

Japanese brand Jump From Paper is a fashion brand designing bags with boldness and playfulness, in an attempt to break the rules. Colourful, quirky and always with a sense of humour, Jump From Paper stands for the passion to make laughs, and en-

courages people to let their imagination go wild.

Inspired by sport and campus life, Jump From Paper collection showcases bright colours like red, blue, and yellow with its bold outline. Styles include Adventure backpack, Ollie cross- body bag, Summer Breeze handbag, Boyhood messenger bag and Sparkle coin purse.

Prices start from £70 for a bag and £30 for a purse and can be purchased from their website www.jumpfrompaper.com

M

en's bags account for 20% of the luxury bag market.

Today this trend is rapidly spreading like an aggressive wild fire across the globe.

It's not uncommon now to see a man carrying a sophisticated lightweight holdall bag over his shoulder as we walks into the gym or a suave tan leather folio bag under his arm as he enters the Board Room.

So, what about? Are you a bag man? Or maybe you are considering stepping on the wild side, but unsure about where to start.

Well great news!

Fabulosayou is here to help.

If you are a man bag newbie, purchasing a maximum of two bags should be a sufficient start to upgrading your wardrobe.

Ensure that you base your purchases on two key essential factors; Where you spend most of your time?

Where you like going in your spare?

Considering this will prevent you from making those regrettable purchases that end up sitting on your shelf gathering dust.

Keep Cool in the

Shade

Heart Shaped Face

S

by Chantelle Gillespie

Model : Karena Hazell | Make Up :Yanique Taylor | Photographers : Mark Dwayne & Daniel Riley

The Phoenix – July 2015

earching for the perfect sunglasses for the summer can be a challenging task.

It's frustrating when you waste time trying on frame after frame, only to find they look absolutely fantastic on the shelf, but completely ridiculous on your face.

The reason for this is due to the fact that we all have different shaped faces; therefore

probably not all styles of frames will suit you.

The best place to start on your quest for the right shades is by working out what your face shape actually is.

Begin by taking some time out to study your face in the mirror for a few seconds.

Here are a few helpful suggestions and a quick guide to help you to identify your face shape.

Round Face

(Wide forehead, wide cheeks and narrow chin)

(Round forehead, wide cheeks, round chin)

Look for: Shades that are wider at the top, retro or sports sunglasses.

Look for: Shades that are square or retro shaped.

Oakley - Polorized Radar Path £235, Oakley - Holbrook £105

Emporio Armani £125, Dolce & Gabbana £115

Oval Face

(Narrow forehead, wide cheeks, narrow chin)

Square Face

(Wide forehead, wide cheeks, wide chin)

Look for: Any type of frame, but ensure they are not too big or small.

Look for: Shades with rimless edges and soft lines - round, shield and aviator sunglasses.

Ray-Ban Original Aviator £135, Prada Linea Rossa £190

Vogue £94, H&M £9.99

Send in your stories to newsdesk@thephoenixnewspaper.com

The Phoenix – July 2015

www.streetcredmagazine.com This makes your skin dry and when your skin is dry you appear wrinkly and much older.

And I’m very sure that’s not what you’re looking for.

It is important to have a gentle cleanser that will cleanse the skin from the dirt and oil that can build up.

Use a toner after you cleanse

What Is A Toner?

Some of you may have read that last topic and responded with “Toner. What the hell is toner?”

Well Fellas, a toner could be the link that’s missing from your skincare regime. Of all the products out there (serums, masks, creams, lotions and potions) a toner is often the product guys leave out of their routine.

I think the main reason for this is that many guys don’t understand what a toner could be doing for their skin/complexion.

It looks like a light clear liquid,

Men’s skin care

F

ellas, if you’re getting up in the morning, washing your face with a bar of soap and water and running out the door, then it’s time to step up your skincare game.

We aren’t suggesting that you fill up your medicine cabinet with hard-to-pronounce cleansers and creams you probably won’t use.

But we do recommend commit-

ting to memory and practicing these three skincare tips. Don’t let these steps intimidate you... they’re only fine-tuning what you already do.

Wash your face with a good cleanser.

The reality is, you guys are doing it all wrong or just not doing it at all. Men are at fault of loving super hot showers and using harsh soaps or face scrubs.

and toners can also come in the form of a spritz, or on toning ‘pads’. In whatever form, a toner is made to aid your skin in one or a handful of the following ways: • Remove excess oil that causes ‘shine’.

• Prevent pores from becoming clogged with dirt and grim that causes blackheads.

• Help to remove or control breakouts.

• Refresh your skin/complexion.

• Refine skin tone and reduce pores.

• Soothe after shaving and prevent irritation.

When Should I Use A Toner?

A toner is designed for use as part of a three step, Cleanse, Tone & Moisturise routine.

Cleanse your face with your chosen face wash, then dry your face with a towel and apply your toner (depending on the type of toner you use this may need a cot-

Page 25

FASHION

Never leave home without applying sunscreen.

If you can find a moisturizer that contains SPF of 30 or higher, then you’re way ahead. Men who don’t use sunscreen increase the risk of getting sun damage, which may cause redness, irritation, extra blood vessels and skin cancer.

You can stay forever young by applying sunscreen every single day.

At the moment Mary Kay has a Ultimate Grooming kit for you Fellas which is all you guys need for skin perfection. It includes MKMen Face Bar, MKMen Toner and MKMen Advanced Facial Hydrator.

Get a fresh start with the face bar that cleans and buffs skin as it begins the process to help reduce the visible signs of ageing.

Skin is left smooth and healthy-looking.

It cleans and buffs skin to begin the process to help reduce the visible signs of premature aging.

Used before shaving, the face bar prepares the beard for shaving. It can also be used for the body.

It’s suitable for sensitive skin, fragrance-free, oil-free and non comedogenic, so it won’t clog pores.

Meet Indi Deol the man behind

W

e met up with Indi Deol the man behind DESIblitz, which is a dynamic online lifestyle magazine which focuses on high quality editorial content aimed at the British Asian market.

I wanted to get him out of his environment and let him forget about work for 5-10 minutes having a laugh and getting him to talk about fun and different things.

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ton ball or pad).

Once toner has dried, apply your moisturiser to complete your regime.

That’s not all a toner can be used for. If you experience a lot of shine or grease throughout the day, then a toner can be used to control this problem, and help prevent breakouts.

A toner can help to calm irritation, reduce redness and close pores after your razor has done its best work.

Now do you see w h y using a toner might benefit your s k i n / complexion?

In this world, every man’s skin deserves to be indulged with MKMen Facial Toner.

Improves skin texture.

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This advanced formula immediately hydrates while protecting skin from damaging UVA and UVB rays — culprits of premature skin ageing.

Features a lightweight feel.

Leaves skin refreshed with no sticky or greasy afterfeel.

Hydrates for 10 hours.

Contains the patented MKMen Complex.

Includes beneficial antioxidants.

Is it important to be liked or respected?

Respected Who or what is your greatest love?

Family When did you last lie?

This morning, I lied that I had breakfast and I didn't What is your greatest fear?

Fear of not trying Animals or Babies?

Both What is your happy place?

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Only if the compliment is sincere What book do you recommend most to others?

Rich Dad Poor Dad Which lesson has been the hardest to learn?

To receive you must give first How important are people to you?

Without people we have nothing

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Page 26

FASHION

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The beauty of life’s natural source... Water

PRODUCTS OF THE MONTH

by Selina Besley

LAdies

W

by Selina Besley

ater has been a universal source since the beginning of time.

Quite often we take water for granted as it is so readily available, but do you really know the benefits of water?

Get the balance right

Water helps maintain the balance of body fluids. Your body is made up of around 60% of water.

Get burning

Water helps control calories as it keeps you fuller for longer.

Muscle power

When your body does not main-

tain the correct balance of fluids this can result in muscle fatigue.

Reverse the effects of muscle fatigue by increasing your water intake.

kidneys do their job by ensuring your water intake is adequate.

A more radiant you

As your skin contains water it keeps you looking fresh and keeps your skin in tip toe condition.

Detoxify your kidneys

The main toxin in the body is blood urea nitrogen which is a water soluble waste that passes through your kidneys to be excreted in the urine. Help your

Bowel movements

Hydration prevents constipation.

Fluid and fibre will

Two steps to perfect lips this summer!

K

The Phoenix – July 2015

iss Cosmetics - the new name on lips who have been gradually releasing their products online. It was my first time trying their product and must say I was very impressed with Kisstic Magnetic Melon.

Let's talk about colour and boy do I love this colour real orange colour and amazing pigmentation, goes on evenly and easily. Kisstic Magnetic Melon is truly a lipstick for the wild.

Kiss Cosmetics say - No matter how hard you party, KISSTIC doesn't neglect your precious pout. Your lips can rely on this moisture enriched formula.

Tried and tested and this is so true and on point. I now wear this colour everyday mostly because of the com-

ments I get from other ladies.

In terms of longevity it lasts about 3-4 hours before fading. I love that it's so bold and bright. Orange is definitely the new colour.

KISS Team Tips: Coat with Locked Lips to seal in colour and increase longevity.

Apply KISStick with a lip brush for a defined result.

Feel safe to kiss with no transfer!

Locked Lips is a lip top coat to apply over the top of your KISStick. Lock up your KISStick shade and throw away the key!

Mens

help your bowels to function properly.

Water yourself!

• Have a glass of water as soon as you wake up. This will flush out toxins and help to keep your digestive system functioning properly.

• Ideally we should consume around 2 litres of water per day.

Increase your intake of fresh veg and fruit as it contains high water content.

• If you dislike the taste of water why not add sugar free cordial or add a slice of lemon and a snippet of mint to add flavour.

Women’s top product of the month Mac Pro Longwear Concealer

This light weight fluid concealer provides medium to full coverage that helps to conceal under eye circles or discolorations.

The concealer comes with a plastic pump which aids easy application.

You don’t have to worry about applying another application during the day as the concealer lasts for up to 15 hours.

This is definitely every women’s answer to fresh natural looking skin.

Men’s top product of the month Bulldog Original Moisturiser

Bulldog Original Moisturiser takes men’s skincare regime to a whole new level.

This product is literally a touch of nature contained in one tube as it is packed with 8 essential oils of green algae, green tea, konjac mannan and vitamin E. Furthermore, Bulldog moisturiser does not contain parabens, sodium laureth sulphate, artificial colours, synthetic fragrances or ingredients from animal sources.

The Phoenix – July 2015

B

ringing a Spanish flair to Edgbaston, El Borracho de Oro opened its doors last month to a very hungry public looking for something different in Birmingham.

El Borracho de Oro is the brainchild of Alfonso and Emma Yufera-Ruiz, and situated on Harborne Road in Edgbaston, it is where they have finally realised their ’10 Year Dream’ of opening in the beautiful residential district of Central Birmingham.

Being a true Spanish Tapas Bar, it will be open from Breakfast until late at night, and although there will be no reservations, the ample bar space provides enough room for diners to enjoy an ice cold Mahou Beer from

the tap, or a glass of Cava while taking in the stunning surroundings.

Perfectly designed from the ground

Page 27

FOOD AND DRINK

up, the look and feel of the restaurant is distinctly Spanish, and the food is beautifully cooked and presented. The Spanish Guitarist providing the background music added a lovely authenticity to the evening, and with everyone full on cured meats and a mouth watering paella, the guests left with a feeling of contentment.

The restaurant prides itself on its authenticity, stating on its website; “Much of our fresh fruit and Vegetables, as well as our fish and Meat are supplied by preferred suppliers at Birmingham Market and our valued butcher. However, we also import Cheeses, cured meats, Paprika, saffron and other ingredients directly from Spain.”

Send in your stories to newsdesk@thephoenixnewspaper.com

Page 28

FOOD AND DRINK aries that launched the Africaada Caribbean Festival at the International Convention Centre on 10th June 2015.

The objective of the Africaada Caribbean Festival Birmingham is to Promote Afrocentric Culture, Values & Tradition in multi-cultural Britain.

By providing platl Garry Peal, Prince Ebrahim Sanyang of The form for people of Gambia and Lord Mayor Raymond Hassall African heritages (African, Caribbean and Diaspora) they hope to share and celebrate diversely rich Afrocentric History, Culture, Values & Tradition with diverse British populaces to participate, create and enhance a international momentum and netl Sulayman Bah, Harbinder Soul, Prince Ebrahim work whilst generate Sanyang of The Gambia and Yanique Taylor revenue to donate to Charities.

by Sulayman Bah Lord Mayor Councillor Hashe economic growth of sall said: “The Birmingham City Birmingham is gather- Council is the largest council in ing pace, led by highly Europe with a budget of £2 billion, valuable industries the investments in the city is putsuch as financial services and ting up services for those who live airline companies. It underlines in Birmingham, our communities the city’s position as a UK busi- are diverse and British people love ness hub and a prime location to travel”. for professionals building their The Africaada Caribbean Festcareers. ival, which will run from the The Lord Mayor of the Birm- 30th July til 1st August 2015, in ingham City Council Raymond Centenary Square, Birmingham, Hassall was amongst the dignit- will feature Poetry, Dance, Mu-

T

T

he BBC Good Food Show Summer returned to the NEC for another tantalising trip via your tastebuds last month.

Showcasing local food and drink as well as fares from up and down the country, the show was a whirlwind of everything edible.

With an impressive roster of celebrities from the culinary and gardening worlds, the show attracted people in their masses.

Live panels, interviews, and demonstrations took place across the show, and as glorious sunshine shone down over the NEC, the show gardens of Gardeners World Live were in their element.

Gadgets and gizmos had their place too, with innovative and ingenious products on sale for the kitchen and garden alike.

The Good Food Show Winter runs from the 26th til the 29th November 2015, so make sure you don’t miss out, get your tickets now!

The Phoenix – July 2015

1Heart TV Inspired By The Caribbean. Loved

By The World.

T Lord Mayor Raymond Hassall welcomes Gambian Investment to Birmingham l Lord Mayor Raymond Hassall, Chester Morrison and Prince Ebrahim Sanyang of The Gambia sic, Street Workshops and possibly most importantly, Caribbean Cuisine.

In 2015, Royal Africa Holdings reached an agreement with festival organisers to make the event more Afrocentric by embracing the continent and Diaspora.

The Lord Mayor who expressed his delight of Africaada Airways joining the foreign investment business operating in the city said: “This is the place to be and invest”.

The city is attracting a growing number of businesses both nationally and internationally. And, the Greater Birmingham & Solihull LEP area attracted a record of 77

foreign direct investment projects in 2013/14, the highest on record and more than any other area.

Birmingham welcomed more start-ups than any other city in 2014 – a total of 18,000 new companies.

Guest Celebrity appearances, Local Artists and Competitions, including a raffle to win a 7 day trip to Grenada will all be taking place during the festivities, so ensure you get to the

RAFFLE

International interest in the festival is growing and this year, the Grenada Tourist Authority in partnership with Flamboyant Hotel and Villas, and British Airways are sponsoring a holiday for two in Grenada.

Raffle Tickets that will not only give you the chance to win this fantastic prize but many others too, are on sale for just £2.00. You can purchase on line, prior to, or at the festival.

The Prize Draw will take place on Saturday 1st August 2015 at 2.00 p.m.

This once in a lifetime competition is your chance to enjoy a seven day holiday in Grenada, the spice isle of the Caribbean, courtesy of British Airways and The Flamboyant Hotel and Villas.

his summer get ready for the launch of 1HEART TV, an international UK based channel dedicated to profiling the very best of the Caribbean culture and the diaspora.

1HEART TV will launch officially on July 28th 2015 as a 2 hour 30 minutes slot from 7.30pm to 10pm every Tuesday on OH TV Sky Channel 199 and the UN1TY App. Taking its cue from the tag line, “Inspired By The Caribbean. Loved By The World”, 1HEART TV is a brand new multi-platform, multi-genre channel providing the best of Caribbean inspired content, culture and news from around the world.

With some of the most beautiful locations, the most iconic names and faces on the planet, and music that has kept the world moving, there is just no where quite like the Caribbean and no where that epitomes the effortless cool of this continent.

The Phoenix – July 2015

Page 29

Women’s Business BY Marcia M Spence

G

reetings, July 2015 is all about collaboration, joint ventures, partnerships and networking my featured women are two inspirational leaders who I have enjoyed networking with - Angela Gordan and Sonia Parnell.

I am also very excited about joining a collaboration of Authors, motivators and speakers

on the Road Map for Life UK wide tour.

It’s so wonderful that the tour begins in Birmingham, see me and my colleagues there on 18th July 2015 - the evening could just be the game changer that you have been looking for.

To find out more about my services and products go to www.marciamspence.com or to be featured on this page email info@success-makers.co.uk.

Marcia

Break Through To Your Unique Greatness And Shine

I

t is quite clear when you meet Angela she oozes natural confidence with a vibrant, dynamic sparkle, which are contagious.

However, this has not always been the case; Angela herself has suffered from low self-esteem and lacked confidence in key areas of her own life.

Professional Life Coach Angela P Gordon has carved out a unique career by combining her own life experience and professional expertise to create a distinctive blend of her skills for the benefit of individuals and business.

As well as providing personal one to one coaching, she has run workshops for organisations such as, Business Link, International Women’s Day and has been a guest speaker at well-being seminars and coached in Florida, USA. Angela inspires and empowers women to get unstuck, celebrate their worth, and create a life they are excited to wake up to, instead of one filled with frustration, lack and limitation.

Angela says “Life is like the handbag we carry around on a daily basis, whatever is contained on the inside can either lift you up or weigh you down. The truth is our confidence is never lost and is not something that you can lose on the way home, confidence exists deep within us.”

“However, life can wear down our confidence and daily stresses

and strains can leave us with invisible layers, which become barriers to our inner confidence.”

Angela believes that to create transformation we need to delve deeper inside ourselves and that it is not until we truly love ourselves, shift mindset that we can effectively tackle life’s challenges, such as low self-esteem, confidence, finances or relationships.

Angela facilitates transformation through emotional clearance, assisting you in getting out of your own way to success.

Using observational life coaching and transformational feedback with practical steps to change, increasing your confidence, self-acceptance, self-appreciation and self-love.

“I am not saying that I am going to solve all your problems in one session. It will be about learning how to solve problems and finding solutions”, says Angela.

“Wanting transformation is the first step; knowing how to create change is where I come in” Angela specialises in Transformational Coaching and is a certified Life Coach and holds Certificates in Counselling Skills and Sociology, and an associate member of Association of Coaching.

Want the tools to transform your life? email: enquiries@iloveinspiring.com or for more information check the website www.iloveinspiring.com

l Angela P Gordon

Come Join in the Fun at Our Community Flow Summer Fest

C

ome along and join us on Friday 14th August 2015 for our Community Flow Summer Fest.

A community celebration day for all the family jam packed with fun-filled activities for all the family.

The day has been organised after last year’s summer event was a huge success to bring the community together and increase awareness of the Community Flow project.

Community Flow is a social enterprise organisation that runs a weekly ‘Care and Share’ project created to support and improve the health and wellbeing of individuals with learning disabilities helping them learn new skills and get actively involved in their local community.

From 10am-4pm, there will be a whole host of children’s activities from a bouncy castle and face painting to fun games with prizes to be won!

You can check out the exhibitors showcasing their health and wellbeing products and services with demonstrations on the day, network and make connections in a relaxed environment with music and light entertainment. Food and drink will be on sale all day too.

If you have health and wellbeing products or services, why not book a stand? You can showcase your products or services for just £40.

If you are interested in this amazing opportunity, please contact Marcia Reid on 07534 084 555 or email vision2reality@hotmail.co.uk.

For general enquiries about the Community Flow Summer Fest, please call Sonia Parnell on 0121 327 0671 or email info@libertyhousecares.co.uk.

l Sonia Parnell CEO of Liberty House Case Homes

Page 30

AZUZA STREET

The Phoenix – July 2015

Respect for all faiths, Celebrating all religions, Cherishing all life.

G

R EE T I N G S FROM GHANA TO THE B E L O V E D PEOPLE OF GREAT BRITAIN. My name is Roland Joseph Tetteh. I am your brother in the Lord.

I was born in October 3, 1966 in Ghana. I now work as a logistics manager at William Pitt construction in Accra Ghana.

I love the lord and the lord loves us all, every month I will be bringing to you God’s News from various different perspective.

by Roland Joseph Tetteh

T

he third eye is a mystical and esoteric concept referring to a speculative invisible eye which provides perception beyond ordinary sight.

In Hinduism, the third eye refers to the ajna, or brow, chakra. In Theosophy it is related to the pineal gland. The third eye refers to the gate that leads to inner realms and spaces of higher consciousness.

In New Age spirituality, the third eye often symbolizes a state of enlightenment or the evocation of mental images having deeply personal spiritual or psychological significance.

The third eye is often associated with religious visions, clairvoyance, the ability to observe chakras and auras, precognition, and out-of-body experiences.

In some traditions such as Hinduism, the third eye is said to be located around the middle of the forehead, slightly above the junction of the eyebrows.

In other traditions, as in Theosophy, it is believed to be connected with the pineal gland. According to this theory, humans had in far ancient times an actual third eye in the back of the head with a physical and spiritual function.

Over time, as humans evolved, this eye atrophied and sunk into

B

irmingham’s Communities United Against Extremism held its 'Unite For Peace' readings, reflections and prayers event with a diverse range of faith leaders, with silence and music, with choirs from the likes of the University of Birmingham, Broadway Academy Singing Ensemble and the Council of Sikh Gurdwaras.

Held at the university's St Francis Hall Multi Faith Chaplaincy, the service senior representatives from many of the tradition religions along with key Civic leaders like Paul Sabapathy CBE-Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant for the West Midlands and the new

The Third Eye

what today is known as the pineal gland.

TUESDAY LOBSANG RAMPA

In November 1956 a book called The Third Eye was published in the United Kingdom. It was written by a man named as Tuesday Lobsang Rampa, and it purported to relate his experiences while growing up in Chakpori Lamasery Chokpori, Tibet after being sent there at the age of seven.

The title of the book is derived from an operation, similar to trepanation, that Rampa claimed he had undergone, in which a small hole was drilled into his forehead to arouse the third eye and enhance powers of clairvoyance.

The book describes the operation as follows: The instrument penetrated the bone. A very hard, clean sliver of wood had been treated by fire and herbs and was slid down so that it just entered the hole in my head.

I felt a stinging, tickling sensation apparently in the bridge of my nose. It subsided and I became aware of subtle scents which I could not identify.

Suddenly there was a blinding flash. For a moment the pain was intense. It diminished, died and was replaced by spirals of colour.

As the projecting sliver was being bound into place so that it could not move, the Lama Mingyar Dondup turned to me and said: “You are now one of us, Lobsang.

For the rest of your life you will see people as they are and not as they pretend to be.”

PINEAL GLAND

The pineal gland, also known as the pineal body, conarium or epiphysis cerebri, is a small endocrine gland in the vertebrate brain.

It produces melatonin, a serotonin derived hormone, which affects the modulation of sleep patterns in both seasonal and circadian rhythms.

Its shape resembles a tiny pine cone (hence its name), and it is located in the epithalamus, near the center of the brain, between the two hemispheres, tucked in a groove where the two halves of the thalamus join.

Numerous spiritual philosophies contain the notion of an inner third eye that is related to the Ajna chakra and also to the pineal gland.

These are attributed significance in mystical awakening or enlightenment, clairvoyant perception, and higher states of consciousness.

This idea occurs historically in ancient central and eastern Asia, as well as in contemporary theories relating to yoga, theosophy, Hinduism and pagan religions, and New Age spiritual philosophies.

The true function of this mysterious gland has long been contemplated by philosophers and spiritual adepts.

The ancient Greeks believed the pineal gland was our connection to the “Realms of Thought.” The great philosopher Descartes called it the “Seat of the Soul.”

The pineal gland has many characteristics of the eyes, including a lens. It contains a complete map of the visual field of the eyes. It is activated by light, and controls the body’s various natural biorhythms.

The pineal works in direct harmony with the hypothalamus gland – the director of thirst, hunger, sexual desire, and the biological clock controlling your aging process.

The pineal gland secretes melanin when you are relaxed and visualizing, and also responds to electromagnetic energy.

Check out Part 2 of The Third Eye in the August edition of The Phoenix Newspaper.

Faiths Unite for Peace Through Silence, Music And Prayer

Lord Mayor of Birmingham, Councillor Ray Hassall, who both emphasised the initiative's importance in promoting peace and mutual respect throughout all communities.

Unite For Peace showed that by diverse communities coming together demonstrated that people from the faith divide have faith in each other, and in lasting peace.

T

he Museum of World Religions (MWR) will provide an opportunity for people of different backgrounds to get to know, understand, respect, and learn from each other.

It will create an atmosphere that stimulates spiritual awareness and a sense of humility. The project was inspired and initiated by the Dharma Master Hsin Tao who founded the first Museum of World Religions located in Taiwan.

The Working Committee is looking at the planning and coordination to establish a Museum of World Religions in Birmingham.

The Museum is intended to be a shared space for dialogue and understanding between people from different faith communities as well as for people of no religious or faith affiliations.

The Museum will be a twentyfirst-century state-of-the-art spacious building to allow visitors a sense of freedom in exploring the exhibitions.

The Museum will encourage

respect for religion by introducing visitors to the core values, wisdom, and practices of all the major world religions, and in this manner illustrate the need for religion in an increasingly secular and environmentally threatened world.

MWR (UK’s) project is not a venture for monetary return or commercial gain but for social good.

Its aim is to provide inspiration l Bhai Sahib Bhai Mohinder Singh OBE to kindle the human soul and to better understanding of the other; encourage the promotion of good fear, hostility, anger and resentethics, values and virtues which ment are a result of a lack of unexist in us all. derstanding.”

It will enhance the delivery of “We must empower people the 24 Spiritual and Moral Dis- with knowledge of other faith positions which were developed traditions so that we can build a between Birmingham City Coun- more cohesive society.” cil, Birmingham’s Faith Lead“I am honoured to be part of ers and the Standing Advisory this Working Group, this is a Council for Religious Education landmark project that will be(SACRE come a focal point for faith literBhai Sahib Bhai Mohinder acy in this hemisphere in years to Singh OBE said, “The passion of come”. the working committee to ensure It will serve as a major eduthe project is thought through and cational resource for teachers planned meticulously is enlight- and students of theology and ening.”

Religious Education in Britain, “As human beings we need a Europe, and beyond.

The Phoenix – July 2015

Page 31

AZUZA STREET

Archbishop Bernard Longley invites Young People for Pilgrimage to World Youth Day Krakow

D

uring a Pilgrimage to Lourdes, His Grace, Archbishop Bernard Longley of Birmingham personally asked young people from across the diocese to respond to his invitation to join him in Krakow, in Poland, for the 31st International World Youth Day Gathering and the opportunity to meet friends and gather with young people, proud to profess their faith, from every continent around the world.

The WYD Krakow pilgrimage, a great and noble adventure, is a journey that changes, excite and challenge as well as an en-

A

counter that will deepen young people’s faith and desire to serve. It enables young people to discover something of the person God created them to be.

Split into two halves, the first part; ‘Mission Week’ is where pilgrims receive a warm welcome and flavour of the country and get the opportunity to serve on a mission project alongside those working for CARITAS and work with those most in

head of his Gospel Fest 2015 show at the Bethel Convention Centre in West Bromwich, The Phoenix Newspaper met up with the headline act himself, Kirk Franklin to find out a bit more about the star. We’d like to thank top Birmingham promoter Danny Miller for arranging it.

Mark: Good to see you! How was the trip?

Kirk: It was long, my body was shutdown when I got here but that happens sometimes.

Mark: How many times have you been to the UK? Kirk: Alot, haha, many many many times, I love it! I’ve been coming since 1996, so at least 15-20 times.

Mark: I call you the official pastor of the gospel music industry, you worked with so many people, including Mary Mary & R Kelly. Can you tell me what its like working with artists that don’t do the music you do and when they come into your arena how do you change them into fitting into your vibe?

Kirk: You be surprised how many artists have accomplished or have a clear understanding of the genre because most of them had be they gone to church or they are familiar with the power of gospel music so they aren’t coming from a place where they are totally blind from it.

I’m not really having to educate them or school them for them its very freeing because sometimes pop music is very much follow the formula and you have to stay within a box for radio, so when you are able to do a style of music where you’re more free, you can be more of yourself.

Mark: How important is it to you to bring new artists through?

Kirk: It becomes a natural flow ,a natural transition when you see it because I am not a singer. I’ve always had singers around so I try to bring the best out of other

need.

Part two will include staying in modest accommodation, experience catechesis, the youth festival, bands, music and exhibitions, reconciliation, community prayer life and much more.

There will also be a journey to Auschwitz for an afternoon of reflection as well as visit the local shrine, plus explore the Salt Mines and the home of St. John Paul II. The age range for WYD Krakow is 16 – 35yrs and the planning team are currently promoting the pilgrimage in deaneries and schools up and down the diocese.

World Youth Day 2016 will be celebrated from July 25–31 next year.

How to Advertise with

If you want to showcase your business, here’s how

l Archibishop Bernard Longley

Kirk Franklin opens up to The Phoenix

people Mark: I can see you’re great at hype though!

Kirk: I don’t know what am doing!

Mark: You’ve been with your wife for 19 years now, that’s a long time!

Kirk: She’s a great woman. She means everything to me, she’s such a powerful influence, giving hope and encouraging me.

She also challenges me to do better she’s a very l Kirk Franklin influential woman They go to school with unbeand has a lot of power to uplift lievers they go to school with friends and her community and other religions. to have life with her is a beautiful Your faith pops more when you thing. live in the world. If you live in Mark: How many children do the church you’re not doing your you have? job.

Kirk: We have 4 kids so we You have to be in environments started real young. She had a where it’s tested or questioned child and I had a child from other and it’s argued and it’s debated partners but as teenagers we got that’s when it’s known. married then we had 2 kids toMark: You are the only artist gether and so we raised them al- I know that’s Gospel that is together, and we put em all in the known to the non believing back of the truck together. audience, the audience that’s Mark: Are you strict with known to Rihanna and Beytheir music tastes? once how did you that?

Kirk: They are free to listen to Kirk: I have no idea! I don’t anything. If Jesus can sit in the know how! My biggest failure is car and rock it with you then I’m when I think I know and when I cool, if its not breaking his heart. try to know Some JCole, some Kendrick, I Mark: How do you feel about like to introduce to the cleaner BET giving you the platform to versions and Kendrick has a song push the music because there called Blacker Than Berry and really isn’t many media outlets it’s very important for Christian as big that support the music? kids to be aware.

Kirk: I’m thankful, a lot of

telephone

0121 231 3235

people don’t get a chance to be exposed to it Mark: What’s the purpose?

Kirk: My purpose is to make God famous, and not myself.

My job is to be a groupie, road manager, and background singer for God. You know at the shows when the curtain opens God is fresh God is real that is what I try to do. I hope my enthusiasm for God can rub off on people.

I trusted Christ with my whole heart when I was 15 but I really started to learn what that meant in my late twenties.

It took me a long time to swim through my own cesspool the cesspool of religion and dogma it took a long time to find heroes.

My hero was Tony Evans. He’s about 67 now and I met him almost close to 47 and he was a powerful dude.

Interview by Mark Dwayne

email @ advertising @thephoenixnewspaper.com Contact us with your details, as well as the details of the advertisement, and one of our team will get in touch with you as soon as possible to secure your place in the paper.

Page 32

HEALTH AND WELLBEING

I

Dr Vendryes

Help For Sickle-Cell Disease The greatest discovery of my generation is that a human being can alter his life by altering his attitudes. ~William James

S

ince 2009 World Sickle Cell Disease Day has been observed.

Thankfully Sickle Cell Disease is now being given the global attention it both needs and deserves.

Sickle cell disease is an inherited disease in which haemoglobin, the oxygen carrying pigment found in our red blood cells, is abnormal.

Haemoglobin is the substance that makes your blood red. The disease occurs primarily in people of African or Mediterranean origins and over 10% of my fellow Jamaicans has the sickle cell gene.

Normal red blood cells, with normal haemoglobin, are disk shaped and flexible, able to squeeze through the smallest blood vessels in the body.

On the other hand, sickle cells, because of their abnormal sickle or crescent shape, can block small blood vessels and impede the flow of blood.

This reduces the oxygen supply to tissues, may damage many organs and cause severe pain, in what doctors call ‘painful crises’.

While normal red blood cells live for about 120 days, sickle cells with their abnormal haemoglobin die after only 10 to 20 days, causing chronic anaemia.

Simple lifestyle modification involving things like good nutrition and nutritional supplements can help to moderate many of the problems of sicklecell anaemia. This can mean fewer problems with anaemia and pain, and improvements in the general health of those with this illness.

Nutrition and Sickle Cell Disease

Although many sufferers of Sickle Cell disease are told that they can eat anything, I find that a healthy diet emphasising lots of water, water rich foods like fresh fruit and vegetables along with enough healthy protein is most valuable.

I also suggest supplementing with the Cellular Nutrition Program while several additional supplements may provide further special benefits.

Omega 3 Fatty acids

The membranes of the red

cells are made up mostly of fatty substances. Eating unhealthy fats like trans fats make the cell membranes more rigid and unhealthy and increases the tendency for the red cell membranes to rupture.

Supplementing with omega 3 fats and eating healthy oils reduce the damage to the cell membranes and the frequency of problems like severe painful episodes.

Vitamin E

One of the most important nutrients for sicklers may be vitamin E, a fat-soluble antioxidant that protects the membranes of red blood cells against free radicals. Red blood cells from people deficient in vitamin E, like those from people with sickle-cell anaemia, are more susceptible to free radical damage.

Because low levels of vitamin E may increase the risk of sickle cell symptoms, I recommend that sickle cell sufferers take 1200 iu of high quality natural vitamin E daily

30 percent.

Multivitamins

In another study at the PBRI, it was found that a combination of several supplements in high doses greatly reduced symptoms of sickle-cell anaemia.

Over six months, patients were supplemented with 6 grams of vitamin C, 1,200 IU of vitamin E, 6 grams of garlic extract and 1 mg of folic acid.

Meanwhile, the twins of those patients who also had Sickle Cell disease took only the folic acid.

Those taking the multiple supplements had only one-third the number of painful sickle cell episodes and felt much more energetic than the other group.

Folic acid and Vitamin B12

People with sickle-cell anaemia have elevated blood levels of a substance called homocysteine. This is a known risk factor for coronary artery disease, inflammation and circulatory disorders.

Research at the University of Alabama, Birmingham, showed that this abnormal elevation of homocysteine in Sickle Cell patients responded to a combination of folic acid, vitamin B12 and B complex vitamins, but not to just folic acid as is usually prescribed for these individuals.

Minerals

Vitamin D

Researchers have found a very high level of vitamin D deficiency among sufferers from sickle cell disease. The lower their levels of vitamin D were the more painful crises and bone pains they suffered. I strongly recommend that sicklers have regular sunbaths plus take 10000 units or more of vitamin D3 daily.

Herbal Supplements

A study at the Philadelphia Biomedical Research Institute (PBRI) in the US examined the effects of green tea and garlic extracts on the hydration of sickle cells.

Dehydration of the sickle cells worsens the damage to the cells and may increase the complications of the disease.

An antioxidant found in green tea extract, almost completely prevented sickle cell dehydration. An extract of garlic reduced cellular dehydration by

The Phoenix – July 2015

Supplementing with the minerals zinc and copper may help to prevent cell damage and accelerate the healing of leg ulcers associated with sickle cell anaemia. Iron supplements are not usually needed in this kind of anaemia.

f you are over 65 and still like to keep active, know that age is just a number and you take pride in putting younger people to shame with your fitness routines, then don your training shoes and enter the national search to find the UK’s most active person aged 65 and over, starting with a regional winner from the Midlands.

Launched by well-known celebrity fitness guru Mr Motivator, who at 62 still keeps fit and healthy with regular workouts that used to keep the UK energised every morning in the 90’s, the Older Actives competition, sponsored by Ateronon, is searching for nine* regional winners from around the country, culminating in an overall national winner taking the crown.

Fear not, the winner won’t just be chosen for running nine marathons or being a veteran cyclist who completes 30 miles a day. It can be any form of exercise that wins the competition, whether that’s enjoying swimming, going to weekly Zumba classes or maybe you have a prize kept garden, as long as it keeps you fit and healthy and you enter, you have a chance of winning.

The winner from the Midlands’ will receive £500 worth of Ateronon products, £100 Marks & Spencer vouchers and a winner’s medal. All regional winners will then be automatically entered into the national final later in the year. The national winner will

Mr Motivator Launches ‘Older Actives’ in search of the Midlands’ Fittest Person over the age 65 be crowned as the Older Actives 2015 champion and will receive the above prizes as well as a trophy and £1,000 worth of UK holiday vouchers.

Mr Motivator, said: “My whole ethos in life is about looking after myself and when I was asked to help launch this campaign, I literally jumped at the chance. Celebrating exercise in older age is something we all need to embrace and the Older Actives campaign will reward those who include fitness in their daily life.

“Anyone can fit exercise into their routine, whether that’s tak-

BPS Birmingham Future Digs Deep To Fund A Specialist Teacher At QEHB’s Young Persons’ Unit

Rest & Stress Management

Get enough rest and learn to manage stress in a healthy way as part of your healthy lifestyle approach to sickle cell disease.

My take away message to Sickle Cell patients is simple: Yes you have an inherited genetic disorder, but there is a lot that you can do with a healthy diet and the appropriate nutritional supplements to prevent and control the problems associated with Sickle Cell disease.

You may email Dr. Vendryes at tonyvendryes@gmail.com or listen to An Ounce of Prevention on POWER106FM on Fridays at 8:15 pm. Details of his books and articles are available on his website www. tonyvendryes.com.

ing the stairs instead of the lift, a walk to the shops or going to the supermarket and lifting cans! You don’t need to spend a fortune to stay fit and healthy and I think this campaign is a great way to inspire people of my generation in the Midlands, to get active.”

You can enter the competition via post, online at www.olderactives.co.uk or call 0845 505 0090 for more information. Postal entries can be sent to Ateronon, CamNutra Ltd, Bishop Bateman Court, Thompson Lane, Cambridge, CB5 8AQ.

P

rofessionals attending this year’s Birmingham Young Professional of the Year (BYPY) Awards have raised over £6,000 to help fund a specialist teacher for local cancer patients at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham Young Persons’ Unit.

BPS Birmingham Future’s flagship event has presented a cheque for £6,195 and the money raised will be used to fund the specialist teacher employed by the Queen

Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham (QEHB) Charity, which supports young cancer patients aged 16-25 treated on the Young Persons’ Unit.

Michael Tivey, Fundraising Officer for the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham Charity, said: “We’re thrilled that BYPY was so successful in raising this fantastic amount for our young cancer patients.”

“It is added extras like our teacher post that the hospital charity is set up to provide. We couldn’t provide

them without the generous support of fundraisers like BPS Birmingham Future, so we’re incredibly grateful to everyone who attended BYPY and donated.”

BPS Birmingham Future, the membership organisation for the city’s young professionals, chose QEHB Charity as its nominated charity in February and over the next few months will support the team at the Young Persons’ Unit with professional volunteers, helping young patients to develop vital skills, including presentation, communication, and CV development.

There will also be an opportunity, once the patients have completed their treatment, for them to be referred to the city’s top firms for work experience placements.

The money raised from the BYPY 2015 charity raffle smashed previous donations by more than £1,000, as the highest amount raised in the event’s 15 year history.

The donations made by BYPY attendees will help fund a specialist teacher who helps patients continue to study whilst undergoing treatment at the unit, which has received unprecedented media coverage following the campaign by the late Stephen Sutton.

To Advertise - Tel : 0121 231 3235 or email advertising@thephoenixnewspaper.com

The Phoenix – July 2015

Page 33

Page 34

EDUCATION, TRAINING AND RECRUITMENT

The Phoenix – July 2015

Commonwealth Contribution to WW1 recognised by BOPA

A

t the Belgrade Theatre in Coventry, the British Organisation for people of Asian Origin held a remembrance programme for the contribution of the Commonwealth Countries during World War 1.

A number of schools from across

the West Midlands attended the event, learning first hand from serving officers from the British Army, Navy, Air Force and Yeomen of the Guard, as well as representatives from some of the Commonwealth Countries represented in the Great War. With over 1.5 million Indian

soldiers, 15,000 soldiers from the West Indies, and 55,000 soldiers from Africa fighting alongside the British forces in World War 1, and a death toll of over 86,000 between them, the sacrifice of the Commonwealth is not something to be taken lightly.

Schoolchildren were able to interact with some of the weapons, clothing and pictures from the time, immersing themselves in living history, and learning more about the military involvement in the war.

Following the exhibition in the foyer, focus moved into the theatre itself, where attendees were treated to 2 hours of informative and entertaining speeches, performances and presentations about the Commonwealth contribution in WW1.

Facilitated by Davinder Prasad JP, the General Secretary of BOPA, the event was opened

by Lord Diljit Rana, Patron of

BOPA and their President, Dr Rakesh Sachdev, with emphatic and enthusiastic involvement from the children throughout, waving their British flags as part of the One Britain One Nation movement.

With messages from Paul Sabapathy CBE, Lord Lieutenant for the West Midlands, Keith StokesSmith, the Chair of the Birmingham Commonwealth Association and Laura Pett from the Royal British Legion, performances from Vibhati Bhatia, young members from Ramgharia Sikh community in Coventry and Tally

Koren and presentations from the Sikh History Museum in Derby and Jahan Mahmood, a WW1 and 2 Historian, the children were kept interested and engaged from beginning to end.

A number of the schoolchildren will be presenting what they learned on the day back to the

other pupils at their schools, to continue the teaching and learning cycle past the events of the day.

BOPA want citizens to feel proud that they are part of British Society and hopefully change their perception to help enhance integration within the community.

To Advertise - Tel : 0121 231 3235 or email advertising@thephoenixnewspaper.com

The Phoenix – July 2015

Page 35

EDUCATION, TRAINING AND RECRUITMENT

Inspectors praise improvements at Bilston school

I

nspectors have hailed the improvements made at a West Midlands school after a recent inspection found it to be good with out-

standing features.

Bilston CE Primary School had previously been rated as requiring improvement, but in a recently published report Ofsted highlighted the efforts of headteacher Gary Gentle and his team to improve teaching and pupil achievement at the popular school.

They said staff had created an envir-

l Headteacher Gary Gentle onment where pupils are eager to learn and keen to do well, and particularly praised the pupils, who they said "achieve well in reading, writing and mathematics" and "behave exceptionally well in lessons and around the school."

They also recognised the important role being played by the school’s governors, who they said “ask searching questions of the headteacher and other leaders, holding them to account for the school’s improvement.”

Overall, inspectors rated leadership and management, quality of teaching, pupil achievement and early years provision at Bilston CE Primary as good, and the behaviour and safety of pupils as outstanding.

Headteacher Gary Gentle said: "We are very happy with this report which reflects the efforts of everyone to improve standards for our pupils. While it is pleasing to get such positive feedback, we will not rest on our laurels as we strive to fulfil our ambition of one day becoming an outstanding school."

Councillor Claire Darke, Wolverhampton City Council's Cabinet Member for Education, said: "The tremendous improvements that have been made have been

down to the hard work of teachers, governors, pupils and parents, with support from the city council, and it is pleasing that the school is achieving such good outcomes for its young people."

She added: "Bilston CE Primary is one of a number of schools in Wolverhampton currently being

expanded to cope with rising demand for places, and I'm pleased that the additional pupils who will be attending Bilston in September will be joining a school which is recognised by Ofsted as being good with outstanding features."

75 years, the Father to a Nation…

N

by Kesa Nkulu

o one remembers old Marcus Garvey was a song by legendary reggae singer Burning Spear. However, with sincerity, if you mention the name Garvey in Jamaica, England, America to suggest but a few, I’m sure that the response would be; teacher, Black Star Liner, publisher, equal rights activist, orator, messenger and even prophet.

Marcus Mosiah Garvey Jnr, was born in St. Ann’s Bay Jamaica on the 17th August 1887 to a family of unbroken Maroon heritage of which he was very proud.

He would become one of the great visionaries and political leaders who advocated Black Nationalism and Pan-Africanism, with an aim to improve the social and political issues surrounding Black people as a whole.

Garvey would unite a people into a new dynamic, awe inspiring organisation which at its peak could boast 11 Million paid and unpaid members spanning over 40 countries.

Garvey`s uniqueness was his ability to create a popular movement, whose policy was self-reliance.

He founded the Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA) and the Black Star Liner,

which promoted the repatriation of the African diaspora back to Africa.

Marcus in the U.K.

For us here in the U.K. it is even more significant that a Black man in Victorian England could make such an impact developing ideas and strategies that would eventually be recognized as being the founding ideological principles which would be adopted by many Black political leaders of the day.

On June 10th 1940, 75 years ago last month, Marcus Mosiah Garvey died in London, after having suffered two strokes.

Due to the travel restrictions during World War II, Garvey was buried in the catacombs of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Kensal Green, London.

It was in 1964 when Garvey`s remains were returned to Jamaica, the country of his birth.

The Jamaican government awarded him the country’s highest accolade by proclaiming Garvey Jamaica’s first National Hero and with great prestige re-interned him on 15th November 1964, at a shrine in National Heroes Park.

Legacy

l Kesa Nkulu

Every major Black organisation of the 20th century has been inspired by the teachings of Marcus Garvey, thus keeping the memory of Garvey alive.

After the death of Garvey, dignitaries from America, Caribbean, Europe and Africa attended the 5th Pan-African conference which was hosted in Manchester, England.

The initial aim of the conference was to address social in-

University students compete to boost local charities

S adequacies within the colonies; however it proved to be one of the most ground breaking conferences with calls for the total de-colonialization of Africa.

Over the next 20 years many African countries along with the Caribbean islands would gain their independence.

Later Kwame Nkrumah who would become the President of an independent Ghana, would give testimony stating “I think that all the literature I have studied, the book that did more to fire my enthusiasm was the Philosophy and Opinions of Marcus Garvey published by his wife”.

Ghana would pay tribute to Marcus Garvey by adopting the name of the shipping fleet of Garvey’s by calling it the Black Star Liner and would also adopt the Black Star on its National Flag again to pay homage to Garvey’s ideals.

Nnamdi Azikiwe and Jomo Kenyatta would both lead their respective countries Nigeria and Kenya to Independence.

Like Nkrumah they would pay reverence and acknowledge a

debt of gratitude for the vision of a colonial free Africa, directly to the teachings of Marcus Garvey.

Martin Luther King and his wife Coretta Scott King visited Garvey's shrine, in Jamaica, on 20th June 1965, where they laid a wreath in memory.

During a speech by King, he told the audience that Garvey was the first man of colour to lead and organise a mass movement and the first man that gave millions of Black people globally, a sense of dignity and destiny The legacy of Marcus Garvey is substantial and international; there are statues, libraries, roads, buildings, books and organisations that have been named after the great man too.

People who adhere to the principles of Garvey are called ‘Garveyites’. I feel it is fair to say that Garvey was one of our greatest and favourite heroes of the past 500 years.

Marcus once said “if death has power then count on him to be the Marcus Garvey he would like to be”, well Marcus you are my elder.

ome entrepreneurial spirit was shared across Telford and Birmingham charities by students from the University of Birmingham as part of an annual Community Challenge hosted by local employers Capgemini.

The challenge saw five student teams working to help Birmingham-based Edward’s Trust (which supports bereaved children and their families), Coalbrookdale-based Smallwoods (a sustainable woodlands charity), Telford and Wrekin Council for Voluntary Services, Home Start Telford and Rotary Club Ironbridge respond to real-life challenges.

Supported by Capgemini mentors, the week-long challenge was a unique chance for students to gain accelerated work experience and engage in business-orientated improvements – ranging from branding and fundraising to creating new revenue streams and plans to get more young people volunteering.

Bryony White, Capgemini’s Community Challenge organiser, said: “The solutions which the students propose can be put into practice by the charity after the event like the “#GoRed” marketing plan students developed for Midlands Air Ambulance which included turning the University of Birmingham’s iconic clock

tower’s face red for a week in 2014. One of the student participants even completed some work experience with the charity.”

Emma Williams, a Business with Communications student at University of Birmingham, who took part in the challenge last year said: “The week was both challenging and demanding and yet one of the most rewarding weeks of my life.

“I learned invaluable lessons, developed key skills which increased my employability and worked with experienced mentors who provided me with all the necessary support I needed.”

After experiencing at first-hand the potential of a rewarding career in a supportive environment, Emma applied to join the Capgemini Graduate scheme and starts at the end of this month.

It’s the fourth year the Community Challenge has been ran in partnership with the University of Birmingham, meaning 20 different local charities have been supported by 100 University of Birmingham students, supported by over 60 Capgemini employees.

You can keep up with their progress on Twitter by following #UoBCCC.

Send in your stories to newsdesk@thephoenixnewspaper.com

Page 36

ADOPTION AND FOSTERING

W

There are already so many fantastic individuals who foster and adopt children into their families- but we need more!

Whether a crisis in the family, illness or relationship difficulties could be some of the reasons why a child is placed in care.

At the Phoenix, all of our team are committed to raising awareness of fostering and adoption through our campaign not just for the month of May, but for an entire 12 months!

ith a national shortage of Foster carers across the UK, there are more children than ever who need a caring and loving environment, which every child has the right to experience.

Adoption & Fostering Our ongoing campaign to help the children in need in our communities

F

urefamilies@futurehsc.com uture

Families

Fostering

Agency is a independent .futurefamilies.co.uk agency based in Birmingham.

We have a professional team endentof dedicated Fostering Agency workers, who are commit-

(west midlands ltd.)

ted to recruiting and approving a wide Future Families West Midlands Limited, Chamberlain House Future Families provides: 28-30 Hall Street, Hockley, Birmingham B18 6BS range of foster carers who are able to Tel: 0121 learning 234 6210 Fax: 234 6215 • Continued and0121 development contribute to achieving positive outEmail: info.futurefamilies@futurehsc.com opportunities Web: www.futurefamilies.co.uk comes for children.

• A generous weekly fostering allowFostering is a rewarding and meaningful way of giving a child/young person, who ance • Monthly home visits supervision Registeredfor in England and Wales. is unable to live with their birth family, the Registered Office: 2-4 Summer Hill Terrace, and support experience of ordinary family life.

Birmingham B1 3RA Company No. 06717949the • Out of Hours support service when A child or young person can be part of VAT No. 895869337 office is closed your family for a very short period such • Telephone contact in between home as a few weeks, but we are keen to recruit carers who can provide care for longer visits • Foster carer support group meetings periods or until the child attains the age • A calendar of social activities for the and maturity for independence.

Future Families firmly believe that every whole fostering family . Please do pick up the phone and find child/young person has the right to be out more about becoming a foster carer brought up in a safe family environment.

Our aim is for the child’s needs to be with Future Families.

Telephone: 0121234 6210 paramount and for them to be placed with Email:info.futurefamilies@futurehsc.com committed foster carers, who will enable Web: www.futurefamilies.co.uk positive family experience.

We will be highlighting the inspiring work of current carers, the extensive support and training that is available and the difference that you could be making in a young persons’ life. If you feel that you can offer this, or even if you would like to find out a little bit more – don’t hesitate! It could make the greatest difference to a child’s life.

Foster Care Fortnight: Making A Connection

OSTER CARERS WANTED A

Where every child matters today : 0121 234 6210 tomorrow and in the future

The Phoenix – July 2015

cross Britain, last month, people were making huge connections to the idea of fostering as part of the annual Foster Care Fortnight, the UK’s biggest foster care awareness raising campaign, delivered by leading fostering charity, The Fostering Network, to raise the profile of fostering and encourage more people to make the commitment to fostering.

The campaign, which supports fostering services to

highlight the need for more foster carers to care for a range of children, demonstrated the diversity of people across the UK who made their connection to fostering and making a difference to the lives of children in foster care.

With the highest demand for foster carers for older children, sibling groups and disabled children, from the wide, diverse range of communities that represent the UK today, it really focussed on the great need for support in making a real difference to the lives of

the 63,000 children living in foster care.

Foster Care Fortnight was also the ideal opportunity to showcase the commitment, passion and dedication of foster carers, and campaign to improve foster care for all.

High streets, community centres, sports halls and more were used as venues for fostering services to raise the profile of fostering locally and encourage more people to consider a career in fostering.

Lord Mayor of Birmingham Councillor Raymond Hassall

ere every child matters today, tomorrow and in the future’

said: “Too often we take for granted the love and support in our families. Thanks to the selflessness of foster carers, thousands of children get the chance to live with a loving family and are supported through what are often very difficult circumstances. “ Far more foster carers are needed in 2015 alone, so Foster Care Fortnight was a thank you to everyone who has already made a connection to fostering and those who are considering to do so.

Registered Charity no. 1056907

National Adoption Week dates announced

T

he dates of this year’s National Adoption Week have been announced as 19 to the 25 October.

This year’s campaign will focus on siblings as, sadly, these groups are amongst the children who wait longest to be adopted.

Without enough adopters who are able to give these children a loving, secure and permanent home together, brothers and sisters will wait longer for a family or may even have to be split up and adopted separately.

Being placed with their siblings may not be the best option for every child, how-

ever, it is a tragedy if the shortage of adopters willing and able to adopt siblings is the only reason why brothers and sisters cannot stay together.

During the week, through media and online focus, it is hoped that those children will be able to find a forever family.

FOSTER CARERS WANTED Tel: 0121 234 6210 info.futurefamilies@futurehsc.com

www.futurefamilies.co.uk Independent Fostering Agency

(west midlands ltd.)

Future Families West Midlands Limited, Chamberlain House 28-30 Hall Street, Hockley, Birmingham B18 6BS Tel: 0121 234 6210 Fax: 0121 234 6215 Email: info.futurefamilies@futurehsc.com Web: www.futurefamilies.co.uk

‘where every child matters today, tomorrow and in the future’ Registered Charity no. 1056907

Registered in England and Wales.

Registered Office: 2-4 Summer Hill Terrace, Birmingham B1 3RA

The Phoenix – July 2015

Page 37

TROPICAL CONNECTIONS

Jamaica Taxpayer Registration Number (TRN) What is a TRN?

This is a unique 9-digit number that was previously only required by companies and residents operating and living in Jamaica.

However, on 1st January 2013 it became a requirement for companies and individuals outside of Jamaica to have TRNs where their business dealings involve the payment of taxes to the Government of Jamaica.

Who needs a TRN?

Any overseas resident who is dealing with a matter in Jamaica that requires the payment of taxes to the Government of Jamaica must now have a TRN. This includes such matters as property sales, purchases, applications for Grant of Probate/Letters of Administration and title applications.

Applying for a TRN

The Taxpayer Registration Number (Individuals) application form is available at www.jamaicatax.gov.jm/trn1/ The form can be completed online and printed, or alternatively, the blank form can be printed for completion by hand.

Some overseas applicants have experienced difficulty completing their TRN application forms, which have not been adapted for use by overseas residents. Help for completing TRN application forms is available on the Tropical Connections website.

Identification

A notarised copy of your passport OR photocard driving licence is required by way of ID to support your TRN application. You can visit

Marisule, Gros Islet, St. Lucia

A mix of 12 x 2-bed, 2-bath condominium and townhouse units on popular north west coast.

Price: USD $150K – UD $180K Ref: SLU038

Corinth, Gros Islet, St. Lucia.

A 3-bed, 2-bath house with breathtaking mountain view.

Price: USD $318,352.00 Ref: SLU045

Coubaril, Castries, St. Lucia

Enjoy a stunning view of the Caribbean Sea every day from this 3-bed, 2.5-bath home.

Price: USD $333,333.00 Ref: SLU031

http://www.thenotariessociety.org.uk

to find the nearest Notary to your home or place of work. Alternatively, you can attend the Jamaica High Commission in London for them to notarise your ID. It is advisable to shop around when looking for a Notary Public, as fees vary from one Notary to another.

What next?

Your completed TRN application and notarised copy of your passport or photocard driving licence should then be posted to: Tax Administration Jamaica (TAJ) Ground Floor Orange Square Building 12 Ocean Boulevard Kingston Mall Kingston JAMAICA West Indies

Once your application has been processed by the TAJ, you will be notified of the TRN that has been allocated to you.

The physical TRN card can be collected when you visit Jamaica, or alternatively, by someone on your behalf who will be required to provide a notarised Letter of Authority granting permission to bearer of same to collect the TRN card on your behalf.

Get help to apply for a TRN

Tropical Connections have arrangements in place that enable us to apply for TRNs on behalf of UK residents.

There is a small fee for the service and the company’s turnaround time for getting TRNs is between 24 hours and one week.

For more information about TRNs and Caribbean property contact Maureen Smith, Caribbean Property Consultant and Founder of Tropical Connections Ltd. on 0845 222 1413, 07506 354 902 or via email at info@tropicalconnections.co.uk.

You can also visit www.tropicalconnections.co.uk.

Santa Cruz, St. Elizabeth, Jamaica

Gibbs, St. Peter, Barbados

Lovely and well presented 3-bed, 3-bath family home on landscaped grounds.

Price: JMD $20M Ref: JAM073

Tastefully furnished 3-bed, 3-bath condominium unit within close proximity to ‘Platinum Coast’.

Price: USD $550K Ref: BAR063

Hectors River, Portland, Jamaica

Husbands, St. James, Barbados

Spacious two-storey, 7-bed, 5-bath dwelling on approx.

15,926 sq. ft. lot.

Price: JMD $22M Ref: JAM071

Spacious and well laid out 4-bed, 4-bath property in desirable neighbourhood.

Price: USD $437,500.00 Ref: BAR065

Kempshot, Montego Bay, St. James, Jamaica

Warners, Christ Church, Barbados

Older style 5-bed, 3.5-bath farmstead property on just over 10 acres of land.

Price: USD $499K Ref: JAM072

A 3-bed, 2-bath, single-storey house on corner lot.

Price: USD $235k Ref: BAR062

Page 38

OVERSEAS NEWS

The Phoenix – July 2015

Torre de Belém At 500:

Lisbon’s Icon Celebrates Landmark Anniversary

T

he Torre de Belém, Portugal’s symbol of the Age of Discovery and a UNESCO protected monument, celebrates its 500th anniversary this year through a series of commemorative events.

Situated on the northern bank of the Tagus River, just a short tram ride from the city centre, the ornate tower is one of Lisbon’s most famous icons and a visitor must-see.

It was originally built in 1515 as a fortress to guard the entrance to Lisbon’s harbour and is a prominent example of the composite “Manueline” (late Gothic) architecture, incorporating maritime elements and stonework motifs of the Discoveries, as well as

sculptures depicting historical figures and exotic animals.

The Torre de Belém has been listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage monument for being “a reminder of the great maritime discoveries that laid the foundations of the modern world”. A statue of “Our Lady of Safe Homecoming”, believed to protect sailors at sea, can be seen at the tower, as it served as the starting point for many of the voyages of discov-

ery: it was from the beach in Belém that Vasco da Gama set sail to discover the sea route to India.

Concluding in October, a calendar of events has been planned to showcase the long and varied history of the celebrated tower and the surrounding area.

Available for visitors and locals alike, these include and exhibition, special collection fo commemorative stamps, musical concerts and a multi-lingual multimedia show.

The Small Island has a Strong Showing at CTO’s Caribbean Week

T

here was the slight aroma of ‘Killer Bee’ in the air at the annual Caribbean Week in New York City as Greg Phillip, Chief Executive Officer of the Nevis Tourism Association (NTA) and Yvette Jackman, NTA North America Manager joined Caribbean ministers of tourism and officials representing island nations while walking away with the media award for Nevisian Fare.

The activity packed week started with a Trade Show and Educational Seminar for Travel Agents that was both enlightening and productive for Nevis who used this as an opportunity to educate agents further on the product.

Additionally, before arriving in

New York, Phillip and Jackman carried out a series of travel agent seminars in the US, culminating in New York City. The tour was so successful that it resulted in a number of carriage trade agents coming to Nevis on familiarization trips in the near future.

“We were happily surprised by the keen interest in Nevis particularly from the state of Connecticut”, Phillip said. “This sales blitz gave us the opportunity to share the story of Nevis with a select group of agents and as a consequence they have agreed to visit Nevis in the summer months in order to experience the tourism product first hand and ultimately sell it to their clients with confidence”.

Luxurious Private Dining in Curaçao

A

Turks & Caicos Fish Fry awarded the TripAdvisor® Certificate of Excellence

T

he Turks and Caicos Tourist Board have announced that the Island Fish Fry, the destination’s most popular cultural experience, has received the TripAdvisor® Certificate of Excellence award.

The award recognises restaurants, attractions and accommodations that continually earn great reviews for delivering a superior customer experience thus making the ‘perfect trip’ possible.

A local dance troupe entertaining the crowd with a traditional maypole dance at the weekly Thursday night Island Fish Fry Visitors have consistently rated the Island Fish Fry as excellent on TripAdvisor, citing the exceptional service, great local atmosphere and fantastic gastronomic offerings as just some of

the highlights.

“We are delighted that the Island Fish Fry have been awarded a TripAdvisor® Certificate of Excellence. The award speaks not only to the exceptional atmosphere patrons have come to expect from the weekly Thursday night event, but also reinforces the quality of our cultural product and the significant role that the Island Fish Fry plays in the broader tourism economy in the Turks and Caicos,” said Ralph L. Higgs, Director of Tourism for Turks and Caicos.

Turks and Caicos Minister of Tourism, Honourable Porsha Stubbs-Smith also touted the tremendous popularity of the Island Fish Fry and stated that she believes the Grand Turk Fish Fry, which the Tourist Board recently launched, will soon be recognized in the same fashion.

fter a long day at the beach, many travelers would prefer a leisurely, relaxing private dining experience within the confines of a luxurious suite rather than scramble for a table at a crowded restaurant.

Now guests at the gleaming new ACOYA Hotel Suites & Villas in Curaçao can enjoy this delicious option at an affordable price.

Anything but typical room service, ACOYA's in-suite dining brings custom-tailored fine dining to each guest, with menus that showcase local flavors, fresh ingredients and culinary excellence.

In-room menus vary, of course, but a couple enjoying a romantic repast prepared by a highly skilled chef can expect to pay about USD $50 per person at ACOYA. "Many travelers are sophisticated 'foodies'. Imagine the fun they can have with the chef's undivided attention.

These days, private chefs' dining table experiences have become the ultimate special occasion treat. Our guests come to Curaçao to unwind and relax, and we believe having this option elevates the experience at ACOYA," said Henry Martijn, Sales Manager at ACOYA, an Ascend Hotel Collection member.

Kingsworth Authentic Jamaican Experience www.jamaicatourguide.com

Send your stories to newsdesk@thephoenixnewspaper.com

The Phoenix – July 2015

Page 39

SPORT - WITH STEVE WILLIAMS

London 2 Paris charity ride completed in record time

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ormer Crystal Palace and Wolves star Geoff Thomas, supported by a 200-strong team of riders finally reached Paris after an epic four-day Cure Leukaemia London 2 Paris cycle challenge.

Backed by a host of stars, both past and present, including; former England and Palace teammates, Ian Wright and John Salako, West Bromwich Albion goalkeeper, Ben Foster, manager Aidy Boothroyd, and George Lineker, a fellow leukaemia survivor and son of former England striker and Match of the Day presenter Gary, the riders after cycling for 310 miles, arrived in the French capital after setting off from Greenwich Park, in south east London.

In his revolution to raise £2 million in two years for Cure Leukaemia, ex midfield star, Thomas

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hilst many looked to him to be their 'voice,' others derided him for being too much of one.

40-years ago this summer, a 31-year-old Arthur Ashe beat much-fancied Jimmy Conners, on Wimbledon's Centre Court, in a men's final which captured the attention of millions for the narrative as well as the sport.

Never one for courting salacious headlines, his standing proved more powerful than any raging orator, or disgruntled fistthumper, although he was often fighting the same battles.

"Having grown up in a segregated environment in the south I know what it's like to be stepped on,” he recalled. “I know what it's like also to see some Black hero do well in the face of adversity."

has been relentless in his ongoing fundraising ventures, with no shortage of support from fellow sporting icons and others. He said: “Riding the London 2 Paris: Inspiring the Revolution was all about helping the 30,000 people who are diagnosed with blood cancer in the UK every year.

It’s a decade since Professor Charlie Craddock and his team of clinicians at the Centre for Clinical Haematology saved my life and now I want to raise money to support them.”

Anyone can develop leukaemia at any age. Although it is more common in adults, leukaemia is the most common form of childhood cancer, with most children diagnosed under the age of 5.

Arthur Ashe: The Voice Of Reason He overcame the odds there, just as he did throughout his life. Meticulous in his detailed strategy, in SW19, in 1975, that victory proved the perfect metaphor for his life.

"Intellectually and strategically it was the most amazing match I have ever seen,” former tennis writer Richard Evans wrote.

Never to win another Slam, in 1988 Ashe was diagnosed as HIV positive. He was believed to have contracted the virus through a blood transfusion during heart surgery five years earlier.

A few months before his death aged 49 - in 1993, of Aids-related pneumonia, he was still fighting, still devoting himself to causes, and was arrested while protesting against the Bush Administration's treatment of Haitian refugees.

BBC’s documentary; 'Arthur Ashe: More Than a Champion,’ provided an in-depth look at an enigmatic and well-respected figure that, like him or loathe him, which ever side of a ‘battle’ you were on, you would always have to respect him.

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London to Paris - Page 39

BARA ‘victorious’ in defeat in Italy

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hey lost by only two points, but the BARA (British Asian Rugby Association) team won the hearts and minds of many in the Union fraternity after coming up just short (losing 20-18)

against a star-studded Italian line-up.

The defeat in the first ever White Ribbon Trophy match proved more of a ‘victory’ for BARA, led

by Rugby League greats, Ikram Butt and Garry Schofield OBE,

as fans and officials of both sides heaped praise on the inexperienced visitors at Stadio Tre Fontaine, home to the Roma Rugby Club.

BARA founder Butt, magnanimous in defeat, said: "It was an outstanding game that went right to the wire and we are all very proud of how our lads performed against a very fit and well drilled Italy side."

Schofield said: "I was disappointed that we lost but there's definitely a bright future ahead for Italian rugby league based on this display and I'd mark out several of our players to look out for in the fully professional game.”

The White Ribbon Campaign aims to end violence by men against women and got the full support of everyone taking part.

Zion Aserie holds future of British athletics in his hands

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ight-year-old Zion Aserie has already got his eye on the Olympic prize as he is already an elite gymnast who trains with City of Birmingham Gymnastics Boys Squad.

He has been training now for 2 years and so far taken part in 3 major competitions, two of which he took the podium and received a mix of gold and bronze medals.

Tipped by his coaches as a potential TeamGB star Zion loves gymnastics, training 17.5 hours a week after school and at week-

ends at the GMAC in the city.

But, however, despite his ever-growing potential, his mother is concerned that, due to increasing costs incurred he will miss out on the opportunity to progress and fulfil his dreams.

Mum, Irene, a Producer at a local radio station, explains: “I am hugely proud of Zion and will support him in any of his endeavours. My only worry is that I’ll struggle to continue pay his fees as I start an unpaid teacher trainee role from September.

I'm on the lookout for a sponsor who would be willing to support Zion and invest in his

talent.

The whole team is extremely talented and have produced some top class athletes such as Joe Fraser who was part of the GB+NI Team who won Gold at the European Championships earlier this year.

Zion is also in the top set for all of his subjects at school and has a very bright future ahead of him.

I just hope and pray that he doesn't have to give it all up if I can't find a way to pay his training and competition fees.”