The Phoenix Newspaper - November 2014

NOVEMBER 2014

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Birmingham welcomes HRH The Duchess of Cornwall to National Harvest Service

Inside this Month

Eki Raising money for Cure Leukaemia - Page 29

Association of Jamaica Nationals Gala - Page 9

l Photo Credit - Poppy Brady

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l Beverly Lindsay with the Duchess of Cornwall and the Dean of Birmingham he 20th October saw Deputy Lieutenant for the West Her Royal Highness, Midlands, who then introduced The Duchess of Corn- her to the Lord Mayor of Birwall visit Birming- mingham, Cllr Shafique Shah, ham to attend the British Food Dean of Birmingham, The Very Fortnight’s ‘National Harvest Reverend Catherine Ogle, and Service’. the Bishop of Birmingham, The Schoolchildren from across Right Reverend David Urquhart the country presenting boxes of among others. harvest produce which they had Ms Lindsay, said “It was a grown themselves at Birming- great honour and a privilege to ham Cathedral. welcome the Duchess of CornWelcoming Her Royal High- wall and I’d like to thank Paul ness to Birmingham was Beverly Sabapathy, the Lord Lieutenant Lindsay OBE OD, the first Afri- of the West Midlands for having can Caribbean woman to become faith in me to carry out this duty,

as I am still relatively new to the role of a Deputy Lieutenant.”

Also in attendance were Olivier Blanc, son of Raymond Blanc, Chris Collins, Blue Peter Gardener, and Glynn Purnell, the owner and chef at Purnell’s, one of Birmingham’s Michelin starred restaurants.

The National Harvest Service was first held in Westminster Abbey in 2014, and is held as part of British Food Fortnight’s campaign to uphold the tradition of celebrating Harvest.

The Service included children

presenting three harvest boxes to the Dean at the high altar, readings by the children in attendance and a special address by The Bishop of Birmingham.

Following the Service Camilla met with school children with their harvest boxes. The children then loaded their boxes onto the one hundred year old horsedrawn trolley from a local farm who took the children’s Harvest Boxes to a Birmingham Food Bank.

Dream time

It’s the little moments that make adoption worthwhile adoptionbirmingham.co.uk 0121 303 7575

Diwali Celebrations on Soho Road - Page 11

Setting the standard for Hair Extensions - Page 24

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The Phoenix – November 2014

NEWS

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erjinder Khanpur and Gurcharan Khanpur Bhujhangy Group thanked everyone who attended and supported them on a charity fundraiser event which is close to their hearts, the CLIC Sargent Charity for children With Cancer 5- A-Side Football Tournament.

A special thank you went out to all the football teams and families from all around the UK who attended Goals, in Blackheath, in the West Midlands.

There was a big thank you to the Lady Mayoress and Mayor’s Consort, Councillor Adam Aston who was there for the cheque and certificates presentation. It proved so special that everyone came for a good cause for CLIC Sargent for Children with Cancer Charity.

They managed to raise a total of £1466.25 with Gift Aid through donations, team entry fees, plus food and a raffle on the day.

A total of 6 teams and 42 players took part including; The Reds, HGH Solicitors, The Grovey Gang, Cobras Team and Beja Beja United, with Jim Dave FC coming out as eventual winners.

Thanks went out to an array of people and organisations, which include, their team of volunteers, families, friends Kulwinder Singh, Trishán Patel Sandeep, Goals staff and Jasper Chandel from all the during the course of the time start to finish, A Side Tournament, Charli Catering, Jassal Studios and Jaspal Khalsi Vidio (Video & Photography) Rajeev on art and design work.

“We could not do this fundraiser charity event for CLIC Sargent without your support and love,” they said.

“Thank you for your kind donations for a good cause. God Bless everyone.”

5-a-Side football tournament raises much needed funds for CLIC Sargent Charity

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Praise for community as Japanese Garden dazzles

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hidden gem that brings a little bit of the Land of the Rising Sun to the Black Country has been praised by garden experts.

The Royal Horticultural Society says the Japanese Garden at Danescourt Cemetery is thriving thanks to the support of members of the community who tend to it on a regular basis.

The RHS inspected the garden as part of its grassroots community gardening campaign, It’s Your Neighbourhood, which aims to highlight the work people are doing to make lasting improvements to their local area.

The stunning garden was created at Danescourt when the cemetery was extended around 20 years ago, and has been hailed by members of the Japanese Garden Society as one of the “most out-

standing” examples of its kind in the UK. It is maintained by members of the West Midlands branch of the Japanese Garden Society, with support from Wolverhampton City Council.

In his report, RHS assessor Robin Russell said: “You can’t help but enjoy this tranquil and contemplating garden which makes you feel at one with yourself.

“The garden is known worldwide for its well thought-out design and regularly gets visitors from all over Europe.”

He praised the participation of the community in maintaining the garden, and scored it 84 out of 100, giving it a rating of “Thriving” – just two points off the threshold for the highest accolade of Outstanding.

The Japanese Garden is very popular with visitors to Danes-

court Cemetery, many of whom are unaware of its existence until their first visit.”

There are two contrasting sections to the garden, which is located behind the reception building of the Wergs Road cemetery. The first is themed on a Japanese Zen Garden – a miniature portrait of the landscape in an abstract form where stones and rocks represent islands and mountains, sand and gravel act as the water and shrubs and trees are forests and woods.

The other part of the garden is more luxuriant. It takes its inspiration from the traditional tea garden – idealised representations of nature based around the traditional Japanese tea drinking ceremony – with a dominance of trees and shrubs and lanterns lighting the way to the Tea House via a series of stepping stones.

esidents are being urged to ensure they are on the electoral register – or risk losing their chance to vote in next year’s General Election.

This year the way we register to vote changed with the introduction of Individual Registration which means that each individual member of a household that is eligible to vote must now register separately and provide their date of birth and national insurance number.

As part of the transition, in July this year everyone currently on the electoral register received confirmation that they had been rolled over to the new system, or received a letter asking for more information.

People who haven’t returned reminder forms have the opportunity to complete them when visited by Electoral Canvassers from Thursday October 23 to Wednesday November 24, although because of the personal information now required people visited are being encouraged to register online.

Registering online is just one of the improvements being made to the electoral registration system nationwide.

The Phoenix – November 2014

Page 3

NEWS

Madonna's latest 'Dream School' Opens in Karachi

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fter the growing appeal of the Madonna Basic School for education, employment and research/primary education, in Koforidua, Ghana, the

pop icon took to Instagram to announce the opening of her latest ‘dream school,’ this one in Karachi, Pakistan.

Last year, Madonna announced that she's raising money to expand a school in an impoverished area on the outskirts of Karachi, according to a press release on her official website.

She went on stage at a live concert in London and publicised that she is supporting girls’ education

in Pakistan through her Ray of Light Foundation, and urged people to support her cause.

Madonna has long spoken about her admiration for Humaira Bachal, a Pakistani woman who has campaigned for better education for young girls.

Speaking at the Chime For Change event in London last year, the superstar said: “Let’s help Humaira build a bigger school in Pakistan! How ‘bout this? You build

the first floor, I’ll build the rest of the school. Let’s do this together.”

The Dream Model Street School is located in Mawach Goth, Karachi and was founded by the Dream Foundation Trust (DFT), a Pakistani non-governmental organisation.

“I want to trade something valuable for something invaluable – educating girls,” she said in a statement.

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Christmas Shoebox Appeal for Needy Children supported by Regus

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RIGHT FOR THE JOB AHEAD

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his year, 275 local Regus centres are supporting a Christmas campaign which sends present-filled shoeboxes to needy children in developing and war torn countries.

Each centre will be a drop off point for the 2014 “Operation Christmas Child” shoebox appeal run by the Samaritan’s Purse charity.

They are hoping that lots of local workplaces, as well as schools and clubs, will support them by filling shoeboxes with small gifts for children who have possibly never received a present before.

The shoeboxes are sent to children overseas in refugee camps,

orphanages, homeless shelters and impoverished neighbourhoods.

Shoeboxes can be dropped off at the Regus centre at One Victoria Square, Birmingham. B1 1BD on weekdays between 9am and 5pm from Monday November 3 to Tuesday November 18.

Please pick up a leaflet in our

centre for information and ideas about making your shoebox fun and educational.

You can choose to pack a shoebox for a boy or a girl, in age brackets 2 to 4; 5 to 9; or 10 to 14.

Boy/Girl labels (where you tick the age group for your shoebox) You can downloaded information at www.operationchristmaschild.org.uk.

The charity asks for a voluntary £3 donation per shoebox to help with distribution costs. This can be made by cheque (payable to ‘Samaritan’s Purse’) or by inserting £3 cash into the envelope on the Samaritan’s Purse leaflet.

Alternatively, you can donate online.

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The Phoenix – November 2014

NEWS

Need To Know Fast food boss fined for using unauthorised logos

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Birmingham businessman was fined £665 after pleading guilty an offence under the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008.

Sajid Mahmood, 43, of Sandbourne Road, Alum Rock, ran a Dixy Chicken fast food franchise at 163 Alum Rock Road, Alum Rock.

Mahmood was also ordered to pay costs of £1,236 and a £66 victim surcharge during the sentencing at Birmingham Magistrates Court.

In April 2013, an officer noticed, as part of routine inspection of websites found that www.alumrock.lovedixy.com was using unauthorised Halal Monitoring Committee logos, which would lead customers to

believe their products were approved by this body.

Officers visited the premises and wrote to Mahmood to invite him to attend an interview.

However, after he failed to respond to calls and correspondence, staff confirmed he was out of the country.

The Dixy Chicken premises, in Alum Rock, was able to continue trading during this investigation.

l Dog handler Stuart Phillips with sniffer dogs Phoebe and Scamp, and operations manager Donna Bensley

Council seize 133,000 illegal cigarettes in city raids in October

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llegal cigarettes worth nearly £50,000 were seized by trading standards officers in a series of planned raids on six retail premises across Birmingham in early October.

Teams of officers targeted shops and off licences in east Birmingham using two sniffer dogs, as part of a national crackdown on the sale of illicit tobacco – products which have been smuggled in, illegally produced or for which no duty has been paid.

Birmingham City Council’s trading standards officers working with local police teams, also seized 358 packets of illegal hand-rolling tobacco with an estimated street value of more than £5,500.

Illegal tobacco products were found at three of the six premises, including one shop where more than 6,000 packs of cigarettes were found, hidden behind a false wall and ceiling.

All products will be destroyed in due course.

The illegal products seized included counterfeit and cheap foreign labelled products that

breach consumer protection legislation and are also non-duty paid; these cannot be legally sold in the UK. Contents of all cigarettes are harmful and contain around 4,000 different chemicals, including known carcinogens.

Imported tobacco products are also often much stronger than regulated brands. Previously tests on counterfeit cigarettes have revealed they contain plastic, sand and even rats’ droppings.

Cllr Barbara Dring, Chair of the city council’s Licensing and Public Protection Committee, said: “The raids have successfully taken around £55,000 worth of illegal tobacco out of circulation. Offenders need to know that they will face consequences if they choose to deal in these illegal products.”

Birmingham City Council’s Trading Standards Service continues to focus on intelligence led inspections to stamp out the illegal supply and is working with their partners in HMRC and West Midlands Police to focus their activities.

Moving forward with Community Ideas in the Commonwealth

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he second Commonwealth Communities meeting was held on the 8th October, and was a chance to sit down and decide on a plan of action to move forward with, after the inaugural meeting back in July.

With the original meeting bringing up a number of ideas and point to look into, this time around it fell to the attendees to discuss a plan of action, including devising a number of achievable objectives and targeted outcomes.

While invitations had gone out to a broad range of commonwealth institutions and community initiatives, not all of these were able to attend, although those who did were a lively and enthusiastic bunch. However, with the changes to the meeting times and places in the future, hopefully this will facilitate a broader community engagement. It should also be noted that although it is a Commonwealth Communities Focus Group, the invitation is open to countries from outside of the Commonwealth, as a part of moving Birmingham forward.

The terms of reference for the Communities Focus Group were set out, discussed and amended, with the possibility for further changes to be made at the group’s discretion. These included to Strengthen and Maximise Birmingham’s engagement with Commonwealth Countries and Communities, developing mutually beneficial community initiatives and celebrating the input to Birmingham Society made by Commonwealth Communities.

With the focus on outcomes, and introductions and previous meeting minutes out of the way, attention turned to the idea of events surrounding Commonwealth Day (9th March 2015), with some brilliant ideas regarding cultural extravaganzas alongside educational and informative symposiums (brought up by Beverly Lindsay and Bentley Cunningham) from various countries in the Commonwealth explored. The group agreed to aim to have something in place for the 2015 celebrations and a full and comprehensive event for the 2016 celebrations will be of top priority.

Alongside these recommendations, the proposed idea for a Commonwealth Centre in the city was brought to the table by Mr Cunningham, which was endorsed by all attending.

With major events like the Chinese New Year, Diwali, Eid and Christmas already known to the public, events put on by other communities in Birmingham that aren’t so well known or publicised are the ones that the group wants to target, to enable them to promote and pull in people from the wide range of communities that we have in Birmingham.

The Commonwealth Communities meeting will start to be held at different times, including evenings, with the aim of being more inviting to new potential members. Eventually the meetings may also be held at different community centres around the city to broaden the scope of the group by introducing members to the different groups and communities of the city. For more information regarding the next commonwealth meeting, and how you or your organisation can help, please contact

A bright, fresh approach needed after failings of city's 'Big Conversation'

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call for governance was at the heart of Birmingham City Council’s ‘Big Conversation,’ a community dialogue meeting which, in parts, proved a vehicle for many of the city’s long-standing community leaders and activists to vent their spleen and air their views on relationships, or otherwise, between them and the city leaders.

Highlighting great tendencies for self-interest, in some quarters, a collective and proactive call for change and progress in the African Caribbean community, was de-

monstrative at times but too shallow, too often.

Chaired by Councillor James McKay, Cabinet Member for Social Cohesion, Equalities and Community Safety, the Council Chamber was bombarded by attack, after attack, with not enough collective strategy to move forward, with a clear opportunity missed.

Students from the city’s Perry Beeches Academy were present, and made their voices heard, with their bright, fresh perspective on what they can do for their city.

Alongside seasoned campaigners

they held their own with their future, Birmingham’s future top of their agenda.

Lessons, in some ways, to be learned by some present, with their ageing views, that they need to move on from.

“We Caribbean are great attackers,” said one descending voice, “but when it comes to defending our own, we have a ways to go.”

The community at the heart of this meeting might take heed, if not from their past mistakes, then from tomorrow’s decision-makers today.

Mike Murray at Mike.Murray@ birmingham.gov.uk or Heather Law at heather.law@birmingham. gov.uk.

PCC seeking volunteers to spend time behind bars

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est Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner is looking for people who would like to be put behind bars.

But this is not a criminal search – they are looking for independent, community-minded people to volunteer as custody visitors.

Pairs of trained custody visitors make random unannounced visits to custody units in their area. After talking to detainees who accept the offer of a visit and observing the operation of the custody unit a report is completed so that the Police and Crime Commissioner can monitor the scheme.

The scheme provides a check on the conditions under which people are detained in police custody and also provides an independent check on the way police officers and custody assistants carry out their duties.

The aim of custody visiting is to promote public reassurance and confidence in policing by ensuring that policing activity is more publicly accessible.

After attending a one day initial training event visitors are required to conduct a visit in their duty week every six weeks.

Visits will last approximately two hours.

Visitors come from all sections of the community, must be more than 18 years old and reside in the West Midlands. No special skills are required as full training and support is provided.

Custody visitors should, however, be good listeners, nonjudgmental and capable of making unbiased observations.

If you are interested in volunteering please contact Paul Norton on email; p.norton@westmidlands.pnn.police.uk

The Phoenix – November 2014

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BUSINESS AND FINANCE

Ethnic Monitoring of Firms

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l L-R: Jane Weaver and Duncan Foyle, directors of AYS Logistics, small business of the year and Jeff Walker, FLR Group, business person of the year.

Boss floors awards as business person of the year

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olihull’s top employer and employees were named in Solihull Chamber’s annual awards.

Flooring boss Jeff Walker founder of Monkspath based FLR Group, was named ‘Business Person of the Year’, and ‘Outstanding Employee’ is Dan Harper of Paragon Group plc.

The company works for schools, offices, shops and others to carry out maintenance and building refurbishment projects. Solihull Chamber director Jane Jackson said: “The one theme that runs through this nomination is drive, commitment, passion and a person that has never forgotten where they started

from.” Dan Harper, 25, has worked for mortgage and personal loan lender Paragon Group plc.

Other awards made at Henley Golf and Country Club included ‘Best Use of Innovation, which went to Julie Summerell of TR Fleet and ‘Small Business of the Year’, which went to Jane Weaver and Duncan Foyle of AYS Logistics Ltd. In other categories, ‘Customer Care’ was won by Nathan Blake of Hogarths Hotel.

The winner of the ‘Career Development’ award was Charlotte Egan from John Lewis Solihull.

The ‘Young Achiever’ award went

to Gemma Chauhan from AYS Logistics Ltd. John Lewis Solihull sponsored all the individual category awards and the overall event sponsors were Birmingham Airport, The NEC Group and Jaguar Land Rover.

The ‘Business Person of the Year’ award was sponsored by Arup and this year, Flybe presented the ‘Business Person of the Year’ with a pair of flight tickets.

ince 2008, ethnic monitoring has almost ‘gone off the boil’, as officials lump business owners under the rubric of either ‘British Whites’ or pejoratively, ‘BME, BAME’ and ‘EMGs’.

Stereotyping minorities extends to business and the professions and this is creating uncertainty and is a cause for concern.

Those who’re keen to understand the national business landscape, find difficultly obtaining accurate information on ethnic firms.

One presumption is that the enactment of the Equalities Act 2010 may have stymied ethnic monitoring as a device for ‘tracking’ injustices experienced by minorities.

Yet it is fairly easy to obtain statistics on minorities within the prison population, using illicit drugs, unemployed, in mental health institutions, suffering from obesity, indulging in binge drinking or other unhealthy lifestyle practices, as well as others deemed to be underperforming in education, training and other areas of life.

Principally, ethnic monitoring facilitates transparency, fostering the appreciation of cultures and values, whilst imbuing tolerance and enlightenment as against typecasting.

Ethnic monitoring is vital too, in light of the diversity of firms in Britain. It can aid in determining owners’ true heritage when investigating firms’ inaccessibility to investment capital and

procurement opportunities in markets controlled by multilateral institutions.

Current estimates indicate that minority firms contribute over £32 billion to the economy, with market share pegged at 7% and 27% - for firms managed by owners from African, Bangladeshi, Caribbean, Chinese, Indian, Nepalese, Pakistani and Sri Lankan backgrounds.

Compared to the 20th century, the first, second and third generation of minorities are integral to a distinctive range of industry sector representation (ever imaged).

If the NHS, the Legal Services Commission, the General Medical Council and other key state agencies can conduct routine ethnic monitoring, then enterprise strategists can do likewise.

Minorities like others, should be treated with the utmost dignity, honour and respect they deserve not because of ‘physical differences’, but because it is the right thing to do.

The cause for diversity and equality is best served when minorities’ labours are properly acknowledged and rewarded.

Using the principle of ‘numerical power’ as a comparative advantage over one ethnic group or others experiencing inequalities, is unwise and counterproductive.

Among other reasons, ethnic monitoring can impact on the following:a) Quality information and data on underperforming firms in key industry sectors. b) More effective provision

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

of customised technical help and enterprise support. c) Increases in minorities’ economic and social mobility chances and actual levels. d) Consumers’ awareness of the geographical composition and type of firms by industry.

Moreover, ethnic monitoring can improve race relation practices rather than pitting ‘majorities’ against ‘minorities’.

In July 2013, Deputy Prime Minister, the Rt Hon. Nick Clegg, MP, in addressing an audience of senior banking figures and entrepreneurs from minority ethnic communities, said, “It is vital that all businesses have fair access to viable finance as the country looks to rebuild the economy.”

Therefore, the time is opportune for innovative leadership in this arena of social justice. Far from being a ‘progressive agenda’, ethnic monitoring is perhaps a more strategic option than purely, an expedient tool of, and for ‘Political Correctness’.

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The Phoenix – November 2014

NEWS

16 Years On And Erma's Charity Is Still Giving

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ince 1998 a Birmingham nurse has been raising much-needed funds following very bad flooding and landslide that occurred in Jamaica, where a huge number of people lost their homes and lives.

Erma Lewis started 'Erma’s Jamaica Hospital Appeal Fund UK' which was set up to improve the under resourced health care and education programme for disabled and disadvantaged children and adults, obstensively in the heavily affected Portland district of the paradise island and in international countries, including humanitarian needs and disasters.

In its 16th year she again invited special benevolent guests to the Centenial Centre, in Birmingham, to mark the massive impact

the charity has made in her home country and worldwide, and for the guests to pay homage to a woman whose single-minded approach to help those in most need throughout the world, all of which started in a little room in her home in the city.

Hosted by army veteran, Major Glen Lindsay and BBC Radio WM presenter Nikki Tappa, Erma's Annual Fundraising Gala Ball again highlighted the very spirit that makes her city.

Wade Lynn CBE, Honorary Council for the Jamaican High Commission in Birmingham, praised the extensive and expansive work done by Erma offering his endless support to her every need.

With special guest appearances by famed musicians including

saxophonist Millicent Stephenson and singing stars Peter Campbell and the indomitable Prescilla Campbell the gala dinner, sponsored by British Airways and Jessica Farrell Foundation, had all in the mood to part with their cash.

Erma, from Quinton, said: "I'm proud of what has been achieved since I started in 1998 and the work the charity is doing throughout the world and the massive, and growing, support of people here, in Birmingham. And, there's no way that I will be stopping supporting the needy any time soon.”

Jeremy Thornton of distinguished auctioneers Biddle & Web was on hand as people dug deep to claim holidays in Jamaica, exclusive spa treatments and an array of other stunning offers.

Multi-Cultural Day for Black History Month

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by LJ

l L-R: DC Marcia Francis, PC Michelle Ugwueze, Jacky Courtney the PCC Support Chief Executive, Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner Yvonne Mosquito, PC Andrea Reynolds, Bishop Derek Webley and Inspector Karen Geddes

est Midlands Police hosted their Black history month event at the Lighthouse in Aston and what fantastic event it was.

The day started with an audience with Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner Yvonne Mosquito, Bishop Derek Webley and Mohammad Nazir who launched the new video that celebrates the role of Black and Asian officers in the 40 year history of West Midlands Police.

This was a good start to a great

l Proud fire fighters for West Midlands Fire service left to right Fire fighter l Our Roots Community CIC Group taking the officers salute with Police Earl Morgan based at Ward End, Fire Fighter Rohan Hazel from Aston, FireOfficer Michelle Ugwueze and Inspectors Karren Geddes also Chair of the fighter Aaron Bedward from Ladywood.

Black and Asian officer Support group in the police.

day that had stalls from other professional outfits like West Midland Fire Service as well as local business and community groups.

This was a well attended event and everyone there had great fun.

A highlight of the day was Community Group 'Our Roots CIC' with children aged 4-12 however yesterday they had to two 2 years old as a special edition and they were truly splendid.

The host for the day Coroline Schubert lead the sharing of each others cultural diffrences and recruitment information.

To show that they are much

more than just the uniform poetry by Andrea Ryenolds a WPC covering Sparkbrook and Balsall Heath wax lyrical with words of Maya Angelou as well as poetry of her own.

This officer wears the other hats of Public Speaker, Author (a book endorsed by Jamaican Louise Bennett - Miss Lou) and a Trainer in Cultural Competence and Diversity.

Somehow you feel there is come from this proud Jamaican Andrea Reynolds.

Well done West Midlands Police!

l Long server Professor Black responsible for the Handsworth carinival parades and Costumes for many years.

The Phoenix – November 2014

Page 7

BUSINESS AND FINANCE

Christmas Is On Digicel

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hristmas is arriving early for Digicel customers in the US, Canada and the UK. The telecommunications company launches its “Christmas is on us” campaign on November 3rd, 2014 – in market until December 28th.

“We are beyond excited to be able to reward our customers. These migrant heroes have been loyal to their families in the Caribbean and to our brand all year long. It is now the time to give back to them and declare that ‘Christmas Is On Us’,” said Declan Cassidy, CEO of Digicel

Diaspora.

Digicel is giving away a brand new car to the grand prize winner of the campaign. But there’s more! There will be weekly winners of £3,000 cash and of American Airline tickets back home to the Caribbean.

Digicel is committed to keeping family and friends abroad connected to those at home in

the Caribbean. As a global telecommunications service provider, Digicel provides convenient and easy top-up methods for those abroad so they can send minutes back home.

All top up transactions during the 8-week promotional period qualify – whether customers send Digicel minutes to friends and family in Jamaica, Haiti, Guyana, Trinidad, St. Vincent, St. Lucia and Grenada, via www.

DigicelGroup.com or from any authorized retail location. The more they send, the higher their chances to win.

Midlands steps up campaign for better transport links

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report supporting a fast Leeds-Manchester rail link is set to give added impetus to

a Midlands campaign for better east-west transport connections.

Midlands Connect, a collaboration of Midlands-wide local enterprise partnerships (LEPs), Network Rail, the Highways Agency, local authorities and the business community, which champions strategic transport investment across the entire Midlands region, is due to issue its own report identifying where connectivity improvements are likely to have the greatest long-term impact on employment and the economy.

Jerry Blackett, chief executive of Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce and a member of Midlands Connect, said: “The report by Sir David Higgins, the HS2 chairman, underlines the importance not only of HS2 but of better regional transport options.

The Midlands has consistently punched below its weight when it comes to infrastructure investment.

The Northern Hub, a major rail project across the North now called HS3, is a powerful example of how a successful infrastructure project can attract Treasury funding when the economic geography is wide enough.

This has led to the North West achieving three times the investment per head than the West Midlands.

l Jerry Blackett, Chief Executive of Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce HS2 will provide an incredible stimulus to the region’s infrastructure but the Midlands needs to come together to ensure that infrastructure projects go beyond political borders.

One way that the imbalance will be addressed is through the Midlands Connect project, an ambitious programme founded by policy makers across the Midlands that seeks to emulate the success of the Northern Hub in identifying how transport can improve the region’s economy.”

The economic study launched

by Midlands Connect is due to conclude shortly and the group has already begun to seek funding from the government and other sources.

Once up and running it will then focus on: •Developing an integrated plan for improved connectivity to HS2 •Addressing east-west Midlands connections • Addressing capacity for freight movements •Improving connectivity to international markets via the region’s airports Links have already been established by West Midlands LEPs and chambers of commerce with their counterparts in the east Midlands. The East Midlands councils have also expressed support.

British Safety Council offers free stress advice to businesses

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ith stress costing the UK e c o n o m y £6.5bn, it is undeniable that this is one of the biggest health related priorities facing businesses.

The British Safety Council is lending its voice to this important issue, as well asking workplaces to give due attention to occupational health overall.

Alex Botha, Chief Executive of the British Safety Council, said: “Businesses managing risks in their workplace are increasingly seeing occupational health as a priority.

A number of factors are contributing – a workforce that is ageing, the changing shape of our economy to one that is more service orientated, the pressures on government and the NHS with the fact that people are living with illness and disease for longer.

But with so many pressures on businesses too, and the complexity involved, we recognise

that we have an important role to play in providing practical steps on how to address occupational health.

We draw in the practical experience of thousands of our members dealing with these issues and we share their experiences but also identify what more can, and should, be done.

What we’ve seen is that in tackling occupational health, a lot of learning can be drawn from the ‘safety’ landscape. So often we see that it is about clear leadership, effective communication, appropriate training, good measurement and management – in a sense, health can be managed ‘like safety’. And the business case is there to support the value of such investments.”

In support of European Health and Safety Week held this week, the British Safety Council is making its guide for employers on managing stress in the workplace freely available until the end of November.

Page 8

The Phoenix – November 2014

COMMUNITY NEWS WITH LJ

Remember loved ones through acts of kindness LJ’s

ity mmun

Co

L

Slot

iving with a loss causes you to review life differently especially when dealing with the loss of child.

Type 2 diabetes is almost three to five times more common in people from Black African-Caribbean backgrounds.

Finding out that you or a family member has diabetes means that you will need to make some changes to your lifestyle, and gain better awareness of your diet.

This will help you reduce the risk of developing longterm complications like blindness, kidney disease, strokes and amputations.

There are other things you have to consider i.e. long term complications especially when living in a family this is so crucial and important to understand.

Mother of 4, Marcia Lindsay knows this pain only too well. At 9 years old her eldest daughter Charmaine who would have been 30 on the 29th November was diagnosed with diabetes.

She lost her battle with the effects of diabetes complications age just 20 years old; leaving behind a then 18 month old daughter.

Marcia remembers that when Charmaine was aged 9 some parents and friends did not understand the ill-

ness and this resulted in her not being invited to parties and funny times with her peers.

It was also difficult at times for Charmaine to come to terms with her illness. Wanting to be like everyone else but needing to always monitor her diet in particular was one of the things Charmaine found most challenging.

Charmaine however led a full life, a daughter who she loved dearly and was at the time of her passing in full time education studying to become a nurse.

With lots of family support and a grand-daughter to focus on, Marcia reached a point last year where she felt she could turn her loss into something positive and help others.

She decided to hold an annual get together with family and friends to raise funds and awareness around this illness that really is crucial to understand irrespective of age.

This mother of four story is so moving. Her selflessness amidst her grief is one that is to be commended.

When I asked Marcia why she hosted this event in October Marcia said ‘I picked a date in Black History month to highlight the community in their reviewing of history to also remember their health’.

She went on to say ‘I stayed away from special dates like Charmaine’s

birthday and anniversary of her passing as there isn’t anything special about having diabetes and this illness can affect anyone’.

When I asked Marcia what advice she would give to any parent with children suffering from diabetes she said she would encourage parents to join groups so their children can share their concerns.

To make sure people around them are educated on how to support someone living with diabetes, to make sure your child lives as active a life as possible, not limiting them to what they can and cannot do as this can lead to them feeling isolated and feeling this illness is their fault.

Last year Marcia seen here in the picture with her mother Muriel Graham (her tower of strength and support) raised £170.00.

This years get together was also in memory of a cousin, Shelia Francis who lost her sight to diabetes and sadly her battle with kidney failure.

Marcia family and friends have managed to raise over £300 in memory of their love ones which will be donated to Diabetes UK for their on-going support to suffers of this illness.

Diabetes UK offers support to families through having advice days, counselling, information on benefits entitlement and support.

Black History Month ‘Real Talk’

I

t was my honour to host the first of these evenings with Necola Hall, sharing her story from her Autobiography.

This was a great night and well attended, her story was well received and the night closed with a prayer of Blessings by Pastor Maxine Brooks leader of the Town Hall Community Choir.

Necola Hall and I would like to ‘Thank ‘ all who attended this Black History Month Event.

The Phoenix – November 2014

COMMUNITY NEWS

Youth the key at AJN 24th Annual Local Heroes Gala

l Photo Credit - Poppy Brady

M l

Beverly Lindsay with the award winners at the Association of Jamaica Nationals Birmingham UK’s 24th Annual Gala

ore than 400 guests were in attendance as the Association of Jamaican Nationals (Birmingham), in association with Somewhereto_ West Midlands, the organisation which helps young people access appropriate space, for their appropriate needs, presented their inaugural Be Inspired Youth Conference Gala, at their 24th Annual Local Heroes & Youth Gala and Awards, in the Holte Banqueting Suite at Aston Villa Football Club.

Held during National Heroes week, to coincide with celebrations in Jamaica, the event, hosted by AJN Chair, Ms Beverly Lindsay OBE OD, introduced the new youth segment to proceedings recognising individuals and

organisations who have inspired or made considerable contributions to the achievement of young people.

Categories included; ‘Young Entrepreneur,’ ‘Entertainment Industry Achievement,’ ‘Inspiring & Outstanding Individual,’ ‘Sports Personality & Achievement’ and the ‘Youth Provision/ Organisation’ awards in a ceremony which emphasised the AJN’s strive to acknowledge young people and cement the foundations for tomorrow’s legacy today.

In Beverly’s chosen section she gave 3 special recognition awards selected by her to people who have served their community and the Jamaican diaspora.

This year her awards went to Emeritus Professor Sir Geoff Palmer OBE, Rensford Pryce (the Trophy Maker) and to community

champion Mrs Camille Ade-John much to her surprise.

‘Ms Camille’ as she fondly known is a worthy recipient of this award, she has sat on many boards as a Director championed many causes empowering the black community to stand up and be counted.

She is never afraid to challenge any systems especially during her involvement with C.O.P.E. Mental Health Services. She is currently a Director with Community Vision West Midlands, and is also a very

proud Jamaican who is the Chair of Jamaica PNP Birmingham UK Group.

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Page 10

AZUZA STREET WITH ROLAND JOSEPH TETTEH

G

REETINGS 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.

C

ontinuing from last months rticle on God, here is the concluding part of Roland Joseph Tetteh’s piece.

The Moral Argument

The moral argument is the argument from the existence or nature of morality to the existence of God. Two forms of moral argument are distinguished: formal and perfectionist.

The formal moral argument takes the form of morality to imply that it has a divine origin: morality consists of an ultimately authoritative set of commands; where can these commands have come from but a commander that has ultimate authority?

The perfectionist moral argument sets up a problem: how can it be that morality requires perfection of us, that morality cannot require of us more than we can give, but that we cannot be perfect? The only way to resolve this paradox, the argument suggests, is to posit the existence of God. The Argument from Religious Experience The argument from religious experience is the argument that personal religious experiences can

prove God’s existence to those that have them.

One can only perceive that which exists, and so God must exist because there are those that have experienced him. While religious experiences themselves can only constitute direct evidence of God’s existence for those fortunate enough to have them, the fact that there are many people who testify to having had such experiences constitutes indirect evidence of God’s existence even to those who have not had such experiences themselves.

The Argument from Miracles

The argument from miracles is the argument that the occurrence of miracles demonstrates both the existence of God and the truth of Christianity.

If the Bible is to be believed, then Jesus‘ ministry was accompanied by frequent miraculous signs that his claims and his teachings were endorsed by God the Father.

His resurrection from the dead was, of course, the greatest of these, and is still taken by many today to be a solid foundation for their faith.

Miracles typically involve the suspension of the natural operation of the universe as some supernatural event occurs. That can only happen, of course, given the existence of some supernatural being.

CHRISTIANITY

In Christianity, God is the eternal being who created and preserves the world. Christians believe God to be both transcendent (wholly independent of, and removed from, the material universe) and immanent (involved in the world).

Christian teachings of the immanence and involvement of God and his love for humanity exclude the belief that God is of the same substance as the created universe but accept that God incarnated as a man.

Early Christian views of God were expressed in the Pauline Epistles and the early creeds, which proclaimed one God and the divinity of Jesus, almost in the same breath as in 1 Corinthians (8:5-6): “For even if there are socalled gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as indeed there are many ‘gods’ and many ‘lords’), yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came

GOD Part 2

and through whom we live.”

“Although the Judæo-Christian sect of the Ebionites protested against this apotheosis of Jesus, the great mass of Gentile Christians accepted it.” This began to differentiate the Gentile Christian views of God from traditional Jewish teachings of the time.

The theology of the attributes and nature of God has been discussed since the earliest days of Christianity, with Irenaeus writing in the 2nd century: “His greatness lacks nothing, but contains all things”.

In the 8th century, John of Damascus listed eighteen attributes

which remain widely accepted.

As time passed, theologians developed systematic lists of these attributes, some based on statements in the Bible (e.g., the Lord’s Prayer, stating that the Father is in Heaven), others based on theological reasoning.

The Kingdom of God is a prominent phrase in the Synoptic Gospels and while there is near unanimous agreement among scholars that it represents a key element of the teachings of Jesus, there is little scholarly agreement on its exact interpretation.

In

ISLAM

Islamic

theology,

God

Cathedrals secure share of £8million for repairs

C

The Phoenix – November 2014

ulture Secretary Sajid Javid announced that Birmingham St Chads, Hereford, and Worcester Cathedrals are among those receiving almost £8million for urgent repairs in the second round of grants from the First World War Centenary Cathedral Repair Fund.

31 cathedrals across England will be able to fix leaking roofs, repair stained glass windows and spires, and carry out many other important works, making the total number of cathedrals receiving funding through the programme 41.

Birmingham St Chads Cathedral will receive £227,000 for high level repairs, Hereford Cathedral will receive £300,000 for roof repairs, and Worcester

Cathedral will get £250,316 for window repairs.

The fund was announced in Budget 2014, and set up in April this year in recognition of the powerful symbol cathedrals are of Britain’s shared history, as well as the significant role they will play throughout the commemorations of the centenary of the First World War. Sir Paul Ruddock, Chair of the First World War Centenary Cathedral Repairs Fund expert panel and Chairman of the Victoria & Albert Museum, said: “The appeal of cathedrals is vast and enduring. Every part of English history can be seen somewhere within their walls, and I am delighted that this second round of grant is providing vital support to keep them open for all to enjoy.”

(Arabic:Allah) is the all-powerful and all-knowing creator, sustainer, ordainer and judge of the universe. Islam emphasizes that God is strictly singular, unique and inherently One , all-merciful and omnipotent. According to Islamic teachings, God exists without place and according to the Qur’an, “Vision perceives Him not, but He perceives all vision; and He is the Subtle, the Acquainted.”

(Qur’an 6:103) God, as referenced in the Qur’an, is the only God. In Islam, there are 99 known Names of God, each of which evoke a distinct attribute of God. All these names refer to Allah, the supreme and all-comprehensive divine name. Among the 99 names of God, the most familiar and frequent of these names are “the Compassionate” and “the Merciful”.

Creation and ordering of the universe is seen as an act of prime mercy for which all creatures sing God’s glories and bear witness to God’s unity and lordship. God responds to those in need or distress whenever they call. Above all, God guides humanity to the right way, “the holy ways”.

HINDUISM

In Hindu monotheism, the concept of God varies from one sect to another. Hinduism (by its nature as a regional rather than a doctrinal religious category) is not exclusively monotheistic, and has been described as spanning a wide range of henotheism, monotheism, polytheism, panentheism, pantheism, pandeism and monism, The philosophical system of Advaita or non-dualism as it developed in the Vedanta school of Hindu philosophy, especially as set out in the Upanishads and popularized by Adi Shankara in the 9th century, would become the basis of mainstream Hinduism as it developed in the medieval period.

This non-dualism postulates the identity of the Self or Atman with the Whole or Brahman, and can be described as monism or pantheism.

Forms of explicit monotheism find mention in the canonical Bhagavad Gita. Explicit mono-

theism in the form of emotional or ecstatic devotion (bhakti) to a single external and personal deity (in the form of Shiva or Vishnu) became popular in South India in the early medieval period.

Ecstatic devotion to Krishna, a form of Vishnu, gained popularity throughout India during the Middle Ages and gave rise to schools of Vaishnavism. Ecstatic devotion to Goddess Durga became popular in some parts of India in the later medieval and early modern ages.

Vaishnavism, particularly Krishnaism, Shaktism and some forms of Shaivism remain the most explicit forms of monotheistic worship of a personal God within Hinduism.

Other Hindus, such as many of those who practice Shaivism, tend to assume the existence of a singular God, but do not necessarily associate God with aspects of a personality.

Rather they envisage God as an impersonal Absolute(Brahman), who can be worshipped only in part in a human form.

Conclusion

The basic conclusion is that all the major religions and philosophical concepts though are wont to bicker about nothing, they all concur one way or the other of the existence of God and the fact that he has all the attributes of a Supreme Being.

Yet, all the major theories and concepts about God is highly flawed and deficient. The reason is reason alone is not sufficient to glean a perfect understanding of God especially if it is done so with limited senses.

Therefore, cultivating God consciousness is not about prying into areas which no one has really made any real and meaningful progress.

The evidence is around us. It is not only overwhelming but makes a strong irrefutable assertion that it is the Work of God. Righteousness removes doubts from the mind and opens path where one can experience and commune with the divine. The greatness of God becomes apparent.

Get in touch! Editorial - 0121 231 3235 Advertising - 0121 240 7310

The Phoenix – November 2014

Page 11

AZUZA STREET WITH ROLAND JOSEPH TETTEH

Soho Road BID hosts first Diwali celebration

S

oho Road came to a standstill as hordes of men, women and children flocked to celebrate Diwali and mark the new moon that starts the month of Kartika in the Hindu calendar.

As the air was filled with the finest of Bhangra, pop and classical Indian music, hundreds of people filled the street, in Handsworth, Birmingham, to witness the delights of the food, arts, crafts and souvenir stalls as they turned out in their droves for Soho Roads Festival of Light.

It was the first time the event, sponsored by Balu Travel and supported by South & City College Birmingham, had been staged after being organised by the newly-formed Soho Road Business Improvement District, 500 plus businesses stretching from Holyhead Road to Soho Hill.

Diwali, an ancient Hindu festival, has been celebrated every autumn for thousands of years to symbolise the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil.

It is also known as Deepavali and the Festival of Lights.

BID manager Craig Bucky said: “This was our first community event and we are very proud to have been involved with such an occasion as Diwali. It was hard work, but it was a great celebration that everyone can be part of.”

“In a bid to improve the area much more events are in the pipeline,” said BID Chair Dipak Patel.

“The long-term strategy is to make Soho Road an exciting place to work and live.”

The Hindu Council of Birmingham and Birmingham City Council are working together to stage Diwali celebrations at the New Bingley Hall in Hockley in the city on Sunday, November 16.

Page 12

BEX LIVE BIRMINGHAM 2014

C

elebrating the Black community and all it has to offer in culture, creativity, entrepreneurship, consumer power and more, BEX Live International trumpeted itself as the leading exhibition of its type – a platform for Black businesses to exhibit and advertise their wares to the wide diverse public that is Birmingham and the West Midlands.

After its presence and standing at the city's Town Hall last year, and after last year's turnout, much was expected this time round.

Situated at South & City College Birmingham, Digbeth campus, the opportunity, as per usual,

was there for businesses, of varying sizes and standing, to show off their very best, to a wide audience of respected buyers, sellers and demonstrators alike.

There were live shows, demonstrations and motivational speakers on hand to impart their individual and collective knowledge and experience on a public who expected great things on the day.

These included talks by awardwinning journalist, editor and author Dr. Christopher Johnson and motivational speaker Camilita Nuttall An ideal opportunity to promote economic development through increased exposure giving businesses the opportunity to showcase their products and services

The Phoenix – November 2014

to a wider general public, Bill Brown of Black Exposure Live C.I.C. said: “The exhibition was dedicated to strengthening communities, inspiring young people and building better lives for us all. BEX Live International was the ideal place to raise and create brand awareness, establish your company in the market place and interact with thousands of potential customers.”

With a high bar set after Bill's success last year, this had a lot to live up to, especially after a successful Manchester show. It was a shame that so few people were able to sample and experience the best of what the paying exhibitors had on offer. Hopefully next time there will be a better turn out!

Loving Memories Funeral Services Ltd

L ART ASTON

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RT provides loans to viable businesses or social enterprises based in the West Midlands, which need to start, survive or grow and are unable to secure their full needs via conventional sources.

Launched in June 1997 ART’s aim is to provide job opportunities and contribute to regeneration. It raises funds from a combination of private and public sector sources and currently lends between £10,000 and £100,000.

ART has lent over £15 million supporting a wide range of borrowers from registered charities to sole traders, partnerships and limited companies. ART has supported both innovative start-ups and established businesses in a wide range of sectors including manufacturing, services, care industry, education and skills training.

REINVESTMENT TRUST Aston Reinvestment Trust Faraday Wharf Holt St Birmingham Aston Science Park Birmingham B7 4BB Web: www.reinvest.co.uk

oving Memories aims to provide a sensitive, caring and personal service tailored to help you to deal with this emotional period in your life with dignity.

Managing Director Grace Bennett, along with her excellent team of professional partners offers a unique and approachable service.

In a time of grief and sadness, the loss of a loved one should inspire only loving memories.

Loving Memories Funeral Services believe that the details should be taken care of to celebrate the life of your loved one.

Our vision is to offer you a sensitive and personal service in a sympathetic manner that respects your vulnerability and bereavement.

You may feel that there is insufficient time to organise your funeral. We’re experts in taking care of the details promptly, to

minimise your efforts in organising a funeral. Our strength lies in offering highly personalised, quality service.

• Choice of HorseDrawn Hearses • Repatriation Service • Floral Tribute Service • Multi-Lingual Service • 1st Class Wash and Dress Facilities • Ashes Dispersal Advice We can assist you with funeral planning, printing & designing orders of service, catering, floral tributes, wills and probate, head stones, musicians, and much more.

An increasing number of people are planning funerals themselves to suit their budget. Our focus is on helping you to manage a funeral costeffectively.

Discover for yourself the wide

variety of essential funeral services we provide and how we can support you to treasure the loving memories that will last a lifetime.

Loving Memories Funeral Services Ltd Steward Street Loft, 69 Steward Street, Birmingham, B18 7AF

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Tel : 0121 359 2444

Free Car parking available and our Birmingham location is accessible by major bus, train or tram routes.

The Phoenix – November 2014

Page 13

SPECIAL STREET CRED SUPPLEMENT IN THE PHOENIX NEWSPAPER

NOVEMBER 2014

www.streetcredmagazine.com

THE CLUBBING EXPERIENCE YOU’VE BEEN WAITING FOR HAS FINALLY ARRIVED

Page 14

ENTERTAINMENT

www.streetcredmagazine.com

Editors Note W

The Phoenix!

elcome back to another Street Cred Magazine in

We’ve had a great month here, with preparations for the opening of Swish Cocktail Bar and Lounge finally coming to a head with the Grand Opening at the end of October!

Swish is the place to be, open 7 days a week with awesome events on every evening.

Check out the Monday Rocks flyer below for just a

Suge Knight back… behind bars?

H

ip-hop impresario, Suge Knight, faces 30 years behind bars if convicted of stealing a photographer’s

taste of what to expect!

We’re so excited about the future for Swish here at Street Cred that we felt the launch deserved the front cover.

ing to be singing the iconic songs in The Bodyguard, there is a lot on for everyone!

A fancy place for sexy, sophisticated people, you’re going to get Swished, and you’re going to love every minute of it!

Well thats is enough of me rambling on anyway, it’s time to check out the rest of the mag! What are you waiting for?!

With something for the kids (and big kids) at Disney on Ice, and the stunning Alexandra Burke go-

/markdwaynemdg /streetcredmag

The Phoenix – November 2014

camera.

The Death Row Records founder and comedian Katt Williams were charged with robbery after a celebrity photographer reported they stole her camera in Beverly Hills, in September. Williams faces up to seven years in prison if convicted., whilst Knight, who has a prior conviction for assault with a deadly weapon, could face up to 30 years

MDG

Rochelle reveals all - oops!

@MarkDwayneMDG1 @StreetCredMag

www.streetcredmagazine.com

R

ochelle Humes has admitted one of the pitfalls of hosting This Morning with husband Marvin is she reveals too much about their private life.

She says she does sometimes embarrass her former JLS star spouse by “oversharing” on the show.

Rochelle confessed: “If something’s on my mind, I’ll say it. Sometimes I think, ‘I better not embarrass him with this.’ But then I just end up saying it anyway.” She admitted that she don’t know if I has an off button. “Perhaps it’s a pause,” she said. “I process it, and then I think, ‘I might as well say it’.”

Rochelle, 25, and 29-year-old Marvin have agreed that whatever happens between them on This Morning, stays on This Morning.

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rit hard man, Jason Statham‘s latest film ‘The Expendables 3’ is coming out in an Unrated Cut form on November 11. The Blu-ray and DVD versions of the film

will come out a few weeks later on November 25.

The film is a star-studded affair with a who’s who of action heroes. The line-up includes: Sylvester Stallone, Harrison Ford, Arnold

Schwarznegger, Mel Gibson, Wesley Snipe, Dolph Lundgren, Terry Crews, Jet Li and many more of Hollywood’s top beefcakes.

The Phoenix – November 2014

ENTERTAINMENT

www.streetcredmagazine.com

C S

cottish hip-hop trio Young Fathers look set to buck the trend and prove a success story after walking away with this year's top Mercury Prize award.

With the trio’s winning album, Dead, previously selling 2,386 copies in the UK, unlike many other Mercury Prize winners, with 'gong' in hand the album jumped straight into number 7 on Apple’s iTunes chart, having not previously been anywhere in the top 100.

Their success could follow the path of Dizzee Rascal, who won

the prize in 2003 when still a relatively unknown outsider. His album sales went up by 150% overnight and the album, Boy in da Corner, has now attained cult status, catapulting the grime artist into the mainstream and making him one of the biggest selling artists in the past decade.

Edinburgh-based trio of Alloysious Massaquoi, Kayus Bankole and G Hastings won £20,000 along with the Barclaycard Mercury Prize.

“We’ll take it in our stride,” said G. “We just wanted to make something bigger than the city we're living in.”

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Winter Warmer Fri 7 Nov Guest host kat (MTV Bass) introduces a bill headlined by apparently white Jamaican comedian Tony Hendriks.

Christmas Special Fri 5 Dec Slick and smooth double act Jefferson and Whitfield, veterans of The Real McCoy bring their smooth routines to a line up including clever ballsy cockney wide boy Jamie Howard and host John Simmit.

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Festival performance at The Roundhouse in London, which The Independent described as “a night of killer hooks from pop royalty”.

James Walbourne and Nick Wilkinson from The Pretenders will be joining Chrissie for these special shows.

Of the shows Chrissie said, “my new band Will Travel unites with James and Nick to join me onstage this December – to form a band which I can only describe as All I Want For Christmas.

Rejoice!”.

MADE BRIGHTON

The Design and Craft Fair

M

ADE BRIGHTON is the city’s annual contemporary craft and design fair which takes place in November in the historic Dome, Corn Exchange.

The fair offers the public the opportunity to buy original and exceptional pieces of craft and design direct from the designer / makers and has become firmly established as a friendly, accessible and top quality event. MADE BRIGHTON welcomes over 5500 visitors; collectors, galleries, curators and of course Christmas shoppers, many

of whom return year on year knowing that the work on show is well worth viewing.

MADE BRIGHTON showcases over 100 makers and designers; from unique glassware to luxurious textiles, functional ceramics to dazzling jewellery, beautiful furniture to quirky accessories, there is something for everyone. Work is priced between £10 and £1500, providing the perfect opportunity to shop for unique gifts as well as perhaps finding that ‘can’t live without’ item! A café provides a place for visitors to relax and take refreshment.

Music

Theatre

The Drum and GL360 presents

Graft Entertainment and The Drum presents

Affinity Part III

Uncle Ben’s Festive Block Party

Sat 15 Nov / 7:30pm Tickets: £7.50 (£5)

Thu 18 Dec – Sun 21 Dec / 7pm

The Drum and GL360 bring the best West Midlands based Gospel Music event, Affinity Part III. This, alongside GL360’s mentoring and development programme for young creative talent in the arts creates a second to none Live Band Showcase to an ever-growing audience. Affinity Part III is an event for those that love the full spectrum of creativity. #Affinity3

Tickets: Early bird £10.50 (£8.50) Family Ticket: £37 available until 5pm Sun 30 Nov Family ticket entitles either two adults and two children or one adult and three children to attend.

What a difference a 'gong' makes as Mercury see Young Fathers shoot up charts

hrissie Hynde will play a series of one off shows in the UK this December.

In celebration of a hugely successful year for Chrissie, this handful of special shows will see The Pretenders front woman play songs from her illustrious back catalogue alongside her critically acclaimed debut solo album ‘Stockholm’.

Chrissie’s new single ‘Adding The Blue’ will be released on December 1, alongside a special deluxe version of ‘Stockholm’.

The deluxe version will feature live tracks from her recent triumphant iTunes

Page 15

THE UK’S PREMIER INTERCULTURAL ARTS CENTRE www.the-drum.org.uk | 0121 333 2444

Page 16

ENTERTAINMENT BIRMINGHAM O2 ACADEMY

November 01 Klaxons 01 Counting Crows 04 TesseracT & Animals As Leaders 05 Billy Idol 06 Rise Against 07 Asking Alexandria 08 The Wailers 09 Download Freezes Over 11 Jake Clemons 12 Ghetts 13 Jamie T 14 Levellers 15 The Smyths 15 The Kooks 18 Passenger 20 Courteeners 21 Example 23 The Gaslight Anthem 24 James Bay 26 Lily Allen 28 Hollywood Undead 29 The Clone Roses 29 Mastodon

BIRMINGHAM INSTITUTE November 01 Indiana + Shelter Point 02 Future 04 Royal Blood 05 Lacuna Coil 08 La Roux 08 Kate Boy 15 Pop Punks Not Dead 15 E Of E 16 SEETHER 17 BANKS 19 Trampled By Turtles 20 The Temperance Movement 20 Joey Bada$$ + Waldo 22 Savage Messiah 22 Mallory Knox 22 [SPUNGE] 23 Beardyman 25 Raleigh Ritchie 27 Dreadzone 28 Orgy 29 Coasts

LG ARENA

November 07 WWE Live 21 Andrea Bocelli 28 Peter Gabriel 29 Free Radio Live 2014

TOWN HALL

November 01 Rhydian 05 Gospel Goes Charity 2014 06 Show of Hands with Miranda Syke 09 The Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain 10 Rising Stars: Aaron Pilsan 13 Henning Wehn 15 Joanne Shaw Taylor 18 Peter Donohoe plays Mozart 19 John Shuttleworth - A Wee Ken to Remember 20 21 Today - Justice 4 The 21 22 Jason Byrne in You Name The Show 28 Chas and Dave - On The Road 29 Scott Matthews: Home 30 University Chorus and Symphony Orchestra: Eternal Light

SYMPHONY HALL

November 01 Karl Jenkins 70th Birthday Concert 03 Neil Sedaka 04 Steve Hackett 05 John Mayall 80th Anniversary Tour 06 CBSO War and Peace 07 Steve Clayton and The 44’s 09 Bellowhead 10 Paloma Faith 11 Gregory Porter 12 CBSO Russian Classics 14 Tom Dunnett Quintet 14 Alan Davies 17 An Evening with Jackson Browne 19 CBSO Spirit of 1945 20 Noel Fielding 21 LUPA 22 Spectacular Classics 23 John Wilson & The John Wilson Orchestra

The Phoenix – November 2014

www.streetcredmagazine.com

24 Dave Gorman Gets Straight to the Point* (*The Powerpoint) 25 Celtic Woman 27 CBSO Nelsons conducts Bruckner’s Seventh 28 Bristol European Jazz Ensemble 29 CBSO Nelsons conducts Bruckner’s Seventh

NEC

06-09 Craft, Hobby & Art shows 06-09 Crafts For Christmas 07-08 Graduate Recruitment 07-09 Cake International 13-15 The Skills Show 14-16 Classic Motorbike Show 14-16 Classic Motor Show 20-23 Festive Gift Fair 22-23 Comic Con 22 Supreme Cat Show 22-23 National Model Railway Exhibition 22-30 Motorcycle Live 27-30 BBC Good Food Show 28-29 National Engineering & Construction Recruitment

Tribute to Grover Washington Jr

2

NIA

November 01-02 Disney On Ice celebrates 100 Years of Magic 06 Motorhead 07-09 John Bishop 13 Lady Gaga 15 BBC Radio 1 Xtra Live 23 James Blunt 27 Enrique Iglesias 28 Diversity 29-30 The 2014 Birmingham International Tattoo

CIVIC/WULFRUN WOLVERHAMPTON

November 01 Asia (Wulfrun Hall) 02 Festival Of Remembrance (Wulfrun Hall) 05 Miranda Sings (Wulfrun Hall) 08-16 Grand Slam of Darts (Civic Hall) 19 Darius Rucker (Wulfrun Hall) 20 The Specials (Civic Hall) 21 Robert Plant (Civic Hall) 22 Paloma Faith (Civic Hall) 22 Daz Russell’s 30th Anniversary Day (Wulfrun Hall) 25 Psychic Sally : Sally on the Road (Civic Hall) 28 Paul Heaton Jacqui Abbott (Civic Hall) 28 Dave Spikey- Punchlines (Wulfrun Hall) 29 Erasure (Civic Hall) 29 Embrace (Wulfrun Hall)

A

fter 2 humongous sell out shows in 2011 and 2012 in Birmingham, The Bhangra Legends are now back with the biggest line up in the series so far.

On this occasion the venue of choice is the superb Wolves Civic Hall and for the first time ever you will see Malkit Singh, Alaap, Surj Sahota, Heera, Apna Sangeet, Premi and Shaktee performing on the same stage for this live musical extravaganza.

The concert which is the third

instalment in the series and is in line with the very first event which took place at The New Alexandra Theatre in Birmingham and is hosted by Amarjit Sidhu, is a veteran in the UK Bhangra music scene.

All acts will be performing their evergreen classics and the atmosphere will be electric for all die hard UK Bhangra music fans who grew up in the 80’s & 90’s in the UK. The Bhangra Legends takes place on Saturday December 27 so make sure you attend this un-

missable Bhangra musical journey down memory lane.

All artists are performing 100% Live, there are no PA acts on this event and this a fully seated family event.

There will be a unique and never seen before finale being performed at the end which will be performed with a full live band.

There will be additional legendary Bhangra artists added to the finale who will be revealed nearer the date of the concert to make this the biggest old skool UK Bhangra showdown ever.

014 marks 15 years since the passing of Grover Washington Jr. To celebrate his musical achievements there is a commemoration tribute concert in appreciation of his music performed live by the Delano Mills Notstrictlyjazz Quartet - Winelight to be held at The Crossing, Digbeth on the 12th September.

Featuring Delano Mills onbass, Alvin Davis on saxophones and Martin Trotman: on keyboards & vocals, there will also be David Parry on guitars and Karen Milne on Drums & Percussion guesting with the band for the first time.

Steel-pan maestro Norman Stewart will also be joining them on stage.

This is a chance to enjoy some of Grover's most memorable tracks authentically recreated for you by experienced musicians for whom this music formed part of the soundtrack of their youth.

Supporting on the night will be the Jazzlines Ensemble.

What’s On

SLADE ROOMS, WOLVERHAMPTON

November 01 Impericon Never Say Die! Tour 2014 04 Hawklords 05 Jason Cook 06 Deathstars 08 The Blackout 09 Hal Cruttenden 14 Tiff Stevenson 15 The Noise Next Door 16 Slaves 18 Big Elf 21 Mark Watson: Flaws 26 Jesse Malin 28 Ill Nino 30 Protest The Hero

RISE AGAINST O2 Academy, Birmingham 6 November 2014

RISE AGAINST will head to the O2 Academy on 6th November with Pennywise and Emily’s Army supporting.

After 15 years, and six incendiary albums, RISE AGAINST have become one of the most

successful, challenging and revered punk rock bands on the planet. RISE AGAINST have sold four million albums globally across their last four releases – with 2011’s Endgame debuting at number one in Germany and Canada, and number two on the U.S. Billboard album chart.

Kate Boy The Temple, Birmingham 8 November 2014

Neil Diamond LG Arena, Birmingham 11 July 2015

l Enrique Iglesias @ NIA

Neil Diamond, iconic Grammy Award-winning Rock and Pop Singer/Songwriter and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member, will be bringing his highly anticipated Neil Diamond Tour 2015 to Europe next summer. The show will feature songs from his newest studio album Melody Road, as well as many classic favourites.

“Neil is one of the greatest live

performers touring today and we are honoured to be working with him on his 2015 world tour,” said Michael Rapino, president and chief executive officer, Live Nation Entertainment. “The depth and power of the Neil Diamond songbook, from his early hits, right through to his soon to be released Melody Road album, will be a treat for fans everywhere.”

Kate Boy bring their music to stratospheric heights in a live environment – following a recent sold out show at The Lexington in London these shows are set to be some of the hottest shows in town this autumn.

Kate Boy are a Stockholm based trio (Kate Akhurst, Hampus Nordgren and Markus Dextegen) who have been making waves across the globe, armed with their effortlessly catchy electronic beats and sultry vocal hooks.

Get in touch! Editorial - 0121 231 3235 Advertising - 0121 240 7310

The Phoenix – November 2014

Page 17

ENTERTAINMENT

www.streetcredmagazine.com

Chorna Haathma Chaavi - Marriage is a Gamble

LIVE TOUR D ue to high demand, following the announcement that Dynamo would be embarking on his first ever live tour, it has been confirmed that his tour run has been extended and he will now perform in seven UK cities during 2015.

Dynamo fans will have the opportunity to see his magic skills up close and personal in what promises to be a spectacular and unique live stage production.

He will now also be performing for five nights at the Barclaycard Arena from 9-13 December 2015.

Dynamo, real name Steven Frayne, hit our screens just three years ago with his first series of Magician Impossible, in that short time he has quickly established himself as one of the world’s most known and most loved magicians, with his series airing in over 180 coun-

tries worldwide reaching over 250 million cumulative viewers across the world.

He was recently awarded the highest accolade by the magic circle with his promotion to Member of the Inner Magic Circle with Gold Star, a position only held by 300 magicians worldwide, including HRH Prince of Wales.

Dynamo said of his new venture: “After four series of Magician Impossible I was ready for a new challenge and for a long time I have wanted to take my show to the stage.

I am hoping that like I did for magic on TV, I can reinvent the live magic show and produce something fans have never seen before.

This is something I have been working towards for the last 20 years and I can’t wait to amaze audiences what I have in store for them”.

M

arriage is a game for some, Cruel intentions woven in a pre-planned marriage, saying 'I do' when they really don't, and where a marriage certificate is a weapon, worth more than the marriage itself. Fairy tales turn into disaster... No wonder Marriage is a Gamble!

Brought to the stage by Shivam Theatre, this hilarious plot is full of romantic twists and turns that will have audiences enthralled. This thought provoking feel-good comedy is all about love, marriage, destiny, and everything inbetween!

Performed in Gujarati & Eng-

lish join Shivam Theatre and the Gujarati Hindu Association for a night of hilarious romantic comedy, as smash-hit Gujarati production Chorna Haathma Chaavi comes to The Drum Arts/ Theatre Centre, Birmingham, on Sunday November 23.

A Tale of Life, Love and Longing From the shores of Montego Bay Jamaica to the Heart of the West Midlands comes a love story.

Poetry in motion about a woman, her life and extracts from her diary as she awaits the return of her lover from Special Forces Duty.

Beautiful, Touching and Inspirational

OUT NOW! Available from AuthorHouse and Amazon

l Kuljinder Singh Sidhu (centre) as YoddhaThe Warrior

Wolverhampton premiere for Yoddha The Warrior

W

olverhampton hosted the premiere of what the Times of India called the most eagerly-awaited Punjabi movie since ‘SaddaHaq’ – ‘Yoddha The Warrior’.

Kuljinder Singh Sidhu – in the title role of a film he also cowrote and co-produced – plays an ordinary man turned by fate into a fearless warrior.

He is joined on screen by Rahul Dav, Girja Shankar, Unati Dawara, Nasar Khan, Mahabeer Bhullar, Haktor Sandhu, Ajay Jethi, Dinesh Sood, Sandeep Kapoor and Vicky Harwinder.

Councillor Elias Mattu, Wolverhampton City Council’s Cabinet Member for Leisure and Community, said: “Staging the premiere

of Yoddha The Warrior is a terrific coup for the city.

“That the film’s UK and European distributors have chosen our city for the film’s first UK screening is a magnificent tribute to all of Kuljinder’s local fans and Punjabi film goers.”

Kuljinder Singh Sidhu said: “We know that Wolverhampton’s Punjabi-speaking community makes a real and valuable contri-

bution to the city’s life.

It’s a privilege to be able to share our latest film with them.”

YoddhaThe Warrior was premiered to an audience of invited guests at Light House Cinema in Wolverhampton on Tuesday October, 28, and screened at selected cinemas nationwide from Friday 31, including Cineworld at Bentley Bridge, Wednesfield.

The Phoenix - November 2014

Page 18

ENTERTAINMENT

D

isney on Ice returned to the second city over half term, and what a return it was!

Disney On Ice: 100 Years of Magic was a look back through some of the amazing Disney movies, and especially the musical numbers, from the last century of Disney.

From the opening musical number with Aladdin and Genie performing “Friend Like Me” a tribute no doubt to the late Robin Williams who voiced the Genie in the film, to the haunting introduction to The Lion King’s “Circle of Life” both the music and the skaters had everybody in the arena on the edge of their seats from start to finish.

With young and old alike cap-

www.streetcredmagazine.com tivated by the magic unfolding on the ice, the skill of the skaters was once again evident, playing the roles of their respective characters perfectly, right down to the little nuances that some would forget.

Featuring beautiful set and costume design, not to mention the lighting and bubbles effects (especially for the Finding Nemo section of the performance), the show has once again outdone itself, and sets the bar even higher for the next tour!

Disney On Ice will return next year,with Magic Ice Festival, featuing none other than the dynamic sisters from the #1 animated movie of all time - Disney’s Frozen, Anna and Elsa!

Alongside princesses Ariel, Rapunzel and Belle, they will take audiences on a journey through the mountains, with Olaf, Kristoff and Sven along for the ride!

“In our more than 30 years of producing Disney On Ice shows, Feld Entertainment has been waiting for a film like Frozen,” says producer Nicole Feld. “The most exciting part of bringing characters like Anna and Elsa to the ice for the first time is knowing that they have a powerful and inspiring message the resonates with audiences as the sisters discover the true meaning of love.”

Disney On Ice is a spectacular that regardless of your age, you don’t want to miss!

Disney On Ice: 100

Alexandra Rachel Ma Wolverham

F

ollowing her sell-out run at the Adelphi Theatre in London’s West End, producers Michael Harrison and David Ian have announce that three-time Brit nominee and X-Factor winner, Alexandra Burke, will star in the leading role of ‘Rachel Marron’ in the forthcoming UK and Ireland tour of Thea Sharrock’s hit musical THE BODYGUARD. Burke, who rose to fame after winning the fifth series of The X Factor, will perform the role of ‘Rachel Marron’ at all evening performances. At the matinee performances, the role will be played by Zoe Birkett.

The Phoenix – November 2014

Page 19

www.streetcredmagazine.com

00 Years of Magic

ENTERTAINMENT

“The Jade Series”

H

High Spirit in Collaboration with Jade Avia igh Spirits Bags are known for their theft-proof backpacks with

unique zipping designs to protect your possessions from theft and loss.

They have teamed up with Jade Avia, who we recently interviewed and was the cover story in Street Cred Weekly (Don’t forget to check it out online @ www. streetcredmagazine.com!) and have created a range of unique and functional backpacks that are aimed at the culturally diverse metropolitan man or woman!

Jade absolutely loves these bags and wouldn’t stop raving about them, especially the quiky colour and material combinations that she feels represents her so well.

Check them out!

ra Burke to bring Marron to life at ampton Grand An excited Alexandra said "I couldn't be happier to be joining the tour and I'm excited to get started. Being on the theatre stage has brought me great happiness. It is an honour to have been asked to join the team and I look forward to creating new and long lasting memories with the cast."

Alexandra Burke will perform the role of ‘Rachel Marron’ at all evening performances. At the matinee performances, the role of ‘Rachel Marron’ will be played by Zoe Birkett.

Zoe Birkett is probably best known as the highest placing female contestant in ITV’s Pop Idol, 2002. Since then she has appeared

in the West End productions of Priscilla Queen of the Desert and originated the female lead in Thriller Live. Her other theatre credits include the Acid Queen in Tommy and Maureen in Rent.

The tour visits Wolverhampton Grand Theatre in 2015 from Tuesday April 21– Saturday May 2.

When you spend over £5.99 Open Monday to Saturday 11.30 till late

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Page 20

CAMARA’S SPOTLIGHT

The Phoenix – November 2014

www.streetcredmagazine.com

Streetwyze Music Youth Academy 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

would like to Feature some very special people in my Spotlight this month.

The Streetwyze Music Youth Academy spearheaded and founded by Mr Errol Thompson making a massive change to many peoples lives (including my own) in the east end of London.

Although Streetwyze is not running at this time, its legacy still lives on because of Errol and the team who I have known since I

was about 10 years old recording in Errols’ 3DMinistries studios in Bow London.

So how did I get involved with Streetwyze …

My mother and I volunteered as tutor/Mentor under the Streetwyze Bands East programme.

The course ran for 8 X 2 hourly sessions and my first group were eight youth, all female and ages ranged from 14-18 years.

My first impressions were that

some were a little nervous while some were quite loud and full of confidence. How wrong was I. We introduced ourselves and I asked the girls what they felt they would like to get from the music mentoring course.

Answers were varied, most stated they ‘didn’t know’ but wouldn’t mind being in a band.

There was only one girl that had any music lessons but said she didn’t enjoy it.

None had any vocal training and they were not comfortable singing in company. I talked about writing a song together but they all shyed away from the idea.

After chatting further, I asked each person to write four 1 lined statements about themselves.

After some giggles and stares I suggested about possibly writing about how they felt, something simple, even the weather. After I looked over their writing both my

mum and I were moved to tears.

The statements, although very brief, were profound and incredibly deep.

Some spoke of being alone and having no-one to trust but their friends, days being dull, pressures of school and what point was there of studying if there were no jobs!

I learnt that although some were a little older than me, some had been through terrible ordeals in their lives, one had left home, a couple had lost their mothers and felt they had no-one to turn to when times were rough.

Their grief was not dealt with, landing them in the school of hard knocks!

Some caught up in the gang life, often involving drugs the drink and of course the sex.

I reorganised the girls’ statements piecing together each sentence, thoughts and feelings -creating a song.

I spoke to the girls and explained to them my rules in making the sessions progress and run smoothly, which included: being on time, no swearing, no arguing etc and they all agreed.

Mum read now their song entitled “Thru thick and thin come what may”. Not only were we shocked but the girls were too.

They were amazed and their words provoked tears, not knowing that they could have had something to do with writing such beautiful words that described how they all felt!

The change that followed in the next eight weeks as they chose, with a new found confidence, led them to choose an instrument with the help of Lee the instrumental tutor and myself who led the vocal arrangement.

Each week saw the ladies taking great strides in progression and after 4 sessions we had our tune together, parts learnt and smoke

breaks decreased -by choice!

On the 8th session we performed at the Vibe Youth centre in Barking and Dagenham at an awards ceremony, in front of a large audience of friends and family and although nervous at first, they shone through as positive, incredible performers.

They each came out to say that they felt more confident and were now up for learning new skills.

The ability to have been able to learn the song keep in key and play instruments in such a short time was remarkable.

I built up a relationship with the girls and we were able to talk about almost anything.

We learnt about team work, not only pulling own weight but helping each other up, something they felt had often been missing in their lives.

I tried to explain that anything that I had achieved, I had to work hard for and nothing had been handed to me on a plate.

As an ambassador of ThroughUnity a charity that supports victims of violent crimes, I spoke to the charity about the mentoring and how hard the girls had worked, the charity then offered a day trip for me to take the girls on a canal trip in Camden.

The weather ideally warm and sunny, we had a fun day, a reward well afforded for a great team.

Both mum and I have kept an eye on all of the ladies’ downs and their ups through social networking.

You can imagine how I felt when on Saturday 18th October, I read a statement message from one of the hardest girls I mentored (I am sure she would agree) It read.. “Just had a mad thought, been in my job for nearly a year, moved away from all the dick headz that I used too jam with, changed my dress style, got people around me that care, 5 weeks without a zoot and now I’m a young ambassador for Princes Trust, speaking to people about how I’ve turned my life around.

Rahh how things can change when u want them too..madness.. but I know I’m doing this for myself and for my angel up in the sky. Trina is finally happy. Things just getting better and better”! that was Trina Pieterson a learned Mentor in the making.

I cannot tell you all how happy I feel! It was nice to be reminded of some of my own ‘words’, that it is our choices that make our destiny.

“There is nothing worse than poverty of the mind it eats away all hope or faith in society and yourself” - Camara Fearon

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

Camara (aka mizzcamara for websearch)

The Phoenix – November 2014

BIG SCREEN

www.streetcredmagazine.com

BIGScreen

SMALLScreen X-Men: Days of Future Past Out 10 November on DVD & Blu-Ray

wORDS by antony brown

A

pril, 1945. As the Allied forces make their final push through Europe, a battlehardened army sergeant, Don “War-daddy” Collier (Brad Pitt) commands a Sherman Tank and her five-man crew on a deadly mission behind enemy lines.

Outnumbered and outgunned, War-daddy and his men face overwhelming odds in their attempts to strike at the heart of Nazi Germany and end the war, once and for all.

Writer/Director David Ayer’s filmography is a mixed bag in terms of overall quality. It is a bag consisting of the simple yet entertaining popcorn flick The Fast and the Furious (2001), Oscar-Winning thriller Training Day (2001), the fantastic yet slightly flawed Crime-Drama End of Watch (2012) and the resoundingly dismal Sabotage (2014) starring Arnold Schwarzenegger.

While Sabotage is Ayer’s only genuinely bad film, it was enough to cast doubt over his abilities as a filmmaker. However, Ayer has pulled out all the stops here and delivered his best film to date with Fury.

It is a war movie that is more about the relationships built by war than the actual war itself.

While there is still an abundance of action, it never gets in the way of character and instead serves to accentuate the relationships between these men.

Also, the decision to confine a large portion of this movie to

stand against the onslaught of the Sentinel army. In order to save the future, Wolverine is sent back to 1973 in order to stop the war before it even starts.

on Phone Tablet PC Mac

fter one of Schmidt and Jenko’s missions go wrong, they are sent back to Jump Street to do the exact same thing, go undercover and find out who is selling drugs.

But this time they are sent to college to investigate the drug known as ‘Wyfy’ and have only one lead on who it is, someone with a tattoo.

Schmidt and Jenko’s relationship is tested when Jenko is brought back on the cool side while Schmidt hangs out with a girl named Maya. At the same

a tank is a unique and inspired choice.

It makes the action more visceral and the stakes much higher, as for every tank that is destroyed, there a five men inside who are destroyed along with it, which serves to make the action set-pieces hair-raising and nailbitingly intense.

Under the glitz and glamour of its big name cast, Fury manages to be one of the most unique World War II movies ever made.

There is no clear separation between right and wrong or good and evil between its characters.

This is a film that goes beyond what is expected of a war movie and resists the temptation to portray the American soldiers as pure, clean-cut heroes.

They are battle-hardened war veterans who have been both physically and emotionally manipulated and changed by the atrocities they have had to endure every day.

For them, war is a lifestyle now.

They are so desensitised to the horrific violence that it has become second nature to them and if shooting, stabbing, burning and torturing people is what they need to do to get to where they’re going, they are more than happy to do so.

Because of this grim approach to the story, there are points

throughout this movie that you will actually dislike the people you are meant to be rooting for; because you witness them do some truly horrible and downright spiteful things.

However, due to the fantastic performances from the lead cast and the comradery they display during battle, you soon find yourself rooting for them once again and laughing along with them as they make fun of one another Even though they aren’t the heroes we expect in a film like this, we understand why they have become the people they are and we can sympathise with them.

Watching Fury is a truly odd and polarizing experience, in the best possible way. It is more than just a movie about World War II; it is a study about how war affects and changes people, which is what makes this movie as engaging and powerful as it is.

Fury may not be the best World War II movie ever made, but it is definitely one of the most unique and unapologetically grim depictions of war ever committed to film.

With a simple, episodic plot, a cast of fantastic actors, winceinducing violence and brutally intense action, Fury is an exhilarating yet frighteningly realistic movie about what it’s really like to be on the front line.

Guardians of the Galaxy Out 10 November on DVD & Blu-Ray

22 Jump Street Out 17 November on DVD & Blu-Ray

A

T

he ultimate X-Men ensemble fights a war for the survival of the species across two time periods in X-Men: Days of Future Past.

The beloved characters from the original X-Men film trilogy join forces with their younger selves from X-Men: First Class, in an epic battle that must change the past – to save our future.

In 2023, the entire human race is on the brink of extinction. Sentinels, originally created to kill mutants now hunt all of mankind.

The remaining survivors cannot

Review

Page 21

B time they must decide if they can keep there relationship together as friends, or as cops.

rash adventurer Peter Quill finds himself the object of an unrelenting bounty hunt after stealing a mysterious orb coveted by Ronan, a powerful villain with ambitions that threaten the entire universe.

To evade the ever-persistent Ronan, Quill is forced into an uneasy truce with an uneasy truce with a quarter of disparate misfits – Rocket, a gun-toting racoon, Groot, a tree-like humanoid, the deadly and enigmatic Gamora and the revenge-driven Drax the Destroyer. But when Peter discovers

Look out for the new WEEKLY

ONLINE every FRIDAY

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the true power of the orb and the menace it poses to the cosmos, he must do his best to rally his ragtag rivals for a last, desperate stand – with the galaxy’s fate in the balance.

Gossip Fashion Gadgets Big Screen and more!

Page 22

GADGETS AND GAMING WITH DANIEL RILEY

The Phoenix – November 2014

www.streetcredmagazine.com

E League of Legends World Championship 2014 E O

riginating in a game jam back in April 2012, Broforce is an action platformer for PC involving 80’s and 90’s action heroes (B.A. Broracus, Rambro, Bro Hard and Bro Dredd to name a few) as part of an underfunded vigilante paramilitary organisation.

Featuring stunning pixel art graphics, a completely destructible setting, and ridiculous levels of violence, this Contra-comeMetal Slug encourages all out warfare with local and online multiplayer for up to 4 Bros.

Explosions are mandatory for

films in that era, and Broforce doesn’t disappoint on that front either. Chaotic chain reactions rain fire left right and centre, but don’t let that distract you from holding down your trigger finger!

Bro-ctober saw the addition of 2 more bros, new missions and Steam Workshop Support!

Currently available on Steam Early Access for £11.99, (The game is this crazy and not even finished yet!) you can help to shape the future of Broforce while exploding your way across the maps with your Bros, as Bros.

sports are an area that is garnering a huge fanbase across the world, and across multiple games.

From DOTA2, to Counter Strike: Global Offensive and Starcraft, the number of players able to “go pro” has increased dramatically, with some universities around the world now even offering Esports scholarships and courses.

Enter the League of Legends World Championships 2014.

This month saw the Quarter Finals, Semi Finals and Final play out across South Korea, with the final taking place in one of the venues for the 2002 FIFA World Cup, Sangam Stadium in Seoul.

Sixteen qualified teams from the various worldwide leagues took part in the competition, with the best teams from Europe, North America, Korea, China, Taiwan & Southeast Asia, as well as two wildcard entries making their way to the far east for the tournament. Every match from the Group stages to the Finals were streamed online live for all fans to watch.

The live shows for Esports have evolved from just watching someones screen

as they play, to full casting desks, pre and post-match interviews and analysis, and massive world sponsors for the teams themselves.

The World Championship 2014 offered a prize pool of $2,130,000, split between the 16 teams that qualified.

With a cool $1million up for grabs for the winners, this was no small stakes game between friends.

With the European and American teams knocked out before the semifinals, it was down to two Chinese teams, Star Horn Royal Club and OMG, and two South Korean teams, Samsung Blue and Samsung White to battle it out in best of 3 matches to make it into the final.

Samsung White emerged victorious over their sister team Samsung Blue, while Star Horn Royal Club tri-

umphed over OMG to head into the final. Despite coming back from being 2-0 down in the final, Samsung White showed the same dominance that had brought them through the rest of the tournament and beat Star Horn Royal Club 3-1 in the best of 5.

Esports is a rapidly growing industry which looks set to change the way people play competitively, bringing it to a world audience and closer into the mainstream.

ver wanted to get the photos from your camera to your phone or tablet to be able to instantly share them on social media? Have you been stuck with a memory card full of your recent amazing pictures but can’t wait to get to a computer to get them off?

If you’ve said yes to either of these questions then the Eyefi Mobi is definitely an SD Card you should consider.

Available in 8, 16 and 32GB storage sizes, the Eyefi Mobi is compatible with nearly any digital camera, and works by creating its own WiFi hotspot.

Couple this with an app available for both Android and iOS, and with a few taps and a code entry later, you’re set up with your card and ready to go.

Files are synced instantly to your connected phone or tablet, and if you use Eyefi Cloud Service, your photographs and videos are sent to all of your cloud-connected devices.

While it may not deal well with burst-fire shots, for the average photographer, if your camera doesn’t already have WiFi built into it, as more and more cameras these days appear to, then the Eyefi is a beautiful piece of technology.

Starting at around £30 for the 8GB card and moving up to £50 for the 16 and nearly £60 for the 32, the cards aren’t the cheapest on the market by any stretch of the imagination, and if you need performance over all, then you should look elsewhere, but if you’re really aching for the Wi-Fi transfer option, you’re not going to find a much easier to use card than the Eyefi Mobi.

WEDDINGS PARTIES FUNERALS CONFERENCES CHRISTENINGS pbcaribbeancusine@outlook.com 07896 174 219

The Phoenix – November 2014

www.streetcredmagazine.com

ENTERTAINMENT AND THE ARTS WITH DON KINCH

OPENING UP THE

CONVERSATION

H

i everyone! I’m Don Kinch, and I have just joined an excellent creative team producing an excellent monthly newspaper.

I have just become the arts and entertainment editor for the publication and as such I hope to be having regular conversations with you.

My new role means simply that I am responsible for delivering feature articles ranging from theatre, dance, music, fine arts fashion as well as information on the day to day happenings that is important to all of us.

As you can see the newspaper has the most ambitious and exciting plans for the future. I intend to make the arts and entertainment section a critical part of that ambition and excitement.

So at the outset I am inviting

you all to keep the conversation going. Please send me information that you think will be important to our communities.

Give me feedback on what you read and even more important, let us know how we can improve at don.kinch@thephoenixnewspaper.com Don Kinch

Page 23

Routes To Recognition And Retrieval “I

by Samuel Johnson

feel really strange walking in here” It was hard to believe that the man behind the quote was an actual granddad.

The two young children who ran towards him affirmed he was in fact their granddad. He was there to collect them at the end of a day of activities, organised as part of the Black History Month celebrations. “I haven’t been in this building since the 1960’s ”.

He proceeded to tell me what the centre was like back then.

It’s a perfectly natural conversation because we are viewing an exhibition, produced by Nu Century Arts, that documents the contribution Caribbean people made to Handsworth, birmingham from 1957 and he is fired up to paint a highly detailed picture of the surrounding neighbourhood and more specifically, the Summerfield Community Centre, that is hosting the exhibition, entitled Routes to Recognition and Retrieval.

He is also keen to share his regret that the centre no longer offers similar opportunities and experiences to the local community.

Pat Whyte , in her role as ward support officer acknowledges that for the past 15 years activities at the centre has been in decline, due mainly to cuts in funding.

Today though, the Centre is filled with people of all ages and from all communities. The laughter of young children playing against the back drop of the elders slamming dominoes has dominated the centre over the past five days.

The Nu Century Arts exhibition was the catalyst for Moses Avatuga, responsible for the development of youth and community centres, to bring a number of community organisations together to deliver a week long (27th -31st October) programme of workshops and performances aimed at the entire community.

According to Moses, the programme was made possible by bringing arts and education organisations together to work with artists and youth leaders. Organisations such as The Soho Youth Projects, Birinius, Nu Century Arts, Ace Dance and the LadyWood Arts Forum. For Moses this approach and strategy signals a

new opportunity to provide activities for the local community on a regular basis. But even more important it offers young people a programme of arts and education activities that engages them intellectually and creatively.

Artists such as Nicky Reid (African drumming), Amayra Fuller (African dance, Toyin Omari-Kinch (drama) and Rebecca Hemmings, (Jamaican dance) delivered a workshop programme that enthused the groups of young people who attended throughout the week and created the momentum for the performance programme delivered by (need to get the names) “The programme provided an opportunity for the centre to offer a wider curriculum and ultimately to change the perception of young people.” Said Audrey Hales-Parkes The exhibition

opens its doors to a huge blow up of the poem WHEN TWO SHIFTS MEET written by Ryland Campbell.

The poem in turn opens the door to the lives and experiences of a young generation who came to Britain during the 1950’s/60’s and informs today’s young people about their legacy and heritage.

Dionne Brewster -Nu century Arts coordinator- has led the group of young people on an eight month journey through the streets and archives to find and collate the information that informs the exhibition. She insists that without the support of Heritage Lottery Fund, the exhibition would not have been possible.

She is careful to explain that “ all the work presented in the exhibition, including the film, the audio recordings,the texts and photographs was researched, interpreted and mounted by a group of young people who has been working with the project since february”.

Audrey Hales-Parkes of the Ladywood Arts Forum acknowledges “ the work that the young people produced is absolutely amazing. and extremely informative It’s not just to produce it but also to share it. I think this is the beginning of many great things.“.

We now have the centre, we proved that we can work together to make good things happen so going forward we hope we can provide many more events at this venue and other venues”

New Black Showcase To Shine A Spotlight On Young Writing Talent

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n 1965, the Belgrade formed the first ever Theatre in Education (Tie) company, a company dedicated to using theatrical performance and drama workshops to explore issues of cultural, social, political and moral significance as part of a free service to schools and the young people of Coventry.

In 2015 the Belgrade will celebrate the 50th Anniversary of this dedicated TiE company.

The company is proud of its commitment to representing the diversity of the city’s communities. In December 2010, the Theatre was commended at the National Awards for Bridging Cultures for its work in encouraging intercultural dialogue and for the last few years has been working hard to build links with local BME groups.

They acknowledge that the voices of these communities are rarely heard since they are always a minority voice within a group. As a consequence the theatre’s work has focused on developing a writing programme, Critical Mass aimed at developing writers from within the local community and

on running targeted projects, such as the Black Youth Theatre.

Previous work within this field has included Hussan and Harry (2005), a project about experiences of warfare with a group of young asylum seekers and the Senior Youth Theatre; The First Time I Saw Snow (2008), a TiE tour about new incoming communities and the critically acclaimed In Our Own Words community festivals in 2009 and 2010 inspired by stories from both the Bible and the Qur’an, and the 2010 festival based on true stories of immigration to the city as well as smaller-scale collaborations with grassroots BME organisations such as Black Boys Can. This is the Theatre’s fourth annual New Black Showcase.

Co-ordinated by the Belgrade’s Community and Education Company, New Black Showcase gives a unique platform to the voices and stories of emerging young writers from Black and Ethnic Minority Communities across Coventry.

Developed as part of the thea-

tre’s nationally recognised BME writers programme, New Black Showcase offers emerging BME writers aged 18 and over, the opportunity to have their work performed at the theatre by a company of professional actors.

Two women share the platform for this year’s showcase. The programme incorporates readings of two plays written during the 2013 Critical Mass programme,

Theresa Ikoko’s Visiting Hours and Liz Mytton’s Red Mullet.

Visiting Hours by Theresa Ikoko opens a window to the lives of mothers and daughters coming into contact with the justice system, and offers a fresh new perspective on those experiences. You can see Visiting Hours on the B2 stage on Thurs 6 & Sat 8 Nov at 7pm.

Red Mullet by Liz Mytton is

a humorous and moving story about the wives of high-flying men in a country on the verge of independence. Duty bound to support their husband’s political agendas, friendships soon come under strain and they find themselves forced to face life changing consequences. Red Mullet will play on the B2 stage on Fri 7 Nov at 7pm & Sat 8 Nov at 3pm.

Page 24

FASHION AND BEAUTY

The Phoenix – November 2014

www.streetcredmagazine.com

Yvonne shares her Mary Kay life on night of recognition Coming Soon

T

he National Asian Wedding Show, Midlands is fast approaching, takes place at the The National Motorcycle Museum in 2015.

Centrally located in the heart of the Midlands, it covers every aspect of that BIG DAY from wedding plan, to adding those final, minuet, yet just as important, details to make your day go perfectly.

Deciding how to add those final perfect touches to your wedding can be difficult. Sweet Butterfly provides an extensive range of services providing you with those perfect finishing touches.

You will also experience a truly breath taking catwalk show showcasing designer collections from India, Pakistan and UK. From one off pieces to couture collections, this really is a moment not to be missed. The National Asian Wedding Show, Midlands takes place in January 2015.

Y

vonne Williams, Independent National Sales Director of Mary Kay, hosted an evening highlighting the ever growing cosmetic range and introduce new agents at the Ibis Hotel, in Birmingham.

Former owner of two success-

ful hairdressing salons, Yvonne, is living the dream with her Mary Kay business and was present to share her extensive experience and be an example to others there.

It was a night for 'giving' as agents were recognised for their achievements and commended for their commitment to the cause.

“It's not about Mary Kay,” she said. “It's about what you do in life.”

As testament to that was her talking about her recent visits to; “China, then Dallas Texas, Brazil, Gothenburg, Germany and London, (paid for by Mary Kay) to talk about her success with, and

through, one of the world's leading names in skin care, make-up and body care: “Cars, worldwide trips and top quality treatments all paid for through Mary Kay,” she said.

Agents old and new were rewarded for their commitment and dedication on the night and guests

too were presented with gifts that represented the very best, in people and products, on the night.

“This is my life,” Yvonne said.

“And it could be yours.” A growing number are following suit.

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Elohim; Only the very best in hair extensions

A

fter 16-years in Germany, Elohim Hair Extensions & Beauty Salon, is now open in the UK with its salon in Birmingham already creating a storm amongst those who want to look and feel beautiful all of the time.

From Essen to Aston, they have brought a wealth of experience, extreme care, attention to detail and creative spirit to their new salon.

It is already getting the kind of attention afforded to the top end in business, sports and entertainment, and all at prices affordable to you.

With extensive treatment for all types of hair, their fully experienced, qualified and registered technicians give you the very best

in European, Asian Brazilian, Peruvian and Indian extensions which means that not only will you look the best, you will do so for the longest, as value for money is very much part of the service that Elohim provides.

“We are very professional at Elohim, that is why satisfaction is the principal objective here.

The duty is to let people know the beauty of hair and how it can be maintained.” Long term contentment is the priority.

They are also looking to teach

these high level techniques so that Elohim Hair Extensions & Beauty Salon can continue for generations to come, meaning generations for women, and men, at peace with their new hair.

The salon also provides wholesale and retail services for hair extensions.

With full experience of AfroAmerican, European, Asian and Caribbean hair extensions, Elohim Hair Extensions & Beauty Salon are right at the forefront of beauty in the city.

The Phoenix – November 2014

Page 25

ADOPTION AND FOSTERING

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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.

Whether a crisis in the family, illness or relationship difficulties could be some of the reasons why a child is placed in care.

There are already so many fantastic individuals who foster and adopt children into their families- but we need more!

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!

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.

With support from

Tottenham MP David Lammy adopts new baby daughter

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abour MP David Lammy and wife Nicola Green have deciding to adopt a baby girl welcomed a third child into their family.

The Tottenham MP and artist wife became guardians of Rose, who joins their sons Joshua, eight, and Theo, six, in the family home.

Adoption & Fostering Our ongoing campaign to help the children in need in our communities

More Support for care leavers

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he issues facing young people who have recently left the care of the council have been explored by a working group of members.

Councillors from the children and young people's scrutiny panel spoke to staff from the transition and leaving care team as well as care leavers themselves to find out what their concerns are, what support they get and how this meets their needs.

Members found the experience 'eye opening' and have made various recommendations to children's services which will be monitored as part of an action plan.

Councillor Liz Hazell, member of the working group, said: "It was good to get a feel for the problems care leavers were having.

Some of the recommendations we have made are not onerous, they are small things that should be easy to address."

Councillor Tina Jukes who also took part in the working group, said: "For example, young people told us that after 5pm they have no one to contact if they have worries or queries.

The emergency duty team is there but that is not always what they need."

The panel agreed to visit the young people again to see how they are getting on and will revisit the progress made on the recommendations at their December meeting.

Can you give a child a loving permanent home?

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here are around 6,000 children who need to be adopted every year in the UK and nearly half of these children need to be adopted together with their brothers and sisters as part of a sibling group.

But sadly there is a shortage of adopters who are willing and able to come forward to adopt them.

This year’s National Adoption Week (3-9 November), which is run by the British Association for Adoption & Fostering (BAAF), is focussing on siblings to encourage more people to consider whether they can give a loving, secure and permanent home to a sibling group and help stop brothers and sisters being separated.

Some may feel daunted by the idea of adopting more than one child at the same time, but we spoke to Rob, who adopted two children with his partner earlier

this year and he told us:“If you are worried about it being too much too soon, to take on more than one at a time, I would argue that it isn't double the work load to adopt two at once.

The transition is more likely to be smoother if they have each other there to lean on.

They can entertain each other; keep each other company and it also helps them still keep that connection to who they are and where they come from.”

He went on to say “There are so many reasons why adopting siblings are the right thing to do. Children from sibling groups deserve the right to be able to live with and grow up with each other. No child should have to be separated from their brother or sister.

The bond siblings have between each other is so special and it is heart-breaking to think about them being separated from each other unnecessarily.

Now we have our beautiful two children I can't even try and imagine the possibility of them being separated - it is just too devastating to even consider.”

Of course, not everyone is able to adopt more than one child and there are thousands of single children who need a family too.

For some children, being adopted with their siblings is not the best option for them and we also especially need more adopters to come forward for older children,

Of the new addition, Lammy said: “She’s beautiful “We are very lucky and we’re over the moon to be able to welcome her into our family.” He is currently on adoption leave from Westminster but will be fulfilling some duties in the constituency.

He is campaigning to become is party's candidate for Mayor of London. children from some black minority ethnic communities and for children with disabilities or complex needs.

Adopters from all walks of life are welcomed. You can be a married, in a civil partnership or an unmarried couple or you might be single.

You can be gay or straight and you don’t need to own your own home. You must be over 21, but you do not need to be under 40.

John Simmonds, Director of Policy, Research and Development for the British Association for Adoption & Fostering (BAAF) says:“The UK is one of the most open in terms of who can adopt.

The most important thing is that you are child centred, motivated to adopt and are willing and able to acquire the knowledge and particular skills that adopters need.

The adoption process will prepare and inform you every step of the way from initial inquiry to being matched and introduced to a child or children. It may be different, but it is as deeply rewarding as becoming a parent in any other circumstances.”

So if you think you could become ‘mummy’ or ‘daddy’ to a child or children, please take that first step and find out more.

There are special adoption information events taking place throughout the UK and you can find out where your nearest event is happening at

www.nationaladoptionweek.org.uk

in the ‘What’s on’ section. Or visit www.first4adoption.org.uk to find out more about starting your adoption story.

Get in touch! Editorial - 0121 231 3235 Advertising - 0121 240 7310

Page 26

HAPPY 65TH OLIVER SAMUEL!

The Phoenix – November 2014

Happy Birthday Oliver!

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by Don Kinch

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hen you hear the name Oliver Samuels, you immediately think laughter and you think Jamaica. He is known as the Jamaican Bill Cosby and is widely regarded as one of the funniest talents to come out of the Caribbean.

Oliver Samuels, known by most through his vastly popular television Oliver being presented with his cake. Photos - Marcia Clarke

series, Oliver at Large, has combined a career in marketing with life on stage, touring every year between spring and summer before returning home for his executive offices at Mack D's—the Kingston-based company where he is a director and head of marketing and public relations.

Oliver has reached his 65th year.

What does Jamaica's King of Comedy do when it is time to celebrate his 65th year on Earth? He assembles

the most powerful cast available in the Caribbean theatre today and creates another blockbuster and takes it out on tour.

The play, Dollyhouse, is a wonderful mix of Jamaica's favourite topics - sex, politics, power and betrayal, all coming together to create a hilarious comedy with the belly-cramping humour that only Oliver Samuels can produce. It is well documented that Who A Di Don is funny. When asked how Dollyhouse measures

up, Oliver Samuels responded with a smirk, saying "Unnu jus ain't seen nutten yet."

At the show at the Hackney Empire, Oliver was presented with a cake for his 65th birthday on behalf of BJ Productions, which would be his second cake for the day, with Jamaica High Commissioner Her Excellency Mrs. Aloun NdombetAssamba also in attendance.

THE HOTTEST WEEKLY

OPEN MIC NIGHT Taj Traders Limited Celebrate with Oliver Samuels on his milestone 65th Birthday

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ucky winners of Oliver Samuels’ "Dolly House" show for the Hackney Empire Theatre, on Saturday 8 November was greeted by Oliver on the Saturday afternoon at Taj Traders shop.

Mrs Nadine Sewell and Mr Omar Purcell both won a pair of tickets from Taj Traders which was a lucky draw opened to all of Taj Jamaica National MoneyTransfer customers that sent their money via Taj Traders.

Sirfraz, the Manager for Taj Traders said "As a Jamaica Money Trans-

fer shop, we wanted to do something special for our customers, by inviting Oliver down to our shop in Seven Sisters,16 West Green Road, and celebrate Oliver and our customers, as our customers are like family. Taj Traders is a one stop shop for our customers shipping Digicel top ups etc.”

Lloyd Leon MBE former Mayor of Lambeth also greeted our customers and enjoyed the Celebration.

Sirfraz and Gulfraz of Taj Traders are both planing a trip to Jamaica in the near future.

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The Phoenix – November 2014

Page 27

WORLD TRAVEL MARKET

The World Travel Market once again descended on London’s ExCeL enabling senior travel industry professionals, government

ministers and international press to network, negotiate and discover the latest industry opinions and trends!

Here is just a taster of what went on over the course of this years action packed event.

l Paul Harrison of PK Media with Rudolph Walker

l Rozeta Mahboui, Marketing Consultant for InterCaribbean Airways

l Paul Harrison with Hon Dr. Kenneth Wykeham Mcneill MD, MP Minister of Tourism for Jamaica

l His Excellency Cenio E Lewis, High Commissioner for Saint Vincent and the Grenadines with Paul Harrison of PK Media

l Beverly Lindsay OBE OD, founder and CEO of Diamond Travel, with Paul Harisson of PK Media and Laverne Walker, Director of Sackville Travel

Page 28

HEALTH AND WELLBEING

£5 million

Concern over coping with life through menopause

Dawn O’Porter, Cancer Research UK and ScottishPower celebrate donation milestone

T

elevision presenter Dawn O’Porter has joined forces with ScottishPower and Cancer Research UK to celebrate raising £5 million in the battle against cancer.

It marks a major milestone for ScottishPower, which launched a three year long partnership with Cancer Research UK in 2012 with the aim of raising £5 million.

The vital funds have been generated through a raft of different initiatives and events including Race for Life, Stand Up To Cancer and sales of a bespoke ‘Help Beat Cancer’ energy tariff.

Joining ScottishPower and Cancer Research UK, Dawn has offered her support to highlight the important role that fundraising plays in helping Cancer Research UK battle cancer. The TV presenter, who lost her mother to breast cancer at the age of seven, has publicly spoken about her mother’s cancer experience to raise awareness of the disease.

“It‘s so important that we all continue to do our bit to beat cancer and that’s why I am showing my support today and celebrating the £5 million that ScottishPower has raised for Cancer Research UK,” she said. “This is a phenomenal amount of money and I am delighted to be part of an event that is helping to bring forward the day when all cancers are cured.

My hat goes off to everyone that

A

ccording to new research, women in the West Midlands get little support, advice or treatment for symptoms relating to menopause and hormonal changes, resulting in one in three women saying they are struggling to cope with aspects of life due to their symptoms.

Over half (55 per cent) of women with symptoms said they feel depressed, while 46 per cent said they suffer from anxiety. Despite this, over two thirds (68 per cent) of women in the West Midlands questioned say there is a general lack of support or advice for those going through the menopause.

Women in the workplace fare even worse in the West Midlands; a massive 70 per cent of female workers suffering symptoms said they feel unsupported at work, even though one in five (22 per cent) say their symptoms have a detrimental effect on their work. One in seven women said they have even considered quitting their job.

Dr Annie Evans, Women’s Health expert at Nuffield Health Bristol Hospital, said: “Menopause is a condition which is often side-lined as just a fact of life, and not something to be taken seriously, but for many women the symptoms are extreme and can have a devastating impact on their life. Many feel anxious, confused, depressed and exhausted to the point where they are struggling to cope with daily routine.

The menopause is not something that just happens to women in their 50s, but can affect those in their 20s through to late 60s. These women can suffer in silence for years when they could have been benefitting from tailored advice or support to help them understand what is going on.”

has contributed towards raising the £5 million. Let’s work together to show the world that collectively we have the energy to beat cancer sooner.”

Neil Clitheroe, CEO ScottishPower Retail & Generation said: “More than one in three people will develop some form of cancer in their lifetime and Cancer Research UK is fighting the battle against all cancers.

At ScottishPower, our commitment to making a difference in the world stretches beyond energy.

Our customers and employees have shown amazing support for Cancer Research UK, and their willingness to get involved in the fight against cancer has been inspiring. To generate £5 million is a fantastic achievement.”

Richard Taylor, Cancer Research UK’s Executive Director of Fundraising and Marketing, said: “Every day in the UK there are more than 400 people diagnosed with cancer that will survive the disease for more than 10 years thanks to research. The £5 million received from ScottishPower will allow us to continue our life-changing research.”

Cancer Research UK is the world’s leading cancer charity dedicated to beating cancer through research. Millions of lives have been saved by discovering new ways to prevent, diagnose and treat cancer, and survival rates have doubled over the past 40 years.

Fight against Ebola rages on worldwide

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ith nearly 5000 people dying and over 10,000 having been infected, the spread of Ebola in West Africa is devastating communities, creating a humanitarian crisis on global proportions.

The current outbreak of the virus is affecting Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone and so far, there has been just one imported case of Ebola in the UK and experts believe it is highly unlikely the disease will spread within the UK. Passengers arriving at airports are being screened.

People travelling from the West African nations affected by Eb-

ola are already screened prior to take off, and anyone who shows symptoms before boarding their plane should be refused permission to fly. They then have their temperatures taken and are asked to fill in a health questionnaire.

A person infected with Ebola virus will typically develop a fever, headache, joint and muscle pain, a sore throat, and intense muscle weakness with symptoms starting suddenly, between two and 21 days after becoming infected.

If the outbreak continues to grow unabated, the global famine warning system predicts West Africa could experience a major food crisis by January.

The Phoenix – November 2014

Schools to help brush away tooth decay

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he National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has released new guidelines encouraging schools and nurseries to help children brush their teeth, particularly in disadvantaged areas of England.

Under the proposals, schools will be urged to supervise children age three to 11 brushing their teeth for two minutes twice a day. Pupils will also be given toothpaste and a toothbrush to take home.

Tooth decay and gum disease are the two of the most common

and entirely preventable dental problems.

Recently released statistics have identified that one in eight three year-olds and one in four five year-olds suffer from visible tooth decay, while more than 25,000 children aged five to nine have been admitted to hospital due to tooth decay.

Professor Elizabeth Kay, Foundation Dean for the Peninsula Dental School at Plymouth University and one of the authors of the guidelines, hopes they go some way to addressing oral health inequalities.

She said: “It is important to encourage local authorities to take a greater role in helping to prevent tooth decay. There is a clear lack of understanding of just how serious dental disease is.

Tooth decay and gum disease are entirely preventable, and yet we are seeing figures such as 25,000 little children having body parts removed because of disease we know how to prevent.

It would be great if every school and nursery across the country took the guidelines on board and delivered them. They are in no way an excuse for parents to

stop supervising their child’s oral health routine at home.”

Chief Executive of the British Dental Health Foundation, Dr Nigel Carter OBE, added: “Tooth decay is entirely preventable through nothing more than a few very basic oral health messages.

The British Dental Health Foundation encourages everybody to brush their teeth for two minutes twice a day using a fluoride toothpaste, cut down on how often they have sugary foods and drinks and visit the dentist regularly, as often as they recommend.

Implementing water fluoridation to help tackle these inequalities, particularly in the more deprived areas of the country, will also go a long way to preventing tooth decay.

The addition of fluoride in toothpaste alone has been responsible for reducing decay by up to 50 per cent. Levels of dental decay have also fallen in fluoridated and nonfluoridated areas in the UK, yet only 12 per cent of the population have fluoridated water.”

The Phoenix – November 2014

Page 29

HEALTH AND WELLBEING

‘Great Walsall College Bake Off’ Hailed a Success for Macmillan

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udding British bakers at Walsall College have pitted their creative skills against a judging panel to rival Paul Hollywood as hundreds of pounds was raised for Macmillan Cancer Support.

Staff and students made a real stir for the World’s Biggest Coffee Morning event in September by hosting a bake off competition based around the hit BBC One show.

Organised by the Students’ Union, dozens of people entered in ‘staff’ and ‘student’ categories before a star-studded judging panel

led by Deputy Principal Fazal Dad sampled each and every entry in the atrium of Wisemore Campus.

The cakes were each given a mark out of 20 after being assessed for their taste, texture, flavour and appearance.

HND Hospitality students Lacee Brown, 27, and Shivali Patel, 25, were named winners in the student contest for their delicious vanilla and mint cupcakes.

After a tiebreak in the staff competition, Data Officer Karen Morris was crowned champion for her 12 individual cupcakes with edible lace.

The winners not only received Bake Off bragging rights but also a selection of prizes including gift vouchers, medals and a Paul Hollywood cookbook.

All the cakes were then auctioned off, with staff and students across the College getting the chance to bid for a cake from an amazing display, which featured lemon drizzle cake, a cheesecake made from Oreo cookies and decorated cake pops.

Other fund-raising activities took place including manicures

by Beauty students, cake and bake sales by SLDD students and

a cake trolley service and competition organised by Jerome’s Restaurant.

Money is still being counted but so far more than £400 has been raised for Macmillan Cancer Support.

The World’s Biggest Coffee Morning is Macmillan’s largest fundraising event and in 2013 154,000 people signed up to take part, raising a record-breaking £20 million.

Gail Houghton, Student Finance and Support Co-ordinator, said: “The Great Walsall College Bake Off, and all the events held for Macmillan’s World’s Biggest Coffee Morning, was a huge success and the standard of entries this year has been really impressive.

The Students’ Union is always eager to support charity events and raise much needed funds for such fantastic causes.”

Macmillan aims to reach every single person who is diagnosed with cancer and to be there for them at every stage of their cancer journey, no matter who they are, what part of the country they live in, or what type of cancer they have.

Dr Eki’s run for Cure Leukaemia

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he vast majority of families across the world will find themselves in the uncompromising situation in their lifetime where a loved one will sadly be affected by a form of cancer.

But unlike many, Dr. Eki Sangha found herself in the heart-rending position where both her brother and her father were diagnosed with leukaemia.

38-year-old Eki from Harborne ran 13.1miles in the Bupa Great Birmingham Run for Cure Leukaemia, in loving memory of her brother who sadly passed away but also to celebrate the success of her father who is now in remission for the second time following his very own battle.

By running the 13.1 mile course which takes in some of the city's most iconic sights including Eki’s father’s former place of work Cadbury’s, she was keen to raise as much money as possible for Cure Leukaemia, a Birmingham-based charity that part funds the Centre for Clinical Haematology at the QE Birmingham which was hailed

by Prime Minister David Cameron as an international centre of excellence in haemato-oncology.

Every morning Eki drives past the haematology clinic at the QE as it is just a stone’s throw from her very own workplace, Birmingham Women’s Hospital, where she works as a Specialist Doctor in Gynaecology.

She said, “Sadly I never met my brother as he died before I was born but his passing away was obviously a traumatic time for my parents and I would hate any parent to go through what mine did.

My father’s treatment on the other hand is a success story and is something that I am ever so grateful for. I cannot thank the Doctors and nurses enough, most notably Dr. Murray who has been wonderful throughout the care that my father has received.”

Treatment for blood cancer continues to progress right here in Birmingham. 41 years ago Eki sadly lost her brother to this terrible disease but in a similar time frame moving forward, Cure Leukaemia and the University of Birmingham, two leading forces in research and treatment of leukaemia, will join together in the ‘Birmingham. Let’s cure leukaemia’ campaign which aims to help Birmingham find a cure for leukaemia in the next 30 years.”

Page 30

EDUCATION, TRAINING AND RECRUITMENT

First Phase Of James Watt Campus Redevelopment Complete

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irmingham Metropolitan College has unveiled completion of the first phase of its £8.5 million redevelopment at James Watt Campus in Great Barr and is on course to generate a whole host of new environmentally-friendly focused programmes for students in North Birmingham.

A new reception area with improved access as well as enhanced study centres and working spaces and cladding on the exterior of the building have been unveiled.

The state of the art sustainable centre at the heart of the campus will provide better connectivity between the classrooms which will support a wide range of industries including telecoms, engineering, robotics, medical engineering, vocational science as well as health and social care.

The new centre has been specially designed to be environmentally neutral helping to reduce its carbon footprint by creating heat and power through solar technology, electricity and water and it will be one of the first campuses to house its own hydrogen fuel cell for teaching purposes.

The Phoenix – November 2014

John Starmer, Executive Director of Estates at Birmingham Metropolitan College, said: “The first phase of the redevelopment of the James Watt Campus in Great Barr is now complete and students are benefiting from new break out areas as well as brand new teaching and learning spaces equipped with state of the art IT and digital technology.

The revamped reception area has improved accessibility and we have updated the exterior look of the building with new cladding.

Work is ongoing with construction company Speller Metcalfe to create our £8.5 million new Sustainable Energy Centre which will be opening shortly.”

New courses on offer for school leavers, adults and employers will include Combined Heat & Power, Ground Source Heat Pumps, Solar Thermal, Photovoltaic, Heat Recovery, Hydro and Wind.

OxBridge vice-chancellors challenge UK immigration rulings

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Courses to Brighten up Your Life

Broadmeadow Special School receives Stonegate coach donation

If you haven’t studied for a while and you are worried about taking the first step, we are here to help, with short courses in:

• Construction • Hair & Beauty • Gardening • Photography • Pattern Cutting • Nail Art • Bread Making

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• Food Hygiene • Setting up your own business • Volunteering • Parenting Skills • Video Editing • Reflexology

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roadmeadow Special School, Wolverhampton, received one of the 17 seat coaches donated by Stonegate Pub Company bringing bright smiles all round for the presentation ceremony, which was attended by members of the Variety Northern Committee.

As part of Britain’s Biggest Pub Tour (BBPT) and in conjunction with Variety, the children’s charity, Stonegate have now raised over £300,000.

The school facilitates 54 students aged between three and seven and provides rich and exciting curriculum and aims to ensure each child has at least one offsite visit per week, these are linked to their learning targets.

Many groups also concentrate on developing social and communication skills – learning to buy for and wait for orders in cafes, buy cooking ingredients etc.

This means the coach is integral to the day-to-day functioning of the school.

The coach is also used for other excursions, such as joining in swimming lessons at other schools and is fitted with a tail-lift to enable easy wheelchair access.

Lisa Walker, Deputy Head Teacher at Broadmeadow, said, “We are delighted with our new Variety Coach as it will enable us to continue to deliver an exciting and meaningful curriculum and broaden the daily life experiences of the children attending Broadmeadow.

As a small school we work very hard to give our children with severe learning difficulties the best start to their education and with a new bus we are able to continue to offer opportunities such as swimming and finding out about the local community.”

The donation was made possible by a summer of fundraising by Stonegate Pub Company. BBPT was the first and largest pub tour ever attempted in the UK by a national pub operator, it travelled 5,555 miles and involved all 614 pubs and 12,000 employees.

ritish immigration policy has been attacked by Oxford University vicechancellor Andrew Hamilton who says: “Cutting the numbers entering the country is harming UK interests.”

He leads a group of vice chancellors, including Cambridge’s Leszek Borysiewicz, who have hit out against the Conservative party’s immigration controls.

The Home Office has introduced new curbs on work, family and student migrants from outside the EU in an effort to meet the Tories’ pre-election target of reducing net migration to less than 100,000 by 2015.

Prime Minister David Cameron said that there is no cap on the number of overseas students who are allowed into the UK and that the government’s stricter controls are designed to crack down on bogus applicants.

University leaders, however, say the pledge to reduce immigration is acting as a deterrent to genuine students, who no longer feel welcome in Britain. There has been a 49 per cent drop in postgraduate enrolments from Indian students and a 38 per cent decrease for those from Pakistan between 2011 and 2013.

The Home Office argued that: “The UK is open to the brightest and best and we have been very clear that there is no limit on the number of international students who can study in the UK.”

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The Phoenix – November 2014

Page 31

EDUCATION, TRAINING AND RECRUITMENT

Inspiring a New Generation at the Skills Show @ Birmingham NEC

L New name for Walsall's youth teams Walsall's Integrated Youth Support Services has changed its name to Walsall Youth Support Services.

The service which includes a range of targeted and community support for young people has reviewed its name and will now be known as Walsall Youth Support Services with immediate effect.

It is anticipated that the new name will be more user friendly and has already received positive feedback and support from young people.

The new name will be officially launched by young people at a local youth conference arranged by the services Young People’s Reference Group on the 6 November at the Goldmine Centre Walsall to coincide with National Youth Work Week.

Councillor Barbara Cassidy, Portfolio Holder for Children's Services at Walsall Council, said: "An important element of working with young people is to both listen to what they have to say and to communicate clearly and they felt the name of the service was not very user friendly.

We want to be sure that we are doing all we can to support young people in the ways that suit them best.”

ooking for careers inspiration? Uncertain about the next step to take? The UK’s largest skills and careers event, The Skills Show is packed with ideas, advice and opportunities to help young people decide which route to take into the world of work.

Free to attend, The Skills Show will take place at the NEC Birmingham from 13 to 15 November 2014 and provide a wide range of hands-on experiences for visitors to inspire them to explore skills, further education and Apprenticeships, helping them to gain advice on how to take the next step into the world of work.

Visitors will have the opportunity to try over 45 skills for

themselves in the interactive “Have a Go” experiences across the show in careers ranging from hairdressing to engineering, hospitality to plumbing.

Focused on five skills areas (the built environment, cultural and creative arts, professional services, engineering and IT and business administration) these experiences will give young people the chance to find out what they are good at and motivate them to find out more about the world of work.

Expert careers advisers will also be on-hand to offer advice on job opportunities, qualifications and training.

Throughout the show, professionals from a range of industries will give inspiring Spotlight talks providing unique real-life

insights into a variety of careers and training routes ranging from aeronautical engineering to beauty therapy.

Theo Paphitis, patron of The Skills Show, believes the event can help young people find their vocation. “As a parent myself, I know how hard it can be to provide the right advice and guidance for children as they reach the point of choosing their careers. The Skills Show provides a unique shop window for visitors to see the opportunities that vocational training and skills can offer, and the chance to actually ‘Have a Go’ at a wide range of skills which will inspire and inform the choices that young people make about their futures.”

Asfi Support Chinese W Partner College

alsall College’s own awarding organisation, asfi (Accredited Skills for Industry), will set up its first teacher training centre outside of the UK in southern China.

The partnership has been created with Dongguan Technician College and earlier this summer the overseas college, based in Guangdong province, unveiled its new campus which will include an asfi training centre.

It will be the first asfi centre to be located outside of Britain and will eventually deliver a range of qualifications in hotel management and international business.

Several Walsall College staff from the International and asfi departments have visited the partner college in the Far East to help get the venture off the ground, with a further visit by Principal and Chief Executive Jatinder Sharma planned in November.

Earlier this month, a delegation of nine Chinese teachers spent 10 days in Walsall learning about Britain’s educational system and delivery methods as part of the scheme.

The structured teacher training programme involved the visitors taking part in classroom observations and learning how to

use Promethean boards.

They were given an overview about the range of courses offered at Walsall College, which was rated outstanding by Ofsted in February 2013, and toured both Wisemore and Green Lane campuses.

Director of asfi, Carl Jordan, said: “UK quality systems are well respected around the world and Asfi is very pleased to be working with Dongguan Technician College on its training programmes.”

Lu Bai, Walsall College’s International Business Development Manager, added: “We have just signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Dongguan Technician College (DTC) and the local government of Dongguan city. As the initial part of the project, teachers in DTC are required to be trained in the UK education system and delivery methods.

“As the essential part of our long-term cooperation, the teacher training will help the teachers in China to understand our quality and system better. It will also help them to build confidence in delivering UK qualifications in China to UK standard.”

Further visits between Walsall and China are planned for the coming months as other areas of development are explored.

Page 32

PROPERTY

O

nSide Youth Zones have appointed Alice Davey as General Manager of the eagerly anticipated Wolverhampton Youth Zone – The Way, which is due to begin construction on site later this month.

The Way which is set to open its doors to the young people of Wolverhampton in early 2016, has already started its planning for the future with the appointment of Alice.

She has a wide-ranging career, which has spanned over 25 years within the public, private and voluntary sectors – encompassing sport and recreation management, regeneration and community development, heritage and arts, education and lifelong learning, external funding and grant aid.

Chairman of The Way, Steve Morgan OBE commented: “I am delighted that Alice has been appointed The Way’s General Manager. She brings with her a wealth of experience and I am positive her appointment will be of huge benefit to the Youth Zone and youngsters in Wolverhampton.”

On her appointment Alice said: “I am delighted to take up this role as General Manager at The Way Youth Zone. I am passionate about the power of sport and arts activities in the lives of young people and see this as a perfect opportunity to use my skills and experience to make a

W

ith the buy-tolet market celebrating its 18th birthday, more people than ever are renting property privately, overtaking those forming part of the social housing market.

And yet it is not just the numbers that have evolved in that time. What people expect from their rental property, and in turn their landlord, has also changed over the years. In light of the release of Knight Frank's 'The Tenant Survey 2014', drawing into focus what is important in the sector today, new essential landlord services have responded with what landlords should be doing to step up to the mark.

The Knight Frank survey of over 3,500 tenants across the UK investigated what is wanted from a lettings agent, with those renting claiming that transparency is most important, with clarity over charges and deposit costs being of vital importance.

Whilst the government-backed tenancy deposit scheme offers

positive difference at The Way.” A Loughborough University graduate, Alice has gained a Graduate Diploma in Applied Management from Warwick Business School.

Final plans for the Youth Zone were recently approved by Wolverhampton City Council. Commenting on the development, Councillor Val Gibson, Wolverhampton City Council's Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, said: “The Way is a hugely important development for young people in Wolverhampton, and I'm delighted that work is about to begin on this state-of-theart facility.

The Phoenix – November 2014

Way Cleared For Construction As GM Appointed for Wolves Youth Zone

l Alice Davey

What Tenants Want

legal protection for the money tenants put down, systems are in place for private landlords that ensures they provide a professional and legally compliant service which offers automated creation of all the documentation needed including tenancy agreements and notices, directly addressing the need of tenants to feel secure and reassured.

Tim Hyatt, Head of Residential Lettings at Knight Frank

VS

explains, the future success of the industry hinges on just this thorough approach by landlords: "The rising significance of the private rented sector is creating many opportunities for investors, especially as we are starting to see the advent of large-scale professional landlords. In order to make the right investment decisions, finding out what tenants want and need is crucial."

Italy v Albania - Who will be the property champion?

A

s their national football teams prepare to face each other in a friendly match Albania and Italy each begin to size up the opposition.

Just 45 miles apart at their closest point and separated only by the Adriatic Sea, these European neighbours may be closely linked in terms of their proximity but is that 45 miles really a world apart when it comes to their property prospects?

Albania's port city of Durrës is the second largest city in the country, and one of the most ancient, with a history dating back to the 7th Century BC and city walls to prove it.

Directly across the sea, Bari is similarly a port city and Southern Italy's second most important economic hub, not surprisingly twinned with its neighbour of Durrës.

Part of the Puglia region, popu-

lar with second-home owners, such as face of 'A Place in the Sun' Amanda Lamb who has owned two properties here over the years, Bari's beaches are a mix of pebbles and sand, yet its sights are plentiful, with the Petruzzelli Theatre one of the most lavish opera houses in Italy and the interesting architecture of Bari Cathedral a highlight.

Another indication of this growth potential is the recent establishment of a second tourist office in Albania, situated at Durrës port, which follows in the footsteps of the first located at the capital Tirana's International Airport.

Both locations have much to recommend them to visitors, sharing a Mediterranean climate in which to explore their many sights, yet it is Albania that offers the lowest cost of living, making visits to its shores more affordable than Italy.

On the travel map, however, the allure of both destinations has given them famous connections, with Clint Eastwood, playing Robert in film 'The Bridges of Madison County' telling Meryl Streep's Francesca that he thought Italy's Bari "looked like pretty country" and romantic poet Lord Byron having travelled through Albania, remarking on its beauty.

In terms of accessibility, both destinations score highly, with year-round flights to and from London and summertime schedules that ramp up frequency and ease of travel.

Yet it is Albania that in fact tips the balance, with Albania's Tirana International Airport welcoming up to five direct British Airways flights a week from London in comparison to the carrier's up to thrice weekly flights to Bari's Aeroporto di Bari-Karol Wojtyła.

The Phoenix – November 2014

Q Enjoy a Winter Wonderland break within the UK

A

s Christmas approaches, you can share the magic with a Winter Wonderland break in Britain.

Throughout November and December, you can experience festive activities to bring even more sparkle to this special time of year.

You can enjoy Christmas arts and crafts, or enjoy a Winter Warmer Spa treatment in idyllic locations in some of the UK's most picturesque destinations for short breaks and

holidays with a choice of luxury self catering accommodation.

Whether it's a weekend break, family holiday, couples holiday or a group holiday you are looking for you can enjoy all the spirit of the season, with not a care in the world.

atar Airways recently hosted a signature event at the Ritz-Carlton Dallas, to celebrate the rapid success of its 7th U.S. destination, Dallas/ Fort Worth (DFW). Launched on July 1, the DFW to Doha route has greatly expanded connectivity to India, the Middle East, East Asia, and Australia.

The event, hosted by Qatar Airways Chief Commercial Officer Marwan Koleilat, which was attended by over 150 guests from the Corporate and Travel Trade spheres, featured exciting entertainment from Grammy award nominee and Texas country music legend, Pat Green, Jazz vocalist and a rising star in the Dallas music scene, Hale Baskin, and Texas’ guitar hero Rhett Butler.

DFW is Qatar Airways’ second destination in Texas and the seventh in the United States. The airline has been flying daily nonstop to Houston since 2009.

“This event was in celebration of a long-standing relationship between Qatar Airways and the State of Texas. Our success in Houston paved the way for further expansion within Texas.

Dallas/Fort Worth’s response to our award-winning five-star service has been overwhelmingly positive so far,” said Mr. Koleilat.

The airline’s Vice PresidentCommercial for the Americas,

HOLIDAY AND TRAVEL

Qatar Airways Celebrate Following DFW Launch

Titus Johnson, added: “Qatar Airways and DFW have already proven an extremely successful partnership; one which I hope will continue long into the future.”

The evening was Arabic themed offering unparalleled hospitality from Qatar Airways’ cabin crew who welcomed the guests.

With a wide seat pitch, fully

Commuters sent off the rails by travel issues

O

ver 50 percent of commuters travelling by train have admitted to being impatient on their daily commute, with people forcing their way on to the train without giving those on board a chance to get off, highlighted as their biggest bug bear.

A study of 2,000 commuters by online travel retailer, redspottedhanky.com, has identified the main travel annoyances amongst rail users.

The most irritating experiences include having kids kick the back of the chair, passengers being drunk or eating noisily and people saying ‘I’m on the train’ repeatedly while on a call.

However, it takes an average 17 minutes for a commuter to confront an annoying passenger with over 54 percent choosing to just grin and bear it, and say nothing at all.

In fact, over three quarters believe putting up with difficult situations is a typically British trait.

Four in ten passengers admit they are inconsiderate, with more than a quarter confessing to deliberately placing bags on free seats to ward off others, highlighted as a top ten bugbear for others on board.

This makes it no surprise to find that over half of commuters plug into their music devices or bury their head in a book to avoid any awkward conversation.

W

OW air, Iceland's only lowcost airline, has announced flights to the USA beginning in April 2015 from just £99 one way including taxes from the UK. Flights will depart London Gatwick to both Boston and Washington DC via Reykjavik in Iceland, offering the cheapest connection between Europe and North America.

WOW air's flights to the USA will allow passengers to enjoy either Boston or Washington DC. Passengers will be able to continue on to their destination shortly after landing at Iceland's Keflavik International Airport from the UK. Flights will begin to Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) on 27 March 2015, five

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flat bed and state of the art Oryx entertainment system (with over 1,000 entertainment options — movies, television, video games, and music), the Qatar Airways 777 Business Class seat has one of the highest specifications for business class travel of any airline.

At the conclusion, a grand finale raffle draw, where guests had a chance to win two fantastic ticket prizes to any of the over 144 world-wide destinations of Qatar

Airways.

The multi-award winning airline was awarded three accolades at Skytrax Awards 2014: World’s Best Business Class, Best Middle East Airline, and Best Business Class Lounge. They have also been named Airline of the Year by Skytrax, Air Transport News, and Business Aviation, and won Best Business Class and Best Airline for International Travel at the recent Business Travel Awards.

WOW Air to offer sub-£100 transatlantic flights from March

Connecting you to the Caribbean for less Send o

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17/10/2013 14:09

times a week. This will be followed by Baltimore Washington International (BWI), commencing on 4 June 2015, four times a week.

Skúli Mogensen, CEO of WOW air, said: “This is just the beginning of our plans to transform low-cost transatlantic flights. Not only are we providing flights to the USA for less than a standard London to Edinburgh train ticket, we're opening the market to a whole new market of travellers who might previously not have been able to afford transatlantic travel.”

“The low-cost airline market is scrambling to offer cheap flights to North America and I’m happy that we’ll be amongst the first to do so and at a price point that will no doubt cause our rivals to re-evaluate their plans.”

Page 34

OVERSEAS NEWS

The Phoenix – November 2014

Passing the Baton London 2012 Games out of the starting blocks for community blood drives across Jamaica

R

Singapore tops World Bank business ranking for ninth consecutive year

S Caribbean TV Producer To Receive Leadership Award

C

aribbean media veteran Lukkee Chong received the 2014 Caribbean Media Exchange (CMEx) Leadership Award this month in South Florida.

Chong received the honor at an awards presentation during the second annual Evenings of Excellence series, sponsored by Wells Fargo Home Mortgage, on Tuesday, October 21, 2014.

The Fort Lauderdale-based Chong didn’t have to travel very far as the empowering event was held at the Miramar Cultural Center/ArtsPark (2400 Civic Center Place, Miramar, Florida).

The Jamaica-born Chong joined travel and tourism veteran Horace Hord in receiving the award in recognition of his sterling commitment to the development and promotion of tourism in the Caribbean region.

An award-winning television producer, Chong is the co-founder of Frame by Frame Productions, one of the premier television companies in Jamaica, the Caribbean and its Diaspora.

ingapore has been ranked the best country to do business for a ninth consecutive year, according to an annual survey by the World Bank.

New Zealand came second and Hong Kong third in the lender's "Doing Business" report which rates 189 nations by the ease in which firms can operate there.

The UK moved up one position to eighth while the US stayed at number seven.

Eritrea was at the bottom of the

table, along with Libya, the Central African Republic and South Sudan.

The World Bank ranking uses metrics such as the time taken to launch and close a business, gain construction permits and pay taxes in a country's largest business city.

"The list remains very similar to last year's" the report said.

"Economies in the top 20 continued to improve their business regulatory environment."

enator the Honourable Gerald Hadeed, Minister of Tourism attended the Florida Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA) Conference and Trade show in St. Maarten in October and held high level talks with Ministers of Tourism of Grenada, St. Lucia and St. Vincent on the Southern Caribbean Cruise Initiative (SCCI).

This meeting also included representatives of the Ministry of Tourism, Tourism Development Company (TDC) and the Port Authority of Trinidad and Tobago (PATT).

Following on Cabinet’s directive to progress the Southern Caribbean Cruise Initiative (SCCI), the Honourable Minister Hadeed held discussions with his counterparts from Grenada, St. Vincent and St. Lucia and agreed to the signing of the MOU to implement the SCCI within a one month period and joint marketing efforts.

It was also agreed to launch the SCCI at the Florida Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA) meeting in Porto Plata, Santo Domingo in June 2015.

The Hon. Minister and his Ministerial colleagues concurred to collaborate and network with major cruise line executives to promote the respective destinations on this initiative.

During the period of the conference the Honourable Minister paid a courtesy call on the Honourable Thadeus Richardson, Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Traffic and Telecommunication.

Various meetings and discussions were also held with TUI Cruises, the FCCA, idea Inc., Inflot Worldwide Inc. and KPMG. Mrs. Michelle Paige, President FCCA agreed to support Minister Hadeed in all initiatives in order to pursue the development of the cruise industry in Trinidad and Tobago.

Trinidad and Tobago created significant impact at the Conference with top performances by popular soca artist Kes the Band (KTB) and the Alternative Quartet, a revolutionary string musical band who entertained a massive crowd offering a fusion of classical and Caribbean music that inspired audiences.

S

AFFA, the award winning International Development Agency, will soon launch the 'Passing the Baton 2016' programme that aims to build on the success of the London 2012 Games legacy by re-enforcing the message of inspiring peaceful, caring and enterprising neighbourhoods.

RAFFA and it's partners Blood for Life UK and Angel Foundation UK with support from Grace Foods UK, recently arranged for the donation of a Mobile Blood Collection Unit to the National Blood Transfusion Service, Jamaica.

RAFFA has recently formed a partnership with 'JLB International Shipping', who will handle future medical equipment donations.

This new partnership provides

l Rudi Page, CEO of RAFFA

RAFFA with a greater storage capacity and more effective collection and delivery system. RAFFA and JLB International are leading the Passing the Baton community blood drive across Jamaica in support of the National Blood Transfusion Service, " One Love, One Blood" campaign for engaging more donors aged between 17-25 years old.

Rudi Page, CEO, RAFFA, said, "Donating blood is like passing the baton, it's the easiest way to save a life. The Mobile Blood Collection Unit will cover the entire country and contribute to improving the safety and adequacy of blood supply to pregnant mothers and sickle cell patients".

“We are very pleased that JLB International is on board and have already started to build relations with the corporate sector and service clubs such as 'Kiwanis International'.”

“I am also pleased with the commitment from Bishop Winston A. Leith, Church of God of Prophecy Jamaica, to encourage young people to volunteer and get involved with community information

and activities, including cricket and domino splash that will surround the mobile blood collection unit when it arrives in their neighbourhoods.”

“Jamaican Diaspora communities around the world also have a role to play by encouraging their family members to donate blood.”

Dr Veronica Taylor, Acting Director, National Blood Transfusion Service in Jamaica, has welcomed the collaboration with RAFFA and its partners, noting that the Transfusion that the Transfusion Service is extremely grateful for the support'.

She added, 'I am very excited about the One Love, One Blood campaign because it will broaden the reach of the NBTS and make it easier for persons to donate blood'.

Jonathan Edwards, Deputy Chair of the London 2012 Nations and Regions Group said, "The inspire programme is an Olympic and Paralympic first and projects like 'Passing the Baton' will go down in the history books as one of the fantastic projects that used the power of the 2012 games to inspire a generation."

Minister advances discussions on the Southern Caribbean Cruise Initiative

l Glen Beache, CEO of the St.Vincent and The Grenadines Tourism Authority; Lorne Theophilus, Minister of Tourism St. Lucia; Hon. Alexandra Otway- Noel, Minister for Tourism Civil Aviation & Culture Grenada; Trinidad and Tobago Minister of Tourism Senator the Hon. Gerald Hadeed; Ian Douglas, Minister of Tourism and Legal Affairs Commonwealth of Dominica; Rudy Grant, CEO, Grenada Tourism Authority.

The Phoenix – November 2014

Page 35

SPORT - WITH STEVE WILLIAMS

Head Chef bowls over competition in the Waitrose Cricket Cook-Off

E Jamaica Here We Come!

B

l Picture Credit Poppy Brady

irmingham city have launched a new initiative to continue the growing and ongoing relationship with Jamaica with the City of Birmingham Olympic Legacy Tour.

With some of the city's leading figures at the helm, the cricket and culture tour, which comes to fruition next year, aims to create a lasting sporting legacy in Jamaica, part of the Olympic training camp agreement signed when the Jamaican Track and Field Team used the city's facilities pre-London Olympics 2012.

With support from Warwickshire County Cricket Club and Birmingham City Council, the 'Jamaica Here We Come Tour' is looking for upand-coming cricketers, sponsors and supporters to come together and create a trip of a lifetime.

One of the main protagonists behind this ground-breaking venture is Sted Wallen who is Vice President at Grass Roots Cricket Association.

He said: “This project will be going nationwide as we don't want anybody to miss out on this once in a lifetime opportunity.

The 'Jamaica Here We Come Tour' is more than a cricket tour. We are looking to forge relationships through Gospel music and dominoes.”

The plan is for six cricket matches, and coaching sessions, as part of the Olympics legacy, across the island, plus a major Gospel concert.

Wallen, who organises the annual Malcolm Marshall Memorial Cup in the city's Handsworth Park, added: “The response so far has been overwhelming. It will be an ambitious tour with the chance for people to see the real beauty of Jamaica. We want people to make suggestions of what they believe are good legacy ideas that we can deliver in Jamaica.”

The hunt is now on for players to form a team, plus a “search for a star” competition which will offer a free place to one talented player.

dgbaston Stadium Head Chef Dave Hill was named the winner of the Waitrose Cricket Cook Off, beating competition from his counterparts at nine other international cricket venues.

Overseen by sponsors of England cricket, Waitrose and the England and Wales Cricket Board, the Cricket Cook Off tasked each Head Chef with creating a summer dish before presenting it to a panel of experts at the Waitrose Cookery l Dave Hill talking with judges Angus Fraser and Dhruv Baker School in London and a more than 130 kitchen staff like the Waitrose Cricket Cook public vote online.

Dave's dish of Thai-style ti- next summer as Edgbaston Off pays testament to the proger prawns with rice noodles hosts the 3rd Investec Ashes gress that the team has made."

Rupert Elwood, Head of encompassed the fresh fla- Series Test Match.

Craig Flindall, Director of Marketing at Waitrose comvours of Asia to complement the summer season of cricket Edgbaston Experience, said: mented: "Waitrose has been and wowed the judging panel "Dave and the catering team delighted with their first sumof former England cricketer, have worked incredibly hard mer as sponsors of the Engjournalist and ECB selector, to transform our food offering, land Cricket Teams - the inherAngus Fraser; 2010 Mas- which has subsequently given ent link between cricket and terChef winner Dhruv Baker Edgbaston one of the finest food is why we launched the and Waitrose Cookery School hospitality and retail catering Cricket Cook Off in the first Executive Chef Gordon Mc- experiences at a UK sporting place, and I would like to wish venue.

Dave many congratulations on Dermott.

We're proud of what the team his success."

He leads a team of 10 chefs, has achieved and award wins but will also manage

“We need Rooney Rule,” -Batson

F

ormer West Bromwich Albion legend, Brendon Batson MBE, one of the first Black professional footballers in England, says we need to learn from the Rooney Rule but need to find what works here.

Batson, Chair of Sporting Equals, was responding to previous comments made by Professional Footballers Association CEO, Gordon Taylor, saying there was ‘hidden racism’, which is holding back Black managers and the subsequent row which has broken out among Premier League managers over the adoption of the Rooney Rule.

“We can learn in terms of positive action,” Brendon said.

“There are misunderstandings about the rule itself. It’s not about quotas and it doesn’t guarantee a job for Black candidates. It does say Black candidates should be on the interview short list if they meet the minimum criteria.”

Edgbaston Cricket Cook-off - Page 35

Moses at The Hub of sporting facilities for all

O

ne of the founding fathers of one if the UK’s oldest Blackled football clubs is now chair of a ground-breaking community sports hub in Birmingham.

Continental Stars F.C. General Manager, Lincoln Moses MBE is at the head of the Hub, a state of the art sports venue which four football pitches, a cricket square, four floodlit tennis courts, two cricket nets, two floodlit multiuse games areas and a pavilion including a boxing hall, gym and changing rooms.

As one of four tenants there, it is also run by Aston Boxing Club, Holford Drive Tennis Club and Broadway School as well as the newly-formed Continental Cricket Club. It joined forces with Birmingham City Council to provide a first class facilities about.

Up to 800 children and young people use the facilities at the 'room without a roof.' So called

because the actual building was just a shell.

Moses said: “We have an excellent sports facility here at The Hub which is a huge achievement for community groups and organisations alike.”

Opened early this year The Hub is also headquarters for the Amateur Boxing Association.

Up to 100 young people attend boxing sessions, for example.

This is just phase one of the mater plan,” he said. “For the next phase we plan to include golf, rugby, Netball and table tennis,” he added.

Continental Star is a social enterprise offering sporting pathways, lifestyle guidance and mentoring.

Its first team play in the Midlands Alliance League with several other teams including schoolboys, women and over35s.

Moses was awarded the MBE for his services to football in the community.

'Team CL' raise thousands in BUPA Great Birmingham Run

2

0,000 runners pounded the streets of Birmingham in glorious sunshine with around 400 running in red for Cure Leukaemia.

As well as those running, thousands of spectators lined the city streets showing their support to the runners who took in iconic sights such as Cadbury's in Bour-

neville and Edgbaston Cricket Ground!

Cure Leukaemia were hoping to beat their record total from last year of £125,000 and say if you did not run but would still like to support their runners, they have a generic JustGiving page where donations can be made.

Women’s Football is off to a Winning Start at Walsall College

G

rassroots football has been boosted by the formation of Walsall College’s first ever women’s football team after a determined push on recruitment.

Sports tutors at Walsall College are bidding to introduce a regular women’s football team for a number of years but low recruitment numbers across the region had put the ambition on hold.

But this academic year, after a visit to Chasetown Football Club, 14 girls have enrolled on the Level 3 in Sports Performance and Excellence programme and are now playing league matches as part of their course.

The group have joined the Association of Colleges (AoC) West Midlands Women’s Category Three League and are currently sitting top of the pile after two wins and a draw from their opening three fixtures – including a comprehensive 15-1 demolition of Stoke-on-Trent College.

The College’s senior management team have thrown their support behind the initiative as

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Principal and Chief Executive Jatinder Sharma, Director of Finance Peter Merry and Director of Commercial Projects John Adams attended their opening game in September.

Students from across the College, even those not on a Sports course, are now being urged to get involved in the new women’s football team to boost the squad further.

The team train twice a week at Aston University and play 11-aside matches most Wednesday afternoons.

Mark Howard, Sports Devel-

opment Co-ordinator, said: “I’ve wanted to have a women’s football team for years and we really tried hard. But while the profile it gets nationally has obviously risen over recent years at grassroots level it can still be quite hard to get the numbers and recruitment prevented us from doing so.

Last year we proactively went to Chasetown FC and did some work with their under 15 and 16 teams and since then seven of those have enrolled here and it has given us that confidence and momentum to take this forward.

They are an absolutely brilliant

Come along to our next informal information event on:

22nd November 2014, 10:30am at The Drum, 144 Potters Lane, Birmingham, West Midlands, B6 4UU

group and it’s early days but they remain unbeaten and are currently top of the league.

In terms of their football they are improving no end and they really have the opportunity to progress and eventually play at a higher level with clubs such as West Bromwich Albion, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Aston Villa offering great provision in women’s football.”

Mark added: “The ambition now for next year is to have a first and second team and although it will be a big challenge we think it’s achievable.”