The Phoenix Newspaper - September 2016

Hello!

Thinking about

adoption?

Come along to your regional info event.

No need to register, just arrive at 1pm.

Saturday 17th September, 1pm, Afro Caribbean Millennium Centre (ACMC) 339 Dudley Rd, Birmingham B18 4HB Freephone : 0800 073 0597 adoptionblackcountry.co.uk info@adoptionblackcountry.co.uk

SEPTEMBER 2016

in the Black Country

Connecting Communities - Inspiring A New Generation Inside This Month

Senator Hope for the people - Page 7

Gold Rush

W

ith no formal cap on the number of honours available for Team GB's Olympic athletes, the golden couple of the velodrome; Jason Kenny OBE and Laura Trott OBE are just two of the stars of Rio 2016 who are likely to be upgraded in the next round of the Queens award-giving spread.

Trott is Great Britain's most successful Olympic female competitor, with four

Olympic gold medals, having won both the team pursuit and the omnium at both the 2012 Games in London and Rio 2016.

Individual and team sprints specialist, Kenny’s Olympic medal haul goes back further, with Gold in Beijing, in 2008, two in London and three last month – he also picked up a silver in 2008, in the Keirin.

To Advertise

Continued on Page 9

Adam Stewart to Keynote SOTIC 2016 - Page 42

Meet Michael Jackson’s Secret Lover - Page 17

and much more...

0121 339 5885 or 0208 865 1922

How to Advertise with

To advertise your business

Page 2

NEWS IG accused of massive looting and violating of public trust

Abuja Security News

0121 339 5885 0208 865 1922 advertising @thephoenixnewspaper.com Contact us with your details, as well as the details of the advertisement, and one of our team will get in touch with you as soon as possible to secure your place in the paper.

Published by TPN Media UK

CONTACT US +44 (0) 800 009 6909 +44 (0) 121 339 5885 +44 (0) 7948 155 192

General Enquiries Advertising Office Mobile

newsdesk@thephoenixnewspaper.com advertising@thephoenixniewspaper.com

/PhoenixNewsUK /ThePhoenixNewspaper Birmingham Office TPN Media UK, The Colmore Building, 20 Colmore Circus Queensway, Birmingham, B4 6AT

Nigeria Office (Abuja) Suites c01-c02, Boya Place

by Wuye Int’ Mkt, Wuye District FCT Abuja, Nigeria +2349099466961 +2348035653973

Contact - Emeke Alex Akwaeze Africa Correspondent alex.akwaeze@thephoenixnewspaper.com

www.thephoenixnewspaper.com

Disclaimer

The views and promises of advertisers in The Phoenix Newspaper do not necessarily reflect the views of or endorsement by The Phoenix Newspaper.

Recruitment Of 10,000 Personnel Into Nigeria Police Force

T

T

he attention of the Nigeria Police Force was drawn to a report

by Sahara Reporters, New York, captioned; ‘IG Idris accused of massive looting, violation of public trust.’

The Nigeria Police Force wouldn’t ordinarily join issue on news items that have no substance and are completely false, but, the report was studied and all the allegations asserted against the Inspector General of Police, Ag. Ibrahim K. Idris NPM, mni and the police in the write up were found out to be completely false, misleading and malicious in its entirety.

Obviously, the handwork of distracters and mischief-makers whose intention is to distract the Inspector General of Police from carrying out its statutory duties of ensuring that Nigeria is secured and crime free, against a man who has served in various capacities within the Force and International Communities without blemish.

The NPF wishes to enjoin members of the general public and other persons who must have read the report to disregard and discountenance the story as totally unfounded without any iota of truth - The media, most especially the new/social media outfits are hereby implored not to allow malicious/ mischief makers to take advantage of them to misinform and mislead the public.

The Nigeria Police Force will continue to partner with the media, other stakeholders and the general public to ensure that the country is safe for everybody - Nigerian and visitors alike.

The Phoenix – September 2016

The Governor of Kaduna State His Excellency Mallam Nasir El-Rufai paid courtesy visit to Inspector General of Police, Ag. IGP Ibrahim K. Idris at the Police Force Headquarters Abuja.​

he Nigeria Police Force are now subjecting successful candidates in their ongoing recruitment exercise to compulsory polygraph test (lie detector test) in addition to the general background check, biometrics, medical, physical examination, aptitude, oral and psychological tests – according to DCP Don N Awunah, fsi, Force Public Relations Officer, in Abuja.

The Police will also be conducting a thorough verification of all documents submitted by prospective candidates.

The Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim K. Idris, gave this directive while reviewing the recruitment exercise into the Nigeria Police Force.

He said that no candidate will be admitted without undergoing these prescribed tests.

The Academy, and other training colleges across the country, will be equipped to carry out the necessary tests.

The Force is determined to ensure that the current recruitment exercises conform to acceptable standards for a Police Officer the Nigerian people deserve.

In continuation of this and the nationwide coordinated operations against violent crimes, IGP Idris deployed an Intelligent Response Team to Benue state to resolve cases of kidnapping there.

The IRT swung into action by smashing a gang of kidnappers of an Indian expatriate in Katsina Ala, trailing and arresting four suspects.

During interrogation, they confessed to being behind several kidnappings and armed robbery attacks including the kidnap of a business man at Adikpo, Kwande LGA and the kidnap of a prominent chief Tsegba in Gboko - plus the collection of a ransom of 5 million Naira ransom paid to them before his release.

The Investigation is being intensified to arrest other gang members.

Historian Leon Blades is laid to rest

O

ne of Birmingham’s most respected figures was laid to rest as some of the city’s community leaders, business people, family and friends gathered to pay homage to this quiet yet authoritative figure.

Noted Caribbean historian, Leon Blades, passed away recently, but, for the huge font of knowledge that he was, his death proved a huge indictment on the circumstances a lot of elders – and others – leave behind.

Quite an unassuming figure in and around his local area, Trinidad-born Blades left a legacy for generations to follow, he was a man whose personal life and

circumstances were not known by too many.

The man with so much to give was had very little for himself and thus, was on the verge of having a pauper’s funeral until the community stepped in raising enough money to afford him the dignified departure he more readily deserved. l Leon Blades With no finance to fall back ers gathered at the former Kaon, it was the Pan African Movement – of which he was jans building, in the city, to say an active member – who took- ‘goodbye’ to a ‘teacher.’

Amongst the congregation up the baton and made efforts to there was the likes of the Revgive him a fuller send-off.

Draped in the flag of his native erend Canon Eve Pitts from Trinidad& Tobago and that of the nearby Holy Trinity Church Pan African movement, mourn- and community activists Maxi

Hayles, Desmond Jaddoo and Beanie Brown-who led the team who would make sure a man of his knowledgeable stature would be respected to the full.

"The pyramid shows God the Father, the Son and the Mother," said Kofi Kyereme-Boefoo who officiated over the service. "He

is at peace now to fulfil his role at a higher place."

Other tributes were paid by way of poetry, sacred readings from The Ramani Hai Takatifu, ancestral dancing and drumming and singing by The Nyahbinghi Warriors.

He was 86.

The Phoenix – September 2016

Page 3

NEWS

Gloucestershire villagers raise over £5,000 for patients with cancer NS OPESE PT

n ew io Y N bit TR hi EN Ex EE FR

R

esidents from the village of Cliffords Mesne in Gloucestershire have made a generous donation of £5,874 to benefit cancer patients at Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, after holding two fundraising events.

The first event was held on 11 June 2016, in celebration of the Queen’s 90th birthday, and took place on one of the village’s roads, which was closed especially for the celebration.

Two hundred and fifty residents from the village and nearby attended. A donation of £800 was made from the proceeds of the lunch party. The second event was held in the garden of one of the organisers, Pat Milsom, with a cross-section of local friends and relatives in attendance.

Pat and her friend, Peter Street, decided to organise the events to raise money as both had benefitted from the excellent care provided by QEHB in the past; Peter received a liver transplant in July 2013, and has been an active fundraiser ever since, while Pat’s husband Dick received treatment for pancreatic cancer before sadly passing away.

SAT 10

l Adiela Kapadia, Pat Milsom, Peter Street, Justine Davy with CyberKnife Pat said: “I want to say thank you to QEHB for the wonderful care that they gave to my husband Dick Milsom when he was suffering from pancreatic cancer.

Everything that could be done was done with great efficiency and kindness.”

To say thank you, the generous pair threw a party in their village, going all out to organise a pig roast, a bar, and live music performed by a local musician.

Peter and Pat went to QEHB to present QEHB Charity’s Head of Fundraising, Justine Davy, and

Advanced CyberKnife Practitioner Adiela Kapadia with their cheque for £5,874. Justine said: “This fabulous donation will enable us to keep CyberKnife up-todate and treating patients in ways we just couldn’t before we had access to this machine. I’d like to thank all the residents of Cliffords Mesne for their selfless generosity in contributing to this incredible donation.”

To find out more about the cancer appeal or to make a donation, please go to qehb.org

of s e iv l y r a in d r o a r Ext everyday people FAMILY

FUN DAY SAT 10 SEPT

11AM-4PM

FREE ENTRY

SOHO HOUSE

Soho House, Soho Avenue (off Soho Road), Handsworth, B18 5LB Funded by:

birminghammuseums.org.uk BMT_Collecting Birmingham Advert_133x180.indd 1

26/08/2016 09:25

Send in your stories to newsdesk@thephoenixnewspaper.com

Page 4

BUSINESS AND FINANCE

Despite negative media coverage, Notting Hill Carnival stands supreme

l Qasim Majid

TV slot for job hopefuls

B

F

our people were reported as being stabbed at this year’s carnival, in Notting Hill. Whilst, at the T in the Park music festival, in Perthshire, two teenagers, Megan Bell and Peter McCallum, died with the police treating their deaths as suspicious.

Investigating officers were looking at the possibility they were drug-related.

At the O2 Arena in London, during the very British version of the Jamaican soundclashes - the Red Bull Culture Clash DJ competition - another 17-year-old, student Emily Lyon, died, having taken party drug MDMA. Meanwhile, Britain’s biggest street party marked its 50th year, as the Notting Hill Carnival, the truest representation of multicultural Britain, attracting millions of people, of all nationalities and generations, where police made more than 450 arrests-for drug and weapons offenses. One person was reported to have been stabbed, but no fatalities were recorded.

Everyone in west London was able to experience a colourful and vibrant taste of soca, reggae, dance and jazz music, plus steel drums and dancers, evoking the roots of the Caribbean - here, in the UK. Yet many other media outlets were quick to focus on the negative…in great detail.

With so many people together in a confined, restricted area, would any major event be totally troublefree?

Here’s to the next 50 years of the Notting Hill Carnival.

The Phoenix – September 2016

Park Regis P Birmingham becomes Chamber patron l Robin Ford and Paul Faulkner

ark Regis Birmingham – the new four-star luxury hotel in the heart of the city - has become Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce’s latest patron.

The hotel, located at the former Auchinleck House at Five Ways, opened its doors in March following a £50m transformation.

As well as offering 253 rooms, including a giant Presidential suite, it boasts two restaurants, its 1565 Restaurant, Bar & Terrace, as well as its 16th floor Japanese eatery Rofuto. The hotel is also home to Shakina Urban Dry Spa, a gym and executive meeting and conference rooms.

The hotel is the first Park Regis to open in Europe and the 17th worldwide, putting Birmingham alongside cities such as Sydney, Singapore and Dubai.

In becoming a GBCC patron, Park Regis Birmingham joins some of the region’s most high-profile companies and brands – all of whom enjoy a bespoke relationship with the Chambers to

Modern And Unique Children’s Facility Launched At Birmingham Airport

To Advertise

suit their objectives.

Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce chief executive Paul Faulkner said: “We are delighted to welcome Park Regis Birmingham on board as our newest patron.”

“It is a major coup for Birmingham and the West Midlands region for such a prestigious hotel brand to choose the city as its first European destination.”

Robin Ford, general manager at Park Regis Birmingham, said: “The Chamber is a valuable organisation for businesses in the city, and the success of our Premier membership was a deciding factor in becoming patrons.”

“It’s important for a business like ours, which attracts visitors from across the world, to be an integral part of Birmingham’s professional community. Patronage with the Chambers will help us to further connect with the city and continue to reinforce our position as a key player in the accommodation, meetings and events market.”

B

irmingham Airport recently launched two newly designed and interactive children’s pre-flight play areas giving thousands of youngsters jetting off on holiday a fun and engaging experience in the terminal.

The ‘Sky Zone’ airport play zones are designed for 3-10 year olds, and feature Sky Cadet ‘Zoom’, the Airport’s mascot.

They are free to use and are located at Gates 3 and 54, serving both departure lounges in the terminal.

The experience begins the moment children check-in and are given an interactive ‘flight pack’, the ultimate airport activity manual, bursting with fun games and puzzles designed to engage, amuse and inspire.

As children make their way through the terminal to Sky Zone, floor stickers lead the way and fea-

irmingham’s budding job applicants got a taste of stardom when Channel 4’s ‘The Job Interview’ filmed their interview process.

The four applicants were vying to land a job as account managers, overseeing internet marketing campaigns, with Birmingham based internet company Wow Zone.

Some of the less than stellar snippets of the interview process caught on camera included a receptionist being caught whispering that one of the interviewees looked like Chewbacca.

Wow Zone has been running for 12 years and does everything from growing businesses online via digital marketing to designing (and building) robust and innovative websites.

Executive Board Member at Birmingham Chamber of Commerce & Industry - Asian Business Chamber of Commerce, Qasim Majid, chief executive of Wow Zone, said he was first approached by ‘The Job Interview’ after they saw a few of his online business videos.

“The production company contacted us for this opportunity, which was great because at the time we were looking to expand our team anyway. It felt like hitting two birds with one stone and it’s worked out perfectly.”

One of the lucky four to land a job was London café waitress Anna Abedayo, 27, who said; “I may not be the most skilled but I’m mouldable. A positive attitude takes you a long way.”

ture clues to activities in the flight pack.

Each zone has been specially designed to prevent children from getting ‘bored before they board’ with a selection of interactive games and activities, including a uniquely designed security spot check game, fly pads, a reaction station, a musical mission pod, memory games and many more exciting interactive experiences.

David Winstanley, Birmingham Airport’s Chief Operating Officer, said: “The redesigned Sky Zone gives us the opportunity to offer children a fun and exciting play area with games and activities centred on aviation to educate our young passengers about the airport.”

In addition, the airport has launched a new digital platform called Sky Zone Online for older children.

0121 339 5885 or 0208 865 1922

The Phoenix – September 2016

Page 5

Page 6

The Phoenix – September 2016

The Phoenix – September 2016

l L-R at Back. Mrs Eziada, Mrs Josephine Owen, Eziada Ifeoma Chinagu, Eziasa Chief Celine Nwanebuba, Eziada Ezigbo Chinyere Ibe, Eziaada Amaka Obiaku, Eziada Getty Ahanotu Spinelli, Eziada Gertrude Mbiamnozie

Is Project Biafra The Best Option?

- Senator Hope Uzodinma

by Dauda Awwal

T

he spirit of Africa took over the Marriott Hotel in London’s Maida Vale for a 4 hour seminar and interaction organized by the Imo West Forum, UK. The occasion, which attracted an enthusiastic audience of about 100 people-Nigerians and others, gathered to discuss ‘Over 100 Projects To Imo West By Sen. Hope Uzodinma.’

The Nigerian national anthem filled the air on the arrival of the Distinguished Senator Hope and his entourage before an Opening prayer, led by Prince Onomo, followed by introductions of the high table personnel.

Mr. Jude Ibe, who anchored the programme, introduced the media and distinguished guests, Chief Charles from Inland, Chief Barrister Emeka, Professor George Obiozor who was the first Igbo man to represent Nigeria as Ambassador

in the United States of America, Israel and Cyprus, and His Royal Highness Barrister Chinedu.

The opening speech was then delivered by Pastor Ejike.

Presentation of the Kolanut followed, with welcoming addresses delivered by the chair for the occasion, who said, “I appreciate the efforts put together by the organizers of this programme, You’ve done a wonderful job and we are very happy to see distinguished Senator Hope, here in the UK. “We appreciate your work and have seen your great projects for our people in Imo. Thank you.”

Further addresses followed by Jude Ibe, one of the organizers of the event.

In his speech, he said; “We once again congratulate you sir, on your re-election to a second term in the Nigeria Senate.

“We are aware that you are charting a new course in the transformation of Imo West and clearly our dear Imo State in job creation and Rural Road networks.’’

He concluded; “It is not the critic who counts, nor the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better.

“The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena. This arena belongs to you.”

To Advertise

Page 7

NEWS

l Senator Hope Uzodinma and Professor George Obiozor

l Chief Uzo Owunne, INGO’s Chief Executive Oficer (left) Presentation of the traditional local Kolanut was presented to Senator Hope and to the other special guests by Awo Omamma Daughter’s Association (ADA) Awwal was called to pick a Kolanut on behalf of The Phoenix Newspaper and Nigeria.

Senator Hope Uzodinma delivered a 22-page wonderful speech, captioned ‘Imo West, Igbos and Project Nigeria’.

Cultural dancing was performed

by Awo-Omamma Daughter’s Group led by Mrs Ifeoma Chinagu.

Other dancers included; Mrs Amaka Ojiaku (Engr), Mrs Ugonna Onyenekwu and Mrs Getty Ahanotu Spinelli.

Dignitaries present included; Chief Celine Nwanebuba, Lolo Josephine Owen, Lolo Lady Ejigbo Ibe, Gertrude Mbiam Nozie, Mr. Uchenna Chinagu, Mr. Anthony Obioha, Mr. Chinenye

Obioha, Ms Lilian Chidoka, Francis Akunna, Prophet Ejike and Rude Voroa.

The chair of the occasion lamented in his opening speech; “We are very happy and grateful to have Senator Hope in our midst today all the way from Nigeria. He is a wonderful Senator, who has done well for Imo West where he represents in National Assembly, Abuja, we want to know more what other project is having for us.”

Senator Hope Uzodinma is a Nigerian businessman turned politician, he was elected Senator for the Imo West constituency of Imo State for the past six years in Nigeria. He is a strong member of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP and also a member of BoT. The Phoenix Newspaper wishes him all the best in his future endeavours, and are excited to see what he has planned for Nigeria.

0121 339 5885 or 0208 865 1922

Page 8

NEWS

Self-Sufficiency advocate Garvey, heralded with weekend-long celebration

I

ts 129 years since his birth but Marcus Garvey is proving as relevant today as the people of Birmingham marked this milestone with a weekend-long celebration to highlight the impact he has made on not only his native Jamaica, but people throughout the world.

The civil rights activist, founder of the Pan African-led Universal Negro Improvement Association and African Communities League with the philosophy of a united African nation where all descendants of the Diaspora can live, was recognized by the Ting-A-Ling project, an organisation aimed at young people who may not have

any formal qualifications or a CV to help them find a job, in conjunction with Parkland Banqueting Suite.

The two-day event in Birmingham – under the theme of ‘Education and Self Sufficiency - attracted men, women and children from the city’s diverse communities to workshops, African mar-

kets, Health and Finance, books, authentic African fashion and music information stalls, children’s activities and much more in acknowledging the iconic figure.

Ting-A-Ling’s Kirk Jackson said of the Marcus Garvey Weekend; "It’s important that we celebrate our heroes and sheroes as we educate and liberate people as was Garvey’s vision.

It’s vital that people become more self-sufficient as we continue his legacy and this annual event is the perfect platform to learn from."

Jamaican-born Garvey’s ideology influenced others like Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr. His hugely significant impact, though, is one that many have forgotten.

He died in London in 1940.

The Phoenix – September 2016

The Phoenix – September 2016

Trott and Kenny join Bolt as world icons after Rio Goldrush

Page 9

NEWS

Continued from Front Page

And, in leading the home medal rush in Rio, they were at the forefront of another ‘feel-good’ factor that has created a generation of true sporting greats that will go down in history both nationally and internationally for time immemorial.

Up there with other greats who shone in Brazil; history-making kings and queens of the track, sprinters Usain Bolt and Elaine Thompson, long distance living legends, Mo Farah CBE, and David Rudisha, triathlon’s Brownley brothers, as well as boxing’s Nicola Adams MBE, track cycling’s perfect couple, with ten golds between them, led a total of 366 Team GB athletes go out to South America, with a record-breaking 67 medals coming back to the UK shores.

"I am so proud at what I achieved," Laura told reporters.

"I went there without any expectations, so to win two golds

What is in a name?

was just incredible, and then I thought, 'How on earth am I going to top that?' We believed in ourselves, and in our team. It just started to snowball."

Kenny added to his earlier men's sprint and team pursuit golds in Rio, having won twice at London 2012 and once at Beijing four years before that -also getting silver in China.

"It just felt like a dream. I guess I'm tired. I was just floating through it," the 28-year-old said. "It's mental to be level with Chris. I was in Beijing when he won his three so to come here with it.

“It is extremely dangerous to bear a name whose meaning is unknown to you.

“Each person has a state of being; and the law of Nature requires every person to bear a name corresponding to his/her state of being.

“In the Kongo initiation, therefore following a major initiation, the initiate is given a white stone on which his/her new name is

by Kesa Nkulu

“G

od has created several Races, several communities, several peoples.

“Each people has its specific culture and language, which is the principle vehicle of its culture. The laws of the Universe favours unity in diversity.

“Thus to bear the surname or the first name of another race is the result of colonial alienation and its linguistic cultural domination.

“It is through language and culture that the psychological rehabilitation of the world’s Black race must begin. And when we speak of language, include sentence form, words and names.

“The name a person bears is a powerful word which has great influence on the person bearing the name, because, every names a vibration which may either be positive or negative.

“Each name corresponds to a vibration, a certain colour and corresponding entities associated

written, whose vibrationary effects are perfectly known.”

- Extracts from the ‘Names of the Bakongo’ by Ne Muanda Nsemi.

One of many examples of this is; the election of a new Pope, once the candidate has been elected, he is given a ‘New Name’. Again in Buddhism a new monk has his head shaved and a new allocated name which designates his new capacity.

In our culture the first thing given to a child is their name.

It can either connect them to their culture; ancestors, history and traditions, or it can dis-connect them from their destiny.

In Alex Haley’s ‘Roots’ Kunta

To Advertise

and do the same is pretty amazing."

Sprint-king, Bolt was the star of the show, as expected, and he didn’t fail to deliver the goods, taking the ‘triple triple’ as, as with the cycling duo, will go down in sporting folk-low as not a Jamaican, or British, icon…but a ‘world icon.’ for generations to follow.

Kinte did everything to keep his name, and the slave owner did everything to relieve him of it!

For people of African descent, we know that through slavery our names and language was outlawed and colonial names of plantation owners for whom we worked were given.

There are names of blessings, and names that curse the individual. It may be hard to believe, but the name ‘Cupid’ belongs to a name of a malevolent spirit.

Then we ask, why are certain name`s introduced to us, if not for them to feed off our energies.

Names were also passed from father to son, mother to daughter hoping to incarnate a certain attribute from the elder, whether this be positive or negative.

As an example, when a person goes for an interview, they’re usually asked for their ‘Christian name’, this could reflect a Christian, Islamic or Buddhist person.

But what does this mean if you’re not a Christian but have a Christian name? What if a time arrived that you were no longer seen as a Christian do you relinquish your Christian name? Maybe these questions are one’s that we should be asking ourselves.

Again maybe we should be providing them with names that have a wholesome resonance from birth. These questions may be subject to scrutiny in the not too distant future.

Bring this voucher with you for a 10% discount off FUNERAL FLOWERS Miss Lily’s Flowers Gifts & Balloons Studio 15 @ 2 - B18 4NR 0121 454 4455

Miss Lily’s Flowers is a registered business with 16 years of knowledge and experience

We will always work within your budget to achieve a professional finish OPEN for you to come along during normal shop hours Monday-Saturday

Specialising in FRESH flowers for ALL occasions,

We also offer a BALLOON service to compliment your Events

0121 454 4455 www.misslilysflowers.co.uk

Studio 15, Northside Business Centre, 2 Wellington Street, Birmingham, B18 4NR

0121 339 5885 or 0208 865 1922

Page 10

BUSINESS AND FINANCE

The Phoenix – September 2016

Assessing the market value of business and industry

H

Birmingham honours local charity leaders

A

t the Auditorium at South & City College, Birmingham’s biggest leadership celebration honoured the city’s third sector leaders.

Dedicated to highlighting the city’s most compassionate and humanitarian leaders among Birmingham charities, not-forprofit organisations, social enterprises, voluntary and community groups, the guest list included many top dignitaries, executives and third sector leaders.

The awards judging panel Chair, Mark Rogers (CEO Birmingham City Council), said "There is nothing more important than giving recognition and praise when it's due. Here at the City Council we know the power of encouragement.

“It makes the impossible seem

possible for as a start. And it spurs people on to do their very best.

“The best leaders recognise, celebrate and develop the talents, ambitions and successes of others - and do all they can to create the conditions in which people have the self-confidence to go onto even greater things.”

Jazz Singh, Chair at the Future Leaders Club said, “We are the first and only organisation in Birmingham to exclusively honour, celebrate, and award Birmingham’s Third Sector leaders

BCF pulls the crowd to Centenary Square

B

irmingham African Caribbean Food Festival 2016 brought thousands of people to Centenery Square to celebrate the huge variety of Caribbean cuisine.

It was an uplifting cultural experience of music, dance, folklore, arts, crafts and of course, mouth-watering food.

The Festival re-affirmed its position as the premier cross cultural event in the City, attracting people froma range of ethnicities and social class.

It also expanded its reach to African and Caribbean people

with specific health issues including diabetes, obesity, mental ill-health and HIV. With entertainment from saxophonist Samantha Jayne, and Ms Aliya amongst others, the attendance across all three days was high, with thanks given to Levi Roots, Festival Ambassador, Ita Gooden aka Miss Culture Jam, Grace Foods, Birmingham Repertory Theatre, and particularly to Ms Joan Blaney, fonder member of the Festival who has now stepped back from the rigours of organising the BCF.

and managers.

“The inauguration of the Local Leaders Awards 2016 set precedence by recognising the value of community-focused leadership.”

With entertainment from Manchester-based violinist Lauren Charlotte and all-girl street dance group Recognition from Wolverhampton, and a three course Indian meal by Spice Nation, the night raised £800 for the Aspire Programme at Birmingham Children’s Hospital NHS Trust.

10 of Birmingham’s third sector leaders were awarded for their commitment to society by celebrating their outstanding service and contribution to Birmingham, from a shortlist of 38 nominees, all of which were honoured on stage.

Local Leader Awards went

to Joel Blake (Hot 500 Club), Abdullah Rehman (Balsall Heath Forum), Neelam Heera (Cysters CIC), Tariq Jahan (Haroon Jahan Foundation), Amrick Singh Ubhi (Nishkam Centre), Owen O’Brien (Christians Against Poverty), Lisa Thompson (RSVP) and Randhir Singh Heer (Midland Langar Seva Society), with the Rising Star Leader Award given to Amy Martin (FAMALAM), and the Outstanding Leader Award to Dominic Bradley (Spring Housing Association).

ow many business owners are aware of their firms’ value chain processes? How many recognise the significance of routinely assessing the market value of the industry they’re are in?

How often do they evaluate trends amongst competitors and/or rival companies? Does owning a small or large firms make any difference towards validating market intelligence in the modern business-enterprise age?

These are rather profound questions and issues requiring the utmost consideration for owners, directors and managers accordingly.

Why? The present uncertainty in capital, consumer and allied markets –nationally and internationally, is lending itself to a ‘state of flux’ or ‘market limbo-ism’ for both companies and enterprises.

Indeed, the implications and ramifications of the UK post-EU Referendum are already too much to contemplate, more so, fully comprehend by ‘protagonists’ and ‘antagonists’ alike.

And yet while market intelligence remains integral to firms’ strategic planning and implementation, it is also an ‘Achilles heel’ or a bane for small companies struggling to compete against the backdrop of under-investment and lack of technical assistance and enterprise support.

The notion of knowing one’s market is akin to what businesses were set up for initially, and the direction in which owners, directors and their managers must strive to maintain.

Pure survival is not enough, sustainability is vital to nourishing chances of competitiveness including further market advantage in one’s particular industry sector.

So how can owners properly measure the value of their commercial and industrial value-chain in the context of the aforementioned conundrum?

Firstly, the test of knowing the value of one’s industry, is to analyse these operational and corporate-type indicators, using anecdotal and formal evidence-based methods; for example, • Total turnover of that particular industry per annum.

• Cumulative value of each business segment of that industry sector.

• Value chain of key business segments of a particular industry.

• Number of employees in a typical industry setting.

• Its contribution to the GDP or domestic earnings of the country.

• The value asset-ability of the industry vis-à-vis other sectors of the economy.

• Levels of industry production and productivity to demonstrate market share.

• Portfolio of products and services on offer for broad-based costumer markets.

• Monitoring and evaluating staff performance by ethnicity, age, gender etc.

• Distinctive competence or unique selling point (USP) of that industry.

• Long-range strategy for industry viability and market sustenance.

• Effectiveness and efficiency of industry-led quality control system-procedures.

As we move towards the so-called ‘uncharted waters’ in the next two or so years, policy makers will need to devise a coherent strategy to rein-

A

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

vigorate the economy.

One overdue initiative, is encouraging and supporting all business owners to carry out market assessment and evaluation ‘tests’ to boost their firms’ performance outputs.

Merely relying on ‘consumer indexation prices’ or ‘patterns of spending’ in household goods and services, will not suffice in a mixed economy environment.

The demand and supply chains in ‘spluttering economies’ are often the best gauge to understand and appreciate the ‘enterprise rhythms’ of commerce and industry as well as social entrepreneurship.

They are in fact, a reasonable barometer to inform and guide policy on the ‘direction of travel’ for companies that are either under-performing or over trading in a variety of industry sector markets.

Hence, it is vital that we seek assurance by comprehending the essential value of these industry markets that give succour to so many public, private and social sector firms across the country:• Business and Professional • Services (£6.02bn).

• Construction (£103bn).

• Creative Industries (£76.9bn).

• Food and Hospitality (£56.3bn).

• Health & Social Care (£7.8bn).

• Information Technology (£6.1bn).

• Manufacturing (£140bn).

• Personal Care (£17bn).

• Travel & Logistics (£55bn).

• Social Enterprise (£24m).

Indeed, assessing the market value of business and industry, is concomitant with the dynamics of a ‘learning firm’.

It is the type of orientation that should be imbedded in the operational and strategic matrix or matrices of commercial, industrial and social enterprises irrespective of their structural composition and operational magnitude.

Aside of its lynchpin nature, assessing the market value of business and industry should not be perceived as a pseudo-academic exercise.

Management teams that are determined to increase market share thereby boosting profitability, will certainly find this strategic tool invaluable to overall industry analytics. It is also an effective way of distinguishing one’s firm from others in relation to competitive advantage such as the emphasis on customer care excellence [practices].

Consequently, winning formulas that are appropriated for sectors across business and the professions, are ideal for industry per se, especially when firms are frequently challenged to produce goods and services via technology innovations in modern times.

The Phoenix – September 2016

BUSINESS AND FINANCE

A

Aston Manor Cider supports Grocery Aid

A

ston Manor Cider, the UK’s largest independent cider maker, has announced that Grocery Aid will be the company’s nominated charity.

As part of its involvement with Grocery Aid, Aston Manor Cider has already provided a high level of support to the charity at regional and national events.

Grocery Aid also benefits from Aston Manor’s partnerships with other organisations. Through its relationship with Tough Mudder, Aston Manor provided Grocery Aid with places at the upcoming events in 2016, giving the charity another platform to raise funds. At the recent Summer Ball the company supplied tickets to a Rugby League Four Nations game, thanks to its partnership with England Rugby League.

Glen Friel, sales and marketing director at Aston Manor Cider, said: “We’ve been able to be creative with how we can help the charity through our partnerships with organisations like the Rugby Football League and Tough Mudder.”

Jamaican Trade Mission Visits Grace Foods UK

l Trade mission delegates and Grace Foods staff with Hon. Minister Karl Samuda, of Industry Commerce Agriculture Fisheries (centre and1 A5Minister Composite 133x180mm Port:Layout 1 &22/08/2016 14:03right) Page Adam Reader (centre left), Grace Foods UK’s Managing Director.

SMEs look to post-Brexit business opportunities

A

l Ruth Chapman, My Financepartner leader for PwC in the Midlands

greeing access to the EU Single Market and negotiating trade deals with non-EU countries should be the Government’s main priorities as it negotiates the UK’s exit from the European Union according to a post-referendum survey of SMEs, conducted for PwC’s My Financepartner (MFp).

The online survey of a representative sample of 566 SMEs

Page 11

from across Britain (including 82 from the Midlands region) with an estimated combined turnover of over £5.7bn, says trade deals and market access are more important than immigration targets, or environmental legislation and emission targets.

Two thirds of firms say Westminster should focus on agreeing continued access to the single market, while 62% also want trade deals to provide access to non-EU

markets.

Germany would be the top priority EU market for 67% of SMEs with the next preferred export markets - France and Ireland – lagging well behind and favoured by only 5% and 3% respectively.

Across the UK, while SMEs see market access and trade as government priorities, only a fifth (21%) of respondents believed the UK Government should prioritise environmental legislation and emission targets, with 40% believing that setting immigration targets should be a government priority.

Ruth Chapman, My Financepartner leader for PwC in the Midlands, says the absence of reliable or appropriate management information will not help SMEs make decisions that are right for them.

“What’s worrying here is that, while most companies have clear views about what they want in terms of market access and government priorities, when it comes to strategy, pricing and management information, there is much less confidence and certainty.

“The level of confidence in new opportunities in new post-EU markets is encouraging, but companies need to have the confidence in their data in order to make informed choices at pace.”

She continued; “Our survey paints a picture of SMEs largely united in urging Government to maintain the status-quo in terms of access to the single market, to open up new markets and to support companies as they realign export activities.

“Entrepreneurs’ ability to turn on a sixpence and make things happen is quite often a hallmark of their success. So, at times like this, the most important thing is to ‘keep calm and carry on’.”

trade mission, organised by JAMPRO, the Jamaican government agency which promotes export business opportunities, brought six representatives for their MICAF Fresh Produce trade mission to visit Grace Foods UK's headquarters in Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire.

The group heard about the growing demand for Caribbean food and drink in the UK, and how Grace Foods' authentic Jamaican products had helped them to establish a strong, market-leadership position.

“We were delighted to explain that the strong and growing demand in the UK for products supplied from Jamaica was directly supporting the Jamaican economy,” said Grace Foods UK’s Managing Director Adam Reader.

GraceKennedy, Grace Foods parent company has entered into partnership with over 60 Jamaican farmers to supply hot peppers which are used in the hot pepper mash used in Encona West Indian Hot Pepper Sauce, one of Grace Foods' flagship products.

Grace Foods ‘authentic Jamaican’ product offering is comprehensive and includes Grace branded Callaloo, Ackee, Jerk Seasoning and the Tropical Rhythms soft drinks range.

Do something different, see something new Dance Consortium presents

“Unbelievable. Go see Ailey.

It’s change-your-life good” NBC’s Today Show

“Some of the most bravura dancers on the planet”

“Cape Town Opera’s chorus is quite magnificent” Daily Telegraph

Tue 20 & Wed 21 Sep From £17

Chicago Sun Times

Fri 23 & Sat 24 Sep From £10

0844 338 5000 birminghamhippodrome.com Calls cost 4.5p per min plus access charge. 5% transaction charge applies excluding cash sales in person.

Send in your stories to newsdesk@thephoenixnewspaper.com

Page 12

EDUCATION, TRAINING AND RECRUITMENT - PROMOTING EXCELLENCE

The Phoenix – September 2016

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

Birmingham Conservatoire make virtual a reality for South African music students

T

utors and students from Birmingham Conservatoire headed to Soweto, in South Africa, to perform with a group of children they were teaching virtually over the last 18 months.

The visit came as a climax to the collaborative project, Cape Gate MIAGI Centre for Music & Birmingham Conservatoire – or ARCO, which is also the name for the tech-

nique of playing a stringed instrument with a bow.

ARCO has seen 24 strings students aged between eight and 16 in South Africa selected to participate in weekly instrumental Skype lessons, given by academics, current students and alumni of Birmingham Conservatoire, part of Birmingham City University.

Aiming to provide the benefits and life changing inspiration of music

It’s a first! Student Cameron’s success shows value of city apprenticeships marries and graduates – on the same day

T

l Cameron Bridgen

he benefits of apprenticeships has been highlighted due to the success of a City of Wolverhampton College student.

Cameron Bridgen, was taken on as a Level 2 apprentice carpenter by Kier Group on its Thompson Avenue housing development in June 2014.

Since that opportunity, the 19 year old from Wednesfield has recently secured a management position with Kier.

Cameron said: “I was studying accountancy at sixth form but it wasn’t for me so I made the decision to start an apprenticeship in carpentry.

“I haven’t looked back since and I enjoy working with everyone at Kier where I am the youngest employee.

“It shows apprenticeships are a great way to progress if you put your mind to it and are will-

ing to put the effort it.”

The University of Wolverhampton and the City of Wolverhampton College are working with the City of Wolverhampton Council to offer apprenticeships across a wide range of programme areas.

The university has established an Apprenticeship Hub in the city centre and together with the college is providing a ‘one-stop’ comprehensive offer for employers from Level 2 through to Level 7.

Councillor John Reynolds, the City of Wolverhampton Council’s Cabinet Member for City Economy, said: “Improving skills among the young people in our city is crucial to our economic regeneration.

“Apprenticeships are an excellent pathway into employment – and Cameron is evidence of that.

“The council also employs

To Advertise

a number of apprentices in a variety of departments from neighbourhood services to digital transformation, and it has proved a very successful way to recruit staff.

“Not all young people are suited to classroom-based learning and apprenticeships are a great way to learn while you earn.

Kier Apprenticeships Manager, Abdul Mozzamdar, said: "Here at Kier we have a long and proud history of supporting, nurturing and progressing apprentices across our varying business units.

“We believe in investing in our future workforce and 'growing' our own talent.

“Cameron is a testimony of our desire to progress apprentices, who show potential, into management and technical positions within Kier.

T

here was a double celebration for a Birmingham City University student as she graduated with a first-class degree and got married on the same day.

Alongside her fellow students, 26

year old Anu Yusuf received her Law LLB at Symphony Hall in the traditional cap and gown. However just a few hours before, Nigeria-born Anu was dressed all in white as she tied the knot at Birmingham Register Office.

l Anu Yusuf at Birmingham Register Office

to children in the most deprived of circumstances, its staff - as well as providing transformative music education activities - acts as role models for vulnerable youngsters living in areasdeeply affected by poverty and crime.

Louise Lansdown, Head of Strings, Birmingham Conservatoire initiated the ARCO project. She said: “Music is a very powerful tool that transcends both language and cultural

Anu met her now husband, Joseph Kolawole Ola, aged 27 four years ago while working as part of Nigeria’s National Youth Service Corps in Gombe, with their engagement prolonged due to her studies in the UK. She said: “My husband often joked that he would whisk me away after my graduation to marry me because he can no longer wait. So, we decided to marry on my actual graduation day!

“Romance aside, it certainly worked well logistically too, as it meant that our relatives only had to travel once for both occasions. We both have family all over the UK and we were conscious of taking up too much of their time and for all the added expense in making the same journey twice.”

Anu and Joseph’s wedding started at 10.40am with a civil ceremony at Birmingham Register Office. Following the official wedding photography, the entire party headed for a midday blessing at Anu’s church, VBCI Treasure Sanctuary, located at Perry Barr Methodist Church.

The service finished at 1pm and all 50 guests were provided with take-away meals packaged up in gift bags. The wedding party enjoyed a traditional Nigerian meal on-the-go, including jollof rice with chicken served with salad, along with giz-

0121 339 5885 or 0208 865 1922

The Phoenix – September 2016

Page 13

EDUCATION, TRAINING AND RECRUITMENT - PROMOTING EXCELLENCE

boundaries. It can develop creativity, self-esteem, a sense of achievement and facilitate social cohesion.”

Through ARCO, the distance between Soweto in South Africa and Birmingham in the UK has been erased, as the students and teachers of two music institutions learn from each other and engage in a daily creative exchange.”

In addition to the student’s regular lessons at Cape Gate MIAGI Centre for Music in Soweto, the Skype sessions allowed students to receive additional individual tuition and string quartet coaching from Birmingham, which is not currently offered at the Centre.

Alongside individual lessons, the masterclasses, workshops and performances taking place at Birmingham Conservatoire were streamed live for the students at MIAGI and the wider community to enjoy.

Between Saturday 20 and Wednesday 24 August, Cape Gate MIAGI Centre for Music hosted the first

ARCO Festival, which was run by two academics and eight current Conservatoire students.

The Festival featured public concerts by Birmingham Conservatoire, intensive individual tuition, instrument-specific classes, quartet lessons, and listening classes.

Works by Bach, Brahms and Palmgren were performed for audiences, and the Festival closed with the students’ final concert which featured the premiere of the ARCO Anthem, that was specially composed

by Patrick Nolan – brother of Birmingham Conservatoire Viola Tutor and Chamber Music Coach, Lucy Nolan – for the occasion.

As well as backing from organisations in South Africa – including the Goethe Institute and both the Germany and Austrian Embassies – the programme was supported by benefactors in the UK who donated all the string instruments for the students.

A

top award has been bestowed upon a care leaver from Wolverhampton for being an inspiration to others.

The High Sheriff’s Inspiring Others Award was given to Sanjay Walters in recognition of his services to the community, despite his own personal circumstances.

18 Year Old Sanjay left care last year and now volunteers at his local youth club, devoting his spare time to supporting other people.

He shares his expertise in basketball and personal training with member at the club, inspiring them to take a greater interest in their own health and wellbeing.

He is also using his experience of the care system to help the City of Wolverhampton Council recruit potential candidates such as social workers and managers for roles within Children’s Social Care Services.

The High Sheriff’s Inspiring Others awards recognise exceptional members of the community who have done extraordinary things to help and inspire others, even though they may have come from very difficult backgrounds themselves.

Sanjay said: “I’m very thankful for this award. I’ve been in care myself and I’ve always worked hard to make sure my future is bright and that I am able to give something back to the community.”

The High Sheriff Dr Keith Bradshaw DL said: "Our nominees have overcome difficult life circumstances and all of them give their time and energy freely to help and inspire others and make a real difference to other people’s lives."

Sanjay was unable to attend the awards evening held at Edgbaston Stadium last month and so instead was presented with his award by the Mayor of Wolver-

l Sanjay Walters is presented with the High Sheriff’s Inspiring Others Award by the Mayor of Wolverhampton, Councillor Barry Findlay.

Sanjay receives award for Inspiring Others hampton, Councillor Barry Findlay, on the 29 July, 2016.

Mayor Councillor Findlay said: "It was an honour to present Sanjay with his Inspiring Others award. It is well deserved recognition of the selfless work he does for other young people in

Wolverhampton, and a great example of the many talented care leavers we have in our city.

“I would also like to congratulate Michael Hough, who also received an Inspiring Others award for his voluntary work with the West Midlands Fire Cadets.

“He works with young cadets from deprived areas of Wolverhampton, offering them support and educating them, and also helps with fundraising for the cadets.”

Watch out for a unbelievable talent in the world of gymnastics

l Anu Yusuf at Symphony Hall later in the day for her graduation dodo (gizzard and plantain), moi moi (made from black-eyed peas), and poundo yam with vegetable soup.

All meals were prepared by friends and members of Anu’s church, and drinks were brought by her husband’s pastor from Liverpool, whose wife also made their cake.

Anu added: “My husband and I created a notepad with our names on the front as a ‘thank you’ present for our guests to go in to all the gift bags, so along with all the food, the bags were quite bulky!”

Following a bite to eat, Anu quickly changed from her wedding dress in to another outfit and headed back in

to Birmingham city centre for 2pm to collect her cap and gown before receiving her first-class degree.

“I’d be lying if I was say it wasn’t a relief to get to the end of the day, but I wouldn’t have changed it for the world. It was so special to have my family and friends present for not one, but two of the most significant milestones in my life, and being able to share it with them all is something that I will treasure forever.”

Anu hopes to further her studies by embarking on a PhD in Law and her husband is studying in Bradford at LIFE Church College.

See her story in the October edition

Send in your stories to newsdesk@thephoenixnewspaper.com

Page 14

EDUCATION, TRAINING AND RECRUITMENT - PROMOTING EXCELLENCE

H

undreds of jobs and apprenticeship opportunities in Wolverhampton will be on offer at a special event for city residents.

The Wolverhampton Jobs Fair, which has been organised as part of the build up to Wolverhampton Business Week will be held in the WV1 Suite at Molineux Stadium (WV1 4QR) on Friday, September 9, from 9am to 1pm.

More than 40 employers from across Wolverhampton will be at the event to showcase the jobs available to city jobseekers.

They include Royal Mail, KFC, Tarmac, Poundland, Wincanton/ Scewfix and National Express.

Wolverhampton’s new ‘Impact’ team will also be on hand to offer advice and support to young adults aged between 16 and 29 who are Not in Education, Employment or Training (NEET).

Councillor John Reynolds, City of Wolverhampton Council Cabinet Member for City Economy, said: “We have an ambitious longterm plan to encourage enterprise, empower people, reinvigorate our city and improve the prosperity of businesses and residents - and this event supports that.

“This is an excellent opportunity for people looking for work or a

The Phoenix – September 2016

City jobs fair will offer hundreds of opportunities

Monthly views

with Anthony Kelly

A change of career.

Over 40 local employers will be exhibiting and with a wide representation of job opportunities – both full-time and part-time - on offer

this event is not to be missed.

We’re optimistic about the future of the city. It is a great place to live, work, visit and do business.”

The event is open to everyone so

We Dont Just Create Edible Arrangements - We Live It.

“We invite you to become a part of the TwentyFourK catering family by experiencing the delicious journey of tastes from within the wide variety of our foods”

please just turn up.

Wolverhampton Business Week will offer a programme of events aimed at businesses of all types and sizes and will take place between Monday, September 26 and Friday, September 30.

The week of focused activity supports investment in the city, businesses and the workforce and is a platform to showcase the city’s achievements and ambitions, as well as an opportunity for businesses to help shape the city’s economic future.

s a firm believer in education at the primary, secondary and tertiary level the month of September is traditionally the time of year when students no matter their age make the all important decision to continue or further their education.

This is done whether academically or through vocational skills training.

Some students do find this experience exciting whilst for others it is filled with anxiety and nervous tension especially when one is faced with new horizons and new challenges in a new environment.

The university of life is a steep learning curve and an adaptable and versatile approach is required. Even students who ooze confidence have a touch of nerves which can be good.

Capture Birmingham’s ‘brand’ to have a chance of winning £1,000 of gear

Twentyfour K Catering Call us on 07840640410

twentyfourkcatering@hotmail.com

Twentyfour K Catering

www.twentyfourkcatering.com

To Advertise

B

irmingham branding agency ORB have launches a competition in partnership with Retail Birmingham for amateur and professional photographers across the Midlands to take 10 photos that tell the story of

Birmingham and convey what the city means to them.

The competition is part of ORB’s mission to champion Birmingham’s talent and encourage more local business leaders to recruit and invest locally in the city’s creative industries, rather than look-

My motto in life has always been ‘The roots of education are bitter but the fruit is sweet’ and hard work and perseverance are the keys to success.

One should always keep trying and never give up in order to accomplish the realistic goals and targets which one should have from the outset.

Being disciplined, focused and organized are important factors and as always remember the proverbial saying ‘A quitter never wins and a winner never quits’.

So enjoy your studies as learning although serious should be fun and rewarding.

Please confide in mentors, counsellors, tutors, teachers, lecturers, relatives and close confidantes for advice and support when appropriate and never suffer in silence.

I will end with a memory gem learnt from my Jamaican childhood, ‘Labour for learning, for learning is old, learning is better than silver and gold. Silver and gold will vanish away but a good education will never decay.’

ing to London or overseas.

To mark World Photography Day, photographers capturing the city, its people and its spirit in their series of pictures were win £1,000 of camera equipment, courtesy of Retail Birmingham and shoppinginbirmingham.com, as well as the chance to work alongside former Sony World Advertising Photographer of the Year Martin Brent.

“Birmingham’s creative scene is booming. Too many businesses look to London or overseas when sourcing talent in the industry, but that needs to change. I am really excited to find a new perspective and identity for the city which goes beyond taking photos of our landmarks,” said Rob Bloxham, founder of ORB Branding agency.

As well as the £1,000 of photography equipment vouchers, the winner will be invited to work alongside Martin Brent on a commercial photo shoot, getting the inside track on how to create powerful images for brands that bring their story to life.

Brent added: “While I don't have a pre-determined vision of what the winning images will be, I’ll be looking for a creative and innovative interpretation of what Birmingham represents in the modern world.’’

The competition is open to both amateur and professional photographers in the West Midlands and closes on Monday September 25.

0121 339 5885 or 0208 865 1922

The Phoenix – September 2016

Page 15

SPECIAL STREET CRED SUPPLEMENT IN THE PHOENIX NEWSPAPER

SEPTEMBER 2016

www.streetcredmagazine.com

Michael Jackson 58th Birthday 29/08/58 - 25/06/09

Shana Mangatal mark dwayne interviews Michael Jackson’s secret lover

Page 16

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

The Phoenix – September 2016

www.streetcredmagazine.com

TV - Online - MAGAZINE /markdwayne

@StreetCredMag

M

ark Dwayne interviews the man behind Craig David’s new music.

MD: Just want to say thank you for getting Craig to be himself its what we have all been waiting for. How does it feel knowing that youve had massive input in return of a UK Legend?

WN: It feels amazing tbh. I’m a massive crib fan, like HUGE got all his albums and was a big inspiration to me musically, so to know I’ve had an input in his return is pretty crazy really. If you would of said this 10 yrs ago you’d be working with Craig and have a Top 10 hit I’d be like yeh whatever!

MD: How did you meet Craig David? Is this the first star you have produced?

WN: I met him through Marvin Humes (ex-JLS). I worked with Marvin on a house project called ‘LuvBug’ and he asked Mraig to do a feature, Craig said yes and Marvin phoned me and said you wanna do a sessions with Craig - I was like erm… Yes! Ive produced for a few ‘stars’ including Wretch32, JLS, Daley, Jessie J, Angel haze, Roll Deep, and Krept & Konan.

MD: Your music production is crazy, when i hear it i can tell its by someone who loves the music

www.streetcredmagazine.com and is probably a raver themself. Do you go out much and keep intouch with the scene?

WN: Thanks man. Yeh I DJ and just been so busy in the studio but I’m about to hit the club scene a lot more now with my own ‘White N3rd’ project! So gonna be sick

but I make rap/RnB/house/trap I make anything, as long as I’m feeling the vibe I’m down!!!

MD:.Which other artists would you like to ressurect?

WN: I wouldn’t say i resurrected Craig, to me he was just chilling, but I would love to bring back George Michael. I’m a massive fan and his voice is so sick, his vocal could work on anything from RnB to garage to house. Thats someone I’m defo gonna aim to work with, watch this space...

MD: So Manchester is on the map again. What was it like growing up there?

WN: Yeh Manchester is a wicked place, pretty multi cultural. I grew up on a back street inbetween a council estate and a posher bit with big house separated by our road. I spent most of the time near the estate as most of my mates were there, but I got to see different perspectives of people/life looking back at it now.

MD: Tell me some of the Manchester talents out there you feel deserve recognition as I know there are so many thats unheard?

Interesting one. If I’m honest

White n3rd theres probably loads but I spent most of my time in London I’m not really in the scene anymore like that BUT theres one dope girl from Chester called Olivia Louise.

She’s really cool and can sing on grime to acoustic stuff, she’s pretty dope! One to look out for.

everyone that heard my music BUT didn’t know I was white were like ‘Whoa I thought you would be black lol’ I used to make a lot of trap/rap music, thought you know what lets have fun with it man I’m white and a bit of a nerd, fuck it ‘White N3rd’ will do lol!

MD: How did the name White N3rd come about?

Pretty simple really I lived in the Caribbean/US for a while and

MD: What other music do you produce as I hear you dont just do Garage?

No, I started off making Garage

MD: What was it like being in the studio with Craig and Big Narstie? I think its amazing how its Southampton London and Manchester in one tune..defo shows unity and not everything just comes from London.

WN: Haha.. Nartsies a legend man just a wicked guy great vibe and person! He wrote his rap in like 20 minutes having his vape pen thing lol. He was like what do you think of this to me and Craig He spat it and we was like “thats sick!”

Recorded him in like 10 minutes done! Craig is phenomenal in the studio like literally I can get one take off him and its perfect, I’ve never worked with anyone like him on that level, one time he actually freestyled a whole section to a song and it was crazy!! Too much talent, he’s one of the best to do it out of the UK I would even say one of the best RnB artists period!

MD: Did you help Craig find the sound he needed to bring this year?

WN: I would say yeah I think I helped him find himself again if that makes sense. Just a fan telling him the truth. I said ‘we need them smooth double time rap/singing flows over guitars and garage man, no-one does it like you NO-

BIRMINGHAM O2 ACADEMY

September 02 LANY 03 THE SOUTHMARTINS 06 Eleanor Friedberger 09 Roman vs Fousey 10 Alternative & Burlesque MegaFair 10 Elvana - The World’s Finest Elvis Fronted Tribute to Nirvana 18 Gutterdämmerung 21-23 McFly: Anthology Tour 2016 24 XVII 25 Us The Duo 27 30

O2 INSTITUTE

Kaiser Chiefs return with new single, album and UK tour

F

resh from a run of sold-out UK shows and headlining at V Festival, Kaiser Chiefs announced a brand new single ‘Hole In My Soul’ and their first arena tour in two years in support of the forthcoming album Stay Together.

As the best renowned crowd-pleasing act in the UK, the band have spent the Summer playing at sold out venues from Sao Paolo to Delamere Forest, to Ibiza and Colombia, to Cornwall and beyond.

As well as performing all their hits the band have been preview-

To Advertise

ing songs from their sixth album Stay Together including their latest single ‘Parachute’ and the brand new single ‘Hole In My Soul’ which have both become firm fan favourites.

Hole In My Soul was produced

by Brian Higgins (Xenomania, Girls Aloud, Pet Shop Boys, New Order) and mixed by Serban Ghenea (The Weeknd, Rihanna, Beck, Taylor Swift, Justin Timberlake).

The band will be playing Birmingham’s Barclaycard Arena on the 25th February 2017.

September 08 Sticky Fingers 09 Lucie Silvas 10 The Surrenders 12 The Sherlocks 16 Noah Guthrie 19 Blue October - The Home Tour 19 Dan + Shay 20 Sundara Karma 23 Blossoms 24 Rat Boy 26 Watsky 28 Beth Orton 28 67 30 Ren Harvieu & Romeo (The Magic Numbers)

BARCLAYCARD ARENA

September 03 The King Is Back Ben Portsmouth is Elvis 24 A R Rahman

ONE and people are dying to hear you do it bro, cmon!!’ He was so ready for it though! He killed it he was like yeah man gimme those baselines then lets go, born to do it style!!!

MD: What kind of opportunities have come your way since working with Craig David WN: Well I’ve just got a single out with ministry of sound now because of working with Craig, as they came to watch his guy and I was DJ’ing before his performance and dropped one of my tracks. The Ministry AnR loved it emailed my manager saying ‘what was that song’ then was like ‘I wanna sign it’ lol.. crazy!! I’ve also been working on some stuff for Cheryl with Craig too!!

MD: So tell me about the Craig David Album is it fire?

WN: What I’ve heard is sick!! I’ve not heard all of it but he’s back thats all I’m saying!!! lol MD: Mate Craig David is my favourite artist and for me this is a massive opportunity to talk to someone that has worked with the great. I wish you all the best in your career and I am definately looking forward to more White N3rd material.

WN: Thx u bro, loved your questions man! Appreciate you interviewing me!! Keep me posted!

TOWN HALL & SYMPHONY HALL

l Us The Duo performing at the O2 Academy in Birmingham on the 25th September

GENTING ARENA

September 05 The Who 11-13 BPM | PRO 2016 - DJ & Studio Event 17 Asha Bhosle

NEC

September 10-11 Birmingham CRUISE Show 11-13 BPM | Pro 22-25 EGX 2016 22-25 The Cycle Show 23-25 A Place in the Sun Live 30-Oct 02 HeavyCon 30-Oct 01 National Franchise Exhibition 30-Oct 02 The National Wedding Show

September 03 Kaifi Aur Main (SH) 04 60 Years of Bollywood: A Live Musical Journey (TH) 07 Roy Harper (SH) 10 164th British Open Brass Band Championship (SH) 10 STICK MAN 11 Brass Band Gala Concert (SH) 15 An Evening with AGGERS & TUFFERS (SH) 16 The Godfather (SH) 18 SUE PERKINS LIVE! in SPECTACLES (SH) 19 University College Birmingham Awards Congregation (SH) 20 Daniel O’Donnell (SH) 21 Birmingham Jazz Orchestra (SH) 29 Beethoven’s Fourth (SH)

SLADE ROOMS, WOLVERHAMPTON

September 03 Kanyini Presents Astralasia Plus Flux Natura 10 ACDC UK and Sack Sabbath 13 Black Peaks & Heck 14 Jonathan Pie: Live!

15 Gary Delaney 17 King Goat 18 Charles Ross ‘One Man Star Wars Trilogy’ 23 Popes of Chillitown 29 Toseland 30 Psychostick & Green Jelly

0121 339 5885 or 0208 865 1922

The Phoenix – September 2016

www.streetcredmagazine.com

Page 17

ENTERTAINMENT

World Exclusive

The Woman Who Had A Secret Romance With Michael Jackson

S

hana Mangatal has released a detailed book titled Michael And Me that reveals the man not the superstar he was. Street Cred Magazine caught up with her to get the inside story.

As Michael’s receptionist who landed her dreamjob became his closest friend now shares their life in her own words in her newly published book titled Michael and Me. The relationship went on for years, and now Shana wants you to know the side that Michael wouldn’t show. All is revealed in detail in her first book that has got the world talking MD: Hi Shana just want to say thanks for this important interview. I see that you was Michaels Ex-Girlfriend and you are releasing a book about your time together. Why do you think it is important to do this?

SM: Now, more than ever, there are so many crazy and untrue stories about Michael. His legacy doesn’t deserve to be tarnished like this.

It seems like he’s becoming almost mythical, as if he was never a real human being. It’s important that his fans and the public see him as he really was..a normal man, who was NOT “Wacko Jacko”, but a kind and loving guy who was not crazy or weird.

My book will show him in a different light, from my perspective…a girl who fell in love with him.

MD: What are your most memorable times with Michael?

SM: Every moment with him was memorable

coms and modelled as well.

Michael knew I wanted to be an actress so he put me in two of his short films, “Is This Scary” (which was never released) and “Ghosts”.

I definitely would’ve married Michael. I loved him!

MD: What did he like about you most?

SM: He liked that I was quiet and shy and nice.

MD: You stood with him throughout the trial how did that draining situation affect you?

SM: The 1993 allegations and the 2005 trial were both draining.

1993 may have been even worse because I was talking to Michael almost every day then and nothing like that had ever happened to him before.

It was a shock to us all. A terrible and stressful time for everyone involved.

MD: What are you best Michael songs and why? :) SM: I love Michael’s sexy songs, especially Give In To Me and Dirty Diana. I love the hard rock mixed with his powerful voice and lyrics that tell a story.

MD: How did you hide the relationship so well? Where did you spend time with him? Did you ever have a paparazzi moment?

SM: We were only together in private and in work situations, so it wasn’t too hard. TMZ and things like that didn’t exist back then, so it was a little easier to not be noticed.

MD: After This Is It I heard that he wanted to go into movies a lot more and actually chill out is this true?

SM: He had been wanting to focus only on movies for a very long time. If he had it his way, that’s all he would be doing.

He wasn’t really interested in touring or recording regular albums any more.

MD: You’re getting a lot of media attention at the moment, how are you coping with it?

SM: It’s been interesting. My social media is filled with supporters as well as some fans who aren’t so nice.

It’s difficult reading negativity, so I try to focus and only give attention to positive and supportive people.

MD: Knowing the most amazing man in the world you must have seen the unbelievable. What’s the most memorable time you had with him that stands out?

SM: I loved seeing how other people reacted to him.

I’ve seen tough, hardened thug types become like nervous, teenage girls around him.

No one was immune to his charms.

Watching him work and dance up close was also something I’ll never forget. He was more amazing in real life than he was in his music videos, if that’s possible.

MD: How long did you date Michael for and did you ever fall out?

SM: The whole story is in the book!

MD: I haven't met the man but I can feel his spirit from a TV screen. How was he to be around did he have that magic for real?

SM: He truly was magical. He made you feel so good just to be around him. He was nice, kind and generous to everyone. No one will ever compare.

MD: Everyone must ask this even though its pathetic but for the record were you both intimate? If so even this information should be out to put things straight!

The answer is in the book! :-)

1/4 Ad

MD: Would you say you knew him more than anyone else?

SM: I don’t think anyone can say that. He showed different people different sides of himself. Most of his friends felt they knew him best, but no one knew everything.

MD: Tell me bit about your career. I see you are in the industry yourself and even featured in Michaels Video. Are you looking to pursue career in modelling/music because you are stunning? I don't understand why Michael didn't marry you!

Would you have?

SM: Thank you! I started my career working for Michael’s manager. So I’ve worked in music management most of my career, but I’ve also acted in various sit-

Send in your stories to newsdesk@thephoenixnewspaper.com

Page 18

ENTERTAINMENT

The Phoenix – September 2016

www.streetcredmagazine.com

Afro Caribbean Entertainment Committee invites you to a

Black History Night of Celebration Food & Entertainment Open mic session

Finger buffet, Light Refreshment & Licensed bar

Music by resident DJ DRB

Dress to Impress

Traditional Costume African, Caribbean, Asian

5 £ 29th October 2016 Entry

The Shawshank Redemption comes to Wolverhampton

C

oming to Wolverhampton Grand Theatre from Tuesday 27th September to Saturday 1st October 2016 is the 2016 UK Tour of The Shawshank Redemption.

Starring Paul Nicholls, Jack Ellis and Ben Onwukwe, and directed by awards-winning Broadway director David Esbjornson, the acclaimed production is adapted from Stephen King’s novella Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption which was made into the 1994 Oscar Award winning film The Shawshank Redemption.

The story follows Andy Dufresne, a banker handed a double l Paul Nicholls will play Andy Dufresne

Start 7pm till late Telephone Ina on

07853 364 154

or Email : ina.a.wilkinson@gmail.com

West Bromwich African Caribbean Resource Centre Thomas Street, West Bromwich, B70 6LY

l Jack Ellis will play Warden Stammas

l Ben Onwukwe will play Red

life sentence for the brutal murder of his wife and her lover, who finds himself incarcerated in the notorious Shawshank penitentiary.

Unflinching in his protests of innocence, Andy strikes up an unlikely friendship with the prison fixer Red, and things take a slight turn for the better.

However, when Warden Stammas decides to bully Andy into subservience and exploit his talents for accountancy, a desperate plan is quietly hatched…

The play examines desperation, injustice, friendship and hope behind the claustrophobic bars of a maximum security facility.

The movie starred Tim Robbins as Andy Dufresne and Morgan Freeman as Ellis ‘Red’ Redding and was nominated for seven Academy Awards including Best Picture, Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Actor for Freeman.

The Phoenix – September 2016

www.streetcredmagazine.com

Shyam and chill

I

n helping to give 15-17 year olds a boost in life, the National Citizen Service is teaching life skills and preparing them for life in the ‘real world.’

The three-week course about challenging yourself, learning new skills, and living and working in a team a variety of outdoor activities including rock climbing and canoeing was undertook, as well as life skills such as cooking, and creating and running a campaign for social action.

The group took a 3-and-a-half hour journey to North Wales, to the Arthog Outdoor Education Centre.

Early morning activities included bonding over raft building before surfing during the day - the first time for many.

The group was then dropped off in the middle of nowhere with a map for an orienteering challenge, following directions back to the centre, before some free time for table tennis.

The week continued with a group trek through an abandoned ‘scary-looking’ mine where everyone helped to get through -

ing to actually complete the campaign.

The third week had a sports day; with dodge ball, three legged and wheelbarrow races, putting a glass of water in a bucket without dropping water and other events. The best part of the day being the ‘end game’- a water fight to cool everyone down.

The following day meant collecting all that was needed for the campaign and getting it ready before returning to Harborne to help out with their Caribbean themed day, where there was limbo dancing, singing, Caribbean food and other entertainment.

The final day was ‘campaign day’ where the group - now in Birmingham city centre - put up a

stall, in Victoria Square, to make the general public aware of autism communication by way of handing out pens with web-links, as well as handing out blue ribbons which represented the colour of autism.

NCS Memories and Experiences

It was an overall enjoyable time at the National Citizen Service, and you’re guaranteed to be more confident as a person as it showed that it doesn’t matter what you look like and to never judge – or be judged – treat and be treated equally.

A few friends have written a few words about their experience; Overall NCS was the best thing that’s ever happened to me in my entire life. It has created so many options for me to take in the future.

NCS is an unforgettable experience. You meet the most amazing people ever, and you make lots of friends and I would definitely recommend anyone who is thinking of going to NCS (Liam).

NCS was a challenge. Meeting new people, doing activities I have never done before and being to places I have never been to before, however the people were genuine.

The atmosphere was amazing. The journey itself was challenging the first week it was physically challenging and the second week was mentally challenging. By the last week everyone was comfortable and began to miss the whole experience as it came to an end. I would recommend NCS to anyone. It’s a great experience - no matter who you are or what you look like (Darren).

My experience of NCS was really good as I managed to learn a lot of new things. I learnt how to be confident and how to overcome obstacles in life that I was not able to do before. I personally recommended NCS to people my age because it makes you a better person and it gives you a boost in confidence. NCS is the best thing that has ever happened to me.

Take the challenge and make some great memories (Kaz).

A

fter six years, the internationally acclaimed musical mega star, Babby Maan returns to the UK to perform at the Barclaycard Arena in Birmingham.

Guaranteed to leave audiences breathless, the show at the Barclaycard Arena is one of only two dates set for the UK. Alongside his latest songs, including Chori Chori and Neendran, the ‘World’s Best Indian Male Artist’ will perform a mix of his old school classics with a full live band.

Speaking about his return, Maan

Page 19

ENTERTAINMENT

National Citizen Service in pitch black – before a bonding session, overnight, while sat in a circle debating views on different scenarios regarding responsibilities, empathy and more.

Week one finished with gorge walking; walking up rocks in a waterfall - one of the hardest but most enjoyable activities of the week and ideal for coming out of your ‘shell’ and help each other while having fun. This brought the group together and made it more of a family.

Week two was about putting on a showcase, for parents and NCS staff. The group performed a musical piece facilitated by mentor, Chip, who taught the basics of drumming, and samba drums.

Assigned to the Harborne Day Centre organisation, which helps people with Down Syndrome, Autism and more, the team volunteered and performed, as practice for their showcase.

The group prepared a campaign to deliver to a ‘Dragon’s Den’ style panel to bid for £50 of fund-

said: "I'm really excited to be coming back to the UK; it’s been a long time, but l promise my UK fans that Babbu is back, bigger than ever and ready to rock Birmingham!”

“I receive messages every day from my UK fans showing their support, and now l will reply to your messages to show you how much they mean via my music! I look forward to meeting and seeing you all soon."

Page 20

ENTERTAINMENT

The Phoenix – September 2016

www.streetcredmagazine.com

Grand Designs Live Returns to the NEC

G

rand Designs Live, proudly sponsored

by Anglian Home Improvements, is set to return to Birmingham from 1923 October 2016.

The event promises to break down conventional limitations to home building and offers visitors a chance to view the latest trends and unseen products in self-build, from kitchens to gardens and everything in-between.

With 500 exhibitors making their way to the NEC, there is

something for everyone across the six different sectors on show covering build, kitchens, bathrooms, technology, gardens and interiors.

Once again, Kevin McCloud, design guru and presenter of the Channel 4 TV series, will be hosting the five-day run of the design exhibition.

Bringing his well renowned expertise and distinctive style and approach to the show, Grand Designs is set to be as entertaining as it is informative.

Tickets are now available

Red Hot Chili Peppers

G

r a m m y Aw a r d - w i n n i n g Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees, Red Hot Chili Peppers announced that they are to return to the UK in December for their first UK tour in 5 years.

With the announcement coming ahead of headlining the Leeds and Reading Festivals, the tour will be in sup-

port of their new album, The Getaway, which is their 11th studio album.

Red Hot Chili Peppers have spent the summer performing at a variety of music festivals around the world, including headlining Lollapalooza in Chicago, T In The Park in Scotland, and Fuji Rock in Japan.

Supporting the band across their UK tour will be Japanese

sensation BABYMETAL. The J-pop teen metallers have taken the world by storm since their formation in 2010.

Their latest album METAL RESISTANCE peaked at number fifteen on the UK Albums Chart, the highest position reached by a Japanese band.

Red Hot Chili Peppers will hit the Genting Arena in Birmingham on the 10th and 11th December 2016.

l McNeice has been revealed as the star of the film The House of Screaming Death

Leading Actor Revealed In Movie Filmed At Manor House

T

he star of the film The House of Screaming Death filmed in part at the Manor House at West Bromwich has been revealed as top actor Ian McNeice.

Ian, who has starred in Doctor Who, When Nature Calls and Doc Martin, plays the role of The Architect, a mysterious figure at the centre of the film.

The film, an anthology horror feature which draws from the love of the old Hammer Horror pictures from the 1960-70s, was filmed last year and this spring at the 12th century Manor House.

Set in the mysterious Bray Manor one eerie night, a mysterious figure known only as The Architect (Ian McNcNeice), is ready to tell four tales of terror to select

guests he has with him. Stories that dwell on ghosts, witches, vampires and demonic terrors.

The website link is www.screamingdeath.co.uk which gives people lots of information on the stories (without spoiling it all).

The Walsall-based film-makers from Lightbeam Productions say that Ian is “amazing and very supportive” and it was great to get him for the role.

Sandwell’s visitor services officer at the Manor House Museum, Rachel Kinsella said: “I have seen a sneek peek of clips from the film and it looks brilliant.

“The Manor House looks so eerie – I cannot wait to see the finished production.”

The Phoenix – September 2016

Page 21

www.streetcredmagazine.com

ENTERTAINMENT

He was Everything

W

hen Michael Jackson died I felt like I lost one of my closest family members seriously.

This was a man I truly used to love while I was growing up, he was my role model and everything I wanted to be.

I copied all of his dance moves, sang like him and performed in the classic Smooth Criminal and Black and White outfits.

Since I saw Thriller I was hooked onto him and followed everything he did. When he was in pain and going through his trials and tribulations I felt it and any Michael supporter would feel the way I feel he had that impact on us.

We love Michael Jackson because he was genuine loving humanitarian that really cared about his fans like no other star.

MJ was a true icon that even had celebrities star struck, the greatest of the greatest entertainers were humbled in his presence.

This man had one message and that was love. You will never see another being that will make the impact on this earth like MJ did.

They say we are here for a time and we have a mission and I believe that Michael fulfilled his.

He knew his purpose was to bring people together through music and try and end racism as much as possible.

He has left his mark as the worlds biggest entertainer that ever lived. I

am glad that I got to see him in concert in 1997 - Wembley Stadium for the History Tour - it was the best time of my life, watching the man I idolized.

No-one has done it like this guy he is like a living superhero with an unforgettable brand the glitter socks, trilby and gloves, with all of his songs having a dress theme and dance moves to remember.

Michael would do the simplest of moves like just pointing and it would be iconic. Everything he did people paid attention and up to this day we all still love MJ and sing his songs which is what he wanted.

I always wanted to meet him but sadly that didn’t happen and my interview with Shana Mangatal, his secret lover, was the closest I could get to the man.

This remarkable woman has released a book about her life with Michael and let me tell you

it’s the most amazing read and a true look at the man.

I thank her for releasing this information and giving me the world exclusive interview.

MJ toys, books, trainers (LA Gear), comics, stickers, computer games, movies, cartoons, you name it Michael did it all and was the first to do most and if he wasn’t the first he made sure he did it the best! He was everything!

Yes Michael you will always be my inspiration and I will always be that guy promoting your legacy.

All of your songs had a message and made us feel good. You showed us that you can be all you can be and more.

I thank you for being apart of my life.

Mark Dwayne

My Favourite MJ Songs Thriller , Human Nature , I Cant Help It, Another Part Of Me, Pretty Young Thing, Rock With You, Will You be There, What More Can I Give, Who Is It

Best MJ Video Smooth Criminal

Best MJ style Bad

Michael Jackson’s 58th Birthday 29/08/58 - 25/06/09

London Living

Notting Hill Carnival a Bank Holiday treat

T

here is only one place to be in the summer of 2016 on a bank holiday in London and that’s the Notting Hill Carnival, running since 1966, this year was carnival’s 50th year running to be celebrated in style by all.

London's biggest street festival, representing London's most multicultural gathering of party people in one place in Notting Hill.

The celebrations were spread over two days and were blessed with the best of British weather ensuring a massive turn out.

London’s biggest street party highlighting the best of music culture boasted 38 sound systems and 60 bands through the streets, including the best of range of music styles and astounding stage performances, overwhelmed with spectacular celebrations.

People from all cultures were

dancing, expressing the freedom of body language through music vibes heard for miles across London.

The social gathering of carnival is for the love of music, community, dance, culture and food celebrated on London’s streets .

With the treat of the best visual feast of sexy women and men dressed in the most spectacular costumes to give you the carnival feeling, and floats parading down the high street and packed streets of music lovers, the carnival vibe is like no other for the love of music.

London’s musical artists gathered in united global culture in the Notting Hill Carnival with legendary King Tubby's sound system, which is London’s oldest sound system.

The list is endless of passionate dedicated sound systems brought

F to carnival for the love of music including Reggae, disco, drum n bass, dub, garage, Jamaican and African vibes and much more Here’s to an amazing experience at Notting Hill Carnival’s 50th year, can’t wait to see what the next 50 years will bring!

resh from his sudden promotion to headline act at this years JamFest, Iam Malakhi has been hard at work promoting his latest song, I Alone. Produced by renowned label Music Tower Production, the track has gained both local and international attention.

A revolutionary spirit whose message of peace, unity, justice and love is delivered through his handcrafted lyrics, he draws from experiences in his person life, nature and life itself.

His name, meaning “Messenger of God” is a name rooted deeply in his Rastafarian convictions. “I do music for the people, because

From soul-line to headline act I'm for the people and if I can't do that then my life is worth nothing, I am Malakhi and I'm the messenger. Yes, I am an entertainer, I take what I do seriously I am not in to the gimmicks or the circus acts.”

Jamaican-born Iam Malakhi, christened Densil Gayle, grew up in the parish of Westmoreland, where music chose him from an early age. Learning the keyboard and later the bass, he honed his skill in a professional backing band before working beside Oniel Mcdove in 2012, who was the first

to record him.

Further cementing his career in the business is his distinct commanding tone & witty lyrical style. His soulful silky voice was improved by performing at various weddings and events thus enhancing his musical dynamics and range.

Iam Malakhi sets out to make a difference in people’s life and ultimately change the world with his music. His burning Philosophy in life remains “I alone can make I bless I control my destiny.”

Page 22

ENTERTAINMENT

The Phoenix – September 2016

www.streetcredmagazine.com

Eagerly anticipated Brit Asia TV World Music Awards is BACK!

T

he Worldwide Asian Music stage is ready for this massive event as it returns to Birmingham to showcase and celebrate the very best in Asian music with groundbreaking performances never seen before!

This breathtaking November event, at the Barclaycard Arena Birmingham, celebrates the very best of British Asian Music from across the globe and features a

spectacular variety of performances and appearances from the biggest names in the industry.

Now in its seventh successive year, the Brit Asia TV World Music Awards 2016 ceremony looks set to be the best yet with eight unique, live performances and over 1000 A-list celebrities attending.

Artists and music producers will be nominated for a total of 14 award categories, including Best

Breakthrough Act, Best Video, Best Album and the Lifetime Achievement Award! Each category will be presented by some of the most famous faces on the British Asian celebrity scene.

F

rozen, the Academy Award-winning tale comes to arenas up and down the country, with the tale told live for the first time.

The 34th Disney On Ice spectacular by Feld Entertainment, Inc, bring favourite musical masterpieces inluding “Let it Go,” “Do You Want to Build a Snowman?” and “Fixer Upper.”

“In our more than 30 years of producing Disney On Ice shows, Feld Entertainment has been waiting for a film like this,” says producer Nicole Feld. “While it might seem obvious that Frozen is well suited for the ice, this Disney On Ice production will touch audiences emotionally through innovative show elements and world class skating.”

To create a completely immersive

The Phoenix – September 2016

www.streetcredmagazine.com

Page 23

ENTERTAINMENT

Lovers Rock Monologues

L l

Janet Kay, Carroll Thompson and Victor Romero Evans

overs Rock icons Janet Kay, Carroll Thompson and Victor Romero Evans come together to celebrate its golden years. The Lovers Rock Monologue fuses timeless music and theatrical storytelling, giving the audience a humorous and realistic account of the Lover’s Rock lifestyle.

Born in London, Lovers Rock defined a generation in

experience for the audience, the set design will encompass the space from the ice surface up through the air, drawing everyone into the story and closer to the characters. Families will feel that they are trekking up to the North Mountains with Anna, Kristoff and Sven, and they will tangibly experience the storm inside Elsa. Elsa’s magic will be enhanced by state-of-the art special effects while her emotions will be conveyed through powerful skating.

Disney On Ice presents Frozen is appearing across the UK from 13th October to 30th December visiting Manchester, Newcastle, Birmingham, Nottingham, Glasgow, Liverpool, Aberdeen, Sheffield and London. For a complete list of tour dates, visit the Disney On Ice website at http://www.disneyonice.co.uk

the late ‘70s and ‘80s and is a huge influential sub-genre of reggae. It gave women a voice in the traditionally male-dominated realm of Reggae. Lovers Rock was also an integral part of Black British identity during a politically and socially unstable time.

The trio of icons will be performing at The Rep Theatre on Saturday 22nd October 2016

l

The REP Theatre in Birmingham

Page 24

BIG SCREEN

www.streetcredmagazine.com

BIGScreen REVIEW

S

till reeling from the loss of her mother, medical student Nancy Adams (Blake Lively) travels to a secluded beach for some much-needed solace.

Despite the danger of surfing alone, Nancy decides to soak up the sun and hit the waves. Unfortunately for her, she is not alone.

When a great white shark at-

The Phoenix – September 2016

wORDS by antony brown

tacks, she is forced to swim to a giant rock for safety. Left injured, alone and stranded hundreds yards from shore, Nancy must fight for her life as the relentless predator stalks the water around her.

Jaume Collet-Serra, director of two of the most underrated horror movies in recent memory, House of Wax (2005) an Orphan (2009), returns to the genre that helped

put his name on the map with yet another fantastic and surprisingly beautiful horror movie.

His skills in finding beauty in the most gruesome and desperate situations has to be commended. He’s never afraid to provide a little respite from the fear with some glorious scenery and vivid colours and The Shallows is no exception.

His use of wide-angle, birdseye-view shots really give weight to Nancy’s plight and puts us right there in the ocean with her; stranded and alone.

While she’s not far from the shore, Collet-Serra truly makes it feel like she’s light-years away from anything, with a terrifying beast tracking her every move.

The ingenious idea of placing her on a rock not much bigger than herself for the vast majority of the movie is inspired, as the audience are forced to watch her lie inches from death for much of it’s lean 86-minute runtime.

That’s another thing; in a summer full of unnecessarily overstuffed blockbusters that hover somewhere between two and three hours long, it is refreshing to get a movie so simple and so gloriously short, yet never feels like it’s rushing.

It’s exactly as long as it needs to be and that

The Shallows is not only a very good quality for a movie to have, but it’s also a very rare one. Collet-Serra has once again proven himself a filmmaker perfectly at home in the horror genre and we can only hope he continues to return to it.

The cinematography from Collet-Serra’s regular collaborator Flavio Martinez Labiano is nothing short of breathtaking.

He captures the ocean, the beach and the surrounding mountains with such clarity and purpose that one could watch this entire movie without sound and still enjoy it on a purely visual level, which is a compliment one can rarely give to a genre picture such as this.

In terms of performances, there really is only one person to talk about as she is the only character in the movie with any significant screen time and that person is the wonderful Blake Lively.

She single-handedly has to carry this movie for a huge portion of its runtime, meaning the success or failure of this picture rests heavily on her shoulders…and she absolutely nails it.

She captures the very essence of a person who is running away from something; an innocent, somewhat naive young woman

with a rebellious, almost dangerous sense of adventure trying to do whatever she can to escape the painful realities of her life.

We instantly connect with her, as her story is one we can all relate to on some level and when things begin to go wrong, we are immediately hooked.

From the moment she sets foot in the water, we know something isn’t quite right. We are quickly overcome with a sense of impending doom and Collet-Serra knows exactly how to capitalise on it - he makes us wait.

The Shallows is an excruciatingly patient movie and Collet-Serra never feels like he has to dive headfirst into the action.

The Shallows feels like getting into a bitterly cold ocean - you start by putting your toes in, then slowly walk deeper and deeper as each part of your body gets used to the icy bite of the water.

Eventually, you’re finally deep enough to completely submerge yourself in the water and that’s exactly how it feels watching The Shallows.

It creeps along at a steady pace, introducing us to the various characters and locations and then suddenly…boom!

Bursts into azeroth with a bang

D

estruction rains down upon Azeroth.

Demons of the Burning Legion surge into the realm, heralding the return of the dark titan Sargeras, Ravager of Worlds.

As doom comes for the Alliance and the Horde, Azeroth’s heroes

must seek salvation among the ruins of the Broken Isles, doomed center of ancient night elf civilization and birthplace of myths dating back to the world’s creation.

There, they’ll harness legendary and forbidden powers to hunt unspeakable nightmares and unstoppable fel armies—and save their

Collet-Serra forces us to take the plunge. From the moment the proverbial hits the fan, the action is visceral and relentless, and perhaps worst of all, claustrophobic.

Collet-Serra and Fabiano do a fantastic job in introducing us to the wide expanse of the ocean and then confining the action to a 200yard radius.

It’s suffocating, in the best possible way a movie like this can be.

The Shallows is arguably the best killer shark movie since Steven Spielberg’s untouchable classic JAWS (1975) and while it’s still far, far away from ever reaching the dizzying heights of Spielberg’s masterpiece, it comes a lot closer than the vast majority of other shark-thrillers.

The Shallows is quite simply one of the best, most efficiently constructed B-movies in recent memory and serves as the perfect pallet cleanser after a summer full of derivative and somewhat disappointing blockbusters.

Oh and there’s also a cute little injured seagull that befriends Blake Lively; a seagull she adorably and brilliantly names Steven Seagull. If that isn’t enough to sell the movie to you, nothing is. world from falling under an endless burning shadow.

World of Warcraft: Legion is the sinister sixth expansion to Blizzard Entertainment’s acclaimed massively multiplayer online role-playing game.

In the face of hopeless odds, Azeroth’s champions must summon the strength to wield fabled Artifacts, powerful weapons of lore that hold the potential to bring down the Legion.

They’ll also strike an infernal pact with the Demon Hunters of the Illidari, an ancient elven order of fel-tainted assassins . . . and accursed followers of the infamous Illidan the Betrayer.

World of Warcraft: Legion went live on August 30th, and is available now on the Blizzard Store as well as many other online and physical retailers for approximately £35 for the standard edition, or £50 for the Digital Deluxe edition.

The Phoenix – September 2016 Page 25

www.streetcredmagazine.com

JamFest-ering

T

he 6th August 2016 brought with it a beautiful day full of sunshine and excitement, but unfortunately for the gathered masses at Handsworth Park, what it did not bring with it was the headline act for the Jamaican Independence Day celebration, Luciano.

With confusion already surrounding the event, which initially showcased Freddie McGregor as the headline act of the Jamaica Independence Celebration Village’s outdoor JamFest UK, the announcement came very late in the day, with posters stating “Please be advised that the advertised artiste ‘Luciano’ will not be performing at this event as originally planned, as he missed his flight to the United Kingdom,” being placed at the entrance of the park on the day.

Although Freddie’s name was removed from the official flyer on the promotors Facebook page on July 22nd, two weeks before the event, and replaced with the updated Luciano flyers, the original Freddie McGregor flyers were still being circulated by the masses up until the day.

“For those patrons who have purchased pre-paid tickets, please note that we are willing to offer a full refund should they no longer wish to attend the event,” said Terence Wal-

len, director of social responsibility at Impact Solutions Group, on behalf of Jamaica Independence Village Committee (JIVC) in response to the announcement that Luciano would not be performing. “The same principle will apply for all stall holders attending.”

The appointing of Luciano as headline act for the event came as a surprise to many, especially following his recent appearance at Reggae Culturefest 2016 on Stratford Road in Birmingham, which was sadly very poorly attended.

Despite the headline act dropping out and all other acts being moved up a slot on the bill, moving I Am Malakhi to headliner, the crowds being charged on the door were still being charged full price for entry.

Surely without the headline act, there could have, and indeed should have been a discount for entry to the park, as a show of good will to the communities in attendance?

This type of situation is no good for the promotors, and more importantly for the artist. When an artist does not show for an event, the credibility of that artist is put into question.

It has been rumoured that Freddie McGregor respectfully declined the headline position due to a dispute over pay before Luciano was then

advertised as the headline act.

This should not be allowed to happen to any credible artist out there, in particular, Freddie McGregor, who headlined the Jamaica In The Square festivities back in 2012, when the turnout was phenomenal.

Festivals like Simmer Down have for years put on a brilliant show without issues with headline acts dropping out or changing at the last minute, and the recent Shard Fest, despite a lower than anticipated attendance, brought a whole host of national and international artists to the city.

Since Luciano’s no show, his management has released an apology from the star, “I extend my sincerest apologies to the event organizers and especially the fans, who wanted to see me last Saturday and Sunday in the UK,” the singer said “I really wanted to be with you, my absence was for reasons outside of my control,” continued the artiste born Jepther McClymont.

Sadly this is an occurrence that keeps repeating itself at these kind of events up and down the country, time and time again, and whether the truth is being spoken by all parties or not, every time it is a disservice and disrespect to the fans that wanted to see the artists involved.

ENTERTAINMENT

Page 26

FASHION

The Phoenix – September 2016

www.streetcredmagazine.com

Record number of entrants for Midlands Fashion Awards 2016

M

idlands Fashion Awards (MFA) 2016 have announced a record number of entrants to this year’s Awards with entrants coming from as far afield as Italy, New York, Poland, India and more close to home from Birmingham, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire and more around the region.

Whittled down from hundreds of hopefuls, the finalists have been announced and will be taking to the stage at the glittering catwalk event, which is to be held at the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, CBSO Centre - Friday October 7.

Encompassing the very best creative talent in the region with categories being hotly

contested including ‘Independent Designer of the Year,’ ‘Emerging Designer of the Year’ and ‘Make-Up Artist of the Year’ amongst others.

The Awards offer an unrivalled platform for current and emerging creatives to showcase their talents, both to consumers, as well as, crucially, buyers and industry big-wigs from the fashion industry who use the event to scout for the most exciting design talent of the future.

MFA Founder, Jenny Eason, said; “We’ve seen so many previous winners go on to develop their own careers, and we’re proud to have been a starting point for them. We’re giving creatives a chance to excel in their field as well as on their home turf.”

What started out as a one-off fashion show has developed into the biggest and best celebration of the Midlands’ fashion design creatives which has helped to raise the national and international profile of fashion and creative talent in the region.

Artist shines bright with new Jewellery collection

L

Not only does it serve as a ceremony to recognise these talents, it also provides a rich hubbub of creative networking with an added splash of entertainment in the form of live performances, with the Voice 2015 finalist Sasha Simone performing at this year’s event.

Finalists will be judged by a panel of industry professionals including Jenny Eason, Founder/Director of the Midlands Fashion Awards and Debra Hepburn, Managing Director at Rees, Bradbury, Hepburn (RBH) and co-founders of Young British Designers are amongst this year’s official panellists.

Those crowned as the winner in their category will not only be exposed to vital coverage and press columns, but will be eligible for free membership with the Fashion Central Network, with a listing In their Creative Directory, a photoshoot featuring selected pieces from the designer’s collection or body of work, as well as a congratulatory trophy.

ondon-based Chinese artist, Isabella Liu has revealed her new ‘Sea Rhymes’ collection, set to debut at this year’s International Jewellery London in September.

Winning three gold and two silver awards at the Goldsmith’s Craftsmanship and Design Competition, Isabella continues to create wearable concept jewellery, this time inspired by the natural flow and the sounds of the ocean.

Isabella says that she is inspired by the sea, and says that it reflects something of her own nature that many women will find reflects them.

The sea is calm yet powerful,

fluid yet unmoveable, and is something wonderful to behold--much like Isabella’s new designs.

‘I can’t swim,’ Isabella says. ‘I have never been able to swim, so perhaps that is why I revere the ocean: it whispers when it moves, it seems to breathe, and though it is mighty and vast there is something natural and gentle about its embrace when you step into it.’

The ‘Sea Rhymes’ collection comes after a period of reflection and learning for Isabella, who has plumbed the possibilities of using computer-aided design and 3D printing to bring this collection into being.

l Gold & Silver Rings

l Double Earring in Gold

l Silver Drop Earring in Black Rhodium with Black Hair Quartz

l Sea Rhymes Gold Set Jewellery

The Phoenix – September 2016

www.streetcredmagazine.com

My

y a D g n i d d e W geria Special Ni

Page 27

MY WEDDING DAY

Page 28

MY WEDDING DAY

The Phoenix – September 2016

www.streetcredmagazine.com

My

n i d d e W Chirst

A

windswept but dry day at the White Hart Inn in Alfreton, saw friends and family gather from near and far to join in Christian Geiregger and Janna Birt’s special day, that would see the happy couple arrive as two, but leave as one.

As a calm and relaxed groom, matched only by his soon to be bride, stood at the front of the room under strict instructions not to turn around, a quiet hush fell over the the room full of their nearest and

dearest, as Janna was walked down the aisle by her father Geoff, to take her place next to her husband-to-be, looking absolutely stunning in her dress.

After a beautiful ceremony in a room delicately dressed for the occasion, with no tears from the two at the centre of stage, but a fair few from the first few rows, (I’m looking at you, groomsmen!), the happy couple led everyone outside to mingle and bask in the sun as it ventured out from between the clouds.

Following some rather blustery, but thankfully dry photo sessions in front of a beautiful backdrop, and a main and secondary confetti throw, everyone was ushered inside to take their places for the official arrival of the new Mr and Mrs Geiregger.

After a delicious three course meal, glasses were filled and the speeches began. From best man Loz’s laundry list of ‘dirt’ on Christian, and fatherof-the-bride Geoff’s subtle warning of a bullet with the groom’s name on it, to a touching tribute from the groom firstly to his sister, Heidi, and then in German to his extended family who

The Phoenix – September 2016

www.streetcredmagazine.com

y a D ng Janna

tian &

had made the trip over for the wedding, the speeches went down tremendously.

The couple took their first dance to Ed Sheeran’s “Thinking Out Loud,” before the bride and her father shared a moment to their song - “You’ve Got A Friend In Me”.

The evening continued with a Hog Roast, which went down a treat, especially with the guests who had only a couple of hours earlier wolfed down a three course meal!

With some brilliant song choices, the DJ had everyone up on the dance floor at one point or another, whether it was coordinated dancing to “Saturday Night” or “Macarena” or air guitar to the solo in Queen’s “Don’t Stop Me Now”, before rounding off the night with Take That’s “Never Forget”, with the bridge and groom surrounded by the remaining few still standing dancing their way in and out, in what was a lovely finish to a day that was beautifully thought out from beginning to end.

All in all the day went wonderfully, from the venue, to the weather and to the company, a great day was had by all, especially the happy couple. Please

join me in a toast to the newlyweds - Here’s to the new Mr and Mrs Geiregger!

Christian and Janna would like to send a message to everyone involved in their big day. “We had an amazing day; it went better than we could have ever imagined. The venue and staff at the White Hart Inn were flawless and everybody had a fab time. We want to thank all the family and friends who made it possible and were a part of our special day.”

Page 29

MY WEDDING DAY

Page 30

CAMARA’S SPOTLIGHT

The Phoenix – September 2016

www.streetcredmagazine.com

I WILL TELL INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

I

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.

n this months’ Spotlight I will cover Jenny Lee and I Will Tell International Film Festival.

I recently had the privilege to meet a woman with such calm strength and serenity. I knew upon first meeting her, she was a woman filled with wisdom and great courage.

Jenny Lee began to nurture a calling to run a film festival and so took a mission trip to Mozambique where she would take her new camera to try out her filmmaking skills.

On arrival, Jenny found herself heart broken for a large number of the children but was moved at how they were filled with so much joy.

Jenny decided to film a young girl who followed her around the village, her name is Anel.

She bravely told of her dreams to find a good husband, travel the stories of those who would the world and help other people otherwise not have a voice, givbut her dreams were quickly ing them the opportunity to be shot down when a young man right at the centre of their own pointed out that she needed an narratives.

Jenny decided to challenge the education and girls in their village past a certain age were not allowed to go to school.

Anel was initially deflated but then lifted her head and said Ndinadzawapanga mschool. The translation was I Will Tell everyone I know about the power of an education.

When Jenny returned to London she watched the film Bullet Boy, starring Ashley Walters, which told the story of young black men on a violent estate in London.

The film could have been l Jenny Lee about young men of any colour in any region and the industry, she birthed I Will Tell pain of witnessing it galvan- International.

Running for 10 years, the festized in her mind that the film festival would be about telling ival now screens over 20 films from around the world, all fol-

To Advertise

lowed by post-screening discussions with the directors, other filmmakers and high profile community leaders.

This year’s discussion panels will boast a number of international filmmakers and speakers as well as local community leaders.

What are some of your greatest memories with IWT International?

There are quite a few of them. For me the greatest moments were actually in some of the little things that happened. So in no particular order: I remember staying up until 2 in the morning folding leaflets with a friend the very first year. In fact we took turns falling asleep on each other.

When we got clothes sponsorship it was amazing. I approached my favourite store, of course, and was amazed that they said yes.

So the ladies on the team and I went down to their flagship store.

There was one collection which we were not allowed to have, which was fine with us, as it was all beads and sequins.

Apart from that we could go through the entire store, choose a few pieces of whatever we wanted and not even have to look at the price tag.

In the end it was not really about the clothes, it was about the experi-

ence of walking into a store and not caring about the price tag, just about whether you liked it or not. Everyone should have that experience.

What is your vision for IWT International?

The festival will provide the premier space internationally for showcasing films about the black community and other under-represented groups around the world, maintaining our 3 Cs: Celebrating. Critiquing and Connecting.

We will grow our wide network of supporters and festival goers from every walk of life and keep our unique inspirational touch of always having a post-screening discussion with the filmmakers and subject matter experts after every screening.

We will continue to attract films and speakers of the highest calibre and grow a wide network of organisations affiliated to the work we do, with a fully efficient and strong team of committed board members, staff and volunteers to serve.

Most of all, anyone who attends an I Will Tell screening will have their lives changed for the better and a renewed understanding of the practical application of the love of God.

What people have been getting for the past 10 years: A deeper appreciation of films focussed on the Black Community and other under-represented groups around the world and a sense of celebration of these people groups for who they truly are.

Also, for people to have a greater understanding of important personal, local and global issues and the role that we can play collectively and as individuals, a renewed sense of the love of God in its practical application to the things that affect our lives and, from witnessing other people tell their own stories, more wisdom and empowerment to find and follow their purpose on earth.

I also want them to be inspired to take on a more active role in making the festival bigger and better each year. We Are I Will Tell.

Are there any special people that you would like to mention or thank?

Over the past 10 years there have been so many people who have contributed, helped and supported in a myriad of different ways: my family for supporting me throughout in more ways than I can count, our Board members and Trustees, our amazing Volunteers, the Filmmakers and Distributors who have worked with us from

around the world, our speakers who have come from all walks of life, those who kindly donated their personal funds to help us, the Malawi interpreter who helped us on my first trip to Mozambique and of course the lovely Anel from Mozambique who shared her heart and kick-started me on this journey.

Jenny, you certainly are an inspiring woman. Keep shining your light!

Aside from the screenings, there will be; food, games, discussions, live performances and more!

The festival takes place at the Empire cinema, Walthamstow London E17 from Tuesday 30th August to Friday 09th September, with a weekend gala from Friday 2nd – Sunday 4th September at ELIM Leytonstone London Please go online to find out more about the Festival: www.iwilltell.com/films Twitter: iwilltell Facebook: IWillTellFamily Instagram:IWillTellFilmFestival Email: info@iwilltell.com

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

Camara (aka mizzcamara for websearch)

What would you like people attending these events to take away with them?

0121 339 5885 or 0208 865 1922

The Phoenix – September 2016

www.streetcredmagazine.com

Page 31

ENTERTAINMENT

‘Our clients are our kings.

This is their shop and I just happen to run it for them’

The Rise of the Barber

W

h e t h e r you’re a s c o u n drel, or a gentleman, or anything in between, one of the UK’s leading barbers has opened its biggest store yet in Birmingham Bullring’s Link Street.

Opening on the 28th August, The Phoenix Newspaper caught up with Johnny ‘The Baba’ Shanahan, the Limerick born and raised entrepreneur who has worked his way up from sweeping the floor in a local barbershop when he was 11, to a self-made millionaire and one of the world’s leading barbers.

Johnny, the tattooed, straight talking Irish barber who was dressed to the nines was beaming as he came over, and the passion for what he does was evident from the get go. “Birmingham is brilliant. You don’t hear about how cool it is, how big it is, how busy it is, and how great the people are!” enthused Johnny as he looked over the already full store. But it has been a long road for Johnny, starting back in his hometown at a young age.

“I was never much cop at school, but I loved going to the local barber shop every weekend with my Grandad.

It was that atmosphere that I fell in love with first and foremost. Barbershops were

never cool, but they were cool to me.”

After dropping out of school at 14, Johnny became an apprentice, and eventually qualified as a barber who was “only cutting hair off”. “I always thought that there had to be more to being a barber than that,” mused Johnny, “I started reading about things, following fashion magazines and all that stuff.

Then I came across this gentleman, Dale Ted Watkins,

It was great for what I could afford at the time, and it was a very special place. People would wait for hours just to get a haircut. I have guys come and work with me that saw what I saw, but it still wasn’t enough for me.

There has to be more.”

That is where his friend and business partner Morgan Leahy came in. “Morgan was one of my long term customers, and was always fascinated by how I talked about hair, about how

he more or less invented the male specific haircut.

He became my hero, and I followed him very closely, well as closely as I could in those days as there was no internet!”

As he gained more experience, he had an epiphany.

“I started pushing it a little bit, and at 22 I figured out it’s less about what you’re cutting off, and it’s more about what you leave on the head that counts.” After building up a loyal clientele, he opened up his first shop at 23 in Limerick.

“It was a lovely little shop,

the barbershop was a mens environment, and he said to me one day when I was about 31 or 32, that I needed to be somewhere else, I needed to be in the UK.” Now Johnny didn’t take to the idea, and only after Morgan pushed and pushed, he eventually relented and went to Manchester to have a look. “We had a good life, good house, good school, good holidays, but I wanted more. Not more in a financial sense, but I wanted to be challenged. We agreed I’d commute back and forth but within 3 months

everything went bananas!” exclaimed Johnny.

With queues round the block, it seemed Morgan was right, and with shops open in Manchester, Leeds, London and Liverpool, with many more planned, BarberBarber has set its sights even further afield.

“The plan is to be the biggest brand in the world, and I don’t think that’s too far off. I work really hard, we’ve got a great team around us and amazing customers who keep the door swinging every day.”

The future is bold and brilliant for BarberBarber, with its own school opening in Liverpool, where it is going to train all of its own staff, and retrain other staff to do it the BarberBarber way.

If you need any further enticing to come down to BarberBarber in the Bullring, Johnny put it better than anyone could. “We treat everyone with the utmost respect no matter what walk of life you’re from.

Whether you’re top of the chain or bottom of the pile it doesn’t matter. Once you’ve got the price of a haircut, you’re a VIP, that’s it.”

“People will forget how you made them look, but they’ll never forget how you made them feel. That’s why we do what we do. Come down give us a try, you won’t regret it.”

Page 32

HEALTH AND WELLBEING

Brave friend conquers death-defying wingwalk

T

he caring friend of a patient at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham completed a daring wingwalk to buy special equipment for patients on the neurosurgical wards at the hospital.

Nicci, friend of patient Liam Carbery, took part in a wing-walk on 13 August in aid of QEHB Charity. Liam has a condition called dystonia, which causes a range of symptoms including spasms and contractions.

Nicci said: “I decided to raise money for QEHB Charity’s neurosurgical fund to

help staff find better ways of treating patients with this condition, and others like it.

“I also wanted to raise money to help buy specialist equipment for patients on the neurosurgical wards at the hospital, including a bladder scanner and rehabilitation games.”

Justine Davy, Head of Fundraising at QEHB Charity, said: “We’re really grateful to Nicci for deciding to raise money for QEHB Charity, and we would like to commend her for her extreme bravery in choosing the wing-walk as her challenge!”

The Phoenix – September 2016

Support Column

Spot the signs of a Gynaecological Health Problem

by Neelam Heera

B l Nicci, right, with QEHB patient Liam Carbery

TUESDAYS Birmingham The BCA Jenkins Street Small Heath 7.30pm Contact Rose 07482300587

eing a women isn’t easy at the best of times. But it’s even harder when your body is going through changes that you don’t expect.

Gynaecological issues have been on the rise in the United Kingdom and most women don’t know the warning signs especially because the symptoms can also be unrelated to the reproductive organs.

So here are a few points for you to look out for and if you are ever in doubt please do go and see a specialist.

1. Irregular periods. Whilst this can be slightly embarrassing topic to speak about, skipping your period frequently can be a sign to see your gynaecologist.

Whilst it could be linked to weight gain, eating disorders, breastfeed or stress, it can also be linked with other conditional such as PCOS, Menopause or other hormonal imbalances.

2. Irregular Bleeding – If you notice spotting or slight bleeding that’s not associated with your period or ovulation – See a gynaecologist right away.

Irregular bleeding can indicate an injury to the uterine lining, inflammation of the cervix, uterine polyp’s fibroids, infection of the pelvic organs or cervical cancer.

3. Vaginal Discharge. It is common to have discharge from clear to a milky white colour between your menstrual cycles as it is your body’s natural process of cleaning out the cervix.

If there any changes from this usual discharge it could be a sign of a yeast infections, sexual transmitted disease, side effects of birth control pills, cervical cancer or menopause.

4. Heavy Periods – Menstrual bleeding is considered heavy when you change your sanitary

pad more than every 2 hours.

Heavy bleeding can indicate a hormonal imbalance, fibroids, polyps, pelvic inflammatory disease or endometriosis.

5. Hot flushes – Usually from the age of 40 onwards (but this can happen to younger women) it can be a sign of menopause.

Other accompanying signs can include irregular periods, vaginal dryness, mood swings and sleep disturbances.

6. Painful Intercourse – this can vary between physical problems, gynaecological or psychological. It is always biter to be sure to go to speak to a specialist.

7. Pelvic Pain – common causes of pelvic pain can range from ovarian cysts, endometriosis, and uterine fibroids.

But this can also be a problem with the organs located in the reproductive area such as the ovaries, fallopian tubes, cervix, vagina or rectum.

8. Chronic Bloating – it’s usual to experience bloating prior to menstruation.

However when the bloating is chronic and doesn’t go away it can be a sign of a more serious problem.

Ovarian cysts can cause bloating, painful periods and pain during intercourse.

Ovarian Cysts can recover in its own time however it others it may have to be surgically removed.

Constant pelvic pain and bloating can also be a sign of ovarian cancer.

Whilst these are very generic signs of poor gynae health, we would advise you to speak to your doctor further about any issues that you are concerned about.

Feel free to contact us for confidential, non-judgmental support. www.cysters.co.uk Twitter: @cystersbham Facebook: Cysters Birmingham

The Phoenix – September 2016

Page 33

HEALTH AND WELLBEING

Herbal alternative to HRT highlighted

by NIMH

T

he National Institute of Medical Herbalists (NIMH) has drawn attention to a herbal alternative to Hormone Replacement Therapy Between about 40 and 52 years of age most women will experience the menopause. During the menopause ovarian hormone levels decline, leading to a variety of physical and emotional symptoms.

These include not just the better known hot flushes but also loss of confidence, nervousness and mood swings. Symptoms can precede the cessation of a regular period, often presenting as a marked increase in pre-menstrual symptoms.

Increasingly women are understanding more about HRT and its potential side-effects, and many prefer to use natural therapies at this time.

Herbs can provide a gentle and effective approach to the menopause, supporting the hormonal and nervous systems. Many medicinal herbs and foods contain ‘phyto-oestrogens’ which can be used to enhance the body’s hormonal status.

These phyto oestrogens provide the body with their starting point for manufacturing its own hormones, helping to balance fluctuating hormonal levels.

The herbs employed by medical herbalists when working with individual patients help to maintain a healthy hormonal system.

Firefighters offering Safe and Well checks to Meals customers

F

Meningitis vaccinnation call for young

Y

l Tony Bucknall, Watch Commander based at Wolverhampton Fire Station, promoting the Safe and Well checks offered by West Midlands Fire Service. irefighters are working with the City of Wolverhampton Council's Meals on Wheels service to offer safety and wellbeing checks to customers.

Operational firefighters from West Midlands Fire Service carry out Safe and Well visits to vulnerable people around Wolverhampton, and have written to all Meals on Wheels customers inviting them to have a free check.

During the checks, firefighters

B

lood Cancer Awareness Month marks the return of the 'Just One More' campaign where the Cure Leukaemia team encourages all their supporters to help them raise £40,000 throughout the month of September.

The campaign focuses on how donations of just £1 from many people can make a significant difference and in 2015 the campaign raised £40,000 enough to fund a specialist research nurse for year.

“This September we are hoping to repeat (and hopefully beat!) this figure with a number of our supporters already planning events throughout the month.”

So what have some fundraisers already got planned?

• 30 members of staff from The Binding Site will take on the Wolf Run - a hardcore 10k run across raw natural terrain, including open ground, woodland, lakes & thick mud!

• Brewin Dolphin will be holding their annual football tournament at Star City in Birmingham.

• Worcester Warriors have chosen to support Cure Leukaemia for the day in their home match vs Gloucestershire.

• 11 fundraisers will take to they sky as they fall 10,000ft in a group skydive!

• Leukaemia survivor Adam Joyce leads a team of 50 firefighters and air ambulance staff as they aim to run for 50 consecutive hours in a human hamster wheel at Brindleyplace Birmingham!

talk to residents about fire safety in the home, ensure smoke alarms are working and correctly positioned and fit free smoke alarms if necessary – as well as issues and topics, including health and wellbeing, mobility and falls, mental health, loneliness and social isolation, road safety and home security.

Group Commander David Baker of West Midlands Fire Service said: “The links we have forged with the Meals on Wheels service

will help us reach many of our more vulnerable residents and to share safety advice with them.”

Councillor Sandra Samuels OBE, the City of Wolverhampton Council's Cabinet Member for Adult Services, said: "We are pleased to be supporting West Midlands Fire Service to offer these important Safe and Well checks to our Meals on Wheels customers.

The Safe and Well checks are having a hugely positive impact

on people's personal safety. They not only cover the physical risks of fire in a home, but also consider health, social and lifestyle factors, all of which can have an affect someone's ability to live independently for longer in their own home.”

The Meals on Wheels service is open to everyone and provides customers with hot meals and afternoon teas, as well as frozen meals they can cook in their own time.

Cure Leukaemia set for biggest month of fundraising • They are inviting companies and their staff from ALL over the country to take part in our 'Wear it Red Day' - whether it's a red tie, a red pair of shoes or red lipstick, simply wear something red and donate £1!

• And throughout the month of September, luxury hotels Malmaison and Hotel du Vin will hold various initiatives to help

raise even more funds for Cure Leukaemia.

That's just a taste of what is planned throughout the month to raise £40,000.

Anyone can request one of their NEW fundraising packs, by emailing: beinspired@cureleukaemia.co.uk

oung people are the target of a new call by health chiefs, urging them to get vaccinated against meningitis and septicaemia.

Those going to college or university this autumn are especially at risk, because of mixing with so many other students, some of whom may unknowingly be carrying the bacteria.

MenW cases have been increasing year-on-year from 22 cases in 2009 to nearly 200 cases in the last 12 months, which for one of the most aggressive and deadly strains, is a worrying trend.

Meningitis is an infection of the protective membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord.

Teenagers aged 17 and 18 will be invited by their GP to have the vaccination to protect against inflammation of the brain and blood poisoning caused by four meningococcal strains.

Councillor Paul Sweet, the City of Wolverhampton Council’s Cabinet Member for Public Health and Wellbeing, said: “Meningitis is a distressing disease and it can be fatal, while survivors are often left with severe disabilities as a result of the infection.

“I’d urge all those who are eligible to make sure they are vaccinated as soon as possible.

“It’s also vitally important that young people planning to go to university this year get vaccinated prior to starting. Students are at increased risk of getting meningococcal disease, as many of them will be mixing closely with lots of new people at university, some of whom may unknowingly carry the meningococcal bacteria.”

Dr Ash Banerjee, Screening and Immunisation lead with PHE West Midlands, said: “Since 2009, there has been a rapid increase in cases of Men W across England, with students particularly at risk.”

“Protecting young people from this potentially deadly disease as they embark upon one of the most important periods of their lives is vitally important. The vaccination will save lives and prevent lifelong devastating disability.”

People are also urged to remain alert to the signs and symptoms of meningococcal disease and seek urgent medical attention if there is any concern.

The disease develops rapidly and early symptoms include headache, vomiting, muscle pain and fever with cold hands and feet.

Anyone developing these symptoms should seek urgent medical attention – don’t wait for a rash to develop before acting.

Page 34

WOMEN OF EXCELLENCE

The Phoenix – September 2016

Unveiling the secrets of the Fashion Industry with Clariscia Gill Couture

I

by JD Douglas

t’s not often that I interview somebody for whom I have great admiration but know nothing about.

On the wall I see a picture of the Queen receiving my subject but first let her introduce herself.

“My name is Clariscia Gill. I’m a couturier. I make fashion clothing. A couturier is what I call myself. It’s a bit different in setup to that of a fashion designer but it covers that as well.”

l Clariscia is received by HRM The Queen at Royal Buckingham Palace in acknowledgement of her achievements as an entrepreneur.

You can find me on Pinterest, Facebook, instagram and Twitter.

I guess the easiest one would be Facebook where I have a Clariscia Gill Couture Facebook page and the Clariscia Gill Bridal page.

About half of my business is designing and making wedding dresses. I also have a website www.clarisciagill.com and instagram Clariscia_cg.

In other words, couturier is a posh way of saying a fashion designer?

Not really, they are two very different ways of working. A couturier makes the clothing dealing directly with and for an individual client and you actually get to see the end result on them.

However a fashion designer makes clothing which is purchased by a trade buyer and doesn’t get to see the end user, namely the customer; [the designs] would be bought for a boutique or a department store via the trade buyer.

That’s the closest the fashion designer gets to interact with the end user or customer but I actually get to have an initial and very close rapport with my clients, from the moment they step into my atelier for a one to one consultation.

There is wonderful large photograph of a meeting with Queen Elizabeth of England (Pictured Left). Can you tell us about that particular occasion?

l Clariscia Gill Couture dress auctioned for Gele Tea Party. In support of awareness of Alzheimer’s disease in the black community. Gele by Lara Extravaganza. Makeup by Cheryl Huggins MUA.

Okay, thanks for the clarification. Now first of all can you tell us how you started?

Well it was a process of growth.

The thing that enlightened me was watching my Mum sewing when I was very young, probably about six years old. It was one of my earliest fashion memories.

I remember watching her and I would be sat down beside her copying the movements that she made on my special sewing machine which was an up-turned shoe box!

She would look down and smile at me.

A few weeks later, I remember her buying me a black hand-cranked sewing machine with Singer inscribed on it in gold lettering.

Did you have to learn on the job or did you have to study later?

Yes, I decided early on that it was going to be my career. So from school I had to get into needle work and I enrolled in the Arts and Creative subjects. l Clariscia designs corporate wear - Dogtooth The rest was an easy wool waistcoat top with bias cut pencil skirt. Photo by growth as it helped to Bernhardt von Spreckelsen

have a needlework teacher, Mr Ron Leah, who also worked at The London College of Fashion as a tailor.

He felt that I had a set of skills that should be developed further and encouraged me to apply for and gain a place at the Fashion School he worked at. He was a really great encouragement to me.

So what was your first job in the industry?

My first job was as an apprentice, as a couture seamstress. It was quite a fascinating job, I worked for a company that made couture clothing for the film, TV and theatrical industry; so I made clothing for TV. I can remember helping make a yellow leather suit for the Benny Hill Show and also one of my first ever jobs was as a junior hand helping out on a major feature film.

I was quite excited to be asked to sew some crystals and do the finishing on a cape being made for Christopher Reeve who played Superman in the first ever Superman film.

Now you have got your own company, can you tell us the name of your company?

I run my own company and the name is Clariscia Gill Couture.

How do your clients find you?

You can contact me via my social media which is pretty much the way to go now. I’m a bit of a Social Media Queen. I’m on just about everything.

Well that was something that came out of the blue. I was not expecting it at all. I was so surprised to the point where I initially thought it was someone pulling my leg. I didn’t know who sent it but, I received an invitation to a Commonwealth reception held at Buckingham Palace.

I was invited as an entrepreneur.

It was quite an experience to be inside the Palace and to meet guests from the High Commissions and the Embassies from all around the Commonwealth.

I met a whole variety of people many of them assumed I had come from one of the Embassies.

The following day I learned I had been invited and approved as one of the four guests from the High Commissioner of Jamaica, the charming and most considerate, Aloun Ndombet-Assamba. It was so kind of her.

the people of the beautiful home Island of my parents.

I saw on Facebook you were surrounded by some young people from a school, could you tell us what that’s all about?

It came about from somebody I know in the fashion business here in the UK who’d moved back to St Lucia and took a job teaching fashion and textiles.

She reached out asking if I had time to speak to her students. Of course, I made time because I think it’s very important to pass on what we learn and share the knowledge as I can’t keep it with me.

When I went to meet the wonderful students, they were so keen, especially to find out how I got

into the business. Some of them wanted to be designers. It was a nice experience for them to see and talk to a person in the industry who looks like them.

If Clariscia Gill had to give some advice to anybody from the business that has encountered any trouble, what would it be?

Don’t be afraid to ask, there is help all around you from those who have experience. Be not afraid but daring don’t be the one to just follow or copy, you have to be brave enough to actually take the plunge. Be the person that people are going to be inspired by for being different … someone’s got to do it…why not you?

I understand that you were in the Caribbean recently, can you tell us why you were there?

I recently had a fantastic work commission, doing my thing displaying my collection at a fashion show; ‘Hot Couture’ which took place on the Island of St Lucia during celebrations for the 25th Anniversary of their Jazz Festival.

It was organized fantastically.

The show’s co-ordinating stylist was the reality TV celebrity Dwight Eubanks from The Housewives of Atlanta.

It was hot – not just the temperature, the show was hot. I was one of a group of designers selected from varied parts of the globe who took part in the event and that was quite an experience to be invited.

It was nice to be working in my home country and being amongst

l Clariscia Gill Bridal, 1950’s wedding dress with lace bolero – 1930’s silver chainmail knit column dress. Hat by Katherine Elizabeth. Photo by Rudy Atwell.

Hair by Allan Henry.

The Phoenix – September 2016

Page 35

WOMEN OF EXCELLENCE

Women of Excellence: The Story of Harriet Khataba l Harriet Khataba

by Dr Neslyn Watson-Druée CBE FRCN FCGI

H

arriet Khataba was born and raised in Kenya, East Africa where she recognized the hardships of an alternative culture from western influences as a child.

Raised in a large family of six children with separated parents, this experience guided her towards a passion for enabling, encouraging and establishing women to speak their truth.

Harriet stands for social justice, promoting equality, eliminating common abuses of women and speaking out to improve cultural differences that happen to women every day in every part of the world.

She is the founder of Her Story Matters which is a global change agent organisation that provide mentoring to women and young girls who are victims of social female injustices.

Harriet unveils women’s firsthand stories through the platform of the media.

At a high level Harriet advocates for the collective power to inform and inspire world leaders to listen to the voices of women.

At the community level Harriet regularly gives women and girls a voice through regular radio and television.

HerStoryMatters.com uses the vehicle of global change agent underpinned with experience in International project management with a laser like focus on girl child welfare, women’s rights and social injustices to women.

Her Story Matters has thousands of female member’s worldwide, members who are stepping out to share their stories of violent crimes such as female genital mutilation, rape and domestic abuse to name a few.

Her Story Matters delivers targeted coaching and mentoring programs focusing on career and personal development, underpinned by uniquely matching women to the right mentors and along with the support of a worldwide community the targeted women can remain plugged into support and development to continue their new journey.

What inspires Harriet to do what she does?

With fire in Harriet’s heart and soul she is driven to raise social

awareness to girls and women so she co-ordinates media campaigns against social injustice and she highlights social injustices.

She is an avid writer, a life coach and inspirational speaker known to empower others to find their purpose and lead with confidence.

Harriet says “Many women have made peace with their past to overcome their hardships and look to Her Story Matters to begin leading fulfilling lives through its empowering training programs.”

What experience has prepared Harriet to do what she does?

Harriet has expertise in business and finance management namely start ups, project management, TV programme production.

In Dr Neslyn’s enlivened conversation with Harriet, she says: “My passion is to aid, influence understanding and to advance awareness of misconceptions which lead to personal suffering over indifference and inequality of women in all cultures, which is not only happening in third world countries.”

“I’m dedicated to speaking for the unheard; this has become interwoven with my path in media, public speaking and mentoring.”

“I never saw this work in my future, I unintentionally became a voice by witnessing first-hand the crimes against women, later seeking to tell the stories for all women.”

“I learned first-hand when I came to London as an immigrant to pursue a passion of being a leader and owning my own busi-

ness.”

“Our community consists of women and young girls who have gone through these injustices. They struggle with their past, lack self-confidence and carry around self-limiting beliefs around their potential.”

“Some are at a crossroads in their career and/or personal life and would like to move forward to pursue their passions, wherever they are in their journey: beginning, middle or end stages of healing.”

The three most important areas in Harriet’s life are: • God • Family • Peace of mind Harriet believes that success for her is about accomplishing what God has assigned her to do. With heart felt conviction she says “Success is inspiring others to find their voice and seeing my mentees or those I coach find themselves and believe in themselves and take steps towards their destinies.”

To those wishing to start out in business, Harriet has this advice; “Do your research so you know exactly what you want to focus on. Follow your gut; your experiences have prepared you for what you are about to venture in.”

“Ask those who have been there before you they have experience and have wisdom that will help you avoid the sane mistakes they made.”

“Learn to collaborate because what you want to achieve is bigger than you so get a mentor -someone who can guide you and give you wise counsel. Finally, believe in yourself when you do you are half way there.”

Sponsored By

Page 36

THE BIRMINGHAM COLOR RUN

O

n a day that looked to threaten a downpour on runners and spectators alike, Birmingham shone in vibrant technicolour around the NEC as they took part in The Color Run presented

by Skittles.

Thousands of bags of coloured powder were thrown over the dancers, runners, walkers, skippers and hoppers that completed the untimed 5km course.

Despite an overcast start to the day, the sun peeked out just in time for the start of the race, heralding explosions of colour from both the outfits worn by the runners and the colour stations alike.

To Advertise

Capital DJ’s kept the runners motivated with live sets from the local DJ’s being blasted out around the course, and in the Finishers Village, where all runners came together for the mass ‘Color Throw’.

Heroing the untimed 5k, The Color Run presented

by Skittles aims to bring together fitness and fun, with the ultimate goal being that participants cross the line with a huge smile on their face.

The Phoenix’s own Steve Williams ran the course this year, and despite being tired out and covered from head to toe in the coloured powder, still managed to say that he enjoyed it!

The Phoenix – September 2016

Andy Knee managing director of mass participation at IMG said: “We're absolutely delighted to be back in Birmingham for the third year running enabling us to spread colour and joy across the city.

The people here are always so enthusiastic, and we've attracted a still bigger and better crowd than in previous events. This year’s runners were livelier, louder and even more colourful than ever before. It’s fantastic to see them taking so much enjoyment from this unique event.”

Held up and down the country, there are still some Color Runs left this summer include London and Brighton.

0121 339 5885 or 0208 865 1922

The Phoenix – September 2016

Page 37

AZUZA STREET

l President Muhammadu Buhari (L) in a handshake with Tte Archbishop of Abuja, John Cardinal Onaiyekan (R) during a meeting of the President with the leadership of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference Of Nigeria

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference Of Nigeria

I

ncorporated in March 15, 1958, the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Nigeria, CBCN, is the organ of unity, communion and solidarity for the millions of Catholics spread across the thirty six states of Nigeria and the Federal Capital Territory.

It’s the forum wherein the collegiality of the Nigerian Catholic bishops, as successors of the Apostles in union with the Pope, is expressed and where the idea of the Church as family is signified.

Through the Conference, the archbishops and bishops of the 54 ecclesiastical jurisdictions, as shepherds of souls in their archdioceses and dioceses, are able to pray together, study together,

and work together; and with one voice, are able to speak and spearhead the teaching, prophetic and pastoral ministry of the Catholic Church in Nigeria.

The Bishops' Conference is headed by an executive body made up of the President, the Vice President, the Secretary, and the Assistant Secretary.

The plenary session of the Conference is held twice a year, for prayer, study and deliberations on important issues concerning the evangelizing mission of the Church in Nigeria, the pastoral care of the faithful, and the promotion of human dignity, human rights, truth, justice, reconciliation, peace and wholesome development in the wider society.

Birmingham Cathedral celebrates Birmingham Heritage Week, 8-18 Sept

A

n exploration of Birmingham Cathedral’s heritage will look at women’s history, Birmingham artists, stained-glass and architecture in a packed week of FREE activities to celebrate the city’s second Birmingham Heritage Week and the national Heritage Open Days.

Heritage Manager Jane McArdle says: “We are delighted to be part of Birmingham’s Her-

itage Week and to celebrate the rich and diverse history of the cathedral.”

On Thursday 7 September, The Very Revd Catherine Ogle, the Dean of Birmingham, will explain the historic background to the celebration of Evensong, part of the cathedral’s daily rhythm of worship.

The Heritage Open Day on Saturday 9 will focus on the magnificent Edward Burne-Jones stained-glass windows with a dra-

matic recreation telling the story of window benefactor Emma Villiers Wilkes, who died 125 ago to the day, on 9 September 1891.

The day will also include tours of the cathedral, meet a stained glass artist, craft activities for all the family, and the ever popular Moseley Arts Market in the Square.

Graduate artists from in:site by ‘Craftspace Touring’ will be in the churchyard all week creating work inspired by the heritage of

Birmingham Cathedral: illustration, jewellery making, wirework, textile and ceramic will be just some of the techniques on display.

Tours throughout the week led by staff and volunteers will highlight what they find most fascinating about the cathedral and on the 17 September an Architectural Guided Tour of the cathedral by Dr Terry Slater provides a detailed view of the Baroque gem in the heart of the city (FULLY BOOKED).

In 1914 the cathedral was subject to suffragette protest. A talk on the Suffragette movement in Birmingham by Nicola Gauld will look at this, as well as accounts of the wider suffrage movement within the city.

Some events require booking. Check website for details: www.birminghamcathedral.com

Muslim Scholar Dies at 103

T

he funeral of Britain’s oldest Muslim scholar Shaykh Abdul Qayyum took place after his death, at age 103.

The Imam of Makki Masjid in Handsworth, Birmingham, died at Walsall Manor Hospital, with his funeral held at Birmingham Central Mosque.

The father of six was a key fixture in the Muslim community for over 25 years and worked with the Mosque in areas such as community integration and crime prevention.

“As Muslims we need to make communities not break. Our religion should speak volumes

To Advertise

through our behaviour and tolerance to all,” he once said.

Hafiz Amjad, secretary of the Makki Masjid, praised the late figure saying, “It is not only Makki Masjid which was mourning, it was the entire world who lost one of its last hidden gems. We thank him for all of his efforts.”

Shaykh Muhammad Ahshraf, the chairman of Makki Masjid also stated, “We cannot thank him enough for his contribution to our community. He was simply irreplaceable and our mosque is his legacy.”

Shaykh Abdul Qayyum leaves behind his wife, four sons and two daughters.

0121 339 5885 or 0208 865 1922

Page 40

PROPERTY AND REAL ESTATE

The Phoenix – September 2016

New tenants thriving as pilot scheme delivers council homes

T

he first tenants have moved into homes built as part of a £1.7 million City of Wolverhampton Council pilot project to deliver newbuild council housing on four small derelict sites across the city.

The works were carried out by the council’s Strategic Construction Partnership (SCP) contractors, - Wates Living Space and United Living – who have delivered 12 homes at Redcotts Close, Fallings Park; Hughes Road, Bilston North; Welbury Gardens, St Peter’s; and Sunset Place, Spring Vale.

Tenants are now occupying Wates Living Space’s seven two-bedroom, four-person houses at Hughes Road, Redcotts Close and Welbury Gardens; and United Living’s five wheelchair compliant bungalows – appropriate for people with limited mobility - at Sunset Place.

Councillor Peter Bilson, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for City Housing and Assets, said: “This scheme is helping smarten

up neighbourhoods in the city while providing affordable housing to residents in housing need, and for vulnerable people.

It has proved to be an effective way to deliver new homes and, crucially, increases the city’s housing stock when it needs it most.”

New Sunset Place tenant Angie Russell, aged 50, has moved into one of the wheelchair compliant bungalows with her husband Neil, 43, and said: “The house is fantastic. Before moving here I was effectively living out of two rooms. Sunset Place has changed my life and given me so much independence.”

Safeen Rashad, aged 32, has moved into a new property at Welbury Gardens with his wife Sazan Ameen, 25, and two children, Wareen Khalid, 4, and Yareen Khalid, 4 months. He said: “We are very happy in our new home.

We were previously living in a flat and this has made a big difference to our children and our family life.”

The success of the pilot scheme

l Richard Snook, PwC

l Councillor Peter Bilson hands over the key to new tenants Sazan Ameen, Safeen Rashad and their children Wareen

and Yareen Khalid, with Wates Living Space Construction Manager Stephen Tracey (left) and Wolverhampton Homes Chair Sue Roberts MBE (right) looking on.

triggered a decision by the council in December to invest a further £3 million in building another 20 homes on infill sites.

Sites at Harrowby Road, Bushbury North; Lord Street, Bilston North; Brooklands Parade, East Park; and Clare Crescent, Spring Vale, have been selected, with work due to begin later this year.

The scheme is monitored through a joint-project team from City of Wolverhampton Council

and Wolverhampton Homes, to ensure the new council homes are built to a high standard.

Richard Baker, Business Unit Director (West Midlands) for United Living, added: “The most rewarding part of any new build contract is being able to see the first residents finally move into their properties. While this marks the full completion of the project for United Living, it is only the beginning for people like Angie and

Neil whose day-to-day lives will be enhanced with the facilities and adaptions within their bungalow.”

Stewart Reid, Wates Living Space Business Director, said: “This important work has not only fulfilled our client’s ambitions to enhance the housing provision for vulnerable people but has done so while bringing a positive benefit to the city’s economy through our ongoing engagement with local supply chain partners.”

Abbey Lincoln Cheaper mortgages and rise in first-time buyers ‘great news for property market’

A

number of factors - including cheaper mortgages, a rise in firsttime buyers and more choice - have combined to create a positive outlook for the property market.

The Bank of England’s recent decision to lower the base rate to 0.25 per cent has encouraged eight of the UK’s ten largest mortgage lenders to lower their standard variable rates, while figures from the Council of Mortgage Lenders show 68,200 loans were taken out by first-time buyers in June, an increase of 26 per cent on May and eight per cent on June 2015.

A rise in supply is also helping buyers, with Rightmove reporting the average estate agents had 61 properties for sale on its books in July, up from 60 in June and 59 in May. Kevin Shaw, national sales director at property specialist Leaders, says there has been a notable uplift in the property market in re-

cent weeks, with many buyers and sellers enjoying a renewed sense of confidence following the result of the EU referendum.

“A reduction in mortgage rates and more loans for first-time buyers is great news that will help to get Britain moving,” Kevin explains.

“It is clear that people are using the summer as an opportunity to make their next move. With Rightmove figures showing a rise in available stock and our own statistics revealing an increase in the number of new properties brought to the market, buyers are benefiting from more choice.”

“While the precise impact of Brexit is still unknown, it has not yet had an effect and it is business as usual for the property market.

After all, people still need to take their next step, find a home for their family or buy for the first time, so we expect activity to remain strong.”

Housing market future slowdown likely

C

ommenting on the UK House Price Index, Richard Snook, senior economist, PwC, said: “Today’s data from the ONS showed steady growth in house prices of 8.7% in June compared to a year ago. This is a slight acceleration from the 8.1% recorded in May, and takes the average price of a UK home to £213,927.

“These figures only capture one week of market activity after the vote to leave the EU on 23 June, so it is too early to draw any firm conclusions from this set of data.

“Nevertheless, we expect that the vote to leave the EU will have a significant impact on the housing market. In our main scenario, average UK house property growth will decelerate to around 3% this year and around 1% in 2017. Cumulatively, our estimates suggest average UK house prices in 2018 could be 8% lower than if the UK had voted to stay in the EU. “Looking at the regional figures, London, the South East and the East of England remain the strongest performers, with double-digit annual growth rates recorded in June. The North East of England is experiencing the weakest performance in the UK, with annual house price growth of just 1.5%.”

The Phoenix – September 2016

Page 39

COMMUNITY NOTICE BOARD

Obituaries rade Conference Commonwealth:h ExTplo nities” ring export opportu

alt “Today’s Commonwe

Sam King

O

n the 50th year of its thriving success, cofounder of the Notting Hill Carnival, Sam King MBE, died in June, having been unwell in recent months.

The Jamaican immigrant, a war veteran who became the first Black Mayor of Southwark in London, passed away with his family around him.

Mr. King, who sailed to the UK on the Empire Windrush in 1948, was also noted as being a driving force behind Britain's first Black newspaper, the West Indian Gazette, He was elected as Mayor in 1983.

Born in 1926, Sam King first came to Britain after volunteering for the Royal Air Force as an engineer in 1944, after spotting an advert in the local paper.

He died with his family by his side. He was 90-years-old.

Have you w Why not n itnessed exceptiona ominate th l at individ performance in you ual for the r work pla ce?

Sig It 10th Febru could even be you! nature Awards 201 7 ary 2017 - Edg S Book your ecure the best seats baston Stadium tick in www.theetssearly for the prestthigeiohuosuasew ignaturea ards nigh t wa

rds.co.uk

al structure, 2.1 on language and leg 53 countries, a comm -15% on trading saving of between 10 billion people, a cost nference is designed h countries, this co with Commonwealt g opportunities admap to optimisin to give business a ro e economic case for wealth. Certainly th on mm Co e th in th wi Commonwealth is ationship with the rel r ou ing en gth en str ult.

EU referendum res clear in light of the airman of the e: Sir John Peace, Ch lud inc rs ke ea sp Keynote Plc and Burberry andard Char tered Midlands Engine, St h Enterprise & rland, Commonwealt Group Plc, Lord Ma Mills & Reeves Law ; Peter McLintock, Investment Council mingham Airpor t and Paul Kehoe, Bir Firm, Birmingham among others rough Eventbrite 00 are available th 5. £2 at d ice pr ts Ticke

- 9am-4pm 18th October 2016

Family craft activity: Wax and Ink Portraits

on Hall’s Take inspiration from Ast ion and historic paintings collect ate bold and become artists as you cre and ink. wax g usin ts trai por colourful n 11am - 3pm.

26 Oct - Drop-in betwee

you’ve paid £1.00 per child or free if must be n dre chil l, Hal the t to visi . ied accompan

Shaykh Abdul Qayyum

T

he funeral of Britain’s oldest Muslim scholar Shaykh Abdul Qayyum took place after his death, at age 103.

The Imam of Makki Masjid in Handsworth, Birmingham, died at Walsall Manor Hospital, with his funeral held at Birmingham Central Mosque.

Gene Wilder

H

e was the star of classics like ‘Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory,’ ‘Stir Crazy,’ ‘Blazing Saddles,’ ‘Young Frankenstein’ and more in a long, laugh-a-minute career before passed away from complications caused by his long-standing Alzeimer's disease, according to his agent.

The actor Gene Wilder kept his condition secret because he didn't want to force children -- who still called out "there's Willy Wonka" -- to ask questions about the illness.

He was 83.

g Weddin Fayre

, - Unique Martinique neé - Ren 10, Zia Re rs ai rte -K po i Re Ka g Mini Rovin a and R’kai haeya - Styla Chyn Marchay - Chay, As

ad, Aston Moochie B’s, Lozells Ro

presented with y made waffles were ces and whipped The wonderful freshl nutella chocolate sau d an ilk ,m ite wh recommend for strawberries, ochie B’s. We would Mo to p tri r ou ed , for cream. We lov a BIG 10 out of 10 we rate Moochie B’s it! vis people to come here, to od place and all around a go politeness tastiness

ber th Octo Date: 9 all hbury H ig H : n Locatio 15:00 1:00 1 : e im T ission ee adm Cost: Fr

If you’ve got an event, notice or information that you’d like to advertise on our community notice board, get in touch with us on:

0121 339 5885

Page 36

OVERSEAS NEWS Emirates makes changes to A380 Birmingham schedule

Global Travel Experts Lining Up For Chief Conference In Puerto Rico

E

mirates has announced plans to swap its current A380 service at Birmingham from a morning to afternoon departure slot, in order to offer customers even more connections beyond Dubai to other Emirates A380 destinations.

As of 1 January 2017, the A380 will operate flights EK37/38 instead of flights EK39/40 as it currently does.

Leaving Birmingham at 8.45pm, EK38 will arrive in Dubai at 7.40am, while EK37 is to depart from Dubai at 2.50pm to arrive in Birmingham at 6.45pm.

The A380 service to Birmingham will continue to operate with a two-class configuration aircraft, offering 615 seats in total.

Passengers travelling to other destinations across the UK can also take advantage of Emirates’ codeshare agreement with FlyBe. First and Business Class passengers on the Emirates A380 can spend time during their flight relaxing or networking in the Onboard Lounge on the upper deck of the aircraft.

Those in First Class can enjoy the exclusive use of the on-board shower spas to refresh during flights.

Premium customers are offered complimentary chauffeur drive to and from Birmingham Airport, lounge access and priority checkin.

Passengers in all classes will enjoy access to free Wi-Fi and over 2,500 channels of films, TV shows, music and games, through Emirates’ ice digital widescreen, which was recently named the World’s Best Inflight Entertainment at the Skytrax World Airline Awards.

The Phoenix – September 2016

S l The programme celebrated cabin crew who best demonstrate the values that have helped make Qatar Airways on board service world-class

Qatar Airways Celebrate Award-Winning Cabin Crew By Rebranding Recognition Programme

Q

atar Airways’ Customer Experience team announced the rebranding of its cabin crew recognition programme, Kafou – which means “job well done” – and the addition of colleague feedback to help recognise superior service

as it happens on board Qatar Airways flights.

Kafou combines feedback from multiple sources and consolidates the data into a single system for easier processing, faster recognition of stellar cabin crew, and integration into the cabin crew performance system.

l ”KAFOU” programme was celebrated at an official ceremony in Doha

It elevates the former recognition programme for the benefit of Qatar Airways’ 10,000 cabin crew, with faster feedback loops and the ability for the Customer Experience leadership team to provide kudos and share customer – and now, colleague – feedback.

Qatar Airways Senior Vice President Customer Experience, Mr. Rossen Dimitrov, said: “We encourage our crew members on board to constantly challenge themselves to deliver customer experience that is personalised, purposeful, and pleasant.

Qatar Airways is extremely proud of the men and women who serve as our brand ambassadors on board, and their commitment to excellence, and as such, we wanted to extend upon our existing feedback programme, so that

all of us – fellow colleagues and our loyal passengers – can take part in congratulating cabin crew for a job well done.”

The programme relaunch was celebrated at an official ceremony in Doha, recognising cabin crew who best demonstrate the values that have helped make Qatar Airways on board service worldclass.

Jonathan Michelsen, Elbert Hernandez, Hiba Rqfiq, Clarence Virtudazo and Nathanael Hovee were recognised for Safety First; Ambassadors of the Brand; Business Awareness; and Leadership.

The cabin crew community at Qatar Airways is highly diverse, comprised of over 120 nationalities, speaking more than 160 languages.

ome of the world's leading travel, tourism and hospitality experts will be participating in the upcoming Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association's (CHTA) Caribbean Hospitality Industry Exchange Forum (CHIEF) slated for the El Conquistador Resort in Puerto Rico from September 30 to October 2, 2016.

"There is a tremendous amount of expertise, ingenuity and talent within our industry and we are tapping into that at CHIEF," said Frank Comito, CEO of the regional private sector organization.

Conference presenters include Marriott Hotels' Diana Plazas, Vice President Brand, Marketing & Digital for Latin America & the Caribbean, as well as Veronica Stoddart, the former Travel Editor of USA Today who serves as Executive Editor in Residence at Percepture Travel whose President René Mack will also attend the regional parley.

In addition to Gerard "Jerry" Inzerillo, CEO of Forbes Travel Guide, who will keynote the opening of the event, CHIEF attendees will hear from Duane Vinson, STR Vice President and Assistant Director of the STR SHARE Center; Sanovnik Destang, Executive Director, Bay Gardens Resorts and President, St. Lucia Hotel and Tourism Association; Shawn Sullivan, Policy Lead for Central America and the Caribbean for AirBnB; and Ting Ting Yan, Senior Marketing Strategist at Google.

Umang Gupta, President of JetBlue Getaways and Sara Lindenfeld, Sustainability Analyst with JetBlue Airways also join the lineup of speakers along with Kerry Cannon, Managing Director, MMGY Global.

The Phoenix – September 2016

Page 41

HOLIDAY AND TRAVEL

l Staff at Birmingham Airport celebrating breaking the 11 million passenger mark

Birmingham Airport breaks 11m passenger mark in record year

Experience India 'Bollywood Style' with Explore

T

he adventure travel specialist, Explore is offering a Bollywood cinema experience and meal on selected trips to India made by 12 September 2016.

Also included is an extra nights’ accommodation and transfers worth up to £125 per person. With its colourful characters and exuberant choreography, Bollywood offers a fun experience and a great insight in to local life.

Explore’s Moghul Highlights trip offers a ten day journey into the cultural heart of northern India.

Discover the winding streets of Old Delhi by rickshaw; explore the incredible Amber Fort in Jaipur and travel to Agra to experience the wonder of the iconic Taj Mahal at dawn.

There is also the opportunity to learn about the mighty Moghul Empire, stroll through the deserted city of Fatehpur Sikri and search for tigers in Ranthambore National Park.

This price includes return flights, nine nights’ hotel accommodation on a bed and breakfast basis, an included Bollywood cinema experience and meal, transport and the services of an Explore Leader, driver and local guides.

B

irmingham Airport has recorded the busiest year in its 77year history – after breaking the 11 million passenger mark.

The eleven-millionth passenger, James Sheffield from Edgbaston in Birmingham, set the milestone on as he checked in for his United Airlines flight to San Francisco (via Newark). He was treated by the airport to a slap up meal and magnum of champagne.

Mr Sheffield, who was jetting off to visit friends in San Francisco for a week-long holiday, said: “Now that was a check-in with a difference. What a fantastic surprise!

“It kicked off my holiday brilliantly and I look forward to enjoying my huge bottle of champagne with friends when I return.”

Comparing the same period between 2014 and 2015, 10.2 per cent more people have travelled through the airport, due to airlines increasing capacity and launching new services to and from Birmingham.

The airport enjoyed its busiest single day to date on the 19 August 2016 when 44,767 were recorded – 14.1 per cent more than the last busiest day recorded on the 13 August 2015.

Birmingham Airport’s chief executive officer Paul Kehoe said: “Reaching 10 million passengers last August was a big milestone in the airport’s history but reaching 11 million is an absolute game changer.

“It shows that demand for fly-

To Advertise

ing to and from the Midlands is rapidly rising and this is only expected to continue as national and international investment in the region continues and the Midlands Engine powers on.

We now have over 440 direct or

one-stop flights globally with 50 airlines and proudly handle the magnificent A380 and Dreamliner aircraft, daily.

The future is exciting as we focus on the next milestone - 12 million passengers – and we will be

working very hard over the next year to deliver even more connectivity for our region’s business and leisure travellers.”

Over the last 12 months, longhaul traffic has increased by 26 per cent, with particular growth seen on services to the Middle East (+34.1 per cent), North America (+32.6 per cent) and Europe (+10.8 per cent).

Low cost flights increased by 11.5 per cent, scheduled services overall grew by 6.9 per cent and charter by 2.4 per cent.

l Birmingham Airport’s head of communications Justine Howl with James Sheffield, United Airlines’ Birmingham supervisor Anna Onions and customer service agent Chris Thacker.

Hotelier Hails Caribbean Olympians

O

lympians from, or connected to the Caribbean, are being lauded as ambassadors for their region by a leading Caribbean hotelier.

"Allow us to join the legions of people congratulating you for your magnificent feats of physical and mental courage displayed for all the world to see at the Rio 2016 Olympics," said Karolin Troubetzkoy, Executive Director of St. Lucia's Anse Chastanet and Jade Mountain resorts.

The St. Lucia hotelier, who also serves as President of the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association, added: "For those of us who provide hospitality of our region to our many visitors, it is a special joy to witness your successes because you are ambassadors for the Caribbean.

“With your world class prowess and memorable personalities, you are proving to the world that our pristine water, land, air and nourishing communities produce outstanding champions."

In Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, the Caribbean region collected 28 medals with Cuba and Jamaica tying for 11 medals apiece.

0121 339 5885 or 0208 865 1922

Page 42

CTO STATE OF THE INDUSTRY CONFERENCE

Visitors spending more in Barbados

L

ong stay visitors to Barbados spent 20 percent more money during the first quarter of 2016 than during the same period in 2015.

These are the findings of the quarterly survey conducted by the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) on behalf of the destination.

Overall Barbados was able to achieve growth in the average length of stay for all markets during the period with the exception of the Caribbean which remained unchanged.

There was an increase in expenditure from all of the markets, with the exception of the Caribbean.

Visitors from the UK contributed to 43 percent of the overall total expenditure with US $146 million, an increase of US $23 million over Q1 2015.

Total expenditure by visitors from the USA and Canada followed with US $83 million and US $53 million, respectively.

T

he head of the United Nations agency responsible for the promotion of responsible, sustainable tourism will make his first ever appearance at a Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) event when he presents at the State of the Tourism Industry Conference (SOTIC) this month.

Secretary General of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) Taleb Rifai will be joined by the president of the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) David Scowsill and CTO secretary general Hugh Riley on a panel to discuss how to pilot an industry through a perpetual state of flux.

“The commitment of the UNWTO and the WTTC to participate in this conference fulfils our mandate to make leaders of the global tourism industry accessible to our members, to share information with us and exchange ideas on how to resolve issues and challenges and how to take advantage of opportunities in tourism globally,” Mr. Riley said.

During the session entitled, No Place For The Status Quo, the tourism leaders will delve into factors, such as changing demographics and attitudes, which drive the tourism industry into a state of constant transition, and how to continuously align the product to consumers’ tastes.

“There really is no status quo in the tourism sector. Things are constantly changing; it’s a dynamic industry, it’s vulnerable

UNWTO head to make first ever appearance at SOTIC 2016

Adam Stewart to Keynote SOTIC

T

l Secretary General of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) Taleb Rifai

to external shocks but it always recovers. When we look at issues that affect public health, security, terrorism, economic shocks, all of these things affect the success and the sustainability of the tourism sector,” the CTO secretary general added.

The session takes place from 9:45 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. on Friday 16 September, immediately following the feature address by Craig Landry, the president of Air Canada Leisure Group.

The State of the Tourism Industry Conference, which has as its theme, Honouring Our Legacy, Defining Our Future, is the pre-eminent tourism gathering in the region.

It brings together tourism decision-makers, including ministers, commissioners and directors of tourism, hotel and airline executives, travel agents, students, the media and persons directly and indirectly involved in tourism.

It is preceded by CTO business meetings, including meetings of the board of directors and the

The Phoenix – September 2016

Council of Ministers and Commissioners of Tourism.

A number of other presenters have been confirmed for SOTIC, which will explore subjects ranging from how to transition the product and multicultural and emerging markets to creating a luxury experience and the sharing economy.

This year’s conference at the Hilton Barbados Resort is organized in collaboration with Barbados’ Ministry of Tourism and International Transport and the Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc.

he leader of one of the world’s leading resort companies will outline a vision for Caribbean tourism as he sets the tone for the region’s most important tourism gatherings, the State of the Industry Conference (SOTIC).

The chief executive officer of Sandals Resorts International, Adam Stewart, will deliver the keynote address at the 14-16 September event in Barbados.

“We are honoured and excited to announce Mr Adam Stewart, the chief executive officer of Sandals Resorts International as the keynoter for SOTIC.” Mr. Sealy said at a news conference at the CTO headquarters.

His presentation will focus on the conference theme, Honouring Our Legacy, Defining Our Future, and is expected to draw on the Sandal CEO’s experiences in leading the growth and expansion of the global brand since he took over as its chief executive officer at the age of 25.

Airbnb to present at State of the Tourism Industry Conference

O

l Mikel Freemon, Airbnb Regional manager for the Caribbean.

ne of the world’s best known online marketplaces for accommodation has been confirmed to present at the region’s leading tourism gathering.

The San Francisco, California-based Airbnb has confirmed its participation in next month’s State of the Tourism Industry Conference (SOTIC) in Barbados.

The home rental company’s regional manager for the Caribbean Mikel Freemon will join a panel on the sharing economy at the 1416 September conference organized by the region’s tourism development agency, the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO).

“The sharing economy is a US$26 billion dollar sector and Airbnb is one of the most successful architects of the accommodation component of this sector, disrupting the traditional hotel industry and raising concern among

the incumbent firms. We are delighted to have Airbnb share its success model as we examine this hybrid market model and discuss the challenges, risks and opportunities for the Caribbean tourism sector,” Sylma Brown, director of the CTO’s New York office said.

Airbnb is a US$25.5 billion business and has served over 60 million people since it was formed in 2008. The community marketplace has over two million listings in 191 countries and earned nearly $1 billion in revenue last year.

Freemon will be joined on the panel by Khalil Bryan, a Barbadian entrepreneur and co-founder of Caribbean Transit Solutions which provides on-demand and real time information on taxis and buses, and Frank Comito, the chief executive officer of the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association. It will be moderated by Paul Pennicook, Jamaica’s director of tourism.

The session on the sharing economy takes place on Friday 16 September.

The State of the Tourism Industry Conference, which has as its theme, Honouring Our Legacy, Defining Our Future, is the pre-eminent tourism gathering in the region. It brings together tourism decision-makers, including ministers, commissioners and directors of tourism, hotel and airline executives, travel agents, students, the media and persons directly and indirectly involved in tourism. It is preceded by CTO business meetings, including meetings of the board of directors and the Council of Ministers and Commissioners of Tourism.

This year’s conference at the Hilton Barbados Resort is organized in collaboration with Barbados’ Ministry of Tourism and International Transport and the Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc.

The Phoenix – September 2016

Page 43

SPORT - WITH STEVE WILLIAMS

Annual Cultural Day brings out numbers in memory of Windies legend, Malcolm

T

he West Indies United Representative took the spoils on a day where the sun made sure it would play its part at the annual Birmingham Sports and Cultural Day in Handsworth Park, in Birmingham.

Fighting it out for the Malcolm Marshall Memorial Cricket Cup, London’s finest proved too strong for the hosts, the Sir Viv Richards XI, in the annual event which celebrates the life of the former Windies great.

The centrepiece of the city’s most popular outdoor event proved the zenith of a day which included stalls catering for Caribbean food, clothes, jewellery, books and much more, as well as the well received ‘GosFes’ Gospel Explosion mini concert hosted by Annett Bee and Dave Prince and Fashion Show.

This Bank Holiday party, running for the 18th year consecutively, brought out people, from near and far, to pay homage to one of the sport’s greatest bowlers and icons, as well as to be part of one of Birmingham’s biggest gatherings.

Organiser, Sted Wallen, overwhelmed with the turn-out on the sun-drenched day, said; “No doubt that Malcolm, who also played for Hampshire County Cricket Club, was one of the greatest fast bowlers the world has ever seen. A gentleman on the outside, but a determined and calculated cricketer on the field of play.

“It was a pleasure to have him as a friend.

“The big turn-out here was testimony to Barbadian’s popularity, not just in the West Indies, but throughout the world.”

East Dulwich-based West Indies United Representative set a target of 251 to win, which the hope team fell woefully short with a score of 150.

Cyclists on track for success after repairs to velodrome

A l Councillor Steve Evans, the City of Wolverhampton Council’s Cabinet Member for City Environment, left, with John Ireson, chairman of the Wolverhampton Wheelers, and young members of the Wolverhampton Wheelers.

two month project to replace the fencing around the velodrome at WV Active Aldersley has been completed.

The decision to replace the ageing fence at the City of Wolverhampton Council-run leisure centre was taken earlier this year in order safeguard the long-term future of cycling at the venue.

British Cycling funded the majority of the project, with contributions from the Council, the Wolverhampton Wheelers Cyc-

ling Club who are regular users of the cycle track and the Bob Maitland Legacy Fund, which promotes racing cycling in the West Midlands.

The work included track repairs, replacement of drainage covers and the painting of new track lines.

John Mills, Coaching, Education and Development Director at British Cycling, said: “We are pleased that the work has been carried out and that cycling at WV Active Aldersley can now resume.

All parties involved are committed to helping cycle racing thrive, and providing a safe, sustainable environment in which riders can compete is a key aspect of this.”

City of Wolverhampton Council’s Cabinet Member for City Environment, Councillor Steve Evans, said: “The velodrome at WV Active Aldersley is used for local, regional and national competitions and is very popular with both cycling clubs and residents in the city, so this investment is great news for everyone.

We are extremely pleased with the quality of work that has been carried out and we are sure that track users old and new will agree.”

The cycling track has now fully reopened and all activities have resumed as normal.

Birmingham Sports and Cultural Day - Page 43

To Advertise

0121 339 5885 or 0208 865 1922

The Double Double

M

o Farah further etched his name into the history books as he became the greatest British track and field athlete of all time, adding 5,000m gold to the 10,000m he won to complete the ‘double-double.’

And it was one of two great medal–winning performances on the final evening of track and field programme at the Rio Olympic Games.

It all started on ‘Super Saturday’

at London 2012, with Farah winning his first Olympic title over 10,000m.

Fast forward four years and he’s won 5,000m and 10,000m gold at consecutive Olympic Games, with Lasse Viren the only other athlete to have achieved such a feat.

Of his fourth Olympic title Farah said: “It means so much to me I can’t believe I did it. I dreamed of being Olympic champion once, when I was young watching Haile Gebrselassie and Paul Tergat in Sydney and then I did it in Lon-

don and that was incredible. And then four years later to do it again – there’s no words to really describe it.

“The crowd was really good to me – mentally I had to be on top of my game – the guys were out there to get me so I just had to be alert.

“I controlled it and controlled it – I wasn’t going to let anyone past me and then at the end just use my speed.

“My placing was more important than my personal best. I’ve never had to recover from a race

before.

“This is my first time doing a heat and then a final. My legs have been in bits and I had a blister, which is really sore.

“To recover like I did, I’m so pleased. I guess it’s just good experience for the next championships that I go to.”

Mo is already recognized, by The Queen, with a well deserved CBE added to his name. after Rio 2016, it only stands the reason that the ‘next step up’ is inevitable.

Weekly Shipping Jamaica SHIPPING & LOGISTICS LTD

We are here to serve YOU!

Sea or Air

USA & Canada

We Ship To All Caribbean Islands Door-to-door

We sell Sim Cards

Ship Now, Pay Later

www.jlbshipping.com

0121 525 5881 | 0121 270 7389 | 0208 888 0344 | 07936447764 | 07890653773 | JA: 876 9371623/7 | MBJ: 876 979 8877/9