ACCOL Magazine - Summer Edition by ACCOL Coventry

YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY MAGAZINE 2/15

RRP £1

SPECIAL INTERVIEW WITH ROXI ALBESCU

ANTONIO MORA THE DREAM MAKER

ONE LOVE ONE BLOOD BLOOD FOR LIFE

“10 YEARS FROM HOME” PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBITION

ROCK 'N' RAFFLE GET YOUR TICKET AND WIN!

GRENADA THE SPICE ISLAND

TURMERIC

THE QUEEN OF SPICES

EDITORIAL WE ARE KEEPING IT SPICY! Summer is here, and along with the We also have our popular features, with long sunny days, and the sweet scent of interviews from local and international flowers, ACCOL aims to put big smiles on celebrities and insights on future events. people’s faces. We would like to thank you for your We have been working hard to keep our support and positive feedback and we look readers happy, and introduced a couple new forward to your continued encouragement. topics, to keep things fresh. We have a couple of surprises for you, among other things, so be patient and enjoy! “ACCOL is a community organisation aimed at improving the life, health and wellbeing of people of African Caribbean heritage living in the Coventry and surrounding areas. “

If you want to advertise with us, get in touch at: Email: afca.org@btinternet.com Phone: 07436 531760 / 07825 527122 Enjoy reading and remember to contact us with your comments.

We aim to: • Improve facilities and support for young people and their families • Improve the equality in service provision for our community • Develop the provision of financial resources to support the development of businesses • Improve provision for the elderly • Develop partnerships between our businesses and community organisations to increase our political and economic strength.

Advertisers: Blood for Life Bytes & PCs Coventry City Council Finger Licking Kitchen Groundworks Imagine Hillfields Project Midland Shipping Warwick University

2015 promises to be energised and filled with new and exciting projects that focus on our aims.

Editors: Sherril Donaldson Roxi Albescu

Publisher: Big Red News

Whilst every care has been taken to ensure that the data in this publication is accurate, neither the publisher nor its editorial contributors can accept, and hereby disclaim, any liability to any party to loss or damage caused by errors or omissions resulting from negligence, accident or any other cause. ACCOL cannot be held responsible for any action or inaction of any advertiser or promoter listed in this booklet; furthermore listings are not to be considered endorsements. 2

THIS EDITION Issue 2/2015

What’s New in the Area?

Health & Wellbeing

Community Star interview

Music & Media

Events & Reviews

Young Vibes

34 37

Caribbean islands & interesting facts

Apprenticeship Programme Coventry Elections Time for a Change

Turmeric - The Queen of Spices Dreads & Hair Care Blood for Life Riddimstone Hope in Unity

Antonio Mora Stuart Hall

Raffle + Bike Ride “10 Years From Home” Family Funday Reader’s Corner

Ask Uncle Paul The Challenge

In memory of ...

*If you want us to pay tribute to a special person get in touch.

WHAT’S NEW

ROXI ALBESCU I had no idea how crazy this journey would be. From doing Web Design for a clothing shop, to volunteering at the local job centre, taking photos at various events, and freelancing in Graphic and Web Design, you could say I did a bit of everything. Hi there, my name is Roxi Albescu, and I started of as a student at Coventry University, doing Advertising and Media, and ended up as an art director at ACCOL.

“No one wants to pay you, expecting free work because - you are a beginner.”

Coming across this Apprenticeship programme has been the best thing so far. I get to learn while practicing and I also get the chance to Many students find it difficult to get a job after develop my skills in less familiar subjects. they finish studies, because of the lack of Already I am publishing my second magazine experience or the overwhelming competition. for ACCOL, I have produced numberous You are left with few or no options, finding flyers, and initiated the “10 Years from Home” yourself sending hundreds of CVs and putting project. Looking forward to my next challege so much time and effort into job applications WOOOO! just to receive a negative response .

LIAM WINDRIDGE interested in; at this stage I had no idea what I wanted to do for a job when I finished. I was most interested by Consumer Psychology so after graduating I then applied for and was accepted onto a Masters Course studying Consumer Psychology with Business. Hi, I’m Liam I was born and raised here in Coventry; I am 23 years old and have just started a marketing apprenticeship programme at ACCOL.

Whilst on this course I learnt about and participated in aspects of marketing and promotion.

I finished my studies in Bangor in February and moved back to Coventry. From there I started After finishing school and then completing my the apprenticeship with ACCOL at the start of March where I am starting to put what I’ve A-Levels, I decided to further my education learnt in classrooms and lecture halls into by moving away and studying Psychology at Bangor University. I chose to study Psychology practice. I have developed the employer data base, and started an online e-marketing mainly because out of the subjects I was campaign which has resulted in several studying at A-Level it was what I was most donations for our raffle draw. 4

WHAT’S NEW

WHAT IS AN APPRENTICESHIP AND HOW DOES IT WORK?

What is an Apprenticeship and how does it work? Apprenticeships are government funded workbased training programmes to help give participants the sustainable skills they need to succeed in employment. Increasingly employers are using the prgramme as the primary method to recruit young additions to their workforce. How does an Apprenticeship work? As Apprenticeships are work-based training programmes, most of the training is ‘on the job’ – in the workplace. The rest is provided by a specialist “learning provider”. An employer must give the apprentices an induction into their role and provide on-the-job training. They are also responsible for paying the apprentices’ wages. Employment must be for at least 30 hours per week, except in the minority of circumstances where the learner cannot complete the full 30 hours. In these cases employment must be for more than 16 hours per week.

Apprenticeship Eligibility Apprenticeships are subject to funding availability and generally open to those: •

Are aged 16 – 24

•

Do not have a Degree or HND

•

Are not currently in full-time education

•

Have the right to remain and work in the UK for an indefinite period of time

Additional eligibility criteria and variations may apply and is subject to change as a result of Government guidance and policy. Minimum working hours are required Employment must be for at least 30 hours per week, except in the minority of circumstances where the learner cannot complete the full 30 hours. In these cases employment must be for more than 16 hours per week and the length of the qualification will increase. National minimum wage for Apprentices A National Minimum Wage of £2.73 has been introduced for apprentices aged under 19; and apprentices aged 19 or over in the first year of their Apprenticeship. 5

WHAT’S NEW

Did you

EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED

s I’m sure you’re aware, May 7th was the day the general election was contested; after months of lobbying, campaigning, inter views and TV debating the Nation went to the polling stations to determine who was going to be running the country for the next 5 years. It was billed as one of the tightest elections for a generation with the nation seemingly torn between the two main parties. In the Blue Corner David Cameron and the Conservative party, In the Red Corner Ed Milliband and the Labour party. As it turned out it wasn’t close at all as David Cameron and the Conservative party won an outright majority after claiming 331 of the 650 seats up for grabs, 99 more than Labour their nearest rivals.

Locally, the biggest turnout for a generation was recorded as 58.1% of the electorate went to the polling stations to vote. However unlike in the majority of the U.K, Labour maintained their stronghold within the city as Coleen Fletcher (Coventry North East), Geoffrey Robinson (Coventry North West) and Jim Cunningham (Coventry South) all secured a labour majority within their constituency. This was also reflected in the wards closest to us here on Freeholds street, as shown on the left. The question we would like answered is “If everybody had voted, what would have been the result?” What do you think?

TIME FOR A CHANGE

WHAT’S NEW

Poverty & Ethnicity

ow that that the election is over it is time to look at what the next few years will bring, and how life should be improved for people across the UK. A couple of months ago the Joseph Rowntree Foundation published new research about how poverty varies among the different ethnic groups in the UK.

This work demonstrates some of the challenges that need to be met. First, we found that child poverty is much higher in some ethnic minority groups than in the rest of the population. Over 40% of Bangladeshi and Pakistani children are growing up in poverty, compared to 31% of Chinese, 22% of Black Caribbean and 15% of children in the white majority population. There are many reasons for this, but low pay is one important factor that keeps some families in poverty even when parents are in work. The chances of being low paid are different for men and women, and for people in different ethnic groups. More than 30% of women from the white majority, Pakistani and Bangladeshi groups are low paid, along with over a third of Pakistani men and over half of Bangladeshi men. Gaining higher skills and qualifications is often an important part of getting out of poverty. But our new research shows that more education doesn’t always solve the problem. We looked at how many people work in jobs that don’t need the level of education that they have. Over the whole population, nearly one in four graduates work in a job for which they don’t need to have a degree. But the situation is much worse for people from some ethnic minority groups: 4 in 10 Black African graduates work in a job that does not require a degree. It is vital that people from all ethnic groups continue to improve their skills and gain qualifications– this makes it much more likely that they will be able to get work and improve their pay.

But education alone will not necessarily lift people out of poverty. We also need better quality jobs, good careers advice and a welfare system that lets people keep more of what they earn before losing benefits. The final thing that our research showed was how much people’s situation is affected by where they live. Unemployment rates for each ethnic group vary around the country, as do the types of jobs that people go into. For example: - People from the Indian group are most likely to be unemployed in Hackney or Wolverhampton (11%) and much less likely in Cambridge and Hertsmere (4%). - 25% of people from the African group are unemployed in Birmingham, compared to 9% in Reading. - People in the Chinese group are most likely to be unemployed in Haringey and Waltham Forest (10%) and less likely in the City of London and Warwick (3%). This makes it clear that local authorities and other local and regional bodies need to show leadership in understanding the situation for people from all ethnic groups in their areas, and taking action to help people to get jobs which are secure and decently paid. Tackling inequalities in unemployment and pay is vital not only for individuals and families but also for the communities they live in and for the country as a whole. All the research is available for free on – www.jrf.org.uk . 7

HEALTH AND WELLBEING

Queen of Spices

TURMERIC

urmeric has a peppery, warm and bitter flavor and a mild fragrance slightly reminiscent of orange and ginger.

There are also indications that it may help to prevent breast, skin and pancreatic cancer, childhood leukaemia and multiple myeloma. “While no-one is claiming that turmeric cures cancer, there is plenty of reason to believe it is a useful adjunct to a healthy diet,” says Bowden. Turmeric is currently being heavily researched, and the findings suggest that it really does work to help prevent cancer and keep it from getting worse.

4. Reduces the risk of heart attacks and strokes Heart disease is the biggest killer in the world. If you’re cooking a curry this evening, you might want to sprinkle in some extra turmeric. Curcumin has beneficial effects on several factors known to play a role in heart disease. Research is showing what countries such as It improves the function of the endothelium India and Sri Lanka have long known - that and is a potent anti-inflammatory agent and this yellow spice has more benefits than boosting food flavour. Used for more than 4000 antioxidant. years to treat a variety of ailments, curcumin 5. Fights colds and flu - the active ingredient in turmeric - could Preliminary studies show that turmeric may potentially prevent cancer. help reduce the severity of bacterial and viral 1. Natural Anti-Inflammatory infections. As soon as you feel a scratchy The volatile oil fraction of turmeric has sensation in your throat, it indicates the onset demonstrated significant anti-inflammatory of a sore throat or cough, rely on haldi to stop activity in a variety of experimental models. the problem from getting aggrivated. The Even more potent than its volatile oil is the easiest way of using turmeric is to drink hot yellow or orange pigment of turmeric, which is milk with half a tea spoon of turmeric. called curcumin. Curcumin is thought to be the primary pharmacological agent in turmeric. 6. Helps Bowel Disorders If you had trouble with various bowel disorders, 2. Alzheimer’s disease turmeric may be able to help improve the Researchers believe that curcumin’s antioxidant situation. It’s been shown to help with Irritable and anti-inflammatory properties may be Bowel Syndrome, and Crohn’s disease. strong enough to break down the senile The anti inflammatory nature of turmeric is plaques in the brain that contribute to what helps the bowels return to their natural Alzheimer’s disease. “If the blood vessels state of wellbeing. remain less clogged, then certain parts of the brain might be fed more easily with oxygen and that would keep the brain functioning better,” WAYS TO EAT/DRINK IT explains Hourigan. • Add it to scrambles, 3. Helps to prevent cancer A New Jersey study found that, when combined with vegetables such as broccoli and cauliflower, it may help treat and prevent prostate cancer. 8

frittatas, roasted vegetables. • Add it to rice or soups. • Blend it into a smoothie. • Make tea.

HEALTH AND WELLBEING

7. Diabetes Control Used in the treatment of diabetes, it helps to moderate insulin levels, also improves glucose control and increases the effect of medications used to treat diabetes. Another significant benefit is turmeric’s effectiveness in helping reduce insulin resistance, which may prevent the onset of Type-2 diabetes.

CAULIFLOWER STEAKS

8. Arthritis Reliever Anti-inflammatory properties in turmeric are great for treating both osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. In addition, turmeric’s antioxidant property destroys free radicals in the body that damage body cells. It has been found that those suffering from rheumatoid arthritis who consume turmeric on a regular basis experience much relief from the moderate to mild joint pains as well as joint inflammation.

• • • • • • • •

OTHER USES: Treats Depression Helps the Skin Helps Prevent Childhood Leukemia Soothes Upset Stomach Helps with Multiple Sclerosis Headache Remedy Provides Better Digestion Antibacterial Properties

Consult with your doctor for a plan of action on how to best treat your specific condition. To fully recover, a change of dietary and lifestyle might be required.

1 large head cauliflower Salt and pepper 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided 1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger 1 teaspoon ground cumin 1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric Small handful of cilantro, chopped

• Preheat the oven to 200°C. • Remove the leaves and trim the stem

end of the cauliflower, leaving the core intact. Using a large knife, cut the cauliflower from top to base into three 3/4-inch-thick “steaks.” Season each steak with salt and pepper on both sides.

• Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a

large skillet over medium-high heat. • Sear the cauliflower steaks until golden brown, about 2 minutes on each side. • Gently transfer the steaks to a baking sheet

• Whisk together the remaining 1 tbs of olive oil, ginger, cumin, and turmeric.

• Brush or spoon the mixture onto the cauliflower steaks.

• Roast in the oven until tender, about 15 minutes. Garnish with cilantro.

Bon Appétit ! 9

Finger Licking Kitchen... ....will make your mouth water

8 Lower Ford Street, Coventry is the home for this Caribbean specialist restaurant and Jerk Centre.

They are all about serving generous portions of delicious and wholesome food. Its welcoming and friendly atmosphere means that it is a favourite haunt of a wide mix of clientele including many students attending the local university. On the Menu... The menu offers West Indian favourites such as Curry goat with scallions, pimento and spices or Barbecued Jerk Chicken, dishes such as the Jamaican favourite Escovitch Snapper and Hake that offers a fusion of peppers, onions, vinegar, scotch bonnet and pepper prawns. The dishes are served with a choice of rice and peas, plain rice, fried dumplings or traditional, ‘hard food’ boiled bananas, yam and boiled dumplings. You can also enjoy some traditional breakfast dishes such as Cornmeal or banana porridge, Ackee & Saltfish with fried dumplings! Healthy and authentic food needs to be accompanied by healthy and authentic drinks. So, on offer is a range of natural juices and drinks such as; June Plum juice, Sorrel & Ginger, Carrot & Ginger, Carrot & Ginger, Strong Back, Guinness Punch as well as ‘Sexy Juice’!

The selection and taste of the food will transport you to the heart of the Caribbean and if you need to have the meal brought to your home, Finger Licking Kitchen also does home deliveries and take aways. The customers are always ready to give feedback on their satisfaction. This is what one customer had to say: “WE BELLY FULL. WE NAH HUNGRY WIV DEM FINGER LICKING TING. DEM MUTTON AND CHICKEN WING WILL MEK WE HEART SING TRU FINGERS DO HE TING DA.MEAT SO LEAN INI SISTERS KEEP IVERYTING CLEAN AND BLESS. COME TEST. FINGERS A DA BEST NAH JEST TO ALL CUSTOMER JAH JAH BLESS ONE BIG LOVE AND INITY SEEEEEEEN!!!!!!!” So, pay them a visit and get a taste of the Caribbean.

Finger Licking Kitchen 8 Lower Ford Street Coventry CV1 5QJ Tel: 02476 220 266 Facebook: / Fingers Kitchen 10

PLEASE MENTION ACCOL WHEN REPLYING TO THE AD

Imagine Hillfields Project

illfields is an amazing place. Out of the bomb damage and planning blight of the post war period it found new life through immigration, a site for the first regeneration project in the UK in 1970, birthplace of two-tone in the late 1970s, location of Coventryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s so-called frontline against the state in the 1980s, and site of successive regeneration attempts since. Today it has one of the most international and ethnically diverse populations for an area of its size in Europe and is as it always was, a hardworking place struggling against poverty, exploitation and a lack of voice.

or fifty years this story has been recorded by internationally renowned photographers and community photographers alike. This exhibition brings together the Richard Sadler, John Blakemore, Masterji and Jason Scott Tilley collections of Hillfields, together with the archives of Coventry City Council and Hillfields History Group, and a new body of work by re-photographer Nick Stone. It is all part of Imagine, a university community research project which examines the impact of visions of the future on residents and workers but starting fifty years ago. If Hillfields today is to play its part in Coventryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s wider development how can residents, planners and policy makers jointly learn from the past to understand the present and transform the future? PLEASE MENTION ACCOL WHEN REPLYING TO THE AD

HEALTH AND WELLBEING

DREADS

Francesco Mastalia, Alfonse Pagano, Alice Walker

hat is hair and what does it “Dreads preach one love, unity for mean to you? Hairstyling all!” Henry Gordon holds tremendous significance for many, from rites of passage “Considering the prevalence of dreadlocks to fashion statements, hair is in the forefront today and their twentieth-century Jamaican and being talked about. roots, it’s tempting to view them as just another outgrowth of multiculturalism, a blatant badge Francesco Mastalia, Alfonse Pagano and of membership in the global village. But the Alice Walker did an absolutely fabulous job current craze for dreadlocks can be deceptive: In in putting this book together. Behind each picture is a story. A unique and deeply personal fact, the style dates back to the dawn of civilization. India’s sadhus and sadhvis— account about why they chose to wear their mendicant ascetics of the Hindu faith—have hair that way. Their influences run the gamut been locking their hair for pre- Christian from Bob Marley to the Bible. centuries, from the time when their ancestral warriors fought for royal rulers. Matted locks, or Dreadlocks are a modern phenomenon jatta, are considered a divine directive, symbolic with roots reaching as far back as the fifth of the the covenant between the sadhus and century. According to ancient Hindu beliefs, Shiva, the god of destruction and regeneration. dreads signified a singleminded pursuit of the Tresses are roped in emulation of the deities: spiritual. Devotion to God displaced vanity, Skanda, depicted with six matted locks—one and hair was left to its own devices.Dreads captures this organic explosion of hair in all its for each of his faces; Huniyan, marked with five—or three in his demonic incarnation. Jatta beautiful, subversive glory. announces that its owner adheres to the strict ‘You don’t have to have straight hair spiritual and sexual practices, including poverty and celibacy, outlined over two thousand years to be beautiful.” Cheryl Browne ago in the Naradaparivrajaka Upanished. One hundred duotone portraits present The Old Testament recounts the tale of dread-heads from around the world, in all Sampson and Delilah, in which a man’s walks of life. Interviewed on location by the potency is directly related to the “seven locks” photographers, jatta-wearers wax philosophic upon his head. Jesus of Nazareth would have about the integrity of their hair, and every returned from his forty days in the desert with stunning image confirms their choice. Alice matted hair.” Walker puts words to pictures, offering lyrical ruminations about her decision to let her own Excerpted from Dreads by Francesco Mastalia and Alfonse Pagano mane mat. Today, trendsetters in Tokyo pay thousands of yen to have their poker-straight hair literally drilled into locks. The fact that the young now go to such extremes to imitate what was originally a statement against artificiality proves the growing popularity of dreads. From a nappy-topped newborn to a Rastafarian elder with hair roped around his waist, “Dreads” rejoices in the essence of the individual, set free by an organic explosion of hair.

HEALTH AND WELLBEING

HAIR LOSS OR HAIR BREAKAGE?

f you’ve been diligently measuring and monitoring your hair growth since going natural, you may be discouraged by each strand you see collect on your comb when you detangle. Many women are distressed by the amount of hair they shed in the shower daily. But, are you losing your hair or are you experiencing hair breakage? What’s the difference between hair loss and hair breakage? Understanding this difference can be the key to solving the problem. What is hair loss? When your hair naturally falls from the root, you are experiencing hair loss. Some amount of hair loss is normal and to be expected. In fact, while you may not be aware of it, you’re likely losing up to 100 strands each day. The “100 strands” theory is based on the assumption that we have approximately 100, 000 hairs on our scalp and lose around 1% of them daily. Additionally, the rate at which you’re losing hair can vary based on gender, diet and genetics. What is hair breakage? Curly hair is especially prone to breakage. You may experience breakage when combing, detangling, or styling your curls. Breakage is most noticeable when brushing or combing your hair, removing a hair band, or in the shower. How to prevent both? One way to decrease both hair loss and breakage is to take extra care in the detangling process. Be gentle with your curls, use a wide toothed comb, and determine the method which works best for you. For some this will involve coating your strands with a high slippage conditioner and combing in the shower, for others this may be finger detangling after your shower.

Alternatively, focusing on the overall health of your hair can prevent excessive breakage. Give your hair weekly deep conditioning treatments to help strengthen your strands. 3 ways to treat them 1. If you missed the boat on prevention, there are several techniques that can help remedy the situation.You can start by using a conditioning shampoo that works to moisturize the scalp as well as cleanse, like Kinky Curly’s Come Clean. You’d use this in addition to your regular conditioning routine. 2. Also be sure to trim your split ends at least monthly. Split ends travel right up your hair shaft and if you don’t tackle them at the ends of your hair, they’ll cause your hair to split and break several inches from the tips. 3. Finally, make sure you’re giving your hair a deep condition at least once a month. Your hair will soak up this soothing treatment and will thank you by staying in place! (Reference: Tasha Swearingen) Share your experiences with us: roxi.accol@gmail.com 13

HEALTH AND WELLBEING

ONE LOVE ONE BLOOD SAVES LIVES UK

ne Love is a blood donor campaign to raise awareness and improve community understanding about the benefits of blood donation. It is a collaboration effort between RAFFA, Blood for Life and NHS Blood and Transplant supported by KIWANIS Brixton and London Clubs. The aim is to recruit over 2000 Jamaicans and Caribbean people to the blood donor register over the next five years. The campaign was initiated under the Blood for Life programme which started in 2011 with donations of medical equipment to National Transfusion Service Jamaica and the Cross Match Laboratory at Victoria Jubilee Hospital. This was followed up with further donations to various hospitals in Grenada and St Lucia, Ghana and Lebanon. In 2013 the Blood for Life programme acquired mobile blood collection unit from NHS Blood and Transplant and with the support of a wide range of Diaspora and Jamaica based organisations and Her Excellency Mrs Aloun Ndombet- Assamba, Jamaican High

Rudi Page (CEO RAFFA), Her Excellency Mrs Aloun Ndombet-Assamba ( Jamaican High Commissioner UK) and Ian Trenholm (CEO NHSBT)

Commissioner UK, ensured that the mobile unit reached Jamaica. The unit was launched on Saturday 10 January 2015 by the Minister of Health to support the blood drive campaign One Love One Blood Saves Live Jamaica. The One Love blood donor recruitment campaign was launched in the UK on the 29 May 2015 in the presence of Jamaican High Commissioner to the United Kingdom and number of guests from the Caribbean communities in Bristol and London.

The High Commissioner also thanked the Blood for Life programme and NHSBT for the donation of the blood collection mobile unit and medical equipment to the Jamaican People from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities make up less than 5% of those who have donated blood within the last 12 months, despite representing around 14% of the population.

HEALTH AND WELLBEING

More new donors from the African and Caribbean communities are needed to reflect the changing population. In addition, conditions such as Sickle Cell Disease are more prevalent within the Black communities respectively. Patients with these conditions often require regular blood transfusions and directly benefit from receiving blood from donors with a similar ethnic background.

Her Excellency Mrs Aloun Ndombet-Assamba ( Jamaican High Commissioner UK) launching One Love campaign

Some blood types, such as B positive are more common in the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic Communities, while some rare types are only found within these communities.

Fact - Currently there are 2,000 units of red cells requested each month to meet the needs of sickle cell patients, yet less than half those orders (45%) are fulfilled using red cells which fully match the blood groups of patients with sickle cell disease. Dr Dapo Odumeru (Blood for Life) receiving an appreciation award from Her Excellency Mrs Aloun Ndombet-Assamba ( Jamaican High Commissioner UK) and Rudi Page (CEO RAFFA)

Dr Dapo Odumeru Deputy Director Blood for Life Programme dapo@blood4life.org.uk

If you are interested in becoming a community champion for blood donation, please email: onelove@raffa.org.uk or tel. 07958 744660. If you are interested in knowing more about blood donation please visit www.blood.co.uk or call 0300 123 23 23.

COMMUNITY STAR INTERVIEW

RIDDIMSTONE

ecently a local band, Riddimstone were the supporting act for world renowned Reggae band Steel Pulse. We caught up with Chris Christie, one of the members from Riddimstone, to give us a bit of an insight to the band. 1. What is the naame of the band and who’s part of it? We are Riddimstone: Bobby (Guitar); Chris (Guitar); Erold (Drums); Jack (Bass); and Louise (Keyboards).

5. What do you think about downloading music online? It’s the widely accepted medium of how the masses acquire their music and a sign of our time. It’s an aspect of the evolution of music made possible by access to technology for the masses and the demise of the vinyl record industry. If there was not such an abundance of this hi-tech, downloading would not have become the issue that it is. The real irony is that the quality of the music being downloaded, particularly in its mp3 format, is generally not on par with its original wave based recording.

2. Tell us the brief history of your band. Started by Dave Linton our former keyboard player. Initially as a socialisation experiment to get some old musicians together. Fortunatly it continued passed jamming onto gigging and performance events. Most of us had played in various bands previoulsy but had been away from the group structure for a while.

6. What was it like to be the supporting act for one of biggest Reggae Bands in the UK? From me personally it served to prove a point of achievement. It was in this band I began my musical journey. Unfortunately I was not able to follow the same path as my musical colleagues and detoured along the way to where I am now.

3. What were your best moments / experience / favourite concert, as a band? There have been a few but notably when riddimstone performed a charity gig with Charley Anderson, and our recent concert supporting the legendary Steel Pulse is my favourite moment so far. Playing on the same stage as people who you admire (and have all their records) is a very pleasing experience.

7. What are the biggest obstacles for bands? Prima donna personalities; Hegemony; Internal politics; Negative attitude; Laziness; Doubt; Lack of commitment; Perseieved Perfection; Lack of respect; un-constructive criticism: let me stop there.

8. What advice would you give to fellow bands? No man is an island, unless you’re a soloist or a one-man-band; Plan and be organised, 4. Who do you look up to as a musician / band? each member should have a structural role All members of riddimstone each have their other than playing an instrument; Listen own heroes, bands and individual musicians. and work with each other; Offer constructive I don’t think I look up to anyone, but I do criticism; Challenge each other to help musical admire good musicians that inspire me to push improvement and technical ability; Activley my own technical ability. However, I do have a contribute and pull your weight; Persevere! particular respect for bass-line playing vocalists Nothing is easy. If it’s too easy, then you need - to me that is one of the hardest skills and to be working harder. disciplines to master.

UPCOMING SHOWS: 17 July Spon End, Arches Coventry th

COMMUNITY STAR INTERVIEW

HOPE IN UNITY

...12 months in and getting stronger”

his self-financing Social Enterprise has been bucking the trend of small community organisations closing or suffering from lack of participants. In fact, Hope In Unity (HIU) has seen continuous and steady growth and can now boast a membership and regular attendance of nearly 50 elders from the Black, Asian Minority Ethnic (BAME) community. During the course of the year the participants have requested and indulged in a range of activities which ranged from Cha Samba, Seated Yoga, Flower Arranging, Raja Yoga, Computer sessions, Film mornings, Health and Wellbeing sessions, Poetry workshops, topical morning debates, Dominoes, Foot care and Body massages. It has to be said that the list is both impressive and varied!

Participants of the project have also promoted HIU at various events that have taken place during the course of the year. These events have been Coventry Black Business Exhibition, Coventry Caribbean Carnival, ACCOL Indoor Market and more recently Positive Images Information Fair. There has also been a joint venture with the Rugby Ladies Group which led to the very successful Christmas Party and a planned visit to Wales in August 2015. Hope in Unity will also be participating in the Rugby Ladies Caribbean Event which will be held at Rugby West Indian Centre on: Saturday 17th October 2015.

Many of the participants have also welcomed the opportunity to register for ‘Ring & Ride’ a door to door transport service provided by the WMSNT bus service. The opportunity to use ‘Ring & Ride’ has given several participants new freedom to travel with a confidence they have not enjoyed for a number of years. One participant said, “because of my eye sight being so bad I didn’t like going out after dark on public transport, but now I can go anywhere as I can use the ‘Ring & Ride’ bus”.

COMMUNITY STAR INTERVIEW

The project has not only been hugely popular and beneficial for the service users but it has also proved popular with the residents and staff of Ribbon Court as they have been able to enjoy the freshly cooked Caribbean meals provided. The service has also allowed several individuals, both young and mature, to gain work experience from working in the kitchen and working in the project on various tasks. Key players in the pool of volunteers have been the students from Coventry University. Their contribution has been tremendous in helping with marketing materials, the production of a unique Christmas card and video, organisational branding and tutoring for the computer sessions.

Hope in Unity can also take credit for the support given to a couple of volunteers who have found employment after gaining recent work experience with the project! The last twelve months has demonstrated, from the results, that there is a lot to be gained from working in UNITY and when that is coupled with HOPE anything and everything is possible.

Location: Ribbon Court, 689 Foleshill Road, Foleshill, Coventry CV6 5JQ Mobile number: 0796 843 8097 Email: evadne@hopeinunity.org or info@hopeinunity.org 18

MUSIC & MEDIA

STUART HALL

‘Godfather of Multiculturalism’ Stuart Hall, FBA was a Jamaican-born cultural theorist and sociologist known as the “godfather of multiculturalism”. Hall had a huge influence on academic, political and cultural debates for over six decades.

amaican-born Hall was professor of sociology at the Open University from 1979 to 1997, topping off an academic career that began as a research fellow in Britain’s first centre for cultural studies, set up by Richard Hoggart at the University of Birmingham in 1964. Hall would later lead the centre and was seen as a key figure in the development of cultural studies as an academic discipline. His writing on race, gender, sexuality and identity, and the links between racial prejudice and the media in the 1970s, was considered ground-breaking. Diane Abbott said: “For me he was a hero. A black man who soared above and beyond the limitations imposed by racism and one of the leading cultural theorists of his generation.” Later he wrote for and was associated closely with the journal Marxism Today in the 1980s. The journal’s critique of Thatcherism - a term that Hall is said to have coined - challenged traditional leftwing thinking that held that culture was determined purely by economic forces, a view that would come to influence the Labour party leaders Neil Kinnock and Tony Blair. Two years ago, Hall was the subject of The Stuart Hall Project (2013), a film by the artist

Stuart McPhail Hall, born in Kingston, Jamaica 3rd February 1932; died in London 10 February 2014.

John Akomfrah, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival. The film had its genesis in a three-screen gallery piece, “Unfinished Conversation”, currently showing at Tate Britain. More than 60 years after his arrival in Britain, Hall’s quest for cultural identity was still in progress. As he said in the film, “people relly on something to give them a definition of who they really were, the class position or national position, their geographic origins or where their grandparents came from.That’s not the case anymore. “ He noted with pleasure that, in asking anyone in London today the question of where they are from, “I expect an extremely long story”. “His life’s work has been to give intellectual expression to the possibility of something better. It would take more than a financial crash, more than three decades of neoliberalism, and so much more than a Cameron-led coalition government to eradicate that.” - The Guardian

MUSIC & MEDIA

ANTONIO MORA

The dream maker

Can you tell me a bit about yourself and what you do? I am a young man of 58 years, with extensive experience in the graphic design world, and art direction. A few years ago I was on the verge of death from a long illness and fortunately I survived. After that I decided to make a change in my career and focus on what I really wanted to do, and on the things I wanted to convey. Wanted to make clear to the world my emotions and my dreams, that’s what I did and what I keep on doing. How did you get into photography? I always say I’m not a photographer; I’m rather a compulsive images devourer. They inspire me and tell me with what others they want to mingle, I am nothing more than a medium between two parallel universes. My art consists of the correct merger between two images of two or more different sources, in bringing to light characters that exist only in our dreams.

ollowing our reader’s questions in regards to our last magazine cover created by the talented Spanish artist Antonio Mora (a.k.a. Mylovt), we’ve invited him for an interview.

clients, I have always contributed with an artistic vision to my works. How did the school and your family influence your career choice? I found my vocation late. Before, I studied psychology and classical philology, to finally graduate in graphic design. My family was not very happy with my decision. That never mattered for me, truth being said.

“I am nothing more than a medium between two parallel universes.” Do you have a favourite artist? Is being an artist something you’ve always wanted to do? I’ve always had an artistic temperament, I like the beauty in all its forms, although I have had to work many times on the orders of my 20

I have hundreds of favourite artists; I am passionate about African art, cave art, classics, the Italian Renaissance, Modigliani, De Chirico, Picasso, Paul Klee, Kandinsky, Barceló. I get excited with Cezanne; anyway, I like the art in all its forms.

MUSIC & MEDIA

Do you use a certain pattern in your work? Yes, I need to be alone and in silence, surround myself with images and mix them mentally until I get both to merge.

How often do you feel like quitting everything and starting again - regarding work? Whenever I can’t find inspiration, when nothing fits. Then I always think that there is nothing left for me to say, and then I feel a sense of panic. Somehow the act of creating is what makes my life meaningful and doesn’t let it get absorbed by boredom and mediocrity. What do you dislike about the world of art? I dislike the commercialism and the hypocrisy that abounds in the higher circles of the art market. I am in favour of democratization of art, that’s why I use Internet and the social networks as a means of transmission, usually publishing my images at a sufficient resolution for people to download them if they want them in a correct size.

What advice would you give to the young people who are still in the process of picking a career, and find it challenging? Where do you get your inspiration from? My advice would be, not to hurry, travel, and As I said before, my inspiration comes from see what young people from other cultures can the images and my inner world. I have teach you. I would also encourage them not developed a third eye that allows me to observe to lose the enthusiasm and strength and not to landscapes more typical of dreams to reality as allow themselves to be lured by the siren songs we perceive it. of capitalism. In life the most important thing is not how much you might have, but rather the ability knowing how to enjoy “I dislike the commercialism and the of what you have .

hypocrisy that abounds in the higher circles of the art market.”

http://www.mylovt.com

What are your ambitions - your professional objective? My ambitions are to leave a trace of my work on the retina of the spectators, to make the people feel something at the glimpse of them, to give them something to think about. Also I would like my art to last, to keep on thrilling the next generations. Another wish would be to keep alive the enthusiasm that allows me to keep on creating my portraits. 21

EVENTS AND REVIEWS

ACCOL RAFFLE

&WIN

This September, we are holding our first raffle at the ACCOL centre, as well as this being a chance for you to pick up some great prizes; it should also be a great day and chance to meet up with others in the community.

Prizes so far include:

- 1 Month Gym membership at AT7 Centre - 3 Month Gym Membership at AT7 Centre - 2 tickets to a Coventry City F.C Home Game - Mystery prize from Tesco Arena Extra The raffle draw will take place during the - Beer Twisted Barrel Ale - Voucher from Balance Health & Fitness monthly big boot sale/ Exhibition. All money raised from the raffle will go towards the With more to follow! day to day running of the ACCOL Community Centre and help us to provide more If anyone would like to donate any further events for you in the community to participate prizes please get in touch. and get involved in. Keep an eye on our Social Media pages for updates on further prizes, and how to get tickets.

GOOD LUCK!

BIKE RIDE Fund raising..... ...the ACCOL crew getting on their bikes! Fund raising is a key feature and critical activity for all community and charity organisations. In September we are organising a sponsored bike ride or cycling challenge to raise money for the many projects we are delivering at our Freehold Street Centre. For some of us getting back onÂ our bikes will be a major challenge and for others it will be about breaking their distance barrier.

Either way, we hope to raise ÂŁ1500 from our efforts and we would welcome those who want to take in the challenge of a bike ride, sponsors for the riders or volunteers to act as marshals on the day. If you would like more information please contact us on: Sherril: 07436 531760

EVENTS AND REVIEWS

PHOTO EXHIBITION

“10 Years from Home” by Roxi Albescu

e live in a fragile world, wrapped in mystery, wishes and never ending plans, overwhelmed by limitations and fear.

This brings me to the ACCOL exhibition, to who I am today, and how I’ve shaped my life goals around my family, and their experiences. I did not want to regret anything, I did not want to struggle in a job that doesn’t make me happy. “10 years from home” is a photography project No one should be affraid to dream big, no one that focuses on the strong relationship between should have to give up on what they want. a child and its parent, on the parent’s dreams, as a basis for the teenager’s career choice. Expect an exhibition driven by emotions, dreams and the world of unknown, an exhiInspired by the impressive artist Antonio bition that takes you 10 years from home, 10 Mora, and his Dream Portraits series, we have years from where your young dreams were decided to put in the spotlight our own aspira- born. tions, and reflect on how the young people of Coventry see themselves 10 years from now. As simple human beings, we have the incredible power to create dreams, further more, to From the way we hold our ice cream cone, to break the limit between what we wish for and the way we walk, talk, think, the deep conreality. nection between a child and it’s parent has impacted on the first’s way of dreaming - the Release date: September how high do they set the limits, or if they dare Keep up with us: #10yearsfromhome to break the ‘family’ boundaries. I remember watching my mom in the morning, putting on her work clothes, with a sadness on her face that I, at that time, couldn’t understand. Years went by, and my mom managed to find a carer job, in another country. Can’t lie, it was not easy for a 15year-old kid who was figuring out who she was, and where she was heading. I was left with my grandma, who was my rock, the 5 feet tall little lady, who could walk faster than anyone, and who’s soup smelled like summer.

@10yearsfromhome /10yearsfromhome /10yearsfromhome

Every couple of months we all met, spent some quality time together, and they used to tell me stories about their teenage dreams, about lost ambitions, and how they couldn’t afford to take risks- because of the war, money issues, and the one that marked me, fear. 23

ASSOCIATES FOR SEED OF MUSTARD’S

3RD ANNUAL ‘TOGETHER EACH ACHIEVES MORE’ EXHIBITION AFSOM’s (Associates For Seed Of Mustard), brings together businesses from all over the country to attend its 3rd National Exhibition For Black Businesses ‘Together Each Achieves More’ event.

Electronic Registration Receive your entrance ticket by sending a SMS TEXT message to: Number 0770 377 2253 Registering [YOURNAME] - [Your Email Address]

Experience a great day out in the heart of FREE ADMISSION to the general public Coventry from 10:00 am to 3:00pm with a va- registering before 03 Oct 2015; £5 thereafter. riety of successful business owners displaying quality products and services ranging from If you are a business owner and wish to exhibit internet start business, Jewellery, Cosmetic, your product or services contact AFSOM : Fashion, Food, Health & Fitness, Lifestyle , Email: BeHappy201334@Yahoo.Com Educating plus much from around the United Mobile: 0758 073 4557 Kingdom. Facebook AFSOM: Discover exciting new information within https://www.facebook.com/MustardSeedAssothree Informative workshops from guest speak- ciates ers and trainers a date should not be missed. (Share with your friends and family) The T.E.A.M National Exhibition takes place on Saturday 10th Oct 2015 Allesley Hotel 83 Birmingham Road, Coventry Road, Coventry, CV5 9JP

TO ADVERTISE IN OUR MAGAZINE, CONTACT US AT EMAIL: SHERRIL.ACCOL@GMAIL.COM MOBILE: 07436 531760 24

EVENTS AND REVIEWS

PARTY IN THE

PARK Party in the park was a great experience and a very nice vibe. Although the weather was not on our side. Many were still dancing in the rain and having fun, so that demonstrates the spirit. Many stalls were there. There was face painting to the local Vanny Radio with DJs such as DJKat, Jr Rockers and DJ J, playing the tunes for the people to rock too. There were also many rappers male and female demonstrating their skills alongside Slovakian bands and African drumming, giving us a new flava and all round music experience. The party went on from 12 to 5pm, this gives Hillfields an opportunity to meet new people and organisations involved within this project. Overall a great day even with the rain many still turned up which demonstrated Coventry’s spirit to support.

A BIT OF THE

CARIBBEAN

IN RUGBY

The Rugby West Indian Tuesday Club, sometimes known as the Ladies Group, is busy making plans to make their Caribbean Festival the next best thing, weather permitting, to being in the Caribbean. The group, which has been in existence for nearly thirty years, has provided an opportunity for people, predominantly, of West Indian origins to meet and take part in a range of activities such as sewing, dominos, singing, keep fit sessions, indoor skittles and much more. More recently they have operated their own ‘meals on wheels’ service. The service has been made available to many of the older members of the West Indian community, especially for those that have limited mobility and health problems. The deliveries are also an opportunity to have a conversation with one of the volunteers that delivers the meals. Throughout the year the group arranges a number of events for the community and they have planned a day of fun, food and festivities on 17th October 2015, 1.00pm – late. The day, starting at 1.00pm, will consist of a fashion show to showcase the garments made by member from the group, a steel band, dancers, poets and singers. There will also be the opportunity to sample some delicious Caribbean cuisine and visit the many stalls displaying and selling a variety of items and offering information on services available in the area. If you would like to take part in the event, as a participant, volunteer or visitor they would be very happy to hear from you. For more information please contact: Mrs Yvonne Frater on 07941 050720 25

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EVENTS AND REVIEWS

READER’S CORNER Welcome!

This is where we will post feedback sent to us by our readers. This is your opportunity to share your own personal opinion, or story in regards to ACCOL! To submit feedback / photos please send an email to sherril.accol@gmail.com Mr L from Radford said: “The magazine made you see that lots was going on and how much volunteer effort goes into making it all happen. Not a bad lasting impression really!” “The magazine is very helpful especially where there is a particular subject/article. Enlightening for example, bananas, lemons and the recipes. Would be useful if the magazine could represent the whole of the Caribbean /South America? Well done keep on going.” Judy Facebook feedback: “Legibility is the key!” Chris T. “Congrats ! It looks awesome ! :)” Cristina C. “Love it x” Josh M. “Brilliant! Thumbs up :)” Cynthia H. “Well done Sherril, love the way it opens up for all to see...” Mikey D. “Excellent!” Paul D. “Brilliant .... X” Elaine B. “Quality! X” Viv B. “Creating a beautiful product x” Veronica W. “Thoroughly enjoyed reading the articles. Very informative. Congratulations xxx” Cynthia H.

Hi!

“I like the new format of the magazine from the new size to the abstract covers each quarter. I am sure there has been many comments about the covers and the interpretation of what it signifies? This is why I personally felt abstract was a good way of describing it everyone will see something different from someone else. The articles are informative and I have noticed that each issue is getting bigger which is a definite plus. This is telling me the community is reading it and finding it to be a good resource too. Not just to advertise their events and businesses but to read what is going on. The magazine I am sure is a lifeline to some who ordinarily wouldn’t have a clue about half of the stuff that is going on. But it also offers real useful information that educates us all from remedies, to how to and did you know... May the magazine continue to grow in its readership and may the community not just Coventry use it as a vehicle to get their voice heard but to also keep ACCOL on everyone’s radar. I know its not an easy assignment to stay current and keep your readers interested, but I tip my hat to all involved in pulling the magazine together. Keep up the very good work. From one of your loyal readers. Evadne Hope in Unity”

JULY 17TH

EVENTS REVIEWS

FAMILY SPORTS FUNDAY & CARIBBEAN BAR-B-Q.. The first, in the series of three days, of the The next events are due to take place on 26th Family Sports an Fundays started and ended in July and 16th August and there will be the splendid sunshine at the Xcel Leisure Centre. opportunity to enjoy the many games as well as the various items the stalls will have to The music played from the banks of the fields offer such as: Caribbean cuisine, face painting, as the stalls were set out and continued to bouncy castles, rides in electric and much play throughout the day to keep the visitors much more. energised and motivated to take part in the games. The visitors, children and adults, were The organisation is also raising money for the able to take part in the tug-of-war, throwing, charities: Black Mental Health, Diabetes and 60 metre dash, ‘dry bun’ eating competition, Sickle Cell Anaemia. rounders and sack races. Planning and making sure the event is a The competitions allowed adults and kids to success would benefit from having as many take part in their own categories and the level volunteers as possible. So, if you would like to of competition was breathtaking! help and have some fun on the day you would be very welcome. Hundreds of people come from all over the area i.e. Manchester, Birmingham, Rugby, So, why not call: Nuneaton and Leamington. The rivalry Clive Tennant – 07951 263946, between Birmingham and Coventry is Mikey Dee – 07974 653197 or something that added even more fun to the Sherril Donaldson – 07436 531760. event. Coventry is currently the undefeated champions in pretty much all the competitions Visit our FB page: www.facebook.com/pages/ and races but Birmingham is fighting back! Family-Sports-Funday-Caribbean-BBQ

Ask YOUNG VIBES

UNCLE PAUL

1. Should I be bothered by my weight, body shape and size? The answer is no! But I know it’s a lot harder now that the media is constantly telling you how the ‘perfect’ body should look and bombarding you with the latest advertisements on diets and sliming products. This ultimately puts a lot of pressure on young people. You should focus on eating healthy, exercising, and coming to peace with your body. Some people are confident being big; take for example professional rugby players. My point is if you are happy and feel healthy, then you don’t need to worry about what people think because if they only see size and shape in you, then you don’t need them in your life. “We are all imperfect, and we are all beautiful.” 2. What do I do now that I’ve finished school and don’t know what I want to do for a job or career? Firstly, education is now compulsory until you’re 18, and if you decide not to go into training or employment you will have to go back to sixth form. Every school has a Career Advisor, who can help you decide what is best for you, so you should go see them as soon as possible. There is no shame in not knowing what to do as a job, in fact many young people are in the same situation. You can check out your local colleges to see what courses they offer, maybe you would like to continue your education. No matter what choice you make, remember that you can always change it.

3. How do I get my parents to trust me? You ask the question as I fear you have done something wrong hence they don’t trust you anymore. Trust has to be earned in small steps, it takes time and patience. You have to prove that you can be trusted, that you can be responsible, and that they can rely on you in any situation. Parents understand that children make mistakes, we all do. It’s how you deal with them that matters. If you demonstrate that you’ve learned from the experience, and that you will be more careful, then the chances of them trusting you will be increased. Trust is the glue of life; it’s the most essential ingredient in effective communication. It is the foundational principle that holds all relationships together. 4. How do I deal with my parents arguing all the time? It’s very difficult for a child to hear their parents always arguing. I know it can be upsetting, and sometimes can interfere with your daily routine and school life. If you have grandparents, uncles or aunties, you could speak to them about the situation, about how you feel. You could also talk to a teacher about the situation – they can sometimes help too. Another option is to write a letter to your parents, explaining how much it upsets you when they shout at each other. Being an adult can be hard work, and sometimes stress can overtake us. It may be hard but talk to them, and try to remain positive because in time “all things will pass”.

The Challenge

YOUNG VIBES

National Citizen Services

he National Citizen Service has doubled its amount of places to young people in Coventry due to high demand.

It all happens during the summer holidays, and is open to anyone aged 15 – 17 years, regardless of income, background, ambitions or whether they are still in education. And because the programme is funded by the Government, young people can take part for no more than £50.

The National Citizen Service (NCS) is provided locally by The Challenge and offers young people an amazing three weeks of making new friends, taking part in adventure activities and volunteering with local community groups. Demi Rogers, who took part in the programme last year said:

“My experience was fantastic! NCS made me conquer new challenges that I never thought I could do. The encouragement the staff give you is unreal and after just a week together our team bonded so well, we were like family. The three week programme starts with a It was one of the best summers of my life and week of rock climbing, canoeing, hiking and made me a stronger person. It’s also a chance camping in beautiful settings such as the Lake to show people that teenagers are not all about District, where the young people learn to work causing trouble and that we deserve the chance together and to develop their leadership and to have a say in the future of our local comcommunication skills. munities. If you are thinking of signing up, go ahead and do it. It will be one of the best The second week involves workshops in skills decisions you ever make.” such as photography, media, drama, sport or enterprise and the chance to use these new If you want to get involved in NCS , go to ncskills to work with the service users of a lo- sthechallenge.org or contact your local NCS cal community partner. During this time the coordinator, Sean at young people live independently of their fam- sean.monaghan@the-challenge.org ilies in university halls, taking responsibility for their own cooking and time keeping. During the third week the young people design and implement a campaign of their own about something that they are passionate about in their community.

The Last Saturday of every Month £1 HOURS: 11 AM - 3 PM ENTRANCE: 50 PENCE

NEXT EVENTS:

27TH JUNE 25TH JULY 29TH AUG 26TH SEPT

ACCOL

Market Sale SECOND HAND, VINTAGE, RETRO, AND NEW AFFORDABLE ITEMS TO BOOK A STALL (£10) CALL 07436531760

19 - 23 FREEHOLD STREET, CV1 5BG, COVENTRY https://www.facebook.com/ACCOL

THE UNIVERSITY OF WARWICK

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CARIBBEAN QUIZ

CARIBBEAN ISLANDS

QUIZ

IDENTIFY THE FLAG

A. Dominica B. Barbados C. Cuba D. St. Lucia

A. Dominica B. St. Vincent C. British Virgin Islands D. Anguilla

A. U.S. Virgin Islands B. Barbados C. Aruba D. Jamaica 34

A. Puerto Rico B. Haiti C. U.S. Virgin Islands D. Curacao

A. St. Lucia B. U.S. Virgin Islands C. Montserrat D. Grenada

A. Martinique B. Antigua Barbuda C. Tobago D. Trinidad

1B 2C 3D 4B 5A 6A

CARIBBEAN ISLANDS

GRENADA

The Spice Island

renada, located in the southeastern Today, we use it not only for culinary purposes, Caribbean, consists of the islands but in medicine and fuel as well. of Grenada, Carriacou, and Petite For a place as beautiful and exotic as Martinique. Grenada, it comes as no surprise that there is an annual Carnival that’s full of color, music, What makes Grenada so special? It’s the food, and dance. The Carnival is held each sound of the waves lapping against Grand year, for 10 days, in the month of August. The Anse’s soft sands that echoes in your ears long Carnival has traditions that date back hundreds after the sun goes down. It’s the aroma of of years. It’s a great way to fill your senses with nutmeg and vanilla that wafts through Market the tastes, smells, and sounds of the Caribbean! Square and throughout the island’s spice plantations. It’s the warm sensation you feel in your stomach and on your tongue after sampling the River Antoine Distillery’s 150-proof rum. Nutmeg and mace are most abundant and the island supplies approximately 20% of the world’s market! Nutmeg trees take five years to produce fruit. It was believed that nutmeg could ward off the plague, therefore it was one of the most prized and valued spice in medieval times. A truly unique spectacle, the sculpture gardens of Grenada are a wonderful sight and can be seen by divers, those in glass bottom boats and those snorkeling. Built by the artist and diver, Jason De Caires Taylor., in 2006, after a hurricane wiped out much of the coral reef, the gallery is twenty four feet down and is an amazing work of art. In addition to its breathtaking beauty, it serves as an artificial reef, providing a wonderful, safe haven for wildlife.

Grenada isn’t just meant to be seen; it’s meant to be savoured.

www.coventry.gov.uk

It’s your City... Individually we can achieve a great deal, together we can achieve so much more. Which is why we want our organisation to reflect the rich diversity of the population we serve. To be as diverse and amazing as our communities. To welcome people, of all ages and races and bring out the best in everyone who works as part of our team.

Get in touch and let’s talk about how we can succeed together.

All kinds of roles for all sorts of people. Here at Coventry City Council, our diverse team is united by a shared passion. We are totally committed to making life better for everyone who lives and works in Coventry. Ours is a broad and inclusive vision. It takes people with a huge range of different skills, to make change happen. Together, we are always striving to improve what we do and how we do it. No two days at work are ever exactly the same here. There is often something new and exciting around the corner. We have developed a great reputation for improving services across many areas. We’re proud to say that Government reports call us a ‘progressive authority.’ As our services develop and the city evolves, we are always looking out for talented people to join us. The range of career opportunities we have to offer is impressive – from administrative and clerical roles, through to schools and education; from catering to social care to emergency services, executive positions and more. We also offer voluntary opportunities. Whatever your skills and interests, at Coventry you will discover varied responsibilities and the chance to make a positive difference for people. As an employer, we will take good care of you. We want you to enjoy a good quality of life, with clear pathways to follow as you build a rewarding career. In a progressive authority like ours, scope to progress comes with the job. Whatever your aspirations, you could find a better future at Coventry City Council.

For further information and to apply please visit our website www.wmjobs.co.uk

...You make the difference 36

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IN MEMORY OF...

Percy Sledge

“W

hen a Man Loves a Woman” was the first song that Percy Sledge, who died in April this year, at the age of seventy-four, ever recorded. Paul Gambacini told the BBC that “When a Man Loves a Woman” was “one of the all time classic songs”. “This was the essence of soul, dripping with feeling. It never had a time, it was in a world of its own, so it was timeless,” he added. In the documentary “Muscle Shoals,” Sledge recalls, “When I came in the studio, I was shaking like a leaf. I was scared.” Maybe it was fear that gave the recording its particular virtuosic intensity: there is something scary in the vocal performance, real and unhinged. It’s a love song, but a strange, sad one.

Sledge charted with “I’ll Be Your Everything” and “Sunshine” during the 1970s, and has become an international concert favourite throughout the world, especially in the Netherlands, Germany, and on the African continent.

“All I had was a voice, I didn’t know anything about no singing,” Percy Sledge once said.” Before his music career, Sledge worked in the cotton fields around his hometown of Leighton in northwest Alabama, before taking a job as a hospital nurse in the early 1960s. A former patient and mutual friend of Sledge and record producer Quin Ivy introduced the two. An audition followed, and Sledge was signed to a recording contract Sledge continued to score hits through the 1960s like “Warm and Tender Love” , “It Tears Me Up” and a cover of Elvis Presley’s “Love Me Tender,” but none had the impact of “When a Man Loves a Woman” , “All of my songs are the answer to that song, I have great respect for that song. Always will” Sledge admitted.

His career enjoyed a renaissance in the 1980s when “When a Man Loves a Woman” re-entered the Top 10 in the UK after being used in a Levi’s commercial. Sledge was an inaugural Rhythm and Blues Foundation Pioneer Award honoree in 1989. In 2005, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Starring in genres such as African American R&B, Soul, Gospel and traditional pop, Percy Sledge is a popular and inspirational artist to many. “God knows that I sung my songs so deeply from my heart, from all the love that I could give to you.” 37

NEXT EDITION

Next Edition... BLACK HISTORY MONTH Black History Month is a month of events in October which celebrate the culture, history and achievement of Britain’s African and Caribbean communities. More about it at: www.facebook.com/ACCOL

THE FINAL RAFFLE PRIZE WINNERS Fancy the chance to win a 3 month gym membership? How about getting your hands on a pair of football tickets? Well, you’re in the right place. See more at: www.facebook.com/ACCOL

#10YEARSFROMHOME We’re a few days in on our big photography exhibition, featuring the young people of Coventry, on a journey full of dreams and hopes. See more at: www.facebook.com/10yearsfromhome

SAFFRON Saffron belongs to the iris family, and it dates as far back as the writings of Galen and Hippocrates, where saffron was mentioned as a medical treatment for coughs, colds, stomach ailments, insomnia, uterine bleeding, scarlet fever, heart trouble, and flatulence.

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