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Bay-C in Brum
SEPTEMBER 2012
WIN WIN WIN COMPETITIONS
Inside this Month Eid Mela Celebrations
Page 3
Win B’ham Tattoo Tickets, Dizolve Sheets and Manicures! Pages 18, 20 & 24
Ellie: Our Golden Girl Paralympics stories on page 2 and the back page
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Official Sponsors of the Jamaica 50th celebration in Victoria Square See pullout starting on page 15
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Page 2
The Phoenix–September 2012
NEWS
Cancer survivor Keith praises ‘special’ NHS
S l Near Neighbours Aston, run by Aston Sports and Social Club
Neighbours turned into friends
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eighbours are becoming friends with the help of over £250,000 distributed in small grants across Birmingham. Supplying faith communities and voluntary groups with financial support for community and interfaith events, Near Neighbours is a Government funded charity with an aim to transform communities by bringing together people of different faiths. The charity has already funded 76 activities since launching in Birmingham one year ago, including a job club in Moseley, a lunch club in Newtown, a festival in Lozells and youth work programmes in Aston. “We are really pleased we have
been able to distribute these funds across our wards in Birmingham. The creativity of the projects has been fantastic and we have seen friendships flourish and communities brought together” says Development Worker Jessica Foster, “We are always keen to hear from people with an idea that helps build strong relationships and enhances their neighbourhood” she adds. All projects funded by Near neighbours have provided a platform for local people of different faiths and cultures to come together for the first time and share their values with one another in a peaceful and friendly atmosphere. The key support makes way for lasting relationships between faith groups
as they work together to improve the communities they live in. The Bishop of Birmingham, the Rt. Revd David Urquhart commented “I am delighted that Near Neighbours is having a positive, tangible impact on local communities. People and places are being transformed by this programme – long may it continue.” Making an application for a grant is simple and effective. Applicants need only fill a simple form and the grant is processed in two weeks. Applicants are offered support throughout the process. The Near Neighbours small grants programme is part of the Church Urban Fund – the Church of England’s arm to tackle poverty.
By Thaiba Ishtiaq
The Phoenix
The focus of this Month’s Phoenix is its representation in Ancient Egypt;
P
erhaps the most common interpretation of the myth of the bird of immortality is the Egyptian Myth The Bennu bird, as it was referred to by the Egyptions, was a large bird somewhat resembling a heron. In Egyptian paintings the bird was often depicted wearing the crown of Osiris; the Egyptian God of earth and vegetation, the reason being the story behind its apparent creation, which is as follows. The Bennu, derived from the root word meaning ‘to rise’, represented the first sign of life to appear upon the mound of earth or stone that emerged after the watery chaos of the beginning of Creation. This mound was called the Ben-ben. It was the bird’s first cry at emergence that marked the beginning of time. At this profound cry, the world was filled with ‘that which it had not known’; the cry of the Bennu bird ‘determined what is
and is not to be’. Thus, the Bennu bird, brought life and light to the world. As the sacred bird of Heliopolis, the city of the sun, the Bennu was no doubt richly associated with the sun god; Ra. It was said to be the soul of this sun god, and was therefore often depicted with a sun disc in Egyptian paintings. Heliopolis was said to be the place where the mound, upon which the Bennu perched at the beginning of time, rose from. The mound is significant in that it was recreated in the form of the pyramids, under which the pharaohs of Egypt were buried. The pyramids themselves were thought to be a direct representation of the Ben-ben stone and the kings buried beneath were under the direct protection of the Sun God; or the soul of the Sun God, the Bennu. Its significance in Egyptian culture was so profound that the bird was also included in the letters of
the hieroglyphics. In addition, the bird became the deity associated with time and the regulation of the calendar. It was said to live for either 500 years or 1471 years, according to varying stories. When it felt death approaching, it would build a nest of aromatic wood and set itself alight. A new Bennu would then spring forth in the form of a small worm, which the suns heat would transform into a bird. It would embalm its predecessor in an egg of myrrh and sacrifice it at the altar of the sun god, Ra, in Heliopolis. A sign of new beginnings, life and light, the ‘Phoenix’ in Egypt was primarily a symbol of rebirth; something which gripped the ancient Egyptians. The Greeks adopted this very same Bennu into the legendary Phoenix as we know it today...
eptember marks the end of 6-months of chemotherapy for Keith Russon and once he gets that final ‘ok’ he’ll be on remission from the ‘hell’ that was for him; life-threatening bowel cancer. It’s the third most common type of cancer in England and for 59-year-old Keith, he makes it categorically clear that if it wasn’t for the remarkable work done on him by the medical staff at Sutton Coldfield’s Good Hope hospital, he may not have been with us today: “The NHS saved my life,” he says. Russon, from Kingshurst in Solihull, ‘owes’ his life to the too often maligned NHS after they operated on him pretty much immediately after having the CT scan which revealed the malignant cells in his digestive system.
5-hour
With the overwhelmingly good fortune to have the eminent specialist Consultant Surgeon Mr. Haney Yousef at the hospital, a 6 ½-hour operation to rid Russon of the tumors and abscesses was successfully undertaken. Mr. Yousef is 1 of only 3 surgeons in Britain who specialise this field. After cutting out 18 lymph glands, Russon was given four units of blood, due to his severe anaemia. A course of strong medication involving an epidural and morphine was administered to
help ease the pain following the procedure. He was out of hospital after 5 days and was placed under the care of Consultant Oncologist, Dr. John Glaholm for 6 months of chemotherapy. “Dr. Glaholm works as part of a team at Good Hope, with fantastic Sisters who put my mind at perfect ease,” says a very grateful Keith.
Special
He had never seen a doctor for 40 years, but for Keith, a very loyal and trusted Security Commisionaire, at the ICT Business and Innovation Centre building, in Birmingham’s Science Park, they are the unsung heroes and heroines who deserved far much more praise than they are getting today. A reinvigorated Keith says: “You’ve got to be someone very special to undertake this kind of job and, believe me, Mr. Yousef, Dr. Glaholm and all the staff at Good Hope hospital are exactly that to me, ‘special.’ I also have to thank my employers, at the Birmingham Science Park who supported and gave me everything I asked for.”
theory, he hasn’t got cancer any longer, but they are not taking any chances with him. That said, he’s quick to tell anybody that: “the NHS saved my life,” which is a notion that he will always cherish, something that he does with his beautiful wife Bridie, who he beams: “is incredibly fantastic support, as she’s always been.” As a way of saying “thank you,” Keith gives a monthly donation to Macmillan Cancer : “ I can’t say enough about their care,” he enthuses. And he’s living proof of that.
Life Saver
He will tell you that, in l
Keith Russon
Ellie: Our Golden Girl
Ellie led the way for Paralympics GB, grabbing 4 medals while smashing personal and world records along the way. By Daniel Riley
E
llie Simmonds has been the poster girl of the Paralympics. After grabbing a gold medal in both the 400m freestyle and 200m individual medley, and smashing both world records while she was at it, she continued on to win a bronze in the 50m freestyle and silver in the 100m freestyle with new personal bests in both races. It wasn’t quite the fairytale ending to the 2012 games that everyone had hoped for the young athlete, but you couldn’t ask for any more. The 17-year-old showed the modesty that has helped to capture the hearts of the nation through these Games, by apologising for her final medal not being a gold! The backing Ellie has had through all of her races in the packed Aquatics Centre has been enor-
mous, echoing around the building, sadly it wasn’t enough to bring the heroine her third gold. Ellies final honour of the games was to extinguish the Paralympic Flame alongside fellow gold medal winner Jonnie Peacock who took the 100m title from “Blade Runner” Oscar Pistorius last Thursday At 14 Ellie was awarded an MBE by Queen Elizabeth II in the 2009 New Years Honours list, following her performance at the Beijing 2008 Paralympics, and it seems likely that we will see her recognised again in a section of the Honours list dedicated to the Olympic and Paralympic heroes of the London 2012 games. To top off her amazing success at London 2012, Ellies primary school is naming their swimming pool after the Paralympian. Cooper and Jordan C of E School in
Aldridge, Walsall, have said they will ask Ellie to rededicate the pool. From everyone at The Phoenix, a massive congratulations to Ellie, and all of ParalympicsGB for giving us a brilliant time at the London 2012 Paralympic Games.
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The Phoenix–September 2012
Page 3
NEWS
Eid Mela Celebrations l Host Nigina Akram (3rd from left)
By Thaiba Ishtiaq
l Cllr Mahmood Hussain
l Sir Albert Bore l Aashiq Al Rasool
l Councillor Majid Mahmood
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irmingham’s annual Eid Mela created a buzz at Cannon Hill Park earlier this month. The end of the Islamic month of Ramadhan was celebrated by the communities of Birmingham, as well as people attending from all over the UK. The event, sponsored by O2, displayed the diversity of not only the Muslim community, but the different communities of Birmingham and the UK as a whole. Food, culture, music and sport combined to create an eclectic atmosphere, catering for attendees of all ages. Host Nigina Akram, a born and bred brummie kept the crowd entertained along with performing artists like Aashiq Al Rasool, Deen Janjua and Asif Khan, in addition to local children performing songs
of religious devotion. Councillor Majid Mahmood of Hodge Hill Ward and Chairman of the Eid Mela Steering Group said "After all the planning and production efforts, the sun shone and the Park sparkled with people of all ages and participants coming together to express the joy of Eid. It was a very successful event that exceeded our own expectations. The early indications are that over 22,000 people attended from a variety of different
cultural backgrounds, and of different ages. It truly was a family orientated family event that bought out the best of Birmingham”.
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NEWS
Free WiFi in more libraries
The Phoenix– September 2012
A
NOTHER three libraries in Leicester now offer visitors free WiFi access as part of a city-wide scheme. Evington Library, Knighton Library and Westcotes Library are the latest libraries to be equipped with WiFi capability, as part of £40,000 scheme which eventually
include all 16 city council-run libraries. The latest three bring the total offering free WiFi access to 11. The scheme follows a successful trial at Leicester Central Library back in April. To access the free WiFi visitors just need a WiFi-enabled device with an internet browser and their
THSH appoints new Director of Arts
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own Hall and Symphony Hall Birmingham (THSH) have announced the appointment of Richard Hawley as Director of Artistic Programming and Projects. Richard, born and educated in Brisbane, Australia, will take up his new position in November. He’s held a number of positions in the arts before moving to the UK, his first being as Orchestra Manager for the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra,
resident at Symphony Hall. A Fellow of the CLORE Leadership Programme, he also held the position of Festival Director at the Lichfield Festival. On the announcement of Mr. Hawley’s appointment, Andrew Jowett OBE, Director of Town Hall and Symphony Hall, said: “I am delighted that we have been able to appoint Richard to this key role within THSH. He brings with him a range of experience which will enable us to build upon the tremendous work done by his predecessor Paul Keene and ensure that the programme of concerts and
events staged at our two world class halls continues to place Birmingham at the forefront of music making and upholds our vision of connecting people to music. Richard will also be responsible for overseeing our Education and Community policy, an integral element of our future development.” On his appointment, Richard Hawley said: “I am thrilled to be joining Town Hall and Symphony Hall at this exciting time and I am very much looking forward to working with artists and audiences alike to further develop the vital contribution these two wonderful venues make to Birmingham’s cultural life.”
library card. Leicester Assistant City Mayor responsible for neighbourhood services, Cllr Sarah Russell, said: "The rolling out of free WiFi at our libraries has been very well received by visitors, and ensures we are offering an up-to-date service. "Eventually visitors will be able to take advantage of free WiFi in
Acorns Ball to celebrate 21 years of success
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corns Ball supporters preparing to celebrate 21 years’ successful fundraising, urged people to join them at a memorable evening of dancing and music to support care of life limited children. The Ball has raised £308,000 to support care of Acorns children over the 21 years and this event, at the St John’s Hotel, Solihull on November 10, will raise vital funds to support the 243 life limited children and young people for care at Acorns Children's Hospice in Birmingham, Solihull and Warwickshire. Organiser Barbara Siddle said: “The support it generates is just as valuable as ever, as it ‘comes of age’ this year. We are hoping
S l Richard Hawley, the newly appointed Director of Artistic Programming and Projects at THSH
l Byron Jackson
Topman for Teenage Cancer Trust
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Simon Davies, Teenage Cancer Trust’s CEO said: “Everyone at Teenage Cancer Trust is thrilled to be working with TOPMAN to raise awareness and vital funds for young people with cancer. TOPMAN came on board as supporters for three years in 2010 and we know the difference they can make will be huge. We are all very pleased that TOPMAN employees are excited about fundraising in stores nationwide for Teenage Cancer Trust and I know the team here are equally keen to support everyone and make this partnership a huge success.” Teenage Cancer Trust is the only UK charity dedicated to improving the quality of life and chances of survival for the six young people aged between 13 and 24 diagnosed
people will come along to have a wonderful time and support a worthy cause in caring for life limited children. Acorns relies on the support of local people to join with us and help to provide these vital services for children. Come and have a great evening – everyone has a fantastic time.” John Fewins, who organised the Ball for many years, said: “Acorns’ Ball has had many loyal followers over the years, and Barbara and her husband Graham have given wonderful support. This is a night not to be missed, which is going to be a really special event which brings everyone together.” Tickets at £45 can be booked by emailing Barbara at Barbara_Siddle@hotmail.com
To find out more about the work of Acorns Children's Hospice and how you can help raise vital funds call Acorns on: 0845 120 6892 or visit: www.acorns.org.uk
City star bringing locals together inging star, Byron Jackson, will be performing a benefit concert in Birmingham with the aim of creating the opportunity to showcase young local opera singers, plus also provide quality concerts
opman have teamed up with Teenage Cancer Trust to produce a series of four vibrant t-shirts to raise money for the charity. The high street retailer has been officially supporting Teenage Cancer Trust since 2010. The t-shirt range has been created by the Topman in house design team and is a cool credible graphic led collection of repeat all over prints and pocket graphics with each t-shirt design being inspired by music and musical instruments. The limited edition t-shirts are available in stores nationwide and online at topman.com from Monday 13th August and are priced at £18 with £5 from each sale going directly to the charity.
all 16 of the city's libraries, which will allow them to access an evergrowing number of online services." All online resources will still be available on library computers, which are accessible to all library members. To find out more visit www. leicester.gov.uk/libraries
with cancer every day. They build specialist units within NHS hospitals bringing young people together to be treated by teenage cancer experts in a place designed just for them. The charity want every young person with cancer to have access to this specialist support, no matter where they live. Traditionally treated alongside children or elderly patients at the end of their lives, young people can feel extremely isolated during treatment, some never meeting another young person with cancer. Being treated alongside others their own age can make a huge difference to their whole experience. Since the start of the partnership with Topman, the charity have opened a further five units, bringing their total to 22.
for all communities in and around Birmingham and the West Midlands. Birmingham-born opera singer, Jackson, who set up his own ‘BJ Music Events’ initiative for this purpose, created the showcase in partnership with his former drama and music teacher, Amanda Doyle. The concert, Puccini’s mass, Messa di Gloria, at St. Mary’s Church, Moseley, on Saturday, September 15, is the first in which Byron aims to engage children and young people in the classical music art form. With renowned conductor, Colin Baines, leading the Birmingham Philharmonic Orchestra, this particular event will involve community singers, from across the West Midlands, to have the opportunity to work on the choral piece. Indian tenor, Anando Mukerjee
will also be performing, and highly sought-after, baritone, Jackson, will also be performing solo pieces. For information on this, or any further events, projects, e-mail: bjmusicevents@hotmail.co.uk
l Anando Mukerjee
The Phoenix– September 2012
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ENTERTAINMENT
www.streetcredmagazine.com
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elcome to the new exciting Street Cred Magazine entertainment and lifestyle section to be featured every month in the Phoenix Newspaper. Myself and assistant editor Daniel Riley will bring you the most funky and glamorous news in the Fashion world, weighty news in the music industry and keeping you in the know with what’s
really hot in gadgets. Street Cred brings to you what we see as the in thing. We are very excited about our collaboration with The Phoenix as we are able to reach more readers every month and of course these pages are only a teaser from our 100 page digital edition which you can view online at our website above. SC is always cutting edge bright and devoted to bringing
Example takes on the LG Arena
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ollowing a massive sold out tour in 2012, Example announces a new headline arena tour hitting Birmingham’s LG Arena on Thursday 28 February 2013. The huge tour that sees the singer/rapper kick off 2013 in style will follow the release of brand new single ‘Say Nothing’, taken from his third studio album ‘The Evolution of Man’ which is out later this year. It’s been an incredible year for Example live, in April he played a 14-date UK arena tour rivalling that of his stadium-size rock contemporaries. This summer he maintained his stranglehold on the world of Electronica with 12 shows in Ibiza spending the summer months on the road playing a plethora of festivals across the
UK and Europe including T in the Park, Wireless, Radio 1’s Hackney Weekend and Benicassim to name a few - all to rave reviews. Live fans should prepare for a huge show, with a killer Example production and a succession of monster hits from ‘Watch The Sun Come Up’ and ‘Kickstarts’ to last year’s No.1 smash hits ‘Stay Awake’ and the massive ‘Changed The Way You Kissed Me’ as well as the recently released ‘We’ll Be Coming Back’ feature with Calvin Harris, ‘Say Nothing’ and more brand new tunes. There is no rest for man of the
Check out the newest edition of Street Cred coming soon! Mark Dwayne
positive news to our readers. We also accept editorial contributions and ideas you may have for our section. Street Cred entertainment is one of the biggest and most credible features you will ever find in a newspaper. We are a 15 year established name brand so what we will bring to you will be the very best international news.
Daniel Riley Ian McLaughlin
First image of new Jesus Christ Superstar
moment Example, new single ‘Say Nothing’ is produced by DJ Dirty South and is an anthemic stadium filler, laced with a hooky guitar riff and signature Example killer chorus.
MOBO Awards back in Liverpool
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hart topping UK act Rizzle Kicks, last year nominated for 3 gongs, joined MOBO Awards founder Kanya King MBE today to announce that the prestigious MOBO Awards are returning to Liverpool. The Echo Arena Liverpool will host the star-studded show on Saturday 3rd November. Tickets go on sale 9am Wednesday 15th Au-
gust at www.mobo.com. It has been a brilliant year for Great Britain, and for UK urban music in particular, as evidenced by urban artists having pivotal roles performing to over a billion people in the opening and closing ceremonies for London 2012 including Dizzee Rascal, Tinie Tempah, Taio Cruz and Emeli Sandé- who had her UK TV debut on the MOBO stage (with Chipmunk
in Glasgow in 2009). MOBO Awards founder, Kanya King MBE, said "We had a fantastic show in Liverpool two years ago and worked very well with the City and the Echo Arena Liverpool which makes it a real joy to come back and have an even bigger celebration of the best talent around this year. This year's show will have some fabulous performances as always, with some great performances on the night! The nominations for the various categories will be announced early next month. Both Liverpool and MOBO are getting ready for another historic event in this Olympic year." Rizzle Kicks' Jordan, who collected the BeMOBO Award in 2010 on behalf of music charity Youth Music, commented "MOBO is a great platform for music artists, we've always been big supporters of the awards and it's exciting we'll be announcing they are coming back to Liverpool. Great city and we can't wait for the night!"
l Tim Minchin and Ben Forster surrounded by Riot Police, who will feature heavily in the opening
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sequence of the new rock musical production ndrew Lloyd Webber’s new production of Jesus Christ Superstar, directed by Laurence Connor, promises to be the rock event of the year as Tim Minchin (Judas Iscariot) and Ben Forster (Jesus) began rehearsals at a secret location in London this week. The first image of the highly contemporary production has today been revealed - complete with riot police who feature heavily in the opening sequence of the new rock musical production. Andrew Lloyd Webber said: "Even the hardened rockers in our cast were taken aback by how cutting edge Laurence's vision for the show is. This is the first ever Arena tour of Jesus Christ Super-
star in the UK and he is creating something quite extraordinary. Like the Olympics we're not giving anything away but I promise that you won't have seen a production of any of my shows quite like this!" Demand has been so great for the arena tour that an extra date at the NIA, Birmingham has been added since tickets went on sale. Jesus Christ Superstar will now play a two-night stint at the city centre venue. An award-winning creative team has been assembled to transform this legendary rock musical into a unique state-of-the-art spectacular. Director Laurence Connor, known for his work on the 25th anniversary performances and concerts for Les Miserables and Phantom
of the Opera, will work alongside Mark Fisher, the acclaimed worldleading set designer responsible for the staging of the Diamond Jubilee music concert in front of Buckingham Palace. They will be joined by internationally acclaimed lighting designer Patrick Woodroffe, who worked on the Opening and Closing Ceremonies of the London 2012 Olympic Games. Both Mark and Patrick have worked on global arena and stadium tours for some of the world’s biggest music acts including the Rolling Stones and U2. Tickets are on sale now priced as £65.00, £55.00 & £45.00 (plus booking and transaction fees). They are available from The Ticket Factory: www.theticketfactory. com or 0844 338 8000.
To advertise call 0121 250 3536
Page 6
ENTERTAINMENT
The Phoenix– September 2012
The Cosmopolitan Cutting Edge Entertainment Magazine
H
eadlining the citywide festival, which runs from Friday 5 to Sunday 14 October 2012, is none other than John Bishop, who’ll be packing The NIA for three nights (Oct 11-13). He’s joined by foodie-duo The Hairy Bikers, who’ll be entertaining audiences at the New Alexan-
Eddie’s Back!
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n 2011 Eddie Izzard, the man who turned talking ‘Bollocks’ into an art form performed and sold–out Madison Square Garden in New York. He spent a three-month residency at the Théâtre de Dix Heures in Paris performing Stripped: ‘Tout en Francais’ (in French!) and then become the first stand-up to play a solo show at Los Angeles’ legendary Hollywood Bowl. It was an extraordinary year from an extraordinary man. Never one to rest on his laurels Izzard now plans to take on
the world with a brand-new comedy tour, Force Majeure. Force Majeure will be the most extensive comedy tour ever. It begins its mammoth journey around the globe during spring 2013. From Cardiff to Kathmandu, Moscow to Mumbai, Eddie will visit 25 countries throughout Europe, USA, Africa, Russia, Australia, New Zealand, India, Nepal and The Far East. Tickets are on sale now for all of Eddies UK tour dates.
l John Bishop
dra Theatre (Oct 5-6). Punk poet John Cooper Clarke, recently at the top of the charts as guest on Plan B’s Ill Manors album, makes a much anticipated return to the festival (Town Hall, Oct 11), while music takes centrestage with appearances from The Midnight Beast (O2 Academy, Oct 14), fresh from the success of their E4 sitcom, and Irish freestyle improv’ sensations Abandoman (The Glee Club, Oct 7). There’s also sharp observations and the odd tune from the Scottish Falsetto Sock Puppet Theatre (Old Joint Stock, Oct 11). As always, local acts play a strong part in the festival line up, with appearances from Joe Lycett (arguably Birmingham’s next big comedy star! – Blue Orange Theatre, Oct 9), King Heath housewife Mrs Barbara Nice (mac, Oct 7; Kitchen Garden Cafe, Oct 10), along with varied line-ups at such venues as The Actress And Bishop and Six Eight Cafe. And if you think you’ve got what it takes to become a stand-up comedian, why not
try hone your skills at a one of two comedy workshops in which improv’ troupe Box Of Frogs and comedian and broadcaster James Cook share top tips and industry secrets (Blue Orange Theatre, Oct 13-14). Other highlights include a free exhibition by fine artist Steve Lilly depicting classic comedy favourites (Artfull Expression, Oct 5-27), a ‘comference’ examining the links between art and comedy (Hare And Hounds, Oct 6), Comedy In The Dark (Electric, Oct 11) Shakespeare’s Midsummer Night’s Dream (Blue Orange Theatre, Sept 27 to Oct 6), and a night of extremely lowbudget remakes of Hollywood blockbusters entitled Short And Swede (Cafe Ort, Oct 11).
l Charlie Murphy
l The Hungry Bikers
mac - Knick Knack and Doo Dad
T BIRMINGHAM O2 ACADEMY
September 14 StakeOut Keep The Change, Sunset Skyline 15 The Cult with The Mission 17 Fu Manchu 18 Dying Fetus Job For a Cowboy, Revocation, Cerebral Bore 20 The Maine 20 Catapult Club Seall, Darkness is Blinding, Severed Ties 21 Malefice Silent Screams, Splintertone 21 Halestorm 22 Nik Kershaw and Band 22 Silent Filter ft. Stereotypical Blues Train (album launch) 23 Anneke van Giersbergen Mojo Fury 23 Motion City Soundtrack
he mac birmingham are presenting a tale of friendship set on an island of rubbish with ‘Knick Knack and Doo Dad – Reasons to be Cheerful,’ this November. In this new show from Lyngo Theatre, children and adults will join shipwrecked heroes Knick Knack and Doo Dad on the huge pile of non-recycled junk they call home to discover how to celebrate the festive season without shops or money. Knick Knack has been alone for a very long time with just a stuffed dummy for a best friend. Will the
arrival of Doo Dad on the island be able to make him smile again? And how will they celebrate Christmas when they can’t buy presents and decorations? In Knick Knack and Doo Dad’s world, telephones can become showers, umbrellas can transform into kites and shoes can turn back into telephones. Knick Knack just might get his smile back. Starring CBeebies’ Patrick Lynch and Carlo Rossi who appeared on Melavisione (the mostwatched children’s programme in Italy), Knick Knack and Doo Dad will teach audiences how to have fun no matter where they find
themselves. Lynch said: “We are really excited to be bringing Knick Knack and Doo Dad – Reasons to be Cheerful to mac birmingham this winter and can’t wait for everyone to join us on Knick Knack and Doo Dad’s island of waste to see what we can find – and more importantly, all the brilliant things we can do with it.” ‘Knick Knack and Doo Dad – Reasons to be Cheerful’ provides inspirational ideas for children and families in these cash-strapped times.
25 Then Jerico - Big Area Tour 2012 26 Aiden Grimshaw 27 Catapult Club Occoeur, Glass Bullet, Edge of Reason 28 Silent Filter ft. The Last Masquerade 29 Maverick Sabre Ms Dynamite, Daley 29 Teedra Moses 29 Emma Scott Presents... The Grades, My Preserver 30 Twisted Wheel October 01 Ryan O’Shaughnessy 02 The Jellybean Rebellion Sharks vs Bears 03 Ben Montague 04 Vince Kidd 04 Catapult Club Action Replay, Killtimers 05 The Skints Tyler Mae 06 Kites & Look, Stranger!
06 Anberlin 07 The Villains & Vigilantes Tour 09 Lower Than Atlantis The Dangerous Summer, Don Broco, Gnarwolves
05 Azealia Banks 08 Flux Pavilion
BIRMINGHAM HMV INSTITUTE September 22 Kid Ink 22 Richard Hawley 24 B.o.B 25 Joe Brooks 26 While She Sleeps 26 Full Moon 27 Mikill Pane 29 Garuda October 02 We Are The Ocean 03 Andrius Mamontovas 03 Full Moon 04 fun. 05 Dexys Bootleg Runners
To advertise call 0121 250 3536
BIRMINGHAM ASYLUM
September 15 Motionless in White 21 Millon Empire + Dirty Knecks 22 Pierce the veil + Crown the Empire 23 Aurora 29 Warlord uk + Adust October 03 Jonny Craig 05 Under Blackend Skies 06 Tonight Alive + LostALone + Blitz Kids 09 ESO
TOWN HALL
September 16 The Pride of Birmingham 17 An Evening with Tony Benn 18 Beyond The Barricade 23 Showcase 2012 25-29 Horrible Histories: Terrible Tudors
l The Midnight Beast. 25-29 Horrible Histories: Vile Victorians 30 Danielle de Niese October 01 Thomas Trotter 02 Sandi Toksvig Live! 03 Mark Watson 04 Danny Bhoy: Dear Epson 05 The Vienna Boys’ Choir
SYMPHONY HALL
September 14 Tim Amann Xtet 15 CBSO Opening Concert: Mahler’s Resurrection 16 Sing Live perform Karl Jenkins The Armed Man 17 Thomas Trotter 19 CBSO The Birmingham Beethoven Cycle: Symphonies 1 & 2 23 Frankie Boyle 25 Darren Hayes: The Secret’s Out 26 Ultravox 27 CBSO Bruch’s Violin Concerto 28 Chris Aldridge and Beebe 28 Marc Almond 29 Afternoon Raga Unveiled 30 Battleship Potemkin: Music by Michael Nyman October 02 CBSO Dvorák’s New World Symphony
NIA
September 13 Kevin Hart 14-15 Michael McIntyre 17-22 Michael McIntyre October 2 Nickelback 04-05 Jesus Christ Superstar 06 Brit Asia Music Awards 07 Rahat Fateh Ali Khan 09 Slash 11-13 John Bishop: Rollercoaster
CIVIC HALL,
WOLVERHAMPTON
September 14 Jason Byrne (Wulfrun Hall) 20 Student Fest (Both) 21 Wolverhampton Soul (Wulfrun Hall) 23 AWW American Style Wrestling (Wulfrun Hall) 29 Rival Sons (Wulfrun Hall) 30 Dragonforce & Alestorm (Wulfrun Hall) October 01 W.A.S.P. (Wulfrun Hall) 03 Sarah Millican (Civic Hall) 04 Sing-a-long-a Rocky Horror Picture Show (Wulfrun Hall) 05 Freddie Starr (Wulfrun Hall) 06 Chris Isaak (Civic Hall) 07 Soulfly plus Napalm Death (Wulfrun Hall) 09 Marina and the Diamonds (Wulfrun Hall)
SLADE ROOMS, WOLVERHAMPTON
September 14 Awake By Design 15 Kings Ov Leon + Kaiser Monkey Killers 20 Abandoman 21 Isolated Atoms 22 Eves Reunion 26 Tracer 28 Laugh Out Loud 29 Denim and Leather NWOBHM Festival 2012 October 01 The Poetry Train 02 Periphery & Between The Buried and Me 04 AxeWound 09 Y&T - Black Tiger 2012
The Phoenix– September 2012
The Cosmopolitan Cutting Edge Entertainment Magazine
Page 7
ENTERTAINMENT
Total Recall: Review
BIGScreen L Edited by Ian McLaughlin
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GM, Columbia Pictures, Passion Pictures and Red Box Films announced their new feature documentary Everything or Nothing: The Untold Story of 007 directed by Stevan Riley (Fire in Babylon), to coincide with the 50th anniversary of James Bond films on October 5. "Everything or Nothing" focuses on three men with a shared
dream…Bond producers Albert R. Broccoli, Harry Saltzman and author Ian Fleming. It's the thrilling and inspiring narrative behind the longest running film franchise in cinema history which began in 1962. With unprecedented access both to the key players involved and to Eon Productions' extensive archive, this is the first time the inside story of the franchise has ever been told on screen in this way.
Director Stevan Riley follows a story that begins with a groundbreaking spy thriller and continues six Bonds and five decades later. While Bond was saving the world from chaos and catastrophe on screen, this compelling documentary draws back the curtain to reveal the battles, threats and real stakes unfolding behind the camera.
ike the 1990 picture of the same name, the 2012 Total Recall is drawn from the Philip K. Dick short story “We Can Remember It for You Wholesale.” Both versions use the Dick story mostly as an excuse for a bizarro action movie, with Dick’s famously paranoid frenzies (psychological, political and cultural) treated variously as mere generic dystopian backdrop. The 1990 version may have had more a Dickian “edge,” but this new one (rated a softer 12A) at least holds its own as a B-movie fandango with high-tech furnishings. Here again, furious pacing and crazed iconography take precedence over narrative coherence and dramatic emotion. The preview trailers in particular make this new Total Recall look like an empty exercise in video-game imagery, but on the big screen Len Wiseman’s film has an appealing kinetic energy
for most of its two-hour running time. There’s plenty of CGI in action and settings alike, but not so much that a certain visceral sense of the characters’ physical reality gets entirely lost. Wiseman’s cast, headed by Colin Farrell and Kate Beckinsale, delivers a sort of pulp-fiction vitality, even as the special effects approach a suffocating critical mass. Farrell does yeoman duty as a troubled bloke who is both “ordinary” and possessed of actionhero capabilities. As the women in his puzzlingly multi-layered life, Beckinsale and Jessica Biel are the yin and yang of an action-boy fantasy girl. The arch-villain Cohaagen (Bryan Cranston) is an all-purpose evil dictator, mad scientist, technocratic megalomaniac outfitted with both an absurdly Byzantine will to imperial power and a peculiar willingness to take care of (lethal) business up close and personal, if all else fails. Cranston tries to
camp up the absurdities of this over-the-top stock character, but to little effect in a movie whose assorted moments of weird humor barely register amid the pseudoapocalyptic flim-flam. Early on, the thing works pretty well as sci-fi action fantasy. But Wiseman and company are much better at taking us into the story’s special world with its dream implants, artificial memories, identity erasures, Rubik’s Cube architecture, and environmental catastrophes than they are at getting us to some point at which the journey seems genuinely worthwhile. Neither of the Total Recalls really faces up to the element of Dick’s story that links the memory implant/dream adventure scheme of the future to the motion pictures we already have. And in the case of Wiseman’s film in particular that may leave you feeling that the movie you’ve just watched is just one more example of the sort of thing that Dick was satirizing.
Watching The Watch
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was excited for The Watch, simply because I love each of the leading players. I started to get a little worried about it when I saw the confusing ad campaign that didn’t even acknowledge the fact that The Watch is an alien invasion movie. Aliens made it into the ads that surfaced in the final weeks after the Trayvon Martin case made neighborhood watches in the States a bad subject. In fact, the film was originally called ‘Neighborhood Watch,’ with 20th Century Fox demanding the name change due to current events. The result is a total piece of junk that is, I must admit, sufficiently entertaining because of the actors involved. Stiller, Vaughn, Hill and Britain’s own Richard Ayoade all get a decent share of laughs in a movie that doesn’t ever really find its groove. I felt much of the blame for this not achieving very good or classic status must fall on the director Akiva Schaffer. Schaffer does a good enough job of drawing funny moments from his
ensemble, but the alien invasion element feels like an afterthought more than the driving force of the plot. It almost seems as if the filmmakers started out making an alien invasion movie, got scared, and decided to focus on dick jokes. Granted, the dick jokes are often funny. I laughed loud more than a few times. Vaughn does his fasttalking asshole shtick, and I enjoy him in this mode. His character’s dealings with his rebellious daughter in the film are a nasty highlight. Stiller, basically playing the straight man, gets a few moments to shine. His character Evan is a manager at Costco, where one of his employees turns up mysteriously dead. Evan’s speech to a hometown football crowd, an impassioned attempt to recruit people for a neighborhood watch, is a riot. I’m a big fan of when Stiller does the whole “really passionate but not quite sure how to say what he’s thinking” thing. Hill goes against type, playing a character reminiscent of Rogen’s own psycho cop wannabe
in Observe and Report. This isn’t the funniest Hill has ever been, but he still contributes laughs. As for Ayoade, he truly shines in the film’s odd orgy scene. As for the aliens, they’re pretty cool looking in their few minutes on screen. The film only had a $68 million budget, and that just doesn’t cut it these days when it comes to a special effects movie. Perhaps if Fox had thrown a little more cash at this thing and with this cast, you would think they’d have a little more confidence in the project, they might have had something that felt a little more complete. As it stands, The Watch feels a little half-assed. In the US the film is already a certified bomb with the public and the critics. The Watch had the makings of a great movie, but winds up something significantly short of that. I’m giving it a pass because it made me laugh, but I think most folks will hate it with a passion. What can I say? Sometimes a bad movie can be fun!
Tony Scott: Obituary of the man with no Oscar®
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ritish filmmaker Tony Scott was one of Hollywood’s A-List directors. I remember his 1986 action flick Top Gun, starring Tom Cruise, but he had dozens of other credits to his name. Anthony David Scott was born in North Shields in Northumberland on June 21, 1944, he followed his older brother Ridley into advertising and then film. He first appeared on screen in Boy And Bicycle, a short film marking the directorial debut of his then unknown brother. After graduating from the Royal College of Art, Scott had planned to go into documentary making. But Ridley, who later became famous for Alien, Thelma And Louise, and Blade Runner, enticed him to join his TV advertising company with the promise that he would earn himself a Ferrari. Top Gun was only Scott’s second Hollywood feature film, and followed The Hunger, which featured David Bowie and Catherine Deneuve. He was signed up to the fighter pilot movie partly thanks to the
way he featured a jet and car racing in a Saab commercial, and the movie was a box office hit. The director, who lived in Beverly Hills and was known for his signature red, faded baseball cap, was planning a Top Gun 2 when he died. His other films included Beverly Hills Cop II (1987) starring Eddie Murphy, Days Of Thunder (1990) featuring Cruise and Nicole Kidman, True Romance (1993), which was written by Quentin Tarantino, and Enemy Of The State (1998) starring Will Smith. Scott frequently collaborated with Denzel Washington, most recently in runaway train movie Unstoppable (2010), but also in Crimson Tide (1995), Man On Fire (2004), Deja Vu (2006), and The Taking Of Pelham 123 (2009). Known for his action movies and thrillers, Scott also notched up dozens of producing credits to his name. Together with his brother he ran Scott Free Produc-
tions, which makes the hit TV show The Good Wife. Despite his success, Scott, who also worked with Robert Redford, Brad Pitt, Robert De Niro, Wesley Snipes, Mickey Rourke, Patricia Arquette, Dennis Hopper, Gary Oldman, Gene Hackman and Keira Knightley, divided critics and was never nominated for an Academy Award. He was married to his third wife Donna Scott, who starred alongside Cruise in ‘Days of Thunder’, and the couple had twin boys, Frank and Max.
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The Phoenix– September 2012
GADGETS
Gem9212 steps into the tablet arena...
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This month I get to grips with the newest brain trainer on the field, Mensa Academy.
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s the newest kid on the block in the brain boosting game circle, Mensa Academy already has tough opposition in the form of the “Dr Kawashimas” brain training brand, but can it surpass the established heavyweight? Mensa Academy, as the name suggests, has been endorsed by Mensa, the High IQ Society, and features over 100 replayable levels across 5 disciplines – Literacy, Numeracy, Visual, Memory and Logic. Each discipline has a number of different game modes to them, including colour matching, anagrams, number and word association, missing letters, and many more.
You are presented with 3 game modes, Play, Coach and Test. Play allows you to choose a discipline and have a go at increasingly difficult questions, giving you a final score and a rating of up to 3 stars. Coach does pretty much the same, but with helpful hints and tips for each mode. Test gives you a 15 minute exam with 30 questions, spanning all of the game modes, and will give you an IQ score at the end of it! How high can you get your IQ? Mensa level is above a rating of 160, and if you keep pushing yourself, you can improve your IQ! Let us know your high scores, see if you can beat my score of 156 (something has to be wrong here! - Ed) When you start playing the game, you could be forgiven for thinking the questions are too easy, but this would definitely be a mistaken thought, as the game quickly ramps up the difficulty, and when you’re pitted against the clock you really feel the pressure! I played this on the PC, but 3DS and Wii versions are also available. The interface is smooth,
and the multi layered stage-esque backdrops to the questions are a nice touch. The only issue I had was with the menu screens, the little tour of the Mensa lobby felt a bit unnecessary, speedier menu usage would have been preferable. Overall a nice addition to a collection, especially if you’re looking for something to challenge your mind and keep it sharp, regardless of your age. Mensa Academy is out now on PC, 3DS and Wii, with iOS and Android versions coming soon. ****
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Competition Winners There was a huge response from our readers for this competition, with entries coming in from all over the UK, as well as abroad! Birmingham, Essex, Glamorgan, Yorkshire, London, Cornwall, The Netherlands, Denmark and others were all represented. Congratulations to the winners:
PC Version
Mandy Warmerdam (Netherlands) Sonya Brady (Birmingham) Amanda Sykes (Wiltshire)
3DS Version
Dawn Middleton (Essex) Claire Toplis (Chellaston) Karine Jade (Northolt)
Wii Version
Jan Richards (Glamorgan) Emma Ridgway (Derbyshire) Susan Davies (Birmingham)
ollowing the success of its first entries into the Tablet PC market, UK based, mobile consumer electronics brand, Gemini Devices is back with a new Dual Core addition to the JoyTAB Tablet PC series. The Gem9212, which features a 9.7" IPS display, Android 4, Quad Core graphics and up to 7hours battery life, is a powerful Tablet PC ideal for gaming, HD video entertainment and blazingly fast web surfing. T h e Gem9212's centrepiece is the 9.7" 1024 x 768 Capacitive MultiTouch Screen which n o t only ensures sensitive, responsive and speedy user control but also features IPS panel technology to deliver super wide viewing angles, ultra sharp images and a vibrant colour palette for an eye popping visual experience. The stunning IPS display is housed in a slim design and flaunts a premium white finish for a timeless look. The Gem9212 features Google's acclaimed OS, Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) providing ac-
cess to over 600,000 downloadable applications from multiple Android app markets, as well as simple navigation, advanced multi tasking support and a speedy web browser. Get online with super fast WiFi 802.11b/g/n, stay online with enduring battery life. To complete the package the Gem9212 boasts: both a front and rear mounted 2.0MP c a m e r a (rear camera, 16GB built-in storage supplied as standard, and a MicroSD slot to add a further 32GB any time; built-in Bluetooth technology to connect wirelessly with an arsenal of Bluetooth enabled external devices; and Micro USB and Mini HDMI for simple, seamless connectivity to a TV or PC, which enables content to be enjoyed on the big screen in stunning High Definition. Play hard, look good for only £229.99 inc. VAT! The Gem9212 will be available to buy from various UK retailers and is supplied with a one year warranty, which is fully supported in the UK, as standard.
HTC One X : Review
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TC were kind enough to send me out their newest handset, the One X for review. I must say, at first glance the One X is beautiful. Smooth flowing lines continuing the HTC design, and the screen quality is immense. There is one thing that is very quickly noticeable however, and that’s the sheer size of this phone. With a whopping 4.7 inch super LCD 720p HD screen, and a lightning fast 1.5GHz quad core processor powering it, this is a powerhouse of a phone.
Impressive
With a phone packing that size and quality of screen, the lack of a Micro SD slot is something that might annoy the Android crowd, who are used to swapping their storage around, especially when trying to take advantage of what is a beautiful screen to watch videos on. You do however get access to 23GB extra storage via DropBox. There are some questions as to why HTC decided to go with the super LCD over AMOLED, but in all honesty, both screen types produce vivid, immersive displays. You might have a preference for one over the other, but it does not detract from the phone at all. The 8 en Megapixel Large scre era 8 MP Cam sign Camera is imprese D l fu ti Beau sive, with l u rf e w o P , Fast the abilr Processo ity to
take photos whilst recording video a major plus. On the topic of video recording, it records at 1080p HD quality, with a quick autofocus producing brilliant results.
Brilliant
The number of on-the-fly filters and effects that can be added to the camera are a nice touch, and continuous shooting of up to 99 pictures by holding down the shutter is a lovely feature. The only slight gripe I have with the camera is that it is bevelled out of the back of the phone, and although it doesn’t affect it when put down on a table, the raised profile could lead to extra scratches. The HTC One X comes running Ice Cream Sandwich, with HTCs own Sense 4.0 running on top of it. This gives access to Face Unlock, which works beautifully, as well as Google’s Chrome for Android. Being a first time Android user, the phone was simple to navigate
while being both quick and responsive to all input.
Power
Under heavy load, the battery life of One X leaves some room for improvement, although for general usage during the day, it will hold out until your nightly charge. That seems to be the price you pay for the huge screen and powerful processor. Overall, if you’ve got large hands and a passion for power then you’ll love the One X. If you’re looking for something more dainty and aren’t hell bent on having the most powerful phone you can get, then you might be better off waiting for a smaller HTC handset to come out!
Battery life No MicroS D slot
The Phoenix– September 2012
The Cosmopolitan Cutting Edge Entertainment Magazine Purple Knee Length Asym Peplum dress - Apricot £27
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I have been given the opportunity to cover the Fashion and Beauty column over the coming months. It is my belief that looking good has no age limit hence I intend to reach out to people of all age groups. This column aims to cut across various fashion styles and I will feature latest Beauty Products, Tips, Review Spas and Salons.
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FASHION LICK
Blue Paisley Clutch - Internacionale £12.99
Floral Brocade Skirt - River Island £30
am Bukky Ipaye, a final year Student at the University of Birmingham studying B.Sc. Business Management with Communications. It is part of my course requirements to gain work experience in the media before I graduate, getting a practical feel of what working in the media is like. I also get to develop new communication skills and gain employability skills. As a result of this, I am on a Communications work placement at The Phoenix Newspaper.
Suza Sculpt Wedge - Schuh £70
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ummer is fading out and the thought of going back to school comes to mind. Autumn fashion brings back chic and classy trends like Florals, Peplum, Prints and we have hand picked a few pieces that will meet your wardrobe needs.
Colour Block Jumper - Warehouse £36 Tile print Trousers - Warehouse £48
Wooden Heel Lace Detail Platform Boot - Internacionale £29.99
Green Tonal Block Stripe Jumper - River Island £30
As a fashion enthusiast, I will showcase new ideas on how to work different looks for all occasions. There will be Exclusive Competitions and Gifts from High Street and designer brands regularly. I look forward to bringing you fresh and exciting ideas every month.
Jacquard Polo Shirt - River Island £20 Cream Oversized Blanket Coat - House of Fraser £150 Brindle Relix Jumper - Religion £60 Check Shorts - Therapy £35 Tan Leather Belt - Dickins & Jones £35 Khaki Baker Boy Hat - Barbour £34.95
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rend setting guys are not left out as the featured trends will brighten your season. The latest trends from the likes of River Island, G-star Raw, Internacionale, House of Fraser will make going Back to School Totally Cool.
Mantaray coat - Debenhams £120 Shirt - Debenhams £39.50 Trousers - Debenhams £38 Shoes - Debenhams £80 Rucksack - Debenhams £40
Parkes Ringspun Twill Trouser - Voi Jeans. Co £50
Agur Lazlo Grey Laceup Trainers - G-Star Raw £105
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The Phoenix–September 2012
FASHION LICK
The Cosmopolitan Cutting Edge Entertainment Magazine
ake& end
Quality in Every Stitch!
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ressmaking and altering, repairing and restyling; ‘We Make & Mend’ is Birmingham’s ‘one stop shop’ for all your clothing needs. Based in the heart of Birmingham’s bustling city centre, the establishment was originally founded in the 1930s, and has been making and mending its way through the decades ever since. For the past 5 years, the very capable hands of Audley Hinds and partner Marilyn Roberts have been greeting the general public and local corporate businesses with a unique and high quality service. From exquisite wedding gowns and bridal-party attire, to prom dresses and party wear, We Make & Mend’s made-tomeasure service ensures the client gets exactly what they want; a unique style at a competitive and affordable price. A garment alteration service is also provided, as is a repairing and restyling service of anything from leather and PVC clothing to gents’ bespoke suits, jackets, coats and curtains. Dry cleaning
services are also available and are widely used by local business staff. With free consultations too, there really is no need to go anywhere else! “We offer a bespoke, specialist service to our clients. Anyone from the general public can come to us with a design they like, from a catalogue for instance, and we will make the dress exactly as they want it” says Audley “they may want the top half of one dress and the bottom half of another…we can do that for them. We understand the importance of a lady having the perfect dress for that special occasion”. Priding themselves with a truly professional level of customer service, the highly trained management and staff at We Make & Mend work in a fully equipped workshop to achieve flawless results every time. “I have been in the clothing business for over 10 years now” says Marilyn “with me I bring extensive experience in dressmaking and alterations. Our client base has been expanding over the last 5 years with people
from local businesses regularly using our services, not to mention the bigger corporates, to whom we provide a specialist service.” We Make & Mend address the needs of their valued high street retail clients by providing a collect and delivery option, ensuring a fast and efficient service. Amongst their valued customers are House of Fraser, Selfridges and Hugo Boss, who rely on We Make & Mend’s expertise to attend to their customers’ tailoring requirements. “You may buy a dress or a suit off the rack which requires a little alteration. We simply collect the garment from the retailer, do the alterations, and deliver back to the store ready for the customer to collect” adds Audley “you can always rely on us to get the job done”. As a contemporary designer tailor, We Make & Mend focuses on client specification, fulfilling your specific requirements to a professional standard. Whether you are the general public or a high street retailer, your satisfaction is their goal!
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The Phoenix–September 2012
EDUCATION
Show creating careers for young volunteers
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ver 1,500 volunteers are being sought to help ensure the success of a major national careers and skills show coming to the NEC Birmingham in November. The Skills Show is the biggest event of its kind in the UK and will be staged at the NEC for the next three years, with the first starting on November 15 for two days. It will bring together hundreds of young people from across the UK to battle it out to be crowned UK champions in a range of skills from mobile robotics, engineering and carpentry to hairdressing, cooking and landscape gardening. Volunteers are required to help from the 10 – 19 November 2012 in every aspect of the event, from building the show, to welcoming visitors, media and the VIPs. Volunteers will
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Walsall College staff hoping the salon will win the award (L-R: Tracey Hesson, Mandy Cresswell, Claire Reynolds and Jahana Choudhury)
Walsall College’s Hair and Beauty Academy’s awards shortlist
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alsall College's Graduate Academy hair and beauty salon has been shortlisted for a prestigious Association of Colleges (AoC) Beacon Award, for Practical Teaching and Learning. The state-of-the-art Graduate Academy, based at the college's Wisemore Campus, gives students the opportunity to gain high quality and real salon experience whilst studying for qualifications in hair and beauty. The salon was created in partnership with leading commercial companies, Francesco Group and Hoar Cross Hall, to ensure it meets industry standards. Since opening it has achieved great success, including an 'Outstanding' Ofsted rating, high success rates above the national average and students winning regional and national competitions. The college also works in collaboration with Dermalogica and Wella product companies, who provide training for staff and students to ensure they keep ahead of current and emerging trends within the industry. Head of School for Hair and
Beauty at Walsall College, Joan Nimmo said: "We are very pleased to have been shortlisted for an AoC award. It is credit to the hard work and commitment made by staff to ensure students gain the skills required for success in the hair and beauty industry. "The salon is open to the public which allows students to gain experience with real customers and work to commercial targets, whilst being guided with expert tuition from industry professionals. We offer full-time and part-time courses at different levels and the number of students who go on work in the industry every year is very positive." The AoC Beacon Awards are now in their 18th year and are presented each year to UK colleges who capture and celebrate the positive impact they have on their students, staff and communities. The college will be visited by an assessment team later this month and the winners of all the award categories will be announced at a ceremony during the AoC annual conference, taking place at the International Convention Centre in Birmingham on 22nd November.
Training Programme offering an alternative to GCSE students
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UoB welcomes Institution of Structural Engineers President
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he School of Civil Engineering at the University of Birmingham have brought John Nolan to help the School design applicable and relevant courses, as well as deliver some teaching to inspire structural engineers of the future. Students at the School of Civil Engineering at Birmingham are to be taught by lecturers who are global experts in their field. The Visiting Professorship, sponsored by the Royal Academy of Engineering, will be held by Nolan for the next three years. He carries a dedicated awareness of educational standards and
be provided with an official uniform, food and drinks while on duty, travelling expenses of up to £10 a day, valuable event training and a certificate as a memento of their experience. Ross Maloney, Chief Executive of The Skills Show, said: “This is a tremendous opportunity for volunteers to make new friends, develop skills and play an important role at the centre of the UK’s biggest and the best careers and skills event.” Volunteers need to be 16 years old or over and located within daily travelling distance of Birmingham NEC. They must also be willing to work a minimum of 3 shifts in the runup to The Skills Show and during the event. For more information on The Skills Show or to register to volunteer, visit the website at www.theskillsshow.com .
is impassioned that students are educated by those with practical experience within the industry. Professor Mark Sterling, Head of The School of Civil Engineering stated: “John Nolan was selected for this role because he is passionate about educating structural engineers, he is a senior figure in the industry and comes with a wealth of experience.” In response to his new position at the University, John Nolan declared: “It is vital that all University Structural and Civil Engineering students get exposure to the experience of practitioners, so that
they can put the material they are learning into a career context and enhance their value to both prospective employers and society. I strongly support the Royal Academy of Engineering initiative in this area and am greatly honoured to be invited by the University of Birmingham to fulfil this role in such an eminent academic institution” John is already a part of the School’s Industrial Advisory Board and brings a unique combination of career experience to the role, having worked as a labourer, contractor’s engineer, consulting engineer, business owner and property developer.
t was a nerve wracking day, and life changing time, for many young people across Birmingham as they opened their GCSE results. With thousands across the country considering their next step, a recent survey by www.lifetimetraining.co.uk revealed that 57% of 16-17 year olds in Birmingham and the West Midlands felt excited and optimistic about their future job prospects. 32% of the under 18s surveyed revealed that their ideal working environment would be in an office, followed by 27% who would like to work outdoors or on the road. 32% also claimed that having a good work-life balance would be one of the most important factors for them when it comes to a job. Leaving school and deciding what to do next can be a daunting prospect, however, there is plenty of exciting career opportunities for young people, especially in the sport and fitness industry. 17-year-old Katie Poolton, from Kinver, West Midlands, completed her Level 2 Fitness Instructor course through the Lifetime Fitness Academy and is now a Fitness Instructor at her local gym: “After my GCSE’s I wanted a hands-on job, working closely with people and encouraging them to lead
healthier, more active lives,” she said. She continues: “I’m glad I discovered an alternative career path through Lifetime. I was able to learn ‘on the job’ and take my first steps into the working world. Working in the fitness industry is a dream come true.” There are various programmes, like the Lifetime Fitness Academy, which will help provide school leavers with a clear development path along with pre-employment skills training and support into a relevant job. Nigel Wallace, Development Director at Lifetime, comments: “It’s fantastic that these young people feel optimistic about their future. It’s important that we channel this enthusiasm and increase awareness of the opportunities that do exist, such as vocational, on-thejob training.” We’re working in partnership with many employers in the fitness and leisure sector to deliver apprenticeship programmes. Last year more than 920 16-24s were helped into employment via this route. There are plenty of career options.” Lifetime has Academies running across the country every month so you can book onto a course near you.
The Phoenix– September 2012
Page 13
EDUCATION
Apprenticeship opportunities for young people in Wolves
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ould-be apprentices found out about some of the opportunities that may be on offer to them thanks to Wolverhampton City Council at a special event.
The council announced last September that it was to launch an Apprenticeship Programme which would recruit 30 young apprentices a year - and give them real life experiences of the world of work. Apprenticeships offer young people a positive first step onto the career ladder and the chance to do a job while gaining nationallyrecognised training and qualifications.
Start
The scheme is aimed at 16 to 18-year-olds and they were invited to learn more at a special event at the Epic Youth Café in the city centre last week. The first batch of 15 young people took up apprenticeships with the authority in February and the next group of 15 will start in Sep-
tember, on a one-year fixed term contract at a wage of £150 per week. They include apprenticeships with teams which oversee marketing, play-work, business administration, customer service, ICT and catering.
Motivated
The scheme provides huge benefits for both the young people taking part and the authority. The council gets access to enthusiastic, motivated individuals who are eager to learn the skills that their business really needs right from the start. In return, the apprentice gets not only practical experience and qualifications, but also a wage. Councillor Phil Page, Wolverhampton City Council's Cabinet Member for Schools, Skills and Learning, said: "It is very important that the council, as the largest employer in the city, plays a vital role in helping to alleviate the impact of rising youth unemployment in Wolverhampton. I would also like to encourage other local employers to actively
create apprenticeships opportunities for young people at this time of great economic uncertainty."
Valuable asset
Two apprentices, Reece Faulkner and Tilly Woolley-Howells, have joined the council's City Direct team which sees them working in a variety of customer service roles. Sunny Kooner, Training and Development Officer for City Direct, said: "Reece and Tilly are an absolute pleasure to have at City Direct. They are a valuable asset to the department, demonstrating maturity and an eagerness to learn. Within two weeks of employment, they had demonstrated professionalism and excellent customer service especially on our main reception desk. It is so reassuring and pleasing to see two young people, without any previous 'work history', entering a workplace, settle in, engage with their peers, and understand the basic principles of work life."
Growing options to help young people take next step
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Winning team - (L-R) Shreya Patel (North London Collegiate School), Adam Briggs (Epsom College), Calum Laverie (City College Coventry), Matthew Sibley (St Crispin’s School) and Caitlin Bond (Pocklington School)
Coventry University hosts aspiring young engineers
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oventry University recently hosted fifty aspiring young engineers from across the UK as part of an on-campus summer school. The students, aged 16 -17, were given a unique insight into structural engineering and what studying this challenging topic at university might be like for them. Sponsored by the University, and organised by educational charity the Smallpeice Trust (with support from the Institution of Structural Engineers), the students gained valuable practical knowledge of some of the greatest engineering challenges of our time. During the four-day residential course, students learnt about the fundamentals of structural engineering, including taster lectures from academics, and what life is really like at Coventry University. It is dedicated to providing a high quality service to students
interested in furthering their education and has a long established reputation for successful outreach work with schools and colleges. The University spent 6.5% of its tuition fee income in 2010-11 on outreach, nearly three times the national average, and recently came sixth nationally for outreach in a report by the Office for Fair Access. Part of the students' time was spent working in small teams, where they competed against each other in a bridge building task, with very tight constraints such as a set budget and certain testing regime. Here students were able to use the knowledge they had recently gained as they built their structures. The winning teams were then presented with certificates from the chairman of the Midland Counties Regional Group of the Institution of Structural Engineers, Andy Worship, along with a watch
from the Smallpeice Trust. David Trujillo, senior lecturer in the Department of Civil Engineering, Architecture and Building said: "It has been a pleasure to work with this group of students; they are keen, hard-working, bright, committed and very inquisitive. The future of the profession is in safe hands, if future engineers are anything like them. Given Coventry University's commitment to helping students pursue their higher education goals, it was especially rewarding to see the value of this type of work first hand and what it meant for those attending." Students who took part in the summer school described the guest lectures from the University’s academics as very informative and they were especially grateful for their insightful knowledge about the industry.
s students across the country receive their A-Level results, there is still a tendency for them to consider university as their only option to progress in their careers. The Financial Skills Partnership is calling on students from the West Midlands to broaden their horizons and consider the increasing number of alternative routes that lead to professional careers. A recent survey of 17 and 18-year-olds carried out by the FSP and Careers Academies UK found that there is a widespread lack of awareness and misunderstanding of apprenticeships, school leaver programmes and tuition fees. As a result, young people are making ill-informed decisions about their futures. Liz Field, CEO of the Financial Skills Partnership, said: “We find ourselves in a worrying situation whereby although the number of routes into professional careers is increasing, there isn’t enough being done to ensure that the nation’s young people know about them. Careers such as those in financial services require specialist skills but those skills can be acquired in various ways. In the 21st century learning landscape, university should be considered as just one of a number of routes into the profession.” An increasing number of em-
ployers in the financial services sector have either created or expanded their school-leaver programmes, usually for post ALevel, or equivalent qualification entry. Meanwhile, the Government has placed an increasing emphasis on apprenticeships by investing £500m over this parliament with a particular focus on 16 to 19-yearolds and on higher level apprenticeships. Despite this, advice given to young people is largely biased towards degree learning. Liz continued: “Students from the West Midlands need to widen their options but in order for them to do so, they need to be guided by advisers who appreciate the fact that the lay of the land has changed in terms of modern jobs and careers. Government, employers and educators should all take the responsibility of developing talent by embracing the breadth of opportunities that are already starting to benefit the next generation of workers.” With Government changes to university tuition fees, young people may consider trying to go straight into employment, Field says the industry should be doing more to entice high-calibre schoolleavers. The FSP has already set up a pilot for a work experience scheme and this could be expanded to support an industry intern programme.
College launches new Course Brochure for new term
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alsall Adult & Community College (WACC) has launched its new Course Brochure for the 2012/13 academic term. It provides learning opportunities at over 40 community venues, running full and part time courses in subjects as diverse as GCSE English & Maths, Teaching, Hair & Beauty, Modern Languages and courses to prepare you to secure an apprenticeship. There's also an extensive range of Apprenticeships in Business Admin, Catering, Customer Services, Sport and Leisure, Health and Social Care, plus others. Many of the courses are free and support can be provided for travel and learning materials. This year the college launched a new package called 'Career Launch' where learners can choose one of seven courses that introduce them to a skills sector they can explore with a view to finding a job. This includes Health & Social Care, Education, Hospitality and Catering and others. All programmes last 12 weeks and take place over 2 or 3 days per week. Once completed, learners can then progress to higher level studies or find out about work opportunities in the borough with the College's new Job Club service. You can pick up a copy of the new brochure from your local library, leisure centre, GP Surgery, dentist and other outlets.
Introducing Birmingham’s new
SUPER COLLEGE South and City College Birmingham opened its doors on 1 August becoming one of the biggest and newest further education colleges in Birmingham. South and City College Birmingham has been created by the merger of two already popular and successful colleges; South Birmingham College and City College Birmingham. The new college still offers the
great vocational courses, excellent facilities and outstanding support for its learners and the community as the separate colleges did, but together there are more campuses, more facilities and more courses on offer. With hundreds of courses being run from nine main campuses and centres across the city, South and City College Birmingham has something to offer everyone.
The Only Way is Birmingham... During the summer we ran a campaign counting down to the opening of the newly merged college South and City College Birmingham. Just like a reality TV programme, The Only Way is South and City College Birmingham showed young people in their day to day lives trying to achieve their dreams…but things kept going wrong. The solution? A course at South and City College Birmingham. We are now looking for people to be in the second series of The Only Way is Birmingham.
AN OUTSTANDING COLLEGE South and City College Birmingham is the only general further education college in Birmingham and Solihull to have been given Beacon College status – a prestigious award that recognises excellence and celebrates success within colleges.
www.southandcity.com T: 0800 111 6311
We want energetic and enthusiastic people who represent the young people in Birmingham to be the stars of the show. Broadcast online in the autumn, the new series will follow the drama of real people’s lives. It will be fun, and a chance to show everyone how great the people of Birmingham really are. We will be holding more auditions soon, keep an eye on our Facebook and Twitter to take part.
WEST MIDLANDS FINAL ROUNDUP
Inside
Creating links between countries near and far
A Photos from Jamaica 50 events
Local stories
s part of its celebration of 50 years of independence, Jamaica recently played host to South African girl band ‘Simply Chrysolite’, who performed at the ‘Fun in the Son’, gospel festival over the summer. The six-member girl group is one of South Africa’s leading gospel music bands. Headed by Tim Omotoso Global Outreach, the girls have achieved a number of awards, most recently the award for ‘Best Gospel Group’ at the African Gospel Music Awards in London earlier this year. Their achievements are made more significant by the fact that they all originate from impoverished backgrounds. Living in areas of widespread poverty and crime
in post-Apartheid South Africa meant many of the girls were unable to complete their education. Working hard to pursue their talent however has changed their lives around, making them role models for youth empowerment. The trip to Jamaica was made possible by none other than leading press and marketing company PK Media: “We arranged for the South African President to sponsor the group’s visit to Jamaica, and strengthen the bond that exists between the two nations” says Paul Harrison of PK Media, “It is very rewarding to support young talent like Simply Chrysolite, and to connect communities across the globe”. l Continued on Page III
Simply Chrysolite
Are proud to sponsor the Jamaica 50 Final Roundup in The Phoenix Newspaper
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The Phoenix–September 2012
JAMAICA 50 FINAL ROUNDUP - SPONSORED BY A message from the Jamaica 50 Final Roundup sponsor PK Media
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aul Harrison who is the Director of PK Media Ltd and sales director of Inspiration TV international, is a second generation Jamaican, born and bred in the UK. Harrison says: “As Jamaica marks its 50th anniversary it is an opportunity for us all to look back and see how we can move forward to improve our country and it’s people.” Paul Harrison is eager to see more Jamaicans in Diaspora reconnect to their roots and contribute positively to the Jamaican economy and growth. He feels that Second and third generation Jamaicans should be given the opportunity and encouraged to become more involvement in the future development of the country. Paul is a former UK Jamaican National Business Development Manager and is currently the UK representative for Love TV (Jamaica) and PK Media which is Digicel’s UK media agency. In a recent meeting with the Most Honourable Portia Simpson Miller, Prime Minister of Jamaica, Paul found that he shared common views with the Prime Minister on the future development of the country. “Jamaica is
not all about sunshine and beaches; there is an economy to boost and we can make a difference but it has to start with us celebrating and imbibing the rich Jamaican Heritage”. Paul believes that if the baton is not passed to second and third generations a lot of cultural heritage and history will be lost Paul is British but celebrates and embraces his Jamaican roots, as he believes strongly that this generation can bridge the gap between the past and the future thus maintaining Jamaica’s heritage, culture and history. In recent days, Paul has gone a step further in celebrating the Jamaican heritage by spear heading the participation of a South African all girl band at an official Jamaica 50 event “fun in the Sun concert” this was history in the making as this was the first time an African group had been invited to perform at the concert. Paul is of the opinion that we cannot comprehensively celebrate our heritage without referring to the African Continent. A point echoed by the prime minister, she said to Paul Harrison that in her view it is a case of “two sisters playing on an African field, one got caught and taken into slavery and the other escaped...we are relatives separated by distance”. Jamaica is working towards vision 2030, which is about making Jamaica a place to live,
work and raise families and to developed world status by 2030. Harrison says “Over the last few weeks I have heard the Jamaican national anthem sung, the national pledge recited and cannot help but feel that Jamaica has been so influential due to the recognition and acknowledgement to God in our anthem and pledge.” “Let us not stop at lip service but let us as a people move forward with a renewed mindset that is not just echoed in word alone but also in deed. Before God and all mankind, I pledge the love and loyalty of my heart, the wisdom and courage of my mind, the strength and vigour of my body in the service of my fellow citizens; I promise to stand up for Justice, Brotherhood and Peace, to work diligently and creatively, to think generously and honestly, so that Jamaica may, under God, increase in beauty, fellowship and prosperity, and play her part in advancing the welfare of the whole human race.” It is a known fact that Jamaicans were instrumental in the development of the UK and USA economies. Paul strongly believes that as long as we (those at home and abroad) join forces the accomplishment of this vision is more than possible. The 2012 Olympics showed the strength of the Jamaican people and as we made it in sport, we can make it in all other areas.
About the sponsor
P
K Media Ltd is a media company with a difference. Founded by Paul Harrison in 2002, the international media agency, based in the UK, was born to address the misrepresentation of minority groups in the media. After working with a media company previously, Paul recognised the need for change and support for communities of not only the Caribbean Diaspora, but also other ethnic minorities across the UK and beyond. After travelling extensively all over the globe, Paul’s experiences helped him realise what needs to be done in terms of bringing these communities to the forefront. Connecting communities, bringing harmony to society, and embracing multiculturalism, PK Media has a heart for people, supporting them to realise their true potential. It specialises in targeting specific cultural groups, bridging gaps between communities, and strengthening links to heritage; creating a legacy for the new generation. As a second generation Jamaican, Paul is proud of his Jamaican roots, realising the impor-
tance of ‘sowing back into our place of origin’ and educating the youth about their heritage and the history of the country they originate from. “Without knowledge, our youth will be lost. It is important to maintain a link with our origin. Yes we are British, but we should also know more about where our origins lie, and give back to that community too” says Paul “knowledge is power”. As part of its work in educating the young minds of today, PK Media provides an insight into the lives of positive role models, and what can be achieved by members of the Jamaican community in the UK and internationally. It recognises the potential in the UK and aims to hone that potential to achieve great things in the community. “Jamaicans are not only athletes and rappers; we have lawyers and doctors, teachers and police officers. We need to promote all these people in our community so that our youth strive to be just as successful” adds Paul. As Jamaica fever swept the nation and the world this year, Digicel, one of PK Media’s
Desire Aspire Inspire
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his year has been a monumental one for Birmingham and the UK as a whole. From the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and Jamaica’s 50th anniversary, to the London Olympics and the recent Paralympics, we as a nation have shown the true essence of diversity. As Jamaica fever swept through the UK, Birmingham found itself at the heart of a hub of activity. Jamaicans and non Jamaicans, young and old, united to celebrate 50 years of independence of a Commonwealth nation, peacefully. Jamaica in the Square was Birmingham’s highlight of the Jamaica 50 celebrations, with official sponsors Digicel, the event demonstrated our ability to become ‘one people’, regardless of race or creed. This is the example we want to set for the next generation. In
From grassroots community organisations to big corporate clients such as Digicel as well as various international churches, PK Media has an international presence as a voice for the community. With the core essence of faith and unity, the renowned media agency focuses on positivity and provides a means of exposure for cultural entities.
generation, the need to support our young people became even more potent. Rising from the ashes of y e s t e r d a y, The Phoenix newspaper is symbolic of that very same Phoenix, we are here to inspire and educate the people of tomorrow in a positive way. We would like to give special recognition to Birmingham City Council’s Garry Peal, Business Development Manager-International Events, and ‘adopted Jamaican’, for his work in enabling communications between the City Council and Birmingham’s Jamaican community, making it all happen right here in Birmingham.
Eternal Father, Bless our Land, Guard us with thy mighty hand, Keep us free from evil powers, Be our light through countless hours, To our leaders, great defender, Grant true wisdom from above, Justice, truth be ours forever, Jamaica, land we love, Jamaica, Jamaica, Jamaica, land we love
The Jamaican National Anthem
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valued clients, was pleased to sponsor the incredible community atmosphere at Jamaica in the Square; just one example of the great community-cohesion work PK Media support.
keeping with the theme of the Olympics, we want to create a legacy for the youth; to inspire them to achieve their aspirations. The synergy between all the different things that have happened this year has been incredible. For our longest reigning monarch what could be better than hosting the first ever Olympics during her reign, in the year of her Diamond Jubilee. All her Commonwealth countries came together in London to celebrate their diversity and achievements in sports. Prior to that, her Jubilee was marked by street parties all over the Commonwealth, as nations united all over the world to pay homage to the Queen. The Olympics closing ceremony was somewhat especially significant to us, as the Phoenix bird soared over the stadium signifying a new beginning, and a new
n September 1961, it was announced that the competition for the words of the National Anthem would be judged in the first instance. The successful script would then be published and a contest for the music put in train. Nearly one hundred entries for the words were received and it was subsequently announced on March 17 that the competition for the words of the National Anthem would close on Saturday March 31, 1962. A Joint Committee of the Houses of Parliament was responsible for making the final selection. Members remained divided between two possible choices until Thursday July 19,
Teach us true respect for all, Stir response to duty's call, Strengthen us the weak to cherish, Give us vision lest we perish, Knowledge send us Heavenly Father, Grant true wisdom from above, Justice, truth be ours forever, Jamaica, land we love, Jamaica, Jamaica, Jamaica, land we love
1962 when the large majority of the House, after eager debate, approved the resolution which was put to it and the version previously heard in the lobby was selected as suitable. The Anthem is the creative work of four persons, the late
Rev. and Hon. Hugh Sherlock, OJ, OBE, the late Hon. Robert Lightbourne, OJ, the late Mapletoft Poulle and Mrs. Poulle (now Mrs. Raymond Lindo).
The Phoenix– September 2012
JAMAICA 50 FINAL ROUNDUP - SPONSORED BY
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l Simply Chrysolite, with the Jamaican Prime Minister and South African
l PK Media’s Paul Harrison with Jamaican Prime Minister, Portia
High Commisioner in Jamaica
Simpson Miller
Inspiring the leaders of tomorrow
What is even more potent is the fact that the tour was not only part of Jamaica 50 celebrations, but also coincided with the 94th birthday of the man who spent his life fighting for the rights of humanity, and defeating apartheid rule. Jamaica has long since had an impressive antiapartheid record, being at the forefront of anti-Apartheid campaigns from as early as 1957.
The birthday of Mandela has been celebrated all over the world since the inception of ‘Nelson Mandela International Day’. In response to the success of Mandela’s 90th birthday celebrations in Hyde Park, London in 2008, the United Nations General Assembly formerly declared the occasion to be a day to honour the legacy of the iconic figure. The theme of this year’s Mandela Day was ‘Take action, inspire and make every day a Mandela Day’. Mandela dedicated 67 years of his life struggling to achieve equal rights for all, regardless of race, religion or colour. As part of Nelson Mandela International Day, nations across the globe are called to contribute just 67 minutes of their time, to ‘make the world a better place’, by ‘fighting poverty and promoting peace and reconciliation’, whether this be via
supporting a charity or providing a local community service.
Mandela’s passion for the youth has always been apparent. At his 90th birthday celebration, the veteran urged the next generation to continue to fight for social justice “it is in your hands now” he said. Jamaica embraced the concept
l Nelson Mandela this year by observing the day with a focus on the children of Jamaica. Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller called upon Jamaicans to ‘connect with the youth’ ‘affirm family values’ and ‘protect children from violence and abuse’; a notion that Mandela himself worked passionately to, establishing the Nelson Mandela Children Fund in 1995 to strive to change the ways in which society treats its youth, and provide impoverished
youngsters with brighter futures.
spect”.
It was due to these efforts in directing the focus of Mandela Day to the children of Jamaica that the Honourable Portia Simpson Miller was asked to be Patron of the project. In a year that marks the nation’s 50 years of independence, Jamaica welcomed the opportunity to put into place actions that will empower the new generation of children and youth.
Demonstrating just another example of PK Media’s work in connecting communities, the South African visit to Jamaica has opened further channels of communication between the two countries, as the Jamaican Prime Minister quite rightly said, “We are but relatives, separated by distance”.
South African High Commissioner in Jamaica, Mathu Joyini expressed her joy at the initiative being so widely embraced by Jamaica and its citizens “I am glad that we can take the love that we have for Nelson Mandela and turn it inwards and direct it to the children of Jamaica. I know that he would like nothing better than that” she said. In explaining the significance of the annual event she added: “Nelson Mandela Day not only celebrates Nelson Mandela’s life, but it is also a global call to action for people to recognise their ability to have a positive effect on others around them. The day hopes to inspire people to embrace the values that Mandela shared. These values include democracy, freedom, equality, diversity, reconciliation, and re-
It is now time to reignite those relations via the new generation of young people.
l H.E. Mathu Joyini and Paul Harrison of PK Media
l H.E. Aloun Ndombet-Assamba, the Jamaican High Comissioner with Paul Harrison of PK Media
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The Phoenix–September 2012
JAMAICA 50 FINAL ROUNDUP - SPONSORED BY
Bay-C drops in for J50
J
amaica is on everybody’s lips right now with the amazing victory of the Olympic races but the one thing we really associate with the island is Reggae music thanks to the late Bob Marley. I had the rare opportunity of interviewing a member of Kingston’s Dancehall Reggae group TOK who are known for the massive chart topping anthem ‘Footprints’ The band consists of Alistaire "Alex" McCalla, Roshaun "BayC" Clarke, Craig "Craigy T" Thompson, and Xavier "Flexx" Davidson. They are best known for such hits as "Footprints", "Gal You Ah Lead", and "Eagles Cry" and have been established for over 16 years as the most edgy harmonic quartet. I did an intimate interview with Bay-C at the Phoenix Offices in Birmingham after they had just finished the European tour. See what he had to say about Bob Marley, Jamaicas future and what catapulted TOK to dazzling heights.
MD: How important do you think it is for stars to set an example to young people? Bay’C: I think it is very important we set an example. When TOK first came out we was young and edgy with our sound and delivered honesty which we still do but today we do things with tact.
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We try to get the message across but not add to a problem, our songs have moral and all about solving it. MD: Do you think your music has a massive influence on your fans? Bay-C: I would say yes it can, as we know life isn’t all about beaches and luxury. We deal with reality and reach the suffering ones with our music. We don’t always like to highlight the negative but if it exists then it needs addressing. MD: Where did the name TOK come from? Bay-C: We was Touch of Klass before but our friend Lady Saw said we have to upgrade to Top of Klass. [Laughs] MD: How long have you guys been together? Bay-C: We have known each other from school and did choir training. Our songs are very famous for choir style harmony. What makes TOK unique is that their isn’t a lead singer we are all the main voice. MD: When did you release your first song? Bay-C: We launched our career in 99 with Eagles Cry and had our worldwide chart topper Footprints in 2005.
MD: In regards to Footprints, that song really touched the hearts of many up to this day. Did you think it would have been this big as a song? Bay-C: The song wasn’t even promoted heavily we just did it from our heart and a lot of people knew it spoke of a personal tragedy with one of our band members. MD: So what inspires you to write your type of music? Bay-C: I am inspired by culture and the great teachings of Bob Marley. The rest of the band listen to artists such as Michael Jackson and Teddy Pendergrass and with that combination of various sounds it gives us a unique style because of what we listen to. I also think touring really opens our minds seeing that our music impacts on the world it makes you want to better yourself and deliver positive music for the people. I also get inspiration when I write my songs. I actually write on the Newcastle Mountains to get my vibe, that is also where Bob Marley wrote and I get my inspira-
tion from the strawberry hills. MD: So who are the greats you have worked with in music? Bay-C: Too many but who stands out would be Sly & Robbie, Dave Kelly, Tony Kelly and Wyclef.
MD: How great the feeling of seeing Jamaica come out top in the Olympics? Bay-C: Fantastic, Bolt is my bredrin we hang out a lot and what I love about him is that he is a serious hard worker and will show the world that he will win even with everything is against him and Jamaica loves a winner. MD: What special moments in your life stand out? Bay-C: My mother means the world to me and I did something for her that I am very proud of. She always told me that Beres Hammond is her favourite artist. One day I gave her a surprise. I carried her to meet Beres in a surprise visit in his home. It was the most rewarding moment for me to see my mother so happy, I really felt her joy. MD: Finally you are on tour right now and what is it your promoting? Bay-C: We just finished a three week European tour which was be Switzerland & Germany and we will be going to Israel in the next few weeks. I have a new song ‘Don’t Change your number’ which features Christopher Ellis the son of the great Alton Ellis. We performed the song at the Camden Jazz Cafe which went down a storm. MD: What did you think about the Jamaica 50 celebrations? Bay-C: Well I’m proud of Jamaica. We’ve been through a lot in the last 50 years but the world cannot deny the impact Brand Jamaica has had on the globe. From our music, to our athletes to our cuisine... we always seem to
stand out as opposed to falling in. I think we have a great potential for the future ahead as well but we just have to gather our resources, focus our energy, organize our people and move forward in a united and positive way. The world’s watching, and so many look up to us, we can’t afford to let them down. MD: When is your next album out and what is the title? Bay-C: The next TOK album will be entitled 4Ever and it should be out either the end of this year or early next year. The Bay-C album is still in progress, I’m recording tracks as we speak. MD: Where is it available for download? You can check out my new music soundcloud.com/bombrushmuzik
The Phoenix– September 2012
JAMAICA 50 FINAL ROUNDUP - SPONSORED BY
Man About the Olympics By Dee Constantine-Simms
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Raising The Flag
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JAMAICA 50 FINAL ROUNDUP - SPONSORED BY UPL
The Phoenix–September 2012
The Senior Citizens Gala: An initiative to make elders feel valued
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his year’s Senior Citizens Annual Christmas Gala will be extra special, for all involved. The event, which takes place at some of Birmingham’s leading top end venues will have all the usual fun and resonance, as some of the city’s leading business people lay on the best 3-course meals and entertainment as a mark of respect and recognition of what the elders in the community really mean to the generations that have followed hence. This December’s showcase will be extra special marking the final days of a year a celebrations for the 50th anniversary of independence of Jamaica. For many of the senior citizens it will be a reminder of just how much an impact they have made to people in Birmingham and beyond. The Black Business Community Initiative, an organization aimed at giving back to their elders and also disadvantaged people. Led by business entrepreneurs
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heatre audiences in the Midlands are in for a treat as JA Story - the History of Jamaica Musical is staged at the Belgrade Theater in Coventry and the Alexandra Theatre in Birmingham on Saturday 6th and Sunday 7th October respectively. The show is composed and written by Birmingham writer JD Douglas, script writer of the hugely popular Black Heroes in the Hall of Fame. Douglas was the Artistic Producer of ‘Jamaica 50th Culture Extravaganza’, and ‘Farewell to the Athletes’ at the Symphony Hall featuring Beverly Knight, Jaki Graham and ‘Musical Youth’ among many others. The critically acclaimed musical returns to celebrate 50 years of Jamaica Independence and the
Kenneth Ivey, Beverly Johnson, Jacynth Brown, Doreen Forbes, Jenny Douglas and Derek Wilson, the BBCI will give this year’s event that extra flavour of Jamaica with top class performers, from home and abroad to make sure their very special guests, the senior citizens, are fully recognized for laying the foundations without which others couldn’t take advantage of. Mr. Ivey says: “The Gala is a ‘thank you’ for building the foundations for us. Their ‘work’ is not done, though, as we still need them to educate us and allow us to use what they have got. This is about making our senior citizens feel valued.” A sentiment that will be continued with this year’s Gala as the respect and adulation for what the city’s first generation Jamaicans went through to open the doors for others to follow.
success of the Jamaican Athletes at the London Games. The characters portrayed include Bob Marley, Paul Bogle, Sam Sharpe, Nanny of the Maroons, Mary Seacole, Marcus Garvey and other notable folk heroes. Also featured will be Ian Fleming, who wrote all thirteen James Bond novels at his home ‘Goldeneye’ in Jamaica, the Welsh born Captain Morgan, who rose to become Governor of the Island, Her Majesty Queen Victoria, and Francis Barber, the Jamaican man servant of Leitchfield born Samuel Johnson. Barber was the lead assistant on the writing of Dictionary of the English Language and became Johnson’s heir. JA Story tells the history of a people from long before the arrival of Christopher Columbus, right up to the present day. The list of historical characters pop up with zest belting out songs especially composed for this original musical.
The variety of musical styles and songs emanates from the many and various races of people who over the years have traveled to Jamaica to make the island their home. They include Iberian Jews, Syrians, Chinese, Indians, people from the African Continent, as well as those from the British mainland. The music styles include Pop, R n B, Gospel, Reggae, Spirituals Mento and Ska, in addition to traditional musical theatre offerings. Celebrating Jamaica does not come in a more educational and entertaining package! JA Story is at the Belgrade Theatre, Coventry on Saturday 6th October, and the Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham on Sunday 7th October. There will be two showings, at 3.30 and 7.30.
The Phoenix– September 2012
JAMAICA 50 FINAL ROUNDUP - SPONSORED BY
B
irmingham’s Jamaican community continued celebrating their county’s 50th anniversary of independence with another full day of entertainment as the Association of Jamaican Nationals (AJN) held their annual Cricket Challenge and Fun Day in the city’s Handsworth Park. The AJN Twenty20 Challenge Cup provided a full day of first class sporting entertainment as host team, Handsworth Cricket Club, took on invited clubs; Barbadian II, Leicester West Indian Cricket Club and a Dan’s II to fight it out for the coveted Enterprise Data Solutions sponsored trophy. Two feisty semi final affairs saw the host team take on their Leicester visitors in what proved to be a
Handsworth C.C. puts its best foot forward in celebration of Jamaica
highly entertaining twenty-over final. With a fantastic display of the finest in Caribbean food, arts and entertainment constantly on show, that first September Sunday was one for all Jamaicans to be proud of. Event co-ordinate, Audley Hinds, was extra proud of the day, saying: “As an association (AJN), we a very proud of our nation and always like to show people the very best that Jamaica represents and today was one of those occasions for people to say they’re proud to be Jamaican.” Handsworth C.C. was the eventual winners of the Challenge Cup, their 123 for 4 beating a strong Leicester West Indian C.C. by five wickets.
A truly fun day for a very diverse crowd, representing multicultural Birmingham at its finest, all wanting to be part of Jamaica’s celebrations and that it certainly was. A special mention for Handsworth Cricket Club, who, since their formation, in 1974, have always showed their true ‘Corinthian spirit,’ quite often in the face of deep adversity. Chairman, Frank James, says: “With very little help we were able to host a packed ‘Malcolm Marshal Memorial Cup’ day, providing and covering for all the equipment and overheads, with not a penny in return from anybody.” Such is their predicament, their highly successful and supported woman’s II is on the verge of folding, as they have to play all their
fixtures away from Handsworth Park, due to difficulties in the Birmingham park’s availability for use. Stakeholders at the club are looked upon as the guiding light for its future, with that in mind, in general, and the women’s team, in particular, here’s hoping that whoever has control of the destiny of the people’s cricket club, remember Jamaica’s motto: ‘Out of many, one people.’ It’s worth remembering. It only ever takes one ‘bad apple,’ in the bunch, to ruin everything. So, whilst remembering how great a day everyone had, at the Malcolm Marshall Memorial Cup, be very mindful of the huge sacrifices Handsworth Cricket Club made, for the benefit of the few.
Organic Earl makes thyme for everyone
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or over 35 years Earl Lewis has been lovingly tendering over his crops of vegetables and herbs deep in Handsworth Birmingham. After going through the huge gates to the allotment, surrounded by trees on all sides, silence engulfs the area. A pathway flanked by patches of newly sewed seedlings to lush vegetation of all descriptions, the allotments brings you into another dimension. Originally from Jamaica, since
coming here, in 1963, the proud gardener has made his plot at the much-tended allotment a true home from home. Since his retirement, Earl has been tending to his crop on a daily basis. Witnessing the sudden changes in seasons and the onslaught of heavy rain this year, he says his crop is ruined, resulting in a poor harvest this year. Peaceful calm with the intermittent passing of trains interrupts the buzzing of bees collecting pollen whilst butterflies dance
amongst the flowers. It really is an oasis of plenty. Within minutes of meeting the effervescent Lewis a cat ambles down the pathway to great him, looking for a meal. Purring on cue, the ‘homely’ cat offers himself for a petting. Earl, an organic gardener, uses nature’s own pesticides, such as ladybugs to keep pests away, and natural liquids. He refuses to use chemicals to enhance growth or for pesticides. He now produces his own jerk
seasoning, using the ingredients he grows, supplying many takeaways, other eateries and shops with his special marinades, sources and seasonings. His onions are as big as you can get in many a supermarket and his cabbages are so huge they can easily feed a family for a week. As people lead busier lives, one thing’s for sure, Earl has thyme for everyone.
By Max Marriott
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The Phoenix–September 2012
56 Chetwynd Road, Penn, Wolverhampton, WV2 4NZ
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01902 334 666
J.J. Karate Academy
W
olverhampton’s leading association of karate academies, Elite Karate Association, was founded by the pioneer of karate development in Wolverhampton; Dr. Hachidan (Master) Josh Johnson, in 1986. More than 25 years later, Dr. Johnson is still providing karate students and instructors alike, with courses, and nationally recognised coaching schemes. Specialising in the Wado-ryu form of karate, the EKA boasts a number of clubs all over the West Midlands and also provides courses for students all over England and Wales. As chief instructor of EKA, Dr. Johnson oversees all the clubs run under the banner of the association, including his very own JJ Karate Academy. Although Elite Karate was officially established in 1986, the Wolverhampton karate club started in the 1970s, after Dr. Johnson used the expertise he gained whilst CHILLED SEXY JUICE
training at Birmingham’s then prestigious Temple Karate Academy “I would travel to Birmingham to train at the academy, and then take what I was taught back to my community in Wolverhampton” he says “I would gather friends at the YMCA in Wolverhampton, and teach them what I knew”. It all started 45 years ago, when, after a mishap on the streets of Wolverhampton as a youth, Dr. Johnson decided to dedicate his life to teaching self defence in a bid to provide a safer future for the next generation. Always passionate about teaching, the 8th Dan Black Belt has rained thousands of students all over the world. “Although it was very hard training, it has enforced respect and discipline in every aspect of my life” he added. Over the years EKA has produced British, European and World champions through the dedication of the qualified instructors,
CHILLED CARROT JUICE
and the wisdom of the experienced Dr Johnson, who himself was inducted into the Combat Hall of Fame in November last year. EKA is a member of the English Karate Governing Body and Federation of English Karate Organisations body for Karate in the UK, to which Dr. Johnson was the national karate coach from 200311; a position which took him all over the world. He was subsequently appointed their Development Director for martial arts in 2011. Each year, the association organises an annual awards ceremony at the city’s Lighthouse theatre. Students, who range from age 6 years and upwards, achieve well deserved awards for their hard work “It gives everyone something to look forward to. They are all working towards a belt, but this gives them something else to work towards.” Says Dr. Johnson “And the best bit is that nobody
ICE CREAM
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0789 689 2634
Talk of the Town, Martineau Place, Birmingham City Centre, B1 2AB
knows if they will be winning a prize! The surprise is part of the reward” As part of a generation of Jamaicans who arrived in the UK during the 1960s, Dr Johnson not only wants to give back to the Wolverhampton community which he has always been a part of, but he also wants to create a link between the community here, and the community he originated from in Hanover, Jamaica. The Hanover and Wolverhampton Link Organisation Project is something he is involved in extensively, along with other organisations in and around Wolverhampton. As Hanoverians make up most of the African Caribbean population in Wolverhampton, it was felt that the contribution they have made to the city needed to be recognised. The Project therefore aims to create a legacy for individuals of the past, present and future, and works with communities in Wolverhampton and Jamaica to
bring them together. As a health and fitness expert, the contribution Dr. Johnson makes to the project is invaluable. Aiming to improve the health and well being of all citizens, JJ Karate Academy works closely with schools in Hanover and Wolverhampton, making a healthy lifestyle easily accessible to all. He adds “In years to come, as long as we make changes for the people, especially our young chil-
dren, the world will be a great place for them to live in. It’s their future” The policy of ‘Karate for All’ means JJ Karate Academy, and indeed EKA as whole, is determined to get everyone live and kicking; creating a legacy for the new generation, from Jamaica to the West Midlands.
Great courses... We have 100s of courses in a range of levels from level 1 right through to higher education, so there is something for everyone no matter what your ability or qualifications. You can study full time or part time to fit around your life, and we have a huge variety of subjects for you to choose from:
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Locations We have nine main campuses and centres across the city, so we are always within easy reach. You can get to us by car, foot and on public transport. Digbeth Campus | Balsall Heath Women’s Centre | Fusion Centre | Bordesley Green Campus | Tyseley Campus | Golden Hillock Women’s Centre | Hall Green Campus | Handsworth Campus | Ladywood Centre
Location maps can be found on our website: www.southandcity.com
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Page 16
The Phoenix–September 2012
EDUCATION
A Level Joy for Students
S
A
Level student Gavan Poonia studied Psychology, Sociology and Business Studies and was delighted to gain twos Bs and a C. The 17-year-old said: “I was really surprised by my results as I didn’t expect to do so well. “The college was brilliant and the whole experience was great. It really helped me gain in independence in preparation for university. I made lots of new friends and the tutors were so helpful. “I hope to carry on with my A Levels before starting a degree in Business and Marketing Management.”
tudents at City of Wolverhampton College were celebrating after A Level results reached record levels. Despite national results remaining largely unchanged, at City of Wolverhampton College A2 pass rates improved by almost 3%, from 94.5% to 97.4%, and by almost 5% at AS Level. Results showed a 100 per cent pass rate in 19 A2 and AS subjects, including Accounting, Art, Business, Maths and Physics, with 100% in all languages at A2 level. Among the star performers was Rebecca Needham, who picked up three As and a B in her AS levels. The 17-year-old, who studied Sociology, Communication and Culture, English Language and Psychology, said she was “shocked and excited” by her results. She added: “I wasn’t expecting to do so well in Psychology, but thanks to the
support of my tutor have managed to get an A grade. I’m now looking forward to carrying on with my A Levels before moving on to university to study Sociology.” Principal John Hogg said: “We are delighted with these results, which are testament to the hard work of all our students and tutors. “Many of our students are now moving onto university or embarking on their careers and I am sure that armed with an excellent set of results they will achieve all they set out to do. “We wish them every success in the future.” The college offers a range of A Levels through City Sixth, its specialist provision for school leavers, which is preparing to receive students who will start their A Levels in September. Places are still available for some subjects. For more information on courses ring College Direct on 01902 836000.
to mainland Europe. New plans for MG Motor UK include the new diesel model and an MG3 by the middle of next year, with an MG5 and an MG SUV vehicle also on the horizons. The new additions will see more jobs created at Longbridge as the owner looks to boost sales in the UK, China and Europe. MG Motor UK Press and PR Manager Doug Wallace said: “Work has started on a £1.5 million redevelopment programme for the design centre and there’s a £1.4 million investment in the engine test centre, allowing us to design engines and transmissions
for future products. A £1.5 million investment in the factory is for the introduction of the new diesel engine. It’s a steady progess but we are getting there. The design centre will be complete by the end of this year with the other areas completed slightly later.” The trans-
L
iam Till is celebrating after picking up As in his Maths, Physics and Chemistry A Levels. The twenty-two-year-old was studying web design at university when he decided it wasn’t right for him. He returned to college to gain his Maths GCSE, before moving on to A Levels to gain the qualifications he needed to study for a degree in Meteorology. “The Maths and Science workshop was a real help. I could go there to study and if I had any questions the tutors were right there to ask.”
Students build their college
S
tudents from Walsall Adult & Community College spent four weeks of their summer break putting their skills to the ultimate test of 'building their own college.' Assisting construction workers from Walsall-based contractor W Barratt Ltd, they carried out a range of improvements at the college's Hawbush Centre in Leamore, as well as plastering classrooms and offices at the centre in Beeches Road. The college invested in modernising the building, creating larger and more multi-functional learning spaces for students and staff in time for the new academic year. The idea to get the learners involved was the brainchild of college principal, Maria Gilling who expressed her delight with the progress so far: "There is a major need for young people in our communities to learn new skills, to receive information about training opportunities and gain experience in the workplace,” she said. "This was a really exciting op-
portunity for our students to put their skills to the test and they worked exceptionally hard,” she concluded. Twenty-year old apprentice Jamie Palmer said he enjoyed the experience: "I’ve been at the college now for a few months and I really enjoyed the four weeks in the summer helping the team of contractors. All the work we completed was up to a good standard and I’m glad that other people will benefit from the fruits of our labour. I’m really proud of what we’ve all achieved here." Chris Turner from W Barratt Ltd added: "The students were outstanding seeing what it’s like to work on a real building site. The work was top-notch. They’ve been brilliant." In October the college will look to enrol the next cohort of learners onto the programme. Employers who need support with refurbishment are invited to talk to the college about involving learners with any potential work required.
MG Motors creating further jobs at Longbridge An Educator educating formation of Longbridge has already seen a massive £450 million investment, as MG Motors plans for new models.
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G Motors is creating new jobs through a multimillion pound redevelopment programme by doubling the size of its design centre. In the latest phase of redeveloping Longbridge massive investments in the design studio, the engine test centre and the factory has been made as they set to launch the new diesel MG6. Subsequently, this means that the Chinese-owned firm will be recruiting new engineers and designers to work on the next generation of MG cars, to further push export
a community
D
r. Lorna Cork MBE is passionate about education. The Cambridge graduate with a PhD in Education, uses her own life’s experience to help schools to improve learning practice and get better results. The recipient of the much-coveted ESRC studentship, came from a humble single-parent home, rising up to hold the post of Senior Schools and Settings Improvement Advisor at Birmingham City Council. The post saw the former English teacher serve the post with distinction seeing school results doubled and exceed government targets. The unsung hero who refuses to limit herself to institutions takes her expertise into the community, hosting events for local parents, giving them advice on how schools work and how to support their children in getting the best education possible. One event in particular, was called ‘Yes We Will,’ which was inspired by President Barack Obama’s famous slogan, offering a motivational and educational programme for the whole family. Dr Cork is an inspirational figure herself, counting her mother as a significant role model in her life. She credits her PhD supervisor, Donald McIntyre for helping to bring out the best of her whilst at Cambridge by being able to see both her ‘intellectual capital and cultural capital’. She’s combing her skills in education and community research to benefit society, hosting her own event in order to celebrate International Wo m e n ’s Month. Amongst the distin-
guished speakers at the event was Birmingham solicitor, Karen Bailey Wright, the first African-Caribbean woman solicitor to set up her own practice in the city centre. An expert researcher, education and leadership consultant, trainer and author, Dr. Cork received her MBE on the Queen’s Honours List, for services to education in June this year. She recently formed an independent social enterprise and consultancy, allowing her to offer her unique combination of skills to benefit organisations, schools and families alike and to fully implement her philosophy that education occurs both in and out of schools. A visionary leader, specialising in leadership and performance improvement in schools, organisations and within communities, she adopt a multi-disciplinary approach to problemsolving and maximising results whilst recognising that equalities is integral to organisational/ school improvement. Her highly regarded and influential 'Yes We Will,' selfdevelopment and leadership programme for children, young people and families (also in book form) was created in 2008. It’s an annual writing competition to empower and engage families and focuses on communication for achievement and leadership; communities: “Children and young people need to have the ability to be articulate to nurture a future of leaders,” says Dr. Cork, “thus creating the ability to rise and overcome challenges. If I did it, why not you, ” she continued. She knows in her heart that yes you can.
The Phoenix– September 2012
Gorge local best at the mac Food Market
F
ollowing the success of last month’s Food Festival, The mac birmingham has decided to make it a regular excuse for people to gorge on the best locally produced nosh with their monthly Food Market. The event happens on the last Sunday of every month, with further Sundays to include September 30, October 28 and November 25. You can indulge yourself with tasty treats and specialist goods, see live demonstrations and fill your shopping bags with delicious goodies. There is also scrumptious lunch at Bridges Cafe Bar during your visit. Each remaining month will see a variety of stalls with produce ranging from homemade cakes, spices, traditional sweets, artisan breads, sausages, deli goods, a range of tea and coffee beans, freshly pressed juices, smoked meats, handmade
chocolate, macaroons and even samosas. Stall holders include: jACKrABBIT (ideas and products for growing, preserving and cooking home grown produce), Squisito (homemade Italian food. BBC Good Food Show & Slow Food UK Award Winners 2008-2009 and 2010-11), Tan Rosie - Caribbean sauce, spices and snacks, Beans and Leaves (Speciality coffee and tea blends), B14 Artisan Collective including Cuffufle Chutney, Change Kitchen and Trishul Chocolate, Yummie Brummie, a collective including Urban Harvest, Miss Macaroon, Devenish Girl Bakery and Albert's bread and Beez Neez, which is top quality local honey. mac birmingham is supporting local producers while satisfying your taste buds. The best justification we have heard in a while for treating yourself!
Page 17
FOOD
The Warehouse Cafe
W
ith some of the country’s most prestigious awards tucked under its belt, Birmingham’s Warehouse Café boasts a blend of British comfort food at its best, mingled with innovative international flavours. Tucked away between the Bullring Shopping Centre and industrial Digbeth, the vegetarian restaurant shares its home with Birmingham Friends of the Earth, adopting the core values of the charity organisation in doing so. Incredibly unique, this small vegetarian restaurant is situated on the first floor of a converted
warehouse in Allison Street, and with it comes the quirky character of a period building. The natural wooden floor adds to the ambience of the place, which is completely environmentally friendly! Owner Alex Claridge and his team are committed to sustainability. They use only the freshest of produce, grown in their very own allotment, and buy organic and fair trade ingredients to use in their distinctive, wholly vegetarian and vegan recipes. Warm and friendly staff are on hand to welcome you and introduce you to the ‘Specials Board’, whetting your appetite with the
array of dishes made from ingredients picked on the day, bringing a whole new meaning to the word ‘fresh’! The menu ranges from delicious appetisers to vegetarian takes of the classic burger. Freshly harvested potatoes are used to make the most scrumptious potato wedges! With man-size portions of each dish, you will not be left disappointed. Living up to the awards it has picked up along the way, The Warehouse Café is a truly unique place to visit. For great food, friendly service and a tranquil atmosphere, Birmingham’s best vegetarian restaurant is the place to be!
l Alex Claridge
Experience Zythology at Ramada
D
rinking beer is one of UK’s favourite pastimes but what many don’t know is that there is more than one way to enjoy beer, so Ramada Birmingham, Sutton Coldfield steps in to
show us how it should be done with their newly launched Zythology Experience Menu. Zythology is the study of beer, beer-making and the role of individual ingredients in the brewing process, with students of Zythol-
ogy become beer connoisseurs, attaining an extensive knowledge of ingredients, pouring techniques and beer pairing. A beer aficionado has created a unique menu for Ramada Birmingham, Sutton Coldfield pairing each of the 3 courses with beautifully complimenting beer selected based on its qualities and attributes. The Zythology expert has considered many facts about the beer products selected; its individual and complex brewing processes, taste components that contrib-
ute to undertones and aftertastes, in order to pair it with a perfect dish. The tantalising menu teams Magners Cider with sumptuous roast pork, apple and sage pate; Hoegaarden with fragrant Thai curry; and blond beer Leffe with the sweet and savoury tastes of chocolate and blue cheese. Guests can expect a tailor made menu, allowing them to appreciate beer for all its complexity when it comes to enjoying it with certain food. The Zythology Experience Menu is now available in the Club Room Restaurant and Bar at Ramada, Sutton Coldfield
Page 18
The Phoenix–September 2012
NEWS
Birmingham International Tattoo 2012 COMPETITION strongly for the two performances, there is still plenty of time to arrange your visit to the 2012 Birmingham International Tattoo and witness one of the fantastic spectacles of the British calendar and give yourself a last chance to wave your flags in this special year. The event takes place on Saturday 24th November and Sunday
2
012 really is a celebration of all things British. From the Diamond Jubilee to the Olympics, there is a real sense of nationalistic pride and achievements, and there is nothing more British than a military tattoo, with marching bands, dog display teams, field guns and all the other trappings that make up those military spectacles we, as a country, are
so good at. The 2012 Birmingham International Tattoo, taking place in November at the NIA, is likely to be the best yet in its 24 year history as the organisers pull all the stops out to end this very special year in style. The show will feature the world famous Band of the Irish Guards as the lead band. This is one of just five bands in the Foot Guards Regiments in the Household Division and the band's main role is to assist the regiments guarding the monarch by providing musical support for ceremonial duties. With the Queen as their Colonel in Chief and Prince William being a Colonel in the Regiment, they have strong links with our Royal family. Although seats are already selling
25th November at the NIA. Tickets are priced from £10.50 for a child, from £12.50 for a senior citizen and from £14.50 for an adult (plus booking and transaction fees). They are available from The Ticket Factory: www.theticketfactory.com or 0844 338 8000.
We’ve got 3 pairs of tickets to the Birmingham International Tattoo for the Sunday 25th showing at 2pm. To be in with a chance of winning, just answer this simple question:
Which band is featured as the lead band at the Birmingham International Tattoo?
a) Band of the Irish Guards b) Band of Elastic c) The Gastric Band
To be in with a chance of winning, email your answer along with your full name, address and telephone number to competitions@thephoenixnewspaper.com. Competition closes at 23.59 on 30th September 2012. The first 3 names drawn will get a pair of tickets to the Birmingham International Tattoo on Sunday 25th November 2012. There is no cash alternative. Winners will be contacted in week commencing 1st October 2012. Good luck!
Clothing collection awareness
I
t is the time of year again, when many of us, in the run-up to the festive period, will be donating our unwanted clothes and items to those in need. The goodwill of generous donors is always appreciated; however charities all over the UK are urging people to be aware of bogus clothing collectors. To ensure your donations reach your chosen destination, charities encourage donating in person at charity shops or similar, as donations left on doorsteps are often picked up by people unconnected to the charity. Bags and leaflets are also often duplicated by unregistered charities. Please be aware that legitimate charities will always have the following information displayed, as per the Institute of Fundraising code of conduct: n Name and logo of the collecting charity n A percentage of how much of the funds go to the charity n A leaflet and agreement n A time of collection n A land line contact number n A kite mark, such as the Fundraising Standards Agency (FRSB), showing that the charity is regu-
Free Trial Community in sights at Barr Beacon
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alsall's landmark Barr Beacon has had a fantastic year with a successful Heritage Lottery Fund bid of £440,000 and a record crowd flocking to the Bands on the Beacon event last month. Newly appointed Barr Beacon Community Liaison officer, Martin Harrison, couldn't be more excited about the prospect of working on the restoration project at this historic site. His role is to develop relationships with local communities, building on its pride and promoting its potential to those who have yet to discover it for themselves. Starting his new Heritage Lottery Funded post in July, a delighted Martin said: "Natural open space is so important for people's health and wellbeing. I’ll be working with local residents, community and voluntary groups, plus schools and other organizations to maximize Barr Beacon's potential. A fantastic site, it’s one of the highest points in the West Mid-
lands viewing over seven counties. It’s something Walsall can be really proud of.” Harrison, who previously worked at the Black Country’s Wildlife Trust, Cheshire West and Chester Council, continued: “There are opportunities and possibilities for people of all ages with the range of activities and events that can be staged here. I want to work with communities to identify other activities that they can be involved in and take on board their ideas. It’s an exciting role and I love meeting and working with people to make the most of the project." Barr Beacon Trust Chair, Councilor Adrian Andrew, said: "We're delighted to have Martin in this important role which is all about involving local residents and encouraging their ideas for this much-loved site. It’s been a fantastic year so far for Barr Beacon and everyone associated with it is committed to driving forward its restoration, ensuring it remains a valuable asset for future generations."
The Heritage Lottery Fund project - to be run by Walsall Council in partnership with owners The Barr Beacon Trust - will restore the site’s heritage features including a rare design of flagpole, an historic tree plantation, and its landmark war memorial. The monument will be restored and re-dedicated as a memorial to servicemen and women throughout the 20th and 21st centuries, while the grant funding will also play an important role in bringing the site to life as a valued community resource for Walsall.
l Martin Harrison
lated The code has been developed to help charities and collectors to observe the best practice, and thereby help the public to continue donating with confidence. Task forces have been set up to tackle the problem and raise awareness amongst the community. The Trading Standards Institute is also working closely with charities to ensure they meet the requirements of legitimate clothing collection. Charities such as Battersea Dogs and Cats Home, Clothes Aid, Islamic Relief and Kidney Research and many others are in turn working with their local police departments to report crimes of theft and strengthen relationships between charity collectors and donors. For further help you can contact the FRSB, Institute of Fundraising, Textile Recycling Association or Charity Retail Association. If you suspect a crime of theft you must contact your local police immediately, or notify the charity concerned.
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Page 20
The Phoenix–September 2012
FASHION
T
his week I visited a salon with a touch of class, and I just have to share my experience with you guys! Mint Nail and Beauty Bar offers numerous treatments like facials, waxing, spray tanning, brows and lash tints, manicures, pedicures and massages. The salon is conveniently situated off Corporation Street in Birmingham City Centre and is very easy to locate. The atmosphere inside is very welcoming and you immediately get attended to by the warm and friendly staff. While you relax and get beautified, you also get treated to a hot drink of your choice! The salon layout allows friends to sit together and chat whilst getting their nails done. Mint’s signature ‘Ready to Go Manicure and Pedicure’ is designed for people who are always on the move. They use an instant dry and long lasting UV polish after the nails have been shaped and tidied. There is a wide range of colours to choose from, for customers with long natural nails. The OPI brand used gives a gel-like, long lasting finish. The Mint ‘Definition Brows’ is a new special treatment that in-
volves tinting, threading and trimming your brows to perfection. For every facial treatment a patch test is done on your skin to avoid allergies and the experienced attendant personalises the services offered to give you the look you want. There is a full consultation during all services to ensure customers are happy with the finished work. Mint services are for both ladies and gents so you can go with your partner for a relaxing pampering session. Beauty products are also sold in the salon for customers to purchase and use at home. Existing customers get 25% off every time they introduce a friend. Gift Vouchers are available in-store and online. The treatments are very affordable and there is a 25% discount off all treatments for new customers! Bookings can be made in-store and online via www.mintsalons. co.uk and the Mint Nail and Beauty official Facebook page. Overall the experience at Mint was fun and I think you all should give the place a try… I will be going back there very soon for some more pampering myself!
By Bukky Ipaye - Fashion Columnist
COMPETITION
We’ve got 5 vouchers for a “Ready To Go” Manicure at Mint Nail & Beauty Bar worth £29.50 each. To be in with a chance of winning, answer this simple question!
What is the name of the new special treatment involving tinting, threading & trimming of eyebrows? To be in with a chance of winning, email your answer along with your full name, address and telephone number to competitions@thephoenixnewspaper.com. Competition closes at 23.59 on 30th September 2012. The first 5 names drawn will win a voucher. There is no cash alternative. Winners will be contacted in week commencing 1st October 2012. Good luck!
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Are you looking for a business opportunity, or looking for Mary Kay products to purchase? Call Mary on 07834 517 097
The Phoenix–September 2012
Page 21
OVERSEAS NEWS
Ethiopian shoemaker takes great strides
E
ight years ago Ethiopia’s Bethlehem Tilahun Alemu decided to sell cool colourful shoes made of all locally sourced recycled materials, including car tyres. Her company, SoleRebels, soon became the world’s first fair trade green footwear firm certified by the World Fair Trade Organization (WFTO) - and now one of Ethiopia’s most thriving businesses. She sells her products in 55 countries, mostly through individual retailers, and its biggest markets are in Austria, Canada, Japan, Switzerland and the United States. It all started in Zenabwork, the poor community in the outskirts of Addis Ababa where Bethlehem was born: “My mum and my father have been working hard. I grew up watching them,” she told the BBC series African Dream. My father is an electrician and my mother works in a hospital. They have really been building us to work with whatever we have. So I watched my parents; they’re a model for me to follow in their steps,” she says. Having trained as an accountant, she decided to venture into shoemaking when realizing that many talented artisans in her neighbourhood were unemployed: “They had skills but they didn’t have any opportunities to work,” she explained. Bethlehem also knew that there was an ap-
petite abroad for eco-sustainable products. Starting the company with an investment of less than $10,000 (£6,400) and put together by her immediate family she now has 75 full-time employees in the factory and more than 200 local suppliers of raw materials. Designed to take into account the trends followed by consumers in the West, SoleRebels make around 800 pairs of shoes a day. “We are aiming for $2m this year. In 2016, we plan to do $20m,” says a determined Mrs Bethlehem. “The demand is here. It’s up to us to take advantage and make it happen,” she added. But the astute business woman added: “We are really selective because we need this brand to stand out for Ethiopia and Africa. That’s why we are taking our time. I know running a business is not that easy, but I love it.”
Being in ‘fair trade’ is paying a proper amount of money for the producer. In 2011 Mrs Bethlehem was selected as a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, and her firm was one of the winners of the Africa Awards for Entrepreneurship in Nairobi, Kenya. The entrepreneur was listed by the US business magazine Forbes as one of Africa’s most successful women and received the Social Entrepreneur of the Year Award at the 2012 World Economic Forum on Africa which this year took place in Ethiopia. Bethlehem now plans to build a bigger manufacturing plant where she hopes to employ up to 300 people. The factory will be totally ecological as SoleRebel wants to continue building on its reputation of being the world’s first fair trade green footwear company.
Travel Agents’ experience of life in St. Kitts & Nevis
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ravel agents selling the Caribbean will get to follow their hearts to St. Kitts & Nevis, where they will explore, feel, love and remember during a three day conference organized by the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) New York office. The 6 - 9 October conference, dubbed "One Caribbean Chapter Sales Experience," is being organized to help leading travel agents get a better feel for the destination through a programme of thrilling activities and seminars.
Experience
"More than hosting the conference with a packed programme of seminars and presentations, we want the travel agents to get to experience the destination so they can better sell it," said Fernando
Abreu, the CTO's deputy director of marketing at the New York office. During the three day event, the travel agents will be exposed to the attributes that make St. Kitts & Nevis one of the most seductive destinations in the Caribbean, through a series of workshops, presentations and destination study tours and a scavenger hunt in the afternoon.
St. Kitts & Nevis
A trade show and networking session with local suppliers - hoteliers, ground operators, attractions, restaurant owners, etc - is also being organized to give the agents the opportunity to interact with the suppliers and get to know what St. Kitts & Nevis has to offer and how the agents can create the best holiday experience for their clients. The CTO member countries will have an opportunity to present spotlight presentations - a series of seminar sessions in which each participating country makes a 20 minute presentation on their product to a group of travel agents. The focus during these special presentations will be on weddings and adventure.
l Fernando Abreu Knowledge
The One Caribbean Chapter Sales Experience will allow agents to jump-start their certification in the recently launched St. Kitts Agent Destination Specialist Programme; get more in-depth product knowledge on St. Kitts through the study tours and scavenger hunt; familiarize themselves with hotels at the trade show and hotel site inspections, plus also explore the sister island of Nevis on the optional post tour. The conference will be the first in a series being organized for CTO Chapter members by the New York office and sessions will be held at the St. Kitts Marriott Resort.
To advertise call 0121 250 3536
Polish property set for growth
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growing number of investors are reportedly targeting the Poland property market, as residential prices look set to grow in the run-up to the UEFA football championship in 2012 - residential values in Poland, which plummeted in 2008, are no longer in freefall. The number of homes in Poland sold during the first half of 2008 increased by 6.5% year-on-year and by around 33.4% compared to the same period in 2007, according to figures from the Central Statistical Office.
Although the data shows that 101,200 homes were sold in the first half of 2009, there is still a grave oversupply of homes in areas such as Warsaw, Kraków, Lódz, Poznan, Wroclaw, Szczecin, Katowice and Tri-City. Nevertheless, despite the recent economic turmoil, Poland could potentially emerge as the only country in Europe to have positive GDP growth during 2009, which should benefit the country's economy and help the property market grow next year. "Poland is the only European Union (EU) country out of the twenty
seven member nations, which has achieved positive economic growth in the second quarter of the year, with Gross Domestic Product (GDP) rising to 1.4% year-on-year in quarter two", Louise Reynolds, the director Property Venture estate agents, said. She added: "Polish GDP growth should be up to 2% in 2010, according to central bank's Monetary Policy Council, compared with minus 4% for the UK, Czech Republic, Spain and Germany [Source: IMF]."
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Page 22
The Phoenix–September 2012
TRAVEL
Fitness Holidays fill Olympic void
l Craig Addison, Director of
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Fitness Unleashed
ith the Olympics over, Brits are looking to fill the void by getting in shape like Olympians. Many of which, are turning to fitness holidays like Sunblast to fuel their new ambitions. Brits being spurred on by athletes to re-think their fitness regimes look to new fitness craze holiday providers such as Fitness Unleashe for fun health and exercise classes. Fitness Unleashed have seen their web traffic double during the Olympic and post-Olympic period. The Sunblast fitness holiday, being held on 1st-6th October 2012 in Calpe, Spain, features mass classes for Zumba, Booiaka, Ceroc, Cheerobics and Yoga. Craig Addison, Director of Fitness Unleashed says, "With a majority of the nation leading hectic daily lifestyles; many blame the rush hour traffic home, family commitments, or demanding day job for the lack of fitness in their weekly regime. Now, postOlympics we are hoping that the encouragement and desire to get fit will stay, and promote a healthier Britain. Proud as we are for team GB landing us third place for the Olympic Games, it was just over a week ago that Great Britain also gained third place as the laziest country in Europe. Let's hope the Olympic legacy will live on, and create a new wave of fitness in the UK."
Heli Break BOOK a weekend Helicopter Tour break at the Thames side Macdonald Compleat Angler Hotel, Marlow and see the fascinating course of the river from above as it winds its way through towns, villages and the countryside to London, where you can pick-out the capital’s famous landmarks. The one-night stay for two sharing an executive river-facing room includes full English breakfast, a candlelit dinner in the hotel’s AA two rosette Bowaters restaurant, a bottle of house wine in your room on arrival, return transfers to and from Booker airport by chauffeur-driven car, preflight drinks and the one hour sightseeing flight over London. Prices start from £579 per room for two sharing, which includes a £30pp allocation for dinner. To book call the Macdonald Compleat Angler on 0844 879 9128 quoting Helicopter Special.
Wild Walks in the Western Lake District
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ome and discover some beautiful Wild Walks in the Western Lake District, get off the beaten track, discover four very different walks, one for each of the seasons from spring lambs, summer toads, autumnal woodlands and snowcapped fells. As well as being home to Brit-
ain’s favourite view – Wastwater, the Western Lake District also has an amazing coastline, with great beaches and stunning views that are sure to become new favourites. The areas unspoilt beaches provide miles of scenic walking in a wildlife haven the home to sea birds such as England’s only nesting colony of Black Guillemots.
The area’s many nature reserves offer a chance to glimpse rarer species such as the Natterjack Toad. Peaceful dappled woodlands make a wonderful home for red squirrels and red deer, England’s largest land mammal. These new walks offer an opportunity to escape the crowds and explore the diverse scenery and wildlife of the Western Lake
District, to showcase a wow factor, to enable even the most ardent sofa surfer to get out and do something less boring instead. Discover Duddon in spring – an area where sheep have literally shaped the landscape. Marvel at Millom in summer formerly the home of the world’s largest haemetite mines and iron works, now a home to a diverse
variety of wildlife. Explore Eskdale in autumn – wander in delightful woodland home to Red Squirrels gathering the harvest in preparation for winter. Wander in Wasdale in winter – discover a rugged landscape carved by glaciers and ringed by mountains.
Qatar Airways flying to Serbia and Poland
Q
atar Airways have announced further expansion to its European network with scheduled flights to Serbia and Poland by the end of the year, taking the airline’s coverage across the Continent to 32 destinations. Services to Belgrade have been confirmed for a November 20 start with a thrice-weekly schedule via Ankara. In December, the airline will add the Polish capital of Warsaw to its rapidly-growing European network operating flights four-timesa-week. Both the Belgrade and Warsaw
routes will be operated from Qatar Airways’ Doha hub with an Airbus A320 configured in two classes – 12 seats in Business and 132 in Economy. Each seat featuring an interactive audio and video entertainment system offers hundreds of movies, TV programmes and music channels.
Cultural centre
Following route launches to European capital cities in Azerbaijan, Georgia and Croatia this year, Qatar Airways has given much attention to an expansion drive, with a particular focus on eastern Europe. Warsaw is one of Europe’s oldest cities – Poland’s largest city and economic, political and cultural
centre. Rich in culture, home to historic palaces and modern architecture, many companies have turned their attention to setting up base in Warsaw due to the huge investment benefits offered by the Polish government. It was also one of the cities that hosted this year’s UEFA Euro 2012 football championships.
118 destinations
Belgrade has a long tradition of culture, sport, history and architecture making it a desirable city to visit. QA CEO, Akbar Al Baker, said the addition of Poland and Serbia demonstrates the airline’s commitment to launch destinations that are largely underserved. “We are flying to many parts of the world with a global network spanning 118 destinations with almost 25 per cent of our route structure in Europe alone,” he said. Over the past two to three years we have identified great opportunities to probe markets across Europe that are largely underserved by full service international airlines. We are delighted to have subsequently started services to some of these destinations and are extremely pleased by their performance so far.
tions to Doha, then onwards with Qatar Airways to cities across the Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific. We look forward to extend our Five Star service to both our new markets and open up more exciting travel opportunities for people from around the world,” added Al Baker. The portfolio of attractive destinations served by Qatar Airways for Serbians and Poles include Singapore, Bangkok, Hong Kong, Goa, Dubai, Melbourne, Johannesburg and Cape Town.
I am sure both Belgrade and Warsaw will prove to be just as successful, with great travel op-
Similarly, travelers from across Qatar Airways’ network will have two additional European capitals
Five Star
l The Polish capital, Warsaw will have flights four times a week from December
l The Serbian capital Belgrade will now have thrice-weekly flights from November 20th
World’s Best
to explore, previously accessible only via major gateways on the Continent. The ‘World's Best Airline’ (2011 and 2012), it has seen rapid growth in just 15 years of operation, currently flying fleet to 118 key business and leisure destinations across Europe, Middle East, Africa, Asia Pacific, North America and South America. It has launched flights to Baku (Azerbaijan); Tbilisi (Georgia); Kigali (Rwanda); Zagreb (Croatia), Erbil (Iraq), Baghdad, Perth (Australia) and Kilimanjaro (Tanzania), launch services to a diverse portfolio of new routes, including Yangon, Myanmar, Maputo Mozambique and Chicago, USA.
The Phoenix–September 2012
Page 23
BUSINESS
BCCG campaigns to cut air travel tax
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Ammo’s
early 2,000 people in the West Midlands have joined a BCCG (Birmingham Chamber of Commerce Group) campaign to reduce aviation taxation. They have contacted their local MPs asking them to oppose the UK’s Air Passenger Duty (APD),
l Jerry Blackett, BCCG CEO
which is the highest in the world. The BCCG is part of the ‘A Fair Tax on Flying’ campaign and has encouraged business people and others outraged by the high levels of aviation taxation to protest in a letter to their local MPs. The tax is damaging the UK by discouraging airlines from flying to UK airports and Jerry Blackett, chief executive of the BCCG, said: “APD will raise more this year for the Treasury than all of the other air passengers taxes in Europe combined. It damages businesses and makes our country less well connected. I am pleased that so many people have told their local MPs that the current arrangement is unacceptable. If we are to export our way out of recovery and encourage investment we need well connected regions. Tens of thousands of people
nationally have signed up to this campaign, probably the largest grass roots campaign ever, but we need more to do so if we are to have our voice hear on Westminster.” APD’s standard rate is now 7.5 times the average of other countries in Europe which still levy a charge and is now so high that the Treasury will collect more than twice as much in passenger taxes this year (£2.5 billion) than the total of all other European countries combined (£1.172 billion). Increases in APD are predicted to cost to the economy £100 billion by 2030. Chamber president Michael Ward said: “APD is damaging British businesses and sending the absolute wrong message to investors and exporters and acts as a disincentive. Brazil, India, Mexico and China
have Growth rates that European finance ministers dream of and yet APD penalises businesses who need to fly to these countries to establish trade links and export their goods. Our businesses are operating in an ever more competitive and hostile international market yet APD stacks the deck in favour of our competitors. If we are truly serious about an export-led recovery then we need to get real on APD as at the moment the only beneficiaries are our rivals in Germany and the rest of Europe.”
United 1 in 4 prefer CrossCountry App Chambers N provide network potential
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Coffee? Too Black or Too Strong?
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e’re lucky people, me and you. How can I tell? Because we’re spending a few moments here together, over coffee (preferably Jamaican Blue Mountain) and biscuits, instead of scouring the office for things we can sell on eBay. It’s hard times out there. But for some others things are looking greener. Jaguar Land Rover are making new cars and profits, The Olympics are over but we have some additional funds for legacy and sports as long as it’s not Asian dancing!! (David Cameron quote). And new people have gone on to connect with these projects online (props to Mr Mark Zuckerberg!) and ultimately bring us back real business. What began as concepts soon became trade shows, helping to sell this region’s kicking and connected sports and culture all over the UK and internationally. Birmingham is cool because Bolt, Blake and Farrah all said so!! But once again Birmingham’s so called tastemakers still can’t feel any work that’s drawing from diverse communites or the real lives of people in the region. When they read “Black” they think “community outreach project” and move on to the next tweet. But what they can’t see trending is that brummie artists, photographers, dancers and performers are getting paid by others.
Because people right across the UK want to see new faces, hear Brummie voices – yeah; even with our accent! – and sit and watch us do our thing. Contemporary artists like Lady Leshur, C4, Preditah, RoXXXan and RT are finding large receptive audiences along new avenues working social media for themselves, they no longer need the system that has let them down for so long. We’re very interested in taking a fresh look at artists & new touring this year. In London we’re seeing projects like edgwareroad.org – running at the Serpentine Gallery. This community is producing artworks and a cultural narrative for themselves. It’s not about someone dropping in a photographer into live off the land for six months, before returning to Moseley to develop his prints. I care how music and arts is programmed in an institution. What but really matters is who is welcome around the table pre, during and post. And that might be your boardroom table, your office table or most importantly, your kitchen table - Because these are the places where people get together, to kick back with the good times and to roll up our sleeves for the bad ones.
or the first time since South Staffordshire Chambers merged with Birmingham and Solihull the Birmingham Chamber of Commerce Group held a joint networking and exhibition event for its members. The Chamber Group Expo 2012 which was free to both members and non-members was held at Drayton Manor Theme Park last month. The event provided bigger and better networking opportunities to help Chamber members in Lichfield and Tamworth, Burton and Chase to win new business and meet new clients from Solihull and Birmingham and vice versa. Members had the opportunity to take an exhibition stand, plus there will also be a number of free to attend seminars throughout the day including one by international speaker, bestselling author and broadcaster, Peter Roper who guided businesses on how to present themselves when networking and how to remain memorable. Sandler Training UK CEO, Shaun Thomson, was also present to inform businesses on how to differentiate themselves from the competition. Martina Irwin of Aims Direct had a plain English guide to QR codes which use a barcode that can be read by mobile devices.
So we’ve just got time for one more cup of coffee. Black? Ammo Talwar MBE
ew research conducted by CrossCountry, which carries tens of thousands of passengers across the National Rail network every day, including through Birmingham New Street station, reveals the growing trend for speed and convenience as passengers purchase train tickets. Of those polled, just over one in four (26%) would prefer to buy tickets using a train ticketing
app. Many customers are planning ahead to get the best deals with one in five respondents buying tickets either a month or fortnight in advance. Although 33% of ticket sales are now online, almost half of passengers are still buying their tickets at station ticket offices or ticket machines. However, the trends towards smartphone and online are clear with over a quarter saying they would like to use an eticket in future.
Life is for living, come and discover how you can live a victorious life at Victory to Victory Church We meet every Sunday at 11.00am and every Wednesday at 7.30pm at
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visit our website at l Peter Roper
CrossCountry has seen increasing demand from passengers wanting to book online or through a ticketing app as they look to save time and money. In response to this trend the rail company launched its free app which allows passengers to buy tickets across the whole National Rail network without a booking fee, look up train times, see live departures and get tickets delivered to the app on their mobile phone.
Page 24
The Phoenix–September 2012
LOCAL BUSINESS
Introducing The iBin
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here’s no more waiting in for your home deliveries thanks to four West Midlands entrepreneurs! Richard Gilbert, Andrew Whittaker, Jason Dabbs and Paula Southall, came together in September 2011 and, combining the skills they have acquired through running their own businesses, developed the innovative ‘iBin’ as a solution to the one inconvenience of internet and catalogue shopping; waiting in for a courier to deliver your parcel! Richard, also the managing director of Excalibur Manufacturing Solutions in Bilston, identified the need for a delivery solution to meet the demands of the current consumer market, who use the convenience of internet shopping but are then faced with the hassle of having to wait for the delivery, or arrange for somebody to take the delivery for them. The idea took off once Richard met
with Andrew, owner of Iqon Designs, and Jason, Managing Director of Beaming Success, at Wolverhampton Science Park. The trio merged together to form iBin Innovations Ltd with Andrew and Jason taking on the design and e-commerce sectors of the business respectively. Paula joined them soon after, bringing with her expertise in marketing. The iBin itself has been carefully designed to, not only provide a much needed safe haven for parcels, but to compliment the exterior of any home or business with its modern twist and variety of colours. It works simply, via a unique battery powered code lock system. When placing online orders, the consumer can leave ‘special instructions’ for the courier to deposit parcels in the iBin, and provide the code needed to access it. Designed, manufactured and dis-
tributed in the UK, the first iBin was sold in January 2012. Since then, customer feedback has been extremely positive and iBin sales have steadily increased month on month. From every-day consumers, to corporate catalogue, sales and retail companies, the iBin is being utilised all over the UK. The hardworking team is now developing a range of parcel bins to complement other aspects of home delivery, putting the West Midlands on the map once again for pioneering business development.
COMPETITION
Win a pack of Dizolve fabric detergent
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e all love clean clothes but not the effort and time it takes to wash them. The bulky boxes and plastic detergent containers you often have to use clutter up small cupboard spaces and add to the daily stresses of washing your laundry. This is why we’ve teamed up with Dizolve to offer ten lucky winners the chance to win a 20-sheet pack of this innovative fabric detergent. Dizolve laundry detergent comes in the form of a handy and easy-to-use sheet, meaning you no longer have to measure out bulky powders or liquids. As well as this, the pre-measured sheets are are just as effective whether using them on a hot, cold or warm wash! There are two fragrances available, Fresh Linen and Lavender, to keep your clothes smelling fresh.
To be in with the chance of winning one of 10 packs, just answer this question:
What is the name of the product we’re giving away? a) Dizolve b) Rizolve c) Vizolve Send your answer along with your name and contact details to competitions@thephoenixnewspaper.com Competition closes at 23:59 on the 30th September. Terms and conditions: Winners will be drawn at random and contacted via telephone or email to obtain postal address The prize will be sent to the winner via post Prize is non-transferable
The Phoenix–September 2012
Page 25
MOTORING
Difficult day for MG KX Momentum Racing
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he MG KX Momentum Racing team suffered a difficult day at Knockhill, as Jason Plato’s Championship charge took a knock in rounds 19, 20 & 21 of the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship (BTCC). Jason Plato formed up on Pole Position for Race One, courtesy of his brilliant wet qualifying lap yesterday. The British double champion had one eye to his left though, as alongside him sat the fast starting, rear-wheel drive BMW of Rob Collard and predictably the BMW powered away from the line to lead comfortably by Turn One. Jason slotted in behind and was pursued by the aggressive looking Ford of Aaron Smith. The Ford had far superior straight-line speed and was pushing Jason along, on just the second lap of the race contact from behind sent his MG6 spinning out of control and into the gravel for a DNF and zero points. Andy Neate fared little better, with contact also ending his race on Lap 2. Race Two of the day saw the two Triple Eight prepared MG 6GT cars start from the back of the
field, following their double retirement from Race One. Both Jason and Andy made progress through the pack, but neither driver was entirely happy with the set-up of their car and technical gremlins hampered their progress, ensuring that both failed to make the top 10, in order to take advantage of the reverse grid for Race Three. Things went from bad to worse for MG KX Momentum Racing in the day’s final race. The technical troubles that had blighted Jason’s second race returned, meaning he sadly did not even take the start. Andy Neate decided to take a gamble on the weather, as the cars formed up on the grid light rain was falling. The decision was made to start on wet tyres, in order to capitalise should the weather worsen, however much like the rest of the team’s day, the cards didn’t fall in the right direction and the rain stopped, forcing Andy to pit and switch to Dunlop’s dry weather tyre. He did however recover to score a sole point for 15th position.
Perks of the job...
T
welve-time world champion, Toni Bou, and Takahisa Fujinami of the Repsol Montesa Honda World Trials team stunned staff at Honda headquarters in the UK with an impromptu visit on the way home from the final round of the 2012 Outdoor World Trials Championship in Cumbria. Bou Champion and team-mate Fujinami – also a World Champion in 2004 – arrived at Honda's offic-
es and began a stunning display indoors in the reception area before taking his Repsol Montesa Honda competition machine outside to a set of specially-constructed obstacles in the company car park. Honda staff were to witness a stunning display of motorcycle control and riding flair from two legends of the Trials world – one of the perks when you work for the greatest motorcycle manufacturer in the world.
A Mini adventure for Coventry University students
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edia production undergraduates at Coventry University have been putting their film-making skills to the test in a different kind of sport-themed endeavour this summer. Two student film companies – the Blue Ridge Film Group and Clever Lens Media – from the University’s Department of Media recently joined forces with the Sytner Group to create a series of short films relating to the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Pole-vaulting ace Steve Lewis, triathlete Jodie Stimpson, discus thrower Dan Greaves and synchronised swimming star Yvette Baker each make an appearance in the films, one of which was shot at the MIRA test facility in Nuneaton using a range of Mini’s from the Sytner Group’s Midlands dealerships. Professional stunt drivers were
used for a series of high-performance driving scenes, which were designed in their entirety by the students. They originally came up with the creative pitch for the films earlier this year, and – having impressed the Sytner Group’s marketing team with their ideas – began shooting in April.
Rewarding
Pete Woodbridge, senior lecturer in open media at Coventry University, said: “For the students involved, this was a fantastic and exciting opportunity to work on a challenging project with a sports and automotive theme. They impressed everyone involved with their creativity in coming up with a narrative for the films which linked the athletes’ elite performance with the performance of the vehicles. It’s a testament to the professionalism and entrepreneurial instincts of our students that, having set up their own companies, they can still
work together on projects to de- joyed their time as much as we liver high quality results.” have. All in all, it’s been very enMalcolm Chambers, Dealer joyable and worthwhile.” Principal at Sytner Oldbury, said: Swimmer Yvette Baker is seen “The project has been extremely posing as a skilled driver, graceinteresting and rewarding, and we fully spinning her MINI into a have worked with some very tal- tight space between two cars in ented students from Coventry Uni- perfect synchronisation with anversity. From our initial meeting other MINI. through to seeing the completed video, I’ve been impressed with their ‘can do’ attitude and genuine desire to create a bespoke piece of work. I hope the students have en- l Triathlete Jodie Stimpson talks with media produc-
tion students at Coventry University.
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Page 26
SPORT
Olympic Legacy
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ports fans across the West Midlands became part of the Olympic legacy by heading down to where it starts for every great champion – their local sports club. Sports clubs and community groups across the region, in fact nationwide, put on special events and activities as part of ‘Join in Local Sport’ – a new initiative aimed at capturing the enthusiasm for sport generated by the London 2012 Olympics. The ‘Join in’ weekend, which took place August 18 and 19, was designed to help capture the spirit of the Games to enable clubs to convert this once-in-a-lifetime wave of interest into help, support and membership from their local community. Local sports groups took advantage of this unique moment to create a shop window within their communities for the opportunities there are for people inspired by the London 2012 to help out, give time, support, watch or play sport. Over the last three months over 5,000 events have signed up, representing every nation and region in the UK. Football is represented, along with over three dozen other sports from athletics to swimming, canoeing to cycling, gymnastics, hockey and karate. His Royal Highnesses, The Duke of Cambridge is a supporter of the initiative and said: “The incredible achievements of Team GB at London 2012 would not have been possible without the work that goes on at sports clubs up and down the country to forge the athletes of the future. ‘Join in UK’ provides thousands of people with the chance to volunteer in their local club or even try – for free – a sport that may be new to them and to experience for themselves, at whatever level of ability, the joy that sport can bring.” Funded by government grant, ‘Join in Local Sport’ are endorsed by the Sports Councils and National Governing Bodies of sport, as well as many local and regional sporting organisations.
The Phoenix–September 2012
England set to face Jamaica O ne of netball’s great rivalries is heading to the LG Arena in Birmingham as England host Jamaica in the first of a three-match International Series later this month. The Sunshine Girls will be bringing some Caribbean flair with them as they look to cement third place in the world rankings and keep their hosts in fourth position. This is the start of a hectic period for the England squad, with Head Coach, Anna Mayes, naming an exciting mix of youth and experience in her squad. Three players, Eboni BeckfordChambers, Joanne Harten and local hero Stacey Francis, absent from the Barbados Series in April due to their commitments in the ANZ Championships in Australia and New Zealand, have returned
to the squad. There will be plenty of West Midland interest on court as Ama Agbeze and Layla Guscoth hope to appear in the hosts’ defence. With Jade Clarke taking some time out from the game, Pamela Cookey retains the captaincy for this Series with experienced midcourter Sara Bayman likely to add some composure and control in her role as vice-captain. The England Squad for the International Series vs Jamaica on Friday 21 September is: Pamela Cookey (C), AmaAgbeze, Rosie Allison, Sara Bayman, Eboni Beckford-Chambers, Kadeen Corbin, Sasha Corbin, Rachel Dunn, Stacey Francis, Jodie Gibson, LaylaGuscoth, Serena Guthrie, Jo Harten, Laura Malcolm, Rachel Shaw.
Cricket challenge scores £2,800 for Acorns
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l Rear (l to r) Haroon Malik, Sadia Malik, Hamza Waris, of Pak Travels and Sam Nazir of Israr Ul Haq, plus Mo Ali
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3 Degrees (insert)
ate all of the food before their innings so were raring to go! We plan to secure a victory at the re-match in aid of Acorns next year."
Support
Jayne Walker, Assistant Manager, Barclays on Coventry Road, which matched the amount raised toward the final score, said: "It was a brilliant event that brought the whole community together. Staff, customers and friends pulled together for a good local cause which we're proud to support." Acorns supports over 630 life limited and life threatened children and more than 880 families offering a network of care and support to children who have life limiting or life threatening conditions and their families, at its hospices in Birmingham (Selly Oak), Walsall and Worcester, and through its community team who offer support at home.
‘Three Degrees’ to be honoured in West Brom
hey were known as the Three Degrees and now they are to be honoured with a special statue in the town that gave them their name. West Bromwich Albion legends, Laurie Cunningham, Brendon Batson and Cyrille Regis, who inspiring a generation of Black professional footballers in Britain, will have the sculpture erected in West Bromwich to celebrate their achievements in this country in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Created by renowned sculptor Graham Ibbeson, the statue commissioned by Black Country businessman Jim Cadman, of Al-
l Brendon Batson (main), and with Laurie Cunningham, Cyrille Regis and the hit group
cricket challenge organised by Birmingham businesses has scored a stunning £2,800 to help care for life limited children at Acorns. Pak Travels in Small Heath teamed up with Barclays Bank staff and customers to stage the fantastic fundraiser event, on May 31. . Leonie Hudson, Acorns Community Fundraising manager, said: "It was fantastic to have the community coming together to help us with this excellent event. Both businesses worked hard to put the event on. "We rely on the community to help raise the majority of the income needed to provide care for more than 630 local children supported by Acorns. There is no charge to families for using the services but it does cost £750 per day for each child's care." Hamza Waris from Pak Travels joked, "Pak Travels lost the match to Barclays because the Barclays team
bion’s Celebration 1979 Club, and Sandwell Council, will depict the three trail-blazing stars celebrating a goal. The Three Degrees’ 10ft-high statue, called The Celebration, which is said to cost £200,000, will depict the three players celebrating a goal and it will be unveiled in West Bromwich on 15 July, 2014, to mark the 25th anniversary of the death of wingwizard Cunningham. Batson, a Football Association consultant and Chair of the Professional Players Association, described the news of the statue as "surreal," going on to say: "it's a
recognition of Black players from my era who had to put up with a lot more than the current players have to. But in spite of all that was thrown at us, we kept coming forward in increasing numbers." The success of Batson, Regis and Cunningham was hailed as helping more aspiring young Black players become professionals in the 1980s. Former manager, Ron Atkinson, who came up with the affectionate nick-name at the height of success for the American super-star singing group, said: "They were true role-models. They didn't go out of their ways to be that, it is something that just happened naturally."
To advertise call 0121 250 3536
The Phoenix–September 2012
Page 27
SPORT
Olympic boost for WSL
Mo and co’s Olympic ‘Thank You’
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he Aviva Birmingham Grand Prix was a fitting homecoming for Britain’s Olympic medalists and Olympic champions from across the globe, as the Samsung Diamond League spectacular returned to the Birmingham’s Alexander Stadium once more. 45 London Olympic Games medalists turned out to compete at the UK’s second and final Diamond League meeting of 2012, and two of Britain’s newly-crowned Olympic champions duly delivered for the sell-out crowd. To have the likes of double
Olympic champion Mo Farah, plus other stars like Britain’s newest Olympic champion, long jumper Greg Rutherford, Jamaican sprinting gold-medallist Shelley-Anne Fraser-Pryce, American triplemedallist, Carmelita Jeter, Beijing gold-medallist and London silvermedallist, Christine Ohuruogu and the Midlands’ own Olympic hero, high jump bronze medallist, Robert Grabarz, all on show at the same time, in Birmingham, was testament to the relentless work carried out by the city-based UK Athletics. It wasn’t the 80,000 plus crowds of the Games itself, but, with not
a single spare seat available at 13,000-capacity Alexander Stadium, this in itself was the first positive proof of the legacy left by London 2012. New 5,000m and 10,000m title holder and new father of twin girls, Farah, was the star, as he breezed to victory in the rarely-run two-mile race. “I love competing in Birmingham,” said a proud Farah. “It’s all about getting the support from everyone and I just appreciate everyone being with me all the way. It wasn’t the easiest week because my wife gave birth to two little girls, so it wasn’t easy com-
ing here and getting this out the way. But it is what I do every day,” he said. A fitting end to an Olympics medal-laden weekend for Birmingham after Rutherford, Ohuruogu and 110m hurdler, Lawrence Clarke, a surprise fourth-place finalist in London, turned out at the Royal Sutton Coldfield Athletics Club to give the next generation of Team GB stars their tips and wisdom to take forward, perhaps to Rio, in 2016, or beyond.
W
omen’s football is on the up and up following the London 2012 Olympics, research has revealed. A study by The FA Women’s Super League (WSL) found a huge increase in awareness and excitement in the game. The WSL season is back in action with the League and players urging fans to continue their support and get behind the ‘BeInspired’ campaign. Almost 70 per cent of 1,000 people surveyed stated that they would go to a live women’s game – an increase of 15 per cent since the Team GB Women performances at London 2012, with a further 95 per cent believing that female football players make positive role models for teenage girls. The Olympic buzz has also led to a 43 per cent rise in people who said would be more likely to participate in the sport. Reaching unprecedented levels of interest during the Olympics, records were smashed for crowd participation, with an incredible 70,584-strong crowd watching the women’s team triumph over Brazil at Wembley, the largest crowd to watch a women’s game in this country since 1920. Kelly Simmons, The FA’s Head of the National Game, said: “These results show what an amazing legacy the Olympics has created for women’s football. With the Premier League season started and football on everyone’s minds, it will be great to see if the public and media continue to support our women’s football Olympians as they return to their local WSL clubs.”
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Inspiring todays generation
D
rawing an unforgettable summer of sports to its final conclusion, the Paralympic Games was, in its entirety, much more than that. Ellie Simmonds, David Weir, Sarah Storey, Oscar Pistorius, Jonnie Peacock, Alan Oliveira, Jason Smyth and the hundreds of other medallists who adorned E20 transcended the these Games in the same way Usain Bolt, Jessica Ennis, Mo Farah, Greg Rutherford an co illuminated the Olympic Stadium three weeks before. This Paralympic Games will be remembered for its overpowering strength in unifying communities, coun-
By Steve Williams
tries, races and religions in a way that no other medium could ever do. With 80,000 plus people focusing on the ability and not the disability of the athletes, cheering on every participant, win, lose, or draw, no matter where they come from, it was an experience which wasn’t necessarily one to inspire the next generation, this was all about inspiring this generation. Every event made us gasp in awe, in the same way, we did when Bolt completed his quite remarkable doubletreble sprint sweep, or Jess so overwhelmingly stamped her mark on her way to gold, in the heptathlon. "In this country we will
never think of sport the same way and we will never think of disability the same way. The Paralympians have lifted the cloud of limitation," said LOCOG Chair, Lord Sebastian Coe. Emerging from the shadows of a successful Olympic Games, the Paralympics will never be seen the same way again. Bringing 6-weeks of sporting festival to an end, these Games have made international stars out pretty much every participant, volunteer and crowd member. It truly was a Game of stars, each and everyone of them an inspiration.
The Second European Sprints & Hurdles Conference
We are delighted to announce confirmation of the first two speakers:
University of Warwick, England 10-11 November 2012
Further speakers to be announced soon, including coaches to British Olympians from London
Tom Tellez & Loren Seagrave
Final Medal Table
ronze Total B r ve il S ld o G Country 231 65 71 95 CHN 102 28 38 36 RUS 120 43 43 34 GBR 84 28 24 32 UKR 85 30 23 32 S AU
Details and booking to follow at www.uka.org.uk/coaching/conferences