The Phoenix Newspaper - April 2020 by The Phoenix Newspaper

Promoting Diversity for Birmingham Commonwealth Games 2022

All your Ents News SEE PAGE 17

APRIL 2020

Connecting Communities - Inspiring A New Generation Inside This Month

Happy Easter

Our Heroes A t a time when the UK is holding hand with the rest of the world, we take that special moment to think about the work of our NHS Staff.

From the Doctors and Nurses, to the technicians, cleaners and porters, every one of them performs a vital role in keeping the nation healthy. We also have to remember

that the NHS is one of the most diverse organisations, where skin colour is insignificant where saving lives is what matters.

Read more about some of our unsung heroes on Pages 12 and 13

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Page 2 - The Phoenix Newspaper - April 2020

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NEWS

Will Governments Win the Race to Prevent a Global Economic Recession?

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By Dr Tony Talburt

he global economy is facing two major challenges that could seriously weaken its very foundation resulting in a global recession. The first of these challenges is the possible oil crisis caused mainly by the fall out between Russia and the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC). The second challenge is the outbreak of the Coronavirus pandemic. In a strange way, both challenges are affect the global travel industry. With fewer people taking to the skies, fuel consumption by airlines have been reduced significantly, which further adds to the falling demand for the petroleum. Furthermore, the slowdown in international travel has also affected numerous

manufacturing and the service sectors industries far and wide. One thing seems certain, there will have to be greater levels of government intervention in order prop up the global economy. The question is, however, will the governments’ interventionist strategies win the race to keep the global economy from going into recession? The conventional (Western) approach to managing economic and financial affairs within the global capitalist system, has been greatly influenced by the central ideas of the eighteenth century philosopher, Adam Smith and the efficiency of the market system. Smith and his followers argue that the best way to ensure efficiency and quality of production is through the natural laws of the market. Supply and demand would

ensure the most appropriate prices for goods and services without the need for external controls or influences from governments. Since the end of the Second World War, the major Western countries have been guided in one way or another, by this broad based ideology of government non-interventionist, or as little as possible in the running of economic enterprises within a country. Despite this theoretical principle, very few countries have actually been able to follow it a hundred percent. In practice governments, whether capitalist or radical socialist, have employed some degree of intervention in their economies. It seems intervention in the economy is needed in order to restore some degree or order stability with regard to the two

economic challenges mentioned above. With the looming global economic challenges facing the oil industry, partly due to Russia’s refusal to back the idea of deeper cuts in oil production, as suggested by the OPEC countries, as well as dramatic oil price declines since the start of the year, major deals, rather than market mechanisms, will need to be agreed to secure global oil demand and supply. This reinforces the point of how markets are not the main agents of finalising demand and supply. Since the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic one major positive trend appears to be a significant reduction in pollution in China and other Western European countries, as people have been travelling less. However, from an economic and financial perspective, stock markets and international travel have been adversely affected. A number of major airline companies are asking their national governments to provide financial compensation to prevent them from going out of business. This, of course, has been caused mainly because fewer people are going on long haul flights. In addition, as more countries go on ‘lock downs’ where people are being asked to either work from home, or simply stay at home, this may have a negative effect on production which could lead to the collapse of many small and medium companies. Many governments such as the USA, UK, France, and Italy have spent, or have made vast amounts of financial resources available, to support their different frail economic sectors. Without such government interventions in the economic and financial systems of the major capitalist nation states, we could be heading towards a global recession. With the USA, the UK, the EU, not to mention China, engaging in government intervention strategies through interest rate cuts, or providing easy credit or bailing out failing industries in their economies, it is clear that the ideals of the free market would be difficult to work under these conditions. Only time will tell whether government interventions by the world’s major economies, will be able to win the race to ward off global economic recession by the summer of 2020.

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The Phoenix Newspaper - April 2020 - Page 3

L Record-breaking Dhol Master, King G, Spreading His Music Worldwide

iving his life with his own personal mantra of; “Let music build a bridge and let dance help you cross it” Dhol King Gurcharan Mall BEM, CEO, is the epitome of ‘If music be the food of life, then play on’. The multi-award winning internationally renowned dhuol drumming master is a living legend in his relentless drive to promoting Dhol and Bhangra music throughout the world for over 52 gold-laden years. The only recognised Asian artists of note, in the world, to hold three world records and who also received 8 ‘Lifetime Achievements Awards’ – including one from The Phoenix Newspaper three years ago. A Bhangra historian, artistic director, organiser, teacher, singer, music producer, writer, choreographer and ambassador, Gurcharan, best known affectionately as King G, has not only been ‘banging the drum’ for the dhol drum, he has, since 1963, been promoting his home city, Birmingham, around the world to highlight the vast musical and cultural diversity his UK hometown has to offer the world. And only recently he was further recognised; this time awarded with the “biggest honour for my 52 years of hard work sacrificing my family life in the pursuit of introducing the Dhol drum and making it popular worldwide”, as he put it.

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At the Professional University, he was blessed and honoured to receive a special award for introducing the Dhol and making popular around the world, which was presented to him by Randeep Singh Kohli, president of World Book of Records – London, at the University, in Punjab, in India. In addition to that he was presented with another ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’ (his 8th L.A.A) for introducing the Dhol worldwide by Joginder S Jogi from Punjab Youth Club Origination at the Punjab Press Club Jalandhar and became the only Asian performing artists in the world to receive three world titles:- the Dhol Guinness World Record from 315 to 632 – the Bhangra Guinness World Record from 2,167 to 4,411 – and for introducing and making the Dhol drum popular worldwide (World Book of Records London) – 2 great titles on 1 certificate. King G says: “God is great for blessing me that I am the ONLY Asian artists in the world who got 3 World Records and also who received 8 Lifetime Achievements Awards & 1 of them is yours 3 years ago”. A founder member of Apna Sangeet and founder of:- Nachdey Hasdey, Nachda Sansaar, Hard Kaur, Dhol Blasters, Bhangra Blasters and Band Baja, King G Mall, a living legend within our midst, is stopping at nothing to spread the love of his musicical gift – the Dhol Drum – throughout the world.

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Page 4 - The Phoenix Newspaper - April 2020

COUNTDOWN TO COMMONWEALTH GAMES BIRMINGHAM 2022 BEGINS

l Dame Louise Martin, Commonwealth Games Federation

l Chief Executive Birmingham 2022, Ian Reid

2022 Commonwealth Games Countdown Clock unveiling in full glory

he Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games revealed its official countdown clock in the city’s Centenary Square, in partnership with official clock sponsor, Longines and in the presence of representatives from Birmingham 2022, the Commonwealth Games Federation and the official clock sponsor themselves. With the launch commencing at 09:00 with the official reveal of the clock, not only did it mark the official countdown to Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, it also marked Longines new agreement which sees them have exclusive status as the inaugural Partner of the Commonwealth Sport Movement, in a deal that covers the next three Commonwealth

Games, starting with Birmingham and including 2026 and 2030. David Grevemberg, chief executive of the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF), said: "This striking, elegant structure is taking pride of place in the iconic Centenary Square, which marks the countdown to Birmingham 2022 really beginning in earnest." “I am absolutely delighted to announcing this on Commonwealth Day, a day of celebration across the Commonwealth, where we are unveiling the Longines countdown clock to the Birmingham 2022 Opening Ceremony. "I am absolutely delighted and privileged to have Longines join with us as the Inaugural Partner of the Commonwealth Sport Movement."

Grevemberg continued: “This is a truly historic agreement and having this multi-Commonwealth Games partnership in place showcases real confidence in the future direction of the Commonwealth Sport Movement. The partnership has been made possible because of the new Games delivery model, coordinated by CGF Partnerships, which looks at multi-Games opportunities and efficiencies as well as has full cohesion with the multicommunities in Birmingham and the wider West Midlands.” Longines Vice President Marketing, Matthieu Baumgartner said: “We are very excited to announce our participation in the XXIInd Commonwealth Games, considered as one of the world’s most important

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sporting events.” “Our brand is delighted to reveal a historic multiCommonwealth Games partnership with CGF, covering the 2022, 2026 and 2030 editions.” “We are extremely proud of our partnership with the Commonwealth Games, which extends all the way back to the 1962 Perth Commonwealth Games and more recently the 2014 Glasgow and 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games.” He went on to say: “Timing is crucial when it comes to winning a gold, silver or bronze medal. “And, as such, Longines is looking forward to providing its timekeeping expertise in various disciplines, including Athletics (Track & Field), Gymnastics, Rugby Sevens and Table Tennis, the sports we

are partnering with during the Commonwealth Games.” “For the next three Commonwealth Games, starting with Birmingham 2022, Longines is perpetuating this history, together with athletes and sports fans from all over the world.” Birmingham City Council Leader, Councillor Ian Ward, said: “The Countdown Clock is an exciting contemporary addition to our diverse range of public art in the city. “Set in front of our worldrenowned Library of Birmingham, in Centenary Square it creates a fantastic Games-related city centre destination as the excitement builds for everything we do as a council and with our partners as we lead to Birmingham 2022.”

l Birmingham City Council Leader, Councillor Ian Ward

l Longines Vice President Marketing, Matthieu Baumgartner

0208 865 1922 (London)

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The Phoenix Newspaper - April 2020 - Page 5

COUNTDOWN TO COMMONWEALTH GAMES BIRMINGHAM 2022 BEGINS

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Page 6 - The Phoenix Newspaper - April 2020

NEWS

Hotel Du Vin Stratford Checks In New Manager Hotel du Vin Stratfordupon-Avon has appointed allnew manager Natalie Heath ahead of its third year - bringing over 20 years of hospitality experience, and a full suite of new ideas to the boutique hotel. Taking Stratford-upon-Avon by storm, the hotel has already had a successful two years since opening in the former registry office building, and with new manager at the helm more successes are yet to come. Newly appointed Natalie will be focussed on driving sales and strategy for the hotel, having studied hotel management and training at The Savoy and built her wealth of experience working at the likes of Q Hotels, Hyatt, Marriott, in most recent years Natalie was the Operations Director for a local independent groups. While in post, she will support

the progress of women in hospitality: She will oversee the hotel team of 50, where 70% of the Head of Departments are women. Mentoring and developing the management team will be just one of her responsibilities, along with taking the lead on raising awareness of the hotel, increasing sales and profitability and maintaining an excellent quality in service. She says: “The Hotel Du Vin name has always been held in such a high regard to me, as its consistently high performing results are well-respected in the industry.” Since her appointment, Natalie set the tone with new plans to open the courtyard overlooking Rother Street, whilst launching a new co-working space within Bistro du Vin.

Young citizens get to meet Wolves heroes l Wolves winger Adama Traore meets Wolverhampton Young Citizen of the Year 2019 Samuel Iyawe (back right), along with Melvin Riley and Jude Aston, who were both highly commended last year

hree teenagers had some help from Wolverhampton Wanderers players in preparation for the kick-off of this year’s search for the Young Citizen of the Year. Samuel Iyawe, 15, who won the 2019 award, was joined by last year’s finalists Melvin Riley, 18 and Jude Aston, 15, at Wolves’ training base at Compton Park. Chris Thompson from Tettenhall Rotary Club was also present, representing the city’s Rotarians who organise the prestigious awards. Samuel, who has grown up in

the care system, was named Young Citizen of the Year in recognition of being a voice for young people in the city and trying to improve the lives of others while working with the Children in Care Council and the City of Wolverhampton Youth Council. He is extremely passionate about combatting knife crime. During the meet-and-greet, the youngsters got the chance to tell Wolves players Adama Traore, Max Kilman, Diogo Jota, Bruno Jordao and Benny Ashley-Seal of their community efforts which saw them nominated for the award. It was also their chance to ask the

Midlands Air Ambulance Charity Is Recognised For Governance Excellence Following a successful review of its governance procedures and processes, Midlands Air Ambulance Charity has been awarded with a quality mark for excellence by The Governance Framework. The charity is one of the first third sector organisations to receive the accolade, and was

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recognised as being dedicated to a good governance framework. Of particular note was the charity’s robust procedures and systems which are embedded throughout the organisation and means the charity runs efficiently and effectively. On receiving the recognition, Hanna Sebright, chief executive

players about their successes, with Wolves flying high in the Premier League and heading towards the latter stages of this year’s Europa League. Kilman said: “I think it’s good that children are able to express themselves in their community and I’m very proud to have young people like this in Wolverhampton.” Benny Ashley-Seal added: “It’s great to be involved and see what these young people have achieved. It is important for us as footballers to see all the good things that happen in our local community.”

for Midlands Air Ambulance Charity, said: “A good governance structure plays a pivotal role in our charity. Having systems and procedures in place enables us to operate effectively, whether that is business as usual activities, transformational change, or reactive issues. We are therefore delighted to have been recognised by The Governance Framework, the quality mark further highlights our commitment to our values, including continuous improvement, openness and teamwork. “In addition, by being held accountable via our governance, we are able to reassure our supporters and donors that over 94p in every £1 donated goes towards our vitally important lifesaving air ambulance-led organisation.” This latest accreditation demonstrates the charity’s ongoing commitment to continuous improvement.

0208 865 1922 (London)

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The Phoenix Newspaper - April 2020 - Page 7

NEWS

Local Snapper Wins Army Competition

he work of an amateur photographer from the West Midlands has been recognised at a prestigious awards ceremony at the National Army Museum in London. Colour Sergeant Phil Carr, from Sutton Coldfield, scooped the Amateur Sport and Adventure Training category of the Army Film and Photographic Competition. He is currently employed as the communications and information systems Company Quartermaster Sergeant with 1st Battalion Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment in Dhekelia, Cyprus. "I hadn't really picked up a camera until 2012”, Phil said. “I then started to enjoy the process

and invested in my first DSLR. Since then I've lost count of how much money I've spent on equipment and upgrades." His winning entry - Take the Strain - focused on an intercompany sports competition, held annually. He said: "The winning team gets the honour of being called Salerno Company for a year and I took some images of the tug 'o war part of the competition, capturing all the aggression on the competitors' faces. Reacting to his award, he said: “It’s been absolutely fantastic and I’ve loved the experience because, even though I’ve entered my work before, this is the first time I’ve been nominated. My wife is really over the

RBS Sikh Network announces new 2020 committee The new committee consists of 22 highly talented individuals, located across 13 different locations and has a 50/50 gender balance where all committee members volunteer their skills, expertise and knowledge in supporting the vision for RBS to become the most inclusive bank for their customers and employees. The RBS Sikh Network was launched in 2018, has 950 members across 68 locations and is inclusive of all. The employee led network is based on the three key teachings of the Sikh faith, kirat Karo (engage in honest and ethical hardwork), Vand Shako (help others selflessly)

and Naam japo (Spirituality and Wellbeing, remember God in all we do). The group runs a variety of events across key locations throughout the year for RBS employees as well as activities with externals stakeholders. James Holian, Chief Operating officer and Executive Sponsor said: “I’m delighted by the work of the bank’s Sikh Network and support the continued efforts made by the team. “It is privilege to work with the network, and to see them engage with our stakeholders and communities. “Each of the committee members really makes a real

moon with it all. My Second in Command is also so pleased with my involvement in the final of this competition. I’ve loved every minute of it.” Command Master Photographer, Warrant Officer Class One Daniel Harmer, said 2019 was a benchmark year for the competition with a record number of video packages entered. “The overall standard of what we’ve seen is a new high,” said Daniel, who is based at British Army headquarters in Andover. “The awards is a showcase of excellence and a celebration of what was achieved in 2019. The photographer’s role is so important in capturing the British Army’s history. difference and I find the team truly inspiring to work with”. Co-Chairs - Manjit Kaur Kang, Kuljit Singh Dulai, Inderjit Singh Narwal Secretariat: Amandeep Tumber Stakeholder Engagement Co-Leads: Dara Singh Chauhan, Manjinder Kaur Panesar Communication Co-Leads – Surinder Kaur Pandha, Kiran Kaur, Kanwardip Singh Sihota Creative Leads: Sarbjit Singh Gohel, Manisha Tiwari Community Engagement Co-Leads: Gurpal Grewal, Kavita Sanger, Parveen Briah Events Co-Leads – Sukh Singh Majhail, Hardeep Singh Bharj, Arjan Singh Matharu Marketing Lead - Rosie Franca Treasurer - Bhupinder Singh Sagoo Midlands Co-Leads – Kamaljit Kaur Ragha, Amandeep Sahota Coutts Lead – Rav Thiara Edinburgh Lead: Manisha Tiwari

Report offers solutions to propel minority talent Since 2017, the Black British Business Awards (BBBAwards) have made significant advances in their mission to create, and offer to UK companies, solutions that accelerate the progression of Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) talent into the c-suite and the boardroom. Key amongst the solutions is the BBBAwards’ mid-career BAME Talent Accelerator which was designed based on research examining why BAME middle managers do not progress into

senior executive roles in leading businesses in the UK. Companies that have already benefited from the BAME Talent Accelerator include Barclays, BT, Bloomberg, Cisco, Facebook, Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan, Morgan Stanley, National Grid, Virgin and Visa. This major initiative, spanning across all sectors of the UK, blends personal and professional growth, experiential learning and inspiration to deliver a game-changing leadership and

career advancement programme. The report commissioned by Melanie Eusebe and Sophie Chandauka, co-founders of the BBBAwards, follows the successful second iteration of the programme, involving 34 high-potential delegates from 20 significant global corporations with operations in the UK. This critical review offers an in-depth look into the programme and its benefits for companies in terms of accelerating BAME talent into senior roles.

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Page 8 - The Phoenix Newspaper - April 2020

BUSINESS AND FINANCE

BCA in search for new Chair as Dawn Hill CBE retires

l The Black Cultural Archives Landmark HQ in Windrush Square, Brixton lack Cultural Archives (BCA)’s current chair, Dawn Hill CBE is retiring. She has executed the role with distinction for 7 years, delivering a successful £7 million capital campaign, securing interim support from DCMS, recruiting an executive team and leading the BCA’s support for those affected by the Windrush scandal. BCA is now looking for an exceptional Chair with a strong network who is dynamic, creative and compelling to work with our Managing Director and Board of Trustees to guide our unique organisation through the next stage of its development, including the implementation of its 2030 vision.

Inspired by Pan-African civil rights leader Queen Mother Moore, the founders established Black Cultural Archives in 1981 with a mission to create Britain’s first museum dedicated to representing the culture and history of Black people in Britain. Today it is a national institution dedicated to collecting, preserving and showcasing the histories of Black people in Britain and their place in British history. BCA opened its landmark HQ at 1 Windrush Square, Brixton in 2014, with its strategic objectives up to this year being: • To grow its collection • To provide inspiring learning experiences • To change the teaching of British history by leading the

debate and inspiring others to play an active role in reshaping the national narrative • To develop a sustainable organisation The Board of Trustees has undergone renewal bringing in new governance capability in readiness for the next critical phase of BCA’s evolution for the next 10 years. A new Managing Director was appointed in March 2019. BCA will launch its new 10 year strategy, currently in draft form pending stakeholder consultation, in Spring 2020. This is an exciting time to join a unique, valued and internationally significant organisation on the brink of transformation

l Dawn Hill CBE, BCA Chair

OakNorth Bank lends £9.4m to leading dementia care home to acquire facility in Birmingham

l OakNorth Bank Senior Director of Debt Finance Deepesh Thakrar

OakNorth Bank – the UK bank powered by OakNorth – has provided a £9.4m loan to Care Concern Group, one of the UK’s most highly-regarded care home operators for dementia and general nursing to enable Care Concern Group to acquire Willowbrook Care Home in Birmingham – a purpose-built home with 75 units spread across two buildings. The care home improved its rating from “Good” to “Outstanding” in 2018 and experiences higher-than-average occupancy rates - 99% vs between 87-93% across the rest of the West Midlands. To-date Care Concern Group has borrowed C. £40m from OakNorth Bank to support its expansion. Established in 2005, Alpha Real Capital is

an investment services group focused on income security from real assets. It invests in asset backed income from real estate, infrastructure, and lending, with an emphasis on long income and inflation protection, and has over £2 billion of assets under management. Manpreet Johal, CEO of Care Concern Group, said: “We’re excited to work with Deepesh and the rest of the OakNorth team for a second time this year. They have once again been incredibly supportive, working closely with Alpha Real Capital to ensure we were able to take advantage of this exciting opportunity to acquire a leading care home in Birmingham. With this purchase we’ll be able to provide an even higher standard for dementia and

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general nursing care facilities in the city and help reduce its 240bed footfall.” OakNorth Bank Senior Director of Debt Finance Deepesh Thakrar, said: “The West Midlands’ supply of care homes is lower than most other regions in the UK which is why it experiences such high average occupancy rates. “The deal represented the opportunity to once again support a brilliant business and management team who have been able to build a portfolio of over 80 sites with an average of 87% occupancy across them. “This is a sector we understand and are keen to support more deals in, so it’s great to have a returning customer in the Care Concern Group.”

The Impact of COVID-19 on SMEs with Dr Christopher Johnson

n 11 March this year, the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared a new strain of coronavirus, COVID-19, as a global pandemic. Experts asserted that this is the most devasting incident in peacetime since the two world wars of the 20th century. Yet like many countries, the UK’s small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) sector is likely to be hit the hardest. No number of bailouts can therefore help this vital artery of the economy to fully recover in the aftermath of this new pestilence. Measures such as the Corona Business Interruption Loan Scheme and other multimillionpound package schemes, will have a net effect on small businesses. They are likely to suffer losses in repeat customers, distribution and supply chains and most of all, image and reputation in the market place. No amount of fiscal incentive can repair or redress the damage that the latter will have on firms, considerably. The impact of this health disaster is likely to be felt greatly in these sectors; namely food and hospitality, education and training, transport and logistics, manufacturing, construction, personal care, professional services and hundreds of business segments. Service industries that depend heavily on human capital are likely to be hardest hit, and so are distributors and suppliers that move goods [and services] from one place to another. The disruption to firms’ overall value chains is too much to contemplate. So, are they any real respite for SME’s current debacle? There are a few steps SME owners can take to mitigate this largely unpredicted and unexpected external risk to their survival.

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

• Keep informed with government’s policy measures that can help cushion firm’s redundancy or insolvency. • Endeavour to protect self, family and staff from infectionexposure that may trigger or spread the virus. • Maximise information and allied technologies to circumvent losses in customer base. • Reorganise operational systems to adapt to new distribution, supply and related value chain processes of the business. • Use the current ‘pause’ in trading to ‘regroup’, ‘remobilise’ and recalibrate the firm. • Conduct a careful analysis of the nature and type of customers the business attracts or not. • Evaluate the present infrastructure of the firm in terms of personnel, materials and equipment and other resources. • Determine whether the business needs to be leaner and fitter or if expanding into newer markets where volume is greater, might be a viable alternative. • Examine a range of investment options; be they grants, loans or other credit schemes- that can help to cover any shortfall in either revenue or profits of the business. • Re-evaluate the firm’s current market share by matching it with the overall industry sector your business is part of. This can help owners with short, medium and long-term decision-making; that is, the direction in which the business is heading. There is no doubt that COVID-19 will eventually disappear. Business owners, investors, customers, distributors and suppliers, will have to adjust their thinking towards creativity and innovation in the marketplace of ideas, products and services.

0121 339 5885 (Birmingham)

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The Phoenix Newspaper - April 2020 - Page 9

NEWS

COVID-19: Firefighters able to deliver food, medicines and more Firefighters will be able to deliver food and medicines, drive ambulances, and retrieve dead bodies during the coronavirus outbreak in an unprecedented agreement between the Fire Brigades Union (FBU), fire chiefs, and Fire and Rescue Employers. For the first time, all three stakeholder groups have agreed a joint national approach to the crisis. The fire service organisations say that the measures in the agreement reflect the scale of the national crisis and the urgency of the response required. Under the agreement, firefighters will be able to: · Deliver essential items like food and medicines to vulnerable people · Drive ambulances and assist ambulance staff · Retrieve dead bodies, should the outbreak cause mass casualties Firefighters will continue responding to core emergencies, such as fires and road traffic collisions, but under the agreement can now provide additional services specifically related to COVID19. The agreement states that core responsibilities must be maintained throughout the crisis. The organisations will meet weekly to discuss any additional requests for assistance made by Local Resilience Forums and Strategic Coordination Groups. Any activities considered will be risk assessed with fire and rescue personnel being given any necessary additional training and the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE).

Gender pay gap leaves women out of pocket

People enjoying Birmingham Weekender - Photo Credit:Verity Milligan

2020 brings step change for culture across Birmingham and beyond

he New Year heralds a step-change for culture across Birmingham and the region through new leadership at Cultural Central and leadership opportunities via the Birmingham Cultural Compact as well as investment opportunities from the Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership (GBSLEP). The end of 2019 brought the appointment of Erica Love as

Director at Culture Central with a remit to drive forward the vision and ambition of Culture Central as advocate for culture across the city, supporting the development and sustainability of the sector. As part of that remit Cultural Central is working with Birmingham City Council to establish a ‘Cultural Compact’ for the city. The Birmingham Cultural Compact seeks to co-create and co-deliver a holistic vision for culture in Birmingham. It will link the cultural sector to

broader aspirations and priorities for Birmingham and secure partnerships between the cultural sector and other sectors. Councillor Jayne Francis, cabinet member for Education, Skills and Culture said: “As one of the UK’s core cities, Birmingham was a key contributor to the national Cultural Investment Inquiry and one of the first cities to sign up to establishing a Cultural Compact. We value really highly the contribution that culture makes to the economy and reputation of our

city and look forward to working with a new Chair to take this agenda forward.” Board Director for Creative & Culture, GBSLEP, Anita Bhalla, said: “With the publication of this Framework we can set out our approach to cultural investments and how it dovetails with broader objectives around placemaking, business growth, stimulating innovation and supporting the talent and skills pipeline. "By working with partners such as Culture Central, we can make significant step-change to ensure long-term partnerships with the cultural sector and other stakeholders and enable change for the long-term good of the economy and wider geography.” Erica Love, Director Culture Central said: “Culture Central is driving a step change in the sustainability and contribution of culture to the life of the city, we are already working with partners to continue to build a resilient arts and cultural ecology. “Through the Cultural Compact and through supporting partners such as Birmingham City Council and GBSLEP we hope to extend and expand our networks beyond the sector demonstrating the impact culture can have citywide.”

Analysis published by the TUC reveals that the average woman has to wait more than two months of the calendar year before she starts to get paid, compared to the average man. The current gender pay gap for all employees stands at 17.9%. This pay gap means that women effectively work for free for the first 65 days of the year, until they begin to get paid on Women’s Pay Day.

Regional gender pay gaps

The analysis published today – which is also the first day of the TUC’s annual women’s conference in London – shows that in some parts of the country gender pay gaps are even bigger so their Women’s Pay Day is later in the year. • In the East of England the gender pay gap is 20.3%, so Women’s Pay Day in that part of the country won’t fall for another 9 days (Friday 15 March). • Women in the South East (19.3% pay gap) and the East Midlands (19.2%) have to wait until Monday (11 March) for their Women’s Pay Day. • And women in the West Midlands (18.3% pay gap) had to wait until March 7. Regional variations in the gender pay gap are likely to be caused by differences in the types of jobs and industries that are most common in that part of the UK.

Knife Angel lands in Wolverhampton The Knife Angel – a powerful symbol of hope and cohesion, and a salient warning of the dangers of carrying and using bladed weapons – is in Wolverhampton throughout April. The 20ft tall sculpture, created from over 100,000 confiscated and surrendered blades by the team at the British Ironwork Centre, aims to highlight the negative effects of violent and aggressive behaviour and to help bring about social change. Also known as the National Monument Against Violence and Aggression, the Knife Angel weighs around 4.5 tonnes and on display in the city centre for 28

days as part of a nationwide antiviolence tour. Councillor Ian Brookfield, Leader of the City of Wolverhampton Council, said: "We are delighted to be working with our partners to bring the Knife Angel to our city. "Fewer young people in Wolverhampton were victims of knife crime in the last six months of 2019 – and we want to ensure that downward trend continues. "It's important that we get the message across that violence needs to stop and we hope that displaying the Knife Angel in our city will not only help continue to turn the tide against knife crime

and all other forms of violent behaviour, but also enable us to remember those whose lives have been lost or irrevocably changed as a result of violent and thoughtless actions." Wolverhampton Neighbourhood Policing Unit Commander, Chief Superintendent Andy Beard, said: "The carrying and use of knives is a serious matter which won't be tolerated by the communities of Wolverhampton. "Bringing the Knife Angel to Wolverhampton symbolises the impact such weapons can have and should remind everyone to think twice before carrying knives." Businesses, organisations,

schools and community groups were encouraged to hold events and activities to mark the Knife Angel's visit to Wolverhampton. People were invited to take part in a national photography competition to capture the most inspiring and impactful picture of the Knife Angel during its time in the city. Cllr. Jasbir Jaspal, Cabinet Member for Public Health and Wellbeing, said: "We want the Knife Angel's visit to be an event which involving the whole community. We encouraged people to think about what they could do during the 28 days visit of the sculpture.

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Page 10 - The Phoenix Newspaper - April 2020

BUSINESS AND FINANCE

University Hospitals Birmingham Charity launches appeal for urgent donations

niversity Hospitals Birmingham Charity has launched an urgent appeal to the public to help to support the NHS Superheroes who are working tirelessly across the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, Heartlands Hospital, Good Hope Hospital and Solihull Hospital to support our patients during these challenging times. Mike Hammond, Chief Executive of University Hospitals Birmingham Charity, said: “A huge thank you goes to everyone who has reached out to support our amazing nurses, doctors and everyone across our hospitals. “There are so many things we need to get to our frontline staff and because the nation is in lockdown, we desperately need your cash to help us provide our NHS Superheroes with what they

need. “Our staff are staying at work for you, and are asking you to stay at home for them, but your donations will help us support them and the NHS in this critical hour of need. Please donate what you can, and we will use your donations for the following things we have already been asked for: • £2 will fund some biscuits, sweets or crisps for a ward at one of our hospitals to help keep the staff going at such a difficult time. • £3 will fund deodorant, hand cream, shampoo or conditioner for a member of staff at our hospitals so they can have a warm shower before they go home from work. • £5 will fund some tea and coffee to make sure the staff who are working extremely hard at the moment can get a drink to help them whilst they

work. • £60 will fund a commercial quality kettle that will allow staff to make drinks at their ward station instead of having to leave patients to get a drink. • £200 will fund a tablet that staff can use with patients to receive video calls from their families who are not allowed to visit the hospital. • £300 will fund a commercial quality microwave so staff can have hot meals on their units instead of going elsewhere in the hospital. • £500 will fund a commercial quality piece of reclining furniture for a staff room so exhausted staff can grab a 30 minute rest between shifts. Find out more and donate by visiting https://www. hospitalcharity.org/nhsheroes

Street sign plan in Liverpool to highlight city's slavery links

iverpool could introduce plaques to give an "honest account" of places connected to the slave trade. Much of the city's 18th Century wealth came from the trade involving British slavers transporting Africans across the Atlantic. Mayor Joe Anderson said paintings, street names and buildings in the city were "important parts of the historical record which should not be concealed". He is calling for new signs to explain their relevance to slavery. Dr Richard Benjamin, head of the city's slavery museum, said while he understood "the argument for placing street names in context", he thought it was important to consider changing road names instead. A motion to Liverpool City Council submitted by Mr Anderson, said: "Many

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notable figures in the city were associated with slavery, both as abolitionists and slave traders. "Within the town hall there are many paintings that depict men who became fabulously wealthy from the slave trade, yet, there is no mention of their role in their description plaques." He said some street and place names were also named after those who had a role in the slave trade and the city should "accurately reflect how some of the wealth and prestige accumulated for the benefit of Liverpool was gained through the business of slavery". "It is important to ensure that city visitors and residents are given an honest account of the historical role which our city and such figures played in history," he said. The plaques would accompany portraits, street and place names explaining their origin and their relevance to Liverpool's historical slave trade.

Dr Benjamin said there was a "need to talk about full renaming as well as adding additional information". "We're supportive of [Mayor Anderson's motion] as a museum and we're happy to work with the council, [but] I don't think it's a bad move to rename streets for people who you would want to represent your city." However, he said whatever was decided "if anyone can take it on the chin and move forward, it's the city of Liverpool. "There's a long way to go but... our discussion is a bit further ahead than London and Bristol, so we should take the positives that we're moving in the right direction." In 1999, the council made a formal apology for the city's role in the slave trade and it has since held annual events to commemorate Slavery Remembrance Day.

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NEWS

New road named in honour of former Mayor A

l Cllr Asha Mattu, widow of the late Elias Mattu, Mayor of Wolverhampton Cllr Claire Darke and Council Leader Ian Brookfield with guests at the opening of Elias Mattu Avenue, Graiseley

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new road in the West Midlands has been named after a popular former city Mayor. Elias Mattu Avenue, in Graiseley, in Wolverhampton, was officially opened as a tribute to the exCouncillor who died in February 2018. At the time of his death, aged 59, Councillor Mattu was the serving Mayor of Wolverhampton. The new road is situated in the heart of the Graiseley neighbourhood where he lived ever since he moved from India to England aged nine. He went on to represent the area as a ward councillor for almost 20 years. His widow, Asha, who is now also a Graiseley councillor, joined the current Mayor, Cllr Claire Darke and others to open the road today. Cllr Mattu said: “We are very proud and honoured to have a road named after Elias in the ward that he served for almost 20 years. We are also grateful to the City of

Wolverhampton Council for making this possible.” Mayor of Wolverhampton, Cllr Claire Darke, said: “I know what an honour it is to be Mayor and I know that Elias was so proud to be the first citizen of the city he moved to as a boy and which became his home. “Tragically, his year in office was cut short by illness, but I remember how he fought on for as long as he could despite rapidly failing health. “Elias Mattu Avenue is a lasting memorial to a very special person and I was honoured to be able to join his widow Asha to officially open it.” Council leader, Cllr Ian Brookfield, added: “Elias was a great man, a friend to so many of us and a dedicated councillor who cared deeply for the people of his ward and the city. “Having a road named after him, right in the heart of his beloved Graiseley, is a fitting tribute to someone who we will never forget."

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Page 12 - The Phoenix Newspaper - April 2020

CELEBRATING OUR NHS FORGOTTEN HEROES

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CELEBRATING OUR NHS FORGOTTEN HEROES

r Adeola Buluro, or Dr Ade for short, has been a doctor in the NHS since 2006, and for the last 4 years has been a GP in Milton Keynes. He wanted to get into the profession because of his passion for helping people, and mending lives, tying in well with his leadership and pastoral sides, allowing him to give people direction for their lives, helping them to balance and mend things. “I always had a keen desire to help,” Dr Ade explained, “Being a GP, you get to see more people from all walks of life, I get to see more people in my surgery than I would in hospital, and I get to build a relationship with them too. You’re almost like a pastor

Doctor Ade Is Leading By Example

to your patients.” As part of this, he has been running a clinic for the homeless in Milton Keynes, working with charities to go out to them and set up a mobile clinic from there. Many of our homeless are vulnerable, and working with these charities it allows Dr Ade to help them in all aspects of their situation, from medical to social, working with the council as well. “We’re more effective working together than alone.” Dr Ade, 40, has like the rest of us, faced an unprecedented situation with COVID-19, which he has found “Very challenging and interesting.” “There have been lots of calls, more people coming in, and a lot more anxiety that we’re trying to deal with. We are beginning

to make adjustments and things are being better managed at this point.” Despite the daily news updates, it isn’t all doom and gloom for the upbeat GP, as he stated “In these unprecedented times we need each other more now than ever before. The battle we fight has nothing to do with colour, creed or profession, so it’s the best opportunity for us all to join together as one. “Stay at home, exercise, reach out to people, show them kindness and look to improve yourself and bring out the best in all that you do.” “There will be a chapter after this, and we need to get ourselves ready for it.

Meet Maxine Brooks Born & bred in Birmingham with a Jamaican heritage, Maxine is a well known Gospel singer, songwriter, Registered Nurse, Pastor, Choir Director and Health Care Trainer to name a few of this lady’s vocations. She is most certainly a people person. With a busy schedule, she balances all her activities with a strong mind, commitment, excellent spirit and quality of delivery. She has many achievements to date, but to state a few:She has been nursing for over 20 years and has a wealth of experience of giving professional care to many in the community. As an avid studier in the latest using developments in delivering the best nursing care possible, in 2014 she pioneered an annual African Caribbean Health Information Conference (ACHIC) where health professionals could attend a free study day to learn and share education from experts from their areas of practice. This year will be the 7th year. As a choir director, she has faithfully led her now famous choir, ‘Birmingham Community Gospel Choir’ on to continued success from winning BBC Songs Of Praise Gospel Choir of the year 2015 to BBC Sports Personality of the year 2016 & 2018, national anthems for the

Ashes opening day at Edgbaston Cricket 1st August 2019 Australia & England. You tube hits have and are still applauding the moment. Each year there is an excellent following of supporters for the choirs annual fundraising charity event at the prestigious, Town Hall Birmingham called ‘Gospel Goes Charity’ in November. As a Pastor she preaches the

gospel and pastors a small but growing congregation in their christian walk. She is the gifted teacher and leader of ’The House Of The Lord UK’ in Nechells, Birmingham. Of all the many things she does, this one of her most beloved vocations of which she will willingly confess, ‘God called me to be a Pastor and for Him, this what I must be'.

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EDUCATION, TRAINING AND RECRUITMENT

g n i t o Prom xcellence E

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

New Parking Buddies Aim To Improve Safety Outside School

L l Ed Wicks of Living Streets, Owen Lamprey of Clifton Primary School and PSCO Richard Evans with pupils celebrate the arrival of the new parking buddies

ality u q h Hig rom f e r ld ca child e years o iv f o t irth

ittle friendly aluminium pupils are improving road safety outside a Birmingham school following a successful bid to the region’s Better Streets Community Fund. Clifton Road Primary School has taken delivery of 6 parking buddies, cheerfully designed bollards to warn drivers against inconsiderate parking. The pretend pupils discourage cars from mounting the pavement or blocking crossing points to improve safety and visibility for the children and parents walking or cycling to the school gates. The school, in Balsall Heath, was among 34 schools, community groups, charities and individuals

g Takin ns io s s i m ad now For more information or to enquire about admissions visit:

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of the reason why they should park responsibly. “We also want to reduce the amount of traffic on our roads and encourage our pupils to take active trips to school.” Councillor Ian Ward, leader of Birmingham City Council and WMCA portfolio holder for transport, said: “If we're going to encourage more people to walk and cycle across the region, then safety must be a paramount concern. “Cycling and walking for shorter journeys can save you money, take cars off the road and improve air quality. It’s great fun too and hopefully the parking buddies will encourage more parents to leave the car at home for the school run."

School children back together – virtually – for Big Play

Day Nursery

en N Copm Birm ingoswoaot i n g Birmin ham B n to gha us Parkm Biunseisnses s Pa!rk

from across the West Midlands to submit successful project ideas that will receive funding from the £2 million Better Streets Community Fund (BSCF). The fund was set up by Transport for West Midlands (TfWM), part of the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA), to support relatively small projects which encourage walking and cycling such as secure bike storage, better street lights and improvements to crossings. Owen Lamprey, lead practitioner for health and wellbeing at Clifton Primary School said: “We value the health and safety of all Clifton families and our brand new parking buddies are a reminder to motorists

Do you have what it takes to be the best? WorldSkills UK, the education and skills charity, is looking for talented people from across the West Midlands to prove they are the UK’s best. The WorldSkills UK Competitions are run in over 70 different skills across Engineering, Construction, Digital, Health and Hospitality. Putting apprentices’ and students’ practical skills, knowledge and employability attributes to the test in a competitive environment. WorldSkills UK Competitions are designed by industry experts and are free to enter. Each successful entrant that makes it through the National Qualifiers, due to take place between April and June 2020, will proudly represent the West Midlands in the National Finals at WorldSkills UK LIVE, at the NEC Birmingham.

Schools across the West Midlands met up again – virtually – on for the Big Play, an uplifting day celebrating children’s musicmaking across the region and the culmination of Big Month of Music. Prior to closure, schools with whole class instrumental lessons had been working with their local Music Service to film ‘One Minute of Music’ in their classroom. Over 150 films had been submitted and, between 9am and 5pm on Friday 27 March, a ‘One Minute of Music’ film was released every three minutes on the West Midlands Music Twitter @ WestMidlandsMu1 and Facebook @WestMidlandsMusiceducation feeds. A professional film about the Big Play was also shown during the day and Young Ambassadors were boosting the Instagram channel @Westmidsmusic and doing social

media takeovers throughout the day. In addition West Midlands Music social media channels showed short films of children’s classroom singing from schools which had planned to perform at the Big Sing. The professional-standard singing event had been scheduled for Symphony Hall but was cancelled as a result of the coronavirus outbreak. The Big Play is the grand finale of Big Month of Music, a large-scale region-wide event celebrating young people’s musical achievements and inspiring further musical discoveries. Big Month of Music is the first major project of West Midlands Music – a unique collective of all 14 of the region’s Music Services, and the largest of its kind in the UK – and designed as a snapshot of their work.

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The Phoenix Newspaper - April 2020 - Page 15

EDUCATION, TRAINING AND RECRUITMENT

Young adults encouraged to tackle climate change through heating apprenticeship

s part of the recent National Apprenticeship Week, young adults across the West Midlands were encouraged to take up a career in the heating sector and play an important role in tackling the climate change crisis. The call follows a recent report by the National Grid which revealed 400,000 energy related jobs will need to be filled to create a workforce fit to achieve net zero emissions by 2050. According to the findings, 260,000 of the roles will be new, including skilled technicians, engineers and other specialists, while 140,000 will replace those who have left the sector. Research by YouGov confirms that over two thirds (81%) of young adults aged 18-24 think it is important

to play a role in the UK’s journey to net zero, while over half (58%) want to work for an organisation that contributes to this goal. OFTEC, the trade association for the oil heating industry, says a career in the sector can provide a secure, rewarding future in a role which directly contributes to a cleaner, greener future for the 8500 homes in the West Midlands currently heated by oil. David Knipe, training manager explains: “The industry is currently developing a sustainable low carbon liquid fuel alternative to heating oil which could see all oil heated homes running on a 100% liquid biofuel by 2035. This means there is a strong future ahead for liquid fuels and all those involved in its production and s u p p l y,

alongside the skilled technicians needed to install and maintain liquid fuel boilers.” Fuelled by the high costs of going to university and the rising cost of living, apprenticeships are increasingly being seen as a highly credible further education option and route into future employment, with more and more students and parents recognising the benefits of combining theoretical and practical training. David Knipe added: “With just under half (48%) of OFTEC technicians starting their career through an apprenticeship, we know that this is an excellent opportunity for young adults to gain the skills, knowledge and hands-on experience to install and maintain liquid fuel boilers that are fit for a net zero future.”

l David Knipe

Student, Akintade, receives ‘Young Nigerian Scientist of The Year’ and scholarship from president, Buhari A young student who was voted as the ‘Young Nigerian Scientist of The Year’ was given a further boost by receiving a full scholarship – up to PhD standard. Osogbo Grammar School pupil, Akintade Abdullahi, was presented with the coveted prize by Nigeria’s President, Muhammad Buhari, after winning the National Examination of the 774 Federal Ministry of Science and Technologyorganised Young Nigerian Scientist Presidential Awards. Osun-state student, Akintade, was recognised for coming through the tough, well-received national competition which allows students throughout the country to then be

able to compete at international level as they take the next tentative steps towards being recognised as a renowned laurite in the field of science. In presenting the scholarship prize to the young Abdullahi, President Buhari was commended, by State Governor, Adegboyega Oyetola for his efforts in encouraging ia’s tomorrow’s scientists when he said: “I thank the President (Buhari) for putting these steps in place to encourage and build the capacity of our young people through education as a way of preparing them to be tomorrow’s leaders” He also paid homage to the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology

for being behind the Young Nigerian Scientist Presidential Awards and its encouragement in developing Nigeria’s children and young people’s interest in science through competition. Urging more corporate to complement the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology, Governor Oyetola continued: “This award serves as a lesson to our young people that background isn’t a hindrance to them – whatsoever! “I am also proud to say that there are many more Akintade Abdullahis in Osun State schools who are just waiting to emerge”.

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Page 16 - The Phoenix Newspaper - April 2020

WOMEN OF EXCELLENCE

Unity Is Strength The story of the Jamaican nurses who helped to build the NHS

he past decade will undoubtedly go down in history as one of the most transformative periods for women. Female-led activism has defined the past ten years - from women’s rights, to environmentalism, to

the fight against terror - women of all backgrounds have been leaders in many of the most powerful movements. Women-led protest movements have created platforms for everyday women and public figures alike to stand together and

voice their thoughts, concerns and stories. Now, personal biographywriting service StoryTerrace, has unveiled some of the most influential female activists of the decade according to professional storytellers. One of whom is Alina

Wallace. As Florence Nightingale is historically respected as a trailblazing figure who affected nursing policy in the 19th and 20th centuries, it was Mary Seacole, the Jamaican-British nurse who set up the ‘British Hotel’ behind the lines during the Crimean War who was at the forefront of how we see how nursing is practiced today. Her (Mary Seacole) legacy lived on as, from 1948, the British Government funded recruitment drives to attract qualified nurses and trainees from the Caribbean to come to Britain – this played a huge part in creating the NHS which we cherish so dearly today. One particular group of nurses from Jamaica, who previously had no knowledge or experience of British culture, made the journey to the UK to work in the NHS. They later set up a charity known as the Nurses Association of Jamaica (NAJ) to help those facing discrimination and share harrowing personal experiences, which still stands today. Alina, one of the key members of the NAJ, has worked with StoryTerrace to document the lives of the Jamaican nurses, their travel and work in the UK to build

the NHS, and the creation and work of the NAJ. It is an incredible tale of overcoming adversity, culture shock and adaptation, the beginnings of a treasured British institution, and the philosophy of the NAJ on sharing ideas and educating people on important health and social issues. One of the NAJs members commented on the importance of documenting the individual efforts of Wallace and the NAJ: “As we celebrated our 49th year, we felt that we had achieved so much, but also that we were getting on, and there weren’t many young people replacing us. “A lot of incredible efforts and stories of Alina and these nurses have been lost and we are keen to document these stories in the right way. Until now, there was nothing to document how we had achieved everything, and we felt the need to leave a legacy for the next generation”. ‘Unity is Strength: The story of the Jamaican nurses who helped to build the NHS’ highlights the women of excellence who were at the forefront of what was a new National Health Service.

THIS SPOT COULD BE YOURS! Reach a diverse audience worldwide Postive, Informative and Objective News Inspiring a New Generation Keeping you connected with your community

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• monthly in print • weekly newsletter • daily online

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Music fashion Film Gadgets holiday education health and fitness

APRIL 2020

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Hilarious And Outrageous In Equal Measure

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ENTERTAINMENT

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Bully announces Gazza to join for the Grand Theatre Italia 90 tribute

olverhampton Grand Theatre has announced that football legend, Paul Gascoigne, has joined the line-up of ‘A Tribute To Italia 90’, an evening of stories from the players of one of England’s most dramatic World Cup tournaments. The evening will raise

money for the Grand Theatre and The Steve Bull Foundation. Steve ‘Bully’ Bull will appear as part of the line up alongside Peter Shilton, Paul Parker, Dave Beasant and the newly announced Paul ‘Gazza’ Gascoigne. The evening will be hosted by Sky Sports’ Johnny Phillips.

Steve Bull said; “I love coming to the Grand Theatre, the shows they have on are absolutely unbelievable and I recommend anybody to come down. “We are going to be reliving the 1990 World Cup, 30 years on! We might have a few more names to add yet, just wait and see! We’ll tell you loads of

stories, see you there!” From David Platt’s goal against Belgium, the extra time win against Cameroon, Gazza’s tears and that dramatic semi-final penalty shootout against West Germany. Come Monday May 18, they surely will be discussing it all.

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The Phoenix Newspaper - April 2020 - Page 19

ENTERTAINMENT

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Before they were famous: what did celebs study before they made it big?

ew research has revealed the secret education behind some of today’s biggest stars, showing there may be more to certain celebrities than meets the eye. With awards over for another year adult education charity, City Lit, has researched the topics and qualifications the big winners studied before they were famous, to showcase how education can help prepare you for life on the big stage.

Lizzo

Hip hop, pop and R&B star Lizzo, who recently took home a Grammy for Best Pop Solo Performance, studied Classical Music at the University of Houston,

where she also developed her craft as a flute player.

Awkwafina

Similarly, Nora Lum, the actress also known as Awkwafina, who scooped a Golden Globe for Best Performance in a Motion Picture in Music and Comedy, majored in Journalism and Women’s Studies at the University of Albany in New York, before turning her attention to acting and comedy.

Roger Deakins

Experienced and acclaimed cinematographer, Roger Deakins, the winner of the Critics’ Choice Award for his work on the film 1917, was originally on a different path altogether. After studying to be a Graphic Designer at the

Bath Academy of Art, Roger’s persistence and dedication to photography on the side eventually saw him admitted to the National Film School and his career took off from there.

Boon Joon Ho

It’s a similar story when looking at the reigning Critics’ Choice Best Directors. Parasite director, Boon Joon Ho, who shared the award with 1917’s director Sam Mendes. He has a degree in Sociology from the University of Yonsei in South Korea, whilst Mendes achieved a first-class degree in English from the University of Cambridge.

Renée Zellweger

Renée Zellweger, who scooped the Oscar for Best Leading Actress for her starring

role in Judy, boasts an English degree from the University of Texas, again flying the flag for those in the showbiz industry who were very accomplished before becoming a global star. While some of these international stars benefitted from seeing out their education to the end, some of this year’s big players made a huge success of themselves through more unorthodox routes.

Billie Eilish

Pop artist, Billie Eilish, is a prime example. The young American musician is currently dominating the music industry and was recently crowned Best International Female Artist at the Brits without pursuing any further education.

RSC & Marquee TV announce online 'Premiere' & Watch Along of Twelfth Night To mark last month’s World Theatre Day, the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) have invited people to join a live ‘watch along’ from their living rooms on Saturday April 11 of a recording of their 2017 production of Shakespeare’s comedy ‘Twelfth Night’, featuring Adrian Edmondson as Malvolio and Kara Tointon as Olivia. Marquee TV, the international multi-genre performing arts streaming service, working with the RSC and other arts organisations, is responding to the current closure of theatres by offering everyone a no obligation free 30 day trial to watch some of the best in theatre, dance and opera. There are already 17 RSC productions available to stream, including ‘Richard II’ and ‘King Lear’ with, respectively, David Tennant and Antony Sher in the

title roles. Marquee TV will also be streaming ‘premieres’ of productions that are new to the platform, including ‘Twelfth Night’, each Saturday. The RSC is inviting everyone to join the ‘watch along’ by posting their comments live on Twitter during the performance. People can get involved by following the RSC - @theRSC - and by using the hashtag #AlmostLiveFromTheRSC. Directed by Christopher Luscombe and set in 1890s England, ‘Twelfth Night’ originally opened in the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratfordupon-Avon in November 2017. As with all of its Shakespeare productions since 2013, the RSC also broadcast Twelfth Night into cinemas across the world and into schools for free.

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0121 339 5885 (Birmingham) l The Stereophonics return to Arena Birmingham on February 29th

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Page 20 - The Phoenix Newspaper - April 2020

ENTERTAINMENT

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There’s No Silencing Birmingham Concert Halls

ollowing government advice, Town Hall Symphony Hall (THSH) is closed. But the iconic concert halls cannot be silenced and, in the coming weeks, the venues’ muchloved FREE Friday jazz gigs will be broadcast to Facebook, enabling audiences to come together in the safety of a digital space. Watch Parties were launched by Facebook in 2018 as a new way for people to watch videos on Facebook together in real time. Once a Watch Party is started, participants can watch videos, live or recorded, and interact with one another around them in the same moment. Nick Reed, Chief Executive of THSH Birmingham, said: “Music has the power to bring people together. Our forthcoming Facebook Watch Parties of the

FREE Friday jazz gigs ensure that audiences can do just that. “Self-isolation does not need to mean that people are isolated from their communities and through Town Hall Symphony Hall’s Jazzlines, we’ve built an incredible community with a shared passion for jazz music. Town Hall Symphony Hall is committed to bringing live music to our city and these Facebook Watch Parties will provide an opportunity for our friends to continue their discovery of the best of Brum’s musicians”. Friday 27 March, saw the Watch Party for Olivia Murphy and Olly Chalk’s duo. Saxophonist and composer Olivia Murphy regularly plays on the Birmingham scene and is a member of Birmingham Jazz Orchestra. Her sextet has also recently played at Birchfield Jazz Festival

and The Spotted Dog, and in November recorded new material for a 2020 release. She played alongside jazz pianist Olly Chalk, who is currently undertaking a Master of Music (MMus) programme in jazz piano at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music & Dance. On Friday 3 April, join the Watch Party for Joey Walter’s Me & 3. Saxophonists Joey Walter, a graduate of Birmingham Conservatoire, and Ben Markland, a music technology tutor and workshop practitioner with the Birmingham Contemporary Music Group, have been playing together along with Tom Martin for eight years. They recently welcomed Rosie O’Callahan on baritone to the quartet, Me & 3. Alongside their usual repertoire, featuring composers such as Bob Mintzer,

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Mike Mower and Jeff Driskill, they will be playing some new arrangements and original material by Joey. On Friday 10 April, join the Watch Party for Xhosa Cole’s Quintet. Saxophonist Xhosa Cole won BBC Young Jazz Musician 2018 for his “heartfelt” performance. Xhosa is an embodiment of the success of numerous music outreach programs within Birmingham, including THSH's Jazzlines. As a saxophonist, flautist, composer and producer, Xhosa has played, studied and collaborated with a wide range of world-class musicians and composers. Mary Wakelam Sloan, Jazz Programme Manager, said:

“Jazz thrives on challenge and innovation, and I’m immeasurably proud that the Jazzlines Talent Development Programme has risen to these challenging times with this innovative response. “We thank Arts Council England for their support, which in turn has enabled our support of Birmingham’s freelance musicians during these testing times. “Town Hall Symphony Hall values the crucial contribution musicians make to the city’s creative life, its economy and the enjoyment of local people and visitors”. Jazzlines is a unique programme of creative jazz music and talent development from the charity that runs THSH. It offers performance

opportunities to emerging and established contemporary jazz musicians as part of a thriving, artistically excellent programme in venues across the city and commissions cutting-edge new work, providing support to ensure future performances and a legacy for new projects. Jazzlines’ FREE Friday jazz gigs will be performed in Symphony Hall’s brand-new performance space when it opens this autumn. This unique space, for talented local artists to have even more opportunities to perform as part of a daily programme with free and affordable performances, is part of the £13.2 million redevelopment of the world-renowned venue’s foyer.

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ENTERTAINMENT

Rihanna ‘hears the pitter-patter’ of tiny feet’? International singing superstar, Rhihanna, has spoken about wanting to become a mother, saying that she will have children even if she doesn’t have a partner. The Barbadian awardwinning chart-topper, 32, who is currently working on her much-anticipated ninth album, spoke about being a new mother in a recent interview. She is the latest female superstar singer to speak out about pursuing possible alternative routes to motherhood. UK-based pop star, and TV talent show judge, Cheryl, has also revealed that she is looking for a sperm donor to have more children. The former Girls Aloud star has a son, three-year-old Bear, with ex-boyfriend, Liam Payne. In her interview, Rhihanna, who reportedly split from her long-time partner, Saudi business mogul, Hassen Jameel, stated that the only thing needed for raising a child “is Love”.

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Once-in-a-lifetime concert for music of Fleetwood Mac A n incredible oneoff celebration of the early music of Fleetwood Mac is planned for screening in cinemas across the country on Tuesday 2nd June and Sunday 7th June, as Mick Fleetwood and a stellar cast of guest stars pay tribute to the music of founding member, Peter Green. The once-in-a-lifetime celebration was captured at The London Palladium in February, 2020, and features a spectacular line-up of musical greats curated by Mick Fleetwood, including Neil Finn (Crowded House), Noel Gallagher (Oasis), Billy Gibbons (ZZ Top), David Gilmour (Pink Floyd), Kirk Hammett (Metallica), Jonny Lang, John Mayall, Christine McVie (Fleetwood Mac), Zak Starkey, Jeremy Spencer (Fleetwood Mac), Pete Townshend (The Who), Steven Tyler (Aerosmith), Rick Vito (Fleetwood Mac), and Bill Wyman (The Rolling Stones). The house band featured Mick Fleetwood himself

along with Andy Fairweather Low, Dave Bronze, and Ricky Peterson. Tracks performed at the event include seminal Fleetwood Mac classics, such as ‘Albatross’, ‘Green Manalashi’, ‘Need Your Love’, and more. Directed by award-winning concert director Martyn Atkins (Joni 75, Crossroads Guitar Festival, Cream at the Royal Albert Hall), the cinema event will feature an introduction by Mick Fleetwood, plus exclusive rehearsal footage, and interviews with guest artists. Legendary sound producer Glynn Johns, who produced albums for The Who, The Rolling Stones, The Eagles and Led Zeppelin, will take charge of the audio production. Peter Green was a founding member of Fleetwood Mac and had a huge impact on the band, as well as being recognised as one of the greatest musicians in the world. Peter was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame together with

Fleetwood Mac in 1998. Rolling Stone magazine rated Peter as one of the 100 Greatest Guitarists of all time. On the show coming to cinemas, Mick Fleetwood said: “This one of a kind show was no mean feat to put together and the ability to share and relive the event all over again in cinemas is incredible, for us, as artists, as well as our fans. I’m very happy this performance can now be experienced in a big screen format by audiences far and wide all over the globe”. ‘Mick Fleetwood and Friends Celebrate The Music of Peter Green’ will also be available in a super deluxe box-set, released on 16th October 2020 and available to pre-order now. The super deluxe box-set will include a 4LP deluxe book pack with 2CDs and BluRay. Fleetwood Mac’s third studio album ‘Then Play On’ will also be released in a special Celebration Edition.

Best Hip-Hop winner, D’Frick, go to worldwide with Song of The Year

olta Music Award winner, Tom D’Frick, is taking the international music scene by storm with his latest hit ‘OVorvorm’ – which literally means they are scared. The Ghanaian superstar, who was voted ‘Best Hip-Hop Song of The Year’ at the event, is getting his banging hit played

around Africa, throughout Europe and beyond. The tune is D’Frick’s first major tune this year, which is heavily demand throughout some of Europe’s major towns and cities and high on the playlist at the Sensation Club, in Dubai. The tune is also a favourite for Ghanaians throughout the US.

With the much-loved Younggod and Kelvynbot also on-board, the song is, without doubt, an instant hit. No.1 trending song in the Volta Region. For some time now, standout track; ‘Ovorvorm’ has been the number one trending song in the Volta Region in Ghana.

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e r u g i F Go

manating from Halesowen, Daniel Williams, aka, ‘Figure.09’ is a ball of grimey/rock lightning with a sensational stage presence and visceral voice. In his early years he grew up on rock music, but a song caught his eye from the infamous Eminem. The track, ‘sing for the moment’ grasped the young lad in such a way it peaked his interest in spitting bars, writing raps and performing. Now having an ear for it, he naturally got enamoured on various wordsmiths, settling on groups such as wu-tang-clan and true spitters like Nas. The 1st grime artist he remembers enjoying was P Money. This ‘fanned the flame’ for the young lad to go onto picking up the microphone. “I grew up on rock initially, a lot of my music came from ‘guitar hero’ because I was a big gamer! The earliest memory of me enjoying grime was P Money”. I’m not surprised. Figure.09 began writing raps at 17, not really seeing it as anything other than messing, he went onto picking up a microphone at the age of 19. Being a guitarist in a band, he recalls jamming with his drummer when he was laying a beat down in rehearsal. Figure.09 started rapping just playing around, but actually found he enjoyed it more than anything else musically. Being diversified in multiple

genres, Figure.09 sees this as a major strength and doesn’t see it as a curtailment for himself musically. “I want to push myself to make as many different kinds of songs as long as they sound good, I’ve always tried to be myself, as long as you’re yourself, people will gravitate towards you”. Honesty in music is sometimes treated with contempt, you don’t have to be a ‘badman’ to make real music. Figure.09 mentions “a lot of what I talk about is real, it may be issues I’ve personally experienced or that people have gone through, so I’m happy I get the reception I do, in genres like rap and grime, I think it’s important that we talk about

how mentally taxing being a musician can really be”. With a healthy work-rate, Figure.09 explains his diligence to his musical career. “If you want to make it as a musician, you have to be on job 24/7, financial stress is a prominent problem, with supporting your own brand pushing forward, other monetary things get put on the back burner”. “Mental health in music is important, really... there is a lot of help out there, but the conversation starts with ourselves, that’s why I talk about it in my music”. He elucidates his music as emotional, personal, defiant. With that being said, I wanted to see it for myself. Figure.09

invited me down to a little show that was taking place a couple miles out of town. Personally, I am always excited to see/hear local talent; I concurred and attended the show in question. Not really knowing what to expect, me and my pal (shouts to P) walked into a small boozer (pub for anyone outside the UK). Around the back of the bar lay a small function room with various instruments on stage accompanied by a DJ, the clock struck 9 and out came Figure.09 (no pun intended). Out of all the things he mentioned about his music, he missed out energetic! Always unfixed, always engaging, always clear and precise. A healthy following all nodded and danced, allowing themselves to be consumed by Figure.09’s music. His energy was explosive on stage. It’s very transparent,

above anything, that Figure.09 really, really enjoys performing. Every song administered a positive crown reaction, AND people knew every word, at the end of his performance, Figure.09 was cradled by praise from an abundance of audience, some friends, some strangers, but in that moment, sharing a common synergy, cherishing what Figure.09 had to say. Personally, I think Figure.09 touches upon, what some may consider, taboo subjects. Deep, meaningful stories, and heart-warming experiences he or others close to him have experienced over the years. A truly unique artist, who deserves the attention of anyone that treasures good music for what is is. His modern views on the world are engaging and interesting, with this type of quality content, Figure.09 is definitely a rising star in this corner of the UK. I had real trouble writing this

article, it was such an engaging interview. Figure.09 has such a lot to say, I’d end up writing for hours. The best thing, in my opinion is to go check out one of his shows, a sure-fire way of encountering his vibe, but more importantly, his message, of which their are many. Anything else you’d like to add? “Take every opportunity, thank you for having me, Birmingham is POPPING, download my album”. Twitter: Figure09x Instagram: figure.09x Side note: If you do find you’re struggling with life, people, your job, the weather, anything, talk to somebody, you can reach me on my twitter handle below if you need a chat, you can talk about anything if it helps, remember, you are amazing. Twitter: @_AlienMuzik

s w e i terv

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LDIF20 to mark 10 Years, 10 Countries, 10 Voices

eicester’s annual dance festival celebrates its tenth anniversary in this year with a thrilling programme of dance and performance from the UK, USA, Norway, Cuba, Martinique, Tanzania, Italy and more. Let’s Dance International Frontiers 2020 (LDIF20) is produced by Serendipity, the diversity-led arts producing organisation based in Leicester and run by its award-winning CEO and Artistic Director Pawlet Brookes. This year the organisation celebrates 10 years of curating and producing LDIF. Pawlet says: “The tenth anniversary of LDIF20 is going to be very special. I’m thrilled that we’re celebrating ten years of bringing dance from around the world to audiences in the

city and beyond, and that we have, over those ten years, supported and developed work by a huge number of talented young artists. “The legacy of the festival means we have also scored a number of firsts: ballet company PHILADANCO made their UK debut in 2017 at LDIF; the Deaf Dance pioneer Antoine Hunter made his debut at LDIF and many award-winning artists who will be with us this year including Kyle Abraham, Reggie Wilson, Alice Sheppard, Thomas Prestø, showcase world class, culturally diverse dance. “During LDIF20, we will revisit some of the highlights from past festivals. We are delighted to be welcoming back Kyle Abraham with a new solo work Cocoon, in his only UK performance, and PHILADANCO with an exciting mixed-bill of work. I’m particularly proud this

year of the new work we’ll be presenting in our two development programmes”. Annabel Guérédrat and Henri Tauliaut are presenting a site specific work inspired by Marcel Duchamp's Nude Descending the Staircase at New Walk Museum's spiral staircase. And the conference will be a vital ticket for anyone interested in how performance art is presented globally. “At Serendipity we are enormously proud of what we’ve achieved with LDIF in bringing global dance to audiences in Leicester and showing that dance really is a universal language where everyone is welcome.” This year’s theme is: 10 Years, 10 Countries, 10 Voices: Black Classics. The keynote speakers at the annual conference are Eduardo Vilaro, choreographer, educator, and artistic

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director and CEO of Ballet Hispánico in New York City and the award-winning dancer/choreographer and Professor and Graduate Director Cynthia Oliver at the University of Illinois. Featured speakers include Thomas Prestø, Artistic Director of Tabanka Dance Ensemble in Norway whose masterclass was a huge hit at last year’s LDIF, the USbased, British-born disabled dancer/choreographer Alice Sheppard and the dancer/ choreographer/writer/curator Makeda Thomas who splits her time between Trinidad and New York.

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Drake shares photos of his 'secret' son

anadian rapper Drake has kept matters about his son very private until about 2 years ago. But the “God’s Plan” star later confirmed he has a son that he has kept from the media, however, until very recently nobody has seen the boy though his mum has been identified as Sophie Brussaux, a 30-year-old retired actor who is now into arts. Out of the blue, Drake decided to show off his son, named

Adonis Graham, to the world. The rapper’s post came with a touching point about missing his family and friends as the coronavirus lockdown restrictions continue to affect millions across the globe. ‘What is most important for you right now is to connect to your own inner light," he captioned a series of pictures of his loved ones, including the curly-haired toddler, with his mum and Dad’. He continued that ‘This will create the biggest opening of all. Trust that

you have all of the power within to make this happen, and in order to do that connect to the people and things that bring you a lot of joy. “When the mind starts to move into overthinking or fear, shift your attention right away to something bright. It doesn’t matter what has happened in the past or what is happening around us now, you can always make the choice to break free of the wheel of suffering and panic and open up to your own light. ‘We are powerful manifestos, so once you make the choice in the moment to shift your awareness to something good; it will show you in your reality. Be conscious, especially right now of fears coming in from others, and recognize that not everything should be held by you. ‘Laughter is your best medicine, but tears can also be a powerful release. Let go of any judgment you may have around that. Remember that you are never alone, and if you need to be reminded of that ask for support and it will show up. Everything comes down to intention, and even though there are conflicting energies circling around us you must KNOW...It will rebuild.

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ot one for the easily offended, due to its use of strong language and relatively dark themes, not forgetting that it was written by the creators of South Park, Trey Parker and Matt Stone, The Book of Mormon has nevertheless managed to take the world by storm. From its first show on Broadway in 2011, the show has received nine Tony Awards, including Best Musical, and a Grammy for Best Musical Theatre Album. Telling the story of Mormons, (Or The Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints as they’re also known), the show sees the two main characters, Elder Price and Elder Cunningham, who couldn’t be further from each other in every way, journey to Uganda to undertake their mission. From the opening number “Hello!” which is now a worldwide hit in its own right, it’s clear what kind of a show you’re in for, brought to life by an incredibly talented cast. With the constant ringing bells and many plays on the words used coupled with cheesey smiles and intense stares, (“Or you will burn in Heeeeeeellllllll-oooo!” being a firm favourite) you’re catapulted into their world. Superb choreography, imaginative names, especially when it comes to a certain General, leads to a very

entertaining show. Robert Colvin as Elder Price, and Connor Peirson as the bumbling Elder Cunningham make the perfect duo, matching each other in their differences, and producing well rounded performances that really make you root for the duo. ‘I Believe’ and ‘You and Me (But Mostly Me)’ allow Colvin to Shine as the narcissistic, self centred Elder Price, while ‘Man Up’ and ‘Baptize Me’ were perfectly executed by Peirson. The audience found itself laughing at topics that are taboo, and taking a look at their own beliefs and prejudices too, especially with Hasa Diga Eebowai and All American Prophet. Taking inspiration from the Lion King, South Park (obviously) and many more, there are some references that date the production, but many that are still 100% viable today. The Book of Mormon is hilariously inappropriate and definitely NOT Politically Correct, but is a show that you absolutely cannot miss. The press night viewing ended in a standing ovation and rapturous applause for an amazing show. With the current situation, the tour has been suspended for the forseeable future, but once it is back on the road it is one that if you haven’t seen it, you need to, and if you have, you’ll want to see it again!

ENTERTAINMENT

Box-sets a good idea to get through self-isolation

rom drama to comedy, old favourites to upcoming shows, boxsets can be a great idea to binge on through coronavirus social distancing. As the virus spreads, social distancing and self-isolation have left millions with more time than we might usually spend dedicating to box-sets, films and podcasts. There's a whole load to choose from to while the weeks (and months) ahead. For instance, you can revisit all

of Star Wars, back-to-back James Bond, or even Fast & Furious 1 to whatever. For die-hard ‘Game of Thrones’ fan, now is the time to do it all again from the beginning. If you've never seen, you're in for a dragon and bloody battle-filled treat either that, or you're really going to wonder what the fuss was all about. One of the biggest shows of recent years, the upcoming third season of the dark comic thriller ‘Killing Eve’ is one of the most anticipated programmes of 2020.

There are also shows like ‘Save Me Too’, ‘The Nest’, ‘Love is Blind’, ‘Better Call Saul’ (plus Breaking Bad/ El Camino), Star Wars spin-off ‘The Mandalorian’, or comedy classic ‘Alan Partridge’ and the equally-funny ‘Fleabag’ to keep you and yours occupied during these testing times. The choice is ‘endless’ so, you can make best these testing times by ‘bingeing’non some of your alltime favourites.

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Meet Ozzy & Ola – The UK’s first and only sea otters

he UK’s first and only pair of Sea Otters, Ozzy and Ola, were officially introduced as new residents at the National SEA LIFE Centre in Birmingham as part of a global education and conservation programme with SEA LIFE Trust. The Sea Otters, who are a rescued male and female pairing, arrived in to the country following an incredible 5,000 mile journey from their former holding in Seward, Alaska and have been settling in to their new,

state-of-the-art and purpose built Marine Mammal Rescue Facility in Birmingham. Their residency is one of just three in the whole of Europe and of 17 collectives globally. Ozzy – or Mr Bishop as he’s become lovingly known – was rescued when he was just two months old from Bishops Beach, Alaska. Weighing 6.3kgs (13.9 pounds) meant he was underweight, dehydrated and suffering with coat issues, all of which were contributing factors to a later seizure.

Now at 2 years old and following his rehabilitation, his inquisitive and somewhat mischievous nature is settling well in to his forever home in Birmingham. He is laid back and loves a good nap. Ola – also affectionately known as Ms Ranney – was less than a week old when she was rescued back in June 2018 and weighed just 1.86kgs (4 pounds). Found by fishermen near Ranney Glacier face down in the water, she was suffering with mild dehydration and a matted fur coat upon admission to the Alaskan Rescue Center. Ola, whilst a little smaller in size to Ozzy, is now your typical oneand-a-half year old; very active and in to everything – frisbee being her

favourite toy. Jonny Rudd, Curator at the National SEA LIFE Centre Birmingham said: “Ozzy and Ola’s residency is a landmark moment for the country and gives us a sense of connection to nature and wildlife from across the globe, highlighting the unconscious impact we’re having so we can start to make small differences.” Once on the verge of extinction after being hunted for their thick, rich pelt in the 1800s, Sea Otters remain a seriously threatened species being IUCN listed as endangered in some regions and now have a vital role to play in a ground-breaking marine education programme around the globe.

Stars reading bedtime stories to comfort children during COVID-19 epidemic

ith schools and nurseries around the world shut down due to coronavirus, stars of stage and screen are doing their bit to help children in need. In Hollywood Jennifer Garner and Amy Adams have created ‘Save With Stories’, a charity that not only entertains kids by reading them books, but also raises money to make sure vulnerable children are getting enough food while they're out of school due to the crises caused by coronavirus. In partnership with No Kid Hungry, they haveve gathered together a whole host of celebrities to tell stories on Facebook and Instagram. Lupita Nyong'o, star of Steve McQueen's historical drama ‘12 Years a Slave’, for which she received critical acclaim and won several awards, including the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress - the first Kenyan actress to do so, reads ‘Not Quite Narwhal’ by Jessie Sima. Starting off by singing "Hello young world", she tells the tale of a little narwhal called Kelp who is different from all the rest. Oscar-nominated actor, Jake Gyllenhaal, best known for his work in films like 'Donnie Darko,' 'Brokeback Mountain,' 'Prisoners' and 'Nightcrawler’, reads ‘Where Do Balloons Go?’ - an "uplifting mystery" by Jamie Lee Curtis.

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Comedian, television host, actress, writer, and producer, Ellen DeGeneres reads her own book ‘Ellen DeGeneres’ telling children: "Its never too early to learn about design". The book tells the story of some of her homes and what she learnt from each of them. Other stars of stage and screen telling their own bedtime stories include; Jeff Bridges, Jennifer (Garner) and Amy (Adams) themselves, Chris Evans, who give us a Marvel-worthy performance of ‘If You Give A Dog A Donut’ by Laura Numeroff – which is illustrated by Felicia Bond – and Jeff Goldblum, star of some of the highest-grossing films of his era, such as ‘Jurassic Park’ and ‘Independence Day’, as well as their respective sequels, ‘The Lost World: Jurassic Park’ and ‘Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom’ and ‘Independence Day: Resurgence’, who takes to a tree house to "rediscover" a book his mother read to him as a kid, ‘Horton Hears A Who’ by Dr Seuss. He finishes on a Dr Seuss-esque rhyme: "I wish you all well, and I hope that we all, "Do whatever we can, no matter how small, "Signing off, I love you all". So, as schools and nurseries around the world shut down due to coronavirus, Hollywood is doing their bit to help children in need.

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ENTERTAINMENT

Kumar ALDI Easter BUNNY Akshay Urges People Clean BREAD ROLLS RECIPE toandStay Stay Clear

If you’re stuck for something to do with your children this Easter, then try this wonderful recipe for Bunny Bread Rolls from Aldi! Prep Time

20 minutes + rising time

Cook Time:

Stars Peng Xiaoran and Elvis Han Pair up for new romantic drama Star of ‘Goodbye My Princess’, Peng Xiaoran and Elvis Han are paired up for the new upcoming modern romance drama ‘My Talent Neighbour’. The story follows headhunter Shen Nuo (Peng Xiaoran) and the talented engineer Chen Nuo (Elvis Han) who joins hands to work together to design the finest artificial intelligence technology. A press conference was held back in December 2019 to officially introduce ‘My Talent Neighbor’ and its cast. Besides our leads Peng Xiaoran and Elvis Han, the supporting cast includes Maggie Chen, Li Na Wen Tenzin Jigme, Xie

Jun Hao, Zhang Wei Wei and Showna Xie. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, filming was temporarily halted before it resumed again recently. The drama is currently in production in Qingdao and is set to wrap up filming soon. ‘My Talent Neighbor’ also released a new teaser showcasing the sweet and romantic moments between Peng Xiaoran and Elvis Han’s characters. The two show fantastic chemistry together, creating high anticipation and excitement for Chinese drama fans.

20 minutes Vegetarian: Yes

Ingredients (Makes 6)

120ml Double Cream 130ml Whole Milk 60g Caster Sugar 7g Yeast 320g Plain Flour ½ tsp Salt

Extras

1 x beaten egg for egg wash Extra flour for rolling 30g Dark Chocolate (melted) Piping Bag

Method

1. Add the cream, milk and sugar into a small saucepan and simmer until the sugar has melted. 2. Remove the pan from the heat and ensure that the milk is warm and not hot then add in the yeast. 3. Leave for a couple of minutes until the liquid has bubbled

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5. 6.

slightly (this shows the yeast is alive). Place the flour and salt in a large bowl and then add in the milk mixture and knead for 5-10 minutes until a ball has formed. Leave in a bowl for 1-2 hours for the dough to doubled in size. Knock the air out of the dough and knead for a couple of minutes until the dough is smooth. Cut into 8 pieces and roll 6 of them into balls and place on a greaseproof paper lined baking tray.

8. Cut the 2 remaining pieces into 6 (12 total) and then shape them into bunny ears and add to the dough balls. 9. Leave to rise, covered with greased cling film, for another half an hour until doubled in size. 10. Pre-heat oven to 190C/170Fan/GM 5. 11. Brush with the beaten egg and then bake for about 20 minutes until golden and hollow sounding when tapped on the base. 12. Leave to cool and then pipe eyes and whiskers with the melted dark chocolate.

Bollywood superstar Akshay Kumar urged people to maintain proper levels of hygiene amongst the latest coronavirus scare which has spread across the globe. He was quoted as saying; ‘There will be some effect but how much that is difficult to say. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said people shouldn’t go to crowded places and safety measures should be taken. It all boils down to maintaining proper hygiene. One has to be very careful. We all have come down to the basic way of greeting people, which is ‘Namaste’.’ The novel virus which originated from China in December last year has spread across the globe and claimed over 3,000 lives. Celebrities and politicians have been urging people across social media to maintain proper levels of hygiene and avoid mass gatherings. Akshay has three exciting films lined up for 2020. The actor will be seen next in Rohit Shetty’s cop universe saga Sooryavanshi, followed by horror-comedy Laxmmi Bomb and he will be ending the year with historical drama Prithviraj based on the heroic Prithviraj Chauhan.

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Electric Power: The New e-BULLI

olkswagen Commercial Ve h i c l e s (VWCV) is presenting for the first time the e-BULLI, an all-electric vehicle that produces zero emissions on the road. Equipped with the drive system components of the latest Volkswagen electric vehicles, the concept vehicle is based on a T1 Samba Bus produced in 1966 and comprehensively restored. The stage for the world premiere was to have been Techno Classica 2020. As it has been postponed, VWCV is now presenting it virtually. An important message

for all fans of the Bulli and of electric mobility: the combination of highend classic and high-tech electric vehicle will be available to buy for real. VWCV partner eClassics is planning to offer T1 conversions and T1 complete vehicles in the style of the new e-BULLI. It started with the seemingly audacious idea of switching an historic Bulli over to a drive system producing zero emissions on the road in order to bring it in line with the challenges of a new era. To this end VWCV engineers and designers formed a team along with drive system experts

from Volkswagen Group Components and the eClassics company, which specialises in electric car conversions. As the basis for the future e-BULLI the team chose a T1 Samba Bus produced in Hannover in 1966, which prior to its conversion spent half a century on the roads of California. One thing was certain from the start: the e-BULLI was to be a T1 that utilises the Volkswagen Group's latest electric drive system components. This plan has now been realised with the e-BULLI. The vehicle serves as an example of the great potential that this concept offers.

Green Light For Glyn Hopkin’s Three New Mg Sites

G Motor UK has cemented its relationship with highly respected dealer group, Glyn Hopkin, opening three brand-new MG sites in Cambridge, Milton Keynes and St Albans. The trio of dealerships, which adds to the group’s existing Glyn Hopkin East London MG franchise in Ilford, reinforce the

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marque’s sustained expansion as part of its Momentum and Growth mid-term plan. Featuring bright and spacious showrooms, each site also includes vehicle aftersales and maintenance facilities, with technicians fully trained to work on MG’s model line-up. Shab Chowdrey, Sales Director at Glyn Hopkin, said: “MG has solidified its position as the

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fastest growing car manufacturer in the UK and has become widely admired among those in the industry. The outstanding MG range offers value-for-money motoring without compromising on quality or equipment. We’re delighted to be playing our part in MG’s growth, with our portfolio of four MG dealerships and we look forward to welcoming customers to discover the MG brand in Milton Keynes, Cambridge and St Albans.” The new Glyn Hopkin sites will benefit from the group’s innovative ‘Buy Online’ service, which allows customers to browse the dealership’s full inventory at home or on the move. Buyers can reserve their perfect MG from their phone, tablet or computer, providing greater flexibility to fit in with busy lifestyles. David Allington, Network Development Manager at MG Motor UK, said: “The addition of these three Glyn Hopkin dealerships is a significant step forward towards our goal of reaching 120 dealerships by 2020.”

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Womac Donates £15,000 To Dimbleby Cancer Care W

omen on the Move Against Cancer ( W O M A C ) announced the donation of its £15,000 pledge towards this year’s chosen charity, Dimbleby Cancer Care. This also marked over £1 million donated to more than 50 worthwhile causes since WOMAC was established in 1979. Friends and supporters came together in February 2020 at Freemasons’ Hall, London to help raise cancer awareness at WOMAC’s annual fundraising party, where the popular raffle and tombola returned with nearly 600 prizes. It’s thanks to the many kind and generous donations from guests and corporate sponsors, including Kia Motors (UK), SMMT, Volkswagen Group UK, Bentley Motors, BMW Group UK, Vauxhall Motors and Jaguar Land Rover, that WOMAC

has been able to donate these vital funds towards Dimbleby Cancer Care’s mission to help make life better for people facing cancer in the UK today. WOMAC is also grateful for practical support from Imprimatur, Mark Oliver Design, Newspress, Alister Thorpe, Beyond Content and Sims Images. Speaking at this year’s fundraising party, WOMAC Chair Georgia Fox said: “In WOMAC’s 41st anniversary, we are proud to have donated over £1 million to more than 50 cancer related projects. “We couldn’t have achieved this without our supporters’ generosity and willingness to make a difference to people’s lives during a time when they need support the most. “The £15,000 raised to help patients at Dimbleby Cancer Care will make a huge difference not only to cancer sufferers but to their

MOTORS

families as well.” Dr Sue Smith and Dr Caroline Johnson from Dimbleby Cancer Care shared: “We are very grateful for the donation, which will really make a difference for patients. Thanks to WOMAC and its supporters, we will fund: • a workshop for children and parents who have cancer • a year’s supply of pillows that are given to patients in patient wards by our complimentary therapy team to help make their time in hospital a little bit more bearable • video equipment for training and clinical purposes • toys and books for parents and children • Anna Bandanna Headscarves & ‘Beautiful you’ programmes • white noise machines Sue Baker, who was affected by cancer shared: “To anyone who has cancer, and one in two people do get cancer, what you want most of all in addition to brilliant NHS medical care is some help, some support and encouragement, from people who understand what you are going through. “At Dimbleby Cancer Care there were people who were empathetic, fully understood the physical and emotional impact, and embraced the whole family. They made a huge difference to helping my recovery.”

Gem Says ‘Thank You’ To The Emergency Services And Delivery Drivers Road safety and breakdown organisation GEM Motoring Assist is extending a massive ‘thank you’ to the emergency services, truckers, hauliers and delivery drivers who have continued to provide a fantastic service throughout the duration of the coronavirus crisis. GEM acknowledges the tireless work done by drivers in the frontline of responding to emergencies, maintaining

food and other supplies during a period of unprecedented confusion and disruption. GEM road safety officer Neil Worth said: “We encourage anyone who may be using the roads in the coming days and weeks to be as courteous and considerate as possible to these drivers, and also to make safety a number one priority. “Most if not all will face considerable demands during their working time. We can

help with small acts of courtesy such as giving way, creating extra space, holding back and saying ‘thank you’ – all of which can reduce stress on journeys and contribute to a safer road environment. “It’s vital that we all show tolerance and patience – particularly for those we currently rely on more than ever.”

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www.streetcredmagazine.com book including mine. I felt so humbled.”

Yvonne Tells The Story Of The Sweetest Sound

rom the age of 3 years old, Yvonne Brissett was encourage by her father to read and write, before she even went to school, and it was that start in life that gave her the passion for stories, books and storytelling that she has had to this day. Born and raised in Gloucester, she is the youngest of 7 children, with 3 brothers and 3 sisters, whose parents came over from Jamaica in the 60’s to make a better life for their family. “I was always encouraged to be creative, make things or go outside and play,” reminisces Yvonne with a glint in her eye, “and by the age of about 7 or 8 I used to go to the library with my sister after school

every day, so I was reading a wide range of books from an early age.” It was around this time that she also started to write her own stories, and by the age of 10 she turned her hand to poetry, entering and winning a competition in a magazine, which really inspired her, but story writing was always her first love. “I’ve been inspired by a lot of children’s authors like Roald Dahl, reading James and the Giant Peach, and Charlie and Chocolate Factory. They excited me, everything was so vivid, you could almost taste the peach,” she beamed. “As I’ve grown older I love the tales of the unexpected, twisting the story, but around 12 or 13 I was

From Page To Screen

reading Jackie Collins, another of my inspirations. I remember at the time people were like ‘Why are you reading this? It’s just sex!’ but what she did was create interesting characters and got into their lives!”

Exploration

It wasn’t until Yvonne was in her 20’s that she started to explore black literature, with the autobiography of Malcolm X, as well as the biographies of Tony Morrison and Richard Wright, who wrote Native Sun, highly acclaimed authors in their own right and one of her favourites of all time. It was this investigative streak, coupled with her love for writing, storytelling and culture that led

her to go into Journalism. “I left school, went through local radio station ‘Seven Sound’, which taught me my radio skills, then went onto BBC Gloucester, but I soon realised I was only going to get so far without a formal education in Journalism. “I completed a City and Guilds in Journalism in Bristol, then got into the University of Birmingham where I did a degree in Media Culture and Society.” After her degree she worked on a few magazines as a writer before getting onto a trainee journalism course at the BBC in Bristol, where she worked before moving to the BBC in Manchester, and then in Birmingham. In 2001, publishing company Tindle Street Press were looking for writers for an Anthology of short stories put together from works of Black and Asian writers in Birmingham and the West Midlands, where Yvonne ended up becoming the co-editor. ‘Whispers In The Walls’ went on to win a regional Diversity Award, and included Yvonne’s story ‘The Darkest Hour’ which was about a girl who thought her boyfriend was cheating on her and what she did about it. “Mum would always say “the hour before daybreak is the darkest hour” where people either panic and stay in the dark or see daybreak. Radio 4 heard about it, and bought 3 stories from the

“The story went out on the radio, and I had people ask if I’d thought of turning it into a film, so I entered it into a Channel 4 Ideas Factory Film competition and it was shortlisted but I didn’t win. “I managed to get Arts Funding from Birmingham City Council, and made it into a short film with local actors around the Midlands.” Yvonne won a Creative Ambition Award from Arts Council England, which enabled her to go to New York to the Harlem International Book Fair. “While I was there I met loads of African American publishers and writers, no one believed I was English, they thought I was faking the accent! “They hadn’t heard about any young black people in England, no stories or books about what we were doing.” Her first novel, The Sweetest Sound is the product of 18 years of work, passion and love. “I wanted to explore relationships and modern dating, as well as our value systems and how we engage with each other. The main character is a bit of a gold digger, very much me me me, and rather scandalous. “She works in urban struggling TV station, is passionate about music and asks the question ‘can you tell a mans preference in women by the music he listens to?’ where they are creating a reality dating gameshow, matching relationships with music. She’s looking for love in all the wrong places.” In 2010/2011 Yvonne tried to get an agent after bringing a dated ‘The Sweetest Sound’ back to reality (think listening to music on

walkmans!) but was unsuccessful. Finally in 2013 she found Hansib Limited Publications who specialise in multicultural writers who loved the story.

Culmination

6 years later after a number of rewrites it was finally published on September 12th 2019 with a book launch at Waterstones in

Birmingham City Centre. “It was so exciting to pick up that first copy that was all mine and created from scratch. I was so thankful and blessed that I was able to achieve that goal. What is even more exciting is that a filmmaker in London heard about it and after I sent him a copy, wants to make it into a film!” Yvonne is already 3 chapters deep into the sequel, and also has a couple of other books in the pipeline that she has already started. “I never start with a storyline or plot. I always start with a character and an idea, a premise. I think about the themes, topics I want to explore and then tend to make the story up as I go along.”

Appreciation

Through all of her successes, she doesn’t forget how she got to where she is. “First and foremost I give God thanks for blessing me with this beautiful achievement. And so much love goes out to my parents. They are my main inspiration, my heroes - they are royalty. “I have received so much support from family, friends, colleagues, readers, Arts Council England & many others. I’m so grateful for all of this and just want to say thank you to everyone. “I really appreciate it. As the old African proverb says, ‘it takes a village to raise a child’. I’m a true believer of this. We need to keep rising and uplifting each other.” There is a rich history, culture & experience owned by second, third and fourth generation black Britons. Yvonne feels that it is so important to write these stories down. “I feel that’s a key way this generation can preserve part of the rich culture and history of our parents and ancestors, the African-Caribbean’s who left their beautiful homelands and sacrificed a lot, in order to create better opportunities for their children “Whether it’s through autobiographies, biographies, novels, poetry, or any other format the messages are, ‘we are here.’ ‘we are contributing.’ ‘we are important.’ ‘we have a story to tell’ ‘we are blessed and powerful.’” If, like Yvonne, you’ve got a burning desire to write, whether it’s popular fiction, sci-fi, fantasy, horror or something else entirely, Yvonne has a few words of wisdom. “If you’re passionate about writing then go for it. I write because I love it. One of my biggest buzzes is filling a blank page with words. “Some of the greatest authors in history didn’t follow all these ‘rules and regulations’ they just wrote because they enjoyed it. Tell the stories that you want to tell, be honest with it and yourself.” You can contact Yvonne through her Twitter page @yvonne_brissett.

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ENTERTAINMENT

The Phoenix Newspaper - April 2020 - Page 31

BIG DAVE’S SAFE PAGE

www.streetcredmagazine.com www.streetcredmagazine.com

Power Up Your Body Like A Rocket Ship With Rocket Fuel!

oday I want to tell you about my passions and what drives me forward. One of these is to deliver my early intervention and youth action plan that I have developed for children and young people. The other passions of mine is exercise and nutrition, alongside physical training and how it can benefit your life in so many positive ways. Please see the Big Dave 20 Point Plan. As a world strength athlete my discipline is weight training. I have been involved in many

sports over the years including football, boxing, wrestling, martial arts, but the one discipline that really drew me in was ‘Pumping Iron’, ‘Weight Training’, ‘Body Building’, ‘Power Lifting’ call it what you want, but it is all about dumbells and barbells at the end of the day. My shop floor is also full of exercise machines that are there to do only one job and that is to shape and develop our bodies. But it is also not just about the gym equipment, it is also about nutrition and the right mindset

working together. When I enter the gym or as I call it the ‘Battlefield’ because when I start training I go to war with my body and on my mind. In fact I train at such an intensity that not many people could match. I have always said that the training is 20%, eating and good nutrition is the remaining 80% =100% of what I put into my workout each day. The right combination of food intake and training gives you power, strength, endurance and energy. This will help you

to deliver your energy levels, vitality, fitness and strength. But also helps to boost your immune system. All power comes from the mind and a ‘Never Say Can’t attitude ( If it is thinkable it is doable). As I have proved with gaining my 26 world strength records. You could not put 4 star petrol in a Saturn space rocket and expect it to get to the moon, it just would not work. Like the rocket fuel, what you put inside your body will either aid or hinder your ability to

reach your maximum potential. My potential was achieved by intense training and Big Dave’s Elixir Power Drink. This consists of 6 bananas, 6 raw eggs, 1 pint of raw oats, 2 big tablespoons full of cocoa powder and half a pint of milk. All of this is blended together to

s we are in this coronavirus battle together my thoughts and prayers are with you all and some of you will no doubt be self isolating. You will no doubt be finding it difficult to get to your gym and or exercise groups. So I would like to offer a few simple exercises you can do at home by yourself called Big Dave’s EX FACS (Exercise For A Confined Space). I designed this exercise program for people who wish to exercise with no equipment in a

form Big Dave’s Elixir Power Drink. I have consumed this drink once a day, seven days a week. Like a rocket all the components have to work together and this has been my rocket fuel ignited by the power of my mind.

confined space i.e. their bedroom, cabin, cell, caravan, cave , tent or even the small room. These exercises are easy to follow and can be found on my website www.strengthofbirmingham. co.uk under the EX-FACS tab. I have found that by following these exercises it has allowed me to burn off excess energy and coupled with a positive mind set it has helped me to think more clearly. This will help you if you find yourself in a difficult place and going a little stir crazy.

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Page 32 - The Phoenix Newspaper - April 2020

ENTERTAINMENT

www.streetcredmagazine.com

TV Costume Designers to make Scrubs for Staff Fighting Covid-19 Crisis

T Contagion stars share advice on COVID-19 The stars of the blockbusting film ‘Contagion’ have released public service announcements urging the general public to social distance and always wash their hands. Hollywood legends, Matt Damon, Laurence Fishburne, Kate Winslet and Jennifer Ehle, filmed themselves giving their COVID-19 protection tips. “Please wash your hands like your life depends on it”, Berkshire-born Kate said. The videos were created in collaboration with academics at Columbia University, in New York, in the US.

he team who created the costumes or television series ‘His Dark Materials’, have switched to sewing scrubs for medical staff working in the fight against COVID-19. The Philip Pullman adaptation’s costume crew set up ‘Helping Dress Medics’ and have now attracted help from designers to make scrubs for medics throughout the UK. The author himself said he is “delighted that it is happening”. One Costume Designer, Caroline McCall, said support for the initiative had been extraordinary. She said: “We were aware of the many and varied talents within the film and TV industry that would not be in use at present. “When we realised that there was a lack of PPE (Personal Protection Equipment) – specifically scrubs - ‘His Dark Materials’ Costume Supervisor, Dulcie Scott, contacted health professionals to find out if and how we can help. “That”, she said, “was the very least we could do”.

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The Phoenix Newspaper - April 2020 - Page 33

OBITUARIES AND NOTICE BOARD

Barbara Martin

orn in Detroit, she was one of the original members of Motown group The Supremes – along with Diana Ross, Mary Wilson and Florence Ballard. After becoming pregnant, in 1961, she left the group, in 1962. Ross, Wilson and Ballard became a trio. Despite singing on many of the group's early singles and most of the tracks on the group's first album ‘Meet the Supremes’, she is not pictured on the album's cover. After leaving the group, she earned a degree in psychology and

Thomas Harvey

worked in mental health and chose to stay out of the public eye. Turning down many interviews over the years, there was the one exception – in 2009 - for the 2010 release of ‘Meet the Supremes: Expanded Edition’.She was 76.

Michel Roux OBE

he French-born British Chef and restaurateur, also known as Michel Roux Snr. Worked along with his brother Albert, when he opened Le Gavroche, later to become the first three Michelin starred restaurant in Britain, and The Waterside Inn, which was the first restaurant outside France to hold three stars for 25 years. A pastry chef, before following Albert to England to open their first restaurant, he and his brother were described as the "godfathers of modern restaurant cuisine in the UK" and was inducted into several French orders, and received two lifetime achievement awards. Decorated during a period of

homas was a devoted member of the NHS for over 20 years and loved his job to the fullest. He looked after all his patients to the best of his ability and was loved by many. He was a cherished colleague, a husband, a father, a grandfather and a best

friend. Unfortunately after treating a Covid19 patient on his ward, he contracted the virus and passed away suddenly after fighting for his life for nearly 2 weeks. Thomas leaves behind his wife of 22 years, 7 children and 3 grandchildren.

Peter Whittingham

B National Service for France during the 1960s, he (and Albert) founded the Roux Brothers Scholarship and worked as a consultant for companies such as British Airways and Celebrity Cruises over the years before splitting the business in 1986. After taking the Waterside Inn, which he handed over to his son, Alain, he remained an active food writer, appeared on television shows such as Saturday Kitchen, MasterChef, The Roux Legacy, and the Woman's Hour programme on BBC Radio 4. He died at his home in Berkshire, aged 78.

orn in September 1984, in Nuneaton, in Warwickshire, he made his Premier League debut at Aston Villa after winning the 2001–02 FA Youth Cup. The England under-21

international signed for Cardiff City in 2007 where he spent eleven seasons for the Bluebirds – making 457 appearances – where they won the Championship in 2013, and reached the 2008 FA Cup Final and 2012 League Cup Final. He scored 20-goals in the 2009– 10 season which made him the division's top scorer. In 2017 he signed for Blackburn Rovers - making 24 appearances before his contract was terminated by mutual consent a year later. He was in hospital after suffering head injuries as a result of an accidental fall at a pub in Barry, in South Wales. He died from his injuries aged 35.

Kenny Rogers E lected to America’s country music Hall of Fame, the worldwide revered singer was known throughout for standout hits which included the likes of; ‘The Gambler’, ‘Lucille’, ‘Lady’ and ‘Coward Of The County’. But he would be best known for his multi-award winning hit, with fellow Country music legend, Dolly Parton – ‘Islands In The Stream’ – which was written by the Bee Gees. The Platinum-winning song, which in fact, was written with Mowtown legend, Marvin Gaye, in mind, was voted as the best country music duet of all time. Born in Houston, Texas, in the USA, the singer and songwriter, who also dueted with Scottish singing star Sheena Easton, as

The Galadima Of Patigi And Former Medical Director London Hospital, Dr Alfa Sa’adu, BSc. MSc. PhD. MB.BS. MRCP. FRCP. DTM&H was the Divisional Clinical Director for Acute Medical Care in 2002. Since December 2015, Dr Sa’adu has been working at The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust as the Associate Medical Director for the Medicine Healthcare Group and as a Substantive Consultant Physician in the Care of the Elderly. He leaves behind a wife, children and grandchildren.

well as co-wrote with Mowtown superstar, Lionel Ritchie (who, himself, wrote the afore mentioned ‘Lady’), the three-time Grammy Award winner was also awarded with a special Lifetime Achievement award for his 6 decades-spanning career in the music industry. A hugely versatile character, he also made a name for himself as an actor in some leading films and television shows. He was 81.

Dr Alfa Sa’adu

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Marc Hindu F h 10 2020 estiva and Colol of Love urs

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JAMAICA BASIC SCHOOLS FOUNDATION

25 Years On And S Josephine Is Still Raising The Bar For Education In Jamaica

he marked a quarter of a century of being at the forefront, in an almost onewoman campaign to enable children, and the most vulnerable, in her homeland get the very basic education – the likes of which is second nature to their counterparts in Britain and most of countries throughout the world. Josephine Williams celebrated 25 years of her Jamaica Basic Schools Foundation (JBSF) with a series of fundraising events including special dinners, family fun days, fun run and walks as she highlighted what is her overwhelmingly relentless drive to giving opportunities to those at basic and primary school ages who, sadly, normally, do not get. With the help and full endorsed of one of the charity’s patrons, the Jamaican High Commissioner in the UK, His Excellence Seth George Ramocan, specially invited guests were invited to the Jamaican High

Commission, in Kensington, in London, pay homage to the on-going work she (Josephine) has been doing up to now, And, with music supplied by Birmingham-based entrepreneurs, businessman presenter, leading events planner, fellow charity fundraiser, head of the Noir Rose Group and DJ, the erstwhile Dean Alexander, an array of guest speakers were on hand to give their support and own endorsements to the worthy cause. Taking the opportunity to thank businesses and organisations which include: Grace Foods, Victoria Building Society, National Commercial Bank (Jamaica), Sackville Travel, the Jamaica Tourist Board, Jamaicans Inspired UK and the aforementioned Noir Rose for their backing, Josephine said: “The 25 years of support is testament of national pride. “We are privileged to have the

education we get here in the UK so supporting the very idea of a child’s education in Jamaica is vital to me. “The monies raid over the 25 years has seen a first school built in 2001. A second, in Westmoreland, is now due to be built. “I thank everybody who has supported Jamaica Basic Schools Foundation”. Praising the efforts of Ms. Williams, HE Seth Ramocan added: “The value of education is vital for any child. “The Jamaica Basic Schools Foundation charity was launched here, at the High Commission, 25 years ago, and today I am proud to be a patron. “Early childhood education is vital to build a solid foundation for lifelong learning and forming upstanding Jamaican citizens. “And this (JBSF) is a great example of the benefits of what happens when Jamaicans collaborate”.

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The Phoenix Newspaper - April 2020 - Page 35

JAMAICA BASIC SCHOOLS FOUNDATION

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Page 36 - The Phoenix Newspaper - April 2020

AZUZA STREET

Clergy ‘Strike a Pose’

ften thought of as the arbiters of advice and spiritual comfort, a group of clergy members have add ‘fashionistas’ to their job description. For the first time in the church's history the biannual Christian Resources Exhibition (CRE) at the NAEC (National Agricultural and Exhibition Centre) in Stoneleigh, in Warwickshire, featured an ethical clothing range among its thousands of stands, stalls, events and speakers. Clergy members found themselves sat in fashion's front row after the latest trend in eco-friendly clothing was highlighted – a la Paris, London, or Milan – in what was aptly called ‘Clergy on the Catwalk’. Showcasing everything from puppets to pulpits and

computers to communion wine, the vicars taking to the catwalk drew extra attention from the visiting 2,500 or so local church leaders and member. The ‘models’, ‘struck a pose’ as they modelled the likes of robes to religious jewellery, each had different themes, as they each revealed new wardrobe designs in an attempt to appeal to a more ‘cuttingedge’ church crowd. All the new designs are made of biodegradable bamboo, and were designed and created by Lottie Sparey, who became interested in creating ‘next level’ clothing that would look great and also protect the planet while she was studying contour fashion at De Montfort University in Leicester. At the two-day exhibition there was a wide variety of formal and informal ecclesiastical clothing

from other leading designers like Hayes and Finch, Collared clergywear and designer Rev Naomi Nixon, who makes clerical tops and dresses to sell in Coventry’s St Clare’s at the Cathedral. Rev Claire Maxim, CEO at the Arthur Rank Centre, a national ecumenical charity which resources, trains and advocates for rural Christians, said: “I was nominated to walk the catwalk by my PA and office administrator! “I have never done anything remotely like this before, and

was totally dreading it but I often wear bright clergy shirts.” Diagnosed with peritoneal cancer, a brave Deborah Sandercock, who is a priest at St Margaret’s and St George’s in Manchester, said: “The cancer has involved intensive treatment and I have lost my hair twice. I went from blonde/ fair hair to black, then no hair at all. “One of the reasons for being involved in the catwalk was to show it is possible to live a full life with cancer”. There was a wide range of

Reverend Eve challenging her church’s perception of ‘Her-story’

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formal and informal clothing displayed on the catwalk including Rev Naomi Nixon from Coventry and Lottie’s Eco from Stanford Bridge, Worcester, which makes clergy clothing out of biodegradable bamboo. Other features at CRE Midlands included The Amazing Grace Spaces pod – an urban emergency sleeping hut which has a bed, toilet and USB socket and is seen as a potential life-saver especially for the homeless.

For centuries it has been the preserve of white men, now one particular institution – the Church of England - is being challenged, by one of its own, to change that perception. Reverend Eve Pitts, of the Holy Trinity Church, in Birchfield, in Birmingham, is challenging the very religion she represents. Not only a woman, but, especially, a Black woman, Rev. Eve had struggles with her God, and the very religion she preaches about. “It takes ‘batty’ people who wants to change the world”, she said, “but I am not going to ‘leave this world’ until I make a change”. “My struggle with God is in terms of the history of me and my people”, she said. “As such”, she continues, “If there was one prayer that I could ask from my God then I would want him to get rid of the demon forces of racism. As Britain’s first Black, female vicar, she says: “I refuse to believe in a God that doesn’t care about the diminishing state of my race”. When questioned about her position in a perceived ‘all white’ institute that is the Church of England, she insists on being true to herself and her history – as she remains totally committed to her culture and where she comes from. Each year, Rev. Eve holds a special service to remember all those who were enslaved during the transAtlantic slave trade; approaching her pew, each year, in native African attire, with chains around her waist and ankles – as the slave traders did so unceremoniously during one of the most trying, traumatic periods in the history of mankind.

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The Phoenix Newspaper - April 2020 - Page 37

COVID-19 ADVICE

COVID-19 Advice

he subject I have chosen this month was not difficult, COVID-19 as dominated the news over the last few days, weeks and month. I, and I know many of us have been concerned about the impact on many of our vulnerable citizens and the work of local community groups and coordinated volunteers in their response to the COVID-19 outbreak. This month I want to talk about the background, main issues, how to protect yourself and where we are now. We are in unprecedented challenging times; many people still however do not believe this. I have spoken to many people, who have talked about conspiracy theories, religious reasons, and also just do not believe the gravity of what is being said. I do not have an answer, but just want to relay the facts, and want us to work together to stem the flow of this disease. If we work together, listen to the Government’s key messages, we will stay well. In January 2020 the World Health Organisation reported a new Virus the outbreak began in Wuhan, China. The Chinese where so worried that they closed their borders before people could travel in from around the world for the Chinese New Year. We then saw other parts of the Asian sub-Continent started to do the same. Countries like Hong Kong, Korea, Singapore and other closed the borders and started to do preventative testing of the population. The scientists felt that that modelling would work for them. They could then track the outbreak of the virus. They also locked down these countries during February and the beginning of March 2020. In Europe, America, Australia, New Zealand, etc the World Health Organisation started to see outbreaks of this very contagious virus spread. Many other countries started the process of locking thing down. In England this was done at slower pace, but always remember things were moving so quickly, what seemed slower to us was a matter of five weeks from the beginning to where we were in the week the Prime Minister announced lock down apart from key workers and advising people to stay at home.

In Birmingham through our Public Health team we have been working closely with NHS in Birmingham and across the Midlands looking at supporting the homelessness, providing social care and health to our most vulnerable citizens and to seek to take further action to mitigate the spread of the virus. All queries and issues were channelled through Public Health England, so we could closely follow national advice and passing on key messages to staff to co-ordinate joint actions and emergency plans. The NHS, Public Health, and other parts of Local government started meeting regularly to ensure the organisation was aware of the messages. Then key messages where shared to the community. Nothing is ever perfect, but things have moved very quickly and once we have come out of

Birmingham have a vibrant and rich social fabric and our local community groups, and voluntary groups headed up by BVSC are leading on supporting our most vulnerable and isolated communities and meeting the challenges ahead. The city also started working with our faith groups, bereavement services, homelessness services, social care both adult and children and young people and our schools

this outbreak we can learn and improve our emergency planning procedures. The government made it clear in early March that the modelling they used showed that for every person that is infected, they could infect two other people and this number would accumulate, and the NHS could not and cannot cope with this. This was a stark warning, and one Birmingham took seriously.

to ensure we had a joined-up approach. It was also important to speak and work with the Regional Mayor Andy Street, to get the key messages across Birmingham and wider region. Then moving on to share messages through all forms of social media, radio and television interviews and working with organisations to ensure the messages were being heard!

l Cllr Paulette Hamilton

These messages continually updated and were changed on a daily basis, which finally lead to a lock down in the UK on 23rd March 2020. The Prime Minister in his statement made it clear that people should stay at home and are only allowed to leave home for the following purposes: • shopping for basic necessities • one form of exercise a day, alone or with members of your household • any medical need, to provide care or to help a vulnerable person • travelling to and from work, but only where this is absolutely necessary and cannot be done from home. • gatherings in public must be no larger than two people (if not from the same household • Keep a physical distance of at least 2m from anyone when going outside This will be enforced by the Police, and there will be fines of £30. If you are out in public with members of your own household, you will not be fined. However, you must only be out for exercise or shopping for basic necessities. The Messages remain the same, symptoms of the COVID-19 virus are • you have a new continuous cough • you have a high temperature Even if symptoms are mild, you and everyone you live with should stay at home and selfisolate for 14 days. If you have mild symptoms, please do not call 111. Just stay at home for 14 full days. • If you live alone and you have symptoms of coronavirus illness (COVID-19), however mild, stay at home for 7 days from when your symptoms started. if you live with others and you or one of them have symptoms of coronavirus, then all household members must stay at home and

not leave the house for 14 days. The 14-day period starts from the day when the first person in the house became ill. • it is likely that people living within a household will infect each other or be infected already. Staying at home for 14 days will greatly reduce the overall amount of infection the household could pass on to others in the community • for anyone in the household who starts displaying symptoms, they need to stay at home for 7 days from when the symptoms appeared, regardless of what day they are on in the original 14day isolation period. if you have coronavirus symptoms: • do not go to a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital • you do not need to contact 111 to tell them you’re staying at home • the government is currently saying testing for coronavirus is not needed if you’re staying at home. • plan ahead and ask others for help to ensure that you can successfully stay at home and consider what can be done for vulnerable people in the household • ask your employer, friends and family to help you to get the things you need to stay at home • wash your hands regularly for 20 seconds, each time using soap and water, or use hand sanitiser • if you feel you cannot cope with your symptoms at home, or your condition gets worse, or your symptoms do not get better after 7 days, then use the NHS 111 online coronavirus service. If you do not have internet access, call NHS 111 For a medical emergency. • Wash your hands often • Clean your hands frequently each day by washing with soap and water for 20 seconds or using hand sanitiser. This will help protect you and the people you live with. This step is one of the

most effective ways of reducing the risk of passing infection to others. • Cover your mouth and nose with disposable tissues when you cough or sneeze. If you do not have one to hand, sneeze into the crook of your elbow, not into your hand. • If you have a carer, they should use disposable tissues to wipe away any mucus or phlegm after you have sneezed or coughed. Then they should wash their hands with soap and water. • Dispose of tissues into a disposable rubbish bag and immediately wash your hands with soap and water or use a hand sanitiser. • We do not recommend the use of facemasks as an effective means of preventing the spread of infection. Facemasks play an important role in clinical settings, such as hospitals, but there’s very little evidence of benefit from their use outside of these settings. • Do not have visitors in your home • Social isolation for the over 70’s, pregnant women and adults with underlying health conditions. • Social distancing ensuring when out and about we remain 2m apart from one another. • Government stops mass gatherings, no more than six people. Please do check the Birmingham City Council website which provides a lot of information, guidance on the coronavirus, affected services and support for businesses and links to national guidance and information. Website - www.birmingham.gov. uk/coronavirus_advice. I would like to thank so many of you who are acting responsible and staying indoors and ensuring their loved ones are safe. #Stayathomesavelives – please only leave your home if you really have to.

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HEALTH AND WELLBEING

Women with endometriosis face additional battles in finding and receiving treatment Birmingham City University has an academic available to comment on the challenges women with endometriosis face, following the news that women with endometriosis feel they are ‘finally being believed’. Dr Annalise Weckesser, Senior Research Fellow at Birmingham City University said: “The news that women living with endometriosis feel that they are finally being believed and listened to through the creation of the All

Party Parliamentary Group is promising. “Women currently face a 7 10 year journey to diagnosis. Our research shows that many such women also face an additional battle in finding and receiving adequate treatment to manage their endometriosis symptoms. “On the 26 and 27 March, we will be holding the UK’s first social research symposium on endometriosis in Birmingham, marking a possible shift in endometriosis awareness.”

Lord-Lieutenant presents London Marathon award to Midlands charity CEO l The ExtraCare Charitable Trust Chief Executive, Mick Laverty with the Lord-Lieutenant of the West Midlands, John Crabtree OBE

T From spring 2020

the law around organ donation in England is changing

he Lord-Lieutenant of the West Midlands has presented a fundraising award to a local chief executive after he raised £57,000 running the London Marathon to support Midlands-based charity, The ExtraCare Charitable Trust. Its Chief Executive, Mick Laverty, was named one of the highest money raisers at the 2019 Virgin Money London Marathon. He was presented with the glass trophy by John Crabtree OBE, Her Majesty’s personal representative in the West Midlands. Money raised will support the health and well-being of over 1,500 older people living in ExtraCare’s seven Birmingham and Coventry-based retirement villages and housing schemes, as well as the charity’s other retirement communities across the Midlands and North. “It was my pleasure to present Mick with such an outstanding

and well-deserved award,” said The Lord-Lieutenant, who is also is also the Chair of the Organising Committee for the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games. “To have raised £57,000 for charity is an exceptional effort and one that I’m sure everyone at The ExtraCare Charitable Trust is very proud of.” The ExtraCare Charitable Trust raised the most money for a ‘Silver Bond’ charity at the 2019 Marathon. There are 550 charities with ‘Silver Bond’ status and holders automatically receive a place in the Marathon every five years (the next place for ExtraCare being due in 2024). However, in recognition of Mick’s top fundraising achievement, he has also been awarded a place in the 2020 Marathon as well as the glass trophy. Mick has offered his 2020 place to Birmingham-based staff member, Simon Downtown, who

is ExtraCare’s Cluster Contract Manager, based at its 180-home Pannel Croft Retirement Village in Newtown. Mick, who is also Deputy Lieutenant of the West Midlands, said: “It was an honour to invite The Lord Lieutenant to Pannel Croft Village to present the award. Being part of the Virgin Money London Marathon really was a fantastic experience and all the funds raised will help provide better lives for older people here in the West Midlands and beyond. “I’m proud to be passing on the ‘Marathon baton’ and wish Simon the very best of luck this year.” A registered charity since 1988, the ExtraCare Charitable Trust is based in Coventry and operates 20 retirement villages and schemes, located in central, south and north Midlands and the north-west and is developing a new village in Solihull which opens in 2021.

Unless you choose to opt out, you will be considered to have agreed to be an organ donor when you die. Whatever you choose, let close family or friends know to help ensure your decision is honoured. To find out more about your choices, including how to opt out: visit organdonation.nhs.uk or call 0300 303 2094

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Specialising in Caribbean Produce Fresh Meat & Vegetables Tel : 0121 551 1736 250 Lozells Rd, Birmingham B19 1NP

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The Phoenix Newspaper - April 2020 - Page 39

HEALTH AND WELLBEING

The CQC declares St Giles Hospice as ‘Outstanding’

t the turn of the year, staff and volunteers at St Giles Hospice have been on a high after receiving an ‘Outstanding’ rating from the Care Quality Commission (CQC) – the independent regulator of health and social care services in England. St Giles Hospice, which provides individually-tailored care both on-site and in patients’ own homes, is one of just a handful of hospices to ever have been awarded the highest possible accolade. Under the new CQC inspection regime, hospices are also subject to the same level of scrutiny as hospitals, making this

‘Outstanding’ rating incredibly special. Publishing the full report on its website, the CQC praised St Giles for its “compassionate” range of speciality services. Inspectors highlighted how staff treated patients, families and their carers with dignity and kindness, stating: ‘People were truly respected and valued as individuals. They were empowered as partners in their care, practically and emotionally, by an exceptional and distinctive service’. Jo Maidment, Chair of Trustees at St Giles Hospice, said: “We know that our staff and volunteers strive to deliver outstanding care every day, but

to have this acknowledged by the CQC is truly wonderful and a very exciting start to 2020! “On behalf of our Senior Management Team and Board of Trustees, I would like to say a massive thank you and congratulations to each and every member of our St Giles family.” Helping more than 7,000 people a year facing the challenges associated with a potentially terminal illness, St Giles staff was also commended for aiming to “make every day meaningful for people who used the service” and “consistently displaying determination and creativity” in delivering care.

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OVERSEAS NEWS

Maldives becomes 54th member of Commonwealth family

T.I. and Killer Mike re-open historic restaurant that closed after 50 years Rappers Clifford Joseph ‘Tip’ Harris Jr. or T.I. and Mike Render also known as Killer Mike, have teamed up to invest in and bring back Bankhead Seafood, a historic restaurant in Atlanta that closed in 2018 after 50 years in business. Bankhead Seafood was owned and managed by Helen Brown Harden until it closed its doors last January. T.I. and Killer Mike, who both grew up in the area, took action to save the restaurant. Render said: "We've been around the world, we've had a lot of fun, but essentially we're two kids from the Westside". "We grew up seeing ownership like this one in our community, and we felt like if the city was

going to develop, we should have some ownership stake." Within the last year, the two rappers have already started acquiring the business. They purchased the restaurant with its name, trademark, and recipes. Along with developer Noel Khalil, they recently announced the upcoming re-launch of Bankhead Seafood at Frederick Douglass High School, where they both graduated. The restaurant is set to open again within the year at the same location it has been for the past 50 years. But before that, the group will launch a Bankhead food truck to introduce its expanded menu and also to familiarize local kids with Black-owned businesses.

he Commonwealth has welcomed its 54th family member after Maldives' application for re-admission was approved. The small island nation officially re-joined the Commonwealth on February 1, marking the end of a process that began in December 2018, when President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih wrote to the Commonwealth SecretaryGeneral expressing the country’s

interest in re-joining. After due diligence, which included country assessment and consultations in accordance with the rules and procedures agreed by the Commonwealth Heads of Government in Kampala in 2007, Maldives has been re-admitted. Commonwealth SecretaryGeneral, Patricia Scotland, said: “I warmly congratulate Maldives on its successful application. We are delighted to welcome the country and its people back to the Commonwealth. “The reform process underway in Maldives aligns with the values and principles of the Commonwealth and we encourage the nation to continue on this path. “Commonwealth members were pleased to note these

developments and are happy once again to count Maldives as a member of the family. “Together we will support Maldives to realise its ambitions.” President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih said: “As a young democracy, the Commonwealth’s foundational values of the promotion of democracy, human rights, good governance, multilateralism and world peace remain relevant to us more than ever. “We gratefully acknowledge the support and help of the Commonwealth to the Maldivian democratic movement, and we look forward to the support of fellow member states to ensure the long term entrenchment of these values in our society.” The assessment included two

“Cancel debts and return stolen items” The Labour Member of Parliament for Streatham, Bell Ribeiro-Addy has urged the UK government to return items forcefully taken from countries colonised; as part of efforts to rectify its history as slave masters. This, according to the MP, together with the cancellation of debts, will show that the Britain government is truly remorseful for its acts during the colonial days like slavery. This comes days after France announced a decision to return artifacts stolen from Benin during its colonial occupation by 2021. “I am someone who firmly believes that the only way you can tackle an issue is at its very root. And the racism which I and many others in this country face on a daily basis has its very root

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in these injustices. “Not only will this country not apologize, but they also have not once offered a form of reparations. People see reparation as handing over a large sum of money, but why could we not start with it today? Simple things like fairer trade, simple things like returning items that do not belong to us and simple things like cancelling debts that we have had paid over

site visits to the country followed by positive feedback given by a Commonwealth Observer Group which was present for the Parliamentary Elections in April 2019. The Secretary-General then consulted with all 53 Commonwealth members and received no objections. The country will now be part of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Kigali, Rwanda on June 22-28. Its Ambassador to the UK now becomes its High Commissioner, signifying Commonwealth membership. Maldives originally joined the Commonwealth in 1982, and withdrew its membership in 2016.

and over again. “And I believe the reason for this is because we only apologize to our equals,” she said as part of her speech on the floor of the House of Commons, during the Global Britain debate. The British politician of Ghanaian descent maintained that the UK will be left in the cold if appropriate measures are not taken to make amends and address issues of racism and injustice. “Whilst we spent years debating Brexit – engaged in monumental self-harm, India surpassed the UK to become the fifth richest economy in the world. India, a former British colony, this country presided over bloody partition, the Amritsar massacre and Bengal famine. “We also see countries in Africa like Ghana, Kenya and Uganda amongst the fastest growing economies in the world. Countries that Britain deliberately underdeveloped stole resources from and brutally enslaved its people.”

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The Phoenix Newspaper - April 2020 - Page 41

OVERSEAS NEWS

Out of Africa – Marcus is Aiming for World Food Domination

orn Kassahun Tsegie in rural Ethiopia, internationally renowned chef and restaurateur Marcus Samuelsson is not only recognition as a world-class chef, he is also an awardwinning cookbook author with titles in both English and Swedish. After becoming the youngest ever to receive a three-star restaurant review from The New York Times, in 2003 he was named ‘Best Chef: New York City’ by the James Beard Foundation before immediately starting-up his second restaurant

atar Airways is expanding operations to Australia to help get people home. From March 29, Qatar Airways added an extra 48,000 seats to the market to help stranded passengers get home. The airline will operate the following flights: • Daily Service to Brisbane (Boeing 777-300ER) • Double daily service to Perth (Airbus A380 and Boeing 777300ER) • Double daily service to Melbourne (Airbus A350-1000 and Boeing 777-300ER) • Triple daily service to Sydney (Airbus A350-1000 and Boeing 777-300ER) Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker, said: “We know there are many people who want to be with their families and loved ones during this difficult time. We are thankful to the Australian Government, Airports and staff for their support in helping us to add additional flights to get people home, and in particular, to bring flights to Brisbane. “We continue to operate around 150 daily flights to more than 70 cities worldwide. Sometimes governments put in place restrictions that mean we simply cannot fly to a country. We are working closely with governments around the world, and wherever possible we will reinstate or add more flights." As an airline, Qatar Airways maintains the highest possible hygiene standards, which include the regular disinfection of aircraft, the use of cleaning products recommended by the

in New York, Riingo, serving Japanese-influenced American food. By 2006, his African-inspired cookbook ‘The Soul of a New Cuisine’ received the prize "Best International Cookbook" by the James Beard Foundation. Other titles written by Samuelsson included ‘Aquavit and the New Scandinavian Cuisine’, ‘En Smakresa ("A Journey of Flavour")’ and .Street Food’. Married to the model Maya Haile’ together they have a daughter, Zoe and son, Zion Mandela. It’s a far cry from his early days in his native Africa. His father,

Qatar Airways expands flights to Australia to help get people home

International Air Transport Association (IATA) and the World Health Organization (WHO), and thermal screening of crew. In addition, Qatar Airways’ aircraft feature the most advanced air filtration systems, equipped with industrialsize HEPA filters that remove 99.97% of viral and bacterial contaminants from re-circulated air, providing the most effective protection against infection. All the airline’s onboard linen and blankets are washed, dried and pressed at microbial lethal temperatures, while its headsets are removed of ear foams and rigorously sanitized after each flight. These items are then sealed into individual packaging

by staff wearing hygienic disposable gloves. Qatar Aircraft Catering Company (QACC) was the first organisation in the world last year to achieve ISO22000:2018 certification from Bureau Veritas with UKAS accreditation, confirming its Food Safety Management System meets the highest standards. All meal service utensils and cutlery are washed with detergents and rinsed with demineralized fresh water at temperatures that kill pathogenic bacteria. All sanitized equipment is handled by staff wearing hygienic disposable gloves, while cutlery is individually re-packed.

Tsegie, is an Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church priest. His mother died in a tuberculosis epidemic when he was three years old. As a result, he and his elder sister, Fantaye, were separated from their family during the turmoil of the Ethiopian Civil War. The siblings were adopted by Ann Marie and Lennart Samuelsson, who lived in Gothenburg, Sweden. In his now new ‘homeland’, Marcus studied at the Culinary Institute in Gothenburg before serving an apprenticeship in Switzerland and Austria. Following that he gained a further apprenticeship at well-respected and renowned Restaurant Aquavit, in the United States.

In 2009, he served as guest chef for the first state dinner of the then President Barack Obama in honour of Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. In 2010 he opened his Red Rooster restaurant in Harlem, shortly after which, Obama attended a fundraising $30,800-per-plate dinner which raised $1.5 million. In the 2012, together with Clarion Hotels, he launched a restaurant concept called Kitchen & Table at Clarion Hotel Arlanda Airport before opening at all Clarion Hotels in Sweden and Norway. By 2015 he opened his second Harlem restaurant, Streetbird Rotisserie, a kitchenette with a menu inspired by cookouts focusing on fried and rotisserie

chicken, and décor paying tribute to the hip-hop culture of Harlem and Marcus' in the Bermuda hotel. In 2017, Samuelsson appeared in the final episode of ‘Undercover Boss’ to find and mentor new culinary talent, appears as himself in the 2018 movie ‘Scooby-Doo! and the Gourmet Ghost’ and was a guest judge on ‘Top Chef Canada’. He’s also released cookbooks ‘New American Table’, ‘The Soul of a New Cuisine’, ‘Marcus Off Duty’ and ‘The Red Rooster Cookbook’. He also released ‘Yes, Chef’, a memoir about his rise to becoming a chef. The book gained favourable reviews and won the James Beard Foundation award for Writing and Literature related to food. After the success of that he published ‘Make it Messy: My Perfectly Imperfect Life’. Always working, always learning and always developing, Marcus says: “Since learning from my Grandmother in Ethiopia, I’ve also loved to cook and explore cooking. Hey. I would have loved to take a cooking class from Gandhi. “There’s no limit to what the future holds for me”. With a net worth of in excess of $6m, these are only ‘early days’ in Marcus Samuelsson’s, neh, Kassahun Tsegie’s, world food domination. And with his Red Rooster brand already causing a stir in London, the world is, as they say, not enough for this great food legend.

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Page 42 - The Phoenix Newspaper - April 2020

HOLIDAY AND TRAVEL

Costa Rica Rises

I Gatorland, Orlando launches virtual visits to the park, School of Croc & Live at 5

Gatorland has come up with a great way to engage families who may be working at home and have children off school. Gatorland will keep the public and their families connected worldwide with daily “virtual visits” to Gatorland. At 3pm every morning, they will broadcast a Facebook Live Video titled Gatorland's School of Croc, where they will showcase amazing animals and adventures to entertain and educate viewers

of all ages. Then every afternoon, they will perform a Live Feed broadcast on their YouTube channel, Gatorland Vlogs, titled Later Gator where they will showcase live action encounters with all of the animal stars at the park. So tune in every day to keep up with all the fun and excitement. So until they can open their doors and welcome all their fans back to Gatorland, they'll see you later, Alligator!

n Austria as across much of the globe, tourism has been put on hiatus in the face of the coronavirus pandemic. People have been asked to stay in their houses and flats, and travel plans have been put on hold. Therefore, the Austrian National Tourist Office has curated a collection of virtual journeys to help bring a piece of Austria to homes across the UK. The Austrian National Tourist Office has transformed its customer facing website, www.austria.info/en, into a portal for exciting online experiences. Become the audience for a streaming of a State Opera performance, dip your toes into Lake Wörthersee with an interactive panorama, or browse the Albertina and Belvedere galleries from the comfort of your living room. The content is available in both English and German, and is being added to on an ongoing basis. “The tourism industry is undergoing a crisis, causing stress and uncertainty for members of the trade and public alike” says Martina Jaming, UK Director of the Austrian National Tourist Office. “With this virtual portal, we hope to bring some entertainment and light relief to those in isolation. “Most importantly, we want to remind travellers that the Austrian National Tourist Office is still here for them, and that we look forward to welcoming visitors from the UK when circumstances once again allow.”

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he latest figures from the Costa Rica Tourism Board (ICT) show that 78,562 visitors from the UK travelled to Costa Rica in 2019 – representing an increase of 5.7% on the previous year. The United Kingdom retains its position as Costa Rica’s second largest source market in Europe. This steady growth is a reflection of the upward trend in UK visitors to Costa Rica that has been seen in the last few years, enhanced by the launch of the BA direct flights from London to San José, Costa Rica’s capital city, in April 2016. Other European countries that have seen an increase in visitors in 2019 are Germany (80,580; +8.1%), France (77,013; +4%), Spain (69,745; +1.6) and Italy (30,196; +3.5%). Rob Wilson, UK Representative of ICT, comments on the figures: “We are thrilled to see how UK travellers continue to choose Costa Rica as one of their preferred holiday destinations in Central America. “The tiny country delights and surprises people every time they visit: from adrenalinerush adventures to wellness and relaxation, without forgetting the nature and wildlife, which is built into Costa Rica’s DNA. “The country’s dedication to sustainable tourism is also a key driver for today’s traveller.” In total, Costa Rica welcomed 3,139,008 worldwide visitors in 2019, a 4.1% upsurge compared to 2018. Having been chosen as one of the world’s Top Ten Countries for travel in 2020 by Lonely Planet’s annual Best in Travel guide, Costa Rica offers visitors an abundance of unique wildlife, landscapes and climates. The country shelters approximately 6.5% of the world’s biodiversity and currently holds the United Nation’s Champions of the Earth award for its commitment to ambitious policies to combat climate change.

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Coverage on Pages 14 & 15!

Experience Austria Online: Visit Cultural Institutions & Natural Landscapes Virtually

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The Phoenix Newspaper - April 2020 - Page 43

HOLIDAY AND TRAVEL

No Risk Booking Offer for Ski Season 2021 in Roccaraso

Sofa Escape to Guyana In the midst of a global pandemic, travel has become all but impossible leaving many with a chronic case of wanderlust as they are pent up at home dreaming of their next trip. In order to provide inspiration for a well-earned trip of a lifetime and to scratch the travel itch that so many have, the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) is on hand with four ways to experience the magical world of the little-known South American country from the comfort of one's own home.

PODCAST: Loyle Carner In Guyana

UK hip hop artist, Loyle Carner,

GAME: Uncharted: Drake's Fortune, Playstation

Developer Naughty Dog's Uncharted: Drake's Fortune was the first instalment of a series that has since become a PlayStation classic. The action-adventure title sees protagonist Nathan Drake venture travel across Latin America in search of El Dorado. The player delves into the depths of the Amazon rainforest in search of hidden treasures encountering a series of challenges along the way.

SOCIAL MEDIA: @DISCOVERGUYANA

BOOK: The Lost World

Even today the little-known South American country remains uncharted territory for man, boasting around 85% forest cover from one of only four primary rainforests in the world. Perhaps it comes as no surprise then that this mysterious land of dense jungle and hidden corners was the inspiration behind Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's ‘The Lost World’.

travelled to Guyana in 2019 to discover his cultural roots from his father's side with legendary Guyanese flautist, Keith Waithe. The pair travelled as part of a BBC Sound Odyssey project titled 'Loyle Carner in Guyana' to explore Carner's cultural heritage via the music and gastronomy of the country. They even worked with local musicians to produce a brand new track inspired by their travels.

TV PROGRAMME: Lost Land Of The Jaguar

Back in 2008 four heavyweight wildlife presenters, George McGavin, Steve Backshall, Justine Evans and Gordon Buchanan, all travelled to Guyana to document a journey through the unspoilt Guyanese rainforest. On their travels they encounter the unique fauna of the region and go in search of one particularly elusive creature, the mythical jaguar.

hese troubled times will pass and although no-one is certain when that will be, Ski Abruzzo can confirm that their lodging partners in Italy have said there will be no price increases next winter. In addition, Ski Abruzzo guests can cancel any booking up to 60 days before departure without penalty. In other words, deposits will be refunded. Roccaraso is Italy's fifth biggest ski area with over 100 km of linked piste and 800 metres of vertical drop. It also has one of Europe's most comprehensive snowmaking systems An average of 350 cm of snow falls each winter for a ski season that lasts from December until April. easyJet has many flights to Naples from London and elsewhere and the transfer time from Naples to resort can be as little as 90 minutes. Popular with Italian skiers for many years, Abruzzo offers a genuine Italian skiing experience as yet untouched by mass tourism. Skiers looking for modern ski lifts, well-groomed pistes, abundant snowfall, family-run hotels with tasty Italian food and very competitive prices should consider Abruzzo for their next holiday on the slopes. During the week, the slopes are, in general, blissfully quiet. The price of a lift pass is very competitive. For example, a five days pass, high season in Roccaraso is roughly £170, with reductions for children and seniors. Getting to the slopes is easy – SkiAbruzzo.com's programme includes hotels that offer complimentary door-todoor ski shuttle services exclusively for their guests. Half term holidays to Roccaraso have become more popular with each year as the word gets around that prices in Abruzzo are not inflated at all for the February half term week

As travellers scroll through Facebook or Instagram, it is understandable that one can be overwhelmed with all of the worldly updates for the current circumstances. The Discover Guyana feed aims to cut through all the noise bringing great stories from the country that show the human side to tourism. The Discover Guyana pages are still active and sharing images and content that will inspire, remind travellers that there is still plenty of beauty in the world, and give them a taste of what discoveries await them in Guyana.

COVID-19 closing international borders In light of these harsh and terrifying times, governments are working with airlines to keep as many routes open as possible and are calling for on-going international action to enable people to return to their homes on commercial flights. In the UK, Downing Street says they are working around the clock to support British travellers returning home. A statement by the Foreign &

Commonwealth Office (FCO) implied that: ‘If you are a permanent resident overseas, you should stay and follow the advice of the local authorities in the country you live in’ if commercial flights are still operating. With air-routes land borders closed, because of coronavirus, international travel is very limited, with new restrictions put in place to prevent flights from leaving.

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Page 44 - The Phoenix Newspaper - April 2020

PROPERTY AND REAL ESTATE

One in three will use property wealth to boost retirement income

WaterSafe survey reveals what homeowners really look for in a plumber The qualities that homeowners look for when choosing a plumber is for them to be qualified, trustworthy and knowledgeable about keeping drinking water safe, according to a survey by UK plumber approval register WaterSafe. The survey asked 2,000 UK homeowners to pick the top three qualities they most valued when picking a plumber to work in their homes: • 83% of respondents chose ‘qualified in plumbing’ as one of most important qualities when hiring a plumber • 79% of respondents chose ‘trustworthy’ • 43% of respondents chose ‘has knowledge on keeping your water safe’. The survey also revealed that almost a quarter of respondents valued 'punctuality' as one of the important qualities. 'Neat and tidy' took 15 per cent of the votes and 'friendly' won 14 per cent. Other factors respondents also rated were cost and how soon the plumber could do the job. However, the saying that ‘age is just a number’ proved to be the case, with only 7% of respondents saying age was important when looking for a plumber.

2020of hope Vision

early one in three people retiring this year plan to use their property wealth to help boost their retirement income highlighting the growing importance of property in retirement planning, new research from the UK’s leading over-55s specialist adviser Key shows. Its unique study into the finances and ambitions of over 1,000 people expecting to finish fulltime work in 2020 shows they own property worth more than £142.5 billion with an average of £388,900 each. Key’s “Retirement Class of 2020” research shows 30% of people retiring this year will use their property wealth in retirement. Nearly half (46%) will look downsize to a smaller property while 23% will consider equity release or remortgaging. But the nationwide study found just two out of five (40%) property owners say they are happy with their expected retirement income and do not need to consider their property wealth. The biggest reason for not using property wealth in retirement is

the desire to leave an inheritance to family – 16% of homeowners want to leave the house to their family. However, 15% are worried about borrowing money and a further 15% do not want to move. Other reasons for not using property wealth in retirement include concern about the reputation of equity release (8%) and fear of making a mistake (6%), the research found. Over-65s have more than £1 trillion pounds worth of unmortgaged housing equity and Key has launched a major new marketing campaign to encourage people to get answers to questions they may have around equity release. The campaign which is running across TV, press, digital and social aims to inform and educate older homeowners to ensure that unanswered questions are not the reason that they are failing to consider all options. Will Hale, CEO at Key, said: “Property wealth is established as a major factor in retirement planning with one in three people retiring this year looking to the money invested in their home as a way of supplementing their income.

“With people retiring this year owning homes worth an average of £388,900 and total property wealth of £142 billion there clearly is a lot of wealth that could be used in retirement. “Many will not need to use their home as part of retirement planning, but it is worrying if people are not taking property wealth into consideration due to a lack of awareness of the options available to them or as a result of myths or misconceptions about products. “Our research shows many are worried about borrowing money or moving to a new house while others are concerned about making mistakes. “These customers could benefit from information and advice when assessing their options for using property wealth and, while equity release is not right for everybody, modern lifetime mortgages with low rates and flexible features such as the ability to service interest or repay capital mean that they offer potential solutions for a wider range of customers than ever before.”

Ambitious creative studios plan for world renowned Jewellery Quarter

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A heritage regeneration company has put forward bold plans to revitalise an underused area of Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter, with a creative and media centre, complete with commercial studio space, retail and housing. Post_hoc Developments, which specialises in creative sector projects, has submitted a planning application to Birmingham City Council to transform the Key Hill area, off Great Hampton Street, into a 100,000 sq ft creative hub, with film, photography, digital, music and jewellery studios and workspaces, as well as commercial space, shops and homes. The plans for Key Hill Studios includes the refurbishment of the grade II listed Harry Smith Building on the corner of Key Hill and Hockley Hill – one of the oldest buildings in the

Jewellery Quarter, dating back to 1824 – and the grade II listed Gem Buildings, also on Key Hill, which were built in 1913. The site has been pieced together from a number of separate owners, with PCPT Architects given the brief to create an urban mixed-use scheme for a site that has been derelict or under-used for 20 years. Included is a mews of 18

townhouses, plus apartments above shops and studios linked by a series of squares in a traditional format, with new pedestrian routes through the whole site. In addition to Key Hill Studios, the plans also include a new bar/restaurant in the Gem, to be designed as a key meeting and networking base, supported by cafes and useful shops.

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The Phoenix Newspaper - April 2020 - Page 45

LET’S TALK WITH DONALD CAMPBELL

Let’s Talk

With Donald Campbell The Invisible Enemy I

was an 18 year old lad who felt trapped in the enclave of Birmingham, envisaging a much bigger world, waiting for me to explore. I enlisted in the Royal Air Force and within 9 months of joining I was posted to Northern Ireland. There was a daily reminder of conflict on the streets, enforced by orders that we had to obey, such as the restriction of leaving our base, or if you were allowed, it was a minimum of two people. I served in the Northern Ireland Campaign for one year, just like many of my military colleagues, facing the invisible enemy. The stress of dealing with such situations on a daily basis, for Queen and country, is often not recognised by people who have not faced such circumstances. Today we have similar restrictions, a lockdown, and maximum of two people from any one group allowed to be out and about together. Military personnel are called upon again, to provide resources such as building hospitals and delivering parcels, medical supplies, and the likelihood of assisting with repatriation. Having served in the military for many years, including during the foot & mouth and mad cow disease era, I am very proud to see my military comrades answering the call, again, to support our nation. I believe we should also ‘Clap for the Military’ in recognition of their endeavour in helping to fight the invisible enemy, COVID19. I am also proud to know that there are many people from the Commonwealth, including Caribbean, African and Asian doctors, nurses, careers, Domicile care workers, cleaners, and the military, facing what must be very difficult and trying situations. Knowing that they too could be struck by the invisible enemy to the point of not recovering. We as a nation have much to be proud of because of our resilience and cultural unity. I can imagine nurse Mary Seacole stepping

up to do her utmost to fight the enemy in defence of our nation, just like she did in the Crimean War. I am sure there are, and will be, many such brave hearts who will give of their best to win this mighty battle against COVID19.

My hope is that due recognition will be given accordingly.

The Missing Chapter

The National Memorial Arboretum (NMA) Alrewas, Staffordshire, is UK’s Living Centre of Remembrance. There are currently over 300 monuments and memorials in this wonderful park. It is a sight to behold and a prime example of historical

education, covering generations of people, wars, representing countries throughout Europe and the Commonwealth. A positive recognition for British Caribbean Service Personnel is yet to be installed in this park, in memory and

recognition of generations of contributions in support of Britain. Private Herbert Morris left Jamaica, age 16, travelled to England and enlisted in the 6th Battalion of the British West Indian Regiment (BWIR), which was formed in 1915 and located in Seaford, Essex. It is believed that there were 11 Battalions formulated to establish

the BWIR, gathering men from many Caribbean Islands, including those who were living in Britain. The Battalions were dispersed across many countries in defence of Britain, including the 6th Battalion which was sent to France. Private Herbert Morris, like many other Caribbean soldiers, in World War 1, were used primarily to dig trenches, carry ammunition, and other manual tasks, as they were not given any weapons to defend themselves. Imagine leaving the warmth of the Caribbean, travelling thousands of miles to face the dramatic change in climate and the harsh weather conditions, especially at the tender age of 16. Yet Herbert Morris found himself on the frontline in defence of Britain, his nation. The environment of regular bombing and gunfire is unimaginable, especially for those who only witnessed it from afar. There was a constant threat of being killed, with no weapons to defence themselves. They faced the horrid conditions of war, miles and miles away from their families, with little or no knowledge of a reprieve, and no idea when it might end and return to normality. It must have been horrendous. It was whilst facing such conditions that Herbert Morris wondered away from his post, and the second time he did so they decided to Court Marshall him for desertion. He was found guilty and sentenced to be shot at dawn. During his trial he said to the judge, “all I can hear is noise in my head”. Yes, he was suffering from Shell Shock, as it was know in those days. It is, today, recognised as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Private Herbert Morris was blindfolded and shot at dawn,

Underestimation Of The Mind Young, belittled Old, pitied The mind is but a tool To be used as a rule You are too young You don’t understand Go away little one Come back when you can You’re old So it seems A little grey Should you be a prey? Take a tip Do not trip The young Do not underestimate The old They may not be out of date Donald Campbell, 30th March 2020

by his own countrymen, on the 20th September 1917, age 17. Six of his comrades, who he likely shared many hours with as close friends and colleagues, were ordered to take aim and shoot one of their own. An unimaginable and unforgettable experience for all concerned. There is now recognition and celebration of the life of Private Herbert Morris, by laying a wreath on his grave, on the 20th of September, annually. It is believed that 309 soldiers, from different countries, were Court Marshall and shot, during World War 1, and although they were all pardoned in 2006, it leaves an indelible scar that should never be erased from the memory of humanity. Yet, apart from the Shot At Dawn Memorial at the NMA, there is no other representation

for all the sacrifices made by British Caribbean Service Personnel. This missing chapter from the historical book of life has instigated a campaign to erect a monument as a positive image, and a legacy, in recognition of past, present and future generations. The National Caribbean Monument Charity (TNCMC) has been established to design, create and install a fitting monument in the NMA, by 2021, in recognition of 18 British Caribbean Islands Service Personnel for service to Britain, over centuries, and are still serving today. For more information please visit: www.tncmc.org. Email Donald At doncam_@hotmail.com Mobile: 07802723222

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SPORT - WITH STEVE WILLIAMS

McLaughlin & Harvey awarded Alexander Stadium revamp contract The contract to redevelop Birmingham’s Alexander Stadium into a high-quality venue for diverse sporting, leisure, community and cultural events has been awarded by Birmingham City Council to McLaughlin & Harvey. McLaughlin & Harvey has a strong track record in undertaking large prestigious projects across the UK and has previously successfully completed projects for major games events, including the London Olympics, and sporting developments for numerous football and rugby clubs. The Alexander Stadium project, a scheme worth an overall £72million, received unanimous support from the Birmingham City Council Planning Committee in January 2020. It will see the venue’s permanent capacity increased from 12,700 to 18,000 – with the ability to temporarily increase up to a maximum of 40,000 for major events.

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Sarpreet’s proving to be the next ‘1-2-Watch’ at Bayern

e is making massive waves as he leads his Bayern Munich side to what seems likely to be yet another Bundesliga title. But, as Sarpreet Singh is just starting out in making his name at one of world football’s grand doyens, the attention he is getting in his parent’s native India is already fast growing to the proportions that can probably matched by the likes of Christian Ronaldo and Lionel Messi in their own native Portugal and Argentina respectively. Born in Auckland, in New Zealand, the young attacking midfield player came to world prominence after he impressed Bayern scouts while he was playing for New Zealand at the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup. In fact, so impressed were the Bayern scout that they signed the young Singh on a three-year deal – said to be in the region between NZD $750,000 and $1,000,000,

before almost immediately making his debut in the Bayern Munich II reserve team, which in itself was no mean feat. And that, in itself, wasn’t the first time he was spotted by one of Europe’s leading clubs. At the age of ten, he represented Auckland at the Australian National Futsal Championships, winning the MVP (Most Valuable Player) award and attracting interest from Premier League stalwarts Everton. He made his international debut, for New Zealand’s under-17 level for the 2015 OFC U-17 Championship before competing at the 2017 and 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cups. In an interview with FCBayern. com, he talked of his surprise at being integrated into Bayern’s first team almost immediately after moving to the club from Wellington Phoenix. After signed for Bayern Munich II, Singh said his initial plan was to get used to the German game

in 3. Liga and simply take it "one step at a time". "The move from the Australian league to Germany was a huge one," Singh said. Although seen as a beacon foe South East Asian football, Bayern insist that their decision to sign Singh was simply "a sporting one". He (Sarpreet) recognises his achievements could blaze a trail for South Asian and Kiwi footballers, saying: "Hopefully, I can set a good platform for the players that follow me. "That's kind of my goal - to be the best I can be, set a good example for the kids to come and encourage them to keep working hard so that one day it'll be them." Sapreet Singh’s early taste of first team football has made him more determined than ever to kick on with his career and make a name - and successful career - in Germany.

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The Phoenix Newspaper - April 2020 - Page 47

SPORT - WITH STEVE WILLIAMS

Edgbaston to host Ireland International T20 versus Bangladesh

Baku City Circuit officially announce Azerbaijan Grand Prix postponement Baku City Circuit (BCC) has taken the decision to postpone the Formula 1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix 2020 due to take place on June 5th – 7th. The postponement was agreed upon after extensive discussions with Formula 1 as well as the Federation Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) and the Government of the Azerbaijan Republic. This comes as a direct result of the ongoing global COVID-19

pandemic and has been based entirely on the expert guidance provided to us by the relevant authorities. In coming to this conclusion, BCC’s primary concern throughout has been the health and well-being of the Azerbaijani people as well as all visiting F1 fans, staff and championship participants. BCC say they share their fans disappointment at not being able to experience the pinnacle

irmingham’s Edgbaston Stadium has reached an agreement with Cricket Ireland to host a men’s Twenty20 International (T20I) match between Ireland and Bangladesh on Friday 29 May 2020. Edgbaston, which is already hosting a One-Day International (ODI) between world champions England and Ireland on Saturday 12 September as part of a seven-day England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB) major match programme in 2020, is one of four English venues to be named by Cricket Ireland as a host for the four-match IT20 series. Neil Snowball, Chief Executive of Edgbaston Stadium and Warwickshire County Cricket Club, said: “We’re thrilled to have the opportunity to extend our programme of major match cricket and to bring another international cricket fixture to Birmingham and wider West Midlands region. “Ireland’s fans bring great colour and noise wherever they play in the world, so we’re very excited to host them for the first time. “We hope that this can be the start of a partnership which could lead to further opportunities in the future.” Cricket Ireland Chief Executive, Warren Deutrom, said: “Edgbaston is quite simply one of the most iconic and heralded grounds in England and this will be the first time in 15 years Ireland has played at the ground. “We hope to see the local fans, regardless of allegiance, come out and enjoy what will undoubtedly be a competitive spectacle.”

of motorsport race through the streets of Baku this June. To that end, they will continue to work closely with Formula 1, the FIA and the Government of the Azerbaijan Republic to monitor the situation with a view to announcing a new race date later in the 2020 season. All tickets for the Formula 1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix 2020 will continue to be valid, without any additional formalities required. As soon as the new date of the Grand Prix is confirmed, all spectators will be informed accordingly about the available options, both for those who have purchased their tickets through the Baku City Circuit’s website (www.bakucitycircuit.com) and through other channels. The thoughts of everyone at Baku City Circuit during this challenging and unprecedented situation go out to all those directly and indirectly affected by the coronavirus pandemic.

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Edgbaston to host Ireland International T20 versus Bangladesh - Page 47

Sarpreet One To Watch - Page 46

‘21 overload a major concern for organisers In light of the International Olympics Committee (IOC) and UEFA organisations – for two - leading the way in re-scheduling the Tokyo Olympics & Paralympics and European Championship, respectively, to next year - due to the coronavirus epidemic - it, on the surface, stands to make common séance in light of the global epidemic that is coronavirus, it has to be said that it was the best that could be done. Short of scrapping those, and other major events that were due this year, ultimately, there really wasn’t any greater option – concerning the event’s protagonists, fans, organisers, broadcasters, et al. With the best will and intention of all at heart, the options were as near ‘zero’ – short of scrapping those, and other, events forth-with and starting again. The job now is to fit so many leading major international sporting competitions within an already loaded calendar that is 2021. So, with the Olympics & Paralympics, Euro 2020, the Six Nations, Formula 1 and ATP Tennis torments amongst the sports postponed until next year (or cancelled outright), the impact is already telling on 2021, with the UEFA Women’s Euros – due for 2021 – now, for one, re-arranged for 2022. It ‘cures’ one problem, but now; how can that competition ‘sit’ in a year that already has the FIFA World Cup scheduled for Qatar and the Birmingham Commonwealth Games that summer? And that’s just one tournament, in one sport.

l Stourbridge runner Lucy Kirwan (right) and her friend Rachel Collins training with Daley Thompson

Olympian Daley Thompson Gives Training Tips To Qatar Airways Announced as Premium Partner of PSG Local Runner

it fundraiser Lucy Kirwan received the ultimate training tips from an Olympian in preparation for the London Marathon (October 4). The 39-year-old, from Stourbridge, in the West Midlands, raised more than £2,700 for children’s charity ‘Barnardo’s’ when she took part in last year’s event for the first time. This year she had planned to run with her friend Rachel Collins from Redbourne. Together, they hoped to raise £4,000 for the same charity. In recognition of their support, they were invited to Battersea Park’s Millennium Arena for a training session with double Olympics gold medallist Daley Thompson OBE. Lucy chose to support Barnardo’s because she works alongside the charity as a child protection officer for the police. She said: “I’m a huge advocate of their

efforts to support victims of child sexual exploitation, so I was delighted to raise so much money from last year’s event. “This year I planned to run with my friend Rachel so we were hoping to smash last year’s total.” She added: “It was great to meet Daley and some of the other celebrity supporters and runners. “As well as getting essential running advice, we also heard a motivational speech from the charity’s vice-president Baroness Floella Benjamin. “It made us even more determined to succeed!” Daley said: “I was really impressed by all of the runners. I wished every one of them the very best of luck and urge people to sponsor them.” Last year, the Virgin Money London Marathon – which was due to be held on Sunday 26 April - raised more than £290,000 for Barnardo’s.

Qatar Airways have announce that it is the new Premium Partner and Official Airline Partner of Paris SaintGermain (PSG), France’s most successful football club, for the next three seasons. The multi-Ligue 1 champion joins in the exclusive group of top global football clubs proudly supported by the world’s number one airline, including Italy’s AS Roma, Boca Juniors in Argentina and German club FC Bayern München. Qatar Airways Senior Vice President Marketing and Corporate Communications, Ms. Salam Al Shawa, said: “We are thrilled to welcome the famous French club

to our extensive sport sponsorship portfolio, and look forward to having them on board. In Paris Saint-Germain we have found a partner that shares our passion for innovation and we will work together to develop many exciting activities to engage with supporters and our global audience.” PSG Chief Partnerships Officer, Marc Armstrong, added: “We are delighted

to welcome Qatar Airways into the Paris SaintGermain family as the Official Airline Partner of the club. “This is another example of our strong desire to develop innovative partnerships with leading global brands and Qatar Airways is a natural choice for us as it shares our commitment to creating powerful connections with fans all over the world.”

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