The Phoenix Newspaper - March 2018

Promoting Diversity for Birmingham Commonwealth Games 2022

MARCH 2018

Connecting Communities - Inspiring A New Generation

Royal Visit To Brum Keith Stokes-Smith to Preside over new Greater Birmingham Commonwealth Chamber of Commerce - Page 9

P

rince Harry and Meghan Markle are coming to Birmingham to Make a Difference.

Royalty will be coming to visit our wonderful city Birmingham in March on International Womens Day. This will be an exciting visit from the trendy royal couple who are to get married in May 2018

they will visit Millenium Point and the Nechells Wellbeing Centre.

Kensington Palace revealed: “The couple will firstly attend a Stemettes event at Millennium Point which aims to inspire the next generation of young women to pursue careers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths.

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Birmingham Turns Out To Celebrate The Year Of The Dog! - Pages 6+7

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Page 2 - The Phoenix Newspaper - March 2018

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Carillion Collapse Causes Questions To Be Raised

W

ith the recent demise of Carillion, questions need to be asked of the government, and big businesses that use these mega companies.

Why is it that such a large company such as Carillion is still the main go-to for these massive tenders, rather than filtering these tenders down to smaller, businesses so that if one business went down, the whole network of services

don’t collapse in with them.

The repercussions of this collapse are far and wide, from apprentices and workers now out of a job and trying to piece their lives back together, to the services that are currently without the staff to run them, massively impacting communities up and down the country.

The worry and mental anguish being experienced by everyone involved in Carillion is heartbreaking, but we do hope that they get back on their feet.

W

ith the massive box office smash that was Black Panther, and the whirlwind of interest it has created across the globe.

Before it even hit the cinemas many were saying that it wasn’t just about the film, many are claiming that it is far deeper than this.

Isn’t it ironic that we are now in the 21st Century, long after the likes of Sidney Poitier and Harry Belafonte and people are amazed at the progress of Black People on TV and the Big Screen.

There are those that say that it is not just Black People on TV, it’s the

superhero element, and the initiative and timing of Marvel comics to bring Black Panther out at this time.

Marvel are all about the superheros, regardless of colour, race or creed, and the fact that Black Panther has come out now, is down to the availability of a brilliant cast of black actors, and a society that will accept a film of this kind.

With the level of acceptance and support that Black Panther has received, does this mark a turning point in TV and film?

What are your views about Black Panther? Have you seen the film?

We’re interested in hearing your feelings about this smash hit.

The Drum Update

A

s you can see from the advertisement on Page 3, The Drum is up for sale by Informal Tender.

Interested parties have a couple of months to get their proposals and bids together to put in for the old The Drum site.

Following our investigations into the current state of The Drum in the January and February editions of The Phoenix Newspaper, it came to light that the

premises are up for sale.

The council stated “Formal marketing is due to start in February and community groups have until 29 May 2018 to make market value offers for the premises, which will be considered by the council and successful group(s) will be contacted in Summer 2018.

“However if no viable bids are received by the end of May, the Drum will be put up for sale at a public auction in Autumn 2018.”

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The Phoenix Newspaper - March 2018 - Page 3

NEWS

United In Love & Support V

alentines Day was marked by the British Heart Foundation in a Guiness World Record attempt for the longest chain of paper hearts.

Joining together the messages of 17,939 British Heart Foundation supporters, sourced from its network of over 720 charity shops and thousands of supporters, the charity far surpassed the previous World Record of 11,288 by Moët Hennessy UK. The British Heart Foundation asked people to write messages of love and support for their loved ones, people battling heart disease or in memory of those they’ve lost.

The record breaking attempt was a mark of solidarity for the 7 million people in the UK fighting a daily battle with heart and circulatory disease.

The new record-holding chain measured almost one and a half miles long, the equivalent to 25 football pitches.

Residents in the West Midlands helped contribute approximately 922 hearts to be included in the chain.

Simon Gillespie, CEO of the British Heart Foundation, said: “7 million people in the UK suffer from heart and circulatory disease which accounts for 1 in 4 of all deaths.

“The British Heart Foundation is committed to funding over half a billion pounds of new research before 2020 to help bring an end to this heartbreak.

“Bringing together so many tender yet powerful messages of love, support and hope through this Guinness World Records title attempt shows that we’re standing united against heart and circulatory disease.”

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Page 4 - The Phoenix Newspaper - March 2018

NEWS

Villa Owner Xia Joins Birmingham Billionaires' Club

Uber set to Commercialize ‘Flying Taxis’

Uber Technologies Inc Chief Executive Officer Dara Khosrowshahi says he can see commercialization of the Uber Air flying taxi service happening within five to 10 years.

The U.S. ride-hailing app maker has said it expects flying vehicles to eventually become an affordable method of mass transportation.

Elon Musk, co-founder, CEO and Product Architect at Tesla Inc, is also predicting that private air taxis—flying cars—will be whizzing over U.S. cities within a decade, negating the need for costly new transportation concepts like the hyperloop.

Khosrowshahi was speaking at an investor forum in Tokyo on his first visit to Asia as Uber CEO.

Flying the Flag for Lithuania

l Joseph Chima, Jurgita Chima, Simona Akamaviciute, Asta Raubyte, Lina Zalaite, Irena Hughes, Milda Zokas, and The Rt Worshipful Lord Mayor of Birmingham, Councillor Anne Underwood in Victoria Square to raise the Lithuanian flag to celebrate 100 years of its Declaration of Independence.

Lithuania’s Independences 16th February 1918 The Act of Independence of Lithuania 11th March 1990 Act of the Re-Establishment of the State of Lithuania

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th February 2018 was a day of rejoicing in Lithuania and indeed for Lithuanians in Greater Birmingham for it was 100 years to the date since Lithuania declared its independence albeit it was then still under German occupation.

Even after February 1918, the country had to defend itself from aggressors sadly losing its independence again in 1940 when it was invaded by Russia, subsequently by Germany in 1941 with the Soviets returning in 1944.

Campaigning by the country for independence from Russia during the 1980's proved fruitful and eventually, it became the first Soviet republic to declare independence in March 1990.

However, Moscow did not formally recognise its declaration until August 1991.

2015 saw Lithuania becoming a member of both the EU and NATO The Bank of Lithuania commemorated the 100 years by issuing four collector coins and at 12.30pm on the day, all the bells in Lithuania rang out inviting its community to start the celebrations.

T

he first Black Country Festival is preparing businesses to make new connections, create new opportunities and learn from each other.

Attendance is anticipated to top 7,000 with events being staged by local businesses; including seminars, lectures, workshops, large trade shows and business conferences.

Chamber CEO, Corin Crane, said: “The programme is looking really comprehensive offering something for everyone.”

The Festival (April 23 to May 4) - partnered by the Black Country Chamber of Commerce and DY5 – Dudley’s Business and Innovation Enterprise Zone - is supported by: Cox & Plant, Federation of Small Businesses, Ramada Park Hall Hotel, University

l The Lithuanian Flag flying proudly outside Birmingham Council House 2018 will also be marked with a visit by the Pope to Lithuania Commenting upon the occasion, Consul for Lithuania in the West Midlands, Keith StokesSmith said “This is a great day for Lithuanians all over the world.

“The country and its people have gone through a lot over the last 100 years; at last they should now feel confident about their future as an independent nation.”

Birmingham’s billionaire club has increased with Aston Villa owner Tony Xia, Phones4U founder John Caudwell and Lord Edmiston, owner of Coleshill-based property and automotive business IM Group showing a record eight billionaires who either work in the city, or who have family ties. Topping the list is once Wolverhampton Wanderers owner Guo Guangchang, with £4 billion to his name.

Those involved in construction, property and manufacturing have all seen an increase in their wealth over the last year, or at the very least they have protected their position.

However, the entrepreneurship of Midlands people and the hard work and determination of those who were born here or have chosen to make our region their home or commercial base have combined to ensure that the money keeps rolling in for the wealthiest individuals and families.

The list is a story of entrepreneurs who, through extraordinary talent, a great idea, or hard work have reaped the reward of enviable wealth.

Phillip Wood, Midlands Regional Lead, UBS Wealth Management, said: “While 2017 was a year of political and economic flux, businesses in the region have shown a remarkable resilience in the face of all this uncertainty."

Business Festival to Make New Black Country Connections

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The Phoenix Newspaper - March 2018 - Page 5

NEWS

BOOK ONLINE www.thsh.co.uk Box office 0121 780 3333

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ANDY HAMILTON CENTENARY CELEBRATION

l Organisers and Hosts from the Somaliland Youth Movement on the night

Celebrating the Youth and Future of Somaliland

S

omaliland National Youth day is on the 20th of February, commemorating the resilience and self-determination of the Somaliland youth.

On 20th of February 1982, students began protesting about the death sentences handed out to the young professional mainly teachers that volunteered for Hargeisa group hospital. This year marks the 36th anniversary of the Dhagaxtuur.

Celebrating the contributions of the youth made in the past, as well as up and coming Somalilanders now, the Somaliland Youth Movement held a night of music, panel discussions, comedy and awards in Aston on the 23rd February.

With specially invited guests including local Councillor Yvonne Mosquito, Chairman of the Birmingham Commonwealth Association and President of the Greater Birmingham Commonwealth Chamber of Commerce, Keith Stokes-Smith, as well as Ms Ayan Mahamoud MBE Somaliland representative to the UK and the Commonwealth, the night was a celebration of Somaliland culture and youth.

Fundraising this year was in partnership with King’s College London’s Somaliland Partnership

programme, raising funds for young medical students to receive starter medical kits which will help kickstart their careers.

Winners on the night included : Yaxye Yeebaash, Mohamed Omer, Adnan Abdo Mohamed, Somaliland Lifemakers - Yousuf Adam.

Future Brothers - Siciid Suldaan and a special award for Hassan Daoud.

Ms Ayan Mahamoud MBE Somaliland Representative to the UK and the Commonwealth met earlier in the day with Keith Stokes-Smith, Chairman of the Birmingham Commonwealth Association to discuss and explore a number of matters relating to the local Somaliland community and the country’s wish to become a Commonwealth member.

Keith Stokes-Smith said after the meeting,”The meeting noted that Somaliland was, from 1887,a British protectorate becoming an independent state on 26 June 1960. However,five days later, Somaliland chose to unite with Somalia until May 1991 when the territory declared its independence from Somalia after the collapse of the central Somalian government.

However, to date, its self declared independence remains unrecognised by any country or international organisation.

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“Today, it is said that some 40,000 Somaliland descendants live in Greater Birmingham. Our meeting also discussed UK government support to Somaliland, a country of 4 million people, and the problems faced by the country due to drought.

“Somaliland has applied to become a member of the commonwealth and has suggested an ‘associate’ membership category be created to facilitate this in the short term “It was pleasing to hear that progress was being made in the country on the human rights front with a law banning female genital mutilation being introduced shortly.

Somaliland has one of the world’s highest rates of FGM. The country recently introduced a law criminalising rape.

“We discussed Somaliland students being able to come and study in the UK and their inability to get scholarships. Somaliland were keen to encourage engagement with Birmingham’s Higher Education establishments.

“All in all, it was an interesting and informative meeting,” said Keith. “Nura Ali from the Charity ‘Allies Network’ and Tamara Prosper from the Ark Foundation charity joined us at our meeting.”

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Page 6 - The Phoenix Newspaper - March 2018

FEATURE - CHINESE NEW YEAR

Happy Chinese New Year!

Year of the Dog Celebrations Expanding Growing City Links

B

irmingham’s annual Chinese New Year celebration proved bigger than ever.

With two stages, lion dances, funfair rides, street food and a host of traditional entertainment, as the city’s Southside took on the sights and sounds of the flourishing South East Asian country.

Building on the success of last year years and a capacity double the size of 2017, the weekend-long event; marking the ‘Year of the Dog,’ saw performances – on two large stages, in the ever-popular

Hippodrome Square – a myriad of stalls providing typically Chinese foods, drinks, clothes, artefacts and souvenirs, for the hundreds of thousands there to enjoy and experience.

In opening the festivities, the Lord Mayor, Councillor Ann Underwood, declared the mass celebrations “open – as our relationship with China grow and develop with rapid speed.

Birmingham has a longstanding relationship with our twin-city Nanjing, as well as Changchun and Guangzhou,” she said.

“Which goes well beyond our impotent and growing business link?”

James Wong, Chair of the Chinese Festival Committee-Birmingham, and Managing Director of Chung Ying Restaurant Group, added: “I always had ambitions to make it bigger. The plans have really come together and I’m proud that we’re able to welcome the Year of the Dog on such a grand scale.

“It remains important to continue to develop the mutual relationship between China and Birmingham. May this year; ‘The Year of the Dog,’ bring you prosperity.”

A series of huge bangs, fire crackers and kaleidoscopic colours filled the mid-day air. It her-

alded the start of the Chinese New Year 2018; sponsored by Birmingham Airport and Birmingham City F.C. – and supported by The Hippodrome Theatre.

With streets around Hurst Street and the roads around The Arcadian and Birmingham Hippodrome – in the city’s Chinese Quarter - packed with people from near and far, watching lion dances, martial arts and acrobatic experts, plus also taking part in karaoke contests and cookery demonstrations, as promised, it was even greater than ever before.

The Year of the Dog began on February 16, with celebrations continuing until March 2, making this the longest holiday in the Chinese calendar.

!

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The Phoenix Newspaper - March 2018 - Page 7

CHINESE NEW YEAR - FEATURE

Fact File The festival date changes every year.

Following the Lunar Calendar based on the moon’s movement, Chinese New Year can be any day between mid-January and midFebruary.

The new animal’s Zodiac Year

In China, each Lunar cycle is 60 years, broken down into 12 year cycles. Each of these 12 years has a different animal sign; Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Sheep, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig. 2018 is the Year of the Dog.

Party Party Party!

The celebrations last for 15 days until Lantern Festival.

Worldwide Celebrations

1/6th of the worlds population celebrates Chinese New Year not only in China, but in Taiwan, Singapore, Hong Kong,Vietnam and other Asian countries as well as Chinatowns worldwide.

Fireworks!

All families set off fireworks to liven up the air of Spring Festival, with the biggest show taking place on Chinese New Year’s Eve.

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Page 8 - The Phoenix Newspaper - March 2018

BUSINESS AND FINANCE

Key business Mayor Street skills vital to performance Convinced W of Channel 4 Relocation to Region C onvincing Channel 4 to re-locate to Birmingham would be a major coup for the West Midlands region, in general, and another personal victory for Metro Mayor Andy Street.

Having wrapped up victory in the races to win the City of Culture for Coventry (2021) and the Commonwealth Games for Birmingham in 2022, getting the commercial television station to the second city would be the perfect ‘hat-trick’ for Mayor Street.

It is understood that Mr Street has already developed a good relationship with Alex Mahon, the new Channel 4 CEO, and has been busily exchanging messages this week with new Culture Secretary, Matt Hancock.

Ms Mahon has not been as vo-

cal about the undesirability of moving from Horseferry Road as her predecessor.

Mr Hancock’s former boss at DCMS had made Channel 4 re-location a key priority – time will tell if the new Secretary of State feels the same.

Mayor Street said: “Now the West Midlands has secured the Commonwealth Games and Coventry City of Culture, Channel 4 represents our opportunity for a hat-trick that would demonstrate to the world that this region means business.

I am absolutely convinced that these successes – won on the back of a team effort which has been so often lacking in such campaigns historically – put us in the leading pack as far as this race is concerned.

The potential benefits of Channel 4 coming here are huge.”

Mr Street is campaigning for a full re-location of the public service broadcaster, while other cities have made the case for a partial move.

He went on: “Basing Channel 4 in the West Midlands would enable the station to reflect the lives and opinions of a young and diverse population more effectively than from any other location.

Crucially, it would stimulate more people from diverse backgrounds to take part in the creative sectors.

This is a region with a great economic story to tell. Our digital and creative industries are waiting to work with Channel 4 and the arrival of HS2 will strengthen our already unrivalled connectivity.

We’ve proven we can do large scale relocations well, as demonstrated by HSBC’s new

l Andy Street, Metro Mayor of the West Midlands HQ, the expansion of PwC and the HS2 construction headquarters, in addition to recent BBC investments in the region.”

Royal Marines Granted ‘Freedom Of The City’ During Special Ceremony

I

n the presence of its leading mandarins, veterans, current soldiers and cadets from the Royal Marines were awarded the Freedom of the City in Birmingham during a special ceremony which began outside the Council House, with the Lord Mayor of Birmingham, Councilor Anne Underwood, praising them for their heroic deeds and close ties with the city.

She said: "The City is very proud to honour the Royal Marines and recognise their very strong links to Birmingham by bestowing upon the Corps the Freedom of the City.

“I hope that many people will come along to watch the parade and join in the celebrations."

Cllr Anne Underwood then presented the Freedom Scroll during the ceremony outside the Council House in Victoria Square, making the Royal Marines the 16th armed forces unit to receive the Freedom of the City, which means that they can "march with drums beating, bands playing, colours flying and bayonets fixed."

Commandant General Major General Charlie Stickland,

hether you are a would-be entrepreneur, owner of an existing firm or just a public or private sector employee, having a set of key business skillsets is very important.

All entities –whether production or service-oriented - are engaged in multiple streams of business transactions.

They all require a range of competencies –directorial, managerial, administrative, supervisory, technical and non-technical - in order for them to operate efficiently and effectively.

Firstly public institutions such as the National Health Service (NHS), is reputed to be the largest employer in Britain with a budget of £107 billion (NHS England Business Plan 2016/2017).

It manages physical and non-physical assets and is constantly exhorted by government officials to manage costs effectively.

Among the many layers of business transactions that are conducted, with a service-based model are:• Primary care services; • Maternity care; • Personalisation and choice; • Commissioning development; • Science and innovation; • Information and technology in care; and • The development of employees’ capability and their social infrastructure.

Secondly, public corporations such as banks or building societies and insurance companies, provide differential financial services, all of which demand an understanding and appreciation of, and for, customer and business markets.

Segmentation is important to these concerns since the extent to which management is conversant with their customers, is the extent to which these public entities will remain afloat.

As of 2015, the total net worth of the UK was estimated at £8.8 trillion, equivalent to £135,000 average person (The UK National Balance Sheet Estimates 2016).

Thirdly, local authorities accrue their funds from a combination of taxes and subventions from Central Government.

Budgeted gross revenue expenditure for Welsh local authorities, for instance, was reported at £7.9 billion for 2017/2018, an increase by 1.4% on the previous year.

This means that public services have to balance revenue and expenditure to remain viable. Many are being challenged to be self-sufficient by being more creative and innovative.

Skill Sets

Head of the Royal Marines Reserve Birmingham detachment, said: "Although this great city is positioned in the centre of the country, far from the sea, it has many links with the Corps.

In recent years, the Royal Marines have been hugely indebted to Selly Oak Hospital and then more recently the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham for its truly outstanding support of our hundreds of casualties from both the Iraq and Afghanistan

conflicts.

"We will be forever grateful for their medical staffs’ surgical skill and subsequent care when dealing with our wounded colleagues."

"It is a real privilege for the Royal Marines to be given the Freedom of the City of Birmingham," said Major General Charlie Stickland.

"This honour, the city's highest, demonstrates the strong and enduring relation-

ship between the Royal Marines and Birmingham."

The city's strong connections with the Royal Marines go back over 100 years - with city-born Sergeant Norman Finch receiving the Victoria Cross in 1918 after a raid on Zeebrugge.

The Royal Marines Reserves have also had a Birmingham detachment since 1957, which is currently based at HMS Forward in Bordesley Green.

Fourthly, businesses overall, irrespective of size, composition and sector representation, must ensure the right set of strategic and operational skills is in place; if not, their chances of survival can be very slim.

Seeing that very few small firms receive ‘government handouts’ or have access to procurement contracting opportunities on a large scale and consistently, the type of existing management and administration structures will determine the level or scale of growth and development of firms per se.

Executives of public, private and social enterprises, have to face a frequency of threats in the local, regional and national marketplace.

These are real threats that could only be minimised or alleviated, by paying attention to the skills sets of

A

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

the entire organisational value chain.

Development Growth

From a firm’s inception, management should ensure that there are certain formalisms in place; for instance, the right organisational structure with reporting responsibilities, roles and duties at every stage of the strategic and operational ‘chain’.

If the structure is right from the start, the chances of structural rupture are less likely.

Business owners must possess a variety of skills set such as: leadership, management, budgeting, conflict resolution or problem solving, human relations, negotiation/negotiating, networking, marketing and more.

Both hard and soft skills are essential to take the business through ‘choppy waters’ either during its formative years [of start-up) or even when it is achieved some degree of market share in its particular sector or business segment.

Although this should be a priority from the outset, it is worth noting here, that the purpose of the business must be firmly established from the beginning, a clear mission statement, with a set of values and a clear set of aims and objectives.

Objectives must be both qualitative and quantitative; for example, our company plans to ‘To process 14,000 tonnes of grain for cereal production by the end of 2018/2019 financial year”.

Then of course, the type of values the organisation should possess; these can be based on a set of philosophical messages or motto-statements; namely integrity, transparency, customer care, diligence, reliability, consistency and so forth.

Essentially, these can be integral to a firm’s unique selling point (USP).

Additionally, other necessary skill sets are those relating to marketing, quality control and budgeting, risk analysis and exit strategy.

In the area of marketing particularly, the underperformance or closure of hundreds of firms over the past five or so years, has been due, in part, to either ‘market complacency’ or being overstretched so much so, that managers failed to take notice of the loss of customers, let alone customer loyalty or retention.

In analysing business markets, founder-owners and directors of all types of businesses, must adhere to the principles of buying behaviour. In doing so, they should try to ascertain the following questions such as: • Who is the business market?

• What buying decisions do buyers make?

• Who takes part in the buying process?

• What are the major influences on buyers?

• How do buyers make their decisions on purchases?

• How influential are institutional and government markets?

Indeed, these questions must be included in short, medium and longterm business [planning] strategy of firms.

Being able to answer these questions with certainty or surety, will ultimately, reduce organisations’ risks such as; poor quality materials and equipment, unqualified or poorly qualified staff, insufficient customers and lack of knowledge of industry sector and business segment markets.

@PhoenixNewsUK

The Phoenix Newspaper - March 2018 - Page 9

COMMONWEALTH NEWS Commonwealth Fever Sweeps Birmingham Communities With the awarding of the Commonwealth Games to Birmingham in 2022, excitement is already high in the city about the next 4 years, and the Commonwealth Communities Group is no exception!

Coming up this month will be a presentation on the games to the group by none other than the City Council’s own Garry Peal to give everyone a broad snapshot of what the plan is for the future.

This presentation will take place at the upcoming BCA Communities meeting, which is open to all who are interested in attending.

With the developments taking place over the next 4 years it has never been a better time to get involved with the Birmingham Commonwealth Association.

There are a number of communitiy opportunities in the pipeline that the group is looking at being a part of, and is actively looking for people from all backgrounds and from all communities across the Commonwealth.

For more information about the Birmingham Commonwealth Association get in touch with The Phoenix Newspaper, or come along to the next Communities Meeting on 6th March at 16.30.

l The newly-formed committee of the Greater Birmingham Commonwealth Chamber of Commerce with Birmingham Chamber executives after their inaugural meeting with President Keith Stokes-Smith front-centre.

K

ey figures in the region are to be at the heart of the new Greater Birmingham Commonwealth Chamber of Commerce (GBCCC).

The initiative has been launched by the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce and sees Keith Stokes-Smith, Chairman of the Birmingham Commonwealth Association agreeing to serve as President.

Joining Keith on the executive committee are: Nasir Awan MBE DL, Anita Bhalla OBE, Lloyd Broad, Claire Brunning, John Crabtree OBE DL, Preet Gill MP, Deb Leary OBE, Martin Levermore MBE, Rupi Nandra MBE, Adam Parker, Alex de Ruyter, Mark Smith, Professor Louise Toner, and Tom Brett-Young.

The creation of the Commonwealth Chamber is the 10th division of the GBCC and offers membership-based gateways for firms looking to develop bilateral trade opportunities across the Commonwealth.

Paul Faulkner, chief executive

New Chamber Looks to Create Commonwealth Commerce

of the GBCC, said: “I’m delighted that we have gathered such an experienced and high-profile committee for the GBCCC. “As we approach Brexit, we believe trade with Commonwealth

countries will become even more vital and out move has been given huge impetus with the awarding of the 2022 Commonwealth Games to Birmingham.”

GBCC chief operating officer

Russell Jeans said: “The committee of the new Commonwealth Chamber will now work vigorously to ensure that Birmingham is at the top of its game in driving trade between the city and the

Commonwealth.

“At its inaugural meeting this week, ideas were already flowing and we will be announcing further key appointments over the coming weeks.”

Paul Kehoe, president of the GBCC, said: “This is a tremendous step forward for the Chamber and one that more firmly puts us on the international stage and underlining are place in the world of trade.”

Speaking to The Phoenix Newspaper, Keith Stokes-Smith said, “The Brexit decision of June 2016 has created much uncertainty as to the UK’s trading position going forward when we leave the EU. “What is certain however, is that there are significant opportunities to export our goods and indeed services to many commonwealth countries where british quality products are much in demand.

“These opportunities have been growing over recent decades as emerging economies in many Commonwealth Countries create wealth and therefore demand for goods and services.

“The Greater Birmingham Chamber of Commerce has, like the Birmingham Commonwealth Association, recognised these opportunities, and rightly so.

“The GBCC being a leader in its field decided to give the Commonwealth focus by creating and launching a Greater Birmingham Commonealth Chamber of Commerce.

“The GBCC has invited me to be the founding President of this new chamberand I was very pleased to accept.

“This, coupled with my chairmanship of the BCA, must surely put Birmingham and Greater Birmingham, in an excellent position to capitalise on the trading opportunities derived from our Commonwealth relationship.

“The 2022 Commonwealth Games also offers an excellent platform to highlight the Birmingham brand.

“The launch of the GBCCC is the 12th March, post the launch the team will get together and consider its detailed strategy, intended outcomes and areas of focus over the years ahead.”

Commonwealth Welcomes Return of The Gambia

T

he Commonwealth welcomed the return of The Gambia to the Commonwealth family, almost five years after leaving it - saying it is ready to welcome back the African country to the group, after it was suspended for preventing opposition politicians from operating effectively.

The decision to begin the process of applying for readmission was made in February 2017 by President Adama Barrow, who came to power following elections in December 2016.

Last December, the parliament of The Gambia unanimously affirmed the country’s desire to rejoin the Commonwealth, thereby fulfilling one of the final steps in the organisation’s membership

process.

Of the announcement, Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland, the chair of the Executive Committee of the Board of Governors, said: “When The Gambia left in 2013, the heads of government expressed their regret in its leaving the Commonwealth family.

We’ve looked forward to The Gambia’s return and were delighted when, after his election victory last year, President Barrow pledged to return.

The Gambia’s application to rejoin has been unanimously accepted by all 52-member states, who welcome back their brothers and sisters to again play their full part in the Commonwealth family.”

The High Commissioner to be of

The Gambia, Francis Blain said, “I am thrilled to represent my country as it formally re-joins the Commonwealth after an absence of several years – and to become High Commissioner rather than Ambassador.

The Gambia looks forward to being able both to contribute to and benefit from the collective wisdom of the Commonwealth family of countries, and to playing an active role in supporting the work of the Commonwealth Secretariat and the many other organisations and initiatives that flourish as expressions of Commonwealth connection.

The Government and people of The Gambia will also draw on all that the Commonwealth collectively has to offer, assisting in

l The Gambia’s flag being raised at Marlborough House, the Commonwealth Secretariat’s headquarters practical ways to address a wide range of pressing issues – including protecting the environment and tackling climate change, and the empowerment of women and young people.”

A flag-raising ceremony, at Marlborough House, the London headquarters of the Commonwealth Secretariat, will mark its return.

Its application was unanimously

supported by the current 52-member states and The Gambia will now be invited to attend the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in April in London.

thephoenixnewspaper.com

Page 10 - The Phoenix Newspaper - March 2018

FEATURE - COMMONWEALTH AFRICA2018 SUMMIT 2018 COMMONWEALTH AFRICA SUMMIT

Forging A Brighter Future For All At The Commonwealth Africa Summit 2018

U

nlocking Africa’s economic potential by increasing trade, collaboration and Philanthropy within the commonwealth will be at the forefront of conversations at next months Commonwealth Africa Summit in London.

The Summit aims to spark new thinking on how to promote collective action, achieve shared prosperity and common good for Africans leveraging on their relationship with the commonwealth family of nations.

Through a series of discussions the event will encourage dialogue on how to strategies and mobilise valuable African resources that are critical to shaping the continent’s emerging economies.

The 5th in its annual series, the 2018 Commonwealth Africa Summit themed Common Good will have as Keynote Speaker H.E John Dramani Mahama (Former President of Ghana), Amina J Mohammed (UN Deputy Secretary General), H.E Senator Bukola Saraki (Senate President of Nigeria), Dr. Hassan Ahmed Hilal (Minister of Environment Sudan), Chief Mrs Folorunso Alakija (Vice Chair – Famfa Oil), Rt. Hon Mia Amor Mottley MP (Leader of Opposition and Former Deputy Prime Minister of Barbados), Dr Babatope Agbeyo (Chairman Cornfield Group) and others to be announced soon.

Past speakers at the CAS Summit have included HRH Prince Andrew The Duke of York, Gen. Yakubu Gowon; Rt Hon Baleka Mbete (Speaker of the Parliament of South Africa), Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, Baroness Lynda Chalker of Wallasey; Lord Watson of Richmond; Lord Ahmed of Rotherham; Baroness Uddin of Bethnal Green; Simon Walker, Director General of the British Institute of Directors (IOD); Ministers of Government, Ambassadors and many other Global Leaders.

With more than 300 global and African thought leaders in government and business expected

to attend over the three days, the stage will be set for discussion on issues ranging from trade and investment, entrepreneurship, job creation, economic development, health, security and counterterrorism, and energy.

Key themes and conversations will include: • How can we beat Africa’s Water Crisis?

• Strong Economic Leadership: An imperative for Common Good.

• From Emerging Markets to Sustainable Market – Creating Sustainable economies across Africa • Africa for Africans: A New Era of Africa Philanthropic Giving and its impact on the continent • Are there disruptive solutions to solving Africa’s Energy and Infrastructural Challenges?

• Economic Prosperity, Poverty and Human Trafficking in Africa: Finding lasting solutions • Climate Change: Issues, Priorities and Solutions for the Commonwealth Africa • Will Brexit Translate to opportunities for African Economy • Improving Opportunities for African Women: The role of economic, policy and culture • Beyond Philanthropy: How do we drive more access to finance for Africa’s budding entrepreneurs?

• Investing in Africa: Where are the opportunities? Where are the financing gaps? How to successfully direct invest?

• Which emerging markets are ripe for next generation of private equity financing?

• How can Africa profit from its creative industries?

To register for the event, visit www.casevents.org/ cas2018 or for more information about CAFI’s global chain of events, visit www.casevents. org. For exhibition, contact secretariat@commonwealthafrica. com

@PhoenixNewsUK

The Phoenix Newspaper - March 2018 - Page 11

thephoenixnewspaper.com

Page 12 - The Phoenix Newspaper - March 2018

FEATURE - EDUCATION, TRAINING AND RECRUITMENT - PROMOTING EXCELLENCE

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.

PM Challenges Universities Costs W ith universities facing pressure from all angles Prime Minister Teresa May has called for better value for students in England, admitting they face "one of the most expensive systems

of university tuition in the world."

Arguing for an end to "outdated attitudes" that favour university over technical education,” Mrs May, announced a year-long review of student finance and university funding, warning that the

lity a u q High rom f e r ld ca child e years o iv f o t birth

system has failed to deliver sufficient competition on price - with almost all courses being charged at the maximum £9,250 per year.

For many students, the prime minister said: "The level of fees charged do not relate to the cost or quality of the course.

There are serious concerns about the cost among parents and grandparents as well as students.”

There is a temporary freeze on fees at £9,250 and that is likely to be extended for at least another year during the review.

Education Secretary Damian Hinds said he wants "more vari-

ety" in the level of fees, rather than almost all courses and universities charging the maximum amount.

He also calls for more flexibility in how courses are delivered, such as two-year degrees, encouraging "commuter degrees" where students live at home and making it easier for part-time students and

those who want to carry on working while studying.

But there have been no suggestions from ministers that the review will consider scrapping or radically reducing fees, or replacing the system with a graduate tax.

"If you've benefitted from a university degree, we know that typically people earn over £100,000 more over the course of their life... then you should be making a big part of that investment," Hinds said.

Former Labour Education Minister, Lord Adonis, called for a more significant change - arguing that fees should be much lower or abolished, in the way that had happened in Germany.

He accused universities of being "bloated" on high fees and said they needed to "get real" over how much they should charge.

But he rejected the idea of different subjects having different costs as a "big backward step", which would reduce numbers applying for science subjects, if they became more expensive than arts and humanities.

The tuition fee review also will consider ways of reducing costs such as cutting interest rates on loans - currently up to 6.1% - and reintroducing maintenance.

Third of Carillion Apprentices Receive Job Offers since Collapse Day Nursery

O

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

g Takin ns ssio admi now For more information or to enquire about admissions visit:

www.wigglesandgigglesdaynursery.co.uk Contact us: 4360 Waterside Centre, Birmingham Business Park, Solihull Parkway, B37 7YN 07825082937 contact@wigglesandgigglesdaynursery.co.uk

A

ccording to new figures recently revealed, over a third of former Carillion apprentices have received job offers since the collapse of the construction company, with the Construction Industry Training Board saying that 553 of the 1,400 apprentices affected had been offered a role with other employers. More than 850 employers have provided job opportunities.

A £1.5m cash incentive programme has helped businesses take on Carillion apprentices.

The CITB stated that it contacted

more than 40,000 construction employers since the Carillion crash, with its Head of Apprenticeships, Gillian Cain, declaring: "I'm delighted that we've been able to help

so many former Carillion apprentices, but the job is not done.

The team at CITB will continue to do everything we can to help ap-

prentices find new employers and get on with their training.

We are confident that with industry support we can get all apprentices back on track."

The Work and Pensions and Business Select Committees announced that as part of a joint inquiry into Carillion's collapse a series of questions have been put to the firm's major shareholders, the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) and HMRC, to try to get a better picture of operations at the company, and whether there were warning signs that could have been spotted earlier.

Is Self-determination the next stage?

T

hat’s a ‘Yes’ from me, Anyone`s race that voluntarily or otherwise finds themselves in another man’s land will, automatically enter into ‘self-assimilation mode’ or be simply not accepted.

One of our greatest dilemmas is in the question, where do we go from here? Do we continue the struggle for total integration, or do we seek an alternative? We are under-represented politically and economically, however, in the jails we are disproportionately represented. This seems to be a systematic policy that we see occurring globally, so what do we do?

Could the Civil Rights Movement be the very thing that has held us back? For Obvious reasons this is

an extremely sensitive topic and this article does NOT seek to diminish in any way the contributions made by all of the brave and honourable people who have given their lives as part of civil rights movement. In regards to a conversation held between Martin Luther King Jr, and Harry Belafonte , which was the subject of an article reproduced back in January 2012

by Liam O`Ceallaigh.

On talking to Harry Belafonte, Martin Luther King Jr. remarked, “I said, ‘What’s the matter Martin?

You seem very agitated.’ He said, “Well, I am, because I’ve come upon a thought that I don’t know how to deal with at the moment.’

I said, ‘Well, what is it?’ He said, ‘We’ve fought long for integration.

It looks like we’re gonna get it. I think we’ll get the laws,” He says.

“But I’m afraid that I’ve come upon something that I don’t know quite what to do with. I’m afraid that we’re integrating into a burning house.”

Wow, so many of Martin’s quotes have been reproduced world-wide but this is one conversation that many of our leaders seem to brush aside. I, certainly would rather contribute in building our own house than to have the roof fall in on my head - AND THE HEAD’S OF MY FAMILY. Let’s not forget that Martin went to Jamaica where he laid a reef at The Right Honourable Marcus Garvey’s grave. This seemed to have ignited something in Martin

@PhoenixNewsUK

The Phoenix Newspaper - March 2018 - Page 13

EDUCATION, TRAINING AND RECRUITMENT - PROMOTING EXCELLENCE - FEATURE

Government Approve Monthly views Education: Review Tests for Primary of Fees & Finance Long Overdue School Children O withTony Kelly

C

hildren in primary schools across the UK are now set to take a new times tables tests as part of trials ahead of a full roll-out over the next two years to check whether eight-and nine- year -olds know their time tables.

It is understood that around 290 primaries in England, around 7,250 pupils, are expected to take part in the trials.

and his return to America saw a more militant leader.

In 1888, W.E.B. Dubois was the first Black man to go to the famed Harvard University and received a Bachelor of Arts Degree. He was an advocate for integration, and put himself on opposite sides of Garvey’s ‘Back to Africa movement’, although they did share common ground on certain issues.

Schools Minister, Nick Gibb, announced the next stage in the government’s primary testing reforms, claiming that the new online multiplication table tests will “help teachers identify those pupils who require extra support.”

The National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT) described the move as “hugely disappointing.”

Two trials have already taken place, according to the DfE - last-

ing a maximum of five minutes – which, they say, allows teachers to monitor a child’s progress.

Nick Brook, the union’s deputy general secretary, said the tests “won’t tell teachers and parents anything they don’t already know about their children.”

He said: “We’re working constructively with the Government on primary assessment generally so it’s hugely disappointing that they are still intent on the intro-

duction of a multiplication tables test, which NAHT opposes.”

Although school results won’t be published, this Government test will be scrutinised by Ofsted when they visit and therefore become even more significant. A pupil’s primary school years are already cluttered with tests and checks.

We all want children to succeed at school, but the answer isn’t to test them more.”

During the 5th Pan African Congress held in Manchester England, Garvey`s teachings were adopted as the main ideological doctrine for the Pan African struggle. Later Dubois moved to Ghana were he apologised to the family of Garvey stating that Marcus was right.

Perhaps our communities need to sit down and look at this conversation. I have stated many times

that the beauty of a garden is its diversity, each plant complementing the other for a common purpose.

Does that then mean an acceptance of a way of life, completely alien to that which our Ancestors taught us? Just as Bundu Dia Kongo is the modern version of the academies that existed in ancient times and in the Great Kingdom of Kongo dia Ntotela. Today this global cultural movement aims to use its technological and scientific know-how and its cultural background to create a modern and prosperous region in central Africa. Self-governance will be paramount and this is achievable.

As a further example, after being decimated by the Atomic Bombs, dropped by the Americans we see that Japan held onto its identity and fused it with a modern technological vision. Make no mistake there are a number of countries

who hold their own particular lineage and Ancestors in the upmost esteem, this is sometimes demonstrated politically, where leaders invoke their Ancestors. Shrines can be seen in homes, and ancestors are often invoked in public matters. Reverence and glory is paramount whilst, the need for advancement is not neglected and fits perfectly in sync with their material vision.

For us to achieve as a people we must identify the correct problems, not symptoms, root causes of our stagnation. Then we must have the correct vision and skills to implement them. Bundu dia Kongo is a Spiritual initiator, science and technological academy and a political formatter. It is the cultural instrument that will be used to create a modern civilisation that will astonish the world.

Ingeta.

n Monday 19th February Britain’s Prime Minister Theresa May announced an independent review of fees and student finance calling for a better value for students in England, admitting they face “one of the most expensive systems of university tuition in the world”.

The words shame, disgrace, appalling and embarrassment spring to mind on reading the above.

The Labour Party on the other hand says it would abolish fees and bring back maintenance grants.

It needs to be stated that tuition fees were first introduced in the UK under Tony Blair’s Labour government in 1998 so almost 20 years ago. The year-long review of student finance and university funding will warn that the system has failed to deliver sufficient competition on price - with almost all courses being charged at the maximum £9,250 per year.

I urge readers of the Phoenix newspaper to let their voices be heard during this year long review as it is your opportunity to speak out about it. Do not continue to suffer in silence. It is sinful that Britain one of the richest countries in the world is depriving needy and deserving students of education by charging them huge fees that they cannot afford to pay or struggle to do so.

As a former high school teacher and an equality and diversity trainer I remain a firm believer in free education at the primary, secondary and tertiary level.

This review on university fees is long overdue as youngsters whether bright, average or otherwise who are supposed to be the future of the country are all missing out on the opportunity to achieve their full potential with these exorbitant fees being the main barrier. A clear case of the ‘haves’ and the ‘have nots’ or ‘money talks’ as the rich and affluent in Britain do not have any problems finding the cash for their children to attend university whilst parents on low income, social benefits due

to health issues, unwaged, etc are being penalised.

Some universities even in a subtle way recruit a lot of overseas students as their fees are up to three times more and most of them have wealthy parents who can afford to pay.

I clearly remember when I returned to Britain in 1979 and wanted to go to university being told that I would be classed as an overseas student and on making further enquiries discovered that the tuition fees were astronomical.

Although being British the criteria was that I would have had to be residing in the country for three years to be eligible for what at the time was free education or a grant.

Do remember that students who reside in Scotland do not pay any tuition fees at the Scottish Universities. Education there remains free and that country is still part of the United Kingdom. Where is the justice in that? If Scotland can see the sense in investing in its human resources, i.e. its youngsters who will be future employees, why does the rest of the country take a different view in terms of making money at the expense of ambitious students who want and have a right to a good education?

The Prime Minister said that “the level of fees charged do not relate to the cost or quality of the course” adding that there are “serious concerns” about the cost among parents and grandparents as well as students.

There is a temporary freeze on fees at £9,250 and that is likely to be extended for at least another year during the review.

I really hope this review ends with the abolishing of all tuition fees instead of it being viewed as a ‘cash cow’ to make more money for the coffers of the Government. They have made enough over the last 20 years and ‘enough is enough’ is my view on a matter that is close to my heart having seen firsthand the misery of students having to drop out of courses due to lack of funding.

thephoenixnewspaper.com

Page 14 - The Phoenix Newspaper - March 2018

FEATURE OF - WOMEN OF EXCELLENCE WOMEN EXCELLENCE

World Netball’s Best Excelling in VSL

T

he UK’s Vitality Super League up and running, featuring ten franchises hosting a wealth of talent – the very best from home and abroad – and it is once again set for another exciting season.

Once again the Caribbean can boast players; from the likes of Jamaica and Trinidad & Tobag, who will play their part in what promises to be an exciting season, with long-serving Loughborough Lightening star; Vanessa Walker, again ready to excel against the world’s elite.

Goal Attack, Walker, is the longest serving Caribbean player in the VSL to date, having joined the Eat Midlands club in 2013.

Finish runners-up last season, she says: "It's awesome being the longest serving Caribbean player in the VSL – something that I will always be proud to have achieved.

It also represents a great opportunity for other countries (in the Caribbean) to be involved in netball at the highest level in this country especially as this level of competition does not exist back home."

This season Walker has signed with UWS Sirens alongside fellow Jamaicans, Shantel Slater (GS) who lined up for Team Bath last season.

"I was super excited to return to the VSL this season," Slater said,

th

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The recognition & commemoration of the Abolition of Slave Trade ACT 1807 and

The Launching of ABC CIC ComeUnity Champion’s Project 25th March 2018

"to better my craft, and to join a team doing so much for the development of netball in the Community."

Returning for a second series with the Scottish franchise is former Sunshine girls Nicole Aiken-Pinnock.

The Vitality Super League ‘Goal Keeper of Season’ for 2017, said: "There was no doubt in my mind to sign for Sirens for a second season, I knew this is where I wanted to be and it's good that my teammates are here with me too. It is also a great thing for

Jamaica to have players being invited to play overseas."

The Sirens have had a tough start to the season so far – having lost to both the winner and runners-up from last season. However Aiken-Pinnock is convinced they have the ability to push for a top-four finish this year.

Loughborough Lightening have signed a new Jamaican international, Shamera Sterling (GK), for her VSL debut - with first game being against fellow Jamaican, Slater whilst Sterling is looking forward to helping her team to become League champions this season round.

Continuing the theme of excelling Caribbean netball stars, the afore-mentioned Trinidad & Tobago can boast the return of their international goal attack star, Khalifa McCollin, who set the VSL on fire last season with her flair playing with Celtic Dragons.

This season McCollin lines-up for Benocos Mavericks to again showcase her glorious talent.

The League also welcomes back Loughborough Lightenings goal shooter and Ugandan captain Peace Proscovia who had a stellar 2017 season, being crown ‘Player of the Season,’ as well as being voted by fellow players in the league as ‘Players Player.’

Severn Stars have signed Maryka Holtzhausen and Phumza Maweni from South Africa, whilst their Midland neighbours have signed Rebuke Stoltz, who helped Loughborough Lightening seal their Fast 5 2017 crown.

These ladies know they are role-models - not just players within their respective islands, but across the world.

And they hope to encourage more players, from the Caribbean and Africa, to take any opportunity they get to play in the top netball-playing countries in the world.

@PhoenixNewsUK

The Phoenix Newspaper - March 2018 - Page 15

Music fashion Film Gadgets holiday education health and fitness

MARCH 2018

killing it at the box office /streetcredmagazine

www.streetcredmagazine.com

thephoenixnewspaper.com

Page 16 - The Phoenix Newspaper - March 2018

ENTERTAINMENT

www.streetcredmagazine.com

THE HOTTEST ENTERTAINMENT SUPPLEMENT

/streetcredmagazine

/streetcredmagazine

www.streetcredmagazine.com

Editors RESPECT TO STORMZY BEST MALE ARTIST!!! /markdwaynemedia note

I

haven’t heard so much talk on a film in all my days of living.

Everyday there is someone posting a video with their take on the Marvel Black Panther film, whether its memes, interviews with the cast, reactions or reviews, the film hype is everywhere and its absolutely gone crazy on social media.

There was no surprise that the movie was to break records before its release. I was on the tip that even if I heard the film was total bollocks I would have still supported it but it so happens to be the most amazing film I have seen in years.

The storyline of African Kings was extremely powerful for me.

The education of it all made it more than just a super hero film.

Of course this month everybody

is raving about Stormzy winning the Brit Awards for Best Male Artist and Best Album and where he slated PM Theresa May on his closing performance.

Our boy has always been known to say the most extreme things on stage but this one blew everyone for six.

The news highlight for me though was seeing Drake give away money to people in need.

If you’re not touched by the reactions of the people he did it for then what kind of heart do you have.

Great to see a big celebrity humble himself to do that and if it was for publicity then all good... other stars need to see and do the same.

Its all good making money of your fans but how nice is it to show

appreciation and give back...this is why Drake is the top boy and also gotto say his rap bars are fully on point in his new music.

I am excited for you to read this months Streetcred, don’t forget you can connect with me on social media on Facebook/ markdwaynemedia and instagram. com/markdwaynemedia

Black Panther

N

ot often I go to the pictures to watch a sci fi as I lost interest in Superman like films since I was a kid, but the hype of this made me want to grab my cheesy Nachos, hot dog, Tango blast and required a front seat to watch the highly anticipated Marvel film thats breaking records worldwide.

Didn’t know what to really expect as a storyline but the energy of the crowd had you exited before the movie started. In the audience there was a sense of pride.

The energy of the film was something else, always an exciting moment that kept you on the edge of your seat.

It was educational, comical, action packed. I loved all the characters put together each had their shine a big shout out to the director who did an amazing job of choosing the cast.

What got my attention was and I am sure that on the panther out-

fit I wanted to wear one being the fashion guy I am ha I am also quite sure that after this movie that African fashion will be a popular trend.

This is one of those movies that if you like for the first time you are likely to go and see it 2 to three times and each time you will take it from a different angle.

The movie I don’t want to spoil

if you haven’t seen it but I tell you something I have never seen a film where everyone got up and clapped in the end.

I am just giving you my personal experience and there is a lot of people that can relate, i may review the film again as i am going to see it again. Black Panther is an experience..Well done.

T

he BRITS 2018 was the perfect stage for Grime star Stormzy to express his pain he felt for the victims of Grenfell Tower.

He made a point that Theresa May hasn’t done her bit very well financially and how would she feel if her house was burnt down.

These feelings were expressed in his performance which was the closing of the high profile Brit Awards.

Although happy winning Best male artist and best new album Stormzy did express his love for God and used his win as a platform to be a voice for the people who was upset about Theresa May who is not the most popular Prime Minister.

He also took a shot at the Daily Mail who reportedly wrote an article saying that Stormzy should have gratitude and be thankful of what England has done for him and calling his mother an immigrant.

There is a big frenzy on social media with people saying to make complaints to the Daily Mail for what has been written about Stormzy and his family.

Lets just say it is about time artists speak up for themselves and use their platform to make positive change.

You can only respect that.

@PhoenixNewsUK

The Phoenix Newspaper - March 2018 - Page 17

www.streetcredmagazine.com

Legend, Bruno Still a Knockout T

his man was probably the biggest boxer we have ever seen from the UK. A true peoples champion and an iconic figure for young aspiring boxers up until today.

Why is Frank Bruno a living legend? He is a peoples person that always has been down to earth and plays down his credibility.

Here you have the man that held the heavyweight title and the first man to fill Wembley stadium of 40,000 for a fight in the late 80’s.

Frank Bruno took boxing to another level and made a name for himself internationally.

We were delighted to be in the audience with the man himself at the Town Hall Birmingham.

He had signed copies of his new book entitled ‘To Be Frank’, and here he sat on stage and spoke to us about the very highs and lows of his career.

Still a good laugh and doesn’t take life to seriously, very classic and loveable.

Frank kept it very real on stage, even to this day playing down his achievements.

Jed Stone was a brilliant warm up act and host, relaxing the audience before the big man himself came out.

Refreshingly honest and with his trademark deep laugh, he kept his fans hanging off every word.

Drake’s £1m Donation

I

n Drakes new no 1 music video Gods Plan you see the humble superstar give away 1 million of his money to people that really need it.

Although it may be a publicity stunt but who cares the fact is that he did it and changed alot of peoples lives.

As many people have said its bout time a celeb did this its not about just giving Turkey on thanksgiving..give some money and help people to really change their life.

In the video Drake pays for people's groceries, giving $50,000 to a random student for her tuition, and a women's shelter families in poverty.

All of this was a surprise ..even random families on the street you see Drake handing them wods of cash and we are talking like one hundred dollar bills in stack load.

Got to say it was tear jerker seeing the reaction to people and how much it meant for Drake to do this.

He ends the video talking to a young kid with“We’re nothing without our mothers. Gotta make sure you take care of your mom, too, no matter what you do.

“It’s all we got. Trust me. That's my world.”

ENTERTAINMENT

thephoenixnewspaper.com

Page 18 - The Phoenix Newspaper - March 2018

ENTERTAINMENT

www.streetcredmagazine.com

Romain Virgo: The Rising Reggae Star H

ot on the heels of his new album “Lovesick”, Punch Touring will will present one of reggae’s brightest lights, Romain Virgo to the UK, accompanied by Sevana, a rising star from Protoje’s own team of Jamaican hit makers. Phoenix newspaper gets an exclusive with this Jamaican star.

Please tell us a little about the concept of the album “Lovesick”

LoveSick is a love story, Most of the topics I touch on in this story is actually a series of things that I personally have been through... and just wanted to put them in songs knowing that people around the world will hear at least one thing that they themselves have been through.

You covered “Stay With Me” - Did Sam Smith ever hear it & comment?

I remember when I did the cover of Stay With Me Toddla T from BBC

1Xtra tweeted Sam Smith and asked if he heard my cover of his song and his reply was “Yes I just listened it.. it’s wicked!!” It was a great feeling to hear a positive feedback from the original singer of the song.

“Caress Me” was part of a Dennis Brown project how did you choose that song & what did it mean to you?

Caress Me was actually chosen by Neil Diamond from VP records for a Dennis Brown project after recording the song a lot of fans especially the sound systems fell in love with this new version

“In This Together” is produced by Donovan Germain from Penthouse. What influence has he had on your career.

Donavon Germain is more than just a producer, to date he has been there to help with the direction of my career... Actually he’s is the person who also helped me to realize that I can write songs if I just believe in myself.

I will never forget him buying me a book called “Song Writing For Dummies”

“Now” has more of a dancehall vibe what influences did you call upon to write this song?

I always think about my stage performance and things I could add to make it more diverse as time goes by and I always know that I needed a few more uptempo vibe that will still have the topic of Love written all over them and that was how NOW came about after getting the Riddim from Frenchie

“Day In Day Out” has a reality & sound system vibe to it. It is over 6 minutes long! Please tell us a little about this track.

Day In Day Out is basically talking about the battles that most couples around the world goes through on a daily basis while pointing fingers at who was wrong or right.

This songs was written and by myself and Niko Browne from Lifeline music and also produced by him. In the recording session with our musicians we didn’t plan for it to be 6 minutes long but there was a different kind of energy in the studio that evening and we just allowed that energy to flow.

You worked with many different producers on the album including Sting International based in the USA & Silly Walks based out of Germany as well as the cream of Jamaican producers. Was the album recorded around the world or mainly from one studio?

The only songs on LoveSick that were recorded outside of Jamaica were the ones produced by Sting International which we recorded in New

York but all the other overseas labels including Silly Walks and Maximum Sound were recorded in Jamaica at either Niko Browne’s Lifeline Recoding Studio or other studios.

Why was now the right time to bring the tour to the UK?

I believe everything falls within the perfect timing cause the Album is just a month away. My dream was always to take the Album on the road and present it to the fans and UK has always been one of my favorite place around the world to perform so therefore I just believe everything is happening in a perfect timing.

Apart from performing, what are you looking forward to most while here?

I never get the opportunity to really get to see UK It’s always a in and out situation in the past so hopefully this time I can get to go out and see UK some more in whatever city we playing.

Sevana is supporting you on the tour; what is your relationship like?

It is such a joyful feeling to know that Sevana is going to be in the UK with us. She’s an Artiste that I truly admire from the days when she used to sing in her little group on in the Rising Stars talent competition in Jamaica.

There’s something about soulful singers that just always seem to draw me in and she is definitely one of them. Im super proud of her achievements in the music thus far and I know she will do great things in the future.

You are both performing with a full live band; how much rehearsal time do you need with the band to prepare?

The Unit Band is my personal band that travels all over the world with me. Even though they know every single song that I’ve ever recorded we never take our performances lightly therefore we always rehearse as much as we can before we go out and play even if it’s the same set there is no limit to the amount of time we use to prepare.

What can ticket holders expect from the experience?

We always try to make every single performance memorable, therefore, Everyone that’s coming out to see us perform should just expect nothing less

Catch Romain Virgo on his first UK solo tour 4th April - Birmingham 5th April - Manchester 6th April - Leeds 7th April - Cardiff 8th April - London

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Seal well above ‘Standard’ at Symphony Hall

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ritish soul legend, Seal, brought the glamour of old Hollywood to the present, alongside his classic hits, as his ‘Standards’ album tour mixed the old school classics like ‘Luck Be A Lady Tonight’ and ‘I Put A Spell On You,’ with his own ‘Killer’ and ‘Kiss From A Rose.’

Backed by a well-oiled big band, the multi-award winning star’s signature, velvety warm vocals brought Symphony Hall Birmingham to life with further classics made popular by Frank Sinatra - such as ‘I’ve Got You Under My Skin’ and ‘It Was A Very Good Year,’ Ella

Fitzgerald (‘I’m Beginning to See The Light’) and Nina Simone’s ‘I Put A Spell on You.’ In a career spanning three decades, racking up over 30 million records sales worldwide and a string of Grammy, Brit and Ivor Novello awards along the way, Seal continues to shine as one of the world’s brightest music stars.

The 55-year-old singer/ songwriter presenting a 90-minute show packed with beautiful covers and timeless hits, from the second he kicked off the set – to the very end with every classic song sang with stunning power and devotion to the

cause.

From the overely enthused response from the staunchly supporting crowd, the icon then moved on to his catalogue of hits, beginning with 1994 favourite ‘Kiss From A Rose’ while strumming along on an acoustic guitar The highlight of the night then came when he climbed down from the stage to sing among the crowd, performing tremendous renditions of ‘Killer’ and ‘Fly Like An Eagle,’ which sent his fans wild. He danced with some and hugged by others as he freely posed for pictures but was basically mobbed by others who more or less clung to him as he moved

around the hall.

The great man love getting close-up to his followers, showing his down-to-earth, compassionate nature and great a sense of humour.

Ending the show with yet another class - ‘Crazy’ - the star danced around the stage and ended what was an already brilliant show with a bang, before encouraging the crowd to applaud his talented band.

An impeccably clean sound throughout, Seal’s performance at the Symphony Hall was more than ‘Standard.’

A mention too to Zimbabwe crooner, THABO, as the accomplished singer set the night onto a great stead with his unique blend, alongside long time collaborator, Aron Kyne, who provide piano accompaniment, he introduced his first song, ‘Shallow Water,’ ‘Run & Tell,’ ‘Missing You’ and many more from his impressive catalogue of hits.

Having previously worked with Naughty Boy, Idris Elba and Professor Green, it was like a ‘duck to water’ for him to fit in well on this tour.

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Black Pant l HRH Princess Moradeun Adedoyin-Solarin and Editor In Chief of The Phoenix Newspaper Marcia McLaughlin

l HRH Princess Moradeun Adedoyin-Solarin

l The Guests sit back to enjoy the private showing of Black Panther

O

l HRH Princess Moradeun Adedoyin-Solarin, Pan-African Royal & Yoruba Princess, was Odeon Cinema’s Special Guest of Honour celebrating her 60th Birthday

l Mr Segun Martins Fajemisin,Veteran Journalist of Inviterite/Feferity, HRH Princess Adenike Adedoyin-Ajayi, younger S Tribe of Ghana, HRH Princess Moradeun Adedoyin-Solarin, HRH Prince Nana & HRH Princess Ewurama, Children of HR

n a cold February night, the vibrant colours of Pan-African Royalty were on display at a special screening of Black Panther on the 23rd February at Odeon Luxe Putney.

Odeon Staff including General Manager Ms Lucy Rowsell were on hand to give a warm welcome to HRH Princess Moradeun Adedoyin-Solarin, alongside Pan-African Royals HRM Queen Naa Tsotsoo Soyoo I and her two Children Princess Ewura-Ama & Prince Nana,

HRH Princess Adenike Adedoyin-Ajayi & other Royal Guests!

HRH Princess Moradeun Adedoyin-Solarin stated that “The Black Panther Movie was an amazing narrative of our story, history & journey as Africans and people of African descent, wow!”

HRH Princess Moradeun’s grandfather was one of the African Monarchs that inspired the regal costumes of the Black Panther cast.

She is the granddaughter of the Yoruba monarch, HRM Oba Wil-

liam Christopher Adedoyin Anoko II, Akarigbo & Paramount Ruler of Remo Kingdom, who has one of his photographs featured in the Black Panther documentary, as one of the African royalty that inspired the film’s costume designer Ms Ruth E Clark.

This special outing, apart from to see the Box Office smash hit Black Panther, was to celebrate HRH Princess Moradeun’s 60th Birthday.

Other invited guests included Mr Segun Martins Fajemisin, Ms Tayo

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ther Pride

ENTERTAINMENT

l HRM Oba William Christopher Adedoyin Anoko II, Akarigbo & Paramount Ruler of Remo Kingdom.

Olajide, Mr Franklyn Frantos, Mr Nelson Spyk, Miss Jade Ige, Miss Simi Ige, Mr Dave Wilkes and our very own Editor-In-Chief Ms Marcia McLaughlin.

Princess Moradeun continued, “It was altogether an evening of cherished delight & memorable moments for everyone that attended & I must say a fab time was had by us all!

“Everybody needs to go see this phenomenal film & make sure you take your children too!”

Editor In Chief of The Phoenix

Newspaper, Ms Marcia McLaughlin mused, “After watching the film, from an educated perspective, the message was very very powerful.

“Africa continues and remains to be the Mother Country with richness in abundance that the West needs to survive.

“The fact is that the culture of Africa has a hospitality second to none, in particular with its Royalty, and promotes the messages of Unity, Respect and Sharing without fear.

“With a simple message of good always conquering over evil, it reinstates the humility of a nation of people that was forcibly divided.”

“It also reminded me of Ile-Ife and the work that His Imperial Majesty Alayeluwa Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Babatunde Ogunwusi Ojaja II, 51st Ooni of Ife is doing in Ife.” (Photographs Courtesy of Solent News & Photos from ODEON Cinemas)

Sister of HRH Princess Moradeun, HRH Queen Naa Tsotsoo Soyoo I, a Pan-African Royal and Queen from the Ga RM Queen Naa & Mr Nelson Spyk, ACE Cinematographer Renowned UK Nollywood Writer, Producer & Director.

l HRH Princess Adenike Adedoyin-Ajayi, HRH Queen Naa Tsotsoo Soyoo I, HRH Princess Moradeun Adedoyin-Solarin, Marcia McLaughlin, Editor in Chief of The Phoenix Newspaper and Dave Wilkes of Just Divine Poems

l HRH Queen Naa Tsotsoo Soyoo I, a Pan-African Royal and Queen from the Ga Tribe of Ghana with Marcia McLaughlin, Editor In Chief of The Phoenix Newspaper

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Quartet

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elebrating the twilight years and the hilarity of growing old disgracefully, ‘Quartet’ is the charming Sir Ronald Hardwood comedy tells the tale of four ageing opera singers.

Cecily (Wendi Peters), Reggie

(Jeff Rawle) and Wilfred (Paul Nicholas) reside in a magnificent retirement home in Kent, where the rumour circling the halls is that the home is soon to play host to a new resident.

Word is it’s a star. When Jean (Sue Holderness) arrives old rival-

BIGScreen

ries resurface, secrets are revealed and chaos unfolds, but in true theatrical tradition – the show must go on.

Oscar-winning writer Harwood has been nominated for several Tony and Olivier Awards in a long and distinguished career.

His play, ‘The Dresser,’ recently completed a highly successful West End run and tour. The 2013 film version of ‘Quartet’ starring Maggie Smith was directed by Dustin Hoffman.

Ronald’s many other credits include; ‘The Pianist’ (Plame D’Or, 2002 Cannes Film Festival and 2003 BAFTA for Best Film) and ‘The Diving Bell and the Butterfly’ (winner of the 2008 BAFTA for Best Adapted Screenplay and Academy Award Nomination for Best Adapted Screenplay).

Quartet is directed by Peter Rowe, who previously directed ‘Noises Off,’ ‘The Threepenny Opera’ and ‘Feed The Beast’ at The Birmingham REP, and designed by Phil R Daniels and Charles Cusick Smith and will be at The REP from Tuesday 6 – Saturday 10 March.

THE RISE OF A NEW ERA OF review

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fter the death of his father, T'Challa returns home to the African nation of Wakanda to take his rightful place as king.

When a powerful enemy suddenly reappears, T'Challa's mettle as king -- and as Black Panther -- is tested when he's drawn into a conflict that puts the fate of Wakanda and the entire world at risk.

After a nifty opening animatic detailing the history of Wakanda and a brief prologue that plants seeds that will come full circle later in the film, we are plunged straight in at the deep end.

Set mere weeks after Black Panther’s introduction in Captain America: Civil War, the story picks right up where we left off, with T’Challa back in Wakanda, awaiting his coronation as the new King.

We meet his ex-girlfriend, his bodyguard, his family, his friends and his fellow tribesman.

We witness his coronation and a traditional open-challenge for the throne, in which any one of the five tribes that populate Wakanda can nominate a warrior to fight for the chance to be king.

It’s all very interesting and gives us a fantastic insight i n t o life in

Wakanda, but for a film that runs at just over two hours long, an hour of that runtime it is spent on world-building and watching our characters go on little side-missions before the actual high-stakes plot is finally revealed, at which point we then we enter a big rush to the final showdown.

While some of the pacing feels a little questionable, once the plot in unveiled, with the film’s villain finally emerging and his story finally explained, Black Panther really takes on a life of its own, with tensions quietly simmering beneath the surface until they are ready to explode onscreen.

Now, while we’re on the subject of villains, it is no secret t h a t

wORDS by antony brown Marvel rarely delivers the goods when it comes to intriguing and memorable villains, with only a handful really standing out as something special.

There are many aspects that

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most of the fantastic cast he has at his disposal.

Unfortunately, he struggles a little when it come to the big, bombastic action sequences — a few of which become quite frantic and difficult to follow.

The final showdown in-particular is rather disappointing, with what should have been an epic battle between two expert combatants descending in to a poorly choreographed, CGI-heavy frustration that wouldn’t look out of place in a video-game.

That being said, what Ryan Coo-

A HERO FOR A OF CINEMA can make or break a villain and one of those is motive. Why are they doing what they are doing?

If the answer to that question is something as simple and, quite frankly, boring as “world domination” then the villain is immediately less interesting.

However, if you provide the villain with a motive that actually makes your audience question the nature of what they’re seeing, then you’re doing something very special — and Black Panther does just that.

Not only are we given a vicious, physically imposing bad-guy, but his reason for doing what he’s doing actually causes the audience, and even the other characters, to reevaluate the way they think because, to put it simply, he’s kind of right.

He may not be approaching it in the best way, but everything he’s saying makes a whole lot of sense and has a very real

and lasting impact on the movie.

It is fair to say that Michael B. Jordan’s Killmonger stands proudly as one of the best villains Marvel Studios has ever delivered.

Speaking of Michael B. Jordan, his performance is phenomenal and in many ways, he is the backbone of the film.

In fact, the entire cast are Black

Panther’s not-so-secret weapon, with every single performer breathing life in to a vast array of smart, powerful, interesting and funny characters.

From T’Challa himself (Chadwick Boseman) to his estranged lover Nakia (Lupita Nyong’o) to T’Challa’s younger sister Shuri (Letitia Wright) and the Dora Milaje, an all-female warrior horde led by the badass Okeye (Danai Gurira), Black Panther really is a goldmine of great characters.

Not only are they interesting, but they are important.

In 2017, we were given Wo n d e r Wo m a n — the first major female-led superhero movie, with a woman young girls everywhere could look up to and aspire to be.

Now, in Black Panther, we have Nakia, Shuri, Okeye and the rest

of the Dora Milaje — strong, smart and independent women, who rely on nothing but their own intelligence and competence to get things done.

This is not a film full of “damsels in distress"; this is a film where the “damsels” are the solution. In terms of representation of women and people of colour, there truly has never been anything like Black Panther.

Director Ryan Coogler (Fruitvale Station and Creed) is the man behind the curtain, and he and his cowriter Joe Robert Cole have pieced together a film that is going to be extremely important to a hell of a lot of people.

Coogler has carved a career out of telling stories about people of colour, standing as one of the few voices people of colour have in cinema.

He directs Black Panther with a remarkable confidence and finesse, considering this is only his third feature-film.

As would be expected based on his previous work, Coogler is at his best in the smaller, character driven scenes, as he’s able to make the

gler and his team have achieved here cannot be overstated and here’s to hoping that Black Panther leads the charge in pushing for Hollywood to be a more inclusive industry.

Black Panther is undeniably the most important and culturally significant movie Marvel has ever made, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it is the best.

Make no mistake, it stands comfortably in the upper-echelon of Marvel movies, but it is not a flawless masterpiece.

The characters are fantastic and

Wakanda and its people are exquisitely fleshed-out, but some pacing issues and lacklustre action sequences affect on the overall experience.

As it stands, Black Panther is an excellent adventure that breaks new ground and will hopefully usher in a new era of cultural inclusivity in Hollywood, but is it the greatest superhero movie of all time, as many are claiming?

I suppose that’s down to personal opinion, but for me, it falls short of earning that accolade.

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Disney On Ice Skates Back To Birmingham

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ev up for non-stop fun with four of your favourite Disney stories when Disney On Ice presents Worlds of Enchantment comes to Birmingham from the 28th March until 1st April 2018.

This action-packed ice spectacular showcases beloved characters from Disney•Pixar’s Cars, Toy Story 3, Disney’s The Little Mermaid and the Academy Award-winning Frozen.

Plus, don’t miss the chance to warm up alongside Disney On Ice stars at the Fit to Dance pre-show!

Get ready to enter a dazzling world of Disney magic, live on ice where Lightning McQueen, Mater and the crew of Disney Pixar’s Cars perform high-speed stunts and race across the ice like you’ve never seen before!

Be amazed and join Ariel as she dives into the underwater king-

dom of Disney’s The Little Mermaid. Buzz Lightyear, Woody, Jessie and other favorites from the Toy Story gang as they try and escape from Sunnyside Daycare in one of their most daring adventure ever from Disney Pixar’s Toy Story 3 – proving that the toys are back in town!

Then enter the wintery world of Arendelle with sisters Anna and Elsa from the BAFTA and Academy Award® winning and number one animated feature film of all time, Disney’s Frozen.

Join Anna as she embarks on an epic journey with the hilarious snowman Olaf and rugged mountain-man Kristoff to find her sister, the magical Elsa, whose icy powers have trapped the kingdom of Arendelle in eternal winter.

Even before this magical journey begins, Disney fans will get moving and shaking alongside Disney On Ice stars during the

new, high-energy Fit To Dance pre-show to get the crowd fit and active whilst having fun!

“Worlds of Enchantment connects classic and new Disney stories,” says Producer Kenneth Feld.

“Audiences will be blown away in Radiator Springs when they encounter the unforgettable crew of animated cars, built to scale and live on ice.

“They will see their all-time favorites like The Little Mermaid and discover world of Arendelle with Frozen.”

From wheels to waves, icy wonderlands to infinity and beyond, see some of your family’s favorite Disney moments come to life in Disney On Ice presents Worlds of Enchantment!

Catch all the fun at the Genting Arena Birmingham from 28th March to 1st April 2018.

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An Inspirational Royal Visit To Birmingham Continued from Front Page

“Prince Harry and Ms. Markle will then visit Nechells Wellbeing Centre to join The Royal Foundation’s Birmingham @ WeAreCoachCore apprentices as they take part in a training masterclass.”

We admire their new way and engagements with all communities and passion they have to see a young generation further education with their help.

The Birmingham visit will come after their first joint appearance with The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge at the first annual Royal Foundation Forum on Wednesday February 28.

Set up by the two Princes, William and Harry, the Royal Foundation is their way of following their philanthropic and charitable interests.

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Zara McFarlane Z

ara McFarlane brought her 5 piece group including Bass, Tenor Sax, Drums and Keys to Birmingham’s Hare & Hounds giving everyone a taste of her great range, showcasing her deep bassy notes and crisp highs.

Bringing a mixture of her old clas-

l Dodie comes to Birmingham’s O2 Academy on the 27th March!

BIRMINGHAM O2 ACADEMY

March 01 Electric Six 02 Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox 07 Hopsin 08 Lemz 09 Stefflon Don 09 Xilla 10 H.E.R. 11 Satyricon 14 Feeder - The Best of Tour 15 Alabama 3 16 Mist 17 The Stranglers 18 The Pop Hits Tour 20 Zak Abel 22 Yxng Bane 23 Catapult Club feat. Fullshore 24 Jessie Ware 27 Dodie 29 Blackstreet + Mýa + Case Live 29 YES LAD 31 Skull Fox

O2 INSTITUTE

March 01 Y.O.U.N.G: The Lazy Tour 02 Dirty Thrills 03 Nuns of Tundra 05 Superorganism 06 Arcane Roots 07 Pokey LaFarge 08 Ferocious Dog 09 Obituary 10 The Wailers 11 Tom Misch 12 At The Drive-In 13 As It Is 13 Jamie Lawson 14 C2C Roadshow - Kristian Bush 15 Field Music 16 C2C Roadshow – Mo Pitney, Ashley Campbell & Ryan Kinder 17 Myles Kennedy 18 Sigrid 19 Anne-Marie 20 Young Fathers 21 Rae Morris 22 The Magic Gang 23 Tom Walker 24 Blue October 24 Starset 27 The Fratellis 28 Skengdo X AM: 2 Bunny Tour 29 Ady Suleiman 30 Eliza and the Bear

NEC

March 02-03 What Career Live? What University Live?

08-11 Crufts 13 Nursing Careers and Jobs Fair Birmingham 14-17 The Big Bang Fair 2018 15-18 Fashion & Embroidery 15-18 Sewing for Pleasure inc Fashion & Embroidery 15-18 The Creative Craft Show 17-18 MCM Birmingham Comic Con 17-20 The Photography Show 22-25 The National Homebuilding & Renovating Show 23-25 Practical Classics Classic

Car & Restoration Show 24-25 Miniatura – Dolls’ House Modelling Show 30-Apr 02 Insomnia62 – UK’s Biggest Gaming Festival

ARENA BIRMINGHAM

March 01-04 IAAF World Indoor Championships Birmingham 2018 10 BBC Asian Network Live 14-18 YONEX All England Open Badminton Championships 21-22 2018 Gymnastics World Cup 24-25 Dream Extreme 27 Fall Out Boy 29 Thirty Seconds To Mars 30 Harbhajan Mann

GENTING ARENA

March 01 Stereophonics 02 Paul Weller 03 Elbow 08-11 Crufts 2018 and Best In Show 15 All Time Low 16 Joe Bonamassa 17 40 Years of Disco 21 Paloma Faith 22 Flight Of The Conchords 23 John Bishop 24 Jason Derulo 24 Now or Never 28-01 Apr Disney On Ice presents Worlds of Enchantment

TOWN HALL & SYMPHONY HALL

March 01 Apocalyptica Plays ‘Metallica By Four Cellos’ (SH) 02 Best Of The West End (SH) 02 Magnum (TH) 03 Satinder Sartaaj (SH) 04 Singalong With The Cbso Brahms German Requiem (SH) 04 Editors (TH) 08 Russell Brand - Re:Birth (SH) 11 An Evening with Ant Middleton (TH) 13 G4 (TH) 16 Turin Brakes (TH) 16 Brendan Cole (SH) 20 Yes (SH) 21 Beth Nielsen Chapman (TH) 23 Omo Bello (TH) 24 Rupi Kaur (TH) 25 Andy Hamilton Centenary (TH) 28 Harshdeep Kaur (TH) 31 Sister Act Live Choir (SH)

sics and tracks from her new album, Zara had the very receptive audience joining in with her hits and dancing in the crowd as she tapped away on stage during the instrumental sections.

The interesting mix of Jazz, Reggae and a number of other Caribbean-influences kept everyones interest as the songstress sang her heart out for the Birmingham crowd.

Zara was supported by Kofi Stone, a Birmingham Hip Hop artist who wowed the crowd with good lyrics, smooth delivery and a great group backing him.

Zara is headed on a European tour starting at the end of March and will be back in the UK a few times before the end of July.

Katherine Ryan

B

irmingham’s Symphony Hall was host to a Canadian Comedian in the form of Katherine Ryan on the 2nd February.

Katherine was supported by the wonderful local talent of Joe Lycett who was the perfect warm up act.

Playing on his intimate local knowledge of Birmingham and the West Midlands he expertly joked about everything from accents to localities, drawing roaring laughs all through his set.

He brought his usual self deprecating and critical brand of comedy to Symphony Hall, marking his first performance at the prestigious venue in the heart of the city.

Glitter Room, both the tour name and coincidentally the

name for her wonderfully suggestive trousers on the night proved to be a success, with Ryan immediately engaging the audience.

Taking them through tales of love, heartbreak, the difference between day wine and night wine, and the ineffectual butler that is her very British daughter, Katherine Ryan had everyone rolling with laughter.

Besides self deprecating humour which was present throughout the night, from warm up Joe Lycett until the end, celebrities, stalking Anna Kendrick, and the trials and tribulations of other parents at the school gate, all got to feel the sharp lashing of Ryan’s witty, perfectly delivered lines.

Ryan is still on tour for the rest of March so if you haven’t already, go see her!

MICA PARIS sings ELLA FITZGERALD

SLADE ROOMS, WOLVERHAMPTON

March 01 The Xcerts 07 Daxx & Roxane 08 Stephen Bailey 11 BulletBoys 14 Covenant 16 Daliso Chaponda 17 Cause To Effect 23 Ian Prowse & Amsterdam 29 Paul Chowdhry - Wulfrun Hall 30 Flatline Stereo

Leading UK soul stalwart Mica Paris played all of her favourite renditions of Ella Fitzgerald at the Jam House in Birmingham last month. Introduced to the vocal brilliance of Ella Fitzgerald as a child, she celebrated the music of the Queen of Jazz who would have been 100 years old in 2017

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MOTORS

JLR to Invest £200m in Gaydon Site

Dyson to ‘Sweep Floor’ with New Electric Cars The engineering company best known for its vacuum cleaners and fans, plans to spend £2bn developing a ‘radical’ electric car.

Dyson is saying that the battery-powered vehicle is due to be launched in 2020, with 400 staff, for the past two years, already working on the secret project at its headquarters in Wiltshire.

However, with a factory site yet to be chosen, the car does not yet exist, with no prototype built.

Sir James Dyson declined to give further details of the project.

"Competition for new technology in the automotive industry is fierce and we must do everything we can to keep the specifics of our vehicle confidential," he told staff in an email.

Important points that are undecided or secret include the firm's expected annual production total, the cost of the car, or its range or top speed.

Sir James said about £1bn would be spent on developing the car, with another £1bn on making the battery.

Dyson new concept first came to the public’s awareness when he appeared on Blue Peter in the 90s, where he talked about his new device to clean soot from the exhaust of diesel vehicles... it was the cyclone from his vacuum cleaner, put to a different use.

"That is how long I have wanted to do this," he said.

In fact he first hatched the idea in the late 1980s.

Jaguar Land Rover, the UK’s largest car manufacturer is beginning construction work on a new £200 million redevelopment of its design and engineering centre at Gaydon in Warwickshire.

The expansion represents the first major construction project at one of the company’s non-manufacturing sites in over a decade.

The development is intended to become one of the world’s foremost automotive product, engineering and design sites – fitting for a company with ambitious plans for continued global growth.

Chris Elliott, Property Programmes Director for Jaguar Land Rover said: “The new design and engineering centre is a testament both to Jaguar Land Rover's British heritage of innovation and its compelling vision for future vehicle technology.

Triumph-ant Royal Ride

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riumph Motorcycles welcomed His Royal Highness, the Duke of Cambridge, to its UK factory in Hinckley last month.

Prince William viewed a brand new, £6 million paint shop facility and even took to the saddle himself on one of Triumph’s newest and most exciting adven-

ture motorcycles, the Tiger 1200.

The paint shop, a major new investment at Triumph’s Leicestershire headquarters, will be pressed into operation in the spring of this year.

Meanwhile, the Duke took a tour of the rest of the factory as well as Triumph’s Factory Visitor Experience (FVE), which was re-

cently opened to the public.

Later, he unveiled a commemorative fuel tank emblazoned with a Union Jack design in Triumph’s striking colours which was hand painted on site by one of Triumph’s official tank painters, to mark the visit and the opening of the FVE. Triumph employs 900 people

in the UK and, alongside further plants in Thailand, builds around 67,000 bikes every year.

Triumph CEO, Nick Bloor, who hosted the Duke during his visit, said: “It was a delight to welcome His Royal Highness to Hinckley.”

“Thanks to the dedication and hard work of everyone at Triumph, our export business continues to grow and our outstanding design engineering team, in which we have invested heavily in recent years, is producing a stream of exciting motorcycles that captures the imagination of riders all over the world.”

During the visit, the Duke fixed a Triumph badge to the engine of a Triumph Tiger 1200 adventure motorcycle, one of the most recent new Triumph models launched. Known to be a keen biker, Prince William even tried out a Tiger 1200.

The new space will centralise our design, product engineering and purchasing functions in an original and modern environment, as well as creating additional capacity for the future.”

Jaguar Land Rover has invested heavily in its UK vehicle manufacturing facilities at Castle Bromwich, Halewood and Solihull to support the introduction of all-new vehicles such as the Jaguar XE, XF and F-PACE, Range Rover Evoque Convertible and Land Rover Discovery Sport.

It has also made significant progress in building its international manufacturing presence over the last year, with a new manufacturing facility under construction in Slovakia and the opening of its plant in Brazil.

The Only MotoGP Stop in the U.S. Returns to COTA

T

he only MotoGP race weekend to take place on U.S. soil in 2018 returns to Circuit of The Americas for its sixth successive year; April 20-22 2018.

The MotoGP Red Bull Grand Prix of The Americas is now fully established as one of the most thrilling race experiences of the year.

Austin’s long-standing motorcycle heritage allied with COTA’s cutting edge racing facility ensures that audiences can expect a jam-packed weekend of world class two-wheeled excitement on-track alongside an incredible schedule of off-track entertainment to keep fans of all ages

thoroughly engaged throughout this action packed stage of one of the world’s most popular racing series.

In addition - in celebration of all motorcycle riders - COTA will be combining all cycle corrals into one, giving visitors a true sense of the racing community.

Last year’s MotoGP Red Bull Grand Prix of The Americas produced another stunning race weekend which saw Marc Marquez cement his position as the King of COTA with his 5th successive win in Austin.

This was also the first victory of the season in what proved to be another record-breaking and title-winning

campaign for the Repsol Honda rider who this year became the youngest ever rider to win four premier class World Championship titles at the age of 24 years 254 days.

He will be determined to put on another masterclass at COTA in 2018 to extend his perfect record at the venue but no doubt his great rival and fan favourite Valentino Rossi, as well as the likes of Maverick Vinales, Andrea Dovizioso, Dani Pedrosa, and Jorge Lorenzo will do everything in their power to clinch their first win in Texas and end his winning streak. One thing is for sure, this race weekend will be simply unmissable.

thephoenixnewspaper.com

Page 28 - The Phoenix Newspaper - March 2018

THE SIGNATURE AWARDS 2018

www.streetcredmagazine.com

C

l Lifetime Achievement Award – Paul Sabapathy

elebrating the very best of professional business minds, entrepreneurs and who have produced cutting edge thinking, the Nachural Signature Awards, sponsored

by Birmingham City University, provided the perfect platform to again shine a beaming light on the men and women whose creative drive and innovation has

made a massive contribution to the local, national and international economy.

Held at the ICC Birmingham, the awards show, acknowledging those involved in the wealth creation process with a link to the servicing and business communities, attracted some of the leading movers and shakers from the professions - from both the West and East Midlands – with the

perfect platform to highlight, reward and signpost some of the business world’s leading lights.

Signature Awards Founder, Ninder Johal, said: “During turbulent times, businesses have proven to be resilient and the latest trade figure confirms that. This awards ceremony is a symbol of that confidence.

Change is the new norm!’

We are too often too scared

l Excellence In Finance (Individual) – Ruzwan Boota (Mazars) l Excellence In Law (Individual) – Eileen Schofield (Schofield and Associates Employment Lawyers)

l Excellence In Creative & Media – Raj Chadha (Ramada Hotel)

l Excellence In Finance (Orga Accountants

l Excellence In Promoting Apprenticeships – In-Comm Training

l Excellence In The Business Professions For Owner Practice – Kamran Sheikh (Morgan Reach Accountants)

l Excellence In Diversity– Irw

l Highly Commended - Edward Cooper Young Chartered Surveyors

@PhoenixNewsUK

The Phoenix Newspaper - March 2018 - Page 29

www.streetcredmagazine.com

to take risks as we have stopped thinking ‘leftfield’ and stop taking initiatives.

We have to give our workforce the opportunity to dream. And as such, these awards celebrate those who are recreation the innovation of this city’s idealistic forefathers.”

Special Guest Speaker, Mayor Andy Street, leader of the Metropolitan West Midlands region, enthused:

“This is our (West Midlands region) time.

“Performances over the past 12-months are encouraging. We have a strategy which is about ‘concentrating on us’ and people in this room have proved hugely vital to the progress of this region.”

As the evening’s host, BBC Asian Networks Tommy Sandhu, declared the Nachural Signature Awards open,

THE SIGNATURE AWARDS 2018

businesses and individuals were recognized; in a variety of categories - from business to law, the creative media to finance and many others – this high-profiled black-tie event was a great chance to make the statement of just how so many of the world’s leading minds are concentrated in the centre of the UK.

anisation) – Baldwins

l Excellence In Law (Organisation) – Trowers & Hamlins

l Excellence In Banking – Rin Ryan (Barclays)

l Excellence In Land, Architecture and Property Development – Simon Marks (Arcadis)

win Mitchell

l Young Professional of the Year – Gurpreet Bassi (SDL Auctions Bigwood)

l Highly Commended – Jagjeet Singh Virdee (Inspire International UK Ltd) & Vic Younis (Wall James Chappell Solicitors)

l Excellence In Business – Sanjay and Ravi Kathuria (Talash Hotels)

thephoenixnewspaper.com

Page 30 - The Phoenix Newspaper - March 2018

TEEN FLAIR WITH RHEA DEHANEY

www.streetcredmagazine.com

WITH RHEA DEHANEY

Welcome to another edition of Teen flair where I give you advice, highlight real people and much more!

What should I do Post-18?

I

’m about to finish sixth form, I feel like i’ve wasted a lot of time here, as I realise I could have spent time working at an apprenticeship whilst learning and earning money.

I think college would have been the better choice for me, I hated studying for exams, and I’m a practical person who enjoys hands on experience.

What would be the best route for me as I don’t have much time left?

— Anonymous, 18 Dear Anonymous, I completely understand how strenuous and tiring sixth form can be.

I believe it’s important to have education, as if all else

fails, education is something you’ll always have to lean on.

However, like me you enjoy doing practical work too. I previously did a lot of research on apprenticeships.

You’re very lucky to have not chosen to do an apprenticeship after completing year 11 as I’ve been told that a lot of companies tend to exploit young workers, giving them little pay, and the responsibilities (which they did not sign up for) such as making beverages, staying in an office for hours upon hours and not really gaining the experience they should get.

I would say look on different apprenticeships, and make sure to do your research before applying.

Apply for a lot of different

KEEP IN TOUCH

ones, and I would say in the meantime as sixth form is coming to an end to find a part time job, so that when you do leave, as you may of not made a decision by then, money will not be the problem.

I assume you might have applied for different universities too just in case, if so, I advise further research into the course you’ve picked as some do offer different opportunities.

Don’t be afraid to ask questions to those who have already been to university, or maybe even taken a gap year. You’d be surprised to how many people have been in your exact same position! And pray! Check upon the scripture Matthew 6:34 for encouragement!

- R.Dehaney

As we are all aware there is power in social media, I will be using these networking sites, to promote this newspaper page, and #TEAMFLAIR which will not only advertise,

Stacks of books or money?

J

ack Ede quit sixth form after his portraits of One Direction went viral.

Now from personal experience I have wanted to quit sixth form many times due to it being very challenging, and after being apart of the school system for so long it can get really tiring.

Or maybe your just “bored” which Jack was of studying your A levels.

A lot of teens tend to have outside hobbies/skills and jobs that there good at, that if they could, they would take it on full time.

But we all know the risks that we are told often “what’s your backup plan? “You can’t gain a degree by sitting at home”.

So is it wise to leave school/ college or should you stay and try to pursue your dream after?

“It was quite scary to dropout of school because I felt I had nothing to fall back on,” he admitted. “But if you have a dream, then you should go for

it.”

Jack was offered £400 for his most popular portrait of One direction star Harry styles and as we know social media can help to gain a lot of exposure in any field.

Proverbs 16:3 Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.

but will promote what to look forward to in the newspaper.

I’m not only hoping to create just another column, but a movement, for young people of all races.

To Advertise on my page, or to send me news, information and more, contact me at rhea.dehaney@thephoenixnewspaper.com

@PhoenixNewsUK

The Phoenix Newspaper - March 2018 - Page 31

COMMUNITY NOTICE BOARD AND ENTERTAINMENT OBITUARIES

Billy Graham

O

ne of the most influential preachers of the 20th Century, he became one of the best-known promoters of Christianity in the US before embarking on his global mission with his first event in London in 1954.

Dubbed ‘God's Ambassador,’ a 60-year career, saw him preach to millions of people around the world.

Born and raised on his family's dairy farm in North Carolina, he

Eddy Amoo – The Real Thing

became a committed Christian at the age of 16 before being ordained a minister, aged 21.

He was the first evangelist to use the medium of television to convey the Christian message on such a grand scale, reaching millions of worshippers.

At first ambivalent about the civil rights movement, he became more sympathetic in the 1950s, preaching to racially integrated congregations.

He was 99

H

e was a vocalist and songwriter with the pioneering Liverpool 1970s soul band The Real Thing, along with younger brother, Chris - who had hits including ‘You To Me Are Everything’ and ‘Feel the Force.’

Their other hits included ‘Can't Get By Without You,’ while French house duo The Freeloaders took them back into the charts in 2005 by sampling their song ‘Love's Such a Wonderful Thing.’

Another of their tunes, ‘Children of the Ghetto,’ was covered by artists including Philip Bailey and Mary J Blige.

A showman, a songwriter, and a legend in British music – he was 73.

Notice Board

Bollywood Actress Sridevi Kapoor

Photographer, Masterji

A

photographer who has captured South Asian immigrants settling in the UK since the 1950s Maganbhai Patel arrived in Coventry from India in 1951 and spent many years taking photographs of his community.

A former headteacher, real name Maganbhai Patel, his vast array of images was uncovered last year when his daughter showed them

to a local exhibition group.

He set up his Master's Art Studio at the front of his home, and over the years his wife, two sons and two daughters became keen photographers.

His subjects range from families posing in their best clothes for photographs to send back to India to identity photographs.

He was 95.

B

est known for playing Alice Tinker in the multi-award winning ‘The Vicar of Dibley,’ Chambers played the character of the village church verger between 1994 and 2007, with Dawn French in the title role - In 1998, she won the British Comedy Award for best TV actress for her performance.

The Doncaster-born actor also had roles in ‘Notting Hill’ and a Martin Chuzzlewit adaptation.

She died from natural causes, aged 53, leaving a husband, fellow actor Ian Dunn.

She soon broke through to the list of Bollywood’s most highly sought-after actresses with the action comedy ‘Himmatwala,’ before credits including some of the most watched films of the 1980s and ’90s.

She died after suffering a cardiac arrest in Dubai while attending a family wedding.

Survived by her husband, Boney, and daughters Jhanvi and Khushi Kapoor, she was 54.

T

he former Celtic Leeds, Sunderland, QPR, Hibernian and Manchester United midfielder won 21 caps for the Republic of Ireland and also played for three clubs in Australia and his hometown club Cork City. He ended his career in the United States in 2016 before retiring.

Suffering from cancer for some time, he was 36.

Morgan Tsvangirai

T

he Zimbabwe opposition leader and former prime minister - arguably the country's most popular politician – was a mining union leader whose career was ultimately defined by his tussles - bother literal and figurative – with former President Robert Mugabe.

He had reportedly been suffering

urprise!

, Big S p o h S e l t t Li

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ning yel Paternoster Square is tur pop-up in the space ils fod 4,000 illuminated daf il Appeal 2018. Each to mark the Great Daffod represent the people the handcrafted flower will will support throughout rity terminal illness cha the month of March.

St Pauls Paternoster Square, 11th rch Ma 1st March

Liam Miller

Vicar of Dibley actress Emma Chambers

If you’ve got an event, notice or information that you’d like to advertise on our community notice board, get in touch with us on:

ght Garden Of Lilow again as

O

ne of the Indian film industry’s most loved actresses; the Bollywood star’s work spanned five decades.

Making her film debut at the age of four in the Tamil Hindu drama ‘Thunaivan,’, other films followed, including ‘Julie,’ which marked her first foray into Bollywood at the age of 12. Her first leading role came in the 1979 Hindi film ‘Solva Sawan.’

Gin Festival

The UK’s first, bi is making a visi ggest and best gin festival t to Mancheste r bringing an enormous vari Chorlton-on ety of different gins!

-Med 23rd-25th & lock, Manchester 29th-31st Mar ch

from colon cancer, dying aged 65 after fighting cancer.

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Page 32 - The Phoenix Newspaper - March 2018

AZUZA STREET - FEATURE - FORGIVENESS AND RECONCILIATION

Forgiveness and Reconciliation

T

he role of forgiveness in faith is a force unlike any other. The 2nd Annual Peace Forum Programme on Forgiveness and Reconciliation held at the Nishkam Centre in Birmingham explored the Journey of Forgiveness and Reconciliation on the 4th February.

As stated in the Vision and Purpose of the Charter of the same name, “The Vision of the Charter for Forgiveness and Reconciliation is that the activity of forgiving is vital if healing and reconciliation is to take place, as part of our collective efforts to seek restorative justice and sustainable peace.”

Dr Josef Boehle, Director of the Charter for Forgiveness and Reconciliation, hopes to launch the new charter by the end of the year.

Rabbi Dr David Rosen spoke of the request for God’s forgiveness by Pope John Paul II for the atrocities com-

mitted against the Jews throughout history. An act that for many Israeli Jews was the first and only showing of a change in the views of the Christian world towards them, opening many doors and breaking down barriers between people.

The act of forgiveness, as described

by Bharti Tailor, is a freeing and humbling experience, being able to tell someone that you forgive them, in her case on this persons deathbed, lifted a weight from her shoulders and enabled her to move on.

“I began to see the possibilities for forgiveness in bigger ways when I moved to Coventry. Not just to do with the personal or familial forgiveness, but in Geopolitics, and possibly the only hope for humanity,” explained Bishop of Coventry, Rt Rev Dr Christopher Cocksworth.

“There were multiple bombings in Coventry’s history including the mag-

l Attendees including Bishop of Coventry, Christopher Cocksworth

nificent cathedral, and it is said that a child said to an officer of the armed forces “Sir you are going to avenge us for this aren’t you?”

“The Provos of the Cathedral, a few days before the bombing of the Cathedral, on Armistice day, was already praying for reconciliation between England and Germany, and with ash still warm from the bombings, he wrote on the wall “Father Forgive” echoing Jesus’ words on the cross.”

Through the panels on the day, and the wide range of views from people of all backgrounds, religions and ages, there was a true sense that if people of all religions were to come together in forgiveness that the world would truly become a better place.

Hopefully the advent of this Charter for Forgiveness and Reconciliation due to launch later this year, will be the first step towards realising this future.

l Rabbi Dr David Rosen

l Attendees at the 2nd Annual Peace Forum Programme on Forgiveness and Reconciliation

l Shaykh Ibrahim Mogra, Elsa Vogel, Bhai Sahib Bhai Mohinder Singh

@PhoenixNewsUK

The Phoenix Newspaper - March 2018 - Page 33

AZUZA STREET

Comedian Baddiel Calls For Anti Semitism To Be Recognised As Racism

Pope Calls for Homily to be kept Brief

P

ope Francis has touched on a topic close to home, offering his recipe for what makes a good homily, saying they should be short and well-prepared.

He also pointed to the amount of complaining that happens when people are unenthusiastic about homilies, and told faithful that even when bored, they also have to make an effort by actively listening, and being patient with the limits of their pastor.

“Those listening have to do their part too,” he said.

“Mass-goers must give the appropriate attention, thus assuming the proper interior dispositions, without

l David Baddiel Writer and comedian David Baddiel has made an impassioned plea for anti-Semitism “to be seen as just as important as other racisms”, adding that he believed Holocaust denial to be clearly anti-Semitism.

But Baddiel, who recently clashed on social media with ex-MP George Galloway, told a packed meeting in Parliament of the Antisemitism Policy Trust that his way of dealing with anti-Semitism on-line was to engage “robustly” and to mock his attackers.

“The saying on social media is ‘don’t feed the troll’,” he said, but by hitting back he felt he brought the racists and anti-Semites “into the light”. He had repeatedly been sent cartoon eyes — which he now understood to mean he was being “watched, as a Jew.” He said he received up to 300 anti-Jewish tweets a day, and read out examples of some of them — but he said he had never reported any of them to the police.

This was in stark contrast to the experience of the Labour MP John Mann, who, introducing the event on how to tackle on-line hatred revealed that in the wake of his appearance on BBC Question Time he had received six tweets, the first of which “attacked me for being a Zionist.”

Those tackling the subject, besides Baddiel, were Dr Dave Rich, head of policy at the CST, Karim Palant, the UK public policy manager of Facebook, Baljit Ubhey, director of prosecution policy and inclusion for the Crown Prosecution Service, and — in one of her first public appearances in her new role, the minister for digital, culture, media and sport, Margot James MP. The meeting was chaired by Preet Gill MP. Caught in the crossfire of the debate was Karim Palant, who did not convince his audience or his fellow panellists when saying that people could not expect private companies on social media to go further in their response to online hatred than did the law of the country.

He said it was not for private companies to create policy on the matter, although he said that as the grandson of a Holocaust survivor he understood the issue and the hurt caused by “keyboard racists.”

It was, he said, “a question for society as a whole and not individual [social media] platforms.”

50,000 Chinese Baptisms Registered Last Year

T

he Catholic Church in China registered 48,556 baptisms in 2017, reflecting the vitality and missionary strength of the Catholic communities there, according to a report by Fides, the news agency of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, with the province of Hebei – which consistently has the highest number of baptisms each year of all the Chinese provinces – topped the list again with 11,899.

The Archdiocese of Beijing registered 1,099 baptisms, while the Diocese of Ningxia had 128 new Catholics baptised. China’s northwest autonomous region of Xinjiang, where the majority of the population is Muslim, registered 66 baptisms.

The Qinghai province had 54 baptisms, and isolated communities such as Hainan Island in southern China and Tibet had 38 and 11 baptisms, respectively.

The Archdiocese of Beijing registered 1,099 baptisms, while the Diocese of Ningxia had 128 new Catholics baptised. China’s northwest autonomous region of Xinjiang, where the majority of the population is Muslim, registered 66 baptisms.

The Qinghai province had 54 baptisms, and isolated communities such as Hainan Island in southern China and Tibet had 38 and 11 baptisms, respectively.

Faith Institute for Cultural Studies said; “In spite of the encouraging figures and the great missionary commitment in local communities throughout China, we must always feel called to a renewed missionary commitment.

Evangelisation in China is a long and difficult path to carry out,” it said. The organisation also pointed out that its data represented “an invitation and a call because we must strengthen our faith and always go forward on our journey toward Christ.”

subjective demands, knowing that every preacher has both his merits and his limits.

If sometimes there’s reason to get annoyed about an overly long homily, one that lacks focus or that’s incomprehensible, other times it’s actually the prejudice [of the listener] which creates obstacles.”

However, he also urged those giving the homily, whether it's a priest, deacon or bishop, to remember that they are “offering a real service to all those who participate in Mass.”

The homily has been a source of pastoral concern and interest for the Pope since the beginning. He devoted a large portion of his

2013 apostolic exhortation Evangelii Gaudium – often seen as a blueprint for his papacy – to the homily.

Quoting the document, Francis said the homily “is not a casual discourse, nor a conference or a lesson,” but is rather a way of resuming “that dialogue which has already been opened between the Lord and his people, so that it finds fulfillment in life.

Whoever gives the homily must be conscious that they are not doing their own thing, they are preaching, giving voice to Jesus, preaching the World of Jesus,” he said.

Because of this, homilies “should be well prepared, and they must be brief!”

thephoenixnewspaper.com

Page 34 - The Phoenix Newspaper - March 2018

FEATURE - CHAPLAIN GENERAL REVEREND MOTHER DR ESTHER AJAYI

‘General’ Appointment for Dr Rev Esther Ajayi A

ll roads led to Ile Ife on 9th February, to the Ooni’s Palace for the decoration of Reverend Mother Esther Ajayi, founder and General Overseer of Love of Christ Generation Church Int’l and founder of the Esther Ajayi Foundation Int’l, as Chaplain General and awarding of an honorary doctorate of the mission.

Alex Akwaeze, Operations Manager of Phoenix Nigeria is also a Pastor and associated with MAC CORPS. Following discussions with Editor In Chief of The Phoenix Newspaper, Marcia McLaughlin, it was a no brainer to put Reverend Mother Esther Ajayi forward for recognition

by MAC CORPS. After working with the Esther Ajayi Foundation, as the headline sponsor for The Phoenix Newspaper 7th Anniversary Gala Dinner and Awards Presentation, and experiencing her selfless devotion humanity, The Phoenix Newspaper decided that the woman Nigerians call ‘Iya Adura’ would be the perfect candidate for an award of this magnitude.

The decoration attracted the World Commandant General of Mission for Africa Chaplaincy Corps, MACCORPS Mississippi, all the way from the USA. The event witnessed a high turnout of dignitaries from all walks of life.

The commission, whose mandate is to propagate the gospel of Christ, is made up, of General Overseers and workers in the church, whose life must be attested by their senior pastors.

It is a nondenominational outfit that bring the body of Christ together with the sole aim of depopulating the kingdom of darkness through evangelism, mission visitation, and community projects through which life can be affected and attracted for Christ, founded by Apostle Edward Lee Taylor from the United States of

America.

The African Commandant General is Chap Gen. T. Livingstone Ambek who oversees the affairs in Africa and the Nigerian Commandant general is Chap Gen. Paul Monday Chom.

The entire event was a series of activities tagged the gathering of the victorious, with a courtesy call to the palace of the Ooni of Ile Ife by members of C & S drawn from all parts of the country, members of Mission for Africa Chaplaincy Corps and well-wishers.

The Ooni, who opened the door to his palace and welcomed everybody, praised Reverend Mother Esther Ajayi, for her tireless efforts in put-

ting smiles on the faces of the less privileged ones in society.

He further wished everyone a happy stay. The World Commandant noted that Mother Esther has demonstrated a Christ-like life style, who takes delight in affecting positively to the lives of those she come across with dear needs.

He called on Christians in and around Africa to come together in unity for the propagation of the work of God. He stressed that Christians all over the world have a mandate for soul winning and enjoined all in this great mandate.

The event which came to an end with a joint Sunday service fea-

@PhoenixNewsUK

The Phoenix Newspaper - March 2018 - Page 35

CHAPLAIN GENERAL REVEREND MOTHER DR ESTHER AJAYI - FEATURE

turing renowned Christian artist who ministered in songs, Chap Gen (Dr.). Esther A. Ajayi in her message charged all C & S in and around the country to live up to expectation by following and practicing doctrines which are found in the bible.

She noted that peoples perception about white garment churches is a call to take critical look into practices which are not founded.

Stressing that her mission is to project the white garment church for people to know that the days where practices which are not biblical are over, noting that she grew in white garment church and encountered Christ in it as such will remain in it.

She stated she will not fail to expose anybody found wanting in this regard and finally called on all to live a righteous life where Christ will be seen in all that they do.

Women are doing some amazing things in our society and we should try to uplift them in every way that we can, in order to try to make the world a better place.

On behalf of The Phoenix Newspaper, we salute Chaplain General Dr Esther A Ajayi and implore her to Rise like The Phoenix to empower and encourage other women to be recognised for the work and input that they give to society as a whole.

thephoenixnewspaper.com

Page 36 - The Phoenix Newspaper - March 2018

HEALTH AND WELLBEING

T

Pharmacists 1st Port of Call For Minor Health Concerns People are being encouraged to visit their local pharmacy first if they have minor health concerns – and not A&E or their GP. NHS England’s new Stay Well Pharmacy campaign calls on people, especially parents and carers of children under the age of five, to speak to their pharmacist for clinical advice about issues such as sore throats, coughs, colds, upset stomachs, teething and aches and pains.

Pharmacists are trained in managing minor illness and can assess symptoms and either recommend the best course of treatment or simply provide reassurance when a minor illness will get better on its own.

And if symptoms suggest it’s something more serious, they have the right clinical training to ensure people get the help they need.

Most people live within easy reach of a pharmacy, many of which offer extended opening hours in the evenings and at weekends. Most community pharmacies also have a private consultation room, suitable for confidential conversations if needed.

Prostate Cancer Deaths Overtake Breast Cancer

he number of men dying from prostate cancer has overtaken female deaths from breast cancer for the first time in the UK, figures show.

EastEnders’ Rudolf Walker is one who is at the vanguard of the Prostate Cancer UK campaign. He recalls: “My awareness of prostate cancer is really something very close to home, my uncle died of prostate cancer, I was very fond of him.

“It was a very painful experience for me, so when I was approached quite a few years after to be involved with Prostate Cancer UK, I just didn’t hesitate.

“I also encouraged EastEnders to do a storyline about prostate cancer, which they did in 2014 with the character Stan Carter played

by Timothy West - that raised quite a lot of awareness.”

Prostate Cancer UK says advances in the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer are paying off, and increased funding could benefit prostate cancer.

An ageing population means more men are developing and dying from the disease. The latest figures from 2015 show there were 11,819 deaths from prostate cancer compared with

11,442 from breast cancer.

Although deaths from prostate cancer have been rising over the past 10 years or so, the mortality rate or the proportion of men dying from the disease has fallen - by 6% - between 2010 and 2015.

For breast cancer the mortality rate has come down by 10%, meaning deaths in women are declining more quickly.

Angela Culhane, chief executive of the charity Prostate Cancer UK, said the disease currently received half the funding and half the research that is devoted to breast cancer.

She said developing better diagnostic tests that could be used as part of a nationwide screening programme would be a priority.

At present, there is no single, reliable test for prostate cancer - the PSA test, biopsies and physical examinations are all used.

Men with prostate cancer can also live for decades without symptoms or needing treatment because the disease often progresses very slowly.

The biggest cancer killers in the UK remain lung and bowel cancer, with prostate now in third place.

Transplant Games ‘My Springboard to Success’ Says Athlete, Frazier

M

iddle-distance runner, Peter Frazier, is delighted to see the Westfield Health British Transplant Games return to his home city for the first time in 19 years, having been involved with the games since 1979.

Birmingham-born Frazier, who was a torchbearer in Leamington Spa for the 2012 London Olympics, left the police force when kidney decease struck in his early twenties, before receiving dialysis for six years, and endured a severely restricted lifestyle, until his transplant in 1978.

He says that it was the Transplant Games which proved decisive in motivating him to regain fitness after a successful kidney transplant 40 years ago, aged just 28.

With over 1,000 competitors taking part over 24 different sports, the August games, which will be hosted by the University of Birmingham, promise to be some spectacle, with over 2,500 people expected to attend.

He published his life; story ‘Almost an Athlete,’ a few years ago, detailing his running achievements after transplantation, but his medal collection, which includes two Golds representing Team GB at the World Transplant Games, suggests otherwise.

Talking about his journey to

recovery, Peter said: “After six years of renal dialysis, my life was changed. I went from being totally inactive to virtually being able to take part in any sport. The British Transplant Games gave me the opportunity to do this.

The Games provides an excellent platform for promoting organ donation, which people like me have benefited from greatly.

I was the first transplantee to successfully complete a marathon in 1981, and have run other marathons, including the London Marathon twice since.

Everyone competing in the British Transplant Games is a winner, and I hope that through their participation, this year’s competitors will be sending the message that

transplants do transform lives.”

Birmingham’s Queen Elizabeth Hospital is home to the largest solid organ transplantation programme in Europe and has always been very supportive of the British Transplant Games.

Peter’s remarkable story is one of many incredible successes achieved by transplantees at the Games.

The Westfield Health British Transplant Games have partnered with Birmingham City Council, University of Birmingham, Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham Charity, Birmingham Children’s Hospital Charity and Sport Birmingham - return to Birmingham from August 2 to 5.

@PhoenixNewsUK

The Phoenix Newspaper - March 2018 - Page 37

Welcome Boost to support crucial care B

l (Back row L-R) Nags Mistry (STB) and Jon Wilson (STB), (Middle row L-R) Josette Brown (STB), Lyla Yousseff (nurse at BSM), Penny Conlon (STB), (Front row L-R) Susan Newcombe (BSM), Lord Forsyth (STB) and Tina Swani (BSM)

E-Cigs may be available on NHS

V

apers may soon get the opportunity to receive e-cigarettes free on the NHS. This comes after the UK medicines regulator approved e-Voke, produced by British American Tobacco.

Marketed as an aid to help people stop smoking, Public Health England says e-cigarettes are far less harmful than tobacco and help smokers to quit. But the Royal College of GPs said doctors would be reluctant to hand them out to patients without clear merits.

With their balanced view, the British Medical Association, say the benefits and harms are not yet known since e-cigarettes are still relatively new.

Prof Kevin Fenton, National Director of Health and Wellbeing, Public Health England, says e-cigarettes have become the most popular quitting aid in England.

And he thinks more people should benefit.

"Public Health England wants to see a choice of safe and effective replacements for smoking that smokers themselves want to use," he said.

Dr Tim Ballard of the Royal College of GPs said: "Potentially, there may be a place for the prescription of e-cigarettes as part of a ‘quit smoking’ programme, but GPs would be very wary of prescribing them until there was clear evidence of their safety and of their efficacy in helping people to quit."

ig-hearted staff from Secure Trust Bank from Solihull have raised £17,600 for Birmingham St Mary’s Hospice which was presented by chairman Lord Forsyth to help support local families living with terminal illness.

Birmingham St Mary’s was voted for by Secure Trust Bank staff last year as the local charity they most wanted to support, and Lord Forsyth boosted the fundraising efforts by doubling the company’s pound-for-pound matching scheme to the value of £200 per employee.

During his visit to the Hospice, the former Secretary of State of Scotland met with people who are currently receiving its vital care, as well as touring its facilities at Selly Park.

Since the partnership, employees have hosted a number of creative fundraisers, including samosa sales, a darts tournament and quiz nights, as well as taking part in events organised by the Hospice.

A recent event was Birmingham St Mary’s ‘Charity Shop Challenge’, in which teams from the bank took over one of the Hospice’s 16 shops for the day, competing against each other to see

who could raise the most money.

Lord Forsyth, chairman at Secure Trust Bank, said: “Birmingham St Mary’s does an amazing job of supporting families living with terminal illness and our Solihull-based staff have shown real passion when it comes to supporting the work of the charity through fundraising and other means.

Tina Swani, chief executive at Birmingham St Mary’s, added: “£17,600 is an impressive amount of money and will make a big difference to the individuals and families we care for.

“It costs £8 million each year to run the Hospice – over half of which needs to come from voluntary funding – so we really do rely on the generosity of local people and businesses to ensure we can care for everyone that needs us, wherever they need us.

“Thank you to all the staff and trustees at Secure Trust Bank who have supported the Hospice over the last year – your help has been outstanding and will allow us to continue to provide our expert care at the Hospice, in people’s homes and in the local community.”

Every day, Birmingham St Mary’s supports 350 individuals across Birmingham and Sandwell.

HEALTH AND WELLBEING

ocus F on Social Care

NHS – The jewel in our crown

L

ast month I submitted a motion to Full Council, in order for us as a City to stand up and say enough is enough with the austerity cuts which has seen the worst performance ever in terms of NHS response times.

Years and years of austerity have taken its toll and now: • Our health service is on the brink of a crisis – not the best way to mark the NHS’s 70th anniversary.

• The health service which the Labour Party introduced– which was once the envy of the world is falling apart.

• We hear time and time again at the untold pressure on our doctors, nurses, health staff – and social workers.

• There are reports of people dying in beds in corridors – because of lack of beds; waiting in ambulances – clogging up Accident and Emergency areas; the cancelling of 50,000 elective operations in the first week of this year – it is a national crisis.

• We see report in the media of hospital staff who left the profession fed up at not having the resources or time to treat patients.

• The NHS is struggling to cope with record demand and social care services are stretched to the far past the limit. In Birmingham we are working in a more joined up way to ensure we can address the issues of elderly patients remaining in hospital for too long. And over the coming year the health service and social care will work even harder and in a more joined up way to

l Cllr Paulette Hamilton ensure the system is fit for purpose.

• We need to “Save our NHS”; “More staff. More Beds. More funds”; and a fairer settlement for Adult Social Care – quick fixes and sticking plasters are not working.

• A shortfall of about 40,000 nurses across the UK is adding to pressure on staff at a time when there are more people leaving the NHS than joining it.

• The performance of our hospitals is the worst since records began – and it is likely to get worse. We hear reports that we do not have enough staff in our hospitals to provide a safe service!!

• With the weather getting colder over the next few weeks, we need to ensure we keep an eye on those in our community.

In the motion I submitted it set out that the Leader and I will be writing to the Prime Minister and the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care seeking support and resources to ensure our citizens and their families do not suffer a winter crisis like this again.

thephoenixnewspaper.com

Page 38 - The Phoenix Newspaper - March 2018

PROPERTY AND REAL ESTATE

Ex-footballer launches ABS

Today, many ex and present professional footballers are dabbling in the property market – for that bit of financial security – and former Arsenal, Manchester City, and Southampton winger, Neil Heaney, has set up his own company to help people buy and invest in overseas property has converted into an alternative business structure (ABS) so as to bring legal work inhouse.

Situated in Solihull, in the West Midlands, Judicare Law International Limited helps people buy abroad, seeking to protect investors in foreign property from losing money to developers in collapsed schemes and scams.

Chief executive, Heaney, who is also the ABS’s head of finance and administration, was himself the victim of a doomed property investment after the 2008 crash, having been among a group of high-profile investors who bought into a project on the Costa Del Sol, in Spain, in 2006.

Judicare now works in Spain, Portugal, Italy, France, Cyprus, Barbados, Bahamas, Brazil, and the United Arab Emirates. Before the ABS, it was a legal services company that acted as a liaison between clients and lawyers in overseas jurisdictions but had no legal function of its own.

Philippine Property Forecast on The Up T

he Philippine real estate industry is anticipating another stellar year in 2018.

But the factors that are expected to drive that promising growth will slightly differ compared to what has driven the industry in the past decade - including a diversified office tenancy as well as the rising demand for flexible workspaces and warehousing, according to the latest report of Colliers International Philippines entitled, ‘Top 10 Predictions For 2018.’

Such factors include a diversified office tenancy as well as the rising demand for flexible workspaces and warehousing, according to the latest report of Colliers International Philippines entitled, “Top 10 Predictions For 2018.”

Others that have and will help drive the strong performance for the property sector include a sustained GDP growth over the next three to five years.

“Perennial growth drivers such as household consumption remain robust while manufacturing and foreign investments’ com-

bined contribution to aggregate economic output continues to expand,” Joey Roi Bondoc, manager for research at Colliers, said in a separate interview with the Inquirer.

“Overall, OFW (overseas Filipino worker) remittances and outsourcing revenues should sustain strong domestic demand, partly shield the Philippine economy from global economic shocks, and provide trickle-down benefits to key segments of the economy, including property,” he further explained.

Interest Rate Rise Could Cost Homeowners £930 a Year

A

1% rise in interest rates would add around £10bn to the UK’s mortgage bill, according to analysis from estate agent Savills.

The increase would equate to adding £930 a year to the cost of servicing the average mortgage.

Borrowers on variable rate deals influenced by movements in the Bank of England base rate would be the first to feel the pain, putting the annual mortgage bill up by £4.3bn immediately, Savills said.

The 59% of borrowers on fixed-rate deals would feel the impact later, when their existing mortgage deals come to an end.

Of the total increase, Savills calculates that buy-to-let landlords would pay an additional £2.4bn, with other home owners paying £7.8bn more.

Lucian Cook, head of residential research at Savills, said: “This would bring an end to the historically low mortgage costs

that have boosted housing affordability and limit the buying power of those needing a mortgage, and underscores our forecasts for more subdued house price growth over the next five years.”

Savills forecasts that average UK house price growth will stand at 14% in total over the next five years.

Borrowers are bracing themselves for further possible interest hikes following the increase last year from 0.25% to 0.5%. Earlier

this month, the Bank of England governor, Mark Carney, readied borrowers for further and faster interest rate hikes, although he also stressed that rises would be limited and gradual.

With the possibility of further base rate rises on the horizon, homeowners looking to lock into a long-term deal to get some certainty over their repayments may also find the rates on offer have edged up.

@PhoenixNewsUK

The Phoenix Newspaper - March 2018 - Page 39

And Finally...

Thats a Rap! A

s newspaper sales stagnated, the Phnom Penh Post began looking for ways to appeal to more young Cambodians.

Koam Chanrasmey, the

28-year-old head of the newspaper’s video department, searched for inspiration.

He found it in online clips of newscasters rapping the news in countries like Uganda and Senegal, but felt the approach

had to be carefully considered before it could be introduced to conservative Cambodia.

“Rap is not Cambodian culture,” he says. “But we could see the increasing popularity among young people, and felt it

OVERSEAS NEWS

was a different way of engaging them with reading the news.

We took that idea to see what we can do to fit the Cambodian audience.”

The Phnom Penh Post has distinct English- and Khmer-language editions, with the latter known as Post Khmer.

This is also reflected in their respective social media channels.

The first clip, rapped entirely in Khmer, was posted on the Post Khmer Facebook to a generally warm reception from its followers.

Some anonymous users reacted with negative comments, accusing the rap news presenters of “destroying Cambodian culture.”

But Chanrasmey says that the team values the positive comments, which ranged from “I never thought Cambodians could do this kind of thing” to “I never consume the news except for this; I like listening and dancing to the music”.

The online rap news show had gained about two million total views, with the highest to date surpassing 200,000 for an episode focusing on the bizarre case of an immigration police officer who staged a fall in front of a barely moving car.

He was dubbed the ‘Poipet flopper’ by local media and earned the ridicule of Facebook users.

“When we started with the first episode we got 40,000 views and then we kept going up to 100,000 views [per episode],” Chanrasmey says.

Fatima Is An Inspiration

H

aving walked away from an abusive relationship and suffering from depression for more than 20 years, single mother Fatima Alexander knows that even the darkest of nights can give rise to the brightest mornings.

First her mother passed away, then she lost her niece to brain cancer; her son was diagnosed with leukaemia diagnosis shortly afterwards. When the pain was too much to bear, depression consumed her and she attempted to end her own life.

Thankfully her story doesn’t end there. After picking up a pen and paper one day, Alexander discovered how the written word can actually change how you think, feel and live your life.

Through months of journaling and writing about her feelings, she found a form of self-expression that propelled herself through her personal abyss.

Today, Alexander, from Virginia, in the USA, is determined to use her personal experiences to help others – and she’s putting her money where her mouth is.

With an almost impossible feat ahead, she cleaned out her bank account and formed her own magazine – ‘I Am Un-

Official Media Partner

ashamed.’

Not your typical lifestyle ‘glossy,’ the magazine’s mission is to feature only empowering articles that foster positive change in the life of the reader and encourage those who have dreams to push through no matter how impossible it may seem.

Each edition, published quarterly on amazon.com, features interviews with successful singers, artists, athletes, entrepreneurs, philanthropists and everyday people.

Each talk openly about the adversity they’ve faced in their lives and the gift of a second chance. From mental-health challenges to poverty and teenage pregnancy, ‘I Am Unashamed’ reveals that no matter the circumstance, anything is possible.

“Everyone deals with struggles and difficulties in their lives – from mental health issues to being bombarded by ‘perfect’ lives on social media. I wanted to create a new kind of magazine that inspires its readers with stories of ordinary people doing extraordinary things,” says Alexander.

“Despite the obstacles in my life, I made it. And you can too but only if you push through the pain, get back up and try again.”

thephoenixnewspaper.com

Page 40 - The Phoenix Newspaper - March 2018

HOLIDAY AND TRAVEL

Take a Look at Weston Known, by many in the heart of the country as the ‘Midlands by the Sea,’ Weston-super-Mare, lying on the Somerset coast, is steeped with Victorian history and dominated by a fabulous beach.

Situated at the gateway to all the attractions that Somerset offers, you can take some super day trips out and around the area - with visitor numbers to the resort up yearon-year.

Some 90minutes from the centre of the country, it is easily accessible by road, rail or air, whilst it's easy to get there by road.

Well known resorts of Clevedon, Cheddar and Cheddar Gorge, Wookey Hole, Wells and Glastonbury are all within easy reach, whilst it boast miles of golden sandy beaches.

The resort is home to the flagship Grand Pier, the Playhouse Theatre and The Blakehay Theatre, iconic donkeys, a bustling high street and independent shopping districts, two testing golf courses and a growing arts and music scene.

Why not take a look and see?

Under the C Sea!

itizens of Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique responded overwhelmingly to the call for designs in the Underwater Sculpture Park Competition.

The design competition was a collaboration between the Grenada Tourism Authority (GTA) and the Grenada Underwater Sculpture Management Inc. (GUSMI).

A total of 52 entries were received from a wide variety of

persons including students as young as nine years old.

The sculpture concepts were equally diverse and focused on Grenada’s spices, national heroes, history, folklore and festivals.

An expert panel met and judged the entries based on originality, the ability to reproduce the design in concrete, overall impact and representation of Grenadian folklore, history, culture and the environment.

The judges awarded the

first prize to Alleyne Gulston of Hopevale, St. George for his design titled ‘Wet FeteSpicemas Underwater’.

His design gives an up close and vibrant look at important figures of Grenada’s biggest cultural celebration, featuring sculptures of the Wild Indian, Jab Jab, Shortknee and Vieux Corp.

The judges were very impressed with his artistry and designs and the fact that they could readily be turned into concrete sculptures.

Airline Passenger Numbers to Climb 7% in Middle East

M

iddle East passenger numbers are forecast to grow by 7% this year, according to the International Air Transport Association, despite a strong headwind of global economic turbulence and fluctuating oil prices, the unpredictability of American President Donald Trump and continued Brexit negotiations.

Aviation will feature heavily in the programme at Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2018, which is being held between 22-25 April at the Dubai World Trade Centre.

The sessions at ATM 2018 will be moderated by Alan Peaford, a former national newspaper journalist and current president of the UK’s Institute of Internal Communications.

Peaford edited Flight International’s Flight Daily News for 17 years and has won an Aerospace Journalist of the Year award on five occasions.

He said: “Aviation and aerospace is thriving despite lower oil prices. Even with re-

gional uncertainties aviation continues to grow.

The Arab air transport market grew by 9.9% in the past year, according to the Arab Air Carriers Organisation (AACO) at its 2017 AGM. Growth figures like these should support lively debate at ATM 2018 and provide an element of cautious optimism.”

IATA figures also revealed that Middle East airlines will see net profits doubling to $600 million in 2018, double what they are estimated to make this year.

Passenger capacity is also estimated to rise by 6.6% this year and a further 4.9% increase is forecast for 2018.

The Emirates Group which is, one of Arabian Travel Market’s premium partners, had a revenue of AED49.4 billion (US$13.5 billion) for the first six months of its 2017-18 financial year, up 6% from AED46.5 billion (US$12.7 billion) during the same period last year.

However, Etihad Airways bucked the trend in July when it

posted a group loss of AED6.86 billion ($1.87 billion) for 2016.

Simon Press, Senior Exhibition Director, Arabian Travel Market, said: “As this mixed bag of results demonstrate, there are continued challenges to be faced by the aviation sector in the Middle East.

This includes the US Supreme Court’s decision to back President Donald Trump’s third travel ban, blocking the entry of travellers from Chad, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Syria and Yemen.

President Trump’s protectionist agenda may also impact the Open Skies Agreement which US airlines have campaigned bitterly against for several years.”

The success of the aviation industry in the sky is matched in the Middle East by the continued huge infrastructure investment.

The total value of 152 active aviation-related projects in the Middle East reached $57.7 billion (Dh211.8 billion) at the end of April 2017, according to research provider BNC Network.

@PhoenixNewsUK

The Phoenix Newspaper - March 2018 - Page 41

HOLIDAY AND TRAVEL

Munich Looks To The Robot Life

UK Remains Costa Rica’s Largest European Market

T

he latest figures from the Costa Rica Tourism Board (ICT) indicate that a total of 76,173 visitors from the UK travelled to Costa Rica in 2017 – representing an increase of 6.7% on the previous year.

This positive figure strengthens the position of the United Kingdom as Costa Rica’s largest source market in Europe.

Germany (70,960), France (69,803) and Spain (69,782) follow the UK in 2017 visitor num-

bers to Costa Rica.

The UK was also the biggest source market of visitors to Costa Rica in 2016 (71,392), one year after British Airways launched direct flights between London Gatwick and San José.

Commenting on the figures, Rob Wilson, UK Representative of ICT, said: “We are extremely pleased to see the continued growth of visitors from the UK to Costa Rica, helped greatly by the BA route.

“The green Central Amer-

ican country is truly making a space for those interested in unique wildlife and stunning landscapes. With these natural assets, we expect this growth to continue in the future.”

The Irish market also saw a good increase last year. A total of 4,321 Irish travellers visited Costa Rica in 2017, +8.6% compared to 2016.

In total, Costa Rica welcomed 2,959,869 worldwide visitors in 2017, a 1.2% upsurge compared to 2016.

Bordered by the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean, Costa Rica offers adventure, relaxation, exploration and wellness.

From mountain ranges and rain forests to cloud forests and breath-taking beaches, Costa Rica’s diversity of landscapes, climates and natural wonders provides visitors with unlimited experiences – including a great number of wellness activities in these pleasant settings.

S

he is 120 centimeters tall, with sparkling, round eyes and a pleasant voice: Starting today, “Josie Pepper” the robot will be answering questions for passengers in Terminal 2.

Whether they need directions to their gate or want to stop at a certain restaurant or shop – Josie Pepper will look them in the eyes and give them a prompt answer.

With the rollout of Josie Pepper, Munich Airport and Lufthansa are breaking new ground: It is the first-ever test of a humanoid robot

equipped with artificial intelligence at a German airport.

For the next few weeks, Josie Pepper will welcome travelers to the non-public area of Terminal 2, which is jointly operated by Munich Airport and Lufthansa.

In her initial deployment, Josie Pepper, who speaks English, will await passengers at the top of the ramp leading to the shuttle connecting the main terminal to the satellite building.

This test phase will be used to show whether Josie Pepper is accepted by passengers.

thephoenixnewspaper.com

Page 42 - The Phoenix Newspaper - March 2018

ADOPTION AND FOSTERING

W

ith a national shortage of Foster carers across the UK, there are more children than ever who need a caring and loving environment, which every child has the right to experience.

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

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

Carers Using Private Agencies Over Councils

R

esearch show that there is a growth of independent fostering agencies in England, many of which are run for profit by private equity investors.

With councils up and down the country forced to cut back on their spending – which often includes the reduction in adoption and fostering services – some in the private sector are pushing up the cost of placing children with families by hundreds of millions of pounds each year.

The government’s imminent ‘stocktake’ of foster care should provide the latest cost analysis.

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

At the Phoenix, all of our team are committed to raising awareness of fostering and adoption through our campaign not just for the month of May, but for an entire 12 months!

We will be highlighting the inspiring work of current carers, the extensive support and training that is available and the difference that you could be making in a young persons’ life.

If you feel that you can offer this, or even if you would like to find out a little bit more – don’t hesitate! It could make the greatest difference to a child’s life.

Adoption ‘Breaching Rights of Birth Parents' A two-year inquiry, which canvassed evidence from social workers, adult adoptees, adoptive parents and birth parents across the UK, has raised the alarm over practices that favour adoption over alternative care options seeking to help children stay with their birth parents.

The British Association of Social Workers (BASW) independent adoption inquiry is the first to investigate the role of social workers in adoption with a focus on ethics and human rights and has called for a significant rethink and review of adoption law.

The UK has the highest number of adoptions in Europe and is one of just three EU countries that allow forced or non-consensual adoptions – where children are adopted against the wishes of their birth parents.

The inquiry examined these issues and looked at our rationale for being the only country in Europe to have a uniform rule forbidding any direct contact between adopted children and their birth and foster families.

Ruth Allen, chief executive for BASW, said: “Adoption can be highly successful, providing children with stable, loving homes and adoptive parents with the experience of creating the family they want. Birth families may consent to adoption and recognise the value to their biological child.

However, the inquiry explores the complex realities of adoption for many people, particularly in non-consensual adoption, with

mixed outcomes and experiences for all involved, which raise questions about what the report calls a dominant ‘happy ever after’ narrative.”

At the inquiry’s launch on Thursday night, a mother who had her children taken from her at birth said there were no support services, preventive help or children’s centres available to help her cope, and that most were being closed because of funding cuts.

Social workers said the adoption process was not working and that there was not enough post-adoptive support for birth or adoptive

families.

There was also call for government to not only fund the system properly but to be more open over its data.

“The government needs to supply a breakdown of figures so we can see how many children who are adopted then go back into the care system because of a breakdown with the adoptive family – often through lack of post-adoption support – which is morally wrong but also doesn’t make sense financially,” said Allen.

Former Prime Minister, David Cameron, and the current Envir-

onment Secretary, Michael Gove, have both publicly supported adoption as a public good and the best decision for children.

Allen, who also questioned the grounds for government’s promotion of adoption above other care options, added: “There is a dearth of information and meaningful longitudinal research to inform policy and social work practice on adoption.

Without this information, the arguments made for adoption in its current form and policies are insufficiently evidenced.”

Fostering better-off an All Public Service?

Sir Martin Narey’s 2016 review of residential care for the government found that in some areas, private sector agencies charge 92% more than the local authority spends on its own foster carers.

An adviser to the government, his findings echo a 2014 report which found that each in-house foster placement typically cost councils £17,000 per year less than the average agency placement.

It is suggested that agencies lure carers with better pay and support – costing the taxpayer millions. But some local authorities are fighting back.

I

t has been written in circles that by allowing the private sector to flourish in fostering, a two-tier service has been created.

The foster carers quoted in a recent article (Councils face a huge hike in costs as foster carers jump ship) expressed the same sentiments and experiences of many foster carers I interviewed over a 20-year period in a series of research studies.

It is indisputable that, generally, Independent Fostering Agencies (IFAs) provide far better support and training opportunities to their foster carers

and smaller workloads for their social workers.

As a result, their retention and recruitment of both are far less problematic than those that local authority fostering agencies face, and have generally faced throughout that period.

However, this does not mean IFAs need to be in the private sector to achieve such foster carer and social worker satisfaction.

In fact, before the implementation of the Care Standards Act in 2002, most IFAs were voluntary, not-for-profit organisations, and some still are.

@PhoenixNewsUK

The Phoenix Newspaper - March 2018 - Page 43

SPORT - WITH STEVE WILLIAMS

Dina and Richard Launch Anniversary Games

Khan a Matchroom Boy Now Amir Khan will be returning back to the ring in April after an absence 18 months will be facing his opponent who is yet to be announced at The Echo Arena, Liverpool.

Matchroom Managing Director, Eddie Hearn, signed up the 31-year-old on a three-fightdeal and will be targeting another world title.

Khan said: “I’m thrilled to be teaming up with Matchroom. This decision is not one I’ve taken lightly, as I’m at a hugely important time in my career, but having spoken to Eddie at length, it was clear he and I were on the same page in terms of what I want to be doing and what I still want to achieve.

“I’m determined to win another world championship and I’m confident I’ve got the right team behind me to help me do so.”

Hearn has said “I am delighted to welcome former unified world champion Amir Khan to the Matchroom Boxing and Sky Sports Boxing team. Amir is one of the biggest names in boxing and is to return on April 21”.

Brook and Adrien Broner were mentioned as potential opponents, but no fighter has been announced for the April show.

Albion PDC Success Story Growing

T

he Albion Foundation’s Player Development Centres continue to be a success, with sales rising by 25%.

A product of Albion's youth system, Sam Field expressed the value in attending one of the centres. “It’s brilliant just to get close to academy football; it’s a very good standard,” he said.

“Unfortunately not all of them will make it, but to get in and around it is a great honour and they should enjoy it as much as they possibly can."

Dan Bryson, one of The Albion Foundation’s Football Development Officers, explained how the PDC can benefit your child.

He said: “The Albion Founda-

tion Player Development Centre is a crucial part in your child progressing on our player development pathway.”

We aim to develop the players technically, physically, psychologically and socially.

It offers potential exit routes into our Player Development Academy as well as opportunities to move up into Elite and Academy football.”

The players that attend the centres also spoke of the improvements that they have made since joining the centres.

“The Player Development Centre has improved my passing and receiving skills,” said one of the players.

“The Player Development

Jaguars Ready to Roar

I

t was all jovial smiles and ‘back-slapping’ as players and officials of the Soho Jaguar Domino Club were presented with medals, trophies and certificates for a season that has proved to be glowing...and a giant leap forward.

Under the auspice of Reminisce Members Social Club, the Birmingham outfit, 3-years in the National Caribbean League, are going leaps and bounds - as

a club, in general, and as a team, in particular.

Manager of the Handsworthbased organisation, Bernard Lewis, enthused: “This presentation is reward for the commitment and dedication of all the players and officials connected to the Soho Jaguars.

As a team, we travel the length and breadth of the country simply because we enjoy playing dominoes, meeting so many likeminded people – and showing

everyone that Soho Jaguars are a force to be reckoned with.”

But, it’s not all about playing dominoes: “We embrace all our players, officials and loyal supporters,” Lewis continued. “The whole ethos, especially of the Reminisce Members Social Club, is to offer great friendship.

We are a family here. So, all we do is for ALL.” The Soho Jaguar Domino team is roaring on to great things as the best time to ‘Reminisce’ is now.

Centre has helped me become a better defender,” said another participant.

With a number of centres being sold out, and places continuing

to sell quick, The Albion Foundation recommend that you book now for next term to avoid disappointment.

British sprinting sensations Dina Asher-Smith and Richard Whitehead launched this summer’s Müller Anniversary Games at the London Stadium; which again includes the prestigious Diamond League fixture.

With both World, Olympic and Paralympic champions competing (on 21-22 July) it will be the most star-studded event of the athletics calendar in 2018.

Asher-Smith who broke the long-standing women’s 100m British record back in 2015, said: “I’ve had some great moments on this track which has a special place in my heart.”

Whitehead – who added a fourth T42 200m world gold medal to his collection in the capital last summer –commented: “I’ve been lucky to compete in the London Stadium a number of times – which is always special. If we can inspire more kids into the sport that will be amazing.”

Page 42 - The Phoenix Newspaper - March 2018

Khan a Matchroom Boy now- Page 43

Jaguars Ready To Roar! - Inside Back

Pupils Shine in School Games As part of the national Turkish Airlines School Games, over a thousand children from schools throughout the city competed for the (7th) Birmingham School Games.

It gave pupils the opportunity to experience large scale multi-sport events and builds on the legacy of the London Olympics 2012 – whilst help creating one for the Birmingham Commonwealth Games 2022.

As pupils took part in a variety of sports, over two-days, Sport Birmingham CEO, Mike Chamberlain said: “These were our biggest and best Winter Sports festivals yet, providing the first taste of multi-sport competition for young athletes.

“And there is no doubt that the experience will inspire many to excel in their chosen sports, and one day represent Birmingham, or even Great Britain.”

Bailey Right for EPL Elite F

ollowing spells in Austria and Slovakia all is on the up for Leon Bailey.

The Jamaican international enjoyed an astonishing breakthrough, in his football career to date registering four goals and seven assists in Belgium's Jupiler Pro League en route to winning the Young Professional Player of the Year award at the end of the season. The left-footed attacker arrived at Belgian top-flight outfit Genk alongside his brother Kyle Butler at the start of 2015/16. Then 18, he was given a chance in the first team and has not looked back since.

Now a regular at German Bundesliga giants, Bayer Leverkusen, Bailey, who scored the best goal in the 2016/17

UEFA Europa League season, is attracting the attention of major clubs throughout Europe – including the English Premier League.

The goal, a curling 25-yard shot into the top-left corner, received effusive praise from UEFA's technical panel that included Sir Alex Ferguson.

The 20-year-old Jamaican-born player scoring four goals and providing another two assists, earning him a place in the official ‘Team of the Group Stage.’ A far cry for the boy who grew up in the Cassava Piece area of Kingston.

He has played in a friendly match for Jamaica under-23's, but it was reported that he would refuse call ups to the full squad until the standards of the

country’s football improved.

He recently said that his international future was still open with the Bundesliga website reporting that he has English ancestry.

He’s come a long way since his days playing for Phoenix All Stars Academy, in Kingston, but Leon, who is best friends with the legend that is Usain Bolt, has the world at his devastating feet (especially that demon left boot) so we will be hearing a lot more of him in seasons to come “In Leon we have a highly promising player on a long-term deal,” said Leverkusen CEO Michael Schade.

Europe’s elite are on ‘red alert’ come the summer transfer-window.

Olympics Hero, Goodhew, Backing Swimming Challenge

T

he UK-wide Swimathon challenge is back this year, with everyone from paddlers to speedsters raising money for charity. This year’s being Marie Curie and Cancer Research UK. Swimathon is for swimmers of all ages and abilities - with

different distances to choose from, including the new 400m challenge, if you haven’t swum for a while.

If you can swim, you can still take part!

Swimathon takes place over the weekend of 27 to 29 April at more than 600 pools in towns and cities across the UK.

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You can choose to swim 400m, 1.5k, 2.5k or 5k as an individual or 1.5k or 5k as part of a team.

Olympic gold medal swimmer, Duncan Goodhew, is Swimathon President. He said: “You’ll swim alongside each other to complete your challenge, and experience that

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exceptional feeling of affinity with others and contribution to a greater cause.

You’ll get an amazing feeling of personal achievement when you touch the end of the pool on your Swimathon event day!

Together, you’ll have done something really rewarding for yourself and for others.”

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