Promoting Diversity for Birmingham Commonwealth Games 2022
MAY 2019
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Connecting Communities - Inspiring A New Generation
Why we must always remember Stephen Lawrence
A
s April 22 remains etched in the world’s conscience, the corresponding date in 2019 proved to be one example of a united Britain as the nation got together as one to remember and celebrate the life of murdered teenager Stephen Lawrence. And, as people from the wide range of the UKs multicultural backgrounds united to commemorate his death, in the Midlands, West Midlands Senior Assistant Police and Crime Commissioner Ashley Bertie was one, in an array of the region’s leading
Inside This Month
Connecting Communities and Celebrating Vaisakhi - Pages 12 & 13
Housing Group Sign Mental Health Pledge - Page 39
figures, to highlight the impact it had, and has, on him, as an individual, and the community he serves at large. At the event celebrating the first ‘Stephen Lawrence Memorial Day’ - organised by West Midlands Police's Black and Asian Police Association (BAPA) - as well as commemorating the architect's death, the day also celebrated the region’s diversity and encouraged all members of local communities to come together to create a range of positive activities for young people.
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Bonsu in Colourful Battle with HSBC Bank
A
broadcaster has accused one of Britain's biggest banks of hounding him for years over a personal guarantee it knows to be unenforceable. Henry Bonsu, a former BBC presenter, signed the guarantee worth £30,000 to safeguard the overdraft of Colourful Radio, a station he joined in 2005 after he was axed from BBC London Radio for being "too intellectual". Bonsu initially worked as a presenter and head of programmes but was then made a director in summer 2008 after he'd loaned thousands of pounds to the station. However, he says a few weeks later he was asked by Colourful's founder and CEO Kofi Kusitor to sign a personal guarantee to secure its existing £60,000 overdraft with HSBC, which has its UK base in Birmingham. "Kofi made it clear that if I didn't do it the bank would close Colourful's overdraft and the station would collapse. I had already loaned £60,000 to the company and I was terrified that I would lose it. Plus, Kofi was the boss so I agreed to do it." Bonsu and Kusitor signed personal
guarantees of £30,000 each in March 2009, but after Colourful joined the expensive DAB platform a few months later its debts began to skyrocket, increasing internal divisions over its direction. Bonsu resigned from the station in November 2013 after a series of disagreements with Kusitor, who placed Colourful into administration in April 2014. Since then the former presenter says he's been sent a series of threatening letters by HSBC and its solicitors demanding he pay £30,000 plus interest and costs. "I've tried to explain to them that although I became a director I was effectively an unpaid employee with a boss who called the financial shots." He added, "I did a daily show at Colourful at the behest of Kusitor, and my relationship with him was clearly one of trust and confidence. The law is very clear that the bank should have been alert to the possibility of undue influence, and taken action to address it." According to the celebrated Etridge guidelines set down in a landmark High
Court case, such action should have included a private meeting between the bank's relationship manager and the guarantor, and insisting that Bonsu obtain a certificate of legal advice from a solicitor without the principal debtor (Kusitor) being present. HSBC took no such safeguards, and now claims that as Bonsu was a director he must have known what he was signing up to. However, the former presenter says HSBC's assumptions did not satisfy the minimum legal threshold expected of a major bank. He added that a Colourful Radio shares certificate they both signed in July 2009 proves that while Kusitor was the real director, he remained an employee. After HSBC's latest deadline before
Windrush compensation announced – but payouts could be ‘surprisingly low’ Pay-outs to those caught up in the Windrush scandal will be "surprisingly low", campaigners warned after the home secretary announced they would finally be given compensation. Sajid Javid said the scheme would “begin to turn the page” on the crisis by seeking to reimburse thousands of Commonwealth citizens for the losses they suffered after being wrongly classified as illegal immigrants. He said there would be no cap on the overall amount of compensation awarded, but that the “baseline
estimate” was £200m. Pay-outs would be awarded to anyone who has been in the UK since 1988 and was wrongly targeted by immigration enforcement, he added. However, lawyers warned that the absence of an overall cap was a “false dawn”, as the scheme’s rules set out fixed sums on how much compensation can be awarded for different losses. The guidelines state that victims will receive a fixed tariff of £500 if they were blocked from attending university, £500 if they were denied NHS healthcare and just £200 if they
were unable to access banking services as a result of the scandal. Jamie Beagent, a human rights lawyer at the Leigh Day law firm is currently investigating potential legal action for more than 30 Windrush victims. He said: “The fact that there’s no overall cap was a big positive, but then when you look at the detail behind it it’s a bit of a false dawn. A lot of people are not going to recover their losses because of the very strict way the loss categories are defined in the appendices to the rules. Some of the tariffs are put surprisingly low in comparison to
legal action expired on 10th January Bonsu went public with his case on Facebook, and has been overwhelmed with hundreds of supportive messages from across the community. He said, "It's been amazing. I think people realise that if this can happen to me, it can happen to others, who may find themselves working for a business, where everything goes through one person, and where there's a suspect relationship with the bank." The former Trade Minister Digby Jones, who is supporting Bonsu in his case, agrees. “I think it’s outrageous the way this bank has behaved. It’s a clear case of undue pressure and the bank should have settled this years ago without putting Henry through all of this pressure.”
what individuals might receive in a successful court case. “Lots of the categories are surprisingly low, when you think about what people would have suffered as a result of, for example, not accessing that private education.” Campaigners also said the “onerous evidence” victims were required to provide would make it difficult for some to make claims, particularly given that Mr Javid made no mention of legal aid. Concerns were also raised that the guidelines state the Home Office may “reduce or decline” payouts for people who did not attempt to regularise their status after being targeted by immigration officials – which lawyers branded “grossly unfair”.
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The Phoenix Newspaper - May 2019 - Page 3
NEWS
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Commonwealth Tree Canopy Takes Root In City Academy F
our British native broadleaf trees, awarded as part of the Queen’s Commonwealth Canopy project, were planted in the grounds of Ninestiles Academy in Birmingham. Ninestiles, in Acocks Green, is believed to be the only school in Birmingham to be awarded
the trees as part of a project that was launched in 2015 with the aim of creating a network of conservation initiatives across the Commonwealth to raise awareness of the value of indigenous tree populations. In the presence of - and led by - Clive Stone DL, representing the Lord Lieutenant of the West Midlands on behalf of Her Majesty, the tree; including rowan, silver birch and hazel, were planted with pupils overlooking and very much being part of what was a historic occasion. Each of the trees planted was selected by children to represent an aspect of Ninestile’s role as a UNICEF Rights Respecting School which focuses on wellbeing, participation, relationships and self-esteem all designed to make a positive impact on the whole community; Each represent the right to health; the right to protection from violence; the right of nondiscrimination and finally, the right to freedom of expression.
Thrilled that they were selected, Ninestiles’ joint head Andrea Stephens, said: “This initiative is a fitting way to celebrate The Queen’s long reign, but it also symbolises our school’s belief in growth and nurture. “It is to be hoped that these five saplings will be appreciated in the years to come by many generations of schoolchildren as well as their parents, carers, families and the wider community.” He added: “I also want to pay tribute to Lucy Fisher and Holly Turton, two teachers at our school, who were instrumental in applying in the Commonwealth Canopy ballot. They are both dedicated to our Academy being a UNICEF Rights Respecting School and it is fitting that we should be combining these two elements.” The landmark project was recently featured in a conversation between Her Majesty the Queen and Sir David Attenborough in the ITV documentary; ‘The Queen’s Green Planet’.
Street Cred Mag starts Page 17
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Page 4 - The Phoenix Newspaper - May 2019
NEWS
An Odyssey of Excellence Bangladeshi community in the UK By Imran A Chowdhury
T
he journey that began some 65 to 70 years ago from the Ganges delta's north eastern tip to the UK has been an epic story of success and prosperity. Today the descendants of those
migrants are standing tall in the British society with their head held high to the pinnacle. In excess of 17,000 restaurants, 5,000 groceries, 3,000 other paraphernalia of the auxiliary supporting service echelons of businesses are thriving up and down the whole of the British
Isles. Achievers and entrepreneurs are at the heart of the diaspora. The emblem of their foot prints are exuberantly visible in all almost all parts of the UK and Bangladesh. The community is now owning banking, international financial
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l Imran A.Chowdhury FRSA, Founder & CEO CFPPP and hedge fund businesses, world class medical treatment and research and surgical centres, and SME’s seen all over Bangladesh which is mostly the landmark investment ventures by the expat community living in the UK. Millions of pounds are pumped in the Sylhet region to change the total landscape of the region into the biggest construction site in the country which is turning the district as the main hub for business, investment and convergence of a thriving cosmopolitan — an enclave within the rest of the impoverished parts of Bangladesh - a stark contrast
from the rest of the country. The progression in the fields of education and qualification of the Bengali diaspora in the UK needs no evidence to show. Mulberry girls high school in Tower Hamlet in London is perhaps the biggest example of excellence for the girls of the community. The achievement and progression of the diaspora in terms of female empowerment are the just the tip of the iceberg — where 3 of the ladies from the diaspora are sitting in the epitome of the world’s oldest democratic parliament the palace of Westminster.
Best Drinks Title for Be At One Brum Birmingham has two of the best bars in the country! Be At One on Basement Piccadilly Arcade and Be At One on Brindley Place serve the best drinks in the area, according to the judges of the Publican Awards, an annual awards ceremony that celebrates everything that’s great about the world of pubs and bars. The leading specialist cocktail bar chain in the UK, Be At One won ‘Best Drinks Offer’ in the national Publican Awards. As one of the most prestigious awards events in the industry, winners really are the cream of a very competitive crop. Be At One Basement Piccadilly Arcade is located directly opposite New Street station and has a party license until late. With two large bars over two
rooms, plush booth seating and live DJ's on Friday and Saturday nights, it's a party not to be missed! Be At One Brindley Place meanwhile has a fabulous artdeco feel and the pretty outdoor area means you can enjoy alfresco cocktails all year long. Known for its extensive cocktail range, friendly bartenders and 2-4-1 happy hours, Be At One was recognised for its dedication to perfecting the guest offer and ensuring the superior quality of the drinks. Its ‘Appi Hour’ app, which allows guests to extend their happy hour, was also voted a stand-out feature. A special mention was given to Be At One’s star bartenders, who undergo rigorous training to perfect every detail of their drink craft.
As once it was looked down upon and now a vibrant community with one of the biggest achievers in the country. In the buy to let segment, the Bangladeshi diaspora in the UK today have pumped in the biggest resources and every other Bangladeshi now owns second or third property stock. Knowledge acquired in the UK’s booming catering trade owned by the community is now moving abroad and moving into a new direction of hotels and tourism businesses, and there are more then 10 world class tourism theme park based holiday complexes are the fastest growth sector in Bangladesh. To feed the need for a tourism base for the 160 million population and it's expanding middle class there is room for more than 100 of these kinds of establishments and these are all being initiated by the new generations of expats from the UK back home. Bangladesh being the second largest exporters of ready made garments in the world with a total of $30 billion plus circa is another avenue which the latest generations of UK based Bangladeshi entrepreneurs are eyeing to seize the opportunity. Brexit is now opening many new doors and Bangladesh being one of the oldest trade partners of the UK with a relation dating back to 1615, some 332 years will give more to bilateral trades dimensions. Bangladesh being the most potential emerging economy in the South east Asian region will play the pivotal role of forging stronger ties with the UK post Brexit. the phenomenal progression of this community from the backwaters of Bangladesh has been a true odyssey of excellence.
‘Biggest in the World’ New Primark Store Opens The world's biggest Primark opened its doors to shoppers in Birmingham with an estimated 5,000 people who flew through the store on its first day of business. Thought to have cost about £70m and four times the size of its old home round the corner, the former Pavilions Shopping Centre on High Street covers some 161,000 sq ft over five floors and comes complete with a Disney-themed cafe, a barber's shop and beauty studio, as well as Primark's standard fare affordable fashion. The new discount fashion chain which offers clothes and accessories for all ages, plus home ware, flies in the face of what’s making the news – more regularly – that is the likes of High Street big names such as Debenhams and House of Fraser in decline, this brand new development means double the previous work force; which adds to tich adds to the ghe grander redevelopment of Birmingham city. Despite a lack of any online presence, last year Primark reported higher UK sales and plans for more stores.
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NEWS
10-Year Old Author Pens Own Book Series for Kids
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the debut story with ‘Freeze Tag’ and ‘Laser Tag’ to complete the series. Teachers and parents alike have applauded the series, calling it a godsend for reluctant readers who long for more interesting children’s books. “I purchased this book as a readaloud for my 4th grade class,” said Kate, a fourth-grade teacher. “My students laughed out loud while listening and were inspired by the creative voice of this talented young author! The cliff-hanger at the end left us all very eager for the second
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instalment of the series!” Nicole, another teacher, said: “My students [fourth graders] begged me to read this book aloud to them each day. We all found the book incredibly engaging – action packed and hilarious all at the same time. We cannot wait for the sequel!” While becoming a published author at the tender age of 10 is an accomplishment many could only dream of, it’s just another day for Connor. In addition to writing, he is also a gifted pianist who, when not working on his stories also produces original electronic music on Garageband. “I’m really happy that my books are giving kids like me a chance to see themselves in fun stories,” Connor said. “I love to read and want to encourage other kids to read great books and maybe even write new books of their own.” A reader with an insatiable appetite for books, Connor has been known to plow through up to three books in one day. He counts Dan Gutman, James Patterson, Andrew Clements, and Judy Blume among his favourite writers, and plans to be as prolific as his literary heroes one day.
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reat works are known to come in small packages, and the Tag, You’re It! book series is living proof. Written by 10-year old Connor Benjamin Littlejohn, the threebook compilation is a hilarious story of middle school friends who come together to fight off zombies, monsters, and robots in an effort to save their town. Published in 2018, the short chapter books (Zombie Tag, Freeze Tag, and Laser Tag) are uniquely designed for young readers. The books have been shared with and enjoyed by elementary school students across the country from New York City to Nashville to San Francisco. When his fourth-grade English teacher gave his class an assignment to write a “spooky story,” Connor – an already voracious reader – decided to take the assignment a step further. With the help of his mom, he hunkered down over Christmas break to complete his first chapter book Zombie Tag about a boy named Jake and his adventures with friends. Since then, he’s followed up
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Knife sculpture on countrywide tour A sculpture dedicated to victims of knife crime has been temporarily installed at Coventry Cathedral. Originally unveiled in 2017, the 27ft ‘Knife Angel’ sculpture is made from 100,000 blades handed into police across the country. It was and was displayed in Liverpool and Hull before arriving in Coventry. Artist Alfie Bradley, who created the sculpture at the British Ironworks Centre, said it was a "monument against violence and aggression". The Bishop of Coventry, Rt Rev Dr Christopher Cocksworth, said the Knife Angel was "a stark reminder of a form of violent crime infecting our city and threatening lives with great danger, especially our young people". Messages from families of the victims of knife crime have been engraved on the sculpture's wings. Mr Bradley, who created it at
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the British Ironworks Centre in Oswestry, Shropshire, said it was "a memorial to those whose lives have been affected by knife crime". The sculpture will be displayed in Coventry until April 23. The number of crimes related to knives and other offensive
weapons dealt with by the courts reached its highest level for nine years last year, figures released show. The Ministry of Justice said 21,484 offences were dealt with in England and Wales in 2018 the highest number since 2009 (25,103).
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Page 6 - The Phoenix Newspaper - May 2019
NEWS
International Rangoli Artist Exhibition Opens in Sandwell
A
n exhibition of work by international Rangoli artist Ranbir Kaur opens at Wednesbury Museum and Art Gallery this week. Indian-born Ranbir has lived and worked in England for more than 30 years. She has entered the Guinness Book of Records for creating the largest Rangoli in the world. Rangoli is a traditional Indian art used to decorate the ground in front of houses and places of worship. Designs are created using decorative patterns marked out on the floor. Ranbir’s exhibition, ‘A Journey Through Colours’, is open to the public until June 20 and can be viewed during the Holyhead Road art gallery’s normal opening hours. Entry is free. A highly-celebrated artist, Ranbir, who lives in Walsall, has received many awards. Among them, in 2006 she received the Cultural Ambassador of Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) for contribution to arts.
Sharing a passion for colour, texture and design throughout her career, she has worked tirelessly as an artist promoting Indian art and culture at the highest standard. The exhibition celebrates her 30year journey, bringing together a wide range of traditional and contemporary arts and crafts inspired by her South Asian heritage. Ranbir said: “Celebrating 30 years in this country is overwhelmingly humble and looking back on my journey since childhood makes me feel very proud of how far I have come. I’d like to say a big thank you to Sandwell Council's museum and arts service for their support with this exhibition.”
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withTony Kelly Why does Britain devalue the black pound?
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ome readers might be wondering what is the black pound as one often hears about the pink pound in reference to lesbian, bi-sexual, gay and transgender people and the grey pound in reference to the elderly or senior citizens. Some of us like to coin the phrase the black pound with regard to the spending power of black people in Britain which should not be sniffed at or ignored. After all, any thriving economy is referred to as the black economy and ones bank balance is often referred to as being in the black whenever the amount is in credit. This article could cover a whole range of areas about the black pound but I intend to focus on the Performing Arts in terms of modern and contemporary dance, plays, musicals, orchestras and opera to name but a few. One can count on one hand the number of black people who are visible in terms of their patronage and support of the Arts at venues across the Midlands and the same applies to the absence of black performers on stage. A classic example is we all pay our BBC TV licence and there is hardly a true representation of our hue/colour on regional and national television programmes. That is why I particularly like this newspaper which makes sure to give our communities the positive coverage we rightly deserve. I am for inclusion and reflecting the multi-racial and diverse communities that we are all a part of and that should be the case too in the world of the Performing Arts. It is rather worrying in the 21st Century when the words equality, equity and diversity are banded about so readily that the presence of black people in the aforementioned entertainment settings is almost non existent. The reality for many is rather disappointing and needs to change. It has reached a stage where I now check the ethnicity of the cast list before booking most advertised performances and if it happens to be all white refuse to purchase tickets as that is not acceptable in this day and age. The myth of not being able to find competent black performers which is often heard is not one I subscribe to as the theatre schools, conservatoires,
music colleges etc throughout the country are churning them out in ever increasing numbers. Where are casting directors, producers looking for the abundance of black talent that is around? Then for those who do attend auditions to be constantly told that you were ‘pipped at the post’ increases their sense of frustration and is heartbreaking and soul destroying. I will reiterate that this has got to change as Britain is missing out in terms of cultural diversity and inclusion. As a family we love anything which is uplifting, informative and educational and I am sure most people are like minded in that regard. So it is with that in mind I am inviting the Phoenix readers to lend their support to a play called End the Silence which is being performed at the Crescent Theatre, Sheepcote Street, in Birmingham on Saturday 25th 7.30 p.m. and Sunday 26th May 4.00 p.m. The cast and production crew are made up of talented black performers and there needs to be as I like to refer to it ‘bums on seats’ instead of rows of empty seats. Let’s show our support with our black pounds for this production and dispel the myth that we do not support the Performing Arts. His Excellency Seth George Ramocan the Jamaican High Commissioner in London said “End the Silence is a must see for men, women and teenagers. Presented by a first class professional case, this play was both emotionally and intellectually engaging. “(Even) the discussion with the cast that followed the play was stimulating.” To whet your appetite a bit more, Elite Management said ‘A wonderful show. Amazing! An inspiring performance. The writing is superb’ whilst Lovers of Black Theatre stated in part ‘The acting was uniformly excellent, the play had me laughing, shaking my head, feeling sorrow and anger.’ The London based Director Mark Grey who is taking the play on a tour of the country says: “I am so excited to be on tour with End the Silence. “The story was born out of a lot of pain which was not necessarily physical, but emotional and spiritual, but with each performance we have seen audiences engaged, empathic, and empowered. “The cast are extremely talented and it is such a blessing to have been able to work with them. They make it such a joy turning up for rehearsal. Judging by the official reviews and the comments of the audiences End the Silence has struck a chord, the rallying cry is that it is time to speak out: abuse, domestic violence and sexual harassment must be exposed if it is to be eradicated. Let’s continue the discussion at The Crescent Theatre Birmingham. Let’s End The Silence”.
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The Phoenix Newspaper - May 2019 - Page 7
TROPICAL SUN ADVERTORIAL
Reggae, Ruck and Roll
I
n preparation for another sizzling summer of sun and sport, world food pioneers, Tropical Sun are proud to announce its sponsorship of the Jamaica UK National Rugby 7s team who are affectionately known as the UK Reggae Crocs. Tropical Sun Marketing manager Julz Davis said, “Jamaica is renowned for its cool running’s, reggae and rum, rather than ruck and a scrum, so as the first ever Caribbean country to have qualified for the Rugby 7s World Cup in 2018, this is an amazing achievement.” More recently at the Hong Kong 7s tournament, the Crocs have tested themselves against some of the best teams in the world. Battle-hardened, they are now back in the UK and ready to ruck and roll as part of their next big push towards qualifying for the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo. In this regard, their next big International tournament is a must win game at the Rugby North America Sevens on 6th – 7th July 2019 at George Town in the Cayman Islands. The Jamaica UK National Rugby 7s team manager Hughton Campbell, acknowledges the hard work that has gone into developing the team which is made-up of both UK based players with Jamaican heritage, as well as Jamaican nationals. Hughton said “With no dedicated rugby pitches in Jamaica, Rugby
7s on the island is in its infancy. Recruiting players from the UK has been crucial to developing the sport with a group of readymade and hungry players. “We are grateful to be collaborating with Tropical Sun who have provided invaluable resources to help sustain and grow our Jamaica grass-roots work” About the sponsorship Julz went on to say, “The majority of our Tropical Sun Caribbean products are produced in St. Catherine's, Jamaica and feature a 'Proud To Be Made in Jamaica' badge on the packaging. “Using some of our authentic Jamaican products we have created a scrumptious set of recipes to aid recovery and performance during
and after games and to help boost training. “These recipes include a Crocfast (Croc breakfast) that uses our handpicked ackees, which is the national fruit of Jamaica and its national dish, Ackee and Saltfish.” Research shows that ackee is a super-food packed with a range of essential vitamins and nutrients that contributes towards boosting protein power, stamina and bone strength. Other products that feature in the Crocfast includes the Great Taste award-winning Jamaican Jerk Seasoning and Scotch Bonnet Sauce. Julz added “From our wider range of world foods we have created a nutritious and non-alcoholic Croctail (cocktail).
“We’ve used our 100% natural Coconut Water to design a naturally refreshing smoothie that rehydrates and replenishes energy as a postwork out beverage. “Also, our Coconut Water on its own will be used to help re-energise the players during their competitive tournaments and games which form part of their UK tour and push for qualifying for the next Olympics.” Based in Waltham Forest, the firstever London borough of Culture, Tropical Sun will officially launch its sponsorship on May 3rd. At the launch there will be opportunities to meet members of the team, hear from high profile guest speakers, and of course eat like a Croc by sampling the Crocfast and
Croctail. Following on from the launch Tropical Sun will be continuing its partnership with the Angel Foundation to help raise funds for its charitable work. Its founder Angel Christine said, “We are very excited about the partnership with Tropical Sun who are planning to auction a limitededition rugby shirt that’s been signed by the players. All funds raised at our blacktie gala event on May 4th will go towards the IT suites at Stoney Hill School in Kingston Jamaica.” Over the summer you can catch both the Crocs and Tropical Sun at Europe’s largest festival of music and sport, the Bournemouth 7s (May 25th-26th). Then on May 27th, the Crocs will be making a guest appearance at the Afro Hair & Beauty Live to show off their tackling skills, at Europe’s largest celebration of beauty, fashion and lifestyle for women of colour. Also, Tropical Sun plan to mark the 67th anniversary of Jamaica’s Independence in August by linking up the rugby team with schools based in Central Village Jamaica. To find out more about the Crocs, the new scrumptious range of recipes from Tropical Sun, get info on the tour and to win awesome prizes go to tropicalsunfoods.com/ JamaicaUKRugby7s or #TryTropicalSun.
Win Scrumptious prizes from Tropical Sun
In celebration of its sponsorship of the Jamaica UK National Rugby 7s team, Tropical Sun have teamed up with The Phoenix Newspaper to give one super-duper lucky reader the chance to win a totally scrumptious prize. This includes a pair of tickets to see the Jamaica UK National 7’s team up close, at the world’s largest sports and music festival in Bournemouth 7s on May 25 - 26th. You will also win a limited-edition rugby shirt, an autographed picture, and a hamper brimming with Tropical Sun goodies including food from the Tropical Sun ‘Proud To Be Made In Jamaica Range.’ There are also 2 Tropical Sun hampers to be won as runner-up prizes. For your chance to win one of these great prize as well as to find out more about the scrumptious recipes, tour info simply go to tropicalsunfoods.com/ JamaicaUKRugby7s or #TryTropicalSun. The entry deadline is 11.59pm May 15th. Terms & conditions apply
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Page 8 - The Phoenix Newspaper - May 2019
BUSINESS AND FINANCE
l Mayor of the West Midlands Andy Street, Transport for West Midlands network access manager Erica Pearson and Cllr Mike Bird, leader of Walsall Council
New £10m expansion of park and ride More than £10m has been earmarked to expand park and ride sites at several rail and tram stations in a further boost for commuters, the economy and cleaner air. Transport for West Midlands (TfWM) has already ploughed around £17m into providing more than 8,500 car parking spaces at 38 rail stations and three Metro stops over the last two decades. With congestion costing the West Midlands economy more than £2bn a year, the park and ride facilities have bolstered the transport authority’s wider efforts to reduce the number of cars on local roads
and improve air quality. Now TfWM, which is part of the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA), has announced plans to extend several park-and-ride sites, many of which are so popular they are typically full to capacity before the end of the morning rush hour. The plans come as Mayor of the West Midlands Andy Street and Councillor Mike Bird, leader of Walsall Council, marked the official start of work on a new £2.6m park and ride facility for the West Midlands Metro tram stop at Bradley Lane which currently has no on-site parking.
Businessman, Ninder, adds DL to impressive list of achievements
F
ormer President of the Black Country Chamber of Commerce and current Board member of the Black Country Local Enterprise Partnership Ninder Johal has added ‘Deputy Lieutenant of the West Midlands’ to his already impressive portfolio. His appointment was announced by Lord Lieutenant of the West Midlands, John Crabtree the Queens personal representation in the region. A leading proponent of business to business events, media production and a successful chart topping record company Johal, born and bred in the very region he has been serving for so long, the entrepreneur, who is extremely passionate about business, set up the Nachural Group as a record label specialising in dance music; achieved global success with 9 no 1’s, a No.5 in the UK charts and a
no.7 in the US charts. It is equally highly recognised for specialising in presenting spectacular red carpet black tie events, stunning business award nights, memorable corporate presentations and also the manufacturing of high resolution audio - he is noted for hosting the ever-popular Signature Awards for business professionals and entrepreneurs. “Having lived and worked in the region all my life, to be appointed as Deputy Lieutenant for the West Midlands is a great honour for myself, my family and all those who have supported me along my journey.” The appointment of Ninder Johal DL was announced on February 1.
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The Phoenix Newspaper - May 2019 - Page 9
THE PHOENIX NEWSPAPER 9TH ANNIVERSARY GALA DINNER AND AWARDS PRESENTATION
In Association With
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he Phoenix Newspaper, in association with the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO), is proud to announce its 9th Anniversary Gala Dinner and Awards Presentation Ceremony. “We all witnessed how the Commonwealth vision offers hope and inspires us to find ways of protecting our planet, and our people. “We are able to look to the future with greater confidence and optimism as a result of the links that we share, and thanks to the networks of cooperation and mutual support to which we contribute, and on which we draw.” - Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. In connecting with our brothers and sisters across the
Commonwealth, Her Majesty The Queen along with the rest of the royal family have made it their duty to highlight the importance of the Commonwealth, and in doing so we have followed the steps of the Royals across the rich continent of Africa. To showcase Africa and the connections that The Phoenix has globally with Commonwealth countries, we were delighted to bring a bit of the African continent along with its royalty, traditions and legacies to Birmingham for our 7th Anniversary. For our 8th Anniversary, we connected with the British Military to showcase the many soldiers from Commonwealth countries who fought alongside their British comrades with one voice, and also the diversity of our
Armed Forces today. This year, in keeping with Queen Elizabeth and her love for the Commonwealth, The Phoenix Newspaper has teamed up with the Caribbean Tourism Organization, which, although not all of its 24 member countries are part of the Commonwealth, its purpose of Leading Sustainable Tourism - One Sea, One Voice, ideally reflects what we are promoting. Connecting communities across the Commonwealth with this year’s theme which is ‘Spreading The Love’, the world is a better place with travel as we discover new cultures, food, people and beginnings. So let’s celebrate the exciting blend of uniqueness and diversity of the Caribbean, and the beauty in experiencing the world at our fingertips.
Once again, this year our anniversary ball will be held at the International Convention Centre in Birmingham, on 16 November 2019, with the theme of a Masquerade Ball. This year’s event promises to bring world leaders, high-ranking military officials, governors, dignitaries and specially invited guests together under the same roof to celebrate a newspaper that follows through with its promises. The Phoenix Newspaper, the Truth Newspaper, has been connecting communities over the past eight years through our free, non-biased monthly publication both in print and online. Finally, this year is all about love, which is a universal message that all of us understand regardless of race, colour, creed, gender, or sexuality. The Phoenix demonstrates a ‘live and let live’ attitude. This is an awards ceremony that recognises diversity, inclusion and success from all sectors and walks of life, so this year make sure you don’t miss out. We will be giving away an allexpenses-paid holiday to the Caribbean. Watch this space for more information. We are looking for corporate sponsors to support us in delivering this year’s event. So if you are a company, and organisation or government body who champions diversity, inclusion and the common good, identify yourselves by supporting this cause. There are a wide variety of sponsorship opportunities available, and sponsors from all sectors are welcome, contact TPN Media on 0121 339 5885 or email galadinnerandawards@ tpnmediauk.com for more information.
l Birmingham City University receiving the Educational Excellence Award at the 2018 8th Anniversary, and left, Lord Lieutenant of the West Midlands, John Crabtree OBE
Save The Date
16 11 2019 The Phoenix Newspaper 9th Anniversary Gala Dinner & Awards Ceremony
Tickets £75
Call: 0121 339 5885
Sponsorship Opportunities Available
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Page 10 - The Phoenix Newspaper - May 2019
NOMINATIONS ARE OPEN Windrush Award 2019 Business of the Year Award 2019 Street Cred Next Generation Award 2019 Veteran Award 2019 Entrepreneur of the Year Award 2019 Leadership and Empowerment Award 2019 International Excellence Award 2019 Charity of the Year Award 2019 Championing Diversity Award 2019 People’s Choice Award 2019 Community Engagement Award 2019
If you want to nominate someone for an award at The Phoenix Newspaper 9th Anniversary Gala Dinner and Awards Ceremony, simply follow the instructions below. 1) Send an email to
nominations@thephoenixnewspaper.com
2) Include the name of your nominee and the Award that you are nominating them for. 3) A brief explanation as to why you are nominating them 4) A contact number and/or email address for your nominee
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The Phoenix Newspaper - May 2019 - Page 11
SPECIAL INVITATION
16 11 2019 The Phoenix Newspaper 9th Anniversary Gala Dinner & Awards Ceremony
Tickets £75
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Sponsorship Opportunities Available
Email: galadinner@thephoenixnewspaper.com
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Page 12 - The Phoenix Newspaper - May 2019
ANDY STREET’S VAISAKHI CELEBRATION
Celebrating & The Sikh C T he role of Sikhs in todays society was highlighted on the 9th April at the Ramada Hotel Sutton Coldfield as Mayor of the West Midlands, Andy Street brought together dignitaries, public figures, entrepreneurs faith leaders and community champions to celebrate Vaisakhi. In the beautiful Ramada Hotel, formerly Penns Hall hotel and the location for Crossroads, the gathered group included former Lord Lieutenant for the West Midlands, Paul Sabapathy CVO CBE, Deputy Lieutenants Satinder and Jagjit Taunque as well as Ninder Johal, and representation from a number of faith leaders from across the city. The actual date of the Sikh Festival is the 13th April, although this year it is to be celebrated in Birmingham by the Council of Sikh Gurdwaras in Birmingham (CSGB) on the 29th April, and is expected to draw over 100,000 people from around the region and beyond, culminating in a large open air community celebration open to all in Handsworth Park.
After recently opening it’s Centre for Sikh and Panjabi Studies, Dr Opinderjit Kaur Takhar from The University of Wolverhampton spoke passionately about the history of Vaisakhi, and also more information about the 5 K’s. Vaisakhi is the holiest day in the Sikh faiths calendar. It marks the ceremony in 1699 when on the first day of the month of Vaisakh, the tenth Guru, Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji Maharaj created the order of the Khalsa. On this day, the Panj Pyare (the 5 beloved ones) came forward to offer their heads to their Guru. The Amrit ceremony marked their “rebirth” as the first of a new order. Guru Gobind Singh Ji gave them an identity (Five Kakar), a strong sense of self-discipline and a moral code of conduct. The combined code of conduct made them Saint Soldiers with a commitment to defend faith and the oppressed. “What I’ve learned over the last few years since standing as Mayor, is that the Sikh community is numerous, nearly 150,000 across the region, and the contribution made is incredible
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The Phoenix Newspaper - May 2019 - Page 13
g Vaisakhi Community across business, professions, the health service, and education,” beamed Andy Street. “What you do to set the standards for larger society. If I look at the values that you profess, they are the values that I hope are shaping the West Midlands society as we build it. This is seen so clearly at every Gurdwara, and in Langar, with Midland Langar Seva Society, and Langar Aid being seen in day to day life by everyone.” This year also marks 100 years since the Jallianwala Bagh massacre on the same date, the 13th April, an atrocity recognised by Andy Street, who called upon the government to issue an apology for what happened following his visit to Amritsar back in October. “It is my honour to have drawn everyone together tonight. Thank you for making one of the things I said I would do when I was elected Mayor possible. I said that I would be Mayor for ALL communities, whether they voted for me or not, but I am a firm believer that this role has to unite everyone in the West Midlands, and the Sikh community above all
communities has come forward and said lets work together in that spirit.” Ninder Johal DL also spoke of his upbringing as a very “different” child at school to all of his classmates. “I didn’t change my beliefs, or my name and I’m glad. As I grew up being a Sikh began to become more acceptable, and I suddenly realised that the Turban was a massive asset and a competitive advantage in Business, as people regard Sikhs as those with integrity, authenticity and trust. “Sikhs are entrepreneurs, in engineering, hospitality, and in the highest levels in professions such as health, accountancy and construction. The UK is now a multicultural society where how you look, the colour of your skin, or how you spell your name no longer matters.” “All of you should be proud of what you have achieved in the past, what you have achieved today, and what you are going to achieve tomorrow, for your children, the younger generation and the UK.” And in the spirit of celebration, it couldn’t have been put better.
ANDY STREET’S VAISAKHI CELEBRATION
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Page 14 - The Phoenix Newspaper - May 2019
BUSINESS AND FINANCE
The Beast of Brixton: Kimcheese, Coffee and Croissants
How should Entrepreneurship be viewed in modern times? with Dr Christopher Johnson In fact, over the past two
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ward-wInnIng journalist, editor and publisher Dr Christopher Johnson writes his monthly column in The Phoenix aiming to inform, educate and entertain.
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question that has many answers, yet one that demands a critical appraisal. Numerous articles and books have been written on this subject, with the primary focus on the commercial imperative. Commentators regard productivity as a major factor when analysing the activities of entrepreneurs as they ply their trade. So, how should we really view entrepreneurship in the modern age? What are the contributory factors in this process of creativity versus innovation? Hoselitz (1957) and Elkan (1975) asserted that minorities particularly, who are involved in micro to small firm activities, did not always share common beliefs ‘that predisposed them to entrepreneurial aptitudes’. In viewing the historical context of ethnic firms for example, some authors suggest that the ‘lines between business and social obligations could be blurred’. The consideration here is that ‘opportunity structures could be defined in both cultural and economic terms especially since business practices could transcend market transactions’ (Ochonu, 2018). Individuals, groups and societal agencies can all impact on entrepreneurial processes. The performance or underperformance of firms is not only linked to market forces, but attitudes, beliefs, inclinations and overall values of ownerdirectors and managers. This factorial complexity is not often discussed adequately, in today’s literature on entrepreneurship. Another factor worthy of consideration is that of faith belief - prevalent amongst minority ethnic businesspersons. For many firm operators, this is an abiding principle - an ethical and moral code - which is integral to their survival strategy. It enables them to distinguish between the commercial imperative and social responsibility ethos.
years, EU-funded enterprise programmes in the West Midlands, highlighted unique insights into participants inclination or propensity for enterprise start-ups. In a sample of approximately 100 trainees, a range of attitudinal behaviours towards business formation, was evident. These behaviours illustrated the cultural and ethnic background of individuals. They also were indicative of the [personal] dimensional capability of each trainee, according to Figure 1. The Table below shows the diversity of participants who chose these self-employment options:-social housing, construction, translation, training, social care, publishing, creative industries, transport logistics. Trainees participated (with over 60% retention rate) in the following EU programmes that met their aspirations: • Employability consisted of job search, personal development, CV preparation, problem-solving, conflict resolution management techniques, interpersonal and personal communications, SMART objectives-setting. • Entrepreneurship consisted of business ideas, market intelligence, premises and location, financial capital, budget planning, human resources development, quality control procedures, business strategy. • IT Resilience comprised of technology assessment, data protection, e-job search, software technology, search engine optimisation, search engine practice. With 680,000 plus West Midlands residents unwilling to work, thousands of expublic sector employees with multiple experience and skillsets can be retrained as modern entrepreneurs. They can be ‘pioneers’ or purveyors of innovative products and services to meet the demands, needs and tastes of local, national and international consumer markets respectively.
l Figure 1: Aptitude towards enterprise formation rates by ethnicity (Source: Evaluation Reports of ESF Funding Programmes, 2018-2019)
l Travelstar European picking up their gong at the National Express Annual Awards
Local coach operator celebrates big win at National Express awards night
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alsall’s Travelstar European has won National Express’ top ‘Operator of the Year’ title for the fourth-year running at the organisation’s recent award ceremony. The company picked up the gong at the UK’s largest coach operator’s annual awards ceremony in Coventry two weeks ago. Craig Jackson, Operations Manager at Travelstar European, said: “We are extremely proud to receive such great recognition from National Express.
“We have an incredible team of people at Travelstar – the administrators, cleaners, engineers and, in particular, the drivers, who go out there and deliver excellence every day. This award is for them. “To win Operator of the Year for the fourth consecutive year is a huge honour, and we will continue to deliver a better and safer service for our customers.” The Operator of the Year category is based on the company’s engineering standards, the number of miles operated and customers carried, as well as praise and complaints. The company also walked away
3... 2... 1... And You’re A Gooner?
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father has posted a request online looking for a hypnotist to make his son switch his allegiance from Tottenham to Arsenal, after trying everything he can to persuade the six-year-old to support the red North London side. The request was posted on Bark.com, but had no responses from hypnotists, prompting the father to launch a public appeal.
The request stated that the father received a ‘bonus from work’ and was willing to pay £3,000 to any hypnotist who can make his son support Arsenal and carry on his family’s tradition. He says that his son (6), despite his best efforts, has been swayed towards Spurs by some of his friends at school. The advert states that his infatuation with Tottenham started last year after watching Harry Kane win the Golden Boot at the World Cup.
with ‘Operator of the Year for 6 to 10 vehicles’, a Gold Standard Achievement – meaning over three consecutive ‘Gold’ statuses for three or more consecutive years – and a Golden Spanner award for exceeding expectations in engineering. Chris Hardy, Managing Director at National Express UK Coach said: “We wouldn’t be National Express without our operators. Travelstar European help to keep us on the roads on a daily basis and I am pleased to have this opportunity to recognise their efforts and celebrate them as a valued partner.”
The father explains that his family has always passionately supported Arsenal until his son decided he wanted to switch to Spurs. The dad also says that he wants his son to find his passion for the Gunners in time for next season, as he wants to take him to the Emirates Stadium for their first Premier League game. The dad also said that his wife doesn’t know he’s doing this, and says ‘it’ll be easier to ask for forgiveness than permission’.
Start your day the Beastly way! Opening from 7.30am on weekdays and 8:30am on weekends, the Beast of Brixton’s new cafe offers bacon rolls, savoury hot croissants, freshly baked pastries and moreish Alchemy coffee specially blended for the venue. But we think you’ll travel for the toasties. Introducing: The Kimcheese. Korean food is happy food, so imagine how happy co-founders Jimmy and Will were on realising that kimchi is a next level toasted sandwich ingredient! Add ham or tuna, or just have it straight up with their house blend of cheddar, mozzarella and Gruyere cheeses. They’ve taken an ancient, traditional food and slapped it in a toastie to create the ultimate in East meets West lunchables. Toasties and sarnies don’t stop there. There’s also the Pulled Chicken Pesto Toastie with sundried tomatoes, an Aubergine & Harissa Houmous sandwich which is vegan friendly, a mouthwatering Tuna, Crispy Seaweed and Wasabi Mayo sarnie, and satisfying classics like the BLT and Ham, Cheese & Spring Onion. Customers can take their lunches to the next level with Disco Hot Sauce. This scotch bonnet-laden, Panamanian-style hot sauce recipe is blended to the sound of four-to-the-floor disco music locally in Brixton. Small batch Disco Hot Sauce is what Sriracha sauce wakes up and wishes it saw in the mirror. It’s your mouth’s next best friend, you can have it with your toasties or buy it by the bottle.
Kai Feller, Bark.com cofounder, said: “People love to argue about sport, especially when family members support different teams. We don’t know if it’s even possible to change someone’s loyalty like this, but hopefully someone will be able to help out this father and unite the family in their support of Arsenal!”
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The Phoenix Newspaper - May 2019 - Page 15
Built in the Black Country – Sold around the World by Paul Brown
Black Country LEP Board Member and Visiting Professor at BCU paul.brown2@bcu.ac.uk
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his week I was reminded of something that Lenin once said, ‘there are decades where nothing happens and there are weeks where decades happen’, well it’s been one of those weeks for what seems like most of this year! That said, I will attempt to write this article with no reference to Brexit, Trump, Putin, May, Corbyn, Boris or indeed Farage with his new Party. How dull and boring you might think, but you may well be surprised! It’s quite easy sometimes when discussing the West Midlands that the conversation can focus on Birmingham, and let’s face it, Birmingham is going through a transformation, a City of a Thousand Trades and leading light of the industrial revolution is transforming into a world-class destination. Integral to all of this of course is the Black Country, yes we can go back to the 1840s and discuss the heavy industries that gave it its name from the soot and smoke that once filled the skies and you could go back even further to the 1780s where the 14 mile road between
Birmingham and Wolverhampton was described as ‘one continuous town’. So fast forward today and once again Wolverhampton is in the headlines as one of the 3 cities in the region that will be part of the £150m Government investment for the 5G testbed with the initial focus being for health, construction and automotive
sectors. In fact it was only last year that both The Chancellor of the Exchequer, Philip Hammond and WM Mayor, Andy Street visited a small car manufacturer called Westfield, based in Dudley that is at the forefront of autonomous car technologies. The Black Country as a whole is responsible for circa 20% of
automotive and aerospace output for the UK including supply chains where recent research suggests that the Black Country could source up to 80% of components for a high performance carbonefficient car. The Black Country is now home to 38,000 companies with an employment rate increasing considerably faster than
Birmingham and the UK overall. The i54 Enterprise Zone in Wolverhampton is England’s most successful EZ by jobs created with over 4000 jobs delivered and 320,000 sqm of industrial space. It, like the rest of the region has a GVA per head below the national average but it is on the increase with an economy generating £22bn GDP with some £3bn of exports. The Black Country was second only to London with the highest proportion of UK businesses founded in 2013 that went on to generate at least £1m in revenues after three years. Despite these successes, there are still a number of important challenges where the Black Country and its partners continue to lead on finding solutions for the persisting skills gaps across a number of sectors. The Black Country Skills Factory has significantly improved the ability of advanced manufacturing businesses to access the training provision they require through the brokerage of bite-sized courses with an employer led approach. Additionally, a new £12.3m Elite Centre for Manufacturing Skills opened for business recently in Wolverhampton, providing specialist training in key skill shortages and Dudley College has just been awarded funding for a new ‘Institute of Technology’.
NEWS
Last year, the Black Country was announced as one of 20 places to host a ‘Careers Hub’ to help transform careers and education of young people. The Black Country Careers Hub will be made up of 36 schools and colleges, working together with Enterprise Advisor Networks, universities, training providers, employers and career professionals to improve education. The Black Country is also heavily involved with the development of the West Midlands Local Industrial Strategy leading on the evidence gathering and production of the key sector actions plans. Within this the Black Country is driving for a new initiative –a regional ‘Productivity Factory’aiming to boost efficiencies within the extensive, complex and diverse supply chains. There is so much more to say about the Black Country, I could continue and discuss some of the work the Black Country is doing on Housing such as the Garden City, or the £150M fund to support the re-use of brownfield land and buildings for residential and commercial development, or indeed transport initiatives including the Midland Metro Wednesbury to Brierley Hill extension. I have also ran out of space to include the significant role the Black Country will play at the Commonwealth Games in 2022 such as hosting the new state of the art Aquatics centre being built in Smethwick, Sandwell including a 5000 seat facility with an Olympic size competition pool and 25metre diving pool. All good stuff with many exciting years ahead for the region I think… Paul Brown, Board Member of the Black Country LEP and Visiting Professor at Birmingham City University.
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EDUCATION, TRAINING AND RECRUITMENT
g n i t o Prom xcellence E
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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.
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housands of children from across the West Midlands and the country made their way to the NEC Birmingham to visit the Big Bang Fair, one of the many events organised to celebrate British Science Week 2019. Among the multitude of stalls engaging young people in science and technology was the Public Health England and E-bug stand – which featured a variety of weird and wonderful items including petri dishes to build plasticine microbes; polystyrene globes, colourful pipe cleaners and glitter to create your own personal virus; and a laser shining through different solutions to reveal the presence of nanoparticles – which PHE scientists make sure cannot transfer from every-day substances like medicines and cosmetics into the body. Okechukwu Onianwa is a virologist in the Culture Collections team with PHE’s National Infection Service (NIS), he said: “My job involves collecting different viruses, so we can supply them to various clients, including pharmaceutical companies, to study their behaviour and develop vaccines and medicines to combat them. Here at the Big Bang Fair, we’ve been asking young
Big Bang for British Science Week
people if they know what a virus is and getting them to ‘build their own virus’ and name it. It’s a bit of fun, but the idea is to get young people to engage with viruses as living organisms which can attack the body and explain that we need to defend ourselves against the dangerous ones. “A lot of the time the students
Jay-Z's Shawn Carter Scholarship Fund Opens for Applications Created by rapper Jay-Z and his mother Gloria, the Shawn Carter Scholarship Fund (SCSF) was founded on the belief that any motivated individual in need should have the opportunity to further his or her education. By removing some of the financial burdens associated with going to, surviving in, and graduating from college, the SCSF plays a vital role in increasing college access and success for many motivated yet underserved youth and young adults. The SCSF provides individual grants, paid directly to the educational institution, to every student who qualifies and reapplies yearly, from admission to graduation. The grant can be used to cover tuition expenses and related supplemental educational expenses such as books, lab fees, travel and select costs of living. All Shawn Carter Scholars are required to “give back” by
don’t realise that things like chicken pox and flu are viruses – so it’s good to see them starting to think about things that they are aware of in a different way. Hopefully some of the young people coming to an event like the Big Bang Fair will get curious and think about pursuing science as a career.”
l On site at the new West Bromwich Collegiate Academy with new Principal Geoarge Faux, Councillor Simon Hackett and Sir Mark Grundy, Executive Principal at the Collegiate Academy Trust
Biggest year get secondary school places conducting community service and by serving as mentors to younger, aspiring Shawn Carter Scholars.
Eligibility requirements:
* High school seniors, students with GED diplomas, undergraduate (2 year or 4 year) college students, and students at vocational or trade schools * US citizen or Permanent Resident * 25 years old or younger * Minimum 2.0 GPA The deadline for this scholarship is usually in APRIL, and the award amount is usually up to $7,500.
Nearly 5,000 children have been allocated a secondary school place in Sandwell. A record number of parents and carers have received their first choice of secondary school place for their children and 89% of parents have been given one of their top three choices. Councillor Simon Hackett, cabinet member for children's services visited the site where new secondary school, West Bromwich Collegiate Academy is being built. He said: "We have given nearly 5,000 school places to children and more parents than ever have received their first choice of secondary school. "In Sandwell we are making sure that more school places are available including building new schools like West Bromwich Collegiate Academy, due to open in September."
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The Phoenix Newspaper - May 2019 - Page 17
EDUCATION, TRAINING AND RECRUITMENT
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arm-hearted students, staff and families from across all Arthur Terry Learning Partnership (ATLP) schools have been digging deep to raise more than £1100 in support of Birmingham-based housing charity, the Geoff Horsfield Foundation. A total of 10 schools across Birmingham, North Warwickshire and Staffordshire, also received an ‘unprecedented’ number of donations of warm clothing and bedding from their communities. They will pass the items and funds on to former Birmingham City Football Club legend, Geoff Horsfield, whose foundation provides quality, safe and secure housing accommodation and other services for vulnerable adults who have fallen through the current support network. Geoff, one of the most respected sportsmen in the West Midlands, founded the charity as a ‘debt of gratitude’ to the local community. He said: “We’re really touched by the amount of donations schools have generously given. The community spirit is alive in our schools and it’s heartening to see such a mass of support for others. I must give huge thanks for their combined efforts – this
will really make a difference. “Our foundation’s aim is to provide vulnerable adults and to make a sustainable impact on homelessness, vulnerability and its echo effect on the local community. Winter is a hard time and if we can provide safe, warm and secure homes for people who are at risk of falling through the system, then it’s a start to tackling this growing issue.” ATLP’s Brookvale, Curdworth, Hill West, Mere Green, Scotch Orchard, William MacGreggor, Two Gates, Slade, Arthur Terry and Coleshill schools all took part in the fundraising initiative. Lisa Dodd, headteacher of Curdworth Primary School, said: “We’re absolutely blown away by our community and their big hearts. They have all dug deep to support his worthy cause and we’re so grateful for their warmth and generosity. “This is an issue that affects us all. We’re raising our young people to be responsible and caring citizens, to look out for one another and to work together to support those in need. The work that Geoff and his volunteers are doing is life-changing and this is the least we can all do to play our part in this worthwhile initiative.”
ATLP community teams up with sporting hero to help the needy
University puts WOW factor into employability
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he University of Wolverhampton put the WOW factor into employability at an event held at the Springfield Campus recently. The Faculty of Science and Engineering organised the ‘WOW: Work Opportunities Wolverhampton’ event which was delivered in partnership with Just Finance Black Country and held at the new Elite Centre for Manufacturing Skills Hub on the £100 million regeneration site of the former Springfield Brewery. The Employability outreach event brought together businesses, education providers and practitioners to inspire and engage with young people, particularly from Black African, Caribbean and dual heritage backgrounds and their parents and focussed on Science, Technology, Engineering
and Mathematics (STEM) subjects in addition to Law, Social Sciences and Health. Visitors were given tours of the University Campus as well as opportunities to take part in workshops covering topics such as Work & Money, Getting a Job & Keeping a Job, How to Achieve Success and the A-Z of Super Confidence. There were also mentors and role models from a variety of different businesses and backgrounds on hand to give advice. Exhibitors included: ACCI (African Caribbean Community Initiative), HS2, HSBC Bank, Midland Metro Alliance, West Midlands Ambulance Service and West Midlands Police amongst others. Dr Petula Nurse, Principal Lecturer in Biomedical Science and Head of STEM Outreach
Writer visits School for World Book Day and Community Engagement at the University, said: “This is a new event and we’ve had a very promising response with attendance from a wide range of employers and businesses.
“Young people were given an insight into what careers might be available to them but were also inspired and encouraged to think bigger about their future.
Roadshow for deaf children arrives in Birmingham
l The National Deaf Children’s Society Roadshow’ visiting deaf children at Percy Shurmer Academy in Birmingham, with staff member Luke Collins-Hayes pictured
Deaf children and their hearing classmates spent the day learning all about deafness with a series of informative and engaging workshops. The workshops were organised by the National Deaf Children’s Society as part of its Roadshow, an eight ton purple lorry that tours the country and turns into a high-tech classroom. The Roadshow visited Percy Shurmer Academy in Birmingham and passed on support, advice and information to some of the city’s 1,526 deaf children and their hearing friends, teachers and parents. One of the workshops, Look, Smile, Chat, provided advice and tips on how
to communicate with a deaf child with another promoting mental health support. Through creative and fun activities, deaf children learnt what good emotional health is and how best to ensure both their bodies and minds remain healthy, including ideas for managing their own mental health. The National Deaf Children’s Society also showcased the latest technology and equipment available to accompany the key skills learnt on the day. This included flashing doorbells, vibrating alarm clocks and technology that helps deaf children listen to an iPod or mobile phone.
l Pupils at The Olive School, Birmingham dressed up as their favourite literary characters Children’s author Juliet Clare Bell helped pupils at The Olive School, in Birmingham, to learn how to work wonders with words during their World Book Day celebrations. She visited the school as part of its celebration of storytelling and reading. Held annually, ‘World Book Day’ sees schoolchildren and teachers alike dress up as their favourite characters from well-known tales, and share stories they love. The author of ‘Don’t Panic, Annika, and ‘Two Brothers and a Chocolate Factory’ ran storytelling workshops with pupils aimed at helping to inspire a love of books and reading. She also signed copies of her books for pupils. Pupils and the school’s Parent Council also held a book sale which made £828, which was used as an opportunity to enrich the pupils’ learning in areas such
as maths, leadership, budgeting, sales and pricing strategy, and developing confidence. The students also dressed up as their favourite literary characters to highlight the joys of reading. Rifat Batool, Principal of The Olive School, Birmingham, said: “Good reading habits start early and children who share books with others are more likely to develop language skills and advanced reading levels. We want to engender in our pupils a lifelong love of reading and literacy to fire up their creativity and imaginations. “Our World Book Day celebrations have provided a wonderful learning opportunity for our pupils. Above all it’s been a really fun week in school, for pupils and staff alike.” Opened in September 2016, The Olive School is part of Star Academies, one of the UK’s leading multi-academy trusts.
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Page 18 - The Phoenix Newspaper - May 2019
WOMAN OF EXCELLENCE
A True Woman of Excellence - Baroness Lawrence of Clarendon
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er deep, dark and intensely pained expression will remain with us all for many years to come – and generations to boot. What Baroness Lawrence of Clarendon, OBE went through, in full view of the world, will go down, especially in the darker annuls of British history as every viewer, listener, reader and general observer followed her painful journey she struggled on since the 22nd April, 1993. A former bank worker, married to husband, Neville, she, Baroness Lawrence, Doreen, had three children: the youngest, Georgina, was preceded by Stuart, who, in turn, was preceded by first-born, Stephen – all five, as the Lawrence family, full of love respect and ambition. Just your regular unified, loving British family – with no ‘axe
to grind’ and no grudge to bare until, it was, that fatal, never to be forgettable night in southeast London. We all know the story and I, in writing this, can only claim to experience a mere ‘smidgen’ of the emotional turmoil that she and her family have been through each and every day since – and all in the full glare of us – the rest of the world! How she handled the media ‘tsunami’ that followed, to this day, beggars belief as she fought so hard against the sneering murder suspects, the public intrusion into every hidden depth of her and her family’s lives and the injustices of certain parts of a legal system that people would say is the best in the world. The murder of Stephen Lawrence even had Prime Minister Theresa May to say that Britain have to "wake up to the reality of the
racism that still exists in our society". Hers and Neville’s very public divorce in 1999 would be the final straw that would break a lesser person’s back, under the overly scrutinise circumstances; which we all know was very painful, for her and all else concerned. But, despite what was a hugely unrivalled tumultuous ‘down’ in her life, the loss of her son, her first born, Baroness Lawrence of Clarendon, who was inaugurated as the Chancellor of De Montfort University in Leicester, in 2016, is turning her ‘negative’ into our future’s ‘positive’ as she sits in the House of Lords, as a working peer. She is continually fighting for the improvement of race relations in the UK, often facing many challenges due to a lack of societal acceptance and highlights
that Black youth do not receive the support she feels they deserve. With that, she also highlights the issue of mental health in this respect. A year on after the launch of Stephen Lawrence Memorial Day and 26 years on from that day we will all never forget, Baroness Lawrence of Clarendon will remain a ‘Woman of Excellence’ we will always remember.
Never Forget Continued from Front Page
It’s 26 years since Stephen Lawrence was cruelly taken from this world in a racially aggravated attack in Eltham, in southeast London, and although his life was short, he has become a positive role model of a life worth living with so much that has been achieved in his name through the vital work of the ‘Stephen Lawrence Charitable Trust’ – which was launched at the Stephen Lawrence Centre; which, in turn, aims to create a fairer society in which everyone, regardless of their background, can flourish. It was at a memorial service to mark the 25th anniversary of his death (April 2018) where Prime Minister Theresa May announced that ‘Stephen Lawrence Day’ would be an annual national commemoration of his death and encourage young people to strive more for their dreams – through education and beyond - and never be afraid to stand up and use their voices - starting this year. His mother, Doreen, who fights tirelessly to bring his murderers to justice, was, in 2013, given a peerage and is now ‘Baroness Lawrence of Clarendon’ – Clarendon being the parish where she is from, in Jamaica. She now sits on the Labour benches in the House of Lords specialising in race and diversity. Further still, De Montfort
University built the ‘Stephen Lawrence Research Centre’ and appointed her as its Chancellor in 2016. The ‘Stephen Lawrence Charitable Trust’, a national educational charity was created for the advancement of social justice and provide educational and employability workshops and mentoring schemes
whilst providing bursaries for architectural and landscape students. "We have come a long way since 1993,” said Assistant PCC Bertie, “but there is still much more to be done". Stephen Lawrence was 18 years old when he was stabbed to death; on 22nd April 1993.
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MAY 2019
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ENTERTAINMENT
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THE HOTTEST ENTERTAINMENT SUPPLEMENT
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Roderick Williams OBE announceD as new Patron OF Birmingham Bach Choir
R
oderick Williams OBE has been announced as being the new patron of the Birmingham Bach Choir. The famed British baritone takes on the role as part of the choir’s year-long centenary celebrations, and will be marking his appointment with a Special Recital Roderick Williams Sings Beethoven and Schubert - at Bromsgrove School, Worcestershire, on Thursday May 9. With accompaniment from pianist Susie Allan, the mustsee performance focuses on Ludwig van Beethoven's An die ferne Geliebte (To the distant beloved) and Franz
Schubert's Schwanengesang (Swan Song). Dating from 1816, Beethoven's An die ferne Geliebte is considered to be the first example of a song cycle by a major composer. Featuring six songs, they collectively capture the yearning, pain of separation, suffering, hope, and enrapture of a lover. Several of these were passed to Schubert by Beethoven's assistant, and Schubert's cycle shares similar themes - lost love, seduction, joy, hope - to that of An die ferne Geliebte. Roderick is one of his generation’s greatest performers. Winner of the Royal Philharmonic Society
Awards Singer of the Year 2016, Roderick was awarded the OBE for services to music in June 2017 and works regularly with all of the major UK opera houses, as well as singing with many major ensembles, including the Berlin Philharmonic, New York Philharmonic, Royal Scottish National Orchestra, and the BBC orchestras. In 2015 he sang Christus in Peter Sellars’ staging of the St John Passion with the Berlin Philharmonic conducted by Sir Simon Rattle, and returned to the role earlier this year with both the Berlin Philharmonic and the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment. Discussing his appointment
with choir, he said: "I’m delighted to be associated with the Birmingham Bach Choir; living as I do in the Midlands makes this pretty much my local choir. My association with Paul Spicer goes back more than thirty years, so I am especially pleased to support the work he has done, and continues to do, with this proud and magnificent choir." One of the largest and oldest chamber choirs in the West Midlands, Birmingham Bach Choir have played a central role in the region’s rich cultural life for 100 years, a historic occasion they’re celebrating with a series of special concerts and appearances.
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Gateway to the World delivers first-class experience The 2019 ‘Gateway to the World’ ultra-premium allinclusive gave Carnival enthusiasts an extra dose of festival flair en route to the Greatest Show on Earth. Now in its third year, this annual event has truly elevated the standard for premium events in east Trinidad and provided its patrons with an opportunity to celebrate the splendor of the Soca Kingdom in fine style. The old Piarco International Airport served as venue for this premium extravaganza and gave the fete’s loyal attendees the right mix of class, cuisine and first-rate Caribbean party vibes. The event’s organizers, FODAT LTD gained high marks by patrons for the superb execution, decorative ambiance and strategic positioning of
bars and food stations that gave Gateway to the World a generally easy going yet festive atmosphere. Gateway’s crowd consisted of both local event goers and even some foreign-based fetters that flew in for the weekend to experience first-hand the buzz generated from the event’s previous editions. In keeping with the theme of ‘Welcome Home’, the diverse audience, mixed, mingled and enjoyed a wide array of local fine food offerings which included Roast Chicken with Cassava Fries, Coo Coo, Dumplings, Calalloo, Hopkins Rice & Stewed Chicken with Salad, Roasted Pork, Roti with assorted curried meats, Bake & Shark, Corn Soup, Doubles and Pholouri.
ENTERTAINMENT
Where are all the Black women in Grime?
A
documentary exploring gender inequality in the music genre of Grime aired on BBC Radio 4, which was produced by Birmingham City University Journalism lecturer Marverine Duffy. ‘Where are all the Black women in Grime?’ aired on April 1 and included interviews with women who are making waves on the Grime scene, whilst investigating the lack of representation of Black women in comparison to their male counterparts. In the past 15 years, stars such as Stormyz, Dizzee Rascal, Wiley and Skepta have become mainstream names as the Grime genre has grown exponentially. Marverine was the Executive Producer of the programme for Boom Shakalaka Productions, a company led by BBC 6 Music Presenter, Gemma Cairney. Journalist and broadcaster, Marverine recently joined BCU as the director of four new undergraduate Journalism
courses at the Birmingham School of Media. She's best known as a former Newsreader for the BBC, 5 News and Sky News, and has produced several documentaries for BBC 5 Live, 1Xtra and BBC Radio 4. “This was a great opportunity to work on a documentary about a subject which is close to my heart: Grime music! Back in 2012, I raised the issue of up-and-coming Black female MCs in my Radio 1 Xtra documentary, ‘Ladies with Lyrics’. The exciting thing is that the breakout star of those young women, who's now arguably the single most successful woman on the scene, is a Brummie: Lady Leshurr. “I think it's a real shame there's still a reluctance to give women of African and Caribbean heritage their due. They are making huge moves in the scene, and this programme recognises that, and looks for solutions.” The documentary was presented by Guardian columnist, award-winning author and Grime fan, Yomi Adegoke.
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Sting & Shaggy announce UK Tour Dates for 2019
F
ollowing the GRAMMY’s, where Sting and Shaggy were awarded Best Reggae Album for their collaborative UK Top Ten hit record 44/876, the pair have announced their return to the UK with ‘The 44/876 Tour.’ A series of intimate and exclusive shows will begin at London’s Camden Roundhouse this May 19th with additional dates in Newcastle,
Birmingham and Manchester. 2018 saw the duo bring ‘The 44/876 Tour’ to North America, South America and Eastern Europe. Hailed “one of the most anticipated concerts of the year” and “a reggae rock dance party that never lets up,” the show sees the pair collaborating on each other’s most celebrated hits such as ‘Every Breath You Take,’ ‘Englishman In New York,’ ‘Message In A Bottle,’ ‘It Wasn’t
Me,’ ‘Mr. Boombastic’ and ‘Angel,’ as well as new hits from 44/876, which was awarded the 2019 GRAMMY for Best Reggae Album. In Spring of 2018, Sting amd Shaggy made UK headlines with a memorable performance of ‘Don’t Make Me Wait’ at Queen Elizabeth’s 92nd birthday celebration at the Royal Albert Hall. The track also featured on their collaborative Top Ten album release, dubbed ‘fantastically catchy.’ The pair also performed the track live on BBC’s The One Show, and in the latest series of ‘Mrs. Browns Boys.’ 2018 also saw the release of ‘Skank Up (Oh Lawd),’ a further collaboration from Sting & Shaggy that featured dancehall music sensation Ding Dong.
Nile Rodgers & CHIC to play Gloucester’s Kingsholm Stadium Gloucester Rugby and Music Plus Sport have announce Nile Rodgers & CHIC as the next headliners in their summer season of concerts, headlining on Sunday June 9. Announcing Olly Murs (Friday June 7) as the first headliner at the end of last year, the show soon became one of the hottest tickets in the history of Gloucester Rugby with Nile Rodgers & CHIC expecting to follow suit. Rodgers is truly exceptional. He amplifies his legacy as a multiple GRAMMY-winning composer, producer, arranger and guitarist by constantly traversing new musical terrain and successfully expanding the boundaries of popular music. As the co-founder of CHIC, Rodgers pioneered a musical language that generated charttopping hits like “Le Freak,” sparked the advent of hip-hop with “Good Times,” and won CHIC 11 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame nominations. His work in the CHIC Organization and his productions for artists like David Bowie (incl. ‘Lets Dance’), Diana Ross (incl. ‘Upside Down’, ‘I’m Coming Out’) and Madonna (incl. ‘Material Girl’, ‘Like A Virgin’) have sold over 300 million albums and 50 million singles worldwide while his innovative, trendsetting collaborations with Daft Punk, Avicii, Sigala, Disclosure and Sam Smith reflect the vanguard of contemporary music. Releasing their ninth studio
album ‘It’s About Time’ in 2018, the release saw the band once again work the cream of the crop of the current music stars ranging from Mura Masa and Stefflon Don to Lady Gaga. Stephen Vaughan CEO of Gloucester Rugby said; “We are delighted to announce that Nile Rodgers and Chic will be the second act performing at Kingsholm in the summer of 2019 a couple of days after Olly Murs. Nile Rodgers is an absolute legend in the world of music. He has written, produced and performed on albums that have sold millions of copies worldwide. Kingsholm Stadium is a unique venue which provides a special setting & atmosphere for concerts and Nile Rodgers and CHIC will put on a superb evening’s entertainment, one that we’re all really looking forward to.” Co-Founder of promoters Music Plus Sport Simon Halden, MD said; “We are thrilled to bring the legendary Nile Rodgers & CHIC to Kingsholm Stadium for what will no doubt be a highlight of the summer alongside Olly Murs. Gloucestershire crowds have consistently delivered a great atmosphere for the shows we put on and we know 2019 will be no different.” Expect to hear some of the bestknown pop anthems from the last four decades. With more than 200 production credits to his name, the scope of Nile Rodgers' peerless influence is undeniable.
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Brit Awards winner Tunstall set to inspire songwriters at University
B
rit Awards winning superstar KT Tunstall is set to share her songwriting expertise with budding musicians when she visits Birmingham City University this month. The singer-songwriter, known for her hits ‘Suddenly I See’ and ‘Other Side Of The World’, will discuss how she approaches the songwriting process as well as demonstrating how she wrote some of her biggest hits. The visit on Wednesday March 20 will mark the opening of The Songwriting Studies Research Network, a twoyear project funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council, which will help to unite scholars, industry workers and
practitioners for the exchange of ideas on songwriting. Born in Scotland, KT Tunstall shot to fame in 2004 and has gone on to release six albums internationally. During her visit to Birmingham she will be interviewed by Dr Simon Barber, Research Fellow at Birmingham City University’s Centre for Media and Cultural Research, and his collaborator Brian O’Connor, for their ‘Sodajerker On Songwriting’ podcast. Since its launch in 2011, the podcast has released over 130 episodes featuring in-depth discussions with the likes of Alicia Keys, Paul McCartney and Noel Gallagher.
ENTERTAINMENT
James Morrison Announces Autumn UK Tour James Morrison’s current album ‘You’re Stronger Than You Know’ commenced a new era in the career of one of the UK’s most popular artists. Its lead single ‘My Love Goes On’ (featuring Joss Stone) was named Record of the Week and added to the A-list at Radio 2 as it raced to 8 million streams. It was followed by his first full UK tour in three years, which included what he describes as “one of my favourite gigs ever” at the O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire. Now James Morrison announces a new 12-date UK Tour this Autumn, kicking off on the 28th October in Ipswich, it includes a date in London at the Royal Festival Hall on 29th October and concludes in Southend on 14th October. Presale tickets are available from Wednesday 24th April at 10am and go on general sale on Friday 26th April at 10am. Since first breaking through in 2006, James Morrison’s achievements include two #1 albums, five Top10 singles, a BRIT Award and sales.
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ENTERTAINMENT
C
harles Dickens’ classic Christmas story about cold-hearted miser Ebenezer Scrooge is to be supersized into an arena spectacular this December,starring Hollywood superstar David Hasselhoff. ‘Scrooge –The Funny Family Spectacular’ will play at Birmingham’sResorts World Arena on 20 -23 December. Taking the title role of the tightfisted Scrooge is former Baywatch and Knight Rider star David Hasselhoff. Alongside the Hoff will be the much loved ‘Birds of a Feather’ actress Pauline Quirke as the Ghost of Christmas Past,who will be projected as a life size hologram onto a giant screen. And, as a result of Scrooge’s newfound goodwill, he will be giving away £3,000 in cash to one lucky audience member at every performance. David Hasselhoff said: “I’ve dreamt of playing Scrooge for a long time. The great thing about this production is that it’s not a panto, it’s a fully-fledged Christmas show. “It’s the Dickens classic with great music on a spectacular scale in huge arenas. But just imagine coming to see the show and then walking away with £3,000 in cash! That’s pretty incredible.” The Hoff and Pauline Quirke will
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Scrooge: A Funny Family Spectacular
be joined by a real horse-drawn Dickensian carriage,complete with an ‘intelligent’ horse. The 16-hand white Arab stallion nods, shakes its head, bows on command, crosses its legs when it wants to go to the toilet and eventually lays down to sleep. And to add to his CV -he even does an impression of Janet Street Porter! Other amazing show
elements include a Falobella miniature horse that pulls Tiny Tim’s hearse, a flying four poster bed, a black light ghost sequence with cirque aerialists, a fluorescent Ghost Train that moves around the Arena (complete with ghosts!), and the biggest performance of the hilarious’12 Days of Christmas’ you will have ever seen.
Something
Somethin
T
his August, B i r m i n g h a m Hippodrome will present its first homegrown youth production as a fresh new production of West Side Story comes to the main stage this August. After extensive rounds of auditions and over one thousand applicants, forty local young performers have been announced who will bring the legendary musical to life in an exciting first of its kind production marking the theatre’s 120th birthday. Leading the cast as the star-crossed lovers, Tony and Maria, are Alex Cooke (15) from Kingswinford and Kamilla Fernandes (18) from Coventry. They are joined by Ruby Hewitt (19) from Harborne as Anita, Gibsa Bah (18) from Great Barr as Barnardo, Matthew Pandya (18) from Coventry as Riff, Olivia Allen (21) from Harborne as Anybodys and Carter Smith (16) from Yardley as Chino. The full company is comprised of Luke Rossiter (14), Harvey Zafino (16), Brook Jenkins (14), Diarmuid Gaffrey (17), Hugo Montgomery (19), Kane Taylor (17), Alan Lewis (21) and Harry
Chamberlain (16), Maisie Lodge (16), Ella Kenrick (24), Olivia Caddick (14), Ebony Roy-Palmer (17), Tumba Katanda (18), Bethan Day (21), Rhiannon Lee Street (18), Evie-May Harding (17) and Nancy Ling (22) who make up the ‘Jets’. The ‘Sharks’ gang features Jaye Fordham (20), Demi Walton (16), Jasmine Bromfield (17), Justine Matthews (22), Isabella Polidori (16), Ashley Savage (17), Alexandra Whitehead (25) and Elle Carter-Knowles (21), Oliver Cowlishaw (20), Aadil Din Mohammad (17), Harry Cooke (14), Tom Silverton (25), Adam Robinson (17), Adam Newton (17), Alexander Wooliscroft (25) and Kai-Daniel Augustin (17). Joining the young company will be four Birmingham Hippodrome staff members who will take on the adult character roles; Benjamin Jones will swap Visitor Services for the role of Gladhand, Marketing Officer Chris Cooper will play Lieutenant Schrank, Visitor Services Administrator Nicola Entwistle will be Officer Krupke and Visitor Services Assistant Sabrina Naz Nabi will play the role of Doc. The creation of West Side Story will be overseen by a professional
creative team which includes Matt Hawksworth (Director & Choreographer), Paul Murphy (Conductor & Musical Director), Sarah Burrell (Assistant Musical Director), Ruth Saeger (Assistant Choreographer), Al Parkinson (Designer), Philip Gladwell (Lighting Designer), Rachel Baynton (Costume Designer) and Olly Steel (Sound Designer). Director, Matt Hawksworth said; “We were overwhelmed by the response when initial audition notices were posted for this very special production of West Side Story. After seeing a thousand young people at auditions, we now finally have our exceptionally talented cast. “Rehearsals have already began and we can’t wait to celebrate Birmingham Hippodrome’s 120th birthday with this brilliant new production of a truly iconic musical.” Fiona Allan, Birmingham Hippodrome Artistic Director and Chief Executive added; “It is fitting that we mark our 120th birthday by funding a major new production, giving back to young people in our community. “West Side Story remains just as relevant now as when it was first written, and holds many parallels
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Khalid Announces Brum Date For World Tour
I
g’s Coming,
ng Good! we can still see in our everyday lives. “Our director, Matt Hawksworth has drawn together a tremendously experienced professional creative team, who will ensure that the company experience all aspects of mounting a major musical in the large scale. “Our birthday celebrations are headlined with the strapline Then, Now, Always-this production will encompass this message in its entirety. Then being the staging of this classic musical, Now is bringing a new production to our main stage, and Always is the hugely talented cast of young people who are the performers and audience members of our theatre’s future. “I can’t wait for the curtain to rise on this brilliant new adventure for our cast, creatives and Birmingham Hippodrome.” West Side Story plays at Birmingham Hippodrome from August 29 – 31. Tickets go on sale to Birmingham Hippodrome Friends and Patron scheme members from 11am, 25 April – general on sale begins Mon 29 Apr, 11am.
nternational multiplatinum-selling artist Khalid has announced four UK dates as part of his headline ‘Khalid Free Spirit World Tour’. The news follows the release of his highly anticipated new album ‘Free Spirit’, which is out now via Columbia Records and Right Hand Music Group.
An AEG Presents event, the fivetime Grammy Award nominee is set to take the stage at Birmingham’s Resorts World Arena on September 21. Since releasing his debut hit single ‘Location’ in 2016 which went on to go quadruple platinum, Khalid has continued to cement his global status as one of music’s most promising breakout stars.
Already accumulating a stellar array of awards and wins from the likes of MTV, Billboard and BET, his UK tour offers his legion of loyal fans a chance to experience his latest musical offering. Khalid recently released his new single ‘Talk’ along with the music video, self-written and produced by Disclosure, ‘Talk’ is the lead single off ‘Free Spirit’.
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ENTERTAINMENT
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Baritone, Eric Greene, a booming success S in Verdi’s Aida
et in Ancient Egypt, Giuseppe Verdi's enduring epic ‘Aida’ is a timeless story of love and betrayal against the backdrop of war. A roller coaster of emotions told through Verdi's powerful music. Aida, an Ethiopian princess, is held captive in Egypt, in love with a General, Radames, and he with her. This compelling drama is currently on touring in the UK, with dates in Manchester, Hull and Birmingham to come. And it was during a gruelling rehearsal ahead of its performance at the Opera North, Leeds, when leading man, Eric Greene, took some of his valuable time out to speak exclusively to The Phoenix Newspaper. “My love for opera began at a very young age,” said the amiable Eric. “It was whilst growing up in Baltimore when, as a 4-year-old, in church, my booming voice was recognised and harnessed. Yes, that early. Whilst at the Baltimore School for the Arts, as a 15-year-old, I developed a love for the classics – especially German – which always reminds me of hymns; and how the cords in their songs were
l Eric Greene, Alessandra Volpe & Michael Druiett at Aida rehearsals. Photo Credit: Opera North
Gig Listings
BIRMINGHAM O2 ACADEMY
May 03 Catapult Club ft. The New Republic 05 David Rodigan & Mighty Crown 08 Chris Young 09 MARINA 10 Lower Than Atlantis 10 Catapult Club ft. The Butters Aliens 11 Samantha Fish 12 Halfnoise 15 Sons of the East 16 Alex Aiono 17 Jon Ronson 17 Alunah 18 Nirvana UK (Tribute) 21 Hellogoodbye 23 Manic Street Preachers 24 Sting & Shaggy 44/876 UK Tour 2019 25 The Smyths 29 I Don’t Know How But They Found Me 30 Gio Spano 31 Hipsway
O2 INSTITUTE
May 02 Nafe Smallz 03 LANCO 04 Open Arms 07 Ten Tonnes 07 Dermot Kennedy 10 Sam Fender 10 The Daniel Wakeford Experience 11 Straight for the Sun 11 Riscas 12 Cassadee Pope: CMT Next
Women of Country Tour 2019 15 KRS-One 16 Walking On Cars 17 Swervedriver 17 Glenn Hughes Performs Classic Deep Purple “live” 17 Catapult Club feat. Xilla 18 Stone Foundation 18 Kamasi Washington 19 LP: Heart To Mouth Tour 22 Whiskey Myers 22 Children of Zeus 23 KSI & Randolph - New Age Tour 26 Estelle 26 Juliana Hatfield Three 30 Maren Morris: GIRL The World Tour 2019
RESORTS WORLD ARENA
May 04 Bellator MMA Birmingham Primus vs Wilde 4 May 2019 10-11 Olly Murs 15 WWE Live 20-21 Michael Bublé 27-28 Hugh Jackman: The Man. The Music. The Show 30 Mark Knopfler
ARENA BIRMINGHAM
May 02 The Original Harlem Globetrotters 03 The Vamps 04 Free Radio Hits Live 2019 12-14 Take That Greatest Hits Live 2019
16-19 Take That Greatest Hits Live 2019 23 Bill Bailey Larks In Transit 24 Alice in Chains 25 Rita Ora 31-02 June ESL One Birmingham DOTA 2
NEC
May 03-05 The Vaper Expo UK 10-12 BodyPower Experience 11-12 Makers Central 16-19 This Morning Live 17-19 The Baby Show 17 Loose Women Late: Girls’ Night Out 31-02 June UK Games Expo
TOWN HALL & SYMPHONY HALL
May 02 CBSO: Mirga conducts The Firebird (SH) 02 Tubular Bells For Two (TH) 02 The Guilty Feminist: Live (SH) 03 RuPaul’s Drag Race: Werq the World Tour (SH) 04 CBSO: Mirga conducts The Firebird (SH) 04 Jamie Lawson (TH) 05 Wet Wet Wet (TH) 06 80’s Symphonic Live (SH) 07 A celebration of the songs and music of George Michael (SH) 08 Propellor // Loom (TH) 09 Symphony Hall Tour (SH) 09 CBSO: Yuja Wang plays Prokofiev (SH) 10 The Kingdom Choir plus
special guests (SH) 11 Kevin Smith & Ralph Garman - Hollywood Babble-On - Babble The *U*K On (SH) 11 Dumteedum Live (TH) 12, 14 Michael Ball 2019 (SH) 13 Lunchtime Organ Concert - A Day in the Country (TH) 13 An Audience with Harry Redknapp (TH) 13 The Bizarre World of Frank Zappa (SH) 14 Josep-Ramon Olivé – Schubert, Mahler and Strauss (TH) 15 Marc Almond (SH) 16 Sheku Kanneh-Mason: Schools Concert (TH) 16-17 Strictly Come Dancing The Professionals (SH) 16 Sheku Kanneh-Mason in recital (TH) 18 Ministry of Sound - The Annual Classical (SH) 22 Russian Philharmonic of Novosibirsk – Pictures at an Exhibition (SH) 23 Town Hall Tour (TH) 23 Howard Jones (SH)
24 Nicola Benedetti & Scottish Chamber Orchestra – Mozart and Clyne (TH) 25 The Waterboys (SH) 25 The Big Birmingham Soul Night (TH) 26 Cory Band & Only Men Aloud present Brass & voices from the Movies (TH) 26 Lucy Worsley: Queen Victoria -Daughter, Wife, Mother, Widow (TH) 28 Tower Of Power (TH)
structured. “Following that, though, I would soon be into the simplicity of Italian classics as my range – in taste and vocal cores – would develop.” With a BA and an MA in music Greene served an apprenticeship at Virginia Opera where, his first voice tutor, as he put it, “taught me to respect music.” Although he always had a special love for jazz music – especially the voice of Ella Fitzgerald – it is his work with the English Nationa Opera, plus former CBSO (City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra) conductor, Sir Simon Rattle, which would propel him into a worldwide conscience. Fluent in German Italian and French, his booming baritone voice is in demands the world over. That said, though, his immense love of Birmingham has seen him visit Britain’s second city some five times – especially to work with the CBSO. He recalls: “To work with Sir Simon and the CBSO was massive for me with some experiences that will be with me for ever.” Fast-forward and now, as for his role as Amonasro in Aida, Eric says: “If only you knew how long I was waiting to do Aida. "Opera is such a great ‘storyteller’ – where you can follow in sight and sound and each individual can create their own narrative which has created such great music, great performances and, for me, a great experience. “What more is there to love?” Directed by Ellen Kent, Aida will be at the Symphony Hall, in Birmingham, on 11 Jun 2019.
29 Wallace & Gromit’s Musical Marvels (SH) 29 Kip Moore (TH) 31 CBSO: Brahms’ Symphony No. 2 (SH) 31 Gov’t Mule (TH)
SLADE ROOMS, WOLVERHAMPTON
May 03 AC/DC Experience 04 Crest Glider 05 Punk Runs Wild with Hung Like Hanratty 15 Sam Avery - The Learner Parent 17 Laugh Out Loud Comedy Club 18 Ian Prowse & Amsterdam 22 The Treatment & Bigfoot 24 Killing Eve 25 COBO (Comedy Of Black Origin) Comedy Shutdown
l Michael Bublé takes the Resorts World Arena from the 20-21
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Showcasing The Future of Gaming
A
pproaching the Tobacco Dock in London, you wonder why a gaming show like EGX Rezzed would choose a location like this for its sister event (EGX being the main event, usually at Birmingham’s NEC). But with the smaller rooms allowing studios to create welcoming areas to present their games, the location suddenly shows its wonderful character. From Triple A titles to University and Game-Jam games, EGX Rezzed had something for everyone, from an interesting interactive touch game in Bot Party, where 3 players have to “complete the circuit” when lights are displayed, to well known titles like Guild Wars 2, Sniper Elite V2 remastered. In the RockPaperShotgun room, there were a variety of games from up and coming games designers attending the MA Independent Games and Playable Experience Design
course at Goldsmiths. Midi The Cat was a puzzle platformer with a cat, which may not seem too out of the ordinary, but when the feline is controlled by using a real piano keyboard as a controller, the experience is something completely different. There was lots to experience, swag to accumulate, and some very shiny vendors vying for your hard earned money, and you
really did need mutiple days to see everything that was on offer. With some great titles to look out for including Nanotale Typing Chronicles, Pokey Dokey Paradise, Cake Bash, Dicey Dungeon, and many more, the lineup was great. EGX is coming up later this year, but mark down EGX Rezzed for next year, you won’t be disappointed.
ENTERTAINMENT
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ENTERTAINMENT
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long the canal side toe-path and part of Birmingham’s thriving Brindleyplace entertainment region you will find the Bottega Prosecco Bar; a venue which brings the best of Italy to the heart of the second city. Situated as part of the Arena Birmingham complex, this new bar and restaurant not only provide views overlooking the city's Old Main Line Canal, it introduce to an original concept and give you a chance to sample the food and drinks menu, created by the Italian winery and distillery Bottega, it’s the perfect opportunity to enhance and share good wine, genuine food and convivial Italian lifestyle. Opened in collaboration with Rai Singh, the creative director at Pushkar Cocktail Bar & Diner, in the city, founder, Evelyn Armstrong, knows that she has hit on a ‘goldmine' which provide the typical appetisers of convivial life along the canal sides appetisers of the Venetian ‘bacaro’ (little bar) or accompanied with simple, Mediterranean inspired dishes to that of Birmingham. "Created with passion, Bottega Prosecco Bar & Restaurant attracts professionals working in the offices nearby, event goers and families visiting the attractions in this area, as well as people living within walking distance from Arena Birmingham – all of whom are equally passionate about fine Italian food and drink - and very much be part of the attractions that draws millions of people who regularly experience Birmingham’s exciting nightlife.” “We’re bringing the best of Venusian canal side lifestyle to that here in Birmingham,” says Corporate Head Chef, Omar. “It’s about being patient – with food, drink, people and friendships.” What else is there to live for?
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Arena Birmingham Gets Gilded
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ritish luxury car maker Aston Martin Lagonda has celebrated the global debut of its first all-electric model, the Rapide E, at the worldrenowned Auto Shanghai motor show. Alongside the productionready Rapide E, the hotlyanticipated AM-RB 003 and Lagonda All-Terrain Concept made their debuts in China after being revealed at the Geneva Motor Show last month. The Aston Martin Rapide E, the marque’s first allelectric model, will be built at St Athan in Wales, Aston Martin’s home of electrification. Just 155 examples of the car developed in collaboration with Williams Advanced Engineering will be built. With twin electric motors producing over 610PS and 950Nm of torque it is the most powerful Rapide model yet. The AM-RB 003 concept car on show at Shanghai is the first taster of what will become Aston Martin’s third mid-engined hypercar. The sublime AM-RB
003, heavily-influenced by the game-changing Aston Martin Valkyrie is being developed in partnership with Red Bull Advanced Technologies. Described as both evolutionary and revolutionary, AM-RB 003 will incorporate F1TM technologies that will provide it with unparalleled levels of performance. Aston Martin has a longheld commitment to the rapidly-growing Chinese market, highlighted in 2018 with the announcement of a £620m trade and investment programme in the region, which has already seen an expansion in its dealer network and the commencement of a design and innovation partnership with the prestigious Tongji University in Shanghai. In addition to this, Aston Martin recently opened its first global brand centre in China. The ‘House of Beautiful’ in Shanghai showcases every aspect of the Aston Martin brand, reinforcing the British brand’s commitment to the region which registered a 31% growth in 2018.
MOTORS
Aston Martin Reveals Future Proof Cars At Auto Shanghai
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ENTERTAINMENT
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Celebrate 100 Years of Magic With Disney On Ice!
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rab your Mickey ears and get ready for the celebration of the century as Disney On Ice celebrates 100 Years of Magic. Mouse-ter of Ceremonies Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse and pals take to the ice to honour the legacy of Walt Disney and welcome audiences on a magical journey through classic and modern Disney tales. Families will join the fun in an exciting opening number that salutes Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse as the original hosts of Disney On Ice. The production will be skating into Birmingham at Arena Birmingham from the 16th – 20th October 2019. This fanfare production features more than 50 unforgettable Disney stars, a sing-along score of melodious masterpieces, stunning choreography, beautiful costumes and intricate sets. Audiences will travel to the heart of Africa with Disney’s The Lion
King, come along for an adventure in friendship with the gang from Disney•Pixar’s Toy Story, and watch in amazement as Belle breaks the Beast’s curse in the tale of Beauty & The Beast. Fans will enter the magical kingdom of Arendelle from Disney’s Frozen and journey up the North Mountain with hilarious snowman Olaf and rugged mountain-man Kristoff, as they help royal sisters Anna and Elsa discover that true love conquers all. “This particular production is by far the largest Disney On Ice show we currently have touring bringing together everyone’s favourite Disney characters from Snow White, Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse to Elsa and Anna,” said Producer Nicole Feld. “Our vision is for audiences everywhere to dance and sing along to their favourite Disney songs, so we’ve included 30 tunes that they know and love.”
This year’s Disney On Ice production celebrates some of Disney’s most beloved characters from 14 treasured stories. Audiences will find themselves dancing out of their seats as a collection of Disney melodies like “Hakuna Matata,” “You’ve Got a Friend in Me” and “Let It Go” fills the arena.” Fans can rock out to “Turtle Rock” with Nemo, Dory, Squirt and his rambunctious turtle friends, and fall in love with a musical montage of dazzling prince and princess pairs skating to “At Last I See the Light,” “A Whole New World” and more. “This is a show, more than any other, which is truly for everybody,” said Producer Kenneth Feld. “When I sit with the audience, I see those that are grandparents, like I am, enjoying a lot of the classic Disney stories, while young kids and parents really respond to modern day favourites like Frozen.”
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The Phoenix Newspaper - May 2019 - Page 31
OBITUARIES AND NOTICE BOARD
Billy McNeill MBE
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laying for the club for his entire career, as a towering defender, he was captain of Celtic's 'Lisbon Lions', becoming the first British footballer to lift the European Cup - in 1967. He would later spend two spells as the club's manager. He was captain during their most successful era in the 1960s and
Tommy Smith MBE
Alexandra ‘Sandy’ Ratcliff
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he actress made an impression as a model and in films in the 1970s, but was best known for being one of the original cast members in the BBC soap opera ‘EastEnders’ in the 1980s as Sue Osman but left after it was revealed that she was addicted to heroin and alcohol. Her private life brought her into the headlines in the 1990s an in 2010 she gave up acting to train as a counsellor, but later retired. She died in her sleep age 70.
J. K. Rithesh
70s. During his time the club won nine consecutive Scottish league championships and thirteen other major domestic trophies. He also managed the club, for 9 years, before also managing Manchester City and Aston Villa, in England. He was 79.
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member of the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, the actor was a Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) Member of Parliament (MP) in the 15th Lok Sabha from Ramanathpuram constituency. Born in Kandy, in Sri Lanka,
he migrated to Rameswaram in 1976, he appeared in the film ‘Kaanal Neer’, ‘Nayagan’, and ‘Thillu Mullu’. Other films include; ‘Pen Singam’ and LKG. The actor, producer, entrepreneur was 46.
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central defender known for his uncompromising defensive style, the England international spent 16 years at Liverpool - from 1962 to 1978 – with one of the highlights being second goal in the 1977 European Cup Final against Borussia Mönchengladbach. A legend on the field, there was, though, a negative side which tainted his avhievements and was highlighted during his stellar career at Anfield. In former Liverpool teammate, Howard Gayle’s autobiography, he was alleged of on-going racist towards him whilst he (Gayle) was developing t. He also played for Tampa Bay Rowdies, Los Angeles Aztecs and Swansea City. He was 74.
Notice Board
T Toyin Kawojue
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native of Epe in Lagos State, he started his broadcasting career at a young age before retiring and later anchored the Radio Lagos programme, ‘Epe Lawa’ as a freelancer. Remembered for his boldness, courageous stance and wealth of knowledge which marked him out in the present day Nigerian
media, he always put his deep knowledge and understanding of journalism at the disposal of people. He had a partial stroke and was taken to hospital where the doctor prescribed drugs for him to use. He died on April 6 and was buried the next day. He was 62.
urprise!
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he British actor and former boxer appeared as gangland kingpin Doyle in Danny Boyle’s ‘Trainspotting’ sequel in 2017. He also appeared on ‘Danny Dyer’s Deadliest Men’ series in 2009 which profiled some of the most dangerous men in the UK. He was the lightweight champion in the Amateur Boxing Association of England at only 17 years old before also running a boxing gym. Devoted to charities that helped to keeping youth out of trouble, he died after being shot in Edinburgh, Scotland. He was 42 years old.
David Blaine will pe Arena Birmin rform at gham on June 14
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BUSINESS AND FINANCE
NISSAN CELEBRATES 50 YEARS OF THE Z CAR The 2020 Nissan 370Z 50th Anniversary Edition, with a distinctive racing livery appearance, was unveiled to the world in New York – the same city where the original Datsun 240Z made its U.S. debut half a century ago. Revealed just before this week’s New York International Auto Show, the special edition pays homage to the #46 BRE (Brock Racing Enterprises) Datsun 240Z that won multiple SCCA National Championships with John Morton behind the wheel. “It’s no secret that the Datsun 240Z started the ball rolling for Japanese sports cars in the U.S.,” said Ivan Espinosa, Nissan’s corporate vice president of global product strategy and planning. “Almost as well known in Z history is how Peter Brock’s competitiontuned 240Z changed the American motorsports landscape. “After the BRE 240Z debuted in 1970, Nissan/Datsun became one of the most successful companies in American motorsports – with thousands of victories over the past five decades.”
Rolls-Royce Celebrates Success In China R olls-Royce Motor Cars set a remarkable business record in 2018 and achieved its greatest sales result in the brand’s 115-year history, with 4,107 cars delivered to customers in over 50 countries worldwide. The Greater China market played a significant role in the marque’s 2018 success story; becoming Rolls-Royce’s secondlargest market. It is anticipated that the market will, at some point in the nottoo-distant future, become RollsRoyce Motor Cars’ largest single market. “I am very pleased with our
performance in Greater China. At Rolls-Royce our patrons are our life blood,” said Torsten MüllerÖtvös, CEO of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. “They are our heroes and friends. We are wholeheartedly committed to meeting their diverse needs and desires. For our Chinese customers, being in the Rolls-Royce family is a special experience, like no other. As the world's top luxury brand, Rolls-Royce is gaining ever increasing favour amongst young, ultra-high-net-worth Chinese customers who are attracted to the brand’s youthful model range, and exceptional personalisation options. Phantom, which is Rolls-
l Laurence & Prime Minister David Cameron Royce’s pinnacle product, sells more in China than anywhere else in the world. “China is a key component of our global strategy, has become one of the fastest-growing markets for
Rolls-Royce, and made a pivotal contribution to our record sales in 2018,” said Leon Li, Director of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, Greater China. “Our Chinese patrons are younger than in our other markets,
exceptionally successful, and have a global perspective. All of this contributes to their unique tastes, and appetite for highly bespoke Rolls-Royces.”
Artistic celebration of British icon’s 60th anniversary The Mini, the most popular British car ever built and a true British icon, is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year. The mark the event, this month the makers are launching The MINI 60 Years Edition, an exclusive design model, available in both 3-door and 5-door configurations and with four engine variants from which to choose. The original Mini ranked fourth in a poll of British design icons organised by the BBC and the Design Museum; it has had starring roles in films like The Italian Job and at the London 2012 Olympic Games; it has gone racing; it has been a troop transporter; and has won the hearts of many millions across
the globe for six decades. Now, the Birmingham-built classic is the inspiration for a new series of arresting pop art-style artworks launched by worldleading art agency, Thomas Crown Art (TCA). International art dealer at TCA, Stephen Howes, comments: “The Mini, the greatest success story that the British motor industry has ever known, was never meant to be an icon. “It was meant to be practical and efficient.” He continues: “But with its unconventional looks, its daring-to-be-different charm, its personality, and its design, the Mini was cool from the very beginning.
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NEWS
Award Success for National Express National Express is celebrating winning an impressive number of gongs at the Travel Marketing Awards. The Birmingham-based public transport company walked away with seven awards for marketing campaigns for their UK Coach and Bus divisions, including the prestigious ‘Brand of the Year’. Four accolades were awarded to the ‘Look Beyond’ campaign that ran across print, radio and outdoor channels, encouraging travellers to 'look beyond’ their comfort zones and explore the country by coach. Marketing Director at National Express, Sean Bailey, said: “We are extremely proud of our work here at National Express. We have a team of highly creative individuals, both in house and externally, who work very hard to capture imaginations and get people to choose us as their travel option. This recognition is a real testament to their dedication and hard work.” The organisation's creative agency, One Black Bear, also walked away with second place in the Advertising agency of the Year category.
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his summer visitors to London can be transported back to the golden-age of Victorian steam-powered travel as London Transport Museum and Transport for London run a vintage steam train into the heart of the Capital for what is expected to be the final time. The special steam-powered journeys will celebrate 150 years of London Underground’s District line serving Londoners and tourists visiting the city. Three return journeys will take place along the line between Ealing Broadway and High Street Kensington on both Saturday 22 and Sunday 23. The commemorative trips will mark the final time steam trains are expected to travel into central London on the Underground network due to signalling modernisation that will provide more frequent services and improved reliability for customers on the Circle, District, Hammersmith & City and Metropolitan lines from 2021. Steam trains first served the District Railway when it opened to the public between South Kensington and Westminster on Christmas Eve, 1868. Today, the District line serves 60 stations – the most of any Tube line. Sam Mullins, Director, London Transport Museum said: “Passengers on these special
Steam returns to London Underground finale journeys will be transported to a by-gone era of Victorian steam-powered travel, giving people a rare opportunity to experience the sounds and sights of travelling on the District line when it first opened 150 years ago.” London Underground Managing
Director, Nigel Holness, said: "The District line has been a vital part of London's transport network for 150 years and it's amazing to think how many billions of journeys have been made in its lifetime. This is likely to be the final time we are able to run a steam train on the Tube
network though central London so offers transport enthusiasts a fantastic opportunity to be a part of Underground history.” London Transport Museum will continue to offer its heritage steam train outings on the outer reaches of the Metropolitan line towards Chesham.
Airports Employee’s Support for Acorns Children’s Hospice Birmingham Airport employees, friends and family got together to take part in a midnight run down the runway, in aid of the Airport’s charity partner Acorns Children’s Hospice. More than 120 participants took part in the run, braving cold and wet conditions at just past midnight to tackle the three kilometres of the Airport’s runway, which was specifically closed for the charity run. Between them, they raised more than £15,000 to help pay for the vital services Acorns provides to life-limited children and their families across the Midlands. Birmingham Airport has been a long-time supporter of Acorns and has used the Airport infrastructure to raise funds before - back in 2016, 50 employees raised £12,000 in a 100-foot charity abseil from the roof of the Airport’s headquarters, Diamond House.
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NEWS
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oe Toles, a 60-year old single father from New York City, has spent the past 10 years raising six sons he has adopted. Without any regrets about it, he is now about to make their family bigger with his seventh adopted son, a 20-year old named Jhon who is from the Dominican Republic and has learning difficulties. “There’s never going to be the perfect time to start or expand your family,” Toles, a former guidance counselor, told the said. “But this feels like the right thing to do.” Growing up in foster care ever since he was born, Toles himself experienced the struggle of not having a home of his own during his childhood. It’s what inspired him to adopt those most in need — teenagers and young adults — instead of babies that are what most people would likely adopt. “Adopting an older child gives hope to somebody who probably doesn’t have much hope at that moment,” he said. “No matter how old they are, they need a home base and to be part of something.” Although in most cases, foster kids who weren’t adopted become homeless, poor, or drop out of school, Toles said he was guided to the proper path by his high school track coach. Aside from having finished high school, he was also able to enter
The 60-Year old single dad Sandwell raising 7 adopted children Elect New Leader
Alabama’s Auburn University on a full athletic scholarship. “The coach said, ‘I treat you the way you deserve to be treated,’ and that’s the way I raise my sons,” Toles said. Toles had his first adoption in 2009 with the help of the nonprofit You Gotta Believe, which finds permanent homes for hard-to-place teens and young adults. His first adopted son, Xavier, was then 17 years old. In 2010, he took in Johnathan, now 24 years old, followed by
Ronny, 21, in 2012 and Creemel, 25, in 2014. They were followed by Kamren, 14, in 2017 and Cinsere, 13, in 2018. Toles is now about to also become a legal father to Jhon. Toles admitted that he went through a number of challenging issues regarding puberty and behavior, especially that two of his sons aside from Jhon have special needs. But he was able to surpass it as a great father. “It takes work, but I make the effort in nurturing the
relationships,” Toles said. “Until I took the plunge, I would never have understood the real difference it’s made to all our lives. Love happens and it changes everything.” Moreover, Toles goes beyond providing security and stability to his adopted sons. He also established a foundation in 2005 called The Joseph Toles Foundation. Through that, he helps foster kids get sponsorship to summer camps and other activities.
At a full council meeting Councillor Steve Trow was elected as Leader of Sandwell Council. Cllr Trow, who represents the Old Warley ward, has served on the council since 2010. Born and raised in West Bromwich, he has lived in Oldbury for the past 40 years - serving as cabinet member since 2016, with responsibility for culture and core council services. He said he felt "very honoured and rather humbled" to be elected Leader. "I become Leader with the council in a strong position following the feedback from the Local Government Association Peer Review published just last week. "Compared with many other councils which increasingly struggle to maintain even adequate levels of service for their communities, Sandwell has a much stronger basis to build on."
l Steve Trow The feedback from the LGA’s follow-up visit highlighted the "significant progress" the council has made in a year. "The bill of health we have recently received following the latest LGA Peer Review confirms that this council is consistently focused on what really matters to the people and communities who live here, and is continuing to move forward with confidence and at pace," Cllr Trow said. He added: “As Leader, I will be inheriting the leadership of a justifiably confident team – of members and of senior staff – who I know are also all committed to the ambitions now set out in Sandwell’s Vision for 2030.”
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THE FUNERAL OF OLUSEGUN DOSUMU
RIP Olusegun Dosumu Look out for the full Memorial Tribute to this stalwart of the community in the June edition of The Phoenix Newspaper
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MEN OF EXCELLENCE
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rom growing up in Hall Green, to working at the European Parliament in Brussels, before coming back to the UK, Mandip Taunque has had what could be described as a very varied mix of jobs over the years. This Birmingham born and bred educator is someone who leads by example and takes the idea of lifelong learning to heart. Mandip went to Hall Green Primary School, where he believed wholeheartedly that he would grow up to become a doctor, and for a while at least academically, he seemed to be on track. That was until he went to Handsworth Grammar School and realised that he wasn’t going to be cut out to be a doctor, as he couldn’t handle the blood! Thanks to a careers guide at school, and playing to his other strengths academically, Mandip finished his A Levels and went into Accountancy, studying his Bachelors Degree in Accounting and Finance at the University of Wolverhampton.
Mandip Is Shaping The Minds Of The Future Coming out of Uni, Mandip was in luck, as Natwest were recruiting, so he joined their investments division, buying and selling shares. “When RBS took over Natwest, there was a big shakeup, and although they wanted to keep me and retrain me to become a Tax Advisor, it really wasn’t want I wanted to do, so I took the opportunity to leave.” “I’d managed to save up some money while I’d been working at Natwest, so I went back to University, this time at Aston University and decided to do my Masters in International Business.” When he finished his masters degree, his parents, Satinder Kaur Taunque OBE and Jagjit Taunque MBE, both Deputy Lieutenants of the West Midlands, encouraged him to look abroad with his new International Business degree. “I spoke to my local MEP, Simon Murphy, who was also the leader of the European Parliamentary Labour Party, and was invited for a chat, which little did I know
was actually an interview for an internship with him in Brussels at the European Parliament.” Mandip was offered the internship, which was initially meant to be for 8 months, but after 3 months, Simon had taken him on as a Researcher. In 2004, Simon retired from his position as MEP, but encouraged Mandip to look for other positions in Europe. “I learned so much from Simon, and we had been working closely with West Midlands in Europe, who were advertising for a Policy Officer, and I was the lead person in Europe for the confederation of Chambers of Commerce, informing them about upcoming potential policy changes.” During his eventual 10 year stay in Brussels, Mandip completed a second Masters degree, this time at a local business school to get his MBA , passing magna cum laude, and in 2010, completed a degree in Psychology, and was also invited to the Queen’s Garden Party for the work he was doing in Europe, along with his sister, who was recognised for her work on breast cancer charity work. Upon returning to the UK, Mandip signed up with Teach First to complete a PGCE, who recognised that with his skillset, he would make a great Business teacher. “I relocated to London, and taught Business Studies, Accounting, Finance and Economics at Loxford School at both GCSE and A Level, and progressed to 2nd in department and again, an opportunity to complete another Masters degree came up, at University College London’s Institute of Education. “I figured I should lead my
students by example, and as the headteacher made perfectly clear at the school, we were there for the students, to inspire and motivate them to be the best that they can be.” Getting that first set of exam results, where his students had a 96% pass rate compared to the national average of only 63%, was the catalyst that Mandip needed to secure his future in education. “A large number of the students were from deprived backgrounds, so to see them succeed like this where they didn’t believe they could was everything. “I continued teaching for 5 years, until I saw my original Year 7
teaching them the new research and skills to help them become the best they can be in the classroom so they can have the maximum impact on the children.” “I believe Education is my true calling, and if you’d told me that 10 years ago I’d never have believed you.”
group complete their GCSE’s, and I was amazed by them, especially one student who was an average student, scraping C’s throughout the year, until she attended every single after school revision class that we put on. “She came out with the highest Business grade across the year group, contacted me after I left, and is now studying at Aston University after she asked me for recommendations!” It’s clear by the enthusiasm and passion in Mandip that he has truly found his calling, and although he’s now not teaching at school, he’s training the next generation of teachers through the organisation that trained him initially, Teach First. “I’m a Participant Develoment Lead – We recruit people into the teaching profession, to support them through their Post Graduate Diploma in Education, including
Mandip isn’t just a lifelong learner and educator, he is also massively into his music, movies and TV shows, and in the coming months you’ll hear from him as he starts writing for The Phoenix Newspaper. From writing about girl groups, e s p e c i a l l y his beloved Bananarama in the Handsworth Typographic while a t Handsworth Grammar, to writing for fanzines and more, Mandip is a horror and sci-fi fan, with a massive love for Doctor Who, having met all of the living Doctors except Jodie Whittaker. Expect Mandip to bring you stories and events that you probably wouldn’t even know about, from Bananarama’s Album launch event for their 11th album, which will be in the next edition, to gossip and fan theories for many of your favourite shows.
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The Phoenix Newspaper - May 2019 - Page 37
Guru Nanak Dev Ji 550th Birth Anniversary Celebrations at UoW
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he University of Wolverhampton (UoW) hosted a special event to celebrate the 550th Birth Anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji at the Chancellor’s Hall. The event was organised by the centre for Sikh and Panjabi studies, of UoW, and supported by Consulate General of India, Birmingham. More than 200 guests from across the UK were there to pay tribute to Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the revered first Sikh Guru. The event commenced with the welcoming of the guests by the Vice Chancellor of University of Wolverhampton, Prof. Geoff Layer, and featured inspirational speeches from Dr. Opinderjit Kaur Takhar, Director of Centre for Sikh and Panjabi studies, Deputy High Commissioner, Mr. Charanjeet Singh, Lord Suri, Bhai Sahib Bhai Dr. Mohinder Singh, Chairman GNNSJ, Baba Amar Singh
l Bhai Sahib Bhai Dr Mohinder Singh, Chairman GNNSJ speaking at the event
Calls for more Muslim women in leadership roles
The Muslim Council of Britain has urged for more Muslim women in leadership roles in Muslimled organisations across the UK at its inaugural Women’s Conference in London under the theme #BalanceForBetter. Keynote speaker, Yassmin Abdel-Magied, SudaneseAustralian writer and broadcaster, said: “Our identity as Muslim women has been politicised but it is a religious identity first and foremostly.” Community Engagement Manager, Samayya Afzal, added: “Muslim women have long been talked about, and talked over. This event was an opportunity to hear from a diversity of women from different backgrounds, to empower the voices of women in our communities and organisations,
and allow a platform for Muslim women to be unapologetically themselves.” The conference also saw the launch of the 2019 Women in Mosques Development Programme – a scheme designed to accelerate the development of talented upcoming female leaders to be the mosque trustees, committee members and centre manager of the future – and expanding upon last year’s pilot programme. The conference, supported by Muslim Aid and the UCL Women’s Network, also featured workshops and sessions from over 20 talented Muslim female leaders in their fields, covering Muslim women and higher education, sports, mental health, Islamophobia, politics & public life, international gender justice and more.
Ji, Consul General Dr Aman Puri among others; with speeches highlighting the various aspects of Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s life, his teachings and how he continues to be an inspiration for millions of Sikhs and people belonging to all faiths across the world. Member of European Parliament, Ms. Neena Gill, Baba Amar Singh Ji, Chairman of the Council of Gurdwara Management Committees UK Avtar Singh, Dr Sadhu Singh, Chairman of the Council of Sikh Gurdwaras, Chief executive officer of Sun Mark, Dr Rami Ranger and a number of other prominent members of the Indian diaspora shared their thoughts on Guru Nanak's teachings and how Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s message of Compassion and Contentment is as relevant today as much as it was 550 years ago. The celebrations, which filled the Chancellor’s
Hall at the Wulfruna Building, featured a string of speeches, motivational messages of peace, gender equality, rejecting discrimination and promoting harmony among communities. Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s philosophy has a timeless quality and universal appeal. Mayor of West Midlands Andy Street thanked the Sikhs across the Midlands region for their outstanding contribution to the community. He also appreciated the noble initiative of celebrating the Prakash Parv in Midlands. The event concluded with the ensemble of religious songs by Mr. Jas Wohra, Managing Director, East End Foods Plc, creating a spiritual environment at the Chancellor’s Hall. Communities across the globe will mark the anniversary with a series of events throughout this year, with the UK expected to host the biggest celebrations outside India.
AZUZA STREET Bishop praying for ‘shared duty of care’ in sex ed Just as the House of Lords was due to vote on new sex-education guidance, the Bishop of Ely, the Rt Revd Stephen Conway, has state that he “hopes and prayers that schools, families and carers will work together to recognise the complementary contributions of each in enabling children to navigate safely growing up in the digital age, and ensuring they develop the skills they need to flourish in healthy relationships throughout their lives” and that ”there should be a “shared duty of care between schools and families when it comes to relationship and sex education.” A lead bishop for education, he wrote: “The new guidance is about promoting healthy resilient relationships set in the context of character and virtue development, with a focus on respecting others, including the beliefs and practices of people with a specific faith commitment, as well as those from the many different types of families that make up our cultural context.” Last year, the Church’s Education Office warned that draft proposals to overhaul the sex-education curriculum “may lead to stereotyping and prejudice” of religion and religious views on sex and relationships
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HEALTH AND WELLBEING
University launches new support app for students and mentors A new app designed to support students and mentors during clinical placements has been launched by Birmingham City University’s Faculty of Health, Education and Life Sciences. Lecturer in Adult Nursing Scott Colton led the development of the unique application, which allows both students and mentors to quickly access key information and enables them to swiftly escalate any issues to relevant staff members. Students on a number of health-related courses, including nursing, undertake placements in healthcare settings as part of their studies to develop vital practical experience, preparing them for their future careers. The app, called ‘BCU Placement Support’ aims to ensure that both students and mentors make the most of clinical placements and maximise the vital training opportunities they present for those preparing for a career in healthcare.
on Social Care
Introducing The photovoice Project
Colton explained: “Access to support and information is crucial to students and mentors in getting the most out of the experience and enables any issues or queries to be addressed quickly. We hope that in launching this app we will help support students in succeeding when
out on placements as well as facilitating mentors in carrying out their role.” The app has been well received by students who are amongst the first to use it. Nursing student Zoe Speed said: “Wow love this app! Really useful information included and love the option to set event dates.”
It is available to download for free from the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store. The app will also be accessible to students and mentors at other institutions with a reduced range of features.
Vaping contributing to £1.1bn saving for former smokers across the UK
Smokers who make the switch to vaping are saving money, feel healthier and see benefits to their social lives according to a new study published today. The study, by OnePoll, shows that smokers who switch to vaping say that the best things for them about making the switch are that they feel healthier (45%), have more money (45%) and more confident in social circles (21%). Vapers are saving on average £235 per year by making the switch. While some are using the money to put into savings (25%) and towards holidays (34%), Birmingham vapers are most likely to have to use the money to pay for basic essentials like household groceries (37%) or to put it towards paying bills (28%). The survey findings were revealed at the launch of VApril - a month-long education campaign - fronted by TV’s Dr Christian Jessen to encourage smokers to make the switch to vaping. John Dunne a director of the UK Vaping Industry Association, which commissioned the research
ocus F
and organised VApril, said: “There are still almost 7million smokers in the UK that are yet to see the benefits of switching on to vaping. The vapers that we have spoken to would not look back after making the switch and would overwhelmingly recommend switching to vaping to other smokers too.” Dr Christian, of Channel 4’s ‘Embarrassing Bodies’, said: “There are now more than three million vapers in the
UK who have made that life changing decision to switch from smoking. As today’s study shows, there are whole raft of benefits to making the switch, not just on smokers’ health but financial and social benefits too. But yet, according to Public Health England, an incredible 40% of smokers have never even tried vaping. “We’re in danger of missing out on the huge public health prize of a smoke-free society if
the medical profession doesn’t start encouraging smokers to take up vaping. Vaping has so far helped 3.2m vapers either quit or reduce smoking, saving the NHS billions in treating those with smoking related health conditions. “There is a growing bank of evidence which shows it can reduce smoking relating harm and yet despite that, more than half of hospitals across the UK ban vaping on their grounds.”
I
n Birmingham, we have just appointed a new Director for Public Health Dr Justin Varney who within a week of starting the new role made some very interesting comments about the city. He was very keen to learn about how some of our most interesting projects joined up across the city, locally, and even at combined authority level. This month I want to discuss a project I visited in Birmingham during March 2019, relating to the challenges mothers face in Birmingham when looking at encouraging their children to eat more fruit and vegetables. The project was called ‘photovoice’ and is run in Balsall Heath Birmingham, relating to understanding food system challenges and solutions to fruit and vegetable consumption from the prospective of low-income mothers in Birmingham. The project identified what people where eating, the challenges faced with getting good food provision in the area they lived in, and what influenced what people ate. I attended the photo exhibition and was able to speak to several mums who came along with young children. This project held four workshops with a total of five mothers who had young children relating to food and vegetable consumption. All these women were the main carer in their homes. They talked about the significant time pressures they had like going to work, doing never ending piles of laundry and other house hold chores which was unseen. These women were glad they were not alone in this and found it comfortable discussing these issues together in a group setting. These families found that their children enjoyed takeaways, and with the time restrictions it fitted in better with their hectic lifestyles. Despite many of these women enjoying more traditional cuisine themselves, one mother did state
that her child preferred and trusted “British style branding” compared to food from other cultures. One mother said that her teenage daughter used her own money to have food delivered to the door. These families did not see the need to eat fruit and vegetable as a priority. They had no objections to eating fruit and vegetables, but it was highlighted by one mother that when you have £30.00 to feed six children the price of fruit and vegetables can put you off. The example given was sixty pence for a chocolate bar, and two pounds for some cut fruit. It was clear that society did not make it easy for people on a low income. This project was insightful to me because of the perception of the mothers who all lived locally in Birmingham. Many people found versions to traditional cuisine to eat, but it tended to be fried and unhealthy. Many of the participants no longer eat a traditional diet, and food preferences were poor due to perceived time constraints and availability of healthy clean food. So there is a high consumption of cheap fast food. Pollution and safety risks are a perception of ethnic foods which during this project was an issue. Many women stated an inability to cook vegetables, due to time and sometimes the lack of facilities at home. The marketing of junk food was everywhere which the women felt needed to be addressed by policy makers and the food outlets themselves to ensure they offered healthier choices. I wanted to highlight this project because over the three years, I will be discussing in more depth the issues and a number of policy changes that Birmingham plan to make through the public health agenda to ensure we make the right policy and food choices with our residents leading up to the commonwealth games.
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The Phoenix Newspaper - May 2019 - Page 39
HEALTH AND WELLBEING
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lack Country Housing Group (BCHG) have signed the ‘Time to Change’ – Employer Pledge, showing its commitment to supporting its colleagues’ mental health and wellbeing. Time to Change, which further supports one of BCHG’s five strategic aims; to have a ‘Resilient and Healthy Workforce,’ is a growing social movement which aims to tackle the stigma surrounding mental health. To celebrate the occasion, BCHG invited Director of Wellbeing for West Midlands Combined Authority, Sean Russell to co-sign the pledge, as part of promoting good mental health. The day before on ‘Time to Talk’ day, self-help coach, Sabahat Latif provided a 90-minute workshop and a presentation on confidence, mental health and wellbeing. This was followed by a Vintage Tea Party for colleagues from around the organisation to gather for ‘Time to Talk.’ Superintendent, Sean Russell said: “I am so pleased to be supporting Black Country Housing Group who is already leading the way in engaging their workforce by raising the profile of mental health and wellbeing at work. “This approach supports the Thrive at Work programme, where we are trying to help employers improve their staff wellbeing. We want the West Midlands to be the region of choice for employees
On Your Marks, Get Set,
GO!
Housing Group Sign Mental Health Pledge and we are seeking to give the right tools to the employers that demonstrates that they care for their staff.” Amanda Tomlinson, Chief Executive, Black Country Housing Group said: “Committing to Thrive to Change is a significant
step to encourage a better way of looking at mental health for not only BCHG employees but also other organisations who could do more. BCHG is committed to ensuring that it is an employer that cares about its colleagues. We will do
Scheme for healthcare workers vying for top award An innovative project to attract medically qualified refugees back into healthcare roles at a West Midlands NHS trust has been shortlisted for a prestigious award. The Health Overseas Professionals (HOP) programme is run by Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust. It provides training in the English language for refugees and work with individuals on how they can resume their medical careers, whilst putting much needed resource back into the local NHS. Now the Trust’s Learning Works team, which has been running the programme, has been shortlisted for the Mills & Reeve most effective use of diversity gong in the HPMA (Healthcare People Management Association) Excellence Awards. HOP follows the successful skills matching project, USE-IT!, which was piloted by the Trust nearly two years ago Raffaela Goodby, Director of People and Organisation Development, said: “We are really pleased to be shortlisted for such a prestigious award. “HOP is an innovative programme that harnesses the skills and expertise already in our local communities, and has been successful in developing partnerships to ensure that the overseas healthcare professionals, some whom are refugees, are able to practice in the NHS with the right support and guidance.
Diabetes UK looking for healthcare professionals for innovative programme Diabetes UK is looking for healthcare professionals from the Midlands to lead improvements in diabetes care. The charity is searching for consultants, nurses, GPs, dieticians, podiatrists, pharmacists and psychologists to take part in its Clinical Champions programme. The award-winning initiative launched in 2014, in partnership with Novo Nordisk, to address the significant variation in patient care and treatment for people living with diabetes in the UK. Since the programme began, 85 clinicians have been recruited to develop their leadership skills and become champions for improving diabetes care. Between them they have trained thousands of other healthcare professionals, developed innovative new clinics, reduced medication errors and increased the number of people getting the appropriate treatment for their diabetes. The new champions will be selected based on their leadership potential, clinical expertise
and a demonstrable passion for transforming care for people with diabetes. They will be supported with two years of training alongside their clinical work, to help them become strong leaders, identify improvements and drive vital change in diabetes services in their local areas. Peter Shorrick, Midlands and East of England Regional Head for Diabetes UK, said: “Diabetes is the most devastating and fastest growing health crisis of our time, affecting 4.6 million people. That’s more than any other serious health condition in the UK. When diabetes is not well managed, it is associated with serious complications including amputation, sight loss, stroke and kidney failure. “Clinical Champions help transform diabetes care and support and provide clinical leadership, which in turn reduces the risk of devastating complications and makes a meaningful difference to the lives of people with diabetes.”
all we can to assist our colleagues with managing their mental health and wellbeing.” One initiative, is the Black Country Buddies’, which is made up of trained BCHG employees in mental health first aid who offer free, confidential advice and
arrange free mental health and wellbeing events available to all colleagues. At the end of 2018, BCHG also signed up to West Midlands Combined Authority Thrive at Work Programme, committing to promoting employee health and wellbeing.
All the Sport action from Page 45!
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Page 40 - The Phoenix Newspaper - May 2019
HOLIDAY AND TRAVEL
Corinthia Hotels Set to Open First Property in Middle East Corinthia, the family of unique, uplifting luxury destinations, has announced the opening of its first hotel in the Middle East. Due to launch in 2020, this contemporary beachfront hotel marks the beginning of ambitious expansion plans by the hotel group. Corinthia Meydan Beach Dubai will be located on the prestigious JBR beachfront, reflecting the enriching brand values for which Corinthia is known. As such, this opening represents an important, landmark moment for Corinthia in both the region and worldwide. Working in partnership with Meydan Group, Corinthia Meydan Beach has been designed as a spectacular new beachfront resort that will exquisitely reflect both the bliss of the beach and the excitement of the city; allowing guests to discover something new about Dubai and themselves.
From Johannesburg to Cornwall, Singing Unites
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oung singers from a South African Methodist college will be making a voyage of discovery as well as a journey half way round the world when the Cornwall International Male Choral Festival bursts across the Cornish scene from the 2nd to 6th of May. The Duke of Cornwall Singers from St Stithians Boys' College and the St Stithians Boys' Preparatory Barons will learn more about the heritage of their school, in Johannesburg, which was named after the 1859 birthplace of one of its benefactors - Albert Charles Collins originally of Stithians, Cornwall. During the Festival they will get to sing alongside their namesake St Stythians Male Voice Choir, one of 28 Cornish choirs among the 60 of all ages and nationalities taking part in the largest event of its kind in the world – with its 50 concerts and competitions in more than 40 venues right across Cornwall.
"We are very excited to bring our boys over to Cornwall to take part in this great festival," says St Stithians' Head of Music, Yvette Schoeman. "It will be a wonderful experience not just to be meeting and singing with other choirs from around the world, but it is particularly significant for us to be in the very place which gave our school its name and so much of its culture and heritage." “So many international choirs have strong links with Cornwall,” says the Festival's Artistic Director Gareth Churcher. “Just as the 19th century Cornish miners and their families took their skills and technologies across the globe, so they also took their vibrant music and culture. As well as South Africa, international choirs will be travelling from Australia and Canada, Russia, Lithuania and Croatia, Finland and the Netherlands, while another 22 choirs will be descending on Cornwall from England, Scotland and Wales.
Tenerife Walking Festival Returns for Fifth Year The largest of the Canaries is gearing up to host the fifth annual edition of the Tenerife Walking Festival. Taking place from 21 - 25 May 2019, the festival is now open for registration and hikers are being encouraged to sign up now. Thanks to the variety of routes on offer and the diversity of Tenerife´s natural beauty, the Tenerife Walking Festival is considered to be one of the most outstanding hiking events in Europe. The Tenerife Walking Festival covers the island´s best trails divided into coastal, volcanic and forest hikes, which enable participants to discover a huge variety of terrain and protected landscapes. This includes the UNESCOlisted Teide National Park, which is famed for its remarkable volcanic scenery; the ancient laurel forest of Teno Rural Park; the charming village of Taganana, perched high above the Atlantic Ocean; and many more areas of stunning natural beauty. The President of Tenerife, Carlos Alonso, explains the value of participating in this year´s event: “The Tenerife Walking Festival offers hikers the opportunity to discover Tenerife´s unique and breathtaking landscapes. Tenerife is truly the ideal destination for nature lovers, hiking addicts and avid explorers thanks to the island´s all-year round spring-like temperatures.” The Tenerife Walking Festival is aimed at families, groups of friends, couples and individuals and is a fantastic opportunity to meet like-minded travellers and explore the island. Participants must select at least three hikes prior to the event, which each have an additional cost.
Saleh & Sons
Specialising in Caribbean Produce Fresh Meat & Vegetables Tel : 0121 551 1736 250 Lozells Rd, Birmingham B19 1NP
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The Phoenix Newspaper - May 2019 - Page 41
HOLIDAY AND TRAVEL
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ith the summer months fast a p p ro a ch in g , many families are already looking at choosing their annual sunshine getaway. For those looking to swap the classic Mediterranean beach break or adrenaline-fueled theme park trip for a more exotic escape, the serene and subtropical Florida Keys offer an eco-friendly, adventurefocused getaway. With the waters surrounding the southern Florida island chain designated as a National Marine Sanctuary, visitors can enjoy a range of active adventures that help them to truly immerse themselves in the destination — all while leaving little trace of their travels. Here are five low-impact and appealing ways to explore the Florida Keys this summer…
REEF
Visitors to Key Largo’s John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, the United States’ first undersea park, can glimpse the Keys’ serene underwater jungle on a glass bottom boat tour
Go Green In The Florida Keys This Summer aboard the Spirit of Pennekamp catamaran. During the trip, families can view part of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, which protects the waters surrounding the entire island chain including the continental United States’ only living coral barrier reef. Visitors wishing to learn more about the pioneering work being done above and below the water to protect the coral reefs, can visit the Coral Restoration Foundation in Key Largo to discover efforts to grow and replant coral.
WALK
The Florida Keys History & Discovery Center is set to launch a new app, Walk Indian Key, in June that will help families go exploring on foot around the remote 11-acre Indian Key. Located half a mile offshore from the Upper Keys’ Islamorada, the island is accessible by boat or kayak rentals from Robbie’s Marina and is deserted except for the ruins of a town that existed in the early 1800s, when residents
made their living from salvaging boats that ran aground on local reefs. The new app features a 12stop tour and gives kids and parents alike insight into the island’s surprising history, offering them the chance to channel their inner Robinson Crusoe.
NATURE
Believed to be the world’s first state-licensed veterinary hospital dedicated to treating injured sea turtles, the Turtle Hospital in Marathon has released over 2,000 turtles back into their ocean home since 1986. Guided tours not only teach families about sea turtles but also offer a behind-the-scenes look at the rehabilitation facility and the chance to feed the permanent residents.
KAYAK
Join local legend, Captain Bill Keogh of Big Pine Kayak Adventures, for an eco-kayaking tour around the Lower Keys. Navigate the shallow waters surrounding the
Jason deCaires Taylor Recognized For His Outstanding Contribution World-renowned sculptor Jason deCaires Taylor has been specially recognized by the Grenada Tourism Authority (GTA) for his outstanding work in creating the World’s first Underwater Sculpture Park in the island. Between 2006 and 2009, Taylor founded the Park in Grenada which was listed as one of the Top 25 Wonders of the World by National Geographic. His concrete sculptures based on people, history and folklore eventually become alive by supporting the sustainable growth of the colorful reefs in Molinere Bay. Subsequently, this park became a marine protected area thanks to the Government of Grenada’s pledge to preserve 20% of its coastal waters. The Sculpture Park includes art installations such as Vicissitudes (famously known as the Circle of
Children), Grace Reef, the Lost Correspondent and the Unstill Life to name a few. At the dinner, Taylor was presented with a special nutmeg designed award for his contribution to the destination’s unique selling points. The GTA extends special thanks to members of the GHTA namely the l Jason Taylor Recieves Award from Coyaba Beach Resort, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of True Blue Bay Resort and Tourism Arlene Buckmire Outram Maca Bana Villas for their based on online reviews, support in hosting Mr. Taylor searches and clicks. and his family during their recent Jason Taylor is famous for stay in Grenada. integrating contemporary At the Sculpture Park, visitors art into conservation with are taken to the area by local tour marine life. He has continued operators and they can either sail, his artwork in Mexico, in the snorkel or dive to experience this Bahamas and in Spain. stunning and unique experience. He travels all over the Tripexperts have rated this world for his work and he experience as the number one is currently engaged on a attraction in Grenada in 2019 project in Australia.
mangrove islands of the Great White Heron National Wildlife Refuge and National Key Deer Refuge in sit-on-top kayaks to explore the backcountry’s sponge and grass flats and mangrove forests during this unique nature experience.
CYCLE
Active visitors to Key West can take a guided bike tour around the picturesque island city with Key Lime Bike Tours. Along the route participants will see popular destinations
such as Mallory Square, the former home of legendary author Ernest Hemingway, Key West’s Historic Seaport district and the Southernmost Point, quite literally the southernmost location in the continental United States and just 90 miles from Cuba. For the grand finale, the tour ends with a stop for a mouthwatering slice of Key lime pie, a local delicacy.
Enjoying an Egg-Cellent Easter in NSW Locals and visitors alike were being encouraged to explore NSW over the Easter break, and enjoy the State's impressive list of events and experiences. Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney Stuart Ayres said many people are planning to maximise the Easter long-weekend that coincides with Anzac Day and the school holidays, which presents the perfect opportunity to relish in the State's vast array of cultural, outdoor and rural adventures. “Tourism is big business – it accounts for 1 in 22 jobs in NSW. It's why the NSW Government via its tourism and major events agency Destination NSW, is committed to securing the biggest and best events for our State,” Mr Ayres said. “Aside from being excellent news for the NSW economy, it also means we have a world-class list of events and experiences for locals and visitors to choose from. “This Easter long-weekend is a wonderful chance to enjoy the rides and attractions at the Sydney Royal Easter Show, see one of Sydney's magnificent musicals, head outside for a coastal walk or ferry ride, or enjoy a retreat in regional NSW.”
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Page 42 - The Phoenix Newspaper - May 2019
OVERSEAS NEWS
Pune to welcome India’s second Ritz-Carlton hotel
International hoteliers, Marriott, have signed a longterm management agreement with Panchshil, India's top luxury real estate, for a RitzCarlton hotel in Pune, India. Expected to open in September, The Ritz-Carlton, Pune will be the brand’s second property in India and is one of three RitzCarlton hotels in the pipeline for the country. Lisa Holladay, Global Brand Leader for The RitzCarlton, said: “As the luxury hotel industry continues to rapidly evolve globally, we are looking at delivering authentic, destination-specific experiences that are luxurious as well as
memorable. “The launch of The RitzCarlton, Pune reiterates our focus to further strengthen a market of well-heeled travellers that appreciate our brand’s legendary service and memorable experiences.” Panchshil Realty Pvt Ltd chair, Atul Chordia, said: “The Ritz-Carlton, Pune is designed to be a captivating haven that complements our efforts to craft the city’s most refined and luxurious lifestyle destination. We are delighted to collaborate with Marriott International to bring the unique Ritz-Carlton luxury experience to the land of the Maratha’s heritage.”
Baroness Scotland Recognised For Empowering Women
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ommonwealth Secretary-General the Rt Hon Patricia Scotland QC has received a Distinguished Champion award at the WEConnect Gala in Washington DC for her tireless efforts to empower women and achieve gender equality across the world.
WEConnect International is a global network that connects women-owned businesses to qualified buyers across the globe. Organisers spoke of the Secretary-General’s “commitment to transforming the lives of women”, adding that “it is not just her personal achievements that have inspired females – but her forceful pursuit
of progressive change in each of her various posts”. In her acceptance speech, the Secretary-General said: “I am particularly pleased the WEConnect award ceremony had such distinguished representation from major corporations – especially female business leaders of such a high calibre and talent.
“Business and the public sector working together locally and internationally can do so much to protect the safety of women and to enhance opportunities for potential to be recognised and fulfilled. “The occasion for me is made all the more significant by the fact the gala is taking place three years to the day since I took up the responsibilities entrusted to me by the Heads of Government of Commonwealth of our 53 member nations and became their Secretary-General.” The event was attended by more than 200 guests including government officials, thought leaders, and philanthropic and civil society organisations, who are champions for women’s entrepreneurship and economic empowerment.
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The Phoenix Newspaper - May 2019 - Page 43
OVERSEAS NEWS
CHTA Gains First New Destination In 15 Years
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artagena, the colonial port city on the Caribbean coast of Colombia, represented by COTELCO Cartagena, joined the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) as its 33rd destination and the first commercial association to join the regional association in more than 15 years. COTELCO Cartagena, a chapter of Colombia's hotel and tourism association, has 56 affiliated hotels and more than 4,000 hotel rooms, including brands such as GHL Hotels, Hilton, Intercontinental Hotels Group, Karisma Hotels and Resorts, Movich Hotels, Radisson Hotels and Resorts, Sofitel and Hyatt. In Colombia, COTELCO Nacional has 900 affiliate hotels throughout the
country with a presence in 23 departments. "We are absolutely delighted that COTELCO Cartagena, which represents the jewel in the crown of Colombia, has joined CHTA with its brilliant fusion of Caribbean and Latin American culture adding enormously to the rich diversity of our organization," said Frank Comito, CEO and Director General of the organization that represents the interests of the private sector throughout the region. The Caribbean port of Cartagena de Indias was founded in 1533 and its old walled city and fortress, called colonial city, once repelled invaders and pirates. These days, thanks to the efforts of COTELCO, the charming city now welcomes visitors to its tiled roofs, balconies, flower-filled
courtyards and lively social life. The history of Cartagena, where the treasure of gold and silver of the New World was sent to the Old World, is impregnated with romance and drama and is the final resting place of the great liberator Simón Bolívar. The heroic history of Cartagena is evident in the ancient churches that were built as fortresses to reject pirates and foreign invaders such as Sir Francis Drake. Cartagena has a wide variety of attractions and climates - from coral reefs and steep peaks of the highest coastal mountain range in the world, located in Santa Marta. As well as an exuberant variety of marine species and wildlife, Colombia has more than 1,900 types of birds, the largest variety of avian life in the world.
India’s interim budget: Bust or boom for tourism? The interim budget presented in India Parliament has elicited mixed reaction from industry leaders with the focus being on seeing how the proposals will be implemented. Rajendera Kumar, industry stalwart and past Chief of the Hotel Federation, regretted that there was nothing for the hospitality industry yet again in the budget. Ankur Bhatia, Executive Director of the Bird Group, said the budget was forward-looking and progressive but much will depend on the implementation of the promises made.
Peter Kerkar, Group CEO of Cox and King, felt that tourism can be a beneficiary off the tax exemptions and new areas and the northeast could get a boost. Ritesh Agarwal, Founder of OYO hotels, said that it was a budget for New India and hoped the skill gap could be filled. Mahesh Iyer, CEO of Thomas Cook, felt tourist spending will increase and new tier 11 and tier 3 destinations may come up.
Neelu Singh, CEO of Ezeego 1, felt that increased spending on infrastructure, roads, railways, and airports will boost travel.
Buhari-appeal still high in Nigeria With the election body INEC declaring him the winner, the re-election of Nigeria's President Muhammadu Buhari was not a surprise result to many but after he was voted in for a second term he declared himself; “humbled to know that the country see me worthy to continue serving it for a second term. "I thank the millions of Nigerians who voted to re-elect me as your president for the next four years," Buhari said in a statement. "I am deeply humbled and profoundly grateful to you for judging me worthy of continuing to serve you and for your peaceful conduct." First elected in 2015 on an anti-corruption platform the 76-year-old, who defeated Atiku Abubakar, a former vice president and businessman, by about 4 million votes, previously ruled the country as a military strongman in the 1980s before re-emerging in politics, saying he embraced democratic values. Buhari defeated former vice president and businessman,
Atiku Abubakar, a by about 4 million votes. Abubakar, subsequently, threatened to challenge the result in court. Nigeria’s re-elected president won a second term to lead the most populous country in Africa, the country's elections authority said, while his main opponent promised to challenge the result in court. More than 15 million Nigerians chose Muhammadu Buhari as their president in 2019, close to the number that elected him in 2015, indicating that four years in office have not diminished his appeal.
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Page 44 - The Phoenix Newspaper - May 2019
PROPERTY AND REAL ESTATE
How to bring our communities together
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adly, communities across the UK are more divided than they ever have been. Whenever we turn on the news or open many of the country’s most popular national newspapers, we see discord and disharmony. Many people comment on problems, but far fewer present cogent suggestions for solutions to the problems we face. Here we will present a few ideas which we hope will make our communities more prosperous and united.
We need to be more understanding of different points of view
Time and time again, we see people begin a conversation about politics or social issues, and then immediately start criticising the people to whom they are speaking, should they express an opinion with which the first speaker disagrees. This approach to discussion achieves nothing and very often creates more ill-feeling than it does positivity. For so many people, the morality with which they govern their lives and determine their allegiance to political parties comes from their religious faith. We all need to make far more of an effort to appreciate the benefits of the diversity of religious beliefs in our society, and understand why their teachings are so significant to believers. If you’ve never been to a Gurdwara or Mosque: Visit one. Likewise, if you’ve never been to a Church or Synagogue: Step inside. Understanding why our neighbours make the decisions they do, rather than sticking fervently to our own views and judging other people badly if they disagree with us, will help us to build crosscultural relationships across our communities.
Greater understanding will naturally lead to less disagreement, as people will be more willing to compromise with those around them, having gained a greater appreciation for their ways of life.
Small businesses in our communities need to be supported
Supporting local businesses is key to ensuring that our communities become more prosperous. When we’re shopping, it can be so easy to buy online from a huge brand. This method of purchasing can often mean that individuals who open shops locally are forced to close them due to lack of business. These closures are tragic, particularly as the products sold by these local entrepreneurs are very often of a higher quality than products which you might buy from a mass retailer. People often complain that a lack of vibrant local shops represents decay in their communities. However, if these shops aren’t frequented on a daily basis, then they will go out of business. We all need to play far more of a role in the growth of our local economies by logging-off, stepping outside, and browsing the wonderful products that some of our area’s most skilled
craftspeople and entrepreneurs are selling. The same thing goes for all of the businesses in our communities, whether they are local locksmiths or law firms. By helping the people around us to move forward, we will all move forward.
Give back
If you have been fortunate enough to achieve significant financial success during your career, it is crucial that you reinvest some of your profits in your community, to give the next generation the opportunity to achieve the same levels of success that you did. Giving back is not just limited to those who have amassed great wealth though. Volunteering your time to teach young people about your area of expertise, will provide them with invaluable knowledge and skills that they can use to improve not only their own lives, but the lives of those around them. By encouraging the next generation to believe that they can do anything they set their minds to, and then giving them the training and resources to achieve those goals, we will ensure that our communities will still be flourishing in 30 years’ time. By committing to understanding more about those who share our communities with us, radiating positivity to everyone around us, and doing what we can to support and encourage everyone in our communities to make their lives even better, we will create far more vibrant, united and prosperous communities to live in. Wishing you a wonderful month ahead. Bobby Singh Love Your Postcode.
First house price fall in England since 2012 H ouse prices are lower in England compared with a year ago - the first annual fall in property values since 2012, according to the Nationwide. In the first three months of the year, prices in England were down 0.7% from the same period in 2018. But the building society said that annual house price rises in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales meant the UK average was still growing. The typical home was valued at £213,102, the Nationwide said. Based on its own lending data, the building society said UK house prices in March were up 0.7% from the same month a year earlier. Robert Gardner, the building society's chief economist, said that the number of sales and the number of mortgages approved for house purchases had remained
"broadly stable". However, he said that consumer surveys had suggested buyers and sellers were taking a more cautious approach. This has come as a result of a lack of Brexit clarity. Sam Mitchell, chief executive of online estate agents Housesimple, said: "The market would have preferred a decision one way or the other. Instead, we are now in this state of short-term limbo leaving many buyers and sellers unsure what to do. "Normally, we would expect to see a spike in transaction levels around this time as we enter the traditional spring bounce period, but with the extension to the EU leaving date, the bounce is likely to be a little subdued this year." Andrew Montlake, director of mortgage broker Coreco, said: "London is particularly sensitive to ongoing political uncertainty but it is also paying for the
astronomic house price growth of five or six years ago." This was seen in figures comparing house prices in the first three months of this year with the same quarter in 2017. On this measure, house prices in London had fallen by 3.8% - the biggest fall for a decade, the Nationwide said. However, properties in the capital remained the most expensive in the UK at an average of £455,594. Prices in the commuter belt around London and the South East of England also fell compared with a year ago, driving the drop in England as a whole. Over the same period, property values in Wales increased by 0.9%, rose by 2.4% in Scotland, and went up by 3.3% in Northern Ireland. However, prices in Northern Ireland are still more than 35% below their high in 2007, the Nationwide said.
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SPORT WITH STEVE WILLIAMS
Suits You, Sir as Tiger returns to Major groove
Unilite continues its support for the Edgbaston Sleepout
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lobal torch and flashlight manufacturers Unilite pledged their support to a campaign to raise funds and support young people at risk of homelessness through a sleepout at the world-renowned Edgbaston Stadium. The third Edgbaston Sleepout was led by the Edgbaston Foundation, the official charity of Warwickshire County Cricket Club, and had more than 45 volunteers signed up to sleep rough at the venue which hosts
the opening Test of this year’s Specsavers Ashes series. As the lead supporter for this year’s Edgbaston Sleepout, five Unilite staff signed up to participate and raise funds, whilst it also provided a goody bag for each sleeper, which included its popular Unilite Beanie (with light). The support also covered all costs on the evening ensuring that funds raised went directly towards supporting people impacted by homelessness. Laura Evans Director at Unilite, said: “Unilite was delighted to provide support to
the Edgbaston Foundation for the Edgbaston Sleepout. This was our second year supporting the Sleepout and we have been proud to give additional support to St. Basils. Working with the Edgbaston Foundation to tackle this important issue has been a great experience." As part of its work, the Foundation named St Basil’s as its lead charity partner, by supporting vulnerable young people who are at risk of homelessness.
Sir Mo on track for Tokyo? Having quit, in 2017, to concentrate on road races, four-time Olympic champion Sir Mo Farah may come out of retirement from track events and compete at the Tokyo 2020 Games – having hinted such just before the London Marathon. Farah, who won gold in the 5,000m and 10,000m at the 2012 and 2016 Olympics, made the suggestion that he may well make a return to the track for the World Championships in Qatar in September. In an interview he said: "It would be nice to have another one. I have no regrets with what I have done but I don't want to look back one day
As the mass crowd roared as one, at the US Masters in Augusta, it signalled arguably one of the greatest ever comebacks in sporting history. Tiger Woods, who marked his remarkable return to winning ways, in Georga, with his 15th major golf title, is back at the top as he, himself, roared his way to the top of what was a competitive leader board with him being two behind final day leader, Italy’s Francesco Molinari. In one of the most emotional finishes in tournament history, the 43-year-old Woods, playing like the Tiger of old and beating
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• Locally • Nationally • Internationally and think, 'that year, I was fit, perhaps I should have gone to the Olympics, and maybe I could have won a medal'." He added: Farah told BBC Sport: "If I was capable of getting an Olympic medal no matter what colour it is, would you turn it down? If I am
capable then why not?" Farah said he has "missed" the frequent racing provided by track competition, compared to the less regular marathons. The six-time world champion has yet to compete at a major championships over the 26.2mile distance.
players he inspired with his 1997 win at Augusta National Golf Club, came from behind to win the 83rd Masters Tournament by a shot. Firing 2-under-par 70 and finishing at 13-under 275, he became the first $2 million man ($2,070,000 for the winner) in Masters history. Putting on that green jacket again – for the 5th time - moved Woods past Arnold Palmer and puts him one behind Jack Nicklaus for the most green jackets in history. He’s also three majors behind Nicklaus’ record of 18.
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Page 46 - The Phoenix Newspaper - May 2019
SPORT - WITH STEVE WILLIAMS
Kick off for women’s futsal comp An innovative project to get college students involved in women’s futsal is set to be launched by the University of Wolverhampton. Sports teams from local colleges will be invited to take part in the women’s futsal competitions organised by students and Birmingham FA at the University’s Walsall Campus. Futsal is played on a hard court which is smaller than a football pitch and is mainly indoors. It is played in more than 170 countries. The University has secured £1,450 funding from the British Universities and Colleges Sports (BUCS) Women’s Football and Futsal Innovation Fund in partnership with the FA to run the programme. A taster session will take place in June with the main competitions from September/October. The events will be run by University students who will be involved in aspects such as refereeing, media and managing the day. Tracy Nash, Professional and Workforce Sports Manager at the University, said: “We’re delighted to have received funding from BUCS for this project which will see us set up a number of competitions and festivals throughout the year for local colleges linked to football clubs we currently have links with.
Shanaze becomes Cycling and Walking Ambassador
F
ormer BMX and track cycling World Champion Shanaze Reade has been announced as the first West Midlands Cycling and Walking Ambassador. The British cyclist’s appointment was confirmed on the day that regional transport chiefs agreed a £17 million funding package to take spending on cycling in the West Midlands to £10 per head per year up to April 2021. The grant, from the region’s £71 million Transforming Cities Fund (TCF) transport package, will be invested in safe cycle routes across the West Midlands. As Ambassador Shanaze, the three-time BMX World Champion and twice Team Sprint track world champion, will promote and guide development of cycling throughout the West Midlands. She welcomed the West Midlands’ commitment to increasing participation in cycling and walking and the increased funding for safe cycle routes and infrastructure. She said: “I look forward to helping people discover the amazing benefits of cycling and walking – both for pleasure and as a convenient method of transport. The benefits are endless from saving money, the sense of freedom, mental wellbeing from the exercise and keeping fit. With
l TfWM cycling team: Sandeep Shingadia, Cllr Roger Lawrence, Imandeep Kaur (Impact Hub Birmingham), Claire Williams, Hannah Dayan, Mitch Robinson and Mayor of the West Midlands Andy Street, with Shanaze Reade the infrastructure being put in place there will be no excuse to get out those trainers or on your bike.” One of her first duties as Ambassador saw Shanaze join West Midlands Mayor Andy Street (who recently adopted a new Walking and Cycling
policy which outlined the ambition to develop a cycle route network across the region), transport bosses and cycling representatives at a summit. The WMCA Board has now approved the award of £17 million cycle funding. This follows the award of a £6 million
TCF grant last October. Combined with expected investment from councils and developers it means that spending on cycling in the West Midlands will reach the target of £10 per head.
Barclays agree multi-million sponsorship deal for WSL The Women's Super League have announced that Barclays will become its first ever title sponsor in a deal the English Football Association calls "the biggest ever investment in UK women's sport by a brand" with the partnership, worth in excess of £10m. With previous WSL winners having not been awarded any official prize money, the new deal, starting from next season, will see the competition rebranded the Barclays FA Women's Super League with a prize-money pot of £500,000. Former Arsenal and England striker Kelly Smith said: "This is massive news for the game in England. The women’s game is in a healthy place now and you can see the interest growing year-byyear.” English FA's director of the women's professional game, Kelly Simmons, added: "It's a real landmark moment in the development of the women's game. This investment will add the fact that schools can make sure lots of girls will get the chance to play football, which is our pipeline for the future." "If England can do well at the World Cup and get to the final, or even win it,” she added, “then the game will be taken to a new level. It's a healthy place to be."
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The Phoenix Newspaper - May 2019 - Page 47
Page 42 - The Phoenix Newspaper - May 2019
Ambassador Shanaze - Page 46
Tiger Success - Page 45
It’s Dina vs the world at Müller Anniversary Games this Summer F
ollowing the confirmation that triple European champion Dina Asher-Smith will line-up in the women’s 100m at this summer’s Müller Anniversary Games, Jamaican double Olympic champion Elaine
Government College University Enjoy 119th Annual Sports The three-day 119th Annual Sports of the Government College University Lahore began at a grand inaugural ceremony at Punjab Stadium. About 6,000 students from 30 departments of the University are participating in the annual sports including the march past, athletics meet and gymkhana events. The GCU athletes, led by Haris Qasim took oath that they would take part in annual games abiding by the rules and in the true spirit of
sportsmanship for the glory of sports and the honour of their teams. A good number of foreign students and faculty members also participated in the grand past at the Punjab stadium. About 34 contingents including of the university’s hostels participated in the grand march past, while the musicians hailing from GCU Nazir Ahmed Music Society (NAMS) presented a special anthem for 119th Athletics Meet.
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Thompson, two-time world 200m champion Dafne Schippers from the Netherlands and Ivorian double world medallist Marie-Josee Ta Lou have all today been confirmed to join Asher-Smith on the start-line for the race come July. Building to be one of the stand-out sprint fields of the summer, the quartet hold a staggering 18 Olympic and World medals between them, with the figure growing to 39 medals when taking European Championships and Commonwealth Games medals into account. Fresh from history-making exploits in Berlin last summer where she won triple European gold over 100m, 200m and 4x100m, home favourite AsherSmith will relish taking on
some of the quickest women in the world in London when the 100m takes place on Sunday July 21 at this year’s edition of the event. Among those aiming to spoil the party is the diminutive Ta Lou, with the Ivorian enjoying magnificent back to back years with world 100m and 200m silver in 2017 being backed up by finishing 2018 as the joint quickest in the world over 100m alongside Asher-Smith. The athlete with the quickest 100m personal best of the four with 10.70 - the fifth quickest time ever recorded - Thompson will head into the summer season of 2019 aiming to recapture the type of stunning form that saw her win a historic double sprint gold at the 2016 Olympic Games. Last but not least, long-time
rival of Asher-Smith on both the European and global stage Dafne Schippers will aim to readdress the balance of victories against her sprint rivals come July 21. Returning to the stadium where she successfully retained her world 200m title at London 2017, the third quickest 200m sprinter in history is still very much a force to be reckoned with, as her haul of Olympic, World and European medals go to show. The Müller Anniversary Games has seen history made on numerous occasions in recent years, with some memorable performances from British names such as Sir Mo Farah, Laura Muir and Asher-Smith herself, while para athletics stars Kare Adenegan and Sophie Hahn both broke world records at the 2018 edition of the event.
Reggae Girlz in shape for France World Cup adventure Marlo Sweatman was the lone scorer as Jamaica's Reggae Girlz beat Chile 1-0 at the National Stadium in the first of two friendly international matches. It was the first match for the Reggae Girlz since they first created history by becoming the first Caribbean team to reach the FIFA Women's World Cup. The Girlz’ slick movement and agility combined saw them take a deserved lead when Chilean
goalkeeper Christiane Endler spilled a corner from the left, which set up the goal. Jamaica's top attacker Khadija Shaw caused concerns to goalkeeper Endler minutes later with a free kick just outside the penalty area on the left, which caused the custodian to dive full stretch to her right to prevent another goal. Shaw was given a grand opportunity to increase the lead close the end of the half when
she was fed a through ball, but with only Endler to beat she fired straight at the goalkeeper from just inside the area. The Chileans started the second half on the attack and camped inside the Reggae Girlz' half for most of the first 20 minutes, with their best effort being a long-range shot from Yesenita Huenteo that goalkeeper Nicole McClure had to dive to her right to block. Then a free-kick from the right
by Huenteo had to be cleared off the line at the far post by defender Konya Plummer, after beating goalkeeper McClure. The Reggae Girlz gradually settled and once again started to take the fight to Chile with a number of quick counter attacks that looked positive at the beginning but fizzled out in the final third or was fired over the crossbar from distance.
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