The Phoenix Newspaper - October 2020 by The Phoenix Newspaper

Promoting Diversity for Birmingham Commonwealth Games 2022

Blacky Hist r

M nth

‘Short Man’ Serving The Community BHM Feature Starts on Page 19

OCTOBER 2020

Connecting Communities - Inspiring A New Generation

The Lady In Red

Page 31

TIME FOR talented treyvan TO TAKE ON THE WORLD F or many children his age, the only fights that happen are between friends in the playground, but for Treyvan Campbell, it’s top flight football academies that are already fighting over his future. With offers from both Wolverhampton Wanderers and Leicester City Academies for a pre

contract, this 6 year old has already shown the natural talent and ability that has the big leagues calling. The youngest of 3 boys, Treyvan started his football career only 2 years ago, when his father Gavin took him to a local 3G Pitch at St Matthews, but even he couldn’t have foreseen the whirlwind journey that the family have been on since.

“I just wanted him to play grassroots football,” began Gavin, “but then he got recommended by a coach to Coventry City, then Nottingham Forest, Derby, Wolves and Leicester, and he’s been playing with all of these clubs over the last year.”

Continued in the Black History Month Feature on Page 20

Congratulations Nigeria

on your

ence Anniversary of Independ

Page 2 - The Phoenix Newspaper - October 2020

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NEWS

Individual Liberties and the Dilemma of Covid 19 Restrictions By Dr Tony Talburt

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t seems when we have peace, stability and normality in many Western societies, very few us question the merits of our political system that is based on the principles of individual liberties. However, as the Covid-19 pandemic continues to spread within so many countries, it is quite possible over the next few months, that governments might be forced to impose restrictions on individual movement and association. Furthermore, in the UK , there have been discussions over the right of individuals to act as informants and provide news to authorities if and when they see other people breaching Covi-19 restrictions! But is there a point when governments in such democracies need to restrict some individual freedoms in the national interest? In the last two or three decades the virtues of democracy have come to be seen by most nations states as the acceptable way of organizing societies. One of the basic features of modern Western liberal democracies is the limit on the power of the government, thereby ensuring it is not concentrated in the hands of only a few people. Other key features include: electoral process to select or appoint leaders within a multi-party system, the rule of law, freedom of movement and association, and also the importance of individual rights. It is the breach in these last two features which seem to be the reason for much disquiet among some people. As a result of the current covid-19 pandemic, many governments, including a number of leaders in Western societies, have had to impose

numerous restrictions on individual movements and association. These restrictions, however, have resulted in demonstrations in many countries as people question the legitimacy of government-imposed controls over so many aspects of their personal liberties. On 19 September 2020, hundreds of people gathered in Trafalgar Square, London, to demonstrate against Covid-19 restrictions. According to a report in the Independent Newspaper, some sections of the crowd were heard cheering as a speaker told them that coronavirus was a “novel coronavirus, just like a novel, like a story – it’s all made up.’ The report described the demonstrators as the ‘antimask mob’ who were engaged in clashes with police to demonstrate against the coronavirus vaccine and the UK lockdown, in which more than 30 people were arrested. Similar protests have taken place in Australia where more than 70 people were arrested in Melbourne, for flouting the state's stay-at-home orders to

attend an anti-lockdown protest. Police said that some 250 people went to the illegal protest and were aggressive and threatened violence towards officers. As early as April 2020, there were a number of protests in the USA. People claimed that the stringent measures restricting movement and businesses were unnecessarily hurting citizens and that the stay-athome measures imposed by state governments to control the spread of Covid-19 were an overreaction. At the time there were about 40, 000 covid-19 related deaths in the country. By the middle of September 2020 there were close on 200,000 covid-19 related deaths. The feelings of some of the protesters in the USA were so passionate that some also came to the protests in April bearing firearms as gun rights groups have been among the organisers, citing infringements on civil liberties. Perhaps what this pandemic is teaching us is that, when the tough times come, tough governments get going.

Despite the virtues of liberal democracy and individual freedoms, the countries that respond quickly and decisively with regard to strategies to tackle Covid-19, have in the main, been the ones where the virus was better contained. In these circumstances, governments have to take difficult decisions which will restrict aspects of individual movement and association. Although these are two crucial features which are at the very heart of liberal democracies, at times, they need to be put on hold, in the national interest. In times of national emergencies such as wars or hurricanes, governments often make quick decisions which may restrict individual liberties. In the case of the UK, with over 41,000 Covid-19 related deaths, and just over 200, 000 in the USA, this situation could be defined as a national emergency. In this regard, therefore, despite being so accustomed to our individual liberties, in the face of this pandemic, we will have to probably get use to more restrictions for the time being.

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NEWS

university support for Birmingham ‘22 l L-R Ian Reid, B2022 CEO; Laura Zialor, student & high jumper;Yasmin Javadian, student & judo player and Professor Sir David Eastwood,Vice Chancellor of the University of Birmingham

he University of Birmingham has been unveiled as an official partner for Birmingham 2022, signing the most comprehensive university partnership agreement in the history of the Commonwealth Games. It will be a competition venue for hockey and squash, the principal campus village during the Games and a major partner - demonstrating the University’s engagement with and commitment to the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games. It also confirms the University as an Official Partner of the Birmingham 2022 Queen’s Baton Relay – International Leg, offering international promotional opportunities as the ceremonial baton travels through Commonwealth nations and territories in the run up to the Games. Birmingham 2022 will also work closely with the University of Birmingham to offer volunteering opportunities for staff and students on campus, providing them with valuable experience of working at a major sports event and guaranteeing that the teams staying there have the support of volunteers who are

extremely knowledgeable about the university site. The Games, which is expected to have a global TV audience of 1.5 billion, attract more than one million spectators and welcome competitors from 72 nations and territories and will also provide an important platform for the University of Birmingham to promote its impressive teaching

and research capabilities. University Vice-Chancellor, Professor Sir David Eastwood said: “As a University we have a long and proud history of sporting success with staff, students and alumni competing at an international level and I wish the very best of luck to the

Commonwealth Games hopefuls in our community.” Ian Reid, Chief Executive of Birmingham 2022, said: “By becoming an Official Partner, the University of Birmingham has truly underlined their considerable support for the Games.” Birmingham 2022 will also work with the University to offer volunteering opportunities for staff and students on campus, providing them with valuable experience of working at a major sports event. The University of Birmingham has a strong track record in sport science research, offering the UK’s first Sport Science degree course in 1946. The University also already has strong links with the Commonwealth Games, with six students and 18 alumni taking part in the Gold Coast edition of the Games in 2018. The University of Birmingham is the fifth official partner for Birmingham 2022, joining Official Legal Advisers, Gowling WLG; Official Timekeeper, Longines; Official Recruiter, GI Group and Host Broadcaster, Sunset+Vine, in supporting the biggest event ever to be held in the West Midlands.

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Page 4 - The Phoenix Newspaper - October 2020

NEWS

Nokia CEO signs UN pledge calling for renewed global co-operation Nokia president and CEO, Pekka Lundmark has signed a joint UN Statement, ‘United In The Business of A Better World’ which will be presented to the UN Secretary General as part of celebration of the 75th anniversary of the United Nations. The Statement, signed by more than 1,000 global CEOs, says that at time of unprecedented disruption and global transformation, international cooperation must be mobilized across borders, sectors and generations. CEOs signing the statement commit to ethical leadership and good governance, to invest in addressing inequalities and

injustice, and to partner with the UN, Government and civil society to promote equality and respect human rights. Pekka Lundmark, Nokia CEO said: “The world faces big challenges, such as COVID-19 and climate change, that cannot be solved without global cooperation. Nokia believes in a multilateral system where businesses, governments, organizations, and individuals all work together inclusively and transparently to find solutions and to build a more sustainable future for people and our planet. “I am proud to be a signatory of this UN Global Compact statement. Nokia will play its

l Nokia president and CEO, Pekka Lundmark part by ensuring our technology is designed to solve real societal issues and enable greater opportunity for all.” Nokia has been actively working towards supporting a more equal and sustainable future by building technology that improves lives and enables a healthier planet. In September 2019, at the United Nations climate summit, Nokia joined a group of 87 companies in committing to recalibrate its existing science-based climate targets in line with the latest science.

BRItISH EMPIRE MEDAL AWARDED TO VOLUNTEER

l Elspeth Martin, the recipient of the British Empire Medal

longstanding and committed volunteer for Midlands Air Ambulance Charity was awarded the British Empire Medal in the Queen’s 2020 New Year’s Honours List for her charitable services to the lifesaving, rapidresponse emergency service. Following years of dedicating Elspeth Martin’s time to Midlands Air Ambulance Charity, which operates and funds three air ambulances and two critical care cars across the Midlands, the charity supported the nomination for Mrs Martin as she was so deserving of this prestigious award. She shared her delight and surprise to receive such highly regarded recognition from a charity she loves saying: “When

I received the congratulatory call, I was absolutely amazed.” Not long after the establishment of Midlands Air Ambulance Charity, in 1991, one of Elspeth’s friends was rescued by the service after sustaining injuries in a road traffic collision.

She was airlifted and taken to hospital in Birmingham. Ever since, Elspeth and her husband, a past Mayor of Solihull, Mr Alan Martin have dedicated so much of their time to the vital, lifesaving service. She summarised: “I now consider Midlands Air Ambulance Charity as a family

Frankfurt Christmas Market cancelled due to pandemic Birmingham's annual German Christmas market will not be held this year, as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. Organiser Frankfurt City Council said it had explored all possible options over the market, which opened initially as a one-off event in 1997. Kurt Stroscher, its director of festivals and events, said: "Christmas markets like this are a place for socialising and 'cosy closeness'." He said he did not want the market to

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be a place that "promotes" a pandemic. The market will not take place for the first time since 2001, but Frankfurt council said visitors' health and safety had to be its "top priority" and the decision had been made "with a very heavy All possible options had been "carefully explored", Mr Stroscher stated before adding that Frankfurt council would now concentrate all its efforts on 2021 "in order to return

to me.” Alison Hill, volunteer and donor support manager for Midlands Air Ambulance Charity, said: “Nothing is ever too much trouble for Mrs Elspeth Martin. Elspeth is a great community ambassador and is the face of the charity in her local area. “She is a great member of our charity family and we are very grateful for all her help and support.” Throughout the pandemic, Elspeth has continued to show her dedication to the lifesaving charity by accepting donations of unwanted goods for the charity’s high street shops and holding a socially distanced, Covid-19 secure tombola on her front lawn. The tombola alone raised £265 – funding one of the rapid response service’s critical care car missions. with an impressive Christmas market in its recognisable form". The market attracts about five million visitors a year and Birmingham City Council leader Ian Ward said that he welcomed "the organiser's decision to put the public's health and safety first". Birmingham has been on the government coronavirus watchlist recently and new rules about households mixing could be brought in. There were 77.1 cases per 100,000 city residents in the week to September 6, compared with 31.2 the week before.

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Page 6 - The Phoenix Newspaper - October 2020

BUSINESS AND FINANCE

MoneyGram and Tesco Bank launch new PLATFORM

Child Trust Funds Mature Child Trust Funds matured last month and millions of children who received a handout from the government have benefited from their parents choosing to invest in stocks and shares rather than cash. Launched in 2005, the first Child Trust Funds are starting to mature this month when the oldest group of children turn 18 and gain access to their accounts. HMRC say around 55,000 will mature each month. When they were opened, parents had the option of choosing to invest in cash or funds that invested in stocks and shares.

o n e y G r a m International, Inc., a global leader in crossborder P2P payments and money transfers, has announced the launch of a new international online money transfer platform in partnership with Tesco Bank. The platform allows MoneyGram and Tesco customers to set up their transactions online and then pay by cash or card at Tesco stores. This new service allows customers to easily send money abroad, reduces the process time and eliminates the need to complete paperwork in-store. This is being introduced at a time when an increasing amount of money is being digitally transferred from the UK to overseas destinations. The launch of this new capability is an important milestone for the partnership between MoneyGram and Tesco Bank, which was formed over seven years ago. The new service has now been introduced to 129 Tesco Express

stores across the UK, adding to the existing 810 stores that currently offer the service. Full roll-out to around 1,500 Tesco Express stores is expected over the next 18 months. “We are continually evolving our customer proposition through our leading digital capabilities and customer-centric solutions,” said Richard Meredith, Head of UK Key Partnership at MoneyGram. “This solution is a key milestone in our ongoing collaboration with Tesco Bank in being able to offer a seamless, digitised experience for customers.” Sigga Sigurdardottir, Chief Customer Officer at Tesco Bank added: “There are millions of people across the UK sending money abroad to help loved ones with everyday needs or in times of emergency. “Our goal is to help Tesco shoppers manage their money a little better every day, and this enhancement to our partnership with MoneyGram lets customers send money overseas even more efficiently than before.”

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The Phoenix Newspaper - October 2020 - Page 7

NEWS

writing competition launched for FEMALES IN diverse communities

S l Director of Sampad, Piali Ray OBE

Birmingham is Open to Experience

ampad South Asian Arts and Heritage, one of the UK’s leading arts development agencies, is launching MY CITY, MY HOME, a major, specially commissioned, international writing competition for women and girls from diverse communities in Birmingham (UK), Bangladesh and Pakistan. Part of Transforming

Narratives, a ground-breaking three- year project to establish Birmingham as a global centre for contemporary arts from Pakistan and Bangladesh it will reach out to emerging female writers from all three locations resulting in a publication of selected works, together with live readings at events in the UK and other countries. Director of Sampad, Piali Ray OBE, said: “The identity and role of women is as diverse

across cities and countries as is 21st century society. Cities are a melting pot of cosmopolitan cultures yet, there is a distinctiveness and roots that connect to the past. “By launching MY CITY, MY HOME, in what is Sampad’s 30th anniversary year, we want to give women and girls the chance to tell their story. We need to hear it from them.” The competition is open

to women and girls aged 16 and over and can be a response to, or a reflection on the phrase MY CITY, MY HOME. Run online, women can enter a poem, short-story, or other prose. A maximum of two pieces of work can be entered and will be accepted in English, Urdu, and Bangla languages. Supported by Arts Council England, Birmingham City Council, British Council and

Transforming Narratives, MY CITY, MY HOME will work with Project Associates in Pakistan and Bangladesh connecting online with diverse groups of women and girls in their countries and supporting them to participate. Sophina Jagot, Transforming Narratives Project Manager added: “The Transforming Narratives programme is all about making connections between artists and creative practitioners in Birmingham, Bangladesh and Pakistan, and it seemed to us now more than ever we needed to support the cultural sector in making those connections. “We look forward to hearing their stories.” Closing date for entries is 30 December 2020. Winners will be informed between 22-26 February 2021 and will each receive £200.00.

l Director of Sampad, Piali Ray OBE

There has never been a better time to get out into Birmingham and enjoy some great attractions while they are relatively quiet. To help with this a new website and publication has been launched detailing things open to enjoy in Birmingham. Speaking of this new initiative Jonathan Berg, Editor of Discovering Birmingham Experiences says: “Birmingham has so many things to see and do and we are focussed on supporting attractions as they reopen. “It is so important for our mental and physical health to get out and enjoy the city, and the city needs us all to retain its vibrancy. “We give lots of ideas to local people on the places in Birmingham that have worked so hard to securely reopen and welcome us back.” As attractions reopen new procedures have been put in place to ensure that they are Covid-19 secure. Many now display the ‘We’re good to go’, Visit Britain quality mark to showing health and safety audits and new ways of operating are in place. Jonathan Watkins, Director of Ikon Gallery in Brindleyplace, says: ‘We reopened in August with our same friendly spirit but with the interesting frisson of face masks, sanitiser and social distancing. “Our artistic experience is as safe as it is exciting. The Discovering Birmingham Experiences initiative is timely, but also important as we revisit changing roles of city centres.” This initiative is supported by the key city attractions including those that have reopened as well as those still working hard on ways to welcome you back soon.

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Page 8 - The Phoenix Newspaper - October 2020

BUSINESS AND FINANCE

Four debutants make Booker Prize 2020 shortlist

our new novels have been included on the shortlist for this year's Booker Prize, with nominees including Diane Cook, Tsitsi Dangarembga, Avni Doshi, Maaza Mengiste, Douglas Stuart and Brandon Taylor - all of whom are based outside the UK. As the UK's most prestigious literary award, the Booker Prize is open to any novel written in English by an author of any nationality. The topics covered by the six nominees are wide-ranging, including stories about climate change, the hardship of life in Zimbabwe, dementia, and the women soldiers of 1935 Ethiopia. Margaret Busby, chair of this year's judges, said: "The shortlist of six came together unexpectedly, voices and characters resonating with us all even when very different. "We are delighted to help disseminate these chronicles of creative humanity to a global audience." A surprising omission from the list is two-time winner Hilary Mantel has missed out. Mantel

had been tipped for a record third win for The Mirror and the Light. Both previous titles in her trilogy about the life of Thomas Cromwell, Wolf Hall and Bring Up the Bodies, had won. On that, judge, Lee Child, said: "We thought it was an absolutely wonderful novel, no question about it... but there were books

that were better, that's all I can say personally." The full 2020 Booker Prize shortlist is: • Diane Cook - The New Wilderness • Tsitsi Dangarembga - This Mournable Body • Avni Doshi - Burnt Sugar • Maaza Mengiste -The Shadow

King • Douglas Stuart - Shuggie Bain • Brandon Taylor - Real Life The winner will be announced on November 17. Last year saw Margaret Atwood and Bernardine Evaristo share the £50,000 prize, breaking the Booker's own 1992 rule of awarding it to only one author.

Investment drives employment and progress at Aston Manor Aston Manor Cider has unveiled their latest multimillion pound investment – a move that has increased employment and extended the capacity and capability of the business. The Birmingham-based drinks producer has spent a further £6m in recent months to reconfigure their Aston production site and add a state-of-the-art new packaging line. This follows investment in excess of £30m in the last five years and a further commitment that is likely to exceed £50m over the term of the long-term contracts agreed with farmers to supply apples from new orchards planted in Herefordshire. Part of the most recent investment has been to develop the research and development capability to create new products. In order to bring these and other drinks to market meant millions

to install a whole new packaging line that has enabled new formats to be produced. Now commissioned, this and previous investment means Aston Manor’s portfolio of ciders can be packaged in bagin-box formats, in mini-kegs, and in different sizes and shapes of cans. Chief Executive, Gordon

Johncox, said: “We have a track record of being responsive to consumer trends and having the flexibility and agility to deliver great products in different styles and formats. “This is by design. We consistently invest significant sums and support our people to build our capacity and capability. It is vital to our approach and our

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ambition to offer new products and develop new markets.” This work has also supported the growing demand from major drinks businesses and brand owners to work with Aston Manor as a specialist contract packer. Johncox added: “I pay testament to the great work being done by our people – during a period of exceptional disruption they are delivering products of quality that people are enjoying as evidenced by award success, assurance from independent audits and customer care levels that exceed industry standards.” In the latest international cider competitions, Aston Manor’s ‘Malvern Gold’ brand scooped the prize as the World’s Best (still) Cider for the second year running – after claiming top spot in the year this stunning cider was launched.

David C. Hall: Combining Science with Education Entrepreneurship

with Dr Christopher Johnson

ven in the midst of a global health debacle, it is rare to find young professionals exploring the ‘cross-pollination’ of sciences (natural and social). Birmingham-based, David C. Hall, is one such evolving icon, who is a chemistry teacher but also manages an education enterprise. Over the past decade, Hall who experienced learning difficulty in his formative years (at school), ‘converted’ this challenging situation into an affirmative stance. His bestselling book, ‘The Empowering Parent: A Practical Guide to Unlocking the Potential in Your Child’ (2019), typifies his belief in the latent talent of young people. His team’s daily activities, revolve around progressive strands of education, employability and enterprise, fused legacy that will define Hall’s own future as a science tutor and social entrepreneur. Hall is a director of two small firms that provide training for young people and support in some of the most under-served areas of Birmingham, England and its environs. “We believe that all children have an unlimited and often untapped potential. We empower children to become confident learners and discover their passion and motivation to succeed. “Potential Unlocked Tuition for instance, was born out of a desire to see parents supported and to give children the benefits of a great education. “We work with children aged from 5 – 16, developing core skills in English, Maths, Science, Exam Preparation and more.” His enterprise has serviced over 300 families, optimising children’s instincts for excellence with the application of appropriate resources to enable overall success. A personal and culturally sensitive approach is central to Hall’s learning engagement repertoire and this has led to a record of GCSE pass rates of 84.1% for 2020. In view of the existing pandemic, the owner of one of Birmingham’s leading tuition centres, is keen to utilise both off and virtual tutoring and parental support to fulfil learning and actual employment opportunity-objectives for

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

hundreds of young people affected by the current situation. “We aim to ensure that parents, carers and guardians have the right learning support materials to also help children who have to be home-schooled and facing social isolation.” Other services include: advocacy, lobbying and representation, afterschool education programmes, information, advice and guidance (IAG); counselling for children, young people, families, carers, and guardians; employment support; mentoring and coaching; family skills training, parenting classes inclusive; supplementary school support and youth development. The young business is owner is very keen to work in partnership with government departments, private sector agencies and non-governmental organisations, to improve production and productivity levels, especially within innercities’ young workforce. Thousands are experiencing underachievement, underperformance, learning disabilities, low self-esteem, poor confidence, financial problems, exclusion and labour market discrimination and prejudice. In an era of growing uncertainty, where the lives of thousands of young people, seem imperilled, the worthiness of Hall’s entrepreneurial instincts in science, education and entrepreneurship, will impact positively on the economic and social landscape of Birmingham and its surrounding conurbations. Indeed, his endeavours represent a powerful testament of ‘enterprise emulation’ in action.

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The Phoenix Newspaper - October 2020 - Page 9

ADVERTORIAL

Tropical Sun CELEBRATE NATIONAL RICE WEEK

l Cllr Sanchia Alasia and Cllr Kate Anolue

l Paul Harrison - Tropical Sun, Cllr Christine Hamilton Deputy Mayor of Enfield, Emma Ashton-Oner - Tropical Sun, Cllr Kate Anolue, Cllr Sanchia Alasia

he most popular grain on the planet, rice is the primary dietary staple for more than half the world’s population. Demand for rice skyrocketed in March as people began panic buying huge quantities in the early stages of the coronavirus outbreak, concerned by the prospect of a lengthy lockdown period. Whilst there have been many obvious negative effects of the pandemic, there have certainly also been some silver linings.

A recent research-based report suggested that during lockdown, families were able to enjoy more meals together, and that 60% of young people thought this had a positive effect on their health and wellbeing. The most popular ingredient on the menu across cultures? Usurpingly, rice! September marked the start of National Rice Week – and World Foods ambassadors Tropical Sun were in a mood to celebrate, hosting a socially-distanced

outdoor rice tasting event at their East London Headquarters. “Whilst recent times have been difficult for so many of us, we know there are still many good reasons to be cheerful” said Paul Harrison, the company’s Head of Community. “Lockdown has made us doubly grateful for meals with friends and family, and it is in this spirit that we’ve organised this small celebration of rice.” Tasting West-African jollof rice, Caribbean rice and peas and

Indian pilau rice alongside Team Tropical Sun and USA Rice’s Dee Casey and were local councillors Christine Hamilton, Kate Anolue and Sanchia Alasia, all of whom are no strangers to international foods as representatives of culturally diverse boroughs. “Good food, friends and conversation!” commented Paul Harrison. “We are grateful for every moment and take none of it for granted”

l Rita Patel & Debi Adebiyi from Tropical Sun with Dee Casey representive for Tropical Sun USA Rice

Tropical Sun Easy Cook USA Rice R i ce & P e a s , J o l l o f R i ce . . or E g g Fr i e d .

Available at independent stores and TropicalSunFoods.com

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Page 10 - The Phoenix Newspaper - October 2020

EDUCATION, TRAINING AND RECRUITMENT

g n i t o Prom xcellence E

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

apprenticeS BOOST with adi Group’s 60-role milestone

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

Day Nursery

outh skills development has received an encouraging shot in the arm after it was revealed that a Birmingham engineering firm has provided innovative preapprenticeship spots for 60 young people over the past five years. Leading engineering business, adi Group, has celebrated the achievements of students on its preapprentice scheme since 2016, with this year’s graduation evening over the now-familiar Zoom format due to COVID-19. adi CEO, Alan Lusty said: “Businesses of all shapes and sizes have had some difficult decisions to make over the course of the past few months, not least our own, but we are pleased

to be strengthening our commitment to young people and the engineering sector at a time when many youngsters are desperate to get their foot on the careers ladder. “I started in the industry as an apprentice myself, so I know the importance of giving back to this really inspiring and talented bunch of students that will hopefully go on to have successful careers in our sector and beyond.” The adi pre-apprenticeship scheme began life in 2016 as a link was forged between nearby North Bromsgrove High School and the engineering company, aiming to help foster youth skills development across the Midlands. It was launched by the Birmingham Northfield MP Richard Burden and has since gone on to receive a number of plaudits, not least from former Prime Minister, Theresa May, who visited the company’s headquarters in 2018 and praised adi Group during PMQs.

Open C ow a Birm ominN g i n g Birmin ham Bsootn to gha us Parkm Biunseisnses s Pa!r

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

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

Pride and purpose among graduates’ top career aspirations Market research reveals that pride and a sense of purpose are among the top aspirations behind future career choices for current university students and recent graduates surveyed in Birmingham.

More than 35% of university students and graduates surveyed believe knowing they are making a difference in the world and feeling a sense of pride when telling someone what they do, are among

Fully 50% of the scheme’s first and second year intakes are still with adi today and the business remains committed to youth skills development with its sign-up to the 5% Club, an initiative designed to raise the number of apprentices on formal programmes to five percent of the total workforce within five years. Group strategic account director, James Sopwith, added: “What we’ve done at adi is continue to shine the spotlight on the importance of inspiring the next generation of engineers. “The services and the skill sets we’re inspiring provide support to the manufacturing sector, which is only in rising demand as the UK looks to bounce back from the current economic crisis.” It is hoped such schemes can help the UK turn the tide on bleak unemployment forecasts and begin to bridge the STEM skills gap.

their top career aspirations. The national survey of 2,000 current university students and those who have graduated within the last two years was carried out earlier this year for Get Into Teaching - the national campaign aimed at encouraging people to consider teaching as a career. Many young people are at a crossroads now - traditionally a time for personal reflection and setting new career goals - with new data from global jobs site Indeed revealing that graduate jobs postings in August declined by 28% compared to the same month last year. Since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic data shows there has been a major increase in teacher training applications in England over the last few months, compared to the same period last year. Dr Anna Colton, Child & Adolescent Psychologist, said: “Knowing that one has such potential brings significant meaning, pride, fulfilment, purpose and sustenance to one's work and life. “It’s not surprising therefore, that so many young people are recognising this and choosing this wonderful career.”

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The Phoenix Newspaper - October 2020 - Page 11

EDUCATION, TRAINING AND RECRUITMENT

SCCB wins top education prize S

l SCCB Prinicpal Mike Hopkins with the RoSPA Award

outh and City College Birmingham (SCCB) have been named as the winner in the Education and Training Services Sector at the internationally-renowned RoSPA Health and Safety Awards. The vocational college, which offers students part-time, full-time and apprenticeship courses in a range of subjects, was awarded the top prize for its sector this year. The RoSPA Health and Safety Awards are open to organisations of all sizes from across the wide spectrum of industries, all over the world – in 2020 there have been nearly 2,000 entrants from 42 countries, representing 7million employees globally. The sector awards are presented to organisations with outstanding performance in health and safety within a particular industry or sector. Entrants must be able to demonstrate a robust and highquality safety management system,

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together with consistently excellent or continuously improving health and safety performance. Julia Small, RoSPA’s head of awards, said: “It’s an outstanding achievement to be named the winner in your sector at the RoSPA Awards, which are the toughest health and safety awards in the world, so South and City College Birmingham deserves all the credit it gets.” Northumbria University, in Newcastle, was also Highly Commended in the Education and Training Services Sector, while the University of Exeter Grounds Team was awarded the overall Best New Entry prize for the UK, sponsored by Arco. The RoSPA Awards, which is in its 64th year, recognises achievement in health and safety management systems, including practices such as leadership and workforce involvement.. Registration for the RoSPA Awards 2021 opens on Thursday, October 1.

Colleges join forces for charity enrol-athon Three West Midlands colleges joined forces for a 12 hour enrol-athon in a bid to raise vital funds for a range of local charities. Sandwell College and Central St Michael’s Sixth Form College in West Bromwich partnered with Cadbury College in Birmingham for the fundraising challenge, which saw a charitable donation made for every student that enrols in person at one of the three colleges between 9am and 9pm. The colleges selected three charities to benefit from the enrol-athon: Beam Sandwell, Kissing it Better and Health Exchange. Beam Sandwell, part of the Children’s Society, is an emotional health and wellbeing drop-in service for young people and has a long-standing relationship with Central St Michael’s, and is based from the Sixth

Form college’s campus on Tuesday evenings, offering support to young people across Sandwell. Kissing it Better is a healthcare charity and training provider, working in hospitals and nursing homes to improve the quality of life for older people. Sandwell College students have taken part in a range of work experience placements with the charity, running pamper days for patients and staff, creating murals to brighten up surroundings and providing entertainment for patients through music performances. Birmingham-based charity Health Exchange works with people and communities to achieve better health and wellbeing, by helping individuals to make choices about their lifestyles to improve mental and physical health and self-esteem.

0121 339 5885 (Birmingham)

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Page 12 - The Phoenix Newspaper - October 2020

WOMEN OF EXCELLENCE

Disability rights activist crowned Future Faces awards winner A disability rights activist who is widely recognised as one of the UK’s most influential disabled people has been crowned the Future Face of Greater Birmingham at the sixth Future Faces Chamber of Commerce annual awards. Shani Dhanda was named as the overall Future Face of Greater Birmingham award winner, and has been awarded a fully funded MBA from sponsor Aston University, as well as winning the Future Face of Charity and Social Enterprise. The online ceremony was beamed from Chamber House in Edgbaston and hosted by Heart Drivetime presenter Gemma Hill. Headline sponsors for the event were Aston University and Finpoint

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Business Finance Hub, while entertainment was provided by musical group Elegant Entertainment. Born with a rare genetic condition called Osteogenesis Imperfecta (OI), more commonly known as Brittle Bones, which affects one in every 15,000 people in the UK, Shani was inspired to become a social entrepreneur, disability specialist and culture change agent, having suffered discrimination and felt underrepresented in her early life. She has gone on to become a respected keynote speaker across business, Government and notfor-profit organisations, as well as founding and leading three organisations Diversability, the Asian Disability Network and Asian Woman Festival. She has also

worked with major companies such as Google, Virgin Media and Viacom, and starred in a national TV advert for LinkedIn’s ‘In It Together’ campaign. The judging panel said: “Shani is a real inspiration – on so many levels as a practitioner for inclusion across business, government, non-profit and wider society, she breaks down barriers and helps organisations integrate inclusion into their frameworks.” This year’s awards were judged by award-winning business coach Justice Williams MBE, Aston University’s Mark Smith, Louise Teboul of Common Purpose, Nathan Dennis from Legacy Consultants, SF Recruitment chief executive Saira Demmer and the 2019 Future Face of Greater Birmingham, Daniel Alcorn.

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The Phoenix Newspaper - October 2020 - Page 13

Music fashion Film Gadgets holiday education health and fitness

OCTOBER 2020

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Lockdown Ainâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t Stopping Her!

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Page 14 - The Phoenix Newspaper - October 2020

ENTERTAINMENT

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THE HOTTEST ENTERTAINMENT SUPPLEMENT

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Reading/Leeds to double main stages in 2021 R eading and Leeds Festivals will be back next year with six headliners split across two main stages in each site. The event, which sees acts rotate between Reading and Leeds, had been due to happen last weekend but was called off due to the coronavirus pandemic. Now 2021's headliners will be Stormzy, Liam Gallagher, Post Malone, Catfish And The Bottlemen, Disclosure and Queens Of The Stone Age. Up to 200,000 fans are expected at next year's events - from 27 to 29 August and the head of the event's promoters Festival Republic, Melvin Benn, said it

was their "most epic plan yet". The event, regarded by many live music fans as second only to Glastonbury in the annual UK music calendar, will also include AJ Tracey, Doja Cat, Lewis Capaldi, Mabel and Two Door Cinema Club, along with rappers Ashnikko, DaBaby and Fever 333. Rapper, Stormzy, and former Oasis frontman Liam Gallagher had been due to headline the 2020 events - along with rock band Rage Against The Machine - and the organisers were able to retain the services of both British superstars. He (Gallagher) said: "Yes Brothers and Sisters, I come bearing good news...Yours Truly

is headlining Reading & Leeds 2021. C'MON YOU KNOW. LG" Catfish And The Bottlemen, who will headline the festival for the first time, said it was a "huge honour" to have been asked to top the bill. The band's frontman Van McCann said: "To be able to come back and have that slot, it's a big one. We'll probably turn up with a few new songs." The festival will still take place at the usual venues - Richfield Avenue in Reading and Bramham Park in Leeds. Tickets bought for this summer will remain valid, while refunds will also be available, organisers have said.

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The Phoenix Newspaper - October 2020 - Page 15

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Megastar Madonna to direct film of her own life story Pop legend Madonna has announced she will direct a film about her own life and career. The star is also cowriting the movie with Diablo Cody, the Oscar-winning screenwriter of Juno and Young Adult. The script is expected to chart her rise from the slums of New York to global superstardom, via songs such as Like A Virgin and Vogue. She said the film would focus on music, adding: "Music has kept me going and

Kano and Dizzee the leading lights at this year’s Rated Awards

art has kept me alive." The as-yet-untitled project will be Madonna's third as director after 2008's Filth and Wisdom and 2011's WE, which was based around King Edward VIII's affair with Wallis Simpson. However, with huge successes for Elton John's Rocketman and the Freddie Mercury film Bohemian Rhapsody - for which Rami Malek earned an Oscar - rock and pop biopics are in the middle of a purple patch.

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omedian Mo Gilligan and radio host Julie Adenuga hosted this year's Rated Awards which took place online on September 9, and will featured performances from Kano, Dizzee Rascal, George The Poet and M Huncho. The awards, started by UK rap outlet GRM Daily, were back for the first time since Young Spray was stabbed at the 2018 awards show in London. Stormzy and Aitch were this year's mostnominated artists, with four each. They were both nominated in the Male Artist, Track of the Year, Video of the Year and Album of the Year categories, although they only picked up one gong each, Aitch for Video of the Year and Stormzy for Track of the Year. The male-dominated nominees spanned 10 categories and included J Hus, AJ Tracey, Headie One, Kano and Krept & Konan. They were voted for by GRM Daily readers in an online poll in July and August. Darkoo was the only female artist on the 10-strong track of the year shortlist for Gangsta (featuring One Acen). All of the nominees in the album, mixtape and video of the year categories were male. The likes of Ms Banks, Little Simz, Shaybo and Stefflon Don were nominated for female artist of the year - with Stefflon Don winning out - while half of the nominees for radio DJ of the year were women. D-Block Europe won Mixtape of the Year and Male Artist of the year, J Hus took home the Album of the Year for ‘Big Conspiracy’, and Breakthrough of the Year went to Dutachavelli.

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

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ENTERTAINMENT

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Ed Sheeran and Cherry Seaborn announce birth of daughter Lyra Ed Sheeran and his wife Cherry Seaborn have announced the birth of their first child - a daughter named Lyra Antarctica Seaborn Sheeran. The multi-award winning superstar said the couple were on "cloud nine" after their daughter's arrival before returning to Instagram for the first time this year to share the news and thank the "amazing delivery team". He added: "We are completely in love with her." "Ello! A quick message from me as I have some personal

news that I wanted to share with you," Sheeran said in his Instagram post. "Last week, with the help of an amazing delivery team, Cherry gave birth to our beautiful and healthy daughter - Lyra Antarctica Seaborn Sheeran. "We are completely in love with her. Both mum and baby are doing amazing and we are on cloud nine over here. We hope that you can respect our privacy at this time. “Lots of love and I'll see you when it's time to come back, Ed x"

Rolling Stones open ‘world exclusive’ flagship store T he Rolling Stones opened the doors to their world-first flagship store, ‘RS No. 9 Carnaby’ in the heart of London’s Soho, at 9 Carnaby Street. Created in partnership with Bravado, the store is now home to an exclusive mix of collections and collaborations for fans of all ages, and will feature a bespoke T-shirt customisation station. Framed in an exceedingly contemporary red and black shop fit, visitors will be able to explore the diverse product offering whilst listening to tracks from the greatest rock ‘n’ roll band in the world! The Rolling Stones said: “Soho has always encapsulated Rock ’n’ Roll so Carnaby Street was the perfect spot for our own store. “We are confident this exciting project that our friends at Bravado have created will be an unrivalled experience for everyone to come to London and enjoy.” It was a bold time to launch a permanent retail space in London, but RS No.9 Carnaby Street provides a major long-term boost to music tourism in the capital,

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as one of the most iconic music British brands and bands of all time, launched this unprecedented experience on London’s historic

street in Soho, which has been synonymous with British music culture since the sixties. The Stones’ deluxe reissued

2020 version of their historic ‘Goat’s Head Soup’ album, was set to top the UK album charts, 47-years after its first release.

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ENTERTAINMENT

The Phoenix Newspaper - October 2020 - Page 17

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ENTERTAINMENT

Stress For Gen Z From Social Media GENERATION Z ARE spending less time in front of screens in order to combat stress and anxiety, a new study reveals. A survey of 2,023 UK drivers conducted by Auto Trader, the UK’s largest digital marketplace for new and used cars, revealed that the average adult typically spends 12 hours 35 minutes feeling stressed over the course of a week, while those aged 1724 spend a staggering 16 hours 6 minutes in comparison. The research revealed that social media is proving a key cause for stress and anxiety for many of the younger generation, as almost 1 in 4 (23%) admit it has caused them to feel stressed in the last month, compared to just 6% of those aged 45-54. The addictive powers of social media are clearly having a negative impact on those in this age group who, according to the data, spend 3 hours 10 minutes scrolling through social feeds each day. The data suggests that as many as 30% of this age group are well and truly hooked and find it hard to stop checking social media, whilst 26% say that spending time on social media before bed affects their sleep.

Introducing THE PARK BENCH PLAYS B

i r m i n g h a m Repertory Theatre has announced 12 new commissions titled The Park Bench Plays – a series of micro-plays that illuminate, interrogate and even celebrate today’s socially distanced world. Brainchild of The REP's Artistic Director Sean Foley, this series of brand-new commissions will bring together the work of some of UK theatre’s biggest writing talents and comedians alongside emerging playwrights to create a suite of new plays. Made possible thanks to the generous support of The Sir Barry Jackson Trust, these new plays by The REP feature some of the UK’s biggest writing talents amongst emerging playwrights including; Gurpreet Kaur Bhatti, Janice Connolly, Rachel De-Lahay, David Edgar,

Robin French, Tanika Gupta and Bryony Lavery. Also Sabiha Mank, Amerah Saleh, Frank Skinner, Liam Steel and Jack Thorne & Lettie Precious. The ten-minute-long plays have been written to be performed in pop-up locations throughout Birmingham - at bus stations, community centers, parks, public squares, foyers and train stations – surprising and delighting commuters, shoppers, residents and others going about their daily business in the city and its environs. The series of plays will be directed by The REP’s Artistic Director, Sean Foley, Deputy Artistic Director, Amit Sharma and Associate Director, Madeleine Kludje. The REP’s Artistic Director, double Olivier Award-winning Sean Foley said; “The Park Bench Plays will bring together

the work of some of the UK’s biggest writing talents for an exciting and diverse collection of micro-plays. “Considering the ongoing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on our industry, we at The REP feel it is important to continue to employ artists and create work for audiences. “From comic to serious, tragic to hysterical, this collection of two-hander plays take ordinary and everyday conversations and make them extraordinary and timeless – they all have a sense of fun and provide a living snapshot of our socially distanced, somewhat disturbed world. “We look forward to sharing this extraordinary collection of works with audiences when the time is right to do so in the future and to continuing working with this wonderfully eclectic set of writers.”

The Stage is Set for a New Adventure Marvelous Europe Limited has today announced that Rune Factory 5, the long-awaited sequel in the beloved simulation RPG series, will launch in 2021 on the Nintendo Switch within Europe and Australia. Most recently, Rune Factory 4 Special released in February 2020 to high critical praise with a Metacritic score of 81.

Set off on a grand adventure in a fantasy world with the latest entry in the Rune Factory simulation RPG series. After losing their memory, the hero lands in a small town blessed by nature. There, they are recruited into a band of peacekeeping rangers, and their new life begins. In addition to their normal duties, the hero can

farm the land, cast a line into the nearby river, and so much more! Team up with townsfolk to battle monsters and unleash powerful combination attacks—just one of the features new to the series. The stage is set, and the curtain rises on an exciting new adventure in Rune Factory 5!

Send your stories in to newsdesk@thephoenixnewspaper.com

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Page 18 - The Phoenix Newspaper - October 2020

ENTERTAINMENT

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Intimacy Explored In New Video

onovan Woods is a songwriter adept at magnifying the tiniest moments of human intimacy, and in “She Waits For Me to Come Back Down”, his new duet with Katie Pruitt, they explore the ability of love’s grace to overcome unhealthy imbalances. As part of the Donovan Woods With People Project supporting independent creators and bridging art and music culture during the pandemic, the track is accompanied by a video created

by LA-based choreographer/ dancer Mackenzie Martin (Missy Elliot, LuLuLemon, Sephora,) performing an interpretive dance to the song at the Imperial Sand Dunes near the California/Mexico border. Featuring on Woods’ forthcoming album Without People, out November 6, 2020 via Meant Well, “She Waits For Me to Come Back Down” is produced by James Bunton and vocal producer Todd Clark (Dua Lipa, Noah Kahan, Phillip Phillips).

“Katie Pruitt and I wrote this together and it was her idea — a love song for her girlfriend, I think,” says Woods. “I love the mood in this song. It’s lovely and sweet, but steeped in a bit of worry that we may be hearing about a slightly unhealthy relationship. But aren’t all the good ones? A friend of mine told me after hearing it that, “I’m a mess and she’s a masterpiece,” is a line that could only be written by a woman about a woman. I don’t know if that’s true, but luckily that is the case here.”

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lockdown won’t sto this queen

aloma Faith has announced the details of her fifth studio album, Infinite Things out on 13th November via RCA Records. Brand new single ‘Better Than This’ is out now - watch the video here. Also, today Paloma announces a nationwide 26 date tour for September - October 2021 in support of her upcoming album. Paloma wrote most of the songs for ‘Infinite Things’ before the Covid-19 pandemic swept the world. Then we went into lockdown, and she ripped them all up and started afresh. She spent her downtime creating, learning to engineer her own music and just thinking about the world. The enforced downtime was creatively fruitful and taught her that she had been on a sort of conveyor belt of music and promo. The lockdown gave her the space to take stock of her frenetic career, and decide what is

meaningful to her. She is emerging from lockdown with a new sense of her priorities which has seen her reconnect with her roots steeped in creativity. ‘Infinite Things’ saw Paloma work with a small group of long-time and new collaborators including the producers Patrick Wimberlyand Detonate, songwriters Ed Harcourt, Starsmith, Tre Jean Marie alongside the producer and songwriter MNEK and friend Josef Salvat. This record is more than an album about relationships. It’s a rumination on sickness and loss. It’s about finding your way back to romance within a long term relationship. It’s her most confident record yet from a female artist who’s been in the game for two decades. 2021 will also see Paloma hitting the road again for a huge 26 date UK tour including two nights at London’s iconic Palladium. This is a new Paloma Faith, an artist who has retreated

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within herself and found not the careful, polished veteran of show business - but the 22-year-old art student being led by her own creativity. Catch Paloma live when she embarks on her UK 2021 tour next September.

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n op n

The Phoenix Newspaper - October 2020 - Page 19

k c a l B

y r t s i H

h t n M

ENT M LE P SUP

A different way of thinking. Spreading The Love. Connecting Communities. Inspiring The Next Generation.

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BLACK HISTORY MONTH SUPPLEMENT

The Future k c a Bl y is Bright r t His h For t n M Looking back to Talented move forward Treyvan H ow important is this, in particular at this time when we, as Africans would say “In the West” celebrate the start of Black History Month. As an individual living in the UK, working with some great people, living a fairly decent life, discovering many great opportunities and experiencing COVID with my community has led me to appreciate a different meaning behind Black History Month, and so we look forward with a reset button to focus on the positive, the caring, the sharing, the conversations and a greater understanding of each other as people.

We hope that this Black History Month supplement will give you the opportunity to understand the ying and yang in society meaning there has to be a balance. We at The Phoenix Newspaper recognise that while providing that window exposing the greater good of the community, we can achieve amazing things together. We must build on the foundations that have been made for us, pushing ourselves, and future generations up higher and faster than ever before. No more ‘Crab in the Barrel’ syndrome. It’s time to support, uplift, and encourage.

l Treyvan is a sought after player at only 6 years old

Continued from Front Page

“I’m shocked that it’s happened so quickly, but very grateful, and amazed that he’s been offered pre-contracts 2 years early from Wolves and Leicester to tie him down 2 years before he can officially sign a full contract.” “You’d think he was a 17 year old looking at first team football, but he’s only 6!” Gavin homeschools Treyvan, and started his formal education around the same time as his football education. Treyvan is a winger, and in his own words, he “loves to go on the wing because there is less players and more room. I love being able to cut in and shoot, and show my skills.” “My friends think it’s great that I’m playing with the Academies, and I love Wolves,” continued

Treyvan. “They don’t give up, when they practice they do it for hours and they’ve got a great team.” “I like playing football because it’s fun, I get to show off my skills, and I play to win!” Treyvan works hard both at his football, and his schoolwork, balancing 2-3 hours of football practice a day with the full curriculum of subjects. “I feel 1 on 1 teaching will always beat 30 on 1,” Gavin explained, “which is why I work in the evenings and teach and train him during the day. We started him at 4 years old, and now he’s at least a year above, if not two, from where he should be for his age group.” The sight of black footballers in the game now is a regular one, but it wasn’t that long ago that the

l Treyvan showing off his skills on the pitch

likes of Arthur Wharton, widely considered not only England’s, but the world’s first black professional footballer, were making waves by coming into the game. It is a great time that thanks to their hard work and sacrifice, the path to success is that much easier for children like Treyvan to follow in, but we still have a long way to go. As we celebrate Black History Month, we acknowledge the past, but look to our future, and as teacher for Treyvan, Gavin has his own views on Black History Month. “I feel there should be more than just a Black History Month, it should just be a base part of the curriculum, having one month to focus on our culture and history isn’t enough.” “It would reduce the ignorance in children, in terms of prejudice

and racist views. It can make them more open minded. I went to a private school in London, and we had a lot of kids from overseas, and learning about their culture was amazing, whereas if I had been brought up in my local school and estate, then I feel I would probably be more prejudiced.” Treyvan has now signed with Wolverhampton Wanderers on a pre-contract, securing his place for the next 2 years. It’s true that we are a product of our environment, and we have a long way to go before everyone is on a level playing field and treated equally, but if the environment that Gavin and his wife are creating for Treyvan is anything to go by considering how much he is flourishing already, then the future is in good hands, albeit one child at a time.

The Phoenix Newspaper - October 2020 - Page 21

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BLACK HISTORY MONTH SUPPLEMENT

HRH The Ooni of Ife’s BHM Message by His Imperial Majesty, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II

Selina Medford A Story of Firsts

l Selina Medford

er family was famed for their appearance on the BBC’s ‘We Are Family’ documentary which focussed on looking at complicated family relationships. And for her, the Deebles family reunion proved a particularly good one. For Selina Medford ACIPD, her Deebles family story proved enlightening yet painful, groundbreaking, educational and fulfilling. A daughter of Jamaica, her life in what was a loving and unified family, back then, living an growing together in the Britain of the 1960s onwards proved compelling throughout. The mother-of-two grew up in South Wales after – as a child – her and her siblings were brought to Port Talbot in the 1950s by their parents. The five kids, now middle-aged, grew up in south Wales. Some stayed around there, others got as far away as possible. And in a moving episode of the BBC 2 series, cameras followed the family over the course of

one extraordinary weekend, as they got together to highlight the memories and confront the ghosts of a past that has haunted all of them. The Deeble’s story highlighted the trials and tribulations of being Black (the first) in Port Talbot and the challenges they faced, on a daily basis, after leaving their roots in the Caribbean for pastures new in a far-off land. Tragedy struck the family when their mother died – which left their father, Reginald, to care for the five children. For Selina and her siblings losing their mother was then compounded when he (Reginald) got together with 'Aunt' Nomi, a woman who answered an advert in Jamaica and came to the UK after their mum died. But, alongside her brothers and her sister Selina can only recall a life of physical and mental abused by their stepmother. “She would beat us with belts (buckle side), for almost no reason at all. And in addition, because of the abusive way she treated us, it affected our school life as we

would be late, almost daily. And for that, we would, too often, be caned for it. “Life back then was incredibly traumatic for my siblings and me”. Despite a trying life growing up, she moved to Coventry before then moving to Birmingham where she obtained a CIPD Level 5 Intermediate Diploma in Human Resource Management at Birmingham Metropolitan College A celebrated Communication Specialist, and a Cover Supervisor and Lead Invigilator (Teaching), CEO of her SM Consultancy business, a Teacher Trainer, British Sign Language Facilitator and Health & Wellness Coach, Selina, who is married to David, with two children (son Sean, 28 and daughter Sian, 22) has taken a lead role in the much-celebrated Chamberlain Awards recognition scheme in Birmingham. The five Deeble children and their families got together to share the memories of childhood and facing up to what happened to them in the past.

l His Imperial Majesty, the Ooni of Ife

cross Africa and the continent, in particular Yorubaland, we are proud to say we celebrate Black History every day. Our heritage and our traditions are our intellectual property, and we are the custodians of our own destiny. We are indeed proud to celebrate Black History Month with the rest of the world, in recognition that education, however small, is important. The great Oduduwa would be pleased to see that brothers and sisters across the world, come together for a greater understanding. We are all spiritual brothers and sisters, the creator is our Lord and master, and with that in mind we should

all try to work together for the greater good, peace and prosperity of the world. Africa needs to unite and come together as one. Black History Month reminds us of the past, which gives us hope and a great foundation on which to build. In the words of the great Marcus Garvey “A people without the knowledge of their past history, origin and culture is like a tree without roots.” On the weekend of the 26th28th September, along with Yoruba people worldwide, we celebrated The Olojo Festival, one of the most important events in our calendar under the heading “One Yoruba, One Source, One Festival.” This is a great showing of our culture, history and origin,

which we proudly celebrated. Nigeria is the largest black populous nation on the African continent, and as we celebrate 60 years of independence, we continue to pray for our youth, our future, our legacy, as we have created solid foundations for them to shine as they go forward to become the fruit of the tree of our ancestors, where every branch points to a new direction.

Send your stories in to newsdesk@thephoenixnewspaper.com

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Page 22 - The Phoenix Newspaper - October 2020

BLACK HISTORY MONTH SUPPLEMENT

t’s been about a year and a half since we last caught up with Don James and the crew at Jam N Vibez, and a lot has happened since then, not least the COVID-19 Pandemic. Don isn’t one to rest on his laurels, and despite the hardships felt by all of the food industry during the last few months, Jam N Vibez have been at the heart of their community since the lockdowns began. “During the pandemic we’ve been giving the Police and NHS 50% off meals, and every other week they can get a free meal,” explained Don, “We’ve been doing lots of charity work too, every day we give 45 meals to local cause Rugby House and have been since the beginning of the pandemic.” It goes to show that unlike some businesses, Don has done exactly what he set out to do 17 months ago when we last spoke to him, to gel with the community, and give back to local good causes. “We’re also part of the Police Community Group as well, so they share information with us, and they eat here too!” As well as being on Foodhub, Just Eat and Deliveroo, Jam N Vibez have taken the leap into their own digital future. “We decided as the restrictions got worse that more people would be staying at home so we refocused our efforts and decided to create our own app.” The App, which is available on Android and iOS, gives you a 15% discount, as well as taking advantage of their Free Delivery within 10 miles, or Click and Collect in as soon as 15 minutes. They have added new dishes to the menu too, bolstering their already strong line up of Caribbean staples like Rice & Peas, Oxtail, Jerk Chicken and Ackee & Saltfish, with new favourites including Pumpkin and Rice, Brown Stew Fish,

Jam N vibez delivering hope to the community

l Chef Kano, Leroy Henry, Horace McLeod, and Don James, standing proudly outside Jam N Vibez Pepper Steak, Stuffed Fish and Cow Foot. They even serve Lobster now on an order-only basis. Give them 15-20 minutes and you’ll have a perfect meal. As always, the main selling point with Jam N Vibez has always been the fact that everything that they sell is made fresh daily, and it really shows in the quality and taste of their meals. You can be so sure of this,

evon Chisolm, Esq. founder and president of Black Wallstreeter Consultation Services, is teaming up with his wife, Kim, and their 13-year old son, Kamari, to launch a weekend series that teaches African American families financial literacy skills and how to invest in the stock market. The weekend series is geared towards encouraging families and individuals to build generational wealth together while also learning about African American history and culture. The goal is to continue the success that they had with the Junior Wallstreeters Summer Camps. One parent wrote: “I just wanted to thank you for the educational and impactful experiences you provided through the Jr Wall Street camp. “I appreciate the tools used to empower our children through the convergence of African American history while teaching strategies and the importance of building future wealth.” Kevon comments, “In addition to

that every night, anything left over is also donated to Rugby House - a hostel in the local area. “We’ve never been about the money, as long as we can pay our bills, we just love seeing the smiles on customers faces as they know they’re getting good food,” beamed Don. “we’re building a community and people know that we’re approachable and if they need to talk, they know where they can come.”

Don is also a local entrepreneur featured for his cousin Leroy Henry’s new book, about Young Entrepreneurship. “It teaches them about sales, profits etc, as well as being connected through QR code to audio recordings of every page for those who need the extra assistance, as well as further examples and explanations,” Leroy enthused. “I’m working with Don as an entrepreneur to showcase exactly

what an entrepreneur is, and that they come in all shapes and sizes and from all walks of life.” The other new addition to Jam N Vibez is the resident Guest Celebrity Chef and Internet Sensation, Chef Kano. On Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday every week, you can catch Chef Kano making a new speciality dish every single

week, which he features on his Instagram account ‘_jointstv_’. “I started in in top hotels, top restaurants for 3-4 years, and I worked in Germany for a few years. Then I started my own business, and now people book me and I come cook for them at home, as well as these guest spots every week,” laughed Chef Kano. “It can be anything, literally whatever my brain comes up with that day, it could be lobster tails, gourmet burgers, Hennessy wings, scallops, glazed salmon or prawns.” But what you can be sure of, is that the food you are getting is top notch in both quality, preparation and execution. Check out the Jam N Vibez App, or get yourself down to 300 Slade Rd, Birmingham B23 7LU, and tell them The Phoenix sent you!

Family Team Launch Online Investment Course For All topics like budgeting, establishing and maintaining good credit, banking, and investing in the stock market, the weekend series teaches generational wealth building through investment clubs.” Saturday’s series is titled: ‘Empowering Youth & Parents with Financial Wellness’. The Sunday’s series is titled: ‘Empowering Youth & Parents with Financial Wellness and African American History and Culture’. Both sessions will provide life-long financial education and resources, which can be applied to address the lack of generational wealth in the African American community. The weekend series will be held every other Saturday (11am-1pm EST) and Sunday (1pm-4pm EST), starting

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on October 3rd and 4th. All ages are encouraged to attend the series, but youth under 12 must be accompanied by an adult. Participants must have a computer with Internet access. The cost of the Saturday series is just $250. While the cost for Sunday’s series is $350 because it is an hour longer and includes additional materials. This fee includes course materials such as an electronic student handbook, Junior Wallstreeters Envelope Budgeting System with tracking sheets, and a Stock Tracker Lite Notebook. Limited spaces are available.

0208 865 1922 (London)

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Neuroscientist Monique inspiring young women to follow their dreams

ith her doctoral thesis a resounding success, Monique Mendes became the first Black woman in the history of the University of Rochester to earn her Ph.D. in neuroscience. Her path began in Jamaica, where she was born and lived until her family moved to the United States when she was in high school. A former pupil at St. Andrew Preparatory School in Kingston, Mendes, whose first role model in the sciences was her sixth grade teacher she didn’t have many other science teachers who were, as she climbed the rungs to become a neuroscientist.

“I had a very inquisitive nature as a child,” she said, and she (her teacher) was so passionate about science and made it so fun. I just wanted to learn more.” A first-generation college student at the University of Florida, she earned her undergraduate degree in biology and was named a McNair Scholar - named after physicist Dr Ronald E. McNair, who was one of the astronauts aboard the fatal Challenger space shuttle accident in 1986. The McNair program is set out to increase the number of graduate degrees awarded to students from underrepresented backgrounds. On her Ph.D. Monique, 27, said: “I felt then, and feel now, empowered. I feel excited.

“I’m just happy that I was able to get a Ph.D. and to show other Black women that it is possible and they can succeed.” When she began her doctorate at the University of Rochester Medical Center’s Del Monte Institute for Neuroscience in 2015, she didn’t realise there had never been a Black, female Ph.D. graduate from the program, which dates back to 1925. Its first Black graduate was Dr Nathan Anthony Smith in 2013. “One of the big things I wish I had had over the years, she lamented,” was faculty that looked like me.” According to the National Science Foundation, only 5.4% of all doctorates in all fields that were

l Neuroscientist Monique Mendes awarded at institutions in the United States in 2017 were earned by Black students. Monique says that the number is even lower in her field and she never had a Black professor in a neuroscience course. About her time at the University, she recalled: “I loved the collaborative nature of the neuroscience program at Rochester and loved the campus, the people, the program, the teaching philosophy and the mentorship.”

Ms. Mendes also earned her master’s degree at Rochester. While there, she was also the first URMC graduate student to receive the prestigious F99/ K00 NIH Blueprint Diversity Specialized Predoctoral to Postdoctoral Advancement in Neuroscience fellowship from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders in Stroke. She also earned the university’s Edward Peck Curtis Award for Excellence in Teaching by a Graduate Student.

Researching how specific brain cells, microglia, undergo a process called self-renewal in the laboratory of Dr. Ania Majewska, Monique Mendes is inspiring other aspiring female scientists from underrepresented backgrounds, with her advice, especially to young Black women interested in the sciences: “Be fearless, be inquisitive and follow your dreams. Most importantly be fearless. Advocate for yourself; advocate for others.”

Short Man Does Amazing Tings!

l Short Man enjoying a coconut in the store

hey come from near and far to get the very best, fresh Caribbean fruits and vegetables there is in Birmingham. And B Caney grocers and convenience food store have well and truly proved to be the zenith for the ultimate destination. Situated at the corner of Soho Road and Boulton Road, in Handsworth in Birmingham, a constant flow of regular, always very pleased customers have made it the ‘must-go-to’ shop to get the best named Caribbean products and the too-often hard to get products that is regular on the majority of the Caribbean islands. It’s about giving that ‘back home’ feeling. Run by the knowledgeable and affably named ‘Short Man’, his position in the multi-cultural metropolis that he calls his home has proved a haven for those from pretty much all the communities around him who only want the very

best. He is continuing the ‘food’ ethos from his mum, who has provided a food outlet at carnivals throughout the UK for over 30-years. Whether it be ackee, callaloo, guinep, guava, sugar cane, sweet sop and soursop, Caribbean seasoning, and much more, there is nowhere that can beat it. And, as he is always thinking ‘one-step-ahead’, Short Man is thinking big for the future. “Having fully established myself here”, he says, “I’m forever looking to the future, for the benefit of my partner and children with plans to expand the business and, eventually open a superstore so that I can cater for everybody. “That’s important for me now having seen the varied nationality who come here – from around the city, county and, indeed, towns and cities the length and breadth of the UK. “And this Black History Month

only enhances people’s love of the foods I sell and grows B Caney on an even greater scale. “And, as I encourage the next generation behind me, ‘If I can do it, you too can do it.’ Just don’t let anything or anyone get in the way of your dream.” Happy that everybody around him loves to engage with him and his first-class produce, Short Man is thinking big for him and his family’s future. Next time you’re in Birmingham and you fancy quality authentic Caribbean produce to give you that unmistakable reminder of the region, of you can’t go wrong with Short Man and his selection. Short Man believes the key to life starts with healthy living, and that is why he is so passionate about providing only the very best fresh produce for his customers, who love to talk with him, as much as they love his wares and the atmosphere he has created.

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Mum's dismay at daughter's lockdown eating habits fuels healthy eating picture book

green-fingered mum determined to teach kids about the power of fruit and veg has penned a children’s book to educate them on the power of healthy eating. Selina Brown, from Birmingham, wrote and selfpublished the illustrated children’s book, Nena: The Green Juice, while looking after her two-yearold daughter during lockdown. The idea for the self-funded book came after she noticed how claustrophobic her daughter, and

also the children in her family, were feeling and how unhealthily they started eating. The NHS says that eating a healthy, balanced diet promotes good immune function and mood and to share this message and create a solution, Selina wrote an children’s book to uplift their physical and mental health, whilst educating them on the importance of fruits and vegetables and the positive effects on their bodies and immune system. ‘Nena: The Green Juice’ follows

5-year-old Nena, a young Black girl with a big afro, as she creates her first ever green juice using ingredients like kale and apples. Her journey ends with a big surprise. Selina said: “I would love for this book to motivate children to eat their veggies at dinnertime or inspire a family to make a green juice together. It’s a staple part of mine and my daughter’s lifestyle – we drink one at least three times a week which has such a powerful impact on our health from increased energy to better concentration - and for me, clear skin.” With Covid-19 and the onset of the winter flu season, parents like Selina are increasingly concerned about their family’s health and it’s so important to explain the importance of nutrition to young children. “Merging the knowledge into a fictional story makes this information much easier for children understand,” Selina explained. “My overall wish is that every child that reads Nena: The Green Juice will fall in love with eating healthily and taking care of their bodies. Or at the bare minimum, eat two pieces of veg off their plate!” Nena: The Green Juice is now available to purchase on Amazon.

WORLD exc

Joshua MAPONGA LOOKING TO Ca OUT A NEW FUT FOR SOUTH AFR W

hen you first meet HRH Marara Joshua M a p o n g a III, you realise that he is an unassuming individual, who is concerned about the state of his nation. A social entrepreneur from South Africa who has worked with organizations such as Entrepreneurial Development Southern Africa, the Seventh Day Adventist Church, and Global Management Centre (UK). Joshua was a Pastor for 33 years, and was conferred the title of Bishop from the Pentecostal and Evangelical community, but more recently you may have heard of him as the inspirational public speaker, through both his personal YouTube videos,

as well as his many interviews and speeches, and his numerous books. The Phoenix caught up with Joshua to find out a bit more about the man behind the name and burning passion. “My target is the rural African children like myself, who grew up barefooted, driving a herd of 120 cattle, finally seeing the lights of the city in the distance,” explained Joshua, in his naturally calm and collected voice. The firstborn of his family, and the oldest of 5 siblings, he spoke emotionally of his childhood. “My first time getting into town at about 10 years old, I couldn’t close my eyes as the excitement was too great. “I grew up, went to school and completed the European education, as we were still under the British Empire. We learned the ‘civil etiquette’ and our imagery was changed greatly from the old stories that my grandmother used to tell me around the fireplace.” Joshua studied Dickens, Shakespeare and more, which “created this alternative world out there for me that was doing well in terms of progress compared to here.” By middle high school he was introduced to Miss Becky Huckinson, who taught him English. “She was a beautiful American woman,” Joshua remembered fondly, “and

although I could read and write English, speaking it was another matter entirely, she took me through the diction of English.” “This lead to me developing a keen interest in the arts, languages, craft and music.” Joshua received another world view and way of life after enrolling as a theologian in an American college in Zimbabwe Andrews University, “I had wanted to do engineering or medicine, but my father steered me down a different path.” Joshua’s father was a pastor and minister who had been released from prison and death row in the 1979 Amnesty and until that point, he didn’t know if he would ever see his father again. His father moved to a religious environment following his release, staying away from politics, and warning his son that he needed to as well. This lead Joshua to continue his studies in theology and philosophy, and went on to work in the church for the last 33 years. Joshua’s ideas and ideals prompted his move to South Africa and Swaziland, and then flew into London at the end of 1998. Maponga lived in Birmingham, Norfolk and then South Essex with his ex wife, until one morning he woke up and realised he was a mobile wardrobe, living with so many layers on to stay warm, he couldn’t do it anymore. “My ex wife loved living in London, but I was unable to take it any longer, so moved back to South Africa and started a new job in Marketing, Consulting and Construction. Unfortunately my mind was no longer together, my marriage broke down, and my wife wasn’t prepared to come back to South Africa with me.” Joshua remained in South Africa with his 2 daughters, then aged 6 and 4, and raised them

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clusive

NGA: arve TURE RICA

alone. “From about 2008 onwards, I noticed that maybe we are missing something very important in terms of our social justice system, and how we can ensure our communities become sustainable and viable.” With his views of the world enriched by his experiences, Joshua’s thoughts and beliefs had changed so significantly from those of the mainstream Church, that the council of churches warned against his teachings. “I’ve started writing my own Bible book, entitled ‘The Gospel According to Maponga J’ and to date I have written over 50 chapters. The day I die, consolidate those writings and leave them for the next generation.” Alongside this, over the years he has become the renowned best selling author with his books, including “Going Places In The Spirit”, “So You Want To Be The Master” and “Shopping Skills”, as well as being a multiinstrumentalist. Close to Joshua’s heart is the organisation “ZIM” or Zimbabwe Indigenous Movement, starkly in contrast to his fathers warnings of yesteryear, with the aim of taking

the political power and converting it to an Indigenous Government System, where Royalty will be the highest in the land. “If I was to become president I wouldn’t even be inaugurated, as I don’t believe in those systems, such as state house mentality. I want a body above the Parliament so that we can have a system that we can hold accountable.” But Maponga’s plans are more widespread than you might think, “If we can start a movement for all European countries to return the money of these African people who have stored their money in European governments and banks back to the mainland, that would be enough money to develop Africa to the state in which we want it to be,” explains Maponga. Over ZIM is the body “AIM” – Africa Indigenous Movement, which looks to house all of the intellectual property of how to transform Africa, a template for every other nation. And finally above AIM is Joshua’s brainchild, Farmers of Thoughts – Agriculture in 3 stages. • The Agriculture of the Mind - the quality of crop that goes into your brain, and harvesting from it, including all the mental manipulation that happens. • The Agriculture between your legs – reproduction, creating an inheritance for the next generation, who ploughs between your legs and what kind of fruits are being harvested? • The Agriculture beneath your feet - speaks of the project of the land. But you are unable to give people land beneath their feet if they don’t have land between their legs or between their ears. Joshua hopes to make a difference to the people of South Africa, and improve the quality of human life through encouraging conscious experiences, and has come to realise that not all problems can be solved by simply praying for them. Some economic issues require an education, and to empower people to find solutions to the economic and political issues of the day. If you want to learn more about ZIM, please visit www.zimmoves.com or email info@zimmoves.com.

What does BHM mean to Joshua?

“

The epitome of colonization is when the dominant culture decides when the slaves must have a holiday. Why black history month when the colonizer has 11 months of dominance? The roots of the Afrikan child are on main land and seasons and celebrations are part of our culture. The year of the Afrikan begins with the first fruits (September) we blow the horns and beat the drum to welcome the new year. Christmas and western holidays have no meaning to the Afrikans. The best black month will be the day when all Afrikans will boycott white businesses and own what they consume as they consume what they own. Put the resources into their hands and map a paradigm to learn the power of money and self determination. This tree planted on truth will grow and bear fruits of freedom. “Why does a caged bird sing” Dr Luther asked. A dog on a leash is directed by the handler. Africa must ask ‘who is driving our bus’ and ‘where is it going’?”

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AI Engineer Becomes First Woman To Win Africa Prize T echn o l o gy entrepreneur Charlette N’Guessan has won this year's Royal Academy of Engineering Africa prize for engineering innovation. The Ivorian 26-year-old, who is based in Ghana, is the first woman to win the prestigious prize. Her team's invention, Bace API, uses facial recognition and artificial intelligence to verify identities remotely, the academy said. It takes live images or short videos recorded on phone cameras to detect whether the image is of a real person, or a photo of an existing image. It is aimed at institutions that rely on identity verification. Two financial institutions are already using the software to verify customers’ identities, the academy said. Ms N’Guessan won £25,000 ($33,000) for the top prize. The winner was voted for by

a live audience during a virtual awards ceremony where four finalists delivered presentations. Three runners-up received £10,000 ($13,000). They are Aisha Raheem from Nigeria - whose digital platform provides farmers with data to improve their efficiency, Dr William Wasswa from Uganda whose low-cost digital microscope speeds up cervical cancer screening and David Tusubira from Uganda - who devised a system that manages off-grid power grids by monitoring the condition of solar arrays. In a statement the academy said: "Fifteen shortlisted Africa Prize entrepreneurs, from six countries in sub-Saharan Africa, received eight months of training and mentoring, during which they developed their business plans and learned to market their innovations."

WAKANDA FOREVER M By Joan ‘LJ’ Hunter

ulti Awardw i n n i n g , E l o q u e n t Praise and Empowerment Dance Company, are a community organisation for young people. This long awaited opening to their new space, took place on Saturday 5th September 2020. The launch fitting, steel pan music by Jamani Sound, entertaining the excited young people, family and friends and well wishers. Pastor Nathan Turner prayed Blessings over the centre; then came the grand opening was acknowledged by the cutting of the ribbon, by Cllr Sharon Thompson JP. This entrepreneurial dynamic duo behind this positive platform are, Mother and Daughter Janice Davis and Romanah Malcolm. Romanah one of Janice's two children, has always had a passion for dance, and teaching young people. When she wanted to make her vision a reality; true to her faith, mom Janice said, 'as long as God was in the midst,' she would support.

l Founders Romanah Malcolm and her mother Janice Davis Eloquent Priase and Empowerment was formed in 2016, and have soared to exceptional heights in their four years. This organisation provides opportunities for future generations of boys and girls, from age four to adulthood, to compete Locally, Nationally, and Internationally. Their aim, to 'raise up an army of future praise dancers, dance teachers, leaders, mentors, and professionals spirit led performers, whilst becoming the best version of themselves; and to walk with purpose.

They also offer a voluntary mentoring services through Eloquent Empowerment. Romanah a former Newman University student is also an author, her book, Dear Future Self was published this year. The tour of the building with each room aptly named after some of Inspring Greats. The Podcast Room. Is name after the one most eloquent women with words 'Maya Angelou ', the Music room is named after Rapper, Activist and Entrepreneur; Nipsey Hustle. There two dance studios, the first named after the Reverend

and Activist 'who had a dream', Dr Martin Luther King Jr. , after the sad passing of Chadwick Boseman, studio two is named in his honour. Most touching on 'The Gallery Wall, with the greats of Rosa Parks Malcolm X and others, is a picture of George Floyd. This is a fitting tribute. Eloquent Praise and Empowerment Dance Company; are now accepting new applications. www. eloquentpraisedancecompany. co.uk/apply. All photos courtsey of justnevaeh.com.

l Cllr Sharon Thompson JP officially opened the new space

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Celebrating the worldS most under-performing economy and A sleeping giant

By Ayo Akinfe

S Nigeria marks her diamond jubilee on October 1 2020, the occasion raises a series of questions as the world's largest black nation of 200m souls is suddenly 60 years old. By any standards ones wants to use, a 60 year old should be a fully-fledged adult and a country of that size that has been independent for six decades, should be sitting at the high table of humanity. In this post-coronavirus environment where every industrialised nation is involved in a rat race to become the first to unveil a vaccine, Nigerians have to ask themselves some hard questions and ponder why their nation is not part of this process. For a country endowed with both human and natural

resources, Nigeria has got to be the world's most underperforming economy. Diamond jubilees are generally turning points in life, so I ask how Nigeria can be the world's largest producer of cassava, yam, kolanuts, cashews, she nuts, melon seeds, cocoyam, etc among several other commodities and still have a meagre gross domestic product (GDP) of $375bn. Nigeria is the world's sixth largest agricultural producer, its sixth largest crude oil exporter and is among the top 10 producers of commodities like cocoa, palm oil, papaya, guar gum, groundnuts, pineapples, plantain, millet, sorghum, etc, yet the country still has a paltry annual budget of $28.8bn. Both the price and demand for crude oil, which account for over 90% of Nigerian government revenue have

l Balewa giving an Independence day speech

l Yobo lifting cup

y of Inde Anniversar

As Nigeria turns 60, the nation needs to reflect on the next six decades because a country of 200m people simply has to be a global industrial super-power

l Balewa waving during Independence Celebrations collapsed as a result of the global shutdown, making it inevitable that the country has to find new sources of income. As the next 60 years start, whether Nigerians like it or not, they need to make economic diversification their number one national priority. Also, according to the African Development Bank, Nigeria has an annual infrastructural deficit of $100bn, meaning the country need massive investment in sectors such as housing, water plants, railway networks, roads, power plants, schools, vocational skills centres, clinics, hospitals, etc. Ambitious targets need to be set in all these areas with international investors aggressively wooed. Like any other nation on planet earth, Nigeria has had her fair share of socioeconomic woes and challenges, many of which have been well publicised. Be it out security problems with Boko Haram, the Niger Delta militancy, the Fulani herdsmen menace or the renewed calls for secession and the recreation of Biafra, these headaches are nothing more than the birthpains of nationhood. Dr Martin Luther King once said: "Human progress is neither automatic nor inevitable. Every step toward the goal of justice

requires sacrifice, suffering, and struggle, the tireless exertions and passionate concern of dedicated individuals." With a population of 200m people, Nigeria needs to massively grow her economy, develop her infrastructure, attract foreign direct investment, increase the size of her annual budget and make the country a more attractive destination for both investors and tourists. Up until now, Nigeria has failed to tap into the huge potential of the diaspora for instance and has also failed to exploit the contributions made such as the huge remittances, the skills transfer and minor investments. This needs to change over the next 60 years. With the devastating effects of the coronavirus lockdown certain

pendence

linger for a while, sectors in which Nigeria needs to seriously expand her economy include tourism, food processing, manufacturing, steel production, agriculture, fisheries, shipping, aviation, animal husbandry, textile production, pharmaceuticals etc. In all these areas, the diaspora is key as they have the skills set and experience, so are readymade managers whose services Nigerian can employ.. As Nigeria reflects on the past 60 years and charts the forthcoming 60, the country needs to reflect on the possibilities that will open up. With the world continuously venturing into new markets such as clean energy, online communication and petrolbased vehicles, there will be opportunities in the Nigerian

l Ngozi at WEF

l Eaglets win fifth title

eria on you

tions Nig Congratula

market which simply have to be exploited. In 1957, Nigeria's first and only prime minister Abubakar TafawaBalewa said: "It is the duty of all of us to work for unity and encourage members of all our communities to live together in peace and harmony. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The way to do this is to create understanding, mutual respect and trust. It is important that we should first show respect to each other before asking the world to respect us." Despite the plethora of socioeconomic woes and challenges Nigeria faces, she simply has to come good because the country is too large to be carried. It is totally impossible to carry a nation of 200m people, so Nigeria has no option than to become an industrial super-power. Happy birthday Nigeria. Despite all the problems the country faces, The future is bright: The future is Nigerian!

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A LEading light and inspiration for the next generation F

rom his early years growing up in the Ashanti region of Ghana, to now inspiring the youth through teaching, leadership and management in the British Army, Emmanuel Asumadu-Aboagye is certainly an interesting man. Emmanuel is a Ghanaian born Sergeant Major Instructor in Gunnery in the British Army, and has been a part of the Armed Forces for 13 years. He grew up in Manpong, part of the Ashanti region of Ghana, before moving to Kumasi at a very young age. Educated at Minnesota International School in Kumasi, before attending Junior High Secondary in Manpong, and then Konongo Odumase Senior High School before the University of Science and Technology in Kumasi, teaching, learning and education are at the core of Emmanuel’s life. Emmanuel completed his BSc in Mathematics, majoring in Mathematical Economics in 2006, and during his course, he used to holiday in the UK with family and friends from December 2004 onwards. While at University, he met his now-wife, Patricia, who was studying Sociology and Social Science. They married in December 2007, and she is now a teacher, holding her Masters degree in teaching. It was after finishing his degree that Emmanuel decided to join the British Army, and on the 3rd September 2007, he started his basic training at Pirbright. “I loved the Army, and even if I hadn’t moved to the UK I still would’ve joined, because I loved the discipline and the way that the army transforms people,” explained Emmanuel. “It gives you that extra confidence that gets you through things. A lot of things enticed me, but mainly the discipline and confidence from being a part of the military.” After his basic training, he completed his Trade Training at Larkhill, before being posted to Germany as part of the 3rd Royal

Horse Artillery based in Hohne on the 6th June 2008. Patricia joined him in Germany until 2015, when following rebasing, the German Barracks disbanded and they moved back to Newcastle. “While I was there I was selected to attend the Royal Artillery Premier Course, which was the Gunnery Career Course in 2018. I had to move back down to Larkhill with my family to attend the 1 year long course. “I passed with flying colours and got the privilege to be employed within the Artillery Commands Systems branch as a SMIG – Sergeant Major Instructor in Gunnery.” Emmanuel has 3 daughters, Ines (10), Solace (6) and Lois (3) and now teaches how to use the radios in the Army, communications, and how to become detachment commanders. “This is not like basic training, it’s more the educative side of teaching.” He currently works under a Master Gunner, which he hopes to become in the future. “Being part of the army has changed me a lot. It has given me that moral compass to be able to carry out my duties at work and at home, and even the extracurricular activities I do outside of work to help the country,” Emmanuel stated, smiling. “It has transformed me completely and made me a better person, and I am enjoying it. That is as a result of the core values and standards that we uphold in the Army.” The old African adage, ‘Education Is The Key To Success’ is key in everything that Emmanuel believes in. “My parents used to tell me this, no matter what you do, educate yourself.” “I always want to develop myself, make myself better to compete with the best, and in order to do that I sacrificed my free time to go away and do courses. “All of the awards I have are result of me going away to do things in my own time to upgrade myself, because the army is very, very competitive.” He also takes part in a lot of charity work, volunteering with Trinity YMCA and Arms around the Child, while being an ambassador for Violent Crime Prevention Board

UK. “All of these charities are about championing the youth,” continued Emmanuel. “My best friend Christian Atsu who plays for Newcastle, is an Ambassador for Arms Around The Child, and we are trying to change the narratives of what is there and what we can do to redefine these kids. “We go around speak to them, act as role models, doing Skype calls, educating and mentoring. We work closely with the Metropolitan police as well, and especially the Cadets that are going through police training.” Emmanuel is proud to be an inspiration to his Commonwealth brothers and sisters, as achieving what he has in such a short time within the Army is nothing short of incredible. At a recent outreach programme in Ipswich, Emmanuel was taking questions from the children, many of whom were saying that they thought the army was racist. “I told them that there is racism everywhere as we have seen, but it's all about how you compose yourself and conduct yourself and how you do things. If I've been able to do it then you can do it too.” Emmanuel says that he feels he has brought a lot of diversity to the Army, and is proud to have brought his knowledge to support his subordinates and colleagues. “I have taught mathematics to soldiers in Afghanistan when I was deployed out there. When it wasn't busy I volunteered to go to the education centre to teach mathematics and English.” Emmanuel is himself just finishing another degree, this time in Education and Professional Development at Huddersfield University, paid for by the Army. “The army is the best place to be, as it gives young people the opportunity to find their talents, and to educate themselves, as there are people that join with no qualifications but by the time they leave they have a load.” His journey to SMIG has been a speedy and impressive one, and for the dedicated family man and proud Ghanaian, the only way is up from here.

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BLACK HISTORY MONTH SUPPLEMENT

fter 20 years in the business of supporting schools in Africa, Jamaica, and supporting UNIA (Universal Negro Improvement Association), the Ting-A-Ling Youth Project continues to support children in Africa, Jamaica and the wider Caribbean. Before the Covid pandemic took its worldwide grip, the organisation was able to do its on-going exercise of sending endless barrels of books, clothes and much more to over 2000 children in Jamaican schools, equipped 30 young people with tools and assisted the learning processes of over 600 juveniles an adults in correctional institutes. In partnership with celebrated author, Moira Morgan, TingA-Ling owner, Kirk ‘Steppas’ Jackson was able to oversee three barrels reach a children’s home in Yallahs, in St. Thomas as the Griffins Trust Ting ‘a’ Ling project saw the barrels, full of food, get to their intended destination. Ms Morgan’s latest book; ‘From Garrison to Garden Vol.1 - Boots on the Ground: Untold stories from the Inner City’, tells untold stories from Jamaica's inner city 'garrison' communities, stories of real people, real events unfolding as she shares her lived experiences with empathy, wit and honesty, exposing an underbelly of Jamaica that is denied or ignored. The Ting-A-Ling project is aimed at young people who may not have formal qualifications or a CV to help them find a job.

Ting-A-Ling project and author continuing to provide for needy

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New Exhibition shines a light on Black female photographers

or far too long the preserve of the photographers’ world has been that of men – and quite often white men – and that is why Jemella Binng created her new and enlightening platform. Set-up to highlight the vast, and ever-growing, presence of Black female photographers, she decided on creating a window for the mass numbers of unacknowledged professional and amateur ‘clickers’

with her UKBFTOG Exhibition. It is the first Black female photography exhibition platform, ever, in the UK. Bringing attention to the growing community of artists photographers, from Britain and abroad, gathered at the Blank Canvas, an exhibition space in Walsall, in the West Midlands, the ‘We Are Here’ showcase was the perfect opportunity for hometown ‘snapper’ Jemella to bring to the fore the impact Black women are

making within the arts genre. A director of Mellz Photography Limited in London, she gathered a group of highly-respected female creative camera artists to for the platform they so-long yearned for. Amongst the photographers whose wares were on view were Tianna Jarret-Williams from Birmingham, Holland-based Dominique Nok from Surinam, who said: "The colour of one's skin should never be the deciding factor to get a good grade, a job

lockdown won’t sto this queen

or to even find love because every shade of Black is beautiful”, Dami Fawehinmi from Essex and Karyn Louise and 16-year-old Zacchia Moore from London, who said: “This was ideal to highlight the emotions, thoughts and journeys of teenagers during a particularly challenging time which restricted

freedom". Jemella added: “With the issue of visibility and privilege firmly on the table, we decided to use this time to continue to show others "we deyah!" with our ‘WE ARE HERE’ exhibition showcasing the talent of UK Black female photographers.

Khadjou represents Senegal as their first ever female professional surfer

hadjou Sambe, Senegal's first female professional surfer, trains near her home in the district of Ngor - the westernmost point of the African continent. "I would always see people surfing,” says the 25-year-old, “and I'd say to myself: 'But where are the girls who surf?'". I thought: 'Why don't I go surfing, represent my country, represent Africa, represent Senegal, as a Black woman?'" The surfer is now inspiring the next generation to defy cultural norms and take to the waves.

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A Lebou - an ethnic group that traditionally lives by the sea - Sambe trains at Black Girls Surf (BGS), a training school for girls and women who want to compete in professional surfing. She encourages her students to develop the physical and mental strength to ride waves and break the mould in a society which generally expects them to stay at home, cook, clean, and marry young. Growing up in the coastal capital of Dakar, Sambe never saw a Black woman surfing the Atlantic swells. As a teenager, her parents refused to allow her

“I realised I only knew four other Black female photographers so I sent out a social media post, and UKBFTOG was born and created to help Black women find other Black women in the photography industry."

to surf for two-and-a-half years, saying it brought shame on the family. She started surfing when she was 14 years old. "My determination was strong enough to make them change their minds," she said. "When you catch that first wave, you are so happy that you scream so that everyone can hear you. It was a bit tough at first because I was the only girl surfing here, and people were a bit like: 'What is a girl doing here? This is a sport for boys.' "Other people, though, really encouraged me and told me not to listen." Her coach Rhonda Harper, the founder of BGS, explains that Sambe arrived without a cent in her pocket, speaking no English and with a wild, free surf style that needed taming to conform to the structure of surf competitions. She says: "She is such a dynamic surfer.” "When I am in the water, I feel something extraordinary, something special in my heart," says Sambe.

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n op n

elinda Davids, the single mother from South Africa has continued to entertain audiences every week on Britains Got Talent, now reaching the Semi Finals of the competition. With her most recent performance of “I Have Nothing” closing the episode, viewers were amazed. “She blew me away. I felt every word from a woman who didn’t know she was amazing,” one said, “Perfection, and certainly what BGT is all about.” “To be on Britain got talent away from her two boys is heart wrenching. She is amazing,” another continued. “This proves that whatever adversity we go through there is always positivity. We must embrace the beauty of life. Remember we owe to ourselves to keep breathing. Keep living.” Each week the judges chose one act to go through to the final, resulting in five contestants in total. They will then be joined by the five winners of the public vote, all who will be announced on the day of the final.

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Belinda Davids Blows Audiences Away in Britain’s Got Talent

She continues to show why she won BBC’s Even Better Than The Real Thing in 2017 as Whitney, with performance after performance wowing the judges, albeit with Alesha saying “You honoured her in the most beautiful way but controversially it’s time for you to step away from Whitney and show us you.

“It’s about you my darling, you’re just wonderful. It knocked us for six. We’re witnessing something special, it was magnificent.” Acts in the final could win a prize of £250,000 and a place on the Royal Variety Performance is up for grabs.

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ENTERTAINMENT MOTORS

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Ferrari Portofino M: A Voyage Of Rediscovery The Ferrari Portofino M, the evolution of the Prancing Horse’s 2+ GT spider, the Ferrari Portofino, was unveiled today. In a move unprecedented in the Maranello marque’s 70-year-plus history, the new car’s premiere took place entirely online. The build-up to the unveiling included the sending out of a series of newsletters to clients over recent weeks at the end of which they were given access to a platform containing exclusive videos illustrating the concept behind the car, its restyling and main technical contents. The Portofino M is the first Ferrari to be presented in the wake of the company’s temporary closure due to the Covid-19 crisis, making it the symbol of a voyage of rediscovery. It is the (re)starting point for Prancing Horse’s pursuit of innovation whilst fully respecting its heritage, passion and constant search for perfection.

TURKISH DELIGHT AS ELFYN EVANS ON TOP OF THE WORLD

lfyn Evans conquered the rocky gravel mountain roads in south-west Turkey to score his second victory of this shortened 2020 FIA World Rally Championship season. More importantly, the Welshman’s dramatic win takes him and co-driver Scott Martin back to the top of the fiercely contested 2020 title race. With just two rounds remaining in Sardinia and Belgium, Evans now holds a commanding 18-point advantage over his Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT team-mate Sébastien Ogier. The six-time French World Champion failed to score in Turkey after his Yaris WRC retired from a podium position on the final morning with engine

issues. Defending champion Ott Tänak is a further nine points adrift in third – the Estonian was another to fall by the rockstrewn roadside, his Hyundai i20 suffering a steering failure. The rugged roads around Marmaris on the Mediterranean coast are always one of the season’s most gruelling challenges and Evans also had his own struggles to overcome – tyre troubles dropping him from second to fourth place on Saturday afternoon. But with Ogier’s demise and the two front-running Hyundai i20s of rivals Thierry Neuville and Sébastien Loeb both losing time with punctures on Sunday morning’s longest and roughest stage of the event, Evans

Do Your Furry Friends Or Children Ride Shotgun? Drivers are just as likely to let their furry friends sit up front with them as they are their children, according to new research by SEAT. Nearly one in five motorists say their dogs get to sit in the front, almost as many as the number of drivers who let their children do the same. Londoners are twice as likely

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to treat their best friend to the seat with the best view out, with nearly 40% claiming this is where they let their dogs travel. However, the research found the rear seat to be most popular with their pets, with 38.5% of owners claiming their dogs travel in a rear side seat, while 23.9% draw the short straw with the middle seat.

bounced back to take maximum points. “It was a tough weekend, but we were there or thereabouts for most of the rally,” he reported. “We thought that it may have been ‘game over’ in terms of victory on Saturday afternoon but we also knew that Sunday was going to be really demanding. We just tried to stay out of trouble and that did reward us. “Of course, you need a bit of luck to go your way, and I never like to inherit positions from others’ misfortune, but that is very much the nature of Rally Turkey. This may not be my sweetest victory but I’m still very happy. It’s clearly a great result from a championship perspective.” Just over a third of dogs have to make do with the boot, with 44% of owners in both East Anglia and Northern Ireland seemingly less inclined to get hairs on the passenger seats. Owners in the North East were the most likely to travel with their dog in the rear seat, with nearly 60% of owners stating their dog frequently travelled in this part of the car. In comparison, just over a fifth of the nation’s children get to ride up front, with 56% in a rear side seat, a quarter in the rear middle seat and one-in-ten in a third-row seat. In April, SEAT revealed over half of dog owners admitted to driving more carefully with their dog in the car, with nine out of 10 owners unaware they could be fined £5,000 and receive nine penalty points for not restraining their pets properly while driving.

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The Phoenix Newspaper - October 2020 - Page 33

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LANGEN LAUNCHES THE TWO STROKE T hrilling new British company, Langen motorcycles, will break cover with their eagerlyawaited new model, the Two Stroke, next week at the prestigious Salon Privé. The event, held from 23rd-26th September at Blenheim Palace, will be the first time the ground-breaking, twostroke, road legal motorcycle has been seen in public and it is great to see the Two Stroke launched at the same event as other beautiful new cars and bikes this year. The Langen Two Stroke stands out from the crowd. It defies convention by using the latest two-stroke, 250cc, V-twin engine and will attack your senses through the sound, smell and sheer thrill that only a lightweight,

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two-stroke can deliver. And its redline? How does 14,500rpm sound! The Two Stroke’s heart is produced for Langen by Vins, who are based in Maranello, Italy. The engine produces more than 75bhp (56kW) and 45Nm (33lb.ft). Born from an ‘extra-curricular’ passion project from members of the Ferrari research and development department, the CNCmachined engine has been developed over the last five years and suits the Langen Two Stroke perfectly. A combination of fuel injection, ECU-controlled oil injection, carbon fibre reed valves and electronic exhaust valves enable the engine to produce eye-watering performance figures, yet within an environmentally-friendly set up as a highly tractable, road legal motorcycle.

MOTORS

Regent Street Motor Show Postponed Until 2021 Next month’s Regent Street Motor Show has been postponed until 2021 as a result of the global COVID-19 pandemic. Staged annually on the capital city’s premier shopping destination, the hugely popular single-day event has long been the UK’s best attended free-to-view motor show. In recent years it has regularly attracted around half a million enthralled visitors as tourists and shoppers rub shoulders with more serious car enthusiasts on a trafficfree Regent Street. As tradition dictates, this year’s celebration of motoring past, present and future was scheduled for the Saturday (31 October) before the much-loved RM Sotheby’s London to Brighton Veteran Car Run, which will take place on Sunday 1 November, complying with the latest COVID-19 guidelines. “Following a detailed feasibility study regarding the running of the 2020 Regent Street Motor Show, it is with regret that we have reached the difficult – if understandable – decision to postpone the Show until next year,” explained Nick Wigley, CEO of Goose Live Events who organise the automotive showcase on behalf of the Royal Automobile Club.

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Page 34 - The Phoenix Newspaper - October 2020

ENTERTAINMENT

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Stormzy dedicatES video to Black Panther Boseman B ritish superstar Stormzy has dedicated the video for his song Superheroes to Black Panther star Chadwick Boseman. The multi-award winner said the late actor, who recently died after a lengthy battle with cancer, would be "forever a superhero in our hearts" in a caption at the end of the promo. Introducing the video, the rapper told fans: "You are a superhero in your own right, and don't ever forget that." The animated video includes references to Black Lives Matter as well as fellow rappers Little Simz and Dave. The track's lyrics also mention singer Nina Simone and Noughts and Crosses author Malorie Blackman. On the track, taken from his 2019 album Heavy Is the Head, he sends a message of encouragement to "young black kings" and "young Black Queens" - ordinary young people who may be struggling but are heroes in their own lives. In his introduction, Stormzy said the track was inspired by his realisation that role models had been all around him growing up. He said: "We're all superheroes. As much as we come from where we come from, we might be

Birmingham Hippodrome And The Southside Building Unveil Spectacular New Mural

B disadvantaged, we might have so many obstacles in front of us, you are a superhero in your own right, and don't ever forget that. Those little skills that we have, those big skills that we have, those talents, those things that often go ignored, that makes you a superhero.. "I wanted to make this video to basically inspire you guys, to let you know that the sky is the limit, to let you know that all those things inside of you make you

incredible." The video, which was directed by Taz Tron Delix, was shown at schools in London, Glasgow, Dublin and Manchester. Boseman played Marvel's first Black superhero and his death prompted a deluge of tributes from his fellow actors plus politicians and many others around the world. Oscar-winning actress Lupita Nyong'o wrote a stirring tribute to her late Black Panther co-

star Chadwick Boseman, calling him a man whose power will ”reverberate for generations”. She went on: “I write these words from a place of hopelessness, to honour a man who had great hope. “The news of his passing is a punch to my gut every morning. His power lives on and will reverberate for generations to come."

i r m i n g h a m Hippodrome and The Southside Building have unveiled a spectacular new mural as part of this year’s B-SIDE Hip-Hop Festival celebrations. Birmingham Hippodrome partnered with The Southside Building, a new creative office space, to commission a large scale artwork by renowned Birmingham based graffiti artist Zuke that champions creativity and expressive art. The Southside Building was refurbished by Paloma Capital to provide a range of spaces designed to appeal to the creative, media and tech industries and bring businesses and individuals together, from start-ups to established firms. Its shared passion for

expression and culture was a key driver in its decision to support Birmingham Hippodrome’s B-SIDE HipHop Festival. Jeremy Thiagarajah, Paloma Capital, said: “The new mural is fantastic. We are passionate about ensuring that local talent, businesses and individuals, such as Zuke, have access to an engaging environment in which their creativity can thrive. To team up with the Birmingham Hippodrome to provide this opportunity is extremely rewarding. “Our mission with the Southside Building was to provide a bold and creative space which has its own unique character and feel. Zuke’s mural expresses that perfectly ”

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The Phoenix Newspaper - October 2020 - Page 35

ENTERTAINMENT

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The Art of Journaling

he mind is magnificent as it is destructive. Anything and everything can be achieved or destroyed by a mere

thought. Huge planes can be pulled (look at Dave Gauder’s site www. dgangelofstrength.co.uk), and people can easily press the destruct button by a mere thought. Your thoughts can be cruel but also truly amazing. By bringing out these thoughts on paper releases negativity, pent up emotions and allows us to express ourselves completely. Journaling is not only good for the mind and a healing process, but also helps professionally - It can help you maintain goals and show you how you are developing and growing in your chosen work. By journaling regularly whether for personal or professional benefits, it allows you to organise your thoughts and notice patterns of behaviour which can be focused on and addressed. Regular journaling assists with stress, anxiety and can help you manage your day to day life in a more positive way. Make sure that you buy a Journal that you want to write in and use, and treat yourself to a nice pen. It will encourage you to get into the habit of journaling. You can write a few lines or a few pages - this can be written at anytime and anywhere. Don’t worry about the content, grammar or subject. Write from your heart. No one is going to judge you, your journal is private and for your eyes only. The first sentence is always the hardest, be kind to yourself and let the words flow. Make sure you date the top of the page when you begin , so you can always look back to see how you’ve progressed. Set yourself time and space to unwind

if you can, to write out what’s in your mind. Put it down on paper. Journal about good things, happy times, your creative moments, be artistic, journal to vent your anger write it all down, get rid of it from your mind, de-stress. Journaling allows you to see things in a much calmer way, there are many variations on Journaling, here are a few examples.

Unsent Letters

Write a letter and express what it is that’s upsetting you. This allows you to ‘pour your heart out’ and release any fears you may have about relationships/ work etc. This letter will never be sent.

Bullet Journal

Great for people that love to write lists , bullet point sentences filled with ideas, inspiration and creativity.

Gratitude Journal

Journal about what it is that you are thankful for in your life , write down 1020 things every day.

Dream Journal

Dreams are a bridge between your conscious and unconscious mind. Journaling can help to untangle and make sense of your dreams. Try and keep a Dream Journal by your bed and when you wake you can make notes of your dreams.

his month I invite you to check out my coping strategy for your own personal emotional MOT. Building your strength at home allows you to fight exhaustion and helps to build your immune system that allows you to fight back in your new gym against the emotional stress and pressure cooker atmosphere of the Cornavirus pandemic. All around me I see and hear people that are struggling to deal with the emotional upheaval that this pandemic has thrust upon us all. People are having to manage the various unusual situations that are happening and this impacts on a variety of ways on individuals. To ignore this it can lead to so many other mindfulness issues. To feel emotional exhaustion is a totally normal reaction and we have to find a way to manage and revitalise the body and the mind. So when you are feeling run down and mentally drained with this new phenomenon in a Covid World and your sleep patterns have been altered, your priorities both at home and in the workplace are or have been changed in a such a way that the pressure is mounting and the ‘mind monkeys’ are constantly with you. Now is the time you must be aware of emotional as well as physical exhaustion. Your body and mind needs time to repair itself and you can help with this process. The first thing you must do is to break the wall of pressure around you starting with switching off from the negative mainstream media and where possible your own social media to give you the breathing space to ease back and to buy yourself some time to think about positive me time. This could come in a variety of ways but the common denominator is to have a

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Mind, Body & Soul forward thinking positive outlook to reach out to want to pull yourself out from the despair you may be feeling. The mind is the highest level of strength and fuels the desire and gives you positive

energy that you need to overcome the negative and often complex mind monkeys. Big Dave prescribes this approach to help boost your own endurance and immune system using exercise and nutrition for your physical and mental health. Most gyms have their own barriers to

entry but you can supplement their use by using everyday objects and surroundings to help with your daily fitness routines. So we need to adapt and train smarter. See more about this on my website www.bigdave. online Nutrition does play an important role in helping to build and boost your immune system which you need to fight any virus including Cornavirus and we should all be looking to increase our bodies capability to fight infections of all types. Healthy eating is no longer a trendy fad; this is a reality in all our lives. Whether you are young, middle aged or older we owe it to ourselves and our loved ones to take care of our body and our mind. There are more details on healthy eating and building the immune system on my website above. Stress can lead to so many other problems as it can set off a chain reaction of health related issues, i.e. diabetes, sleep disorder, dental, skin, hair, nails, heart and lungs etc but of course stress is also a killer and affects the mind which is not always visible to others. Your mind is your gearbox and if your gearbox is malfunctioning your body will not respond in the way that you want it to. So once again mindfulness, nutrition, deep breathing exercises as well the exercises that can be found on my website which I prescribed can help to get you back into top gear and functioning with a positive outlook in harmony with your body and mind. Big Dave - Made In Birmingham - Mind, Body & Soul.

Career Journal

Journal what you want to achieve, where you want to be, your ideal job/ company to work for, or if you’re setting up in business, journal how and when you’re going to start, what it will look like - it will enable you to gain clarity and purpose and keep you accountable on that journey. Remember always put the date at the top of the page so when you look back to reflect, you can see how far you’ve progressed. What are you waiting for? Have Fun!

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ENTERTAINMENT

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YOU ME AT SIX announce seventh studio album

Strictly’s Blackpool special cancelled T

You Me At Six return with the announcement of their eagerly anticipated seventh studio album, ‘SUCKAPUNCH’, due for release January 15th. Matched with new single and music video ‘Beautiful Way’, the band have also revealed UK headline tour dates beginning in May 2021. Following the punk energy and bite of ‘MAKEMEFEELALIVE’, ‘Beautiful Way’ arrives in a cathartic burst of visceral emotion, accompanied by stunning visuals inspired by the ancient concept of the ‘Red Thread of Fate’. Both tracks exemplify the soul-bearing nature of You Me At Six’s explosive and shape-shifting seventh album, ‘SUCKAPUNCH’. After a tumultuous period of emotional blows, leaving the majority of the band getting to grips with new life scenarios, the new album is rooted in reflection and redemption, and sees You Me At Six harness those darker experiences as a catalyst for creativity, empowerment and positivity.

Lead vocalist Josh Franceschi says: ‘We have been in the pursuit of happiness for quite some time, both collectively and individually, only to discover that happiness is more than just a state of mind. We had to face our pain head on and carve it into something positive. Our seventh studio album is the result of us finding peace and acceptance of what’s been and gone.’ Recorded over five weeks at Karma Sound studio in Bang Saray, Thailand, the band arrived armed with dozens of songs, loops and ideas, eager to push the experimentation of their 2018 UK Top 6 album ‘VI’ further. Continuing their creative relationship with that album’s producer, Dan Austin (Biffy Clyro, Massive Attack, Pixies), the results are brimming with ambition. All of it springs surprises. ‘SUCKAPUNCH’ is the sound of a band embracing change. You Me At Six have crafted their most experimental, personal and progressive record to date.

he annual Strictly Come Dancing special in Blackpool will not take place this year, the BBC has confirmed. A BBC spokesperson said while contestants would not physically go to Blackpool's Tower Ballroom in 2020, they would still be "celebrating the iconic venue" from Elstree studio. It follows changes made to the show due to coronavirus restrictions. The new series will be shorter than usual and contestants will be staying in a hotel for two weeks ahead of pre-recording all the group dances. Strictly's annual special at Blackpool, filmed in one of the country's most historic ballrooms, is seen by contestants and the professional dancers alike as one of the highlights of the series. The show has filmed at the venue since 2004, taking regular breaks. However, since 2013 there has been a Blackpool special annually. Blackpool is renowned for being a home for ballroom dancing, having hosted the Blackpool Dance Festival since 1920. That event is taking place online this year as a result of coronavirus. The BBC spokesperson added: "Blackpool is a milestone moment in every series of Strictly that our audience, our celebs and professional dancers look forward to. "Whilst we'll be unable to

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physically go to Blackpool this series, we'll still be celebrating this iconic venue and bringing it to life from our studio in Elstree." It comes after former home secretary Jacqui Smith was confirmed as the 12th and final celebrity contestant for 2020. Smith will join with stars including Bill Bailey, Clara Amfo, and HRVY.

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The Phoenix Newspaper - October 2020 - Page 37

OBITUARIES AND NOTICE BOARD

orn in May Pen, in Clarendon, the frontman of legendary reggae band Toots and the Maytals, was one of Jamaica's most influential musicians who helped popularise reggae in the 1960s. He even claimed to have coined the genre's name, on 1968's Do The Reggae. Scoring 31 No.1 singles in Jamaica, the group scored a UK hit with ‘Monkey Man’ in 1970, and, in 1972. Often referred to as "The Otis Redding of Reggae" - he was always Toots and struck a friendship with singers Jerry Matthius and Raleigh Gordon, with whom he formed the Maytals. He appeared in the groundbreaking cult classic film ‘The Harder They Come’ where he hooked up with The Maytals,

Dame Diana Rigg Toots Hibbert becoming one of the first reggae bands to receive widespread popularity outside Jamaica. He was taken to hospital with Covid-like symptoms before being placed in a medically induced coma. He died age 77.

he first found fame in the mid-’60s when she was cast in ‘The Avengers’ as secret agent Emma Peel, an iconic character who was a style icon and feminist role model. She won a BAFTA TV Award for her performance as a difficult mother-in-law in the 1989

miniseries ‘Mother Love’ and an Emmy Award for her portrayal of Mrs Danvers in a 1997 adaptation of Daphne Du Maurier‘s ‘Rebecca’. For her more recent role as cunning matriarch Olyenna Tyrell in ‘Game of Thrones’ she earned four Emmy nominations. As a stage actress, she won a Tony Award for Best Actress in a Play for her performance in the 1994 Broadway production of Greek tragedy ‘Medea’. That same year, she was made a Dame by The Queen for her services to drama. Her final movie role came in ‘Last Night In Soho’ - set for release in 2021. She died of cancer, age 82.

Yuko Takeuchi Erick

he award-winning Japanese actress was found dead at her Shibuya Ward, Tokyo home with police suspecting the mother of two took her own life. She is said to have been found by her actor husband Taiki Nakabayashi at their home in Shibuya Ward. Her death was confirmed at hospital after suicide, which has been the cause of death for a number of Japanese talents recently, was said to be the most likely cause. A well-known actress, warm, smiling, woman-of-the-people image made her popular with advertisers, she appeared in many films and TV series during

Morillo I

her career and played a female Sherlock Holmes in the 2018 HBO series Miss Sherlock. She also won best actress in a leading role category three years in a row, between 2004 and 2007, in the Japanese Academy Awards. She was 40.

nternationally renowned DJ Erick Morillo was announced dead after being found at a property in Miami Beach, in Florida. Miami Police officer Ernesto Rodriguez said: "We received a 911 call this morning at 10.42am to 5660 La Gorce Drive. "Detectives are currently on scene and in the preliminary stages of the investigation." Made famous for his hit 1993 classic worldwide hit ‘I Like To Move It,’ the New Yorkborn veteran DJ’s death comes

Dean Jones

he cricket world mourned the passing of the former Australia batsman whilst he was in Mumbai, where he was working as a commentator covering the Indian Premier League. Born in Coburg, in Victoria, the stylish middle-order batsman played 52 Tests from 1984 to 1992, averaging 46.55 and winning the Ashes on two occasions. He was also part of the Australia team that won the World Cup in 1987, beating England in a thrilling final. Best remembered for his innings of 210 in the tied match between Australia and India in 1986, in his 164 one-day internationals, he averaged 44.61. Beginning his first-class career

in the 1981–82 season with Victoria in the Sheffield Shield, he also played for Durham and Derbyshire in the English County Championship and, after retiring from playing, had further careers as a coach and broadcaster. He was 59.

Pranab Mukherjee

a month after he was reportedly arrested and charged with sexual battery on a woman. The alleged incident is said to have happened at Morillo’s home in Miami Beach in December 2019. His 1993 hit, released under the name Reel 2 Real, has stood the test of time, featuring in adverts, films and as a ringtone over the years. He was 49.

ndia's former president died 21 days after it was confirmed that he had tested positive for the novel coronavirus. Before serving as president between 2012 and 2017, he held several important portfolios during his 51-year political career. These included the finance, foreign and

defence ministries. Current president, Ram Nath Kovind, called him "a colossus in public life" who served India "with the spirit of a sage". Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised his contribution to the country. He also served on the boards of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank. Born in Mirati, he joined the Congress party in the 1960s during the tenure of then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi whom he described as his mentor. The 84-year-old was in hospital to remove a clot in his brain when it was discovered he also had Covid-19. His son, Abhijit, confirmed the news in a tweet.

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

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HEALTH AND WELLBEING

Health chief hails African fight against Covid-19 The head of the Africa Centres for Disease Control (CDC) has praised African states for managing to curb the spread of coronavirus. Africa has seen about 1.4 million cases and 34,000 deaths since February. These figures are far lower than those in Europe, Asia or the Americas, with reported cases continuing to decline. Early interventions played a crucial role in curbing the virus' spread, Africa CDC head John Nkengasong said. Africa CDC is the health agency of the 55-member African Union (AU). The continent of more than one billion people accounts for just under 5% of cases globally and 3.6% of deaths. Dr Nkengasong described as "false" suggestions that cases

and deaths in Africa were significantly under-reported. "We may not have been picking up all the cases, just like in other parts of the world... but we are not seeing people around the continent falling dead on the streets or mass burials going on," Dr Nkengasong said. African states introduced a series of measures to tackle the virus as soon as the first cases were reported. Many, including South Africa, introduced nationwide lockdowns, but others such as Ethiopia opted for less strict measures.

Over £6,000 Raised for NHS Charities

crap Car Comparison, the scrap vehicle comparison site, is delighted to raise £6,123 for NHS Charities Together, thanks to their Donate a Car Scheme. Scrap Car Comparison is committed to supporting charities through their charity partnership scheme and made NHS Charities Together its featured COVID-19 organisation during the national lockdown. Customers who scrap a car or van through Scrap Car Comparison’s Donate a Car scheme can choose to donate some or all of their profits to charity.

NHS Charities Together is a membership organisation that brings together more than 250 NHS charities from around the country and accepts charitable donations on their behalf. The work of this collective includes a national COVID-19 Urgent Appeal to support NHS staff and volunteers caring for patients with coronavirus. Dan Gick, founder and owner of Scrap Car Comparison, said: “We are absolutely delighted to be able to give NHS Charities Together such a substantial sum through the generosity of our customers and our Donate a Car Scheme. “All NHS staff continues to

Increased Anxiety From Family Carers About Lockdown Changes Dementia UK’s Admiral Nurse Dementia Helpline has reported a 36% increase in calls this year. This can be attributed to more strain amongst family carers as a result of uncertainty around lockdown rules and guidance. This is in addition to changing behaviour in the person

diagnosed due to long periods of isolation, limited stimulation and lack of respite. Susan Drayton, Clinical Lead at Dementia UK’s Admiral Nurse Dementia Helpline said: “This is an extremely challenging time for families with dementia, who have had entire routines swept from under their feet overnight.

work tirelessly to keep the country safe, and the team at Scrap Car Comparison are really proud to be able to support them.” “A huge thank you to all who chose to donate some, or their entire scrap car profits to this amazing charity and to all NHS key workers for their selfless efforts.” Scrap Car Comparison are urging any owners who are thinking about scrapping a vehicle to help support their chosen charity partners. Scrap Car Comparison remains open for business and is operating a strict no contact quotation, booking and collection service in line with government guidelines.

As dementia is a condition which affects comprehension and communication, it can place huge strains on family carers and the person diagnosed to keep up to date with changing guidance. When things get challenging or difficult for people with dementia and their families, Admiral Nurses work alongside them, giving the compassionate one-toone support, expert guidance and practical solutions that can be difficult to find elsewhere.

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The Phoenix Newspaper - October 2020 - Page 39

HEALTH AND WELLBEING

Stoptober Looking for more quitters

toptober is back for 2020, with the primary aim of encouraging the nation’s smokers to make a quit attempt for the month of October and beyond. As with previous Stoptober campaigns, this year’s campaign is founded on the evidence that if a smoker can quit for 28 days, they are five times more likely to quit for good. This year’s Stoptober will be different to previous campaigns. Firstly, it will carry the new ‘Better Health’ branding which has been created to support a national health reset moment that launched at the end of July with a focus on obesity. This new branding approach responds to new challenges brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic and the impact it’s had on people’s health behaviours. Secondly, this year will focus on two distinct audiences who

are know from research to have different views and motivations toward making a quit attempt: a primary audience of smokers aged 35 to 60 and a secondary audience of younger smokers aged 18 to 34 (both focusing on C2DE socioeconomic groups). The campaign will comprise two key phases of activity: a ‘rally’ phase which took place towards the end of September and aims to encourage and prepare smokers to make a quit attempt on October 1, followed by a ‘support’ phase

designed to help them sustain their quit attempt throughout the month. A digital toolkit of campaign resources is being developed to help support for the campaign at a local level and has been available since the launch. So whether people are local stop smoking service provider, GP practice, community pharmacy, Local Authority, NHS Trust or commercial organisation, people will be able join efforts to support smokers to make a quit attempt this Stoptober.

Cancer Crisis: 88% in Britain cannot spot cancer signs For all the immediate dangers of Covid-19, the impact it has had on cancer screening and diagnosis could be one of its most fatal sideeffects. While an individual with cancer symptoms might ordinarily visit their GP, fear of catching the virus is likely to have dissuaded many who require care. Research suggests that the reduction in urgent referrals, and delays and cancellations to treatment could contribute to a further 35,000 deaths in the next five years. As damaging as this is, a recent survey conducted by Bolt Burden Kemp highlights that widespread ignorance of cancer symptoms could mean many more people simply don’t know that they should be getting checked out. As a medical professional, it’s easy to assume a certain base level of knowledge amongst our patients – the location of the stomach, the liver, or the cervix, for example. But it turns out that even basic anatomical understanding is often absent, with (respectively) 67%, 74% and 65% of respondents unable to place these correctly. With this kind of rudimental knowledge lacking, it should come as no surprise that awareness of what cancers are most common, and what symptoms to watch out for, is also worryingly low.

InvisibleShield Screen Protection Confirmed to Kill Coronavirus InvisibleShield, a ZAGG Brands company and the leading global innovator in screen protection, today announced that its 2020 glass screen protectors treated with Kastus anti-microbial technology have been examined by an independent global testing laboratory and confirmed effective against human coronavirus and 99.99% of the most common surface bacteria. In a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine, researchers found that human coronavirus can live on surfaces for up to three days. With Kastus technology, InvisibleShield customers now have the additional assurance that their device screen protector effectively kills human coronavirus. All InvisibleShield antimicrobial glass screen

protectors produced in 2020 and beyond will feature Kastus technology, further reinforcing InvisibleShield’s commitment to digital wellness. Gavin Slevin, Managing Director ZAGG International, said: “At InvisibleShield, we are driven by our mission to deliver industry-leading screen protection products for mobile devices that also protect our customers’ wellbeing,” “There has never been a stronger need to protect against bacteria and viruses that are known to accumulate on our mobile device screens. Through our partnership with Kastus, our anti-microbial products not only provide the ultimate in digital wellness, but now also protect consumers against the human coronavirus.”

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Page 40 - The Phoenix Newspaper - October 2020

OVERSEAS NEWS

l Frank Comito, CEO CHTA

Travel organisations team up to offer travel protection

U.S. travellers to the Caribbean can breathe easier thanks to a new partnership between the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) and Trip Mate, offering travel protection if the unexpected happens with a visit booked at participating member hotels. Trip Mate, one of the global leaders in administering protection to travellers and hotels, will now lock arms with CHTA so that member hotels can offer a comprehensive Travel Protection Plan for covered cancellations, interruptions, delays, baggage mishaps and medical situations that may arise during a guestâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s trip. Frank Comito, CEO and Director General of CHTA, noted that â&#x20AC;&#x153;people planning travel during these unprecedented times are concerned about the unpredictable, but their worries may be eased with coverage under our CHTA Member Exclusive Travel Protection Plan.â&#x20AC;? He said the plan helps to protect guests as well as the health of hotel revenues, and comes at a time when more travellers are looking for added assurances to protect themselves before they take to the skies.

Deafblind woman graduates from Harvard Law School B l Haben Girma

eing both blind and deaf didn't stop 25-year old Haben Girma from making history when she graduated from Harvard Law School earning her J.D. in 2013. She is now a global icon that uses her talents to advocate for people with disabilities. She grew up spending summers with her family in the enchanting Eritrean city of Asmara. There, she discovered courage as she faced off against a bull she couldn't see, and found in herself an abiding strength as she absorbed her parents' harrowing experiences during Eritrea's 33-

year war with Ethiopia. Her family's refugee story inspired her to embark on a quest for knowledge, traveling the world in search of the secret to belonging. She explored numerous fascinating places, including Mali, where she helped build a school under the scorching Saharan sun. Her many adventures over the years range from the hair-raising to the hilarious. In her autobiography, Haben: The Deafblind Woman Who Conquered Harvard Law, Haben defines disability as an opportunity for innovation. She learned non-visual techniques

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for everything from dancing salsa to handling an electric saw. She developed a text-to-braille communication system that created an exciting new way to connect with people. Haben pioneered her way through obstacles, graduated from Harvard Law, and now uses her talents to advocate for people with disabilities. Haben takes readers through a thrilling game of blind hide-andseek in Louisiana, a treacherous climb up an iceberg in Alaska, and a magical moment with President Obama at The White House. Warm, funny, thoughtful, and uplifting, this captivating

India now the third country to pass two million cases

memoir is a testament to one woman's determination to find the keys to connection. Her accomplishments have awarded her mainstream attention from the likes of former US Presidents Barak Obama and Bill Clinton, French Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany, who named her a White House Champion of Change. She has also received the Helen Keller Achievement Award and a spot on the Forbes 30 Under 30 list.

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More than two million Indians have now tested positive for Covid-19, according to official figures. The country confirmed the last million cases in just 20 days, faster than the US or Brazil which have higher numbers. Testing has been expanded considerably in India in recent weeks but the situation varies across states. Spurred by a low death rate, the nation continues to reopen even as new hotspots drive the surge in cases. But some states have imposed restrictions. The recent measures include local, intermittent lockdowns, sometimes limiting activity in specific cities or districts. India is now the third country to cross the two million mark. It reported 62,170 cases in the past 24 hours, taking its total tally up to 2,025,409. It has reported around 40,700 deaths so far. While that is the world's fifth-biggest total, experts say it is not very high given the country's population of 1.3 billion. The government, however, has been accused of undercounting Covid-19 deaths due to a variety of reasons - from lags in reporting to rules on how India determines if a death was caused by the virus. Meanwhile, India has been steadily "unlocking" its economy since early June after a gruelling lockdown that lasted nearly two months. Gyms and fitness centres are the latest to reopen. Testing has also gone up but it remains patchy as some states are doing as many as 40,000 test per million, and others as few as 6,000. Case numbers are rising rapidly, for instance, in the southern state of Andhra Pradesh. It shot up the list this past month, and now accounts for India's third-highest caseload.

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The Phoenix Newspaper - October 2020 - Page 41

OVERSEAS NEWS

fter a year of serving the fashionforward public from its Newark, New Jersey base, ‘Dressed Up’, the Caribbean-owned retail shoppe which specializes strictly in dresses now brings its warmth, personality and unique style to the virtual space with its all new online presence. In addition to offering a unique collection of contemporary and vintage dresses, the online store will continue to infuse the beauty, elegance and warmth that have become synonymous with its physical counterpart commonly referred to as ‘Dressed Up The Shoppe’. Trinidadian-born entrepreneur and fashionista Diane Wiltshire, known as ‘Fury’ spearheads the Dressed Up brand and genuinely takes pride in delivering an extraordinary and personal experience. In true Caribbean fashion, she is passionate about meeting and mingling with her esteemed clientele and was originally resistant to the idea of adding a digital adaptation of her shoppe, hesitant about its ability to support her vision for the brand of the business. However, with the emergence of Covid 19 and the all-round necessity for online product and service procurement, Fury propelled herself into creative mode in order to reimagine how a virtual approach to Dressed Up could continue to manifest a

Thomas Cook return as on-line travel agents

Dressed Up goes Virtual fulfilling, productive yet unique experience for all. She shared: “My intention, in opening my shoppe, was to always ‘meet people where they are’ and, where we all are in this moment is finding ways to virtually satisfy our needs and desires.”

Thus far, Dressed Up the online store has received favourable and enthusiastic feedback from an international cross section of dress aficionados and has gained praise for both its mixture of modern and vintage selections while maintaining the high level of elegance and personality that

has become one and the same with the brand. Currently, the online store’s range of dresses is available to customers in the Continental US and internationally to those with access to sky boxes. As the virtual extension of the

Dressed Up brand continues to provide select one-of-a-kind couture dresses for the discerning and fashion-conscious, its charitable arm ‘reDressed’ maintains its mission to dress survivors of domestic abuse as they re-enter the workforce.

British tour operator Thomas Cook is back and this time around with a different business model. They re-launched on Wednesday as an online-only venture, one year after a collapse that left hundreds of thousands of travellers stranded. The company has reinvented itself as a digital booking platform as the coronavirus pandemic continues to hobble global demand for travel. Its new website caters only to "quarantine-free destinations" from the United Kingdom, such as Corfu, Cyprus and Rome. Thomas Cook went bust last September, leaving 600,000 travellers grounded and wiping out thousands of jobs. The company's previous business was centred on selling flights on its own airline, along with hotel rooms, from brickand-mortar stores. The 179-year-old brand was acquired in November by Fosun Tourism, a Chinese company that also owns Club Med. Its chair and CEO Qian Jiannong said that the brand's British revival followed the launch of another online platform for Thomas Cook in China. In a statement he said: “As one of the world’s leading tourism and leisure groups, the group values Thomas Cook’s 180 years’ heritage and global brand influence.”

Barbados set to remove Queen as head of state Barbados has announced that it intends to remove Her Royal Highness Queen Elizabeth as its head of state and will become a republic. Following a statement by the Caribbean island nation's government which said: "The time has come to fully leave our colonial past behind," it said that it aims to complete the process in time for the 55th anniversary of independence from Britain, in November 2021. Prime Minister Mia Mottley further followed that by writing a speech saying that Barbadians wanted a Barbadian head of state. The speech read: "This is the ultimate statement of confidence in who we are and what we are capable of achieving." Buckingham Palace said that it was a matter for the government and people of Barbados. A source at Buckingham Palace said that the idea "was not out of the blue" and "has been publicly talked about by many." The statement was part of the Throne Speech, which outlines the government's policies and programmes ahead of the new

l Prime Minister Mia Mottley

session of parliament. While it is read out by the governorgeneral, it is written by the country's prime minister. The speech also quoted a warning from Errol Barrow, Barbados's first prime minister after it gained independence, who said that the country should not "loiter on colonial premises". His is not the only voice in Barbados that has been suggesting a move away from the monarchy. A constitutional review commission recommended republican status for Barbados in 1998. Ms Mottley's predecessor in Freundel Stuart also argued for a "move from a monarchical

system to a republican form of government in the very near future". Barbados would not be the first former British colony in the Caribbean to become a republic after Guyana took that step in 1970, less than four years after gaining independence from Britain. Trinidad and Tobago followed suit in 1976 and Dominica in 1978. All three stayed within the Commonwealth, a loose association of former British colonies and current dependencies, along with some countries that have no historical ties to Britain.

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Page 42 - The Phoenix Newspaper - October 2020

HOLIDAY AND TRAVEL

Don’t miss out on our Education, Training & Recruitment Section

Dance to the Beat of the Cook Islands A

Coverage on Pages 10 & 11!

n intrinsic part of the Cook Islands' Polynesian culture is their dance and experiencing this is a must-do for any visit to these beautiful islands located in the South Pacific, between Hawaii and New Zealand. Cook Islanders are hugely proud of their culture and heritage and dance is an important way of teaching cultural values and historical events not only to visitors but also to local younger generations to ensure that they are kept alive and not forgotten. Once of the most popular Cook Islands dance focuses around the beat of a drum. There can be up to ten drums that compose

the beat for the ura pa-u (drum dance) and these can be of varying types, from a skin drums to wooden tokere (slit drums) of different sizes. Cook Islanders are considered the best drummers and dancers in Polynesia. Both men and women participate in these mesmerising fast dances. The women, who wear coconut bras, grass skirts made from beach hibiscus which has been dried, stripped and dyed and decorated with flowers, shells, feathers and seeds and decorated head bands, appear graceful even though this is an incredibly energetic dance. Their fast hip-swinging actions incorporate moves such as the totoro (dancing/walking

while crouched close to the floor), 'four-square' patu (a jerky movement where a 'square' is formed with the hips), the 'cobra' ura akaparu (a snakelike movement from the waist down through the lower body), and the 'Hollywood' (one arm and one leg on opposite sides of the body thrust out in the final move. The men also wear the grass skirts, which are accessorised with headdresses, arm bands and leggings which are tied at the top of the calf, all are made with natural fibres. Their moves are focused around scissor-like flapping of the legs in a semicrouched position while holding their upper bodies steady.

espite uncertainty in travel due to COVID-19, global tour operator Intrepid Travel has seen unprecedented demand for its family tours over the last few months, prompting the company to create new Retreat-style tours geared towards the demographic. Intrepid has found that a quarter of the top 25 itineraries booked by its customers globally over the past three months have been family-themed tours, compared to just 12% during the same period last year, indicating a desire for families to go abroad in 2021 after months spent distancing. Currently, the top family trips booked by UK customers are all based in Africa and Asia, including the South Africa Family Safari with Teenagers, a wild adventure in Borneo and a family tour of Vietnam. “After months spent indoors away from friends and classmates, we've seen families are eager to get out and explore the world once it is safe to do so, and have a desire to reconnect with both nature and like-minded people,” said Dyan Mckie, Intrepid's family product manager. The four new Family Retreats, based in Morocco, Turkey, the Peak District and Cornwall, will see groups immerse themselves in one location in locally-owned accommodation with nearby experiences. This new tour style celebrates 'slow travel' and allows adventurers to engage with the surrounding communities away from the crowds and in a more controlled setting.

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Intrepid Launches New Retreats as Family Travel Booms

Each itinerary has been designed to benefit local communities affected by the pandemic, while also providing enriching activities for children and parents who have spent the majority of 2020 indoors due to the pandemic. For example, in Turkey, families will visit a sea turtle rescue centre –

supported in part by donations from Intrepid travelers – to learn about conservation efforts and rehabilitation. In Morocco, they’ll break bread with a local Imazighen family in their village, getting an insight into daily life in the High Atlas region.

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The Phoenix Newspaper - October 2020 - Page 43

HOLIDAY AND TRAVEL

South Africa to Re-Open International Borders

ast night during his address to the nation, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that South Africa would open its borders to international travel from 1st October. The move comes as the country enters national lockdown alert level 1 from midnight Sunday, 20th September, following a significant decrease in infections, with cases slowing down to an average of fewer than 2,000 per day. Travel may be restricted to and from certain countries that are deemed high risk, with a list of these countries set to be announced in the coming days, and all international travellers will be required to present a COVID-19 free certificate dated

no later than 72 hours within their date of arrival or quarantine on arrival. Kgomotso Ramothea, Acting Hub Head UK & Ireland, South African Tourism: “We are very encouraged by President Ramaphosa's announcement that South Africa will open its borders for international flights on 1st October. This is an extremely positive step in the right direction for tourism in South Africa. Whilst there is more detail to come in the next few days, this progress sends a really positive message to the world, that South Africa is on the road to tourism recovery. The UK is our number one international travel market – many of these are repeat visitors, who have an emotional

San Lucas Island becomes Costa Rica’s 30th national park Costa Rica recently welcomed its 30th national park: San Lucas Island, located off the Pacific coast of the Gulf of Nicoya. The purpose of the new park is to develop sustainable tourism as well as contributing to the socio-economic development of the area. Costa Rica’s protected areas now encompass more than 28% of its land mass. Previously a Wildlife Refuge, San Lucas Island National Park is made up of both land and coastal areas and covers 1.8 square miles. Howler monkeys, spiders, snakes, deer and pheasants are some of the wildlife that can be found on the island. San Lucas Island is easily accessible by a 40-minute boat ride from the city of Puntarenas, located 60 miles away from San José, Costa Rica’s capital city.

connection to South Africa and we look forward to welcoming them back to experience our beautiful country once again, as well as first time travellers who have always had South Africa on their bucket list and who we hope will seize the opportunity to visit after a difficult year. With the announcement yesterday that Virgin Atlantic plans to resume flights to the country from 18 October it demonstrates that consumer confidence is returning. We're home to incredible natural landscapes, diverse vibrant culture, wide open spaces, an abundance of nature and wildlife, and warm, welcoming people who cannot wait to welcome visitors to South Africa once again.”

Discover the Magic of Christmas

Christmas at Dunham Massey returns for its fourth year to the historic National Trust property in Cheshire from 20th November – 30th December 2020. Discover new immersive installations as the magical winter trail is set to be bigger and better than ever. Enter beside giant glittering deer into a world festooned with seasonal cheer enhanced by a soundtrack of festive classics. Wander beneath stunning tree canopies drenched in Christmas colour. Immerse yourself within bouncing lines of light and discover giant luminescent sculptures rising high into the night sky. Stroll beside colour-changing lakeside reflections and under trees dripping with silvery

shards of light, baubles and stars. Huge snowflakes create an aerial kaleidoscope over the Gardens and the tunnel of light returns with twinkling splendour. This year, why not pause for a moment of quiet reflection at the crystal and fire garden,

aglow with hundreds of flickering flames. Have yourself a merry little Christmas and complete your walk under the stars with mulled wine or hot chocolate*. Don't forget to watch out for Father Christmas along the way.

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Page 44 - The Phoenix Newspaper - October 2020

AZUZA STREET

Celebrating Rosh Hashanah safely - Shanah Tovah U'metukah

rom Israel to Ethiopian, the US to Germany, South Africa, Ghana, the UK, Ukraine, Bahamas, Brazil, Bosnia, China and countries the length and breadth of today’s world millions the world's Jewish population will gather to mark the Jewish New Year. And with those identifying as Jews above all else, the "connected" Jewish population, including those who say they are partly Jewish or that have

Jewish background from at least a single Jewish parent, mark Rosh Hashanah, which is traditionally the time for big, family gettogethers. Representing a time of asking for forgiveness of sins, many Jews believe that God keeps a Book of Life with the names of everyone who is sorry for what they have done wrong. At Rosh Hashanah, Jews hope that they and their loved ones will be written in the Book of Life. Judaism teaches that God

decides on the first day of the year who will be forgiven, so they will ensure they apologise to everybody they have been unkind to during the past year. God makes his final judgement on Yom Kippur which means Day of Atonement. Yom Kippur is marked by Jewish people in a number of ways: • some wear white as a symbol of purity • no food or drink is consumed for 25 hours • no make-up or perfume is

worn • no sexual intercourse • no bathing • no leather shoes are worn The most important part of Yom Kippur is the time spent in the synagogue. Many Jews who are not particularly religious will nevertheless want to attend synagogue on Yom Kippur, the only day of the year with five services. The day is spent in continuous prayer for forgiveness. This festival is a time of reflection for Jews. The services end with a long blast on the shofar. But, of course, this year, through the worldwide coronavirus pandemic and country’s cities under lockdown, pilgrimages to synagogues, and the like, has made the annual two-day celebration which usually takes place in September or October that marks the Jewish new year. The event, which usually begins at sundown, customarily with the blowing of the shofar, the ram’s horn, which is meant to wake up people from their slumber, is the anniversary of when God created Adam and Eve. Usually, a prayer service is held in a synagogue where an instrument made from

the horn of a kosher animal (known as a shofar) is blown. Marking the occasion, as many look to Israel as the centre of celebrations, equally so those will be going through their own Rosh Hashanah in the most ancient of Ethiopian, Sephardi, and Mizrahi Jews of North Africa Jewish communities in the afore mentioned continent. But, however, the restrictions around religious ceremonies and access to places of worship, though varying from country to country, and region to region due to the Covid-19 outbreak, could never prevent tzedakah, or giving back to those in need. Rosh Hashanah (the head of the year in Hebrew) will forever see people carrying out good deeds in the hope that God will mark their names in the Book of Life, which will give them a happy and fruitful year ahead. With Israel, who, just like too many other countries, currently has one of the highest Covid-19 infection rates in the world entering its second nationwide lockdown to curb surging coronavirus cases, the new national lockdown is making the powers-that-be widely unpopular,

with protests taking place before it came into force. The nation’s Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, warning that, if necessary, he will not hesitate to impose harsher restrictions. The restrictions are the most extensive imposed there since the first lockdown, which ran from late March until early May. Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur marks the opportunity for Jews to ask questions about their actions and life throughout the year. And for that, the most common greeting to hear during this occasion is L’shanah tovah, which means ‘for a good year.’ You can also say ‘Shanah Tovah um’tukah’, which means ‘may you have a good and sweet new year.’ But for that, as everywhere else, it will not stop Shana Tova, which is the shortened greeting for Rosh Hashanah, which cuts down from the traditional greeting of ‘L’shanah tovah tikatev v’taihatem’, which in turn means ‘may you be inscribed and sealed for a good year.’ Shanah Tovah!

Rasta Caucus to back National Democratic Congress A Rastafari movement which is known as NDC Rasta Caucus, in Ghana, has emerged to support the flag bearer of the opposition National Democratic Congress, John Dramani Mahama for the December 7, 2020, general elections. James Moore, an executive member of the caucus, indicated that the movement will support the NDC when they come to power and will address the needs of Rastafarians in the country. "Most of our brothers and sisters who have degrees, some have certificates but because of their dreadlocks or Rasta life they are not employed," Moore

declared. After winning the December 7 elections for the presidency, James said; "associating weed to Rasta is wrong". He, however, added that the caucus will only push for the decriminalisation of the herb so that the "ghetto youths" will feel comfortable using it. "People think Rasta is just associated with weed but that is wrong,” Moor was quoted as saying. “I have friends who have dreadlocks and they don't smoke. “But let me tell you, the majority of people who go to church smoke weed more than Rasta, so we shouldn't be associated with weed.

“But I will pray for them because we are fighting for the Rasta and the ghetto youth; we will tell our people [NDC] to decriminalise the weed."

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The Phoenix Newspaper - October 2020 - Page 45

LET’S TALK WITH DONALD CAMPBELL

Let’s Talk

With Donald Campbell

PRIVATE HERBERT MORRIS DAY 20th September O n 20 September 1917, 17 year old Private Herbert Morris was blind folded and shot at dawn by 6 of his countrymen and fellow soldiers. Morris became one of the 306 British Army and Commonwealth soldiers executed for desertion and other capital offences during World War I, all of whom were pardoned in 2006. Herbert Morris left his home land Jamaica, aged 16, and joined the British West Indies Regiment (BWIR) to fight for ‘Mother Country’ Britain: A wreath was laid on his grave in Poperinghe Belgium, on behalf of TNCMC for the 4th consecutive year, by Annemie Morisse at 10:00 BST. 2 minutes of silence were duly observed by many in UK. The day continued at the National Memorial Arboretum (NMA) with an 11:00 ceremony led by Leon’s Lasting Legacy, CIC Company of which ‘We Shall Tell Their Story’ is one of the initiatives lead by Director and Project Manager Sandra Patterson, who is also a Army Reservist. Six people were permitted to attend the celebration at the NMA, including guest speakers Dr Josh Johnson MBE and Veteran Donald Campbell, Royal Air Force, Warrant Officer Retired. This inaugural ceremony took place at the Shot at Dawn Memorial site, and included a

l Speaker Donald Campbell who served 36 years in the RAF

l The post (No 200) of Private Herbert Morris programme of poems, parading of the British West Indies Standard, and laying of a wreath. Those in attendance were intrigued by the solemn dignified respect shown in memory of young Herbert Morris. Organiser Sandra Patterson, her brother Wesley Patterson, his daughter Cassie, invited guests Dr Josh Johnson and RAF Veteran Donald Campbell participated in the ceremony. Dr Johnson recalled initiating the Shot at Dawn Memorial in 2001, via the Chronicle newspaper, seeking sponsorship for 2 of the 309 soldiers

l Cassie Patterson honouring Herbert Morris with his country flag. l

represented. Johnson was intrigued to note a fellow Jamaican countryman among those listed. After completing requisite due diligence, Johnson successfully sponsored the Post representing Private Herbert Morris. Nearly 20 years later, his deeds were amplified by the wonderful memorial celebration of this young man who died under such tragic circumstances. This story must now continue, annually, and indeed TNCMC should strive to have a National Herbert Morris Day in Britain. Donald Campbell recounted

The grave of Herbert Morris

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his RAF service years, having enlisted at 18, a similar age to Herbert Morris. “We must learn from the past and do our best to avoid any such acts of wars and terrors in the future” he told the gathering. Herbert Morris enlisted in the 6th Battalion of the British West Indies Regiment (BWIR), which formed in 1915, Seaford, Essex England. It was therefore fitting to parade the BWIR Standard in salutation and respect of his service. Cassie Patterson played her part by placing a flag of Jamaica and a specially painted stone (Jamaica country colour) with the wreath at the post (No 200) of Private Herbert Morris. Post No 200 represents Private Herbert which is one of 309 posts that make up the Shot at Dawn Memorial. Other visitors to the NMA, attending the Shot at Dawn Memorial, observed the ceremony and were intrigued by the meaning of the presentation being performed, which created a conversation about the history

of the British West Indies Regiment and the story of Herbert Morris. Sandra’s initiative to remember the life of Herbert Morris at the NMA is truly stoic. The event was originally scheduled for Belgium to also visit her uncle’s grave with a larger group, however plans changed as a result COVID-19 and a reduced party attended the NMA to participate in this very important ceremony. The day continued with

a Sponsored Charity Walk, at 15:00, open to the public nationwide. The walk was to raise funds for The National Caribbean Monument Charity (TNCMC) honouring British Caribbean Island Servicemen and women for their contributions to Britain. Individuals participated in the walk in Birmingham (Handsworth Park), Wolverhampton (West Park) and Lichfield. Many wore their Island and military colours in support of this initiative which will hopefully be bigger and better next year. The day was celebratory and historic for many reasons. It’s a date that should eternally recognise all who were executed in the 1st World War and also serve to remind that such acts should never be repeated. The financial support and raised awareness of the planned National Caribbean Monument to be installed in the NMA as a result of the day’s activities will help to ensure TNCMC forges ahead with its goal to deliver a focal point of remembrance and education of the past, present and future for British/Caribbean nationals. Massive thanks to all who participated in making this day a success from beginning to end. Please donate to make this happen: GoFundme http://shorturl.at/akCV1.

l British West Indies Standard being Paraded

l Walkers displaying their representative colours prior to the walk at Handsworth Park, B’ham

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Page 46 - The Phoenix Newspaper - October 2020

PROPERTY AND REAL ESTATE

Property sale fall-throughs costing sellers £607.5m and 14m days According to homebuying platform, Yes Homebuyers, the time wasted in a single year due to property transactions falling through equates to 14m days for the 225,000 UK home sellers impacted as a result. Homesellers are out of pocket £607.5m a year due to property transactions falling through. In the average 11 weeks it takes for a sale to complete, there’s nothing stopping a sale from falling through due to a number of reasons such as mortgage issues, gazumping, issues with a survey or a chain breaking, to name but a few. At this stage, home sellers have already incurred a number of costs including legal and conveyancing fees, survey costs, legal search costs and more, with the average cost of a fall through costing £2,700 according to the Homeowners Alliance.

Britain’s best property pockets for first-time buyers

he latest research from lettings and estate agent, Barrows and Forrester, shows that both the average price paid by first time buyers (FTBs) and the average price paid across the broader market have both increased by 2.9% in the last year. However, at a current average of £198,513, FTBs are still getting on the ladder at a lower cost to the wider average of £238,414. When it comes to overall affordability, Inverclyde is home to the lowest price paid by FTBS at £72,435. East Ayrshire (£74,876), the Western Isles (£76,122) and North Ayrshire (£87,447) are also amongst some of the most affordable FTB areas of Britain for outright house price. In England, County Durham

(£90,488), Tyne and Wear (£121,976), Lancashire (£122,721) and Merseyside (£124,725) are home to some of the lowest prices paid by FTBS, while Blaenau Gwent (£95,729), Merthyr Tydfil (£99,995), Rhondda Cynon Taf (£105,380) and Neath Port Talbot (£116,805) are the most affordable markets in Wales. In contrast, the average FTB is paying £924,576 in the City of London although this drops considerably to the next most expensive county, with the cost coming in at £335,933 in Surrey. 13 areas of Britain are located in Scotland, with the Western Isles (-24.8%), Inverclyde (-12.7%) and East Lothian (-9.3%) seeing the most considerable reductions. In England, County Durham (-0.5%), Cambridgeshire (-0.4%),

Hertfordshire (-0.1%) and Bedfordshire (0%) have remained largely flat. The average FTB house price of £140,886 is -26.1% more affordable than the wider average of £190,758 in the area. James Forrester, Managing Director of Barrows and Forrester, said: “Affordability is always the deciding factor and the price paid by first-time buyers varies dramatically across Britain. “All but one area of Britain is home to a lower price paid by first-time buyers when compared to the wider market. With this relative discount ranging from around five to 25 per cent. “While first-time buyers may have a location in mind, expanding their search to the surrounding areas could mean a much more affordable property or a more significant saving.”

Saleh & Sons

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The Phoenix Newspaper - October 2020 - Page 47

SPORT - WITH STEVE WILLIAMS

McDonald’s and the FA to give free football sessions To thousands

cDonald’s and the English Football Associations are inviting parents to sign up for one of over 160 McDonald’s Fun Football Centres, designed to give fun, free physical activity to thousands of children across the country. A new survey shows that overhalf (52%) of parents are facing financial difficulties as a direct result of the pandemic, and 72% are desperately seeking opportunities for their children to be more active - meaning the centres will be more important than ever for families. From Aberdeen to Yeovil the sessions up and down the country

aim to introduce thousands of 5-11 year olds to the nation’s favourite game for the first time regardless of gender or ability. Every session is designed to be as safe as possible, and all activity follows the latest guidance from the Football Associations, government and public health authorities. The Fun Football curriculum includes introductory activities perfect for children with no footballing experience, helping them develop their all-round skills, get active and make new friends. Paul Pomroy, McDonald’s UK and Ireland Chief Executive Officer said: “As a dad of two football-mad children desperate

Birmingham 2022 launches apprenticeship scheme Birmingham 2022 has officially launched its search for the first group of apprentices to work as part of the team delivering the biggest sports and cultural event to be held in the UK for ten years.

The search for candidates to fill the first business administrator roles, has now begun, with other roles in different areas of the organisation, including ticketing, venue development, procurement, workforce, sport, and security expected to go live

Revised Route For London Marathon This year's London Marathon will take place on a closed-loop circuit around St James's Park, with the event, moved from April because of the coronavirus pandemic, restricted to elite athletes, who will be in a bio-secure bubble during race week. The finish line will be in its traditional place on The Mall, with no spectator access to the course. Event director Hugh Brasher said: "We are confident we have created the safest environment for everyone. Sports fans all over the world are eagerly anticipating these great races in

this unique environment." The revised route will feature 19.6 laps, taking in The Mall, Horse Guards Parade, Birdcage Walk and the spur road running adjacent to the front of Buckingham Palace. Kenya's defending champion Eliud Kipchoge will take on Ethiopia's Kenenisa Bekele, who went within two seconds of Kipchoge's world record last year. In the women's race Brigid Kosgei of Kenya, who beat Briton Paula Radcliffe's long-standing world record in Chicago last October, will also be trying to defend her title in London.

for activities during lockdown, I know how important it is for kids to get out and about, socialising and being active. Through our Fun Football programme we are proudly providing 5 million hours of football for children and introducing more than half a million new players to the game by 2022.” The Fun Football sessions are part of the four year deal between McDonald’s - the longeststanding supporter of grassroots football in the UK - and the four UK Football Associations, which will see the restaurant company provide over 5 million hours of football to 5-11 year olds by 2022, having already delivered 2.8m by March this year. soon. The first new recruits will officially start their apprenticeship in the New Year. Birmingham 2022 will be supported in its search by its Official Recruiter, Gi Group, whose involvement in the Commonwealth Games was announced earlier in the year. Together with Birmingham 2022’s, recruitment and HR teams, Gi Group will also provide the best possible apprenticeship training and learning support and ensure the new recruits have a rewarding experience during their time with the company. The apprenticeship scheme announcement comes after Birmingham 2022 also recently confirmed that it is looking to recruit more than 50 new members of staff before the end of 2020 and that by the summer of 2022 it will employ around 1,200 people.

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Apprenticeship Scheme Launched for 2022 - Page 47

Football Places with McDonalds & The FA- Page 47

Parkrun set to resume by the end of October

he weekly mass participation Parkrun events are set to resume in England by the end of October. The events were suspended worldwide in March because of the global coronavirus pandemic and will now operate within Parkrun's government-approved Covid-19 framework, though there have been "minimal changes" to its operating model. Parkrun said it was a "watershed moment to drive change" in creating a "healthier and happier planet". Its chief executive Nick Pearson said they "are not able to commit to the same timeline across the other Home Nations" due to current restrictions across Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. He added: "However, we are aware of the implications of only opening in England and are continuing our work to overcome the challenges that this presents."

Kick It Out Discrimination Reports Up By 42%

The Parkrun movement was founded in Bushy Park, London in 2002 by Paul Sinton-Hewitt and is now in 22 countries. Runners or walkers can take part in 5km events on Saturday mornings while 2km junior events take place on Sunday mornings. Events are free and are run by volunteers. There are 729 different locations across the UK staging the weekly events and more than two million runners have taken part. Pearson further added:

"Everything in life comes with a risk, and we know and accept that we cannot remove all risks from the Parkrun environment. However, it is also important to balance the public health benefits of reopening our events, against the associated public health risks. "We now believe, having spent considerable time gathering and understanding the evidence, that the benefits to reopening Parkrun far outweigh the risks."

Anti-discrimination charity Kick It Out has revealed a 42% increase in reports of discrimination in English professional football last season, which it describes as "shocking". They say reports it received rose from 313 in 2018-19 to 446, despite some games being behind closed doors. Reports of racism in the professional game rose 53% and those of abuse based on sexual orientation increased by 95% with a poll also finding that 71% had seen players targeted by

racism on social media. Chair of Kick It Out, Sanjay Bhandari, said football had "responded positively" to the coronavirus pandemic and the

death of George Floyd in the United States, which led to global protests. "Beneath the surface, hate

and division in society remains a lurking pernicious threat. Our reports indicate a steep rise in discrimination reports over the last two years, which reflect the hate crime statistics from the Home Office that show marked national increases over the last four years. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We know that reports to Kick It Out are just the tip of the iceberg. We only report what is reported to us." The poll also found 32% of fans said they had heard homophobic comments at a football match last season and, of those, 41% of respondents have witnessed homophobic abuse aimed at footballers on social media. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Kick It Out will play its part with campaigning, education and talent programmes that diversify the face of football.â&#x20AC;?

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