A special music gig is being held in Birmingham in tribute to the late Muhammad Ali

A special gig paying tribute to the late Muhammad Ali will be held in Birmingham this weekend, to raise money for the Parkisons UK charity.

Organised by the Gabbidon Band – headed by former Steel Pulse musician Basil Gabbidon – the fundraising show is to take place at South & City College’s Digbeth campus on Saturday and will celebrate the life of Ali, who passed away earlier this year on June 3.

Boxing legend Muhammad Ali was one of the world’s most widely recognised celebrities, for both his sporting prowess and his social activism. The athlete and civil rights icon was 74 when he died.

Muhammad Ali, a boxing legend and civil rights activist, died in June at the age of 74.

The Gabbidon Band will be performing at their tribute gig alongside headliners Smokin’ Ade Wakelin with Steve Gibbons and Steve Ajao, Ricky Cool and the In Crowd, Young Culture Collective and Beat Goes Bang.

Also performing are popular local musicians Soweto Kinch and Juice Aleem, with other acts including Devon Spice, Khaliq, Alvin Davies, Lekan and Yaz, with a host of artists celebrating the life of Ali with music from the 60s and 70s.

Muhammad Ali had made several visits to Birmingham over the decades, in the 80s and 90s. He visited the city and met with fans, bringing them hope, joy and support; even opening the Muhammad Ali Community Centre in Hockley in May 1983.

>> GALLERY: 15 moving photos of Muhammad Ali in Birmingham <<

Following his passing, a number of prayer services and vigils were held in the city, including a special gathering at Birmingham Central Mosque in June.

Muhammad Ali was offered a chair at the front to face the congregation when he visited the Birmingham Central Mosque in August 1983, but he refused a chose to join the faithful on the floor (Photograph: Adam Yosef)

Birmingham graffiti artist Mohammed Ali – aka Aerosol Arabic – is donating artwork to help fundraise for Parkinson’s UK (Photograph: Adam Yosef)

Birmingham graffiti artist and namesake Mohammed Ali MBE – better known as Aerosol Arabic – also paid tribute to the global icon in recent months, by creating stencils bearing Ali’s image coupled with his inspirational quotes and spray-painting them across prominent public spaces in the city.

According to organisers, the street artist has kindly offered to donate some limited edition signed prints of Muhammad Ali, for a raffle on the night of the fundraising show.

Muhammad Ali sharing a lighter moment with civil rights activist Malcolm X in the 1960s

Basil Gabbidon and The Gabbidon Band have organised a charity Muhammad Ali tribute event (Photograph: Adam Yosef)

Speaking about the event, co-ordinator Basil Gabbidon said:

“We’re proud to announce that so many talented artists are joining us for Saturday’s Muhammad Ali Tribute Gig at South and City College Birmingham, raising as much funds as possible for Parkinsons UK, the charity organisation that supports sufferers of this terrible disease.

“The tribute concert is to celebrate the life of Muhammad Ali. Parkinson’s disease, as we all know, plagued much of Muhammad Ali’s life and touches too many of our families and friends.”

A street art graffiti mural created in honour of civil rights activist and boxer Muhammad Ali, at City of Colours 2016 (Photograph: Olly MacNamee)

Muhammad Ali with Dr Martin Luther King Jr.

Boxing legend Muhammad Ali with his daughters

>> READ: Hundreds pay tribute to Muhammad Ali at Birmingham mosque <<

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The Muhammad Ali Tribute Gig takes place at the South & City College in Digbeth, Birmingham, on Saturday 22nd October, between 7pm – 12pm. Find out more here.

If you’re unable to attend but would like to  make a donation, you can do so on the event’s JustGiving page: www.justgiving.com/MAliTributeGig

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Gallery marketing officer Laura Page looking at Clive Barker’s Francis Bacon Head, 1978

Cultural Curiosities from the Collection has opened at the Lichfield Street gallery and runs until December 11.

The gallery is home to a wealth of art, artefacts and archaeology with some of the more unusual objects featuring in this show.

Objects have been chosen with a link to Wolverhampton’s famous Pop Art collection to show how some artists like Roy Lichtenstein are inspired by the everyday, throwaway and cheap novelty items.

Featured in the exhibition is one of the gallery’s more renowned pieces which, when it was first shown nearly 40 years ago, caused some controversy and made headlines.

Clive Barker’s Francis Bacon Head, 1978, is a brass box supporting a ribbed hose-like form with dentures emerging from the end. Clive Barker made the mould for this work from a vacuum cleaner pipe and a set of false teeth, which he cast in brass.

Roy Lichtenstein Reflections on Girl 1990. ARTIST ROOMS Tate and National Galleries of Scotland. Lent by The Roy Lichtenstein Foundation Collection 2015. © Estate of Roy Lichtenstein / DACS 2016.

The show also complements the gallery’s winter blockbuster show ARTIST ROOMS: Roy Lichtenstein which runs until February 26.

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Cultural Curiosities from the Collection is at Wolverhampton Art Gallery, in Lichfield Street, from October 17 to December 11 and is free. The gallery is open Monday to Saturday 10.30am-4.30pm and Sunday 11am-4pm.

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British 400m Olympic Bronze medalist Katherine Merry is helped by pupils to put some of her old trainers into the collection bin during ‘Reclaim Sport’ Kit Collection Launch at Hillstone Primary School, Birmingham (Photograph: Richard Stonehouse)

With BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards 2016 coming to the Genting Arena later this year, sporting fever has taken over the city.

On Monday, the ‘Reclaim Sport’ kit collection project launched at Hillstone Primary School in Shard End, Birmingham.

The BBC and partners are calling on the people of Birmingham to donate their used and unwanted sports kit and equipment to help encourage physical activity in the city.

Over twenty collection bins have been placed in schools and supermarkets across the city so far. The full list is here: bbc.co.uk/getinspired

Reclaim Sport is a partnership with Birmingham City Council, Sport Birmingham, BBC WM 95.6 FM, BBC Birmingham and BBC Get Inspired.

The teams are working together to collect used sports equipment that can be redistributed to give Birmingham kids a chance to be more active.

The BBC and partners are calling on the people of Birmingham to donate their used and unwanted sports kit and equipment to help encourage physical activity in the city.

Headteacher of Hillstone Primary School Gill Sparrow said: “Hillstone School is very proud to be involved in the Reclaim Sport project. We are passionate about sports and arts at Hillstone so that we can give children an inspiring all round education. After a summer of exciting sporting activities from elite sports people at Rio it can be frustrating that at the grass roots level there can be barriers to getting involved with sport. Reclaim Sports helps to remove the potential financial barrier and turns it into a lever to encourage and enable our community to get involved with sport.”

Helping to spread the word is Birmingham’s Olympic medal winning sprinter Katharine Merry. She says: “This is a brilliant idea which everyone in the city can be part of and help lots of local children get active. We all have sports equipment and gear that we no longer use! I hope the idea will be picked up on a national scale once everyone has seen how successful it is in Birmingham.”

The collections will go to community organisations based in some of the most deprived areas across the city. Groups like Community Hubs and Fit Cap provide opportunities for people to take part in sport and physical activity; developing their physical and mental wellbeing, but also improving their social skills.

British 400m Olympic Bronze medalist Katherine Merry is helped by pupils to put some of her old trainers into the collection bin during ‘Reclaim Sport’ Kit Collection Launch at Hillstone Primary School, Birmingham (Photograph: Richard Stonehouse)

Cllr Ian Ward, Deputy Leader of Birmingham City Council, said: “This is a great initiative which will help children take part in their favourite sports. It’s also fitting that Birmingham, with its sporting heritage and ambitions, is enabling those in disadvantaged areas to Reclaim Sport and improve their health and wellbeing through physical activity.”

Sharon Fuller, Project Lead for Get Inspired said: “This really is a chance for the people of Birmingham to give back to the wider community and help the next generation enjoy the benefits of sport. Whether it’s a football top, pair of trainers, rugby ball or a hockey stick no donation is too small. We want the people of Birmingham to take this opportunity to rummage through their wardrobe, get rid of those unused items they’ve had for years and donate to this fantastic cause.”

Mike Chamberlain, Chief Executive at Sport Birmingham said: “We are delighted to be working with the BBC on Reclaim Sport. As a lead organisation for the development of sport and physical activity in Birmingham, we would urge people to really get behind this initiative in order to create sporting opportunities for those who live in the most deprived areas of our City.”

Birmingham Primary School Pupils admire Sports Personality of the year award during ‘Reclaim Sport’ Kit Collection Launch at Hillstone Primary School, Birmingham (Photograph: Richard Stonehouse)

Lance Haggith, a previous BBC Get Inspired Unsung Hero award winner for his charity work will be helping project manage the kit collection.

If you would like to make a donation you have until 30th November to drop off your youngster’s outgrown sportswear and any fitness gear that never gets used at one of the collection points.

You can find a full list of the collection bins in your local area on the BBC Get Inspired website at bbc.co.uk/getinspired.

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BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2016 will be live from Birmingham’s Genting Arena on Sunday 18 December. Tickets are on sale now from http://www.theticketfactory.com or by calling 0844 33 88 222. Tickets are priced at £45 plus admin fees, see website for full details. Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult, minimum age 10 years. Full information available at bbc.co.uk/sportspersonality
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Lily Bailey suffers from OCD and has written the book ‘Because We Are Bad – OCD And A Girl Lost In Thought’ (Photograph: Amy Shore)

A young model and journalist who suffers from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) will be giving a talk in Birmingham this month, sharing what it’s really like to live with the mental health condition.

Lily Bailey has lived with the OCD ever since she can remember, and has recently published a well-received book on the topic called Because We Are Bad – OCD And A Girl Lost In Thought. 

Lily will be giving a talk at the city’s Waterstones store in Birmingham on October 21, as she takes attendees on a journey through the darkest moments of her illness, before talking about the joy of recovery, and what it means to ‘be better’.

The talk is part of the Waterstones Read Your Mind season, a series of book events related to mental health.

OCD is a term often misused and misinterpreted as a quirky character trait that means ‘liking things just so’. The reality is however very different. OCD is a severe mental health condition, affecting 1% of the population and ranked by the World Health Organisation as in the top ten most debilitating illnesses of all kinds globally.

Sadly, sufferers currently wait an average of ten years before seeking help, and this is largely because the representation of OCD in the media and popular culture is so different to real OCD that people don’t realise they have it.

For Lily, the condition centred around an obsession with the idea that she might have done something bad, and a compulsive response to ‘put this right’ by making lists of all the things she might have done wrong (Photograph: Amy Shore)

For Lily, the condition centred around an obsession with the idea that she might have done something bad, and a compulsive response to ‘put this right’ by making lists of all the things she might have done wrong. These lists could contain hundreds of points every day, and all had to be mentally remembered and analysed. It came to take up every waking hour of her day. Lily feared that she might have killed someone just by thinking it, and that she might have committed crimes without meaning to.

These thoughts are highly prevalent among sufferers with OCD, but we don’t hear them spoken about much because of societal taboos. To get a better idea, you can hear Lily talking about her experiences in a short film here.

Lily Bailey will be giving a talk at Waterstones in Birmingham on October 21st at 6.30pm, where she will also be signing books (Photograph: Amy Shore)

Lily’s condition saw her drop out of university and spend time on a secure ward and two psychiatric hospitals, before going on to recover and start working as a journalist. Her story is something she wants to share with others, to assist those in the grips of the illness themselves, and inform those who don’t know how life-changing the condition can be.

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Lily Bailey will be giving a talk at Waterstones in Birmingham on October 21st at 6.30pm, where she will also be signing books. Tickets for this event are £3 and can be purchased here: https://www.waterstones.com/events/read-your-mind-season-an-evening-with-lily-bailey/birmingham

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There are a range of Halloween events taking place across Birmingham

It’s nearly Halloween and there’s a lot of spooktacular events taking place all over the city all week.

Here’s some of ghoulish goings-ons, from scary film screenings to eerie arts and crafts workshops and pumpkin flotillas to Pokewalks and Halloween parties!

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SÉANCE

Séance is the third performance by Glen Neath and David Rosenberg following their acclaimed projects, Ring and Fiction

18 Oct 2016 – 29 Oct 16| Various times
Birmingham REP / Centenary Square | From £8

Dare you join a séance? A small number of brave souls will take their seat in a darkened room and attempt to contact the spirit world. Enter with an open mind as anything could happen…
Séance is the third performance by Glen Neath and David Rosenberg following their acclaimed projects, Ring and Fiction. Taking place in a shipping container in front of The REP, this thrilling and immersive performance is suitable for up to 20 people and lasts for 15 minutes.
Using innovative 3D stereo sound and movement, Séance transports you to a terrifying realm where nothing is as it seems.
Please note that Séance is for entertainment purposes only and is recommended for ages 18+.

Website: www.birmingham-rep.co.uk | Contact: 0121 236 4455

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The Exorcist

There’s something wrong with Regan. But don’t worry, she’s not alone…

21 Oct 2016 – 05 Nov 16 | Various times
Birmingham REP | From £15

There’s something wrong with Regan. But don’t worry, she’s not alone…
When the medical profession fails to provide answers to young Regan’s strange symptoms her desperate mother Chris turns to a local priest for help. But before Father Damian can tackle what’s before him, he must overcome his own shaken beliefs, as this fight is for more than just one girl’s soul…
Inspired by true events, the two time Oscar-winning film version of this story has terrified generations the world over since its release in 1973. Now this brand new stage production of The Exorcist is unleashed for the very first time in a uniquely theatrical experience.
By Special Arrangement With Ben Sprecher And Stuart Snyder.

Website: www.birmingham-rep.co.uk | Contact: 0121 236 4455

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‘Orrible Objects

Join BMAG to explore the many ‘orrible objects in their collection this Halloween (Photograph: BMAG)

Mon 24 Oct – Fri 28 Oct 2016 | 11.00am – 4.00pm
Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery | FREE

Join BMAG to explore the many ‘orrible objects in their collection this Halloween. Inspired by the witching season, they will get hands on with weapons, skulls and all the scary bits our vampire visitors like. Their objects are open to all visitors, creatures and spirits so make it part of exploring the museum this half term.

Website: www.birminghammuseums.org.uk | Contact: BMAG.Enquiries@birminghammuseums.org.uk

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Spooky Arts and Crafts: Creepy Costumes

BMAG will be dedicating arts and craft sessions to creepy costume making with masks, capes, headwear and even afterlife accessories (Photograph: BMAG)

Mon 24 Oct – Tues 25 Oct 2016 | 11.00am – 2.00pm
Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery | £2 per child

On Monday and Tuesday, BMAG will be dedicating their arts and craft session to creepy costume making with masks, capes, headwear and even afterlife accessories! The art sessions are open to all young people and families ready for some fun. From tiny terrors to tombstone teens, just ask our fiendishly friendly learning team and they will guide you through some making fun! No booking required, just drop in.

Website: www.birminghammuseums.org.uk | Contact: BMAG.Enquiries@birminghammuseums.org.uk

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Halloween Craft: Create a ghost town skyline

Come along and help create a large scale haunted village skyline all along Balkesley Hall’s large windows

Tues 25 Oct 2016 | 12.30pm – 2.30pm
Blakesley Hall | £1.50 (child)

Come along and help create a large scale haunted village skyline all along Balkesley Hall’s large windows. Use a variety of crafts to make your haunted houses extra spooky and then add some bats, pumpkins or maybe even a few gravestones. The more people who take part the larger the ghost town will become.

Website: www.birminghammuseums.org.uk | Contact: Blakesley.Hall@birminghammuseums.org.uk

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Hubble Bubble Trick or Treat

Do you dare to explore the spooky cellars at Soho House during October half term?

Tues 25 Oct – Sat 29 Oct 2016 | 11.00am – 3.00pm
Soho House | £7.00 (Adult), Concession: £5.00, Child (3-15): £3.00

Do you dare to explore the spooky cellars at Soho House during October half term? Join in this Halloween and take part in Soho House’s free children’s trails. House tours at 11.30, 12.30 and 2pm.
Usual tour charges apply: £7 adult, £5 concession, £3 child (ages 3-15). Family tickets available.

Website: www.birminghammuseums.org.uk | Contact: Soho.House@birminghammuseums.org.uk

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Monster Madness Museum Party

Celebrate all things monster with BMAG’s special fancy dress museum day (Photograph: BMAG)

Wed 26 Oct 2016 | Activities 11am – 4pm, Party 12pm – 3pm
Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery | FREE

Celebrate all things monster with BMAG’s special fancy dress museum day. Parents can bring their little mummies, witches and vampires along to enjoy a free spooktacular ‘Monsters at the Museum’ day.
Visit the haunted dancehall with ghoulish DJs for dead good dancers, spooky arts and crafts, and loads of pop up creative playfulness and spot prizes for fancy dress. Throughout the museum, there will have lots of activities to get you in the party mood with family mummification shows, ‘orrible objects, *frightening face painters and even a *professional portrait booth of fear to capture your costume and make up in the most horrible way.
Activities will be on from 11am until 4pm.
The monster party will start at 12pm and finish at 3pm.
The museum and party is free.
* Face painting & portrait prints will be charged activities.

Website: www.birminghammuseums.org.uk | Contact: BMAG.Enquiries@birminghammuseums.org.uk

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Family Friendly Spooky Tour

Families are invited to explore Aston Hall, one of Birmingham’s most haunted buildings, under the safety of daylight and accompanied by a member of their team

Wed 26 Oct 2016 | 1.30pm – 2.30pm
Aston Hall | £8.00 (Adult), Concession: £6.00, Child (3-15): £3.00

Families are invited to explore Aston Hall, one of Birmingham’s most haunted buildings, under the safety of daylight and accompanied by a member of their team. Hear some of the most well-known of Aston’s ghost stories and try using dowsing rods to detect the presence of spirits as we look around this atmospheric old house together.  Please arrive in good time to begin your exploration of Aston Hall at 1.30pm.
This event will continue for approximately 45mins – 1 hour and we’ll be venturing upstairs. Paint your own version of one of the spookiest portraits hanging in Aston Hall by taking part in our craft between 11am – 3pm.
Suitable for children aged 5-15 and accompanying adults. (This experience is not suitable for adults not accompanying children.) Warm clothing and sensible footwear is advisable, and Halloween costume is encouraged! Normal admission charges of £3 per child and £8 per adult apply (inclusive of the craft).
Pre-booking is essential by calling 0121 348 8263. Tickets are non-refundable.

Website: www.birminghammuseums.org.uk | Contact: 0121 348 8263

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Spooky Arts and Crafts: Brain Makers

The BMAG’s thriller Thursday arts and crafts are gooey and gruesome so come along and learn how to make brains, create monster pictures and devilish decorations.

Thurs 27 Oct 2016 | 11.00am – 2.00pm
Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery | £2.00 (per child)

The BMAG’s thriller Thursday arts and crafts are gooey and gruesome so come along and learn how to make brains, create monster pictures and devilish decorations. The art sessions are open to all young people and families ready for some fun. From tiny terrors to tombstone teens, just ask the venue’s fiendishly friendly learning team and they will guide you through some making fun!  No booking required, just drop in. £2 per child.

Website: www.birminghammuseums.org.uk | Contact: BMAG.Enquiries@birminghammuseums.org.uk

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Halloween themed Decopatch workshop

Keeping children and young people entertained during the school holiday with this exciting new craft workshop

Thurs 27 Oct 2016 | 11.00am – 2.00pm
Creative Coffee Hub, Selly Oak | £7 or £11 per person

Experience the craft of decoupage. Keeping children and young people entertained during the school holiday with this exciting new craft workshop. Create unique objects by tearing bits of decopatch paper and using a glossy varnish glue to decorate as you wish.
Organisers will supply a range of animals and Halloween themed pieces for participants to choose from.
All of the materials will be provided along with guidance on how to create your masterpiece! £7 or £11 per person.
Suitable for ages 4+

Website: www.distinctlydecopatch.co.uk | Contact: www.creativecoffeehub.co.uk

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Spooky Arts and Crafts – Masks of Terror

Design and make your very own a Halloween mask ready for weekend frights, with loads of great resources for children and families to rummage and get creative.

Fri 28 Oct 2016 | 11.00am – 2.00pm |
Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery | £2.00 (per child)

BMAG’s Friday arts and crafts are all about masks of terror. Design and make your very own a Halloween mask ready for weekend frights, with loads of great resources for children and families to rummage and get creative. The art sessions are open to all young people and families ready for some fun. From tiny terrors to tombstone teens, just ask our fiendishly friendly learning team and they will guide you through some making fun!  No booking required, just drop in. £2 per child.

Website www.birminghammuseums.org.uk | Contact: BMAG.Enquiries@birminghammuseums.org.uk

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Craft Friday

Join Soho House for a spooky Halloween themed craft activity

Fri 28 Oct 2016 | 12.00pm – 2.30pm
Soho House | £1.50 (Per child)

Join Soho House for a spooky Halloween themed craft activity. £1.50 per child. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Website: www.birminghammuseums.org.uk | Contact: Soho.House@birminghammuseums.org.uk

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Fright Nights at Aston Hall

One of Britain’s most haunted buildings is open for an immersive horror experience you won’t forget. Spirits, shocks, gore and plenty of scares; these interactive nights of terror will leave you wondering if ghosts really do exist (Photograph: Rob Farrell)

Fri 28 Oct – Sat 30 Oct 2016 | Tours between 5.30pm – 8.30pm
Aston Hall | £15.00 (Adult), Concession: £14.00, Child (12-16 years): £14.00

One of Britain’s most haunted buildings is open for an immersive horror experience you won’t forget. Spirits, shocks, gore and plenty of scares; these interactive nights of terror will leave you wondering if ghosts really do exist.
Be sure to book your ticket…if you’re brave enough. If you’ve already been on one of our ghost tours don’t be AFRAID to book onto Fright Nights.
This event is one step up on the fright factor! These terror tours last approximately 1 hour and are not suitable for those of a sensitive disposition or under 12s. These particular tours may be challenging for visitors with mobility impairments; please contact us to discuss your access needs before booking a ticket.
Tours at 5pm, 5.30pm, 6.30pm, 7pm, 8pm, 8.30pm. Please ensure you arrive in good time as latecomers may be refused entry.
Please note warm clothing and sensible footwear is advisable. There are staircases, uneven floors and much of the event will take place in darkness. Pre-booking is essential. To book please phone 0121 348 8038 or book online.

Website: www.birminghammuseums.org.uk | Contact: 0121 348 8038

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#BMAGPokeHunt Halloween Special

Join BMAG for a Halloween Pokémon Go special! This event is being run in partnership with the Birmingham Halloween Pokéwalk (Photograph: BMAG)

Sat 29 Oct 2016 | 10.30am – 1.30pm
Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery | FREE

Join BMAG for a Halloween Pokémon Go special! This event is being run in partnership with the Birmingham Halloween Pokéwalk. Lures will be placed between 10.30am and 1.30pm so there should be plenty of Pokémon to catch!
If you want to be in with a chance of earning a special badge tweet us your photos of Pokémon in the building using the#bmagpokehunt hashtag. We are @BM_AG on twitter. Show your tweets or photos to our resident Pokémon Go expert – you’ll spot him by his hat! This event takes place prior to the Birmingham Halloween Pokéwalk.
Meet for the Pokéwalk in Victoria Square from 1pm. The walk will start at 2pm. Wearing a costume for the walk? Don’t worry, you are welcome to come in costumed up!
Feel free to catch Pokémon within the galleries any day of the week, it doesn’t have to be a special day to play Pokémon Go at the museum!

Website: www.birminghammuseums.org.uk | Contact: BMAG.Enquiries@birminghammuseums.org.uk

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Halloween Birmingham Pokewalk

The Birmingham Halloween Pokewalk is taking place in aid of Birmingham Children’s Hospital

Sat 29 October 2016 | 2pm – 4pm
Victoria Square (starting point) | FREE

Join the second official Birmingham Pokéwalk – this time with a Halloween theme – as they celebrate all-things Pokémon and play Pokemon-Go around #Birmingham city centre, while raising money for Birmingham Children’s Hospital.
Prior to the #Pokewalk at 2pm, they’ve teamed up with Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery (UK), for a BMAG Pokemon ‘Lure’ Hunt from 10.30am until 1pm.
Then the main Halloween Birmingham Pokéwalk between 2pm-4pm, starting at Victoria Square and ending at Cathedral Square (Pigeon Park), followed by a cool Halloween Birmingham Pokéwalk After-Party! at Second Cup cafe.
This is a free public event, open to all, and family-friendly.
Supported by Zombie Walk Birmingham.
In association with Second Cup Birmingham and Tokyo Toys Birmingham.
Share and bring all of your friends! Halloween costumes and crazy cosplay welcome!

Website: www.birminghampokewalk.com | Contact: birminghampokewalk@gmail.com

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Birmingham Pokewalk and Zombiewalk Halloween Party

Come in costume for the Birmingham Pokewalk Halloween party, supported by the city’s Zombie Walk (Photograph: Birmingham Children’s Hospital)

Sat 29 October 2016 | 6pm – 10pm
Second Cup cafe, New Street, Birmingham | FREE

Following the official Birmingham Pokewalk around the city centre, event organisers are hosting a special Halloween party at Second Cup cafe, in partnership with the Zombie Walk Birmingham.
Raising money for Birmingham Children’s Hospital, the family-friendly Halloween party is an opportunity to dress up, have your make-up done (or arrive in costume), let your hair down with music, games, a charity raffle and enjoy the spookily spruced -up social space that is Second Cup.
Share and bring all of your friends! Halloween costumes and crazy cosplay welcome!

Website: www.birminghampokewalk.com | Contact: birminghampokewalk@gmail.com

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Aston Hall’oween

Frighteningly good fun for families! See Aston Hall transformed into a haunted mansion

Sat 29 Oct 2016 | 11.00am – 4.00pm
Aston Hall | £8.00 (Adult), Concession: £6.00, Child (3-15): £3.00

Frighteningly good fun for families! See Aston Hall transformed into a haunted mansion.
Listen to spooktacular storytelling. Meet the wise woman and her familiar. Find out about her weird cures and see a witch trial! Encounter creepy sounds and even creepier characters. Have a go at the children’s pumpkin trail.
See their Fright Nights characters being transformed by a special effects make-up artist. Usual admission prices apply. Free to Birmingham Museums Trust members

Website: www.birminghammuseums.org.uk | Contact: Aston.Hall@birminghammuseums.org.uk

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A Spooktacular Experience

Local residents are being given the chance to test their nerve this Halloween as Touchwood invites the region’s young witches and wizards to enjoy a free programme of hauntingly good entertainment

Sat 29 Oct – Sun 30 Oct 2016 | Time
Touchwood Shopping Centre, Solihull 

Local residents are being given the chance to test their nerve this Halloween as Touchwood invites the region’s young witches and wizards to enjoy a free programme of hauntingly good entertainment.
Visitors to the centre between 11am and 4pm on Saturday 29th and Sunday 30th October will be treated to a host of terrifying activities, including pumpkin carving, fang-tastic face painting and creepy caricatures.
Those who dare will also be able to enter Dr Jekyll’s Cursed Castle to discover its dark secrets within, whilst the centre’s younger guests can unleash their inner mad scientist and get creative in Dr Jekyll’s stomach churning travelling laboratory.
Website: www.touchwoodsolihull.co.uk | Contact: 0121 709 6900

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Punpkin Flotilla

Be part of Birmingham’s only pumpkin flotilla at Sarehole Mill and watch pumpkins float across the Mill Pond at twilight!

28 Oct – 30 Oct 2016 | 6.45pm – 8.45pm
Sarehole Mill | £20.00 (Per float)

Be part of Birmingham’s only pumpkin flotilla at Sarehole Mill and watch pumpkins float across the Mill Pond at twilight!
Make a beautifully carved pumpkin and bring it to the Mill. Staff at Sarehole Mill will then add a light and float it on the mill pond at dusk.
The evening will start with complimentary hot chocolate to keep you warm and after this, we will go the mill pond to view the flotilla. In the dark of the early night, the lit, floating pumpkins are simply magical.
Starts at 6.45pm and finishes at approx 8.45pm.
£20 per float (a family/group of maximum 4 people).
Saturday 29 October is now sold out. Pre-booking is essential. To book phone 0121 348 8263.

Website: www.birminghammuseums.org.uk | Contact: 0121 348 8263

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Halloween 2016 takes place on Monday 31st October.

(Debra Mefta, with members of the public, expressing how they feel about Hate Crime)

I want to live in a world where everyone is treated equally, where everyone has food, clothing and shelter, and where everyone is free to move to wherever they want. With Brexit there is more division, less sharing, more selfishness, less love and sadly* more hate crime!

Do you know what a ‘hate crime’ is? Would you know where to report it?

You may argue ‘it doesn’t happen to me, so I don’t need to know’, but what if it was a family member, a friend or even a member of the public that is the target of verbal – called a ‘paki’, ‘faggot’, ‘cabbage,’ ‘white honkey’ – or physical abuse – smacked, knifed or even have their property damaged – Would you know what to do?

Could you advise them?

The easy route is violence: Yes, stand up to them, but in some cases this just makes the problem worse. The most affective way to stop hate crimes at the root is by reporting the incident.

I’ve been lucky enough to work on a project with Redditch Council (Sarah McIntosh and Ken Hazeldene), in the Worcester, Bromsgrove, Kidderminister and South Birmingham areas, highlighting hate crime that exists.

1)What is a ‘hate crime’?

If verbal or physical abuse is directed to a person or their property because of their

• disability
• race or ethnicity
• religion or beliefs
• sexuality or gender identity

that constitutes as a hate crime.

2)Why should you report it?

Sajid Javid MP, of Bromsgrove, gives his explanation as to why you should report hate crime, how important it is to educate people about it and why it should not be ignored. (Filmed & interviewed by V Korpal)

3)Where should I report it?

If you are in danger or a crime is being committed, immediately dial 999 for the police, otherwise dial 101 for non-emergencies. You can also report it at the neighbourhood office and CAB. For those who are computer savvy, you can report it online at:

http://www.report-it.org.uk/home

Jeneatte Lane – talks about where to report it (Filmed by V Korpal)

4)Make a pledge

Tracey Onslow, Deputy Crime & Police Commissioner for West Mercia, explains why it’s important for the community to come out to help fight this terrible crime, which in most cases is targeted to the vulnerable. (Filmed & interviewed by V Korpal)

Hate crime exists and has been on the increase. Let’s report it and stand up for those who are vulnerable too. This way maybe we can start restoring the love.

If you have an event you would like covered, please contact us on Facebook or Twitter.

Vimal Korpal is a presenter/actor working in TV, theatre, radio and corporate role play work – contact directly or via agent Red Talent Management.

Vimal Korpal

Actors Josh Williams (right) and Antonio Aakeel (left) with director Makalla McPherson, who directs the ‘Life Unexpected’ episode of BBC Doctors

BBC drama Doctors – based and filmed in Birmingham – will be exploring gender identity issues this week, in a first for the long-running TV show, the Gay Times reports.

Episode ‘Life Unexpected’, airing on Friday on BBC One, takes a step forward in approaching gender identity issues, as the main character in its 92nd episode struggles with accepting who he is.

The storyline depicts 18-year-old Jamie McCalister – played by Josh Williams – who has always felt he was born a different sex to that assigned at birth. The episode follows Jamie as he approaches Dr. Emma Reid – played by Dido Miles –
for help and information.

BBC drama Doctors, based and filmed in Birmingham, is on its 18th series (Photograph: John Rogers/BBC)

With an estranged relationship with his father – actor Roger Griffiths – and a recently deceased mother, Jamie can only confide in his best friend Mark ‘Stotty’ Stott, played by rising star Antonio Aakeel.

The episode follows Jamie as he makes his decision to undergo hormonal treatment. He then meets with Doctor Reid (Dido Miles) who advises he must first talk with his father about the situation before proceeding further.

Director Makalla McPherson said, “Josh, Roger and Antonio handled the subject matter with care and humility. They are all very giving actors and embraced the chance to tell a story of many under-represented people in today’s society.

British actor Josh Williams plays Jamie McAllister in the ‘Life Unexpected’ episode of BBC Doctors

“Gender identity is a subject that is seldom shown on mainstream media and it’s great the BBC are very forward in approaching current and important subject matter. This episode in particular highlights the courage and bravery it takes
when coming to terms with you are – and everyone deserves to feel comfortable in their own skin.”

Actor Josh Williams said, “When conducting my research, the most important part was that I was able to understand where Jamie was coming from. He has always felt like he was female, which can be difficult for some to accept when
faced with the archetypal expectations linked with being born a male”.

Actor Josh Williams (right) with Antonio Aakeel, who star in a BBC Doctors episode tackling gender identity issues

Birmingham actor Antonio Aakeel plays Mark ‘Stotty’ Stott in the special episode of BBC Doctors

Antonio Aakeel who plays Mark ‘Stotty’ Stott said, “It was refreshing to read a script about a subject so current of its time. It’s great to play a supportive role to Jamie’s character. Often people forget that their friends are their biggest
confidants and real friends wouldn’t judge someone based on their gender identity.”

“To think we live in a world where attitudes towards gender, sex, orientation and  identity can still be so prejudice is shocking– it only means there is more work needed to educate people and drama’s like this are great at highlighting that.”

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Life Unexpected, is the 92nd episode of the 18th series of Doctors, and airs on Friday 28th October 2016 on BBC One, at 1:45pm. Following terrestrial broadcast, the episode can be watched here, available until 27 November, 2016.

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Frozen, the number one animated movie of all time, is brought to life on ice in a brand new production

There is hardly a pre-pubescent girl in the land that does not know the chorus, outfits and characters from Disney’s Frozen.

As an aunty of girls at that age, I have attended Frozen-themed birthday parties, dressed as Elsa myself, sat through countless renditions of hit song “Let It Go” and seen the wave of popular blue and purple merchandise that goes with it.

With the firm grip this film in particular seems to have on girls like my nieces it was not surprising that they chosen this film as a base for Disney’s Frozen On Ice.

I took along my two nieces – aged 5 and 7 – with me to review Disney’s Frozen on Ice, and they will feature throughout this article.

Although billed as Disney production, we were awash with Anna and Elsa dresses in every shade of blue you could imagine and mostly on little girls. Capes, wands, and blonde wigs were also the order of the day.

Before the production started, similar to concerts illuminated by mobile phone lights for older crowds, the auditorium twinkled from the lights of various wands being sold both outside and inside. I asked my nieces about their impression as we walked in, the set got a firms thumbs up. “It looks good!” was their simplistic description of the set.

Disney On Ice presents Frozen is at the Barclaycard Arena, Birmingham, from October 25th to 30th

The production started with some audience participation of dancing and singing, to which most of the crowd oblige my nieces danced along. The favourite characters from all the major Disney production over the decades from Micky, Minnie and Goofy, (as I was inundated with questions asking, “Are these the real ones?”), then Snow White, Aerial, Nemo, Cinderella and her ‘Prince Charming’, The Lion King characters, Buzz Lightyear and Woody from the Toy Story franchise, Donald Duck, all encompassing and showcasing a plethora of Disney history.

Then the on ice version of the oh-so-familiar film continued.  The staging included fireworks, very believable consumes and ‘ceiling snow’ which instigated wide open mouths and stares! By the time this happens my nieces and many other children were not even sitting on their seats but up on their feet in awe and excitement.

The ‘musical-on-ice’ production is inspired by the internationally acclaimed Disney film Frozen

The wider Disney characters did not make an appearance again until the closing scene, not that they was missed by my nieces.
When I asked them about their favourite parts of the production, they replied:

A: “My favourite part where Elsa makes a castle!”

T: “My favourite part was all the dances, the snow and fireworks!”

So, it appears this is a pilgrimage that every parent, aunt or uncle with children of the appropriate age should make. The children are awed, the club of Anna’s each with a variation of the costume, the harmonies of thousands of children singing, it will put you in good stead for the ‘Aunty of the Year’ award. It is definitely a hit with the children!

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Davina James

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There are 11 shows at the Barclaycard Arena from Tuesday, October 25 to Sunday, October 30. Tickets cost from £21.05 to £52.55 and are available here.

Harvey McDonald, founder of the Birmingham Pokewalk, with fancy dress fundraisers in Corporation Street

Hundreds of Pokémon fans dressed in creepy costumes and took to the streets on Saturday, as they played popular game Pokémon Go to help raise money for charity.

The special Halloween-themed Pokéwalk, inspired by and incorporating popular gaming app Pokémon Go, began in Victoria Square with a long trail of fancy dress fundraisers snaking their way around Birmingham city centre while cheering, chanting, posing for photos and surprising passers-by.

The frightfully festive walk, during which fans of the franchise walked through the city catching Pokémon monsters, took place in aid of Birmingham Children’s Hospital.

After the Pokémon trainers scoured the streets hunting for the highly-sought creatures, they all headed to a frighteningly family-friendly Halloween party at Second Cup café in New Street, complete with fiendish fancies, musical mayhem and a hair-raising raffle.

Hundreds of Pokemon fans and Halloween fundraisers came together to help Birmingham Children’s Hospital

23-year-old Harvey McDonald, who co-organised the walk with youngsters Maya Shrestha and Harry Alimo, said:

“I am blown away by the amount of people that turned out for the event. It’s great to see so many people getting involved and raising money for a really worthwhile cause. Thank you to everyone who turned out, all of the volunteers we had and a massive thank you to all of our sponsors who made this event possible!”

The Halloween Birmingham Pokewalk attracted creepy cosplay and Pokemon roleplay

Birmingham Pokewalk co-organiser Maya Shrestha in fancy dress Pokemon cosplay

Edgbaston student Maya Shrestha, 19, attended the event as Team Magma Grunt from Pokémon Omega. She added:

“It was an absolute delight to be a part of this event. The turnout was just incredible and the atmosphere was so positive. My heartfelt thanks go out to everybody who joined us for the day and gave us their support – and also to the rest of the public who were so patient with us as we crawled through the city! I’d also like to give a shout-out to our kind supporters who made all this possible. I hope everybody had as much fun as we did, and that they’ll join us again next time!”

Harry Alimo, Harvey McDonald and Maya Shrestha (left to right) make up the organising team for the Birmingham Pokewalk

Harry Alimo, also 19, was shocked by how many people joined the walk, despite the cold weather.

“I thought it’d be a smaller turn-out but the sheer numbers of people were incredible to see. It’s good to see the efforts of everybody involved helped to raise money and they had lots of fun at the same time.”

A family in classic Halloween costumes attend the charity Birmingham Pokewalk

Pokemon fans attended the Halloween Birmingham Pokewalk to play Pokemon Go around the city centre

The Birmingham Pokewalk organising team with YouTuber Charlie McDonnell, who donated a copy if his new book ‘Fun Science’ towards the event’s charity raffle

During the day, the Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery joined forces with the event, offering Pokeball badges to visitors who caught Pokémon at the venue.

The second Birmingham Pokéwalk was also supported by the TokyoToys store, which donated several bags of merchandise to compliment the animation franchise. Waterstones additionally donated a copy of YouTuber Charlie McDonnell’s ‘Fun Science’, which was inscribed by the author himself, during his visit to the city. The donations were all added to a special raffle held in the evening.

Mark Rogers dressed up as skeleton detective Skulduggery Pleasant at the Halloween Birmingham Pokewalk

A couple in ghoulish attire during the Halloween-special Birmingham Pokewalk

Young and old attended the Birmingham Pokewalk to play Pokemon Go and raise money for charity

Birmingham Pokewalk founder Harvey McDonald with youngsters dressed up as Pokemon character Pikachu

The walk was given extra eeriness after partnering up with the Zombie Walk team too, to coincide with the weekend’s Halloween celebrations.

The money raised from the event has been pledged to the Birmingham Children’s Hospital’s planned £3.65 million centre for children with rare diseases, the first of its kind in the UK.

Miranda Williams, Public Fundraising Manager at the hospital, said:

“We love how Harvey and the rest of the Pokéwalk team have taken the latest social media craze and ingeniously turned it into a fundraiser. We’d like to say a huge thank you for their incredible support.

“The money donated from the Pokéwalk will make a massive difference to our brave young patients and their families!”

Staff at Waterstones Birmingham donated a copy of Charlie McDonnell’s ‘Fun Science’ book to the Birmingham Pokewalk event for a raffle

The Halloween Birmingham Pokewalk setting off from Victoria Square in the city centre

Birmingham Pokewalk organiser Harvey McDonald (right) with Emily Rogers (left) from Second Cup in Birmingham during the event’s after-party

Jags Manhota, manager of Second Cup in Birmingham, with Birmingham Pokewalk volunteer Adam Yosef in Halloween make-up

Young Pokemon Go enthusiasts dressed up as Pokemon trainers attend the Birmingham Pokewalk over the Halloween weekend

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The Halloween Pokéwalk took place in Birmingham on Saturday 29th October from 2pm, with an after-party at Second Cup cafe from 6pm until 10pm.

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Blacks Lives Matter activists held a silent vigil outside the Bullring in July (Photograph: Geoff Dexter)

A Black Lives Matter photography exhibition is on display in central Birmingham this month, capturing the recent revival of the movement in the city earlier this year.

Following the launch of a similar Black Lives Matter exhibition at last month’s ‘Herstory Live’ – an event organised by local creative group Artivist UK – the second leg of the outfit’s pop-up exhibition tour is being staged at Birmingham’s premiere vegan cafe, 3Threes.

On show from November 11 until November 23, the public exhibition explores and highlights the work of local photographers including Myah Jeffers, Shyheim Prince, Shivy Francis, Alison Baskerville and Alexandria Chantiluke; documenting their perspective of a Black Lives Matter demonstration and rally which took place in Birmingham over the summer.

Black Lives Matter supporters marched through Birmingham city centre and held a rally outside Steelhouse Lane Police Station (Photograph: Geoff Dexter)

Birmingham Black Lives Matter activists staged a rally outside Steelhouse Police Station to highlight police brutality in the UK and US (Photograph: Geoff Dexter)

The large demonstration was held on Saturday 9th July and was organised by Olivia Brown and Aliyah Holder. Protesters and supporters who joined the demonstration held banners, while some had their mouths taped shut to symbolise being voiceless.

The activists then joined a rally outside Steelhouse Lane police station, organised by Justice or Else for Kingsley Burrell, while the wider event was supported by Stand Up To Racism Birmingham, alongside community groups and local activists.

A similar protest also took place in Brixton in London, on the same day, to express solidarity with the families of black victims of police brutality in Britain and the US.

A Black Lives Matter protest in Birmingham in 2014, following the police murder of black teenager Mike Brown in the US (Photograph: Adam Yosef)

According to organisers of the exhibition:

“It [the exhibition] exists to showcase a new era of Birmingham’s Black History and create dialogue about institutional racism and its everyday occurrences in the UK. This exhibition is for the people of Birmingham, for Kingsley Burrell, for Mikey Powell, for Sarah Reed, Mzee Mohammed and the countless victims of Police Brutality on UK soil and internationally.”

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The Black Lives Matter photography exhibition is on display at 3Threes coffee lounge between Friday 11th November and Wednesday 23rd November. This a free public display being held upstairs in the venue. Please ask a member of staff for details if required.

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Birmingham St Mary’s Hospice is calling for participants to join in with the festivities in its annual Christmas fun run

Birmingham St Mary’s Hospice is calling for participants to join in with the festivities in its annual Christmas fun run.

Sprinting into its third year, the Jingle Bell Jog returns to Kings Heath park on Sunday December 4. Included in the registration fee, all joggers will receive a free Santa suit and bushy white beard to don while they complete the 2km route. At the finish line, they will be greeted with a medal as well as a festive mince pie to get them into the Christmas spirit.

Last year was the most successful Jingle Bell Jog to date with more than 400 Santa’s taking on the challenge, raising more than £12,000 for the Hospice. Christmas is a vital fundraising period for the organisation that provides a range of free services at its base in Selly Oak, as well as people’s homes and in the local community across Birmingham and Sandwell.

Birmingham St Mary’s Hospice provides support to over 1,200 individual and their families, carers and loved ones each year, costing £8million. This level of care is made possible by the backing of the public with over half of the running costs coming from voluntary incomes.

Last year was the most successful Jingle Bell Jog to date with more than 400 Santa’s taking on the challenge, raising more than £12,000 for the Hospice

Hamish Shilliday, Head of Fundraising at Birmingham St Mary’s Hospice, said:

“The Jingle Bell Jog provides the perfect opportunity for people in the community to show their support for the Hospice at this festive time. Your generosity paired with the dedication of our excellent staff and volunteers helps us to continue to provide the well-needed care for individuals and their families all year round. It’s also a really fun event so sign up and get involved and I can’t wait to see you cross the finish line!”

Birmingham St Mary’s Hospice provides support to over 1,200 individual and their families, carers and loved ones each year, costing £8million.

Registration opens at 9.30am and the run will start at 11am. The Jingle Bell Jog is perfect for families, friends, colleagues and even pets and is sure to get you in the festive spirit. With a special appearance from the Grinch and the big man himself on the day, the aim is to help him fall back in love with Christmas.

The jog kicks off the Hospice’s annual ‘Care at Christmas’ campaign, a jam-packed range of activities set to drive support for the hospice during the Christmas period. Wannabe Santa’s can register to take part in this year’s run and find out more about Care at Christmas by visiting at careatchristmas.org.

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Sam J. Jones as iconic movie character Flash Gordon, from the 1980 film of the same name (Photograph: Universal Pictures)

Stars of popular and cult TV shows and films will be visiting Birmingham this month, as special guests during the MCM Comic Con event in the city.

Actor Sam J. Jones, best known for playing the title character in the 1980 film Flash Gordon, is leading the line-up which includes 2001: A Space Odyssey’s Keir Dullea and Gary Lockwood; and Peter Davison, the fifth incarnation of the Doctor in Doctor Who.

Also making an appearance are Chris Barrie and Danny John-Jules, the much-loved stars of classic British sci-fi comedy Red Dwarf. Chris plays the computer-generated hologram Arnold Rimmer in the show while Danny plays Cat, a vain evolved humanoid-feline.

Other actors meeting with fans, signing autographs and posing for photographs during the two-day convention include Game of Thrones stars Ian McElhinney, Ian Beattie and Josef Altin.

Game of Thrones star Josef Altin will be joined by show co-stars Ian Beattie and Ian McElhinney

Battlestar Galactica fans will be able to meet Jamie Bamber, who plays ace pilot Lee Adama on Ronald D. Moore’s hit sci-fi reboot.

>> READ MORE: Flash Gordon star to headline Birmingham Comic Con next month <<

Jamie Bamber, who plays ace pilot Lee Adama in the hit sci-fi reboot of Battlestar Galactica, will be at MCM Comic Con Birmingham

Manu Bennett, who has starred in Arrow, Spartacus, The Hobbit and The Shannara Chronicles, will be in Birmingham (Photograph: Starz)

Versatile actor Manu Bennett, whose film and TV credits include Arrow, Spartacus, The Hobbit and The Shannara Chronicles, will be at the event on both Saturday and Sunday too, while actor, singer and musician AJ Michalka – of Super 8, Secretariat, Steven Universe fame – has been the latest guest announced for Comic Con in Birmingham.

Red Dwarf stars Chris Barrie and Danny John-Jules, better known as Rimmer and Cat on the show, will be in Birmingham for Comic Con (Photograph: Dave)

On the live-action front, SLAM Wrestling, the touring American wrestling crew based in Staffordshire, will be welcoming a host of heroes as they showcase enough fighting moves to leave Batman quaking in his boots, including TNA Impact Wrestler Sheera.

The MCM Comic Con is an opportunity for fans of graphic novels and all things cult to enjoy and experience trader stalls, a Comic Village, star stage panels, photos and meet & greet opportunities, games, cosplay competition and more. Autograph and photograph opportunities are paid sessions.

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The MCM Comic Con is at the NEC Birmingham on Saturday 19th and Sunday 20th November, 2016. For more information, or to buy tickets, visit: www.mcmcomiccon.com/birmingham.

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The Supermoon captured over Birmingham, England, on Monday 14th November 2016 by photographer Peter Lopeman

People across Birmingham have been enjoying the rare sight of a Supermoon this weekend, with spectacular views for many last night.

Although hopes for a clear view of the Moon – appearing 14% bigger and up to 30% brighter than usual – seemed slim with the cloudy conditions, a number of Brummies managed to capture some amazing photographs of the lunar delight.

On Monday, the Moon appeared bigger and brighter than usual, as it came closer to Earth than it has in decades. For some looking up to the skies over Britain, adverse weather conditions meant visibility was limited.

But for many others, the spectacle of the Moon making its closest approach to Earth since 1948 was spellbinding.

Despite the natural awe and beauty of the Supermoon, a negative side of its closer presence has been a stronger high tide due to the increased gravitational pull, with some flooding already recorded in areas of Florida as a result.

The event, described as “undeniably beautiful” by American space agency NASA, will not be matched until the moon makes a similar approach in 2034.

Capturing the rare close proximity of Earth’s natural satellite over the city, photography enthusiasts Pete Lopeman, Rangzeb Hussain and A J Pilkington focused their lens on the heavens to produce these stunning shots:

The Supermoon captured over Birmingham, England, on Monday 14th November 2016 by photographer Peter Lopeman

The Supermoon captured over Birmingham, England, on Monday 14th November 2016 by photographer Peter Lopeman

Peter Lopeman

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“The shot was taken from the side of Clent Hills about 5pm. I set up my camera – Canon EOS 1DX with my new lens the Sigma 120-300 f2.8 using a good heavy tripod. Set it to manual at ISO 1250 and waited from when I started at about 4.15pm. Looking East, there was a lot of cloud and I wasn’t hopeful for a clear shot, but the cloud seemed to clear as moon-rise time approached at 16:39.

“It appeared above the cloud-bank eventually, so just got a few shots, varying the exposure between 8th sec and 50th scc, f5.6 ISO 1250. What I saw on the back of the camera was pretty dull really, but I knew that I’d need to tweak the levels in Lightroom.”

The Supermoon captured over Birmingham, England, on Monday 14th November 2016 by photographer Rangzeb Hussain

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Rangzeb Hussain

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“I had been looking forward to the ‘Super Moon’ event for the past week, and was all prepared to document the event but nothing prepared me for the days leading into this rare astronomical occurrence. A viral infection crept up on me, and on the day of the special moon sighting, I was bed bound. Coughing, sneezing, runny nose, and shaking hands.

“Despite the illness, I kept checking the evening skies through the window. My heart was heavy with disappointment as I saw heavy clouds creeping in from the West horizon. The moon was just a dull pale glow, peeping through dark clouds. It was very hard to discern the shape of the moon’s disc with the naked eye.

“Then, just before supper, the skies momentarily cleared, and the moon shone through proudly and clearly over the skies of East Birmingham. The landscape lit up, and the skies shimmered with a silver glow.

The Supermoon captured over Birmingham, England, on Monday 14th November 2016 by photographer Rangzeb Hussain

The Supermoon captured over Birmingham, England, on Monday 14th November 2016 by photographer Rangzeb Hussain

“The next time the moon is this close to the earth will be in 2034. I felt a sublime peace course through me as I stood under the serene light, and my coughing and sneezing subsided for a moment.

The Supermoon captured over Birmingham, England, on Monday 14th November 2016 by photographer Rangzeb Hussain

“These moments of calmness and serenity are becoming ever rarer in our world. The more we detach from our external world, and become more cocooned in the cyber-world, the more unsettled and stressed we become. Our world and our humanity is in desperate need of healing and unity. This night of the ‘Super Moon’ gave us an opportunity to pause, relax, and reflect upon Mankind’s place in the universe.”

The Supermoon captured over Birmingham, England, on Monday 14th November 2016 by photographer A J Pilkington

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Wayland Thor Badger

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“I had been checking the position of the moon using the ‘Star Walk’ app so that I could get a picture of it as low on the horizon as possible. Unfortunately, as it was due to rise, there was heavy cloud cover so I abandoned my plan to go Oaklands Recreation ground to get a shot looking over the city.

The Supermoon captured over Birmingham, England, on Monday 14th November 2016 by photographer A J Pilkington

“A short time later I went outside and realised there was a break in the cloud and the moon was just rising over the houses, so I took a picture before it was covered again. I took a second shot looking through the trees at the back of the house. In the end I didn’t get the shots I’d planned but I suppose that’s the joy of British weather.”

The Supermoon captured over Birmingham, England, on Monday 14th November 2016 by photographer A J Pilkington

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Danielle Lloyd is showing her support for Birmingham Children’s Hospital’s fundraising festive jumper day

Local celebrity mum, Danielle Lloyd is lending her support to Birmingham Children’s Hospital’s festive jumper day next month, by pulling on one of their special charity pullovers.

The annual day, this year known as Star Jumper Day, will raise money for the charity’s £3.65 million Star Appeal to build the UK’s first Rare Diseases Centre for children.

Danielle, who recently made a surprise visit to the hospital with her family to help raise awareness of the appeal, is hoping locals will join her by putting on a sweater to make things better for over 9,000 children treated at the hospital living with over 500 rare or undiagnosed conditions.

Treatment for the hospital’s patients with rare diseases is world-class, but many families have to spend a lot of time seeing different specialists on different days in different departments. To change this, the £3.65 million appeal will build a brand new centre that will provide a single place within the hospital for all assessment, diagnosis, treatment and research.

Eleven patients with rare diseases were recently featured in the ‘Stars of Steelhouse Lane’ public street exhibition (Image: BCH/Kris Askey)

Danielle, mum to three boys Archie, six, Harry, four, and George, three, said: “I am delighted to be supporting this campaign and would encourage you all to put on a festive jumper on Friday 16 December to support our local children’s hospital.

“I feel very humbled to have spent time with the children at the hospital and it was great to see first-hand the amazing work that goes on.

“I can only imagine how tough it must be for a family to have a child living with a rare condition and not knowing what their future holds. This new centre will make a huge difference to them, but none of it will be possible if we don’t all show our support.”

Danielle Lloyd dons her festive knit for the Birmingham Children’s Hospital’s ‘Star Jumper Day’

Annie Eytle, Acting Events and Regional Fundraising Manager at Birmingham Children’s Hospital Charity, said: “Our Christmas Jumper Day is something silly that everyone can get involved in but it will raise money for a really important cause.

“With your support for our Star Appeal we can reduce isolation, improve diagnosis, ensure our patients are at the forefront of research and medical advances and, for the first time, bring a team of experts from all the specialities at our hospital all under one roof.

>> Patients star in Children’s Hospital Charity’s fundraising campaign <<

“We’re almost at the £2 million mark with our fundraising but we still have a long way to go to make our patients and families dreams a reality. By supporting our Star Jumper Day you will help us build a much-needed centre for our brave children – which for them, and us, might just be the best Christmas present of all.”

You can also take part in Star Jumper Day, by simply doing your bit in a festive knit on Friday 16 December and donating £2.

Plus, if you’re struggling to find the perfect pullover why not purchase the one Danielle is sporting, available from £19.99 at http://www.bch.org.uk/shop.

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For more information, visit: www.bch.org.uk/StarJumper.

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Actor, comedian and activist Russell Brand has been named as patron of Birmingham-based Changes UK

A Birmingham charity that helps more than 300 people beat their addiction with drink and drugs every year is being backed by actor and comedian Russell Brand.

Changes UK, which launched the £1m Recovery Central project in the City last year, has kick-started a new fundraising drive by revealing Brand as its official patron for 2017.

The comedian, activist and actor has pledged to raise the organisation’s profile through social media and by appearing at three events over the next twelve months.

This will support the charity in raising funding to launch an additional CQC-registered detox facility in Birmingham, capable of helping over 100 people every year.

Russell Brand with Steve Dixon, founder of Birmingham-based charity Changes UK

>> READ MORE: Russell Brand opens drug recovery centre in Birmingham <<

“We are absolutely delighted to welcome Russell into the Changes team,” explained Steve Dixon who founded Changes UK in 2007 after beating his own 15-year addiction.

“I first met him at an event two years ago and he seemed genuinely interested in our different approach to tackling addition… by giving people aspirations, skills and the training they need to stay clean whilst going through recovery.”

“He turned up as a surprise guest at our Recovery Central launch in May and spoke to service users and other delegates about his own experiences and how he faced his own struggles.

“During the tour of the centre he agreed to be our first official patron, but even I have been surprised by his level of commitment. He’s regularly on the phone talking to me about our plans and we’ve both come up with some exciting ideas for fundraising in 2017.”

Russell Brand helped launch the Recovery Central Centre in Digbeth, Birmingham, in May this year (Photograph: Jess Phillips)

The launch event takes place on December 10th, with Russell Brand hosting a special evening of reflection and entertainment at the Hilton Metropole.

‘Sobering Thoughts’ will see Changes UK’s new patron take guests through the stories of service users and their families, how they beat their addiction and the support they required to ‘recover’.

This will be followed by an evening of entertainment, including a number of comedians, music and spoken word by Steven Duncan, who is currently being supported by the charity.

Russell Brand with Steve Dixon, founder of Birmingham-based charity Changes UK

The night will also be used to invite the West Midlands business community to support five important challenges through funding, mentoring and employee engagement.

Russell Brand added: “Changes has a new and exciting approach to recovery which starts with getting people off drugs and ends with them becoming entrepreneurs. There will be less junkies in Birmingham and more Richard Bransons. Surely that’s a good thing?”

Employing 31 people, Changes UK provides a detox service, community-based rehabilitation, supported and move on housing and opportunities to gain accredited qualifications, volunteering and work experience.

Service users at the beginning of their recovery journey are supported 24-hours a day by qualified staff and specially trained volunteer peer mentors.

They also have access to the Recovery Academy, which, over an eight-week full time programme, begins to build the knowledge and skills they need in order to maintain recovery, build a personal recovery support network (including mutual aid groups) and learn to live life to the full.

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To book your place or table at the forthcoming ‘Sobering Thoughts’ event, visit: www.changesuk.org.

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Adil Ray as Citizen Khan in the latest series of the hit BBC comedy show (Photograph: BBC/Vishal Sharma)

Citizen Khan, Birmingham’s favourite community leader, will be meeting fans and signing copies of his new book – Citizen Khan’s Guide to Great Britain – this weekend at Waterstones.

In his newly launched compendium, the lovable, self-appointed community leader Mr Khan shares everything you need to know about living in post-Brexit Britain, such as bringing up the perfect daughter, ‘educ-asian’, romance and how to ‘get our country back (to how it was when all the Pakistanis came)’.

Birmingham actor Adil Ray and the cast of Citizen Khan (Photograph: BBC/Jon Shard)

Khan also offers advice you’ll struggle to find anywhere else, including guidance on how to you make curry for white people. All while offering solutions for important dilemmas, such as: How do you make curry for brown people? How do you eat a custard creamie? Where should you go on holiday? And most importantly, what is the correct amount of toilet paper to use in one sitting?

Adil Ray will be signing copies of his book ‘Citizen Khan’s Guide to Britain’, at Waterstones in Birmingham

Citizen Khan’s Guide to Great Britain features previously unseen pictures (Photograph: BBC/Neil Sherwood)

Adil Ray with Citizen Khan co-star Abdullah Afzal (Photograph: Vishal Sharma)

The new release features previously unseen photographs of Mr. Khan’s early years, and is “designed to sit on your coffee table, in your glove box and on your toilet cistern – at hand whenever you need it.”

Citizen Khan’s Guide to Britain available to pre order now. https://t.co/kvDxUI0sLA pic.twitter.com/zkYcL2Ftv0

— Adil Ray OBE (@adilray) September 16, 2016

>> GALLERY: Citizen Khan Series 4 | Birmingham Premiere <<
>> GALLERY: Adil Ray Comedy Taster Session at BBC Birmingham <<

Brummie actor Adil Ray is the creator and star of BBC One’s primetime sitcom Citizen Khan. He is also a broadcaster and presenter with over twenty years’ experience in television and radio.

Earlier this month, the 42-year-old received an OBE from the Duke of Cambridge during a Buckingham Palace investiture ceremony, after being named in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List earlier this year.

Birmingham star Adil Ray receives his OBE at Buckingham Palace from Prince William

Citizen Khan is one of the BBC’s highest-rating comedy shows and currently its longest running sitcom. The show is currently in its 5th series, with audiences of up to 5 million viewers. The new series began on 4th November and will continue through to Christmas.

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Citizen Khan will be signing books at Waterstones in Birmingham. This is a free event and does not require a ticket (attendees will need to purchase a copy of the book). There will be an opportunity for photographs, but the author will not be able to sign any other merchandise.

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Measures of Us aims to creatively and visually start conversations between different parts of the city

Across Birmingham this December, people will be invited to take part in a unique creative experiment.

Birmingham Cathedral, with churches and people of all faiths and none, and in partnership with University College London (ICRI Cities and UCLIC), are working across the city asking people in five different neighbourhoods to contribute to a new installation which will light up, first, their own community and then, Cathedral Square.

Measures of Us aims to creatively and visually start conversations between different parts of the city at the beginning of winter; to find more opportunities to talk and be with neighbours, to celebrate common experiences and openly acknowledge, discuss and respect differences.

From Monday 28 November to Friday 2 December, small electronic voting boxes will appear across parts of the city in locations such as hairdressers, grocers, community centres and libraries, asking people to answer a different question each day.

Questions will be broad in subject but simple to answer, such as ‘Have you laughed today?’ and ‘Are you looking forward to next year?’ People will be given three options to answer the questions via the voting boxes – by pressing one of a choice of three buttons – ‘yes agree’, ‘neutral’ and ‘no disagree’.

Each day’s findings will be displayed in the community as large eight foot tall artworks by Redhawk Logistica, inspired by cricket scoreboards. The results will be revealed by people shining a bright light, such as a torch or camera flash, onto their reflective surface, to activate the responses to the day’s question.

The project will culminate after dark on Saturday 3 December, with a chance to see the whole city story as all five display boards come together to create a spectacular installation in Cathedral Square. Visitors will be able to answer questions themselves and find out how others are feeling as the boards get updated throughout the evening.

Small electronic voting boxes will appear across parts of the city in locations such as hairdressers, grocers, community centres and libraries

• Project to celebrate common values, bring people together and create moments of reflection and wonder.
• Large illuminated artworks to display findings of questions posed across the city.
• Follow up to Cathedral’s 300th anniversary arts programme launched.
• Project to feed into research into how technology can play a meaningful part in community engagement

Something Good Artistic Director, Orit Azaz, said:

“Measures of Us is a new collaboration between artists, technologists, faith groups and the public. It is a pilot, an experiment to explore potential for a city wide creative conversation using light based artworks in surprising ways. It is a way of bringing people from different areas and backgrounds together and creating a sense of connection across different parts of the city. People will have a chance to express how they feel, and then see how others in their own neighbourhood, and others areas feel too. We hope they will also suggest new questions that they would like to ask their neighbours and people who live in other parts of Birmingham.”

measures of us is a continuation of Something Good, an arts programme and creative enquiry which celebrated the Cathedral’s 300th anniversary in 2015. Building on the recent successful ‘Love Your Neighbour’ campaign started by the city’s interfaith groups, Birmingham Cathedral, together with churches and individuals of all faiths and none, wish to unite people in this city-wide creative conversation and share new experiences. Findings will help shape Something Good’s future work in the city.

‘The Cathedral is so pleased to be enabling a city wide and imaginative conversation celebrating common values,’ said The Very Revd Catherine Ogle, Dean of Birmingham. ‘We believe that the diverse communities of Birmingham, of all faiths and none, can enjoy sharing in common humanity.’

The project’s findings will feed into research by ICRI Cities: Intel Collaborative Research Institute for Sustainable Connected Cities and UCLIC: University College London Interaction Centre led by researcher Lisa Koeman. Focussing on designing technology for urban communities that enables people to have their say as well as allowing them to see the opinions of others, Measures of Us will be the first time that the researchers will have deployed easy-to-use and engaging community technologies, such as the voting boxes at a city scale. The study will enable them to learn which aspects of technologies, like those used in the project, affect community engagement.

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For more information on the project visit http://www.somethinggoodbham.org

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Grand Central Birmingham is teaming up with professional gift-packaging suppliers BoxMart, to help raise money for the Teenage Cancer Trust (Photograph: BrumHour)

If you’re desperate to avoid getting tangled in sellotape and torn paper this Christmas, head down to Grand Central on 10th and 11th December, when festive shoppers will be able to enjoy a gift boxing service to raise money for Teenage Cancer Trust.

For one weekend only, Grand Central is teaming up with professional gift-packaging suppliers BoxMart, who will be on hand opposite Kiehl’s and Cath Kidston, to pack your presents in a variety of stylish giftboxes. The service will not have a set price; but instead the team will be asking for donations for Teenage Cancer Trust.

Jonathan Cheetham, General Manager for Grand Central said “We are delighted to be helping raise money for Teenage Cancer Trust and support such a magnificent charity. Customer service is our number one priority at Grand Central and we’re really pleased to partner with BoxMart volunteers to offer this gift boxing service to our customers, which we hope will help to make Christmas shopping that little bit easier.”

Gift wrap company BoxMart are teaming up with Grand Central Birmingham for the Teenage Cancer Trust

Teenage Cancer Trust, which supports young people with cancer aged between 13 and 24 years of age, has three of its 28 units located in Birmingham at Queen Elizabeth Hospital Young Person Unit; Birmingham Children’s Hospital and the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital.

The team at BoxMart has close connections to Stephen Sutton, the inspirational teenager who created his now infamous ‘Bucket List’ after learning his cancer was incurable. Sadly, Stephen passed away in May 2014, having raised £3million for Teenage Cancer Trust. His fundraising total currently stands in excess of £5.6 million and the team at BoxMart is keen to support this amazing cause by offering its gift packaging and time.

Jane Sutton, Stephen’s mum and Ambassador for Teenage Cancer Trust said, “I’m thrilled Grand Central has chosen to partner with ‘Stephen’s Story’ and BoxMart for this event.

Donations will help to continue the legacy of Stephen Sutton, who dedicated his final years to fundraising for for the Teenage Cancer Trust’s

“I’ll be joining the team from BoxMart on both days to help with the gift boxing service and would like to thank both Grand Central and BoxMart for their support of Stephen’s Story and Teenage Cancer Trust.”

Christmas can be a difficult time, particularly for teenagers and young adults with cancer, as well as their families and friends.

All donations no matter how large or small will help to continue Stephen’s legacy and support Teenage Cancer Trust’s target of raising £80million by 2020.”

Callum Woodward from BoxMart said, “Christmas is a time for giving and the team at BoxMart are more than happy to volunteer our time and packaging to provide a service which will help to raise money for such a great cause.”

“Making gifts look nice can take precious time which most people don’t have in the run up to Christmas. We encourage everyone to come down to the concession stand and get their gifts boxed and make a donation to ‘Stephen’s Story’ supporting Teenage Cancer Trust so all that’s left to do is place them under the Christmas tree.”

2016 will mark Grand Central’s second Christmas since opening its doors last September (Photograph: Wikimedia)

2016 will mark Grand Central’s second Christmas since opening its doors last September. This year, the centre’s late night shopping will commence on Monday 28th November with stores opening from 9am-10pm on weeknights, 9am-8pm on Saturdays and 11am-5pm on Sundays.

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For more information on Grand Central’s 2016 Christmas shopping, please visit: www.grandcentralbirmingham.com

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TV star Joey Essex meets fans at The Clothes Show in Birmingham during Day 3 of the event (Photograph: Adam Yosef)

Thousands of fashionistas flocked to the Birmingham NEC over the weekend to be a part of the city’s final Clothes Show extravaganza.

Drawn in by the bustling fashion stands, the glitz and glamour, the eye-catching catwalk displays and the many celebrity appearances; attendees have been flooding to the exhibition venue since Friday, when the show opened at 9am.

After 28 years of showcasing live fashion and designer brands – most of which were hosted in Birmingham – The Clothes Show is saying farewell to the second city as it prepares to re-launch in Liverpool in July 2017, as the rebranded ‘British Style Collective’. The newly curated show will have interactive attractions and shows peppered across the northern culture capital at several venues, and hopes to bring in a wider audience and more upmarket brands.

The Clothes Show brings together high street and high end fashion alongside music, dance and celebrity (Photograph: Adam Yosef)

On until Tuesday 6th December, the 2016 show is being hailed a huge success as it bows out of Brum. Queues at trader outlets and designer boutiques have been ample as visitors aim to grab a bargain, while fans have been waiting patiently hour after hour in the hopes of grabbing a selfie and autograph from their favourite TV stars, from Joey Essex and Jamie Laing to Megan McKenna and Binky Felstead.

Joey Essex poses with fans at The Clothes Show 2016 in Birmingham (Photograph: Adam Yosef)

Reality TV star Ferne McCann meets fans at The Clothes Show in Birmingham (Photograph: Adam Yosef)

Leanne Brown and Chantelle Heskey have a browse through fashion items at The Clothes Show 2016 (Photograph: Adam Yosef)

Fashion expert and commentator Caryn Franklin has been a part of the show since its early days and was a presenter on The Clothes Show television programme.

Explaining the show’s legacy, she said: “When I began presenting the BBC’s Clothes Show as Fashion Editor of i-D Magazine back in 1986, I had no idea it would have such a far reaching effect and long-term impact on public perception of the fashion industry.

Fashion expert Caryn Franklin at the final Clothes Show live event in Birmingham (Photograph: Adam Yosef)

“Our approach to showcasing high-end designer fashion alongside artisan and high street product, together with personal and homemade creativity to celebrate all body types, ages and tastes, caught the imagination of the nation and beyond.”

Among the now-famous models who were first discovered at the show were Erin O’Connor, Oliver Cheshire, Sami Rollinson and Rosie Tapner.

The main super stage at The Clothes Show, held at the NEC in Birmingham (Photograph: Adam Yosef)

Beauty, make-up and modelling is a key part of what The Clothes Show has to offer (Photograph: Adam Yosef)

Miss Great Britain 2016/17 Ursula Carlton was at The Clothes Show in Birmingham (Photograph: Adam Yosef)

On the relocation and rebrand, Caryn said: “We know we need to ramp up the experience because it’s no longer about clothes.”

The show has also become just as well known for launching the careers of household names such as Cat Deeley and Vernon Kay.

After 27 years of the live show, The Clothes Show is moving to Liverpool for 2017 (Photograph: Adam Yosef)

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The Clothes Show is on at the NEC Birmingham until Tuesday 6th December. Find out more at: www.clothesshow.com

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The top three contenders for BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year 2016 are Keelan Giles, Ellie Robinson and Amy Tinkler (Photograph: BBC)

The top three contenders for BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year 2016 have been revealed tonight on CBBC’s Blue Peter. They are Keelan Giles for Rugby Union, Ellie Robinson for Para-Swimming and Amy Tinkler for Gymnastics.

In Keelan Giles’ first four games for Pro 12 side Ospreys, he scored eight tries including a hat-trick away to Lyon in the European Challenge Cup.

Ospreys coach Steve Tandy has described the 18-year-old as an “unbelievable finisher” and he has been compared to Wales’ record try scorer Shane Williams.

Swimmer Ellie Robinson broke the Paralympic record to win gold in the 50m butterfly at Rio 2016.
The 15-year-old also won bronze in the 100m freestyle, breaking a British record in the process and has been described as a “great role model to both able-bodied and para-athletes”.

Sixteen-year-old Amy Tinkler gave the performance of her life to take bronze on the floor at the Rio 2016 Olympics, becoming the first female British gymnast to medal in the event.

Amy Tinkler at the 2015 European Artistic Gymnastics Championships (Photograph: Pierre Yves Beaudouin)

She was the youngest member of Team GB in Rio, and only the second British woman to win an individual artistic gymnastics medal, after Beth Tweddle’s bronze in the uneven bars in 2012.

The top three have been chosen from an original list of 10 which included Ellie Downie (Gymnastics), Sophie Ecclestone (Cricket), Tom Hamer (Para-Swimming), Lauren Rowles (Para-Rowing), Georgia Stanway (Football), Jess Stretton (Para-Archery), Rebekah Tiler (Weightlifting).

Following in the footsteps of 2015 winner gymnast Ellie Downie, the overall winner will be presented with their award on BBC One’s The One Show on Wednesday 14 December (1900).

Young sports personality Keelan Giles is being recognised for his Rugby Union performance (Photograph: Keelan Giles /Instagram)

The shortlist and winner was selected by a panel, from nominations made to the BBC and by sports governing bodies via the Youth Sport Trust and in partnership with Blue Peter.

>> Birmingham school launches BBC Reclaim Sport campaign <<

The BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year is awarded to an outstanding young sportsperson who was aged 17 or under on 1 January 2016.

BBC Sports Personality of the Year takes place on Sunday 18 December. Tickets are on sale now priced at £45 and £25 plus admin fees. Purchase online from http://www.theticketfactory.com or by calling 0844 33 88 222.

For voting criteria on all awards please visit bbc.co.uk/sportspersonality.

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BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2016 will be live from Birmingham’s Genting Arena on Sunday 18 December. Tickets are on sale now from http://www.theticketfactory.com or by calling 0844 33 88 222. Tickets are priced at £45 plus admin fees, see website for full details. Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult, minimum age 10 years. Full information available at bbc.co.uk/sportspersonality

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