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Events

Shrewsbury Town: Fan prize is icing on the cake for Rosemarie

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9th May 2018

- Events

TO BE named fan of the season is the icing on the cake for Rosemarie Cliffe, who claims Shrewsbury Town are the love of her life.

The 80-year-old Town superfan travels home and away to every game with grandson Fraser Reading – and first starting watching her hometown club in 1953.
Fraser nominated Rosemarie for the Shropshire Star fan of the season and she claimed her award – alongside the biggest cheer of the evening at a packed Sovereign Suite at Montgomery Waters Meadow – at Sunday’s evening’s end-of-season awards.

“I feel very honoured,” said Rosemarie, who is looking forward to travelling to Charlton on Thursday evening to cheer her team on in the League One play-offs.
“It’s a wonderful thing to have, the icing on the cake for me at my age after going for so long. I want to thank the team and the manager for this year.
“It’s been fantastic. We’ve been to some places and had some wonderful results away from home. I’m really, really proud to be a supporter at this moment in time.”

Rosemarie quipped that she believes it is impossible for Shrewsbury Town to kick-off unless she is there at the stadium.
“We’ll be there – good or bad,” she added. “Going away and coming home late. I’ve got it in my head they can’t kick-off unless I’m there. A stupid thing I know, but I’ve got to be there!”

She said her favourite all-time Town player was former striker Alf Wood, who played between 1966 and 1972. Her favourite of the current bunch is Lenell John-Lewis. Both goalkeeper Dean Henderson and manager Paul Hurst referenced Rosemarie’s unwavering support during the evening. On-loan Manchester United goalkeeper Henderson added that her support and story gave him goosebumps.

“I started going with my mother in the 1950s and I was a teenager then. We’d go home and away and the club’s the love of my life,” added the proud grandmother.
“Three generations have gone through, my children went and now my grandsons are coming with me. It’s part of my life.
“I hate summer with no football – it’s dreadful. Going away on the winter nights and getting back at 3am in the morning, absolutely great – especially if you’ve won. If you’ve lost it’s a long journey!

“If we lost then I’m absolutely down until the next match.”
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Events

Shropshire Weekly and Free Radio competition winner announced

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25th April 2018

- Events

Leading regional news publisher the Midland News Association (MNA) is continuing to promote their new weekly digest magazine, Shropshire Weekly.

Brought to readers by the publisher of the Express & Star and Shropshire Star, the magazine includes essential writing around life and culture in Shropshire and surrounding areas.

As part of the launch marketing campaign, radio competitions were run with Signal 107 and Free Radio.

Ann Law, who is a keen visitor to Shropshire, scooped the Free Radio prize.

Ann won £250 in cash plus an overnight stay in a Shropshire hotel.

Ann said: “I am absolutely delighted with the £250 and a night at a hotel in Shropshire.

“I have booked to stay at the hotel in August, and I am looking forward to it. Thank you very much.”

Marketing executive Natalie Coughlan, who worked on the Shropshire Weekly marketing campaigns, said: “We were really pleased that Ann won the competition and we will continue to promote the new publication.

“We hope Ann enjoys her hotel stay.”

For more information, visit https://shropshireweekly.co.uk/
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Events

Star PR host crisis communications seminar

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12th April 2018

- Events

Businesses from across the region were given advice on crisis communications when they took part in a seminar hosted by a Midlands PR agency.

Star Public Relations welcomed 15 invited guests to its offices in Wolverhampton on Thursday April 12.

The seminar was led by Star PR agency director Sundeep, who explained how crisis can be managed in an organisation.

Sundeep discussed how staying calm is important, and gave examplea of good and bad crisis management.

The guests were also given a talk by Shropshire Star Editor Martin Wright about how a newspaper expects a company to approach a crisis.

Raynor Fletcher, from Dudley Building Society, attended the seminar.

She said: “The seminar was really interesting and Sundeep’s talk was engaging.

“I have taken away lots of useful information and it was great to find out about good and bad examples of crisis management in context.”

Charlotte Davies, from the Grand Theatre, said: “The event has been very informative.

“Sundeep is extremely knowledgeable and gave us real life examples of crisis and how it was managed.”

Following the seminar, visitors were given a tour of the Express & Star newsroom, led by reporter David Cosgrove.

They were able to see the news and sports teams in operation as they prepared the latest stories for the newspaper and websites.

The guests were then treated to lunch in the Express & Star boardroom, whilst networking.

Star PR agency director Sundeep said: “The seminar was well attended and we had some really positive feedback.

“Thank you to everyone who came and who listened to the discussion.”

Star Public Relations is part of the Midland News Association, the publisher of the Express & Star and Shropshire Star.
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Events

Shropshire Star editor joins panel for NCTJ question and answer session

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7th February 2018

- Events

Martin Wright, the editor of the Shropshire Star, was invited to join panel of editors as part of an NCTJ question and answer session for students looking to get into journalism.

More than 40 students from around the country attended the debate, which was held at BBC Birmingham, at the Mailbox, as part of the NCTJ’s Student Council 2018.

Also on the panel were Laura Adams, editorial director of Archant, Naomi Bishop, assistant editor of BBC Midlands Today, Abbie Scott, deputy managing editor of the Financial Times, and Mark McGregor, assistant editor of BBC Online.

Martin said: “We had some really interesting – and quite tough – questions from the students. What was really encouraging was the fact that this was so well attended.

“There was a great sense of enthusiasm, interest and passion for journalism which bodes well for the future of the industry.”
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Events

Cash For Your Community: How your tokens helped Josh find his own magic

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31st January 2018

- Events

Little Josh Home crawls across the floor, excitedly placing his hand on images beamed down from a machine above.
 
 As he forcibly splats the pictures, they disappear, only to reappear on another part of the floor, causing Josh to rush towards them.
Watching Josh energetically scrambling across the floor, it seems hard to believe that just a few years ago he was unable to even sit up in a chair unaided.
 
“Just before his second birthday we were told Josh would be in a vegetative state for much of his life,” says his father Matt.
 
“He can now walk about independently with the use of a walking aid,” adds mother Sarah.
 
Josh, now seven, who lives with his parents on the outskirts of Bridgnorth, is even able to play football with his friends. And this is thanks in no small part due to the work of The Movement Centre, in Gobowen, a pioneering charity which uses specialist therapies to help children with mobility problems.
 
The equipment Josh is using is known among staff as “the magic carpet”. The £10,000 machine, which has been bought with the help of our 2017 Cash For Your Community scheme, helps youngsters like Josh develop the use of their limbs by monitoring their movements and responding interactively.
 
Josh, who had suffered from brain scarring as a result of an metabolic condition, is one of the hundreds of youngsters who have seen their lives transformed by the Movement Centre, which provides a unique therapy system from its modest base in a portable building in the grounds of the Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt orthopaedic hospital.
 
“A lot of the children who come here will learn to walk during their time with us,” says head of fundraising, Victoria Handbury-Madin.
“It’s incredible when you see that.
 
“But we also have children here who have been unable to sit up without holding themselves each side, if they move one of their hands they fall over, which is obviously difficult for them as they can’t do anything.
 
“Some children who have attended the centre for nine to 12 months have gained head control, which enables them to interact with their family and friends, or have been able to sit unaided so that they can play.”All of the children who visit the charity have a disability, such as cerebral palsy, which affects their movement control. Targeted training helps children gain functional skills and independence, which can truly transform their lives.” She says the youngsters often defy the expectations of doctors with the way they respond to the treatments.
 
The Movement Centre was the biggest beneficiary of last year’s Cash For Your Community scheme, receiving £5,000 from the scheme run by the Shropshire Star in partnership with Enterprise Flex-E-Rent.
 
Victoria says she was amazed by the public response to the scheme, where charities are invited to collect tokens printed in the newspaper to win a share of a £20,000 dream fund.
 
“It was fantastic for us, it was a complete surprise,” she says.
“We had no idea we would be in the top three, we were just delighted to have been selected.  
“We have been a charity for quite a long time, but we had been quiet about it. 
 
“As well as getting the money, all the coverage in the Shropshire Star was really good, and it was lovely to meet the people from the other organisations.”
 
The charity was formed in 1996, and initially focused on the research and development of the new therapies.
“In the last few years we have seen a lot of children who are really benefitting from, but there are still a lot of people who haven’t heard of us.
 
“But now we are ready to grow and help more and more children.”
Victoria says she was humbled by the support the charity received from the community in Shropshire during last year’s Cash For Your Community Campaign, and will definitely be applying for this year’s scheme.
 
“We had many people writing in, some did not include a return address, but they said they had read about what we did in the Shropshire Star, and sent us their tokens,” says Victoria.
“It is really nice that so many people chose to support us.”
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Events

The Great Big Thank You Awards: Inspirational unsung heroes honoured at glitzy ceremony

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19th January 2018

- Events

It was a night to celebrate those unsung heroes who work tirelessly to make our communities better, go that extra mile to help others or have succeeded against all odds.
 
Finalists, celebrities and sponsors all gathered to discover who our readers had chosen to receive one of the Express & Star’s Great Big Thank You Awards.
Hundreds of people attended the glittering awards ceremony in the WV1 Suite at Molineux to congratulate the finalists, including famous faces such as Slade’s Noddy Holder, Wolves legend Steve Bulland Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson – fresh from meeting Emmanuel Macron, the French President, earlier in the day.
 
The finalists and their friends and family were congratulated on their nominations by Wolverhampton Grand’s Jack and the Beanstalk panto stars Lisa Riley and Gareth Gates who had recorded a special video in their honour.



Compère for the night was Express & Star editor Keith Harrison who announced the winners and welcomed them onto the stage to accept their well-deserved trophies.
 
“These are people whose compassion, kind hearts and all round ‘bostin-ness’ means they help others and make the world a better place,” he said.
 
Meanwhile Black Country comic Doreen Tipton had the audience in stitches as she introduced the event, poking fun at the assorted celebrities and saying: “I’m no stranger to great achievements – over the years I’ve won my fair share of awards….which is none. But people here deserve a Great Big Thank You.”
 
The first winner on the night was Declan Flanagan who was named Teacher of the Year, sponsored by City of Wolverhampton Council.
 
Declan, who works at St Anthony’s Catholic Primary School in Wolverhampton, was presented with his trophy by the city’s Deputy Mayor Councillor Phil Page.
 
Mr Flanagan has been teaching for 25 years and is particularly passionate about inspiring children to enjoy mathematics.
 
Speaking about winning his award the 50-year-old father of two said: “It’s really lovely. I was a little bemused and a little confused when I was nominated but it’s brilliant to win the award.
“I’ve been teaching for 25 years and to hear I’m doing a good job is what every teacher wants to hear.
 
“I get up everyday and I’m excited about going to work, about seeing how the children are going to react to what they are learning and coming up with imaginative ideas to inspire them to have confidence in their ability.”
 
Owen Perks walked away with the Young Star Award, sponsored by Signal 107 and presented by station director Jane Davies ably assisted by rock music legend Noddy.
 
Twelve-year-old Owen has raised around £3,000 in the past 18 months through a series of charity events.
He had his head shaved in memory of Stephen Sutton, spent six hours sat in a box to experience what it was like to have a disability like his friend with cerebral palsy – and most recently completed a walk from Wolverhampton to Walsall to raise money for Tommy Brown who had his hands and legs amputated as a result of meningitis.
 
Owen said: “I kind of had a weird feeling in my stomach when they were reading the names out. I was hoping I would win but also thought that some of the others had done amazing things as well.
 
“It’s really amazing and I want to carry on doing more charity work in the future.”
 
Volunteer of the Year, sponsored by the Express & Star, went to Pam Jackson, who runs the Busy Bees group at Wood Lane Community Centre in West Bromwich. Her award was handed over by the Express & Star’s circulation director Dean Barber, Hugh Porter and Anita Lonsborough.
 
Busy Bees aims to bring people together to socialise and prevent loneliness. The group which crochets, knits and sews special creations, boasts dozens of members.
 
After being presented with her prize the dedicated 70-year-old said it was a ‘brilliant’ feeling to know that people had voted for her.

 


Speaking about why she founded the group, Pam said: “It gives people the chance to get out, meet people, have a cup of tea and a natter.”
 
Community Champion sponsored by NatWest, went to Zara Sands from Willenhall.
 
She was presented with her prize by Alan Roberts, NatWest’s local CEO for Shrewsbury, Wolverhampton and the Black Country – alongside Wolves hero Bully.
 
Four years ago Zara and her son found themselves in a hostel after she lost her home. But Zara has bounced back from that tough time in her life and is now helping other people who find themselves in challenging circumstances.
 
She runs community group Helping Hearts, which delivers hot food and clothes to homeless people in and around Wolverhampton.
 
Zara, 33, said: “I’m so happy because I’ve never won anything. I didn’t think I would get to this stage. I just wanted to help people and it’s amazing.
 
“Some of the people I’ve helped haven’t had a great start to life and I want to give them the chance they deserve. I want to do my best for those people.”
 
Fresh Start Award sponsored by whg was won by Sam Billingham. The prize was awarded by whg group chief executive Gary Fulford and MP for Wolverhampton North East, Emma Reynolds.
 
Sam has made it her mission to help as many other women, and also men, who have managed to get away from abusive partners.
 
The mother of one founded support group SODA (Survivors of Domestic Abuse) in April 2009.
 
Since then it has gone from strength to strength with the online community alone having 900 members from across the UK and worldwide.
 
The 37-year-old from Brierley Hill dedicated her award to her late mother Megan who died two years ago.
 
“I wasn’t expecting this at all. I was a finalist last year and I saw it as a way of raising awareness and promoting SODA.
 
“It means so much to have such fantastic support.”
 
“It’s been difficult to keep going at times but I have done so because of my daughter and my dad.
 
“I’m not going to give up with SODA,” she added.
 
Fundraiser of the Year sponsored by HomeServe was given to Tesco delivery driver Jagraj Poselay, from Walsall.
 
His award was presented by John Greaves, HomeServe’s brand director, and Britain’s Got Talent finalist Jean Martyn.
 
Jag has helped raise more than £40,000 for good causes through scores of entertainment nights and shows.
 
The generous 47-year-old has also been mentoring young Owen Perks in the schoolboy’s own fundraising mission. Jag regularly works from 8am to 6pm – but can then be found helping out with fundraising activities until 10pm straight after work.
 
He said: “I feel amazing. It’s overwhelming really, I wasn’t prepared for this at all.
 
“Owen is absolutely amazing as well and I’ve been mentoring him for a while. I have won a few awards but this is the first time I’ve won one for fundraising.”
 
The Learner Award, sponsored by University of Wolverhampton went to star student Prayerna Nanavati who battled through illness while studying for her GCSEs last year.

 


Prayerna was given the award by Katharine Clough, the university’s director of external relations, and Megan Reece from The Voice.
 
Despite suffering from relentless abdominal pains, 16-year-old Prayerna achieved a raft of outstanding marks including a level 9 – the highest grade – in English literature.
 
With 11 GCSEs under her belt she is now studying for A-levels in English, French and Spanish at St Dominics Grammar School in Brewood with dreams of reading English at university and one day becoming a singer/songwriter.
 
She told the Express & Star that winning the award felt ‘really surreal’ adding: “thank you for voting for me whoever you are.”
 
Ambassador of the Year sponsored by Wolverhampton Grand Theatre was won by Dicky Dodd, who received his prize from Vicky Price, the Grand’s associate director for development and communications, and Defence Secretary Mr Williamson.
 
Signal 107 breakfast presenter and content controller Dicky, who was born and bred in Wednesfield, is a proud champion of Wolverhampton – and has played a key role in organising numerous events in the city for years.

 
After winning the award he said: “I’m bowled over. I didn’t expect to win this really – I thought [Wolverhampton Marathon organiser] Mary Harding would win it. In my eyes she should’ve won it. I’m very pleased and really proud with what I’ve done and will continue to do for the city.
 
“But the city is nothing without the people. I’m just an ordinary guy doing a really amazing job, a dream job. If we can have more people being proud of our city, championing it and shouting about it to the rest of the world then that would be great.
 
“I think these awards put Wolverhampton, the Black Country and the West Midlands on the map – not just for the UK but the world.”
 
During the interval there was a performance by The Voice star Megan who took to the stage to sing two songs including one she dedicated to the finalists, saying: “This event really warms my heart.”
 
 
Defence Secretary Mr Williamson, who is the MP for South Staffordshire, paid tribute to the community champions recognised in the awards.
 
He said: “This was a wonderful celebration of the best of Wolverhampton, Staffordshire and the Black Country – the best of people and the very best they do to really make a difference.
 
“You can see the real passion they have for the places they have championed. It makes you realise how lucky we are to live in such a special part of the world.”
 
Noddy told the Express & Star he was delighted to return to his old stomping ground. He said: “I don’t get back to Wolverhampton very often but it’s always good when I do. When you’re brought up in the Midlands it’s in your DNA, it’s in your blood. As soon as you hear the Black Country accent it brings everything back.
 
“I think we often get overlooked compared to London, Manchester and Liverpool but it’s great to be here to celebrate the Black Country – we need to highlight all the good news from our unsung heroes.”


 
Prolific striker Bully said: “It’s great to celebrate these people who have achieved so much and have done so much good in their communities.
 
“It’s also nice to tell more people about what they are doing and it will hopefully inspire others to think ‘I can do that’ too.”
 
Cycling legend Hugh said: “I’m a proud Wulfrunian and a proud Black Country boy and it’s great to see people from around here who have done great things recognised.
 
“They deserve to be honoured even though they aren’t doing it for that reason.”
 
Olympic swimming gold medalist Anita added: “It’s lovely to be able to honour the unsung heroes from all different categories. These people work tremendously hard, don’t get paid and get a lot of satisfaction from what they do. It’s great to give them something back.”
 
Wolverhampton South East MP Pat McFadden said: “I think it’s great that the Express & Star has organised these awards as a way of saying thank you to these community heroes, these people that give so much to their community and make them a better place for everyone.
 
“Their stories really are inspiring and I’m delighted that their efforts are being recognised in this way.
 
Britain’s Got Talent’s finalist Jean, who also attended last year’s awards ceremony, said: “I think anything that shows people that what they are doing hasn’t gone unnoticed and is appreciated is a good thing.”
 
Deputy Mayor Councillor Page added: “There are a lot of fantastic people who really deserve some recognition for what they are doing. We’ve also got some very talented young people and it’s nice that they too are being recognised. For me it shows that Wolverhampton is a fantastic place to live, work and raise a family.”
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