A Matter of Life and Death Festival, organised by community group BrumYODO, returns for another thought-provoking edition, from May 5 -17, transforming spaces across Birmingham – from tattoo parlours to libraries, pubs to country parks – into hubs for open discussions about mortality, grief, and end-of-life care.

Festival Highlights:

May 6 – Death Café & Undertakers’ Discussion

• Sun Rising Burial Ground (Warwick): The festival kicks off with a Death Café – an informal space to chat about life and death over tea and cake.
• A Natural Undertaking (Hall Green): An evening of wine, cheese, and candid conversation on making difficult discussions about death more comfortable.

May 7 – Memorial Tattoos at Lucky Rabbit

• The festival’s newest venue, Lucky Rabbit Tattoo Studio (Jewellery Quarter), hosts a talk on memorial ink—exploring tattoos as a way to honor lost loved ones.

May 8 – Interfaith Walk (Handsworth)

• A guided walk through Handsworth’s places of worship, uncovering diverse funeral rites, mourning customs, and spiritual perspectives on death.

May 9 – Kathryn Mannix Talk (Stourbridge)

• The bestselling author of With the End in Mind shares insights on compassionate end-of-life care. (Due to high demand, a second session has been added.)

May 10 – Walking Tours

• Morning: Five Ways to Die in Birmingham – a macabre yet fascinating tour of lost cemeteries, plague pits, and the grave of the lightbulb inventor.
• Afternoon: A wellbeing poetry walk in Lickey Hills, blending nature, remembrance, and creative writing.

May 13 – Meet the Undertakers (Kings Heath)

• A rare chance to tour A Natural Undertaking, ask burning questions, and demystify the funeral process.

May 15 – Death at the Museum & Tea Room Death Café

• Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery: A curator-led tour of death-themed artworks.
• Edwardian Tea Rooms: Reflective discussions over cake in an elegant setting.

May 17 – Pop-Up Death finale (Birmingham Library)

• The festival closes with an interactive, all-ages event featuring coffin decorating, storytelling, and art installations—bringing death out of the shadows and into public conversation.

Why It Matters:

As the UK’s first Compassionate City, Birmingham leads the way in breaking taboos around death. BrumYODO’s festival offers safe, creative, and sometimes surprising ways to engage with a subject often left unspoken.

Emma Waterford, BrumYODO board member, said “We are thrilled to close the festival at Birmingham Library in the city centre. With its glass walls overlooking Centenary Square, we aim to bring visibility to the often hidden topics of death and dying, encouraging open conversations about living well until we die.”

Most events are free or low-cost. Some require booking—check the full program:
🔗 brumyodo.org.uk/events
📱 Follow updates: @BrumYODO

Discover Larnaka in 2025—where accessibility meets heritage! Explore Braille menus, tactile museums, and the Ablebook app. Wander honey villages, virtual tours, and festive Christmas markets. Dive into history, culture, and inclusive travel in Cyprus’ hidden gem.

Boosting accessibility for visitors to Larnaka in 2025

Several pioneering initiatives to boost accessibility in the region were launched last year, including a first for Cyprus with the tourism board collaborating with the charity ‘ena emeis’ and St. Barnabas School for the Blind to introduce Braille menus with QR codes for blind and visually impaired individuals.

The menus were rolled out in November at the Golden Bay Beach Hotel, Sandy Beach Hotel & Spa, Lordos Beach Hotel and Spa, Radisson Blu Hotel, Larnaca, Robinson Cyprus, Sun Hall Hotel and E-Hotel Spa & Resort.  

Additionally, the Pierides Museum now features a tactile station, allowing sensory exploration of Larnaka’s history. This follows the museum’s award-winning ‘Guided Sensory Tour for the Blind’. Videos at ‘The Craft of Caning Museum, Livadia’ that showcase the basketry tradition have also been adapted to include large caption subtitles and sign language for people with visual and auditory disabilities, as well as a museum booklet in Braille. 

Visitors can take advantage of the ground breaking Ablebook app, which can be downloaded to find out which establishments and attractions are suitable for people with disabilities, along with useful information and special offers. The app can be found on the App Store and Google Play.

See authentic attractions in Larnaka’s Rural Villages 

Larnaka Tourism Board continues to enhance the unique charms of its rural villages, building on 2024’s successes such as the second honeybee-themed nature trail in Vavla, artistic Athienou bus stops inspired by UNESCO-listed lace, and an illuminated swing chair in Choirokoitia. Mosaic planters in Kato Lefkara, Agios Theodoros, and Choirokoitia celebrate local heritage, while a traditional village farm in Agios Theodoros will open in early 2025. Visitors can also discover local Myths and Legends via QR codes at landmarks across the region. Click here for more info.

Explore ‘Virtual Larnaka’ to inspire a visit in 2025

The latest virtual and 3D projects take people on a journey through mountainous honey villages… and back in time to discover the region’s rich, religious history. Highlights include:

Larnaka Honey Villages – The cluster of beekeeping and honey producing villages collectively branded as ‘Rural Larnaka Honey Villages’ can be toured virtually, from themed nature trails and parks, to beekeeping experiences, crafts and exhibits. People can immerse themselves in the villages at home, or use the platform as a virtual tour guide when exploring them first-hand.

Agia Eleni and the Holy Cross in Cyprus – The history of Agia Eleni (Saint Helena); mother of Emperor Constantine the Great, and her arrival on the island is now captured with a virtual tour of the areas in Larnaka that the Royal Mother visited, and the churches that were founded with the piece of the Holy Cross that she left at each site. As well as interesting facts about her journey, people can virtually explore the churches of the area, including their interiors and artefacts. 

Virtual Reconstruction of Agios Athanasios Church – The church of Agios (Saint) Athanasios Pentaschoinitis in Agios Theodoros has been brought to life. Agios Athanasios was a 7^th century saint whose burial place became a sacred place. A church was built on the site in the 8^th century, and the video shows the evolution of the basilica ruins, the Saint’s crypt, and the renovated upper structure that was completed this year. It is the fourth virtual reconstruction following the Ancient Port of Kition, Kalavasos-Tenta Archaeological Site and the Church of the Holy Cross, Tochni.

Larnaka’s Christmas Villages 2025

Now in their third year, the Christmas markets took place in eight villages across the region until 6 January 2025 and were hugely successful, drawing in locals and tourists alike. Although there’s another 11 months until the festive season 2025, for those who love a Christmas market its worth pencilling in now. See what to expect here. The online event calendar is continually updated; so check the dates here for all events taking place this year including the Xmas markets.

For more information, read the winter newsletter in full, click here.

For tourist information from the Larnaka Tourism Board, visit www.larnakaregion.com

2025: Building a Thriving Business Community     

The Royal Business Fair 2025 is back, and this year’s theme is all about community. Royal Sutton Coldfield Chamber of Commerce is championing a thriving business community, one where businesses don’t just exist, but connect, support and grow together.

The Royal Business Fair is a prime event aimed at bringing together professionals, entrepreneurs, and business owners from Royal Sutton Coldfield and across Greater Birmingham to connect, support and grow. 

Taking place at the Gracechurch Centre, The exhibition serves as a platform for businesses of all sizes and industries to showcase their products, services, and expertise to a diverse audience. Attendees can expect to explore a wide array of offerings, from innovative technologies to traditional services, creating ample opportunities for networking and business development.

Why Attend?

Whether you’re a small business, a growing enterprise, or an industry leader, the Royal Business Fair offers a chance to:

• Making new connections
• Learning new skills
• Raising your profile

Key Highlights:

• Network with business leaders– Meet decision-makers, entrepreneurs, and professionals from across the region.
• Showcase your business – Exhibit your brand in front of a highly engaged audience.
• Engage and learn – Join expert-led seminars, interactive workshops, and fast-paced speed networking.
• Boost your visibility – Take advantage of session or headline sponsorship opportunities to stand out.

Event Details:

• 35+ Exhibitors Expected
• 350 Delegates Expected
• 40 Businesses at Speed Networking

Venue:

The Gracechurch Centre
210A Parade
Sutton Coldfield
B72 1PA

Parents can forget about keeping the kids occupied this Easter, when families can enjoy an immersive nature-inspired experience at The Belfry Hotel and Resort, near Sutton Coldfield.

The brand-new Woodland Adventure playground—nestled within the resort’s scenic woodlands—offers thrilling activities, from climbing towers and zip wires to sunken trampolines and swooping slides, perfect for kids who love outdoor exploration.

A Playground Inspired by Nature

Designed to reflect the resort’s native woodland wildlife, the playground is divided into three exciting zones:

• The Owl’s Roost – Soar down slides and swing like an owl in flight.
• Hoppers Hollow – Jump on trampolines and dash through tunnels.
• Squirrel Play – Climb, scramble, and balance like a woodland squirrel.

Paul Travers, Head of Operations at CAP.CO (the team behind the playground’s design), says:
“Our bespoke play experiences blend local narratives with adventure. The Belfry’s Woodland Adventures is packed with multi-sensory play, making it a unique family attraction.”

More Easter Family Fun at The Belfry

• After exploring the woodland, families can enjoy:
• Go-karting – Race around the track for high-speed excitement.
• Toptracer Range – Perfect your golf swing with tech-driven practice.
• The Green – Outdoor games including badminton, volleyball, and football.
•  Mini Golf, Swimming & Indoor Game Zone – Fun for all weathers.