charlesghose

‘Inclusive Barbies a major step in my life’

James Stewart is among those celebrating new Barbie dolls that are being released today. Mattel, the company that makes them, has released a range of more diverse dolls. For the first time, Barbie is seen with a hearing aid, a prosthetic limb and a wheelchair, while a Ken doll has vitiligo. James, who has theContinue reading “‘Inclusive Barbies a major step in my life’”

UK Black Pride event returns to London

Europe’s largest pride celebration for LGBTQ+ people of African, Caribbean, Latin American and Middle-Eastern descent has taken place in London. It is the first time UK Black Pride has been held in person since 2019, as celebrations in 2020 and 2021 were online due to Covid. The event at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park inContinue reading “UK Black Pride event returns to London”

Darlings: Alia Bhatt and Vijay Varma’s domestic violence film wows India

Domestic violence is no laughing matter, but a dark comedy streaming on Netflix on the topic is wowing audiences in India. Starring Bollywood actress Alia Bhatt, Shefali Shah and Vijay Varma in the lead roles, Darlings is the story of a young Muslim couple in love – and violence and revenge. The film opens withContinue reading “Darlings: Alia Bhatt and Vijay Varma’s domestic violence film wows India”

Covid: Room 46 musical emulates experiences of teenagers during lockdown

A musical showcasing the experiences of teenagers during the lockdown is to tour nationally after its Northamptonshire premiere later. Room 46 charts the changing social environment caused by the pandemic through the eyes of six young people. It will be performed and recorded at the Castle Theatre, in Wellingborough, for the first time on Thursday.Continue reading “Covid: Room 46 musical emulates experiences of teenagers during lockdown”

BBC Proms: Composer turned to music to help with Tourette’s

A man who turned to music to help his Tourette’s syndrome is set to see his work performed by Welsh musicians at the Proms. Gavin Higgins, from London, developed the condition as an infant and used music to “cool off” when overwhelmed. “Everything stops when I play music,” he said. Years after his diagnosis forContinue reading “BBC Proms: Composer turned to music to help with Tourette’s”

Carer relieved at securing autistic Ukrainian teen’s visa

A woman who has been trying to bring a boy with severe autism from Ukraine to the UK for months has said finally securing his visa was “a great relief”. Julie Elliot applied to help 16-year-old Timothy through the government’s Homes for Ukraine (HfU) scheme in March, but his age made him ineligible. She wasContinue reading “Carer relieved at securing autistic Ukrainian teen’s visa”

Brighton Pride 2022: Festival celebrates 30th anniversary

One of the UK’s biggest pride events is celebrating its 30th anniversary. Brighton Pride was back on the streets of the south-coast city on Saturday, after being cancelled for the last two years due to Covid. A large parade set off from Hove Lawns at 11:00 BST weaving its way through the streets of theContinue reading “Brighton Pride 2022: Festival celebrates 30th anniversary”

Ukraine war: Wembley exhibition shows ‘beauty’ of country

The “real beauty of Ukraine and its people” is being showcased in a public art display in north-west London. Visions of Home is a collection of photographs, installations and digital works by artists from the country. It forms part of an annual art trail just outside Wembley Stadium, which is visited by millions of peopleContinue reading “Ukraine war: Wembley exhibition shows ‘beauty’ of country”

Ukraine war: Mother and six sons get keys to Chepstow home

A Ukrainian mother and her six children who fled Russian bombing have been handed the keys to their new home. Lilia Onopa, 43, and her children received an official welcome in Chepstow, Monmouthshire, on Friday. She tearfully described seeing her hometown destroyed, people killed, and wanting to save her sons. Having fled their home northContinue reading “Ukraine war: Mother and six sons get keys to Chepstow home”

Military dog tag found in River Soar reunited with Illinois family

A group of history hunters who found an old Air Force Military Dog tag in a river have reunited it with the owner’s family in the United States. The tag was discovered by Black Country-based Peaky Dippers in the River Soar, Leicestershire, and traced back to a family in Illinois. It belonged to Robert MContinue reading “Military dog tag found in River Soar reunited with Illinois family”