Inspirational speaker to boost credit crunch beating business conference

INSPIRATIONAL charity boss Sheila Brown will share her top tips for success with an audience of entrepreneurs at a Cannock business exhibition to help firms overcome the credit crunch.

Mrs Brown OBE, chief executive at Newlife Foundation for Disabled Children, will be one of the key speakers at the Wings business network exhibition, being held at Chase Park (Cannock Cricket and Hockey Club), Church Lane, Hatherton, on Friday October 16 from 9am to 4pm.

And support of a different kind is hoped for at the event, as another charity is asking businesswomen attending to donate unwanted bras.

Mamma Mia – spectacular Abba show set to boost Wolverhampton charities

A MUSICAL extravaganza dubbed ‘the world’s greatest live Abba show’ is set to bring in some Money, Money, Money for Wolverhampton charities.

The Mamma Mia Concert is at the city’s Civic Hall on Friday, September 11.

Abba dress is optional at the concert which starts at 7.45pm, with doors opening at 7pm. Dancing in the aisles is also optional – but expected!

Proceeds from the show will be divided between charities supported by The Rotary Club of Wolverhampton, with Compton Hospice a major beneficiary.

The Stage newspaper called the show: ‘Simply the best Abba show…bar none.’

Tickets cost just £15 and £16.50, with concessions for group bookings and charities. More details: www.wolvesabbamania.com

Neil's 'Someone once told me': 'You are allowed to relax you know'

YOU'LL always find him in the kitchen at parties...

This is our new media director, Neil Aitchison, during our recent Someone once told me session.

And what an important message it is too!

Check out Carol's SOTM video here - dubbed one of creator Mario's favourites ever.

And then there was Linda, doing her best again to raise awareness about mental illness. She's not keen on the picture but the audio is powerful.

Various Passionate Media clients and contacts were also captured in pictures, video or sound. Watch this space for a fuller gallery as more are posted on the site.

Tasty treat for Village people

WALSALL'S Village Hotel cooked up a treat for 80 VIP guests as they hosted a charity launch night for their new restaurant, Verve Grill, in aid of Acorns Children’s Hospice.

Street magician Russ Stokes conjured up some fun as he astounded with his up-close and personal tricks at the tables, and a barman from the hotel’s Victory Pub, Adam Smith, serenaded with classical tunes on the piano.

A charity auction raised £630 for Acorns Children’s Hospice, with prizes including a full spring-clean of someone’s house by the hotel housekeeping team, Verve Grill’s head chef cooking a three-course a-la-carte dinner for six at the winner’s home and a signed West Bromwich Albion shirt.

Adding some Bollywood spice

WOW! What a night. In between learning Bollywood dance moves, having henna tattoos and watching a fabulous fashion show by Coconut Couture, ladies at India Gates Restaurant's charity night raised £200 for Breast Cancer Care.
The event attracted 80 guests who all had a Bolly-Good time!

Thanks to Desi Nach Dance Troupe, Coconut Couture, Digital Aisa Entertainments, Shally's Beauty Parlour and Oxford Blue Jewellers for making the party go with a Bhangra!

Katie's hard work pays off in dazzling wedding fayre

I'VE been meaning to add this for a while.

Katie's meticulous planning and hard work paid off big-time when an Asian wedding fayre at Walsall's Village Hotel proved a hugely popular and stylish event.

More than 200 brides-to-be flocked to the venue, along with friends and family, to enjoy the display of glittering fashions and Eastern delicacies.

So just because Shilpa Shetty or Liz Hurley were nowhere to be seen, their influence still proved a massive boost. [Linda]