Month: April 2025

Correction: 

We recently published an article called Toward the Light in some of our Pioneer Magazines.

It contains the following sentence: A product that contains hydrochloric acid, for example, works well with red light as it helps your skin retain and absorb moisture.

This sentence should read: A product that contains hyaluronic acid, for example, works well with red light as it helps your skin retain and absorb moisture.

The full article can be read below.

When it comes to beauty trends, you can find yourself spending hundreds of pounds on miracle machines and serums which end up languishing in a drawer. However, one trend that does seem to genuinely be a long-term investment, is LED therapy.

The effectiveness of at-home LED light treatments can vary depending on the device and specific skin concern being targeted. Clinical studies have shown that these treatments can indeed provide noticeable improvements.

Who can benefit?

The best thing about LED therapy is that it can benefit numerous ages, skin conditions and lifestyles. If acne is plaguing your life, then blue light therapy, which targets and kills acne- causing bacteria, can reduce breakouts and help achieve clearer skin.

Red light therapy on the other hand, is ideal for those looking to combat signs of ageing. Its ability to stimulate collagen production can reduce fine lines and wrinkles, promoting a more youthful appearance.

Even inflammatory skin conditions, such as rosacea or eczema, can see results via yellow light therapy; its anti-inflammatory properties can soothe irritation and reduce redness.

Light up your life

If you’ve got a big even coming up, like a summer wedding perhaps, you might opt for an acid peel which can only be conducted in a salon and offers quick results. However, at home treatments are easy to pick up and can be targeted to what works best for you – a face mask, a mask with bib to target decolletage, chest and back, or even a wand to target smaller areas. They also offer variable light settings.

Effectiveness

However, it is important to note that while-at-home devices can deliver results, they are generally not as powerful as the professional-grade equipment used in dermatologists’ offices.

This means achieving significant results may require consistent, long-term use. Additionally, proper usage and adherence to the device’s instructions are crucial to avoid potential side effects such as skin irritation or damage.

Maximisation

One way to maximise LED therapy is by using complimentary serums. A product that contains hyaluronic acid, for example, works well with red light as it helps your skin absorb and retain moisture.

In other words, it’s not just a therapy in itself, it actually helps other products work better. Now that’s a smart investment.

Walsall Council has approved a new food waste collection service, allocating £1.7 million to its implementation. ​

Starting in 2026, households will receive a small kitchen caddy and a larger kerbside caddy for weekly food waste collection. Properties with communal bins will also participate, with adjusted collection methods.

This move aligns with the Environment Act 2021, which mandates all local authorities to introduce food waste collections by March 31, 2026. Walsall Council’s early adoption positions it ahead in meeting these requirements.​

A 2023 review revealed that food waste constitutes 40% of the contents in grey bins, amounting to approximately 28,500 tonnes annually. Notably, nearly a third of this waste remains in its original packaging.​

Collected food waste will be processed through anaerobic digestion, producing biogas for electricity or vehicle fuel and creating fertiliser for agriculture. This method is more cost-effective than incineration or landfill disposal.​

Councillor Kerry Murphy, portfolio holder for Street Pride, stated, “From March next year, we’ve got to bring in statutory weekly food collections. It is something we’ve got to do. Forty per cent of our waste that goes into our bin is food waste, and the government believes this will help improve the amount going to landfill.”​

Councillor Mark Statham, deputy leader and portfolio holder for finance, added, “I wholeheartedly support and welcome the recommendations as set out in the report. It’s very good to see the operational plans way in advance of the service introduction.”​

The council will now proceed with awarding contracts for the supply of caddies, waste collection vehicles, and food waste disposal services.

A once-neglected pond in Leamore Park has been given a new lease of life, thanks to a generous contribution from local business Starmac Surfacing Ltd. 

Starmac’s team completely revamped the area by excavating a larger pond on the site of the original, then supplying and installing a new pond lining. The aim was to create a safe, inviting space where children could explore nature and enjoy outdoor learning activities.

The project saw its first use on 17 March, when toddlers joined Walsall Council’s Healthy Spaces team for a morning of pond dipping and discovery. Surrounded by secure fencing and locked overnight, the new pond was intended as a protected space for play and learning.

Sadly, the celebrations were short-lived.

The very next day, council staff arrived to find the pond had been vandalised. The lining was torn out and destroyed, causing the water to drain away completely. The incident has since been reported to West Midlands Police.

Councillor Gary Flint, Portfolio Holder for Health and Wellbeing, expressed his disappointment:

“Situations like this are quite frankly demoralising. So much good work has been carried out here to create something for our children in Walsall to enjoy.

“I can’t thank the businesses who come forward and help us deliver projects like this enough. We want everyone to take pride in the borough and our surroundings.

“I’d encourage residents to consider how they can support their local parks and green spaces—and to take a stand against antisocial behaviour. If you see criminal damage or have any information about suspicious activity, please report it to our Community Protection team or the police. You can also contact Crime Stoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”

Despite this setback, the Council remains committed to restoring the pond and protecting it for future use. 

Big changes could be coming to the way Walsall residents deal with food waste, as councillors prepare to decide how weekly collections will be rolled out across the borough.

At a Cabinet meeting on Wednesday 16 April, Walsall Council members will consider two different options for introducing weekly food waste collections—something all local authorities are required to do by March 2026 under the Environment Act 2021.

The proposals aim to significantly reduce the amount of food waste currently sent to landfill, helping both the environment and the community.

Two Options on the Table

Councillors will review two delivery models:

• Option 1: Separate weekly food waste collections
  Households would receive a small kitchen caddy for daily food waste and a larger kerbside caddy for weekly collection.

• Option 2: Mixed food and garden waste collections
  Residents would place both food and garden waste into their existing brown bins, which would be collected weekly instead of fortnightly, all year round.

Both options aim to make it easier for residents to dispose of food waste responsibly while reducing landfill and increasing recycling.

Councillor Kerry Murphy, Portfolio Holder for Street Pride at Walsall Council, said:

“Food waste makes up a huge part of what we currently send to landfill.

Analysis carried out found that food waste made up around 40 per cent of the total, accumulating to around 28,500 tonnes.

Of this food waste, 75 per cent was avoidable, with 28 per cent of all discarded food still in its original packaging.

Depending on resident participation, food waste collections could remove between 6,000 to 10,000 tonnes from the waste we send to landfill.”

What Will It Cost?

A study carried out in August 2024 by WRAP (Waste and Resources Action Programme) compared the costs of both collection models. The current annual cost of Walsall’s kerbside waste services is £10.7 million.

• Option 1 (separate food waste collections): additional £1.9 million per year

• Option 2 (mixed food and garden waste): additional £2.9 million per year

Following the Cabinet’s decision, the Council will move forward with buying the necessary caddies or bins, collection vehicles, and arranging for waste processing facilities.

When Is the Decision Being Made?

The Cabinet meeting will take place at 6pm on Wednesday 16 April at Walsall Council House. Members of the public can attend or follow the outcome online.