News-Aldridge
Great Barr tribute march for war heroes
31 Dec 09 12:57
Great Barr tribute march for war heroes
Express & Star 31 Dec 09
Young comrades from Great Barr braved the freezing weather and walked from The Cat and Fiddle pub in Beacon Road to Selly Oak Hospital in Birmingham to raise cash for Help For Heroes. Private Luke Tuckey, of 3 Mercian Regiment, came up with the plan after a friend had his legs blown off in Afghanistan...
BBC 31 Dec Selly Oak army hospital matron honoured
Royal Centre for Defence Medicine Selly Oak
Help for Heroes Home
Great Barr teen pitches garden tent fundraiser
30 Dec 09 14:00
News
Great Barr teen pitches garden tent fundraiser
Kat Keogh B'ham Mail 30 Dec 09
Sixth form student Amy Welch is embarking on a rather chilly challenge next month to help fund a trip of a lifetime. The 16-year-old from Great Barr will be braving the elements and pitching a tent in her back garden every night during January...
Great Barr teen pitches garden tent fundraiser
Kat Keogh B'ham Mail 30 Dec 09
Sixth form student Amy Welch is embarking on a rather chilly challenge next month to help fund a trip of a lifetime. The 16-year-old from Great Barr will be braving the elements and pitching a tent in her back garden every night during January...
Walsall Wood pit-head sculpture ready to be unveiled
30 Dec 09 12:40
Walsall Wood pit-head sculpture ready to be unveiled
Express & Star 30 Dec 09
A controversial £45,000 public art project celebrating Walsall Wood's industrial heritage is set to be unveiled in February. The opening ceremony will be held at noon on February 6, at St John’s Church in Walsall Wood...
BrownhillsBob on Twitter 30 Dec 09 Meals on wheels are going up, your daycentre has closed, but it's OK: we're paying tribute to you with 18 tons of metal
B'ham Post 14 May Walsall Wood coal-mining sculpture approved
Blog Brownhills Bob 13 May Walsall Wood mining memorial
Brownhills Bob is not impressed... have your say!
Express & Star 23 May Sculptor's memorial far from the pits
Walsall Council PR 13 May Green light for colliery sculpture
Blog Cllr Mike Flower 17 April Seeking permission for memorial
Walsall Council 29 Jan Pit head to rise again
Walsall Council PR 19 Aug 08 Have your say on Walsall Wood scheme
Long queues to get rid of holiday rubbish
30 Dec 09 11:45
Long queues to get rid of holiday rubbish
Express & Star 30 Dec 09
Drivers were caught up in queues as they flocked to get rid of their Christmas rubbish at tips in the Black Country. Long queues of cars snaked along Anchor Lane, Coseley, on Tuesday and tips in Aldridge and Bloxwich were also packed...
Cllr Ian Shires 29 Dec Comment: Mixed message on recycling over Christmas
Walsall Council Holiday recycling arrangements pdf
Express & Star 21 Dec Last Willenhall bin collection for nearly a month
Beacon Radio 21 Dec Don't waste Xmas food
Walsall Council 18 Dec Joy as recycling hits all time high
Walsall Council 16 Dec Remember to recycle this Christmas
Walsall Council 14 Dec Christmas rubbish and recycling arrangements in Walsall
Recycle Now Home
Pelsall drug raid pub reopens
26 Dec 09 15:16
Pelsall drug raid pub reopens
The YamYam 26 Dec 09
The Queens pub in Pelsall has been reopened despite objections from residents and the local councillor. The Norton Road boozer was raided on November 13 by over 40 police officers, some with dogs and some wearing riot gear. Class A and B drugs were seized and four men and two women were arrested.
The raid followed months of complaints from local residents concerned about drug taking and drug dealing at the pub. Two men have been charged and the police have now applied for the closure of the pub under anti-social behaviour legislation. The police application will go before a Walsall Council licensing hearing in the New Year. However, owners Marston's have brought in new temporary licensees and the pub is once again open for business.
Fear of reprisals within the close-knit community means that residents are unwilling to come forward and make a formal complaint. Pelsall councillor Garry Perry said: “It has reopened and a lot of people are worried they will have to put up with the same problems.
“The problem is that no-one has come forward to complain about the pub. Instead of this I put in a statement on the behalf of residents outlining their concerns which has been drinkers congregating at the front in the summer, fights, drugs allegations and other anti-social behaviour.
“But I have been told my statement will not be admissible at the licensing hearing under the Licensing Act because I live more than half a mile from the pub and it does not include names and addresses of residents. This is ridiculous, it means red tape and bureaucracy is getting in the way of common sense and probably the most we can hope for its more stringent conditions.”
Advertiser 15 Nov Pelsall pub drug raid leads to six arrests
Express & Star 14 Nov Riot police swoop on Pelsall pub
Aldridge quarry lorry misery continues
26 Dec 09 15:05
Aldridge quarry lorry misery continues
Adam Lumley The YamYam 26 Dec 09
Up to 200 heavy lorries a day will continue to rumble past homes in a residential area of Aldridge despite government planning permission to build a new road to divert trucks away from the houses.
Residents of Branton Hill Lane and Little Aston Road have fought a 30 year campaign to establish an alternative route for the lorries which thunder to and from an Aldridge quarry owned by Bliss Sand and Gravel Ltd. In October 2008, exasperated residents twice took to the streets to blockade the road against the trucks. Pensioners, children and parents waving placards stating “Enough is enough” were moved on by police to allow the lorries through.
Campaigners complain of dust in the summer, mud in the winter, intolerable air pollution and incessant noise and vibration which has even caused objects to be shaken from walls. The massive trucks have to negotiate tight 90 degree bends and cross a narrow bridge over a railway line leading to fears over road safety.
A planning application was submitted to Walsall Council in June 2007 that proposed a new access link between the quarry and the main A452 Chester Road. The new road would allow lorries to join the major trunk road which is about 200m east of the quarry instead of travelling about a mile along Branton Hill Lane before emerging onto Little Aston Road near Aldridge town centre.
The council initially supported the proposal but when the possible £1million cost was identified, planning chiefs began to raise objections. A report to the Development Control Committee in November 2007 stated that if the development went ahead, no fewer than 41 breeches of policy and protocols would occur. 11 council departments objected to the scheme and even Wolverhampton Council objected to the use of Green Belt land. To pay for the scheme, the site was considered as having the potential for the building of 102 “aspirational homes” designed to attract “entrepreneurs” to the borough. The number was later reduced to 24.
Planning permission was also granted for the building of 9 homes on Chester Road.
Since then, little has changed and lorries continue to make living on Branton Hill Lane a misery. In a survey conducted by the council in November 2006, over 200 daily lorry movements were logged during the working week. On Sunday, just 18 cars used the lane. A planned expansion of the quarry will only make matters worse.
The downturn in the housing market has been blamed for the lack of interest in the development. Steve Morgan, managing director at Bliss Sand and Gravel said: “It is due to the economic climate and the banks not lending builders any money. We want the new road built as much as the residents do.”
Councillor John Rochelle who represents Aldridge Central and South said: “What we don`t want is the extension of the quarry before the road is built. The money for the housing was going to pay for the road but obviously with the housing market in the state it is I don`t know whether the money is there.”
Express & Star 27 Mar Heavy lorries will stop near Aldridge
Walsall Council 29 May 08 Development Control Committee pdf
Walsall Council 20 Nov 07 Development Control Committee pdf
Bliss Aggregates Home
40 take part in Sutton Park Christmas Day swim
26 Dec 09 13:55
40 take part in Sutton Park Christmas Day swim
B'ham Post 26 Dec 09
While most of us spent Christmas Day wrapped up trying to stay warm, this barmy lot were plunging into icy cold water. Despite the freezing temperatures, more than 40 people brrrr-aced themselves and took part in the annual Christmas Day dip in Sutton Park...
Sky News 25 Dec Hyde Park Xmas day swim
Sky News 2 Dec The top 10 Christmas Day swims
Outdoor Swimming Society Home
Outdoor Lido Swimming in the UK Home
River and Lake Swimming Home
Wild Swimming Home
Aldridge quiz night for 2012 contender
24 Dec 09 18:18
News
Aldridge quiz night for 2012 contender
B'ham Mail 24 Dec 09
A paralympian hopeful is holding a quiz night in January to keep his 2012 dreams alive...
Aldridge quiz night for 2012 contender
B'ham Mail 24 Dec 09
A paralympian hopeful is holding a quiz night in January to keep his 2012 dreams alive...
Pelsall bowlers in shelter bid
24 Dec 09 12:57
Pelsall bowlers in shelter bid
Express & Star 24 Dec 09
A shelter could be created at the popular Pelsall Community Association Bowling Club to protect up to 30 players, many of whom are elderly, from wind and rain in the cold months...
Walsall Council Pelsall & Rushall LNP
Pelsall Online Home
Walsall teenager admits incitement to commit sexual assault on child
23 Dec 09 14:49
Shelfield teenager admits incitement to commit sexual assault on child
Sarah Probert B'ham Post 23 Dec 09
A Walsall teenager who admitted making and distributing indecent photographs of children has now pleaded guilty to two charges of incitement to commit sexual assault on a child under 13. Nicholas Wilde was arrested after an investigation between WM Police and officers in the United States...
BBC News 14 Sep Further charges in Walsall web abuse case
Independent 19 Jun Shelfield man remanded on child porn charges
B'ham Post 16 Jun Teenager in custody
B'ham Mail 17 Jun Mum in court on abuse charge
My Fox Lubbock 16 Jun Maine Mom nabbed
WBZ 15 Jun Child porn Maine woman held after UK tip
BBC News 15 Jun Pair held over child abuse on web
Express & Star 15 Jun Walsall teen charged on child porn
Telegraph 15 Jun British child porn probe leads US arrest
Child explointation & online protection centre Home
Streetly's Connie finds Ab Fab fan in Joanna
21 Dec 09 18:40
Streetly's Connie finds Ab Fab fan in Joanna
Express & Star 21 Dec 09
Streetly singing sensation Connie Talbot enjoyed an absolutely fabulous meeting with national acting treasure Joanna Lumley. The nine-year-old songbird immediately stole the heart of the Gurkhas’ champion at a fund raiser in London organised by the Rainbow Trust children’s charity...
Rainbow Trust Children's Charity Home
BBC Ab Fab
Firefighters battle to save Barr Beacon horse
21 Dec 09 18:33
Firefighters battle to save Barr Beacon horse
Express & Star 21 Dec 09
Among those in difficulty during the cold weather was Barley, a 29-year-old Russian Draft horse. A farmer’s tractor and 14 firefighters had to help winch the animal to safety after he sat down in his icy paddock at Foxhills Farm, Beacon Road, Great Barr, at 4pm on Saturday but could not get back up again...
Delivering festive Aldridge gifts across Europe
20 Dec 09 16:40
Delivering festive Aldridge gifts across Europe
Walsall Advertiser 17 Dec 09
Generous churchgoers from across the Walsall borough are helping deliver thousands of Christmas presents to children in eastern Europe. The industrious volunteers have joined forces in Aldridge over the past six weeks, preparing 7,102 shoe boxes to be transported to underprivileged youngsters in Belarus...
Express & Star 18 July Aldridge vicar stunned by £270k collection
Samaritan's Purse UK Home
Aldridge Parish Church Home
Councillors see red in bid to cut Walsall congestion
17 Dec 09 14:28
Councillors see red in bid to cut Walsall road congestion
Advertiser 17 Dec 09
Motorists could be restricted from stopping on some of Walsall's busiest roads as part of a £5 million congestion-busting scheme. Transport bosses plan to turn the A452 Chester Road, A461 Lichfield Road, A4061 Queslett Road and the A4031 West Bromwich Road into 'red routes'...
Walsall Council 15 Dec Parking clampdown on schools planned
Walsall Advertiser 15 Dec Palfrey & Caldmore target illegal parking
Express & Star 7 Dec Walsall parking fees rise to bring in £170k
YamYam 25 Nov Walsall drivers pay £95k in parking fines
Tax Payers Alliance 24 Nov TPA exposes £328 million parkiing fines council cash cow
Express & Star 24 Nov Parking fines pull in £6.5 million
Express & Star 21 Nov Driveway parking ban will see drivers fined
Express & Star 16 Nov On-street Walsall parking fees may be imposed
YamYam 6 Oct Council raises £720,000 from parking tickets
The YamYam 2 Oct Alumwell parking misery continues after crackdown
Advertiser 21 Sep Walsall parking crackdown hailed as big success
Advertiser 27 Aug Crackdown on illegal Walsall parking
B'ham Mail 24 Aug Safetynet launched to catch illegal Walsall parkers
BBC News 22 Aug Police target illegal car parking in Walsall
Walsall Advertiser 26 May Plan to target 'school run' parking
Plan to demolish Mellish Road church
15 Dec 09 22:17
Plan to demolish Mellish Road church
Express & Star 15 Dec 09
A crumbling Grade II Listed landmark Methodist church on Mellish Road in Walsall, which has been left by its private owners to rot and be the target of repeated arson attacks for 18 years, looks set to be demolished and replaced with a community building after it emerged its refurbishment could cost £2.5 million...
Express & Star 28 Oct Decision due on Mellish Road Church
YamYam 13 Oct Legal action threat on abandoned Mellish Road church
Walsall Advertiser 15 Oct Keith Watkins letter: Owners of these buildings do know their importance
YamYam 10 Oct Mellish Road church eyesore call for action
B'ham Post 2 Jul English Heritage joins fight to save crumbling Walsall church
Express & Star 21 Feb Arsonists attack church
English Heritage Research & Conservation
Walsall Council Development Control Committee
Discarded cigarette costs Aldridge man £417
14 Dec 09 17:10
Discarded fag costs £417
Express & Star 14 Dec 09
A discarded cigarette has cost a smoker £417 after he was caught dropping it in a Walsall town centre street...
BBC News 2 Dec Smokers face £80 fines for butts
BBC News 25 Sep Fag butts litter has quadrupled
Keep Britain Tidy Cigarette litter
Cigarette Litter Home
CSR Cigarette Litter
Walsall Council Envirocrime
Pheasey hero spurs on fund-raisers
14 Dec 09 12:44
Pheasey hero spurs on fund-raisers
Walsall Advertiser 14 Dec 09
The bravery of an injured soldier from Walsall has motivated his friends to raise money for a wounded servicemen's charity. Claire Shakespeare, formerly of Tyndale Crescent, and her marine brother's girlfriend, Hayley Moore, have been moved by the stoicism of Pheasey soldier Tyler Christopher to hold a prize draw in aid of the Help for Heroes charity...
Express & Star 14 Dec Army rock record by commando's father
BBC News 15 Sep 09 (video) Mothers of soldiers plea to MoD
Help for Heroes Donations
Aldridge ex-bingo hall site snapped up
14 Dec 09 12:03
Aldridge ex-bingo hall site snapped up
Express & Star 14 Dec 09
A former bingo hall has been sold just three months after being put on the market. The new owners of the former Gala Bingo in Anchor Road, Aldridge, are now “considering a number of proposals for the site”...
Corum Property Investments 25 Nov Corum acquires Aldridge site
Express & Star 3 Aug Sadness at Aldridge Gala Bingo closure
Express & Star 30 Jun Number up for bingo hall
iWM: Dorchester Land Details
Inspired Streetly man races to £3,000 charity haul
13 Dec 09 15:29
Inspired Streetly man races to £3,000 charity haul
Sutton Observer 13 Dec 09
When ex-Streetly School pupil James Burton lists his role models, his former teacher is at the top of the list. The 19-year-old was so inspired after hearing how Peter Ford helped his wife during her battle with leukaemia that he set to work rallying troops to take part in the Great Midlands Fun Run...
Great Midlands Fun Run Home
Ellie backs Willenhall baths campaign
13 Dec 09 14:40
Ellie backs Willenhall baths campaign
The YamYam 12 Dec 09
Walsall's Olympic swimming sensation Eleanor Simmonds MBE has spoken out against the closure of Willenhall Leisure Centre. The double gold medallist at the Beijing Paralympic Games in 2008 is currently the BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year and is the youngest person ever to be awarded an MBE.
Ellie from Aldridge, aged 15, described Willenhall Leisure Centre as a “necessary part of the local community” and has urged Walsall Council to reconsider the decision to close the swimming pool. Just back from another double gold triumph at the World Short Course Swimming Championships in Brazil, Ellie said: “It is never a good idea to close a local swimming pool as there are not enough in the country as it is.
“It is very important for young children to learn to swim and feel confident in the water and they can only do it at their local pool.
“I learned to swim at my local pool. Where would I be now if the local authority had chosen to close that?”
The closure of the Leisure Centre is part of the proposed council budget aimed at saving £11.2million and Council Leader Mike Bird has described supporting the facility as “sticking a plaster over a sore.” Over 3,000 people have already signed a petition demanding that the centre remains open and Walsall North MP, David Winnick has described the closure as “sheer vandalism.”
The cost cutting budget was presented to council scrutiny committees last week but opposition councillors claim that they were not allowed to question the decision or allowed to raise concerns. The budget will be approved by the all Tory cabinet in February.
Express & Star 13 Dec Ellie calls for leisure centre to be saved
Cllr Ian Shires 11 Dec Scrutiny process reduced to a farce
YamYam 8 Dec Council boss says “put up or shut up”
Cllr Ian Shires 8 Dec Community condemn plans to close Willenhall's leisure centre
Cllr Ian Shires 7 Dec Attempts to debate Leisure Centre closure rejected
Express & Star 2 Dec Council spent £200k on doomed Willenhall centre
Cllr Ian Shires 2 Dec The nonsense of scrutiny
The YamYam 30 Nov Walsall councillors scrutinise budget
Express & Star 30 Nov Campaigners step up Willenhall leisure centre fight
Cllr Ian Shires 30 Nov Comment: the theory and practice in health equalities
YamYam 23 Nov Willenhall closure “sheer vandalism” says MP
Cllr Ian Shires 19 Nov Cabinet votes down demands on closure of Willenhall Leisure Centre
Walsall Council Cabinet report 18 Nov Draft Corporate Revenue Budget for Consultation PDF
Express & Star 13 Nov Willenhall leisure centre users’ fury at closure plans
Walsall Council 13 Nov Have your say on leisure facilities online questionnaire
Express & Star 12 Nov Willenhall leisure centre axe plan
Express & Star 12 Nov Battle vow on plans to shut down centre
Cllr Ian Shires 12 Nov Willenhall Leisure Centre singled out
Express & Star 13 Oct Major review brings fears for Willenhall swimming pool
BrownhillsBob 19 Sep Comment: And so it begins
YamYam 19 Sep Walsall leisure centres under threat
YamYam links 9 Sep Cash crisis at Walsall Council
Walsall Council Willenhall Local Neighbourhood Partnership (LNP)
Walsall Council Willenhall Leisure Centre
Facebook Save Willenhall Leisure Centre
Simmonds claims pool gold in Rio
BBC Sport 30 Nov 09
Ellie Simmonds won the gold medal in her 400m freestyle race in the world short course championships in Brazil. Simmonds, 15, from Walsall, led from the first turn at 25 metres and touched in three minutes 32.45 seconds...
Advertiser 4 Dec Simmonds shows golden touch in pool
Advertiser 19 Sep Ellie trains hard for swimming championships
ThisisSouthWales.co.uk 1 Sep Ellie Simmonds steps away from media spotlight
YamYam links 29 Aug London 2012 Paralympic Games facts
B'ham Post 23 Jul Ellie Simmonds added to Debrett’s guide
Debrett's Eleanor May Simmonds
BBC News 26 May Simmonds & Roberts swim to golds
BBC News 22 May Ellie keeps feet on ground
B'ham Post 21 May Ellie all set for World Cup
Advertiser 21 May Double medal warm-up
What's on Walsall 19 May Ellie display at Museum
Sunday Times 17 May Ellie: Queen of the pool
Sutton Observer 15 May Ellie excited to be back
Birmingham Mail 2 May Ellie launches games
BBC Sport 18 Mar Simmonds speeds to world record
BBC News 18 Feb Youngest MBE Ellie receives award
The Times 12 Feb Paralympian of Year: Ellie Simmonds
Wikipedia Eleanor Simmonds
Bebo Eleanor Simmonds Fan Club
Pheasey centre wins support to extend licence
13 Dec 09 14:16
Pheasey centre wins support to extend licence
Walsall Advertiser 13 Dec 09
Campaigners are celebrating after Pheasey Park Farm Community Centre was granted an extended alcohol and entertainment licence last week despite some local opposition...
Express & Star 19 Nov Protest over Great Barr community centre drink licence
Police hunt masked gang after Streetly store robbery
12 Dec 09 17:48
News
Police hunt masked gang after Streetly store robbery
B'ham Mail 12 Dec 09
A masked gang which robbed a convenience store is being hunted by police. At 6am on Monday, Staffordshire Police say four offenders, including one armed with a crowbar, burst into the Co-op in Thornhill Road, Streetly, near Sutton Coldfield, as staff were opening up...
Police hunt masked gang after Streetly store robbery
B'ham Mail 12 Dec 09
A masked gang which robbed a convenience store is being hunted by police. At 6am on Monday, Staffordshire Police say four offenders, including one armed with a crowbar, burst into the Co-op in Thornhill Road, Streetly, near Sutton Coldfield, as staff were opening up...
Ashley Blake's victim happy appeal is denied
10 Dec 09 12:53
Ashley Blake's victim happy appeal is denied
B'ham Post 10 Dec 09
The teenager attacked by Ashley Blake has welcomed the news that his appeal over his sentence has been thrown out...
B'ham Mail 9 Dec TV presenter Ashley Blake's assault appeal is thrown out
B'ham Mail 4 Oct Ashley Blake to star in comedy movie
British Comedy Guide Nativity
BBC Inside Out Ashley Blake profile This page has been removed
Wikipedia Ashley Blake
Ashley Blake website Home
B'ham Post 23 Sep Ashley Blake may lose his honorary degree from Staffs Uni
B'ham Mail 15 Sep Ashley Blake's Streetly victim will spend compensation on plastic surgey
B'ham Post 15 Sep Blake lodges sentence appeal
B'ham Mail 9 Sep Ashley Blake to fight jail term
Express & Star 9 Sep Blake launches appeal
Mercury 6 Sep Comment: telly thug deserved jail
B'ham Mail 5 Sep Blake's confesses - part 3 video
B'ham Mail 4 Sep Blake's confesses - part 2 video
B'ham Mail 3 Sep Blake confesses - part 1 video
B'ham Mail 3 Sep Blog: Blake pays price for fame
B'ham Post 3 Sep Victim: assault plays on my mind
B'ham Post 3 Sep Blake: 18th party turning point
B'ham Post 2 Sep Ashley Blake jailed for two years
Express & Star 2 Sep Blake gets two years
BBC News 2 Sep Sacked BBC presenter Blake to be sentenced
B'ham Post 16 Aug Victim insists TV star should go to jail
B'ham Mail 15 Aug Blake says sorry for pub brawl
BBC News 14 Aug Ashley Blake waves bye bye to the BBC
B'ham Mail 14 Aug Blake sacked by BBC
Express & Star 14 Aug Blake sacked over pub attack
B'ham Mail 5 Aug Blake "terrified of jail"
B'ham Post 5 Aug Blake "I've lost everything"
Express & Star 4 Aug Police DVD was fronted by shamed Ashley Blake
B'ham Post 4 Aug CCTV image released of Ashley Blake carrying pole before attack
B'ham Post 4 Aug Blake fears TV career is over
Express & Star 4 Aug Blake faces jail and end of career
Express & Star 3 Aug Blake guilty of wounding
B'ham Post 3 Aug Blake found guilty
B'ham Post 3 Aug Jury out in Ashley Blake court case
BBC News 3 Aug BBC presenter trial jury retires
B'ham Mail 1 Aug Prosecutor accuses Blake of lies
B'ham Mail 30 Jul Blake tells court he lied to police
B'ham Mail 30 Jul Ashley Blake 'feared for his life'
B'ham Mail 28 Jul Teenager’s claim: Blake denials
B'ham Mail 28 Jul BBC man hit teen with wooden pole
BBC News 27 Jul Ashley Blake 'hit youth with pole'
BBC News 27 Apr TV's Ashley Blake denies wounding
B'ham Post 27 July Jury sworn in for trial of presenter
B'ham Mail 27 Jan Ashley Blake charged with wounding
Jailed TV presenter Ashley Blake's appeal is thrown out
09 Dec 09 14:50
TV presenter Ashley Blake's assault appeal is thrown out
B'ham Mail 9 Dec 09
Jailed TV presenter Ashley Blake has lost an appeal against his sentence for attacking a teenager. The former BBC Midlands Today presenter had his challenge to his two-year prison sentence rejected by the Court of Appeal...
B'ham Mail 4 Oct Ashley Blake to star in comedy movie
British Comedy Guide Nativity
BBC Inside Out Ashley Blake profile This page has been removed
Wikipedia Ashley Blake
Ashley Blake website Home
B'ham Post 23 Sep Ashley Blake may lose his honorary degree from Staffs Uni
B'ham Mail 15 Sep Ashley Blake's Streetly victim will spend compensation on plastic surgey
B'ham Post 15 Sep Blake lodges sentence appeal
B'ham Mail 9 Sep Ashley Blake to fight jail term
Express & Star 9 Sep Blake launches appeal
Mercury 6 Sep Comment: telly thug deserved jail
B'ham Mail 5 Sep Blake's confesses - part 3 video
B'ham Mail 4 Sep Blake's confesses - part 2 video
B'ham Mail 3 Sep Blake confesses - part 1 video
B'ham Mail 3 Sep Blog: Blake pays price for fame
B'ham Post 3 Sep Victim: assault plays on my mind
B'ham Post 3 Sep Blake: 18th party turning point
B'ham Post 2 Sep Ashley Blake jailed for two years
Express & Star 2 Sep Blake gets two years
BBC News 2 Sep Sacked BBC presenter Blake to be sentenced
B'ham Post 16 Aug Victim insists TV star should go to jail
B'ham Mail 15 Aug Blake says sorry for pub brawl
BBC News 14 Aug Ashley Blake waves bye bye to the BBC
B'ham Mail 14 Aug Blake sacked by BBC
Express & Star 14 Aug Blake sacked over pub attack
B'ham Mail 5 Aug Blake "terrified of jail"
B'ham Post 5 Aug Blake "I've lost everything"
Express & Star 4 Aug Police DVD was fronted by shamed Ashley Blake
B'ham Post 4 Aug CCTV image released of Ashley Blake carrying pole before attack
B'ham Post 4 Aug Blake fears TV career is over
Express & Star 4 Aug Blake faces jail and end of career
Express & Star 3 Aug Blake guilty of wounding
B'ham Post 3 Aug Blake found guilty
B'ham Post 3 Aug Jury out in Ashley Blake court case
BBC News 3 Aug BBC presenter trial jury retires
B'ham Mail 1 Aug Prosecutor accuses Blake of lies
B'ham Mail 30 Jul Blake tells court he lied to police
B'ham Mail 30 Jul Ashley Blake 'feared for his life'
B'ham Mail 28 Jul Teenager’s claim: Blake denials
B'ham Mail 28 Jul BBC man hit teen with wooden pole
BBC News 27 Jul Ashley Blake 'hit youth with pole'
BBC News 27 Apr TV's Ashley Blake denies wounding
B'ham Post 27 July Jury sworn in for trial of presenter
B'ham Mail 27 Jan Ashley Blake charged with wounding
Reality bites in comedy theatre show
09 Dec 09 13:09
Reality bites in comedy theatre show
Express & Star 9 Dec 09
Dan Hagley’s hatred for shows like X Factor has certainly given his own showbiz career a boost. The 32-year-old from Great Barr was inspired by his dislike of Simon Cowell and penned his show Patrick and Bernadine...
Walsall Council boss says “put up or shut up”
08 Dec 09 20:48
Council boss says “put up or shut up”
Adam Lumley The YamYam 8 Dec 09
Embattled leader of Walsall Council, Mike Bird has defended the proposed closure of Willenhall Leisure Centre saying that the council cannot “keep on sticking a plaster over a sore”.
More than 3,000 Willenhall residents have already signed a petition demanding that the popular leisure facility should remain open and over 1000 have joined an internet campaign on the Facebook social network website. Local councillors have been joined by MP David Winnick in condemning the closure which is part of Walsall's Draft Budget proposals aimed at saving £11.2 million. Mr Winnick blasted the plan, accusing the Tory council of “impertinence” and “sheer vandalism."
Last week saw a series of meetings of the council's scrutiny panels to discuss the budget proposals but attempts to raise concerns over the closure fell upon deaf ears. Both the Regeneration and Children's and Young People Scrutiny Panels were not allowed to formally comment as the issue is not in the “perview” of those committees as it came under the remit of Neighbourhoods and Community.
Eight Primary schools in the area use the centre for swimming lessons and the Community Scrutiny Panel were at least allowed to ask what alternative swimming provision is available. It seems that swimming, as part of the National Curriculum, will be taught in Wolverhampton leaving local schools to pick up the bill for transport and fees. Stressing the importance of the leisure centre in Willenhall, Councillor Sean Coughlan told The YamYam: “This is not just about a swimming pool, it's about the future of our town and the future of our community.”
Willenhall Labour Councillor Carl Creaney has described the threat as “a disgrace” and Councillor Ian Shires for the LibDems said: “This is a draft budget put forward by Walsall’s Tory Cabinet for consultation, yet each attempt that has been made by opposition councillors to get a formal resolution expressing concern at the proposed closure has been met with resistance from Tory councillors. What’s the point of consulting if all you want to hear are comments in agreement with the content of the draft budget.”
The campaign to save the leisure centre has received support from Noel Winter, facilities director at the national Amateur Swimming Association and Gwyn Davies, Chair of Walsall Swimming Club. Campaigner organiser Diane Coughlan said: “People in Willenhall are up in arms over this and we are not going to just accept it and take it lying down.
“It’s not just about the swimming, but there are a number of other well used activities held here, such as the tea dances, gymnastics and the badminton club and the keep fit classes.”
Last year, the number of people using the facility grew by 17% and a new report highlights that an extra 15,000 visitors will use the centre this year. The Leader of Council, however, remains bullish. Mike Bird, who represents Pheasey Park Farm for the Conservatives said: “I would call upon councillors Shires, Creaney and Coughlan to come forward with their own budget that means we can leave Willenhall Leisure Centre out.
“It's losing £965 a day, which is a huge amount over the year. There comes a time when you cannot keep on sticking a plaster over a sore, which is why we have made this decision. So I lay the gauntlet down. It's a case of put up or shut up.”
The majority Tory council will approve the budget in February.
Cllr Ian Shires 8 Dec Community condemn plans to close Willenhall's leisure centre
Cllr Ian Shires 7 Dec Attempts to debate Leisure Centre closure rejected
Express & Star 2 Dec Council spent £200k on doomed Willenhall centre
Cllr Ian Shires 2 Dec The nonsense of scrutiny
The YamYam 30 Nov Walsall councillors scrutinise budget
Express & Star 30 Nov Campaigners step up Willenhall leisure centre fight
Cllr Ian Shires 30 Nov Comment: the theory and practice in health equalities
YamYam 23 Nov Willenhall closure “sheer vandalism” says MP
Cllr Ian Shires 19 Nov Cabinet votes down demands on closure of Willenhall Leisure Centre
Walsall Council Cabinet report 18 Nov Draft Corporate Revenue Budget for Consultation PDF
Express & Star 13 Nov Willenhall leisure centre users’ fury at closure plans
Walsall Council 13 Nov Have your say on leisure facilities online questionnaire
Express & Star 12 Nov Willenhall leisure centre axe plan
Express & Star 12 Nov Battle vow on plans to shut down centre
Cllr Ian Shires 12 Nov Willenhall Leisure Centre singled out
Express & Star 13 Oct Major review brings fears for Willenhall swimming pool
BrownhillsBob 19 Sep Comment: And so it begins
YamYam 19 Sep Walsall leisure centres under threat
YamYam links 9 Sep Cash crisis at Walsall Council
Walsall Council Willenhall Local Neighbourhood Partnership (LNP)
Walsall Council Willenhall Leisure Centre
Facebook Save Willenhall Leisure Centre
Aldridge poppy appeal pulls in record amount
07 Dec 09 19:12
Aldridge poppy appeal pulls in record amount
Express & Star 7 Dec 09
Poppy appeals across the West Midlands have been breaking records across the board, as public support for servicemen and women reaches its highest level in decades. A record £27,000 was raised in Aldridge alone this year...
Telegraph 7 Dec 100th British soldier killed in Afghanistan this year
Times Fallen Servicemen
YamYam links 4 Dec Foxes may be culprits at Wednesbury memorial
YamYam links 25 Nov Walsall VC heroes honoured
YamYam links 18 Nov Remembrance day parking fine squashed
Bloxidge Tallygraph 11 Nov Mayor pays respects at Bloxwich
Telegraph 11 Nov Queen leads tributes to fallen soldiers
YamYam links 8 Nov Queen leads Britain's remembrance of war dead
YamYam links 06 Nov 2 Rifles remember Walsall dead
Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal
Walsall Wood burial plot row to be resolved by court
07 Dec 09 17:04
Burial plot row to be resolved by court
B'ham Post 2 Dec 09
Two families arguing over a Walsall Wood burial plot where the body of murdered bricklayer lies remained at loggerheads despite the efforts of church leaders...
Advertiser 7 Dec Grave decision due in New Year
BBC News 2 Dec Court to decide of burial error
Express & Star 23 Nov Wrong grave blunder may take weeks to solve
Lichfield Diocese 16 Nov Church court to rule over Walsall Wood burial error
B’ham Mail 17 Nov Rare church court to decide on burial
Advertiser 16 Nov Court will decide
BBC News 16 Nov Wrong grave burial ‘to stay’
Express & Star 14 Nov Walsall Wood murder victim may have to be exhumed
BBC News 13 Nov Apology after Walsall Wood burial grave mix-up
B’ham Mail 13 Nov Vicar apologises for grave mix-up
YamYam links 12 Oct Magaluf stab victim’s body to return
St John’s Parish Church Walsall Wood Home
Great Barr nursery nurse gets 15 years for boyfriends murder
28 Nov 09 12:51
Great Barr nursery nurse gets 15 years for boyfriends murder
B'ham Mail 28 Nov 09
Mother-of-two Emma Bates, 30, was told she must serve a minimum 15 years in jail after Birmingham Crown Court heard how she plunged a knife into Wayne Hill’s heart after luring him back to their home in Tidewell Road, Great Barr...
Express & Star 26 Nov Accused woman fought partner before stabbing
B'ham Mail 19 Nov Great Barr mum accused of murdering boyfriend
Glimmer of hope for threatened Pelsall nursery
27 Nov 09 11:31
Glimmer of hope for threatened Pelsall nursery
Adam Lumley The YamYam 27 Nov 09
Campaigners battling to save a popular nursery have forced council bosses to delay its closure after staging a public demonstration.
Last week, staff and parents at the Rainbow Day Nursery were told by letter that the facility would be shut down in January. The closure of the nursery, which shares the grounds of Shelfield Community Academy in Broad Way, is to make way for a multi-million pound expansion of the school. On Tuesday, parents angry at such short notice, protested outside the school against the closure and were even joined by pupils from the Academy.
The demo prompted Walsall Council Head Property Services, Kevin Kendall to issue a statement. “We are working closely with the Academy to delay the closure until mid March and are confident this can be achieved.”
Parent Jody Hepworth, whose one-year-old attends the nursery said: “We just want them to understand that we will not take this lying down and will do everything we can to save what is an excellent nursery.”
Campaigners have been told that if they raise sufficient funding, thought to be in the region of £200,000, then the nursery can stay. Principal of the Academy, Bernard Dickenson said:
“In our original proposals for the new Academy we wanted to retain a nursery on site but Partnerships for Schools told us this was classed as a dedicated community facility and the allocated funding for the new build would not include this.”
The irony of a Community Academy kicking out a “community facility” was not lost on demonstrators. One banner quoted the Academy motto, “Laying the foundations of bright young futures” and added “but only for over 11`s.”
Partnerships for Schools is the government body responsible for the management and delivery of the Academies programme and Building Schools for the Future. It remains unclear if PfS policy will affect the future of Millfields Nursery School Community Services in Bloxwich which shares the same site as Walsall Academy.
Campaigners committed to saving Rainbow Day Nursery are holding a public meeting at Shelfield Community Academy on Saturday at 10am.
B’ham Mail 26 Nov Nursery schools could close due to funding changes
Express & Star 24 Nov Protest at Pelsall nursery closure
YamYam 20 Nov Pelsall nursery closure ‘devastating’
Ormiston Trust Acadamies
Grace Academy Home
Accused woman fought with partner before stabbing
26 Nov 09 17:25
Accused woman fought partner before stabbing
Express & Star 26 Nov 09
The Great Barr mother-of-two accused of murdering her boyfriend has told the court how they struggled whilst he held a knife moments before his death...
B'ham Mail 19 Nov Great Barr mum accused of murdering boyfriend
Great Barr pupils inspired by plight of Sierra Leone orphan
26 Nov 09 14:13
Great Barr pupils inspired by plight of Sierra Leone orphan
B'ham Mail 26 Nov 09
Pupils from Great Barr School have been inspired by the poignant story of an orphan boy during a life-changing trip to Sierra Leone...
Aldridge schoolboy Ben wins E&S Local Hero title
25 Nov 09 18:11
Aldridge schoolboy Ben wins E&S Local Hero title
Express & Star 25 Nov 09
Brave Walsall schoolboy Ben Sambrook, who battled back from a brain tumour and has now inspired fundraising to help others, was today named the latest Express & Star Local Hero...
Advertiser 15 Oct Aldridge mum's appeal fund hits £60k
Advertiser 17 Sep Aldridge brain tumour fund exceeds 'wildest' expectations
Aldridge Web Ben Sambrook Trust Fund
Patient UK Brain tumours in children
Bupa Brain tumours
Brain Tumour UK Home
Protest at Pelsall nursery closure
24 Nov 09 17:36
Protest at Pelsall nursery closure
Express & Star 24 Nov 09
Parents gathered outside a Walsall school today to protest against plans to close a day nursery. Pupils attending Shelfield Community Academy joined in with the protesters, grabbing placards and calling “Save Our Nursery” at the school gates...
YamYam 20 Nov Pelsall nursery closure ‘devastating’
Police hunt for Pheasey bag snatcher
24 Nov 09 12:44
News
Police hunt for Pheasey bag snatcher
Walsall Advertiser 24 Nov 09
Police in Walsall are appealing for witnesses and information following a robbery in Beacon Road where a 24-year-old woman was reaching into the boot of her car and a man pushed her out of the way and grabbed a black holdall bag...
WM Police Walsall
Police hunt for Pheasey bag snatcher
Walsall Advertiser 24 Nov 09
Police in Walsall are appealing for witnesses and information following a robbery in Beacon Road where a 24-year-old woman was reaching into the boot of her car and a man pushed her out of the way and grabbed a black holdall bag...
WM Police Walsall
Wrong grave blunder may take weeks to solve
23 Nov 09 17:32
Wrong grave blunder may take weeks to solve
Express & Star 23 Nov 09
Talks to resolve the blunder of a murder victim being buried in the wrong grave could potentially drag on for weeks. The body of Daniel Hastelow, from Walsall Wood, who was murdered in Spain nearly two years ago, was buried in a grave which was reserved for a widow to be buried next to her husband. The Diocese of Lichfield is currently organising talks between the two families...
Lichfield Diocese 16 Nov Church court to rule over Walsall Wood burial error
B’ham Mail 17 Nov Rare church court to decide on burial
Advertiser 16 Nov Court will decide
BBC News 16 Nov Wrong grave burial ‘to stay’
Express & Star 14 Nov Walsall Wood murder victim may have to be exhumed
BBC News 13 Nov Apology after Walsall Wood burial grave mix-up
B’ham Mail 13 Nov Vicar apologises for grave mix-up
YamYam links 12 Oct Magaluf stab victim’s body to return
St John’s Parish Church Walsall Wood Home
Perverted Great Barr 'loner' jailed
20 Nov 09 12:41
News
Perverted Great Barr 'loner' jailed
Advertiser 18 Nov 09
A paedophile from Great Barr who carried out sex attacks on young girls after boozing and watching a pornographic film has been jailed for three years...
B’ham Mail 21 Nov Great Bar man jailed
Perverted Great Barr 'loner' jailed
Advertiser 18 Nov 09
A paedophile from Great Barr who carried out sex attacks on young girls after boozing and watching a pornographic film has been jailed for three years...
B’ham Mail 21 Nov Great Bar man jailed
Pelsall nursery closure “devastating”
20 Nov 09 02:40
Pelsall nursery closure ‘devastating’
The YamYam 20 Nov 09
More controversy surrounding the Academy secondary school programme in Walsall has been caused by an announcement that the popular Rainbow Day Nursery is to be shut down in January.
The closure of the facility, which shares the grounds of Shelfield Community Academy and caters for 18 children aged between 3 months and 5 years, is said to have left staff and parents devastated. In a letter from school principal, Bernard Dickenson, the 5 members of staff at the Broad Way nursery were told that the “mobile” building would have to go to make way for multi-million pound building work at the Academy.
Jody Hepworth, whose year-old daughter Phoebe attends the nursery, has started a petition to oppose the closure. The ambulance control room worker from Goscote Lane said: “I went in just after they`d had the letters and everyone was in floods of tears. I think most of us can`t believe they have only given us 2 months notice.
“It`s a lovely place and some of the staff have been there around 25 years. But we`ve drawn up the petition and intend to fight this.”
News of the impending closure comes after attempts by the Grace Academy Darlaston to swallow up over half of George Rose Park were rejected by council planning bosses.
In September, as a result of a question asked at a meeting of the full Walsall Council, it was revealed that out of 98 applications to Walsall City Academy from families in the Blakenall ward, only 1 place was offered to an applicant living in the Academy catchment area.
Shelfield Community Academy, sponsored by Ormiston Trust, opened in January 2009, replacing Shelfield Sports and Community College. Principal Mr Dickenson has declined to comment on the nursery closure decision.
Ormiston Trust Acadamies
Express & Star 10 Nov 09 Darlaston park plan axed as school land grab halted
YamYam 7 Nov Darlaston Academy land grab scheme thrown out
Express & Star 8 Oct Council urged to approve Darlaston Academy land grab
B'ham Mail 17 Apr Council's £30m plan for academy
Express & Star 3 Apr School may take park
Grace Academy Home
B'ham Post 8 Sep Balls defends private sector shift in new academies
B'ham Post 2 Sep Comment: City Academies uproven
Walsall Advertiser 30 Apr Parents' academy plan anger
Birmingham Mail 23 Apr Vow to fight academy plan
Walsall Council Schools for the Future info
Walsall Council Schools for the Future PDF doc
Walsall Council School admissions
Protest over Great Barr community centre drink licence
19 Nov 09 13:13
Protest over Great Barr community centre drink licence
Express & Star 19 Nov 09
Letters and a petition have been submitted to Walsall Council objecting to Pheasey Park Farm Community Centre’s plans for a new drink licence...
Great Barr mum accused of murdering boyfriend
19 Nov 09 11:45
Great Barr mum accused of murdering boyfriend
B'ham Mail 19 Nov 09
A nursery nurse who was furious that her boyfriend was going to leave her ‘lured’ him back to their Birmingham home and stabbed him in the heart,a court heard...
Riot police swoop on Pelsall pub
17 Nov 09 17:30
Riot police swoop on Pelsall pub
Express & Star 14 Nov 09
More than 40 police officers, including many in riot gear, swooped on The Queens pub in Norton Road, Pelsall, at around 9pm last night, while around 50 drinkers were inside...
Advertiser 15 Nov Pelsall pub drug raid leads to six arrests
Death crash jail term 'not enough'
17 Nov 09 17:16
Death crash jail term 'not enough'
Matt Loyd B’ham Mail 17 Nov 09
A Walsall passenger on a coach driven by a killer motorist whose out-of-control vehicle left a couple dead has slammed his five-year jail sentence. Now Pelsall Crystalettes member Craig Wilcox, who was travelling with his pregnant girlfriend Leigh Bennett, has spoken of his anger over the sentence...
YamYam 14 Nov Burntwood men jailed over coach crash deaths
Express & Star 14 Nov Two jailed for crash that killed couple
B’ham Post 13 Nov Coach driver and boss face jail over death crash
B'ham Mail 10 Sep Teenager haunted by coach death
B’ham Post 7 Sep Staffs coach driver & boss face jail over death crash
Express & Star 7 Sep Coach pair guilty
Express & Star 31 Aug Coach driver trial after fatal crash
West Midland Crystalettes Home
Church court to rule over Walsall Wood burial error
17 Nov 09 12:21
Church court to rule over Walsall Wood burial error
Lichfield Diocese 16 Nov 09
The Consistory Court of the Diocese of Lichfield is to rule over what should happen after the wrong body was accidentally buried in a grave which had been reserved for the widow of a man buried in the adjacent grave...
B’ham Mail 17 Nov Rare church court to decide on burial
Advertiser 16 Nov Court will decide
BBC News 16 Nov Wrong grave burial ‘to stay’
Express & Star 14 Nov Walsall Wood murder victim may have to be exhumed
BBC News 13 Nov Apology after Walsall Wood burial grave mix-up
B’ham Mail 13 Nov Vicar apologises for grave mix-up
YamYam links 12 Oct Magaluf stab victim’s body to return
St John’s Parish Church Walsall Wood Home
Man killed in Pelsall road collision
17 Nov 09 11:56
Elderly man killed in Pelsall road collision
The YamYam 17 Nov 09
An 80-year-old pedestrian has died in hospital after he was in collision with a car in Pelsall. He was confirmed dead shortly after his arrival at Walsall Manor Hospital following the accident at around 4pm on Monday...
John Challinor was knocked over by a red Honda Civic close to the Londis store at the junction of Norton Road and Highfield Road. Mr Challinor, of Wolverhampton Road, Pelsall, was a long-serving member of St Michael’s Church, Hall Lane.
A spokesman said an ambulance and a rapid response vehicle were sent to the scene, where the crews found the pedestrian to have very serious injuries.
The spokesman added: "They assessed his condition and very quickly decided to take him to Walsall Manor Hospital where medics were on standby.
"Unfortunately, despite all of the efforts of ambulance and hospital staff, it was not possible to save him and he was confirmed dead shortly after arrival."
Police are appealing to anyone who was travelling behind the red Honda Civic before the collision occurred or anyone who was parked outside the Londis store and left before police arrival.
Anyone who witnessed the collision or anyone with information is urged to call the road policing unit at Brownhills on 0845 113 5000.
Walsall Advertiser 17 Nov Man dies following collision
BBC News 17 Nov Man dies following car collision
WM Police Appeals 17 Nov Pelsall fatal road accident
Aldridge bank burgled by sledgehammer wielding robbers
17 Nov 09 11:34
Aldridge bank burgled by sledgehammer wielding robbers
Walsall Advertiser 17 Nov 09
Thieves used sledgehammers to smash through brickwork at Lloyds TSB bank in Aldridge High Street before stealing thousands of pounds in cash sometime over the weekend...
Sir Ian campaigns against homophobic bullying at Great Barr school
16 Nov 09 15:13
Sir Ian campaigns against homophobic bullying in Great Barr
Tony Collins B’ham Post 16 Nov 09
Acclaimed stage and film actor Sir Ian McKellen visited Perry Beeches Secondary school today to highlight the issue of homophobic bullying. Sir Ian, whose numerous roles range from Gandalf in Lord of the Rings and Magneto in the X-Men series to King Lear and Coronation Street, was at the school in his role as a founder member and ambassador of Stonewall, which campaigns for lesbian and gay equality...
BBC News 16 Nov McKellen wins Variety Club award
Aldridge LibDems 16 Nov Nick Clegg calls for homophobic bullying in schools to be stamped out
Pink News 16 Nov Trans day of remembrance
BBC News 2 Nov Is gay bashing on the rise?
National Anti-Bullying Week 2009 Home
Stonewall Home
Councils slammed for delay to fix 'death-trap' Queslett Road
16 Nov 09 13:14
Councils slammed for delay to fix 'death-trap' Queslett Road
Neil Elkes B’ham Mail 16 Nov 09
Campaigners have been calling for measures to cut speeding along the busy Queslett Road dual carriageway in Great Barr, one of the region’s most dangerous, claiming the road had been “neglected” because three local authorities, Birmingham, Sandwell and Walsall were responsible for it...
Wrong grave burial ‘to stay’
16 Nov 09 12:35
Wrong grave burial ‘to stay’
BBC News 16 Nov 09
The family of Daniel Hastelow, the Walsall Wood man who was murdered in Spain and later buried in the wrong grave has said they do not want his body exhumed for a second time. The plot had been reserved for the widow of another man whose widow has put matters in the hands of her solicitor...
Express & Star 14 Nov Walsall Wood murder victim may have to be exhumed
BBC News 13 Nov Apology after Walsall Wood burial grave mix-up
B’ham Mail 13 Nov Vicar apologises for grave mix-up
YamYam links 12 Oct Magaluf stab victim’s body to return
St John’s Parish Church Walsall Wood Home
Walsall Wood murder victim may have to be exhumed
14 Nov 09 12:52
Walsall Wood murder victim may have to be exhumed
Express & Star 14 Nov 09
The body of a murder victim may have to be exhumed for the second time after it was discovered he was buried in the wrong grave, it was revealed today. Danny Hastelow was laid to rest just days ago at a West Midlands church but it has emerged his body lies in a grave reserved by a woman wishing to be buried next to her husband...
BBC News 13 Nov Apology after Walsall Wood burial grave mix-up
B’ham Mail 13 Nov Vicar apologises for grave mix-up
YamYam links 12 Oct Magaluf stab victim’s body to return
St John’s Parish Church Walsall Wood Home
Apology after Walsall Wood burial grave mix-up
13 Nov 09 16:35
Apology after Walsall Wood burial grave mix-up
BBC News 13 Nov 09
A vicar has apologised after a body was buried in someone else's grave at St John's Church in Walsall Wood. The grave was reserved for the widow of Michael Best, but another man, Daniel Hastelow, who was murdered in Majorca last year, was inadvertently buried in the plot earlier this week...
B’ham Mail 13 Nov Vicar apologises for grave mix-up
YamYam links 12 Oct Magaluf stab victim’s body to return
St John’s Parish Church Walsall Wood Home
Great Barr Comic Relief fraudster spared jail
13 Nov 09 16:08
Great Barr Comic Relief fraudster spared jail
Express & Star 13 Nov 09
A fraudster who dressed up as a schoolgirl and duped people out of more than £500 in a bogus charity collection in Great Barr has been spared a stint behind bars...
Comic Relief Home
Action after Aldridge pupils drink ethanol
13 Nov 09 15:44
Action after Aldridge pupils drink ethanol
BBC News 13 Nov 09
Safety procedures are to be reviewed at Aldridge School where six teenage pupils drank ethanol taken from a science lesson. Five girls and a boy were taken to hospital after drinking the pure alcohol after the children had watched an episode of the BBC drama Waterloo Road the previous evening, in which a similar event took place...
Express & Star 13 Nov Pupils drink lab chemical
B’ham Mail 13 Nov Pupils taken to hospital
BBC News 12 Nov Aldridge pupils hospitalised after copying TV storyline
Aldridge School Home
BBC Waterloo Road
Coach driver and boss face jail over death crash
13 Nov 09 12:34
Coach driver and boss face jail over death crash
B’ham Post 13 Nov 09
A coach driver and his boss are facing jail after admitting manslaughter in relation to a road crash that killed a married couple and orphaned their son in North Yorkshire whilst transporting the Pelsall-based West Midland Crystalettes last year...
B'ham Mail 10 Sep Teenager haunted by coach death
B’ham Post 7 Sep Staffs coach driver & boss face jail over death crash
Express & Star 7 Sep Coach pair guilty
Express & Star 31 Aug Coach driver trial after fatal crash
West Midland Crystalettes Home
Great Barr hit by power cut
13 Nov 09 12:18
Great Barr hit by power cut
Express & Star 13 Nov 09
Almost 900 homes and businesses were left without electricity this morning following a major power cut. Engineers were called out at 5.45am when power to 890 customers in Great Barr and Perry Barr went down. Power was partially restored by 7.40am and all customers were believed to be back on by 9am...
Eon Central Networks Power cut live information
Eon Central Networks Power cut history map
Aldridge pupils hospitalised after copying TV storyline
13 Nov 09 12:00
Aldridge pupils hospitalised after copying TV storyline
BBC News 12 Nov 09
Five teenage girls and a boy are being treated after they found and consumed pure alcohol on the premises of Aldridge School, Walsall, the council said. They told their head teacher they had watched an episode of Waterloo Road in which pupils made ethanol cocktails. A BBC spokesman said the BBC1 series tackled issues of the day responsibly...
Express & Star 13 Nov Pupils drink lab chemical
B’ham Mail 13 Nov Pupils taken to hospital
Aldridge School Home
BBC Waterloo Road
Walsall Wood care home OAP tormented by worker
12 Nov 09 12:00
Walsall Wood care home OAP tormented by worker
Express & Star 12 Nov 09
Emma Cleet subjected Bernard Roberts to a year-long period of torment at Woodhaven residential home in Walsall Wood which also included slapping his thigh and flicking his nose. Cleet, of Ansty Drive, Cannock, admitted a charge of ill-treating Mr Roberts between November 2007 and 2008 at Wolverhampton Crown Court on Wednesday...
Any Care Directory Woodhaven Residential Home
YamYam links 23 Sep Bloxwich care home nurse in cover-up caution
YamYam links 25 Jun Walsall ‘strip’ nurse is struck off
YamYam links 7 May Family want to sue over mum’s death
Paul Daniels likes Pelsall sausage
07 Nov 09 14:14
Paul Daniels likes Pelsall sausage
Paul Suart B’ham Mail 7 Nov 09
Pelsall butcher Stephen Turner, from George Turner and Sons butchers in Pelsall, wowed judges with his Pelsall Old English sausage to take the West Midlands title...
British Sausage Appreciation Society Sausage week
Aldridge supermarket for Ambulance Station swap blocked
06 Nov 09 15:15
Plan for extension to Aldridge supermarket blocked
Express & Star 06 Nov 09
A plan to expand a West Midland supermarket by demolishing Aldridge Ambulance Station has been thwarted after councillors turned them down on road safety and noise grounds...
Beacon Radio 12 Oct Aldridge Ambulance station in possible move
BBC News 12 Oct Ambulance sation sites 'wanted'
Aldridge-Brownhills Lib Dems 12 Oct Can you help identify new site for Ambulance Station?
B'ham Mail 2 Sep Aldridge ambulance pledge over Morrisons' plans
B'ham Post 1 Oct Ailing ambulance service’s £10m injection as demands increase
B'ham Post 25 Sep One-third of WM paramedics assaulted while answering 999 calls
Express & Star 22 Sep Third of ambulances miss response target
B'ham Post 11 Aug Virus blamed for WM paramedics reaching "crisis point"
Mercury 9 Aug Overstretched WM paramedics’ response times shock
WM Ambulance Service Home
Great Barr bomb scare sparks mass evacuation
06 Nov 09 14:32
News
Great Barr bomb scare sparks mass evacuation
Express & Star 06 Nov 09
More than 100 people were evacuated from their homes after suspected wartime bombs were found in a Great Barr garden...
Great Barr bomb scare sparks mass evacuation
Express & Star 06 Nov 09
More than 100 people were evacuated from their homes after suspected wartime bombs were found in a Great Barr garden...
Beloved stolen dog back with owner
05 Nov 09 21:59
Beloved stolen dog back with owner
Express & Star 05 Nov 09
Pensioner Ron Ward has been reunited with his 12-year-old Jack Russell after she was stolen while was visiting the grave of this late wife...
BBC 04 Nov Widower's dog stolen at Walsall cemetery
Man admits supermarket blackmail
05 Nov 09 19:10
News
Man admits supermarket blackmail
BBC 05 Nov 09
A man has admitted blackmailing two branches of Asda in the West Midlands and demanding £17,000 from them...
Express & Star 8 Oct Man charged over Great Barr Asda blackmail
B'ham Post 13 Oct Blackmail inspired by Clint Eastwood movie
B'ham Post 9 Oct Man accused of blackmailing
Man admits supermarket blackmail
BBC 05 Nov 09
A man has admitted blackmailing two branches of Asda in the West Midlands and demanding £17,000 from them...
Express & Star 8 Oct Man charged over Great Barr Asda blackmail
B'ham Post 13 Oct Blackmail inspired by Clint Eastwood movie
B'ham Post 9 Oct Man accused of blackmailing
Walsall smuggler jailed for five years
05 Nov 09 16:16
Walsall smuggler jailed for five years
Advertiser 05 Nov 09
A Walsall smuggler has been handed two prison sentences for illegally importing millions of cigarettes and helping a gang to transport cocaine...
Express & Star 30 Oct Aldridge cash plotter faces jail
Express & Star 31 Jul 48 years in jail for gang of smugglers
Express & Star 21 Jul Aldridge kitchen boss hid drug cash
Express & Star 14 Jul Boss alleged to be part of drugs plot
OAP relieved after return of stolen dog
05 Nov 09 13:00
OAP relieved after return of stolen dog
Advertiser 05 Nov 09
A pensioner has been re-united with his beloved dog just 24 hours after it was stolen from a Walsall
cemetery...
BBC 04 Nov Widower's dog stolen at Walsall cemetery
Widower's dog stolen at Walsall cemetery
04 Nov 09 17:00
News
Widower's dog stolen at Walsall cemetery
BBC 04 Nov 09
Thieves took a 75-year-old widower's car containing his pet dog while he tended his wife's grave...
Widower's dog stolen at Walsall cemetery
BBC 04 Nov 09
Thieves took a 75-year-old widower's car containing his pet dog while he tended his wife's grave...
Walsall man avoids jail for indecent images
03 Nov 09 11:09
News
Walsall man avoids jail for indecent images
Express & Star 29 Oct 09
An internet chatroom moderator who abused his position to make and collect more than 1,800 indecent images of children has avoided jail. Ian Wootton, of Daw End Lane, Walsall, gathered images. The vile pictures – the majority of which featured boys aged between 12 and 15 – originated after he offered to help monitor AOL websites...
B'ham Mail 3 Nov Man caught with 1,800 indecent images
Walsall man avoids jail for indecent images
Express & Star 29 Oct 09
An internet chatroom moderator who abused his position to make and collect more than 1,800 indecent images of children has avoided jail. Ian Wootton, of Daw End Lane, Walsall, gathered images. The vile pictures – the majority of which featured boys aged between 12 and 15 – originated after he offered to help monitor AOL websites...
B'ham Mail 3 Nov Man caught with 1,800 indecent images
Calls for Walsall Council to wake up to flooding problems
02 Nov 09 11:14
Calls for Walsall Council to wake up to flooding problems
Cllr Ian Shires 2 Nov 09
Events over the weekend have shown that there is a desperate need for Walsall Council to get to grips with the issue of flooding in Willenhall, Darlaston, Walsall Wood and Aldridge...
Express & Star 2 Nov More storm misery on way
Cllr Ian Shires 1 Nov More flooding around Walsall
Paramedics crash in Great Barr in dash to Sutton train death
01 Nov 09 12:15
Paramedics crash in Great Barr in dash to Sutton train death
B'ham Mail 1 Nov 09
An ambulance crashed into a concrete pillar on Queslett Road injuring two paramedics on Saturday whilst on its way to Sutton Coldfield station where a man died after being found trapped under a train...
BBC News 1 Nov Ambulance hits pillar
Mercury 9 Aug Overstretched WM paramedics’ response times shock
WM Ambulance Service Home
Aldridge cash plotter faces jail
31 Oct 09 13:16
Aldridge cash plotter faces jail
Express & Star 30 Oct 09
An Aldridge businessman was facing jail today after using his town centre shop as a front for money laundering...
Express & Star 31 Jul 48 years in jail for gang of smugglers
Express & Star 21 Jul Aldridge kitchen boss hid drug cash
Express & Star 14 Jul Boss alleged to be part of drugs plot
Clampdown on nuisance Pheasey youths
30 Oct 09 17:22
News
Clampdown on nuisance Pheasey youths
Sutton Coldfield Observer 30 Oct 09
Nuisance youths in Pheasey are being targeted in a clampdown on anti-social behaviour...
Clampdown on nuisance Pheasey youths
Sutton Coldfield Observer 30 Oct 09
Nuisance youths in Pheasey are being targeted in a clampdown on anti-social behaviour...
Local teenagers make parliamentary history
30 Oct 09 12:01
Local teenagers make parliamentary history
Beacon Radio 30 Oct 09
Three Black Country teenagers will make history today when they get to debate in the House of Commons as part of the country's first ever Youth Parliament. 14 year old Adam Ansari from Wolverhampton, Miles Kerr, aged 16, from Blue Coat Performing Arts Specialist College, and Spiros Georgiou, 17, from Barr Beacon Language College, were elected in February and will join around 300 other young people from across the country in the chamber...
UK Youth Parliament Home
Pelsall's Murial meets dart player hero
29 Oct 09 11:39
Pelsall's Murial meets dart player hero
Walsall Advertiser 29 Oct 09
Fourteen times World Darts Champion Phil 'The Power' Taylor faced a fresh challenge at the oche – in the shape of a 85-year-old Muriel Holland...
Professional Darts Corporation Home
Wikipedia Phil Taylor
Phil Taylor Home
Blunders turn turn cancer patient’s final months into horrendous battle
27 Oct 09 15:05
Blunders turn cancer patient’s final months into horrendous battle
B'ham Mail 27 Oct 09
A catalogue of blunders by a Great Barr surgery turned a terminally-ill cancer patient’s final months into a “horrendous battle for basic care”, his family have revealed...
End of life care Home
Give a Walsall dog a bed this winter
22 Oct 09 15:00
Give a Walsall dog a bed this winter
Walsall Advertiser 22 Oct 09
Even the most simple of supplies are running low at the Rosedene refuge for dogs in Rushall...
B'ham Post 17 Sep West Midlands' abandoned dogs shame
Express & Star 6 Aug Rising numbers of dogs abandoned in Walsall
Dogsblog Rosedene Rescue
Great Barr soldier dies in Germany road crash
22 Oct 09 13:53
Great Barr soldier dies in Germany road crash
B'ham Post 22 Oct 09
Lance Corporal Matt Milbourne died when the car he was travelling in careered off the road in heavy rain near an Army base in Hohne, Germany. The 24-year-old former Great Barr School pupil was a mechanic with the 32 Engineer Regiment and had completed a tour of Iraq...
Skip Lane to shut for a month
21 Oct 09 21:22
Skip Lane to shut for a month
Express & Star 19 Oct 09
A major road in Walsall will be closed for a month to install traffic calming measures after families complained about speeding motorists...
Pig Blog 21 Oct Comment: More traffic calming
Express & Star Archive
Express & Star Deliveries
Express & Star Pdf Star viewer
Oak Park leisure centre under new threat
21 Oct 09 03:11
News
Oak Park leisure centre under new threat
The YamYam 21 Oct 09
Walsall Council may be forced into demolishing Oak Park Leisure Centre as well as closing down Walsall Wood football club according to an official report.
The report, scheduled to be presented to Walsall's ruling Cabinet states that the Charities Commission has the power to demand the closure and demolition of the popular centre and long established football club.
Walsall Council was appointed Trustee of the Cannock Chase and Pelsall District Miners Charity in 1932. The Trust comprises of a piece land known as Oak Park, which has an open recreation ground together with the Oak Park Leisure Centre and Walsall Wood Football Club. The terms of the Trust were that the Council were responsible for maintaining an open recreational space for the benefit for the inhabitants of the area and in particular, a restriction was placed upon the land preventing any buildings being put on the land.
However, the council has breached the conditions of the trust by building on the land as well as giving some of the land away to a church in 1975. Council officers are now desperately trying to broker a deal to save the leisure centre and football club by offering an alternative piece of land to the Charities Commission in a land swap compromise.
The official council report does not identify the land that is being offered.
Walsall Council 21 Oct Cannock Chase and Pelsall District Miners Charity (Oak Park) PDF
Walsall Council Oak Park Leisure Centre
Charity Commission Home
Oak Park leisure centre under new threat
The YamYam 21 Oct 09
Walsall Council may be forced into demolishing Oak Park Leisure Centre as well as closing down Walsall Wood football club according to an official report.
The report, scheduled to be presented to Walsall's ruling Cabinet states that the Charities Commission has the power to demand the closure and demolition of the popular centre and long established football club.
Walsall Council was appointed Trustee of the Cannock Chase and Pelsall District Miners Charity in 1932. The Trust comprises of a piece land known as Oak Park, which has an open recreation ground together with the Oak Park Leisure Centre and Walsall Wood Football Club. The terms of the Trust were that the Council were responsible for maintaining an open recreational space for the benefit for the inhabitants of the area and in particular, a restriction was placed upon the land preventing any buildings being put on the land.
However, the council has breached the conditions of the trust by building on the land as well as giving some of the land away to a church in 1975. Council officers are now desperately trying to broker a deal to save the leisure centre and football club by offering an alternative piece of land to the Charities Commission in a land swap compromise.
The official council report does not identify the land that is being offered.
Walsall Council 21 Oct Cannock Chase and Pelsall District Miners Charity (Oak Park) PDF
Walsall Council Oak Park Leisure Centre
Charity Commission Home
Controlled explosion closes road
19 Oct 09 14:35
News
Controlled explosion closes Walsall road
BBC News 18 Oct 09
Part of a major route into Birmingham was closed for several hours after a suspicious package was found. Police were called to Queslett Road, near to the Scott Arms pub, in Great Barr at about 1530 BST on Saturday and closed the road in both directions...
Express & Star 19 Oct Families evacuated
B'ham Post 17 Oct Queslet Road closed
Controlled explosion closes Walsall road
BBC News 18 Oct 09
Part of a major route into Birmingham was closed for several hours after a suspicious package was found. Police were called to Queslett Road, near to the Scott Arms pub, in Great Barr at about 1530 BST on Saturday and closed the road in both directions...
Express & Star 19 Oct Families evacuated
B'ham Post 17 Oct Queslet Road closed
Queslet Road closed after suspicious package found
17 Oct 09 20:34
News
Queslet Road closed after suspicious package found
B'ham Post 17 Oct 09
Police sealed off a stretch of Queslett Road on Saturday after a suspicious package was found. Officers were called at 4.15pm after members of the public reported seeing a suspicious item on the street between Walsall Road and Beacon Road. It remained unclear what the package contained, or when the road would re-open.
Queslet Road closed after suspicious package found
B'ham Post 17 Oct 09
Police sealed off a stretch of Queslett Road on Saturday after a suspicious package was found. Officers were called at 4.15pm after members of the public reported seeing a suspicious item on the street between Walsall Road and Beacon Road. It remained unclear what the package contained, or when the road would re-open.
Broken arm hell for Walsall girl
17 Oct 09 13:30
Broken arm hell for Walsall girl
Sun 17 Oct 09
Teachers at Pheasey Park Farm School forced a five-year-old Walsall girl with a rare medical condition to sit through classes with a broken arm - after twice failing to spot it...
B'ham Mail 16 Oct Sent to lessons with broken arm
Pheasey Park Farm Primary School Home
Devoted Walsall Wood pair in double tragedy
15 Oct 09 16:29
Devoted Walsall Wood pair in double tragedy
Express & Star 15 Oct 09
A devoted husband smothered his wife before killing himself after struggling to come to terms with her rapidly deteriorating mental state, an inquest in Walsall has heard...
Join walk to help boost cancer funds
15 Oct 09 15:48
Join walk to help boost cancer funds
Walsall Advertiser 15 Oct 09
A breast cancer survivor hopes walkers will join her at a pink-themed event backing a campaign to eradicate the killer disease. Maxine Taylor from Castle Road, Walsall Wood, is urging the young and old to take part in the seventh annual Shugborough Stride around the Shugborough Estate this Sunday as part of Cancer Research UK's Join The Fight For Women's Survival campaign...
Cancer Research UK Fight for Women's Survival
Streetly granny doing her bit for hurt soldiers
15 Oct 09 15:39
Streetly granny doing her bit for hurt soldiers
Walsall Advertiser 15 Oct 09
A caring granny swapped knitting needles for running shoes to raise money for the country's injured troops. Gill Parkes from Lilac Avenue, Streetly, ran around Aldridge School's sports field last Sunday and raised £400 for soldiers who have returned from Iraq and Afghanistan and are currently in Selly Oak Hospital's military ward...
Express & Star 12 Oct Volunteer medics back from war zone
Sun 24 Sep 09 Wards overrun with Afghan war casualties
BBC News 23 Sep Treating soldiers in Selly Oak brutally injured in Afghanistan
BBC News 23 Sep Waking up with no legs
B'ham Post 23 Sep TV programme reveals Selly Oak's work with injured troops
B'ham Post 23 Sep Video interview with Selly Oak doctor
B'ham Mail 21 Sep Mercian killed in Afghanistan
Express & Star 21 Sep Hero home from war zone
B'ham Mail 16 Sep Local soldier saves Afghan comrades
B'ham Post 1 Oct Queen donates to heros charity
BBC News 15 Sep Mothers of soldiers plea to MoD
News of the World 12 Sep The hidden casualties of war
Afghan Heroes Home
Aldridge mum's appeal fund hits £60k
15 Oct 09 15:34
Aldridge mum's appeal fund hits £60k
Walsall Advertiser 15 Oct 09
A mother's mission to make big moves in brain tumour research following her family's misery has reached another magnificent milestone. Sharon Sambrook, from Aldridge, launched the Ben Sambrook Trust Fund after her son, Ben, now aged 11, successfully fought off a grade four malignant tumour...
Advertiser 17 Sep Aldridge brain tumour fund exceeds 'wildest' expectations
Aldridge Web Ben Sambrook Trust Fund
Patient UK Brain tumours in children
Bupa Brain tumours
Brain Tumour UK Home
Legal action threat on abandoned Mellish Road church
15 Oct 09 14:41
Legal action threat on abandoned Mellish Road church
The YamYam 13 Oct 09
A secret meeting between Walsall council chiefs and the mysterious owners of a derelict former church has resulted in Walsall Council leader Mike Bird threatening court action. The former Mellish Road Methodist Church was sold to the developers in 1992 and has since been allowed to crumble, suffering arson attacks and repeated vandalism...
The Grade 2 listed building became structurally unsound following a bungled attempt by the Council to fill in nearby disused limestone mine shafts in the early 1990`s. After a substantial out-of-court settlement by Walsall Council, the church decided to sell the land and building. Since then, the current owners, a consortium of local businessmen have ignored requests from the council to see development proposals or to make the site safe and secure.
Councillor Bird said: “They have been asked to either come up with an application to get listed building consent for demolition or to put it back into a good state of repair. If they do not do this we will take out an injunction for them to do it and if they still fail to comply we will take them to court for the legal costs.”
Deputy leader and cabinet member for regeneration, Councillor Adrian Andrew added: “The owners are irresponsible but thanks to the council there has been more progress on this in the last three or four years than there has ever been before.”
The Hatherton Community Group, formed to bring the site back into community use have blasted council “maladministration and lack of freedom of information” in allowing the building to decay over almost 18 years. The group has expressed an interest in buying the land to create a community centre and has approached the Ombudsman to catalogue their concerns over the probity of planning control.
Speculation is rife as to the identities of the owners, fueled by the fact that council planning meetings regarding the Mellish Road Church take place in private session. Two owners attended the latest meeting but refused to divulge their names or offer any comment and committee members remain tight-lipped as to who these people actually are.
Walsall Advertiser 15 Oct Keith Watkins letter: Owners of these buildings do know their importance
The YamYam 10 Oct Mellish Road church eyesore call for action
B'ham Post 2 Jul English Heritage joins fight to save crumbling Walsall church
Express & Star 21 Feb Arsonists attack church
English Heritage Research & Conservation
Walsall Council Development Control Committee
Tributes paid to Rushall-born 107-year-old Ted
15 Oct 09 11:58
Tributes paid to Rushall-born 107-year-old Ted
Express & Star 15 Oct 09
One of Britain’s oldest men, who lived alone in his South Staffordshire home until just weeks ago, has died at the age of 107. Great grandfather-of-three Ted Powell proved age doesn’t have to stand in the way of a full life – getting married to Phyllis at the age of 92 and continuing to drive until he was 99...
Great Barr man admits attacking pregnant girlfriend
14 Oct 09 23:55
News
Great Barr man admits attacking pregnant girlfriend
Chris Henwood B'ham Mail 14 Oct 09
A thug who attacked his pregnant girlfriend after she threatened him with a knife during a row has been spared time behind bars...
Great Barr man admits attacking pregnant girlfriend
Chris Henwood B'ham Mail 14 Oct 09
A thug who attacked his pregnant girlfriend after she threatened him with a knife during a row has been spared time behind bars...
Album deal is on offer to Walsall musicians
13 Oct 09 10:26
Album deal is on offer to Walsall musicians
Walsall Advertiser 13 Oct 09
The search to find the West Midlands' finest musical talent has been launched by two Walsall men. Pete Miles, from Blakenall, and Matt Alexander, from Aldridge, are calling on the region's best musicians and singers to take part in heats – with the eventual winner landing a recording deal...
Alexa International Home
Magaluf stab victim’s body to return to Walsall Wood
12 Oct 09 14:03
Magaluf stab victim’s body to return
Express & Star 12 Oct 09
The body of Walsall Wood man Danny Hastelow who was murdered in Spain almost two years ago looks set to be flown back to his family next week...
Express & Star 3 Oct Murder victim’s family’s compensation fear
Advertiser 8 Oct Damages unlikely for family
BBC News 2 Oct 18 years for Walsall Wood Magaluf murderer
Advertiser 1 Oct Walsall Wood man's body to be flown home from Spain
BBC News 1 Oct Majorca man's body to come home
Express & Star 25 Sep Man found guilty over Walsall Wood Magaluf killing
B'ham Post 25 Sep Man found guilty of murder
B'ham Post 24 Sep Jury considers verdict
B'ham Mail 24 Sep Accused was 'manipulative'
B'ham Mail 22 Sep Man, 36, admits to Spain stabbing
B'ham Mail 22 Sep Hastilow stabbed 'in self defence'
Express & Star 21 Sep Two face trial over resort murder
B'ham Mail 21 Sep Walsall Wood trial begins in Spain
Advertiser 18 Sep Relatives attend murder trial in Magaluf
Advertiser 15 Aug Fund-raising day to bring body home
Advertiser 27 Jul Walsall Wood death trial gets go ahead
B'ham Mail 8 May "Help me bring my brother home"
Advertiser 7 May Thousands back bid to get Daniel home
Aldridge Ambulance station in possible move
12 Oct 09 13:23
Aldridge Ambulance station in possible move
Beacon Radio 12 Oct 09
West Midlands Ambulance Service is looking for at least two new sites for ambulance stations in the Black Country. It comes as Morrisions has offered to buy the site of the current ambulance station in Aldridge...
BBC News 12 Oct Ambulance sation sites 'wanted'
Aldridge-Brownhills Lib Dems 12 Oct Can you help identify new site for Ambulance Station?
B'ham Mail 2 Sep Aldridge ambulance pledge over Morrisons' plans
B'ham Post 1 Oct Ailing ambulance service’s £10m injection as demands increase
B'ham Post 25 Sep One-third of WM paramedics assaulted while answering 999 calls
Express & Star 22 Sep Third of ambulances miss response target
B'ham Post 11 Aug Virus blamed for WM paramedics reaching "crisis point"
Mercury 9 Aug Overstretched WM paramedics’ response times shock
WM Ambulance Service Home
Armed robbery at Aldridge Co-Op store
12 Oct 09 12:43
Armed robbery at Aldridge Co-Op store
TheYamYam 12 Oct
As reported to the YamYam on Saturday by @hapdaniel, police have confirmed that they are investigating an armed robbery which took place around 6:35am on Saturday at the Co-Op store in Walsall Wood Road.
Two men wearing balaclavas entered the back of the store and threatened the 21 year old male assistant with crowbars, before stealing cash, stamps and cigarettes before escaping.
No-one was injured during the incident, which took place at 0635 hrs Saturday 10 October.
The offenders are both described as being white men, wearing black balaclavas and dark clothes.
DS Rob Bastin from Walsall CID said: "This was a frightening incident and we are appealing for anyonw who was in the area of the CO-OP around 6.30am on Saturday or anyone who saw anyone suspicious or any suspicious vehicles in the area to contact the CID at Walsall on 0845 113 5000".
Express & Star 12 Oct Worker threatened in armed raid
WM Police 12 Oct Armed robbery in Aldridge
West Midlands Police Walsall
Mellish Road church eyesore call for action
10 Oct 09 03:57
Mellish Road church eyesore call for action
The YamYam 10 Oct 09
Planning chiefs at Walsall Council have again asked to see action regarding the dilapidated condition of the former Mellish Road Methodist Church. The derelict building on the corner of Butts Road and Lichfield Road, on the Mellish Road roundabout, has stood empty since being sold to developers in 1992.
The council's Development Control Committee has resolved to “proceed to take action failing the submission of a planning application” but has not indicated what form of action the council might be considering. The move follows nearly 18 years of neglect in which the current un-named owners, described only as “a consortium of local businessmen”, have been served with several emergency repair notices in order to firstly stabilise the structure and also to improve security at the vandal-plagued Grade 2 listed site.
In February 2008, the church suffered a major fire as the result of an arson attack and its structural viability further compromised. It was reported at the time that the council’s cabinet had given delegated powers to its officers to use a compulsory purchase order to bring the church building back into community use. Residents and some local Councillors have repeatedly raised concerns regarding the continuing decay of a landmark site and the lack of progress both in terms of safety and of future use.
In July of this year, the national conservation watchdog English Heritage joined with residents and Walsall Council in calling for the owners of the land to produce a timetable outlining what the future of the building would be. Recently, the Hatherton Community Group, campaigning to convert the old church into a community centre announced that it would be putting in an offer to purchase the land. Architect Ian Ritchie, who is acting for the un-named owners said: “The owners have been investigating alternative uses that would allow the retention and refurbishment of the existing building.” The resolution passed this week by Development Control, discussed separately and in private session, suggests that no alternatives are favored by the owners.
Speaking in July, Councillor Adrian Andrew, Deputy Leader Walsall Council, said: “The important thing to stress is that we are helping to arrange these talks with English Heritage and the landowner but this is not our property.
“There is a clear limit to what we can do as a council because we simply don’t own the building. However, we are talking about a landmark building that is in the centre of a thriving community and which is past by thousands of people every day.
“I think at the meeting all parties realise that action needs to happen and I’m cautiously optimistic this has helped to give the issue some sense of urgency.
“We held a constructive meeting to plot a way forward. I’m pleased to say that the landowner has agreed to go away and come back with a timetable for action to resolve the issue by the end of the year.”
Also speaking in July, Alan Taylor, inspector of historic buildings at English Heritage, said: "English Heritage shares the concerns of local residents and councillors about the derelict state of this landmark building. Together with the council we have met the owners and stressed the need for an urgent resolution of its poor condition."
Built in 1910 with help from public donations to cover the £5,000 cost, the Methodist church closed in May 1992 after suffering severe structural problems. A substantial out-of-court settlement led to the sale of the land following claims that a Walsall Council programme to fill in old limestone mine shafts caused cracks in the church structure.
B'ham Post 2 July English Heritage joins fight to save crumbling Walsall church
Express & Star 21 Feb 08 Arsonists attack church
English Heritage Research & Conservation
Walsall Council Development Control Committee
Pheasey killer motorist has driving ban halved
09 Oct 09 12:44
News
Pheasey killer motorist has driving ban halved
Express & Star 9 Oct 09
A speeding Great Barr motorist who knocked down a Pheasey pensioner delivering papers on Beacon Road has had his 10-year driving ban halved on appeal by top judges...
Sutton Observer 26 May Death driver behind bars
Express & Star 6 Apr Guilty plea over man's death
Pheasey killer motorist has driving ban halved
Express & Star 9 Oct 09
A speeding Great Barr motorist who knocked down a Pheasey pensioner delivering papers on Beacon Road has had his 10-year driving ban halved on appeal by top judges...
Sutton Observer 26 May Death driver behind bars
Express & Star 6 Apr Guilty plea over man's death
Man charged over Great Barr Asda blackmail
09 Oct 09 01:10
News
Man charged over Great Barr Asda blackmail
Express & Star 8 Oct 09
A man was appearing in court today charged with threatening to contaminate food in blackmail plots against supermarkets in the Black Country...
B'ham Post 13 Oct Blackmail inspired by Clint Eastwood movie
B'ham Post 9 Oct Man accused of blackmailing
Man charged over Great Barr Asda blackmail
Express & Star 8 Oct 09
A man was appearing in court today charged with threatening to contaminate food in blackmail plots against supermarkets in the Black Country...
B'ham Post 13 Oct Blackmail inspired by Clint Eastwood movie
B'ham Post 9 Oct Man accused of blackmailing
Aldridge teenager sheds seven stones
08 Oct 09 23:20
Aldridge teenager sheds seven stones
Walsall Advertiser 8 Oct 09
A super slimming Aldridge teen shed seven stones in as many months to radically transform her life. Depression and bullying crippled Castle Hill Road resident Francesa Koumi as she weighed in at 15st 10lb aged only 18...
Walsall Wood murder victim’s family’s compensation fear
08 Oct 09 23:18
Walsall Wood murder victim’s family’s compensation fear
Express & Star 3 Oct 09
The family of a man murdered in a holiday resort fear they will not see any of the £82,523 damages his killer was ordered to pay. Merseyside man Richard Roberts, aged 36, was sentenced to 18 years in prison yesterday by a Spanish judge for murdering 26 year-old Danny Hastelow from Walsall Wood in Magaluf last January...
Advertiser 8 Oct Damages unlikely for family
BBC News 2 Oct 18 years for Walsall Wood Magaluf murderer
Advertiser 1 Oct Walsall Wood man's body to be flown home from Spain
BBC News 1 Oct Majorca man's body to come home
Express & Star 25 Sep Man found guilty over Walsall Wood Magaluf killing
B'ham Post 25 Sep Man found guilty of murder
B'ham Post 24 Sep Jury considers verdict
B'ham Mail 24 Sep Accused was 'manipulative'
B'ham Mail 22 Sep Man, 36, admits to Spain stabbing
B'ham Mail 22 Sep Hastilow stabbed 'in self defence'
Express & Star 21 Sep Two face trial over resort murder
B'ham Mail 21 Sep Walsall Wood trial begins in Spain
Advertiser 18 Sep Relatives attend murder trial in Magaluf
Advertiser 15 Aug Fund-raising day to bring body home
Advertiser 27 Jul Walsall Wood death trial gets go ahead
B'ham Mail 8 May "Help me bring my brother home"
Advertiser 7 May Thousands back bid to get Daniel home
Great Barr puzzler has the ‘clue to a long life’
05 Oct 09 13:25
Great Barr puzzler has the ‘clue to a long life’
Express & Star 5 Oct 09
A great-great-grandmother celebrating her 100th birthday has revealed the secret of a long life. Beatrice Rogers from Great Barr has done the crossword every night for 50 years and thinks it has helped to keep her mind active...
The Sun 2 Oct Crosswords - secret to long marriage
Telegraph 29 Sep Crosswords could add inches to your waistline
Ashley Blake to star in comedy movie
04 Oct 09 15:50
Ashley Blake to star in comedy movie
B'ham Mail 4 Oct 09
Disgraced former TV presenter Ashley Blake is to appear in a major new movie – despite being locked up in jail. The convicted criminal is to appear alongside Martin Freeman, Ashley Jensen and Alan Carr in the comedy film Nativity, which is partly funded by the BBC...
British Comedy Guide Nativity
BBC Inside Out Ashley Blake profile This page has been removed
Wikipedia Ashley Blake
Ashley Blake website Home
B'ham Post 23 Sep Ashley Blake may lose his honorary degree from Staffs Uni
B'ham Mail 15 Sep Ashley Blake's Streetly victim will spend compensation on plastic surgey
B'ham Post 15 Sep Blake lodges sentence appeal
B'ham Mail 9 Sep Ashley Blake to fight jail term
Express & Star 9 Sep Blake launches appeal
Mercury 6 Sep Comment: telly thug deserved jail
B'ham Mail 5 Sep Blake's confesses - part 3 video
B'ham Mail 4 Sep Blake's confesses - part 2 video
B'ham Mail 3 Sep Blake confesses - part 1 video
B'ham Mail 3 Sep Blog: Blake pays price for fame
B'ham Post 3 Sep Victim: assault plays on my mind
B'ham Post 3 Sep Blake: 18th party turning point
B'ham Post 2 Sep Ashley Blake jailed for two years
Express & Star 2 Sep Blake gets two years
BBC News 2 Sep Sacked BBC presenter Blake to be sentenced
B'ham Post 16 Aug Victim insists TV star should go to jail
B'ham Mail 15 Aug Blake says sorry for pub brawl
BBC News 14 Aug Ashley Blake waves bye bye to the BBC
B'ham Mail 14 Aug Blake sacked by BBC
Express & Star 14 Aug Blake sacked over pub attack
B'ham Mail 5 Aug Blake "terrified of jail"
B'ham Post 5 Aug Blake "I've lost everything"
Express & Star 4 Aug Police DVD was fronted by shamed Ashley Blake
B'ham Post 4 Aug CCTV image released of Ashley Blake carrying pole before attack
B'ham Post 4 Aug Blake fears TV career is over
Express & Star 4 Aug Blake faces jail and end of career
Express & Star 3 Aug Blake guilty of wounding
B'ham Post 3 Aug Blake found guilty
B'ham Post 3 Aug Jury out in Ashley Blake court case
BBC News 3 Aug BBC presenter trial jury retires
B'ham Mail 1 Aug Prosecutor accuses Blake of lies
B'ham Mail 30 Jul Blake tells court he lied to police
B'ham Mail 30 Jul Ashley Blake 'feared for his life'
B'ham Mail 28 Jul Teenager’s claim: Blake denials
B'ham Mail 28 Jul BBC man hit teen with wooden pole
BBC News 27 Jul Ashley Blake 'hit youth with pole'
BBC News 27 Apr TV's Ashley Blake denies wounding
B'ham Post 27 July Jury sworn in for trial of presenter
B'ham Mail 27 Jan Ashley Blake charged with wounding
Aldridge disco inferno club 'Staying alive'
03 Oct 09 09:52
Aldridge disco inferno club 'Staying alive'
The YamYam 3 Oct 09
An Aldridge church club at the centre of a dispute with neighbours over late night noise has withdrawn its application to hold a New Year`s Eve bash.
The Friary Club in Whetstone Lane has already been fined for breeches of a noise abatement order and has lost its entertainment license.
The club, based at St Mary of the Angels Church but run by a separate management committee, has now been granted permission to screen three football matches on consecutive Saturdays in October when it will be allowed to serve alcohol between noon and 11pm.
The YamYam 1 Oct Aldridge church club disco inferno
18 years for Walsall Wood Magaluf murderer
02 Oct 09 16:36
18 years for Walsall Wood Magaluf murderer
BBC News 2 Oct 09
A man has been sentenced to 18 years in prison for murdering another Briton on the Spanish holiday island of Majorca. Daniel Hastelow, 26, of Walsall Wood, was stabbed to death by Richard Roberts, 36, from Merseyside, in Magaluf in January 2008...
Advertiser 1 Oct Walsall Wood man's body to be flown home from Spain
BBC News 1 Oct Majorca man's body to come home
Express & Star 25 Sep Man found guilty over Walsall Wood Magaluf killing
B'ham Post 25 Sep Man found guilty of murder
B'ham Post 24 Sep Jury considers verdict
B'ham Mail 24 Sep Accused was 'manipulative'
B'ham Mail 22 Sep Man, 36, admits to Spain stabbing
B'ham Mail 22 Sep Hastilow stabbed 'in self defence'
Express & Star 21 Sep Two face trial over resort murder
B'ham Mail 21 Sep Walsall Wood trial begins in Spain
Advertiser 18 Sep Relatives attend murder trial in Magaluf
Advertiser 15 Aug Fund-raising day to bring body home
Advertiser 27 Jul Walsall Wood death trial gets go ahead
B'ham Mail 8 May "Help me bring my brother home"
Advertiser 7 May Thousands back bid to get Daniel home
Walsall Wood man's body to be flown home from Spain
01 Oct 09 18:53
Walsall Wood man's body to be flown home from Spain
Walsall Advertiser 1 Oct 09
The body of a Walsall Wood man murdered in Spain last year will finally be brought home and laid to rest. Some 619 days after 26-year-old Daniel Hastelow was found stabbed to death in Magaluf, his murderer Richard Roberts, 36, was found guilty of the crime in a Spanish court on Thursday, September 24. He now faces 18 years in prison...
BBC News 1 Oct Majorca man's body to come home
Express & Star 25 Sep Man found guilty over Walsall Wood Magaluf killing
B'ham Post 25 Sep Man found guilty of murder
B'ham Post 24 Sep Jury considers verdict
B'ham Mail 24 Sep Accused was 'manipulative'
B'ham Mail 22 Sep Man, 36, admits to Spain stabbing
B'ham Mail 22 Sep Hastilow stabbed 'in self defence'
Express & Star 21 Sep Two face trial over resort murder
B'ham Mail 21 Sep Walsall Wood trial begins in Spain
Advertiser 18 Sep Relatives attend murder trial in Magaluf
Advertiser 15 Aug Fund-raising day to bring body home
Advertiser 27 Jul Walsall Wood death trial gets go ahead
B'ham Mail 8 May "Help me bring my brother home"
Advertiser 7 May Thousands back bid to get Daniel home
Aldridge church club disco inferno
01 Oct 09 04:21
Aldridge church club disco inferno
The YamYam 1 Oct 09
West Midlands Police have expressed “no confidence” in a church clubs ability to control anti-social late night noise levels that have made the life of neighbours a living hell.
The Friary Club in Whetstone Lane has already had its entertainment license withdrawn following numerous complaints about late night noise. The club, based at St Mary of the Angels Church now wants permission to screen three football matches and a New Year`s Eve party. Local residents, deprived of sleep by the playing of such hits as Tainted Love and Disco Inferno in the early hours, are angry that a noise abatement order has been ignored.
In May of this year, the club admitted to four charges of breaching the noise abatement order and was fined £500 for each offence and was ordered to pay over £700 in costs. The Friary Club have now applied to screen the three football matches in October and wishes to stage a New Year`s celebration.
PC Brian Doyle said: “West Midlands Police have no confidence the management of The Friary Club can or will control noise levels at its venue.”
Walsall Council will make a decision on the application in the near future.
Man found guilty over Walsall Wood Magaluf killing
25 Sep 09 13:53
Man found guilty over Walsall Wood Magaluf killing
Express & Star 25 Sep 09
Richard Roberts, aged 36, of Liverpool, has been convicted in connection with the death of 26-year-old Danny Hastelow, who was stabbed seven times whilst he slept at the Playa Mar Apartments, in Magaluf. Another man, Paul Anthony Griffiths, who was also charged over the killing, was acquitted due to a “lack of proof”...
B'ham Post 25 Sep Man found guilty of murder
B'ham Post 24 Sep Jury considers verdict
B'ham Mail 24 Sep Accused was 'manipulative'
B'ham Mail 22 Sep Man, 36, admits to Spain stabbing
B'ham Mail 22 Sep Hastilow stabbed 'in self defence'
Express & Star 21 Sep Two face trial over resort murder
B'ham Mail 21 Sep Walsall Wood trial begins in Spain
Advertiser 18 Sep Relatives attend murder trial in Magaluf
Advertiser 15 Aug Fund-raising day to bring body home
Advertiser 27 Jul Walsall Wood death trial gets go ahead
B'ham Mail 8 May "Help me bring my brother home"
Advertiser 7 May Thousands back bid to get Daniel home
Barr Beacon visitor centre put on hold
25 Sep 09 12:07
Barr Beacon visitor centre put on hold
Express & Star 25 Sep 09
A £2.3 million scheme for a visitor centre in Barr Beacon may not materialise for some time as Walsall Council officials admitted other projects were a priority...
Express & Star 24 Sep Dog shot in head at Bar Beacon
BBC Black Country Barr Beacon panoramic view QTVR
Aldridge Web Bar Beacon Park
Jury considers verdict in Walsall Wood man's Magaluf murder trial
24 Sep 09 23:05
Jury considers verdict in Walsall Wood man's Magaluf murder trial
Birmingham Post 24 Sep 09
Two British men accused of murdering a man from the West Midlands on the Spanish island of Majorca are awaiting the verdict of their trial. Richard Roberts, 36, and Paul Griffiths, 23, both from Merseyside, deny killing Daniel Hastelow, 26, in Magaluf last year...
B'ham Mail 22 Sep Man, 36, admits to Spain stabbing
B'ham Mail 22 Sep Hastilow stabbed 'in self defence'
Express & Star 21 Sep Two face trial over resort murder
B'ham Mail 21 Sep Walsall Wood trial begins in Spain
Advertiser 18 Sep Relatives attend murder trial in Magaluf
Advertiser 15 Aug Fund-raising day to bring body home
Advertiser 27 Jul Walsall Wood death trial gets go ahead
B'ham Mail 8 May "Help me bring my brother home"
Advertiser 7 May Thousands back bid to get Daniel home
Aldridge cricket club hit by theft
24 Sep 09 17:19
News
Aldridge cricket club hit by theft
Walsall Advertiser 24 Sep 09
Thieves broke into Stick and Wicket Cricket Club on The Green in Aldridge at the weekend and stole training equipment worth more than £2,000...
Aldridge cricket club hit by theft
Walsall Advertiser 24 Sep 09
Thieves broke into Stick and Wicket Cricket Club on The Green in Aldridge at the weekend and stole training equipment worth more than £2,000...
Historic Pelsall bus stops given shelter
23 Sep 09 13:31
Historic Pelsall bus stops given shelter
Walsall Advertiser 23 Sep 09
A voluntary group in Walsall has been provided with the materials and tools to help maintain two historic bus shelters. Walsall Council and transport authority Centro recently replaced two of the quirky wooden bus stops that have served the travelling public on Pelsall Common for over 40 years with new waiting facilities...
Police appeal over Pelsall crash
23 Sep 09 13:13
News
Police appeal over Pelsall crash
WM Police 23 Sep 09
Police are appealing for witnesses following a collision between a motorcyle and a car on Tuesday 22 September in Pelsall Lane...
Police appeal over Pelsall crash
WM Police 23 Sep 09
Police are appealing for witnesses following a collision between a motorcyle and a car on Tuesday 22 September in Pelsall Lane...
Ashley Blake may lose his honorary degree from Staffs Uni
23 Sep 09 12:26
Ashley Blake may lose his honorary degree from Staffs Uni
B'ham Post 23 Sep 09
University bosses at Staffordshire University will meet next month to decide whether the former Midlands Today presenter will lose the prestige of the degree he was awarded in July 2007...
B'ham Mail 15 Sep Ashley Blake's Streetly victim will spend compensation on plastic surgey
B'ham Post 15 Sep Blake lodges sentence appeal
B'ham Mail 9 Sep Ashley Blake to fight jail term
Express & Star 9 Sep Blake launches appeal
Mercury 6 Sep Comment: telly thug deserved jail
B'ham Mail 5 Sep Blake's confesses - part 3 video
B'ham Mail 4 Sep Blake's confesses - part 2 video
B'ham Mail 3 Sep Blake confesses - part 1 video
B'ham Mail 3 Sep Blog: Blake pays price for fame
B'ham Post 3 Sep Victim: assault plays on my mind
B'ham Post 3 Sep Blake: 18th party turning point
B'ham Post 2 Sep Ashley Blake jailed for two years
Express & Star 2 Sep Blake gets two years
BBC News 2 Sep Sacked BBC presenter Blake to be sentenced
B'ham Post 16 Aug Victim insists TV star should go to jail
B'ham Mail 15 Aug Blake says sorry for pub brawl
BBC News 14 Aug Ashley Blake waves bye bye to the BBC
B'ham Mail 14 Aug Blake sacked by BBC
Express & Star 14 Aug Blake sacked over pub attack
B'ham Mail 5 Aug Blake "terrified of jail"
B'ham Post 5 Aug Blake "I've lost everything"
Express & Star 4 Aug Police DVD was fronted by shamed Ashley Blake
B'ham Post 4 Aug CCTV image released of Ashley Blake carrying pole before attack
B'ham Post 4 Aug Blake fears TV career is over
Express & Star 4 Aug Blake faces jail and end of career
Express & Star 3 Aug Blake guilty of wounding
B'ham Post 3 Aug Blake found guilty
B'ham Post 3 Aug Jury out in Ashley Blake court case
BBC News 3 Aug BBC presenter trial jury retires
B'ham Mail 1 Aug Prosecutor accuses Blake of lies
B'ham Mail 30 Jul Blake tells court he lied to police
B'ham Mail 30 Jul Ashley Blake 'feared for his life'
B'ham Mail 28 Jul Teenager’s claim: Blake denials
B'ham Mail 28 Jul BBC man hit teen with wooden pole
BBC News 27 Jul Ashley Blake 'hit youth with pole'
B'ham Post 27 July Jury sworn in for trial of presenter
BBC News 27 Apr TV's Ashley Blake denies wounding
BBC Inside Out Ashley Blake profile This page has been removed
Wikipedia Ashley Blake
Aldridge postmistress in card pin con
23 Sep 09 11:54
Aldridge postmistress in card pin con
Express & Star 23 Sep 09
A postmistress from Aldridge conned elderly customers out of thousands of pounds by tricking them into punching in debit card pin numbers twice...
Speared pigeon and shot swan die
23 Sep 09 11:46
News
Speared pigeon and shot swan die
Express & Star 23 Sep 09
A swan and a pigeon have been killed in two savage attacks in Aldridge and Wolverhampton...
Mercury 9 May Dogs maul swans at Chasewater
Speared pigeon and shot swan die
Express & Star 23 Sep 09
A swan and a pigeon have been killed in two savage attacks in Aldridge and Wolverhampton...
Mercury 9 May Dogs maul swans at Chasewater
Man, 36, admits to Walsall Wood Spain stabbing
22 Sep 09 13:24
Man, 36, admits to Walsall Wood Spain stabbing
Chris Henwood B'ham Mail 22 Sep 09
One of two British men accused of murdering 26-year-old Danny Hastelow from Walsall Wood, has admitted stabbing the former bricklayer in Magaluf last year, according to Spanish media today...
B'ham Mail 22 Sep Hastilow stabbed 'in self defence'
Express & Star 21 Sep Two face trial over resort murder
B'ham Mail 21 Sep Walsall Wood trial begins in Spain
Advertiser 18 Sep Relatives attend murder trial in Magaluf
Advertiser 15 Aug Fund-raising day to bring body home
Advertiser 27 Jul Walsall Wood death trial gets go ahead
B'ham Mail 8 May "Help me bring my brother home"
Advertiser 7 May Thousands back bid to get Daniel home
Two face trial over Walsall Wood man's resort murder
21 Sep 09 13:25
Two face trial over Walsall Wood man's resort murder
Express & Star 21 Sep 09
The alleged killers of a Walsall Wood man were facing trial in Spain today. Danny Hastelow was stabbed as he slept in the resort of Calvia, in Magaluf, where he was working as barman - the day after his 26th birthday in January last year...
B'ham Mail 21 Sep Walsall Wood trial begins in Spain
Advertiser 18 Sep Relatives attend murder trial in Magaluf
Advertiser 15 Aug Fund-raising day to bring body home
Advertiser 27 Jul Walsall Wood death trial gets go ahead
B'ham Mail 8 May "Help me bring my brother home"
Advertiser 7 May Thousands back bid to get Daniel home
Relatives of Walsall Wood stab victim attend murder trial in Magaluf
18 Sep 09 15:30
Relatives of Walsall Wood stab victim attend murder trial in Magaluf
Walsall Advertiser 18 Sep 09
The family of a Walsall Wood man who was stabbed to death last year will fly to Spain this weekend to follow his murder trial. Daniel Hastelow, aged 26, died from stab wounds to his back and chest after celebrating his birthday on Sunday, January 13, in Magaluf...
Advertiser 15 Aug Fund-raising day to bring body home
Advertiser 27 Jul Walsall Wood death trial gets go ahead
B'ham Mail 8 May "Help me bring my brother home"
Advertiser 7 May Thousands back bid to get Daniel home
Aldridge brain tumour fund exceeds 'wildest' expectations
17 Sep 09 23:07
Aldridge brain tumour fund exceeds 'wildest' expectations
Walsall Advertiser 17 Sep 09
A fund set up to help research brain tumours in children has surpassed the wildest expectations of an Aldridge mum. Sharon Sambrook launched the Ben Sambrook Trust Fund two years ago after her nine-year-old son was diagnosed with a brain tumour...
Aldridge Web Ben Sambrook Trust Fund
Patient UK Brain tumours in children
Bupa Brain tumours
Brain Tumour UK Home
Great Barr man robbed during wife's funeral
17 Sep 09 14:08
Great Barr man robbed during wife's funeral
Mark Cowan Birmingham Mail 17 Sep 09
Callous burglars ransacked the home of a Great Barr man as he attended the funeral of his wife, taking her jewellery and thousands of pounds of cash set aside to cover the funeral costs, along with donations from other mourners...
Ashley Blake's Streetly victim will spend compensation on plastic surgey
15 Sep 09 13:01
Ashley Blake's Streetly victim will spend compensation on plastic surgey
Christina Savvas Birmingham Mail 15 Sep 09
The Streetly teenager attacked by disgraced TV star Ashley Blake wants to use the compensation he receives on plastic surgery...
B'ham Post 15 Sep Blake lodges sentence appeal
B'ham Mail 9 Sep Ashley Blake to fight jail term
Express & Star 9 Sep Blake launches appeal
Mercury 6 Sep Comment: telly thug deserved jail
B'ham Mail 5 Sep Blake's confesses - part 3 video
B'ham Mail 4 Sep Blake's confesses - part 2 video
B'ham Mail 3 Sep Blake confesses - part 1 video
B'ham Mail 3 Sep Blog: Blake pays price for fame
B'ham Post 3 Sep Victim: assault plays on my mind
B'ham Post 3 Sep Blake: 18th party turning point
B'ham Post 2 Sep Ashley Blake jailed for two years
Express & Star 2 Sep Blake gets two years
BBC News 2 Sep Sacked BBC presenter Blake to be sentenced
B'ham Post 16 Aug Victim insists TV star should go to jail
B'ham Mail 15 Aug Blake says sorry for pub brawl
BBC News 14 Aug Ashley Blake waves bye bye to the BBC
B'ham Mail 14 Aug Blake sacked by BBC
Express & Star 14 Aug Blake sacked over pub attack
B'ham Mail 5 Aug Blake "terrified of jail"
B'ham Post 5 Aug Blake "I've lost everything"
Express & Star 4 Aug Police DVD was fronted by shamed Ashley Blake
B'ham Post 4 Aug CCTV image released of Ashley Blake carrying pole before attack
B'ham Post 4 Aug Blake fears TV career is over
Express & Star 4 Aug Blake faces jail and end of career
Express & Star 3 Aug Blake guilty of wounding
B'ham Post 3 Aug Blake found guilty
B'ham Post 3 Aug Jury out in Ashley Blake court case
BBC News 3 Aug BBC presenter trial jury retires
B'ham Mail 1 Aug Prosecutor accuses Blake of lies
B'ham Mail 30 Jul Blake tells court he lied to police
B'ham Mail 30 Jul Ashley Blake 'feared for his life'
B'ham Mail 28 Jul Teenager’s claim: Blake denials
B'ham Mail 28 Jul BBC man hit teen with wooden pole
BBC News 27 Jul Ashley Blake 'hit youth with pole'
B'ham Post 27 July Jury sworn in for trial of presenter
BBC News 27 Apr TV's Ashley Blake denies wounding
BBC Inside Out Ashley Blake profile This page has been removed
Wikipedia Ashley Blake
Further charges in Walsall web abuse case
14 Sep 09 14:19
Further charges in Walsall web abuse case
BBC News 14 Sep 09
Nicholas Wilde, the man charged over a live internet broadcast which allegedly showed a child being sexually abused in the US has been accused of two more offences...
Independent 19 Jun Shelfield man remanded on child porn charges
B'ham Post 16 Jun Teenager in custody
B'ham Mail 17 Jun Mum in court on abuse charge
My Fox Lubbock 16 Jun Maine Mom nabbed
WBZ 15 Jun Child porn Maine woman held after UK tip
BBC News 15 Jun Pair held over child abuse on web
Express & Star 15 Jun Walsall teen charged on child porn
Telegraph 15 Jun British child porn probe leads US arrest
Child explointation & online protection centre Home
Great Barr man jailed after internet sex chat sting with "teenager"
12 Sep 09 13:31
News
Jail after internet sex chat sting with "teenager"
Birmingham Mail 12 Sep 09
A self-employed gardener from Great Barr used internet chat rooms to send sexually explicit messages to a “13-year-old girl”. But the “teenager” he had been trying to groom turned out to be an undercover officer who was part of a police sting operation..
Jail after internet sex chat sting with "teenager"
Birmingham Mail 12 Sep 09
A self-employed gardener from Great Barr used internet chat rooms to send sexually explicit messages to a “13-year-old girl”. But the “teenager” he had been trying to groom turned out to be an undercover officer who was part of a police sting operation..
Aldridge boy, 11, hurt in collision
10 Sep 09 12:05
News
Aldridge boy, 11, hurt in collision
Express & Star 10 Sep 09
An 11-year-old boy was flown to hospital with serious head injuries after being hit by a car not far from his home on Wednesday...
Aldridge boy, 11, hurt in collision
Express & Star 10 Sep 09
An 11-year-old boy was flown to hospital with serious head injuries after being hit by a car not far from his home on Wednesday...
Ashley Blake to fight jail term
09 Sep 09 15:22
Ashley Blake to fight jail term
Christina Savvas Birmingham Mail 9 Sep 09
Jailed BBC TV presenter Ashley Blake is to appeal against his two-year prison sentence...
Express & Star 9 Sep Blake launches appeal
Mercury 6 Sep Comment: telly thug deserved jail
B'ham Mail 5 Sep Blake's confesses - part 3 video
B'ham Mail 4 Sep Blake's confesses - part 2 video
B'ham Mail 3 Sep Blake confesses - part 1 video
B'ham Mail 3 Sep Blog: Blake pays price for fame
B'ham Post 3 Sep Victim: assault plays on my mind
B'ham Post 3 Sep Blake: 18th party turning point
B'ham Post 2 Sep Ashley Blake jailed for two years
Express & Star 2 Sep Blake gets two years
BBC News 2 Sep Sacked BBC presenter Blake to be sentenced
B'ham Post 16 Aug Victim insists TV star should go to jail
B'ham Mail 15 Aug Blake says sorry for pub brawl
BBC News 14 Aug Ashley Blake waves bye bye to the BBC
B'ham Mail 14 Aug Blake sacked by BBC
Express & Star 14 Aug Blake sacked over pub attack
B'ham Mail 5 Aug Blake "terrified of jail"
B'ham Post 5 Aug Blake "I've lost everything"
Express & Star 4 Aug Police DVD was fronted by shamed Ashley Blake
B'ham Post 4 Aug CCTV image released of Ashley Blake carrying pole before attack
B'ham Post 4 Aug Blake fears TV career is over
Express & Star 4 Aug Blake faces jail and end of career
Express & Star 3 Aug Blake guilty of wounding
B'ham Post 3 Aug Blake found guilty
B'ham Post 3 Aug Jury out in Ashley Blake court case
BBC News 3 Aug BBC presenter trial jury retires
B'ham Mail 1 Aug Prosecutor accuses Blake of lies
B'ham Mail 30 Jul Blake tells court he lied to police
B'ham Mail 30 Jul Ashley Blake 'feared for his life'
B'ham Mail 28 Jul Teenager’s claim: Blake denials
B'ham Mail 28 Jul BBC man hit teen with wooden pole
BBC News 27 Jul Ashley Blake 'hit youth with pole'
B'ham Post 27 July Jury sworn in for trial of presenter
BBC News 27 Apr TV's Ashley Blake denies wounding
BBC Inside Out Ashley Blake profile This page has been removed
Wikipedia Ashley Blake
Staffs coach driver & boss face jail over death crash involving Pelsall band
07 Sep 09 14:19
Staffs coach driver & boss face jail over death crash
Birmingham Post 7 Sep 09
A coach driver and his boss - both from Staffordshire - are facing jail after admitting manslaughter in relation to a road crash that killed a married couple, and involved members of the Pelsall-based marching jazz band, West Midland Crystalettes...
B'ham Mail 10 Sep Teenager haunted by coach death
Express & Star 7 Sep Coach pair guilty
Express & Star 31 Aug Coach driver trial after fatal crash
West Midland Crystalettes Home
BBC's Ashley Blake jailed - video confessions
06 Sep 09 17:29
Ashley Blake jailed for two years
Birmingham Post 2 Sep 09
Former BBC presenter Ashley Blake was jailed for two years today, after being convicted of hitting a teenage boy from Streetly in the face with a large wooden pole...
Mercury 6 Sep Comment: telly thug deserved jail
B'ham Mail 5 Sep Blake's confesses - part 3 video
B'ham Mail 4 Sep Blake's confesses - part 2 video
B'ham Mail 3 Sep Blake confesses - part 1 video
B'ham Mail 3 Sep Blog: Blake pays price for fame
B'ham Post 3 Sep Victim: assault plays on my mind
B'ham Post 3 Sep Blake: 18th party turning point
Express & Star 2 Sep Blake gets two years
BBC News 2 Sep Sacked BBC presenter Blake to be sentenced
B'ham Post 16 Aug Victim insists TV star should go to jail
B'ham Mail 15 Aug Blake says sorry for pub brawl
BBC News 14 Aug Ashley Blake waves bye bye to the BBC
B'ham Mail 14 Aug Blake sacked by BBC
Express & Star 14 Aug Blake sacked over pub attack
B'ham Mail 5 Aug Blake "terrified of jail"
B'ham Post 5 Aug Blake "I've lost everything"
Express & Star 4 Aug Police DVD was fronted by shamed Ashley Blake
B'ham Post 4 Aug CCTV image released of Ashley Blake carrying pole before attack
B'ham Post 4 Aug Blake fears TV career is over
Express & Star 4 Aug Blake faces jail and end of career
Express & Star 3 Aug Blake guilty of wounding
B'ham Post 3 Aug Blake found guilty
B'ham Post 3 Aug Jury out in Ashley Blake court case
BBC News 3 Aug BBC presenter trial jury retires
B'ham Mail 1 Aug Prosecutor accuses Blake of lies
B'ham Mail 30 Jul Blake tells court he lied to police
B'ham Mail 30 Jul Ashley Blake 'feared for his life'
B'ham Mail 28 Jul Teenager’s claim: Blake denials
B'ham Mail 28 Jul BBC man hit teen with wooden pole
BBC News 27 Jul Ashley Blake 'hit youth with pole'
B'ham Post 27 July Jury sworn in for trial of presenter
BBC News 27 Apr TV's Ashley Blake denies wounding
BBC Inside Out Ashley Blake profile This page has been removed
Wikipedia Ashley Blake
Obituary: Frank Foster RIP
02 Sep 09 13:23
Frank Foster RIP
The Stirrer 2 Sep 09
Paula Elenor reflects on the life and times of one of Walsall's great community activists Frank Foster JP, who was buried on Friday...
Walsall Advertiser 20 August Giant among men: Frank Foster dies after a lifetime of helping others
Stirrer 12 Apr 08 Super Frank volunteers for award
Aldridge ambulance pledge over Morrisons' plans
02 Sep 09 12:50
Aldridge ambulance pledge over Morrisons' plans
Birmingham Mail 2 Sep 09
Aldridge ambulance station whose site is wanted by a supermarket will not be lost, service chiefs have promised. Retail giant Morrisons submitted plans to extend its Aldridge store which would take in the neighbouring emergency response station in Leighswood Road...
Cllr Mike Flower 26 Aug Future plans for Aldridge Ambulance station?
WM Ambulance Service Home
Sacked BBC presenter Ashley Blake to be sentenced
02 Sep 09 11:01
Sacked BBC presenter Blake to be sentenced
BBC News 2 Sep 09
Ashley Blake, the BBC television presenter who hit a Streetly teenager with a wooden pole in a fight outside the pub he formerly owned on the Chester Road is to be sentenced later...
B'ham Post 16 Aug Victim insists TV star should go to jail
B'ham Mail 15 Aug Blake says sorry for pub brawl
BBC News 14 Aug Ashley Blake waves bye bye to the BBC
B'ham Mail 15 Aug Blake says sorry for pub brawl
B'ham Mail 14 Aug Blake sacked by BBC
Express & Star 14 Aug Blake sacked over pub attack
B'ham Mail 5 Aug Blake "terrified of jail"
B'ham Post 5 Aug Blake "I've lost everything"
Express & Star 4 Aug Police DVD was fronted by shamed Ashley Blake
B'ham Post 4 Aug CCTV image released of Ashley Blake carrying pole before attack
B'ham Post 4 Aug Blake fears TV career is over
Express & Star 4 Aug Blake faces jail and end of career
Express & Star 3 Aug Blake guilty of wounding
B'ham Post 3 Aug Blake found guilty
B'ham Post 3 Aug Jury out in Ashley Blake court case
BBC News 3 Aug BBC presenter trial jury retires
B'ham Mail 1 Aug Prosecutor accuses Blake of lies
B'ham Mail 30 Jul Blake tells court he lied to police
B'ham Mail 30 Jul Ashley Blake 'feared for his life'
B'ham Mail 28 Jul Teenager’s claim: Blake denials
B'ham Mail 28 Jul BBC man hit teen with wooden pole
BBC News 27 Jul Ashley Blake 'hit youth with pole'
B'ham Post 27 July Jury sworn in for trial of presenter
BBC News 27 Apr TV's Ashley Blake denies wounding
BBC Inside Out Ashley Blake profile
Wikipedia Ashley Blake
Coach driver trial after fatal crash
31 Aug 09 15:23
News
Coach driver trial after fatal crash
Express & Star 31 August 09
A coach driver will stand trial early next month charged with manslaughter after a fatal crash involving members of the Pelsall-based marching jazz band, West Midland Crystalettes...
West Midland Crystalettes Home
Coach driver trial after fatal crash
Express & Star 31 August 09
A coach driver will stand trial early next month charged with manslaughter after a fatal crash involving members of the Pelsall-based marching jazz band, West Midland Crystalettes...
West Midland Crystalettes Home
Great Barr School to star in Grease TV show
29 Aug 09 12:52
Great Barr School to star in Grease TV show
Tony Collins Birmingham Mail 29 August 09
Grease is the word for pupils at a star-struck secondary school in Birmingham after winning through to the final of a national Sky 1 television talent show...
YouTube, Sandy & Danny Grease movie stills compilation
Grease the Musical London Home
Novello Theatre London Home
Wikipedia Grease
Sky 1 Grease
Dogs stolen from Rushall home
27 Aug 09 20:53
Dogs stolen from Rushall home
Walsall Advertiser 27 August 09
Two rare pedigree dogs, described by their owner as her babies, were stolen from outside a home in Rushall last weekend...
Tributes paid to Aldridge comic Billy Jay
26 Aug 09 13:31
Tributes paid to Aldridge comic Billy Jay
Express & Star 26 August 09
Tributes were being paid to popular Black Country comedian William “Billy Jay” Williams after his death from a fifth heart attack. The Aldridge great-grandfather, of Westgate, worked with a host of celebrities in a four decade career...
Struck-off Pelsall teacher’s £500k health claim
25 Aug 09 11:43
Struck-off Pelsall teacher’s £500k health claim
Express & Star 24 August 09
Disgraced Pealsall headteacher Susan Duncan is chasing around £500,000 in compensation over claims the Oldbury special school where she worked made her ill...
Daily Mail 25 Aug Struck-off Headteacher sues education chiefs
Express & Star 7 Aug Teacher struck off over Jamaica jaunt
Express & Star 6 Aug Headteacher guilty of misconduct
Birmingham Mail 6 Aug Headteacher guilty
Pheasey's Frank Foster dies after lifetime of helping others
20 Aug 09 15:35
Pheasey's Frank Foster dies after lifetime of helping others
Walsall Advertiser 20 August 09
Frank Foster, from Pheasey, who dedicated his life to the community and improving services with 36 organisations in the borough, died last Wednesday from cancer aged 79, one month short of his 80th birthday...
Fire guts derelict Aldridge nursing home
20 Aug 09 10:57
News
Fire guts derelict Aldridge nursing home
BBC News 20 August 09
Thirty firefighters were called out to a suspicious fire at a derelict former nursing home in Aldridge on Wednesday night, prompting an investigation...
B'ham Mail 20 Aug Little Aston fire treated as arson
WM Fire Services Incidents
Fire guts derelict Aldridge nursing home
BBC News 20 August 09
Thirty firefighters were called out to a suspicious fire at a derelict former nursing home in Aldridge on Wednesday night, prompting an investigation...
B'ham Mail 20 Aug Little Aston fire treated as arson
WM Fire Services Incidents
More than 1.5 million child abuse images destroyed by police
19 Aug 09 03:08
More than 1.5 million child abuse images destroyed by police
Birmingham Post 19 August 09
More than 1.5 million images featuring some of the most horrific abuse of children seized by West Midlands detectives in the past year have been destroyed...
B'ham Mail 4 July Police smash Midland mobile phone paedophile ring
B'ham Post 16 Jun Walsall teenager in custody on child sex charges
Child exploitation & online protection centre Home
Terror as armed men burst into Walsall homes
18 Aug 09 13:15
News
Terror as armed men burst into Walsall homes
Express & Star 18 August 09
Robbers wielding weapons burst into two homes in Walsall and fled with a high-performance car and computer equipment, in two terrifying raids last night and early this morning...
Terror as armed men burst into Walsall homes
Express & Star 18 August 09
Robbers wielding weapons burst into two homes in Walsall and fled with a high-performance car and computer equipment, in two terrifying raids last night and early this morning...
Funding for £4m Pelsall health centre plan is finalised
18 Aug 09 13:09
Funding for £4m Pelsall health centre plan is finalised
Walsall Advertiser 18 August 09
Final funding has been secured giving the green light to a £4 million health and children's centre in Pelsall..
Express & Star 16 Jul Pelsall health centre plan go-ahead
Blog Cllr Marco Longhi 27 Jun State-of-the-art combined facility for Pelsall
Blog Cllr Garry Perry 27 Jun Combined family centre
Ashley Blake's Streetly victim insists TV star should go to jail
16 Aug 09 13:10
Ashley Blake's Streetly victim insists TV star should go to jail
Birmingham Post 16 August 09
The teenager hit in the face with a wooden pole by former BBC newsreader Ashley Blake broke his silence last night and said: ‘‘He deserves to go to jail’’...
B'ham Mail 15 Aug Blake says sorry for pub brawl
BBC News 14 Aug Ashley Blake waves bye bye to the BBC
B'ham Mail 15 Aug Blake says sorry for pub brawl
B'ham Mail 14 Aug Blake sacked by BBC
Express & Star 14 Aug Blake sacked over pub attack
B'ham Mail 5 Aug Blake "terrified of jail"
B'ham Post 5 Aug Blake "I've lost everything"
Express & Star 4 Aug Police DVD was fronted by shamed Ashley Blake
B'ham Post 4 Aug CCTV image released of Ashley Blake carrying pole before attack
B'ham Post 4 Aug Blake fears TV career is over
Express & Star 4 Aug Blake faces jail and end of career
Express & Star 3 Aug Blake guilty of wounding
B'ham Post 3 Aug Blake found guilty
B'ham Post 3 Aug Jury out in Ashley Blake court case
BBC News 3 Aug BBC presenter trial jury retires
B'ham Mail 1 Aug Prosecutor accuses Blake of lies
B'ham Mail 30 Jul Blake tells court he lied to police
B'ham Mail 30 Jul Ashley Blake 'feared for his life'
B'ham Mail 28 Jul Teenager’s claim: Blake denials
B'ham Mail 28 Jul BBC man hit teen with wooden pole
BBC News 27 Jul Ashley Blake 'hit youth with pole'
B'ham Post 27 July Jury sworn in for trial of presenter
BBC News 27 Apr TV's Ashley Blake denies wounding
BBC Inside Out Ashley Blake profile
Wikipedia Ashley Blake
Fund-raising day to help bring Walsall Wood man's body home
15 Aug 09 14:27
Fund-raising day to help bring Walsall Wood man's body home
Walsall Advertiser 15 August 09
The sister of a murdered Walsall Wood man is holding a massive fund-raising event on Sunday to help support her family's mission to bring his body home...
Advertiser 27 Jul Walsall Wood death trial gets go ahead
B'ham Mail 8 May "Help me bring my brother home"
Advertiser 7 May Thousands back family bid to get Daniel home
Pelsall teenager recovering from cancer join sailing adventure
15 Aug 09 14:17
Pelsall teenager recovering from cancer join sailing adventure
Birmingham Post 15 August 09
Two Midland teenagers recovering from cancer will be taking part in a voyage around Britain this week...
Ellen MacArthur Trust Round Britain Voyage
Round Britain Ellen MacArthur Trust
Ashley Blake waves bye bye to the BBC
15 Aug 09 14:10
Ashley Blake waves bye bye to the BBC
BBC News 14 August 09
The BBC announced on Thursday that Ashley Blake, the BBC Midlands Today presenter, has been sacked. A crown court judge told Blake, 40, who presented Midlands Today, it was "almost inevitable" he would be jailed on 2 September after being found guilty of wounding and perverting the course of justice...
B'ham Mail 15 Aug Blake says sorry for pub brawl
B'ham Mail 14 Aug Blake sacked by BBC
Express & Star 14 Aug Blake sacked over pub attack
B'ham Mail 5 Aug Blake "terrified of jail"
B'ham Post 5 Aug Blake "I've lost everything"
Express & Star 4 Aug Police DVD was fronted by shamed Ashley Blake
B'ham Post 4 Aug CCTV image released of Ashley Blake carrying pole before attack
B'ham Post 4 Aug Blake fears TV career is over
Express & Star 4 Aug Blake faces jail and end of career
Express & Star 3 Aug Blake guilty of wounding
B'ham Post 3 Aug Blake found guilty
B'ham Post 3 Aug Jury out in Ashley Blake court case
BBC News 3 Aug BBC presenter trial jury retires
B'ham Mail 1 Aug Prosecutor accuses Blake of lies
B'ham Mail 30 Jul Blake tells court he lied to police
B'ham Mail 30 Jul Ashley Blake 'feared for his life'
B'ham Mail 28 Jul Teenager’s claim: Blake denials
B'ham Mail 28 Jul BBC man hit teen with wooden pole
BBC News 27 Jul Ashley Blake 'hit youth with pole'
B'ham Post 27 July Jury sworn in for trial of presenter
BBC News 27 Apr TV's Ashley Blake denies wounding
BBC Inside Out Ashley Blake profile
Wikipedia Ashley Blake
Worker hurt in Rushall cable blast
14 Aug 09 12:36
Worker hurt in Rushall cable blast
Express & Star 13 August 09
A workman suffered serious burns when he cut through a cable – sparking an explosion that knocked out power to more than 800 homes in Rushall on Thursday morning...
B'ham Mail 14 Aug Man burnt in electrical accident
Prop maker to the stars works with Aldridge Youth Theatre - video
12 Aug 09 13:17
Feature
Prop maker to the stars works with Aldridge Youth Theatre
Express & Star 12 August 09 (video)
He’s met Glenn Close, Mel Gibson and Alan Bates, and worked on many Oscar winning films such as Titanic, Gladiator and Braveheart, to name but a few. Martin, once a member of Aldridge Youth Theatre made a special appearance to lead a drama summer school workshop...
Prop maker to the stars works with Aldridge Youth Theatre
Express & Star 12 August 09 (video)
He’s met Glenn Close, Mel Gibson and Alan Bates, and worked on many Oscar winning films such as Titanic, Gladiator and Braveheart, to name but a few. Martin, once a member of Aldridge Youth Theatre made a special appearance to lead a drama summer school workshop...
Aldridge car park to start charging
11 Aug 09 23:52
News
Aldridge car park to start charging
Express & Star 11 August 09
Charges for people using a car park owned by Aldridge Youth Theatre in Noddy Park Road are to be introduced to cover £20,000 worth of damage to its surface...
Express & Star Archive
Aldridge car park to start charging
Express & Star 11 August 09
Charges for people using a car park owned by Aldridge Youth Theatre in Noddy Park Road are to be introduced to cover £20,000 worth of damage to its surface...
Express & Star Archive
New free 24-hour car park for Walsall Wood
11 Aug 09 23:50
News
New free 24-hour car park for Walsall Wood
Express & Star 11 August 09
A new 24-hour car park in Walsall Wood will be free to use and offer spaces for up to 40 cars. The details have emerged ahead of a decision over the future of the former lorry park in Beech Tree Road...
Pig Blog 3 Aug The end of 2 eras in Walsall Wood?
Express & Star Archive
New free 24-hour car park for Walsall Wood
Express & Star 11 August 09
A new 24-hour car park in Walsall Wood will be free to use and offer spaces for up to 40 cars. The details have emerged ahead of a decision over the future of the former lorry park in Beech Tree Road...
Pig Blog 3 Aug The end of 2 eras in Walsall Wood?
Express & Star Archive
Vandal-hit old Queslett Rd cottage to bite dust
08 Aug 09 14:23
News
Vandal-hit old Queslett Rd cottage to bite dust
Express & Star 7 August 09
A former Walsall gamekeeper's cottage built during the 1900s is to be demolished and rebuilt after being plagued by arson attacks and vandalism...
Express & Star Archive
Vandal-hit old Queslett Rd cottage to bite dust
Express & Star 7 August 09
A former Walsall gamekeeper's cottage built during the 1900s is to be demolished and rebuilt after being plagued by arson attacks and vandalism...
Express & Star Archive
Pelsall teacher struck off over Jamaica jaunt
07 Aug 09 12:14
Pelsall teacher struck off over Jamaica jaunt
Express & Star 7 August 09
A former special school headteacher from Pelsall who took a Caribbean holiday on expenses has been struck off the teaching register for five years. Susan Duncan, known as Angela, was found guilty of unacceptable professional conduct after claiming more than £3,000 for a trip to Jamaica while she was employed at The Meadows School in Dudley Road East, Oldbury...
Express & Star 6 Aug Headteacher guilty of misconduct
Birmingham Mail 6 Aug Headteacher guilty
Rising numbers of dogs abandoned in Walsall
06 Aug 09 20:53
Rising numbers of dogs abandoned in Walsall
Express & Star 6 August 09
Rising numbers of Staffordshire bull terriers are being dumped at a Walsall animal rescue centre, with volunteers blaming irresponsible breeding and a lack of micro-chipping. Thirty-five of the dogs have been brought in to Rushall's Rosedene Animal Rescue Centre in just two months...
Dogsblog Rosedene Rescue
Pelsall man admits £6k copper theft
06 Aug 09 17:13
News
Pelsall man admits £6k copper theft
Express & Star 6 August 09
A Pelsall man has admitted to stealing £6,000 worth of copper piping from a haulage firm in Tipton....
Express & Star Archive
Pelsall man admits £6k copper theft
Express & Star 6 August 09
A Pelsall man has admitted to stealing £6,000 worth of copper piping from a haulage firm in Tipton....
Express & Star Archive
Pelsall headteacher guilty of misconduct
06 Aug 09 14:07
Pelsall headteacher guilty of misconduct
Express & Star 6 August 09
A former headteacher from Pelsall has been found guilty of three counts of professional misconduct after spending thousands of pounds of school money on a private holiday to the Caribbean...
Birmingham Mail 6 Aug Headteacher guilty
Bail hostels need not tell neighbours
06 Aug 09 13:24
Bail hostels need not tell neighbours
Express & Star 6 August 09
Residents in the West Midlands are not going to be consulted over the creation of controversial bail hostels for dangerous criminals on their doorsteps. The Government has signed a multi-million pound contract with a private company called ClearSprings to ease the overcrowding which also provides staff to look after the inhabitants of the properties, therefore offering a ‘stable’ address. The make-shift bail hostels have already been set up in Wolverhampton, Walsall, Dudley, West Bromwich and Staffordshire since the scheme started in 2007...
B'ham Post 18 May Failure to move hostel angers Walsall councillor
The Mercury 17 May Father's fury over Stonnall Road bail hostel paedophile
Blog Cllr Garry Perry 16 May Bail hostel protest
Aldridge Web 16 May Bail hostel protest
Birmingham Mail 13 May Protest over bail hostel
Express & Star 13 Sept 08 Protest at bail hostel
Ministry of Justice Home
ClearSprings Home
Aldridge rugby club battles back after devastating fire
06 Aug 09 13:05
Aldridge rugby club battles back after devastating fire
Birmingham Mail 6 August 09
Aldridge rugby club is ready to scrum down for the new season after battling back from a devastating fire. The clubhouse was destroyed and kit and training equipment worth £5,000 also went in the smoke during the blaze at the outfit’s base in Streetly in the early hours of July 22...
Express & Star 23 Jul Aldridge club’s plea for help
Advertiser 24 Jul Clubhouse faces demolition
Express & Star 22 Jul Aldridge Rugby club gutted
WM Police 22 Jul Police appeal to find Aldridge Rugby Club arsonists
Aldridge Rugby Club Home
Ashley Blake pub attack: The full CCTV video
05 Aug 09 12:56
Ashley Blake pub attack: The full CCTV video
Birmingham Mail 5 August 09
This is the moment that BBC presenter Ashley Blake brandishes the pole that he used to attack a teenager. The shamed Midlands Today star is facing jail after being found guilty of assault and perverting the course of justice...
B'ham Mail 5 Aug Blake "terrified of jail"
B'ham Post 5 Aug Blake "I've lost everything"
Express & Star 5 Aug Blake on camera with pole
B'ham Post 4 Aug CCTV image released
B'ham Post 4 Aug Blake fears TV career is over
Express & Star 4 Aug Blake faces jail and end of career
Express & Star 3 Aug Blake guilty of wounding
B'ham Post 3 Aug Blake found guilty
B'ham Post 3 Aug Jury out in Ashley Blake court case
BBC News 3 Aug BBC presenter trial jury retires
B'ham Mail 1 Aug Prosecutor accuses Blake of lies
B'ham Mail 30 Jul Blake tells court he lied to police
B'ham Mail 30 Jul Ashley Blake 'feared for his life'
B'ham Mail 28 Jul Teenager’s claim: Blake denials
B'ham Mail 28 Jul BBC man hit teen with wooden pole
BBC News 27 Jul Ashley Blake 'hit youth with pole'
B'ham Post 27 July Jury sworn in for trial of presenter
BBC News 27 Apr TV's Ashley Blake denies wounding
BBC Inside Out Ashley Blake profile
Wikipedia Ashley Blake
Police DVD was fronted by shamed Ashley Blake
04 Aug 09 19:52
Police DVD was fronted by shamed Ashley Blake
Express & Star 4 August 09
A police DVD aimed at victims of crime has been hastily re-recorded - because it was presented by shamed BBC reporter Ashley Blake...
B'ham Mail 5 Aug Blake "terrified of jail"
B'ham Post 5 Aug Blake "I've lost everything"
B'ham Post 4 Aug CCTV image released of Ashley Blake carrying pole before attack
B'ham Post 4 Aug Blake fears TV career is over
Express & Star 4 Aug Blake faces jail and end of career
Express & Star 3 Aug Blake guilty of wounding
B'ham Post 3 Aug Blake found guilty
B'ham Post 3 Aug Jury out in Ashley Blake court case
BBC News 3 Aug BBC presenter trial jury retires
B'ham Mail 1 Aug Prosecutor accuses Blake of lies
B'ham Mail 30 Jul Blake tells court he lied to police
B'ham Mail 30 Jul Ashley Blake 'feared for his life'
B'ham Mail 28 Jul Teenager’s claim: Blake denials
B'ham Mail 28 Jul BBC man hit teen with wooden pole
BBC News 27 Jul Ashley Blake 'hit youth with pole'
B'ham Post 27 July Jury sworn in for trial of presenter
BBC News 27 Apr TV's Ashley Blake denies wounding
BBC Inside Out Ashley Blake profile
Wikipedia Ashley Blake
Express & Star Archive
Great Barr pensioner locked up for sexually abusing girl he was babysitting
04 Aug 09 14:23
News
Great Barr pensioner locked up for sexually abusing girl he babysat
Birmingham Post 4 August 09
A former dairy worker who serially sexually abused a young girl he babysat over the course of four years has been jailed for two years and four months. Ronald Walton, 74, of Collingwood Drive, Great Barr, who had admitted seven charges of indecent assault, was also placed on the Sex Offenders’ Register for 10 years...
Great Barr pensioner locked up for sexually abusing girl he babysat
Birmingham Post 4 August 09
A former dairy worker who serially sexually abused a young girl he babysat over the course of four years has been jailed for two years and four months. Ronald Walton, 74, of Collingwood Drive, Great Barr, who had admitted seven charges of indecent assault, was also placed on the Sex Offenders’ Register for 10 years...
CCTV image released of Ashley Blake carrying pole before attack
04 Aug 09 14:18
CCTV image released of Ashley Blake carrying pole before attack
Birmingham Post 4 August 09
This is the moment that BBC presenter Ashley Blake brandishes the pole that he used to attack a teenager. The Midlands Today star is facing jail after being found guilty of assault and perverting the course of justice...
B'ham Mail 5 Aug Blake "terrified of jail"
B'ham Post 5 Aug Blake "I've lost everything"
B'ham Post 4 Aug Blake fears TV career is over
Express & Star 4 Aug Blake faces jail and end of career
Express & Star 3 Aug Blake guilty of wounding
B'ham Post 3 Aug Blake found guilty
B'ham Post 3 Aug Jury out in Ashley Blake court case
BBC News 3 Aug BBC presenter trial jury retires
B'ham Mail 1 Aug Prosecutor accuses Blake of lies
B'ham Mail 30 Jul Blake tells court he lied to police
B'ham Mail 30 Jul Ashley Blake 'feared for his life'
B'ham Mail 28 Jul Teenager’s claim: Blake denials
B'ham Mail 28 Jul BBC man hit teen with wooden pole
BBC News 27 Jul Ashley Blake 'hit youth with pole'
B'ham Post 27 July Jury sworn in for trial of presenter
BBC News 27 Apr TV's Ashley Blake denies wounding
BBC Inside Out Ashley Blake profile
Wikipedia Ashley Blake
Two Birmingham men arrested after sex ordeal
04 Aug 09 11:07
News
Two Birmingham men arrested after sex ordeal
Birmingham Mail 4 August 09
Police have made two arrests after two women were allegedly taken to a house in Birmingham and seriously sexually assaulted after a night out. The friends, aged 32 and 22, were attacked by three men they met in Bridgnorth. The women were driven to the Great Barr and Perry Barr areas where they were subjected to serious sexual assaults...
Express & Star 4 Aug Two held on sex attack allegations
WM Police 4 Aug Appeal for 'Good Samaritan' witnesses
BBC News 3 Aug Women drugged before sex attack
Two Birmingham men arrested after sex ordeal
Birmingham Mail 4 August 09
Police have made two arrests after two women were allegedly taken to a house in Birmingham and seriously sexually assaulted after a night out. The friends, aged 32 and 22, were attacked by three men they met in Bridgnorth. The women were driven to the Great Barr and Perry Barr areas where they were subjected to serious sexual assaults...
Express & Star 4 Aug Two held on sex attack allegations
WM Police 4 Aug Appeal for 'Good Samaritan' witnesses
BBC News 3 Aug Women drugged before sex attack
Ashley Blake fears TV career is over after guilty verdict
04 Aug 09 01:28
Ashley Blake fears TV career is over after guilty verdict
Birmingham Post 4 August 09
Television presenter Ashley Blake feared his career was in tatters after he was found guilty of hitting a teenager with a wooden pole and perverting the course of justice...
Express & Star 4 Aug Blake faces jail and end of career
Express & Star 3 Aug Blake guilty of wounding
B'ham Post 3 Aug Blake found guilty
B'ham Post 3 Aug Jury out in Ashley Blake court case
BBC News 3 Aug BBC presenter trial jury retires
B'ham Mail 1 Aug Prosecutor accuses Blake of lies
B'ham Mail 30 Jul Blake tells court he lied to police
B'ham Mail 30 Jul Ashley Blake 'feared for his life'
B'ham Mail 28 Jul Teenager’s claim: Blake denials
B'ham Mail 28 Jul BBC man hit teen with wooden pole
BBC News 27 Jul Ashley Blake 'hit youth with pole'
B'ham Post 27 July Jury sworn in for trial of presenter
BBC News 27 Apr TV's Ashley Blake denies wounding
BBC Inside Out Ashley Blake profile
Wikipedia Ashley Blake
Sadness at Aldridge Gala Bingo closure
03 Aug 09 18:28
Sadness at Aldridge Gala Bingo closure
Express & Star 3 August 09
The final numbers were called at a West Midlands bingo hall on a day of sadness for regulars. Gala Bingo in Aldridge shut its doors for the last time on Saturday evening, marking the end of an era...
Express & Star 30 Jun Number up for bingo hall
Former Pelsall landfill in £1.5m wildlife scheme
03 Aug 09 17:58
Former Pelsall landfill in £1.5m wildlife scheme
Walsall Advertiser 3 August 09
A £1.5 million restoration scheme is underway to 'make green' a former landfill site in Pelsall. Wyrley Grove, a ten acre site in Gorsey Lane, was used as a landfill site for industrial and commercial waste for 13 years until it was closed last year...
Cleansing Service Group Future's green at South Staffs landfill site
BBC presenter Ashley Blake guilty of wounding
03 Aug 09 15:52
Ashley Blake guilty of wounding
Express & Star 3 August 09
BBC television presenter Ashley Blake has been warned he faces jail after a jury this afternoon found him guilty of wounding a teenager with a wooden pole...
B'ham Post 3 Aug Blake found guilty
B'ham Post 3 Aug Jury out in Ashley Blake court case
BBC News 3 Aug BBC presenter trial jury retires
B'ham Mail 1 Aug Prosecutor accuses Blake of lies
B'ham Mail 30 Jul Blake tells court he lied to police
B'ham Mail 30 Jul Ashley Blake 'feared for his life'
B'ham Mail 28 Jul Teenager’s claim: Blake denials
B'ham Mail 28 Jul BBC man hit teen with wooden pole
BBC News 27 Jul Ashley Blake 'hit youth with pole'
B'ham Post 27 July Jury sworn in for trial of presenter
BBC News 27 Apr TV's Ashley Blake denies wounding
BBC Inside Out Ashley Blake profile
Wikipedia Ashley Blake
Jury out in BBC presenter Ashley Blake court case
03 Aug 09 15:21
Jury out in Ashley Blake court case
Birmingham Post 3 August 09
The jury in the case of a BBC Midlands Today presenter accused of hitting a teenager with a large wooden pole has retired to consider its verdict...
BBC News 3 Aug BBC presenter trial jury retires
Express & Star 1 Aug Presenter Ashley Blake case
B'ham Mail 1 Aug Prosecutor accuses Blake of lies
B'ham Mail 30 Jul Blake tells court he lied to police
B'ham Mail 30 Jul Ashley Blake 'feared for his life'
B'ham Mail 28 Jul Teenager’s claim: Blake denials
B'ham Mail 28 Jul BBC man hit teen with wooden pole
BBC News 27 Jul Ashley Blake 'hit youth with pole'
B'ham Post 27 July Jury sworn in for trial of presenter
BBC News 27 Apr TV's Ashley Blake denies wounding
BBC Inside Out Ashley Blake profile
Wikipedia Ashley Blake
Walsall Council pull plug on Streetly OAP centre
03 Aug 09 11:48
Council pull plug on Streetly OAP centre
Express & Star 3 August 09
Streetly Day Care Centre which provides a vital lifeline to 50 elderly people is to close next month following a decision by Walsall Council to pull the plug on funding. The British Red Cross, which runs the centre on Blackwood Road, has delivered a letter to users telling them it will close at the end of September...
Walsall Council 21 Jul Adults and older people
Walsall Council 21 Jul Changes to social care for adults
Walsall Council 19 Jul Day care
British Red Cross Streetly day care services
Jury out in BBC presenter Ashley Blake case
01 Aug 09 14:18
Jury out in BBC presenter Ashley Blake case
Express & Star 1 August 09
Last witnesses have given evidence in the trial of BBC star Ashley Blake – accused of hitting a teenager around the face with a wooden pole. On Monday a jury is expected to deliberate on a week of evidence over a skirmish outside Blake’s former pub, The Place 2B, Sutton Coldfield...
B'ham Mail 1 Aug Prosecutor accuses Blake of lies
B'ham Mail 30 Jul Blake tells court he lied to police
B'ham Mail 30 Jul Ashley Blake 'feared for his life'
B'ham Mail 28 Jul Teenager’s claim: Blake denials
B'ham Mail 28 Jul BBC man hit teen with wooden pole
BBC News 27 Jul Ashley Blake 'hit youth with pole'
B'ham Post 27 July Jury sworn in for trial of presenter
BBC News 27 Apr TV's Ashley Blake denies wounding
BBC Inside Out Ashley Blake profile
Wikipedia Ashley Blake
BBC presenter Ashley Blake tells court he lied to police
30 Jul 09 21:11
BBC presenter Ashley Blake tells court he lied to police
Birmingham Mail 30 July 09
BBC Midlands presenter Ashley Blake, who is accused of hitting a teenager with a large wooden pole, has admitted to a jury that he had lied to police during his interview...
B'ham Mail 30 Jul Ashley Blake 'feared for his life'
B'ham Mail 28 Jul Teenager’s claim: Blake denials
B'ham Mail 28 Jul BBC man hit teen with wooden pole
BBC News 27 Jul Ashley Blake 'hit youth with pole'
B'ham Post 27 July Jury sworn in for trial of presenter
BBC News 27 Apr TV's Ashley Blake denies wounding
BBC presenter Ashley Blake 'feared for his life' at bar, court told
30 Jul 09 12:01
Ashley Blake 'feared for his life' at bar, court told
Birmingham Mail 30 July 09
Television presenter Ashley Blake said he was “in fear of his life” as he described the moments leading up to an alleged assault on a teenager outside his bar. The BBC newsreader is alleged to have hit Greg Jones in the face with a patio umbrella pole after an 18th birthday party being held at Blake’s former bar and restaurant The Place2B in Sutton Coldfield...
B'ham Mail 28 Jul Teenager’s claim: Blake denials
B'ham Mail 28 Jul BBC man hit teen with wooden pole
BBC News 27 Jul Ashley Blake 'hit youth with pole'
B'ham Post 27 July Jury sworn in for trial of presenter
BBC News 27 Apr TV's Ashley Blake denies wounding
Teen hurt in alleged attack by Ashley Blake was a 'peacemaker'
29 Jul 09 11:25
Teen hurt in alleged attack by Ashley Blake was a 'peacemaker'
Birmingham Mail 29 July 09
A teenager injured in an alleged attack by BBC newsreader Ashley Blake was a “peacemaker”, a jury heard. Witnesses told Birmingham Crown Court that Greg Jones did nothing to provoke the Midlands Today and Inside Out presenter following an 18th birthday bash at Blake’s former bar The Place 2B in Chester Road, New Oscott...
B'ham Mail 28 Jul Teenager’s claims heard at court
B'ham Mail 28 Jul BBC man hit teen with wooden pole
BBC News 27 Jul Ashley Blake 'hit youth with pole'
B'ham Post 27 July Jury sworn in for trial of presenter
BBC News 27 Apr TV's Ashley Blake denies wounding
Two charged over Chester Road hit-and-run
29 Jul 09 10:54
Two charged over Chester Road hit-and-run
Birmingham Mail 29 July 09
Two men have been charged with the murder of a reveller killed outside the Place 2B club on the Chester Road at the weekend. Witnesses said a car driver ploughed into revellers leaving a birthday party – then did a handbrake turn and ran over the victims a second time. Anthony Stephen Ames, 21, was pronounced dead in hospital following the incident...
B'ham Mail 27 Jul Two quizzed hit and run killing
B'ham Mail 26 Jul Police arrest 33-year-old
BBC News 26 Jul Man held after hit-and-run death
B'ham Mail 26 Jul Witnesses on victims last moments
B'ham Mail 25 Jul Murder hunt launched after hit and run
BBC News 25 Jul Man killed after car mounts path
Trial date wait over for family of Walsall Wood man stabbed to death in Spain
28 Jul 09 18:46
Trial date wait over for Walsall Wood family
Birmingham Mail 28 July 09
The sister of a Walsall Wood man found stabbed to death in Spain has told of her relief after a date has been finally set for his alleged killers to face trial. Claire Peters said a Foreign Office official has phoned her to say two men accused of killing her brother, Danny Hastelow, would be in court in two months...
Advertiser 27 Jul Walsall Wood death trial gets go ahead
B'ham Mail 8 May "Help me bring my brother home"
Advertiser 7 May Thousands back family bid to get Daniel home
Teenager’s claim as BBC presenter Ashley Blake denies wounding
28 Jul 09 15:01
Teenager’s claim as BBC presenter Ashley Blake denies wounding
Birmingham Mail 28 July 09
A teenager has told a court how he was “hit in the face” with a wooden pole by BBC newsreader Ashley Blake.
Greg Jones told a jury at Birmingham Crown Court he was struck by the Midlands Today presenter following an 18th birthday bash at Blake’s former restaurant Place 2B in Chester Road, New Oscott...
B'ham Mail 28 Jul BBC man hit teen with wooden pole
BBC News 27 Jul Ashley Blake 'hit youth with pole'
B'ham Post 27 July Jury sworn in for trial of presenter
BBC News 27 Apr TV's Ashley Blake denies wounding
Workers clean up Walsall’s waterways
28 Jul 09 14:26
Workers clean up Walsall’s waterways
Express & Star 28 July 09
Workers made redundant in the recession are helping clear up Walsall’s waterways as part of a community scheme aimed at helping them back into jobs. The group have been busy painting lock gates and bridges as well as litter picking along the Birchills stretch of Walsall Canal. They will be helping clear up the Daw End Canal in Rushall next week as part of the Steps to Work programme...
Pig Blog 28 Jul Steps to Work and the canal
Express & Star 8 Jun Body found in Pleck canal
Express & Star 27 May 24-hour canal boat marathon
Express & Star 1 Jun (vid) Forgotten waterways explored
BBC Black Country 19 Mar Walsall canal clean-up
Steps to Work Home
BBC presenter Ashley Blake hit teen with wooden pole, court told
28 Jul 09 11:26
BBC presenter Ashley Blake hit teen with wooden pole
Birmingham Mail 28 July 09
BBC newsreader Ashley Blake attacked a teenager with a wooden pole after a party at his former Birmingham bar, a court heard. The 40-year-old Midlands Today presenter allegedly swung the patio umbrella pole above his head and struck 17-year-old Greg Jones in the face following an 18th birthday bash at The Place 2B in Chester Road, New Oscott, in the early hours of 25 January...
BBC News 27 Jul Ashley Blake 'hit youth with pole'
B'ham Post 27 July Jury sworn in for trial of presenter
BBC News 27 Apr TV's Ashley Blake denies wounding charge
Ashley Blake 'hit youth with pole'
27 Jul 09 20:23
Ashley Blake 'hit youth with pole'
BBC News 27 July 09
BBC television presenter hit a 17-year-old boy with a wooden pole after a party at his restaurant, a court heard. Midlands Today and Inside Out presenter Ashley Blake, 40, hit Greg Jones in the face, Birmingham Crown Court heard. Mr Blake denied wounding...
B'ham Post 27 July Jury sworn in for trial of presenter
BBC News 27 Apr TV's Ashley Blake denies wounding charge
Jury sworn in for trial of BBC presenter Ashley Blake
27 Jul 09 13:06
Jury sworn in for trial of BBC presenter Ashley Blake
Birmingham Post 27 July 09
A jury was sworn in today in the trial of Midlands BBC TV presenter Ashley Blake following a fight outside his former restaurant, the Place 2B on Chester Road, earlier this year...
BBC News 27 Apr TV's Ashley Blake denies wounding charge
Two quizzed on Chester Road hit and run killing
27 Jul 09 10:33
Two quizzed on Chester Road hit and run killing
Birmingham Mail 27 July 09
Two men are being quizzed over the murder of a reveller killed by a hit-and-run driver outside the Place 2B pub on the Chester Road in the early hours of Saturday morning. Witnesses said the driver ploughed into revellers leaving a birthday party – then did a handbrake turn and ran over his victims a second time. Anthony Stephen Ames, 21, was pronounced dead in hospital following the incident...
B'ham Mail 26 Jul Police arrest 33-year-old
BBC News 26 Jul Man held after hit-and-run death
B'ham Mail 26 Jul Witnesses on victims last moments
B'ham Mail 25 Jul Murder hunt launched after hit and run
BBC News 25 Jul Man killed after car mounts path
Walsall Wood death trial gets go ahead
27 Jul 09 10:20
Walsall Wood death trial gets go ahead
Walsall Advertiser 27 July 09
The trial into Daniel Hastelow's death has finally been set to begin on 21 September in Palma, Majorca. Two British Nationals are standing trial. The 26-year-old was stabbed to death in Magaluf in January 2008, after he'd been out celebrating his birthday. Because he didn't have a travel insurance policy, his family have been left to pay huge legal bills to bring his body home...
B'ham Mail 8 May "Help me bring my brother home"
Advertiser 7 May Thousands back family bid to get Daniel home
Man held after Chester Road car-on-path death
26 Jul 09 21:41
Man held after Chester Road hit-and-run death
BBC News 26 July 09
A man is being questioned on suspicion of murder over the death of a man after a car was driven on to a footpath outside the Place 2B pub on the Chester Road in the early hours of Saturday morning. Witnesses said the driver ploughed into revellers leaving a birthday party – then did a handbrake turn and ran over his victims a second time. Anthony Stephen Ames, 21, was pronounced dead in hospital following the incident...
B'ham Mail 26 Jul Police arrest 33-year-old
B'ham Mail 26 Jul Witnesses on victims last moments
B'ham Mail 25 Jul Murder hunt launched after hit and run
BBC News 25 Jul Man killed after car mounts path
Murder hunt launched after Chester Road hit and run
25 Jul 09 20:10
Murder hunt launched after Chester Road hit and run
Birmingham Mail 25 July 09
Police have launched a murder hunt after a maniac driver ploughed into revellers leaving a birthday party – then did a handbrake turn and ran over his victims a second time. One man was killed and two others injured in the horrific incident outside the Place 2B pub on the Chester Road in the early hours of Saturday morning...
BBC News 25 Jul Man killed after car mounts path on Chester Road
Anger as thieves take Aldridge mobility scooter
24 Jul 09 13:44
Anger as thieves take Aldridge mobility scooter
Express & Star 24 July 09
87-year-old war veteran and retired teacher Reg Snell from Aldridge has been left distraught after he discovered his mobility scooter worth £2,500 missing on Tuesday morning. He had only owned the vehicle for two weeks and said it had become his lifeline. The great-grandfather has made an emotional appeal for the culprits to hand it back, saying he is now confined to his Walsall Road home...
Arson-hit Aldridge club’s plea for help
24 Jul 09 00:32
Arson-hit Aldridge club’s plea for help
Express & Star 23 July 09
Bosses at an arson-hit Aldridge Rugby Club have launched a desperate plea for help after the blaze caused thousands of pounds worth of damage...
Advertiser 24 Jul Clubhouse faces demolition
Express & Star 22 Jul Aldridge Rugby club gutted
WM Police 22 Jul Police appeal to find Aldridge Rugby Club arsonists
Aldridge Rugby Club Home
Brownhills & Aldridge train line proposals
23 Jul 09 01:51
Brownhills, Pelsall & Aldridge train line proposals
Express & Star 22 July 09
A proposal to reinstate a train line through Brownhills and Aldridge must go our for public consultation...
Cllr Marco Longhi 24 Jul Pelsall/Brownhills and Aldridge rail links
BBC News 15 Jun Operators call for new rail lines
Lichfield Mercury 17 Mar Dream of railway line reopening
South Staffs Railway Reopen our Railway
ATOC Press releases
Express & Star Archive
Tip-offs lead to travellers Pelsall eviction
22 Jul 09 23:02
Tip-offs lead to travellers Pelsall eviction
Express & Star 22 July 09
Travellers who set up camp on fields in Walsall have been thrown off by police and council chiefs. Five caravans and four vehicles were forced to leave a field in Heath End, Pelsall, on Tuesday afternoon after settling on the site several weeks ago. Neighbours had complained about fly-tipping and anti-social behaviour...
Express & Star 7Jul Call for action on travellers’ camp
Express & Star 19 Jun Gipsy sites planned for Walsall
B'ham Mail 17 Jun Plans for 'Gipsy Month' attacked
Telegraph 16 Jun Classes on why gipsies misunderstood
Express & Star 12 Jun Gipsy month on way for pupils
Gypsy Roma Traveller Leeds History of stopping places
Roma & Traveller Family History Home
Police appeal to find Aldridge Rugby Club arsonists
22 Jul 09 14:20
Police appeal to find Aldridge Rugby Club arsonists
WM Police 22 July 09
Police are investigating an arson attack on the club house at Aldridge Rugby Club over night. The fire was started sometime between 10pm last night (Tuesday) and 0410 this morning at the club house in Bourne Vale...
Express & Star 22 Jul Aldridge Rugby club gutted
Aldridge Rugby Club Home
Aldridge kitchen boss hid drug cash
21 Jul 09 11:39
Aldridge kitchen boss hid drug cash
Express & Star 21 July 09
An Aldridge businessman has been found guilty of allowing his kitchen firm to be used as a front for laundering up to £1 million from organised criminal activity. Richard John Williams, who runs Aldridge Interiors, would look after huge sums of cash for a nationwide drugs gang, his five-week trial heard...
Express & Star 14 Jul Boss alleged to be part of drugs plot
Fraudster’s gutted Aldridge mansion to be sold
19 Jul 09 13:48
Fraudster’s gutted Aldridge mansion to be sold
Express & Star 19 July 09
A convicted fraudster’s £1.8 million country home in the West Midlands that was ravaged in a suspected arson attack will be rebuilt and sold, it has emerged. The palatial five-bedroom home on Chester Road, Aldridge, formerly owned by David 'Nipper' Harris, was left in ruins following a huge blaze shortly after it was confiscated by the Serious Organised Crime Agency...
Express & Star 24 Apr Man quizzed on £1.8m house fire
Walsall Observer 15 Apr Nipper's home is nabbed
Serious Organised Crime Agency Home
Aldridge vicar stunned by £270,000 collection
19 Jul 09 03:41
Aldridge vicar stunned by £270,000 collection
Express & Star 18 July 09
It was manna from heaven that even he could not have prayed for. The Rev Richard Cornfield asked worshippers to give to the church rebuild fund, and after only one service they had donated £270,000. Just 110 members of the congregation at St Mary’s Church in Aldridge pledged the colossal amount during a single service.
Advertiser 20 Jul £1m expansion for Aldridge church
Diocese of Lichfield 11 Jul Aldridge church prepares for £1 million church development
Aldridge Parish Church Home
Independent Walsall petrol stations fight back in fuel war
18 Jul 09 15:23
Independents fight back in fuel war
Express & Star 18 July 09
Independent petrol stations in Walsall have taken on the supermarkets and cut the price of unleaded to 99.9 per litre, signalling a forecourt price war. Vic Gajjar, aged 50, proprietor of Heath Service Station, in Lichfield Road, Shelfield, Walsall, which is supplied by Esso, dropped unleaded petrol to 99.9p from 101.9p two days ago, and diesel to £1 from 102.9p ...
Walsall Wood man depressed over missing brother attacked girlfriend
17 Jul 09 15:41
News
Walsall Wood man depressed over missing brother attacked girlfriend
Birmingham Post 17 July 09
A man who brutally attacked his girlfriend because he was depressed about his missing brother has been spared time behind bars. Nathan Hadley, 20, of Oak Road, Walsall Wood started drinking heavily after his elder brother went missing two years ago. Some of the missing man’s clothing was found by a canal...
Walsall Wood man depressed over missing brother attacked girlfriend
Birmingham Post 17 July 09
A man who brutally attacked his girlfriend because he was depressed about his missing brother has been spared time behind bars. Nathan Hadley, 20, of Oak Road, Walsall Wood started drinking heavily after his elder brother went missing two years ago. Some of the missing man’s clothing was found by a canal...
Walsall Wood night manhole manoeuvers
17 Jul 09 14:46
Walsall Wood night manhole manoeuvers
Express & Star 16 July 09
Furious residents in Salters Road had their beauty sleep interrupted this week - after Severn Trent Water decided to repair manhole covers in the middle of the night...
Express & Star Archive
Pelsall health centre plan gets go-ahead
16 Jul 09 13:07
Pelsall health centre plan go-ahead
Express & Star 16 July 09
Plans to create a multi-million pound medical centre, library and children’s centre in the Pelsall will press ahead despite the strategic health authority not yet pledging cash to the project. Walsall Council’s cabinet last night gave the go-ahead for the ambitious project...
Blog Cllr Marco Longhi 27 Jun State-of-the-art combined facility for Pelsall
Blog Cllr Garry Perry 27 Jun Combined family centre
Aldridge firm's boss alleged to be part of drugs plot
14 Jul 09 12:49
News
Aldridge firm's boss alleged to be part of drugs plot
Express & Star 14 July 09
Aldridge businessman was at the centre of a conspiracy to import cocaine valued at about £300,000, a trial has heard. Richard John Williams, aged 45, is alleged to have allowed his business Aldridge Interiors to be used as “a front”...
Aldridge firm's boss alleged to be part of drugs plot
Express & Star 14 July 09
Aldridge businessman was at the centre of a conspiracy to import cocaine valued at about £300,000, a trial has heard. Richard John Williams, aged 45, is alleged to have allowed his business Aldridge Interiors to be used as “a front”...
Aldridge mum raises more than £250,000
13 Jul 09 13:29
Aldridge mum raises more than £250,000
Beacon Radio 13 July 09
More than a thousand people took part in a walk in Aldridge to raise cash for the charity Rosie's Helping hands...
B'ham Mail 13 Jul Rosie's walk in pictures
B'ham Mail 13 May Parents unveil memorial
BBC News 12 May Hospital garden for Aldridge girl
B'ham Mail 12 May Rosebush tribute to Rosie
Rosie's Helping Hands Home
Aldridge prepares for £1m church development
11 Jul 09 15:08
Aldridge prepares for £1m church development
Diocese of Lichfield 11 July 09
St Mary’s Parish Church in Aldridge, which is one of the fastest growing churches in the Diocese of Lichfield, has published plans for new £1 million church rooms to replace a crumbling temporary classroom constructed in 1948...
Aldridge Parish Church Home
Illegal migrant fits theft device to Aldridge ATM
11 Jul 09 12:32
Illegal migrant fits theft device to Aldridge ATM
Express & Star 11 July 09
Illegal immigrants are being smuggled into the West Midlands in exchange for agreeing to fit devices to cash machines to plunder bank accounts. The ruse was revealed yesterday when Ukranian Valic Birka admitted fitting an ATM at Barclays Bank in Aldridge with a camera to record details and a plastic holder that retains cards...
Express & Star 30 Jun Fraudsters caught in Walsall cash machine fiddle
Man punched and pockets emptied in Park Hall attack
10 Jul 09 23:49
News
Man punched and pockets emptied in Park Hall attack
Walsall Advertiser 10 July 09
A gang of three men punched a man to the floor before forcing him to empty his pockets in a sickening Walsall robbery. Two men, aged 20 and 21, were on The Crescent in Park Hall at 3.30am on Friday, July 3 when a group of three threatened the pair...
Man punched and pockets emptied in Park Hall attack
Walsall Advertiser 10 July 09
A gang of three men punched a man to the floor before forcing him to empty his pockets in a sickening Walsall robbery. Two men, aged 20 and 21, were on The Crescent in Park Hall at 3.30am on Friday, July 3 when a group of three threatened the pair...
Men arrested over Chester Road gun carjacking
08 Jul 09 12:08
News
Men arrested over Chester Road gun carjacking
BBC News 8 July 09
Two men have been arrested after an 18-year-old motorist was injured in an armed robbery on the Chester Road near Sutton Coldfield...
Men arrested over Chester Road gun carjacking
BBC News 8 July 09
Two men have been arrested after an 18-year-old motorist was injured in an armed robbery on the Chester Road near Sutton Coldfield...
Pelsall pair tell of cruise norovirus outbreak
08 Jul 09 11:51
Pelsall pair tell of cruise norovirus outbreak
Express & Star 8 July 09
A Pelsall couple have told how they watched the highly-contagious norovirus bug sweep through stricken cruise ship The Marco Polo days before the death of a passenger when it set sail again. David and Rita Jones were among hundreds of passengers who fell ill on the boat last week as they sailed around the British Isles and Iceland...
BBC News 7 Jul (video) Walsall couple fell ill on sick cruise death ship
Streetly new Redrow homes estate 'from hell'
08 Jul 09 00:25
Streetly new Redrow homes 'estate from hell'
Birmingham Mail 8 July 09
It's been branded the new estate from hell - with families locked in a five-year battle to try to get their houses brought up to scratch. In some cases, homes in the Poets Wood development in Streetly were knocked down by developer Redrow, before being built again - and even then there are problems, residents say...
Redrow Homes Home
Pelsall children work with media on communications project
07 Jul 09 19:56
News
Pelsall children work with media on communications project
Birmingham Mail 7 July 09
Children at Ryders Hayes Community School in Pelsall are learning the art of communication in a project which has seen them working with journalists, emergency services and business people...
Pelsall children work with media on communications project
Birmingham Mail 7 July 09
Children at Ryders Hayes Community School in Pelsall are learning the art of communication in a project which has seen them working with journalists, emergency services and business people...
Call for action on Pelsall travellers’ camp
07 Jul 09 15:26
Call for action on Pelsall travellers’ camp
Express & Star 7July 09
Travellers have set up camp on fields in Pelsall, prompting ward councillor Marco Longhi to ask police to move them on. West Midlands Police spokeswoman Catherine Preece said "their was no evidence of any offence being committed"...
Express & Star 19 Jun Gipsy sites planned for Walsall
B'ham Mail 17 Jun Plans for 'Gipsy Month' attacked
Telegraph 16 Jun Classes on why gipsies misunderstood
Express & Star 12 Jun Gipsy month on way for pupils
Gypsy Roma Traveller Leeds History of stopping places
Roma & Traveller Family History Home
Tributes to Aldridge limo crash victim
07 Jul 09 13:26
Tributes to Aldridge limo crash victim
Birmingham Mail 7July 09
Harry Wragg, from Stonnall, who was killed in a collision with a limousine taking pupils home from their school Prom was today remembered as a “funny lad” who could always make his friends laugh...
BBC News 6 Jul Dead man identified from Stonnall
B'ham Mail 6 Jul Driver dies in collision
Express & Star 4 Jul Driver killed in Aldridge collision
WM Police 4 Jul Police appeal for witnesses
Driver dies in collision with prom party limo in Aldridge
06 Jul 09 13:35
Driver dies in collision with prom party limo in Aldridge
Birmingham Mail 6 July 09
A headteacher today spoke of a “tragic” end to his school’s Prom night after a limousine taking pupils home was involved in a fatal collision...
BBC News 6 Jul Dead man identified from Stonnall
Express & Star 4 Jul Driver killed in Aldridge collision
WM Police 4 Jul Police appeal for witnesses
Thousands enjoy Pelsall carnival fun
06 Jul 09 12:45
News feature
Thousands enjoy Pelsall carnival fun
Express & Star 6 July 09 (video)
Glorious sunshine made the day for Pelsall Carnival which saw thousands of revellers turn out for the event which is among the most popular summer extravaganzas in the region.
The event was declared open by The Apprentice star Paula Jones, who is from the area, and she also crowned this year’s carnival queen radiant Samantha Woolley, aged 17, who smiled and waved at cheering onlookers during the parade on Saturday. An estimated crowd of 10,000 made the most of the hot weather and swamped the showground at Pelsall Common for the annual event.
Thousands enjoy Pelsall carnival fun
Express & Star 6 July 09 (video)
Glorious sunshine made the day for Pelsall Carnival which saw thousands of revellers turn out for the event which is among the most popular summer extravaganzas in the region.
The event was declared open by The Apprentice star Paula Jones, who is from the area, and she also crowned this year’s carnival queen radiant Samantha Woolley, aged 17, who smiled and waved at cheering onlookers during the parade on Saturday. An estimated crowd of 10,000 made the most of the hot weather and swamped the showground at Pelsall Common for the annual event.
Driver killed in Aldridge collision with prom pupils’ Bentley
04 Jul 09 12:40
Driver killed in Aldridge collision with prom pupils’ Bentley
Express & Star 4 July 09
A driver was killed in the early hours of Saturday morning when his VW Golf car was in collision with a Bentley carrying pupils on their way home from a school prom. The unnamed man, aged 20, died at the scene of the tragedy in Walsall Wood Road, Aldridge, despite efforts by fire and ambulance crews to save him...
WM Police 4 Jul Police appeal for witnesses
Number is up for Aldridge bingo hall
30 Jun 09 16:59
Number is up for Aldridge bingo hall
Express & Star 30 June 09
Gala bingo hall in Aldridge could be shut in a wave of national closures. The UK’s biggest bingo operator Gala Coral said the club in Anchor Road was one of five it planned to close, putting around 300 jobs at risk nationwide...
Express & Star 26 May 09 Wednesbury Gala Bingo hall fights smoking shelter ban
Pheasey gangs get marching orders
29 Jun 09 19:04
News
Pheasey gangs get marching orders
Sutton Observer 29 June 09
West Midlands Police has applied for and been granted tough new powers in a bid to rid Great Barr of public order offences, criminal damage, anti-social behaviour and graffiti caused by groups of Pheasey youths...
Pheasey gangs get marching orders
Sutton Observer 29 June 09
West Midlands Police has applied for and been granted tough new powers in a bid to rid Great Barr of public order offences, criminal damage, anti-social behaviour and graffiti caused by groups of Pheasey youths...
Streetly gardeners 'thrilled' with award
29 Jun 09 18:52
Streetly gardeners 'thrilled' with award
Walsall Advertiser 29 June 09
Two retired Streetly teachers scooped an award at BBC Gardeners' World Live...
Walsall Advertiser 11 Jun Awards success for gardeners
BBC Gardener's World Live Home
Aldridge mum's anger after son 'forced' to clean school toilet
28 Jun 09 13:51
Aldridge mum's anger after son 'forced' to clean school toilet
Sunday Mercury 28 June 09
An angry mum is withdrawing her eight year-old son from primary school after he was taken from a lesson and ordered to mop up urine puddles in the boys’ toilets...
Walsall fraudster's £7,600 spending spree on GP's credit cards
28 Jun 09 13:10
Walsall fraudster's £7,600 spending spree on GP's credit cards
Sunday Mercury 28 June 09
Most people would consider breakfast in bed an extravagance in a hotel. But for Jaspreet Gill room service consisted of 16 computers, two laptops and a couple of mobile phones. The 23 year-old booked herself into the luxurious Fairlawns Hotel and Spa in Walsall after conning a local doctor out of his credit card details...
New state-of-the-art combined facility on its way for Pelsall
27 Jun 09 15:19
State-of-the-art combined facility for Pelsall
Blog Cllr Marco Longhi 27 June 09
Joined-up thinking, dogged resolve, community backing, and Council support means that Pelsall is on its way to getting a new community facility combining medical, library and children's services...
Blog Cllr Garry Perry 27 Jun Combined family centre
Streetly crumbling flats revamp
27 Jun 09 12:00
Streetly crumbling flats revamp
Express & Star 26 June 09
A crumbling block of empty shops and flats in Streetly dubbed “little Beirut” in the past could be transformed into a parade of new cafes and shops, it’s been revealed. Boundary Court is being renovated to the tune of £300,000 after complaints of more than a decade from residents living nearby...
Walsall Advertiser 18 Mar 'Clean up this eyesore parade'
Lottery windfall for Aldridge and Rushall clubs
24 Jun 09 13:02
Lottery windfall for Walsall clubs
Express & Star 24 June 09
War veterans, sailing clubs and conservationists in the Black Country and Staffordshire have picked up a share of £400,000 lottery cash. Aldridge Sailing Club won £4,595 in the latest batch of grants from Awards for All and the Midlands Kerala Cultural Association in Rushall, Walsall, was handed £9,803...
Midlands Kerala Cultural Association Home
Aldridge Sailing Club Home
National Lottery Good Causes Home
Former Crabtree man shines light on switches - video
24 Jun 09 12:28
News feature
Andrew shines light on Crabtree
Express & Star 24 June 09
After 28 years of working at the Crabtree factory in Chuckery you would have thought Andrew Noakes would have never wanted to see another electrical switch again. But the 66-year-old has created a museum at his Aldridge home dedicated to the company that was famous for making light switches, used in thousands of homes around the world. Andrew started working at Crabtrees in Lincoln Road in 1965 and was a guide in the factory’s museum for most of his employment.
Andrew shines light on Crabtree
Express & Star 24 June 09
After 28 years of working at the Crabtree factory in Chuckery you would have thought Andrew Noakes would have never wanted to see another electrical switch again. But the 66-year-old has created a museum at his Aldridge home dedicated to the company that was famous for making light switches, used in thousands of homes around the world. Andrew started working at Crabtrees in Lincoln Road in 1965 and was a guide in the factory’s museum for most of his employment.
Local MPs hoping to become new Speaker
22 Jun 09 12:36
Local MPs hoping to become new Speaker
BBC News 22 June 09
Two West Midlands Conservative MPs have secured enough nominations to stand for election as the next Commons Speaker. Sir Patrick Cormack, MP for South Staffordshire, and Richard Shepherd, MP for Aldridge and Brownhills, are among 10 members in the contest to be the next House of Commons speaker in a secret ballot later today...
Sporting vintage vicar revs up Aldridge flock
22 Jun 09 12:26
Sporting vintage vicar revs up Aldridge flock
Express & Star 22 June 09 (video)
Vintage car-mad vicar Richard Cornfield gave readings and led hymns while standing in his convertible 1969 model MG Midget, parked in the middle of a field at Cooper and Jordan CE Primary School in Aldridge...
Aldridge roof fall man named
22 Jun 09 12:19
Aldridge roof fall man named
Express & Star 22 June 09
A man who died after falling through the roof of a West Midland factory building has been named as 62-year-old Terrance Bull...
Express & Star 17 Jun Man dies in factory roof fall
BBC News 17 Jun Man killed in 25ft building fall
Speaker hopefuls give back cash - including Richard Shepherd
20 Jun 09 19:16
Speaker hopefuls give back cash
Daily Mail 20 June 09
The race to be the next Commons Speaker was left tainted on Friday night after five candidates admitted paying back taxpayers' money they wrongly claimed on expenses. Tory Richard Shepherd MP, Aldridge and Brownhills, volunteered to return £162 in gardening costs so his former claims were in line with new rules brought in last month limiting claims. Mr Shepherd billed taxpayers for tree surgery and gardening that topped £1,000 in one year, plus cleaning costs of up to £230 a month...
Telegraph 21 Jun Secrets of MPs bidding to lead Commons
Telegraph 21 Jun MPs' expenses full investigation
Telegraph 20 Jun Cabinet's uncensored expenses
Express & Star 12 Jun Shepherd stands for speaker job
BBC News 11 Jun Speaker: Runners and riders
Walsall Advertiser 21 May Odds stack up for Shepherd
Shelfield man remanded on child porn charges
20 Jun 09 18:13
News
Shelfield man remanded on child porn charges
The Independent 19 June 09
An 18-year-old man appeared in court on Friday following a police investigation into child sex abuse which led to the arrest of a mother-of-four in America. Nicholas Wilde, of Holmbridge Grove, Shelfield, was arrested by West Midlands Police last Thursday and charged with making, possessing and distributing indecent images of children...
B'ham Post 16 Jun Teenager in custody
B'ham Mail 17 Jun Mum in court on abuse charge
My Fox Lubbock 16 Jun Maine Mom nabbed
WBZ 15 Jun Child porn Maine woman held after UK tip
BBC News 15 Jun Pair held over child abuse on web
Express & Star 15 Jun Walsall teen charged on child porn
Telegraph 15 Jun British child porn probe leads US arrest
Child explointation & online protection centre Home
Shelfield man remanded on child porn charges
The Independent 19 June 09
An 18-year-old man appeared in court on Friday following a police investigation into child sex abuse which led to the arrest of a mother-of-four in America. Nicholas Wilde, of Holmbridge Grove, Shelfield, was arrested by West Midlands Police last Thursday and charged with making, possessing and distributing indecent images of children...
B'ham Post 16 Jun Teenager in custody
B'ham Mail 17 Jun Mum in court on abuse charge
My Fox Lubbock 16 Jun Maine Mom nabbed
WBZ 15 Jun Child porn Maine woman held after UK tip
BBC News 15 Jun Pair held over child abuse on web
Express & Star 15 Jun Walsall teen charged on child porn
Telegraph 15 Jun British child porn probe leads US arrest
Child explointation & online protection centre Home
Man dies in Aldridge factory roof plunge
17 Jun 09 16:54
Man dies in Aldridge factory roof plunge
Express & Star 17 June 09
A man has died and another was injured after falling around 20ft through a roof at a building as they assessed it ahead of demolition. Paramedics were called to the rear of MKG Food Products in Aldridge where they found the two men on a concrete floor...
BBC News 17 Jun Man killed in 25ft building fall
Walsall teenager in custody on sex charges involving children in US
17 Jun 09 16:30
Walsall teenager in custody on child sex charges
Birmingham Post 16 June 09
A Walsall teenage male has appeared in court on child sex charges that have seen four children taken into care in the United States. Detectives from West Midlands Police’s Child Exploitation Investigation Team (CEIT) uncovered a 30-year-old US woman was using her webcam to broadcast the live sexual assault of her young child...
B'ham Mail 17 Jun Mum in court on abuse charge
My Fox Lubbock 16 Jun Maine Mom nabbed in international child porn sting
WBZ 15 Jun Child porn Maine woman held after UK tip
BBC News 15 Jun Pair held over child abuse on web
Express & Star 15 Jun Walsall teen charged on child porn
Daily Telegraph 15 Jun British police child porn investigation leads to US arrest
Child explointation & online protection centre Home
Barr Beacon cleared superhead thanks support
17 Jun 09 15:30
Cleared superhead thanks support
Express & star 17 June 09
Barr Beacon superhead Dame Mo Brennan who has been given the all-clear for allegedly fiddling attendance figures at a Netherton school was “overwhelmed” by support. An investigation was launched but the Crown Prosecution Service concluded there was “insufficient evidence” to charge three senior members of staff, including Dame Mo, with any fraud related offences...
Streetly church celebrates 50 years
16 Jun 09 17:18
Streetly church celebrates 50 years
Birmingham Mail 16 June 09
Half a century ago, five young men finished building a church from scratch. Now the only surviving member of the group has paid tribute to his friends and celebrated the milestone anniversary of the Streetly Evangelical Church...
Midland MPs set out their case to be Speaker
16 Jun 09 13:37
Midland MPs set out their case to be Speaker
Birmingham Mail 16 June 09
Candidates in the race to become the next Speaker of the House of Commons have taken part in a historic public hustings, to win the backing of MPs...
BBC News 15 June 09 (video) Speaker hopefuls set for hustings
Express & Star 12 Jun Shepherd stands for speaker job
Blog Marco Longhi 12 Jun If anyone can, Richard can...
BBC News 11 Jun Speaker: Runners and riders
Speaker hopefuls set for hustings
15 Jun 09 15:34
Speaker hopefuls set for hustings
BBC News 15 June 09 (video)
Contenders for Speaker of the House of Commons, including the MP for Aldridge-Brownhills, are to set out their stalls...
Express & Star 12 Jun Shepherd stands for speaker job
Blog Marco Longhi 12 Jun If anyone can, Richard can...
BBC News 11 Jun Speaker: Runners and riders
No charges against Walsall Head fraud investigation
15 Jun 09 15:00
No charges in Hilcrest fraud investigation
BBC News 15 June 09
Charges will not be brought over a fraud investigation at Hillcrest School and Community College, Netherton, the Crown Prosecution Service said. Allegations were made over attendance figures at the once struggling school, which was turned round by "superhead" Dame Maureen Brennan, who is now Head at Barr Beacon School...
Express & Star 16 May Dame Mo in the clear
Daily Telegraph 4 May 08 Police investigate 'superhead'
Walsall teenager charged on child porn
15 Jun 09 14:50
Pair held over child abuse on web
BBC News 15 June 09
A man and a woman have been charged after police discovered that a live internet broadcast had been made of a child being sexually abused. WM Police arrested an 18-year-old man in Walsall who has since been charged with possession and distribution of abusive images of children...
Express & Star 15 Jun Walsall teenager charged on child porn
Best of British for Aldridge scheme’s milestone
12 Jun 09 22:07
Best of British for Aldridge scheme’s milestone
Walsall Observer 12 June 09
Residents at a sheltered housing scheme in Walsall celebrated its 30th anniversary last week with a ‘Best of British’ garden party...
24 Dash 8 Jun Aldridge scheme turns 30
Accord Housing News
Richard Shepherd bids to become Commons Speaker - video
12 Jun 09 16:12
News
Richard Shepherd's Speaker bid
Express & Star 12 Jun Shepherd stands for speaker job
Blog Cllr Marco Longhi 12 Jun Shepherd for Speaker: If anyone can, Richard can...
BBC News 11 Jun Speaker: Runners and riders
Walsall Advertiser 21 May Odds stack up for Shepherd
Richard Shepherd's Speaker bid
Express & Star 12 Jun Shepherd stands for speaker job
Blog Cllr Marco Longhi 12 Jun Shepherd for Speaker: If anyone can, Richard can...
BBC News 11 Jun Speaker: Runners and riders
Walsall Advertiser 21 May Odds stack up for Shepherd
Cash boost to fight youth crime on Walsall streets
10 Jun 09 12:33
News
Cash boost to fight youth crime on Walsall streets
Birmingham Mail 10 June 09
The Home Office cash will be used to crack down on anti-social behaviour and to support young people and families who want to turn their lives around. Birmingham, Sandwell and Walsall have each been handed £350,000 to help implement seven core crime-fighting initiatives as part of the Government’s £100 million Youth Crime Action Plan...
B'ham Mail 10 Jun Streetly Police BBQ to tackle anti-social behaviour a success
Cash boost to fight youth crime on Walsall streets
Birmingham Mail 10 June 09
The Home Office cash will be used to crack down on anti-social behaviour and to support young people and families who want to turn their lives around. Birmingham, Sandwell and Walsall have each been handed £350,000 to help implement seven core crime-fighting initiatives as part of the Government’s £100 million Youth Crime Action Plan...
B'ham Mail 10 Jun Streetly Police BBQ to tackle anti-social behaviour a success
Shire Oak pupil in pepper spray rampage
10 Jun 09 12:18
News
Shire Oak pupil in pepper spray rampage
Birmingham Mail 10 June 09
A pupil at Walsall’s Shire Oak School went on the rampage allegedly attacking children with a can of pepper spray during lunch-break on Tuesday. It is believed seven children were attacked by the boy, aged around 15, in a school corridor...
Shire Oak pupil in pepper spray rampage
Birmingham Mail 10 June 09
A pupil at Walsall’s Shire Oak School went on the rampage allegedly attacking children with a can of pepper spray during lunch-break on Tuesday. It is believed seven children were attacked by the boy, aged around 15, in a school corridor...
Family finds dream home in Rushall
08 Jun 09 15:15
Family finds dream home in Rushall
Easier.com 8 June 09
Anybody who has found their dream home only to lose out because a chain collapsed knows it can be a heartbreaking experience. Toni and Stephen Tipper cut out the upward chain by buying new – at Bryant Homes’ Westminster Place development in Rushall...
Patriotic party for residents as Aldridge scheme turns 30
08 Jun 09 15:07
Aldridge scheme turns 30 with a patriotic party
24 Dash 8 June 09
Residents at a sheltered housing scheme in Aldridge will celebrate its 30th anniversary this week with a ‘Best of British’ garden party. Old Rectory Gardens, run by Accord Housing Association, will host the party on Friday 5th June from 1pm. Special guests due to attend include MP Richard Shepherd, Aldridge Councillor John Rochelle and local author Roger Harper...
Accord Housing News
Aldridge's Scott one song from destiny
05 Jun 09 14:29
Aldridge's Scott one song from destiny
Walsall Advertiser 4 June 09
Scott Dean, aged 26, has fought his way through to the national grand final of Live and Unsigned - where he will compete against 20 others to become the UK's Best Unsigned Act 2009...
Walsall Advertiser 18 Mar Scott's record dream could soon be reality
Live and Unsigned Home
Rescue chickens are stolen
02 Jun 09 19:41
Rescue chickens are stolen
Express & Star 2 June 09
Animal lover Michelle Jones, who runs Pets’ Corner pet shop in Aldridge, said she could not believe her eyes when she went into her garden at home in Wednesfield at 7.45am and saw the empty coop. The chickens were rescued from a battery farm and had been enjoying the good life for the past five months and were worth a total of just £8...
Bus dragged boy along Rushall pavement
28 May 09 14:01
Bus dragged boy along Rushall pavement
Walsall Advertiser 28 May 09
A terrified eleven-year-old schoolboy was dragged along the pavement, suffering a fractured shoulder, after his ankle become trapped as he stepped off a bus...
Police hunt Aldridge ‘honeytrap’ carjackers
27 May 09 14:33
Police hunt Aldridge ‘honeytrap’ carjackers
Express & Star 27 May 09
This is the face of a pretty young blonde police believe used a ‘honeytrap’ to trick a Good Samaritan into pulling over in a quiet country lane in Aldridge before stealing his Mercedes. Police are hunting a man and woman team of car jackers who paired up to steal the silver Mercedes C220, in what they say is an “unusual” crime...
WM Police 26 May Aldridge car theft police appeal
Aldridge car theft police appeal
26 May 09 15:33
Aldridge car theft police appeal
WM Police 26 May 09
Police have issued an e-fit of a woman they are keen to trace in connection with a robbery on Friday 1 May near Aldridge...
Sculptor’s artwork is far from Walsall Wood pits - video
24 May 09 01:06
Feature
Sculptor’s artwork is far from the pits
Express & Star 23 May 09 (video)
A Stourbridge sculptor is working on a £45,000 public artwork project dedicated to Walsall Wood's industrial heritage...
Birmingham Post 14 May Walsall Wood coal-mining sculpture approved
Blog Brownhills Bob 13 May Walsall Wood mining memorial
Brownhills Bob is not impressed... have your say!
Walsall Council PR 13 May Green light for colliery sculpture
Walsall Council PR 22 Apr Walsall Wood pit head rises
Blog Cllr Mike Flower 17 April Seeking permission for memorial
Sculptor’s artwork is far from the pits
Express & Star 23 May 09 (video)
A Stourbridge sculptor is working on a £45,000 public artwork project dedicated to Walsall Wood's industrial heritage...
Birmingham Post 14 May Walsall Wood coal-mining sculpture approved
Blog Brownhills Bob 13 May Walsall Wood mining memorial
Brownhills Bob is not impressed... have your say!
Walsall Council PR 13 May Green light for colliery sculpture
Walsall Council PR 22 Apr Walsall Wood pit head rises
Blog Cllr Mike Flower 17 April Seeking permission for memorial
Pay-out after hospital failed to spot cervical cancer
22 May 09 14:09
Pay-out after hospital failed to spot cervical cancer
Birmingham Mail 22 May 09
Lyn Harris, of Great Barr, who had to have a hysterectomy after a hospital failed to spot fatal cervical cancer cells during a smear test has won a five-figure pay-out...
Birmingham Mail 16 Apr WM teenagers could miss out on HPV jab
NHS Immunisation HPV & cervical cancer
Odds stacking up in favour of Shepherd
22 May 09 03:50
Odds stacking up in favour of Shepherd
Walsall Advertiser 21 May 09
Bookies are giving odds of 14/1 on Aldridge-Brownhills MP Richard Shepherd becoming the next speaker of the House of Commons...
Pink News 22 May Stephen Fry voted top for Speaker
Blog Cllr Garry Perry 20 May Shepherd for Speaker
BBC News 19 May New Speaker: Runners and riders
Daily Telegraph 19 May Speaker Michael Martin resigns
Blog Birmingham Post 20 May Now we can speak freely
Blog Birmingham Post 20 May Resignation won't end ills
Birmingham Post 19 May WM MPs' try to see off Speaker
Blog Bob Piper 19 May Shutting the stable door
B'ham Post 19 May Speaker does more harm than good
B'ham Mail 17 May WM MPs demand Speaker's removal
The Guardian 16 May Michael Martin profile
B'ham Post 14 May Hemmings wants Speaker to quit
B'ham Post 13 May Winnick joins Speaker row
Sky News 12 May Winnick questions Speaker's outburst
B'ham Post 8 May Winnick urges 'Commons publish exes'
Heavy rains cause more misery
20 May 09 12:33
Heavy rains cause more misery
Express & Star 20 May 09
Fed-up residents in a flood-prone Pelsall street faced more misery after a weekend of heavy rain...
Blog Cllr Marco Longhi 16 May Flooding 'red tape' fury
Walsall Advertiser 11 Dec 08 Dream of a dry Christmas
Walsall Council Report a street problem (e-form)
Severn Trent Email us
Midlands menace car thief jailed
20 May 09 00:19
News
Midlands menace car thief jailed
Birmingham Post 20 May 09
Notorious crook Lee Morris swiped luxury cars worth more than half-a-million pounds after breaking into homes during the night to steal their keys. In one raid in Streetly, a Range Rover and Mercedes worth a total of £135,000 were taken...
Midlands menace car thief jailed
Birmingham Post 20 May 09
Notorious crook Lee Morris swiped luxury cars worth more than half-a-million pounds after breaking into homes during the night to steal their keys. In one raid in Streetly, a Range Rover and Mercedes worth a total of £135,000 were taken...
New Speaker: Runners and riders include Aldridge MP
19 May 09 16:22
New Speaker: Runners and riders
BBC News 19 May 09
As the Commons speaker steps down on 21 June, his successor will be chosen by MPs the following day. Here are some of the names being talked about in connection with the job including Aldridge and Brownhills MP Richard Shepherd...
Blog Cllr Garry Perry 20 May Shepherd for Speaker
West Mids MPs' attempts to see off Speaker drift into farce
19 May 09 02:04
West Mids MPs' attempts to see off Speaker drift into farce
Birmingham Post 19 May
Senior West Midlands backbenchers including David Winnick (Lab, Walsall North), Sir Patrick Cormack (Con, Staffordshire South) and Richard Shepherd (Con, Aldridge Brownhills) told Speaker Martin to his face that he must quit, in order to restore public confidence in British politics...
Blog Bob Piper 19 May Shutting the stable door
B'ham Post 19 May Speaker does more harm than good
B'ham Mail 17 May WM MPs demand Speaker's removal
The Guardian 16 May Michael Martin profile
B'ham Post 14 May Hemmings wants Speaker to quit
B'ham Post 13 May Winnick joins Speaker row
Sky News 12 May Winnick questions Speaker's outburst
B'ham Post 8 May Winnick urges 'Commons publish exes'
Lichfield Blog 17 May Bishop of Lichfield speaks out
Daily Telegraph The Saints Part 1 - Saints Part 2
Blog Cllr Ian Shires 12 May Local boy done good
B'ham Mail 13 May Mids MPs claim £400k for publicity
West Brom Blog 11 May You betrayed us, resign
Blog Cllr Garry Perry 11 May MP's allowances
West Brom Blog 10 May One gold plated pigsty
Derek Bennett's Blog 10 May House of Dishonour
West Brom Blog 10 May Shameless
Media Guardian 18 May How scoop came to light
Telegraph 19 May MPs' expenses
Little celebrity Connie set to lead massive walk to school
18 May 09 14:18
Little celebrity Connie set to lead massive walk to school
Walsall Advertiser 18 May 09
Britain's Got Talent star Connie Talbot, a pupil of Blackwood School in Streetly, is taking part in the Walk to School week, which begins today (Monday)...
Failure to move hostel angers Walsall councillor
18 May 09 05:25
Failure to move hostel angers Walsall councillor
Birmingham Post 18 May 09
Walsall’s new children’s services boss, Councillor Mike Flower, has hit out at the Ministry of Justice for its ‘unacceptable’ approach to an Aldridge bail hostel where an inmate sexually assaulted a local eight-year-old girl...
The Mercury 17 May Father's fury over Stonnall Road bail hostel paedophile
Blog Cllr Garry Perry 16 May Bail hostel protest
Aldridge Web 16 May Bail hostel protest
Birmingham Mail 13 May Protest over bail hostel
Express & Star 13 Sept 08 Protest at bail hostel
Ministry of Justice Home
Father's fury over Stonnall Road bail hostel paedophile
17 May 09 10:17
News
Father's fury over Stonnall Road bail hostel paedophile
The Mercury 17 May
A dad whose eight year-old daughter was sexually assaulted by a paedophile living in a bail hostel in Stonnall Road, Aldridge, just yards from the family home, has demanded that it must be shut down...
Blog Cllr Garry Perry 16 May Bail hostel protest
Aldridge Web 16 May Bail hostel protest
Birmingham Mail 13 May Protest over bail hostel
Express & Star 13 Sept 08 Protest at bail hostel
Father's fury over Stonnall Road bail hostel paedophile
The Mercury 17 May
A dad whose eight year-old daughter was sexually assaulted by a paedophile living in a bail hostel in Stonnall Road, Aldridge, just yards from the family home, has demanded that it must be shut down...
Blog Cllr Garry Perry 16 May Bail hostel protest
Aldridge Web 16 May Bail hostel protest
Birmingham Mail 13 May Protest over bail hostel
Express & Star 13 Sept 08 Protest at bail hostel
Bird sounds changes at town hall
14 May 09 18:06
Bird sounds changes at town hall
Walsall Advertiser 14 May
The new leader of Walsall Council will begin his reign by axing four cabinet members and appointing the authority's youngest ever portfolio holder. Pheasey Park Farm councillor Mike Bird overcame a challenge from councillors Anthony Harris and Tom Ansell to succeed John O'Hare, who is stepping down to become Mayor...
Express & Star 11 May Half of Cabinet to go in shuffle
BBC News 9 May New leader for Walsall Council
Birmingham Post 11 May New leaders for 2 councils
Blog Cllr Mike Flower 10 May All change at Council
Blog Cllr Ian Shires 10 May Tories elect new leader
Express & Star 9 May Council reveals new leader
Blog Brownhills Bob 9 May Mike Bird elected
Walsall Council News page
Walsall Wood coal-mining sculpture approved
14 May 09 00:14
Walsall Wood coal-mining sculpture approved
Birmingham Post 14 May 09
A scale replica of the Walsall Wood No 1 Pit Mine Head Gear will be erected in Oak Park, Walsall Wood. The 14-metre sculpture will form part of a trail of five pieces of public art, costing £45,000, which is a key element in a £194,910 project to improve the A461 corridor in the north of Walsall...
Blog Brownhills Bob 13 May Walsall Wood mining memorial
Brownhills Bob is not impressed... have your say!
Walsall Council PR 13 May Green light for colliery sculpture
Walsall Council PR 22 Apr Walsall Wood pit head rises
Blog Cllr Mike Flower 17 April Seeking permission for memorial
Parents of stabbed Aldridge teenager Rosie Ross unveil memorial
13 May 09 16:33
Parents of stabbed teenager Rosie Ross unveil memorial
Birmingham Mail 13 May 09
The parents of 16-year-old Rosie Ross from Aldridge, who was killed in a random attack by a paranoid schizophrenic as she sunbathed with friends in Centenary Square in May 2001, have unveiled a plaque and planted a flower bed in her memory...
BBC News 12 May Hospital garden for Aldridge girl
Birmingham Mail 12 May Rosebush tribute to Rosie
Streetly butcher in The Sun's Best Brit Biz hunt
12 May 09 17:31
Streetly butcher in Best Brit Biz hunt
The Sun 12 May 09
The Sun newspaper's hunt for Britain’s Best Local Businesses is hotting up with Colin Ryan from Blackwood Butchers in Streetly amongst the latest to be nominated...
Hospital garden for Aldridge girl killed in attack
12 May 09 17:22
Hospital garden for Aldridge girl killed in attack
BBC News 12 May 09
A rose bush has been planted and a plaque unveiled in the memory of Rosie Ross, 16, from Aldridge, who was stabbed to death in Birmingham while sunbathing eight years ago...
Birmingham Mail 12 May Rosebush tribute to Rosie
Four injured in crash on Sutton Road
12 May 09 12:20
Four injured in crash on Sutton Road
Express & Star 12 May 09 (Pictures)
Four people were taken to hospital after a collision between two cars, causing a main road in Walsall to be closed for more than two hours...
Walsall Advertiser 11 May Four in hospital after RTA
Half of Cabinet to go in shuffle
12 May 09 02:02
Half of Cabinet to go in shuffle
Express & Star 11 May 09
Almost half of the decision-making Walsall Council Cabinet is to be axed under a major shuffle. The four portfolio holders for finances, transport, children’s services and leisure are to be replaced...
BBC News 9 May New leader for Walsall Council
Birmingham Post 11 May New leaders for 2 councils
Blog Cllr Mike Flower 10 May All change at Council
Blog Cllr Ian Shires 10 May Tories elect new leader
Express & Star 9 May Council reveals new leader
Blog Brownhills Bob 9 May Mike Bird elected
Walsall Council News page
Shire Oak school extension
11 May 09 12:06
Shire Oak school extension
Express & Star 11 May 09
A new two-storey sixth form block could be created at Shire Oak secondary school in Lichfield Road to cope with an increase in student numbers...
Shire Oak School Home
New leader for Walsall Council
09 May 09 10:57
New leader for Walsall Council
BBC News 9 May 09
Councillor Mike Bird was chosen by the Conservative group on Friday night after Councillor John O'Hare decided to step down to become the town's mayor...
Birmingham Post 11 May New leaders for 2 councils
Blog Cllr Mike Flower 10 May All change at Council
Blog Cllr Ian Shires 10 May Tories elect new leader
Express & Star 9 May Council reveals new leader
Blog Brownhills Bob 9 May Mike Bird elected
Walsall Council News page
Fire-hit school to be rebuilt 20 years on
08 May 09 12:30
Fire-hit school to be rebuilt 20 years on
Express & Star 8 May 09
Radleys Primary School in Rushall which was ravaged by fire is finally being completed – nearly 20 years after the blaze burned classrooms to the ground...
Thousands back family bid to get Daniel home
07 May 09 19:43
Thousands back family bid to get Daniel home
Walsall Advertiser 7 May 09
Thousands of people have pledged their support for a Walsall woman's desperate mission to fund the return of her murdered brother's body to the UK for burial...
Birmingham Mail 8 May "Help me bring my brother home"
Aldridge church hall fined over noise
06 May 09 12:38
Aldridge church hall fined over noise
Express & Star 6 May 09
A church community centre which caused hell for its neighbours by playing loud disco hits late into the night will have to stump up £2,700 after breaching a noise abatement order...
Pensioner’s bonsai trees are attacked
05 May 09 13:39
Pensioner’s bonsai trees are attacked
Express & Star 5 May 09
A Park Hall pensioner Stephen Taylor had nurtured his beloved bonsai trees for more than three decades but the 77-year-old has been left “grieving” after four of the miniature plants – together worth more than £1,000 – were hacked away and stolen from outside his home...
Car-jackers trick driver
02 May 09 15:19
News
Car-jackers trick driver
Express & Star 2 May 09
Car-jackers stole a Good Samaritan’s Mercedes in a country lane in Aldridge - after he was tricked into pulling over to help a young blonde...
Car-jackers trick driver
Express & Star 2 May 09
Car-jackers stole a Good Samaritan’s Mercedes in a country lane in Aldridge - after he was tricked into pulling over to help a young blonde...
Moped robbers dragged woman along
02 May 09 14:48
Moped robbers dragged woman along
BBC News 2 May 09
A female pedestrian was dragged along a pavement on the Birmingham Road in Great Barr on Friday as thieves on a moped grabbed her handbag...
West Midlands Police 2 May Appeal for witnesses
Complaints over nursing home at inquest
01 May 09 12:10
Complaints over nursing home at inquest
Express & Star 1 May 09
A Walsall grandmother was only given two showers during her three-month stay at a nursing home shortly before she died, an inquest heard. Social care bosses at Walsall Council were so concerned about the standard of care at Lakeview Nursing Home, Stafford Road, in Great Wyrley they stopped sending pensioners for a time...
TV's Ashley Blake denies wounding charge
27 Apr 09 13:27
TV's Ashley Blake denies wounding charge
BBC News 27 Apr 09
BBC television presenter Ashley Blake has appeared in court to deny charges of wounding...
Walsall schools to share £120m
24 Apr 09 13:40
News
Walsall schools to share £120m
Birmingham Mail 24 Apr 09
Six Walsall schools are set to be transformed beyond recognition when they share £120 million for schemes ranging from rebuilds to refurbishments including Frank F Harrison Engineering College, Joseph Leckie, Alumwell, Pool Hayes, Shire Oak and Streetly...
The Mercury 24 Apr Racism is 'still rife in schools'
Walsall Council PR 23 Apr Six schools first in line
BBC News 23 Apr Plan to turn Sneyd school into academy
Walsall schools to share £120m
Birmingham Mail 24 Apr 09
Six Walsall schools are set to be transformed beyond recognition when they share £120 million for schemes ranging from rebuilds to refurbishments including Frank F Harrison Engineering College, Joseph Leckie, Alumwell, Pool Hayes, Shire Oak and Streetly...
The Mercury 24 Apr Racism is 'still rife in schools'
Walsall Council PR 23 Apr Six schools first in line
BBC News 23 Apr Plan to turn Sneyd school into academy
Man quizzed on £1.8m Aldridge house fire
24 Apr 09 13:19
Man quizzed on £1.8m Aldridge house fire
Express & Star 24 Apr 09
Police were continuing to question a 33-year-old man today after a convicted fraudster’s £1.8 million home off the Chester Road was destroyed by fire on Wednesday evening...
Aldridge Into Jobs event on Friday
23 Apr 09 14:59
Friday 24 April 09 10am to 4pm
Aldridge Into Jobs event
Walsall Council PR 17 Apr 09
People who are at risk of being made redundant or have recently lost their jobs are being invited to take up the help and advice on offer at Aldridge Central Community Centre in Anchor Meadow, Middlemore Lane, from 10am until 4pm on Friday April 24...
Aldridge Into Jobs event
Walsall Council PR 17 Apr 09
People who are at risk of being made redundant or have recently lost their jobs are being invited to take up the help and advice on offer at Aldridge Central Community Centre in Anchor Meadow, Middlemore Lane, from 10am until 4pm on Friday April 24...
Twitter helps find gymnastics group a home
23 Apr 09 14:15
Twitter helps find gymnastics group a home
Walsall Council News 23 Apr 09
A children’s gymnastics club has been thrown a lifeline by Walsall Council after a quick-thinking parent used a social networking site to search for a new home...
The Yamyam On Twitter
New Great Barr tennis court attacked
23 Apr 09 13:43
News
New Great Barr tennis court attacked
Express & Star 23 Apr 09
A new £40,000 tennis court in in Red House Park has been attacked by vandals less than two weeks after it was completed...
New Great Barr tennis court attacked
Express & Star 23 Apr 09
A new £40,000 tennis court in in Red House Park has been attacked by vandals less than two weeks after it was completed...
Walsall Wood pit head rises again to mark coal industry
22 Apr 09 15:20
Walsall Wood pit head rises again to mark coal industry
Walsall Council PR 22 Apr 09
A 40-foot high representation of colliery winding gear is set to be built as part of the Walsall Council scheme to regenerate Walsall Wood...
Aldridge grandfather admits kicking dying dog
22 Apr 09 11:40
News
Aldridge grandfather admits kicking dying dog
Express & Star 22 Apr 09
A grandfather has admitted to magistrates that he kicked a bull mastiff as it lay dying after it plunged from the 11th floor of a tower block...
Aldridge grandfather admits kicking dying dog
Express & Star 22 Apr 09
A grandfather has admitted to magistrates that he kicked a bull mastiff as it lay dying after it plunged from the 11th floor of a tower block...
Outgoing West Midlands police chief still hopeful of force merger
15 Apr 09 01:06
Outgoing West Midlands police chief still hopeful of force merger
Birmingham Post 14 Apr 09
Plans to create police ‘superforces’ across the country could be back on the agenda in the next decade, the outgoing West Midlands Chief Constable has predicted...
Birmingham Post 14 Apr Chief on his 7 years
Blog Cllr Marco Longhi 14 Apr Big dinosaurs are less accountable at a local community level
Shelfield crash witnesses Police appeal
14 Apr 09 09:54
News
Shelfield crash witnesses Police appeal
WM Police 14 Apr 09
Police are appealing for witnesses to a serious road traffic collision at the Four Crosses Road in Shelfield after a coach and a motorbike were in collision at 9.20pm last night...
Walsall Advertiser 14 Apr Motorcyclist critical
Express & Star 14 Apr A day of bike crashes
Shelfield crash witnesses Police appeal
WM Police 14 Apr 09
Police are appealing for witnesses to a serious road traffic collision at the Four Crosses Road in Shelfield after a coach and a motorbike were in collision at 9.20pm last night...
Walsall Advertiser 14 Apr Motorcyclist critical
Express & Star 14 Apr A day of bike crashes
Is there a ghost of Barr Beacon?
11 Apr 09 00:51
Is there a ghost of Barr Beacon?
Walsall Advertiser 10 Apr 09
Spooky sightings of three highwaymen wielding muskets and senses of an 'evil presence' have posed the question; 'dare you go down to Barr Beacon hill?'
Sunday Mercury 31 Mar Cannock Chase spooky ghost dog
Rushall DJ Zoa sudden death at 31 tributes
10 Apr 09 14:38
Rushall DJ Zoa sudden death tributes
Birmingham Mail 10 April 09
Tributes are being paid to the popular DJ, Zahoor Bostan, widely known as DJ Zoa, who died suddenly, aged just 31, when he suffered a heart attack at home on Tuesday...
Birmingham Mail 10 April 09
Tributes are being paid to the popular DJ, Zahoor Bostan, widely known as DJ Zoa, who died suddenly, aged just 31, when he suffered a heart attack at home on Tuesday...
Shelfield church club smoking shelter fails
10 Apr 09 02:34
Shelfield church club smoking shelter fails
Express & Star 8 Apr 09
St Francis Social Centre in Mill Road has been told it cannot create a smoking shelter – due to fears that its church-going customers would be too noisy for neighbours...
Guilty plea over man’s death
06 Apr 09 15:22
News
Guilty plea over man’s death
Express & Star 6 Apr 09
A motorist has admitted to causing the death of a Pheasey pensioner by dangerous driving. Friends and family said the guilty plea had come as a great relief...
Guilty plea over man’s death
Express & Star 6 Apr 09
A motorist has admitted to causing the death of a Pheasey pensioner by dangerous driving. Friends and family said the guilty plea had come as a great relief...
National testing dilemma for Walsall Wood Primary
05 Apr 09 00:47
National testing dilemma for Walsall Wood Primary
The Observer, 5 Apr 09 (scroll down)
Robert Trawford, Head of Walsall Wood primary school, the second most improved primary in the country, does not believe he and his staff could have done it without national curriculum tests - which his own union is opposed to...
The Teaching Awards 2007: Head of the year
Birmingham Mail, 1 Apr 09: Key Stage 2 results
Department for Children, Schools and Families: Key Stage 2 results
Police set up home in the ‘heart of the community’
03 Apr 09 19:09
Police set up home in the ‘heart of the community’
Walsall Observer, 3 Apr 09
A maisonette owned by a Walsall housing association will be used by officers policing Pelsall village...
Walsall Observer, 3 Apr 09
A maisonette owned by a Walsall housing association will be used by officers policing Pelsall village...
The rock 'n' roll school bus
31 Mar 09 00:53
The rock 'n' roll school bus
BBC News, 25 Mar 09
A Pelsall man has imported a genuine Californian high school bus. He's made a few changes - so you can party on the move! Watch the video...
New road for Aldridge quarry lorries
28 Mar 09 01:21
expressandstar.com, 27 Mar 09
A new access road to stop heavy lorries thundering past homes en-route to Aldridge quarry has been granted outline planning permission, putting an end to a 30-year battle by campaigners in Branton Hill Lane and Little Aston Road...
Today: Have your say on learning in Walsall
27 Mar 09 02:20
Have your say on learning in Walsall
Walsall Council
Residents in Walsall are being asked to contribute their ideas at a roadshow visiting Pelsall and Aldridge today...
Open verdict on mystery skewer death
27 Mar 09 00:13
BBC News, 26 Mar 09
The Black Country coroner has said he does not know how a Walsall pensioner came to be speared with a barbeque skewer which resulted in his death...
Birmingham Mail, 26 Mar 09: Inquiry into impaled OAP
expressandstar.com, 21 Feb 09: Findings "unlikely" - MP
BBC News, 20 Feb 09: Spike pensioner 'impaled himself'
expressandstar.com, 20 Feb 09: Death was accident
Mystery over skewer death
26 Mar 09 15:29
expressandstar.com, 26 Mar 09
A pathologist today told an inquest he believed a Walsall pensioner found with a barbecue skewer in his neck had impaled himself in a tragic accident...
Birmingham Mail, 26 Mar 09: Inquiry into impaled OAP
expressandstar.com, 21 Feb 09: Death findings "unlikely" says MP
BBC News, 20 Feb 09: Spike pensioner 'impaled himself'
expressandstar.com, 20 Feb 09: Skewer death was accident
Inquiry into impaled OAP
26 Mar 09 14:23
Inquiry into impaled OAP
Birmingham Mail, 26 Mar 09
An inquest was due to be held this morning into the death of a Walsall pensioner who was found with a barbecue skewer embedded in his body...
Birmingham Mail, 26 Mar 09
An inquest was due to be held this morning into the death of a Walsall pensioner who was found with a barbecue skewer embedded in his body...
MP calls for end to Park's neglect
26 Mar 09 13:42
MP calls for end to Park's neglect
Walsall Advertiser, 26 Mar 09
A Pheasey park which has fallen into a state of disrepair has prompted Walsall South MP Bruce George to call for an end to its 'neglect'...
Walsall Advertiser, 26 Mar 09
A Pheasey park which has fallen into a state of disrepair has prompted Walsall South MP Bruce George to call for an end to its 'neglect'...
Victim 'scared to go out'
25 Mar 09 18:19
Victim 'scared to go out'
Walsall Advertiser, 25 Mar 09
A 20-year-old Aldridge man who slapped a woman he felt was an easy target across the face before taking her mobile telephone has been jailed for 18 months...
Walsall Advertiser, 25 Mar 09
A 20-year-old Aldridge man who slapped a woman he felt was an easy target across the face before taking her mobile telephone has been jailed for 18 months...
Rushall woman died after spurning offers of help
21 Mar 09 13:05
Rushall woman died after spurning offers of help
Birmingham Mail, 21 Mar 09
A 76-year-old woman who had not left her house for 20 years died of hypothermia after fending off attempts by her family and medical services to help her...
Birmingham Mail, 21 Mar 09
A 76-year-old woman who had not left her house for 20 years died of hypothermia after fending off attempts by her family and medical services to help her...
Race attack caught on CCTV
19 Mar 09 11:14
Race attack caught on CCTV
Walsall Advertiser, 19 Mar 09
A 16-year-old teenager who subjected an Asian woman to racist attacks was caught on close circuit TV cameras smashing up his victim's Pheasey home...
Walsall Advertiser, 19 Mar 09
A 16-year-old teenager who subjected an Asian woman to racist attacks was caught on close circuit TV cameras smashing up his victim's Pheasey home...
'Clean up this eyesore parade'
18 Mar 09 20:47
Walsall Advertiser 18 Mar 09
Angry Streetly residents, appalled at the state of a block of shops and flats, are calling for the council to take immediate action...
Scott's record dream could soon be reality
18 Mar 09 20:46
Scott's record dream could soon be reality
Walsall Advertiser, 18 Mar 09
The Aldridge singer Scott Dean has wowed judges in a prestigious national competition...
Walsall Advertiser, 18 Mar 09
The Aldridge singer Scott Dean has wowed judges in a prestigious national competition...
Theft driver forced to sell car
17 Mar 09 20:33
Theft driver forced to sell car
Walsall Advertiser, 17 Mar 09
A Rushall man who stole thousands of pounds worth of shoes from the transport company he worked for may have to sell his car to pay a confiscation order...
Walsall Advertiser, 17 Mar 09
A Rushall man who stole thousands of pounds worth of shoes from the transport company he worked for may have to sell his car to pay a confiscation order...
Park Hall whizz kid wins memory prize
17 Mar 09 20:29
expressandstar.com, 17 Mar 09
11-year-old Josh Clarke has become the first national Junior Memory Champion beating more than 700 children...
Armed men in raid on bookies
16 Mar 09 20:07
expressandstar.com, 16 Mar 09
Armed robbers brandishing a gun threatened staff before fleeing with a bag of cash at William Hill, in Queslett Road, Pheasey...
Man fighting for life after Pelsall collision
16 Mar 09 20:04
Man fighting for life after Pelsall collision
Birmingham Mail, 16 Mar 09
A 19-year-old man is critically ill in hospital after a collision between two off-road motorbikes and a car in Pelsall....
BBC News, 16 Mar 09: Man hurt as car and bikes crash
Walsall Advertiser, 16 Mar 09: Motorcyclist airlifted to hospital
Birmingham Mail, 16 Mar 09
A 19-year-old man is critically ill in hospital after a collision between two off-road motorbikes and a car in Pelsall....
BBC News, 16 Mar 09: Man hurt as car and bikes crash
Walsall Advertiser, 16 Mar 09: Motorcyclist airlifted to hospital