News-Willenhall
Pensioners join fight for Willenhall Leisure Centre
24 Dec 09 17:05
Pensioners join fight for Willenhall Leisure Centre
Express & Star 17 Dec 09
Sequence dancers have joined the fight to save the leisure centre where they have been meeting for more than 20 years. Pensioners gathered at Willenhall Leisure Centre last night to hand over a petition bearing 3,500 names calling on Walsall Council to reprieve it...
B'ham Mail 24 Dec Willenhall Leisure Centre facing closure
Cllr Ian Shires 14 Dec Is there a glimmer of hope for Willenhall's Leisure Centre?
Cllr Ian Shires 11 Dec Scrutiny process reduced to farce
Cllr Ian Shires 10 Dec Concern expressed as plans to develop LNPs unveiled
The 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
Last Willenhall bin collection for nearly a month
21 Dec 09 12:53
Last Willenhall bin collection for nearly a month
Express & Star 21 Dec 09
Rubbish will be left to fester outside some Willenhall homes for almost a month while binmen are on festive breaks. Fortnightly recycling collections due on Christmas Eve in some parts of Walsall have been suspended as it is an extra holiday for every member of staff at the authority...
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
Highways Agency slammed over M6 Walsall residents
18 Dec 09 16:05
Highways Agency slammed over M6 Walsall residents
B'ham Post 18 Dec 09
The MP for Walsall has condemned the Highways Agency as 'despicable' over its treatments of residents affected by work on the M6. Transport Secretary Lord Adonis is to intervene after Highways Agency Chief Executive Graham Dalton failed to meet the residents involved during a visit to the West Midlands...
Cllr Ian Shires 13 Dec Frustration as Highways Agency runs ruff shod
Advertiser 10 Dec Roadworks keep family awake
Cllr Ian Shires 30 Nov M6 misery to continue until February 2010?
Advertiser 25 Nov Transport chief to visit Beechdale estate
Express & Star 10 Nov Willenhall M-way family’s anger as noise barrier taken
Cllr Ian Shires 9 Nov No sleep for M6 residents
Cllr Ian Shires 6 Nov M6 takes precedence over residents
Express & Star 20 Oct Carillion sets up M6 rescue service
Express & Star 20 Oct Anger of families at U-turn on gantry
YamYam 15 Oct Sleepless nights on the Beechdale again
Express & Star 8 Oct Thieves delay £150m scheme to widen M6
YamYam 2 Oct More trees axed for M6 widening
Cllr Ian Shires 5 Oct Further meeting with HA to discuss plans
Cllr Ian Shires 30 Sep Highways Agency to be held to account
Express & Star 29 Sep Rats plague Beechdale homes near Highway Agency roadworks
Cllr Ian Shires 30 Sep Further talks promised
Cllr Ian Shires 29 Sep M6 Highways Agency fiasco continues
YamYam links 21 Sep Noddy feels the noize and backs Beechdale M6 protest
B'ham Mail 21 Sep Noddy feels the noize and backs Beechdale M6 protest
Cllr Ian Shires 16 Sep Hard hitting talks at Walsall Council over M6 widening
Express & Star 14 Sep M6 hard shoulder scheme is started
Express & Star 10 Sep M6 drivers delayed by roadworks
Express & Star 8 Sep Walsall drivers facing year of motorway delays
Cllr Ian Shires 8 Sep M6 ATM project update
B'ham Mail 27 Jun Beechdale residents in plea to council over M6 widening
Ian Shire's 16 Jun Highways agency won't back down on M6 road scheme
Cllr Ian Shires 11 Jun Highways Agency should back down road now
Walsall Observer 12 Jun Fury over M6 widening plan
Express & Star 10 Jun We made a mistake admits M6 noise contractor
B'ham Mail 10 Jun Residents carry on fighting
BBC News 10 Jun Residents raise M6 noise concerns
Blog Cllr Ian Shires 2 Jun Agenda agreed for M6 dispute
Blog Ian Shires 25 May M6 plans should go south
BBC News 19 May Residents go to Downing St
Express & Star 19 Apr Residents protest to PM
Walsall Advertiser 14 May Noise battle to Downing St
Blog Ian Shires 13 May Calls for more discussions
Blog Cllr Ian Shires 27 Apr Distrust builds over plans
Walsall Advertiser 17 Apr 'Living hell' for residents
Blog Cllr Ian Shires 14 Apr M6 dispute progress
Express & Star 10 Apr M6 tree lop noise upset
Blog Cllr Ian Shires 7 Apr Roadworks raised with MPs
Express & Star 4 Apr Rude awakening from M6 diggers
The Highways Agency M6 upgrade details
Traffic England Walsall roads incident map
Pool Hayes and Leckie “too risky” for investment
18 Dec 09 04:00
Pool Hayes and Leckie “too risky” for investment
Adam Lumley The YamYam 18 Dec 09
On the last day of the school term, the government’s £100million Building Schools for the Future scheme in Walsall is in crisis as the two secondary schools earmarked for the first stage of redevelopment have been removed from the priority list.
The original five schools in Wave 6A of the BSF programme were named last January and included Pool Hayes in Willenhall and Joseph Leckie in Delves. The other schools were Alumwell, Shire Oak and Steetly. To qualify as a BSF project, schools must be judged as having a poor building condition, be in an area of deprivation and be a National Challenge School, which is a school that falls below expected national academic standards. At the time of the January announcement, concerns were raised that some of the schools named did not match the eligibility criteria.
Shortly after the proposal to close Sneyd Community School, Frank F Harrison was added to the Wave 6A list as a sixth BSF school. The decision to recommend the schools selected for Wave 6A had been made jointly between Walsall Children’s Services – Serco and Walsall Council Children`s Services.
A total rebuild of Pool Hayes along with a design and build at Leckie were recommended as the first priorities of the BSF programme. However, in a report submitted to a council scrutiny panel this week, Alison Butcher, project director – Transforming Learning in Walsall Programme, states that Pool Hayes and Leckie are no longer priorities and will be replaced by Alumwell and Frank F Harrison as the first schools to benefit from BSF funding. The Head Teachers of the schools involved were informed by telephone on 4 December.
Ms Butcher’s report states that after appointing “technical advisors”, the Pool Hayes site presented a number of risks that would discourage private contractors from bidding for the work. These include poor access to the site and “ecological issues“.
Her report goes on to say that the existing £6million new build at Leckie does not present a “true challenge” to contractors hoping to improve the school environment and that a “densely populated site with a largely unmaintained brook” is a risk that might deter developers.
The late addition of Frank F Harrison to the Wave 6A list and then its elevation to priority status seems to be a reaction to the closure of neighbouring Sneyd Community School whose pupils are to be redeployed to “other local schools”. Speaking at the opening of the prestigious Walsall College, the former Education Secretary, Sir Kenneth Baker, announced that the borough would shortly have a 14 to 19 engineering college at an undisclosed site. The campaign to save Sneyd school proved futile as the secret contract between Walsall council and Serco states that there must be provision for 14 to 19 vocational education.
The cost of appointing consultants and technical advisors that make these decisions is not known, but it is certain that it comes out of the funding awarded to improve schools. As yet, no improvements to schools have been made and the proposals are still in development. Serco continue to make profits from providing education in Walsall and the council are making cuts to services and increasing council tax.
The Building Schools for the Future programme has been described by Walsall council as a “once in a life time opportunity to transform learning in Walsall”. It seems that the scheme is being designed to attract developers rather than improving learning facilities for children and young people.
Walsall Council Building Schools for the Future
Independent 5 Dec Tories bring back baker to start new tech colleges
Express & Star 26 Nov Sneyd School college plan
Willenhall man pickaxe threat to former girlfriend
17 Dec 09 14:15
News
Willenhall man pickaxe threat to former girlfriend
Advertiser 17 Dec 09
53-year-old Stephen Foster from Willenhall, who threatened his former girlfriend with a pickaxe after their relationship turned 'sour' has been spared jail...
Willenhall man pickaxe threat to former girlfriend
Advertiser 17 Dec 09
53-year-old Stephen Foster from Willenhall, who threatened his former girlfriend with a pickaxe after their relationship turned 'sour' has been spared jail...
Judge ‘dumbstruck’ by Wednesfield woman’s lies over charity scam
15 Dec 09 14:09
Judge ‘dumbstruck’ by Wednesfield woman’s lies over charity scam
B'ham Mail 15 Dec 09
A woman who helped bogus charity collectors dressed as Darth Vader and Spiderman con Black Country residents out of cash has been ordered to do 80 hours’ unpaid work...
Express & Star 13 Nov Great Barr Comic Relief fraudster spared jail
BBC Children in Need Donate
Derelict Willenhall properties cause concern
14 Dec 09 13:06
Derelict Willenhall properties cause concern
Cllr Ian Shires 14 Dec 09
The condition of two private derelict properties in New Invention, Willenhall has been drawn to the attention of Walsall’s Strategic Partnership...
Walsall Council Walsall Pertnership
Frustration as Highways Agency runs ruff shod
13 Dec 09 21:47
Frustration as Highways Agency runs ruff shod
Cllr Ian Shires 13 Dec 09
Residents affected by the work on the M6 between J10 and J10a feel totally let down by the Highways Agency, Carillion (Contractors for the Highways Agency) and Walsall Council...
Advertiser 10 Dec Roadworks keep family awake
Cllr Ian Shires 30 Nov M6 misery to continue until February 2010?
Advertiser 25 Nov Transport chief to visit Beechdale estate
Express & Star 10 Nov Willenhall M-way family’s anger as noise barrier taken
Cllr Ian Shires 9 Nov No sleep for M6 residents
Cllr Ian Shires 6 Nov M6 takes precedence over residents
Express & Star 20 Oct Carillion sets up M6 rescue service
Express & Star 20 Oct Anger of families at U-turn on gantry
YamYam 15 Oct Sleepless nights on the Beechdale again
Express & Star 8 Oct Thieves delay £150m scheme to widen M6
YamYam 2 Oct More trees axed for M6 widening
Cllr Ian Shires 5 Oct Further meeting with HA to discuss plans
Cllr Ian Shires 30 Sep Highways Agency to be held to account
Express & Star 29 Sep Rats plague Beechdale homes near Highway Agency roadworks
Cllr Ian Shires 30 Sep Further talks promised
Cllr Ian Shires 29 Sep M6 Highways Agency fiasco continues
YamYam links 21 Sep Noddy feels the noize and backs Beechdale M6 protest
B'ham Mail 21 Sep Noddy feels the noize and backs Beechdale M6 protest
Cllr Ian Shires 16 Sep Hard hitting talks at Walsall Council over M6 widening
Express & Star 14 Sep M6 hard shoulder scheme is started
Express & Star 10 Sep M6 drivers delayed by roadworks
Express & Star 8 Sep Walsall drivers facing year of motorway delays
Cllr Ian Shires 8 Sep M6 ATM project update
B'ham Mail 27 Jun Beechdale residents in plea to council over M6 widening
Ian Shire's 16 Jun Highways agency won't back down on M6 road scheme
Cllr Ian Shires 11 Jun Highways Agency should back down road now
Walsall Observer 12 Jun Fury over M6 widening plan
Express & Star 10 Jun We made a mistake admits M6 noise contractor
B'ham Mail 10 Jun Residents carry on fighting
BBC News 10 Jun Residents raise M6 noise concerns
Blog Cllr Ian Shires 2 Jun Agenda agreed for M6 dispute
Blog Ian Shires 25 May M6 plans should go south
BBC News 19 May Residents go to Downing St
Express & Star 19 Apr Residents protest to PM
Walsall Advertiser 14 May Noise battle to Downing St
Blog Ian Shires 13 May Calls for more discussions
Blog Cllr Ian Shires 27 Apr Distrust builds over plans
Walsall Advertiser 17 Apr 'Living hell' for residents
Blog Cllr Ian Shires 14 Apr M6 dispute progress
Express & Star 10 Apr M6 tree lop noise upset
Blog Cllr Ian Shires 7 Apr Roadworks raised with MPs
Express & Star 4 Apr Rude awakening from M6 diggers
The Highways Agency M6 upgrade details
Traffic England Walsall roads incident map
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
Warning as chemicals found in Willenhall soil
12 Dec 09 13:19
Warning as chemicals found in Willenhall soil
Express & Star 12 Dec 09
Residents of homes built on the site of the former Willenhall Town Gas Works have been told not to eat vegetables grown in their gardens and always use gloves when weeding. An investigation has begun after the ground was found to be contaminated with chemicals...
Caring Willenhall workers share gifts
11 Dec 09 21:00
Caring Willenhall workers share gifts
Adam Lumley TheYamYam 11 Dec 09
Kind-hearted workers at a Willenhall distribution centre are offering some much needed Christmas cheer to victims of domestic violence. Staff at A F Blakemore & Son Ltd, are donating gift boxes to the Walsall Domestic Violence Forum who will pass on the gifts to women and children who have suffered abuse.
The boxes contain nappies, toiletries, baby food, sweets and toys. A F Blakemore and Son Ltd is a leading wholesale grocery distributor that serves more than 700 SPAR convenience stores in England and Wales. It also operates more than 200 of the chain stores through its Tates subsidiary. The firm employs around 5,500 people and has a strong tradition of close links with the community and the support of third sector organisations. Jo Bird of the company said: “We have been able to put together over 100 Christmas gift boxes and are overwhelmed at the support our employees have shown.”
Earlier this week, Walsall South MP Bruce George called on Walsall Council to offer more support. He said:
“The Council’s record on domestic violence isn’t very good. For the last few years the resources allocated to Walsall Domestic Violence Forum have been significantly reduced, forcing cuts in services. “I just hope the Council will protect the very many vulnerable members of our town by enabling this excellent service to survive.”
In 2007, Walsall Domestic Violence Forum received £188,000 in funding. This year, £78,000 has been allocated. Co-ordinator Sheri Rogers said: "If there are any more cuts we will have to start losing services. Our Crisis Intervention Service has already been reduced from around the clock to weekdays and out of hours at the weekend.
"We really hope there are no more cuts this time around, that's all we can hope for."
The reduction in funding and the threat of further cuts has resulted in the Sneyd Hall Lane charity needing to find the shortfall elsewhere. The generosity of staff at A F Blakemore is seen as more than just material support, it shows that there are people in the community who care and want to help the increasing numbers of victims of domestic violence.
Contacts
Stepping Stones- 24 hr helpline, run by volunteers free phone number. 0800 389 5790
SAYA- Multi lingual Helpline 24 hr, 0800 389 6990
Advertiser 7 Dec Plea to spare Bloxwich women's abuse charity
Advertiser 13 Aug Cash-strapped Bloxwich charity sees rise in abuse
Express & Star 17 June Future is bright for Beacon
Walsall Domestic Violence Forum Home
A F Blakemore Home
Walsall M6 misery to continue until February 2010?
10 Dec 09 15:51
M6 misery to continue until February 2010?
Cllr Ian Shires 30 Nov 09
Fears were being expressed today that work currently going on between J10 and J10a was set to drag on well into the new year in-spite of claims to the contrary by The Highways Agency...
Advertiser 10 Dec Roadworks keep family awake
Advertiser 25 Nov Transport chief to visit Beechdale estate
Express & Star 10 Nov Willenhall M-way family’s anger as noise barrier taken
Cllr Ian Shires 9 Nov No sleep for M6 residents
Cllr Ian Shires 6 Nov M6 takes precedence over residents
Express & Star 20 Oct Carillion sets up M6 rescue service
Express & Star 20 Oct Anger of families at U-turn on gantry
YamYam 15 Oct Sleepless nights on the Beechdale again
Express & Star 8 Oct Thieves delay £150m scheme to widen M6
YamYam 2 Oct More trees axed for M6 widening
Cllr Ian Shires 5 Oct Further meeting with HA to discuss plans
Cllr Ian Shires 30 Sep Highways Agency to be held to account
Express & Star 29 Sep Rats plague Beechdale homes near Highway Agency roadworks
Cllr Ian Shires 30 Sep Further talks promised
Cllr Ian Shires 29 Sep M6 Highways Agency fiasco continues
YamYam links 21 Sep Noddy feels the noize and backs Beechdale M6 protest
B'ham Mail 21 Sep Noddy feels the noize and backs Beechdale M6 protest
Cllr Ian Shires 16 Sep Hard hitting talks at Walsall Council over M6 widening
Express & Star 14 Sep M6 hard shoulder scheme is started
Express & Star 10 Sep M6 drivers delayed by roadworks
Express & Star 8 Sep Walsall drivers facing year of motorway delays
Cllr Ian Shires 8 Sep M6 ATM project update
B'ham Mail 27 Jun Beechdale residents in plea to council over M6 widening
Ian Shire's 16 Jun Highways agency won't back down on M6 road scheme
Cllr Ian Shires 11 Jun Highways Agency should back down road now
Walsall Observer 12 Jun Fury over M6 widening plan
Express & Star 10 Jun We made a mistake admits M6 noise contractor
B'ham Mail 10 Jun Residents carry on fighting
BBC News 10 Jun Residents raise M6 noise concerns
Blog Cllr Ian Shires 2 Jun Agenda agreed for M6 dispute
Blog Ian Shires 25 May M6 plans should go south
BBC News 19 May Residents go to Downing St
Express & Star 19 Apr Residents protest to PM
Walsall Advertiser 14 May Noise battle to Downing St
Blog Ian Shires 13 May Calls for more discussions
Blog Cllr Ian Shires 27 Apr Distrust builds over plans
Walsall Advertiser 17 Apr 'Living hell' for residents
Blog Cllr Ian Shires 14 Apr M6 dispute progress
Express & Star 10 Apr M6 tree lop noise upset
Blog Cllr Ian Shires 7 Apr Roadworks raised with MPs
Express & Star 4 Apr Rude awakening from M6 diggers
The Highways Agency M6 upgrade details
Traffic England Walsall roads incident map
Willenhall Library remains shut
10 Dec 09 13:19
Willenhall Library remains shut
The YamYam 10 Dec 09
Delays to repair work at Willenhall Library mean that it will not reopen until at least the end of January. The library was closed in September following the failure of the heating system.
Before the boiler can be replaced, work costing £80,000 is needed to remove and then dispose of dangerous asbestos. It is estimated that the boiler will take 20 days to replace and that work will not now start until 2 January. Remedial work, making good and safety checks make it unlikely that the library will open before February.
Cabinet member for Leisure and Culture, Councillor Barry Sanders, said:
“We`ve made a commitment to the people of Willenhall to see their library reopened. We are making good on that.”
Express & Star 19 Nov Willenhall readers out in the cold
Walsall Advertiser 17 Nov Winnick: “Tory cabinet has vendetta against Willenhall”
YamYam 16 Oct Councillor gives word on Willenhall Library
Walsall Council 15 Oct Community Services Scrutiny Panel
The YamYam 15 Oct Future of Willenhall library in doubt
B'ham Mail 15 Oct Library shuts indefinitely
Cllr Ian Shires 15 Oct Assurances sought on Library's future
Express & Star 6 Aug £2m Bentley library plan to go to Walsall council
Express & Star 27 Feb Libraries to close on Mondays
Express & Star 13 Dec 08 Libraries shake-up may spell job losses
Walsall Council Willenhall Library
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
Bilston father jailed after gun photo found
08 Dec 09 13:13
Bilston father jailed after gun photo found
Express & Star 8 Dec 09
A Bilston man has been jailed for five years – after pictures of him posing with a sawn-off shotgun were found on his son’s mobile phone...
Campaigners step up Willenhall leisure centre fight
07 Dec 09 17:43
Campaigners step up Willenhall leisure centre fight
Express & Star 30 Nov 09
More than 70 protesters gathered outside Willenhall Leisure Centre as the battle to save it from closure was stepped up. Campaigners have collected more than 2,000 signatures on a petition against Walsall Council’s plans to axe the Bath Street centre...
Ian Shires Blog 7 Dec Attempts to debate Leisure Centre closure rejected
Cllr Ian Shires Blog 2 Dec The nonsense of scrutiny
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
Advertiser 8 Oct Views wanted on playing field sell-off
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 Leisure Centre
Facebook Save Willenhall Leisure Centre
Heath Town health centre £5m plan is unveiled
07 Dec 09 13:59
Heath Town health centre £5m plan is unveiled
Steve Bradley B'ham Mail 7 Dec 09
Multi-million pound plans are on the table to create a state-of-the-art health centre to help people in the Black Country with serious health problems. The £5 million centre – on the site of a former public house in Heath Town – will bring together existing GP surgeries in the area as well as providing a wide range of 21st century health services for all the family under one roof...
Express & Star 7 Dec Contracts exchanged over £5m surgeries
Wolverhampton NHS 20 Feb Site found for Heath Town centre
BBC News 1 Mar NHS 'does not need polyclinics'
Telegraph 12 Jan Super surgeries not needed in many areas
BBC News 26 Aug 08 Super surgery fears remain intense
Community Health Partnerships Wolverhampton & Walsall LIFT
Dept of Health High Quality Care for All: Lord Darzi report
Walsall NHS Home
Willenhall pub hit by arson
07 Dec 09 12:49
Willenhall pub hit by arson
Express & Star 7 Dec 09
Arsonists started a blaze that destroyed the roof of the derelict pub the Windmill Inn in Aston Road, which was due to be demolished. It comes after the roof was wrecked at the nearby Lane Arms, in Wolverhampton Street West, after arsonists struck in September...
B'ham Mail 7 Dec Fire at empty pub
B'ham Mail 2 Oct Lane Arms in damaged in arson attack
Cost-cutting moves ‘ruining Willenhall town’
03 Dec 09 13:34
Cost-cutting moves ‘ruining Willenhall town’
Express & Star 3 Dec 09
Willenhall is being “degenerated” instead of regenerated by council chiefs, it has been claimed amid controversial cost-cutting plans to shut the town’s leisure centre...
Cllr Ian Shires Blog 2 Dec Comment: The nonsense of scrutiny
YamYam 30 Nov Walsall councillors scrutinise budget
Express & Star 2 Dec Council spent £200k on doomed Willenhall Leisure Centre
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
Advertiser 8 Oct Views wanted on playing field sell-off
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 Leisure Centre
Facebook Save Willenhall Leisure Centre
Council spent £200k on doomed Willenhall Leisure Centre
02 Dec 09 13:55
Council spent £200k on doomed Willenhall Leisure Centre
Express & Star 2 Dec 09
More than £200,000 of taxpayers money has been spent on doomed Willenhall Leisure Centre over the last two years. The outlay comes despite the controversial proposal to axe the facility in Bath Street, part of the cash-strapped council’s plan to save £11.2 million next year...
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
Advertiser 8 Oct Views wanted on playing field sell-off
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 Leisure Centre
Facebook Save Willenhall Leisure Centre
New Invention community green vandalised
30 Nov 09 18:10
New Invention community green vandalised
Cllr Ian Shires 28 Nov 09
Workmen have had to remove New Invention’s ornamental arch at the entrance to the community green on the corner of Lichfield Road with Forest gate after a vandal attack which cut through three of the four legs of the metal structure rendering it unsafe...
Willenhall man, 64, escapes after machete threat
30 Nov 09 17:14
News
Willenhall man, 64, escapes after machete threat
Walsall Advertiser 30 Nov 09
A 64-year-old man was threatened with a machete before escaping with his wallet in an attempted street robbery in Willenhall. The incident took place on Stroud Avenue just after midnight on Friday 27 November...
WM Police Bloxwich
Willenhall man, 64, escapes after machete threat
Walsall Advertiser 30 Nov 09
A 64-year-old man was threatened with a machete before escaping with his wallet in an attempted street robbery in Willenhall. The incident took place on Stroud Avenue just after midnight on Friday 27 November...
WM Police Bloxwich
Crews tackle big fire in Willenhall
28 Nov 09 12:18
Crews tackle big fire in Willenhall
Express & Star 28 Nov 09
More than 50 firefighters were today tackling a blaze which broke out at a vacant industrial unit in Park Road Willenhall...
BBC News 28 Nov Fire at ex-factory site
Transport chief to visit Beechdale M’way noise estate
25 Nov 09 16:38
Transport chief to visit Beechdale estate
Walsall Advertiser 25 Nov 09
A key transport decision maker has promised to visit homes on the Beechdale Estate affected by the expansion of the M6 motorway. Enraged residents of Murdock Way and surrounding roads have campaigned against the road widening - bringing with it increased noise pollution, safety fears and late night working disruptions....
Express & Star 10 Nov Willenhall M-way family’s anger as noise barrier taken
Cllr Ian Shires 9 Nov No sleep for M6 residents
Cllr Ian Shires 6 Nov M6 takes precedence over residents
Express & Star 20 Oct Carillion sets up M6 rescue service
Express & Star 20 Oct Anger of families at U-turn on gantry
YamYam 15 Oct Sleepless nights on the Beechdale again
Express & Star 8 Oct Thieves delay £150m scheme to widen M6
YamYam 2 Oct More trees axed for M6 widening
Cllr Ian Shires 5 Oct Further meeting with HA to discuss plans
Cllr Ian Shires 30 Sep Highways Agency to be held to account
Express & Star 29 Sep Rats plague Beechdale homes near Highway Agency roadworks
Cllr Ian Shires 30 Sep Further talks promised
Cllr Ian Shires 29 Sep M6 Highways Agency fiasco continues
YamYam links 21 Sep Noddy feels the noize and backs Beechdale M6 protest
B'ham Mail 21 Sep Noddy feels the noize and backs Beechdale M6 protest
Cllr Ian Shires 16 Sep Hard hitting talks at Walsall Council over M6 widening
Express & Star 14 Sep M6 hard shoulder scheme is started
Express & Star 10 Sep M6 drivers delayed by roadworks
Express & Star 8 Sep Walsall drivers facing year of motorway delays
Cllr Ian Shires 8 Sep M6 ATM project update
B'ham Mail 27 Jun Beechdale residents in plea to council over M6 widening
Ian Shire's 16 Jun Highways agency won't back down on M6 road scheme
Cllr Ian Shires 11 Jun Highways Agency should back down road now
Walsall Observer 12 Jun Fury over M6 widening plan
Express & Star 10 Jun We made a mistake admits M6 noise contractor
B'ham Mail 10 Jun Residents carry on fighting
BBC News 10 Jun Residents raise M6 noise concerns
Blog Cllr Ian Shires 2 Jun Agenda agreed for M6 dispute
Blog Ian Shires 25 May M6 plans should go south
BBC News 19 May Residents go to Downing St
Express & Star 19 Apr Residents protest to PM
Walsall Advertiser 14 May Noise battle to Downing St
Blog Ian Shires 13 May Calls for more discussions
Blog Cllr Ian Shires 27 Apr Distrust builds over plans
Walsall Advertiser 17 Apr 'Living hell' for residents
Blog Cllr Ian Shires 14 Apr M6 dispute progress
Express & Star 10 Apr M6 tree lop noise upset
Blog Cllr Ian Shires 7 Apr Roadworks raised with MPs
Express & Star 4 Apr Rude awakening from M6 diggers
The Highways Agency M6 upgrade details
Traffic England Walsall roads incident map
Willenhall closure “sheer vandalism” says MP
24 Nov 09 14:39
Willenhall closure “sheer vandalism” says MP
Adam Lumley The YamYam 23 Nov 09
MP David Winnick has blasted council plans to close Willenhall Leisure Centre as “sheer vandalism” and that Walsall Council are “spitting in the face of its residents”.
At a packed protest meeting at the Bath Street venue on Friday night, the member for Walsall North told furious leisure centre users that there was no justification in closing the venue. He acknowledged that all Local Authorities are facing tough budget decisions, but said that it makes no sense to cut facilities in the areas that need them most. The closure of the popular centre is part of Walsall’s Draft Budget proposals aimed at saving £11.2 million which will also see a rise in council tax of 4.5%.
Labour representative for Willenhall South, Councillor Sean Coughlan told the meeting that Walsall’s ruling Conservative cabinet claimed that closure was based on “pure economics” and that Willenhall Leisure Centre did not provide “value for money”. In the last year, the number of people using the facility has risen by 17%. “There are some people in the council who know the cost of everything and the value of nothing” he said.
The town centre swimming pool is used by 12 schools across the Willenhall and Bentley area for swimming lessons and other popular activities include ballroom and sequence dancing, badminton, indoor bowls, aerobics and a fitness centre. Councillor Coughlan said that the venue attracted more visitors aged over 60 than Bloxwich and Darlaston Leisure Centres put together.
Ballroom and Sequence dancers Brenda and Harry Hale of Thompson Street dance at the hall on Saturday nights. “Willenhall Leisure Centre has one of the best dance floors in the Midlands” said Brenda. Husband Harry added: “Anywhere between 80 and 100 people attend on a Saturday night. It is a major social event for people in our age group. Closing the centre would take away three parts of our social life.”
Gwyn Davies, Chair of Walsall Swimming Club, said: “It is laughable that the government tells us that the 2012 Olympics will give a tremendous boost for British sport, yet this council wants to close swimming facilities.
Because of the lack of water time, potential national and world class swimmers are being forced to train elsewhere. The council are quick to remind us that the likes of Nick Gillingham and Ellie Simmons are from Walsall, but Nick had to train in Birmingham and Ellie is now based in Cardiff.”
After the meeting, Councillor Coughlan told The YamYam: “The meeting was really successful and was a great start to our campaign to save the centre. The breadth of views was fantastic. This is not just about a swimming pool, it`s about the future of our town and the future of our community.”
A “Save Willenhall Leisure Centre” page has been set up on the Facebook internet website by Councillor Carl Creaney and has already attracted over 300 members. He said: “Whenever cuts have to be made, Willenhall gets the blunt end of the deal. It`s not just Locksmith`s House but the closure of Sneyd School too.”
Speaking exclusively to The YamYam, Walsall North MP David Winnick said that he was encouraged by the turn-out at the meeting and that it showed the anger felt by local people at the proposed closure. “It is absolute impertinence for Walsall Council to suggest that council tax payers should travel to Wolverhampton to use leisure facilities. Walsall Council will be guilty of sheer vandalism if they close Willenhall Leisure Centre.”
Cllr Ian Shires 24 Nov Willenhall partnership meets Wednesday
B’ham Mail 23 Nov Protesters demonstrate against plan to bulldoze Coseley Baths
Express & Star 23 Nov Go-ahead for revamp of Cannock swimming baths
Facebook Save Willenhall Leisure Centre
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
Advertiser 8 Oct Views wanted on playing field sell-off
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 Leisure Centre
Walsall cabinet votes down demands on closure of Willenhall Leisure Centre
19 Nov 09 14:59
Walsall cabinet votes down demands on closure of Willenhall Leisure Centre
Cllr Ian Shires 19 Nov
Walsall Council’s Tory Cabinet ignored demands by Liberal Democrat councillor Ian Shires to strike out the closure of Willenhall Leisure Centre from the “Draft Budget” proposals being discussed at last night’s cabinet meeting...
Express & Star 13 Nov Willenhall leisure centre users’ fury at closure plans
Facebook Save Willenhall Leisure Centre
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
Llangollen Leader 9 Nov Huge Facebook campaign to save Bryntysilio
Express & Star 13 Oct Major review brings fears for Willenhall swimming pool
Advertiser 8 Oct Views wanted on playing field sell-off
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 Leisure Centre
Willenhall readers out in the cold
19 Nov 09 14:19
Willenhall readers out in the cold
Express & Star 19 Nov 09
Cold weather has forced the closure of Willenhall library after its heating system failed in October ...
YamYam 16 Oct Councillor gives word on Willenhall Library
Walsall Advertiser 17 Nov Winnick: “Tory cabinet has vendetta against Willenhall”
Walsall Council 15 Oct Community Services Scrutiny Panel
The YamYam 15 Oct Future of Willenhall library in doubt
B'ham Mail 15 Oct Library shuts indefinitely
Cllr Ian Shires 15 Oct Assurances sought on Library's future
Express & Star 6 Aug 09 £2m Bentley library plan to go to Walsall council
Express & Star 27 Feb 09 Libraries to close on Mondays
Express & Star 13 Dec 08 Libraries shake-up may spell job losses
Walsall Council Willenhall Library
Car key burglaries on rise in Walsall
17 Nov 09 16:56
Car key burglaries on rise in Walsall
Walsall Advertiser 17 Nov 09
Car key burglaries are on the rise in four areas of the Walsall borough. In recent weeks cars and motorcycles have been stolen across Bloxwich, Brownhills, Willenhall and Darlaston...
Elderly targeted in Willenhall and Darlaston by conmen
17 Nov 09 16:44
Elderly targeted in Willenhall and Darlaston by conmen
Walsall Advertiser 17 Nov 09
Elderly people are being targeted in Willenhall and Darlaston by bogus door-to-door callers. Using a variety of guises conmen have been responsible for a spate of distraction-type burglaries in the areas over the last month...
B’ham Mail 9 Nov Conman sent packing by Delves woman's ID demand
Express & Star 28 Sep Vigilant pensioner captures burglar
Home Office Distraction Burglary
Winnick: “Tory cabinet has vendetta against Willenhall”
17 Nov 09 12:29
Winnick: “Tory cabinet has vendetta against Willenhall”
Walsall Advertiser 17 Nov 09
Fury at Council cabinet over leisure centre closure
Walsall North MP David Winnick has accused the Walsall Council’s conservative cabinet of having a vendetta against the Willenhall area and 'spitting in the face of its residents' after it was announced the area's leisure centre will be closed...
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
Advertiser 8 Oct Views wanted on playing field sell-off
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
Facebook Save Willenhall Leisure Centre
Walsall Council Willenhall Leisure Centre
Willenhall leisure centre users’ fury at closure plans
13 Nov 09 13:33
Willenhall leisure centre users’ fury at closure plans
Express & Star 13 Nov 09
Willenhall Leisure Centre users have voiced anger over “devastating” new council plans to close it as part of drastic cost-cutting measures. A protest group has already been set up on social networking website Facebook...
Facebook Save Willenhall Leisure Centre
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
Llangollen Leader 9 Nov Huge Facebook campaign to save Bryntysilio
Express & Star 13 Oct Major review brings fears for Willenhall swimming pool
Advertiser 8 Oct Views wanted on playing field sell-off
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 Leisure Centre
Battle vow on plans to shut down Willenhall centre
12 Nov 09 19:10
Battle vow on plans to shut down Willenhall centre
Express & Star 12 Nov 09
A battle plan was being mounted this afternoon to try to save Willenhall Leisure Centre from closure. The decision to axe the major leisure centre in Bath Centre prompted anger from councillors in the town...
Express & Star 12 Nov Willenhall leisure centre axe plan
Cllr Ian Shires 12 Nov Willenhall Leisure Centre singled out
Express & Star Archive
Willenhall leisure centre axe plan
12 Nov 09 18:41
Willenhall leisure centre axe plan
Express & Star 12 Nov 09
Willenhall Leisure Centre will close and council tax bills will rise by 4.5 per cent under drastic cost-cutting measures revealed today. Jobs will be shed at Walsall Council and departments across the authority will be ordered to slash their spending as part of draft budget proposals...
Express & Star 12 Nov Battle vow on plans to shut down centre
Cllr Ian Shires 12 Nov Willenhall Leisure Centre singled out
Llangollen Leader 9 Nov Huge Facebook campaign to save Bryntysilio
Express & Star 13 Oct Major review brings fears for Willenhall swimming pool
Advertiser 8 Oct Views wanted on playing field sell-off
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 Swimming Pool
Wednesfield man forged signature to buy bride
12 Nov 09 14:12
News
Wednesfield man forged signature to buy bride
Express & Star 12 Nov 09
A Wednesfield man forged his ill mother’s signature in order to re-mortgage the house they jointly owned to pay off debts and buy a foreign bride, a court heard...
Wednesfield man forged signature to buy bride
Express & Star 12 Nov 09
A Wednesfield man forged his ill mother’s signature in order to re-mortgage the house they jointly owned to pay off debts and buy a foreign bride, a court heard...
Walsall gets all the right poses for staying stress-free
12 Nov 09 01:39
Walsall gets all the right poses for staying stress-free
Diane Parkes B’ham Mail 12 Nov 09
Youngsters at a Willenhall School Sports College are learning the tree, the cobra and the camel in order to relax, thanks to an early morning yoga class as part of the school’s aim to promote wellbeing alongside learning. The programme has been put together by Michelle Nicklin, a part-time business studies teacher at the school who also runs Walsall based Bliss Yoga...
A Morning of stress relief
Saturday 14 Nov 10am - 1pm beginners welcome
St Michaels Parish Church Hall, Leigh Rd, WS4 2DS
Bliss Yoga Home Bliss on Facebook
Phone 01922 624182, Mobile 0791 015 8275
E-mail michelle@blissyoga.org.uk
Bogus Nike trainers seller sentenced
11 Nov 09 12:23
Bogus Nike trainers seller sentenced
Express & Star 11 Nov 09
A trader who sold thousands of pounds worth of counterfeit trainers and tracksuits at Walsall, Willenhall and Bescot markets has avoided an immediate jail sentence. Sheraz Hussain defied warnings from trading standards officers and carried on selling the fake Nike, Adidas and Lacoste goods for more than a year after being cautioned to stop...
B’ham Mail 9 Nov Bescot Market crackdown
Walsall Council Trading Standards
Willenhall M-way family’s anger as noise barrier taken
10 Nov 09 13:42
Willenhall M-way family’s anger as noise barrier taken
Express & Star 10 Nov 09
A sleep-deprived mother living in the bungalow closest to the M6 roadworks says she is at the end of her tether after workmen pulled down the sound barrier between her home and the motorway...
Cllr Ian Shires 9 Nov No sleep for M6 residents
Cllr Ian Shires 6 Nov M6 takes precedence over residents
Express & Star 20 Oct Carillion sets up M6 rescue service
Express & Star 20 Oct Anger of families at U-turn on gantry
YamYam 15 Oct Sleepless nights on the Beechdale again
Express & Star 8 Oct Thieves delay £150m scheme to widen M6
YamYam 2 Oct More trees axed for M6 widening
Cllr Ian Shires 5 Oct Further meeting with HA to discuss plans
Cllr Ian Shires 30 Sep Highways Agency to be held to account
Express & Star 29 Sep Rats plague Beechdale homes near Highway Agency roadworks
Cllr Ian Shires 30 Sep Further talks promised
Cllr Ian Shires 29 Sep M6 Highways Agency fiasco continues
YamYam links 21 Sep Noddy feels the noize and backs Beechdale M6 protest
B'ham Mail 21 Sep Noddy feels the noize and backs Beechdale M6 protest
Cllr Ian Shires 16 Sep Hard hitting talks at Walsall Council over M6 widening
Express & Star 14 Sep M6 hard shoulder scheme is started
Express & Star 10 Sep M6 drivers delayed by roadworks
Express & Star 8 Sep Walsall drivers facing year of motorway delays
Cllr Ian Shires 8 Sep M6 ATM project update
B'ham Mail 27 Jun Beechdale residents in plea to council over M6 widening
Ian Shire's 16 Jun Highways agency won't back down on M6 road scheme
Cllr Ian Shires 11 Jun Highways Agency should back down road now
Walsall Observer 12 Jun Fury over M6 widening plan
Express & Star 10 Jun We made a mistake admits M6 noise contractor
B'ham Mail 10 Jun Residents carry on fighting
BBC News 10 Jun Residents raise M6 noise concerns
Blog Cllr Ian Shires 2 Jun Agenda agreed for M6 dispute
Blog Ian Shires 25 May M6 plans should go south
BBC News 19 May Residents go to Downing St
Express & Star 19 Apr Residents protest to PM
Walsall Advertiser 14 May Noise battle to Downing St
Blog Ian Shires 13 May Calls for more discussions
Blog Cllr Ian Shires 27 Apr Distrust builds over plans
Walsall Advertiser 17 Apr 'Living hell' for residents
Blog Cllr Ian Shires 14 Apr M6 dispute progress
Express & Star 10 Apr M6 tree lop noise upset
Blog Cllr Ian Shires 7 Apr Roadworks raised with MPs
Express & Star 4 Apr Rude awakening from M6 diggers
The Highways Agency M6 upgrade details
Traffic England Walsall roads incident map
No sleep for M6 residents
09 Nov 09 12:36
No sleep for M6 residents
Cllr Ian Shires 9 Nov 09
Residents living by the M6 in Wood Lane, Short Heath, Willenhall are demanding help to get the Highways Agency to provide some respite from the continual noise they are being subjected to since the environmental fence was removed as part of the M6 Traffic Management Project...
Cllr Ian Shires 6 Nov M6 takes precedence over residents
Express & Star 20 Oct Carillion sets up M6 rescue service
Express & Star 20 Oct Anger of families at U-turn on gantry
YamYam 15 Oct Sleepless nights on the Beechdale again
Express & Star 8 Oct Thieves delay £150m scheme to widen M6
YamYam 2 Oct More trees axed for M6 widening
Cllr Ian Shires 5 Oct Further meeting with HA to discuss plans
Cllr Ian Shires 30 Sep Highways Agency to be held to account
Express & Star 29 Sep Rats plague Beechdale homes near Highway Agency roadworks
Cllr Ian Shires 30 Sep Further talks promised
Cllr Ian Shires 29 Sep M6 Highways Agency fiasco continues
YamYam links 21 Sep Noddy feels the noize and backs Beechdale M6 protest
B'ham Mail 21 Sep Noddy feels the noize and backs Beechdale M6 protest
Cllr Ian Shires 16 Sep Hard hitting talks at Walsall Council over M6 widening
Express & Star 14 Sep M6 hard shoulder scheme is started
Express & Star 10 Sep M6 drivers delayed by roadworks
Express & Star 8 Sep Walsall drivers facing year of motorway delays
Cllr Ian Shires 8 Sep M6 ATM project update
B'ham Mail 27 Jun Beechdale residents in plea to council over M6 widening
Ian Shire's 16 Jun Highways agency won't back down on M6 road scheme
Cllr Ian Shires 11 Jun Highways Agency should back down road now
Walsall Observer 12 Jun Fury over M6 widening plan
Express & Star 10 Jun We made a mistake admits M6 noise contractor
B'ham Mail 10 Jun Residents carry on fighting
BBC News 10 Jun Residents raise M6 noise concerns
Blog Cllr Ian Shires 2 Jun Agenda agreed for M6 dispute
Blog Ian Shires 25 May M6 plans should go south
BBC News 19 May Residents go to Downing St
Express & Star 19 Apr Residents protest to PM
Walsall Advertiser 14 May Noise battle to Downing St
Blog Ian Shires 13 May Calls for more discussions
Blog Cllr Ian Shires 27 Apr Distrust builds over plans
Walsall Advertiser 17 Apr 'Living hell' for residents
Blog Cllr Ian Shires 14 Apr M6 dispute progress
Express & Star 10 Apr M6 tree lop noise upset
Blog Cllr Ian Shires 7 Apr Roadworks raised with MPs
Express & Star 4 Apr Rude awakening from M6 diggers
The Highways Agency M6 upgrade details
Traffic England Walsall roads incident map
Willenhall father had images of child abuse
07 Nov 09 13:36
Willenhall father had images of child abuse
Express & Star 7 Nov 09
A former bus driver and member of Willenhall Operatic Society had more than 3,000 “horrific” images of child abuse on his computer, a court heard...
Advertiser 12 Nov Driver claims images helped him relax
Bonfire night in Birmingham: video and map of events
06 Nov 09 19:44
Bonfire night in Birmingham: video and map of events
B'ham Mail 06 Nov 09
Spectacular fireworks lit up Birmingham and the Black Country on Thursday, but if you haven’t had your fill of thrills yet there are still some organised events planned...
Willenhall Bonfire & Firework Display
Dudley: Himley Bonfire & Fireworks
B'ham Mail 06 Nov Thousands flock to Pype Hayes fireworks spectacular
Express & Star 14 Oct Pallets appeal for bonfire spectacular
Fallen Willenhall soldier receives tribute after 68 years
06 Nov 09 12:11
Fallen Willenhall soldier receives tribute after 68 years
Express & Star 06 Nov 09
The name of a fallen soldier from the Second World War has been added to Willenhall’s war memorial – 68 years after his death...
B'ham Mail 06 Nov West Midlands veteran's 37th visit to Western Front
Mercury 06 Nov Veterans urged to secure funding
Express & Star 06 Nov Tipton’s war memorial to be fixed for service
Mossley man stands down as MP
06 Nov 09 03:27
Mossley man stands down as MP
The YamYam 6 Nov 09
Lib Dem MP and former Bloxwich and Willenhall Lib Dem activist, David Howarth, has announced he will stand down as an MP at the next general election.
The party's justice spokesman has represented Cambridge since 2005, having taken the seat from Labour's Anne Campbell.
Mr Howarth, a law and economics lecturer, said he would "concentrate on my other life as an academic".
Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg said he would be "sorely missed", adding: "Academia's gain is very much politics' loss."
More than 100 MPs have announced they will stand down at the general election, which must be held by next June.
Mr Howarth, a former Cambridge city councillor, said: "After nearly 22 years of elected public office, the time has come for me to concentrate on my other life, as an academic.
"It has been a privilege to serve the people of Cambridge over that time, both in local government and in Parliament."
Mr Clegg said: "David will be sorely missed. His colleagues here in Westminster - across all parties - recognise him as a politician of huge integrity and intellectual ability."
David Howarth is one of the Lib Dem’s leading thinkers on constitutional issues and has led the campaign for Fixed Term Parliaments. A leading acolyte of Chris Huhne, he also firmly opposes closer ties with the Labour Party. He is one of the three editors of the left-leaning Reinventing the State book.
During the height of the Daily Telegraph’s MPs’ expenses investigation David Howarth was singled out as one of a handful of MP’s as having second homes for which they did NOT claim expenses.
Dave was brought up in Mossley and went to Queen Mary’s school in Walsall before going onto Cambridge.
Dave Howarth MP 5 Nov Tributes to Howarth as he prepares to stand down
Willenhall charity box thief walks free from court
04 Nov 09 15:05
Willenhall charity box thief walks free from court
Express & Star 04 Nov 09
A thief who stole cash from charity boxes has avoided being sent to jail – despite already a suspended sentence and failing to appear at court on time...
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
Missing Willenhall teenager police appeal
30 Oct 09 17:55
News
Missing Willenhall teenager police appeal
The YamYam 30 Oct 09
Concerns are growing for a missing teenager from Willenhall, who hasn’t been seen since Monday. Gemma Parsons, aged 18, was last seen by her boyfriend at an address on Walsall Street at around 9pm on Monday 26 October.
Gemma went out and failed to return, after which she was reported as missing.
Police are very concerned for her welfare, as her disappearance is out of character and she usually will be in touch with family on a daily basis.
Gemma is described as white, 5ft 2in tall, of slim build, with long dark brown hair, of pale complexion and has brown eyes. She was last seen wearing brown sandals, dark jeans, a navy blue vest top, a black leather jacket with a black fur collar.
Anyone with information as to Gemma’s whereabouts is urged to call Bloxwich police station on 0845 113 5000.
WM Police Bloxwich
Missing Willenhall teenager police appeal
The YamYam 30 Oct 09
Concerns are growing for a missing teenager from Willenhall, who hasn’t been seen since Monday. Gemma Parsons, aged 18, was last seen by her boyfriend at an address on Walsall Street at around 9pm on Monday 26 October.
Police are very concerned for her welfare, as her disappearance is out of character and she usually will be in touch with family on a daily basis.
Gemma is described as white, 5ft 2in tall, of slim build, with long dark brown hair, of pale complexion and has brown eyes. She was last seen wearing brown sandals, dark jeans, a navy blue vest top, a black leather jacket with a black fur collar.
Anyone with information as to Gemma’s whereabouts is urged to call Bloxwich police station on 0845 113 5000.
WM Police Bloxwich
Prison for Alumwell thief who blacked out Willenhall homes
30 Oct 09 15:28
Prison for Alumwell thief who blacked out Willenhall homes
Express & Star 30 Oct 09
A thief whose attempt to steal copper wiring from an electricity sub station caused 3,000 Black Country homes to lose power has been jailed for two years. John Hodgetts, aged 35, suffered a massive electric shock when he tried to remove the metal from the station in Bilston Street, Willenhall. He was spotted by a member of the public, writhing around on the ground in pain on November 29 last year...
Improvements to Willenhall bus services
29 Oct 09 19:54
Improvements to Willenhall bus services
Cllr Ian Shires 29 Oct 09
A longstanding campaign to improve the quality of bus travel in the Willenhall area is beginning to pay dividends...
Blog Ian Shires 26 May Lib Dems call for review of Willenhall bus services
Express & Star 27 Apr Massive overhaul for bus services
Express & Star 9 Apr Drivers axed in A2Z collapse
Centro Bus services
National Express West Midlands Home page
Network West Midlands Bus information
Wednesfield gang rape suspect stands trial
29 Oct 09 15:44
News
Wednesfield gang rape suspect stands trial
Express & Star 29 Oct 09
A man accused of taking part in the gang rape of a teenage girl has gone on trial at Wolverhampton Crown Court. Chayne Taylor and two other men who have never been identified attacked the 19-year-old in the grounds of the Jennie Lee Centre in Wednesfield, jurors heard. The men are said to have struck as she walked home in the early hours April 14...
Wednesfield gang rape suspect stands trial
Express & Star 29 Oct 09
A man accused of taking part in the gang rape of a teenage girl has gone on trial at Wolverhampton Crown Court. Chayne Taylor and two other men who have never been identified attacked the 19-year-old in the grounds of the Jennie Lee Centre in Wednesfield, jurors heard. The men are said to have struck as she walked home in the early hours April 14...
Willenhall pensioner jailed over sex attacks
29 Oct 09 11:34
News
Willenhall pensioner jailed over sex attacks
Walsall Advertiser 29 Oct 09
A Willenhall pensioner has been put behind bars for a year for carrying out a string of sex attacks on two schoolgirls nearly seven years ago...
Willenhall pensioner jailed over sex attacks
Walsall Advertiser 29 Oct 09
A Willenhall pensioner has been put behind bars for a year for carrying out a string of sex attacks on two schoolgirls nearly seven years ago...
Thieves take £30,000 classic car haul in Willenhall
22 Oct 09 12:26
Thieves take £30,000 classic car haul in Willenhall
Express & Star 22 Oct 09
Thieves have broken through tight security into a massive steel storage container in Acorn Street, New Invention and stolen £30,000 worth of classic cars and parts...
Express & Star 20 Oct WM classic motor show returns
Gas fitter attacked in Willenhall
22 Oct 09 11:49
News
Gas fitter attacked in Willenhall
The YamYam 22 Oct
A 24-year-old gas fitter was robbed as he was sitting inside his car on Coltham Road at around 10.50am on Thursday 15 October.
Two men opened the door of his vehicle, punched him in the face and then grabbed the PDA he was using before running off along a nearby alleyway.
The men are described as Asian and in their late teens. The first offender is 5ft 11" tall, of a skinny build, with dark hair, he was wearing blue Adidas tracksuit bottoms, navy blue jacket and white trainers.
The second offender is 5ft 11" tall, of a skinny build, he had short spikey hair on top like a mohawk, and spikey in the middle, which was dark in colour. This man had lots of pot marks on his cheeks and a goatee beard, wearing blue jeans, black trainers, and a blue jacket with a hood.
The stolen item was a Motorola MC 3574 on the BT Network.
Anyone with information is urged to contact CID at Bloxwich police station, asking for DC Mark Waite, on 0845 113 5000.
WM Police 22 Oct Appeals for help
WM Police Walsall
Gas fitter attacked in Willenhall
The YamYam 22 Oct
A 24-year-old gas fitter was robbed as he was sitting inside his car on Coltham Road at around 10.50am on Thursday 15 October.
Two men opened the door of his vehicle, punched him in the face and then grabbed the PDA he was using before running off along a nearby alleyway.
The men are described as Asian and in their late teens. The first offender is 5ft 11" tall, of a skinny build, with dark hair, he was wearing blue Adidas tracksuit bottoms, navy blue jacket and white trainers.
The second offender is 5ft 11" tall, of a skinny build, he had short spikey hair on top like a mohawk, and spikey in the middle, which was dark in colour. This man had lots of pot marks on his cheeks and a goatee beard, wearing blue jeans, black trainers, and a blue jacket with a hood.
The stolen item was a Motorola MC 3574 on the BT Network.
Anyone with information is urged to contact CID at Bloxwich police station, asking for DC Mark Waite, on 0845 113 5000.
WM Police 22 Oct Appeals for help
WM Police Walsall
Man had machete strapped to back
20 Oct 09 16:51
News
Man had machete strapped to back
Express & Star 20 Oct 09
A jobless Willenhall man was found lying in the street with a 14in machete strapped to his back, a court heard. Derek Steventon, aged 46, claimed he was “out for a Sunday stroll” when police found him stretched out on a grassy bank in Broad Lane North, Wednesfield, with the blade under his jacket strapped to his back by a cord...
Man had machete strapped to back
Express & Star 20 Oct 09
A jobless Willenhall man was found lying in the street with a 14in machete strapped to his back, a court heard. Derek Steventon, aged 46, claimed he was “out for a Sunday stroll” when police found him stretched out on a grassy bank in Broad Lane North, Wednesfield, with the blade under his jacket strapped to his back by a cord...
Carillion sets up M6 rescue service
20 Oct 09 13:25
Carillion sets up M6 rescue service
Express & Star 20 Oct 09
Black Country-based building giant Carillion has set up a rapid-response base to rescue broken-down vehicles while it works on part of the M6. The new base, in a unit on the Bloxwich Estate just off Junction 10, will house construction equipment and up to 20 staff working on the 96 million Birmingham Box traffic management scheme...
Express & Star 20 Oct Anger of families at U-turn on gantry
YamYam 15 Oct Sleepless nights on the Beechdale again
Express & Star 8 Oct Thieves delay £150m scheme to widen M6
YamYam 2 Oct More trees axed for M6 widening
Cllr Ian Shires 5 Oct Further meeting with HA to discuss plans
Cllr Ian Shires 30 Sep Highways Agency to be held to account
Express & Star 29 Sep Rats plague Beechdale homes near Highway Agency roadworks
Cllr Ian Shires 30 Sep Further talks promised
Cllr Ian Shires 29 Sep M6 Highways Agency fiasco continues
YamYam links 21 Sep Noddy feels the noize and backs Beechdale M6 protest
B'ham Mail 21 Sep Noddy feels the noize and backs Beechdale M6 protest
Cllr Ian Shires 16 Sep Hard hitting talks at Walsall Council over M6 widening
Express & Star 14 Sep M6 hard shoulder scheme is started
Express & Star 10 Sep M6 drivers delayed by roadworks
Express & Star 8 Sep Walsall drivers facing year of motorway delays
Cllr Ian Shires 8 Sep M6 ATM project update
B'ham Mail 27 June Beechdale residents in plea to council over M6 widening
Ian Shire's 16 Jun Highways agency won't back down on M6 road scheme
Cllr Ian Shires 11 Jun Highways Agency should back down road now
Walsall Observer 12 Jun Fury over M6 widening plan
Express & Star 10 Jun We made a mistake admits M6 noise contractor
B'ham Mail 10 Jun Residents carry on fighting
BBC News 10 Jun Residents raise M6 noise concerns
Blog Cllr Ian Shires 2 Jun Agenda agreed for M6 dispute
Blog Ian Shires 25 May M6 plans should go south
BBC News 19 May Residents go to Downing St
Express & Star 19 Apr Residents protest to PM
Walsall Advertiser 14 May Noise battle to Downing St
Blog Ian Shires 13 May Calls for more discussions
Blog Cllr Ian Shires 27 Apr Distrust builds over plans
Walsall Advertiser 17 Apr 'Living hell' for residents
Blog Cllr Ian Shires 14 Apr M6 dispute progress
Express & Star 10 Apr M6 tree lop noise upset
Blog Cllr Ian Shires 7 Apr Roadworks raised with MPs
Express & Star 4 Apr Rude awakening from M6 diggers
The Highways Agency M6 upgrade details
Traffic England Walsall roads incident map
Anger of families at U-turn on gantry
20 Oct 09 13:10
Anger of families at U-turn on gantry
Express & Star 20 Oct 09
A 20ft gantry to display road information on the M6 is being built near residents’ homes six months after an agreement that it would be sited elsewhere. Furious householders in Murdoch Way, on the Beechdale estate, Walsall, said the fiasco was the latest in a list of problems over major roadworks to open up the hard shoulder to motorists during peak times. They said it was agreed in April that the gantry, which will display speed limits, travel times and traffic information, would be erected 25 yards down the road...
Express & Star 20 Oct Carillion sets up M6 rescue service
YamYam 15 Oct Sleepless nights on the Beechdale again
Express & Star 8 Oct Thieves delay £150m scheme to widen M6
YamYam 2 Oct More trees axed for M6 widening
Cllr Ian Shires 5 Oct Further meeting with HA to discuss plans
Cllr Ian Shires 30 Sep Highways Agency to be held to account
Express & Star 29 Sep Rats plague Beechdale homes near Highway Agency roadworks
Cllr Ian Shires 30 Sep Further talks promised
Cllr Ian Shires 29 Sep M6 Highways Agency fiasco continues
YamYam links 21 Sep Noddy feels the noize and backs Beechdale M6 protest
B'ham Mail 21 Sep Noddy feels the noize and backs Beechdale M6 protest
Cllr Ian Shires 16 Sep Hard hitting talks at Walsall Council over M6 widening
Express & Star 14 Sep M6 hard shoulder scheme is started
Express & Star 10 Sep M6 drivers delayed by roadworks
Express & Star 8 Sep Walsall drivers facing year of motorway delays
Cllr Ian Shires 8 Sep M6 ATM project update
B'ham Mail 27 June Beechdale residents in plea to council over M6 widening
Ian Shire's 16 Jun Highways agency won't back down on M6 road scheme
Cllr Ian Shires 11 Jun Highways Agency should back down road now
Walsall Observer 12 Jun Fury over M6 widening plan
Express & Star 10 Jun We made a mistake admits M6 noise contractor
B'ham Mail 10 Jun Residents carry on fighting
BBC News 10 Jun Residents raise M6 noise concerns
Blog Cllr Ian Shires 2 Jun Agenda agreed for M6 dispute
Blog Ian Shires 25 May M6 plans should go south
BBC News 19 May Residents go to Downing St
Express & Star 19 Apr Residents protest to PM
Walsall Advertiser 14 May Noise battle to Downing St
Blog Ian Shires 13 May Calls for more discussions
Blog Cllr Ian Shires 27 Apr Distrust builds over plans
Walsall Advertiser 17 Apr 'Living hell' for residents
Blog Cllr Ian Shires 14 Apr M6 dispute progress
Express & Star 10 Apr M6 tree lop noise upset
Blog Cllr Ian Shires 7 Apr Roadworks raised with MPs
Express & Star 4 Apr Rude awakening from M6 diggers
The Highways Agency M6 upgrade details
Traffic England Walsall roads incident map
Councillor gives word on Willenhall Library
16 Oct 09 20:01
Councillor gives word on Willenhall Library
The YamYam 16 Oct 09
Walsall leisure bosses have pledged to replace the broken heating system at Willenhall Library regardless of cost.
Cabinet member for leisure and culture, Councillor Barry Sanders told the Community Services Scrutiny Panel that the council remains committed to the well-used Walsall Street library. “It`s a very popular library and it`s going to stay here,” he said. “You`ve got my word on that. It`s just a matter of costings. One option we have is to do a patch-up job, while the other would involve a more long term solution.”
Concerns were raised over the long term future of the building when it was announced that the library would be closed “indefinitely” until the failed heating system was repaired or replaced. Regular users feared that the cash-strapped council would not re-open the library in order to save costs. No date for the re-opening has been given but Keith Stone, the council`s assistant director for the built environment, said: “As soon as property services know the time scales involved, we will be putting that information out there.”
Walsall Council 15 Oct Community Services Scrutiny Panel
The YamYam 15 Oct Future of Willenhall library in doubt
B'ham Mail 15 Oct Library shuts indefinitely
Cllr Ian Shires 15 Oct Assurances sought on Library's future
Express & Star 6 Aug 09 £2m Bentley library plan to go to Walsall council
Express & Star 27 Feb 09 Libraries to close on Mondays
Express & Star 13 Dec 08 Libraries shake-up may spell job losses
Walsall Council Willenhall Library
Drug concerns at Willenhall doctor's surgery
15 Oct 09 11:10
News blog
Drug concerns at Willenhall doctor's surgery
Cllr Ian Shires 15 Oct 09
A former doctor’s surgery in Bloxwich Road South may now be investigated by Walsall Council’s Void Property group following reports of drugs paraphernalia being found there...
Walsall Council Empty Property Strategy
Drug concerns at Willenhall doctor's surgery
Cllr Ian Shires 15 Oct 09
A former doctor’s surgery in Bloxwich Road South may now be investigated by Walsall Council’s Void Property group following reports of drugs paraphernalia being found there...
Walsall Council Empty Property Strategy
Future of Willenhall library in doubt
15 Oct 09 01:34
Future of Willenhall library in doubt
The YamYam 15 Oct 09
Following the failure of its heating system, the popular Willenhall Library has been closed indefinitely leading readers and borrowers to fear that it may never open again.
The move follows the decision taken earlier this year by Walsall Council to cut library opening hours in an attempt to reduce a crippling budget deficit. Willenhall South councillor Carl Creaney said: “Willenhall is the third best-used library in the borough and it`s very important to the thousands of people that use it every year”.
He added that he and other councillors, fearful of yet more cut backs, will closely monitor the situation and stated that any decision to permanently close the library would “definitely” prompt major protests. Speaking of the failure of the heating system, Councillor Barry Sanders, Walsall Council cabinet member for leisure and culture said: “With the onset of the colder weather we have with reluctance had to close the library temporarily. The required repairs to the heating system at Willenhall Library will be done as a matter of urgency. The work is being costed and at this stage it`s too early to say an exact figure or how long the work will take”.
Stop-gap measures have been hastily introduced to cover the loss of the community facility. Opening hours at the smaller library in The Square, New Invention, have been extended and a mobile library will make 8 weekly stops in the area. It is not known if this latest blow will have knock on effects on maintenance budgets for other public buildings or council plans for a new £2 million library building in Bentley.
B'ham Mail 15 Oct Library shuts indefinitely
Cllr Ian Shires 15 Oct Assurances sought on Library's future
Express & Star 6 Aug 09 £2m Bentley library plan to go to Walsall council
Express & Star 27 Feb 09 Libraries to close on Mondays
Express & Star 13 Dec 08 Libraries shake-up may spell job losses
Walsall Council Willenhall Library
Sleepless nights on the Beechdale again
15 Oct 09 00:50
Sleepless nights on the Beechdale again
The YamYam 15 Oct 09
Fed up residents suffering noise and disruption due to the overnight road works to open up the hard shoulders during rush-hour on the M6, have accused the Highways Agency of “changing the rules when they feel like”.
Darren Jones of Murdock Way said: “They change the rules when they feel like it, it`s absolutely disgusting. You get to sleep and you get woken up by things scraping across the tarmac. I call them and they say they shouldn`t be making that much noise, will look into it and that they will call back in a minute, but they never do.”
Jim Sargent of Crompton Close said: “They promised us there would be no less than a week`s notice. They could have posted these letters last week and I could have made arrangements for my daughter to stay somewhere else and changed my shifts.”
A spokesman for the Highways Agency, Anthony Aston said: “We endeavour to give Beechdale residents a week`s notice of overnight works when possible. Unfortunately this is a fast-moving project and plans can change, meaning this is not always possible.”
Back in March of this year, when residents raised concerns after trees and fences were ripped up at the dead of night, a spokesman for the Highways Agency said: "We are sorry that this issue has caused such an adverse public reaction.
"We have listened to concerns raised, and taken account of residents' complaints about current noise levels.
"As a result, we have reviewed our design and mitigations and are considering how best we can provide an environmental screen as part of the works which will be undertaken".
Express & Star 8 Oct Thieves delay £150m scheme to widen M6
YamYam 2 Oct More trees axed for M6 widening
Cllr Ian Shires 5 Oct Further meeting with HA to discuss plans
Cllr Ian Shires 30 Sep Highways Agency to be held to account
Express & Star 29 Sep Rats plague Beechdale homes near Highway Agency roadworks
Cllr Ian Shires 30 Sep Further talks promised
Cllr Ian Shires 29 Sep M6 Highways Agency fiasco continues
YamYam links 21 Sep Noddy feels the noize and backs Beechdale M6 protest
B'ham Mail 21 Sep Noddy feels the noize and backs Beechdale M6 protest
Cllr Ian Shires 16 Sep Hard hitting talks at Walsall Council over M6 widening
Express & Star 14 Sep M6 hard shoulder scheme is started
Express & Star 10 Sep M6 drivers delayed by roadworks
Express & Star 8 Sep Walsall drivers facing year of motorway delays
Cllr Ian Shires 8 Sep M6 ATM project update
B'ham Mail 27 June Beechdale residents in plea to council over M6 widening
Ian Shire's 16 Jun Highways agency won't back down on M6 road scheme
Cllr Ian Shires 11 Jun Highways Agency should back down road now
Walsall Observer 12 Jun Fury over M6 widening plan
Express & Star 10 Jun We made a mistake admits M6 noise contractor
B'ham Mail 10 Jun Residents carry on fighting
BBC News 10 Jun Residents raise M6 noise concerns
Blog Cllr Ian Shires 2 Jun Agenda agreed for M6 dispute
Blog Ian Shires 25 May M6 plans should go south
BBC News 19 May Residents go to Downing St
Express & Star 19 Apr Residents protest to PM
Walsall Advertiser 14 May Noise battle to Downing St
Blog Ian Shires 13 May Calls for more discussions
Blog Cllr Ian Shires 27 Apr Distrust builds over plans
Walsall Advertiser 17 Apr 'Living hell' for residents
Blog Cllr Ian Shires 14 Apr M6 dispute progress
Express & Star 10 Apr M6 tree lop noise upset
Blog Cllr Ian Shires 7 Apr Roadworks raised with MPs
Express & Star 4 Apr Rude awakening from M6 diggers
The Highways Agency M6 upgrade details
Traffic England Walsall roads incident map
Wood pallets appeal for bonfire spectacular
14 Oct 09 13:47
Pallets appeal for bonfire spectacular
Express & Star 14 Oct 09
Three borough bonfires and firework displays have been organised by Walsall Council’s parks team for families to enjoy their seasonal thrills. The events are being held at King George V Park, Bloxwich, on 24 October, Holland Park, Brownhills on 31 October and Willenhall Memorial Park on 7 November...
Major review brings fears for Willenhall swimming pool
13 Oct 09 11:47
Major review brings fears for Willenhall swimming pool
Express & Star 13 Oct 09
Fears that Willenhall’s biggest public swimming pool may be demolished have been raised by a senior councillor in the wake of a major review of leisure facilities across the borough to see if the properties are up to scratch...
Advertiser 8 Oct Views wanted on playing field sell-off
BrownhillsBob 19 Sep Comment: And so it begins
YamYam 19 Sep Walsall leisure centres under threat
Walsall Council Willenhall Swimming Pool
Fire at Willenhall cannabis factory
13 Oct 09 01:47
Fire at Willenhall cannabis factory
The YamYam 13 Oct 09
Firefighters called to a Willenhall house on Sunday afternoon discovered a makeshift cannabis factory in an upstairs bedroom.
Police later found equipment needed for growing cannabis including heat lamps as well as cut up leaves in plastic bags. Other plants had been thrown out of the window of the house in Thorne Road and the haul is thought to worth hundreds of pounds on the drug market.
The fire is thought to have been started by faulty electrical equipment. Police spokesman Steve Garey said: “One man has been arrested and investigations are ongoing.”
The discovery comes two weeks after other cannabis factories were closed down in Pleck and in the town centre.
Express & Star 29 Aug Drugs factory found at home
Express & Star 26 Aug Police red-faced after tomatoes raid Express & Star 20 Aug Officers net drugs in Wednesbury Express & Star 1 Aug Drug plants seized in Walsall swoop BBC News 18 May Police seize Walsall cannabis 'forest' Express & Star 19 Mar Cannabis plants seized in raid Express & Star 17 Mar Doorstep cannabis farms Express & Star 16 Mar Cannabis hauls found a day apart
Bloxwich power failure police appeal
12 Oct 09 23:39
Bloxwich power failure police appeal
BBC News 12 Oct 09
Engineers were "very surprised" nobody was seriously injured or killed in an apparent attempt to cut through an 11,000 volt cable in Willenhall on Saturday...
Thieves delay £150m scheme to widen M6 at Walsall
08 Oct 09 15:23
Thieves delay £150m scheme to widen M6
Express & Star 8 Oct 09
Thieves are delaying a £150 million scheme to widen a main stretch of the M6 between junctions 10 and 10A by stealing and damaging cables. Urgent work is now being carried out overnight, sparking anger from families living close by in Beechdale...
YamYam 2 Oct More trees axed for M6 widening
Cllr Ian Shires 5 Oct Further meeting with HA to discuss plans
Cllr Ian Shires 30 Sep Highways Agency to be held to account
Express & Star 29 Sep Rats plague Beechdale homes near Highway Agency roadworks
Cllr Ian Shires 30 Sep Further talks promised
Cllr Ian Shires 29 Sep M6 Highways Agency fiasco continues
YamYam links 21 Sep Noddy feels the noize and backs Beechdale M6 protest
B'ham Mail 21 Sep Noddy feels the noize and backs Beechdale M6 protest
Cllr Ian Shires 16 Sep Hard hitting talks at Walsall Council over M6 widening
Express & Star 14 Sep M6 hard shoulder scheme is started
Express & Star 10 Sep M6 drivers delayed by roadworks
Express & Star 8 Sep Walsall drivers facing year of motorway delays
Cllr Ian Shires 8 Sep M6 ATM project update
B'ham Mail 27 June Beechdale residents in plea to council over M6 widening
Ian Shire's 16 Jun Highways agency won't back down on M6 road scheme
Cllr Ian Shires 11 Jun Highways Agency should back down road now
Walsall Observer 12 Jun Fury over M6 widening plan
Express & Star 10 Jun We made a mistake admits M6 noise contractor
B'ham Mail 10 Jun Residents carry on fighting
BBC News 10 Jun Residents raise M6 noise concerns
Blog Cllr Ian Shires 2 Jun Agenda agreed for M6 dispute
Blog Ian Shires 25 May M6 plans should go south
BBC News 19 May Residents go to Downing St
Express & Star 19 Apr Residents protest to PM
Walsall Advertiser 14 May Noise battle to Downing St
Blog Ian Shires 13 May Calls for more discussions
Blog Cllr Ian Shires 27 Apr Distrust builds over plans
Walsall Advertiser 17 Apr 'Living hell' for residents
Blog Cllr Ian Shires 14 Apr M6 dispute progress
Express & Star 10 Apr M6 tree lop noise upset
Blog Cllr Ian Shires 7 Apr Roadworks raised with MPs
Express & Star 4 Apr Rude awakening from M6 diggers
The Highways Agency M6 upgrade details
Traffic England Walsall roads incident map
Views wanted on Walsall playing field sell-off
08 Oct 09 13:27
Views wanted on playing field sell-off
Walsall Advertiser 8 Oct 09
Four playing fields have been earmarked as possible locations for new housing estates and Walsall Council is urging residents to have their say on the future of these facilities - which once belonged to schools which have now been closed...
BrownhillsBob 19 Sep Comment: And so it begins
YamYam 19 Sep Walsall leisure centres under threat
Walsall Council Green Space Strategy
More trees axed for Walsall M6 widening
05 Oct 09 11:51
More trees axed for M6 widening
The YamYam 2 Oct 09
Angry Short Heath residents are furious that yet more trees and fences have been removed as part of the controversial M6 widening scheme. Properties in Woodside Way and Lynwood Close are just yards away from the busiest motorway in Europe and families believe that the latest move will add to noise and pollution.
The Highways Agency who are undertaking the £150 million project to open up the hard shoulder between junctions 8 and 10 during peak times, had previously promised to keep residents informed of developments. However, pensioner Brian Wiseman of Woodside Way said that no warnings were given regarding the removal of the trees.
Willenhall North Councillor Ian Shires said: “I have lost faith in these people giving a damn about the residents. At our last meeting they said it was all about communication and keeping us updated but they obviously did not mean a word of it.”
Sandra Owen of Lynwood Close said that a fence between her home and the busy motorway had been removed without warning. “This is just riding roughshod over our lives once again,” she said.”The fence was the only thing protecting us from the noise.”
Anthony Aston, spokesman for the Highways Agency said: “We are aware of the additional problems experienced last night by residents living near the M6. We are going to review, with our contractors, the process by which local residents are informed of upcoming work on the M6.”
Cllr Ian Shires 5 Oct Further meeting with HA to discuss plans
Cllr Ian Shires 30 Sep Highways Agency to be held to account
Express & Star 29 Sep Rats plague Beechdale homes near Highway Agency roadworks
Cllr Ian Shires 30 Sep Further talks promised
Cllr Ian Shires 29 Sep M6 Highways Agency fiasco continues
YamYam links 21 Sep Noddy feels the noize and backs Beechdale M6 protest
B'ham Mail 21 Sep Noddy feels the noize and backs Beechdale M6 protest
Cllr Ian Shires 16 Sep Hard hitting talks at Walsall Council over M6 widening
Express & Star 14 Sep M6 hard shoulder scheme is started
Express & Star 10 Sep M6 drivers delayed by roadworks
Express & Star 8 Sep Walsall drivers facing year of motorway delays
Cllr Ian Shires 8 Sep M6 ATM project update
B'ham Mail 27 June Beechdale residents in plea to council over M6 widening
Ian Shire's 16 Jun Highways agency won't back down on M6 road scheme
Cllr Ian Shires 11 Jun Highways Agency should back down road now
Walsall Observer 12 Jun Fury over M6 widening plan
Express & Star 10 Jun We made a mistake admits M6 noise contractor
B'ham Mail 10 Jun Residents carry on fighting
BBC News 10 Jun Residents raise M6 noise concerns
Blog Cllr Ian Shires 2 Jun Agenda agreed for M6 dispute
Blog Ian Shires 25 May M6 plans should go south
BBC News 19 May Residents go to Downing St
Express & Star 19 Apr Residents protest to PM
Walsall Advertiser 14 May Noise battle to Downing St
Blog Ian Shires 13 May Calls for more discussions
Blog Cllr Ian Shires 27 Apr Distrust builds over plans
Walsall Advertiser 17 Apr 'Living hell' for residents
Blog Cllr Ian Shires 14 Apr M6 dispute progress
Express & Star 10 Apr M6 tree lop noise upset
Blog Cllr Ian Shires 7 Apr Roadworks raised with MPs
Express & Star 4 Apr Rude awakening from M6 diggers
The Highways Agency M6 upgrade details
Traffic England Walsall roads incident map
No prison over Willenhall dungeon plot
02 Oct 09 16:26
No prison over Willenhall schoolgirl dungeon plot
Express & Star 2 Oct 09
The girlfriend of a rock ’n’ roll singer who kept a Willenhall schoolgirl captive for 42 hours in a makeshift Bilston “dungeon” during a sinister kidnap plot avoided jail this afternoon...
Telegraph 3 Sep Elvis keeps girl locked in dungeon
Express & Star 6 Jun Elvis singer in dungeon kidnap
Lane Arms in Willenhall damaged in arson attack
02 Oct 09 12:02
Lane Arms in Willenhall damaged in arson attack
B'ham Mail 2 Oct 09
Arsonists caused thousands of pounds of damage as a Willenhall pub became just one victim in a series of suspicious fires in the Black Country...
Walsall M6 Highways Agency fiasco continues
30 Sep 09 12:29
M6 Highways Agency fiasco continues
Cllr Ian Shires 29 Sep 09
Just what is it with the Highways Agency? A couple of weeks ago, at a meeting with local councillors and council officers, it was agreed to set up communication links with residents who will be directly affected by work on the M6 between J10 and J10a connected with allowing the use of the hard shoulder at peak times. In reality, the Highways Agency have just gone on in their merry way as if nothing had happened...
Cllr Ian Shires 30 Sep Further talks promised
Express & Star 29 Sep Rats plague Beechdale homes near M6 roadworks
YamYam links 21 Sep Noddy feels the noize and backs Beechdale M6 protest
Cllr Ian Shires 16 Sep Hard hitting talks at Walsall Council over M6 widening
Express & Star 14 Sep M6 hard shoulder scheme is started
Express & Star 10 Sep M6 drivers delayed by roadworks
Express & Star 8 Sep Walsall drivers facing year of motorway delays
Cllr Ian Shires 8 Sep M6 ATM project update
B'ham Mail 27 June Beechdale residents in plea to council over M6 widening
Ian Shire's 16 Jun Highways agency won't back down on M6 road scheme
Cllr Ian Shires 11 Jun Highways Agency should back down road now
Walsall Observer 12 Jun Fury over M6 widening plan
Express & Star 10 Jun We made a mistake admits M6 noise contractor
B'ham Mail 10 Jun Residents carry on fighting
BBC News 10 Jun Residents raise M6 noise concerns
Blog Cllr Ian Shires 2 Jun Agenda agreed for M6 dispute
Blog Ian Shires 25 May M6 plans should go south
BBC News 19 May Residents go to Downing St
Express & Star 19 Apr Residents protest to PM
Walsall Advertiser 14 May Noise battle to Downing St
Blog Ian Shires 13 May Calls for more discussions
Blog Cllr Ian Shires 27 Apr Distrust builds over plans
Walsall Advertiser 17 Apr 'Living hell' for residents
Blog Cllr Ian Shires 14 Apr M6 dispute progress
Express & Star 10 Apr M6 tree lop noise upset
Blog Cllr Ian Shires 7 Apr Roadworks raised with MPs
Express & Star 4 Apr Rude awakening from M6 diggers
Traffic England Walsall roads incident map
The Highways Agency M6 upgrade details
Rats plague Beechdale homes near M6 roadworks
30 Sep 09 12:28
Rats plague Beechdale homes near Highway Agency roadworks
Express & Star 29 Sep 09
Rats have been spotted in residential Beechdale streets just yards from a stretch of the M6 where Highways Agency excavation work has begun to widen the carriageways...
Cllr Ian Shires 30 Sep Further talks promised
Cllr Ian Shires 29 Sep M6 Highways Agency fiasco continues
YamYam links 21 Sep Noddy feels the noize and backs Beechdale M6 protest
Cllr Ian Shires 16 Sep Hard hitting talks at Walsall Council over M6 widening
Express & Star 14 Sep M6 hard shoulder scheme is started
Express & Star 10 Sep M6 drivers delayed by roadworks
Express & Star 8 Sep Walsall drivers facing year of motorway delays
Cllr Ian Shires 8 Sep M6 ATM project update
B'ham Mail 27 June Beechdale residents in plea to council over M6 widening
Ian Shire's 16 Jun Highways agency won't back down on M6 road scheme
Cllr Ian Shires 11 Jun Highways Agency should back down road now
Walsall Observer 12 Jun Fury over M6 widening plan
Express & Star 10 Jun We made a mistake admits M6 noise contractor
B'ham Mail 10 Jun Residents carry on fighting
BBC News 10 Jun Residents raise M6 noise concerns
Blog Cllr Ian Shires 2 Jun Agenda agreed for M6 dispute
Blog Ian Shires 25 May M6 plans should go south
BBC News 19 May Residents go to Downing St
Express & Star 19 Apr Residents protest to PM
Walsall Advertiser 14 May Noise battle to Downing St
Blog Ian Shires 13 May Calls for more discussions
Blog Cllr Ian Shires 27 Apr Distrust builds over plans
Walsall Advertiser 17 Apr 'Living hell' for residents
Blog Cllr Ian Shires 14 Apr M6 dispute progress
Express & Star 10 Apr M6 tree lop noise upset
Blog Cllr Ian Shires 7 Apr Roadworks raised with MPs
Express & Star 4 Apr Rude awakening from M6 diggers
Traffic England Walsall roads incident map
The Highways Agency M6 upgrade details
Walsall's derelict Bell & Eagle pubs are cause for concern
28 Sep 09 10:42
Derelict Bell & Eagle pubs are cause for concern
Walsall Advertiser 28 Sep 09
Two crumbling derelict pubs, the Bell Inn in Willenhall, and the Eagle in Mossley, which have become hives for anti-social behaviour are under investigation by Walsall Council following complaints by neighbouring residents...
Winnick welcomes Speaker call for shorter MPs' summer break
26 Sep 09 18:26
Winnick welcomes Speaker call for shorter MPs' summer break
Express & Star 26 Sep 09
West Midlands MPs have defended their lengthy summer holidays after House of Commons Speaker John Bercow called for the recess to be cut back but Walsall North Labour MP David Winnick welcomed Mr Bercow’s remarks...
ePolitix 25 Sep Bercow speaks up for backbenchers
Telegraph 25 Sep Grotesque disparity that exposed MPs' expenses scandal
ePolitix David Winnick
Orange Tree pub burglar given suspended sentence
26 Sep 09 17:17
Orange Tree pub burglar given suspended sentence
Steve Bradely B'ham Mail 25 Sep 09
A Willenhall man described by a judge as a “pretty incompetent burglar” has avoided a spell behind bars after his latest raid into an empty pub...
Schizophrenic left Willenhall police officer with life-long disability
26 Sep 09 17:02
News
Schizophrenic left Willenhall police officer with life-long disability
Walsall Advertiser 25 Sep 09
A Bloxwich man who left a Willenhall police officer permanently disabled when he savagely slashed him across the hand with a 12-inch combat knife has been made the subject of a hospital order...
Schizophrenic left Willenhall police officer with life-long disability
Walsall Advertiser 25 Sep 09
A Bloxwich man who left a Willenhall police officer permanently disabled when he savagely slashed him across the hand with a 12-inch combat knife has been made the subject of a hospital order...
Willenhall model challenges cake baking image #cake
26 Sep 09 13:58
Willenhall model challenges cake baking image
Express & Star 26 Sep 09
It is usually seen as an old woman’s pastime, conjuring up images of 1950s housewives and Women’s Institutes. But a 26-year-old Willenhall model is shaking off baking’s fuddy-duddy image, after setting up a cupcake business...
Jayne Howarth's Weblog 26 Sep How sweet it is...
Bloxidge Tallygraph 22 Sep New Bakery shop for Bloxwich
YamYam links 21 Sep Walsall's twitterati - stuff it down their cake holes
Twitter @mmmmmmcake Twitter #cake
Facebook The Natural Cake Kitchen Home
Willenhall Lock Museum in U-turn re-opening
24 Sep 09 13:40
Willenhall Lock Museum in U-turn re-opening
Express & Star 24 Sep 09
Willenhall Lock Museum will reopen to the public again after it was controversially shut down in a funding crisis nine months ago. A further funding crisis as a result of The Black Country Living Museum losing AWM funding has forced a U-turn. It had been planned to move the Locksmith’s House in New Road to the replica Victorian village brick-by-brick...
Express & Star 5 Aug Locksmith’s house plan put on hold
Express & Star 21 Jul BC Museum hit by AWM cut
Express & Star 11 Jul Museum to be captured on film
Express & Star 15 Jun Lock museum replica plan
Express & Star 18 May Trust bid to save museum
Express & Star 15 Apr Replica plan for Lock Museum
Express & Star 29 Mar Museum seen through keyhole
Express & Star 12 Dec 08 Goodbye lock museum
Black Country Living Museum Locksmith's House
Willenhall girl assaulted and robbed
23 Sep 09 13:15
News
Willenhall girl assaulted and robbed
WM Police 23 Sep 09
Police are investigating an incident where a 13-year-old girl was assaulted and robbed in Harlech Park, New Invention, on Saturday afternoon...
Willenhall girl assaulted and robbed
WM Police 23 Sep 09
Police are investigating an incident where a 13-year-old girl was assaulted and robbed in Harlech Park, New Invention, on Saturday afternoon...
Noddy Holder feels the noize and backs Beechdale M6 protest
21 Sep 09 20:35
Noddy feels the noize and backs Beechdale M6 protest
Matt Lloyd B'ham Mail 21 Sep 09
Midland rock legend Noddy Holder has thrown his support behind residents of his former Beechdale estate home as they campaign against noise from the M6...
You tube Slade: Cum on feel the noize Video
Internet Movie Database Noddy Holder
Wikipedia Noddy Holder
Facebook Noddy Holder
Slade Home
Cllr Ian Shires 16 Sep Hard hitting talks at Walsall Council over M6 widening
Express & Star 14 Sep M6 hard shoulder scheme is started
Express & Star 10 Sep M6 drivers delayed by roadworks
Express & Star 8 Sep Walsall drivers facing year of motorway delays
Cllr Ian Shires 8 Sep M6 ATM project update
B'ham Mail 27 June Beechdale residents in plea to council over M6 widening
Ian Shire's 16 Jun Highways agency won't back down on M6 road scheme
Cllr Ian Shires 11 Jun Highways Agency should back down road now
Walsall Observer 12 Jun Fury over M6 widening plan
Express & Star 10 Jun We made a mistake admits M6 noise contractor
B'ham Mail 10 Jun Residents carry on fighting
BBC News 10 Jun Residents raise M6 noise concerns
Blog Cllr Ian Shires 2 Jun Agenda agreed for M6 dispute
Blog Ian Shires 25 May M6 plans should go south
BBC News 19 May Residents go to Downing St
Express & Star 19 Apr Residents protest to PM
Walsall Advertiser 14 May Noise battle to Downing St
Blog Ian Shires 13 May Calls for more discussions
Blog Cllr Ian Shires 27 Apr Distrust builds over plans
Walsall Advertiser 17 Apr 'Living hell' for residents
Blog Cllr Ian Shires 14 Apr M6 dispute progress
Express & Star 10 Apr M6 tree lop noise upset
Blog Cllr Ian Shires 7 Apr Roadworks raised with MPs
Express & Star 4 Apr Rude awakening from M6 diggers
The Highways Agency M6 upgrade details
Traffic England Walsall roads incident map
Beechdale tenants clean-up with new bathrooms
21 Sep 09 14:40
Beechdale tenants clean-up with new bathrooms
Hannah Wooderson 24 Dash 21 Sep 09
Tenants of Beechdale Community Housing Association (BCHA) are benefitting from the £288,000 investment programme to replace scores of old bathrooms in their homes...
H&V News 8 Sep Bids invited for £19.5m contract
Builder & Engineer 8 Sep Contract up for grabs
24 Dash 28 Jul Beechdale family fun day hailed success
Beechdale Community Housing Association Home
Wednesfield soldier hailed Helmand hero
21 Sep 09 14:11
Wednesfield soldier hailed Helmand hero
WV11 17 Sep 09
A 26-year-old former Wednesfield High School pupil has been hailed as a hero after being mentioned in Despatches for risking his life to help move a stricken armoured vehicle coming under mortar, rocket and small arms fire from up to 15 enemy fighters...
Express & Star 21 Sep Hero home from war zone
B'ham Mail 16 Sep Local soldier saves Afghan comrades
Four dead in road carnage
21 Sep 09 12:46
Four dead in road carnage
Express & Star 21 Sep 09
Four men died and at least two other crash victims were rushed to hospital in a weekend of carnage on the roads across the Black Country and Staffordshire. Two motorcyclists were killed in Willenhall and Bridgnorth, while a pedestrian died after being hit by a car in Kidderminster...
B'ham Mail 22 Sep Tributes paid to biker
B'ham Post 21 Sep Willenhall crash biker named
BBC News 21 Sep Accident witnesses appeal
WM Police 21 Sep Appeal for Willenhall witnesses
Beacon Radio 21 Sep Family pay tribute
BBC News 20 Sep Biker dies in crash near J10
Walsall leisure centres under threat
19 Sep 09 00:33
Walsall leisure centres under threat
The YamYam 19 Sep 09
In the latest round of increasingly desperate cost-cutting measures, cash-strapped Walsall Council are investigating the levels of funding required to operate leisure facilities in the borough.
The ruling Tory cabinet has instructed council officers to report on the viability of at least five Walsall sites. Council chiefs have admitted that millions of pounds are required to bring the facilities up to an adequate standard and have suggested that this money is simply not available due to an estimated £5.6 million overspend for this year alone.
The future of Bloxwich Leisure Centre, Darlaston Swimming Pool, Oak Park Leisure Centre, Walsall Gala Baths and Willenhall Leisure Centre is now under review as the Council struggle to balance the books. Further cut backs may be in the pipeline as Walsall faces a £13.4 million shortfall from its 2009/2010 budget and leisure provision seems destined to follow social care, education and council jobs in suffering a massive reduction in levels of service. Cabinet member for leisure and culture, Councillor Barry Sanders who represents Paddock ward said:
“We will be looking at all our leisure facilities, throughout the borough, to see what we have and what we need to be aiming for. We don`t want to be trying to compete with private facilities. The problem is that swimming pools and leisure centres cost huge amounts to run and do not generally make profit.”
The portfolio holder for leisure and culture went on to say: “If decisions need to be made, then we will make them.”
The news of the threat to the swimming pools came on the same day that the Council announced a U-turn on the closure of the municipal Grange Golf Course. New proposals include the introduction of a driving range, a cafe and a Scandinavian style log cabin to the site which is located on Broadway North in Paddock ward.
BrownhillsBob 19 Sep Comment: ...And so it begins
YamYam links 18 Sep Walsall golf course spared the axe
Walsall Council Leisure centres
The Wizard of Willenhall dies at 94
18 Sep 09 14:50
News
The Wizard of Willenhall dies at 94
Express & Star 18 Sep 09
A well-known motorbike hero and track racer who won national acclaim because of his daredevil style and ability has died aged 94. Don Evans, who was born in Wednesfield and lived in New Invention for most of his life, became a legend in motorcycle racing circles and won a host of awards during a glittering career that stretched two decades...
The Wizard of Willenhall dies at 94
Express & Star 18 Sep 09
A well-known motorbike hero and track racer who won national acclaim because of his daredevil style and ability has died aged 94. Don Evans, who was born in Wednesfield and lived in New Invention for most of his life, became a legend in motorcycle racing circles and won a host of awards during a glittering career that stretched two decades...
Stacey Lawrence sexually assaulted before lorry death
17 Sep 09 17:21
Stacey Lawrence sexually assaulted before lorry death
BBC News 17 Sep 09
Forensic tests have confirmed that West Bromwich schoolgirl Stacey Lawrence was sexually assaulted before being strangled by her mother's boyfriend who then hanged himself...
Express & Star 17 Sep Lorry death girl was assaulted
B'ham Post 17 Sep Girl assaulted before being murdered
BBC News 2 Sep 09 (video) CCTV cameras capture lorry death pair
BBC News 5 Sep Inquest opens into lay-by deaths
B'ham Mail 5 Sep Inquest opens
Express & Star 4 Sep Mother visits murder scene
B'ham Mail 4 Sep Mother: killer was 'Prince Charming'
BBC News 3 Sep Stacey's mother 'devastated' video
B'ham Post 2 Sep Walker's former partners come forward
B'ham Mail 2 Sep Police probe claims about mum's dead boyfriend
Express & Star 2 Sep Dozens call police
BBC News 1 Sep Sex assault link to girl's death
B'ham Mail 1 Sep West Brom school pays tribute
Express & Star 1 Sep Evidence of sexual attack
B'ham Post 1 Lorry trip was to be a treat
B'ham Post 31 Aug Girl, 9, found strangled in stepfather's Willenhall lorry
Mercury 31 Aug Stacey was from West Brom
Express & Star 31 Aug Double death horror in lay-by
B'ham Mail 31 Aug Police probe murder
Hard hitting talks at Walsall Council over M6 widening
16 Sep 09 13:44
Hard hitting talks at Walsall Council over M6 widening
Cllr Ian Shires 16 Sep 09
Plans to improve the quality and flow of information to Walsall residents affected by the Highways Agency work to enable the use of the hard shoulder on the M6 between J8 and J10a at peak times were hammered out at a hard-hitting meeting between the Agency and councillors on Tuesday night...
Express & Star 14 Sep M6 hard shoulder scheme is started
Express & Star 10 Sep M6 drivers delayed by roadworks
Express & Star 8 Sep Walsall drivers facing year of motorway delays
Cllr Ian Shires 8 Sep M6 ATM project update
B'ham Mail 27 June Beechdale residents in plea to council over M6 widening
Ian Shire's 16 Jun Highways agency won't back down on M6 road scheme
Cllr Ian Shires 11 Jun Highways Agency should back down road now
Walsall Observer 12 Jun Fury over M6 widening plan
Express & Star 10 Jun We made a mistake admits M6 noise contractor
B'ham Mail 10 Jun Residents carry on fighting
BBC News 10 Jun Residents raise M6 noise concerns
Blog Cllr Ian Shires 2 Jun Agenda agreed for M6 dispute
Blog Ian Shires 25 May M6 plans should go south
BBC News 19 May Residents go to Downing St
Express & Star 19 Apr Residents protest to PM
Walsall Advertiser 14 May Noise battle to Downing St
Blog Ian Shires 13 May Calls for more discussions
Blog Cllr Ian Shires 27 Apr Distrust builds over plans
Walsall Advertiser 17 Apr 'Living hell' for residents
Blog Cllr Ian Shires 14 Apr M6 dispute progress
Express & Star 10 Apr M6 tree lop noise upset
Blog Cllr Ian Shires 7 Apr Roadworks raised with MPs
Express & Star 4 Apr Rude awakening from M6 diggers
The Highways Agency M6 upgrade details
Traffic England Walsall roads incident map
Willenhall dentist denies faking degree
16 Sep 09 13:05
News
Willenhall dentist denies faking degree
Express & Star 16 Sep 09
A dentist from Willenhall has denied using fake qualifications to work in NHS hospitals for eight years...
NHS Counter Fraud Service Home
Willenhall dentist denies faking degree
Express & Star 16 Sep 09
A dentist from Willenhall has denied using fake qualifications to work in NHS hospitals for eight years...
NHS Counter Fraud Service Home
M6 hard shoulder scheme is started
14 Sep 09 12:02
M6 hard shoulder scheme is started
Express & Star 14 Sep 09
Work to open the hard shoulder to traffic along a 40-mile stretch of the M6 through the West Midlands and Staffordshire started today. Highways bosses want the hard shoulder opened up to motorists as an additional lane from 2012 in a bid to slash congestion...
Express & Star 10 Sep M6 drivers delayed by roadworks
Express & Star 8 Sep Walsall drivers facing year of motorway delays
Cllr Ian Shires 8 Sep M6 ATM project update
A meeting has been scheduled between the Highways Agency and Walsall councillors to discuss the Agencies proposals for the stretch between J8 & J10A of the M6. This meeting will take place on Tuesday 15th September at Walsall Council House and will be in advance of any meetings with residents affected by the Advanced Traffic Management proposals...
B'ham Mail 27 June Beechdale residents in plea to council over M6 widening
Ian Shire's 16 Jun Highways agency won't back down on M6 road scheme
Cllr Ian Shires 11 Jun Highways Agency should back down road now
Walsall Observer 12 Jun Fury over M6 widening plan
Express & Star 10 Jun We made a mistake admits M6 noise contractor
B'ham Mail 10 Jun Residents carry on fighting
BBC News 10 Jun Residents raise M6 noise concerns
Blog Cllr Ian Shires 2 Jun Agenda agreed for M6 dispute
Blog Ian Shires 25 May M6 plans should go south
BBC News 19 May Residents go to Downing St
Express & Star 19 Apr Residents protest to PM
Walsall Advertiser 14 May Noise battle to Downing St
Blog Ian Shires 13 May Calls for more discussions
Blog Cllr Ian Shires 27 Apr Distrust builds over plans
Walsall Advertiser 17 Apr 'Living hell' for residents
Blog Cllr Ian Shires 14 Apr M6 dispute progress
Express & Star 10 Apr M6 tree lop noise upset
Blog Cllr Ian Shires 7 Apr Roadworks raised with MPs
Express & Star 4 Apr Rude awakening from M6 diggers
The Highways Agency M6 upgrade details
Traffic England Walsall roads incident map
Walsall drivers facing year of motorway delays
08 Sep 09 13:55
Walsall drivers facing year of motorway delays
Express & Star 8 Sep 09
Drivers are set for more than a year of delays as two major roadworks along Black Country motorways get under way this week.A speed limit of 50 mph will be in force on various stretches of the M6 between junctions 8 and 10a while a £150 million jam-busting scheme to open up the hard shoulder takes place...
Cllr Ian Shires 8 Sep M6 ATM project update
B'ham Mail 27 June Beechdale residents in plea to council over M6 widening
Ian Shire's 16 Jun Highways agency won't back down on M6 road scheme
Cllr Ian Shires 11 Jun Highways Agency should back down road now
Walsall Observer 12 Jun Fury over M6 widening plan
Express & Star 10 Jun We made a mistake admits M6 noise contractor
B'ham Mail 10 Jun Residents carry on fighting
BBC News 10 Jun Residents raise M6 noise concerns
Blog Cllr Ian Shires 2 Jun Agenda agreed for M6 dispute
Blog Ian Shires 25 May M6 plans should go south
BBC News 19 May Residents go to Downing St
Express & Star 19 Apr Residents protest to PM
Walsall Advertiser 14 May Noise battle to Downing St
Blog Ian Shires 13 May Calls for more discussions
Blog Cllr Ian Shires 27 Apr Distrust builds over plans
Walsall Advertiser 17 Apr 'Living hell' for residents
Blog Cllr Ian Shires 14 Apr M6 dispute progress
Express & Star 10 Apr M6 tree lop noise upset
Blog Cllr Ian Shires 7 Apr Roadworks raised with MPs
Express & Star 4 Apr Rude awakening from M6 diggers
The Highways Agency M6 upgrade details
Traffic England Walsall roads incident map
CCTV cameras capture lorry death pair
05 Sep 09 13:13
CCTV cameras capture lorry death pair
BBC News 2 Sep 09 (video)
CCTV footage of nine-year-old murder victim Stacey Lawrence and her suspected killer, filmed hours before her death, has been released. Stacey, from West Bromwich, was found strangled in a Willenhall lorry off the A605 at Warmington in Nothamptonshire on Saturday afternoon...
BBC News 5 Sep Inquest opens into lay-by deaths
B'ham Mail 5 Sep Inquest opens
Express & Star 4 Sep Mother visits murder scene
B'ham Mail 4 Sep Mother: killer was 'Prince Charming'
BBC News 3 Sep Stacey's mother 'devastated' video
B'ham Post 2 Sep Walker's former partners come forward
B'ham Mail 2 Sep Police probe claims about mum's dead boyfriend
Express & Star 2 Sep Dozens call police
BBC News 1 Sep Sex assault link to girl's death
B'ham Mail 1 Sep West Brom school pays tribute
Express & Star 1 Sep Evidence of sexual attack
B'ham Post 1 Lorry trip was to be a treat
B'ham Post 31 Aug Girl, 9, found strangled in stepfather's Willenhall lorry
Mercury 31 Aug Stacey was from West Brom
Express & Star 31 Aug Double death horror in lay-by
B'ham Mail 31 Aug Police probe murder
Willenhall pensioner receives payout over toxic sofa
02 Sep 09 22:42
News
Willenhall pensioner receives payout over toxic sofa
Adam Aspinall Sunday Mercury 30 August 09
Pensioner Maurice Heminsley, from Willenhall, has received a four-figure compensation settlement after suffering severe chemical burns from the imported Chinese leather settee...
BBC News 2 Sep 'Sofa burns victim' gets payout
Times 1 Sep Man compensated after Chinese 'toxic sofa' puts him in hospital
Times 21 Jul 08 Thousands injured by 'toxic gas from Chinese sofas'
Willenhall pensioner receives payout over toxic sofa
Adam Aspinall Sunday Mercury 30 August 09
Pensioner Maurice Heminsley, from Willenhall, has received a four-figure compensation settlement after suffering severe chemical burns from the imported Chinese leather settee...
BBC News 2 Sep 'Sofa burns victim' gets payout
Times 1 Sep Man compensated after Chinese 'toxic sofa' puts him in hospital
Times 21 Jul 08 Thousands injured by 'toxic gas from Chinese sofas'
Sex assault link to West Bromwich girl's death
02 Sep 09 12:41
Sex assault link to girl's death
BBC News 1 September 09
A West Bromwich girl found strangled in her mother's boyfriend's lorry may have been sexually assaulted, police have said. Stacey Lawrence, nine, was found in the cab of the lorry on the A605 near Warmington, in Northamptonshire, on Saturday afternoon. Darren Walker, 40, from West Bromwich, was found dead in woods nearby.
B'ham Post 2 Sep Walker's former partners come forward
B'ham Mail 2 Sep Police probe claims about mum's dead boyfriend
Express & Star 2 Sep Dozens call police
B'ham Mail 1 Sep West Brom school pays tribute
Express & Star 1 Sep Evidence of sexual attack
B'ham Post 1 Lorry trip was to be a treat
B'ham Post 31 Aug Girl, 9, found strangled in stepfather's Willenhall lorry
Mercury 31 Aug Stacey was from West Brom
Express & Star 31 Aug Double death horror in lay-by
B'ham Mail 31 Aug Police probe murder
West Midlands girl, 9, found strangled in stepfather's Willenhall lorry
01 Sep 09 13:32
Girl, 9, found strangled in stepfather's Willenhall lorry
Birmingham Post 31 August 09
A nine-year-old West Bromwich girl who was believed strangled by her mother's boyfriend and then dumped in the cab of his lorry has been named as Stacey Lawrence...
Express & Star 1 Sep Evidence of sexual attack
B'ham Post 1 Lorry trip was to be a treat
Mercury 31 Aug Stacey was from West Brom
Express & Star 31 Aug Double death horror in lay-by
B'ham Mail 31 Aug Police probe murder
Illegal tobacco factory found in Willenhall
27 Aug 09 21:29
Illegal tobacco factory found in Willenhall
Express & Star 21 August 09
An illegal tobacco factory has been discovered hidden in an industrial unit in Willenhall. Machinery and 600 kilos of tobacco was found at a raid by HM Revenue & Customs teams...
Walsall Advertiser 27 Aug Illegal factory in Willenhall
Walsall Advertiser 17 Jul 170,000 fags seized in Caldmore raid
Express & Star 6 Jun £1.5m Willenhall fag swoop
B'ham Post 6 May Counterfeit cigs unpleasant surprise
HM Revenue Customs Guide to tobacco duty
Willenhall chaos as lorry and van collide
21 Aug 09 11:57
Willenhall chaos as lorry and van collide
Express & Star 21 August 09
Motorists faced rush hour chaos on the Black Country Route today following a collision between a lorry and a van. The white van came to rest on top of the central reservation on the A454 near The Keyway Junction, in Willenhall, during the accident shortly after 6am on the Walsall bound carriageway near the City Link depot...
Walsall Council pull plug on Willenhall day centre
19 Aug 09 17:18
Walsall Council pull plug on Willenhall day centre
Express & Star 19 August 09
Yet another day centre gets the axe
A Willenhall day care centre will close after 30 years and another’s future in Ryecroft has been thrown into doubt after Walsall Council funding was slashed...
Express & Star 3 Aug Council pull plug on Streetly OAP centre
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
Age Concern Home
Salvation Army Willenhall
Willenhall blast scare as gas leaks from cylinder
19 Aug 09 12:08
News
Willenhall blast scare as gas leaks from cylinder
Express & Star 19 August 09
A leaking gas cylinder sparked a scare after it was dumped on a Willenhall roadside, prompting worried workers from local firm Nightfreight who found it, to flag down a passing fire engine who sealed off the area before making it safe...
WM Fire Service Home
Nightfreight Home
Willenhall blast scare as gas leaks from cylinder
Express & Star 19 August 09
A leaking gas cylinder sparked a scare after it was dumped on a Willenhall roadside, prompting worried workers from local firm Nightfreight who found it, to flag down a passing fire engine who sealed off the area before making it safe...
WM Fire Service Home
Nightfreight Home
Police appeal to catch toothless tattooed Willenhall robber
18 Aug 09 12:18
Police appeal
Police appeal to catch toothless tattooed Willenhall robber
WM Police 18 August 09
Police are appealing for help in tracing a distinctive robber who threatened a man in Willenhall...
Police appeal to catch toothless tattooed Willenhall robber
WM Police 18 August 09
Police are appealing for help in tracing a distinctive robber who threatened a man in Willenhall...
Star Willenhall student killed in India crash
18 Aug 09 11:58
Star Willenhall student killed in India crash
Express & Star 18 August 09
A gifted student from New Invention who achieved some of the best exam results in the country has been killed in a road smash in India. Riva Desai and her cousin were hit by a lorry while riding a moped in India on Friday...
Ex-union leader in BT battle dies, 83
18 Aug 09 11:54
Ex-union leader in BT battle dies, 83
Express & Star 18 August 09
A Willenhall-born union chief who led the fight against the privatisation of British Telecom has died, aged 83. Bryan Stanley, was also a former Walsall councillor...
Telegraph 17 Aug Obituary: Bryan Stanley
Obituary: Bryan Stanley, Willenhall born trade unionist
17 Aug 09 20:07
Obituary: Bryan Stanley, Willenhall born trade unionist
Telegraph17 August 09
Willenhall born Bryan Stanley, who died on July 19 aged 83, resisted the privatisation of British Telecom as general secretary of the Post Office Engineering Union, and was a prime mover of the moderate fightback against Labour's extreme left...
More trees felled in Beechdale M6 dispute
14 Aug 09 20:50
More trees felled in Beechdale M6 dispute
Express & Star 13 August 09
More trees have been cut down to make way for the widening of the M6 - just yards from Walsall families' home. People living in Parsons Way on the Beechdale Estate say they are furious at the Highways Agency...
Express & Star Archive
B'ham Mail 27 Jun Beechdale residents in plea to council over M6 widening
Ian Shire's 16 Jun Highways agency won't back down on M6 road scheme
Cllr Ian Shires 11 Jun Highways Agency should back down road now
Walsall Observer 12 Jun Fury over M6 widening plan
Express & Star 10 Jun We made a mistake admits M6 noise contractor
B'ham Mail 10 Jun Residents carry on fighting
BBC News 10 Jun Residents raise M6 noise concerns
Blog Cllr Ian Shires 2 Jun Agenda agreed for M6 dispute
Blog Ian Shires 25 May M6 plans should go south
BBC News 19 May Residents go to Downing St
Express & Star 19 Apr Residents protest to PM
Walsall Advertiser 14 May Noise battle to Downing St
Blog Ian Shires 13 May Calls for more discussions
Blog Cllr Ian Shires 27 Apr Distrust builds over plans
Walsall Advertiser 17 Apr 'Living hell' for residents
Blog Cllr Ian Shires 14 Apr M6 dispute progress
Express & Star 10 Apr M6 tree lop noise upset
Blog Cllr Ian Shires 7 Apr Roadworks raised with MPs
Express & Star 4 Apr Rude awakening from M6 diggers
The Highways Agency M6 upgrade details
Traffic England Walsall roads incident map
Willenhall dry cleaners destroyed in blaze
11 Aug 09 17:41
Willenhall dry cleaners destroyed in blaze
Express & Star 11 August 09
Fire ripped through a family-run dry cleaners early on Tuesday morning at Easyclean in Uplands Road, destroying clothes and causing thousands of pounds of damage...
Easyclean Home
Arrests in Willenhall lorry armed hijack case
11 Aug 09 13:44
Arrests in Willenhall lorry armed hijack case
Express & Star 11 August 09
Five people have been charged in connection with an armed lorry hijacking in Willenhall after an appeal on BBC’s Crimewatch...
Advertiser 7 May New plea after lorry man in hijack terror
B'ham Mail 4 May Crimewatch leads to new hijack info
Crimewatch Watch the hijack reconstruction
Willenhall bushes creating blind spot danger
10 Aug 09 22:38
Demolition of Willenhall schools in £8m plan
10 Aug 09 17:31
Demolition of Willenhall schools in £8m plan
Express & Star 10 August 09
Two Walsall schools will be demolished and a new £8 million site built for more than 400 pupils as part of plans set to be approved later this week...
Bilston novelty limos branded ’safety risk’
06 Aug 09 11:41
Bilston novelty limos branded ’safety risk’
Express & Star 6 August 09
Two firms that rent limos, fire engines and prison vans to prom and party-goers have been branded a safety risk. A Traffic Commissioner described the firms’ owner as an “unreliable and untruthful rogue”. Bilston-based Redhot Rescue and Oddball Limos, are both ‘on hold’ following the damning report...
Redhot Rescue Home
Oddball Limos Home
Dept of Transport Traffic Commissioner Nick Jones
Replica of Willenhall Locksmith’s House plan put on hold
05 Aug 09 12:05
Locksmith’s house plan put on hold
Express & Star 5 August 09
Plans to build a replica of Willenhall’s Locksmith’s House at the Black Country Museum have been put on ice after doubt was cast over funding for the project...
Express & Star 21 Jul BC Museum hit by AWM funding cut
Express & Star 11 Jul Museum to be captured on film
Express & Star 15 Jun Lock museum replica plan
Express & Star 18 May Trust bid to save museum
Express & Star 15 Apr Replica plan for Lock Museum
Express & Star 29 Mar Museum seen through the keyhole
Express & Star 12 Dec 08 Goodbye lock museum
Black Country Living Museum Locksmith's House
Willenhall teenager is Britain's strongest schoolboy
03 Aug 09 18:20
Willenhall teenager is strongest schoolboy
BBC News 3 August 09 (video)
A 17-year-old boy from Willenhall has been named Britain's Strongest Schoolboy. Chris Morgan won the competition in Kent in July. The Pool Hayes School pupil lifted 75kgs (11.8st) of logs, flipped 360kg (56.7st) of tyres and dragged a 120kg (18.9st) beer keg across 25 metres...
Pool Hayes Community School Home
Warning as dogs poisoned by algae in Willenhall
01 Aug 09 13:53
Warning as dogs poisoned by algae in Willenhall
Express & Star 1 August 09
Dogs have been poisoned by a highly toxic algae after swimming in pools in the Black Country, prompting vets to warn owners to stay vigilant. Springer spaniel Mylo was weak on his feet and nauseous after swimming in a pool at Roughwood Nature Reserve, Willenhall...
Express & Star 5 Aug Poison algae search
Blaze at Willenhall timber yard - again
01 Aug 09 12:51
Blaze at Willenhall timber yard - again
Express & Star 1 August 09
Arsonists are believed to have started a blaze at a Black Country timber yard which stopped train services overnight. Masons Timber in Rose Hill, Willenhall, was completely devastated in the blaze, which is believed to have been started deliberately. It is the second time in two months fire crews have been called there...
Express & Star 1 Aug Rail line closed by debris
Express & Star 11 May Mystery as fire strikes timber yard
David Winnick bids for assisted suicide bill
31 Jul 09 15:17
David Winnick bids for assisted suicide bill
Telegraph 31 July 09
Walsall North MP, David Winnick, has begun a bid to legalise assisted suicide in Britain a day after Debbie Purdy won the right to have the law clarified...
Guardian 31 Jul Right to die law to be clarified
Mail 31 Jul Landmark victory that affects us all
Guardian 30 Jul Pro-life groups plot legal action
Guardian Assisted suicide
Times 14 Jul Birmingham conductor and wife die at clinic
Dignitas in Switzerland 1 Dec 07 A discussion of its philosophy by Ludwig Minelli, Sec Gen Dignitas
Dignitas Website in German
Wikipedia Dignitas
Chance to land a job at Willenhall's new store
31 Jul 09 03:39
News
Chance to land a job at Willenhall's new store
Express & Star 30 July 09
Jobseekers are set to flock to recruitment days for Willenhall's new multi-million pound Morrison's superstore...
Morrisons Willenhall job applications
Express & Star Archive
Chance to land a job at Willenhall's new store
Express & Star 30 July 09
Jobseekers are set to flock to recruitment days for Willenhall's new multi-million pound Morrison's superstore...
Morrisons Willenhall job applications
Express & Star Archive
Appeal to trace van linked to Willenhall leg shooting
31 Jul 09 01:01
Appeal to trace van linked to Willenhall leg shooting
Walsall Advertiser 30 July 09
Police are trying to trace a vehicle which fled from a Willenhall house after a man was shot a number of times in the leg...
Beacon Radio 27 Jul Man shot in Willenhall
Express & Star 27 Jul Gunman targets victim's home
Beechdale family fun day hailed a huge success
28 Jul 09 12:18
Beechdale family fun day hailed a huge success
24 Dash 28 July 09
A community fun day in Beechdale has been hailed a massive success after around 200 people turned up to take part. The sun shone for Beechdale Community Housing Association’s fun day on Saturday (25th July) and the estate was a hive of activity...
Beechdale Community Housing Association Home
Man shot in leg in Willenhall
27 Jul 09 10:59
Man shot in leg in Willenhall
Beacon Radio 27 July 09
A road in Willenhall has been closed by police after a 23 year old man was shot in the leg. He is now being treated in hospital where his condition is described as stable...
Express & Star 27 Jul Gunman targets victim's home
Arrests follow Willenhall stabbing incident
25 Jul 09 15:05
Arrests follow Willenhall stabbing incident
BBC News 25 July 09
Three men have been arrested after police called to a report of a fight found three men with stab wounds...
Express & Star 24 Jul Three stabbed in Willenhall brawl
WM Police 24 Jul Men taken to hospital
Lorries targeted by gangs of hijackers
25 Jul 09 14:29
Lorries targeted by gangs of hijackers
Express & Star 25 July 09
Gangs have raided more than 130 lorries in the West Midlands so far this year costing local firms £2.16 million. Police and council chiefs in Walsall have been discussing the possibility of well-lit, warden-patrolled overnight lorry parks and multi-lingual signs featuring security advice for foreign drivers...
Advertiser 7 May New plea after lorry man in hijack terror
B'ham Mail 4 May Crimewatch leads to new hijack info
Crimewatch Watch the hijack reconstruction
Make-up case causes Willenhall bomb scare
24 Jul 09 22:48
News
Make-up case causes Willenhall bomb scare
Express & Star 24 July 09
More than 200 customers and staff were evacuated from Hooty's in Willenhall at around 10:30am on Thursday when an unclaimed metallic case sparked suspicion - only for a bomb disposal team to discover it was a make-up set...
Hooty's Direct Home
Express & Star Archive
Make-up case causes Willenhall bomb scare
Express & Star 24 July 09
More than 200 customers and staff were evacuated from Hooty's in Willenhall at around 10:30am on Thursday when an unclaimed metallic case sparked suspicion - only for a bomb disposal team to discover it was a make-up set...
Hooty's Direct Home
Express & Star Archive
Swine flu link as Willenhall mother dies
24 Jul 09 20:04
Swine flu link as Willenhall mother dies
Express & Star 24 July 09
A mother of three whose children were being treated for swine flu died hours after complaining of a sore throat, an inquest heard today. Sarah Yarnold’s eight-year-old daughter found her dead in her bed at their Willenhall home on Monday. Black Country coroner Robin Balmain has ordered an investigation to determine if she was suffering from swine flu...
Direct Gov Pandemic Flu (new website)
Advertiser 23 Jul Swine flu kills Walsall man
B'ham Mail 24 Jul Midlanders besiege new hotline
Express & Star 24 Jul Three more regional deaths
BBC News 23 Jul Three more WM deaths confirmed
B'ham Post 22 Jul Walsall swine flu sufferer dies
Express & Star 22 Jul Local swine flu death
BBC News 22 Jul NHS confirms 31st swine flu death
B'ham Mail 22 Jul 1,000 calls a day to WM health teams
B'ham Mail 17 Jul Second person dies in WM
Express & Star 17 Jul Swine flu death toll estimated (video)
BBC News 17 Jul Swine flu death in West Midlands
Express & Star 14 Jul Swine flu now hitting all areas
Express & Star 14 Jul Secrecy on swine flu
B'ham Post 10 Jul WM flu 'approaching epidemic levels'
B'ham Mail 8 Jul Authorities too slow to react says Head
B'ham Mail 8 Jul Mums hold swine flu parties
BBC News 29 Jun Swine flu parties 'a bad idea'
Advertiser 2 July 09 Flu confirmed at 7 Walsall schools
BBC News 3 Jul Tamiflu policy was 'indefensible'
B'ham Post 3 Jul Comment: Flu inquiry essential
Express & Star 29 Jun Swine flu at six Walsall schools
BBC News 29 Jun Brimingham girl 9, dies of swine flu
Daily Telegraph 29 Jun Swine-flu strikes Wimbledon
Walsall Advertiser 26 Jun Swine flu strikes Walsall school
BBC News 26 Jun Swine flu 20% increase in one day
B'ham Mail 26 Jun Flu can't be contained: Mid health bosses
B'ham Mail 21 Jun Extra morgue space planned in W Mids
BBC News 22 Jun WM swine flu cases pass 1000
BBC News 21 Jun Region swine flu cases total 860
B'ham Post 18 Jun Experts rethink Tamiflu as flu spreads
B'ham Mail 18 Jun First Sandwell school closes
BBC News 17 Jun Brirmingham 'cannot contain swine flu'
BBC News 17 Jun School triggered virus outbreak
B'ham Post 16 Jun WM Health chief bids to calm fears
Health Protection Agency West Midlands
BBC News 15 Jun Schools hit as swine flu spreads
Mercury 14 Jun First swine flu patient dies in UK
BBC News 15 Jun Another Brum school closes
B'ham Post 15 Jun 109 new flu cases confirmed in WM
B'ham Post 13 Jun 70 new flu cases confirmed in WM
BBC News 13 Jun 'Unpredictable' swine flu spreads
B'ham Post 13 Jun Fifth Birmingham flu school closed
New York Times 12 Jun WHO calls outbreak pandemic
B'ham Post 12 Jun Eight B'ham schools now hit by flu
The Mercury 11 Jun World waits for WHO announcement
B'ham Mail 11 Jun Bosses admit Welford blunder
B'ham Mail 11 June Swine flu: 19 new cases in West Mids
B'ham Post 9 June 2 more Handsworth schools on alert
BBC News 10 Jun Swine flu adult in intensive care
B'ham Mail 10 Jun Another 2 schools hit by flu
B'ham Mail 8 June Flu at Holyhead school Handsworth
B'ham Mail 8 June Flu at Holyhead school Handsworth
Holyhead School News
The Mercury 6 June UK swine flu cases pass 500 mark
BBC News 4 June New swine flu cases across region
BBC News 1 June School reopens after flu outbreak
BBC News 30 May 12 more flu cases confirmed
B'ham Mail 30 May Welford Primary to open on Monday
B'ham Mail 29 May Holidaymakers fly to Mexico
B'ham Mail 28 May More cases expected at school
BBC News 27 May Pupils responding well
Daily Mail 27 May Outbreak at Handsworth school
Birmingham Mail 26 May More flu at Handsworth school
BBC News 26 May School swine flu hits six people
BBC News 24 May Four confirmed with swine flu
BBC News 22 May Handsworth school shut
BBC News 21 May UK infections reach 112
BBC News 10 May 7 further UK swine flu cases
The Mercury 10 May Nine new flu cases confirmed
Birmingham Post 7 May Flu confirmed in Sandwell
The Mercury 6 May 4 more UK flu cases confirmed
Express & Star 5 May 2nd flu case in region
BBC News 4 May Flu man contacts traced
BBC News 3 May Swine flu being contained
The Sunday Mercury 3 May Swine flu contained
Express & Star 2 May Flu all-clear but fan misses match
The Mercury 2 May Two new flu cases confirmed
Express & Star 1 May Flu fear at Wombourne school
Birmingham Post 30 Apr Flu could weaken economy
Birmingham Post 29 Apr Flu alert for Walsall family
Birmingham Mail 29 Apr Walsall family isolated
Dept of Health Swine flu info line 0800 15135113
Dept of Health Home page
Walsall Council 1 May Swine flu update
Three stabbed in Willenhall brawl
24 Jul 09 12:49
Three stabbed in Willenhall brawl
Express & Star 24 July 09
Police were called to busy Noose Lane in Willenhall to reports of a fight on Thursday night. When they arrived they found three men covered in blood. Two of them are in a serious but stable condition in hospital today. The other is not thought to be serious...
WM Police 24 Jul Men taken to hospital
Police raid wrong Willenhall house
23 Jul 09 13:08
Police raid wrong Willenhall house
Walsall Advertiser 23 July 09
A mother and her two young children were left terrified after police raided their Willenhall home – only to realise they had entered the wrong address...
Willenhall school land earmarked for parking
23 Jul 09 02:17
News
Willenhall school land earmarked for parking
Express & Star 22 July 09
Former school land could be converted into a car park to ease problems in Willenhall town centre after an outcry by traders and shoppers over the closure of a free site...
Express & Star 8 Jun Popular Willenhall car park to close
Blog Cllr Ian Shires 29 May Willenhall car park closure threatens trade
Express & Star Archive
Willenhall school land earmarked for parking
Express & Star 22 July 09
Former school land could be converted into a car park to ease problems in Willenhall town centre after an outcry by traders and shoppers over the closure of a free site...
Express & Star 8 Jun Popular Willenhall car park to close
Blog Cllr Ian Shires 29 May Willenhall car park closure threatens trade
Express & Star Archive
Willenhall policemen collect bravery award
18 Jul 09 17:06
Willenhall policemen collect bravery award
Birmingham Mail 18 July 09
Two Willenhall bobbies have been named among the country’s bravest. Heroes Sgt Jon Keates and Sgt Richard Jacques risked their lives to stop a man doused with petrol from turning himself into a human torch. The courageous pair have now been honoured with a national police bravery award...
Express & Star 20 Jun Darlo Pc asked to be godfather
WM Police 18 Jun Gong for Bentley officer
Alumwell man found dead under Willenhall bridge
17 Jul 09 15:09
Alumwell man found dead under Willenhall bridge
Express & Star 17 July 09
A father-of-three has been found dead underneath a disused railway bridge in Willenhall...
Express & Star 17 July 09
A father-of-three has been found dead underneath a disused railway bridge in Willenhall...
Willenhall Dad’s dream come true
17 Jul 09 00:23
Willenhall Dad’s dream come true
Express & Star 16 July 09
Since the tender age of nine Willenhall father-of-four Anthony Barrett has dreamed of owning a classic car. But the 42-year-old was not content with just any old classic car – he wanted a rare Bentley, the same as that owned by his father which he spent hours admiring as a young boy...
Carry on crimping in Willenhall
15 Jul 09 12:17
Retail business
Carry on crimping in Willenhall
Express & Star 15 July 09
It’s been in the family for more than 70 years, but now an award-winning Willenhall crimper has handed over the keys to his salon to its new owner. However Tony Shepherd, whose family ran Shepherds Hair Stylists from the same building in Willenhall town centre for 73 years, is not quite ready to hang up his blow dryer and trusty scissors for good...
Carry on crimping in Willenhall
Express & Star 15 July 09
It’s been in the family for more than 70 years, but now an award-winning Willenhall crimper has handed over the keys to his salon to its new owner. However Tony Shepherd, whose family ran Shepherds Hair Stylists from the same building in Willenhall town centre for 73 years, is not quite ready to hang up his blow dryer and trusty scissors for good...
Willenhall flats damaged as water pipe bursts
14 Jul 09 12:44
Willenhall flats damaged as water pipe bursts
Express & Star 14 July 09
A water pipe burst in the loft of a three-storey block of flats – sending water cascading through every floor. Thousands of pounds worth of damage was caused to 19 homes at flats in Acorn Street after ceilings, walls and electrical fittings were ruined...
Willenhall Pc hurt in explosion at game
13 Jul 09 13:50
News
Willenhall Pc hurt in explosion at game
Express & Star 13 July 09
A Willenhall police officer suffered burns to one of his legs when an explosive device went off accidentally during a war game at a site in Staffordshire. Pc Stephen Maymand, aged 35, was flown by air ambulance to hospital after the incident at Project Paintball in Dunston near Penkridge at 3pm on Sunday...
Willenhall Pc hurt in explosion at game
Express & Star 13 July 09
A Willenhall police officer suffered burns to one of his legs when an explosive device went off accidentally during a war game at a site in Staffordshire. Pc Stephen Maymand, aged 35, was flown by air ambulance to hospital after the incident at Project Paintball in Dunston near Penkridge at 3pm on Sunday...
Willenhall Lock Museum to be captured on film
12 Jul 09 13:56
Willenhall Lock Museum to be captured on film
Express & Star 11 July 09
Campaigners battling to keep a slice of lock-making history in Willenhall have unveiled plans to create a "mobile lock museum", capturing the current building and its contents on film forever...
Express & Star 15 Jun Lock museum replica plan
Express & Star 18 May Trust bid to save museum
Express & Star 15 Apr Replica plan for Lock Museum
Express & Star 29 Mar Museum seen through the keyhole
Express & Star 12 Dec 08 Goodbye lock museum
Black Country Living Museum Locksmith's House
Express & Star Archive
Beechdale campaigners furious over Government stance on wider M6
10 Jul 09 13:20
Beechdale campaigners furious over Government stance on wider M6
Birmingham Mail 9 July 09
Beechdale residents battling to halt the expansion of the M6 to within 20ft of their homes fear transport chiefs will “plough ahead, come what may,” after receiving a letter from the Department of Transport...
B'ham Mail 27 Jun Plea to council over M6 widening
Ian Shire's 16 Jun Highways agency won't back down
Cllr Ian Shires 11 Jun HiA should back down road now
Walsall Observer 12 Jun Fury over M6 widening plan
E&S 10 Jun We made a mistake admits contractor
B'ham Mail 10 Jun Residents carry on fighting
BBC News 10 Jun Residents raise M6 noise concerns
Blog Cllr Ian Shires 2 Jun Agenda agreed for M6 dispute
Blog Ian Shires 25 May M6 plans should go south
BBC News 19 May Residents go to Downing St
Express & Star 19 Apr Residents protest to PM
Walsall Advertiser 14 May Noise battle to Downing St
Blog Ian Shires 13 May Calls for more discussions
Blog Cllr Ian Shires 27 Apr Distrust builds over plans
Walsall Advertiser 17 Apr 'Living hell' for residents
Blog Cllr Ian Shires 14 Apr M6 dispute progress
Express & Star 10 Apr M6 tree lop noise upset
Blog Cllr Ian Shires 7 Apr Roadworks raised with MPs
Express & Star 4 Apr Rude awakening from M6 diggers
The Highways Agency M6 upgrade details
Traffic England Walsall roads incident map
Willenhall into jobs event on Wed 1 July
30 Jun 09 15:03
What's on
Willenhall into jobs on Wed 1 July
Cllr Ian Shires 24 June 09
Looking for work? At risk or recently been made redundant? Do you simply want a career change? CHART Centre, 19 Gomer Street, Willenhall WV13 2NS, 10am to 4pm Wednesday 1 July 09...
Walsall Council 26 Jun Companies line up for Willenhall Support Into Jobs event
Walsall Advertiser 22 Jun Fresh hope as 81 find work at jobs event
Steps to Work Home
Willenhall into jobs on Wed 1 July
Cllr Ian Shires 24 June 09
Looking for work? At risk or recently been made redundant? Do you simply want a career change? CHART Centre, 19 Gomer Street, Willenhall WV13 2NS, 10am to 4pm Wednesday 1 July 09...
Walsall Council 26 Jun Companies line up for Willenhall Support Into Jobs event
Walsall Advertiser 22 Jun Fresh hope as 81 find work at jobs event
Steps to Work Home
Beechdale residents in plea to council over M6 widening
27 Jun 09 13:35
Beechdale residents in plea to council over M6 widening
Birmingham Mail 27 June 09
Furious residents campaigning against plans to expand the M6 yards from their front doors have written to Walsall Council to plead for their support. Members of Murdock Way Residents’ Committee asked Paul Sheehan, chief executive of Walsall Council, to back their fight against the plans for development just 20ft from their homes...
Highways agency won't back down on M6 road scheme
Ian Shire's 16 June 09
Despite admitting it made a mistake, it’s clear, following Monday night’s crunch talks with the Highways Agency, that they can’t or won’t change the positioning of the highly contentious Emergency Refuge Areas (ERAs) but are prepared to look at some ways of reducing the impact of their plans upon local residents...
Walsall Advertiser 15 Jun Families fight on over widening
Cllr Ian Shires 11 Jun Highways Agency should back down road now
Walsall Observer 12 Jun Fury over M6 widening plan
Express & Star 10 Jun We made a mistake admits M6 noise contractor
B'ham Mail 10 Jun Residents carry on fighting
BBC News 10 Jun Residents raise M6 noise concerns
Blog Cllr Ian Shires 2 Jun Agenda agreed for M6 dispute
Blog Ian Shires 25 May M6 plans should go south
BBC News 19 May Residents go to Downing St
Express & Star 19 Apr Residents protest to PM
Walsall Advertiser 14 May Noise battle to Downing St
Blog Ian Shires 13 May Calls for more discussions
Blog Cllr Ian Shires 27 Apr Distrust builds over plans
Walsall Advertiser 17 Apr 'Living hell' for residents
Blog Cllr Ian Shires 14 Apr M6 dispute progress
Express & Star 10 Apr M6 tree lop noise upset
Blog Cllr Ian Shires 7 Apr Roadworks raised with MPs
Express & Star 4 Apr Rude awakening from M6 diggers
The Highways Agency M6 upgrade details
Traffic England Walsall roads incident map
Willenhall husband jailed over wife attack
27 Jun 09 13:03
News
Willenhall husband jailed over wife attack
Express & Star 27 June 09
An alcoholic husband, Harnek Singh Badial, who repeatedly stabbed his estranged wife, leaving her blind in one eye, has been jailed for 11 years for attempted murder...
Willenhall husband jailed over wife attack
Express & Star 27 June 09
An alcoholic husband, Harnek Singh Badial, who repeatedly stabbed his estranged wife, leaving her blind in one eye, has been jailed for 11 years for attempted murder...
Reunion ends decades of anguish for Willenhall mum
26 Jun 09 12:48
Reunion ends decades of anguish for Willenhall mum
Express & Star 26 June 09
It is a mother’s nightmare – to have a baby whisked away one day, not to be seen again for 29 years. Sandra Perry was just 20 and living in Rhodesia. Ex-husband David did not return one day with their one-year-old daughter, Tara...
Willenhall war veteran appeals after mugging
24 Jun 09 10:42
Willenhall war veteran appeals after mugging
Birmingham Mail 24 June 09
A second World War veteran today appealed for the return of his treasured Parachute Regiment badge which was snatched from him as he was mugged leaving the Merry Boys pub in Willenhall Road on Saturday night...
Express & Star 25 Jun Businessman doubles reward
Willenhall woman in £27k theft to repay £1
21 Jun 09 12:47
News
Willenhall woman in £27k theft to repay £1
Express & Star 21 June 09
A Willenhall undertaker jailed for stealing £27,000 from her employer has been ordered to pay just £1 back. Lisa Wyke, of Forrester Street, Walsall, was taken to a Proceeds of Crime hearing after taking money from Co-op Funeral Service in Market Place, Willenhall...
Willenhall woman in £27k theft to repay £1
Express & Star 21 June 09
A Willenhall undertaker jailed for stealing £27,000 from her employer has been ordered to pay just £1 back. Lisa Wyke, of Forrester Street, Walsall, was taken to a Proceeds of Crime hearing after taking money from Co-op Funeral Service in Market Place, Willenhall...
Future is bright for Beacon Centre for the Blind
17 Jun 09 22:03
Future is bright for Beacon Centre
Express & Star 17 June 09
It was a vision for the future which has now become a reality - the new multi-million pound development at the Wolverhampton Beacon Centre for the Blind is unveiled, boosted by a donation of £20,000 from food distribution firm AF Blakemore & Son Ltd based in Willenhall...
Beacon Centre for the Blind Home
AF Blakemore & Son Ltd Corporate Responsibility
Stone Cross killed biker Willenhall man
16 Jun 09 13:43
Stone Cross crash biker named
Birmingham Mail 16 June 09
A motorcyclist killed when he crashed with a car in Stone Cross last Friday has been named as Willenhall 38-year-old Andrew Adshead...
Express & Star 12 Jun Motorcyclist killed in Stone Cross
BBC News 12 Jun Motorcyclist killed in collision
Willenhall Lock museum replica plan
15 Jun 09 17:28
Willenhall lock museum replica plan
Express & Star 15 Jun 09
Willenhall’s historic Locksmith’s House will be re-created at the Black Country Living Museum after plans to build a replica of the flagging attraction were approved. The Black Country Living Museum director Ian Waldron has vowed that the original listed building in Willenhall would not be left to rot...
Express & Star 18 May Trust bid to save museum
Express & Star 15 Apr Replica plan for Lock Museum
Express & Star 29 Mar Museum seen through the keyhole
Express & Star 12 Dec 08 Goodbye lock museum
Black Country Living Museum Locksmith's House
Willenhall lockmaker axes 50 jobs
13 Jun 09 15:15
Willenhall lockmaker axes 50 jobs
Express & Star 13 June 09
Fifty jobs are to be axed at Assa Abloy, Willenhall’s biggest lockmaker, due to the effects of the economic downturn on the construction industry. The lock giant Assa Abloy laid the blame for the latest wave of redundancies at its Portobello site on the need to reduce costs in the prevailing poor trading conditions...
Assa Abloy UK's lockmaking heritage
Willenhall rev-head Dave scoops biking award
13 Jun 09 14:57
Willenhall rev-head Dave scoops biking award
Express & Star 13 June 09 (video)
A Midlands bike lover has received a prestigious award. Dave Smith from Willenhall is a real rev-head, as he tells E&S video journalist Wendy Lloyd....
Express & Star 15 Jun Dave takes title
Willenhall Schoolchildren go behind police doors
12 Jun 09 20:45
Willenhall schoolchildren go behind police doors
Walsall Observer 12 June 09
Pupils from Pool Hayes School are set to be given a behind-the-scenes look at Willenhall Police Station on Monday in a bid to show them the consequences of committing crimes...
WM Police News
Beechdale residents carry on fighting M6 widening plans
10 Jun 09 12:20
Beechdale residents carry on fighting M6 widening plans
Birmingham Mail 10 June 09
Residents who marched on Downing Street to petition against plans to widen the M6 today vowed to carry on their fight after designs for the scheme were unveiled. They are now demanding a meeting with the minister of transport in an effort to halt the move...
BBC News 10 Jun Residents raise M6 noise concerns
Blog Cllr Ian Shires 2 Jun Agenda agreed for M6 dispute
Blog Ian Shires 25 May M6 plans should go south
BBC News 19 May Residents go to Downing St
Popular Willenhall car park to close
08 Jun 09 14:04
Popular Willenhall car park to close
Express & Star 8 June 09
Alternative parking spaces are being sought in Willenhall following the announcement that a popular town centre car park will close while a new Morrisons superstore is built...
Blog Cllr Ian Shires 29 May Willenhall car park closure threatens trade
Fencing on M6 to protect newts
07 Jun 09 17:13
Fencing on M6 to protect newts
Express & star 7 June 09
They have halted developments up and down the country – and now engineers have had to install a fence at the side of the M6 near Walsall to protect great crested newts...
Herpetological Conservation Trust Titurus cristatus
Express & Star 2 Jun Exotic visitors thriving at Sandwell
Express & Star 10 Apr M6 tree lop noise upset
Willenhall man in seven million illegal cigarette swoop
06 Jun 09 12:56
Willenhall man in £1.5m illegal cigarette swoop
Express & Star 6 June 09
Seven million cigarettes that had been smuggled into the UK have been seized from a farm in South Staffordshire. A man in his early 30s from Willenhall was arrested and a van was also seized. Officials have revealed the revenue loss to the public purse would have been more than £1.5 million...
Thieves ram car into Willenhall park gateway
26 May 09 14:27
Thieves ram car into park gateway
Express & Star 26 May 09
Thieves rammed a stolen Ford Mondeo through the gates of Willenhall Memorial Park before setting it on fire on Monday evening...
Lib Dems call for review of Willenhall bus services
26 May 09 13:08
Lib Dems call for review of Willenhall bus services
Blog Ian Shires 26 May 09
It is time for an in-depth look at the way in which bus services serve (or don’t serve) residents across Willenhall in the wake of the demise of A2Z Buses earlier this year...
Express & Star 27 Apr Massive overhaul for bus services
Express & Star 9 Apr Drivers axed in A2Z collapse
Centro Bus services
National Express West Midlands Home page
Network West Midlands Bus information
Willenhall blasted by tornado
25 May 09 14:48
News
Willenhall blasted by tornado
Dust devil whizzed wildly all round car park
Express & Star 25 May 09
A three-minute mini-tornado sent debris flying 20ft into the air as it hit the streets of Willenhall. Experts said the phenomenon was a “dust devil” which normally only appeared in deserts...
Did you see the dust devil? Send us your pix
Willenhall blasted by tornado
Dust devil whizzed wildly all round car park
Express & Star 25 May 09
A three-minute mini-tornado sent debris flying 20ft into the air as it hit the streets of Willenhall. Experts said the phenomenon was a “dust devil” which normally only appeared in deserts...
Did you see the dust devil? Send us your pix
M6 widening plans should go south
25 May 09 11:11
M6 widening plans should go south
Blog Ian Shires 25 May 09
Community groups in Short Heath want the Highways Agency to erect a sound barrier between their properties and the M6 and abandon motorway widening plans beside Crab Lane and Wood Lane Estate and move the scheme a little south where widening would not impact on residents...
BBC News 19 May Residents go to Downing St
Express & Star 19 Apr Residents protest to PM
Walsall Advertiser 14 May Noise battle to Downing St
Blog Ian Shires 13 May Calls for more discussions
Blog Cllr Ian Shires 27 Apr Distrust builds over plans
Walsall Advertiser 17 Apr 'Living hell' for residents
Blog Cllr Ian Shires 14 Apr M6 dispute progress
Express & Star 10 Apr M6 tree lop noise upset
Blog Cllr Ian Shires 7 Apr Roadworks raised with MPs
Express & Star 4 Apr Rude awakening from M6 diggers
The Highways Agency M6 upgrade details
Traffic England Walsall roads incident map
Conwoman to pay back £100k
20 May 09 17:05
Conwoman to pay back £100k
Express & Star 20 May 09
Carol Langham, the Willenhall woman who masterminded a £1.5 million scam to plunder cash from Reedswood-based vending company Coinadrink, was today ordered to pay back just £100,000...
Walsall Advertiser 12 Feb Fraud 'brought firm to knees'
Express & Star 10 Feb Women in £1.5m theft jailed
Express & Star 16 Dec 08 Sisters-in-law stole more than £1m
Beechdale residents fight M6 widening plan
19 May 09 12:19
Beechdale residents fight M6 widening plan
BBC News 19 May 09
Residents who say the widening of the M6 motorway will be "detrimental to their health" are taking to their fight to Downing Street...
Express & Star 19 Apr Residents protest to PM
Walsall Advertiser 14 May Noise battle to Downing St
Blog Ian Shires 13 May Calls for more discussions
Blog Cllr Ian Shires 27 Apr Distrust builds over plans
Walsall Advertiser 17 Apr 'Living hell' for residents
Blog Cllr Ian Shires 14 Apr M6 dispute progress
Express & Star 10 Apr M6 tree lop noise upset
Blog Cllr Ian Shires 7 Apr Roadworks raised with MPs
Express & Star 4 Apr Rude awakening from M6 diggers
The Highways Agency M6 upgrade details
Traffic England Walsall roads incident map
Trust bid to save museum
18 May 09 23:43
Trust bid to save museum
Express & Star 18 May 09
Campaigners fighting for the future of Willenhall’s under-threat Lock Museum are planning to form a heritage trust, in a bid to protect the attraction and other historical sites in the town...
Express & Star 15 Apr Replica plan for Lock Museum
Express & Star 29 Mar Museum seen through the keyhole
Express & Star 12 Dec 08 Goodbye lock museum
Black Country Living Museum Locksmith's House
Protesters take noise battle to Downing Street
14 May 09 17:47
Protesters take noise battle to Downing Street
Walsall Advertiser 14 May
A petition signed by more than 300 Beechdale residents will be delivered by hand to 10 Downing Street next week by campaigners – who are fighting against proposals to widen the M6 which will make their lives "noise hell"...
Blog Ian Shires 13 May Calls for more discussions
Blog Cllr Ian Shires 27 Apr Distrust builds over plans
Walsall Advertiser 17 Apr 'Living hell' for residents
Blog Cllr Ian Shires 14 Apr M6 dispute progress
Express & Star 10 Apr M6 tree lop noise upset
Blog Cllr Ian Shires 7 Apr Roadworks raised with MPs
Express & Star 4 Apr Rude awakening from M6 diggers
The Highways Agency M6 upgrade details
Traffic England Walsall roads incident map
Hero soldier and medium dies aged 83
14 May 09 13:44
Hero soldier and medium dies aged 83
Express & Star 14 May 09
Philip Saunders, better known by his middle name Howard, has died aged 83. Mr Saunders, father of psychic Philip Solomon, lived in Bilston and Willenhall and organised popular rock ’n’ roll hops and dances throughout the Midlands in his younger days and was a former member and secretary at Darlaston Spiritualist Church...
Anger as flats are left without post
13 May 09 15:38
Anger as flats are left without post
Express & Star 13 May 09
Postal workers have not delivered mail to families in a fire-damaged Willenhall tower block for over a week – because the lifts have broken down at St Anne’s Court...
Walsall Advertiser 7 May Arsonists sent burning rubbish to 10th floor
Express & Star 4 May Arson-hit flats are emptied
WM Police 6 May Police appeal for witnesses
Willenhall driver admits killing neighbours
13 May 09 15:13
Driver admits killing neighbours
Express & Star 13 May 09
A motorist has admitted causing the deaths of two Willenhall neighbours who died in a head-on collision as they travelled in a taxi back from a shopping trip...
David Winnick joins row with Mr Speaker
13 May 09 03:23
David Winnick joins row with Mr Speaker
Birmingham Post 13 May 09
Walsall MP David Winnick was dragged into a growing row over Michael Martin, the Speaker of the Commons, and his response to the expenses revelations...
Daily Telegraph 13 May MPs' expenses
Sky News 12 May Winnick questions Speaker's outburst
West Brom Blog 11 May You betrayed us, resign
West Brom Blog 10 May One gold plated pigsty
Derek Bennett's Blog 10 May House of Dishonour
West Brom Blog 10 May Shameless
Birmingham Post 8 May Winnick urges Commons to publish MPs' expenses details
Willesden & Brent Times 7 May Willesden's memory lane: profile of David Winnick
Winnick says older female newsreaders will end age discrimination
13 May 09 03:21
News
Winnick says older female newsreaders will end age discrimination
Birmingham Post 13 May 09
Broadcasters should employ more older women to read the news, to help put an end to age discrimination, according to 76-year-old David Winnick (Lab Walsall North)...
Telegraph 6 Dec 08 Scot wins £250k in C5 ageism row
Telegraph 4 Oct 07 Stuart quits, reigniting ageism row
Telegraph 29 Aug 07 Ford attacks 'ageist BBC'
Winnick questions Speaker's outburst
12 May 09 17:55
Winnick questions Speaker's outburst
Sky News 12 May 09 (scroll)
David Winnick, Labour member for Walsall North, asked Speaker Martin if Ms Hoey should have been allowed to raise a point of order in the House without a response involving personal comments from him...
Daily Telegraph 12 May MPs' expenses
West Brom Blog 11 May You betrayed us, resign
West Brom Blog 10 May One gold plated pigsty
Derek Bennett's Blog 10 May House of Dishonour
West Brom Blog 10 May Shameless
Birmingham Post 8 May Winnick urges Commons to publish MPs' expenses details
Willesden & Brent Times 7 May Willesden's memory lane: profile of David Winnick
Mystery as fire strikes timber yard
11 May 09 12:46
Mystery as fire strikes timber yard
Express & Star 11 May 09
Flames of 50ft filled the sky above Willenhall after a blaze took hold at a timber yard at Masons Timber & DIY, in Bilston Street, Willenhall, leaving it almost completely destroyed in the unexplained fire...
Winnick urges House of Commons to publish expenses details
11 May 09 00:03
Winnick urges Commons to publish MPs' expenses details
Birmingham Post 8 May 09
House of Commons authorities have been urged to publish detailed expenses claims for every MP by Monday. Walsall North MP David Winnick said receipts should now be published in full, after they were leaked to the Daily Telegraph...
Daily Telegraph 11 May MPs' expenses
West Brom Blog 10 May One gold plated pigsty
Derek Bennett's Blog 10 May House of Dishonour
West Brom Blog 10 May Shameless
Willesden & Brent Times 7 May Willesden's memory lane: profile of David Winnick
Willesden's memory lane: profile of David Winnick
07 May 09 20:15
Willesden's memory lane: profile of David Winnick
Willesden & Brent Times 7 May 09
David Winnick, MP for Walsall North, started his career in Willesden exactly 50 years ago on Thursday May 9 1959...
Arsonists sent burning rubbish to 10th floor
07 May 09 19:41
Arsonists sent burning rubbish to 10th floor
Walsall Advertiser 7 May 09
An arson attack on a block of multi-storey flats in Willenhall prompted an evacuation and destroyed four homes...
Express & Star 4 May Arson-hit flats are emptied
WM Police 6 May Police appeal for witnesses
New plea after lorry man in hijack terror
07 May 09 19:40
New plea after lorry man in hijack terror
Walsall Advertiser 7 May 09
An appeal has gone out to armchair detectives after a lorry driver was forced to drive 100 miles to Willenhall where thieves stole his load of copper...
Birmingham Mail 4 May Crimewatch leads to new hijack info
Crimewatch Watch the hijack reconstruction
Arson-hit flats are emptied
04 May 09 12:49
Arson-hit flats are emptied
Express & Star 4 May 09
A blaze broke out in the lift at the 10 storey St Anne’s Court, in Roseville Gardens, Willenhall, at around 9.20pm on Sunday night...
WM Police 6 May Police appeal for witnesses
Joy for Harold as stolen birds spotted
01 May 09 12:05
Joy for Harold as stolen birds spotted
Express & Star 1 May 09
A New Invention great-grandfather left heartbroken after burglars stole his chickens and ducks has had three birds returned, thanks to an appeal in the Express & Star...
Express & Star 20 Apr Love a duck! Help floods in for Harold
Express & Star 17 Apr Harold devastated as chickens and ducks taken
Willenhall Jazz veteran dies at 63
29 Apr 09 20:23
Willenhall Jazz veteran dies at 63
Express & Star 29 Apr 09
Tributes were today paid to renowned jazz musician Michael Turner, who has died following a four-month battle with bowel cancer...
Black Country Route crash sparks chaos
29 Apr 09 14:28
News
Black Country Route crash sparks chaos
Express & Star 29 Apr 09
Drivers were stuck in queues this afternoon on a busy route into Bilston after two cars and two vans collided on a slip road in Willenhall...
WM Police 30 Apr Witness appeal
Black Country Route crash sparks chaos
Express & Star 29 Apr 09
Drivers were stuck in queues this afternoon on a busy route into Bilston after two cars and two vans collided on a slip road in Willenhall...
WM Police 30 Apr Witness appeal
Police officers injured by thugs in Willenhall
27 Apr 09 13:14
Police officers injured by thugs
Express & Star 27 Apr 09
A woman police officer was knocked unconscious then kicked and punched as she lay on the floor while two of her colleagues were also attacked and left injured by thugs outside a New Invention pub...
Express & Star 23 Apr 50 warden attacks in past year
Express & Star 21 Apr Call for stab vests as assaults rise
Birmingham Mail 18 Apr Attacks against WM police officers soar
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
Plan to turn Sneyd school into academy
23 Apr 09 12:00
Plan to turn Sneyd school into academy
BBC News 23 Apr 09
Walsall Council voted on Wednesday to make Sneyd Community School an academy for 14 to 19-year-olds following campaigns to keep it open...
Blog Cllr Ian Shires 23 Apr Decision raises questions
Birmingham Mail 23 Apr Vow to fight academy plan
Express & Star 23 Apr Protests against Sneyd plan
Blog Cllr Ian Shires 22 Apr Fight for Sneyd "not over"
Express & Star 21 Apr Sneyd School will close its doors
Blog Cllr Ian Shires 21 Apr Sneyd to go before full Council
Blog Cllr Ian Shires 19 Apr Sneyd School Academy Option
Blog Cllr Ian Shires 9 Apr More options for Sneyd school
Express & Star 13 Mar Panel delay on Sneyd decision
Express & Star 16 Feb Merger plan for under-threat school
Walsall Council Schools for the Future info
Walsall Council Schools for the Future PDF doc
Sneyd Community College Home page
Love a duck! Help floods in for Harold
20 Apr 09 13:18
Love a duck! Help floods in for Harold
Express & Star 20 Apr
Offers of help have been flooding in for a New Invention great-grandfather who was left devastated when thieves stole 14 of his cherished chickens and three ducks...
Express & Star 17 Apr Harold devastated as chickens and ducks taken
Willenhall burglar nicked after leaving footprints in snow
19 Apr 09 18:36
Willenhall burglar nicked after leaving footprints in snow
Sunday Mercury 19 Apr 09
Bungling burglar Paul Taylor left the perfect clue for police at the scene of a house he had broken into – a set of footprints in fresh snow...
Family let down after Willenhall murder signs missed
18 Apr 09 13:39
Family let down after Willenhall murder signs missed
Express & Star 18 Apr 09
The daughter of a Willenhall man, whose body had to be exhumed after a Home Office pathologist failed to spot he had been murdered, has said she feels let down by the doctor failing in his duties...
BBC News 17 Apr Murder case pathologist suspended
GoneTooSoon.org Mervyn Samuel Fletcher
Willenhall murder case pathologist suspended
17 Apr 09 18:30
Willenhall murder case pathologist suspended
BBC News 17 Apr 09
A Home Office pathologist has been suspended from police work for failing to spot that a Willenhall pensioner had been murdered...
GoneTooSoon.org Mervyn Samuel Fletcher
'Living hell' for Beechdale residents near motorway
17 Apr 09 15:30
'Living hell' for residents near motorway
Walsall Advertiser 17 Apr 09
Blog Cllr Ian Shires 14 Apr Beechdale M6 dispute progress
Express & Star 10 Apr Beechdale M6 tree lop noise upset
Blog Cllr Ian Shires 7 Apr Roadworks raised with MPs
Express & Star 4 Apr Rude awakening from M6 diggers
The Highways Agency M6 upgrade details
Traffic England Walsall roads incident map
Harold devastated as chickens and ducks taken
17 Apr 09 14:01
Harold devastated as chickens and ducks taken
Express & Star 17 Apr 09
Harold Fletcher, an 89-year-old great-grandfather from New Invention, has been left devastated after thieves broke into a pen in his rear garden and stole 14 of his cherished chickens and three ducks on Thursday morning...
Two injured after crash in Willenhall
16 Apr 09 12:20
News
Two injured after crash in Willenhall
Express & Star 16 Apr 09
A man and a woman were taken to hospital following a two-car collision at the junction of Willenhall Road and Stow Heath Lane, just before 1pm yesterday...
Two injured after crash in Willenhall
Express & Star 16 Apr 09
A man and a woman were taken to hospital following a two-car collision at the junction of Willenhall Road and Stow Heath Lane, just before 1pm yesterday...
Replica plan for Willenhall Lock Museum latest twist
16 Apr 09 00:30
Express & Star 15 Apr 09
In the latest twist to the saga of Willenhall’s under-threat Lock Museum, a replica could be built in the grounds of the Black Country Living Museum after a fresh bid was submitted to planning chiefs...
Express & Star 29 Mar Museum seen through the keyhole
Winnick calls for statement on G20 "outright police brutality"
14 Apr 09 20:38
Winnick wants statement on G20 demo "police brutality"
BBC News 14 Apr 09 (scroll)
The Metropolitan Police said video footage on YouTube which appears to show an officer hitting a woman during the G20 protests would be examined...
Beechdale M6 tree lop noise upset
10 Apr 09 14:15
Beechdale M6 tree lop noise upset
Express & Star 10 Apr 09
The Highways Agency has been forced into a showdown with angry residents after hacking down rows of trees to open up the hard shoulder running along the M6...
Cllr Ian Shires's Blog 7 Apr Roadworks raised with MPs
Express & Star 4 Apr Rude awakening from M6 diggers
The Highways Agency M6 upgrade details
Traffic England Walsall roads incident map
Walsall Advertiser 19 Mar M6 plans 'will make our lives noise hell'
Willenhall mum thrilled to be bone marrow donor
08 Apr 09 16:52
Willenhall mum thrilled to be bone marrow donor
Birmingham Mail 8 Apr 09
A Walsall Housing Group worker has become a life-saver and jumped into action after a 14 year wait when she received a letter from the Anthony Nolan Trust saying she was a bone marrow match....
Anthony Nolan Trust Home page
Winnick calls for MPs’ expenses reform
04 Apr 09 14:27
Birmingham Mail, 4 Apr 09
David Winnick (Lab Walsall North) has urged the Prime Minister to act quickly and reform MPs' expenses to restore public faith in Britain’s political system...
The Times, 3 Apr 09: MPs' expenses: the ten most outrageous claims ever
The Daily Telegraph, 4 Apr 09: The best and the worst value MPs
Rude awakening from M6 diggers
04 Apr 09 13:48
expressandstar.com, 4 Apr 09
Families in Murdock Way, Beechdale, endured a rude awakening when workers began digging up the M6 motorway and hacking down trees behind their homes, at 1:30am on Friday morning, leaving them exposed to noise and pollution from traffic...
The Highways Agency: M6 upgrade details
Traffic England: Walsall roads incident map
Walsall Advertiser, 19 Mar 09: M6 plans 'will make our lives noise hell'
Fake mugger victim jailed
03 Apr 09 19:17
Fake mugger victim jailed
Walsall Observer, 3 Apr 09
A Walsall woman who stole £27,000 from the funeral directors where she worked and then maintained she had been mugged to cover up her dishonesty has been put behind bars for 12 months...
Walsall Observer, 3 Apr 09
A Walsall woman who stole £27,000 from the funeral directors where she worked and then maintained she had been mugged to cover up her dishonesty has been put behind bars for 12 months...
Chapel fate campaign
03 Apr 09 19:11
Chapel fate campaign
Walsall Observer, 3 Apr 09
Campaigners from across the country were this week hoping to learn the fate of Bentley Cemetery Chapel, built in 1898, earmarked for demolition on Wolverhampton Road West, Willenhall...
Walsall Observer, 3 Apr 09
Campaigners from across the country were this week hoping to learn the fate of Bentley Cemetery Chapel, built in 1898, earmarked for demolition on Wolverhampton Road West, Willenhall...
Gang of ten attack teenage couple in Willenhall
03 Apr 09 15:57
Gang of ten attack teenage couple in Willenhall
Walsall Advertiser, 3 Apr 09
A young couple were robbed by a gang of ten men in a terrifying early morning attack in Willenhall...
Walsall Advertiser, 3 Apr 09
A young couple were robbed by a gang of ten men in a terrifying early morning attack in Willenhall...
Winnick calls for torture investigation
03 Apr 09 02:41
Daily Telegraph, 3 Apr 09
Pressure on the Government to investigate fresh allegations of complicity by British security officials in the torture of terror suspects intensified yesterday as David Winnick, Labour MP for Walsall North, said: "These are the gravest allegations, and it's essential that an investigation should be carried out as quickly as possible"...
Cake costs more than the wedding
30 Mar 09 15:30
expressandstar.com, 30 Mar 09
A pristine wedding day bill uncovered by a Willenhall couple showed their big bash in 1959 cost less than the cake to mark 50 years of marriage...
Museum seen through the keyhole
29 Mar 09 17:09
expressandstar.com, 29 Mar 09
Architects have unveiled their vision of a transformed Willenhall Lock Museum – complete with a gift shop and community centre...
Men attacked doorman with metal poles
26 Mar 09 13:48
Men attacked doorman with metal poles
Walsall Advertiser, 26 Mar 09
A Willenhall man who took part in an ugly attack on a doorman while out celebrating his brother's birthday has been spared a prison sentence...
Walsall Advertiser, 26 Mar 09
A Willenhall man who took part in an ugly attack on a doorman while out celebrating his brother's birthday has been spared a prison sentence...
Youngsters scale musical heights
23 Mar 09 11:21
Youngsters scale musical heights
expressandstar.com, 23 Mar 09
Children at Barcroft Primary in Willenhall have become the youngest in the country to pass a GCSE-standard exam – aged just 10...
expressandstar.com, 23 Mar 09
Children at Barcroft Primary in Willenhall have become the youngest in the country to pass a GCSE-standard exam – aged just 10...
Two held over school stabbing
20 Mar 09 17:25
Two held over school stabbing
expressandstar.com, 20 Mar 09
Two teenage school pupils were arrested after a 14-year-old was stabbed during a brawl just yards from his school near Moseley Park School in Willenhall...
expressandstar.com, 20 Mar 09
Two teenage school pupils were arrested after a 14-year-old was stabbed during a brawl just yards from his school near Moseley Park School in Willenhall...
Motorway plans 'will make our lives noise hell'
19 Mar 09 11:28
Motorway plans 'will make our lives noise hell'
Walsall Advertiser, 19 Mar 09
Residents living next to the M6 in Murdock Way, Beechdale, are demanding that the Highways Agency build a sound barrier to cut the roar of traffic on Britain's busiest stretch of road...
Walsall Advertiser, 19 Mar 09
Residents living next to the M6 in Murdock Way, Beechdale, are demanding that the Highways Agency build a sound barrier to cut the roar of traffic on Britain's busiest stretch of road...
Tyres dealer hit by blaze
18 Mar 09 20:42
expressandstar.com, 18 Mar 09
Keatyres Ltd in Willenhall are counting the cost following a fire on Tuesday night which gutted the inside of the building and which is believed to have been started deliberately...
Shop link hailed success as thief caught
17 Mar 09 20:28
Shop link hailed success as thief caught
expressandstar.com, 17 Mar 09
A radio link scheme to crackdown on shop crime across Willenhall has been hailed a success after helping to catch one thief red-handed...
expressandstar.com, 17 Mar 09
A radio link scheme to crackdown on shop crime across Willenhall has been hailed a success after helping to catch one thief red-handed...