Man dies after falling from Chelmsley Wood tower block

BYSTANDERS battled in vain to save the life of a man who fell from the ninth floor of a Chelmsley Wood tower block earlier today.
The man, who has not been named, plunged from an upper window at Trevelyan House at around 10.30am.
Paramedics said that local residents were already attempting CPR by the time they arrived on the scene, with ambulance crews continuing to give advanced life support.
Unfortunately nothing could be done to save the man, who was confirmed dead at the scene.
West Midlands Police confirmed the death did not appear to be suspicious, but had cordoned off an area outside the flats while they carried out their investigations.

Residents urged to have their say on Babbs Mill plan

RESIDENTS have vowed to continue the fight to prevent part of a treasured nature reserve being handed over to housing developers.
Solihull Council and its partners recently launched a consultation on the next phase of residential development across North Solihull – including the controversial plans to build on an area of Babbs Mill Park – and local people are being urged to make their feelings known.
The plans were first unveiled in 2012 and although the size of the development is now smaller than the council originally envisioned, the scheme could yet prove one of the most controversial aspects of the area’s multi-million pound regeneration project.
A local residents’ group, Action for Babbs Mill, have been busy making their case against the plans, which could see several dozen homes built on a wedge of land off Lark Meadow Drive.
Their main objections include extra traffic along the already congested Cooks Lane and the loss of green space in one of Solihull’s most densely populated wards.
A group spokesman said: “Our beautiful park should never be built on; it is our legacy to our children and focal point for the local community to come together as one.
“We are constantly being told in the north of the borough that we need to exercise more and that the age difference between people who die in the south and the north is ten years. Why then the need to rip up parkland and a nature reserve to build houses?”
Sarah Evans, who chairs the group, told Other Side of Solihull that a public meeting held earlier this month was “very positive”.
Over 2,000 leaflets were delivered to local homes advertising the event, with Councillor Robert Hall (UKIP, Kingshurst & Fordbridge) and David Cole, chairman of Kingshurst Parish Council, among the guest speakers.
While the fight to stop the housing development remains the focus for campaigners, the action group has also opened dialogue with council officials about improving facilities and holding more events in the park, with Ms Evans describing the initial discussions as “productive.”
The North Solihull Regeneration Partnership will be holding the third of three consultation events at the Pavilions Sports Club, Meriden Drive today (Wednesday) from 3-8pm.
The partnership said the event was a chance for people to view the initial designs and that their comments would help to shape the plans which will subsequently be submitted to Solihull Council’s planning committee.
For more information visit www.northsolihull.co.uk

New edition of our digital newspaper out now

THE new issue of our digital newspaper is now available to read on Issuu.
We'll soon be starting work on the November edition, so if you have stories or suggestions for what you'd like to see in future editions, please contact us.

"Call the Midwife" nuns to move to Marston Green

A CONVENT of nuns who inspired the BBC drama Call the Midwife looks set to move to Marston Green.
Christine Hoverd, Margaret Angela King, Elaine Knight, Ivy Patten and Shirley Hart are the last remaining members of the Community of St John the Divine.
Before moving to inner-city Birmingham, the nuns were previously based in London's East End.
One of their district midwives during this period, Jennifer Worth, wrote a memoir about her time working alongside the sisters and her fond memories later formed the basis for the BBC series, starring Jenny Agutter and Miranda Hart.
The sisters left the capital for Birmingham in the 1970s and while they no longer practice midwifery, they have continued to serve the community by preparing food parcels and running a drop-in centre for those in need.
However, their dwindling number means that their current home in Alum Rock is simply too big and with the property now on the market they plan to move the ministry to Marston Green.

Authorities move to remove travellers from Kingshurst parkland

POLICE and council officials have confirmed they’re taking steps to remove a group of travellers who have moved on to Babbs Mill.
It is understood that as many as 20 caravans arrived at the parkland on Friday (September 11.)
Residents are concerned that the vehicles are damaging the grass and that a major clear-up operation may have to follow.
Coun Debbie Evans (UKIP, Kingshurst & Fordbridge) said: “The police sergeant for this area has just contacted me and Monday morning they will be going to court and the travellers will hopefully be gone by the afternoon.
“They are asking for people to be vigilant and take care. They have also assured me that patrols are going to be more frequent until this is resolved.”
The neighbourhood team confirmed they were aware of the encampment and that the process to legally remove the travellers was under way.

Jobs Fair to take place in Chelmsley Wood

THOSE hoping to find work ahead of the busy Christmas period are invited to the Solihull Jobs Fair, taking place in Chelmsley Wood next week.
The event, being organised by Solihull Council, will showcase some of the temporary and permanent positions set to become available in the weeks and months to come.
For jobhunters there will a chance to meet some of those employers looking to recruit new staff.
Unemployment in Solihull has been steadily dropping in recent years, although there is still a disproportionate amount of people out of work in the north of the borough.
Figures for July show that there are 945 people claiming jobseekers' allowance in the three regeneration wards (Chelmsley Wood, Smith's Wood and Kingshurst & Fordbridge). This is equivalent to four per cent of the working age population.
Encouraging people to attend the event, Councillor Joe Tildesley, cabinet member for education, culture and skills, said: "Seasonal job opportunities can provide invaluable work experience, and they could turn into a full time position."
The fair is being held at The Loft, Chelmsley Wood Library, on Thursday (September 17). People can turn up from 9.30am-1.00pm and while there's no need to book, jobseekers are advised to bring a copy of their CV.

Woman receives hefty fine for not clearing up her dog's mess

A CHELMSLEY Wood woman has been found guilty of not clearing up after her dog and will now have to pay over £300 in fines and costs.
Natasha Brock, 41, allowed the animal to foul the pavement in Holly Lodge Walk on two occasions and did not attempt to get it up.
Following the incident, which was witnessed by police officers on February 27 this year, Brock was issued with a £75 penalty.
After she failed to pay the fine, she was summonsed to court, convicted and the amount she had to pay was increased to £100. Birmingham Magistrates also ordered her to pay £200 in council costs and a victim surcharge of £20.
The court case concluded on Monday and comes as Solihull Council tries to tackle environmental crime - often quoted as one of the most common frustrations of residents.
Councillor Karen Grinsell, cabinet member for stronger communities and partnerships, said: "Dog fouling won’t be tolerated in Solihull, and the minority who still don’t clear up after their dog will be pursued by our environmental crime officers and could find themselves in court receiving a fine and a criminal record"

Castle Bromwich Heritage Festival returns

COSTUME DRAMA: Re-enactment societies were out in force last year.

CASTLE Bromwich Heritage Festival  - a celebration of the suburb's long and colourful history - will be taking place this weekend.
The two-day jamboree aims to build on the success of last year's inaugural event, with the full programme now confirmed.
Victorian re-enactments, live music and children's games will be among the highlights, and there will also be the chance to sample a tipple or two in the cider tent and take trips up the bell tower.
The festival will take place in and around the grounds of St Mary and St Margaret's Church. Events will run Saturday (11am-5pm) and Sunday (12.30pm-5pm).

Chelmsley Wood clergyman out of intensive care

A CLERGYMAN who was attacked outside his Chelmsley Wood church last month is on the road to recovery.
David Charmbury, aged 45, had been placed in an induced coma after suffering serious head injuries on August 16. The incident had happened outside the Church of Latter Day Saints.
West Midlands Police said this week that the Mormon bishop was making good progress and his condition is described as stable.
A 36-year-old man has been charged with assault and taking a vehicle by force. He is due to appear at Birmingham Crown Court on November 30.

Community Gala will celebrate local woman's life

ORGANISERS of the Marston Green Community Gala have said this weekend's event will be a joyous tribute to a much-missed member of the local community.

There will be stalls, a tombola, bouncy castle, BBQ and whole host of traditional games at St Leonard's Church. 

Live entertainment will be provided by groups including Penelope's Dance Studio (pictured right) and members of the 1st Marston Green Scout Group - who are co-ordinating the event.

Organisers have said the gala will be a celebration of the life of one of the village's best-known residents, Anne Dunkley.

The former teacher, who had a long association with the scout and guiding movement, had been killed in a disturbance at her home in June this year.

A 24-year-old man has been charged with her murder.

St Leonard's said that it promised to be a very busy afternoon and encouraged local people to bring their friends and families along to the event.

The gala will be held on Saturday (September 5), from 1-4pm.