Heart-felt tribute to women who won the vote

A PUBLIC art exhibition, taking place in Chelmsley Wood next month, will mark 100 years since the first British women won the vote.
The event will celebrate the centenary of the 1918 Representation of the People Act and also pay tribute to others who have fought for equality in the years that have followed.
Creative locals have been invited to make their own knitted, felted or stitched heart to add to a specially-created display.
The artwork is the brainchild of the B37 Art Project, who will also be organising textile workshops in the shopping centre during the six-week holiday. For full details of the dates, visit the group's Facebook page.
Sessions will take place at The Green Estate, opposite Lloyds Bank. Materials are free, but all children must be accompanied by an adult.
The Heart of the Matter exhibition will take place on August 25. Residents are welcome to take their piece home afterwards or else donate it to charity.

Stone carving sessions at Chelmsley venue

CHIPPING AWAY AT IT: This grotesque on the side of Coleshill Church
gives an idea of what an experienced stone carver can achieve!

LOOKING to learn a new skill? Popular stone carving workshops are returning to Chelmsley Wood next week.

The sessions - which will give people the chance to try their hand at this ancient art - will be running at the Three Trees Centre from August 2-3 (10am-4pm). Please note that there is a £5 registration fee for the two-day programme.

To book your place call Three Trees on 0121 582 0767 or email 3treesbooking@gmail.com

Digging into Castle Brom's busy history

A TALK taking place next week promises to delve into the hidden history of Castle Bromwich.
The event will be hosted by local historian Bill Dargue and will be held at the Gunmakers Arms pub, in Birmingham city centre.
The talk will touch upon some of the most interesting places in the suburb, the history of which stretches back centuries.
Bill wrote: "Recent research shows that the site of Bromwich castle goes back rather further than its suspected Norman motte and bailey origins.
"A number of other buildings of interest also remain scattered along the Chester Road, which was the equivalent in the 18th century of the M6 motorway."
The event takes place on Tuesday (July 31) and will stat at 7pm. Tickets are £2 on the door or available for a slightly cheaper £1.66 here.

Life-saving training session in Marston Green

VILLAGERS in Marston Green will be offered training with the defibrillator recently installed outside the Parish Hall.
The free session has been organised by Marston Green & District Lions Club and will take place inside the Parish Hall, on Elmdon Road, tomorrow (Thursday).
The training will be led by first responders from the charity Fast Aid and will start at 7.30pm. All welcome.

Chelmsley's balconies project to feature on BBC show

LEAF IT TO US: The balconies at Fillingham Court, in Chelmsley Wood,
have been transformed 

A PROJECT to create balcony gardens at a Chelmsley Wood-based social housing scheme will feature on a prime time BBC programme this week.
Gardeners' World will be reporting on the work that has been done to bring a splash of colour to residents at Fillingham Court.
A total of three balconies have been transformed at the building, with one modelled on a cottage garden and the other using more exotic greenery. The third balcony is growing food plants.
The scheme, which has received funding from WM Housing, the National Lottery and National Grid, is the brainchild of the North Solihull-based community interest company Gro-Organic.
Stacey Sammons, the project lead, has been working with the residents of the three-floor apartment block since the start of the year.
"The work on the balconies is the culmination of six months’ consultation with the residents which has helped build community spirit and boost their well-being," she said.
"We’re really excited about this project and it will be great for the residents to feature on Gardeners’ World."
Residents Carol Panton, aged 67, and Phil Roberts, 70, have helped design the Victorian oasis balcony garden, which imitates the decor of their ground-floor apartment.
Carol, who played a key part in the design and planning, said: "It’s been a real focus for me this last few weeks and I’m looking forward to being on camera and determined to play a full part in the planting.
"I’m very happy with all the ideas and plants chosen, except I did draw the line at geraniums!”
The Gro-Organic team is also working with residents to improve the site's communal gardens and has plans to give a makeover to other verandas.
Gardeners’ World is broadcast on BBC2 this Wednesday (July 25), from 9pm.

Anger over fire at Millennium Wood

SMOULDERING: A separate fire scorched Hodge Hill Common this week

FIREFIGHTERS were called to tackle a blaze which was deliberately started on a Marston Green nature reserve.
Bickenhill and Marston Green Parish Council said it was "disappointed" to report the incident at Millennium Wood on Tuesday evening.
Photos show scorched earth and some blackened shrubbery, but the speedy arrival of the fire service prevented the flames spreading further.
The driest start to summer on record - with hardly any rain having fallen in the region in recent weeks - has meant parks and open spaces are a tempting target for arsonists.
A grass fire was reported near Forth Drive, Chelmsley Wood, on Monday evening and residents in Castle Bromwich may have seen the smoke rising from nearby Hodge Hill Common, where crews doused flames on Thursday.
The region's firefighters have condemned those starting fires in the tinder-dry conditions, warning that they are diverting resources "from where most needed".
The most serious instance of arson since the start of the heatwave was on Saddleworth Moor, near Manchester.
The blaze broke out on June 24 and at its height the inferno covered an area of seven square miles. Soldiers had at one stage been drafted in to help bring the wildfire under control, with fire crews having finally left this week.

Chelmsley man admits murdering his wife

A CHELMSLEY Wood pensioner this week pleaded guilty to the murder of his wife.
Arthur Stonehouse, 73, of Coralin Close, was arrested after his wife Tracy's body was discovered at the couple's home earlier this year. Officers had been called out to the address in the early hours of April 6
A post-mortem examination established that the 51-year-old had suffered multiple stab wounds and other injuries to her head and neck.
Stonehouse (pictured above), who was arrested and then taken to hospital after being falling ill, was charged with his spouse's murder later the same month.
During an appearance at Birmingham Crown Court yesterday (Thursday), he admitted murder.
The defendant is due back at the same court on August 6 for sentencing.

Victim "shaken and scared" after late night attack

A WOMAN was subjected to a terrifying sexual assault in Kingshurst, after being followed home on the bus.
Police revealed that the victim had been waiting to board a late night service in Birmingham city centre when she was approached by two men.
She later got on the No 55 and the pair got on the bus after a couple of stops. They sat next to the passenger and struck up a conversation again.
When she got off the single-decker service the men followed suit and one continued to follow her down the road.
West Midlands Police said: "He grabbed her in a sexual way and made suggestive comments and gestures towards her.
"She continued walking away when he pushed her against a car and continued to touch her inappropriately."

The victim managed to force her attacker off and fled home, where she called the police.

The force has said that the woman wasn't seriously injured but had been left "very shaken and scared" by the incident, which happened on May 26. The victim had first been approached at around 12.30am and the assault happened later the same night.

Officers have said that the suspect is an Asian man in his late 20s with short dark hair. He was wearing a brown coat and jeans. CCTV of the individual was this week released as part of a public appeal.
Anyone with any information or who knows this man is asked to call detectives on 101, quoting crime reference 20SH/116583N/18.

"Shotgun brandished" in broad daylight

ARMED police swooped on a Chelmsley Wood street following reports a man threatened to blast through a front door with a firearm.
The response team were called by a panicked resident in Waterson Croft yesterday morning (Wednesday), following reports of a disturbance at a tower block.
A sawn-off shotgun was recovered at the scene and sent for forensic tests. A 19-year-old man was arrested after being pursued into fields near the M6 motorway.
Checks of CCTV images led officers to another high rise in nearby Woodlands Way, where a 21-year-old man was also detained. The force helicopter and dog units also attended the scene, which was promptly sealed off.
Both men are being questioned on suspicion of possessing a short-barrelled shotgun.

Green Flag Awards for three of our open spaces

THREE sites in North Solihull have once again clinched a Green Flag Award.

The status is awarded to those parks and green spaces which are deemed to have achieved a certain standard in a number of key criteria.

Locally, Babbs Mill Local Nature Reserve, Meriden Park and Woodlands Cemetery were all judged to have made the grade when the full list was published on Monday.

All three locations retain their place, having previously featured in the 2017 list. Across the borough as a whole, 15 sites were handed the coveted Award.

Nationwide, an unprecedented 1,883 Green Flags were awarded this year, which was nearly 100 more than 12 months ago.

Paul Todd, International Green Flag Award scheme manager, said: "It has been a record-breaking year for Green Flag Awards, and it’s fantastic to see such a diverse range of locations have been recognised. 

"We are proud to have so many wonderful green spaces in the UK for people to experience, and encourage the public to head outdoors, explore their local area and find even more unexpected green spaces they can enjoy."

In order for a site to secure a Green Flag it must demonstrate its commitment to public safety, helping the environment and cleanliness.

Projects to nurture nature, promote community involvement and ensure that local people feel welcome are also taken into consideration by the scheme's judges.

Community rallies round after Country Park fire

DESTRUCTION: The aftermath of the fire in Sheldon Country Park

A CHELMSLEY Wood supermarket is helping raise money for a family farm which recently suffered a "devastating" fire.
Earlier this month, flames tore through a toilet block at Sheldon Country Park, near Marston Green.
Fortunately a passing dog-walker raised the alarm and fire crews arrived in force to put out the blaze, which was started in the early hours of July 8. The livestock in a nearby barn were thankfully unharmed.
While Sheldon Fire Station had originally described the incident as arson, it has subsequently been suggested that the fire could have been caused by compost combusting in flower planters.
In the wake of the incident, the Country Park had been inundated with messages of support from local people.
With the site having been left counting the cost of the fire, and still recovering from an illegal traveller camp just a few weeks before, the community has rallied round to try and help the popular spot get back on its feet.
Earlier this week it was reported that an online appeal had been set up, with hopes that £2,000 can be raised to repair the damage that has been done. More than £800 has been donated in a little over a week.
Becki Blackwell, who set up the Go Fund Me page, said she had been "overwhelmed" by the public's support to date.
Now Asda, in Bosworth Drive, has also shown its support and a collection bucket has been placed at the supermarket's customer service desk for people who would like to donate.
Old Rectory Farm, which is located on the Country Park site, keeps animals including Jersey cows, goats, pigs, ponies, geese and chickens. Dating from the 17th century, it has been fully restored and today offers demonstrations of traditional farming practices.

• The Farm is hosting a fun day on July 28.

Police investigate attempted theft from sparrowhawk nest.

POLICE are investigating an attempted theft from a Sparrowhawk nest in Chelmsley Wood.
It is understood that the would-be thief had targeted the bird-of-prey’s nest in a nearby wooded area.
The incident. understood to have taken place on the weekend of June 23-34, is being investigated by Solihull’s wildlife crime officer PC Andy Timmins.
Under the Protection of Birds Act 1954 it is illegal to take a wild bird’s eggs, with an unlimited fine or even a prison sentence awaiting those convicted.
If you have any information about the incident call Solihull Police on 101.

Enquiries into Babbs Mill attack continue

POLICE continue to investigate the attempted rape of a 11-year-old at Babbs Mill Park and have advised worried locals to consider carrying personal alarms.
The daytime assault on the schoolgirl, which caused shock and concern in Kingshurst and neighbouring areas, took place on June 29.
The victim had been knocked to the ground and suffered cuts to her neck in the terrifying attack, which happened at just before 3pm. She was subsequently discharged from hospital after receiving treatment.
In a statement last week, officers said they had interviewed several people as part of their investigations and that they were looking to "eliminate potential suspects and identify the offender."
As enquiries continue, neighbourhood teams are continuing to carry out high-visibility patrols in the vicinity of the park, which has been the scene of a number of other offences in recent months.
Residents who have concerns are encouraged to read advice compiled by the Suzy Lamplugh Trust - a public safety charity.
Anyone who has any information about last month's attack should call detectives on 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

Upgrade for leisure centre's fitness suite

INVESTMENT: Coun Joe Tildesley, cabinet member for leisure, tourism
and sport, and Jon Senior, regional director at Everyone Active.

THE fitness suite at North Solihull Sports Centre is set to be upgraded on the back of a recent deal done in relation to the facility.
Leisure operator Everyone Active is to invest £1million into the Chelmsley Wood site and Tudor Grange, near Solihull town centre.
The replacement of existing fitness equipment and the installation of new machinery is scheduled for later this month.
Earlier this year, Solihull Council announced that it had bought out a previous agreement with Parkwood Leisure – who had run the centres for over a decade.
A new deal was signed with Everyone Active, which the local authority argued would save money.
While most of the Sports Centre will remain open during the improvement work, the fitness suite itself will be shut from July 16-20.

Playground pays tribute to community spirit

MERIDEN Adventure Playground has celebrated its 10th anniversary and is now about to embark on an exciting new project.
The popular facility organised a fun day last month to mark the milestone, which some volunteers feared they would never see.
As previously reported by OSOS, the playground was plunged into uncertainty last year with the news that the council was withdrawing funding.
In the months that followed, the team worked tirelessly to apply for grants which would safeguard the site’s future.
What’s more, the playground has recently announced a partnership with other organisations to support local young people.
The facility put together a joint bid for funding, alongside Gro-Organic, Solihull Life Opportunities (SoLO) and Urban Heard.
The move was a response to the fact that many youth facilities in the area had closed and there is far less choice for older children and teenagers.
The application to the Youth Investment Fund means that the playground has secured salaries for most of its staff for the next three years.
Posting on Facebook, the Meriden Adventure Playground Association (MAPA) said: “Who’d have thought a year ago we would be in this position?
“It’s amazing what we can all do when the community and community-rooted organisations work together – congratulations North Solihull!”

Warning to "name and shame" litter louts in Solihull

LITTER louts have been warned that they face being named and shamed for failing to pick up rubbish or clear up dog mess.
Solihull Council has signalled it intends to take a tougher approach to those who ignore the law and is enlisting a new team of wardens to deal with the problem.
The pilot scheme, which will see the council enter into a deal with a private enforcement agency, will focus patrols in notorious hotspots.
Those caught littering or failing to clear up after their pet face being slapped with £75 fines (cut to £50 if they cough up within seven days).
Those who refuse to pay the penalty risk being hauled before the courts.
Coun Alison Rolf, cabinet member for stronger communities and partnerships, agreed to the two-year trial last month.
She suggested they could “blaze” the case of someone who had been caught across the media, to make clear to others that the behaviour wasn’t acceptable.
“How many times do you drive behind someone and they’re chucking stuff out of the window of their car?
“I do think we need to be seen to be more into the enforcement side of it as well as educating people that this isn’t the way to behave.
“It’s those people who are blatantly understanding what they are doing and still doing it.”
She said that she had often challenged those she had seen drop something on the ground, even when a bin was just a few feet away.
While Solihull Council said that clearing up after people incurs a considerable cost, it has admitted that its own enforcement officers haven’t previously treated it as a priority.
With limited resources available to tackle the problem, it decided to draw up plans to strike a deal with NSL (the firm which currently issues parking tickets).
Wardens will be equipped with body-cams to gather evidence, although the law will not allow them to operate covertly.
Caroline Naven, head of neighbourhood and regulatory services, insisted the scheme was designed to change behaviour as opposed to making money.
Smith’s Wood councillor Mark Wilson (Green) said that environmental crime was a major problem in his ward and neighbouring Castle Bromwich.
“Close to Lanchester Park there are little green pockets where there has been a lot of littering [and flytipping],” he said.
“In fact I found office furniture in one street - swivel chairs and what have you. It was bizarre.”
He suggested, however, that the council might have to be careful about the cases it publicised.
Superintendent Simon Inglis, from Solihull Police, said that officers would work closely alongside the council to promote the scheme.

Latest update on response to Kingshurst concerns

WORK continues to address concerns raised during a public meeting in Kingshurst last summer.
Solihull Council recently provided an update on its response to some of the issues flagged up by residents at the emotionally-charged event.
A report prepared for councillors last month notes that many of those gathered at the Seeds of
Hope venue criticised the neighbourhood’s “poor appearance and its lack of desirability as a place to live”.
The local authority has said it has looked at short-term solutions to problems such as anti social behaviour and littering, although it acknowledged that some of the issues will take longer to resolve.
Key to the council’s strategy is the plan to redevelop Kingshurst Parade, an improvement scheme which has repeatedly been beset by delays.
The turn-out of the event caught organisers slightly off-guard and it has served as something of a blueprint for similar Question Time-style sessions in other parts of Solihull.

Solihull's Mayor pays tribute to Chelmsley Wood

SOLIHULL'S new mayor – who has lived in Chelmsley Wood for almost 50 years – has spoken of her pride in the area.
Labour councillor Flo Nash (Kingshurst & Fordbridge) was elected at a Full Council meeting a couple of months ago.
In an address to the chamber, she described Chelmsley as “a fantastic place to live” and reflected on how the estate had changed over the many decades she had lived there.
“We came here many years ago ... when we came there was absolutely nothing here,” she said.
“We had no schools, no shops, no doctors, no chemist and I think we walked about three miles to the nearest Post Office.
“Over the years we’ve actually gained so much in the community ... and I think, to be truthful, people don’t realise what we didn’t have and what we’ve got now and we should appreciate these things.”
Speaking about how much the north of the borough has gained, she made mention of the new care home at Chelmund’s Cross and the area’s homeless hub.
“We’ve got so many things going for us ... let’s remember Chelmsley Wood is a fantastic place to live, it’s a great place to bring up your children...”
Coun Nash had moved on to the newly-built estate with her husband Alan, who she had met at 16 and married just a few years later.
The couple became well-known in the community and have been involved in a raft of charities and community groups.
Over the years, the mum-of-three has served on both Chelmsley and Fordbridge Town Councils, was a board member of St Leonard’s Day Centre and a school governor at both St Anne’s and Bennetts Well.
Coun Jim Ryan (Con, Bickenhill) paid tribute to the retired retail worker.
“Flo is a community champion ... she stands at the side of those at the bottom of the economic ladder, who stand [on tip toes] wondering where their next meal will come from.
“Flo says it as it is, she speaks her mind. And in her year of office, she will travel across the West Midlands, she will meet VIPs from every walk of life, but she will remain true to her values.”
She is uniquely qualified for wearing the chain of office, having previously served as Mayoress when Alan was Mayor in 2003/04.
“I was standing at the back a bit, but it’s my turn now,” she said.
Mr Nash, who will serve as Mayor’s Consort, is a former member of the Irish Guards and black cab driver. He had been a borough councillor in the same ward as his wife until a few years ago.
As is customary, the couple have nominated charities for their year of office, choosing to support the cancer ward at Birmingham’s Children’s Hospital and the West Midlands branch of the Alzheimer’s Society.

Saxons set to take school by storm

SWORDS at the ready! The date has been confirmed for this year’s Chelmund’s Day.
The 2018 event will take place at Bishop Wilson School on Saturday, July 14.
There will be stalls, crafts, demonstrations and more from 11am-3pm. Entry is free.

Funding bid to tackle Chester Road congestion

BOTTLENECK: Residents have complained of snarl-ups near Chelmund's
Cross, on the Chester Road.

MORE than a million pounds could be spent on efforts to ease traffic problems along one of North Solihull’s busiest routes.
Solihull Council has faced mounting pressure to do something about the congestion causing major disruption along the A452 Chester Road.
It has now been confirmed that the local authority has lodged a bid for £1.59million, which would be  used to address the regular queues.
Coun James Burn, leader of the Green Party group, has warned that the existing problems on the “crucial link” are set to be made worse by large-scale development in the area.
“I saw some stats recently around the volume of traffic that it’s expected to take with the building of HS2 and it’s massive,” he said.
“[Can there be] some consultation with the ward councillors? There’s a lot of local intelligence which would be really useful to harness when considering those developments.
“[The road] is under pressure now and it’s going to get quite a lot worse with HS2.”
The council’s own report, which sets out detailsabout the funding application to the West Midlands
Combined Authority (WMCA), also acknowledges that both the high-speed rail link and plans to extend the Metro are likely to add to “localised congestion”.
A range of options are being considered for dealing with the present difficulties and it has been suggested that sorting out the problems at the junction with Chelmund’s Cross village centre, a well-known pinchpoint, would be a priority.
Responding to Coun Burn’s comments, Anne Brereton, a senior officer at Solihull Council, gave assurances that there would be “various stages of consultation”.
Coun Bob Sleigh, the leader of the council, said that “information off the ground” was crucial to dealing with the road network.
He has previously stressed the importance of keeping key routes moving, particularly with a number of major infrastructure projects on the horizon.
Concerns about jams on Chester Road have been repeatedly raised by residents, who have accused road chiefs of having added to the problems by changing a stretch of the dual carriageway to a single lane and installing a cycle lane and a number of new crossings.
Late last year, Chelmsley Wood woman Fran Rickard outlined the extent of the problems in a
passionate speech to Full Council.
Speaking at the time, the Tay Croft resident had said: “The vehicles are actually sitting idling most of the day, especially in the rush hour.
“I’ve lived in the borough for 47 years and have worked at Birmingham Business Park for 20 years and I really do know this area well. What used to take me ten minutes to get to work now takes up to 40 minutes both ways.”
Solihull Council has previously said it’s important that “short term” solutions don’t create fresh problems at some point in future.

Stay safe advice as sweltering conditions continue

WITH no end in sight to the recent heatwave, Solihull Council has issued advice for staying safe in the sun.
In a message yesterday, the local authority urged people to keep an eye on children, the elderly and those with underlying health conditions, all of whom might struggle as the mercury continues to soar.
Other top tips include avoiding being out in the sun between 11am-3pm, when temperatures hit their peak.
People should also apply sunscreen, drink plenty of fluids and never leave pets in a closed, locked vehicle.
Hot, dry conditions are set to continue into next week, with bookies slashing odds that the summer will be one of the warmest on record.
While the weather has seen pubs and supermarkets do a roaring trade locally, a lengthy spell without rain has left verges parched and led to threats of a hose pipe ban.
Severn Trent has advised people to conserve water by avoiding the use sprinklers and taking short showers instead of a bath.

Summer colour erupts in North Solihul

WILDFLOWER meadows have once again burst into life on roundabouts and roadsides around the borough.
Locally the seeds have been sown at locations including Bosworth Drive and the Birmingham Road island.
The mulch used to nurture the flowers was previously revealed to use recycled sacks from the coffee and nut industry!

New issue of Other Side of Solihull's newspaper

THE latest edition of our digital newspaper is available to read now.
Get in touch with your news and suggestions for our next issue.

Macmillan bus to visit Chelmsley supermarket

ONE of the UK's best-known cancer charities will be running a drop-in session at the Chelmsley Wood branch of Asda next week.
Macmillan will be bringing their bus to the supermarket, with experts on hand to answer questions and discuss any concerns with the public.
The event will take place next Thursday (July 12) from 9am-4pm.

Young man hospitalised after being shot in both legs

A MAN has been hospitalised after being shot in both legs during an incident in Kingshurst last night (Tuesday).
The 22-year-old suffered pellet injuries and West Midlands Police have confirmed that he remains in hospital. In a statement, the force press office said the wounds are not believed to be life-threatening.
Officers had been called to Didgley Grove, a cul-de-sac which is located near Kingshurst Park, at around 10.30pm.
A resident who contacted Other Side of Solihull said that armed police descended on the area and were searching under cars.
Enquiries are ongoing. Anyone with information should call the force on 101, quoting crime reference 20SH/149324X/18. Alternatively contact Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

Man eliminated from enquiries in fast-moving investigation

DETECTIVES investigating an attempted rape at Babbs Mill have released a suspect arrested earlier today (Tuesday) without charge.
The 35-year-old was detained in the early hours of this morning following information received during a public appeal yesterday.
However, within hours of the announcement, West Midlands Police confirmed that the individual has been eliminated from enquiries.
Chief Insp Colin Barnes, from Solihull Police, said: "We are continuing to appeal for information.
"While we do have extra patrols in the area and a large number of officers working on the investigation, the role the public plays in this remains crucial.
"We need the public to be our eyes and ears and to let us know of any piece of information that could help us track down the offender and bring them to justice.
"As we head towards the school holidays, we want to remind parents and youngsters to follow common sense advice to keep themselves safe.
"We’d ask all members of the public to be vigilant and be aware of their surroundings and personal safety."
Anyone with information can call 101; quoting crime number 20SH/145636Y/18. Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

Arrest made following attempted rape of 11-year-old

A MAN has been arrested in connection with an attempted rape at a Kingshurst park, police have confirmed.
A 35-year-old was detained in the early hours of this morning (Tuesday) following a public appeal for information. 
The attack happened on Friday afternoon (June 29) at around 2.50pm, as the 11-year-old was walking through Babbs Mill Park. She was knocked to the ground and had suffered a knife wound to the neck.
Officers have also said they intend to question the man about a similar incident in the area.
Chief Insp Colin Barnes, from Solihull Police, said: "We would like to thank those who shared the appeal and would urge anyone who has any information which may assist our investigation to contact us.
"Patrols will continue in the area to offer reassurance to the community."
Meriden MP Caroline Spelman said that she was liaising with police following the incident.
Anyone with information can call 101; quoting crime number 20SH/145636Y/18. Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

Local MP supports tougher laws to tackle traveller camps

ENCAMPMENT: Caravans parked up in Castle Bromwich a few weeks ago

MERIDEN'S MP has waded into the debate on traveller camps, calling for a change in the law.
Dame Caroline Spelman is among 31 Conservative backbenchers who have backed a proposal for deliberate trespass to be made a criminal offence in England and Wales.
The group argue that the existing legislation gives limited powers to police and local authorities and often involve lengthy legal proceedings.
They made their case in a letter which has been sent to Communities Secretary James Brokenshire.
"Here in Solihull borough, it is clear that residents want to see a change in the law," said Mrs Spelman.
Anger over traveller encampments has been fuelled by a series of recent incidents in North Solihull, with groups moving onto sites including Babbs Mill and land opposite Castle Bromwich Hall Gardens.
The incident at Babbs Mill last month was particularly frustrating for locals, who have complained about a number of previous incursions.
Solihull Council had already reviewed security at the site, but efforts to make access more difficult did not stop caravans returning to the parkland.
Following the most recent incident, the local authority confirmed it would once again review the measures it had put in place.
The ongoing problems were debated on the Action for Babbs Mill Facebook page a few weeks ago.
Chris Wightman wrote: "If the council think throwing a few logs and small mounds of earth will stop these lot they must be mad."
Sherry McConville argued that lobbying for a change in the law was the best approach.
"These travellers come tooled up with diggers and bolt cutters and will get on anywhere they want to regardless of what prevention is put in place. Sad but true."

Police increase patrols following attempted rape at Babbs Mill

POLICE have issued an urgent appeal for information following the attempted rape of an 11-year-old girl in Kingshurst.
Officers are conducting patrols at Babbs Mill Park, following the attack last Friday (June 29).
In a harrowing incident, which took place in broad daylight, a girl was knocked to the ground by a dog-walker and suffered a cut to the neck from a knife.
She was taken to hospital and has since been discharged. West Midlands Police said this afternoon that she is now being supported by specially- trained officers.
The assault happened at some time between 2.30pm-2.50pm, and detectives are now attempting to identify the man.
He is described as white, slightly tanned, with short brown/greying hair. He has blue eyes, large hands and a muscular, stocky build.
The suspect was with a white King Charles spaniel, which had light brown patches on its ears and body. The dog had a red collar and red extendable lead.
A number of items have already been recovered for forensic testing and officers are also exploring another recent incident to see if it is connected.
Chief Inspector Colin Barnes, from Solihull Police, said: "We fully understand the concern that this nasty attack has caused in the community.
"We’re working flat out to identify the person responsible and bring them to justice, with officers working through CCTV and carrying out house-to-house enquiries.
"We’re liaising with schools and the local authority, and people can also expect to see extra uniformed patrols in and around the area.
"I’d encourage anyone with concerns or information that might help us to speak to officers."
Anyone with information can call officers on 101; quoting crime number 20SH/145636Y/18. Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

Fresh anger over damaged wheelie bins

BIN lorries in Solihull are refusing to empty recycling bins which have cracked open as a result of a major manufacturing fault.
Solihull Council has warned that it cannot tip "severely damaged" bins into the back of the lorries for safety reasons and has told people to use alternatives.
The latest announcement has infuriated some borough residents, thousands of whom are still waiting for their container to be replaced. As in other parts of the borough, the split bins have become a common sight in neighbourhoods including Chelmsley Wood and Castle Bromwich.
As of last week there were still around 6,500 bins due to be replaced, with households warned they could have to wait up to 20 working days - as crews struggle to keep up with demand.
Solihull's Green Party councillors have accused the council of not allocating enough resources to get the growing problem under control.
Chelmsley Wood councillor James Burn admitted it would have been impossible to predict that a defect this severe would develop.
But he suggested that the decision by the Conservative-run authority to contract out refuse collections to the private company Amey had left them with fewer options to act.
Concerns have also been raised about the work that had been done to keep residents informed.
A Solihull Council spokesperson said: "The bins which are severely damaged cannot be safely lifted onto the vehicles to be emptied; therefore we are asking residents to leave their recycling in alternative suitable containers for collection.he
"These can be woven shopping bags, plastic boxes or clear sacks, and residents can collect the clear sacks from our walk-in centres and libraries.
"We are looking at how we can make it easier for residents to report the issue and if we can improve our processes to reduce delivery waiting times for replacement bins."
To date more than 10,000 brown wheelie bins have been replaced, with the number of requests having risen dramatically since last December.
Councillors have confirmed that the supplier will cover the costs of replacements, but questions have been raised about the added expense of dealing with complaints and delivering replacements.

Football club folds after ten years

A LOCAL football club have taken the "extremely tough decision" to fold up.
Smith's Wood Firs FC have progressed through the divisions since they were first formed ten years ago and lifted the County Vase in their most recent campaign.
But in a statement this week, owner/manager Paul Ryder said that the commitments involved had become too much.
"I would like to thank my players past and present that have played for the club...and anyone that has helped behind the scenes including sponsors," he said.
"It has been fantastic and an enjoyable part of my life, it wasn’t just my club it was my baby."
Since 2014, Mr Ryder was assisted with running the club by Neil Armstrong, with the two of them handling the coaching, fund raising, production of programmes and posts to social media between them.
Attempts to bring in volunteers and attract investment over the past month had proven unsuccessful.
Mr Armstrong said: "With no other help on the horizon this decision has been made as neither Paul nor I can guarantee we could be there every match day next season and going into Step 6 football we need more than two people running the club.
"It will be a massive void from our lives but will give us more time to concentrate on other ventures."