Headteacher urges parents to respect pub's parking rules

THE headteacher of Marston Green Junior School has written to parents to clarify the free parking offered up by a nearby pub.

Marston Green Tavern is allowing mums and dads to use the rear car park to drop off and pick up pupils.

But a letter sent out this week warns that those leaving vehicles at the front of the building will be fined.

The free parking to the rear is available during the following peak periods - 7.45-9.00am and 2.45-4.00pm.

Headteacher Lynn Clark said: "It is a huge community gesture for the publican to offer a free parking facility to parents; this enables the areas around the school ... to be less congested and safe.

"As always, we rely on parents being co-operative and parking within the time limits and only at the rear of the car park.

"Should there be individual parents who choose not to follow the request of the publican then we have been reliably informed that the free parking facility will be removed completely."

Marston Green Juniors, in Station Road, is one of several schools which could be incorporated into the second phase of Solihull's School Streets scheme - which bans vehicles from surrounding roads during the busiest times of the day.

The village's nearby Infant Academy was one of three sites to pilot the initiative, which has largely been regarded a success by road chiefs.

Life-saving kit in place at popular playground

MERIDEN Adventure Playground has had life-saving equipment installed outside its cafe.
Last year volunteers had launched an online appeal to place a defibrillator at the popular play facility.
The playground has said that the kit – to be used if someone suffers a cardiac arrest – would be a major asset.
Now it has got a device on-site thanks to support from Marston Green & District Lions.
The playground thanked the group, although it added that hopefully the equipment would never have to be used.
When the site launched its appeal a few months ago, a spokesman said: "By having a defibrillator on the outside of the building this will enable local people in the community to access in an emergency situation.
"[It would provide] peace of mind that in an emergency, in a remote park, this equipment could potentially save a life."

Weapons haul in Chelmsley Wood

POLICE seized a number of weapons in Chelmsley Wood as part of a crack down on knife crime.
Four blades - a machete, a "Rambo" knife, samurai sword and kitchen knife - were found in Meriden Park.
Armed officers had swooped on the area last Thursday (February 21) and found a cache of "potentially lethal" items.
Residents reported seeing response vehicles in the vicinity and photos posted on a police Twitter account showed the deadly haul laid out on the grass.
Supt Jason Anderson, a tactical firearms officer, said: "Our work continues. Too many young people are carrying knives in our city with horrific consequences and loss of life."
There has been growing concern about an increase in knife crime across the region in recent months, although Solihull Police have said that the borough has far fewer offences than neighbouring council areas.
Four youths were detained following last week's incident.

Burglary suspect caught on camera

POLICE are on the trail of a man wanted in connection with a burglary in Marston Green earlier this month.
A Skoda Octavia and bank cards were stolen during the break-in on Monday, February 4.
Officers said the offence took place between 5-7am and have now released CCTV of a suspect.
In an appeal this week, police confirm that the cards had later been used at both Asda and Costcutter in Small Heath, Birmingham.
If you recognise the man or have any information about the burglary in question call officers on 101.

Attempt to connect with Castle Brom mums

A NEW Facebook group has been set up for Castle Bromwich mums on maternity leave.
The forum was launched a few months ago to “offer support, share relevant events and organise meet-ups to reduce the risk of loneliness and isolation whilst on maternity.”
A recent survey by polling firm ComRes found that almost half of women are lonely during this period.
Almost a third didn’t enjoy maternity as much as they thought they would and two in five found they missed being at work.

Chelmsley Wood chippy approaches first anniversary

A COMMUNITY-run chippy is set to celebrate its first anniversary.
Chelmund's Fish and Chips opened its doors to the public on March 1 2018, with freezing temperatures and falling snow failing to keep customers from the door.
While the outlet closed a short time later to tackle teething problems, it reopened a few weeks later and is now preparing to celebrate the 12 month milestone.
Posting on Facebook, the social enterprise thanked locals for their support over the course of the past year.
"We can't believe it's been nearly a year we've been open!
"We started the chippy when we saw the opportunity for the community to own and run its own business. We've learned a lot over the year and most of it has been fun!
"Chelmsley Wood is a great place to be and we are proud that our community has achieved this, the UK's first and only community-owned chippy."
The business, which took on one of the new retail units at Chelmund's Cross, is unique in that its profits are ploughed back into various community projects.
Several years' planning went into the project, which is a joint venture between Three Trees community centre, Development in Social Enterprise, Olive Branch Kitchen and Churches on Chelmund's Cross.
The idea has received a lot of national attention, including a visit from BBC's The One Show and praise from Hollywood actor Michael Sheen.
A number of special offers are due to be announced to tie in with the anniversary.

Row reignited over Smith's Wood playing field

A FRESH fight over possible plans to build on a Smith's Wood playing field is set to unfold in the weeks and months ahead.

Residents have been urged to have their say about proposals in the council's draft Local Plan, which could see the loss of open space off Auckland Drive.

The piece of land is one of several sites which have been earmarked for housing developments in the latest version of the document, which is currently out for public consultation.

Solihull Council has acknowledged that the loss of the playing field would need to be mitigated - in line with its policy for sports pitches.

But many residents remain concerned and are pushing for the proposals to be scrapped altogether.

The threat to the estate's green space previously caused a storm of controversy in 2016 and the row has been reignited by the publication of an updated document.

This week, locals have been asked to make their feelings known at a consultation event later this month.

The Cars Area Together - a local community group - has posted a video message stressing the importance of people speaking out.

The consultation event will be taking place at Chelmsley Wood Library on Thursday, February 28. Residents can drop-in between 3.00-6.45pm.

Medical centre approved on village's green belt

A HUGE new medical centre on the edge of Marston Green was approved by the council's planning committee last week.
The purpose-built facility - which is around four times the size of the ageing doctor's surgery in Chelmsley Lane - will be built on land off Ivy Lodge Close.
Dr Victor Sagoo, a local GP, had told councillors that the surgery had been looking for an appropriate site for a larger premises for years.
He warned that if the multi-million pound scheme fell through then it might leave his practice, which is the last remaining in the village, with no choice but to move out of Marston Green.
Bickenhill and Marston Green Parish Council said it accepted that the current doctors was struggling to meet demand, but it was very worried about the loss of open space.
Richard Cobb, a planning expert who spoke on behalf of the organisation, calculated that around 80 per cent of the area required was green belt land.
The parish council fears that the development could pave the way for housing developers to make a grab for what remains of the green space.
The scheme, which was first unveiled last year, will bring various medical treatments under the one roof. Aside from 17 separate consulting rooms, there will also be a gym, self-service cafe and pharmacy on-site.
Although several elements were scaled back ahead of last Wednesday's decision session and a proposal to incorporate a children's nursery was axed.
More details about the development, which received unanimous backing from the committee, will be included in our next edition.

Anger at vandals targeting village recreation ground

Photo/ Marston Green
Cricket Club

MARSTON Green Cricket Club has asked residents to keep their eyes peeled following a spate of anti-social behaviour.
Vandals are causing danger and creating a nuisance at the recreation ground, with photos posted yesterday (Monday) revealing that the fence had been pulled down.
There have also been concerns about youths messing about with the scoreboard and climbing on the cricket nets at the Bickenhill Road site.
The club has said that the incidents are most often reported over the weekend.
Solihull Police have been informed about the latest acts of vandalism and it's understood that the culprits were caught on CCTV.
If you have any information call officers on 101.

Residents urged to sign up to Street Watch

A COMMUNITY-led crime fighting scheme recently conducted its first patrol around Babbs Mill.
The local Street Watch group - which act as eyes and ears in the local community - are looking for extra volunteers.
Anyone interested will be given training and will be asked to commit to around two hours a month.
The local branch has been established following the launch of similar set-ups in areas including Elmdon and Shirley.
West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner David Jamieson, a former Kingshurst councillor, has said that the scheme has played a key role in providing another uniformed presence on the streets.
Although some have been wary of the project, fearing residents are being asked to pick up the baton in the wake of police cuts.
To find out more about Street Watch and how you can get involved click here.

Tree-mendous boost to wildlife in Marston Green

SOME 60 trees have been planted in a North Solihull beauty spot as part of a multi-million pound project to boost the local environment
The greenery has recently been added to Marston Green Park in hope of helping birds, insects and other species.
The work has been carried out as part of the council's flagship Wildlife Ways scheme, which is set to see a number of initiatives across the borough over the next few years.
A total of £16.8 million is being ploughed into the project, with a large chunk of the money coming from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).
Coun Joe Tildesley, cabinet member for leisure, tourism and sport, said: "The idea behind Wildlife Ways is to connect people to nature and protect and increase wildlife in the borough. 
"Over the next three years residents will notice lots of planting of trees, bulbs and wildflowers – and it will be easier to travel across the borough by foot and bike too. 
"The trees planted at Marston Green Park this week will make a real difference to wildlife."
A total of 800 trees are to be planted across the entirety of Solihull, followed by 3.5 million bulbs, wildflower turf and grass seed.

Police incident shuts Chelmsley Wood housing office

A HOUSING office in Chelmsley Wood was closed during a police incident this afternoon (Tuesday).
Solihull Community Housing (SCH) had shut its premises in the town centre after officers attended in response to concerns about "the safety of a tenant".
The organisation, which manages the council's housing stock, had notified the public about the incident, at around 3pm today.
Police confirmed they had attended the Coppice Way premises and spoken to the tenant.
SCH said that the office had reopened and it was "business as usual" around an hour later.

Thousands raised following death of much-loved local man

MORE than £5,000 has been raised for an appeal to help meet the funeral costs of a man killed in a collision last month.

An online fundraising page was set up following the death of Ross Williams, who was involved in an incident on the Collector Road while travelling to work.

The 37-year-old, who worked in Solihull Council's education department, was described as having "a heart of gold".

Almost 200 people had pledged money via the Just Giving page, with the £4,000 target easily exceeded.

Donations continued to be made last week and the total currently stands at £5.262.

Paying tribute to Mr Williams, the page said: "He helped and changed the lives of so many children and families in Solihull and had such a kind heart and compassionate nature. 

"He always went above and beyond to help and nothing was ever too much trouble. He will be missed by everyone who had the pleasure of knowing him."

The three-vehicle collision had happened on the morning of January 11. Two men, aged 42 and 45, had been arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving and were bailed pending further enquiries.

Disappointing HS2 news for Chelmsley residents

THERE has recently been disappointing news for Chelmsley Wood residents waiting to discover how they will be compensated for the impact of HS2.
Locals had been hoping that a significant improvement project would be announced to make up for the loss of part of Heath Park.
One proposal would have been to invest money in Bluebell Park, a short distance away, but at a recent meeting it was confirmed that any scheme would not be specifically incorporated into HS2’s mitigation measures.
Instead it would depend on a successful bid to the project’s Community and Environment Fund.
Coun Karl Macnaughton (Green, Chelmsley Wood) said: “That is obviously a potential avenue for some improvements.
“I am disappointed. I was very much led to believe there would be more to come ... and if that’s all that’s come I think that’s quite poor.”
Dame Caroline Spelman had said that she would like to see residents offered assistance in preparing bids.
“It is going to require a bit of extra help. Goodwill will stand you in good stead during what is inevitably a period of disruption.”
Residents have been pushing for answers for several years as to how they will be compensated for the removal of land at Heath Park.
It had originally been hoped that a replacement open space would be provided at Brickfields Farm. But this proposal was ruled out when the HS2 plans progressed through the House of Lords.
This prompted some to suggest that the improvements to Bluebell Park would be a sensible alternative.

Fears HS2 could heap extra traffic on Chester Road

CONCERNS have been raised that the Chester Road could be flooded with construction traffic when work starts on the HS2 rail link.
There have been complaints about congestion at several points along one of North Solihull’s busiest routes.
And Meriden’s MP, Dame Caroline Spelman, is worried that a further increase in vehicles may make matters worse.
She has suggested it might be more appropriate for the lorries to make greater use of the Collector Road instead.
Pointing out that the dual carriageway had been built to ease traffic on the M6, she believed it could have key role to play.
“The Chester Road is very, very busy, very congested,” she told HS2 officials at a recent meeting.
“[It] has had some pedestrianisation, which means it has actually been narrowed to slow the traffic. “And in the rush hour it becomes very congested. It’s a ribbon development, so you’ve got residential [homes] close to the highway along the entire length of it.
“Traffic can be stationary at times and I wondered if any more thought had been given to getting the traffic off onto the Collector Road.”
Jonathan Lord, HS2’s senior area engagement manager, said that the company would look at the issues and report back.
With construction due to start in earnest in the coming months, fears that the project could cause great disruption on local roads have grown.
It has already been reported that one route in the Balsall Common area will be used by up to 400 vehicles a day.

Five charged with helping Kingshurst man's killer

FIVE people were due to appear in court today (Wednesday), charged with helping a young man convicted of a murder in Kingshurst.
Callum Lees was stabbed in the neck during a house party in Hopwas Grove, Kingshurst in 2017.
He was found collapsed in nearby Haselour Road and later died from the wound.
Last August, James Atherley, 21, was convicted of murdering the 20-year-old and was sentenced to 26 years behind bars.
This week police confirmed that three men and two women had been charged with assisting an offender and were set to appear at Birmingham Magistrates.
The accused have been named as:
Kelly Palmer, 40, from Letitia Avenue, Solihull
Zac Palmer, 22, from Fallowfield Avenue, Solihull
Kelly Casey, 38, from Letitia Avenue, Solihull
Cian Murphy, 22, from Colesbourne Road, Solihull
Brad Hope, 21, from Lyndon Road, Fenheam, Newcastle.
Det Insp Jim Colclough, from the force’s homicide team, said: "Callum's family has been kept fully updated with this development."

News at last on Kingshurst Parade redevelopment

AN UPDATE on the Kingshurst Parade redevelopment is finally due to be presented to councillors next week.
Plans to upgrade the run-down precinct have suffered a number of delays, with residents frustrated by a lack of news.
Now a planning brief has been prepared, including details of the multi-million pound scheme, and this will be presented to the council's cabinet on Thursday.
Subject to their approval, a four-week consultation will follow.
Although there is still a way to go before construction work can start, with a planning application needing to be submitted, considered and approved.
The council report admits that the current Parade, which was built in the 1960s, has deteriorated over the decades. The buildings are described as "dated, poor quality, and not fit for purpose."
Two years ago it was agreed that a wholesale demolition of the site was the best way forward, with little support locally for a more modest refurbishment.
While it was always intended to redevelop the area as part of the wider North Solihull Regeneration, securing funding has proven difficult and the plans have been pushed back several times.
The condition of the shopping area - including concerns about anti social behaviour - was one of the main concerns raised at a public meeting at Seeds of Hope in 2017.
Seeing similar village centres started and finished at nearby Chelmund's Court and North Arran Way has added to the anger in Kingshurst.

Chelmsley Wood raid finds handgun hidden under bed

POLICE found a handgun hidden under a bed during a late-night raid in Chelmsley Wood.
Officers had swooped on the Oxford Grove flat in the early hours of this morning (Friday) and had found the firearm concealed.
A 30-year-old man was arrested and remains in police custody while experts examine the weapon - which could be a converted blank-firing pistol.
The handgun was one of four firearms seized by West Midlands Police in just 12 hours.
DCI Ian Ingram, said: "These are some really notable seizures… firearms and ammunition that at the very least could have been used to threaten but potentially kill.
"These recoveries may well have saved lives."

Have your say on North Solihull housing plans

NOW's your chance to find out more about plans to put new homes on sites in North Solihull.
Solihull Council has fired the starting pistol on a six-week consultation, with residents asked for their views on the housing proposals.
The draft Local Plan is the all-important blueprint which will shape development across the borough into the 2030s.
One of the most controversial items in its 100 plus pages is the list of more than 20 sites, which have been earmarked for over 6,000 houses.
The north has much smaller allocations than some parts of the borough, although there are up to 100 homes included in the long-delayed Kingshurst Parade redevelopment.
In nearby Smith's Wood there is a proposal to fit 50 homes at Jensen House, in Auckland Drive.
Residents have until March 15 to make their feelings known, with the plan set to be finalised in the year ahead and adopted in 2020.
There is also a drop-in session at Chelmsley Wood Library tomorrow (Saturday), from 11am-3pm.
More on the Local Plan proposals and what they will mean locally in our next edition.