£70k boost for North Solihull's "hidden gem"

CASTLE Bromwich Hall Gardens has received a major boost, with the news it has been awarded a £70,000 grant.
The historic site has secured the bumper sum following an application to the National Lottery's Heritage Fund.
The cash will help pay the salary of a business development manager, who will be tasked with promoting the site as a wedding venue and building on the current roster of events.
There are also plans to upgrade the venue's electronic systems and look at further opportunities for commercial activity.
General manager Glynis Powell said: "The gardens have been here for a very long time and gone through many changes, we are determined to find ways for generations to come to enjoy the important history and joy of this bit of hidden countryside.
"Our friendly and loyal volunteers are our best asset and we need to provide them with suitable and good technology that enables them to do their job of providing an excellent welcome."
Mike Robinson, chair of the Hall Gardens Trust, said: "It’s our duty to make sure our income streams are robust for the future.
"This award from the National Lottery Heritage Fund is a significant help for us as a small charity with a big responsibility."
The Hall Gardens has been managed by the trust since the mid 1980s, when the land was officially opened as a visitor attraction.
In 2015, the gardens marked 30 years since the site - which had once stood derelict - was restored to its former glory.