Grenade find leads the bomb squad to Chelmsley Wood

BOMB squad officials paid a visit to a Chelmsley Wood street this week after a live grenade, which apparently originated from one of the homes, was found in Birmingham.
The unexploded device was discovered by men sifting through a consignment of metal at a recycling site in Nechells on Monday (March 27).
Emergency services were called in at around 12noon and police set up a cordon so that the grenade could be assessed by the bomb squad.
Officers and explosives experts then paid a visit to Lyecroft Avenue, although a search found nothing dangerous at the address.
A photo of the van, with Royal Logistics Corps Bomb Disposal on the side, parked in the street was later posted online

Cabinet minister visits North Solihull

FAMILY FIRM: Business Secretary Greg Clark (left) and Mayoral candidate
Andy Street visit TEAL Patents, Chelmsley Wood.

BUSINESS Secretary Greg Clark paid a visit to Chelmsley Wood today.

The cabinet minister was joined on a whistle-stop tour of the estate by Meriden MP Caroline Spelman and Andy Street, the Conservative candidate for West Midlands Mayor.

The visit gave Mr Clark - who was handed one of the most high-profile ministerial roles last summer - the opportunity to see the results of the area's Regeneration programme.

He also dropped in at TEAL Patents, a firm which is based in Waterloo Avenue and specialises in making portable sinks and basins. Mr Clark said the 58-year-old business was "leading the way" in terms of product development.
Manty Shanley, the company's managing director, said: "It was great to be able to show someone as influential as the Business Secretary what our company is all about and discuss some of the challenges we face."
Mrs Spelman said she was delighted to accompany her fellow MP around one of her constituency's family-owned enterprises.
"TEAL is an excellent example of how innovative products, designed and manufactured here in the West Midlands, are sought after and exported world over," she said.

Solihull Mayor welcomes students from Cholet

CASTLE Bromwich councillor - and Mayor of Solihull - Mike Robinson recently welcomed a group of students from the borough's twin town in France.
The delegation from Lycée Renaudeau, a college in the town of Cholet, were given a personal tour of the Civic Suite and had the chance to find out more about Coun Robinson's duties.
The group of 16-19-year-olds had been invited to the UK as part of an exchange programme organised by the Sixth Form College, Solihull.
Coun Robinson, who was presented with an embroidered towel by the French contingent, said: "It was a great afternoon, perfect for sharing some of Solihull's historical moments with a group of very nice young people."
The teenagers also visited some of the region's top attractions, including Warwick Castle, Cadbury's World and the Black Country Museum, during their visit.

Cholet:
* Is a town in western France with a population of more than 50,000.
* It found itself in the grip of a ferocious power struggle during the French Revolution.
* The biggest industry is the production of linen and linen handkerchiefs.

1984 in B37 - but not everyone's happy!

A CHELMSLEY Wood community centre has been left baffled after someone reportedly contacted the police to complain about posters advertising a public screening of the film 1984.
An adaptation of George Orwell's dystopian novel is due to be shown as part of the latest SHEDtalk event, organised by the Three Trees.
The film night has been advertised with a series of flyers, including some which draw inspiration from the story's famous propaganda posters - carrying slogans including 'Freedom is Slavery' and 'Closed Minds Stop Thought Crimes'.
But yesterday, the Rev'd Neil Roberts took to Twitter to reveal that someone had appeared to object to the campaign.
Posting a photo of another one of the posters, this one branded 'Ignorance is Strength', Rev'd Roberts said: "It appears we've been reported to the police for advertising #1984. I am enjoying the irony."
1984 became one of the 20th century's most critically-acclaimed books, with its nightmarish vision of a future in which Britain has been transformed into a one-party dictatorship.
The film adaptation, starring the late John Hurt, will be shown at the Three Trees this Friday (March 31). Meet at 7pm for a 7.30 start.

Save Our Playground: People urged to turn out to meeting

A PUBLIC meeting will be held this week to discuss plans to secure the future of Meriden Adventure Playground (MAPA).
The facility has argued that a six-month funding package, agreed by Solihull Council earlier this month, does not give staff and volunteers enough time to make the playground self-sufficient.
The decision not to approve funding for a longer period - as a number of local councillors wanted - was heavily criticised on social media.
Solihull Council has maintained that the deal approved last week was the most feasible option given budget constraints.
Now, as MAPA begins to put plans in place to keep the site going beyond August, local residents are urged to come along and show their support tomorrow evening (Wednesday).
The meeting will take place at Bosworth Community Centre, Chelmsley Wood, and is due to start at 7pm.

Sessions for Smith's Wood snappers

THOSE with an eye for a picture are invited to join the Smith’s Wood Photography Group.
Sessions for those 16 and over are held at Auckland Hall on Thursday mornings (10am-12noon).
Paul Gwilliam, who runs the group, said: “Last year we went out just around the local area, but
this year we’re looking to go further afield.”

Funding boost for domestic violence services

EXTRA money will be pumped into Solihull to help support those who are victims of domestic abuse.
While this is a problem across the borough, previous studies have suggested that there is a disproportionately high number of cases in the north.
In 2014/15, figures collated by Solihull Council showed that more than a third of incidents took place in either Chelmsley Wood or Smith’s Wood.
Support available to sufferers was affected by the closure of the Make a Better Life (MABL) Trust a few years ago.
The charity had been in operation for over a decade and ran a helpline for victims.
Now there is hope of increased help after more than £600,000 was made available for the West Midlands.
Councillor Tony Dicicco, cabinet member for stronger communities and partnerships, said: “Domestic violence is a devastating crime that wrecks lives. Sadly, 10 per cent of recorded crime in the West Midlands is domestic abuse, and these are only the cases we know about.
“We also want to develop timely and dedicated services for target groups. I look forward to seeing the impact this funding will have.”
* Birmingham & Solihull Women’s Aid run outreach sessions in Chelmsley Wood every Tuesday and Friday. Call 07891 492 327 for further details.