Man hospitalised in Castle Brom crash

POLICE have appealed for information after a young man was hurt in a road crash in Castle Bromwich at the weekend.
The pedestrian, who was in his 20s, was reportedly involved in a collision on Hurst Lane North on Saturday evening (December 14).
The man in question was taken to hospital, following the incident at around 5pm. He suffered severe facial injuries
Anyone with information should call 101.

Who North Solihull residents can vote for tomorrow...

WITH less than 12 hours until the polls open, here is a reminder of the candidates standing in North Solihull at this week's General Election.
All four parties with a presence on the local council - the Conservatives, Labour, Liberal Democrats and the Greens - are battling for the seat.
Here is a brief summary of those hoping to get your vote in the Meriden constituency:

Teresa Beddis (Labour): Labour has selected former teacher Teresa Beddis to stand, with her nomination agreed shortly before the deadline last month.
She has spoken about the immense pressure on public services - particularly the NHS - and has slated the Conservatives for pursuing austerity policies.
Defending the cost of her own party's radical programme, she has said Labour has the chance to roll out radical changes - similar to those introduced by the party's government after the Second World War.
On Brexit she has said she supports a second referendum and would campaign to Remain.
A final fact: Is confident that her party's message will appeal to many people and has in fact placed a bet on a successful night for Labour.

Saqib Bhatti (Conservative): After Meriden's longest-serving MP, Dame Caroline Spelman, announced she was standing down, the Tories were in need of a new candidate.
Businessman Saqib Bhatti was selected, having seen off a challenge from Theresa May's former advisor Nick Timothy.
Mr Bhatti, a president of the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce, has said many voters are very angry that the result of the 2016 referendum has not been honoured. He said a Tory majority would allow the EU withdrawal agreement to pass.
Acknowledging that public finances have been under strain, he has said the Conservatives will now "invest in the future" and that their economic plan is credible.
A final fact: If successful, Mr Bhatti would be Meriden's first MP from a black, Asian or minority ethnic background.

Steve Caudwell (Green): The Castle Bromwich councillor has urged people to send a strong message in what his party has dubbed "the climate change election".
The businessman has been pleased to see the environment shoot up the political agenda, arguing that there is no Planet B.
During this campaign, the Greens locally have also advocated sweeping changes to the electoral system, which they argue often leavers voters having no choice but to back "the least worst option".
Coun Caudwell has also spoken about the need to build more homes and provide extra funding for services - citing the impact that years of cuts have had on council services.
As the candidate for a smaller party, he has done much of the leg-work himself and had previously asked for online donations to his fighting fund.
A final fact: Coun Caudwell was elected to the council in May and so is in fact fighting his second election campaign of 2019.

Laura McCarthy (Liberal Democrat): A community campaigner who got involved in local politics a few years ago, she has used the campaign to highlight cuts in school funding and fears over Brexit.
Coun McCarthy has described her party as "passionately pro-European" and spoken about the concerns over what the EU could mean for constituencies like Meriden.
She has said that following the campaign trail around the wildly contrasting wards that make up the seat, the largest in the West Midlands, has often highlighted sharp divides in views and predicts some surprises when results are declared.
Has said that her experience as a ward councillor, representing Elmdon, makes her well placed to stand up for residents.
A final fact: At 32 she is the youngest candidate standing in either Meriden or neighbouring Solihull.

Polling stations are open tomorrow (Thursday) from 7am-10pm.

Marston Green & District Lions Santa's sleigh routes.

FATHER Christmas will be doing the rounds again from next week.
Marston Green and District Lions have confirmed that Santa's sleigh will be completing a tour of streets in Marston Green and Chelmsley Wood in the coming weeks.
And in exciting news for Kingshurst residents, the team will be adding the estate to their rota for the 2019 tour.
A Lions spokesman said: "While we will always try to complete our routes below, our licence requires us to stop by 9pm each evening and it is possible that we will not be able to finish, especially if the weather is bad. We apologise for any disappointment that this causes."
Monday, December 9 (6.30-9pm):
Charlbury Avenue. Lambourne Grove, Hillys Croft, ​Ilkley Grove, Kettlewell Way, Grassington Drive, Leyburn Road, Buckden Close, Oxford Grove and Chichester Grove.
Tuesday, December 10 (6.30-9pm): 
Perch Avenue, Grantley Drive, Pendrell Close, Conway Road, Stapleton Drive, Fencote Avenue, Elmore Close, Hadfield Way and Anstey Croft.
Wednesday, December 11 (6.30-9pm):
Clopton Crescent, Newby Grove, Tyne Close, Runcorn Close, Tay Croft, Alder Drive, Rowan Way, Box Road and Whitebeam Road.
Thursday, December 12 (6.30-9pm):
Bluebell Drive, Yorkminster Drive*, Lyecroft Avenue, Foxland Close, Waterson Croft, Ryeclose Croft, Hawksworth Road, Drake Croft, Hawksworth Road, Kitegreen Close, Heathgreen Close and Partridge Close.
* - From Bluebell Drive to Waterson Croft.
Friday, December 13 (6.30-9pm):
Pike Drive, Bream Close, Graylings Walk, Chilham Drive, Ludlow Close, Wardour Drive, Penrith Grove and Drummond Way.
Saturday, December 14 (3-6.30pm)
Elmdon Lane, Canterbury Drive, Greenway, Newlands Lane, Digby Drive, Elmdon Road, Somerton Drive, Ashfield Lane, Moat House Lane, Wolverton Road, Rotherby Grove, Farndon Avenue, Hidcote Grove, St Leonard’s Close, Land Lane, Hall Drive and Aylesford Drive.
Sunday, December 15 (3-6.30pm)
Bickenhill Lane, Coleshill Road, Station Road, Chelmsley Lane, Alcott Lane, The Orchard, Holly Lane, Moseley Drive, Martin Rise, Marston Croft, Elm Farm Avenue, Wayside, Bickenhill Road, The Oaklands, Mowe Croft, Brook Croft, Bickenhill Road and Lyndon Croft.
Monday, December 16 (6.30-9pm)
Stokesay Close, Keepers Gate, Carisbrooke Avenue, ​Starley Way, Longley Walk, Wavers Marston, and Clarksland Grove
Tuesday, December 17 (6.30-9pm)
Hamar Way, Shirland Avenue, Ludworth Avenue, Holbrook Grove, Enville Close, Costock Close, Maple Leaf Drive, Byford Way, Harby Close and Radlow Crescent.
Wednesday, December 18 (6.30pm start) --- NEW KINGSHURST ROUTES
Fordbridge Road, Schofield Road, Townshend Road, Dunton Road, Stonebridge Road, Oakthorpe Drive, Bromcroft Road, Dalewood Road, Bannerlea Road and Foxwood Grove
Thursday, December 19 (6.30pm start) --- NEW KINGSHURST ROUTES
Meriden Drive, Wheeley Moor Road, Marston Drive, Overgreen Drive, Kingshurst Way, Yorkswood Drive, Hemlingford Road, Silver Birch Road, Gilson Way, Moxhull Road and Mullensgrove Road

Health advice as norovirus sweeps North Solihull schools

HEALTH chiefs are urging people suffering from the winter vomiting bug - which has recently forced the closure of several North Solihull schools - to stop at home.
NHS Birmingham and Solihull Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) has issued advice to those who are struck down by the norovirus.
The guidance released today (Monday), follows the decision of several schools to shut for "deep cleans".
Smith's Wood Academy and John Henry Newman Catholic College had announced closures and Tudor Grange Academy Kingshurst soon followed suit
Acting principal of Tudor Grange, Matthew Boyle, said he had taken the decision following discussions with Public Health England. The school was due to reopen today.
Writing to parents last week, Mr Boyle said: "[It is] a brief period to enable a full deep clean and to allow students and staff to recover from any prevailing illness."
NHS advice for those who have fallen sick is as follows:

• Stay off work or school until at least 48 hours after the symptoms have passed.
• Do not visit anyone at hospital while you are still contagious.
• Wash your hands often and thoroughly with soap and water, particularly after using the toilet and before preparing food. Don't rely on alcohol hand gels, as they do not kill the virus.
• Disinfect any surfaces or objects that could be contaminated. It's best to use a bleach-based household cleaner.
• Wash any items of clothing or bedding that could have become contaminated separately on a hot wash to ensure the virus is killed.
• Don't share towels and flannels.
• Avoid eating raw, unwashed produce.

 Dr Richard Mendelsohn, the CCG's chief medical officer, said "Norovirus affects between 600,000 and 1 million people each year and it’s vital that members of the public work with us to prevent the spread of the disease. 
"The message is to stay at home, make sure you have a well-stocked medicine cabinet and call NHS 111 if you are concerned and need further advice."

Chelmsley Wood hustings as election contest hots up

WITH fewer than three weeks left until voters go to the polls, General Election candidates will once again be attending a hustings in North Solihull.
All four men and women who are vyeing to be Meriden's next MP have been invited to the Question Time-style event.
It is a chance for those in the running to answer questions on some of the single biggest issues, including NHS, the economy, school funding, crime and Brexit.
It was confirmed earlier this month that all parties with a presence on Solihull Council would be fielding candidates in the constituency.
Whatever the outcome of next month's poll, it is certain that the seat will have its first new MP for more than 20 years, following the decision of Dame Caroline Spelman to stand down.
Those battling for your vote are:
Teresa Beddis (Labour)
Saqib Bhatti (Conservative)
Steve Caudwell (Green)
Laura McCarthy (Liberal Democrat).
The Brexit Party had announced a few weeks ago that it would not be contesting seats that the Tories had won in 2017, while no independent candidates have put themselves forward this time.
The hustings is taking place at the Three Trees Centre, Chelmund's Cross on Sunday, December 1.
Rev'd Neil Roberts, from Three Trees, has confirmed that the Election Special will start at 7.30pm.
Polling day is scheduled for Thursday, December 12 and don't forget that you have until midnight on Tuesday (November 26) if you haven't registered to vote.

Warning after lock snap burglary in Chelmsley

CHELMSLEY Wood residents are urged to be on their guard following reports of a so-called lock snap burglary.
It's understood that thieves had broken into a property on Whitebeam Road on Saturday night (November 16).
In a police alert following the incident, officers said that the crooks had managed to enter the home via the rear patio, using the lock snapping technique.
Designer clothes, jewellery and keys to an Audi A3 were stolen from inside the property.
Solihull Police said: "We advise homeowners to purchase anti-snap locks for external doors, and please consider getting security lighting and CCTV as a visible deterrent."
There always tend to be campaigns urging homeowners to be extra careful once the darker nights are here.
The clocks going back often coincides with a spike in crime and the run-up to Christmas can be an ideal time for opportunists, taking advantage of families being out.
Anyone with information about the Whitebeam Road incident should call officers on 101.

Windrush compensation meeting at Kingshurst church

SCANDAL: The controversy was named after the Empire Windrush liner,
which brought some of the first Caribbean migrants to Britain in 1948.

A COMPENSATION meeting for those affected by one of the biggest political scandals of recent years will be held in Kingshurst tonight (Monday).
The event at the New Testament Church of God, in Gilson Way, will be offering advice to those caught up in the Windrush controversy.
When the scandal broke last year, it emerged that many who formed part of the so-called 'Windrush generation' had been wrongly detained, denied legal rights and either been deported or threatened with deportation.
The issue affected various residents who had lived in the UK for decades and the government's handling of the scandal led to the resignation of then Home Secretary Amber Rudd.
The event has been organised by Bishop Dr Desmond Jaddoo and a Home Office representative is also expected at the meeting. It starts at 6pm.