Care home opening completes Chelmund's Cross development

RIBBON CUTTING: Coun Bob Sleigh, leader of Solihull
Council, Gordon Sanders, from Runwood Homes, Mayor of
Solihull, Stuart Davis, and cabinet member Karen Grinsell.

A BRAND-new residential and nursing home based in Chelmsley Wood officially opened its doors today (Wednesday).
The completion of Chelmund’s Court, a 73-bed facility for older people with dementia, marks the final phase of the multi-million pound Chelmund's Cross Village Centre.
Councillor Karen Grinsell, the cabinet member for adult social care and health, attended the event and said the home was "a wonderful addition" to Solihull.
"As the population of older people in the borough grows, so too does the demand for high quality care and support services," she said.
"The new home is in response to the consistent challenge this causes the council when trying to find affordable care within the borough.
"It will enable people suffering with dementia to remain part of the borough where they have lived and worked and most importantly, be close to their loved ones."
Gordon Sanders, chief executive of Runwood Homes, said: "Now that the new home is operational we will be working with our partner, Solihull Council, to ensure that local needs can be met.
"Some really effective community links have already been made with voluntary organisations and NHS bodies."

Death Cafe comes to Chelmsley Wood

A CHELMSLEY Wood-based venue today played host to a 'Death Cafe'.
The Three Trees Centre described the session as "an open conversation, with no agenda or set questions."
It stressed that the two-hour event - during which tea and cake was served to visitors - wasn't intended to be macabre nor to be considered a counselling or support group.
Rather it was inspired by a movement started in London around six years ago, with the intention of encouraging discussion of issues relating to death and dying - which are often seen as taboo.
More than 5,000 events have since been organised around the world.
You can find out more about the Death Cafe project at their official website.

Ex-chief executive of dogs' home appears in court

A FORMER charity boss from Marston Green has admitted defrauding Birmingham Dogs' Home of hundreds of thousands of pounds, ITV reports.

Can you help North Solihull's hamper appeal?

THE team organising this year's Christmas hamper appeal are hoping for another show of support from the local community.
Last year more than 350 boxes were distributed to elderly and vulnerable residents in North Solihull.
This winter, Coleshill Heath School and Fordbridge Community Primary will be taking the lead in collecting food stuffs.
Individuals are also welcome to get involved by filling a small box, decorating it and including a card for the recipient
Collection points are up-and-running at the following locations:

• The Onward Club, Helmswood Drive, Chelmsley Wood (Mon- Fri, 10am-3pm)
• The Coventry Building Society, Maple Walk, Chelmsley Wood Shopping Centre (10am-3pm)
• Bickenhill and Marston Green Parish Council Office, Cricket Ground, Bickenhill Road, Marston Green (Mon-Thurs, 10am-3pm)
• Bosworth Drive Community Centre, 291a Bosworth Drive (10am-3pm).

If you would like to get involved, hampers should be handed over by December 9, giving time for local organisations to deliver them before Christmas.

Police act after struggling to respond to calls

A SENIOR police officer has admitted that West Midlands Police had struggled to deal with the volume of calls being made to its non-emergency 101 number.
Frustrations about getting through to a call handler to report an incident had previously come up at public meetings held in Kingshurst and Castle Bromwich earlier this year.
In a report prepared by Solihull Council's Crime and Disorder Scrutiny Panel, which met last month, it was noted that the 101 service - which receives an average of two or three calls every minute - had been "tested to the limit" over the summer.
Superintendent Simon Inglis, from Solihull Police, acknowledged that the difficulties of coping with demand had meant some callers had been made to wait longer than the force "would have wished".
Members of the Scrutiny Panel noted residents' frustration about response times, which are seen as especially important given the previous decision to close many stations, including Chelmsley Wood, to the public.
Supt Inglis said that the force had, in recent months, recruited extra staff to cope with the workload and that service had improved as a result.

Chelmsley fireworks this Saturday

THE always popular Bonfire Night event will be taking place in Chelmsley Wood this weekend.
This year’s fireworks display will be held on the field at the junction of Berwicks Lane and Helmswood Drive on Saturday, November 4. Gates open at 6pm, with fireworks to start at 7pm.
Organisers have confirmed that there will be a burger van, children's rides and a number of stalls.
Admission is free but donations to the charities Dementia UK and Global Make Some Noise will be welcome.
For more information please contact clerk@chelmsleywood-tc.gov.uk

Chart star fulfils promise to perform at fan's wedding

SINGER-songwriter Craig David agreed to perform at a local woman’s wedding, after she tweeted him every day for a year.
Super-fan Sophie McEvoy, from Marston Green, tied the knot with Richard McCausland in Tenerife and the singer turned up as promised to serenade the newly-weds.
Twenty-seven-year-old Sophie had previously been told by friends and family that she had no chance of persuading the artist to perform at her big day.
But undeterred the office worker, who got engaged last year, proceeded to send daily requests to the star.
Mr David finally confirmed he would be there during an appearance on an Australian radio show.
Tweeting after the event, the performer said it had been “an absolute pleasure” to attend the wedding celebrations.