Man arrested in Chelmsley following public appeal

A YOUNG man has been arrested in connection with a series of alleged sex offences in Chelmsley Wood.
Police confirmed that the 28-year-old had been detained in the Dunster Road area early this morning and was continuing to be questioned by officers.
The force said that the arrest came as a direct result of information received from a public appeal earlier this month.

Decision on Babbs Mill housing plan due next week

WILDLIFE CORRIDOR: Otters are among the species that
have been recorded in the Cole Valley.

CONTROVERSIAL plans for a new housing development at Babbs Mill have been recommended for approval.
Solihull Council's planning committee is expected to decide on Wednesday (March 2) whether to grant planning permission for the 52-house scheme, which has been at the centre of a long-running dispute.
More than 1,800 residents have signed a petition against the proposals and the parish councils at both Kingshurst and Fordbridge have urged the committee to throw out the application.
Undoubtedly the most unpopular element of the scheme is that it will lead to the loss of almost a quarter of Babbs Mill Local Nature Reserve, a well-known wildlife habitat.
Other fears raised by local people include an increase in traffic along Cooks Lane and the fact that none of the dwellings which form part of the development qualify as affordable housing.
Action for Babbs Mill, the campaign group which has protested against the plans, has made a passionate case for councillors to dismiss the project.
In a report released this week, the council argues that the loss of part of the nature reserve could be offset by making improvements to the remainder of the site.
The developers would be required to contribute around £116,000 towards the package, which would include new seating, tree planting and the creation of meadow areas.
The officer who has compiled the document concludes that the improvements would "mitigate for the loss" of land.
The decision-making session - which is open to the public - will be held at Solihull Civic Suite, starting at 6pm.
A separate application to build 24 homes on Windward Way Industrial Estate, Smith's Wood, is expected to be heard the same evening.

• Other Side of Solihull will be live-tweeting during the meeting @North_Solihull and will publish the outcome on Wednesday.

Cafe for dementia carers coming to North Solihull

FORTNIGHTLY sessions to provide support for those who care for someone with dementia will be taking place in Chelmsley Wood from next month.
Cafe Tempo will be held at the Three Trees Centre every other week, starting on Monday, March 14 (1-4pm).
At present, there are thought to be almost 3,000 people with Alzheimer's and associated conditions living in Solihull and many of these will be looked after by a loved one.
The sessions offer the chance for carers to unwind for a few hours and meet people in a similar situation to them.
There will also be meetings at Kingshurst Art Space on the second and fourth Thursday of the month, with a start date to be confirmed.
Mayor of Solihull, Coun Glenis Slater, has welcomed the initiative, having this week attended the launch of another session in Hobs Moat.
"It can be an immensely difficult job to provide care for a loved one who is living with dementia," she said.
"Carers often find themselves alone coping with a difficult situation and opportunities like this can make a real difference. It gives much-needed advice and support to carers and helps them to manage their own lives as well."
For more information about the Cafe Tempo meetings call Christine Logan on 07720880109 or email christinelogan05@aol.com

Former footballing pro inspires Chelmsley Wood students

Students Decharne Shaw and Rosie Allen with PE
teacher Carl Davies and Christian Roberts

A FORMER professional footballer has given some sporting tips to students at the Grace Academy.
Christian Roberts, who made his debut for Cardiff City at just 17-years-old, dropped in at the Chelmsley Wood school to put a group of Year 9 students through their paces.
During the session - which was run in partnership with the Youth Sport Trust - the retired winger explained that hard work and a determination to succeed were useful qualities both on and off the pitch.
Christian, who also played for clubs including Bristol City and Swindon Town, said: "Young people have to make a decision to focus.
"If you look at my history as a person, I’ve achieved my dream but I have battled injuries and illness on and off the pitch and also lost my parents.  I’ve learned that the mental toughness and discipline you learn on the pitch can be applied to life.
"You need a tough mental attitude and the ability to work in a team.  It’s not all about your personal achievement but about the support behind you from a whole team of people.  This is important to realise whether you are at work, in your family or at school, you are still part of a team."
Rosie Allen, one of the students who took part in the training session, said: "It was a once in a lifetime opportunity and I thought he was a great coach. I would love to do this again sometime."

Looking to the future of Solihull's libraries

MEMBERS of the public will be asked about the future shape of library services in Solihull this spring.
In recent years, the borough council has grappled with the question of how best to equip its libraries for the digital age.
Emphasis has been placed on transforming the three “flagship” centres – of which Chelmsley Wood is one – into multi-purpose community hubs.
Arguably a greater challenge has been presented by the smaller branch libraries, where visitor numbers have dwindled and opening hours reduced as part of successive cost-cutting initiatives.
In response the council has sought to devise new operating models and a report published last month confirmed that a wide-reaching consultation is scheduled to take place in the spring.
During this process, library users will be asked what they think the priorities should be.
Depending on their responses, options to have libraries open for longer in the evenings and on Sundays may be considered.
The council has also hailed the success of a partnership which allowed Marston Green Library to open for longer and it is likely the authority will look to forge more deals with community groups and charities.
Other attempts to reach new deals have been less successful however, a project that would have seen Castle Bromwich Library join forces with Age UK fell through due to funding problems.
Another option to prevent hours being cut still further is to take on a greater number of unpaid volunteers and this is something that the council is currently examining.

Marston Green Infants has the best school chef in the region

COOKING UP A STORM: Jose Davies Kochakkadan is in the finals of
School Chef of the Year 2016.

COLD cabbage and lumpy custard are definitely not on the menu at Marston Green Infants Academy!
Jose Davies Kochakkadan, who is responsible for feeding more than 300 hungry pupils every lunchtime, is in the running for School Chef of the Year 2016.
His dishes have already been declared the tastiest in the West Midlands and next month he will battle it out with nine other school chefs in the hope of winning the national title.
The finalists will have just an hour and a half to produce a main course and dessert which is not only healthy but also likely to appeal to your average 11-year-old.
In fact a boy and girl of that age have been picked to sit on the judging panel which will have to choose which two-course meal is the best.
It's fair to say that Jose and his fellow competitors won't be afraid to bring some exotic flavours into the kitchen.
Even though they have just £1.60 to spend on ingredients for every portion, the food is set to draw inspiration from far-flung regions including Asia and the Americas.
Chicken with plantain mash and steamed greens and spiced pineapple cake were some of the dishes served up during the previous heats
The final, organised by the Lead Association for Catering in Education (LACA), will take place at Stratford-upon-Avon College on March 10.

Barriers installed in Marston Green to deter travellers

HEIGHT restriction barriers have recently been installed at three separate locations in Marston Green, as part of ongoing efforts to stop travellers accessing local sites.
The barriers - which would make it harder for caravans to get onto land - have been put in place at the entrances to Millennium Wood and the Burial Ground, both in Bickenhill Lane, and on the driveway to the village Recreation Ground.
Marston Green and Bickenhill Parish Council decided to install the devices following an incident last summer during which a group of travellers pitched up at Millennium Wood nature reserve.
A parish council spokesman said: "The cost to repair damage to gates and fences when the travellers left was expensive.
"We hope the measures taken will prevent further problems in the future."