Step along to Chelmsley's children's shoe sale

A KIDS' shoe sale will be taking place at Coleshill Heath School's Community Hub this week.
Second hand and nearly-new shoes, trainers, pumps, wellies and other children's footwear will be on sale for the next three days.
All items are £1.50 and in good wearable condition.
Opening hours are: Tuesday, January 30 (10.30am-1pm), Wednesday, January 31 (10am-12.30pm) and Thursday, February 1 (10am-12.30pm).
All proceeds will go to Children's Clothing Solihull, a social enterprise set up to help provide items of clothing to families going through a difficult time.

Launch of mental health service for Solihull's young people

YOUNG people in Solihull can access free mental health support as part of a new initiative.
The borough council this week announced an 18 month pilot scheme for Kooth, to provide help to 11-25-year-olds.
The service offers online self-help materials and a counselling service from 12noon-10pm weekdays and 6-10pm at weekends.
Kooth will be run in partnership with mental health services and the voluntary sector.
Dr Angela Brady, a local GP and Solihull Clinical Commissioning Group’s lead on mental health, said: "We are delighted that young people in Solihull will now be able to access this invaluable service and get mental health support when they need it most, in a way which is convenient to them."
Figures suggest that mental health issues - including depression, anxiety and bipolar - affect around one in 10 children and young people in the UK.
The Kooth counselling service can be accessed here.

High-speed car chase ends down by the riverside

END OF THE ROAD: The chase came to an end near the River Cole, off
Forth Drive. Picture by @trafficwmp

AN EARLY morning police chase - which saw cars tearing through the streets of North Solihull - ended with a suspect trying to escape across a freezing river.
The 15 minute pursuit of a suspected stolen vehicle - sighted in Shard End - yesterday morning  (Friday) had passed through Marston Green and Chelmsley Wood.
Alarmed pedestrians - some of whom were parents on the school run - reported seeing patrol cars racing after a vehicle, with a helicopter following overhead.
Photos posted on social media revealed that a police car had apparently knocked over a postbox at Whateley Green, Castle Bromwich, during the chase.
A stinger device was finally used to bring the car to a sharp stop in the Forth Drive area. The suspect had attempted to escape across the nearby River Cole, but a police sergeant was waiting on the other side of the watercourse.
West Midlands Police confirmed that a 38-year-old man had been arrested on suspicion of car theft. The car, understood to be a Fiesta, was later towed away from the riverside by one of the force's 4x4s.

Take part in the Big Birdwatch at Castle Bromwich

CASTLE Bromwich Hall Gardens will be holding an event to mark the RSPB's Big Garden Birdwatch tomorrow (Sunday).

Every January, the leading wildlife charity asks people to spend an hour counting how many species they can see. 

The nationwide survey - in which thousands take part every year - allows the RSPB to build up a comprehensive picture of bird populations around the country, as well as giving scientists an idea of which species are seeing an increase in number and which appear to be in decline.

The Birdwatch will coincide with the Gardens' Snowdrop Saunter, a chance to visit the site and spy one of the earliest flowers of the year. Hot chocolate will be served in the 18th century greenhouse and there will also be family crafts to enjoy.

The event will run from 11am-3pm. For more about the event and full details of admission charges visit the website.

A bright idea to support Meriden Adventure Playground

SUPPORTERS of Meriden Adventure Playground will be lighting up the local area tomorrow night (Saturday).

People will be gathering to take part in a sponsored "neon walk", with all proceeds going direct to the community facility.

The brightly-dressed procession, expected to be brandishing glow sticks, will be setting out from the playground at 5pm. Hot chocolate and biscuits will be served to warm up participants at the end of the route.

The fundraising event was originally due to take place last month, but had to be postponed at the eleventh hour due to the snowy weather.

If you picked up a sponsorship forms for the original December date you can still use this, alternatively the paperwork is available from playground staff.

Police appeal following Castle Brom burglary

POLICE have today released CCTV pictures of men wanted in connection with a burglary in Castle Bromwich last week.
The break-in happened at a house in Kingsleigh Drive last Monday (January 15) between 7.00 and 7.35pm.
The culprits are believed to have been linked to other burglary offences in the local area.
If you have any information please call Det Con Fitzgerald on 101 or call Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

Chelmsley to host event on benefits shake-up

AN EVENT will be held in Chelmsley Wood this month, offering residents the chance to discuss a controversial overhaul of the benefits system.
The Citizens Advice Solihull Borough (CASB) is organising the event, providing the opportunity for local people to ask questions about Universal Credit.
A spokesperson said: "We would like to hear from people who have tried to make a claim, have made a claim, gone through the process and are [being] paid Universal Credit."
The session will be held next Wednesday (January 31) at The Junction, in Chapelhouse Road. It will run between 1-3pm.
Universal Credit is a fundamental shake-up of the country's welfare framework and was designed to replace six means-tested benefits and tax credits
The Government has argued the changes are designed to make the system more efficient, but critics claim that it will hit incomes and have a negative impact on various vulnerable groups.

North Solihull schools excel in new guide

TWO of the best state primary schools in Solihull are to be found in the north of the borough, according to a new set of rankings.
The Real Schools Guide 2018, compiled by newspaper publisher Trinity Mirror, places St Anthony's Catholic Primary School, in Kingshurst, and Smith's Wood Primary Academy in the top five.
A spokesperson for St Anthony's said: "This is a great achievement for our school community and a testament to the hard work of pupils, staff, parents and governors."
Now in its fifth year, the annual report differs from traditional league tables in that it does not just depend on exam results.
Overall more than 40 sources of data are used, including progress made, the school's teacher to pupil ratio and absence rates.
Sharmans Cross Junior School, St George and Teresa Catholic Primary, in Bentley Heath, and Oak Cottage Primary, near Olton, completed the top five.

Sign of the times: Flyposting crackdown comes to village

SOLIHULL Council officials were cracking down on fly-posting in Marston Green yesterday (Friday).
Putting up posters, bills or other advertisements without the proper permission is a criminal offence and those convicted can face fines of up to £2,500.
The local authority has said that the signs, which were removed from the roadside at locations including Alcott Lane, were "an annoyance".
Responding to a post on Facebook about the crackdown, some residents criticised the council for pursuing small businesses instead of tackling anti social behaviour or other offences.
Defending the steps taken, Friends of North Solihull said: "There are many ways to advertise a business... like paying for an advert in the local paper or leaflet drops."

Measles outbreak in Solihull prompts health warning

SOLIHULL residents are being reminded to check they have had two doses of the MMR vaccine following confirmation of seven cases of measles in the borough.
The local outbreak follows a spate of cases around the UK; it was reported this week that more than 120 people had developed the illness across five areas of England.
Public Health England (PHE) West Midlands has confirmed it is working alongside Solihull Council and local health agencies to impress the importance of getting the vaccination.
Dr Bharat Sibal, from PHE, said: "Those affected in Solihull are all recovering but it’s important to be aware that measles can be a very serious illness and lead to severe complications, especially in people who are particularly vulnerable or have other health conditions.
"Measles is a highly infectious viral illness. If you think you could have measles, it is really important to stay away from areas where you could come into contact with lots of other people – especially vulnerable patients in hospitals, care homes or other settings."
Measles symptoms include a high fever, red watery eyes, coughing, aches and a blotchy red-brown rash.
Anyone with concerns should call their GP or NHS 111 for advice. They should not attend their doctor's surgery or an A&E department to minimise the risk of infecting others.

Conservation team hits Marston Green

SOLIHULL Conservation Volunteers will be paying a visit to Marston Green this weekend.
The group will be coppicing around the pond, between Coleshill Road and Brooklands Way, this Sunday (January 21).
Coppicing is a traditional method of managing woodland; the technique dates back to Medieval times and is designed to encourage greenery to put out new shoots.
To find out more about the volunteers and the work they do around Solihull visit their website.

Appeal following break-in at Chelmsley Town clubhouse

FORCED ENTRY: The badly damaged door at Chelmsley Town Football Club
Picture/CT Shush

A FUNDRAISING appeal was launched today following news that the Chelmsley Town Football Club clubhouse had suffered a break-in.
Thieves targeted the premises stealing TVs and laptops, raiding the till and smashing up the jukebox.
The culprits had forced their way into the building in the early hours of this morning, between 1am-2.30am.
Solihull Ladies United FC, one of the sides to play at the ground, have set up a crowdfunding page in the hope of raising £500 to replace some of the missing items and repair the damage done by the burglars.
Despite only going live this morning, by teatime supporters had already pledged over half the target sum.
A spokesperson for Solihull Ladies said: "It is difficult for many grassroots football teams to find quality facilities and when incidents like this happen it affects many within the community.
"In particular this club, its owners, and locals have helped support our Ladies Team...get off the ground at a time that we were in desperate need of support and funding, and came so very close to folding. It is our turn now to do our bit to give back to this club and to rally around in support."
Donations can be made via the JustGiving page. If you have any information about the break-in call West Midlands Police on 101.

Traffic warden-style system considered to tackle littering

SOLIHULL Council only pursued enforcement action in two littering cases in the space of 12 months, a report has revealed.

The document - prepared by the borough council's environmental services manager - admitted that the local authority had switched its attention to cracking down on other environmental crimes - such as fly-tipping and fly-posting.

This meant that just a couple of cases were brought against those who dropped rubbish in 2016/17.

Officers have said they recognise they need to step up efforts and were currently looking at ways to increase enforcement, including asking the agency which currently issues penalties for parking infringements to start doling out fines for environmental crimes as well. 

This model, which has already been successful in other parts of the country, would initially see operatives tackling those who litter or don't clean up after their dog.

The report into the council's littering strategy is due to be considered by the cabinet member for stronger communities and neighbourhood services tomorrow evening (Wednesday).

It also sets out proposals to trial "intelligent" litter bins - which use computer technology to let the council know when they're full - in Solihull.

The council is currently confirming details for a pilot project to introduce 50 of the receptacles in 2018/19.

The equipment would save the local authority money by meaning that they only have to visit bins when they need to be emptied, while also reducing the risk of those which are used most often overflowing.

If the pilot was successful efforts would be made to replace some of the 970 bins located around Solihull on a permanent basis.

The report argues that the borough has continued to perform well, conducting almost 70,000 litter picking operations in the course of the last financial year and receiving just four formal complaints about littering during this period.

Youth singing group set to get started in Chelmsley

A NEW youth choir will be starting up in Chelmsley Wood from tomorrow evening (Tuesday).
Solihull Out Loud Youth Choir (SOLYC for short) will meet at the Three Trees Centre, in Hedingham Grove, and is open to singers aged 10 to 16.
The first session will run from 5.30-7.00pm. For further details and to book your place email info@blacktrainmusic.co.uk

Terrible lizard makes trip to Chelmsley Wood

A PREHISTORIC specimen will be stomping around Chelmsley Wood Shopping Centre later this month.
The Dinosaur Discovery Day will be taking place at the precinct on Saturday, January 27 (from 12noon-4.40pm).

Chelmsley to host clinic for survivors of sexual violence

A NEW clinic to provide support and advice to survivors of sexual abuse will be held monthly in Chelmsley Wood.
Sexual health charity Umbrella has joined forces with the Rape and Sexual Violence Project (RSVP) to run the regular sessions, open to anyone over the age of 13 who has experienced rape, sexual abuse or sexual exploitation.
The abuse survivors clinic will be held at the Primary Care Centre, in Crabtree Drive, and will take place on the last Thursday of every month (between 10am and 1pm).
Rachel Caswell, a clinical lead for sexual violence and domestic abuse, said: "Sexual abuse and violence affects so many people, from every walk of life and it can make a huge difference to have someone to trust, talk to and confide in.
"In my role within Umbrella I continue to marvel at the bravery and courage of survivors."
You can find out more at the Umbrella website.

Listen up! Radio scheme on its way to Smith's Wood

A PROJECT offering media training to local people and not-for-profit groups is starting in Smith's Wood this Saturday (January 13).
The scheme, aimed at those on the Cars estate who are interested in developing their own radio show, will be taking place at Auckland Hall.
If you would like to get involved contact terri@switchradio.co.uk

Archery event aims to hit hall's fundraising targets

EVER fancied trying your hand at archery?

Budding bowmen and women might be interested in an event taking place at Marston Green Parish Hall this Saturday (January 13).
Three targets will be set up, with experienced archers on hand to offer guidance. Anyone over seven can have a go (with a charge of three arrows for £1).

There will also be face painting and glitter tattoos at the event, which will be aiming to raise money for the venue.

The session will run from 11am-3pm. Admission is 50p for adults and free for children.

Holy matrimummy! Victory for local MP's campaign

A CAMPAIGN to update ancient laws on marriage certificates, which critics say discriminate against women, has been spearheaded by Meriden's MP.
Dame Caroline Spelman has co-ordinated the latest push to ensure that the mothers of the bride and groom are recorded on the official documents.
At present the paperwork only has space to note the name and occupation of the couple's fathers.
Those who have campaigned for the certificates to be updated have noted that the current format has remained unchanged since 1837 - the year that Queen Victoria came to the throne.
Past efforts to force a change have failed, in part because the Government had claimed that it could cost millions to replace tens of thousands of register books around the country.
Former Prime Minister David Cameron had previously endorsed the idea in 2014, admitting that the current arrangement didn't reflect modern Britain. But supporters of reform were frustrated when his administration later appeared to kick the issue into the long grass.
More recently Dame Caroline - who is the Church of England's official representative in the Commons - has been at the forefront of a renewed campaign, backed by a cross-party group of MPs. Now she has said that plans to implement a new digital record have finally paved the way for modernisation. Indeed, the MP's office reported last week that the proposal had been signed off by the Home Office.
She said: "Having fought a long-standing campaign in Parliament to bring about this change, I am delighted that the Home Office has indicated that it will support my Marriage Registration (No.2) Bill to change the way marriages are recorded in England and Wales and to include the names and occupations of mothers on marriage certificates for the first time.
"The introduction of a new, digital system of marriage entry will not only save money... but will right a historic wrong - something which has been called for by over 70,000 petitioners in recent years."

Little George follows on from Big Ben

IT was a memorable New Year for Castle Bromwich's Katrina Jones, whose new son became one of the first babies to be born in 2018.
Big Ben had barely stopped chiming when George Jake Rowland arrived at 12.02am on January 1.
Katrina's waters had broken earlier in the evening and George was born at Heartlands Hospital after a five hour labour.
He is the 30-year-old's first child and her partner Keith was there to support her throughout the birth.
Katrina said: "I was very calm throughout it – I think even the midwife was surprised about how calm and relaxed I was.
"I spent some time in the birthing pool but George had other ideas and I ended up giving birth to him in the delivery suite. I’m head over heels in love with him already."
Grandmother Lisa Hughes said: "Katrina attended all of her ante-natal classes and even paid to go to some private sessions too, to make sure she was ready for George to arrive.
"I am so proud of her for bringing my first grandchild safely into the world."
Statistics suggest that in the region of 2,000 babies nationwide will share George's birthday, although his arrival minutes after midnight will make him one of the earliest arrivals of the New Year.

Students engage in heated debate on climate change

EMERGING THREAT: Despite a recent cold snap, English winters are
expected to become milder and wetter due to changes in climate.

FOUR schools from North Solihull were among those who recently came together to take part in a Model Climate Conference
The Mayor of Solihull, Councillor Stuart Davis, welcomed the students to the Civic Suite for the discussion session - which focused on one of the biggest challenges facing world leaders.
Pupils from the CTC Kinghurst Academy, Grace Academy, John Henry Newman Catholic College and Park Hall Academy, joined representatives from Lode Heath and St Peter’s.
The event was organised by the charity Interclimate Network, which works nationwide to raise awareness about the environmental dangers to the planet.
The conference aimed to give students the experience of what it feels like to negotiate at the United Nations. The pupils received background papers and each group was assigned a country that they would represent at the conference.
Following the discussions, pupils were tasked with coming up with a series of pledges that they will have to persuade their school to sign up to.
These included creating art pieces using only recycled materials, hosting Great British Bake Off-style competitions using only Fairtrade ingredients and working to make sure their school becomes more energy efficient.

Pantomime time at Arden Hall

CASTLE Bromwich Theatre Group are busy rehearsing for this year’s pantomime. Oh yes they are!
The troupe will be performing Sleeping Beauty – the time-honoured fairy story – at Arden Hall (from January 17-20).
In the run-up to opening night, the group has been posting profiles of members of the cast, which includes people who have performed in a number of previous shows and several who are new recruits.
Kerrie Eleanor Glavey, who has been with the troupe for four years, said: "I love being part of the group... the social side it gives is brilliant as I've made so many amazing friends through it!"
Tickets for the show are available on 07505 521 309.

New charity shop opens its doors on Bosworth Drive

A NEW community charity shop opened in Fordbridge this morning (Friday).
Dame Caroline Spelman cut the ribbon at the Citizens Advice Solihull Borough premises in Bosworth Drive. The MP thanked staff and volunteers for their warm welcome and wished the venture well.
The store, which is initially open for a 12-week trial period, will sell clothing, bric-a-brac, costume jewellery, school uniforms, children’s toys, games and books.
It will be open to the public Monday to Friday (between 10.30am and 3pm).
If you are interested in volunteering at the new shop please call Jackie on 0121 788 6527.

Council cuts blamed for closure of Marston Green day centre

ELDERLY residents have lost a valued link to the outside work following the closure of St Leonard's Day Centre, in Marston Green.
The Elmdon Road facility, which opened in the 1990s, had provided meals and a wide variety of entertainment to the pensioners who attended, many of whom had disabilities or lived alone.
But the day centre's future was thrown into doubt following Solihull Council's decision to cut funding.
When the news broke in the summer of 2016, managers warned that the loss of revenue meant a stark choice between imposing a daily charge which many of the users would be simply unable to afford or closing for good.
Less than 18 months on, St Leonard's said it had been left with no alternative but to shut its doors for a final time. A Christmas party was organised to give staff and users the opportunity to say goodbye.
A Solihull Council spokesman said: "The St Leonard's Day Centre and its manager, Rick Smallwood, have over the years given outstanding service to a wide community covering Solihull and Birmingham.
"We are sad to hear that Rick has decided to close, especially after all the support Solihull Council has provided over the years, more recently to help him plan for the future of the day centre.
"We will support Solihull residents who use St Leonard's to determine exactly what kind of day opportunities they need and how they can access them."
Other Side of Solihull has contacted borough councillors for comment.

Council adopts new policy as space runs out at cemetery

SOLIHULL Council is to stop residents from reserving grave plots at Woodlands Cemetery, amid concerns that the site will soon be full.
Previously the local authority has allowed families to purchase plots for future use or to ensure that loved ones are interred close to one another.
But late last year, councillors agreed to put a stop to the practice to extend the use of the site, which is a stone's throw from Chelmsley Wood.
Under the current system, it had been suggested that the 340 remaining plots would be sufficient to meet the needs of the local area for around another 18 months.
By ending the option to reserve a plot, the council expects that use will be extended for maybe five more months.
A spokesman said: "Although people would not be able to reserve plots together at Woodlands they would be able to do so within Solihull borough at Widney Manor Cemetery [in Bentley Heath].
"Alternatively people wishing to be buried together may chose to use the same plot which can be dug to double or triple depth."
Work is currently underway to secure land for an extension at Woodlands in order to provide a longer-term solution. The council has said that doing nothing would leave the local authority without a burial site in the north of the borough.

Ticket price hike for Marston Green commuters

PASSENGERS who use Marston Green Station are among millions of rail users to have been hit by the biggest increase in fares for five years.
Average ticket prices have risen by 3.4 per cent as part of changes which took effect from today, with many commuters having to contend with increases in their season ticket of more than £100.
Trade unions and pressure groups have claimed that travellers are increasingly being "priced off" the rail network by the annual hike in prices.
According to the website TrainLine, a 12-month ticket for journeys between Marston Green and London Euston will set passengers back an eye-watering £5,760.
Stephen Joseph, the chief executive of Campaign for Better Transport, said: "We called for a rail fares freeze to help struggling commuters, but the Government chose to snub rail passengers and only freeze fuel duty.
"Today season ticket holders will have had to fork out almost as much as drivers will save this year. That doesn’t seem fair to us or the millions of people who commute by train, especially as wages continue to stagnate. What’s good enough for motorists should be good enough for rail passengers."
Transport Secretary Chris Grayling said that the increases were higher than he would wish, although he insisted there were difficulties in tying fare rises to a lower form of inflation.
His opposite number in the Labour Party, Andy McDonald, reiterated the Opposition's support for renationalising the railways - with privately-run franchises reverting back to state control.

Meteor lights up the sky on New Year's Eve

SKYGAZERS in North Solihull may have spotted something more unusual than a rocket if they'd happened to glance upwards yesterday teatime.
Eyewitnesses around the UK reported seeing a large green meteor streak across the horizon.
The object, which burned brightly but was visible for just a few seconds, was spotted at just after 5.30pm. Hundreds of reports have come in from across England and Scotland.
A father-of-two, who lives near Castle Bromwich, told Other Side of Solihull that he had seen the meteor while walking to the shops.
"It was burning very brightly and it appeared to be falling towards the Earth," said the 66-year-old.
"I instantly wondered if it was a meteor, but because it was New Year's Eve I wasn't 100 per cent sure if it had been a firework.
"It was only when I saw it on the BBC this morning that I knew for certain."
A spokesman for the UK Meteor Network said: “[We] received over 570 public reports. Many observers reported green colour and fragmentation at the end. The meteor was apparently moving quite slowly."

Your pictures: Winter weather in North Solihull

New business takes root in Chelmsley Wood

A NEW nursery is opening its doors in Chelmsley Wood this week.
In The Woods, which is based on Chelmsley Circle, will be offering childcare for youngsters aged from three months to five-years-old. The official opening is tomorrow (Tuesday).
To arrange a viewing or for more information call Sarah Stroud on 07956004743.