Free family event in Meriden Park

A WOODLAND Party will be taking place in Chelmsley Wood this weekend.
There will be den-building, a bug hunt, fantasy dress and free food on offer at the wooded area in Meriden Park.
The family event will be taking place on Saturday (June 29), between 10.30am and 1.30pm. Under 11s must be accompanied by an adult.
The day has been organised in partnership with a number of local groups, including the Meriden Adventure Playground Association (MAPA) and the B37 Art Project.

No Chelmund's Day this year

ONE of the most popular family events in North Solihull will not go ahead this year after organisers were unable to get the funding together in time.
Chelmund's Day started as a celebration of the Anglo Saxon from whose name Chelmsley Wood is said to be derived.
The event, held each July, has become a firm favourite, but it was confirmed earlier this month that there wasn't "sufficient funding" in place for the 2019 celebration.
In a post via the official Twitter account, the Chelmund's team said: "We are very sorry about this but plans are afoot to make 2020-2021 a BIG one!
"Apologies to everyone and stay alert, Chelmund will still be around during July!"
Previous events have included a mix of historical re-enactments, stalls and live music, with strong support from various local groups.
Interest in the area's Dark Age past has been reignited in recent years, with a successful campaign by residents to have the former Craig Croft shopping area rechristened Chelmund's Cross back in 2013.

Dog boarding business in Castle Brom set for approval

A DOG boarding business - offering luxury "bedrooms" to canines - could be set to open in Castle Bromwich.
A planning application for a "change of use" at 33 Farnworth Grove is due to be considered by councillors tomorrow night (Wednesday).
It is proposed to use one of the existing rooms for the business and planning officers have recommended that the committee grant temporary permission.
The same set of plans was submitted last year and withdrawn, with a report suggesting that more information had been made available this time around.
Six objections have been received from residents worried about the noise and smell, with some arguing that this type of business isn't appropriate in a residential area.
Officers advise that the initial permission should run for 12 months, to assess the impact of the venture on the surrounding area. They recommended that up to four animals should be boarded at the address at any one time.

New drive to tackle traffic headache in Castle Brom

FRESH talks have been held in hope of finding a solution to one of North Solihull's most notorious stretches of roads.
A few weeks ago, Solihull Council met with Morrisons supermarket to discuss options to reduce congestion on the Chester Road.
There are concerns that traffic queueing to enter the popular petrol station is blocking the road and adding to delays during the busiest times of the day.
Some residents have been pushing for changes to the way drivers access the forecourt to help reduce the risk of jams.
Although a fair amount of anger has also been directed at the council itself, amid lingering scepticism about the success of changes to the local road layout in 2015.
Critics claim that despite being designed to improve the main shopping area, the Hurst Lane Place Project has in actual fact added to delays.
And there are also fears that the regular jams are increasing traffic on side streets, which runs the risk of an accident
Coun Steve Caudwell (Green, Castle Bromwich) recently said that the congestion in the centre of suburb was the number one issue raised by his constituents.
In his most recent residents' bulletin, he said: "The ongoing traffic problems that are so high on everyone’s list of issues to resolve.
"I can’t share too much here as I don’t want to prejudice ongoing negotiations, but whilst I’m not at all sure there’s an end in sight yet, at least there is a negotiation, which is encouraging."
A Solihull Council spokesman confirmed the local authority had met with Morrisons to discuss the issue and the options available.

Timeline:
2014: Work starts on the £1.3 million Hurst Lane Place Project, which is intended to improve road safety and facilities in Castle Brom.
June 2015: The scheme, which includes a new crossing, raised mini roundabouts and a narrower section of road, is completed. Although there are soon complaints that the alterations have added to hold-ups.
May 2018: Newly-elected councillor, Cheryl Buxton-Sait, says the issues were frequently raised during her campaign.
October 2018: Almost 800 residents sign a petition calling for changes to be made at the location.
January 2019: Following a review, highways officers say the project is working well overall. Although they suggest they are open to discussions about further improvements. The issue at Morrisons - where many motorists go for cheap fuel - is raised at the meeting.
May 2019: Just before the Bank Holiday, a site visit takes place with representatives from both the council and supermarket giant.

Footpath and crossing plan for North Solihull

A NINE-week project to improve routes for walkers and cyclists is set to get underway next week.

The work on the new, wider footpath between Cooks Lane and Moorend Avenue is scheduled to begin on Tuesday (June 11).

Maps released by the council show that the route will cut through a green corridor, starting near the KEC Church Centre, in Kingshurst, and emerging near to the Labour Club.

The scheme, which is part of the wider Wildlife Ways initiative, will also see a new crossing installed on Cooks Lane.

Solihull Council, which started work on the multi-million pound project earlier in the year, is hoping the activity will improve access for pedestrians and cyclists.

While activity is taking place around the borough, many of the improvements will be in the more built-up wards locally.

Trees were planted at Marston Green Park back in February and roadworks in the vicinity of Chester Road/Bradford Road, in Castle Bromwich, started last month.

Court order sought to move Castle Brom travellers on

CARAVANS remain parked in the heart of Castle Bromwich tonight (Wednesday).
The trailers moved onto Bradford Gardens on Sunday evening and while the police and parish council have been alerted, the vehicles are yet to move on.
The encampment is the latest incursion on the triangle of land, which is directly opposite the historic Castle Bromwich Hall Hotel.
It's understood the parish council, which is responsible for this particular open space, is applying to the courts to force the group to move on.
Borough councillor Steve Caudwell (Green) tweeted earlier today that he would like to see more properly designated sites to deter illegal camps.
"We need to tackle causes and not symptoms," he said. "@NorthSolihull seems to be bearing the brunt right now.
"I will be looking at the Draft Local Plan to see what's being proposed to address the problem going forward."
While there were fewer incidents involving travellers across Solihull as a whole last year, a number of locations locally had still been targeted.
Aside from Bradford Gardens, caravans also rolled onto sites including Babbs Mill.
Last year, Police and Crime Commissioner David Jamieson had chaired a meeting to discuss possible solutions for dealing with the issue on a region-wide basis.

Dementia event is postponed

AN ALZHEIMER'S awareness event will be rearranged for a later date.
The Dementia Friends session had been due to take place at Saxon Court, in Chelmsley Wood, on Tuesday (June 4).
But Solihull Community Housing (SCH), which was organising the event in partnership with the Alzheimer's Society, said that the information event had been postponed.
In a Twitter post yesterday morning, SCH confirmed that a new date would be confirmed in due course.

Rib-tickling performance from local drama troupe.

A TRIPLE-bill of comedy plays is showing at Arden Hall later this week.
Castle Bromwich Theatre Group will be performing the show at the local venue from June 6-8.
It combines no less than three one-act performances into a single evening's entertainment.
The show starts at 7.30pm each night of the run, with tickets £9 for adults and £7 for a concession.
Book yours by calling 07505 521309 or else visit www.castlebromwichtheatregroup.co.uk

Anger as caravans return to Castle Brom site

TRAVELLERS have once again pitched up on a patch of land in the middle of Castle Bromwich.

Residents reported that the caravans had arrived at Bradford Gardens, which has been targeted a number of times in the past.

Following previous problems at the location, which is just opposite the historic Castle Bromwich Hall, security measures were stepped up.

However, it is understood that at least one of the wooden posts installed around the perimeter had been pulled up, allowing vehicles to drive onto the land last night (Sunday).

Police had been called to the scene following complaints about the latest encampment, which follows a series of similar incursions over the course of the past few years.

Unlike many of the open spaces which tend to be targeted locally, Bradford Gardens is the responsibility of the parish council as opposed to the borough council.

In a Facebook message earlier today, Coun Steve Caudwell (Green, Castle Bromwich) said that he and fellow ward councillor Cheryl Buxton-Sait were aware of the issue.

"We've raised the matter with the parish council and the police and have offered to support however they need us to, to resolve the situation."

The summer months tend to see an increase in the number of unauthorised camps, although Solihull as a whole saw fewer incidents last year.

The previous 12 months had been particularly difficult, with the bin strike in Birmingham said to have exacerbated problems in neighbouring authorities.

Time running out to expand local cemetery

WITH space rapidly running out at Woodlands Cemetery, the council is looking at options to extend the current site.

A new report has reiterated how little room is left, with suggestions that the remaining plots will last, at most, for another few years.

This would leave North Solihull without a local burial ground, forcing residents to use Widney Manor or facilities in other authorities - where they are likely to be charged more.

In an attempt to avoid this, the council has been looking at areas of land it could acquire in order to press ahead with an expansion.

Discussions have been going on behind the scenes and officers have advised that they want to bring a report, setting out the various options, "as soon as possible".

Work will also need to take place to replace Woodlands' ageing cremator - which is now almost 20-years-old and handles hundreds of cremations each years.

The bereavement services strategy said: "Woodlands Cemetery currently has approximately four-five years maximum capacity, and again this is only possible by utilising pathways and any spare land."

Expanding the boundaries of the current site - which is situated between Chelmsley Wood and Coleshill - would require planning permission.

Checks would also need to be carried out to make sure the land met the requirements laid out by the Environment Agency.

The strategy, approved earlier this week, sets out plans for meeting future demand.

Estimates suggest that Solihull's population will rise by more than 10,000 over the course of the next 10 years and that the number of funeral services will increase accordingly. 

Theresa May spotted in Castle Bromwich...

NEWS headlines are being framed in a new way with a series of roadside portraits in Castle Bromwich.

Eagle-eyed residents should look out for the paintings which are appearing at a local home, often depicting figures making the news.

A 29-year-old, who regularly passes through the area on her way to work, said: "I spotted the paintings recently.

"They seem to change fairly regularly and are often topical."

A picture of Prime Minister Theresa May, who announced her resignation last week, was spotted in the suburb a few days ago.

But Other Side of Solihull is told the fast-working artist has already put a new face in the frame.

Who is the familiar blonde now casting their eye over B36? None other than the Boris Johnson, who is currently favourite to take over from Mrs May at No 10.