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.

Police investigate after stabbing near Castle Brom chip shop

A MAN was stabbed in the arm during an attack on a Castle Bromwich shopping parade last night (Monday).
Staff at Gregorys Chip Shop, on Green Lane, are said to have rushed to the aid of the victim, following the incident.
Police had confirmed this week they were investigating the attack, which happened at around 7.30pm. The man, in his 30s, had been taken to hospital for treatment.
Eyewitnesses had reported an area being cordoned off outside the row of shops.
Anyone with any information about the attack should call Solihull Police on 101.

Kingshurst open day postponed

AN OPEN day due to take place in Kingshurst today (Saturday) has been postponed following concerns about large crowds.
Grime star Lady Leshurr was among the guests expected at the relaunch of the old Youth and Community Centre, in Marston Drive.
It was recently announced that the building, which shut its doors a few years ago, was to be brought back into use for 12 months.
Use of the venue will help decide whether to include a permanent premises in the redesigned Kingshurst Parade.
However, the council announced yesterday that the event would not be going ahead because of health and safety considerations.
A spokesman said: "Unfortunately [the] planned open day event at Kingshurst Youth and Community Centre has been cancelled.
"This difficult decision has had to be taken due to difficulty in predicting numbers and guaranteeing everyone’s safety."
Lady Leshurr (pictured), who had used the building back when she was a teenager, also took to social media to promise that the event would be held at a later date and be "bigger and better".

Job shop set up in Chelmsley town centre

A NEW "job shop" has opened its doors in the middle of Chelmsley Wood.
Solihull Council has launched the employment and recruitment centre in Maple Walk, with the aim of offering a range of support for local residents.
An agreement to take on the premises was signed a few weeks ago, with staff starting to run services last month.
A mix of one-to-one sessions and workshops for larger groups will be held at the unit, which has been described as a "one-stop shop".
Coun Ken Meeson, cabinet member for children, education and skills, has hailed the centre as "an excellent opportunity".
In particular there are hopes it will help young people in an area where the unemployment level is above the Solihull average.
One of the first big events was an event to offer advice and support to those considering a career as a care worker, which was held at the venue on Monday (November 4).

Kingshurst Primary's expansion gets the nod from planners

EXPANSION plans for Kingshurst Primary School - which will support an increase of almost 100 pupils - were given the green light last week.

A proposal to build three new classrooms at the site, to help meet rising demand locally, got the go ahead from the council's planning committee on Wednesday, October 30. 

The new-block would be built on the site of the current Caterpillars Nursery, with this facility incorporated into the building. 

Planning officers argue the scheme would provide space for 90 more pupils and help meet "the changing needs of the borough."

Although some residents are fearful that the expansion, which follows previous extensions in 2004 and 2007, could add to parking problems around the School Close site.

Details of the application had first been published over the summer and will form part of the final phase of a 15 year scheme to increase pupil places in North Solihull.
Work is expected to be completed in time for the start of the new school year in September 2020.

Revamped mental health hub set for official opening

A REVAMPED mental health service in Marston Green will officially open its doors this weekend.

A ribbon-cutting event is set to take place at the Maple Leaf Centre, in Maple Leaf Drive.

Formerly the John Black Centre, the premises has undergone a major refurbishment and will be visited by the Deputy Mayor of Solihull - Coun Flo Nash.

Elaine Murray, from Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust, said: "Maple Leaf brings together our Solihull teams under one roof and means that we can work more closely together to support our service users and carers. 

"We hope our launch event will help us engage with the local community and help us to break down the stigma that still exists around mental health."

There will be music, food and family activities this Saturday (November 9) from 10am-2pm.

The revamped building, like the road on which it stands, takes its name from Canada's national emblem.

Troops from the country were based in the area during the Second World War. 

A series of huts was used to house hundreds of patients and following the end of the conflict, the land was acquired by the health service and one of the first maternity hospitals of the fledgling NHS was set up in 1948.

Brave breast cancer survivor delighted to return to Chelmsley Wood beat

RETURN: PCSO Karen Ballard

A MEMBER of the Chelmsley Wood policing team has recently returned to full-time duties after winning her three-year battle against breast cancer.
PCSO Karen Ballard, 59, was diagnosed with the illness in spring 2016 and underwent a mastectomy and six sessions of chemotherapy and radiotherapy as part of her treatment.
The mum-of-two - who has been pounding the beat for some 15 years - said she had been overwhelmed by the positive reaction about her return.
"The breast cancer diagnosis was a massive shock but I was determined it would not change me as a person," she said.
"The treatment was necessary, but gruelling, and I was fortunate to have an amazing amount of support from my family and friends. Without having my husband Robert and children by my side I would not have been able to overcome it.
"I really enjoy my role as a PCSO and being able to come back full time was a huge motivation during the difficult times.
"I have been warmly received by everyone since my return; and I have been touched by everyone who has stopped to ask how I am doing."
The officer had previously been named PCSO of the Year in the Jane’s Police Review Awards in 2007.
West Midlands Police said that the force ran a breast cancer buddy initiative, to support anyone affected by the condition. It has also given its backing to Breast Cancer Awareness Month, which takes place each October.