Community News

Two World War Two veterans who travelled from the Caribbean to join the RAF have been recognised at a special ceremony.

Ralph Ottey, 98, and Alford Gardner, 96, were presented with their campaign medals at RAF Marham, Norfolk. A plaque was also unveiled for Ulric Cross, one of the most decorated West Indian servicemen of the conflict.

Known as the Black Hornet, Ulric Cross was a Squadron Leader in the RAF and is described by some as one of the most decorated airmen who flew during the Second World War. Achieving his childhood dream, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross in 1944 for being a "fine example of keenness and devotion to duty" and his "exceptional navigation ability" when he held the rank of Flight Lieutenant and the Distinguished Service Order. 

An overwhelming majority of Brits are worried about the price of heating their homes this winter and 9 in 10 (89%) will be changing their home heating behaviour in some way as a result, research has found.

The survey of 2,000 UK homeowners, commissioned by industry association the Heating and Hot Water Industry Council (HHIC), found that 93% of respondents were worried about the price of heating this winter – a figure which rises to 96% in the West Midlands.

Veezu, the UK’s fastest-growing taxi and private hire technology platform, has donated a significant sum to the British Red Cross’ Pakistan Floods Appeal. The firm is supporting the British Red Cross’ teams in their efforts to reach the people affected by the disaster, and to make sure they receive safety, shelter and healthcare.

Councillor Majid Mahmood, Cabinet Member for Environment at Birmingham City Council, writes about the free-of-charge service that gives people a chance to dispose of bulky and unwanted items…

As part of the effort to tackle the scourge of fly-tipping which harms communities and neighbourhoods across the city, we launched our award-winning Mobile Household Recycling Centre (MHRC) service in the summer of 2021.

Local folk are invited to join Worcester Cathedral this Saturday, 22 October, from 10am - 4pm, for a Big Green Eco Family Fair in the Cloister, as part of its Living Gently on the Earth series. Thanks to National Lottery Funding secured by the Cathedral Eco Group, the Cathedral has been hosting the ‘Living Gently’ events for the whole community to come together and explore ways to live a more eco-friendly lifestyle over the past few months.

Rail passengers are being advised of changes to journeys over nine days in October during major Trent Valley line upgrade work. Network Rail will replace 1000 metres of track in Nuneaton and install new signalling equipment in Stafford between Saturday 22 and Sunday 30 October.

It’s part of a £58m investment to improve future journeys on this important stretch of the West Coast main line through the West Midlands.

Museum officials in the United States took a historic step by returning 30 valuable bronze artifacts to their original home in Nigeria. In an October 11 ceremony, Nigerian cultural officials regained custody of bronze sculptures that had been displayed in two U.S. museums in Washington: 29 bronzes from the Smithsonian National Museum of African Art and one from the National Gallery of Art.

The Royal Meteorological Society is inviting community leaders across England to join a free online training session.

The purpose of these 90-minute sessions is to support understanding of climate change and provide the knowledge and confidence to talk about climate change within local communities.

A pre-hospital emergency service continues its mission to create bystander lifesavers across the West Midlands and is calling on local businesses, schools, and communities for support. 

Ahead of yesterday’s European Restart a Heart Day and today’s World Trauma Day, Midlands Air Ambulance Charity is urging the local community to take advantage of its free, in-person Mission Support training.

Robbie Coltrane, who died at the age of 72, became an international star as the giant Hagrid in the Harry Potter films. But his reputation in the UK had already been sealed, notably as the chain-smoking forensic psychologist Fitz in Cracker - one of a number of compelling and larger-than-life characters he made his own.

He cut his teeth in stand-up comedy before branching out into films and television, comfortably fitting into both funny and dramatic roles.

On a fact-finding tour of the UK the President of Jamaica’s People’s National Party (PNP), Mark Golding, took time out to visit BME social housing provider Nehemiah Housing Association’s Plummer House Retirement scheme in Aston, Birmingham.

Since their arrival in the UK in early October, the delegation of five have so far visited London and Birmingham and met with Jamaicans from all walks of life in celebration of Jamaica’s Diamond Jubilee.

There were celebrations as Bilston’s new Memory Café opened its doors for the first time this week. The support group, for people living with dementia and their families, friends or carers, will meet on the second Tuesday of every month at Bilston Sports and Social Club, Wellington Road, Bilston, between noon and 2pm, with the next session due to take place on 8 November.

Councillor Majid Mahmood, Cabinet Member for Environment at Birmingham City Council, writes about the free-of-charge service that gives people a chance to dispose of bulky and unwanted items…

As part of the effort to tackle the scourge of fly-tipping which harms communities and neighbourhoods across the city, we launched our award-winning Mobile Household Recycling Centre (MHRC) service in the summer of 2021.

Rooting the work in her home region and hosting city, Bennett pays homage to the pioneering Blk Art Group and its legacy and influence on the art scene and her practice more personally.

Bennett's multifaceted work will comprise of local gatherings, photographic public billboards and a short film displayed on digital live sites across Wolverhampton, Coventry and Birmingham. 

Barratt and David Wilson Homes has made a £1,000 donation to Recycling Ollerton and Boughton, a charity that supports adults with learning disabilities. Based in Boughton, Newark, the charity received the donation as part of the developer’s Community Fund scheme which sees a different charity each month receive a £1,000 donation.