Community News

Four people accused of illegally removing a statue of Edward Colston have been cleared of criminal damage. Sage Willoughby, Rhian Graham, Milo Ponsford and Jake Skuse were charged after a monument to the 17th Century slave trader was pulled down and thrown into Bristol's harbourside last June.

It happened during a Black Lives Matter protest in the city.

People of all ages are being asked to get active in the New Year by signing up for Midlands Air Ambulance Charity’s popular Airbase Challenge event.

The event is a great physical challenge for those thinking about their New Year's resolutions and the positive improvements they can make to their lives and that of others during 2022.

A political commentator and analyst at Birmingham City University has said Sir Keir Starmer’s speech in Birmingham this morning draws parallels with the ‘New Labour’ manifesto championed by Sir Tony Blair in the 1990s, and has suggested more must be done to engender trust in British politics again. Associate Professor at Birmingham City University Dr Steve McCabe is available for print, online and broadcast interviews.

Some of the Midlands unsung heroes in a wide variety of fields have been recognised with some of the country’s highest honours in 2021's New Year's Honours.

Here is the full list:

Chief Executive of the West Midlands Combined Authority, Laura Shoaf, has been recognised in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours List published today for services to economic regeneration in the West Midlands.

Laura receives a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) recognising her contribution for over twenty years to transport services and economic regeneration in the West Midlands.

It’s time To take a step forward once more, for the New Year is at hand.

One can move from ‘the past’ to ‘the present’ and turn over a new leaf in one’s life. Change completely if required and have a new life altogether!

Bring it on Brum – the city’s winter holiday activities and food programme has now been finalised. Holiday clubs ran across the city for four days from Monday 20 to Thursday 23 December inclusive, but there will now be a smaller number of programmes available, post-Christmas, until schools return in the New Year.

Open to families with school-aged children aged 5 to 16, daily activities and food are being laid on for free for those who are eligible for benefits-related free school meals or have additional needs.

This Christmas Salvation Army bands have been playing again in towns and cities up and down the country after they had to stay silent last year.

The evocative sound of a brass band playing can stop the most determined commuters and shoppers in their tracks as they catch the tunes of a familiar Christmas carol.

Every new year provides a chance to reflect, and for many, getting a healthier balance between work and life is a priority resolution. So start your 2022 off right by planning a few moments of creativity from day one!

Creativity and mindfulness go hand in hand, and The January Challenge, from arts organisation 64 Million Artists, now in its ninth year, offers 31 chances to get involved in an accessible creative challenge, making a positive difference to your life in 2022.

The Hill Group donated Christmas hampers to bring some extra cheer to the SoloHaus residents at Olive Morris Court in Tottenham this festive season.

These specially designed individual modular homes were an initiative created by housebuilders Hill Group and were handed over to Haringey Council in October this year.

Police have sent a written apology to the family of ex-footballer Dalian Atkinson, six months after a police officer who Tasered him and kicked him in the head was jailed for manslaughter. West Mercia's Chief Constable Pippa Mills said that she was deeply sorry.

"A police uniform does not grant officers immunity to behave unlawfully or to abuse their powers," she wrote. PC Benjamin Monk's conviction was the first for a death in custody in 30 years.

Fifty heritage organisations in the Midlands and East will benefit from £4.8m in grants during this Christmas period thanks to the government’s unprecedented Culture Recovery Fund for Heritage. Those set to receive grants include:

The Foresters Arms, Swadlincote has raised £2,500 and will be donating toys to Birmingham Children’s Hospital, all in memory of the late Stacey Fusco.

Last month, The Foresters Arms part of the award-winning Craft Union Pub Company, hosted a Charity Race Night in memory of pub local Stacey Fusco.

A housebuilder based in Bourne has delivered a loaded car boot full of supplies to Bourne Foodbank, following a collection held by staff at its head office.

Allison Homes, which is building new homes across the East, donated the food for those in need of essential supplies this Christmas. Bourne Foodbank, based off Spalding Road, is part of a nationwide network of foodbanks supported by The Trussell Trust, which works to combat poverty and hunger across the UK.

The festive spirit will be coming to Wolverhampton this year thanks to the efforts of a local training provider and the wider business community.

National Infrastructure Solutions (NIS), which provides specialist training for people looking to get into the rail sector, has adopted the role of a modern-day Santa Claus by collecting more than 100 gifts to give out to families who are struggling this Christmas.