An improvement scheme in Bearwood has brought big benefits to local residents with a major upgrade of public space and pathways and a much-improved bus station to create an impressive gateway into Sandwell. Sandwell Council has undertaken a major upgrade of the area – and along with Transport for West Midlands (TfWM) improved the bus station – to make it an attractive and eye-catching area on the boundary with Birmingham.

Arts groups and organisations wishing to engage with residents in Aston and Newtown can apply for grants from a £500,000 funding pot, it was announced. Following the closure of The Drum, in Aston, earlier this year, Birmingham City Council has worked with Arts Council England and local stakeholders, to identify priorities for cultural development in both areas and agree match funding.

MedicAnimal, the UK’s leading online pet retailer, has carried out research to find out what pets love listening to when their owners are out and about. This comes as 58% of people said they always leave music on in the house and 28% said they sometimes do, depending on how long they’re out for. A fewer number decide to leave the TV on instead.

Birmingham’s new Zero Hero campaign to encourage waste reduction with a series of pop-up events across the city. Birmingham City Council is urging residents to reduce, reuse and recycle waste through a new campaign called Zero Heroes. The campaign is part of a wider council initiative called Cleaner Greener Streets, which aims to help Birmingham work towards its target of becoming a zero waste to landfill city by 2035. Last year just 26.5 per cent of household waste in Birmingham was recycled, showing there’s still a long way to go.

Historians are raising a glass to Sandwell First World War heroes with a unique project to honour their bravery on commemorative beer mats. As part of the 100th anniversary of the Battle of the Somme, Sandwell libraries, archives and museums services are shinning a spotlight on local heroes. Three heroes from each town in Sandwell have been nominated by local history groups and now the public is being asked to pick one who they want to see commemorated in November on the mats.

A new study from British Seniors Insurance Agency today reveals that just under three quarters (71%) of over 50s in Britain feel a lot younger than their actual age. The research found that over 50s on average feel 10 years younger. Despite the assumption that retiring makes you slow down, those in retirement are actually much more likely to feel youthful (72% vs 69% who are still working).