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News

  • Call centre worker collapsed and died of heart failure just months after being told she had asthma
    02 Dec 12
    Inquest: Doctor urges colleagues to consider the possibility of heart disease in young people, even though it is not common
  • Celebrating a quarter century of looking after other people's children
    02 Dec 12
    Carol Harris, who has looked after more than 60 kids over her long career, named Childminder of the Year
  • Woman and child in hospital after blaze in Rowley Regis
    02 Dec 12
    A woman and child have been taken to hospital following a fire at a house in Rowley Regis.
  • Family back campaign to bring VC war hero's medal back to Midlands
    02 Dec 12
    Decorations of St Nazaire raid sailor locked away and gathering dust in National Maritime Museum
  • Good old days recreated in Old Hill
    01 Dec 12
    HISTORY club members are recreating the good old days with an evening of the songs of Marie Lloyd, queen of the music hall, performed by Lisa Jayne Smith.
  • 5,000 West Midlands youngsters to get free nursery places
    01 Dec 12
    More than 5,000 two-year-olds in the Black Country and Staffordshire will get free nursery education from next September.
  • Wednesbury blackspot traffic will be slowed to 20mph
    01 Dec 12
    Speed bumps and a 20mph limit are set to be introduced on a traffic accident blackspot in Wednesbury as part of a new scheme which is costing £140,000.
  • Dartmouth pond murder victim died from neck wounds
    30 Nov 12
    Man believed to be Jasbir Singh Bains, aged 41, found dead at Sandwell Valley lake
  • Lake man died of neck injuries
    30 Nov 12
    It was found floating at Dartmouth Park in Sandwell Valley on Wednesday. A member of staff called the police after spotting someone in the water and a murder investigation was launched. They believe the victim was a 41-year-old local man though…
  • Smuggled alcohol worth £120k seized across Sandwell
    30 Nov 12
    Smuggled booze worth £120,000 in lost revenue has been seized by HM Revenue and Customs officers as part of a crackdown across Sandwell.
  • Rebuilding fears over Oldbury factory fire
    30 Nov 12
    Householders whose homes and cars were damaged by a factory fire are calling on the bosses of the firm not to rebuild near their properties.
  • Murder probe launched after body pulled from Sandwell Valley lake
    29 Nov 12
    Dead man spotted by staff at Dartmouth Park
  • Cannabis worth £250k found above Tipton restaurant
    29 Nov 12
    Hundreds of cannabis plants with a street value of more than £250,000 have been found above an Indian restaurant in Tipton.
  • Cannabis gang pair are now behind bars
    28 Nov 12
    Two people from Wednesbury who were part of a crime gang that grew hundreds of thousands of pounds worth of cannabis across four counties were today behind bars.
  • Full devastation of Alcohols inferno is revealed
    28 Nov 12
    Cars destroyed, homes damaged, lamp posts melted and a landmark family-run firm reduced to charred rubble – these pictures show the devastation left by the inferno that ripped through an alcohol factory.
  • The Daily Snapshot – November 28, 2012
    28 Nov 12
    Councillor Jayne Wilkinson with her heat-damaged Chevrolet Spark after the fire at nearby Alcohols Ltd in Langley.
  • Home-swap event for Black Country council and housing association tenants
    26 Nov 12
    • Scheme to help families who will be hit by new ‘bedroom tax’ in April
  • Double knifing pub the Railway Inn, West Bromwich, is up for sale
    26 Nov 12
    A pub which was the scene of a double stabbing has been put up for sale.
  • Sell-off by Sandwell Council aims to raise £500k
    26 Nov 12
    Former council buildings will go under the hammer next month as the cash-strapped authority attempts to raise hundreds of thousands of pounds.
  • Live updates on the Oldbury chemical fire
    26 Nov 12
     

    Follow our reporters for the latest news and tweets from the chemical plant fire in Oldbury.
  • Residents spend night away from home after Oldbury fire
    26 Nov 12
    Firefighters continued to battle a blaze at an Oldbury gin distillery today.
  • Incredible Hulk mum put on five stone in five hours
    25 Nov 12
    Rare medical condition tears mum’s muscles and sets them
    solid in response to triggers like noise and distress
  • Bring war veteran's Victoria Cross back to the Midlands
    25 Nov 12
    Old sailors join Sunday Mercury campaign to return war veteran’s medal to the Midlands
  • CCTV centre putting police in the picture
    25 Nov 12
    With almost 200 CCTV screens from cameras that record 24 hours a day, seven days a week, this is the unit that tracks the movements of crime suspects in a part of the Black Country.

More Sandwell news…


UK news

The Independent
  • Six primary school-aged children arrested each day
  • Global giants must be 'named and shamed' over tax avoidance
  • Hard work in 2012 rewarded with holidays
  • Cutting benefits to poorest 'a tragedy'
  • Standards fall as care operators get 'too big to fail'


International news

Al Jazeera
  • West Bank hails return of Abbas after UN vote
  • War crimes suspects form Kenya poll alliance
  • Egypt judges reject role in constitution vote
  • Former PM wins Slovenia presidential vote
  • Iraq's 'al-Qaeda chief' arrested


Central Tonight Midlands Today
Ambur Radio Radio WM live

Police

  • Rowley Regis House Fire
    02 Dec 12
    Sunday 2nd December 2012 – 8.30am – Steve Parry.
    A woman and child have been taken to hospital following a fire at a house in Rowley Regis overnight.
    West Midlands Ambulance Service was called to a property in Haden Walk, Rowley Regis just…
  • Carl calls it a day after 36 years
    29 Nov 12
    Thursday 29th November 2012 11.30am Steve Parry.
    Popular long serving paramedic officer Carl Ledbury is set to retire this week after a 36-year career with West Midlands Ambulance Service.

    Carl, who lives in the Oldbury area, joined the…

  • Cyclist Injured in West Bromwich
    27 Nov 12
    Tuesday 27th November 2012 – 10.30am – Steve Parry.
    A cyclist has been airlifted to hospital following a road traffic collision in West Bromwich this morning.

    The incident occurred at the junction of Swan Lane and Cygnet Road at around 9.45am…

  • Update – fire at Alcohols Ltd, Oldbury
    27 Nov 12
    All fires at the scene are now extinguished and dealt with, but two West Midlands Fire Service fire engines and a hydraulic platform remain on site, keeping a watching brief – that’s about 20 firefighters.
    A reduced cordon remains in place…
  • Oldbury – Update 2
    27 Nov 12
    Tuesday 27th November 2012 11.12am Murray MacGregor.

    Ambulance staff have been stood down from the scene of the Oldbury fire after the blaze was extinguished.

    Paramedics from the Hazardous Area Response Team (HART) were deployed forward…

More Sandwell Police press releases…

Sandwell Council

  • Cost of Care Packages
    01 Dec 12
    Awaiting response. by Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council to Paul Taylforth on 1 December 2012. Awaiting response. Please find attached a letter from Sandwell Council in response to your recent contact. This letter will advise you of the…
  • Litter problems, 1st December
    01 Dec 12
    Same problem of litter on pavement on Vicarage Road between Crosswells Road and Vicarage Street. When I last reported the litter problem I also mentioned that a grassed area in front of the disused toilet block, which is behind a privet hedge…
  • Safer 6 -massive haul of smuggled booze
    30 Nov 12
    HM Revenue & Customs officers have seized smuggled booze worth £120,000 in lost revenue as part of the Safer 6 campaign.
  • 'Business as usual' for council tenants from January 1
    30 Nov 12
    Council tenants in Sandwell have been assured it will be “business as usual” in housing service centres when responsibility for housing matters returns to the council in the New Year.
  • Council leader welcomes West Brom decision
    30 Nov 12
    Sandwell Council Leader Councillor Darren Cooper is welcoming a decision by the West Brom to build a new HQ in the town.

More Sandwell Council information…

Sandwell blogs

  • Volunteers needed
    02 Dec 12
    In order for Bearwood on Ice to run smoothly the organisers are dependent on the help of a small army of volunteers to steward the event. Although the event is supported by the Council, it just wouldn't be possible if they had to pay staff run it. So, if you think you could help out, for an hour…
  • Actually Advent: Good News of Great Joy
    02 Dec 12
    So it’s actually Advent, and I only got my act together this morning to download this lovely free e-book from John Piper onto my cheap and cheerful table that I use for daily bible reading. Thankfully, the readings began today, so there’s even time for you to download it too and not be too…
  • Silvershine Jazz
    02 Dec 12
    The Bearwood Jazz website has been revamped to recognise its launch as the Silvershine Jazz Club , and they have kindly added this blog, as well as WeloveBearwood to their extensive list of local jazz links. Silvershine Jazz will be launched on Thursday 20th December at Corks, with guest stars including…
  • Back to the future
    02 Dec 12
    I was transported back in time this week, to my school-days  I went to an informal school reunion in the local pub. That bit at the end of the school in the picture was the school hall and it had a balcony at the back. That was torn down when they turned it into a netball court as part of Comprehensive…
  • Very late submission from the Metropolitan Police to the Leveson inquiry suggests John Yates has yet more serious questions to answer.
    01 Dec 12
    A remarkable last minute submission from the Metropolitan police to the Leveson inquiry has been brought to my attention by the twitter user going by the name of @MrsTrevithick. The submission claims that as far back as 2009, senior investigating officers at the Metropolitan police had a strong belief…
  • A week of nostalgia
    01 Dec 12
    Full Moon There has been a full moon this week and a week of nostalgia for me. On Facebook the new ‘The History of Wednesbury’ continued to get more ‘likes’ and contributions.  There is a lot of interest in local history now, Distinctly Black Country is another Facebook page. I also went to an informal…
  • Anticipating Advent: Remember the Meaning
    01 Dec 12
    Great clip from Rico Tice that challenges us about the true meaning of Christmas. Advent is a time to remember that truth and think about the wait for the Saviour at his first coming and anticipate his return in glory.
  • Local comics given chance to shine
    30 Nov 12
    The Public in West Bromwich is inviting budding comedians from across the Midlands to step up to the microphone, and take part in a unique comedy showcase, with the opportunity to win a £100 cash prize!
  • Sandwell Sees the Light
    30 Nov 12
    Not being parley to the discussions that have been going on, Its pleasing that one of West Bromwich’s flag ship companies has made a deal to stay in the Town. BBC radio news mentioned that SMBC has re negotiated the deal with the West Brom Building Society to stay in the Town Sandwell Tory Said We welcome…
  • Congrats to the West Brom
    30 Nov 12
    I’m dead chuffed to hear that theWest Brom (building society, that is) is to build a new HQ and stay in the town. This really is super news. It’s good for the members of the society and its staff and it’s good for the council’s drive to regenerate West Bromwich town centre. Remember, the centre’s already…
  • The Great British potato shortage
    30 Nov 12
    There is always an excuse for higher food prices and now it’s a shortage of potatoes. Earlier in the year farmer’s organisations said there would be a shortage because of the ‘drought’. They did their rain dances and rain came and kept on coming. After a summer of persistent and record breaking rainfall…
  • Blackheath Tree of Life
    30 Nov 12
    The regular Blackheath tree of Life as been turned on in all its glory, now in its 11 th year and its third year at St Paul’s Parish Church in Long Lane. Its founding organiser, former Councillor and Secretary of the Blackheath Community and Business Association Mrs Mary Docker said “ People can sponsor…
  • Batter Bearwood
    30 Nov 12
    We just love this…… Bearwood Fish Bar on Three Shires Oak Road have found the perfect solutionfor the Christmas Dinner Takeaway! Battered turkey, batteredsprouts, battered parsnips,battered pigs in blanket and even batteredmincepies and battered Christmas pudding. Owners Maxine and Steven Devonport…
  • Thimblemill Library's December Calendar
    29 Nov 12
    Reading groups, craft clubs, jewellery making sessions, health surgeries and creative classes for kids throughout the month not forgetting the A Christmas Story Coffee Morning on Monday 1st December and the Storytelling cafe on Thursday 13th December, we’re so lucky to have Thimblemill Library right…
  • Are you ready….
    29 Nov 12
  • Chamberlains is the plaice to be!
    28 Nov 12
    One of our recent discoveries and favourite plaices to eat(see what we did there….eh?) has to be Chamberlains Fish and Chips Restaurant . If they serve fish and chips in heaven this is what they’ll taste like.Click on here tofind outwhy! There are so many exciting things happening at Chamberlains…
  • Anticipating Advent: Activities
    28 Nov 12
    Our big Advent activity in the Vicarage is always the Jesse Tree – a bare twig we cover in decorations that take us through the salvation story to Jesus. We don’t always manage to get all the way through the readings and the decorating, but we make an attempt each year and cover at least…
  • Sandwell's Economic Growth
    27 Nov 12
    I see that after April 2013 some of the councils revenue is to be linked to the Councils ability to support local firms and create jobs in its area. If Sandwell helps traders and business to set up and flourish it will be able to retain a 50% share in the business rates and on top of that they can keep…
  • Parliament and independent press regulation – a chronology of ducks.
    26 Nov 12
    If you are interested in press reform, the chronology of events below should tell you how previous politicians have ducked their responsibility to act. When Leveson reports on Thursday, it will be up to you to convince your local MP that they should have the courage to finally deal with this issue…
  • Policy Brief: Mandated Data Release: A New ‘Right to Data’ Power For the Information Commissioner’s Office by Tom Steinberg,1st June 2011
    25 Nov 12
    Tom Steinberg, boss of My Society and former adviser to the Conservative party and last Labour government, has just published a number policy advice papers on his site. They represent five years of advice to ministers and the Conservatives when in opposition. I’m slowly ploughing through them…

More Sandwell blogs…


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Blog features

  • Meeting Minutes
    30 Nov 12
    Here are the minutes from Dudley People’s Parliaments. dudley Peoples Parliament Meetings minutes DudleyMPMinutes26thOct2012_1.pdf
  • November's Bearwood Handmade
    30 Nov 12
    We’ve officially opened the Christmas season and cheer with our November Bearwood Handmade Fair. The doors opened at 10am last Saturday to welcome the Bearwood community… and even though it was grey and the skies opened with rain, we still had a very busy day. I ran around in my usual last minute…
  • Calling all budding comedians!
    29 Nov 12
    Fancy yourself as the next rising comic star?
  • From the vicarage December 2012
    29 Nov 12
    Ho, ho, ho!!! ‘Tis the season to be jolly. Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la-la. The UK is about to host the biggest birthday party of the year, again. Even bigger than the Torch Relay and the Olympics, bigger than the Queen’s Golden Jubilee. Christmas Day will be massive. We’ll scoff around…
  • Run your own workshop!
    28 Nov 12
    Art Fun 2013
  • How Gone has helped me grasp the gospel better
    28 Nov 12
    Regular readers of this blog will know the story of Gone , our local rough sleeper, who has been on the streets of the Black Country for 30 years.  Last year, he spent 4 months up to Christmas sleeping under our hedge in the front drive, as we tried, succeeded and failed to get him into Betel .  He…
  • Santa in the Woods
    27 Nov 12
    Spaces are still available to see Santa on Saturday 8th December (1pm – 4pm) call on 0121 429 2440 to book. This is our Simply Santa event where the grotto, shop and cafe will be open. Santa in the Woods is on Sunday 9th December – starting at 4pm with Santa at the Fountain. He then rides…
  • Samee becomes Chief Executive!
    27 Nov 12
    This year’s Children’s Commissioners Take Over day saw over 50,000 children and young people taking over Schools, Parliamentary meetings, Councils and the Police to name but a few. Samee Ahmed took over the role of Jan Britton, Chief Eexcutive Officer, Sandwell MBC for the morning. Samee is 12 and has…
  • Gemma Takes Over
    26 Nov 12
    This year’s Children’s Commissioners Take Over day saw over 50,000 children and young people taking over Schools, Parliamentary meetings, Councils and the Police to name a few. One of our young leaders, Gemma Caffrey, had the opportunity to take over the role of Dr Maggie Atkinson, The Children’s Commissioner…

More Sandwell blog features…

West Bromwich Albion

  • Joke Bumfires On Ridgewell
    02 Dec 12
    Joke Bumfires On Ridgewell Vitalfootball:WBA:02/12/2012 20:41:00 Wouldn't normally cover this but it did make me laugh, Liam Ridgewell has got himself into a bit of hot water after a private joke.
  • FA Cup 3rd Round Draw
    02 Dec 12
    FA Cup 3rd Round Draw Vitalfootball:WBA:02/12/2012 20:28:00 Albion travel to struggling QPR in the third round of the FA Cup this season.
  • A Fan's View: Albion 0 Stoke 1
    02 Dec 12
    Joseph Chapman gives his verdict on Albion’s defeat
  • Vote now for your Man of the Match against Stoke City
    02 Dec 12
    Who caught your eye against the Potters?
  • Clarke: Albion unfortunate to lose
    02 Dec 12
    Boss expected tight game
  • Fury as Liam Ridgewell pictured 'wiping his backside on £20 notes'
    02 Dec 12
    West Brom star apologises as posed photograph intended as a joke for a pal sparks outrage
  • Steve Clarke: "We will bounce back. We’re in a good place and we’re a good team."
    01 Dec 12
    West Bromwich Albion boss defends making six changes to his team
  • Harsh Defeat To Stoke
    01 Dec 12
    Harsh Defeat To Stoke Vitalfootball:WBA:01/12/2012 20:30:00 Steve Clarke has said that no one is to blame following our defeat to Stoke today, it was the game of 'one chance' that he expected and it didn't fall to us.
  • West Brom 0 Stoke City 1 – pictures
    01 Dec 12
    Pictures from West Bromwich Albion’s home defeat to Stoke City
  • West Brom 0-1 Stoke- Match Report
    01 Dec 12
    West Brom 0-1 Stoke- Match Report.
  • West Brom 0-1 Stoke
    01 Dec 12
    Dean Whitehead earns Stoke a first Premier League away win since January, as West Brom waste the chance to go third.
  • Stats: WBA v Stoke
    01 Dec 12
    Stats: WBA v Stoke Vitalfootball:WBA:01/12/2012 16:58:00 All the stats from WBA (0) vs (1) Stoke, The Hawthorns, 1/12/12 Att: 24,739

More West Brom news…

Non-league football

  • Serie Z issue 18
    28 Nov 12
    Serie Z issue 18 Coming to you from the depths of the wind and rain-lashed West Midlands, it’s the latest edition of Serie Z without a trace of anti-semitism, or any other nastiness, in sight. And all for just 62p. Published Wednesday, November…
  • First – TIVIDALE EDGE IT IN MUD AND THUNDER OF A GAME
    26 Nov 12
    This was a game that you could not take your eyes off from start to finish and in the end it was the team that made better use of the conditions that took the spoils.

More non-league football…

Rugby

  • Christmas at Warley RFC
    28 Nov 12
    Christmas is coming & the Midlands’ friendliest rugby club will be celebrating the festivities throughout December…
  • Team Mates returns
    27 Nov 12
    The much loved Team Mates feature is returning this week! First up is Jake Brown…

More rugby…

Other sports

  • Watch England LIVE this Weekend
    30 Nov 12
    2012 FIH Champions Trophy – Melbourne
  • Wednesbury Hockey Club Junior Clothing Range
    26 Nov 12
    Details of how to order WHC junior clothing.

More sports…

Business

  • Crosspoint full as LSH secures three deals
    30 Nov 12
    A major business park in Warwickshire has achieved 100% occupancy after three new lettings were secured by leading national property consultancy Lambert Smith Hampton (LSH) and joint agents North Rae Sanders (NRS). Tata Motors Electrical Testing…
  • West Bromwich building society scraps planned move to Dudley
    30 Nov 12
    The West Bromwich Building Society is staying put in the Black Country borough – reversing its decision to move to Dudley.
  • Chamber Autumn Statement
    30 Nov 12
    Chancellor George Osborne must go for growth in his Autumn Statement – that’s the view of the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce chief executive Louise Bennett. Bennett insists that the Government shouldn’t stray from its deficit…
  • Old glass unit gets new training role
    30 Nov 12
    A leading training organisation is following in iconic footsteps – moving to new premises in Brierley Hill once used by glass industry apprentices. Mercury Training Services is renting the 4,700 sq ft first floor at The Glass Centre, 5 Moor…
  • Mayor gets green fingered for Langley Point
    30 Nov 12
    Celebrating Langley Point’s green credentials are (front l to r) Lady Mayoress of Birmingham; Geoff Cole, BTFL; Lord Mayor of Birmingham Cllr John Lines; Chris Whitham, Bizmove; Andrew Parker, Folkes Holdings; Christine Cushing, Birmingham…
  • Transformation of iconic British firm Jaguar Land Rover wins National award
    30 Nov 12
    Phil Hodgkinson, Director, Global Business Expansion, Jaguar Land Rover Jaguar Land Rover was lauded for the radical transformation of its business at the prestigious annual Institute for Turnaround (IFT) Awards last night. They received the…
  • Christmas comes early to Leekes of Coventry
    30 Nov 12
    It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas as the Midland’s biggest home department store deck its aisles with boughs of holly for a weekend full of festive celebrations. Leekes, the family-owned department store located on the A444 next to…
  • Over 40 jobs secured as local firm wins prestigious award
    30 Nov 12
    Arcare, the West Midlands care home and hotel group that employs over 40 people across Wolverhampton, was honoured at the prestigious annual Institute for Turnaround (IFT) Awards last night, receiving the award for SME Company Turnaround…
  • National Express gets a lift with £70m of foreign orders
    29 Nov 12
    BIRMINGHAM-based transport group National Express has enjoyed a £70m lift to its international business with new contract wins for its bus operations in North America and Spain.National Express\’ Nort…
  • Johnson Fellows secures new office for security systems supplier
    29 Nov 12
    A growing Black Country security systems supplier has relocated to new premises in Oldbury, with a little help from Birmingham-based chartered surveyors Johnson Fellows. Defence Security Systems (DSS) has taken a 10-year lease on 5,950 sq ft…
  • Centro steps up bid to take control of rail services
    29 Nov 12
    TRANSPORT authority Centro is stepping up its bid to take over responsibility for the London Midland rail franchise subject of much criticism of late due to a series of train cancellations owi…
  • Vulnerable adults thrown jobs lifeline by West Midlands business link-up
    29 Nov 12
    Vulnerable West Midland adults who had never worked in their lives have been thrown a lifeline – thanks to a chance meeting between two business leaders.

More Sandwell business news…

Weather


Weather in West Bromwich


Hammerwich Weather & News
  • 2 December weather report for Hammerwich, Lichfield, Burntwood, Brownhills, Bloxwich and Pelsall.

Willenhall Weather Station
Detailed live weather reports

More Sandwell weather links…

Traffic

Roads

Traffic England West Midlands updates

Traffic updates…



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