Community

Saturday, April 25, 2026 wolverhampton pub community heritage preservation refurbishment licensing planning conservation village

The historic Old Stags Head pub, a cherished landmark in Penn, Wolverhampton, is moving closer to reopening after being closed for nearly six years. Once threatened with conversion into residential homes, this 200-year-old … Read More

Saturday, April 25, 2026 solihull winebar familybusiness bakery chelmsleywood localfood ales community comfortfood homestyle

A fresh and inviting wine bar is coming to Solihull, promising an atmosphere that feels just like “visiting your nan’s kitchen.” The Brownie & Bake Company, run by husband and wife duo Rachael Vitins and Dave … Read More

Saturday, April 25, 2026 cancer bowel bowelcancer health awareness screening testing earlydetection survivor community

Ian Shires, a bowel cancer survivor and longtime public servant, is making a heartfelt appeal for people to prioritize early testing, emphasizing that “survival shouldn’t come down to luck.” Mr. Shires, who served as a … Read More

Saturday, April 25, 2026 pubs birmingham blackcountry happyhours beer nostalgia realale community history landmarks

Over 30 pubs from Birmingham and the Black Country are featured in the evocative new book Happy Hours – A Great British Pub Diary, authored by Mike Critchley. This captivating tribute chronicles a 42-year adventure through … Read More

Friday, April 24, 2026 birmingham raisethecolours flags patriotism intimidation division community racism unity protest

Another Facebook livestream from Ryan Bridge, leader of the West Midlands group Raise the Colours, has once again made its way onto my work feeds. This group, under the guise of patriotism, is plastering Birmingham with Union … Read More

Friday, April 24, 2026 walsall reedswood woodland school development environment protest community traffic conservation

A new grassroots campaign group, Keep Reedswood Green – Say No to School Development Site, has formed in Walsall, driven by residents opposing the planned construction of a new school on Reedswood Park. Their inaugural … Read More

Friday, April 24, 2026 stgeorgesday solihull parade shirley traffic celebration patriotism delay community festival

Motorists are being warned of significant delays ahead of the annual St George’s Day Parade in Shirley, Solihull, which claims to be the ‘world’s largest’. Since its inception in 2004, this patriotic … Read More

Thursday, April 23, 2026 asda stgeorgesday england celebration heritage midlands retail supermarket costume community

Asda is embracing a spirited change this St George’s Day by inviting shoppers and staff to dress up in celebration of England’s patron saint on April 23rd. In a festive move, the Asda store in Derby is encouraging its … Read More

Thursday, April 23, 2026 wolverhampton blakenhall roadclosures community localbusiness infrastructure residentvoices urbanissues neighborhood publicservices

In the heart of Wolverhampton, the Blakenhall neighborhood is facing mounting concerns from both residents and local business owners. Many have voiced their frustrations about ongoing road closures and a series of local … Read More

Wednesday, April 22, 2026 walsall leathermuseum relocation heritage localelections council community politics budget conservation

As the local elections approach in Walsall, all seven political parties have declared their positions on the contentious plan to relocate the Leather Museum. The proposal, originally introduced by former council leader Garry … Read More

Wednesday, April 22, 2026 pub closure cubbington warwickshire family community grief hospitality quinlan retirement

The Kings Head, a beloved village pub in Cubbington, Warwickshire, has closed its doors with immediate effect following the sudden death of co-owner Sharon Quinlan. The pub, managed by siblings Wayne and Sharon Quinlan, has … Read More

Tuesday, April 21, 2026 birmingham teenagers youth socialmedia bullring citycentre meetups publicspaces community crowds

In recent weeks, Birmingham city centre has witnessed a notable increase in groups of teenagers gathering, particularly around the Bullring shopping centre. These so-called “link-ups” have drawn attention as … Read More

Tuesday, April 21, 2026 rave family birmingham charity foodpoverty community workshops events volunteering healthyeating

Bangers N' Mashups is a unique series of family-friendly raves in Birmingham that combine nostalgic music with community support. Open to all ages, these events feature classic old school tunes, balloons, glitter tattoos, … Read More

Monday, April 20, 2026 natwest financialeducation investing budgeting savings workshops financialconfidence ukbanking community facilitators

NatWest Group has announced a significant expansion of its Financial Foundations programme, aiming to benefit 50,000 people across the UK in 2026. The high street bank’s initiative will introduce a new investment-focused … Read More

Monday, April 20, 2026 dudley liberaldemocrats politics council budget roadrepairs localelections cllrpriest coalition community

Dudley’s Liberal Democrat leader, Cllr Ryan Priest, has openly defended what critics have dubbed ‘potholes by postcode’ deals with Conservative council leaders. These arrangements prioritize road repairs in council areas … Read More

Monday, April 20, 2026 birmingham knifecrime youthviolence youthcourt bladedweapons teeninjury publicsafety crimeprevention legalwarning community

A judge in Birmingham has issued a powerful warning to all boys carrying knives after a 16-year-old teenager narrowly escaped death in a violent altercation. The teen arrived at a fight armed with a zombie knife but ended up … Read More

Sunday, April 19, 2026 costco traffic congestion coventry midlands fuel petition council parking community

Residents near the Costco store and petrol station on Torrington Avenue in Coventry have endured persistent weekend traffic congestion for six years. The surge in fuel demand, fueled by Costco’s reputation for low-cost … Read More

Sunday, April 19, 2026 birmingham heritage decay austerity community buildings history neglect restoration poverty

In a bustling newsroom covering a city as diverse as Birmingham, priorities shift daily, and battles are chosen carefully. Yet, over recent months, one persistent lament has emerged from my reflections and reports: Why is our … Read More

Saturday, April 18, 2026 birmingham regeneration druidsheath development delay council community housing planning urban

Birmingham City Council has revealed that it will require additional time before resubmitting the planning application for the much-anticipated Druids Heath regeneration project. The delay has prompted concern and anger among … Read More

Saturday, April 18, 2026 devolution community investment fund liberaldemocrats dudley elections residents facilities wastemanagement

As the May local elections approach, the Dudley Liberal Democrats are unveiling a proactive plan to boost community engagement and improve public services. Central to their vision is a voluntary Citizens Investment Fund, … Read More

Saturday, April 18, 2026 whitelion caldmore heritage locallisting pub campaign walsall community planning preservation

A dedicated community group fighting to preserve the historic White Lion pub in Caldmore faces a continued wait before a decision is made on its local listing application. The Friends of the White Lion submitted their request … Read More

Thursday, April 16, 2026 birmingham pubcrawl jqbeerweekend jewelleryquarter pubs beer independent hospitality food community

Birmingham’s much-loved pub crawl, the JQ Beer Weekend, is back for its fourth year, promising another exciting celebration of the city’s vibrant hospitality scene. Running from Thursday, April 16 to Saturday, April 18, this … Read More

Thursday, April 16, 2026 birmingham libdems elections council bins traffic roadsafety potholes culture community

With just weeks until Birmingham’s local elections on May 7, all 101 council seats will be contested in what promises to be a pivotal vote for the city’s future. The Liberal Democrats are striving to present themselves as a … Read More

Thursday, April 16, 2026 neighbours laundry washing garden dispute council law complaint outdoor community

Many people consider their garden a private sanctuary, but disputes with neighbours can quickly disturb that peace. One woman recently found herself at the centre of a bewildering conflict when her new neighbour complained … Read More