Community

Saturday, June 27, 2026 elmdon solihull childcare planning council councillors carehome parksafety community approval

A proposed children’s care home in Elmdon received planning approval despite councillors’ appeals to postpone the decision for further scrutiny. At Solihull Council’s planning committee meeting, the application to convert a … Read More

Saturday, June 27, 2026 bournville bakepicnic community baking local family picnic birmingham food events

If a picnic filled with cakes, brownies, scones, and sourdough fresh from the oven sounds delightful, Bournville has just the event for you. On Saturday, August 1, the village will host its inaugural ‘Bake … Read More

Saturday, June 27, 2026 birmingham bullring cafe closure refurbishment shopping local community retail temporary

A well-known café in Birmingham’s Bullring shopping centre has recently been boarded up, sparking curiosity among shoppers and locals. The cafe has been a popular spot for visitors ever since the Bullring opened its doors in … Read More

Saturday, June 27, 2026 birmingham holidayclubs freemeals childcare streetgames haf youthactivities community wellbeing education

Birmingham’s popular school holiday programme is returning in 2026, offering hundreds of free holiday clubs for local children. These clubs provide a wide range of activities including indoor and outdoor games, cookery … Read More

Saturday, June 27, 2026 caneat stirchley cafe hospitality independent closure community vat businessrates support

Stirchley bids a sorrowful goodbye to Caneat, a cherished café that has profoundly influenced the local community since opening in 2017. Celebrated for its signature seven-minute eggs, banana bread, and exceptional … Read More

Saturday, June 27, 2026 softplay awardwinning cannock playcafe families sensoryplay toddlerfriendly community childcare midlands

Hidden away in Cannock, Little Land of Play has quietly become the Midlands’ premier soft play café — and it’s just been crowned the best children’s business in the region at the prestigious Muddy Stilettos 2026 awards. Since … Read More

Friday, June 26, 2026 community speedwatch westmidlands police volunteers speeding roadsafety enforcement training traffic

The Community Speedwatch initiative in the West Midlands is playing a key role in the ongoing battle against speeding drivers, with continued growth and strong support from West Midlands Police. Acting Chief Constable Scott … Read More

Friday, June 26, 2026 birmingham parks encampments travellers council strategy transit community localgovernment planning

Councillors in Birmingham have voiced growing frustration over the rising number of unauthorised encampments in the city’s parks, urging the council to adopt a fresh approach. This escalation of concerns follows the council’s … Read More

Friday, June 26, 2026 blackcountry birmingham pubs awards westmidlands greatbritishpubawards community hospitality nominees craftbeer

This year’s Great British Pub Awards shortlist highlights a striking trend: the Black Country has secured more nominations than Birmingham. Out of the 16 award categories, only one Birmingham pub made the cut, while the … Read More

Friday, June 26, 2026 birmingham fire housefire family devastation fundraiser kingsheath loss rebuilding community

A Birmingham father is heartbroken after a fire destroyed his children’s home, leaving them with nothing. The blaze broke out near Manningford Road in Kings Heath on June 5, though the cause remains unknown. The fire … Read More

Thursday, June 25, 2026 walsall traffic oneway roadsafety ratrun funding localgovernment council transportation community sport

Residents of Walsall’s Hospital Street and Croft Street, long plagued by traffic chaos, pavement parking, and road rage, face continued disappointment as the proposed one-way system remains without funding or a delivery date. … Read More

Wednesday, June 24, 2026 birmingham libraries erdington repairs conservative community council delays heritage investment

Birmingham’s newly appointed council leaders are under mounting pressure to safeguard the city’s libraries, following significant delays to crucial repair work at Erdington Library. The facility, which temporarily closed … Read More

Wednesday, June 24, 2026 birmingham council travellers encampments pilot negotiatedstopping community unauthorised sites programme

Birmingham Council has officially withdrawn its pilot programme for a ‘negotiated stopping’ scheme designed to provide temporary sites for the travelling community. The decision follows a significant increase in … Read More

Tuesday, June 23, 2026 willenhall hmo walsall planning community privacy petition development oversaturation housing

Walsall Council’s planning committee has rejected plans to convert a former Willenhall DIY shop into a 12-bedroom House of Multiple Occupation (HMO). The proposed development at 116-118 Lower Lichfield Street, previously Roy … Read More

Tuesday, June 23, 2026 marketharborough midlands housing realestate community affordable leicestershire bestplaces countryside schools

Market Harborough, a picturesque market town in Leicestershire, has been named one of the best places to live in the Midlands by the Sunday Times. What makes it especially appealing to prospective residents is its house … Read More

Tuesday, June 23, 2026 dudley healthcare regeneration wellbeing community healthhub accessibility mp soniakumar localeconomy

Dudley MP Sonia Kumar is calling for the establishment of a Health on the High Street centre in Dudley’s town centre, believing it could be a catalyst for regeneration and community revitalization. Drawing on her experience … Read More

Tuesday, June 23, 2026 pub customer behaviour respect community staff hospitality patience midlands incident

The Jubilee Inn, a popular pub in Studley on Bromsgrove Road, has kindly reminded its patrons to treat staff with respect and courtesy. While the majority of customers display excellent behaviour, the pub has observed … Read More

Sunday, June 21, 2026 suttoncoldfield keatonlacey midlandsairambulance fundraising family tragedy roadsafety community charity legacy

A Sutton Coldfield family has courageously turned immense tragedy into a powerful force for good. Keaton Lacey, a 20-year-old from Jerome Road, tragically lost his life last year in a road accident, while his brother Callum … Read More

Saturday, June 20, 2026 prostate cancer exercise fitness weightloss rehabilitation surgery recovery mentalhealth community

Peter McClure, a 65-year-old resident of Dunley near Stourport, was diagnosed with prostate cancer—the UK’s most common cancer—after requesting a PSA test in January 2025. Known for his active lifestyle that included walking … Read More

Saturday, June 20, 2026 dwp jobcentre midlands derbyshire shirebrook employment unemployment mobilevan socialsupport community

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has introduced a controversial change by replacing permanent Jobcentre offices with mobile vans in certain regions, including the Midlands. Following the closure of the Shirebrook … Read More

Saturday, June 20, 2026 schooladmissions education tamworth dunstallpark community parents trust expansion localgovernment controversy

A Midland learning trust has finally responded to growing concerns from parents over the allocation of reception places at Dunstall Park Primary School in Tamworth, following claims that families were excluded from … Read More

Saturday, June 20, 2026 vandalism midland pub lichfield furniture destruction community outrage disrespect responsibility

The Doctor Johnson, a popular pub in Lichfield, Midland, has publicly condemned vandals who scratched initials into its recently upgraded furniture. Owners Wayne Barsby and Claire Sheasby expressed their frustration and … Read More

Saturday, June 20, 2026 tividale mosque expansion parking sandwell planning council congestion community development

A proposed expansion of Tividale Mosque in Gate Street, which would see the building’s floorspace more than triple, has hit a roadblock over parking issues. Sandwell Council’s planning committee delayed a decision on the … Read More

Friday, June 19, 2026 banking closure lloyds sohoroad handsworth digital branches community access uk

Lloyds Bank has confirmed it will permanently close its Soho Road branch in Handsworth, Birmingham, reflecting a broader move towards digital banking services. The closure is scheduled for 23 June 2027 as part of a plan … Read More