Chronicle Week Walsall - 17-Nov-2022

REVIEWCALLON POLICESTATIONS

TheBlackCountryhasjustfour remainingpolicestationswithfront desksopentothepublic,according tonewfigures

OverthelastdecadeWestMidlandsPolicehascloseddown15of the19stationswithcountersallowingthepublictotalktoofficers,force datashows.

Itmeanstheonlystationsopen to thepublicacrossthe four boroughsareWestBromwich,Bloxwich, WolverhamptonandBrierleyHill.

AcrosstheWestMidlands10sta tionsremainoutofthe44thatwere openin2010

Nationally morethan200 stationshavegonesince2015.

Thepastsevenyearshaveseen manyoftheregion’sstationseither closeorlinedupforclosure,despite oppositionfromlocalpoliticiansand communities

TheyincludeDudley,whichshut downin2017andhasbeensoldoff andtransformedintoflats

Stourbridgepolicestation has undergoneasimilarredevelopment sinceclosing,while Halesowen’s stationinLaurelLaneisinlinetobe soldoffafteritsfrontdeskclosedsix yearsago

Wednesfield’s frontcounter closed in thesameyear, with the

stationonAlfredSquireRoaddueto shutforgoodin2025.

LastyearWestMidlandsPolice andCrimeCommissionerSimonFostersignedoffonplansthatwould seetheBlackCountryloseafurther sevenpolicebuildingstosecure£5 millioninsavings.

Hesaidthemovewouldensure thatnomorefrontdeskswouldclose tothepublicandthatlocalofficers would be “keptintheircommuni ties”.SergeantRichardCooke,West Midlands Police Federation chair, hascalledforafreshreviewintothe force’sestatesto“ensurethatnooth erstationsaretakenaway”

Hesaidthatideallytherewould beapolicestation“ineverytown andcityintheWestMidlands”.

“MoneyistightsoIdon’texpect anynewonestoopen,”hesaid.“So realistically we need to focus on maintainingthe ones we have got andnotsellingthemoff.Wecan’taf fordtoloseanymorestations.”

HispleacomesasCraigGuildford isduetotakeoverastheforce’snew ChiefConstablenextmonth.Hehas pledgedtofocusonneighbourhood policing

Getintothe festivespirit

Metrostaff strike action

West Midlands Metroworkers willbeginall-outstrikeactionlater thismonth.

Atotalwalkoutisduetostarton November28inarowoverwhatun ionUnitecalled“povertypayrates” Thestrikeisexpectedtocausedisruptiontocommutersandshoppers throughouttheChristmasperiod.

Theunion hascalledonWest MidlandsmayorAndyStreettostep intoresolvethedispute.

AWestMidlandsMetrospokes mansaid:“Weremaincommittedto findingafairresolution.”

West Midlands Combined Au thorityhas been approached for comment

Add to toy collections

Toyenthusiastscanaddtotheir collectionsatafairinWalsallWood thisweekend

TheToyandTrainCollectorsFair takesplaceatOakParkActiveLiving

Report by Peter Madeley

Have sayonbrownfieldsite

Thepublicare beinginvit edtohavetheirsayontheregenerationofoneofthelargest brownfieldsitesintheregion Thesecondphaseofacon sultation around anew housingsiteonbrownfield land in Wednesburyhasbeenlaunched tohelpshapethemasterplanfor thesite.

SandwellCouncilisworking withWestMidlandsCombined Authority(WMCA)tobringforwardalong-standing,allocated housing site in Wednesbury, now referred to as FriarPark UrbanVillage.The regenera tionschemewilltransformthe 27-hectare(67acre)site,mostof whichisunderusedandcontam

inated,intoacommunityasset whichshouldbenefitbothnew andexistingresidents.

Initialproposals were first puttothepublicin2021

Theplansetsout howthe site couldprovide much-need ed, newhomes alongside new high-quality,green spaces and facilities The 27-hectaresite

Thousandsturnout to pay theirrespects to thefallen

By Deborah Hardiman

Thousandsofpeopleacross theregiongatheredtomark RemembranceSundayandpay theirrespectstothe nation’s fallenheroes

Civicservicesand parades were held across BlackCountryonSundaytohonourmilitaryservicepersonnelpastand present Hundredsofresidentslined Walsalltowncentre’s streets topaytributetothemenand womenofthearmedforcesfor thefirsttimesincecoronavirus crisis

Thetownfellsilentforthe traditional RemembranceSun dayparadeandservicefeaturingatwominutes’silence,held at11am.

MayorofWalsall,Councillor RoseMartinsaid:“Itwaswonderfultoseethereturnofour RemembranceDayparadeand wehadafantasticturnout.Itis animportantreminderofthose wehavelostandanopportunity forustopayourrespectsasa community.”

Thecouncil’sdeputyleader andcommunities chiefCouncillorGarryPerrysaid:“Itwas brilliant to welcomebackour RemembranceDayparadethis year

“Ithasbeenalongtimesince wehavebeenabletojointogeth er as acommunity to honour

thosewhohavelosttheirlives inservicetoourcountry,sothis morning’sservicefeltespecially poignantandmoving.Iwantto thankeveryoneinvolvedinthe event,andeveryonethatcame alongtowatch.Wewillremem berthem.”

Theparadewasledbythe StaffordshireBandandfeatured representativesfrom159TheatreSupportCompany,Cheshire Regiment Association,Mercian Volunteers Regimental Associ ation,196 (Walsall)Squadron

RoyalAirForceAirCadets,Wal sall SeaCadets, Queen Mary’s GrammarSchoolCombined CadetForce andvarious uniformedyouthorganisations.

ParadesinSandwellfollowedserviceswithatwominutes’silenceobservedacrossthe borough.

OnArmisticeDay,theMayor, CouncillorRichardJones,ledthe silenceatOldburywarmemorial.CouncillorJones,said:“Iam delightedtoonceagaincome togethertohonourthemenand

womenwho sacrificed their livesforthepeaceandfreedom thatweenjoytoday.”

On RemembranceSunday, serviceswereheldatStMargaret’sChurch,ChapelLane,Great Barr;atOldbury CivicSquare, HalesowenStreet/Church Street;atRowleyRegisCrematorium,PowkeLane;inSmeth wickattheCouncilHouse,High Street;atVictoriaPark,Tipton; WednesburyMemorialGardens andatDartmouth Park,West Bromwich

MayorofSandwellCouncillorRichard Jonesleads theOldburyRemembrance service

Musicalpupilshit rightnotes

Pupilshavesoundedoutsuc cessafterachievinghighmusical marks.

The140pupilsfromYears2to 6fromStJoseph’sCatholicPrimary SchoolinDarlastonwereawarded distinctionsfromtheirexamwork withtheLondonCollegeofMusic.

Eachyearwasexaminedatdif

ferentstagesandrequiredevery childtolearntoplayavarietyof instruments,includingkeyboards, steelpans, drums,glockenspiels andtheukulele,aswellasarange ofotherpercussioninstruments.

Classeswerethenaskedtowork togethertoplayasawholeband

For the exams, the children

were askedtoplayamedleyof songsbyartistsincludingTheBea tles,EdSheeranandQueen.

Theyoungstersreceivedtheir certificatesataspecialschoolas sembly.

StJoseph’sheadteacherKath leenHintonsaidshewasincredi blyproudofthepupils’success

–anew 900-placeschool–duetoopennext year in Smethwick,the Wednes bury Health Centre andhousing developmentnexttoWednesbury

LeisureCentre.The £1.8 billion “pipeline”consistsof66regenera tionprojectsfundedbyarangeof public andprivate-sector invest mentwhichcouldseehomesbuilt andskillsboostedbetween2022 and2027

Ifsuccessful,theschemeswill bringmorethan4,300newhomes, a£57minvestmentin10education andskillsfacilities,andmoreem ploymentspace.

SandwellCouncilleaderCoun cillorKerrieCarmichaelsaid:“We havebeenworkingonanewvision

toregenerateSandwell’ssixtowns We’removingforwardwithplans tomakeSandwellanevenbetter placetolive,workandvisit.”

CouncillorPeterHughes,cabi netmemberforregenerationand growth,said:“Thisisanexciting timeforSandwell.

“Theseschemeswillnotonly beofbenefittoresidentsbut,by improvingSandwell’sinfrastruc ture,theboroughwillbecomea moreattractiveplaceforindustry andbusinesstolocateanddevel op.”

TheStJoseph’s students celebrate after receiving their certificates of distinction

Theway we buyproductsand serviceshas changeddramaticallypost-COVIDand businesses need to adapttoreflect this MNADigitalare on hand to provide

theQRcodetofind outmoreand book aconsultation with ourexpertteam.

Call to workmates

Thefamilyofaformerceiling fitterareappealingtopeoplewho workedwithhim to help establishhowhecontractedtheasbestos-relatedcancerthatclaimedhis life.

Robert Calderwood Spence, knownasRobbie,fromWestBromwichbutwhogrewupinScotland,diedmonthsafter being diagnosedwithmesotheliomain November 2019,acancerofthe liningofthelung

In lightofthe 73-year-old’s death,hisdaughter,JanetSpence, 55,nowwantstoinvestigatehow

Robbie developed theillness.Janetisappealingfor anyone who workedwithRobbietocomefor ward andprovide information onwhetherhemayhavebeenex posedtoasbestosduringhiswork inglife.

Theyareparticularlykeento hear from anyone whoworked alongsideRobbieinthesuspended ceilingtrade in theWestBromwichareainthe1980s,andwhen Robbie workedinthe building tradeinthelate1960s.

ThefamilyhasappointedlawyersatIrwinMitchelltohelp.

Trio dedicate time to tidyingburialground

A84-year-oldretireehasspent thelastthreeyearsmaintaininga derelictgraveyardwherehiswife andsonareburied.

BillJones,ofPrincesEnd,Tipton,hasspenteverymorningfor thelastthree years takingcare of Christ Churchgraveyard,on ChurchRoad,Coseley,afteritwas lefttofallintodisarray

MrJones,aretiredbuilder,was inspiredtocleanupthegrounds aftervisitinghis late wife’s and son’splotand discoveringthe groundswerelefttogrowunruly andthegravesinneedofrepairs.

Hesaid:“Thisallstartedabout threeyearsago,thegraveyardwas inrealdisrepair,itwashonestly likeajungle.

Fixing

“WhenIfirstcametherewere bramblesandfallentreesandindividualgraveshadcollapsedand neededfixing.”

When the84year-oldbegan hisworkonthegrounds,hewas soonjoinedbyfriendDennisWat kins,70,andsonDavid,58,who helpshimtomow,placeflowers andcutawaybrambles

MrJonessaid:“It’sfunny.Iwas doing this work on thegrounds andrandomlyDenniscameover andsaid‘I’ll help you outwith that.’

“Hedoesn’t have anyfamily

plotinhere,heisdoingthisalloff hisownbat

“Wehavebothmadesome fantasticfriendsdoingthis.Iam reallyquiteproudofwhatwehave achievedhere.”

Sincetakingovermaintenance of thegrounds,Bill andDennis have replaced morethan1,200 pots–eachwithflowersandfour bagsofgravel,andcutthegrass dailytomakesurethe grounds lookrespectable.

Reverend Emma Stanford, vicaratChristChurch,said:“The church is incrediblygratefulfor theamountofhelpthegrouphas

provided.Thisisthesortofthing thatwewouldreallylovetoen courage

“Withanoldercongregationat thechurchandalackoffinancing, it’sreallyhardforustomaintain andmowit.IntheyearofCovid, myselfandothervolunteerstried toclearasmuchaswecould,but we really appreciate thehelpof Billandhisgroup.”

MrJonesadded:“Wearedoing reallywellhere,wecoulduseabit moregravelorafewmorepots, butIjustwishwehadsomemore volunteerstocomealongandhelp out.”

Profits fall at funerals firm

FuneralproviderDignity has seenprofitsfallthisyearasthere hasbeenareductioninthenum berofdeathsnationallyasCovid wanes.

TheWestMidlands-based businessisoneoftheUK’slargest nationalprovidersoffuneralplans andendoflifeservices.Itoperates crematoria at Telford, Shrews bury,LichfieldandStourport

Forthe39weekstotheend ofSeptemberunderlyingrevenue wasdown14percentto£204.7 millionandunderlyingoperating

profitfell68percentto£14.1m from£43.4m

Forthe period deaths were downfrom483,000to469,000

Dignitysaidthatduringthe thirdquarteroftheyearitsnew strategycontinuedtodeliverearlypromisingsignsofincreasesin marketsharegrowth Revenue andunderlyingoperatingprofitcontinuedtobeim pactedbyacombinationoffactors, includingfluctuationsinthedeath rate,changeinpricing strategy andintroductionofadirectcre-

mationservicethroughDignity’s funeralnetwork

ChiefexecutiveKateDavidson said:“Thethirdquartercontinues topresentsomeofthechallenges wefacedearlierthisyear,butwith ournewstrategywellunderway wearebeginningtoseepositive indicationsofour marketshare growing.

“Itisalsopromisingtoseetangibleimprovementstoourworkforceasweincreaseour head count.Weremainfocussedonour longtermaims.”

Report by Daniel Walton

Retiree BillJoneswithDennisWatkins,back left, and sonDavid

Appeal–RobbieSpence

Acarthatcausedastirwhen itwasfounddumpedside-onina canallockhasbeencranedoutby specialists

TheLandRover Discovery, believedtohavebeenstolen,was discoveredonitssidewithbroken windowsandsurroundedbyde brisatthebottomofFactoryLock numberthree,neartoFurnacePa radeinTiptononMonday

Tyretracksandbrokenglass couldbeseenaroundthelockand therewasasmallamountoffuel

leakingoutofthebackofthecar intothewater

Fireofficersandcanalofficials tookstockofthescenethroughout theday.Soonafter7pm,LeeBates oftheCanal&RiverTrustsaidthe carwassafelyliftedoutofthewa terwith“minimaldamage”tothe lockandsurroundingarea

Hesaid:“Oilsandfluidsfrom thevehicle have been contained within thelock anda team are dealingwithitaccordingly.”

Theimpactoftheblockageon

canaluserswassevere,withboats beingheldupthroughouttheday.

Aspokesmanfor West Mid landsPolicesaid:“Wewerecalled toFactoryRoadinTiptonshortly before6amfollowingreportsave hiclehaddrivenintoacanal

“Ourcolleaguesfromthefire servicealsoattendedandfollow ingchecksofthevehicleandthe locknoonewasfound

“Thevehicle wasbelievedto be stolenfromthe Staffordshire area.”

Grow abeard forcause

Cancer charitygroup Bowel CancerUKisencouragingmento grow abeard this December to raiseawareness aboutthe UK’s secondbiggestcancerkiller With Christmasaroundthe corner,BowelCancerUKisencour agingmentobringtheirfamilies, friends, andcolleaguestogether andgetsponsoredtogrowtheir bestbeardthroughoutDecember Togetinvolved,allthatisre

quiredisacleanshaveonNovem ber30beforeparticipantslettheir facial fuzz grow throughoutthe month.Anyonewithafullbeard alreadycandye,ditchordecorate theirfaceaccessorytojoininthe campaign

VickyMartin, community fundraisingmanager at Bowel Cancer UK,said: “Whether you growaVanDyke,agoatee,oraGar ibaldi–wewantyoutogetspon

soredtogrowyourbestbeard.All weaskisthatyoupledgetoraiseat least£100perteammemberand allthemoneyyouraisewillhelp stoppeopledyingofbowelcancer byfundingoutvitalservicesand life-savingresearch.”

Thoselookingtotakepartin thecampaign,oranyonelooking formoredetailscanvisitthefund raising websiteherebowelcance ruk.org.uk/decembeard

The suspected stolen car wascranedout of thelockafter dark. Pic:Lee Bates

Mourning the passingofa talented andversatile actor

WithLesliePhillipspassingwe loseoneofthegreatcharactersof filmsfromthelate50sand60s

Inallhespentmorethaneight decadesonthescreen

Histalentswerenotconfined to comedy andhedemonstrated aversatility fordrama whenhe played opposite PeterO’Toole in Venusalongwithhisvoiceoverin theHarryPotterseries

Iwas fortunatetomeet him

afewtimesandhiswifeAngela Scoularwho wasaBondgirlin GeorgeLazenby’sonlyouting.

Thelasttimewasaround12 yearsagowhenhehadhisautobi ographyoutandhecouldnothave beenmoreofawarm,funnygen tlemaninhislateryears.Andyes, hesignedthebookwithhiscatch phraseDing,DongasIrequested!

MarkDabbs,Walsall

Consequences of bill beingignored

AstheGeneticTechnologyBill racesunhinderedthroughparlia ment,thepotentiallyseismiccon sequencestotheUKfoodindustry aresimplybeingignored

This deeply troublingbill re movesanylabellingandtraceabili tyrequirementsforahypothetical sub-class of GMO, theso-called ‘precision bred organism’.These exempted organisms will effec tivelybehiddeninthefoodsystem

TheRegulatoryPolicyCom mittee hasalreadyraisedared flag, statingthatthe bill failsto considertheimpactofcreatinga newclassofGMO.Initspresent formthisbillwillfailbusinesses, consumersandtheenvironment Organic Farmers&Growers

believes theGovernment must urgentlymakeprovisiontomin imisethe financial impact to all foodbusinessesbyestablishinga comprehensiveco-existencere gime.The worrying alternative isthatbusinesseswouldneedto undertake theirown traceability testing,acomplexandexpensive processaddinganestimatedcost ofaround£500,000patoSMEs.

HidingGMOswithinthefood system will have immeasurable long-termconsequencesonanal readyreelingUKfoodindustry.It also failstosafeguard ourbasic righttomakeaninformedchoice aboutwhatweconsume

RogerKerr, chiefexecutive, OrganicFarmers&Growers

Applytobe BHFhelper

With thefestive season fast approaching, theBritish Heart Foundationisencouragingevery onetodonatethegiftoftimeand volunteerintheirlocalBHFshop.

Ourshopsneedyoursupport morethaneverbefore.Whether youcanspareafewhoursordays, everysecondyou cangifttous helpsfundlife-savingresearch

Withavarietyofrolesavail able,frommerchandisingonthe shopfloor,creatingwindowdis plays,orinthewarehouse,you’ll findafunandexcitingrole.Find outmoreaboutsigninguptovol unteerbyvisitingyourlocalshop orsearchingonline.

SarahBoardman, retail vol unteering operationsmanager, BHF

Residents’ 30-yearwaitfor progress

In1992inDarlaston,theold dilapidatedKingsHillJMIschool sitewaslevelledandleftderelict, fly-tippedandneglectedforanas tonishing30years.

WalsallRegeneration openly committedtosupportingthede liveryofdevelopmenttoboostDar laston’slocaleconomyandprovide homesandfacilitiesforlocalpeo ple.Thingsaren’talwaysstraight forward, so what happened to

investment,andpositiveinterven tionstocreateasustainableand improvedareainthelast30years? Thefactremainsthattherearetoo manyblightedandneglectedsites inthelocalAreaPlanningstrategy Howmanymorehavewaited30 yearsormore?

Welcomingplans to develop theOldKingsHillJMIschoolsite isonething.Localresidentswill be able to involve themselves in

theplanningconsultationprocess WithOldParkRoadbeinganar rowandcongestedroad,areHigh waysandlocalresidentsonside withacogentagreedplantoavoid trafficchaosandensurethesafety oftheschoolchildren?Bestofluck toallthoseinvolvedwiththenew development, local peoplehave waitedlongenough

Queen Street, Wolverhamp ton, WV1 1ES. If

reach aresolution contact Ipso at complaints@ipso. co.uk or by post at Ipso, c/o Gate House, 1Farringdon Street, London, EC4M 7LG.

DougJames,Walsall

MarkDabbs andLeslie Phillips

Drop in house prices expected

Housepriceshaverisenbyalmost 12percentinthelastyearintheWest Midlands–thehighestincreaseinthe country.

Theaveragehousepriceinourregionlastmonthwas£254,962,anin creaseof11.7percentonlastOctober.

Buttherearesignsthattherisein housepricesisbeginningtostallinthe lightofrisinginterestratesandthecost oflivingcrisis

Whilefiguresareupyear-on-year, they have startedtodip in recent months.

FiguresfromHalifaxrevealOcto berrecordedthebiggestmonthlyfall inpricesacrosstheUKsinceearly2021

Theaveragepropertyvaluefellby 0.4per centbetweenSeptemberand October, markingthe third monthon-monthdropseeninthepastfour months,Halifaxsaid.

Thelatestmonth-on-monthdecreasefollowsmonthlyfallsof0.1per centinbothJulyandSeptemberanda 0.3percentincreaseinAugust.Annual housepricenationallygrowthslowed to8.3percentinOctober,from9.8per centgrowthrecordedinSeptember

WalesjoinedtheWestMidlandsat thetop of theannualgrowth figure, withan11.7percentriseyear-on-year to£222,852.Theslowestgrowthwasin London,up6.8percentto£551,320

AcrosstheUK,theaveragehouse priceinOctoberwas£292,598,which wasthelowestfiguresinceMaythis year,althoughtypicalpricesremained nearrecordhighs,Halifaxsaid.

Annual pricegrowthamong homemoversfellto8.9percentinOc tober,from10.3percentinSeptember Thepricegrowthslowdownforfirst timebuyerswasmorenotable,Halifax said,slowingfrom10.1percentinSep temberto7.5percentinOctober.

Giventhe greaterchallengesfor first-timebuyersindeposit-raising, plus tighterrequirementsfor higher loan-to-valuemortgages,the faster slowdowninpricesisnotsurprising, Halifaxsaid.

Butestateagentsinourregionre main bullish, saying thereisplenty ofdemandouttherefrombuyersfor housingacrossthe West Midlands, ShropshireandStaffordshire

LeeCooke,aseniorlocaldirector forConnells,whoisbasedinWolver

hampton, said saleswerestill very good across theregion,although the riseininterestrateshadseenbidding warsslowdown

Hesaid:“Sincerateswentupthat hasdisabledalargeamountofbuyers whowanttobuybutcan’taffordtonow becausemortgagepaymentsarehigh er.”

Headdedthatthevolumeofpotentialbuyershaddriedup,butsaleswere still“fantastic”.

Popularlocationswerestillgetting ‘bestoffer’pricesbutinmediumareasthemultipleofferswerenolonger there,hesaid

“Weintroduced64houseslast monthandsold92percent,”saidMr Cooke.“Inthelastthreeweekssales havebeenbetterthanthesameperiod last year.Instructionshad increased lastmonthwithsomepeopleneeding tosellinordertodownsizebecauseof therisingrates.”

Inevitable

NatalieHines,founderatWestMidlands-basedPremierOneMortgages:“A fallinhousepriceswasinevitableafter thetumultuouspastsixweeksorso. Sincethemini-Budget,therehasbeena definitiveslowdowninpurchaseactivi tysoI’mfullyexpectingadropinprices duringtheyearahead

“Sentimenthasbeenhithardbyrisinginterestratesandpeople’sbuying powerisnolongerwhatitusedtobe.

“Icertainlydon’tthinkwe’llseethe 20percentplusdropinhouseprices somearepredicting,asthatwouldput theentireeconomyonthebrink,but pricesarewithoutdoubtcomingdown.

“A correction in house prices is what’s needed to help get first-time buyersonthepropertyladder.

“Formanyfirst-timebuyers,pric eshavebeenoutofreachforsolong.A housepricecorrectioncouldgivethem theleg-up onto theladderthatthey need.Howthejobsmarketholdsupin thenextyearorso,astheHalifaxpoints out,willbekey.”

KimKinnaird, director of Halifax Mortgages,said:“It’simportanttokeep thisincontext,withaverageproperty pricesrisingmorethan£22,000inthe past12months,andbyalmost£60,000 –or25.7percent–overthelastthree years,whichissignificant.”

Asaleadingdomesticglass replacementcompanyformore than16years,Cloudy2Clear windowsaretheleadingname intheindustry.Thereisnoneed foryoutoriskyourwindows byusingthedreadeddouble glazingcowboydownthestreet. Youcanjoinover336,000happy customersandreplaceyour glassethicallyandaffordably Ifyouhaveafailedglassunit, itmaynotprovideyouwith theprotectionyouneedorbe asenergy-efficientasitonce was.Takeaminutetocheck

yourhometoseeifanydouble glazinghasfailed?Takingaction nowcanpreventfuturefinancial problems.

WhentalkingtotheManagerof Cloudy2ClearwindowsJames Stanleyitbecameclearthatthese valueshavebeenhelddearfora numberofyears.Sincestartingthe businesssomeyearsagoCloudy2Clearhaveremainedtruetotheir corevaluesofsupportingthelocal communitybyprovidingaservice thatsavesthepublicmoney TheCloudy2Clearserviceonlyre-

quirestheglasstobereplacedand notthewholewindowoncethe unithasfailed.Jamescommented “Cloudy2Clearwereabletoassist ourcommunitythroughthelast financialcrisisin2008duetothe savingsthatcanbemadeinusing ourservice.Unfortunatelywe mightbegoingthroughsomething similaragainsoonandthepublic canrestassuredthatwewillbe theretohelponceagain”.

Forafreequotationpleasecall 08006121118orvisitwww cloudy2clear.co.uk.

Demand for property isstill there,say bullish estate agents

‘80s hithelps campaign

Apopular1980shitsongbyaWest Midlandsreggaebandisbeingusedto raiseawareness of keepingshowers shorttosavemoneyonutilitybills.

Data from Severn Trent andthe Consumer Councilfor Water(CCW) showsthatcuttingashowerfrom10to fiveminutescouldsaveafamilyoffour usingawatermeterupto£700ayear ontheirutilitybills.

Severn Trent hassaidthatMusical Youth’s1982hit,Passthe Dutchie,whichreachednumber1inseven countries,clocksinatjustunderfive minutes,makingittheidealtunefor customerstotimetheirshower

PasstheDutchietakesprimepo sition on aspecial Spotifyplaylistof

five-minutesongs,whichhasbeencom piledbySevernTrentforcustomers.

ThebandalsoturnedupinaSev ernTrent TV advert throughoutthe autumn,appearing in acustomer’s bathroomtoprovideasurpriseshower-timeserenadeofPasstheDutchie.

DennisSeatonfromMusicalYouth, said:“Everyonecoulddowithalittle bitofsupportwiththeirbillsatthemoment,andit’sfantasticthatwecanplay apart.Cuttingbackonshowertimeis asmallstepthatcanmakeabigdiffer enceandwe’rereallypleasedtobea partofthiscampaign.”

Fordetailsonwaystosavewater, gotostwater.co.uk,andsearchsaving watermadesimple.

Theeagle has landedathome

Keepersarethankingthepublicfor theirhelpintrackingabaldeaglethat wentmissingfromazoo

Cremorne,a13-year-oldbaldeagle, wastakingpartinherdailyexercise withkeepersatWildZoologicalPark inHalfpennyGreen,aweeklastFriday when shebecamespookedbycrows andflewoffcourse

Thekeeperslaunchedintoaction, trackingthebirdonfootandcallingon socialmediaforpeopletokeepaneye outforthemassivebirdofprey

AliceSpark,headkeeperatWildZoologicalParksaid:“ShedidhaveaGPS tag,whichweweretrackingforawhile butthebatterymusthavebeenfaulty

“Wewereprettycertain she wouldn’tgotoofar.Itwasjustacaseof keepinganeyeonher,waitingforher tobesomewhereitwouldbeeasytoretrieveherfrom.”

Thepublicreportedseveralsightingstothezoo,includingoneoverthe M54servicesinShifnal.

Then last Tuesdaya member of thepublicreportedthebirdhadbeen seenperchingonStCuthburt’sChurch in Donington, near Telford. Keepers rushed to thechurch, around seven milesfromthezoo(astheeagleflies), whereCremornewas waiting. “She seemed really happytosee us,” said headkeeperAliceSpark

Monumentprogressing

Workhasbeguntoproduceaper-

Themonumentprojectwasstarted

It

workdoneacrosstheboroughduring thepandemicbyNHS,key workers, publichealthofficialsandthosefrom community andvoluntary organisations.

Therainbowhasnowtakenanoth ersteptobecomingareality,withthe lasercuttingtothematerialsnowbeingcompletedbyMidthermLaserLtd andthecolouredglasswhichwillsit insidethesculpturebeingcutbyWater JetMidlands,bothofwhichareDudley companies.

Zoo workerAmber Jordanisglad tohave Cremorne back

Festive lights switch-on

ThecountdowntothefestiveseasonwillbeinfullswingatChristmas lightswitch-on eventsacrossthe region

SandwellCouncilhasreleaseddates fornineswitch-oneventstakingplace throughoutNovemberandDecember

Coronation Street actorMikey North,whoplaysGaryWindassinthe soap,willbeswitchingontheChrist maslightsinWednesburyat4.30pm onNovember26.Festivitiesrunfrom 1-5pm.

RetiringWednesburyNorthCouncillor Elaine Costigan will be helping theactorflicktheswitch.

Elsewhere,lightsgoininOldbury CivicSquareonSaturdayat6,45pm;at

SmethwickCouncilHouseonNovember 24at6.45pm;atCrankhallLane,Friar ParkonNovember25at6pm;inTipton, UnityWalk/OwenStreet,onNovember at6.15pm;at6pmonNovember26in Langley;inWestBromwichtowncen treat4.30pmonthesameday;atLightwoodsPark,BearwoodonDecember2 at5.30pmandinBlackheathTowncentreat6.45pmthesameday.

CouncillorLauraRollins,Sandwell Council’scabinetmemberfortourism andleisure,said: “These switch-on eventsareawonderfulopportunityfor familyandfriendstogettogetherand startgettingintoafestive,Christmas spirit,somethingthatisevenmoreimportantindifficulttimes.”

Mining disaster is remembered

Aservicehasbeenheldtomarkthe 150thanniversaryofPelsall’sworstpit disaster,whichclaimedthelivesof22 boysandmen–theyoungestjust13 yearsold

Theceremony,organisedbytheRev AlisonMorris,washeldaroundtheme morialinthegroundsofStMichaeland AllAngel’sChurch.Alsoinattendance weretheMayorofWalsall,Councillor RoseMartin,andSimMayou,aSecond WorldWarveteranwhohasbeencom memorating thePelsall Hall Colliery disasterformanyyears.

Awreathand 22 mixed-colour carnations, representingeachofthe minerskilled,werelaidatthememo-

rial,andpupilsfromStMichaelandAll AngelsCEPrimarySchool,PelsallVil lageSchoolandRydersHayesPrimary Schoolalltookpart.

Thefloodwascausedbywaterthat hadaccumulatedintheoldworkings of an abandonedmine. Pitmanager CharlesStarkeyandthreeothermen descended into theshaft wherethey encounteredamassswirlingofwater

Arollcallrevealed22menandboys stillinthemine,andfranticcallsdown theshaftreceivednoresponse

Bythistimethewaterlevelhadrisenby28ft,coveringtheinletandruling outanyearlyrescueattempts.Itsoon becameevidentnoonehadsurvived.

Caterer’s11-year

AbankruptBlackCountrycaterer

MohammedAbdulSubhan,ofLodge

In2020,the47-year-oldfocusedhis

business.ButbyMarchthisyear,Sub hancouldnotpayhisdebtsandapplied

TheInsolvencyServicesaidtheoffi cialreceiverwasappointedashistrus teebeforeuncoveringthatSubhanhad abused£70,000worthofloans

Hehashadhis11-yearbankruptcy restrictionsundertaking accepted by theSecretaryofState,meaningheis limitedtowhatcredithecanaccess.It alsobanshimfromactingasacompany directorwithoutcourtpermission

Mayor Rose Martinleads theStMichael’s andAll Angels Church service

Newcomersare welcomed

HousingdeveloperLovellPartnershipshaswelcomedaninfluxofnew traineesandapprentices Septembersawthreenewappren tice bricklayers–LukeMorgan,Tom Hardman,andJackHooper,allaged16 –andoneapprenticecarpenter,Henry

Taster

Adams,jointhesuccessfulschemeof feredbyLovellinitsMidlandsregion Henry, aged 20,ofTelford,said: “Whentheopportunitycametoobtain anapprenticeshipwithLovell,Ijumped at it having heardgreat things from friends.”

ThedateswillbespreadacrossJanuarytoMayandwillbeopentothose lookingforateachingcareerinawide rangeofsubjectareas,includingmaths, English,science,theartsandhuman ities. To take part, contact kaye.pat rick@ormistonacademies.co.uk

From left: JackHooper, LukeMorgan,Henry AdamsandTom Hardman

Harrowingreports ofdomesticabuse

Harrowingaccountsfromfemale domesticabuse victims in theWest Midlandsduringthecost-of-livingcri sishasbeenraisedwithashadowmin isterinParliament

Victims’CommissionerNickyBren nanhashandedoverherinvestigation intothecrimeandthefinanciallinkto ShadowMinisterforDomesticViolence JessPhillips.

Ithighlightstheimpactoftheissue intheregion–withonevictimsaying theycan’tleavetheperpetratordueto beingstuckwith“nomoney(and)no placetogo”

Thereportcontainsnumerousaccountsfromfemalevictimsofabuse, whosesituationhasbeenmadeeven worsebyspirallingbillsandescalating outgoings.Manyofthosewhotookpart intheinvestigationsaidtheywerenow unabletoleavetheirabuserorhadbeen furthercontrolledbyeconomicabuse

MsBrennan,whohasnowcalledon theGovernmenttotakesixstepstohelp victimsofabuse,said:“Thisreporthas beenbasedonthereal-lifeexperiences andvoicesofwomenwhoarevictimsof abuselivingintheWestMidlands

“Theirharrowingstoriesandcries forhelpcannotbeignoredorbrushed

asidebyGovernmentanylonger,”she added. “Inthefourmonthsithastak entoresearchandwritethisreport we have hadthree PrimeMinisters. Thechaoticandshambolicleadership hasdelayedaction,causedfurtherin stabilityandconsequencesforvictims in whichthe Government must take responsibilityfortheharmtheyhave caused andmovequickly to address thisbeforeissuesgetworse.”

Thesixcallsincludeanincreased uplifttovictims’services, acommitmenttoprovideamulti-yearfunding strategyinlinewithinflation,overhaul ofchildmaintenanceservice,commit mentforincreasednumberofspecialistrefugebedspacesintheWestMid lands,overhaulhowUniversalCredit worksforvictimsofdomesticabuse–andacommitmenttoworkingtowards awholeculturechange.

Shadow Domestic Violence and Safeguarding Minister Jess Phillips, whoisMP forBirminghamYardley, said:“IdoallIcantosupportvictimsof domesticabuseandwillusethisreport infuturework.”

MedicAnantaawarded ‘doctorofyear’ accolade

Amedichasbeenhonouredwitha prestigiousaward

DrAnantaDave,chiefmedicalof ficer forthe Black CountryIntegrat edCareBoard(ICB),hasbeennamed “DoctoroftheYear”atthisyear’sBritishAssociationofPhysiciansofIndian Origin(BAPIO)Awards

ShewasawardedBAPIO’shighest accoladeinrecognitionofheroutstand ingleadershipanddedicatedserviceto theNHS

Establishedin1996tosupportIndiandoctorsintheNHS,BAPIOisthe largestbodyforIndiandoctorsinthe UK

Itsannualawardcelebrationaims topromoteprofessionalexcellenceand leadership,withawardsgiventopeo-

plewhohavegivenlife-timecommitmenttothewellbeingofmembersof minorityethniccommunities,inboth medicalandnon-medicalfields.

MarkAxcell,chiefexecutiveofficer ofNHSBlackCountryICB,said:“Weare delightedthatDrAnantaDavehasbeen honouredwiththeprestigioustitleof DoctoroftheYearfromBAPIO,whichis thoroughlydeserved

“I wouldpersonallyliketosay a hugethankyoutoAnantaforherdedicationtoimprovinghealthoutcomes forpeopleacrossthe BlackCountry Sheisaninspirationtocolleaguesanda brilliantambassadorfortheICB.”

DrDavetookupthepostofchief medicalofficerwhentheICBlaunched inJulythisyear

Report by Thomas Parkes

Victims Commissioner NickyBrennanhandsthereporttoMP JessPhillips

Fireworkssoldillegally

SandwellCouncil’sTradingStand ards,workingwithWestMidlandsPo lice,carriedoutanundercovertestpur chasingoperationforfireworksaspart ofitsSafer6campaign.

Thetestinvolveda16-year-oldvol unteerwhoattemptedtobuyfireworks atsixshops.Fiveofthesixshopssold fireworks to theyoungster andeach hasbeenissuedwithawarningandre minderoftheseriousnessoftheoffence andthe consequences of anyfurther breach.Thiscouldincludeacriminal prosecutionwithafineupto£5,000 and/orsixmonthsinprison.

SandwellCouncil’scabinetmember forcommunitiesCouncillorDannyMil lardsaid:“Fireworksarelegallyclassed

asexplosives.Inthewronghandsthey cancauseseriousinjuriesandposea severefirerisktoproperty.Ultimately thelawistheretoensurefireworksare soldtoandusedonlybyadults.”

AWestMidlandspolicespokesman said:“In thewrong hands, fireworks areextremelydangerousandcancause significantandsometimespermanent injuriestomembersofthepublicin cludingthosethatbuythemanddonot followthesafetyguidelines.Theonly waythiscanbeaddressedisbypart nershipworkbetweentradingstand ardsandpoliceandsubsequentprose cutionofthoseinpossessionofillegal fireworksandtheoutletssellingthem incontraventionoftheguidelines.”

Concernsraised over buildings

Morethanadozenbuildingsacross theregionhavebeenaddedtoalistof thosebeingpotentiallylostforever withthesamenumberbeingremoved fromit

HistoricEnglandrevealed13build ingshavebeenplacedinjeopardyin theannualHeritageAtRiskRegisterfor 2022and13otherssafeguarded

Sitesadded to theregister– and atrisk–includesHallFarmhouseon ChurchStreet,AlstonefieldintheStaf fordshireMoorlands,and Middleton HallinMiddleton,nearTamworth.

TheBirminghamMidlandInstitute inthecity,alongsidetheHolyChurchof theNewTestamentonOughtonRoad, areatrisk,alongsidetheWalfordHall FarmhouseonSolihullRoadinHamp toninArden–aswellasStJohntheBap tistinBromsgrove,BroadstoneChapel in Broadstone in Shropshireand the ChurchofStJohninStoke.Meanwhile,

othersitesatriskincludetheChurchof StPeterandStLawrenceinPowickand St Stephen’s Church in Redditch,the ChurchofStPeterinEvesham,Church ofStNicholasinNorthandMiddleLit tleton,andtheChurchofStJohnthe BaptistinWickhamford

LouiseBrennan,fromHistoricEng land,said:“ItiscentraltoHistoricEng land’smissionthatwepassontofuture generationstherichlegacyofhistoric buildingsandplacesthatwehavein heritedfrompreviousgenerations.Our HeritageatRiskprogrammeisakey contributortothisambition.”

Meanwhile, Historic England an nouncedatotalof13buildingshave beensavedandtheirfuturessecured.

Heritage Minister Lord Parkinson said:“HistoricEngland’s Heritage at RiskRegisterplaysavitalroleinour mission to protectand preserve our richheritageacrossthecountry.”

The Birmingham MidlandsInstituteisonthe ‘at-risk’ register

NewNHS Trustroleputs health of planet in focus

AWestMidlandsNHSTrust hasbecomeoneofthefirstin thecountrytocreateaspecial istclinicalrolefocusingonthe environmentandsustainability

Rhea Conn,anIntensive CareUnit(ICU)nurse,willstep intothejobofclinicalleadfor sustainability at Sandwell and WestBirminghamNHSTrust–thefirstofitskindtobecreated intheMidlands.

Thenewroleispartofthe Greener NHS Plan. In Octo ber2020,theNHSbecamethe world’s first health serviceto committoreachingcarbonnet zeroby2045.

Rhea said:“Iam excited abouttakingupthisposition, whichwillmeanwearelooking atsustainabilitywithinthetrust fromaclinicalperspective.I’ve always hadapassion forsus tainability,andIwanttomake surewecanachievetheGreener NHSplanatalocallevel.

“Thereare several things thatclinicalstaffcandotohelp I’ve spearheadedanumberof projects includingintroducing theuseofreusablePPEduring

WhenformerspecialistnurseSheila

Haycock finally found asolution for her failing teeth she quite literally receivedaprescriptionforanewlife... andsodidherhusband,Dave.

Emotionally broken by acatalogue of dental disasters, for awhole year she suffered pain every day and her confidence plummeted.“Eachdaywasanightmare “Every day I’d have anew ulcerinmy mouth.Icouldn’teatproperly,stoppedgoingoutandcouldn’tfacelookingatmyself inamirror–infact,I’dcoverthemup.

“I’d speak and laugh with my hand in front of my mouth,avoid having my picture taken andcouldn’tchew properly –if Ididgoout,I’dalwayshavetoorderlasa gnebecauseitwassoftfood,”sherecalls

Sheila’s problemsbegan when her natu ral teeth became mobile and braved her worst fears, having afull clearanceto makewayforanupperandlowerdenture.

Terrified of the dentist, she adds:“I thought it was impossible for things to get worse, but nothingcould haveprepared meforthenext12months.ThefirsttimeI tookmyteethoutandlookedinthemirror, psychologically,Iwasbesidemyself

“I’d been so preoccupied with master ingmyfearofthedentist,Ihadn’tworked through the impactoflosingmyteeth wouldhaveonme.Itwasdevastating.”

Initially,Dave confesses to “not being that helpful,” explaining her native teeth “neededtogoandtodealwithit.”

“I know, Itoldhim,” says Sheila, “but theyweremine!”

Even the loss of asingle tooth is now

clinicallyrecognisedasapotentialprecur sorforamourningprocess.

Adds Dave: “She was upsetand Ifelt utterly helpless. The guilt of it all ...I wanted to help, but couldn’t. Icould eat what ever Iwanted, but she couldn’tand everyday –every day–there was anew problemtoaddress.”

Sheila, who specialised in wound dress ings, admits she felt trapped, having been

assured her jawbone density would be too poortosupportimplants.

“My dentures seemed to be rotating and rolling around and Ihated the denture glue. I’d use it and as soon as I’d try to eatsomething,within15minutesmyteeth would be unstable again. Iwas mortified by having to use it over and over again. I wasnotcoping.”

Taking advicefromher daughter,who

partmentstoimplement their projectstocreateagreenerNHS

“It’saboutclinicalcolleagues beingabletocometomewitha projectthatwecanlookatand progress,” sheadded. “Weare lookingtoget ideasfromcol leagues–wecansupportwith drivingprojectsforward,and analysingcostandcarbonsav ings.”

Fran Silcocks,headofsus tainability, said:“Rhea hasal readyshownafantasticcommit menttodrivinggreenerworking practices within herown de partment.Heractionsledtoher beingpresentedwiththeGreen Awardinourstaffrecognition eventTheStarAwards.”

Rhea,whowillstepintoher role in January, said:“I firmly believethe climateemergency isahealthemergency–wemust doeverythingwecantoreduce emissionstoensureglobaltem peraturesdon’texceedariseof 1.5degreesCelsius.Byreducing, reusingandrecyclingasmuch aspossiblewewillimprovethe healthofourplanet,ourpatients andourselves.”

had received a recommendation from a work colleague that North Street Dental and Implant Clinic could help, Sheila headedforDudley

“Within 15 minutes of walking in to the surgery Steven [practice principal Steven BurchellDipCDTRCS(Eng)]washelping me,”shesays.

Asatemporarymeasure,anoralimpres sion was taken and her painful dentures lined with asoft material that would help easethediscomfortandimprovefit.

Sheila was prescribed atraditional top prosthetic and alower over-denture, retained on two implants. The sur gery was carried out under sedation by North Street’sclinical lead, Owain Rees BDSDGDP(UK) Dip Imp Dent (UCL) GDC61576.

“All Ican say is that it has completely changed my life. There’s nothing Ican’t eat and the implantprosthetic doesn’tfeel false. It’scomparable for me to my own teeth.WhenIfirstsawmynewteethinthe mirror, Ithought who’sthis person?They looked natural, just like real teeth,” says Sheila.

Dave, aformer civil engineer,adds: “She’scompletely different. It’sbeenlifechanging for me too and we can now get onwithourretirement.”

Both keen gardeners, they agreethe financial investment is in aquality life choice.“It’sthe best thing she’sever had done,”addsDave.

Rhea Conn will takeonthe newtrust role inJanuary

SantaClaus is coming to town again

Believeitornot,Christ masisjustaroundthe corner.And thereare plenty of events taking placeacrossthe region to help youget into the festive mood.

n Santawill be moving into West Bromwich’s NewSquareonNovember26.

TheSanta’s grotto at thesquare will be open on anumberofdays from then untilChristmas Eve.

Entryis£8.50 andtoreceive a special gift from Santaand have a phototaken by oneofSanta’s little helperstotakehome as amomento is an extra £2.50.

Santawill be at NewSquareeach Saturday andSundayfrom11amto 5pmuntil December 11 andonDecember 8, 9, 15 and16from2pm to 5pm

From December 17 to 23 the grotto is open 10.30amto5pm and on Saturday,December 24 from 10.30amto1pm

n Familiesare beinginvited to chocolatefactory attractionCad bury’s Worldfor afeast of festive funfor advent

Treats includeaFatherChristmasstage show featuringtoe-tap ping Christmasjingles,asleigh filled with chocolategifts forall lit tlehelpers at theshow. Therewill be performances throughoutthe day, giving visitors opportunitiesto

catchthe maninthe redsuitbefore he rounds upshis reindeersonDecember 24

ACinderellapantomime will make an extravagant return with 10 performances aday in theattraction’s marquee.The seasonal shows will runonweekendsfromNovember19-December 18 then midweek from December 19-23.

Otheractivitiesinclude toursof chocolatezones, such as chocolate making zone,the Crunchie roller coasterride, 4D chocolateadventure zone,aswellasthe Have AGo

zone andmore. CadburyWorld’s marketingmanager DianeMitchell says:“ChristmasatCadbury World is atruly magicalexperience and we’resoexcited to shareour festive cheerwithgueststhisyear.

“Withawhole hostofchocolatey zonestoexploreand avariety of enchanting entertainmenttaking place, includingthe Santastage show andCinderellapantomime, CadburyWorld hasplentyofactivities to keep thewhole family entertained this Christmas.”

CadburyWorld is basedinthe

historic villageofBournvillenear Birmingham city centre wherevis itorscan learnall about thehisto ry,magic andmakingofCadbury chocolate.

Discount entrypassespriced at £18are availablefor oneadult and child, aged five andunder,Mon days-Fridays only untilDecember 16 n Theever-popular Santa’s Breakfastexperienceisavailable in Dobbies’Gaileystore.Breakfast optionsare availablefor both adults andchildren,including vegetarian

andlighteroptions, with food, fun activities plus aspecial visitand gift from Santaall included in the children’s great-valueticketprice SarahMurray, Partnershipand Events Managerat Dobbies, said: “We’re really excitedtobewelcomingfamiliestoSanta’s Breakfast. We always receivesuchpositive feedback forthisevent, so we’re delightedtohaveSanta back this year.There’s trulysomethingfor everyone in ourGaileystore.”

Dobbiesisalso offering aFestive AfternoonTea experience in its Gailey store, with threetiers of seasonalfood availablefor only £20for two, with unlimitedtea andcoffee refillsavailable.

Santa’sBreakfast runs from No vember26. Customers will have theopportunitytomakea donation to Dobbies’ national charitypartner, TeenageCancerTrust,when bookingonlinevia www.dobbies com/events

n Aspectacular,illuminated trail,full of wonderand intrigue, to delightand enthralyoursenses is coming to ShugboroughEstate.

Visitors canimmerse themselves in themesmerising mile-long trail.Luminate Shugboroughwill runnightly from Friday,November 25 untilSunday, January12023. It is closed on ChristmasDay

Ticketsmustbepre-booked online at luminate.live/shug borough-estate

Celebratethe festive season at restaurant

COMMERCIAL FEATURE

Therestaurant is open forChristmaspartybookingsand onChristmas Day, lunchwill be served.Itisopen everyday over thefestive period, but Christmas Dayisbookingsonly.

Traditionalfestive dishes areon offeralongside aspecialIndianmenu that is £32.95 foradultsand £15.95 for children under10. Book earlytoavoid disappointment andanon-refundable depositisrequired

Unique

If you book aChristmas party, you arewelcome to bringyourown drinks, butyou would notbeabletotakeadvantageofthe restaurant’s meal deals.

Therestaurant aims to offercuisine packed with robust Indian flavours andculinarytradition.A spokesman said:“Here at Bangla Lounge we en deavourtocreatea contemporary In dian dining experience whileretaining itsroots deep in thetradition.

“Come andvisit us, forafriendly environment, goodquality andtasty food with afantastic ambience.We look forwardtowelcoming you.You areguaranteed auniquediningexpe-

rience.Whether you areafteranintimate dinner fortwo or aprivate party, we caterfor all.”

From SundaytoThursday,diners cantakeadvantage of ‘2 for1’offer on main course mealsfor eatinonly, and on Sundays,from5pm,itisthe return of BanglaLounge’sfamous‘allyou can eat’ buffet with adults paying £12.95 andunder 10s£6.95.

BanglaLoungehas been servingthe Halesowenareafor over 18 years. The restaurant hasafunctionroomwith aseating capacity forupto40and an innovative menu prepared with the freshest and finest ingredients.

Thecomprehensive menu offers a varietyofvegetarian, meat and fish dishes,and adeliveryservice is availa ble. To book atable,visit www.bangla loungehalesowen.co.uk or call 0121 5857020.

Santa will be paying avisittobothDobbiesand CadburyWorldduringhis busy schedulethisChristmas

Thereisacomprehensive menu

AddChristmas sparkletoyourdiary

Thecountdown to the festive season will be in full swingatChristmas lightswitch-on events across theregion.

Sandwell Councilhas released datesfor nine switch-oneventstak ingplacethroughoutNovemberand December

Councillor LauraRollins, Sandwell Council’scabinet memberfor tourismand leisure, said: “These switch-oneventsare awon derful opportunityfor family and friendstoget together andstart getting into afestive,Christmas spirit,something thatisevenmore importantin difficult times.

“Theyalso play ahugerolein encouragingpeopletovisit andto do theirChristmas shopping in a pleasant environment.

“Thatincreased footfall is vitalto many businesses includingsmall, independentshops, cafesand restaurants at what,for many,istheir busiestand most importanttimeof year.”

SANDWELL’SEVENTS:

n Oldbury CivicSquare–November19, 5pmto7pm (switch-on 6.45pm)

n SmethwickCouncil House–November24, 6pmto7pm (switchon 6.45pm)

n CrankhallLane, FriarPark–

November25, 4pmto7pm (switchon 6pm)

n Tipton (Unity Walk/Owen Street)–November 25,3pm to 6.30pm (switch-on 6.15pm)

n Langley– November26, 5pm to 8pm(switch-on6pm)

n Wednesbury Town Centre November26, 1pmto5pm (switchon 4.30pm)

n West Bromwich Town Centre November26, 3pmto6pm (switchon 5.15pm)

Enjoy flavours from around theworld

n Bearwood,LightwoodsPark–December 2, 5pmto6pm (switch-on 5.30pm)

n Blackheath Town Centre –December 2, 5pmto7pm (switch-on 6.45pm)

n Coronation Streetactor Gary Windasswillbeswitching on the Christmas lights in Wednesbury Retiring Wednesbury North Councillor Elaine Costigan will be helpingthe actor flickthe switch on Saturday,November26

n Cannocktowncentre will be lituponSaturday, November26. Described as agreat dayout forthe family,the eventwill featurestreet food, bars andlive musicand entertainmentfromThe Vonics,The Players StaffordshireRockChoir, 2 Step danceacademy andParty Popperz with MC StuHaycock n In Hednesford, thelightswill be switched on on Friday,December2,withfestivities runningfrom 5pmuntil 8pm.

n Stafford’s Christmaslights switch-ontakes placeinthe town’s Market Square on November19.

Throughout theday therewill be stalls, street theatre, tradition al fair rides, Christmasshopping events andaspecialappearanceby Father Christmas himself at the AncientHigh Houseand then on themainstage in Market Square Shopperswillbeabletotakepart in aspecial Christmas Trailorgan isedbyStaffordBoroughCouncil

This

Leaf VillageinWestBromwich?

TherestaurantinHighStreet brings you an ever-changingvariety of dishes from acrossthe world –English, European, Caribbean, Chinese, Indi an,Mexican,Thai.

Aspokesman said:“Fancyameal, butstrugglingwithcuisine choice?

Explorethe vast arrayoftastesin ourdaily buffetselections, including specially prepared dishes by RedLeaf chefs.Wehavea fullylicensedbar and ourfriendlyteamiswaiting to wel-

COMMERCIAL FEATURE

come you.Whether it’s drinks after work, whetherit’smeetings or staff training or maybeyou have areason to celebrate.

“We’ve been servingthe localcom munity since2013and we areproud of ourreputationas afriendlyand welcoming venue.”

TherestaurantalsoprovidesSun dayroastsand achildren’s menu

Therestaurantisopenall over the Christmas period, includingChristmasEve,Christmas Day, Boxing Day, NewYear’sEve andNew Year’s Day.

To find outmorevisit www.redleaf village.co.ukorcall01215536948

TheCannock Christmas lightsswitch on in 2018

TheWestBromwich Christmas lightsevent in 2019

Christmas, whynot tuck into flavours from across theglobe at Red

RedLeaf Viillageoffersawhole host of cuisines from around theworld

Don’tlet worriesruinChristmas

As thecost-of-livingcrisis continues, moneyisaserious concernfor many of us.

Andtwo-thirdsofpeopleare worried their financialsituation will worsenover theyearahead, arecentsurveyfromcredit card provider Vanquisfound

With Christmascosts creeping closer,it mightbehardtofendoff festive fears.

“For some people,Christmas is aseason to look forwardto, butfor others, getting through theholidaysisastruggle,”saysDr Anna Mandeville, consultantclinicalpsy chologistand UK clinical director at Koa Health (koahealth.com).

“There arenumerousreasons why–some people areremindedofloss, others feel pressure to putonasuccessfulevent andkeepthe peacewhileinteracting with lovedones, andmanyare worried aboutthe expenses involved.”

Whilethere areplentyofpractical things you candotosavemoneyduringthe festi valperiod, this is howyou canemotionally navigate financialworries in thelead-up to Christmas

FOCUSONYOUR BREATH

“Takingtimetocatch yourbreathand see ingifyou areall up in yourchest will show how stressed you are,”saysPolly Bateman performance, wellbeingand lifecoach and residentatMaslife(maslife.com)

“Ifyou cantakejustthree minutestofol lowthe four –seven –eightbreathing tech niquethiswill help you relax, as it will shift you from the sympathetic nervous system to theparasympathetic nervoussystem.” This is inhaling throughyournosefor four counts, holding yourbreathfor seven

counts, then exhaling foreight counts –re peatingthe patternafew times.

REMEMBER WHAT IT IS ALLREALLYABOUT

“GobacktowhatChristmas is really about. What arethe core values of Christmas? Christmas is aboutconnectingand giving andreceiving –how canyou create this sense of connection amongstfamily, com munity or friends?”Mandevillesays.

“Giftsyou exchangedon’t have to be ex pensive, they caneven be things you make Focusing on thetimespent caring foryour self andothershelps us to enjoy Christmas as atimetorestand reflect.”

SETREALISTIC EXPECTATIONS

Mandevillesays: “Unrealistic hopes can lead to disappointment.Figureout what ‘good enough’would look likefor you and yourloved ones, andscale down expecta tions.”

HAVE AGIGGLE

At ourmoststressed it canbehardto find humour –but it mayjusthelp. “Laughter–they sayit’sthe best medicine,and it really is.Itenhancesyourbreathing,stimulates yourheart and lungsand releases endor phinsinyourbrain –aswellasrelieving yourstress response,” Batemansuggests.

Christmascan bringalot of stress for those with moneyconcerns

Adssettotailoff–despiteWorldCup

BroadcasterITVhassaiditexpects anadvertisingbumpoverthecoming monthsastheWorldCupisbroadcast intheUK.

ThebusinesssaiditthinksthatNovember advertisingrevenue will rise threepercent,andDecemberwillbe upbetweenfiveand10percent,com paredtolastyear.Butitwillnotoffset an overall declineinadspendingby ITV’scustomersduringtheyear.

Thebusinesssaidthatadshadbeen moreofastrugglethisyearthanlast, decliningtwopercent,inthefirstnine months,especiallyastheEuroswere broadcast during last year’s summer months.InAugustadvertisingrevenue fell21percent,comparedtothemonth before,ITV revealed, whileJulyand Septemberalsosawheavyfalls.

“Traditionalbroadcastadvertising spotsaresimplynevergoingtoregain theirpopularity,” said Hargreaves LansdownanalystSophieLund-Yates.

“PrimetimehitslikeI’mACelebrity willboostthingsintheshortterm,but thesehighlypopularshowsaretoofew andfarbetweenforthistobeenough.”

Shesaidthecompany’sdigitalplans –includingthe launch of streaming serviceITVX–willmakeupsomelost

ground,butitisstillasmallpartofITV. Whileadrevenueforthemediaanden tertainmentbusinessdroppedtwoper cent,toalittleunder£1.6billion,dig italadspendingrose13percent,but onlymadeup£227millioninthenine monthstotheendofSeptember

“ThequestioniswhetherITV’sdigital schemescan buildenoughscale andpopularity,fastenough.Intoday’s fiercelycompetitivelandscape, there simplymaynotbeenoughspareeye ballstogoaround.”

ITV’sstudiosdivisionshowedmuch morepositiveresultslastweek.ITVrevealedrevenueintheprogramme-mak ingpartofthebusinesssoaredby16 percent,to£1.4bn.Largelyasaresult ofthat,thecompany’snon-advertising revenuewasmorethanhalfofthecompany’stotal.

Chiefexecutive CarolynMcCall said:“ITVStudioscontinuestooutperformthegrowingcontentmarketand willexceed2019revenuesin2022.It’s ontracktodeliveronallofitsKPI(key performanceindicator)targetsandhas aformidableslatetopowerinto2023.”

Former pubgoesunder thehammer at auction

AformerWalsallpub,nowconvert edintoflats,willgounderthehammer atauctionnextmonth

TheGradeIIlistedWhiteHart,in CaldmoreGreen,isbeingofferedwith aguidepriceofmorethan£385,000in BondWolfe’sauctiononDecember14

Itwasconvertedintoeightflatsin themid-1990sanditiscurrentlyempty andconsideredsuitableforredevelop ment

Gurpreet Bassi, chiefexecutive of Bond Wolfe, said:“This is abuilding steepedinlocalfolklore;anattractive andhistoricstructureoriginallybuilt asahomeinthelate17thcentury,lat erconvertedintoapubandthenrede velopedasapartmentsinthe1990s.It issuretoattractcompetitivebidding

from developersand property investors.”

Thepropertywasoriginallythesite ofatimber-framedhouseownedinthe 17thcenturybythefamilyofGeorge Hawe,whohadmovedfromSolihullto Walsallandbecamemayorin1588

By 1818 theformer family home wasapub,TheWhiteHart,withone HenryCarteraslicensee.Itunderwent majorrenovation in 1884,becoming thebuildingthatstandsonthesitetoday.Itwasconvertedtohomesin1994.

Itoccupiesatriangular-shapedplot oflandonthecornerofCaldmoreGreen andCorporationStreet

Itisamongscoresofpropertiesdue toappearintheauctionwhichisdueto startat9am

OF WIGHT

Report by John Corser

England starttheir latest World Cup campaign inQatar on November21

in association with

Washington on amission

Strictly’s by seasidein Towerballroomreturn

SATURDAY

Man on Fire(2004) (Channel 4, 11.45pm)

FormerCIAcounter-terroristoperativeJohnCreasy(DenzelWash ington)movestoMexicoCityand reluctantlytakesajobasaprivate bodyguardforprecociousnine-year old Pita (DakotaFanning), whose family’swealthmakesheratarget forkidnappers.Whenthenightmare happensandthelittlegirlisabductedandthenkilled,hemakesithis life’sworktotrackdownthosere sponsible.

SUNDAY

Surge (2020) (BBC2, 10pm)

This unnervinglyclaustropho bic characterstudy is thefeature debutofacclaimedshort-filmdirec torAneilKaria.A sociallyawkward loner,playedby BenWhishaw, loosensthehinges onhisfragilemen talstate andspi rals sickeningly outofcontrol

Strictly Come Dancing: Blackpool Special (BBC1, 7.45pm, Saturday)

It mayusually be filmedat Elstree Studios, butthere’sno doubtthatStrictlyComeDancing’s spiritualhomeisintheTowerBallroomatBlackpool.

TheBlackpool episodehas be come aStrictlytradition –and an importantmilestoneforthecontest ants.Thecelebritiesoftensaythey wanttomakeittoHalloween,then Blackpool,andthenafterthat,they cantruly startthinkingabout the glitterballtrophy.Butinthelasttwo years,theannualjaunthashadtobe abandoned.Nowthegoodnewsis thatthisyearStrictlywillonceagain bebesidetheseaside

Thelasttimetheymadethetrip wasin2019, when KarimZeroual andKelvinFletchertiedatthetopof theleaderboardwithaCharleston anda jive respectively,while Mi chelle Visage left thecompetition afterher CouplesChoicetoVogue failedtowinovertheviewers.

Butwhowillbestruttingtheir stuffonthefamoussprungdance floorthisweek?

Theremainingcoupleswillhope tocomeupwithmoreshow-stopping routines tonightthatwill impress judges Shirley Ballas,Craig Revel Horwood,MotsiMabuseandAnton

DuBekeand,moreimportantly,the votingpublic ThenonSundaynight,TessDaly andClaudiaWinklemanrevealwho’s madeitthroughandwhohastoperformagain,whilethere’salsoamusi calinterludecourtesyofEurovision heroSamRyder

Janineinfall down stairs

EastEnders (BBC1)

AfterattendingascanwithMick, Janine (Charlie Brooks)returns to theVictowindLindaupaboutthe pregnancy.However,theexpectant mumhaslesstogloataboutwhen shelaterfallsdownthestairsatthe tube station.Ben warnsLolashe needstotellLexiaboutthediagnosis andAlfiereceivesbadnews.

Coronation Street (ITV)

Hopepockets£75fromthesale ofthebooksaboutJohnStapeshe foundintheshedandannouncesto herclassmatesthatshe’splanninga specialtributetoherbiologicalfa ther–involvingareadingandaham mer. Nick accompaniesSam to his meetingwithHarvey,StephanieBeachamreturnsasMarthaandLeanne triestoscupperthebistrosale.

Emmerdale (ITV)

ChloeaccusesPriyaofbeingAl’s mysterywoman. Mackenzieismore worried about Chloespillinghis secretsand Liam andLeyla decide they aren’t good foreachother

Editor’s weekend pick

Films for the weekend

Your guide to the soaps

The Strictly class of 2022.Onlyeighthave madeittoBlackpool.

ManonFire

Charlie Brooks

PARISH CHURCH

SENIOR JOURNALISTS

The Midland News Association, publisher of theExpress &Starand Shropshire Star,islookingfor senior journalists to join its team.

This is the ideal role forambitious, dedicated and enthusiasticjournalists with aproventrack record of digging out thebestoff-diarynewsstories, features and analysis.

As amulti-media journalist, youmustbecomfortable producing contentfor all of ourprintand digital platforms –fromin-depth news features forour newspapers, to breaking news articles forour websites, as well as covering storiesas theyhappen on liveblogs.

The ideal candidateswill be able to come up with ideas and deliver compelling stories on aconsistent basis.

We arelooking forNCTJ-trained journalists, able to deliver accurate, entertaining copy to meetstrict deadlines. Afull, clean driving licence is required.

We will also consider NCTJ Diploma trained journalists who areworking towardstheirNQJ

This is abrilliantopportunity to joinour newsroom, covering adiverse, vibrantand busypatch

Benefits include acompetitive salary, 25 days’annual holiday and the chance to developyour career at Britain’s largest independentregional news company.

If youare interestedinthis role, please send a copy of your CV and covering letter forthe attention of the editor-in-chief, MartinWright, to: hr@claverleygroup.co.uk

ClosingdateFriday, November 25

FORD MONDEO

Reg 60, Ford Mondeo Sport, 1999cc Engine Size, Petrol, Manual, 5Door Hatchback, 87000 miles, Silver, abs, electric mirrors, alarm, stereo, navigation system, E/W,

WalsallCouncil,PlanningandBuildingControl

Town and CountryPlanning Act1990 (asamended) Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) act 1990 Development ManagementProcedureOrder2015(asamended).

The belowapplications have been made to the Walsall Council. Applications canbeviewedonline www.walsall.gov.uk/planning Commentscanbemadeonline,byemail:planningservices@walsall.gov.

uk or in writing to Head of Planning and Building Control, Civic Centre, Darwall Street,Walsall, WS1 1DG.Yourletter and personal details will form partofthe planning file,which is apublic document and will be availablepublicallyforviewingattheCounciloffices.Theinformationmay bereleasedaspartofarequestundertheFreedomofInformationAct.

DEADLINE FOR COMMENTS ON OR BEFORE: 01-12-22 APP NO: 22/1180 APPLICANT:MRSUKHJIT KHERAFOR:OUTLINE APPLICATIONFORTHEDEMOLITIONOFTHEEXISTINGBUILDINGAND ERECTION OF AMIXED-USE DEVELOPMENT COMPRISING ATHREE STOREYBLOCKWITHARETAILUNITONTHEGROUNDFLOORANDNO 10 SELF-CONTAINED FLATSONTHE FIRSTFLOOR AND THE SECOND

METROPOLITAN BOROUGH COUNCIL

Road, Smethwick Proposal: Proposed 6No. 3 bedroomhousesand 1No. 3storeyapartment block comprising of 9No. 2bedroom and 2No. 1bedroom self-contained apartments with communal roof terrace to second floor with balustrades, boundarywalls/railings, enclosed bin stores, parking and landscaping.

Applications are available to view via the Council’sPublic Access website (www.sandwell.gov.uk).

Anyone who wishes to make representations about these applications can do so via the website, or via email to planning@sandwell.gov.uk within 23 days of the date of this advertisement quoting the application reference number

Tony McGovern, Director of Regeneration &Growth –Neighbourhoods

LICENSING ACT 2003 NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR APREMISES LICENCE

UNDER SECTION 17

Notice is hereby given that on the 11th November 2022, WM Morrison Supermarkets

Limited applied to Walsall Council for aPremisesLicence in respect of premises Morrisons Wallows Lane,

SANDWELL METROPOLITAN BOROUGH COUNCIL

The Borough Council of Sandwell (Chapel Lane, Great Barr) (TemporaryRoad Closure) Order 2022 intends to temporarily prohibit vehicles from proceeding along Chapel Lane, GreatBarr between Birmingham Road and Coronation Road (access to frontages will be maintained, but only when safety permits). Traffic will be diverted along Birmingham Road, Merrions Close, Coronation Road and vice-versa.

The maximum duration is 18 months but the work is expected to be completed by 02/12/2022 effective from 01/12/2022 (nights 9pm to 6am). Purpose –tofacilitate the access of ahoist for use by Openreach.

WLTM gent, 65 plus, for Friendship /relationship. Wolverhampton area. Enjoys walking, cinema, holidays home and abroad, non-smoker preferred. Box Number P22288 , Express and Star, Queen Street, Wolverhampton, WV1 1ES

Aldridge, WS9 8EX, Owners or occupiers of land (including buildings) near the operating centre(s) who believe that their use or enjoyment of that land would be affected, should make written representations to the TrafficCommissioner at Hillcrest House, 386 Harehills Lane, Leeds, LS9 6NF,stating their reasons, within 21 days of this notice.

Representors must at thesame time sendacopyoftheirrepresentations to theapplicant at theaddress givenat thetop of this notice. A Guide to Making Representations is available from theTraffic Commissioner’s office.

Dated: November 17, 2022

LADY YOUNG AT HEART

Hunter hailsa ‘special group’ after finaldefeat

England captainSarah Hunter sa luteda“specialgroup”ofRed Roses afterthe heartbreakofWorld Cup finaldefeatagainst NewZealand England went down 34-31, having playedmorethananhourwith14 on the fieldafter Stourbridge-born LydiaThompsonwas sent offin the 18th minutelastSaturday.

Despitefacingthe tournament hostsinfront of asold-outEden Park,Hunterwas convincedher side,who ledfor much of thematch, would find away to come outontop Former LichfieldplayerHunt er said:“Ihad absolutebeliefthat they woulddoit. Therewas never anydoubt that we wouldn’t find a waytowin

“There wasno panic, we just had absolute faithinwhatweweredo ing. Unfortunatelyitdidn’twork outour way.

“We’re as one. We wintogether andlosetogether. Thereisnoblame culturein this team.

“Wecan be proudofthe squad we have become.The girlsleft everything outonthe field. Our backsagainst thewallfor 60 min utes of thegame. To be in with a shot of winningrightatthe end.

“Thisisaveryspecial groupand we canbeimmensely proudofwhat we have done

“One game doesn’tdefine you.”

Dales decides it’s time his taleswerebrought to book

When Tony Daleybecame Wolves’ record signinginJune1994, he believed hispeakyears were ahead.

Instead, they hadalready been andgone.

DaleyarrivedatMolineuxhav ingplayed290 gamesand scored 38 goalsduringnearlyadecadeat Villainwhich he also earned seven England caps

Andyet thewingerwould make only 49 more appearances as apro fessional, afterbeing hitbya series of seriousinjuries.

Revealed forthe firsttimeinhis recently released autobiography, TheDaley Record,isthe fact the ill-fated £1.25million move across theMidlandsshouldpossiblynot have happened at all.

“I foundout yearslater therehad beensome concerns aboutmyknee during themedical andthe doctors wanted to take acloserlook,”explains Daley. “ButGrahamTaylor, Wolves manager at thetimeand whoI’d obviouslyplayedunder at Villa, waseager to getthe deal done andtoldthemhewas happywith it.”

Troublebegan in pre-season when it emerged Daleywas suffer ingwithacruciate ligament injury sustained unknowinglymonthsear lier whilestill at Villa. Afterseveral months rest he madehis debutoff thebench during a3-3 draw with Millwall in late October, only forhis knee to give wayand forcehim off within minutes.Sidelined forthe rest of theseason, Daleywould then suffer arupturedpatella tendonthe followingsummer.

“You wouldn’t mind so much if it wasa fewnigglinginjuriesbut to be

Behindthe

hitwithtwo massiveonesinsuch ashortspace of time,thatwas in credibly tough,”hesays.

Whilethe situationwas frustrat ingfor Wolves andtheir supporters, thephysicaland mental impact on Daleywas considerable

Failing to talk more about his struggles was, he claims, the big gest regret of hisplaying career

“Itwas differentthen,”hesays. “There wasa fear that if you admittedyou were struggling it wouldbe seen as asignofweakness. Team mateswould tell you to just geton with it

“I wasfortunatetohaveGra hamTaylor, whowas veryforward thinking andat one pointprovided me access to asport psychologist That helped butatthe time it was keptquiet.”

Daley’scandidnesswhendiscussinghis experience at Wolves may come as asurprise to thosewho know himasanalmostuniversally positive spirit anditneedspointing outthat, whilenever less than honest, hisbookisfor themostparta happystory about aboy whomade hisdream come true throughmax imisinghis naturaltalent.

“I stillremember as a10-year-old beingasked what Iwanted to be,” says Daley, whogrewupin Newtown,Birmingham,ashortbus ride from VillaPark. “Myanswerwas always afootballer.”

Daleyhas lovedeverything about football foras long as he canre-

member.As achild, theonlything whichrivalleditwas tapdancing, in whichhebecameproficientenough to appear in astage show starring ToyahWilcox.

As ayoungster,Daley idolised Mark Walters, anotherwingerwho grew up near VillaParkand became a professional at his boyhood club. He canstill vividlyrecallsitting on olderbrother David’sshoulders on theHolteEnd as they watched VillaplayIpswich late in the198081 title-winningseason. Barely four yearslater he wouldbemakinghis senior debut, in April1985, aged just 17

Whilethere will always be adebate as to howmuchinjuriespre vented Daleyfromrealising his full potential, thefactmanyVilla supporters whowatched himplay wouldlisthim amongtheir favourite-ever players says everything about hislegacyasa true cult hero

That is somethingwhich hashit home whilepromoting thebook, the writingofwhich he describesasbeingboth‘humbling andcathartic’

“Peoplehad been asking me to do onefor yearsbut it wasn’t some thingI hadreallyconsidered,”he says.“Butthenone daymyson was showingmyeldest granddaughter, Maia,some clipsofmeplaying and shekeptonturning roundand look ingatmeand saying:‘That’s not you,Pops!’.

“Itwas then Ithought,why not leavesome historyfor my familyto

read, to letthemknow thestory?

“Ithas been humbling to look back.Whenyou areinthe middle of it all, it is just yourlife. Butwhen youstart rememberingsomeofthe storiesand realise thethingsyou achieved,you think: ‘Wow,whata greattimethatwas’. Ithrived off getting people offtheir seats.”

Therehas also been thechanceto reconnectwithformerteam-mates andcolleaguesincluding Walters, Andy Townsend andMickMcCar thy, thelatterofwhom hiredDaley in 2007 as Wolves’headofsport scienceand conditioning,aposthe wouldholdfor nearlyadecade.

They have writtenthree of the11 testimonials whichfeature at the endofthe book,whileRon Atkinson andSteve Bull have both penned forewords in tributetoaman generally regarded as oneofthe nicest in thesport

Hisfriendlypersona,however, should never be viewed as aweakness.Now coaching eliteand amateur athletes as part of his7Daley healthand fitnessbusiness, Daley hasthe same determinationand steelaswhenhewhenhe firstjoined Villaasa14-year-old apprentice Daleybelongs to agenerationof players whosecareers seem so re cent andofwhich highlights can be viewed within secondsonline Andyet hisbookalso serves as a reminder of how much sportand society haschanged.Daley’s first professional contract,signedafterhehad made hisdebut,was for £150-a-week, afar cryfromthe thousandsnow earned by academy players

TheDaley Record,co-written with SimonGoodyear andpublished by MorganLawrence, is availableto buynow.For more informationon 7Daley visit7D-fitforlife.co.uk

Englandneed to have Kane fitand firing

Never mind whodid or didn’t make theEnglandsquad

Thebiggestworry forGareth Southgatewiththe WorldCup just10daysawayisthe fitnessof hisstarplayer.

“Really, really tired” is how TottenhambossAntonio Conte described Harry Kane after Wednesday’s2-0 Carabao Cupdefeat at NottinghamForest.

It is unlikelySouthgate appreci ated theItalian putting thefocus on hiscaptain’s health butConte wasonlyspeakingthe truthand in anycase, whyshouldn’t Kane be feelingthe strain?

Wednesday’smatch washis 22ndin95dayssincestartinghis season on August 6and he is far from theonlyplayerfromclubs competinginEuropetohaveexperienced aheavy workload.

Yetheisby farthe primecon cern forSouthgate. Kane is the oneplayerwho wouldget into everyother team in thetournament andEngland’shopes of progressingtothe latter stages, realistically, depend on himbeing near thetop of hisgame.

Solace forSouthgatecomes from thefactheishardlythe only managerfretting on the fitnessof

players thanks to theludicrously shorttimebetween thepause of thedomestic season andthe start of thesport’s biggestshowpiece.

Everypreviousedition of the WorldCup hasstood aloneinthe calendar,asitshould. Rightnow this one feelsahugeinconven ience, wedgedintothe middle of theseasonand acause of stress forplayers whoknoweven aminor knockatthisstage couldruin theirdream.Thoughmostsquads have nowbeennamed,every managerfaces anervous final weekendofdomestic action,hop ingtheir picks emerge unscathed.

It is not 18 months sincefour players operatinginthese parts were called up forEuro2020but whileJackGrealish, SamJohnstoneand Conor Coadyhaveall movedontopasturesnew,Tyrone Mingshas lost favourand Ollie Watkinsfailedtobuild enough of acase.

At leastinStourbridge-born Jude Bellingham,Southgate has pickeda playerwho hasthe po tentialtobeone of thestars of the tournament

YetitisKaneuponwhomso much of theThree Lionshopes rest

Englandstriker HarryKane

Tony Daleykickedoff hiscareeratVilla, inset, andhad stints as aplayerand fitnesscoachatWolves

BRANDONTHRILL AT BICYCLE-KICK

Albion wondergoal starletBrandonThomas-Asante wasthrilled to recreateone of Wayne Rooney’s memorable strikesas theBaggies made it three wins from three.

Thomas-Asante’sbicycle-kick, thesecondinAlbion’s2-0 winover StokeonSaturday, drew compar isons with Rooney’s spectacular 2011 effort againstManchester City.CarlosCorberan’s Baggies signed offfor theWorld Cupbreak in thebestpossiblestyle by chalk ingupathirdwin andclean sheet on thespintomoveout of therele gation zone

Askedabout comparisons, Thom as-Asantesaid: “I remember that To be fair Iwas thinking about that one afterwards because hishit off hisshinand mine hitoff theend of my toe! Very similar

“The boys were really happyand just supportive,not just todaybut sinceI’vecome here.Awesome

“HopefullyIcan repaythemwith moremomentslikethat.”

Thomas-AsantejoinedAlbion from League TwooutfitSalford City,owned by thelegendary Man

chesterUnited‘Classof‘92’, so ad mitted Rooney’s RedDevilsheroics wasnever farfromconversation

“Tobefair, yes(aherogrowing up),”saidthe Albion striker. “I thinkhe’severyone’s hero,whathe hasdonein hiscareerisamazing

“I’vebeenaroundalot ofthe United guys at Salfordaswellsohe is in youreye-line(awareofwhathe hasdone).”

Thomas-Asanteadmitted he wouldhave‘takena tap-in’inhis firststart underCorberan.

“I’m really pleased it went in.I’m so grateful,” he admitted.“I’mjust want to thankGod, because the opportunitytoplaytoday wasn’t guaranteed,and forthe waythe ball setupnicely, “Somanythingscould have gone differentlybut theseare the momentsyou just appreciateand hopefullywecan have many more, personally andasateam.

“Somehow Itried to turnmyneck to see ifIcould see it.

“Whenithit thenet,itwas just a relief.Iwould probably have taken atap-inaswell. It’s been awhilebut I’mhappy it went.”

Lopetegui wants to build‘newhistory’

JulenLopetegui wantstoforge a ‘new history’ at Wolves aftermak inghis ‘dream’movetoMolineux.

The56-year-old hasbegun hisera at theclubafter beingofficiallyun veiled at Molineux to themedia. He joinsWolveswiththe club rooted at thebottomofthe PremierLeague tablebut theSpaniardisconvinced that he will change theclub’sfor tunes in themonthstocome.

thetable nowbut Iamconvinced we have time to change that.We trytoconvincethe players,which is themostimportant thingfor me, that they arebetterthantheyhave shownand that we startbuilding a newhistory

we seeonthe pitchand ourper formance.That’swhy we arehere, to competewiththe best andtry to show we areabletobeatthem andtoplayfacetofacebut always thinking about us

Unai thrilled by Villawill to win

DelightedbossUnaiEmery saluted Villa’s fighting spirit aftertheybat tled back to winatBrighton.

Villaovercame concedingafter 49 secondstocome back andbeatthe Seagulls2-1 thanks to DannyIngs’ double. Thewin wastheir firstaway from home in thePremier League this season andtheir firstsince go ingbehindonthe road in nearly 18 months

Emerysaid: “Inthe last minutes we didn’t keep ourmentality like we wanted andIwanttocreate.

“Our mentalitywas different. We were strong defensivelyand hadto be.Weweretogetherand we hadto be so focusedonset-piecesfromcor ners.Wehad some playersout but, really,the jobwas fantastic.”

Harshwords worked –Liam

Defender Liam Gordon admits words were said at half time in theWalsall dressing room –and it wasthe catalyst forimprove ment

TheSaddlersgot apoint on theroadina0-0 draw at Carlisle buthad to soak up lotofpres sure in the firsthalf.

He said:“Idon’t thinkthe firsthalfwas goodenough, we kept it to 0-0and maybeittook usawhiletosettledownata dif ficult placetocome

“Butinthe firsthalfwewere poor andweknewwehad to raise thestandards whichwe did.”

JulenLopetegui hasbeen unveiled

“I know it is theworst position in

“Thisismydream.Thisismy firstand main goal.But allthishis tory is step by step andnot speak ingabout thebig things, only the next matchand trytochangewhat

“Alwaysthe big motivation is to be with the best,in thebestcon test with thecoaches, theplayers andorganisation of thePremier League,the country, theenviron ment,the atmosphere.”

LEWISCOX sports@mnamedia.co.uk

BrandonThomas-Asante’sacrobatic strike for Albion