Chronicle Week Sandwell-Halesowen - 1-Dec-2022

Pricewhensold£1.20

Malachia man on amission

MOTORING SPORT

TRUSTS MISS KEYTARGETS

Keytargetsarebeingmissedby hospitaltrustsintheBlackCountry, latestfiguresshow

TheRoyalWolverhamptonNHS Trust,whichrunsNewCrossHos pital,hasbeenranked105thoutof 120inEnglandforitsoverallperfor manceagainstkeydutiesofcareto itspatients.

SandwellAndWestBirmingham HospitalsNHSTrustranks86th,The DudleyGroupNHSFoundationTrust 42nd andWalsall Healthcare NHS Trust41st.

Thetargetforpatientstostart anytypeoftreatmentforanewpri marycancerwithinonemonth(31 days)fromthedecisiontotreatis 96percent.Butlatestfiguresshow

theWolverhampton trustachieved 70percent,Dudley85percentand Sandwell 90 percent. TheWalsall trustmetthetargetwith99percent

Theoperational standard for A&Ewaiting timesisthat95per centofpatientsshouldbeadmitted, transferredordischargedwithin fourhours.ThelatestfigureforWal sallwas71percent,73percentat Sandwell,77percentatDudleyand 80percentatWolverhampton

NoBlackCountrytrustmetthe 90percenttargetforpatientswait imgsixweeksorlongerforadiag nostic test.The NHS constitution setsastandardthat92percentof

peopleshouldwaitnolongerthan 18weeksfromtheirreferraltotheir firsttreatmentforelectivesurgery. At theDudleytrust it was65per cent,60percentatWolverhampton, 59percentatWalsalland60percent atSandwell

DianeWake,electivecareleadfor theBlack CountryIntegratedCare System,said:“Weknowpatientsare waitinglongerthanwewouldlike, andNHSstaffareworkingextremely hardtoaddressthebacklogs.

“Despite exceptionally high de mand forservices, we aremaking significantprogress,withalmost 200,000 procedures beingcarried outevery month across theBlack Country.”

Dudley,wasalsokilledinthetrag

edyontheA457OldburyRoadon November20.Thetributeswereor ganisedbytheclub,whichherbroth ersplayfor.Liberty’smotherTracy saiditwasawonderfultributetoher lovelydaughter

Shesaid:“Shewasalwayswatch ingherbrothersplayingandshewas abigpartofthisclub,soitmeansso muchandreallyiswonderful.”

Liberty’sauntGemmaPerrysaid: “Shewasalwayshappy.Idon’tthinkI eversawherangry,justgolden.” n Families –Page7

Report by Lisa O’Brien

Sadnessatpub boss death

Along-standing publican hasdiedjustthreemonthsafter hestoppedservingbehindthe bar.

Former weightlifterMajor SinghKheela, whoowned The Lounge BarinMarketPlace, GreatBridge,for many years, hasdiedattheageof72.Hisson Bobbyledthetributes.Hesaid:

“Heownedseveralbusinessesin GreatBridgetowncentre,most notablyTheLoungeBar&Res taurantwhichhasrecentlyhad anewrestaurantopenedatthe hubofGreatBridge “HemovedtoTiptonwith hisfamilyin1979andmanaged severalpubsbeforesuccessful lysettingupasamarkettrader

inthe90swhereheeventually purchasedthe run-down busi ness in GreatBridgeand fully restoredittoprovidealifeline tothetown.”

ThefuneralwasonSunday withaserviceatSandwellCre matorium.Acollectionandado nationwasmadetotheBritish HeartFoundation

Hospital to bringinsecurity camerasoversmoking‘risk’

Hospital bosses aretoinstallCCTVtostopstaff and patientssmokingnextto“the mostflammablepart”ofWalsall ManorHospital.

Warnings have failed to stophealthprofessionals,contractors andpatientssmoking incertainareasofthehospital. WalsallHealthcareNHS Trust hasalsobuiltasecureunit,sur roundedbysecuritycameras, to stop laughing gas (nitrous dioxide)andliquidoxygenbeing stolen.

AHealthandSafetyreport said:“Thereisanincreasedfire hazardriskduetoindividuals smokingnexttostorageareas thatcontainflammableliquids.”

Breaches

Thetrustalsoblamedcon tractors forlightingupnear theflammableliquids.Therisk reportadds:“Stafffromanex ternalsecuritycontractorhave been formally writtentoby theiremployerstoavoid any breaches regarding this process.”

Areportrevealedsecurity hadbeenbeefeduparoundliq uidoxygenstorage

WalsallHealthcareTrust hasrefused to sayhow much nitrousdioxidehadbeenstolen andthe trustdid notwantto commentanyfurther

Alcoholcareteam’stop award

Theteamhas

withdrawalreducedfrom1.66 percentofallacuteadmissions, to0.68percent.Patientsatisfac tionishigh–with100percent surveyedsayingtheyarehappy withtheircareandwouldrec ommendtheservice.

“Itisanhonourtowinthis award,”saidalcoholnursecon sultantArleneCopland.

Report by Adam Smith

MajorSingh Kheela

Corriestarhelps to lightupChristmas

ACoronation Street star swappedthecobblesofWeatherfieldforWednesburytohelplight upthetownreadyforChristmas.

ActorMikeyNorth,whoplays

Gary Windass, wasamongthe guests on Saturday wherehe greetedabout6,000fans,signed autographsandposedforselfies. Festivitiesincludedliveentertain ment with music, singers, street actsandalanternprocession

Therewasalsoasurpriseap pearancebyWestEndactorAidan

Cutler,ofmusicalBacktotheFu turefame,whosanganumberof hitsandpaidtributeonstageto thefounderofthe Wednesbury Christmaslightsswitch-on,veter ancouncillorElaineCostigan

Aidan,aformermemberWol verhamptonYouthMusicTheatre, toldthecrowdthatamonghisfirst performanceswasaneventatthe townhallasachildorganisedby CouncillorCostigan

WednesburyNorthwardrep resentativeCouncillor Costigan

said:“Thelightsswitch-on was really good.Weestimated there were about6,000peoplethere MikeyNorthwasfantastic.Here allymadeitspecial.”

Otherperformersweresing ersBeverley,StuartJames,Shaun Langford andDaytonGrey, who hasappearedAll Together Now andICanSeeYourVoice.

Switch-onstakeplaceinBear wood’s Lightwoods Park and Blackheathtowncentretomorrow (Friday)

Extrapeaktimetrams

Moretramswillberunningin theregionatpeaktimesleadingup toChristmasfollowingtheendof long-runningstrikeaction

About170 membersofUnite unionbeganstrikesinmid-Octo ber,butanewpaydealwasoffered afteritwas announced workers would take all-outindustrial ac tionfromtheendofNovember,po tentiallycausingchaostofestive travellers.

West Midlands Metrosaidit willnowberunningafullandfre quent serviceduringthe festive seasonwithextratramsatpeak times.

Focused

RayHarris, servicedelivery directoratWestMidlandsMetro, said:“Tramsarenowrunningto allstopsbetweenWolverhampton andEdgbaston Villagewiththe

entireMetroteamfocusedonde liveringasafe,secureandreliable andsustainableserviceintherunuptoChristmasandbeyond.

“Asthe region’s roadsget busier,the Metrooffersthe ide alalternativetotakingthecar.A frequent androbust servicewill beinoperationsevendaysaweek from 4.28am andapproximately 1.30amtogetcustomersmoving intherun-uptotheholidays.”

Mikey NorthwithAiden Cutler,CouncillorElaineCostiganandMayorofSandwellRichardJones

Stolenbikes replaced

Acycle club hastaken deliv eryofnewbicyclestoreplaceones whichwerestolen.

Agenda21, basedin Reedswood Park,Birchills, providesfree‘LearntoRide’train ingsessionsforyoungsters,hosts bikesmaintenanceclassesandhas scores of people attend regular guidedridesaroundthepark

After45ofitsbikesweresto lenfromasealedcontaineroutside thecommunitycentreinBentley Lane,kind-hearted membersof thepublichaveralliedroundand 20second-handbikesweredonat

edandarebeingreadied,andin somecasesrepaired,foruse.

Followingarequestforhelpto WestMidlandsMayorAndyStreet, thegrouphasalsotakendelivery of14brandnewRaleighbikes,plus helmetsandequipment,courtesy of Transportfor West Midlands (TfWM)andTheActiveWellbeing Societythrough theregion wide CyclingForEveryonescheme Agenda21volunteer Shokt Fazalsaid:“We’vegotnewbikes andcancontinuethegoodwork we’vebeendoing over thelast threeyears.”

Flatsblock plan put forward at Crownsite

Report by Gurdip Thandi

Astrugglingpubwhichsawa sharpdrop-offintradewhenCovidstruckcouldbeclosedandconvertedintonewapartments.

Planshavebeenputforwardto demolishtheCrownInnonLong Acre Street,nearWalsall town centre,andreplaceitwithatwo andahalfstoreyblockof14flats ApplicantGurmeet Shockersaid thenumberofcustomersusingthe pubhad fallen andnever recoveredfollowinglockdownin2020

Headdedtherewereanumber ofotherpubsclosetotheCrown Innandredevelopingitwouldbe morebeneficialtothe area.The applicationiscurrentlybeingcon sideredbyWalsall Councilplanning officerswitha decision ex pectedtobemadeinthenewyear

AgentsJBVJsaid:“Wefeelthe lossoftheCrownwillnotbedet rimentaltotheareaastherearea numberofsimilarpublichousefa cilitieswithincloseproximityand inamoreconvenientlocation

“Itscurrentstatemeansitadds totheexistingdeclineofcharacter andactivity,yethasthepotential tobealandmarkresidentialbuilding.

“Redevelopmentofthepublic houseisnot economically viable forthe applicantas they would require agood levelofbusiness whichhassincedispersedtoother venues.”

Pub’snew licencebid

Aveteranlandlordwhohopes totakeoverabardoggedbyviolencehaspromisedtofilltheplace withanolderclienteleduringthe afternoon.

AnthonyMeliaiskeentoturn SevenBar in LowerHighStreet intoasafeandtrouble-freevenue to improve Wednesbury’s night timeeconomy.

Thepub,formerlyTheTurk’s Head,lostitslicencefollowinga stringofviolentincidents.MrMe-

liahasappliedforaseriesoftemporary eventlicences in December.Hesaid:“Therewillnotbeany troubleifIamrunningitbecause IhaveruneverypubinWednes buryandknowwhothetroublemakersare,theywillnotgetnear theplace.WhenImanagedthebar in2016wehadnoproblems,andI wastherenearlytwoyears.”

WestMidlandsPolicehasobjected.Theapplicationwasbeing heardthisweek.

Aldi plan expected to go ahead

Aplanforsupermarketgiant Alditotakeoveravermin-plagued oldshoppingcentrewasthisex pectedtoberubber-stamped Thechainistotakeoverthe former Ravens Courtsite, High Street,Brownhills,creatingscores ofjobs

WalsallCouncil’s planning committeewastoday(Thursday) beingrecommended to approve anapplicationtodemolishtheex istingbuildingsandreplacethem witha1,880squaremetresuperstore.

Aldi will closeits existing store,nearRavensCourt,oncethe newsupermarketisupandrun ning.Theoldshoppingcentrehas beenemptyforanumberofyears and attractedcomplaints due to anti-social behaviour, arsonattacks,ratsonsiteandfly-tipping HopeshadbeenraisedofsolutionsinthepastbutaplanforTes cototakeoverthesitein2014and then,fiveyearslater,aproposalfor anewgymandretailunitsboth provedtobefalsedawns.

Ifapproved,thenewstorewill

operate7amto11pmMondayto Saturdayand9amto5pmonSun daysandBankHolidays.Itisex pectedtocreatearound40new jobs

AgentsTurleyPlanningsaid: “Theapplication proposal pro videsanopportunitytoregeneratethesite,plusalsotodelivera newAldistore forthe residents andvisitorstothecentre.”

Severalobjectionshad been madearoundthepotentialimpact theconstructionphasemighthave onneighbours.

Seven Bar,Wednesbury,closed overastring ofviolentincidents

AdamTranter,ShoktFazal, Sue MellorandTom Holness withone ofthenew bikes

Thirdblaze at former care home

Firecrewswerecalledoutto battlethethirdsevereblazeina fewmonthsataformernursing homeinWalsall

ThefirebrokeoutonSlaney RoadinPleckintheearlyhours ofThursdayandwasdescribedas

‘severe’bycrews.WestMidlands AmbulanceServicewasalsocalled tothescenebutnocasualtieswere found.

Residentswereurgedtoclose theirwindowsanddoorsassmoke billowedfromthederelictbuild

ing.Crewswerepreviouslycalled tofiresatthebuildingatthestart of November andagainbackin July,bothbelievedtohavebeen starteddeliberately.

Aninvestigationisunderway onthecauseofthelatestblaze

ahugebatteryparkonGreatBarr greenbeltlandissettoberejected followinghundredsofobjections.

AnescoLtdislookingtocreate abatteryenergystoragesystem onafieldadjacenttoTheDuckery inChapelLanewhichwouldbeca pableofimportingandexporting around49.35megawattsofelec tricity.

Aspartoftheproposal,asub station,28storageunits,14trans formersand otherequipment wouldbeplacedonthesite.But

theplanssparkedoppositionwith 300representationsbeing made by residentstocouncil planning officersobjectingtotheimpactit wouldhaveonthegreenbeltand GreatBarrConservationArea.

Areporttoplanningcommit teesaidtherewerealsoobjections frompoliticiansincludingWalsall SouthMPValerieVaz,neighbour ingSandwellCouncil anda host ofothergroupsincludingHistoric England,BeaconActionGroupand GroupofRamblers.

Anesco’s application states

said thedevelopment wouldbe thereforaround40yearsandpro videarenewableenergystorage facilitywhichwouldbesensitively accommodatedinthearea.

They addedthe ‘veryspecial circumstances’ needed to devel opongreenbeltlandincludedan ‘urgentneedtosecurerenewable energy’,Walsall’sbidtobecarbon neutralby2050,limitedimpacton thelandscapeandminimalharm tothearea.Butplanningofficers haverecommendedrefusalahead ofameetingtoday(Thursday).

Firefightersatthesiteofthe blazeatthe formernursing home onSlaneyRoadinPleck

Allpromisesmadepostand pre-Brexit have been broken

AsChristmasapproaches,it’s timetothinkofwhatwewould likeasapresent.Perhapsabookor two,forexampleTheToryBookof Lies–volumesonetoeightorThe PlumbersBookofToryU-turns

Both couldbecome essen tial readingoncethe pennyhas droppedastothestatethegovern menthaslefttheUKinafterallthe preandpost-Brexitpromises

Forget the£350m forNHS, lowerfood prices,easiertravel, andimport/exportboomingonce

thedrawbridgewiththeEUhas beenpulledup.Thiswaswhatwe werepromisedbythegovernment duringpre-Brexitandduringthe supposednegotiationsafter

OurthenPMpromisedto“Get BrexitDone”whileTrusstoured theglobetrying,andfailingtoget inferiorandveryexpensivedeals done whichwould badlyaffect theUKfarmers.Thegovernment’s ownestimatewasanincreaseof UKGDPby0.02percentafter15 years,possibly.Fortunately,these

We’reon managed path of decline

We arenow in theposition where‘ifdemocracymadeanydifferencetheywouldn’tletusvote’.

Britonsfeelagreat betrayal withpoliticsandpoliticians,ithas neverbeenmoreapttheaphorism ‘powertothepeoplebutonlyon electionday’

We arenow on amanaged declinepathinthiscountrythat reallytookaholdwiththeglobal pandemic.Luckily,MrJohnsonun lockedthiscountryandreceived greatcreditfor settingupour ‘worldbeating’vaccinestrategy.

WehavehadBRINOorBrexit

Lite andhavenot startedtoremovethescleroticholdtheEUhad onthiscountry.Wehadnogreat expectationsofimmediatelyevisceratingthedeadhandrules,regu lationsandredtapeovernightand werepreparedforatransitionpe riodofseveralyears.Wenowhave commitmentsfromStarmernotto reopenthereferendumandmake Brexitwork

Soallwehaveleftarethenov eltypartiestheLiberalDems,the SNP andthe economy-damaging Greensfightingthatlostbattle.

KeithJones,CradleyHeath

dealshavesincebeenprovenuselessandcancelled.Truss,during hershortestreignofanyPM,managed to crashanalreadyfragile post-Brexiteconomy in record timebeforethelettucedeteriorat edbutafterthegravedamagehad beeninflictedontheUK.

Thisbudgetwaswatchedwith horrorastheUKbecamealaugh ingstockandconditionsheredeterioratedandwearetoldtoreduce heatingcooking,eatingetc

Nameandaddresssupplied

Anxietieson theincrease

Manylocalpeoplearesuffer ingincreasinganxietiesovertheir material life,jobs, relationships andwiderhealth.

IntheUK,morethan40per centareeitherinpoverty,‘finan ciallyinsecure’,exposedtounexpectedcostsorrises.Anti-depres santsprescriptionsare twiceas highinthemostdeprivedareas acrossWalsallandtheBlackCountry. Arethese asignofmodern times,agrowingproblem,orpart ofacure?Onethingiscertain,lo calpeopleareturningtopharmaceuticalanswers.

DJames,Walsall

Changesnot representative

Regardingtheproposedrevision of constituency boundaries, atthenationallevelthisseemsto haveprivilegedoneissueoverall others–thatofanequalnumberof votersineachsingle-memberconstituency.Itdoesnotaddressthe crude,primitivevotingsystem

Inanationallegislativebody,it mightbereasonabletoexpectthat thenumberoflegislators would reflect that of people voting for eachparty.

ThisisnotthecaseintheUK.

According to theHouse of Commons Library, andconsidering partiesfightingacrossthewhole of GreatBritain,ittook38,300 votestoelecteachConservative, 50,800foraLabourMP,336,000 foreachLibDem,andawhopping 886,400peoplevotedGreenfora singleMP

Making ashibboleth of the geographicalsingle-memberconstituencyignores this denialof basicrepresentativedemocra cy.ItwouldseemWillenhallisto

betornlimbfromlimb,withthe WillenhallNorthandShortHeath wardsshovedintoone constitu encywiththeword“Wolverhamp ton”initsname,whileWillenhall Southgoesintoanother,together withDarlastonandBentley.

Thehapless“Wolverhampton” MPsarelikelytofindthemselves havingtomakerepresentationsto bothWalsallandWolverhampton councils

AlanHarrison,Walsall

victims’ families

Therewereemotionalscenesata tributetoateenagegirlremembered forher“dazzlingsmileandwonderful laugh”

Dozensofballoonswereletintothe airinmemoryof16-year-oldLiberty CharrisatHydesRoadfootballground inWednesbury

Theballoonreleasewasorganised by Dudley RangersUnitedFootball Clubbeforetheyplayedasemi-finalcup matchagainstHorseandJockeyAlbion

TwoofLiberty’sbrothersplayfor Dudley Rangers. Theplayerswere joinedbymembersofLiberty’sfamily, includinghermotherTracy,andsome of hermanyfriends from across the area,manyofwhomhadbroughtared balloonwithamessagetoLibertyat tached

Amassreleaseoftheballoonsinto theairtookplace,followedbyarousing roundofapplauseandthenaminute’s silencebeforethestartofthematch.

The16-year-oldfromGornaldied alongside 19-year-oldBen Corfield fromDudleywhentheywerehitbya blueNissanSkylinewhichlostcontrol andhitagroupofpedestriansonNo vember20

Tracywasbeingcomfortedbymany

ofthosearoundherandsaidshewant edpeopletoknowaboutherbeautiful andfunnydaughterandrememberher forwhoshewas.

Amanandwomanintheir20salso suffered life-threatening injuries.A 54-year-oldmanarrestedonsuspicion ofcausingdeathbydangerousdriving hasbeenreleasedonpolicebail

AJustGivingpagehasraisedmore than£11,000sofarandhasremained openfordonationsatjustgiving.com/ crowdfunding/gemma-perry –aGo FundMepageforBen,allowinghisfam ilytohaveakeepsakeofhim–hiscar –hasraisedcloseto£3,000

Paying tribute, Liberty’sfamily said:“Ourhearts areshattered into pieces.”

Ben’sfamilysaid:“Benwasthelight ofourlives.Hewasalargerthanlife characterwithahugeheartmadeof gold.”

Flowershavebeenleftatthesite ofthecrash,alongwithmessagesand othertributes. OneofBen’s former teachers,TracyGoodyear,said:“Hewas suchamemorablecharacter.”

Popularparkisnamed as apeople’sfavourite

Amuch-lovedparkhasbeennamed asoneofthepeople’sfavouriteinthe GreenFlagPeopleChoiceAwards2022.

Warley WoodsinSandwellis among10winnersofthemostpopular parksintheannualGreenFlagPeople’s Choice Awards –becomingthe only community-runparkintheareatowin theaward

Thegreenspaceisnotedforitsnat uralbeautyand thecommunity that tendstoit–which consists of more than 300community volunteersand trustees

VivCole,trustmanageratWarley Woods,said:“Weabsolutelylovethat we have been placed in thetop 10 Therewassomeamazingcompetition thisyear,butwereallycareaboutour

community,wereallydocarewhatthe communitythinksofus.”

Towinaspotinthetop10,parkor ganisersmustmakesuretheirgrounds areaccessible,well-managedandmain tained,andofferssomethingforevery oneinthecommunity

Sheadded:“TobeaGreenFlagpark youarejudgedbyhowyoulookand everyyearweworkonkeepingthepark atitsbest.Noneofushavereallyman agedaparkbefore,sowehavetaken thestandardsthatGreenFlaghaveset veryseriously.”

WarleyWoodsnowjoinsotherna tionalfavouriteparkssuchasWollaton Park,inNottingham, OxheyParkin WatfordandValentinesPark,inTower Hamlets.

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Report by Sunil Midda

Tributes –Ben Corfield,19 Liberty Charris,16. Pictures:WMP

21 years forsex attacks

Amanwhocarriedoutastringof sexualoffencesincludingrapeandpos sessingchild pornography hasbeen lockedupforalmost22years.

RoyMosedale,ofBrownhills,was describedasaggressiveandcontrolling byhisthreevictimswhocameforward almost30yearsaftertheirabuse

Onevictimwasonlynineyearsold whenhestartedabusingherandshe wassexuallyassaultedonvariousoccasionsfromthe1980supto2000

Anotherwasawomaninher20s.He hadahabitofputtinghishandsround herthroatandononeoccasionplaced apillowoverherface,preventingher frombreathing.Mosedalealsosexual lyassaultedathirdwomanin1982to

1983,whowasjust13atthetime.The womenspokeupafterdecadesofabuse toensurehewasbroughttojustice.

The61-year-old wasarrestedin Marchandpleadedguiltytosixcounts of indecent assault, threecountsof rape, one countofaggravatedbodily harmand12countsofchildpornogra phy.Hewasjailedfor21yearsandsev en months at WolverhamptonCrown CourtonNovember18

Investigatingofficer Stefan Wo jcieszyn,fromWestMidlandsPolice’s publicprotectionunit,said:“Allthree womenwereincrediblybraveincomingforward.Itwasshockingabuseand thewomenhavebeenblightedbywhat thismanputthemthrough.”

Policepledgeas dealersjailed

Policebosseshavevowedtostop county linesdealers from profiting fromthemiseryofothersastwobroth erswerelockedupforrunningadrugs network.

Mohammed AwaisKhan, 27,and MohammedLuqman Khan,24, were jailedforatotalofmorethan18years atWolverhamptonCrownCourtafter admittingconspiringtosupplyClassA drugs.

Thedrugdealingduoweresupply ingdrugsalloverStoke-on-Trentand Newcastle UnderLyme, arrangingto meetusersoutsideshopsandpubsand athomeaddresses

OfficersarrestedMohammed AwaisKhanathis homeinStPaul’s

Road,Smethwick,onJanuary 27 and recoveredthedrugslinephone

Officersthenswoopedandarrest edtheyoungerbrother,alsoofStPaul’s Road.Theywerebothtakenintocustodyandchargedwithconspiringtosup plyClassAdrugs.

Detective SuperintendentSyed Hussain,WestMidlandsPoliceleadfor countylines,said:“Countylinesdrug dealerslikethe Khan brothers ruin livesandourofficersfromthecounty lines taskforceworkedhardtostop themandbringthemtojustice.

“Countylines gangs should know they areinour sights andour work goeson24/7throughouttheyearto stopthem.”

Crimefears overrave

Achildren’sChristmas rave has beenrefusedpermissiontogoahead inSandwellduetofearsofcrimechaos –butitwillbeheldinWolverhampton.

Theunder-16s rave,hostedby eventsmanagementgroupReload,was settotakeplaceatMJ’sBarandVenue, in Wednesbury,on December 20 but wasrefusedafterpoliceobjectedsayingpreviouseventscausedhavoc

It is now settogoahead at The

HangarinWolverhamptononthesame dateinstead.

WestMidlandsPoliceraisedsever alobjectionstoSandwellCouncil–the localauthorityresponsibleforlicensingdecisions–andclaimedprevious eventsheldbyReloadhadresultedin a“sheernumber”ofcriminallogsfora “relativelyshortevent”.

Reloadareadvertisingtheeventfor TheHangar,inPearsonStreet

Mohammed AwaisKhan

Mohammed Luqman Khan

‘Nopayback’ on plan

Dudley’sCouncilleadersaystheau thorityhasnointentionofcompensat ingitsneighboursfollowingthescrap pingofaBlackCountry-widehousing masterplan.

TheBlackCountryPlanwasdrawn upjointlybyfourcouncils,butDudley CouncilwithdrewinOctober

Leader Councillor PatrickHarley saidthedecisionwas“regrettable”but necessaryinordertoprotectthegreen belt.Other councilleaders expressed theirdisappointment.Walsall Coun cilleaderMikeBirdsaidtheauthority wasnowlookingtorecoversomeofthe costsfromDudleyCouncil,although notallofithadbeenwastedbecause someofthedatawasstillrelevant

CouncillorPeterHughes,Sandwell’s cabinetmemberforregenerationand growth,saidsofar thecouncil had spent£472,438.78onworkconnected with theBlack CountryPlanbut not allofitwasabortivecosts.Herecently saidtheauthoritywas“exploringop tionswithregardstoessentialrecov erycostsincurredasaresultofDudley Council’sactions.”

ButCouncillorHarleysaidtheau thorityhadnointentionofproviding anycompensation.“Thereisnolegal obligationforustocompensatethem,” hesaid

“Thatdataintheirreportsisstill relevant.We’ve helped contribute to thecostofthat.”

Raisingapint toThree Lions

SantaScores...withanewfestive WorldCupbeerproducedbyaBlack Countrybrewery

ItisthelatestbeerbyDudley-based Holden’sand thenewestaddition of ‘WorldCupbeers’tohitthepubs.

Holden’sBreweryonGeorgeStreet, Woodsetton,decidedtodeveloptheale toshowsupportfortheEnglandteam andtoaddtotheirfestiverange

JonathanHolden,managingdirec torofHolden’sBrewery,said:“Thebeer isdoingverywell,it’stastinggood,it’s anicelightandeasydrink,goodfor watchingthefootball.”

Thebeeris4.33percent,andfea turesamixofmarisotterpalemaltand

wholeflowerhopstocreateaspiced aromaandbitterfinish.MrHoldensaid: “Wewentformaterialsthatweknow wouldworkwellandmakeagoodcom bination.”

Headded:“Sofarwehaveonlygot onefullbrewofthebeer.Thisacom pletelylimited-timedeal, we really wanttokeepthisgoingaslongasEng landkeepsscoring.”

SantaScoresisfeaturedatThePark inWoodsetton,TheGreatWestern,in WolverhamptonandthepubatCodsall Station.ItwillbeproduceduntilEng land’sparticipationintheWorldCupis overandwillbereplacedwithafestive brewcreatedbyHolden’sbrewers.

Metropay deal revealed

Freshdetails have been revealed ofthepaydealreachedbetweenMetro bossesandworkersafterlong-running strikeactionended.

Some 170Unite membersbegan strike action in mid-October, butthe newpaydealwasofferedaftertheun ionannouncedthatworkerswouldtake all-outindustrialactionfromtheendof November,potentiallycausingchaosto festivetravellers.

Thenewpaydeal,whichmembers ofUnitehaveaccepted,willseeexisting

tramcrewwith12monthsofserviceor longerhavetheirpayincreasedby20.1 percentbyApril2023,with15percent oftheincreasebackdatedtoJune2022. Unitegeneral secretarySharonGra hamsaid:“Thisisawell-deservedwin forworkerswhowerepreparedtotake astandagainstlowpay.”

Newtramcrewwillseetheirwages increaseby13.7percentbyApril2023 andallothergradesontheWestMid landsMetrowillseetheirpayincrease by10.25percent

Charlotte Holdenwiththe beer produced for theWorldCup

Allinthistogether, remember

The Best of Peter Rhodes

Themiracle of thecomputer neverfailstoastoundus.Artificial intelligence(AI)has been putto workidentifyingapaintingowned by aSwiss collector. Theprogram diligentlycomparedtheportraitto 206worksbyRenoirandconcluded thereisan80.58percentprobabili tythattheSwisspaintingisalsoby Renoir.Iwasremindedofanother AIface-recognitionprogramwhich, afew weeksago, figured that an oldblokelivinginAustraliaisLord Lucan, who vanishedin1974. The programwasclaimedtobe“never wrong”butHomeOfficeexpertssaid itwasdefinitelywrong,andit’sall goneabitquiet.

nnn

Whoknows howbrilliant AI mustbecomebeforeitcananswer theburningissueraisedattheCop27 climatesummit:howmuch“lossand damage”moneydoesthedeveloped world owethe developing world fortheharmcausedbyman-made climatechange? Industrialisation, liketheBritishEmpire,wasneither

whollygoodnorwhollybad.Some third-worldnationscould never have prosperedwithoutthe water pumps,windmills,railwaysandgen eratorsoftheindustrialisedWest.It isaconundrumbutIcanpredictthe final“lossanddamage”billwillbea lotmorethanwewanttopaybuta lotlessthantheywant

nn n

War, like history,tendstorepeatitself.Andifthere’sarecurring themeinthewarinUkraine,it’sthe one wherehighly-respected West ernexpertstellusthatPutinisrun ningshortofmissilesfollowed,afew dayslater,byPutindemonstrating

thathe’sgotshedloadsofthethings. Whenthisbloodywarisover,asit surely will be one day, millionsof tonsofgrainwillagainflowfrom Ukraineand billionsofbarrels of gasfromRussia.Inevitably,foodand energybillswillbecutandanentire Europeancountrywillneedrebuilding.Howlongcanthiswarlastwhen thereissomuchmoneytobemade fromendingit?

nnn

Ihavesomesympathywiththe “blunderingbarrister”who was upbraidedbyajudgeforarrivingat courtinNewportinWaleswhenhe shouldhavebeen150milesawayfor

acaseinNewport,IsleofWight.Upbraid:goodword,notusedenough Anyway,there areanawfullot of Newports,includingtowns of that nameinYorkshire,Essex,Glouces tershire,Highlands,Pembrokeshire andShropshire.Toaddtothemerri mentthere’sNewport-on-TayinFife andNewport PagnellnearMilton Keynes.Yetthereisnoevidenceof whattheseplaceswerecalledbefore theybecameNewports.Scouringthe AAroadatlas,Ican’tfindasingle Oldport.Anhistoricalmystery. nnn

Notesonarecession.Headlines fromthemiseryoftheSundayTimes

news pages: “Bossremovedover boy’smoulddeath,”“TellSidtoturn down thethermostat,” “Farmers crackoveregg shortages.”Mean while,herearesomeblingyChristmasgiftsuggestionsfromthesame newspaper’sStylemagazine:Portof inowristwatch,£6,200;Signetring of ‘single-mine’gold,£4,900; Ear ringswithmoonstones,£1,335.Just remember,we’reallinthistogether nnn

Accordingtoreports,“agroup ofpodcasters”isdeterminedtosave dialectwordssaidtobeontheverge of extinction.Thus, termssuchas “scrammed-up”,aDevonianexpres sionforbeingverycold,or“blatherskite”,aDurhamwordforgossip, mayendure.Butwhatof“goppy?”

nnn

Ihaveheardthiswordusedby onlyoneperson,aBlackCountryman inthe1970s,describingayounglady whodidnotcomeuptohisexacting standards.It’sawordthatcouldbe savedasanhistoricaltreasure–and theninstantlybannedformisogyny. nnn

Inotethe weekly newspaper whereIworkedasatraineereporter(longagoandfaraway)hasjust raiseditscoverpricetowhat,back then,wasmydailyrateofpay

Vladimir Putin– runningshortofmissiles?

Vanished –LordLucan

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Old police station conditionrevealed

Therundownstateofahistoricfor merpolicestationwhichhassatempty forfouryearshasbeenrevealed.

DarlastonPoliceStationdatesback toaround1899butwasclosedinJanu ary2018bytheofficeoftheWestMid landsPoliceandCrimeCommissioner aspartofcost-cuttingmeasures

Aproposalhasbeenputforwardto WalsallCouncilplanningofficersbythe BroomfieldGrouptoconvertthebuild inginto10newapartments

But,aspartoftheapplication,pho tographsbyconsultantsHeritageMat tersshowtheplightoftheGradeIIList edBuilding

Thepolicestationwassold,along withotherformerfacilitiesinthere gion,atanauction in 2019 fetching around£660,000

An application hadbeenput forwardbackin2020foradozenapart mentstobecreatedonthesitebutthat hasnowbeenamendedto10.Aspartof theredevelopment,anextensiontothe backofthebuildingwillbedemolished andsomealterationsmade

AgentsBHBArchitectssaid:“Itwas designed by local architectCharles WilliamDaviesJoynson,whodesigned several chapelsand schoolsand oth-

er notable buildingsinWednesbury wherehewasmayorfrom1898-1900. Thepolicestationhadcellstotherear withanexternalwalledexerciseyard; officestothegroundfloorfrontageand onthefirstfloor,accommodationand restareaforthe‘live-in’sergeantsand constables

“Tothe left of thepolicestation, withseparateentrancedoor,wasthe PoliceHousethatwouldhavebeenoc cupiedbytheInspectorandhisfamily

“Thishousehastraditionalground floorparlour,diningroomandkitchen intherearwing,withfamilybedrooms onthefirstfloor,anditsowncellar

“TheDarlastonPoliceStationhas beenemptyforagoodnumberofyears.

“Theredevelopmentplansasproposed,willbringacurrentlyredundant andvacantbuildingbackintousein theheartofDarlastonandwillprovide much-neededapartmentsinthearea.”

ConsultantsHeritageMatterssaid: “Theproposalswillnotadverselyaf fectthislistedheritageasset,theset tingsofthenearbylistedbuildingsor theconservationarea.”

Jobs boosting scheme at former landfill site

Aformer landfill site in Walsall couldbetransformedintoamajordevelopment aimedatboostingjob op portunitiesintheborough

TotalDevelopmentsNWislooking totakeovertheformerBeatwastesite onBentleyLaneandcreatethreelarge unitstotalling42,500sqmofemploy mentfloorspace.

Thecompanyhas submittedan environmental impact assessment to WalsallCouncilofficersaheadofafull planningapplication

Previouslyalandfillsite,thearea hasbeenusedasrecreationalspaceby residentsforanumberofyears.

AgentsStantec said:“Local resi dentswillcontinuetobeabletoaccess thesiteforrecreationalpurposeswith

theintroductionofpedestrian‘green ways’. Theemployment unitswill be screened from theresidentialdwell ingstothesouthbyalandscapebund whichwillensureresidentialamenity ismaintainedfromavisualandnoise perspective

“Threeemploymentunitsareproposedatthesite,thelargestofwhich wouldbepositionedadjacenttotheM6.

“Theunitswouldcontainanumber of loadingdocks andsufficientyard spacetoenabletheturningofHGVs

“Eachunitistobeservedbycarand HGVparking.Sufficientcarparkingwill beproposedtoensuretherearenooff siteparkingissuesthatcouldadversely impactthelocalhighwaynetworkand thesurroundingresidentialareas.”

Report by Gurdip Thandi

The state of the former DarlastonPoliceStation.Pic: HeritageMatters

Baby deaths ‘red’rating

Sandwell andWestBirmingham HospitalsNHSTrustisoneofjustsix trustsintheUKtoberated“red”for bothstillbirthandinfantmortality

ThereportbyMothersandBabies: ReducingRiskthroughAuditandCon fidentialEnquiries(MBRRACE)found morewomenandbabiesweredyingaf terchildbirthacrossthecountrythan inpreviousyears.AlmostafifthofNHS trustswererated‘red’forinfantmor talityrates,meaningthedeathratewas morethanfivepercentaboveaverage.

Thefiguresusedinthereportwere from2020

Sandwell andWestBirmingham HospitalsTrustmaternityunitisbased atCityHospital.Thetrustlaunchedan

investigationin2019afterfivepreg nantwomendiedin18months.

Sandwell andWestBirmingham NHSTrustclaimedimprovementshad beenmade.DirectorofmidwiferyHel enHurstsaid:“Wewouldliketooffer ourdeepestsympathiestoanyparent whohasexperiencedthetragedyofa stillbirthorlossofanewbaby.Exten siveworkisbeingdonebyourequality, diversityand inclusion team to raise awareness around theimportanceof earlyaccess to maternitycare. This workhasseenanotablereductionin neonataldeathsoverthelastyearand continuestoputthecareandsafetyof ourmumsandtheirbabiesatthefore frontofeverythingwedo.”

Plaque tribute unveiledathall

Aplaquehas been unveiled at BrownhillsMemorialHalltopaytrib utetoGeoffrey Harrington, aman adoredinhiscommunity

TheceremonywasattendedbyMr Harrington’sdaughterMargaretPow ell,MayorofWalsallRoseMartinand manyotherresidents.

MrHarrington,whodiedoneyear ago, aged 99 –just weeksbeforehe turned 100– scored manysporting achievements,includingaworldrecord in1961forrunning130yardsin11.85 seconds.

He laterbecamea snookerrefer eeandofficiatedtoptournaments.He even became friendswithlegendary LiverpoolmanagerBillShankly

TheystruckupafriendshipinCarl islewhererunnerMrHarringtonwas

Jailoversexualassaults

Amanhasbeenjailedafteradmit

Mayor Rose Martinand Geoffrey’s daughterMargaret Powell

MalachiNunesisonamissionto bethementortoyoungpeoplethathe wisheshehadwhilegrowingup.

Living with undiagnoseddyslexia andADHD, he struggledwithschool andfelt misunderstoodbythose aroundhim.

“Schooldidn’tidentifymyneeds andIwasn’tofferedanysupport,”he said.“Ialsosufferedwithastammer whichcausedmanyobstaclesinmylife andpresentedchallengesthatledmeto straytowardsthewrongcrowds.”

This experience,alongwithtime spentcaringforhisdisabledsister,led toastrongmotivationtohelpothers andhenowworkswithyoungpeople acrossSandwellandBirmingham.

AftergraduatingfromLondonCollegeofCommunicationwithadegreein publishing,hebeganworkingasamen torinthecommunity

Cured

“Igainedloadsofskillsfromalived experiencewhichallowedmetowork with young people with specialedu cationalneedsandautisminschools.I curedmyownstammerandtaughtmy selfhowtomanagemyimpulsiveADHD condition,”Malachisaid.

Malachi,whonowworksasaschool behaviourmentorandcounsellor,set upAmbitiousMagazine,whichshowcasedthe workofbudding entrepreneurs. In February,hefounded Am bitiousLives,aCommunity Interest Company(CIC)offeringyoungpeople mentoring, training,workshops and wellbeingactivities

Theyouthservice,basedinWest Bromwich,hasbeenawarded£10,000 fromTheNationalLotteryCommuni tyFundtoprovideaprogrammethat meetsthe needsofdisadvantaged

youngpeopleinSandwell.The38-year oldsaid:“Wehelpyoungpeoplebycreatingasafespacetolearn,developand achievetheircreativeambitionstobecomethebestversionsofthemselves.”

AmbitiousLives caters foryoung peoplewhoareatriskofendingupnot ineducation,employmentortraining (NEET),thosewhohaveexperienced trauma andyoung peopleatriskof criminalexploitation.Theyalsowork with young people with behaviour needs andthose with specialeducationalneeds(SEN)orsocial,emotional andmentalhealth(SEMH)needs

AmbitiousLivesoffersone-to-one mentoringwhichaimstoimprovetheir self-worthandconfidenceandmanage emotionssuchasangerandanxiety

Malachi,whohastrainedasamen talhealthcounsellor,addstheyalso receivetheguidanceandsupportthey needtopursueeducationoremploy ment

Training andworkshop provision aims to provideyoung people with practicalskillstheycanuseinthefu tureaswellasimportantsocialskills, suchasleadershipandproblem-solv ing.

AmbitiousLives also offers well beingactivitiesthatpromotepositive mental health,healthy living and fit nessandhostscommunityeventsin cludingashowcaseforupandcoming youngmusicians.

Aswellasmentoringyoungpeople whocometohimforhelp,Malachialso goesoutintothecommunitytotalkto thosewhomayneedguidance.Hishope forthefutureistoexpandAmbitious Livessomoreyoungpeoplecanaccess itsservices.Seeambitiouslives.com

Dogrescuedfromcanal

Adogwasrescuedfromacanalin Tipton,followingreportsofthreeanimalslooseinthearea

Therescueddog,believedtobea wire-haireddachshund,wassavedby agood-heartedpasser-bywhonoticed itinthecanalonTuesdayoflastweek

Afterbeingrescued,thedachshund

wasdriedoffandtakentoVetsforPets inDudleyPorttobecheckedover.The vetsarenowtryingtotrackdownthe ownersinthehopeofreunitingthem withtheiranimal.

Earlierintheday,threedogshad beenspottedrunningaroundaroundaboutnearOwenStreetinTiptonGreen.

Report by Heather Large

Mentorandcounsellor Malachi Nunes who runs AmbitiousLives

REVIEW

High energy gig with no gimmicks

It’squitespecialwhenyouwitness abandyou’vebeenchampioningbreak throughwithhugesuccess.Granted,it doesn’thappenthatoftenbutwhenit does,youcan’thelpbutfeelvindicated Smug,even.

So,itwaswiththisairofsmugness, mixedwithtrepidationthatIentered the02InstitutetoseeWetLegincon cert.

TheIsleofWight band,founded RhianTeasdaleandHesterChambers, owesomeoftheirnewsuccesstotheir nowfamousGlastonburyperformance earlierthisyear,whichcementedtheir statusas‘abandtowatch’.This,coupled withbyanominationfortheMercury Prize;it’snosurprisethisgigwassold out.

WetLeg’srestrainedbonhomiewas evidentfromtheoutset,astheytookto thestagewithasimple“hello”,before tearingintoBeingInLove,immediately followedbyWetDream.

WetLeghaveanunusualstagecraft wherebythey’resomehowabletogenerateenergyandexcitementbynotdoingverymuchwhilstonstage.Thisisn’t acriticism,moreofanobservationthat themusicreallydoesproject,andspeak foritself.Nogimmicks,nofancystage backdropsorvideoscreens

Whilethesetlistwascomparativelyshort–excusable,astheyonlyhave onealbumthusfar–everyminutewas crammedwithcatchy, high-energy

WetLeg in concert

tunes,marriedwithacerbiclyrics.The highlightsweremanybut,forme,the bandshowedapossibletasteofthings to come with Obvious, anon-album track,whichprovidedarare,lowtempo butbeautifullyrestrainedrespite.

Thelastsongwas,ofcourse,Chaise Longue,theirbiggesthitsofar–which wasmetwithhugeappreciationfrom theaudience.

WetLegarecurrentlytouringthe UK playingtosmallishvenues. Given theircurrenttrajectory,thistourmay beyouronlychancetocatchthembe forethehugearenascomecalling.And trustme–theywill.

By MartinDaley

ANNHSofficeworkerhasrevealed howhis quick-thinking colleagues savedhislifewhenhesufferedablood clot

Matthew Maguire,who works at SandwellHospitalastheassociatedi rector of performanceand strategic insight,wasstruckwithapulmonary embolism,whichhappenswhenablood clotgetsstuckinthelung,blockingthe vitalorgan

Luckilyforhim,histeam,whousu allyfocusondataandanalysis,were abletospotthatsomethingwasn’tright withthefather-of-twoandgotemer gencyhelp.

Matt,53fromKingswinford,said: “Iwasjustminutesawayfromdeath–I havemycolleaguestothankforsaving mylife.Ifitwasn’tforthemIwouldn’t beheretoday.”

Headded:“Iworkfromhomeocca sionallyandthere’snooneelseinthe house.IfIhadstayedathome,thenwho knowswhatwouldhavehappened

“Irememberwalkingintoworkand notfeelinggreat.Iwassufferingfrom shortness of breath,itfelt like Ihad someonesittingonmychest–ittook meonehourtowalk500yardsfromthe carparktomyoffice.Ihadtositdown

twicefor30minuteseachtime.WhenI gotin,mycolleaguesEssieLiandJulia Herriottspottedsomethingwaswrong immediatelyandcalledsomeonefrom thenursingserviceSinglePointofAc cess(SPA)whoarebasedinthesame officeblock.Theycametoseemeand calledtheEmergencyMedicalResusci tationTeam(EMRT)teamout.”

Incasesofemergency,staffcancall 2222whichtakesthemthroughtothe EMRT,whoarebasedonsiteandwill attendimmediatelytodeliverlife-sav ingcareifneeded.

Essie,headoftransformation,said: “WhenMatthewwalkedintotheoffice we couldtellthatsomethingwasn’t rightwithhim.Helookedpale,wasout ofbreathandhislipsweregrey.Iknew thatourSPAteamwereworkinginthe same building,soIwent andsought help.Theyrushedintoseehimand madethecallforemergencyhelp.”

Theteamwerequick to respond andMattwastakentoA&Eandthen admittedintohospital

Hesaid:“Simplyput,goingtowork thatdaysavedmylife.Iwouldliketo sayahugethanktoalltheclinicaland non-clinicalstaffwhosupportedmeas IknowhowcloseIcametodeath.”

Volunteers strike gold as town blooms in contest

HalesowenInBloom hasbeen crownedthe overall winner at the HeartofEngland inBloomawards–andwillrepresenttheregioninthena tionalfinalsnextyear.

Itistheseventhgoldawardforthe boroughgroupintheUrbanCommuni tycategoryattheHeartofEnglandIn BloomAwards2022.Itwasalsojudged thebestentryinthewholecompetition bytheHeartofEnglandjudgingpanel withascoreof98percent–dropping justtwopointsofthe100available

Thevolunteerswowedthejudges with their floral displays throughout asdidDudleyCouncilforits“excellent standard”.Thegroupwereinvitedto aspecialreceptionwiththeMayorof Dudley,CouncillorSueGreenaway.She

said:“HalesoweninBloomareareal credittothisboroughwithvolunteers goingaboveandbeyondtomakethisa specialplacetoliveandvisit.”

EveO’Connor,HalesoweninBloom chairman,said:“Wearereallyproudto flytheflagforHalesowenandthebor oughatanationallevel.There’ssomuch hardworkgoesintothiscompetition andwesimplycouldn’tdoitwithoutthe helpofourincrediblevolunteers.”

Atthisyear’sawards,Evewalked away with theOutstandingAchieve mentAwardforleadershipwhileHale sowenWalledGarden wonaspecial awardforimprovingmentalhealthand wellbeing.AjudgingpanelforBritainin BloomwillvisitHalesowennextsum mer.

MatthewMaguire,Julia Herriottand Essie Li whocame to his rescue

Brick hurled at police car Parkslit for Christmas

Apoliceofficer wasfortunate to escape injury afterabrick was droppedontotheirpatrolcarfrom abridgeovertheM6,smashingthe windscreen

ThebrickhittheWestMidlands Police-ownedVolvoataround11am on Thursday as it travellednorth boundontheM6atJunction7for GreatBarr.Justover24hourslater, ataroundmiddayonFriday,asteel pegwasthrownthroughthedriver’s windowofavanatthesamelocation

Again, thedriverwas nothurt butwassaidtobeveryshakenbythe incident.

Sergeant SarahPhillips, from Motorway Policing,said: “These weretwoverydangerousincidents andwebelievetheyarelinked.For tunately no-one washurtbut we needtofindthepersonresponsible forthis.

“Wearecurrentlyinvestigating andlooking at CCTV andwe urge peopletochecktheirdashcams.We willbeworkingwithourneighbour hoodpolicingunitsandincreasing patrolstopreventfurtheroffences.”

Anyonewithany information shouldcontactWestMidlandsPolice viaLiveChatontheforce’swebsiteor bycalling101quotingcrimeinvesti gationnumber20/982879/22

AlternativelycallCrimestoppers on0800555111.

51-homes planatold EagleWorksapproved

WalsallCouncilhasapprovedthe constructionof51affordablehomes onWillenhall’sformerEagleWorks

GreenSquareAccord andthe FitzpatrickGroup arebuilding the homeswhereMiddletonPaperCom panytradedformorethanhalfacen tury

Allthepropertieswillbebuilt usinglow carbonLoCaL Homes Eco 200off-siteconstruction pan els,whichwillreduceconstruction timesonsite, andachieve savings overallintermsofcarbonrelease

GreenSquareAccordheadofde velopmentMikeNolansaid:“Witha rangeofhomesavailablefromone bedflatstofour-bedhouses,ournew venturewillmeetlocalhousingneed. Inadditiontoreducingpressureon greenfield sitesthisdevelopment willbebuiltusingcutting-edgeand environmentallysoundtechniques.”

TheEagle Worksdevelopment will containone-bed andtwo-bed apartmentsinaddition to houses withtwo,threeandfourbedrooms

Eachofthehouseswillbepro videdwithgardenstotherearofthe

An artist’simpressionofhow theEagleWorkshomes willlook

propertieswithseparationdistanc es betweendwellings in linewith WalsallCouncil’sstandards.

Residentsoccupying theapart ment blockswill have access to a sharedopencourtyardscreenedby landscapedareaswhichdividethe frontagesfromthe street.Fitzpat

rickGroupmanagingdirectorMark Fitzpatricksaid:“Wearedelighted tobeworkingwithGreenSquareAc cordtobringforwardthisimportant derelictsitetoprovidemuch-needed homesaswellashelpingtosupport theongoingwiderregenerationef fortswithintheWillenhallarea.”

VisitorstothreeSandwellparks canseethemilluminatedforChrist mas.

LightwoodsPark, Bearwood, will be litupduringaChristmas market,from2-8pm onSaturday andSunday,offeringarangeofbe spokecraftstalls.Visitorscanenjoy musicandentertainmentaswellas festivefoodanddrink.Entryisfree.

AChristmas eveningatHaden HillHouseandPark,CradleyHeath, followsonDecember10

FamiliescanenjoyaChristmas nightoutwithabigcountdownto HadenHillHousebeingilluminated withspeciallightingeffects

Therewill be live stagemusic andentertainers, fair rides, com munitystallsandalicensedbarand foodanddrink

Thisisaseparateticketedevent inadditiontodaytimevisitstoHa denHillHouseMuseum.Ticketsare £5foradults,under-12sfree.

Bookat www.visitsandwell. com/autumn-winter/christmas/ha denhill

VisitorscangetintheChristmas moodatthenewpavilionbuilding in theheart of thenewly-restored WestSmethwickPark from 2-8pm onDecember17,featuringlivemusic andentertainment,festivefoodand drinkalongwithcraftandcommuni tystalls.Entryisfree.

Report by Adam Smith

By Mark Andrews

Whenitcomestopredictingthe

operationforexpertKerryFarrell.

AsaformerNavalofficer,Kerry joined National Highways in 2019 andswappedseafaringforSpaghetti Junction

SheisnowworkingintheWest Midlands as aNational Highways networkoperationsmanager With record-breakingtemper aturesonlyafewmonthsagoand winteroperationswellunderwayat NationalHighways,Kerrysayssheis relishingherrole.

Herjobistokeepaneyeonthe weatheranditsimplicationsformo toristsusingthemotorwaynetwork –andmajorA-roadsintheWestMid lands.Thatmeanskeepingtrackof weatherchartsandhighlightingthe riskoficeorsnowsothattheroad networkcanbetreatedintime.

Gritters have alreadybeenout insomepartsoftheregion.Butwith theprospectoffreezingtempera turestocome,aswellasriskslike flashflooding,Kerry’sroleisconsid eredkey.

“Ilovethechallengeofincident managementinmycurrentjob,it’s soincrediblyvariedandeveryday canbedifferentandposedifferent challenges,”shesaid.“WhenIleftthe

RoyalNavy,Iwantedanotherrolein operationsandworkingforNational Highwaysintheregionaloperations centreprovidedanopportunityfor metodrawonmyexperienceinme teorologywhilealsohelpingtotrain colleaguesaroundplanningforwin terweather.”

Aftergraduatingwithadegree attheUniversityofDerbyinglobal hazards–acoursewhichcombined geologyandgeography–Kerryal waysknewshewantedtoworkin

meteorology.Sheservedasaregular intheRoyalNavyfor10years,hav ingjoinedin2009asanAbleSeaman hydrographerandmeteorologist

ShealsospenttimeattheNaval airstationsinYeovilton andCul droseasaweatherforecaster,aswell asnumerousdeploymentsatseaon destroyersandminehuntersinthe MiddleEast

In 2013,Kerry,who livesnear Lichfield,achievedhercommission, passingoutofBritanniaRoyalNaval

Collegeasawarfareofficer,subse quentlygainingherticketfordriving warshipsandwaspromotedtolieu tenant

Kerrysaid: “Itgavemesome fantastic experience in leadership andoperations,builtmyconfidence hugely andtravellingthe worldto seeplacesyouneverordinarilymay visitonaholiday “Mymostinterestingdeployment wasaglobaltrip,sailingthroughthe PanamaCanalouttoHawaii,where

Iwasfortunatetobeinvolvedina RemembranceceremonyattheUSS Arizonawreckageforthoselostat PearlHarbour.Mylastdeployment wasonsurveyshipHMSScottinthe Atlanticmappingtheseafloor.”

SincejoiningNationalHighways at itsofficeinBirmingham,Ker ry says heroperational andcrisis managementskillshavestoodherin goodsteadforkeepingtheroadnet workmoving.

Sherecentlyworkedcloselywith thelocalauthorityandpartnersto planfortheCommonwealthGames. Andherattentionsarenowfocused solely on working with operation alcolleaguestoensuregrittingand winter plansare in placetokeep trafficmoving.

Awayfromwork,Kerrysaysshe likestounwindbykeepingfitand active andhas recently re-joined theNavycyclingteamasaveteran Shealsospendsalotofherfreetime trainingforroadcycling.

Sheadded:“I’mquitesportysoI playalotofgolfandI’malsoakeen runner.IrecentlycompletedDerby HalfMarathonandI’vealsocomplet edtheTamworth10kmracewhich wasinOctober

“Oneofthemainperksofmyrole isthatIcanpredictwhenit’sgoingto rain,sowhenIdogetupearlyfora gameofgolf,IcanmakesureI’vegot thewaterproofclothingreadytogo.”

Kerry passing out at officer training in 2014

Kerry Farrell in the control centre

‘Baby’ gets dancinglift Jack waiting on jobnews

SATURDAY

Dirty Dancing (1987) (Channel 5, 6.20pm)

Frances ‘Baby’Houseman(JenniferGrey)goestoasummercamp with herwell-heeled parentsand stepsinwhenresident danceinstructor JohnnyCastle(Patrick Swayze)needssomeonetofillinfor hispartner(CynthiaRhodes).Soon, sheisreceiving lessonsinlove as wellaslifts.

SUNDAY

Cow(2021) (BBC2, 10.30pm)

Cowisthedebutfeaturedocumentaryofaward-winningBritish director AndreaArnold, exploring theday-to-daylifeofadairyanimal calledLuma.

Workingwithcinematographer Robbie Ryan,ArnoldfollowsLuma asshefulfilsdaily demands, punctu ated by moments whensheandthe herd arereleased on to greenpas turestograze.

Paneltakes achance on ErasurestarAndy

ICan Hear Your Voice (BBC One, 9.15pm, Saturday

Stop!Givealittlerespect,break those chains of love andtakea chanceonICanHearYourVoice.

Sometimestheshowfeaturesa surprisingbutwonderfulguest,and that’scertainlythecasewiththelat estepisode–bonafide1980spop superstar Andy Bell,frontmanof Erasure,isjoininginthefun.

He’llbeassistingregularcelebrity investigatorsJimmyCarr, AlisonHammondandAmandaHolden when they trytohelptwo sisters fromLeedsfigureoutwhichsingers havethevoiceofanangel,andwhois tonedeaf–simplybywatchingthem lip-synctoawell-knowntune.

LikeTheMaskedSinger,theformatstartedlifeinSouthKoreaand hassincebeenremadearoundthe world.The BBC version is givena down-to-earthBritishfeelbyitshost PaddyMcGuinness.

Helovestheseries–butit’snot necessarily thecompetition itself that promptedhim to take on the

presenter’s role.Hesaid: “WhenI heardtheformatandwatchedthe Americanpilot,Iinstantly knew I hadabitoffreerein.ThereasonI loved Take Me Outwas becauseI hadthatelement.Thereisthescript butafterthatyoucanhavefunwith it,andthat’swhatIcandowiththis

Anew life

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 and couldn’t chewproperly –if Ididgoout,I’dalwayshavetoorderlasa gnebecauseitwassoftfood,”sherecalls

Sheila’s problemsbegan when her natural teeth became mobile and braved her worstfears,having afull clearanceto makewayforanupperandlowerdenture.

Terrified of the dentist, she adds: “I thoughtitwas impossible for things to get worse, but nothing could haveprepared meforthenext12months.ThefirsttimeI tookmyteethoutandlookedinthemirror, psychologically,Iwasbesidemyself

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

Initially,Daveconfessesto“notbeing that helpful,” explaining her native teeth “neededtogoandtodealwithit.”

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

Even the loss of asingle tooth is now

show.Thereisalotofsingingand dancing,allnon-scripted–muchto theproducer’sdisapproval–butIgo withit!”

Let’shopetheproducerisparticularlyannoyedthisweek,because thoseimpromptumomentsareoften whatmaketheentireshow.

EastEnders (BBC1)

Jack(ScottMaslen)waitstofind outifhecankeephisjob,whileAmy blamesherselfforhispredicament WhitneyandStaceyboththinkthey mightbepregnantandendupdoing theirteststogether.Whitneydiscov ersshe’s carrying Zack’s baby but wondersifhe’sreallydadmaterial. Janinecontinuestostrugglewithher paranoiaoverMickandLinda.

Coronation Street (ITV)

ElaineandStephengrowcloser butGailsmellsaratandTimwants to know what Stephen’s intentions towardshismotherare.Hopeisback inclassandplanningtocontactJohn Stapevia aseance. Sean’splanto inviteLaurenceforChristmasgoes downlikealeadballoonwithTodd

Emmerdale (ITV)

Chloereveals she’spregnant. Gabbyfindsshehasarivalforthe Home Farm job andKylemakes hisownmemorial toAl.Cathybreaks down when she andAprilgohead to-headforaspot inCharles’choir.

Retired nurse Sheila got anew smile after ayeaarofdental misery,husband Dave admits he too is now enjoying the e esit’sbrought about.

My experience with Steven and his team was the best. Getting the implants really is money well spent.

-Roy Phillpott

Steven’sprofessionalism gave me the confidence and assurance that they could resolve my problem.

-Norma Aston

When Ifirst saw my teeth Ithought they looked just like my realteeth.

-Vicki Ball

’ ’ ’

clinicallyrecognisedasapotentialprecur sorforamourningprocess.

Adds Dave: “She was upsetand Ifelt utterlyhelpless. 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

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.

Editor’s weekend pick

Films for the weekend

Your guide to the soaps

Andy BelljoinsPaddyMcGuinnessand the panellists

Dirty Dancing Scott Maslen

Tampaisstealing limelight as the placefor savvy travellers

America’sSunshine Statehas longluredusacrossthepondwith thepromiseofsublimecoastalscen ery,glamorouscitiesandsomeofthe bestthemeparksintheworld.

Andwhileit’saloveaffairthat showsnosignofsubsiding–more than157,000ofusvisitedinthefirst threemonthsofthisyearalone savvytravellersarenowlookingbe yondthethemeparksofOrlandoand theartdecodelightsofMiami.

StealingthespotlightisTampa. LocatedonFlorida’spleasingwesterncoastandlappedbythewarm watersofTampaBayandtheGulf ofMexico,it’sacitythatdeliverson historyandculture,aswellasadventure,relaxationandallthefiner thingsinlife

So,it’slittlewonderVirginAtlan ticchoseitasitsbrandnewroute itsthirddestinationinthestateafter MiamiandOrlando.

Andthe airlineispulling out allthestopsforTampabyserving

By Sarah Marshall

thenewdailyservicefromLondon Heathrowwithitsnewstate-of-theartaircraft:theAirbusA330neo

Thefirstflightwascelebratedin typicalVirginstylewiththesightof SirRichardBransonzippingacross TampaBay on ajet ski, joined by membersofcabincrew.Here’swhat toexpect

1.Tampa’sfirst5-starhotel BoutiquemeetsbotanicalatThe Edition(doublesfrom£430;editionhotels.com),locatedinthenewly-de velopedWaterStreetdistrict.

Thousandsofhouseplantsdom inatethelobbytocreateanincredi blerainforest-esquespace. Beyond thefernsandfoliage,thereare172 comfortableandchicrooms,adark anddecadentnightclub,andaroof toppool.

2.Contemporarycuisine Tampa’semergingculinaryscene

hassomethingforalltastebudsand budgets.One of themostexciting eateriesisNakedFarmer(eatnakedfarmer.com),afarm-to-tablerestaurantservingseasonal,uncomplicatedandcontemporarycuisine,with producefromfarmsaroundTampa.

Want somethingalittlemore rustic?Reserve atable at Willa’s (willastampa.com)andfeastondish essuchassearedgulfsnapperwitha tomatoandthymevinaigrette.

Satisfyyoursweettoothwitha visittoMayday(maydayicecream com),anice-creamparlourserving upscoopsofhandcrafteddairyper fection.Thetangykeylimepiewith toastedcrackersisespeciallygood

3.Beautifulbeaches

NotriptoFloridawouldbecompletewithoutsomebeachtimeand theTamparegionisblessedbeyond beliefwhenitcomestosandyshores About45minutesfromdowntown TampaisStPetersburgandClearwater,hometo35milesofsand.

Ifyoucanbeartodragyourself awayfromthesunlounger,stretch yourlegsalongthecraftbeerwalkingtrailthatweavesitswayfrom TarponSpringstoTreasureIsland

Alternatively,visittheClearwaterMarineAquarium,whichislookingfreshafteran$80millionrefurbishmentthatincludesanewhabitat forrescueddolphins

4.YborCityisamust-see

There’snobetterplacetodiscov eritscolourfulpastthantheYbor Cityneighbourhood

Datingbacktothe1880s,itwas foundedbywealthy Spaniard Vi centeMartinez-Ybor andquickly becameknownas‘CigarCity’dueto theboomingindustryheestablished –onethatwouldgoontotransform Tampa’sfortunes.

Atitsheight,therewere232ci garfactories producingmorethan than500millioneachyear.It’saleg acythatlivesontoday.Takeastroll down7thAvenue,passingtheher

itagebuildings,boldstreetartand striking Spanishtiled murals,and you’llseeanumberofspecialistcigarstoresandbars.Popinsideone andyoumayevenseethembeing hand-rolledbehindthecounter.

Aswellascigars,YborCityisfamousforitschickens.Protectedby law,thebirdsarefreetoroamthe districtandareacommonsightinall areasoftheneighbourhood

5.Wonderfulwaterways

Oneofthemostnovelwaysto experienceTampaisonthewater. UrbanKai(urbankai.com)offersfun andinformativeguidedtourswitha difference.

Settingofftoexplorethewaterways around Downtown,you can choosetoeithersitdowninakayak orstand-uponapaddleboard

Forsomethingevenmorethrill ing,signupfortheecotournavigatesanearbystretchofmangrove forests.Andkeepyoureyespeeled fordolphinsandmanatees.

Hotelhomagetocity’sGrand railwayheritage

There’sanenergeticbuzzabout TheGrandinYork,andit’snotall down to thebeehivesonthe roof, writesAmyCrowther

Thetwocoloniesofindustrious residentsare beingbrought up to strength by an experiencedbeekeeper,but arealready supplying honeytoTheGrand’snewestrestaurant–Legacy.

Thegrade2listedbuildinghousingmostofThe Grandishardto misswhenyouarrivebytrain.Just acoupleofminutes’walkfromYork station,youslipthroughawidearch inthemedievalcitywallsandThe Grandisdirectlyahead,red brick warmagainsttheancientgreystone

It wasopenedin1906 as the headquartersfortheNorthEastern Railwayandconvertedtoahotelin 2010withtheparquetflooringand

keystone-cornicedarchesretained, alongwiththequirkynumbersthat designatedofficedoorsratherthan suites.Hugewindowsfacingthecity wallsstillcontainthecleverEdward iandouble-glazingfittedtokeepout theclatteringnoiseofhorse-drawn vehicles

Oneoftheseroomswithheritage glazingintactishometoLegacy,the intimate neweight-coursetasting menudevisedbyheadchefAhmed Abdalla.OpensincelateAugust,it seatsjust26covers.

Now afterasympathetic rede signthatpayshomagetoindustrious pioneersofYork,withartdecolight ingandarchitecturaldesignsofthe hotelwritlargeonthewallsabove curvedbanquettes,itisawelcoming andintimatespacewheredinersget thefullattentionofAhmedandres

taurantmanagerDerekScaife.When Icheckedin,therewasaVikingin mybed–Viktor,acharmingsofttoy includedinwelcomepacksforchil dren.Heprovesacompanionnotjust forexploringthecity,butalsothehotel,asthere’sascavengerhuntmap

offeaturestohelpyoungerguests findtheirwayaround Yorkitselfisatreasuretroveof activity forfamilies,fromthe fa mousJorvikVikingCentre,toClif ford’sTowerwithitsnewroofdeck offeringunrivalledcityviews.The NationalRailwayMuseumisbarely 10minuteswalkfromTheGrandand thewidearrayofspookyghosttours aremoretreatthantrickinwhatis saidtobethemosthauntedcityin theUK.

TheGrandalsooffersstargazing tripstotheNorthYorkMoorswith anastronomeronhandtosharewith youthewondersofthedarkskies

Forthose whowould rather spendtheireveningsindoors,there areachoiceofroomsandsuites,includingthepenthouse,arrangedto celebratethequirkinessoftheold

officesincludingbedsonmezzanine platforms. Interconnectingrooms make spaces bigenough family groups,too.

Thehotel’s otherdiningroom Rise is open forbreakfast and eveningmeals,withthe afternoon teaselection saving you from the longqueueoutsidethefamousBet ty’s tearooms in thecitycentre There’sanoutdoorterraceincluding aterrariumtoshelterinwithaview of thecitywalls.Ifyou’re feeling creativeinstead,TheGrandhasan in-house cookery school including modern world street food,French brasserieclassics andparent-and childgingerbreadclasses

n Classicdoubleroomsat The Grand(thegrandyork.co.uk) start at£255onaB&Bbasiswhilegrand heritagesuitesstartat£515.

Tampa iscurrently stealingthe FloridaspotlightYbor City Seventh Avenue, famous for itscigar storesand bars

AVisitTampasign

TampaRiverwalkatsunset

The Grandhotel, York

Festivefragrancesto fill the airwithcheer at Christmas

By Sam Wylie-Harris

Christmassycandlesanddiffuserscanhaveamagicalglow

AlongsideatwinklingChristmas tree,theflickerofcandlelightmakes everything feel alittlemoreluxe duringthistimeofyear.

AsThomasGibson,co-founderof designerdupefragrancefirmNoted Aromas (notedaromas.co.uk),says: “It’sthemostwonderfultimeofthe year,whichmeansit’stimetoswitch upyourhomefragrancewardrobeto somethingdelightfullyfestive.”

Memories

From thedelectablysweet smells of gingerbreadand candy canestothefreshandinvigorating scentofthetree,Gibsonsaysfestive fragranceshavethepowertoevoke memoriesandfeelingsofnostalgia fromChristmasespast

Scentedcandlesaretheunsung heroes of Christmasdecorations–mood-enhancingandstress-busting, itonlytakesafewminutesofalit candletoputyouinafestiveframe ofmind

Aswellastheusualbrightcit-

russyscents, Chloë Luxton,found er of Bramley (bramleyproducts co.uk)recommendsplayingaround withfestivefragrancenotes,suchas cloves,frankincense,orange,myrrh, andpine.

KatySimpson,founderandCEO of NobleIsle(nobleisle.com), says:

“Fragrance is as important fora home,asdécorisatChristmas–add ingtotheatmosphere.”

Andbeyondthefestivescentsof Christmastrees,frankincenseand myrrh,herseasonalfavouriteisthe smellofwhisky

Herearemorefestivefragranc

estotry:LoafChristmasEvesmelly reeddiffuser,£29;StEvalfiggypud dingscentedChristmastincandle, £13.45; Noted. Aromas Christmas tree candle,£19.99; RichardPomeroyXBramley winter candle, £50,Bramley;TheWhiteCompany myrrhsignature candle,£20;No

bleIslePinewood luxury scented candle,£42;Zesty Lemons Ho Ho Ho Christmas reed diffuser in enchantedforest,£16(was£20);Xmas 2022 Christmasscented candle in enchantedforest,£12.50;AndSoTo ShopChristmasreeddiffuser,£33£36.50

Therehas been an overwhelming responsetothe Express&Star Pawtrait Pets competition 2022

With 405petsshowcased, the hunt wasonto find this year’s most popular pet. Over116,000 voteswerereceived andcounted,proving it to be an extremelypopular competition

Thewinner, takingthe crownofthe Express &StarPawtrait Petofthe Year 2022 is Freya the American Akita, who liveswithTravis CrutchleyinBushbury. He receives thetop prize of £500.Congratulations!

In second place, taking home £300 is Rebecca Newall from Wolverhamptonwho nominated her dogKyla.

Finally,inthirdplace, winning£200isJade Jones the proud owner of Lylathe Chiwawa from Bilston.

Thank youtoall the participantsinthis year’s competition andcongratulations againtoour topthree winners, Freya, Kylaand Lyla.

BramleyRichard Pomeroy XBramleywintercandle, £50

AndSoToShop reed diffuserChristmas Eve reed diffuser

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SILKS SOLICITORS, 27 Birmingham Street, Oldbury, West Midlands, B69 4DY

ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 -SECTION 4(1), 14(1)(a) AND (c), (4) AND (7)

THE M5 MOTORWAY, A448, A38, A456 AND A4123 TRUNK ROADS AND CONNECTING ROADS (FROM M5 JUNCTION 9TOM6JUNCTION8) (TEMPORARYPROHIBITION OF TRAFFIC) ORDER 2022

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that National Highways Limited (Company No. 09346363) intends to make an Order on the M5 Motorway,A448, A38, A456 and A4123 Trunk Roads, in the Counties of Gloucestershireand Worcestershireand the Metropolitan Boroughs of Dudley,Sandwell and Walsall, to enable maintenance and improvement works, to be carried out in safety

The works areexpectedto take place overnight between 19:00 and 06:00 (07:00 on Saturday and Sunday mornings) during aperiod starting on Tuesday 3January 2023 and ending on Saturday 23 December 2023.

The effect of the Order will be to impose prohibitions on the following lengths of carriageway:

(i) the northbound carriageway of the M5 from its junction with the entry slip road atJunction 9, to its junction with the link roads leading from the M6 (M6 Junction 8);

(ii) the southbound carriageway of the M5 from its junction with the link roads leading from the M6 (M6 Junction 8), to its junction with the exit slip road at Junction 9;

(iii) the link roads leading from the northbound carriageway of the M5 to the northbound and southbound carriageways of the M6 at Junction 8;

(iv) the circulatory carriageway of the A448 at its roundabout junction with Warndon Way, theA442, the A4538 and the M5 Junction 6sliproads;

(v) the A38 at its dumbbell roundabout junction with the M5 Junction 5slip roads;

(vi) the link roads leading from the northbound and southbound carriageways of the M5 to the M42, at M5 Junction 4A;

(vii) the circulatory carriageway of the A38 at its roundabout junction with the A491 and the M5 Junction 4slip roads; (viii) the circulatory carriageway of the A456 at the roundabout junction with the M5 Junction 3sliproads;

(ix) the A4123 between its roundabout junction with the M5 Junction 2slip roads, and its roundabout junction with the A4034;

(x) the circulatory carriageway of the A4123 at its roundabout junction with the M5 Junction 2sliproads;

(xi) any slip road leading to or from the lengths of carriageway described in (i) and (ii) above.

During any road closures trafficwill be diverted via alternative junctions of the M5, M6 and M42 Motorways and local roads. These diversions will be clearly indicated by trafficsigns throughout the area.

To obtain acopy of the M5 Programme of Works please contact the National Highways Customer Contact Centreon 0300 123 5000 or info@nationalhighways.co.uk.

The duration of each prohibition will vary depending upon the natureof the work being undertaken on each occasion.

The prohibitions will not apply to emergency services, works, winter maintenance, or trafficofficer vehicles. The prohibitions will only apply during such times and to such extent as shall be indicated by trafficsigns.

The Order comes into force on 27 December 2022 and will expireon23December 2023.

Karen Eustace, an official of National Highways Limited, The Cube, 199 Wharfside Street, Birmingham, B1 1RN.

National Highways Limited, Bridge House, 1Walnut Tree Close, Guildford, GU1 4LZ. Registered in England &Wales number 09346363.

The Borough Council of Sandwell (Little Lane, West Bromwich) (TemporaryRoad Closure) Order 2022 intends to temporarily prohibit vehicles from proceeding along Little Lane, West Bromwich between No.2 and No.18. No diversion route will be signed as LittleLane is acul-de-sac. The maximum duration is 18 months but the work is expected to be completedby15/12/2022 effective from 13/12/2022. Purpose –the installation of atemporaryemergencycare unit to Sandwell Hospital by means of acranelift –Cobra TM forNHS Trust.

The Borough Council of Sandwell (Beechfield Road and Mansion Cresecent, Smethwick) (TemporaryRoad Closures) Order 2022 intends to temporarily prohibit vehicles from proceeding along Beechfield Road and Mansion Cescent, Smethwick (access to affected frontages will be maintained, but only when safety permits). Beechfield Road will be closed at the junction of Manor Road to the northern side of property No.80 Beechfield Road.

Traffic will be diverted along Manor Road, Hales Lane and The Uplands and vice versa. Mansion Crescent will be closed at thejunction of Manor Road to outside property No.1 Mansion Crescent.Trafficwill be diverted via Manor Road and Hales Lane and vice versa.

Temporary2-way signals will be in operation on Manor Road at the junctions of Beechfield Road andMansion Crescent for the duration of the works. The maximum duration is 18 months but the work is expected to be completed by 23/12/2022 effective from 12/12/2022 (24hrs). Purpose– to facilitate thereplacement of gas mains by Cadent GasLtd

The Borough Council of Sandwell (Baldwin Street, Smethwick) (Temporary Road Closure) Order 2022 has made an order to temporarily prohibitvehicles from proceeding along Baldwin StreetbetweenSohoWay and thesouthern sideofNo.4 BaldwinStreet (access tofrontages willbemaintained, but onlywhen safety permits). The central reservation right turn accesstoBaldwinStreet viaSoho Way (eastbound direction) willbeclosed forthe durationofthe works. Adiversion route will be signed via Crocketts Lane, Brook Street,CutlerStreet and vice versa. The maximum duration is 18 months but the workisexpected to be completed by 16/12/2022 effective from 05/12/2022(24hrs). Purpose –tofacilitateaccess to repair awater main(2.5m depth) in the carriagewaybySevern Trent Water

ThebelowapplicationshavebeenmadetotheWalsallCouncil. Applicationscanbeviewedonlinewww.walsall.gov.uk/planning.Comments canbemadeonline,byemail:planningservices@walsall.gov.ukorinwriting toHeadofPlanningandBuildingControl,CivicCentre,DarwallStreet Walsall,WS11DG.Yourletterandpersonaldetailswillformpartofthe planningfile,whichisapublicdocumentandwillbeavailablepublicallyfor viewingattheCounciloffices.Theinformationmaybereleasedaspartofa requestundertheFreedomofInformationAct.

DEADLINEFORCOMMENTSONORBEFORE:15-12-22 APPNO:22/0910APPLICANT:AMARTYAINVESTMENTSLTDFOR: REPLACEMENTWINDOWSAT:101,SANDWELLSTREET,WALSALL,WS13EG

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Rallying funinthe most unlikely SUV

TEDWELFORD PressAssociation

SUVs aredominating newcar salesright now, with 46%ofall newcars sold in Europe in 2021 beingmodelsofthisbodystyle –a figure that’s only expectedtokeep growing, with theinflux of newSUVsdue on the market in coming years.

It’s easy to seethe appeal:these models bringmoreeye-catching styling, whiletheir higher ride heightgives driversand occupants abetterviewout on theroad.

An increasing number arepure ly frontorrear-wheel-drive, with many buyersnot interested in whetheritisactuallysuitableto take offthe tarmac

But, what if you still want an SUV that cangooff thebeatentrack?

WhileaJeeporLandRover might be thesafeand sensible options, safe andsensibleisa bitboring. What isn’tboringisthe Lamborgh iniUrusPerformante –perhaps the silliestand most extreme SUVon sale,evendubbeda ‘Super SUV’ by theItalian marque.

Whilethe Urus firstintroduced

in 2018 andnow Lamborghini’s most popularproduct –might be more likely to be seen lappingHar rods than an off-road course,the firm is keen to demonstrate it can be used on tougherterrain

Forthe newPerformante,Lam borghini hasengineeredanew ‘Rally’driving mode –and to tryit out, we headed to an off-road rally course next to theVallelungarace circuitnearRome

Admittedly,it’smoresuitedtoa dirt track than ascendingasteep bank or negotiatingdeeper water butitaddsafurther dimensionto theUrus, andwill come in useful forthose wantingtodemonstrate theirSUV’s capability in adifferent

setting. On jumpingin, it’s clear this is no rough-and-readyutilitar ianSUV.The cabinisawash with blackAlcantara –asuede-likema terial widely usedin high-end per formance cars.It’sonthe steering wheel, theseats, even thedash board.

Once you’vepressed theengine startbuttonand themighty4.0-li tre twin-turbo V8 engine’s fired up,it’stimetoactivatethat‘Rally’ mode on thecentralcluster,which Lamborghinicalls the‘Tamburo’ Theterrain is no DakarRally, andadmittedly afront-wheel-drive crossoverwithadecentamountof ground clearancecould probably master most of it.That’snot the

pointhere, though,asit’sthe fun factor that makesthisSUV so spe cial. What theRally mode does is ease offthe tractioncontrol, allow ingfor moreoversteer– essentially meaningyou canget it alittlemore sideways

At thesametime, theRally mode sendsagreater chunkoftorqueto therearwheelsand means if you putyourfootdowncomingout of thedirtstages’corners, it’s really easy to getittoslide,yet always in acontrolled fashion.

It feelslikeit’sbeenengineered so that anyone canenjoy it within theircapabilities

Thegriplevelsare also impres sive,admittedly on this predom

inantly drycourse,and more so when consideringour test Urus Performanteisridingonnormal ‘off-the-shelf’roadtyres

This dirt stagedidn’tlet us ex perience thefull657bhp, butac companiedbythe fantasticgrowl of thetitaniumAkrapovic exhaust system,it’simpossiblenot to smile when driftingaround.

ThoseAlcantara seatsalsokeep you firmly in hold,while even though thePerformante rideson fixedsteelsprings,you don’tfeel likeyourback’sabout to give way. Farfromit.

ALamborghini with aRally Mode showsthisItalian firm’s eccentrici ty as itsvery finest.

Wolves on Red alertinthe third roundofFACup

Wolves will traveltoAnfieldtotake on Liverpool in thethird roundof theFACup

Thedrawechoesthe Cupclash of 2017 when then Championshipside Wolves pulled offa stunning2-1 victory on Merseyside RichardStearmanand Andi WiemannscoredWolvesgoals that silenced theKop

Wolves repeated thefeattwo yearslater,whentheydownedthe Reds againinthe Cupin2019, this time at Molineux.RaulJimenez andRuben Nevesstruckfor Wolves on that occasion.

Albion will be lookingtoavoid an FA Cupgiant-killing afterbeing drawnatnon-leagueChesterfieldin thethirdround of thecompetition

TheBaggies will traveltothe Spireitetotakeona side whoare currently thirdinthe National League, with 12 wins from their19games this season

Meanwhile, Villaalso face apotentialbananaskinwhentheytake on League Twohigh-flyers Stevenage at VillaPark.

Saddlers will traveltoeither Charlton Athletic or Stockport County –those sidesdrew2-2 at TheValleyonSaturday.

Thethird roundtiesare duetobe playedonthe weekendofSaturday January7

time in theirhistory by ascore of 13 12?

Whowas recently appointed as themanager of Southampton?

Which playerstunned defendingchampionNovak Djokovic in theParisMasters finaltoclaimhis first ATP Masterstitle?

Whichisthe onlyclub to have defeated Bayern Munich in theBundesligaso farthi eason?

Whichgolfer recently claimeda third DP WorldTour Championship titleinDubai?

Which club named Rob Edwards, pictured inset. as theirnew managerona imumthree a-half year”deal?

WhichformerPremier Leaguestriker,pictured right, scored the first goal of theWorld Cup?

Buccaneers beat theSeattle Seahawks 21-16inthe NFL’s first everregular season game in whichcountry?

will Liverpool face in theround of 16 in this season’sChampions League?

ANSWERS

Ronaldoalwayshas to be frontand centre stage

Thereisanunmistaka ble tell whichgivesCristiano Ronaldoawayon thefootballpitch.

He never manages to focusentirely on thegame, conscious of his ownimage at alltimes

At majortournaments thereare bigscreens in thecornerofstadia, showingall theaction, thereplays andclose-ups.Ronaldo cannever resist glancing up at thescreens when aclose-upofhim is projected

He diditahead of thepenalty whichopenedthe scoringfor PortugalatthisWorld Cup.

Therehewas waitingfor theref eree to clearthe protesting Ghanaians from thepenalty area and blow hiswhistle.And as soonasa close-upofhis face appeared on the screen,Ronaldo glanced up,justto checkhow he waslooking

It is this self-obsession that has been at theheart of Ronaldoasan eliteplayeronthe pitch, aglobal brandoff it andacareerthathas nowspanned five WorldCups.

Through it allhetends to gethis ownway.Mostrecentlythathas been adistraction to hiscluband histeam-mates. As we enterthe second week of theWorld Cup, the storywill continue with Portugal’s talisman forsome time yet–afree agentnow that he hasextricated himself from that Manchester Unit ed contract

Ronaldohas acquired an almost cult-likefollowing,particularly amongyoung malesover theyears, worshipping himlikeadeity He hasover 500million Instagram followers. When he left Real

Madrid forJuventusin2018, the Spanishclublosttwo million Twitterfollowers overnightwhilehis newclubgainedsix millionnew usersacrosstheir social mediaplatforms.

Ronaldo’sreturntoManchester United broughtan army of new young fans andthe player’smarket ability hasbecome akey facetofhis persona.

He needs to be frontand centre of anystage,which is whyhis increasinglyperipheralroleunder Erik ten HagatOld Trafford wasalwaysgoingtocause problems

Ronaldo’spowersonthe pitchare diminishingand most fair-minded observershavecome to theconclusion that United areabetterteam with himout of thestartingline-up, wherehis impact wouldbesaved as asubstituteenteringthe fieldlater in thegame.

YetRonaldo’s army of fans would never countenancethis.

When Ronaldotookdrastic action last week andbroke theterms of his contract by making an unscheduled appearanceonPiers Morgan’stelevision show therewerestill plenty of sympatheticvoicestohis cause to be foundfromfansand pundits.

Ronaldoknows that he carriesa weightofsupport behind himno matter how selfishly he behaves.

“I don’thavetoworry what othersthink,” he said,atthe startof this week.“ItalkwhenIwantto. Everyone knowswho Iam.”Ronal do playsfor Ronaldo.

Yethereisthe paradox, because there canbenodoubt that hisimpact on theteams he hasappeared in over aglitteringcareerhas been phenomenal. Hisdedicationtohis profession oftendragginguplesser players around him.

On Thursday afternooninQatar therewereglimpsesofbothRonal do thefadingforce andRonaldo the talisman

A first-half characterisedby missed opportunitieswas followed by asecond whereheprovidedthe spark whichignited thematch, winningand scoringthe penalty whichput Portugal on theway to an openingvictory

In doingsohe hasnow scored at five WorldCups, theonlyplayerto achievethis.

That is an incredible milestone anditwill have delightedthose in thestadium whowerethere just to witnessRonaldo play.There were many,wearing Ronaldomasks and Ronaldot-shirts, hangingonhis everystep.

TheFIFAmarketingmachine wasnever goingtolet themoment pass.Despite some more wholesome

performances from histeam-mates, particularly BrunoFernandes,the man-of-the matchaward went to thePortugalcaptain

In many ways,anopening match againstateamrankedoutside the top60inthe world wasthe perfect wayfor the37-year-old to ease his wayintothisWorld Cup.

On Tuesday, he will find amuch tougherchallenge in theformof Uruguay.

At opposite ends of thepitch an El Classico rivalrywillresumewith former Barcelonastriker Luis Su arez keen to getone over hisold foe. Uruguay’sdefence will notbe as accommodatingasGhana’s and Ronaldo’sresolveand temperament will be tested to thefull

In theinterveningperiodthe playerwill continue to occupy the back pages,withSaudi Arabian club Al Hilal alreadylinkedwitha move forhim

In some ways thecircussur rounding theplayercan only benefithis internationalteam-mates, taking thefocus offthemwhilethey go abouttheir ownpreparationson thebiggest stage

It was1986, inMexico, when a footballer last turned outfor his countryasafreeagent.Bruce Wilson, aCanadianfull-back,cap tained hiscountry to threedefeats He wasapproaching his35thbirth dayand theWorld Cupmarkedthe endofhis career

Twoyears olderthanWilson, Ronaldohas no intentionofmak ingthisWorld Cuphis swansong Theshowwill go on untilhe alone decidestobring down the finalcur tain

Fans,stars and aBaggiejoinin fora greatnight

It wasgreat to be involvedin theMolineuxSleepout, which is settoraise over £50,000 for localcharities.All fundsraised will be shared betweenWolves Foundation andthe Good Shep herd,which is situated opposite Molineux andprovidesfood and support services for the most vulnerable in theWolverhampton community.

Around 150supportersjoined former players JohnRichards, Steve Daley, Carl Ikemeand Karl Henryinthe Stan CullisStand forthe event. Therewas acameo appearancefromSteve Bull and hisfamily, too, suited andbooted foracharity ball taking place in theBillyWrightStand.Bully certainlyhelpedliftspirits as the temperatures droppedduringthe evening.

Singer Jackie Graham,television presenter Mark Rhodes,radiohostNatalie Graham,boxer NiallFarrell,Radio WM’s Daz Hale andcomedian Gary Powndland allattendedthe event, with theclubbeing represented from theboardroom by Wolves director JohnBowman, taking part with hisdaughters, andcommercial managerVinny Clark.

Ready forthe MolineuxSleepout

Head of Foundation Will Clow es andhis dedicated team, includ ingmanyvolunteers,did abrilliantjob organising the Sleepout, whichisnow into itsfourthyear includingthe virtualevent which took placeduringlockdownin 2020

Thereisarealsense of community andcamaraderie amongthe participants, whichwas helped by such asupportive team of staff andvolunteers on thenight

This year’s eventwas fewdegreescolderthanlastyear’s but, judgingby theintermittent snoringaudible acrossthe rows of seatinginthe lowertierofthe Stan CullisStand,itdidn’tpre venteveryone from getting to sleep.

It is notlostonanyoneatthe club that we areinacostofliv ingcrisisand thesupport from fans forthe Sleepout washugely appreciated.Itwasn’tjustWolves supporters,too.Whisper it,but therewas at leastone Albion fan in enemyterritory andyou have to admirethatwillingness to crossthe divide in thenameof such agreat cause!

If youstill want to supportthe Sleepout andthe charitieswho benefit, then It’s nottoo late to make adonation, just head along to https://www.justgiving.com/ campaign/MolineuxSleepout2022

Portugal’s CristianoRonaldo celebrates with team-mateJoao Felixafter scoring from thepenalty spot againstGhana View from thetouchline with

CARLOS RELISHES TRAINING TIME

Carlos Corberan is enjoying ‘every single day’ in charge atAlbionand insiststhe WorldCup breakcameatthe perfect moment forhis play ers.

Corberan took over from Steve Brucelastmonth andafteradis appointing 2-0defeattoSheffield United in his firstgameincharge, he hasoverseenathree-gamewin ning runthathas liftedAlbionout of theChampionshipdropzone.

In that time,the Baggieshave also keptthree cleansheetsina rowand went into theinternational breakinthe best form in months.

AndCorberan believes thebreak came at theideal time forhim and hisstaff to gettoworkonthe pitch with Albion’s players –muchlikea pre-season campaign, He said:“It hasbeenfantastic to spendtimehere, at this amazing club,and Iamenjoyingeverysingle day.

“For me,itwas agreat opportunity to come here andIhavetried to give my best.Whenyou areata bigclub, with bigsupporters, abig stadiumand bigplayers,everything is positive

“Thisbreak is agreat opportunity because when you don’tdo a pre-season with thesquad,itisa perfectmoment to workwiththe players. To nowhavethisperiodof time is fantasticbecause we canuse it in thesameway as apre-season. It’s even better becauseyou don’t have thesamephysicaldemands that pre-season haswhere theplayershavealongerperiodofbreak be forehand.The players arenot going to lose thephysicallevel.

“So, youcan be workingmoreon tactical points that you thinkare goingtobeimportant forthe team, in attack andindefence

“Tohavethisopportunitytobe working with theplayers,three weeksinarow withoutagame, is positive

“Especially becauseweknowafterthisinternational breakthatwe aregoing to have aperiodoftime with many games.

“The time that we aregoing to have to train then will be less

“The firstpart of thebreak was aboutrecovery,and nowweare working tactically as agroup to createabit of continuation.”

Docexits amidshake-upatMolineux

lineux andCompton on thebackof newsportingdirectorMattHobbs andheadcoach JulenLopetegui

TheformerEngland nation al teamdoctorjoinedWolvesina lead roleduringthe earlypartof thepandemicand is noted to have helped theclubthrough football’s return underformerheaddoctor Matt Perry.

It is thelatestchangeatWolves amid ashake-upofstaff at Mo

Chakraverty movedtoWolvesin 2020,where he initiallyworkedtowardsProject Restart, wasviewed as acoupand came afterafter a controversial exit from aroleatthe FA,where findings hadbeenuncov ered in aBBC Panoramainvestiga tion looking into disgraced former athleticscoach

Thedoctorfaced scrutiny fornot recordingthe amount of legalsup plement, L-Carnitine, administered to Farahin the2014LondonMar athon. It wasreported by theBBC Chakraverty carriedout injections despiteexpressingreservations about possible ‘sideeffects’. Having admitted to notrecording thequantity,Chakraverty insisted it was “wellbelow”the legallimitof50ml during asix-hour period

Boss glad to see Wilkinsonback

WalsallbossMichelFlynn haspaid tributetoConor Wilkinsonwho re turned to trainingthisweek.

WilkinsonsufferedatornACL in agameagainst Rochdale in April andwas expected to be outfor up to ayear, buthas recovered in time for thepre-Christmas games.

Flynn, whoknows Wilkinson from theirmutualtimeatNewport, said said:“He is averytalented playerand hasworkedextremely hard to come back stronger than he wasbeforethe injury.I have alot of time forhim andI have seen him grow as ahuman in thelasteight yearsorso.

“I am lookingforward to him coming back and firing on all cylinders.”

Villaleading the race to bag Cole

Villaare settowin theraceto sign teenage LinfieldstarCole Brannigan

TheNorthernIreland Un der-16 winger hasbeenlinked with PremierLeaguechampionsManchesterCity, Liverpool, Chelseaand Leeds United but Villaare believed to have moved into pole position to land the talented youngster.Linfieldwill receiveafee forBrannigan,who came throughtheir academy, with suggestions Villawillpay around £150,000 plus adds on for aplayermanyatWindsor Park feel hasthe ability andattitude to be ahit in England.

Doctor RobChakraverty hasleft Wolves aftertwo yearsatMolineux, theclubhaveconfirmed

AlbertoSalazar

DoctorRob Chakraverty

NICK ELWELL nick.elwell@mnamedia.co.uk

Albion boss Carlos Corberan on thetraining pitch.