Chronicle Week Wolverhampton - 20-Oct-2022

FEATURE

By George –it’s Petofthe Week

PLAN

Afall-outbetweenBlackCountrycouncilshascosttaxpayersmore than£1million,ithasbeenclaimed Neighbouringcouncilssaythatis theestimatedcostofDudleyCoun cil’sdecisiontowithdrawfromthe BlackCountryPlan.

Themoneyhasbeenspenttoput togethertheplan,whichisaimedat decidingwherehousingshouldgoin futureyearsandwhatareasofgreen beltshouldbeprotected.

LeadersofSandwell, Wolver hamptonandWalsallallhitoutat Dudley Councillor PatrickHarley’s “sudden”decisiontopulltheplugon thecombinedplan,whichhasnow beensplitintofour,afterconcernsits greenbeltwouldbebuilton.Walsall

Report by Thomas Parkes

leaderCouncillorMikeBirdsaidhe andotherleadersweretryingtoclaw backthefigureafterthemajorpro posalsfellthrough.And,callingfora rethinkasthefall-outcontinues,he hasvowedtonolongersupportthe ongoingWednesburytoBrierleyHill MidlandMetroextension.

TheWalsallchiefsaidsiteswould havetobereviewedandcostscould increase movingforward.Hesaid: “We’retryingtorecoversomeofour costsfromDudleyandthat’sacom monthingthroughWolverhampton, SandwellandWalsall,becausewe’ve beenthrustintothisposition–and

NEWS SPORT

Miners’ fight forrightsretold Page23

Sa ralliesthe Wolves troops Back page

Cheers to Oktoberfest

it’snotonlythemoneywe’vespent it’sthecostsincurrednowandmov ingforward.I’msadtosaywe’velost alot of trustwithDudley. There’s beencollaborativeworkbetweenus fordecadesandPatrickhasblowna holeinthat.”

MrBirdsaidhewouldnow“paddlemyowncanoe”afterthethreeremainingauthoritieswenttheirown waysonthescheme.CouncillorIan Brookfield,leaderofWolverhamp tonCouncil,saidDudley’swithdrawal would leadto“delays and extracost”.Councillor KerrieCar michael,SandwellCouncil’s leader, said they weareall “disappointed” thejoint-approachtakenbythefour authoritieshadfallenthrough.

Rethink call on Metrolineexpansion

Shockwavesfromthecollapseof theBlackCountryPlanareescalat ingfollowingthewithdrawalofsup portforamajortransportproject.

WalsallCouncil leader Coun cillorMikeBirdsaidhewouldnot supporttheWednesburytoBrierley HillMetroextensionandcalledfora “rethink”.Hesaid:“Iwouldnotsup

portit,certainly.Iwentouttobatfor theBrierleyHill andWednesbury extensionandtherewasnobenefit toWalsall,butIinsteadlookedatthe benefitsitwouldhavefortheregion

“I thinkmyself, Sandwell and Wolverhamptonare having second thoughts on that –it’smoneywe haven’tgot.Isupportedthe cause

originallybuttheprojectnowneeds arethink.”

Theproject,whichhasspiralled incost,willstallifthemajorityof leadersoftheWestMidlandsCombinedAuthority –theheadsofBir mingham, Coventry, Solihull and Wolverhampton, Walsall, Sandwell andDudley–voteagainstit.

ThespiritofBavaria came to Wolverhamptonwithbeer,sausages, andmusicontheagendaatanOktoberfestevent

TheHangar in Pearson Street hostedthecelebrationonSaturday with traditional German food and entertainment

Visitors dressed up,raiseda stein, andtasted deliciouswursts, tastyfrikadellen, mouth-watering panhaus,alongsidemanymoretraditionalGermandelights

Therewasentertainmentinthe formofliveOompahbands,playing

amixofGermanclassics,aswellas contemporarysongs Oktoberfestdates back more than200yearsandstemsfromBa variainsouthernGermany

ThefirstfestivalwasheldonOc tober12,1810,tocelebratethemar riageofthecrownprinceofBavaria, wholater became King LouisI,to PrincessTheresevonSachsen-Hild burghausen

Sincethenit’sbecomeaninternationalevent,withfestivalsbeing held around theworld,including plentyintheWestMidlands

From left,Rahel Sidhu,IsabelField, andJakeReeve enjoythe event

HopesofKingvisiting city

AformerMayorofWolver hamptonhas said sheislook ingforwardtowelcomingKing CharlesIII to Wolverhampton –afterhavingbeeninspiredby hismother

Councillor Claire Darke, whowasmayorfrom2019-21, attendedthe Queen’sgarden partyatBuckinghamPalacein

2009,alongsideher82-year-old mother.TheParkwardcouncil lorsaid:“IlookforwardtoKing CharlesIIIvisitingWolverhamp ton.Visitingallthenationsofthe UnitedKingdomwillbeabusy schedulebutwillsurelyinclude avisit to Wolverhamptonto raiseawarenessoftheincreas inglywelcoming,diverse,green,

andmulticulturalcityithasbe comesinceQueenElizabethII’s lastvisitin2011.

“IamconfidentthatWolver hamptoncancontinuetomakea positiveglobalimpactwiththe supportofCharlesIII,aswedid sowithQueenElizabethII,and lookforwardtoseeingthenew KinginWolverhampton.”

Councillor ClaireDarke

Buschiefsinsistnoone will be left behind amid changes

By Thomas Parkes

Buschiefssayensuringpeo plearen’tcutofffromservices isa“priority”amidaseriesof changestoroutesintheBlack Country.

Some20routes–runbyNa tional Express West Midlands andother operators–faceei therbeingcutbackoraxedin January.Leadershavecommit tedtoensurenooneisleftbe hindorharshlyimpactedbythe movemadenecessaryduetothe impactofCovid-19,withbosses citing fewer passengers as morepeopleworkfromhome–alongside increasedcosts and fewerdrivers.

Pete Bond,Transport for WestMidlands’(TfWM)direc torofintegratedtransportser vices,said:“Thereisnodoubt theindustryisstruggling.”

Councillorson theWest Midlands Combined Authority lastweekvotedforanoptionto safeguardthe majority of bus services.Sandwellisexpected tobehitthehardestbythecuts

ANationalExpress spokes mansaid:“Weknowourservic es arevital lifelines formany customersandcommunitiesso wearedoingeverythingwecan toavoidchangingroutes

“A particular priorityisto ensureplacesremainservedby busesandnobodyiscutofffrom busprovision.”

On boardto providea

lifeline

Acharityhasteamedupwith NationalExpressWestMidlands toprovidefreetraveltofamilies toahostofattractions.

TheHaven Wolverhampton supports womenand children vulnerable to domestic abuse andhomelessness.

Thebus operators’ pledge consistsoftakingfamiliessup portedbyTheHavenonamonth lytrip forfree–excursionsso farhaveincluded Dudley Zoo, WaterworldandDraytonMan or.Theofficialpartnershipwas launchedatanopendayatthe operator’sWolverhamptonsite

TheHavenfundraisingman agerJadeSeckersaid:“Weare incrediblygratefultohavethe supportoftheNationalExpress Wolverhamptondepot

“Formanyofthosewesup port,tripslikethesearebrand newexperiences,andareoften achanceformothersandchil dren to rebuildbrokenbonds oftencausedduetothetrauma ofabusetheyhavebeensubject edto.”

RichardSmith,senioroper ationsmanageratNationalEx pressWestMidlands,said:“We aredelightedtohavelaunched ournewpartnershipwithThe HavenWolverhampton.”

DickyDodd, NationalExpress and Havenrepresentatives

Youngcitizensearn awards at ceremony

Nine specialyoung people were recognised at this year’s WolverhamptonYoungCitizenof theYearawards.

HostedbytheMayorCouncil lorSandraSamuels,theCivicCen treeventhonouredyoungpeople inthecitywhohavegonethatex tramiletohelpothers.

GuestofhonourwasLisaPotts, nowLisaWebb, whowas given theFreedom of theCityearlier thisyearforhercharityworkand braveryprotectingchildrenfroma knifemanatherschoolin1996.

Shesaid:“Hearingallthechil dren andyoung people’sstories tonighthasbeensoinspiring,they allareacredittothemselvesand theircityofWolverhampton.”

KeishaRiley,15,fromBilston, landedthe main awardinthe 13-18-year-oldcategory.Shewas nominatedbytheAfricanCarib beanCommunityInitiativeforher extensivesupporttothe wider communityandsaid:“Itisnotjust anawardforme,itisforevery oneatACCIandallthegoodwork whichisdonethere.

“I have been volunteering theresinceIwasnineandhopemy examplewillinspireotheryoung peopletohelpothers.”

Therunner-up wasformer WolverhamptonGirls’HighSchool student Ramandeep Nijjar, who wasrecognisedfor servicein

school andthe community.Kye Bartonwassuccessfulinthe1825categoryforhisworkwithcare leavers.Runner-upwasEmmaFal conerforheroutstandingleader shipintheBilstongirlguidesand herwidercommunityservice.

Thewinnersreceivedatrophy and£100forthemselves,plus£100 forthecharityoftheirchoice.The runnersupreceivedatrophyand £50forthecharityoftheirchoice.

Aspecial recognition award wasgiven to LouisJohnson,16, forhis astonishingfundraising efforts.Overa seven-yearperi

od he hasraised£48,000 for18 charities.Afurtherawardwentto MeganBaynhamwhohastireless lycampaignedonbehalfoffellow membersofHY5!Wolverhamp tonCouncil’s specialeducational needsgroup

Finalists Caroline Smith, An netteOkeke andMolly Kerinall receivedfundstowardsacharity oftheirchoice.

TheawardsarerunbyWolver hampton’sRotaryclubs andare backedbyorganisationsincluding theExpress &Starand Wolver hamptonCouncil.

£5k fine fortakeaway owners

Theownersofatakeaway have been orderedtopay more than£5,000duetoastringofhy gienefailings.

Mousedroppingswerefound inthefoodstoreatWordsleyTan doori, LawnswoodRoad, Stour bridge,whenDudleyCouncil in spectedthebusinessinSeptember lastyear Environmentalhealthofficers

said directorSulak Ahmedhad failed to keep thepremises and equipmentclean.Therewereholes intheflooranddooroftheexter nalfoodstoreroom,wherefurther evidenceofmicedroppings was found.Officersaddedownershad failedtotrainstaffinfoodhygiene.

Mr Ahmedadmitted five chargesundertheFoodSafetyand Hygiene(England) Regulations

2013whenthecasewasheardat DudleymagistratesonOctober5

Hewasfined£246andordered topay£1,735costsaswellas£34 victimsurcharge.Magistratesalso finedthebusiness£3,667andor dereda£190victimsurcharge Thebusiness hassince resolved theissuesandwasratedfourout offiveforfoodhygieneduringan inspectioninMarch.

Chains Earings

Wedding Rings Silver

Lisa Webb, awardwinners, themayorand judge RogerTimbrell

Revivalplanlodged forarson-hit

Planstobreathenewlifeinto aformerswimmingbathswhich wasset alight by arsoniststhis yearhavetakenastepforward.

Gaddu Associates hassub mittedplanstobringthehistoric HeathTownBaths andLibrary backtolife.

Thecompanyhascarriedout extensiveconsultationandispro posingtofullyrefurbishtheGrade II-listedbuildingforamixofuses.

TheTudorRoadsiteisrecog nisedasabuildingofcommunity valueintheHeathfieldParkNeigh

bourhoodPlan,andthecitycoun cilsaysitiseagertoseeitputback into use. If planning andlisted buildingconsentisgranted,Gaddu Associateswilltakealongleaseof thesiteandwillbesolelyrespon sibleforrestoringthebuildingand bringingitbackinuseasavenue Inthemeantime,itwilltake occupation of theformer library underlicencetosecurethatpart ofthebuildingwithapermanent presence andincreasesecurity generallyaroundthe site.Pavan Gaddu,ofGadduAssociates,said:

“Therearestillchallengesahead buttheplanningapplicationcrys tallisesourvisionforthesiteand is anothersteptoensuringthe buildingisbroughtbacktoitsfor merplaceattheheartoftheHeath Towncommunity.”

Deputy councilleaderand cabinetmember forcityecono my,Councillor Stephen Simkins, said:“Thecouncil remainsfully committedtoseeingthishistoric building putbackintobeneficial useforthelocalcommunityand widercity.”

Bidput in forsix homes

Planshavebeenlodged to buildsixnewhomesattherearofa landmarkformerWolverhampton pubbuilding.

Theapplication forthe en closed development of detached housesbehindtheHalfwayHouse onTettenhallRoad,hasbeenmade by Paul Timmins of Alps Homes LtdinCheslynHay.

Datingbackto1842,thepub wasusedasastaging post be

tweenLondonandHolyheadbe foreclosingin2008.Itisnowin useasapharmacyand dental practice

Planstobuildninenewhomes onthelandin2020stalledafter concernswereraisedaboutapo tentialharmtowildlife,afterev idenceoffoxesandbadgerswas foundthere

Astatementissuedalongside theapplicationtoWolverhampton

Councilsaid:“Theproposeddevel opmentconsistsofsixtraditional lybuilt,threeandfive-bedroom, detachedhouseswithseparatega ragesforsaleortoletontheopen market

“Intotal,thesitearea–which isintheTettenhallRoadconserva tionarea–isaround4,123square metresinsize.”

Theplansalsoinclude14car parkingspaces.

Computer generated imagesofwhat HeathTownBathsandLibrary could look like

It’s time fornationtodecide whethera change is needed

Thestatementscomingout fromthisgovernmentcanonlybe describedasbreathtaking.

MrZahawitoldtheBBCthat agovernmentpublicinformation campaigncosting£15millionwas notnecessarybecausetherewas alreadyplentyofinformationout thereinthemediaforthepublic tosee.Hegoesontosay“thatis,I think,beingprudentwithtaxpayers’money”

Thisisthesamegovernment whogaveoutbillionsduringthe

Covidcrisis.Billionswashanded outtopeoplewhowerecommit tingfraudorerrorsinadministrationofthescheme.

Thisisthesamegovernment whohasproducedaminibudget so flaweditcausedturmoilin thecity,criticisedbytheIMFand needed theBankofEngland to pump£65mintothesystemtorestoreorderinthemarkets;amini budgetwhichmayforcealarger increaseintheinterestrate

Thisstupidschoolboyeconom

Appeal forphotos of late servicemen

Iamacting on behalf of the authoritiesattheUnitedNations MemorialCemeteryBusanSouth Korea,wheremorethan800Brit ishservicemenareburied

Theauthoritiestherewishto obtainphotographsofthoseser vicemeninterredthere,andalso the200-pluswhodiedbuthaveno knowngrave

Copiesofthephotographswill beplacedintheman’srecords,and willalsobedisplayedonthewalls of thecemeteryHallofRemembrance,foralltime

Thefollowingnamesarejust someoftheyoungmenfromthe WestMidlandsareawhogavetheir livesintheKoreanWar1950/53

PteGordonRMinton,PteDen

nisSNicholls,PteFrederickGill, FusFrancisHRoberts,2ndLtJohn AGodfrey.L/CplReginaldASmith, RfnSamuelFPlant,FusRaymond GFord,L/CplThomasEOwen,Pte JohnCain.MajPeterBStephenson, MneWilliamLJJauncey(RM),Pte JamesRogers,PteDerekAllman, GnrVernonBayley.

Anyfamilyorfriendwholost alovedoneintheKoreanWarand wishestotakepartinthisproject cansendthephotographto:BrianHough,116FieldsFarmRoad, Hyde,GreaterManchester,SK14 3NP.Ifmoredetailsarerequired pleasecall01613685622or07467 037742 or email bhough116@ gmail.com

BrianHough,Hyde

icshasmadetheprospectofmortgagepaymentsgoinguptolevels peoplewillnotbeabletoafford

So Mr Zahawi’s concerns regarding£15mpalesintoinsignifi cancecomparedtothebillionslost andthehurtthey’recausingtoor dinaryworkingpeople.

Itistimeforthemenandwom enofthiscountrytohavetheopportunity to decide whethera changeisneeded

JohnGreen,Sedgley

Be careful with wishes

Theunionmembersinvolved inthecurrentrushtoengagein strikeactionmightcaretoview therecentdocumentaryaboutthe 1978/79WinterofDiscontent

Asonewho,aspartofsenior managementatthetime,hadto face physically aggressive and spitting strikers and whowit nessedthedeathofmuchofthe automotiveindustryinourarea, mightI addthatthe West Midlandssufferedevenmorethan thedisasteroutlinedinthedoc umentary.Thoseofusstillalive whowentthroughthatperiodin the70swouldneverwishforitto happenagain.Iacceptthatthings maywellbebadwhenreceiving yourpaypackets,butjustbecarefulwhatyouwishfor.

AlanEtheridge,Dudley

Putstamp on competition

Weareagroupofvolunteers whocollectusedandnewpostage stampsfromtheUKandoverseas, horizonlabels, collections, post cards,firstdaycoversandobsolete andunwantedcurrencyfromany wherearoundtheworldaswellas runningfundraisesforBoneCan cerResearchTrust(BCRT)

To raise awareness of our

GETINTOUCH

By email:

By post:

fundraiser,wearerunningacolouringcompetitionandwouldlike youngsterstodesign theirown A4-sizepostagestamp.Templates canbedownloadedfromtheinternet.Thethemeis‘Whatmakes youhappy?’Thefinaldateforthe competitionisDecember2. Send with yourname, age, a briefdescriptionofyourartwork

andacontactemailortelephone numberto:ColouringCompetition, 20BowersRoad,Benfleet,Essex, SS75PZ.WerunaFacebookgroup called‘FriendsOfBCRT–Postage StampAppeal&More! andthis willshowyoumoreofthefantasticworkourvoluntarygroupdoes.

TerriBush,FriendsofBCRT

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Bar’slicence suspended

Acocktailbarhashaditslicence suspended aftercomplaints overa bouncycastleandanassault

Cocktailsand Dreams,onBilston Road,Sedgley,aformerIndianrestau rant,hasalsobeenbannedfromusinga DJ.Problemsaroseafterthebarcontinuedtooperateunderthelicenceofthe previousIndianrestaurant

WestMidlandsPolicetoldhowpar tiesandevents,includingabouncycas tlewhichtoweredoveraneighbour’s garden,continuedlateintothenight, despitea12.30amlicencestipulation

Thelicence,whichallowsthebarto operateasarestaurant,didnotinclude anytypeofregulated entertainment Butpolicedescribedanearlymorning bust-upinAugustthatleftoneperson inhospitalafteralatenightpartyhad spilledoutontothepavement.

Dudley licensingcommittee suspendedthe licenceofCocktailsand Dreamsforthreemonthsanddecided to remove thedesignated premises supervisor.The committee reduced thehoursforthesupplyofalcoholto 3.30pmto11pm,MondaytoSunday.

Sportsclubsgo onHallofFame

Threemoresportsclubshavebeen inductedintoWolverhampton’sSportingHallofFame.

AlbertLawnTennisClub,OldWul frunians Tettenhall CricketCluband OldWulfruniansFootballClubhaveall reachedtheircentenariesthisyear

Theywereacknowledgedfortheir workbybeinginductedintothecity’s SportingHallofFameatAldersleySta dium

Launchedin1999bythecitycouncilandtheWolverhamptonCitySports AdvisoryCouncil,theSportingHallof Fame recognises andcelebrates the achievementsofsportsmen,women andclubs whohaverepresented the city

Councillor SteveEvans,cabinet memberforcityenvironmentandcli

matechange,said:“Itisonlyrightthat wecelebratetheverybestinthecity’s sportingachievementsanddedication byinductingthesethreeclubsintothe illustriousSportingHallofFame.

“Wolverhampton hasafantasticreputationofbeingthehomeofa number of sporting clubsthathave producedcompetitorsofnationaland internationalstandard

“This is a fitting waytohonour thosewho,inavoluntaryrole, have selflesslyprovidedalongandmeritori ousservicetosportandwithoutwhom, sportwouldnothappen.”

Chairman of Wolverhampton’s SportsAdvisoryCouncil,PeterHolmes MBE,said:“Wolverhamptonhasavery greatsportinghistory,andthefoundationsofthishistoryare‘theclubs’.”

Face up to mistakes,call

Councilbosseshavebeenurgedto faceuptomistakesmadeduringtherevampofWolverhamptonCivicHallsas costsspiralto£48million

At ascrutinyboard meetinglast week,CouncillorStephenSimkinssaid: “Itisgoingtobethebestinthecoun try.”But theoverhaulofthe venue, whichclosedin2015,wasdescribedas an“openchequebookproject”.

AndtherulingLabourgroupwas urgedtorecognisethemistakesmade.

ConservativecouncillorSimonBen-

nettsaid:“Canyoutellmetherewillbe nomoreincreasestothisopencheque bookproject?”DavidPattison,chiefop eratingofficer,assuredcouncillorsthat professionaladvisershadindicatedthe budgetwillnotincreaseagain

Conservative Councillor EllisTur rellaskedthecounciltorecogniseits shortcomings.

He said:“Residentsfeellet down abouttheentireproject,itwasadisas ter.Butthereisnotasinglerecognition thatthecouncilhasmademistakes.”

MayorofWolverhamptonSandraSamuelswithclub representatives

Gatesopenat4pmonNovember5, withthe

drenstartingat6.30pmbeforethesec ondmaindisplaystartsupat8.30pm

CouncillorSteveEvans,cabinetmemberwithresponsibilityforevents,said: “Weare really excitedfor ourworld class

takesplaceonbon

Ticketsare available at wolver hampton-racecourse.co.uk

Palletspleafor bon

night

More than 20,000 people areexpectedtoattendoneofthebiggestfire workseventsintheregion

TheHimleyParkBonfireandFire worksshowreturnsonNovember5.

Itwillincludea30-minutefirework displayset to musicinspiredbythe storyofAroundtheWorldin80Days. Thebonfirewillbelitat7.45pm,with

thefireworksstartingat8.30pm.Afree shuttlebusisbeingputon Councillor ShaunKeasey,cabinet memberforcommercialisationandHR, said:“Himleybonfireisalwaysahuge draw.Weareluckytobesupportedby localcompaniesthatdonatepalletsand we’recallingonlocalbusinessestohelp usagain.”Call01384817834

CouncillorSeanKeaseyatHimleyHallgetting

readyfor bonfire night

More strikesmisery

Yetmorestrikesmiseryloomsfor commuterswithtrainandtramstaff poisedforfurtherwalkouts

Strikesare goingahead on West Midlands Metro, whileAvantiWest Coaststaffwillalsowalkoutagain.

TheRail,MaritimeandTransport union(RMT)saidtrainmanagerson AvantiWestCoastwillwalkouttomor row(Saturday)andagainonNovember 6inarowoverrosters.

Meanwhileworkers on theMetro willstrikefor53daysbetweenOctober andJanuary,andalmostcontinuously throughoutNovemberandDecember

Unitegeneral secretarySharon Grahamsaid:“Itisdisgracefuldespite ourmembersundertaking extremely

demandingand responsiblejobsand ensuring that Birmingham andthe BlackCountrykeepsmoving,theyare paidpovertywages.”

MeanwhileanAvanti West Coast spokesmansaid: “We’re disappointed bytheRMT’sdecisiontogoonstrikein thecomingweeks.Thisiscompletely unfaironourcustomerswhowillagain bear thebrunt of moreunnecessary disruptiontotheirplans

“WewouldurgetheRMTtorecon siderthis course of action andwork withustoresolvethisdispute.”

Therowisseparatefromdisputes overpay,jobsandconditionsacrossthe railwayindustrywhichhasledtoaseriesofstrikesalreadythisyear

‘Scare tactics’ by RoyalMail

Union bosses have accusedRoyal Mailofusing‘scaretactics’after the companyannounceditwillconsulton upto6,000redundancies

RoyalMailblamedindustrialaction formammothfinanciallossesandboss esurgedunionchiefstocallofftheir lateststrikeactionandcometothetableoveradeal.However,itstressedthe jobcutplanscouldnotbeavoided.

Picketlinesweremountedoutside RoyalMailofficeslastThursday,includ ingattheSunStreetdepotinWolver hampton.TheCommunicationWorkers Union(CWU)saidits115,000members acrosstheUKjoinedthestoppage.

RoyalMailchief executiveSimon

Thompson said on Friday that the plannedredundanciesare a“mini mum”andmorecouldtakeplaceifcur rentstrikeactionisextended

ButDaveJones, secretaryofthe Wolverhamptonand district branch oftheCommunicationWorkersUnion (CWU),said:“It’sjustanothertacticof RoyalMailtoscareandintimidatethe workerswhoareparticipatinginstrike action.The staffwon’t be scared by thosetactics.

“Wedon’twanttoloseanyjobsout oftheindustrybutwewillmovewith thetimes.Wearepreparedtoembrace technology.Wewanttodothatforthe rightpay,termsandconditions.”

Investmentzone hopes

TheLevellingUpSecretary has backedtheWestMidlandstohostat least one of theGovernment’s new investment zoneswhentheyare an nouncednextmonth

Theregionhasputforwardanum berofpotentialsites forinvestment zonestatus,whichwillseetaxescutfor businessesandplanninglawsrelaxed inabidtodrivegrowth.

SimonClarke MP said theregion wouldserveasan“idealhome”.Hesaid: “Iwouldabsolutelylovetoseesomein

theWestMidlandsandI’msurethere willbesomehere.Thisisanareaatthe heartoflevellingupwithalotofun tappedpotential.”

TheTreasuryissettoannouncethe first trancheofinvestment zoneson November2.

TheWestMidlandsCombined Authorityisbiddingforfoursites,in cludingthe Wolverhampton-Walsall corridorandanareaalongtheroute oftheWednesbury-BrierleyHillMetro extension

The postalstrikeoutside Sun StreetDepotinWolverhampton

Youngpoets give it awrite go

YoungstersmarkedNationalPoetry DaybyrecitingtheirworksatWolver hamptonGrammarSchool

Students were askedtopen an originalpoemthemedaroundtheenvironmentandmorethan150answered thecall.Thefinalistswereinvitedtoa

workshopwithrapperNigerianrapper Breisbeforeperformingthepoems Head librarianZoe Rowley said: “SixstudentsfromBeaconHillAcad emy,CodsallCommunityHighSchool andWolverhamptonGrammarSchool wereallpresentedwithprizes.”

Takeawaygiven go-ahead

Apizzatakeawaythatalsoplansto deliveralcoholandcigaretteshasbeen giventhego-aheadinWolverhampton. Councilbossesgrantedlicensing approvalforSnappyTomatoPizzain WorcesterStreet,onasix-monthtrial, subjecttoconditions.Councilsolicitor

DavdAbelsaid:“Alcoholwillonlybeof feredaspartofadeliveryserviceand onlyasanadditiontofoodorders.

“Therewillbenocollectionsofalcoholortobacco from thepremises. ThepremisesmustalsoinstallandoperateaCCTVsystem.”

Rap artistBreis withpoetsatWolverhampton Grammar School

Shesaid:“Residentshavetoldme

Mannypraises fundraisers

Manny Kangwithsupportersafter walkingtoStamford Bridge

Lenny’sTVhonour

SirLennyHenrywonaspecialrecogni tionawardatthisyear’sNationalTelevision Awards(NTAs)

The64-year-oldDudley-borncomedian andactorwaspresentedwiththehonour duringlastThursday’sannualeventatthe OVOArenaWembleyinLondon.Organisers saidthegongmarkedhis“trailblazingcareer inUKtelevision”.

CongratulatingSirLennyonhisachieve ments, HollywoodstarWhoopiGoldberg said:“Ifyouwanttoknowwhatasuperhero lookslike,takealookatSirLennyHenry.”

SirLenny won thetalent competition

NewFacesin1975andstartedworkingin televisionattheageof16.Hehasfeaturedin TVshowsincludingBroadchurch,TheSyndi cate,TheLongSongandmostrecentlyThe LordOfTheRings:TheRingsOfPower.

In2016,theactorreceivedaBaftaAward foroutstandingcontributiontotelevision He also co-founded thecharity Comic ReliefalongsidefilmmakerRichardCurtisin 1985andsetuptheSirLennyHenryCentre forMediaDiversityatBirminghamCityUni versity.

In2015,SirLennyreceivedaknighthood fromtheQueenatWindsorCastle

Hotfooting it to raisecharity cash

Fundraiserswill be getting fired up forBlack CountryWomen’sAidbywalkingoverhotembers.

Volunteers,fundraisers,sponsorsand charity staffwillbesupportingthosebraveenoughtoscamp er across theburningcoals forthe firewalknext Wednesday,from6-9pm.

BlackCountryWomen’sAidchiefexecutiveSara Wardsaid:“Wearethrilledtohavesomanysupport ersandstaffgetbehindthisfantasticfirewalkfund raiser.Everysteptheytakewillhelpustosupport victimsofviolenceandabuse.”

Therewillbestallswithtraders,music,raffles,a tombolaanddrinksandfood

Participantspaya£30registrationfeewhichin cludesafreeraffleticketandFirewalkcertificateand areaskedtoraise£100butwillbegivenafundraising toolkit.Toregister,ring01215530090.

Bowling centre to open up

MerryHillissettowelcometheUK’slargesttenpin bowlingoperatorHollywoodBowlnextyear,asthe centrecontinuestostrengthenitsleisureattractions.

HollywoodBowlwillbelocatedontheUpperMall intheshoppingcentre,nexttotheBonPanAsianres taurant.Visitorswillhavethechoiceof24dedicated bowlinglanes,includingspecificVIPzones

Therewillalsobeapop-uppartyspace,abarand arangeoffoodanddrinkoffers.

JonathanPoole,centremanageratMerryHill,said: “Wearepleasedtoannounceagreatnewleisureoffer ingforourvisitorstoenjoyatMerryHill.Hollywood Bowlisanexcitingadditionthatwillofferfriendsand familyintheareaafundayout

Delighted

“Wearealwayslookingforwaystoprovidemore entertainmentoptionsforourvisitors.”

LaurenceKeen,CFOatHollywoodBowl,said:“We aredelightedtobeopeningatMerryHill,atrulydy namicretailandleisuredestinationwithsomuchto offertovisitors.

“Thisformsanimportantstepforusasweopen morenewcentresinhigh-qualitylocations.Custom ersareincreasinglylookingtospendtheirtimein placesthatofferarangeofentertainmentintheirlo calareas,andMerryHillisrespondingtothisdemand bywelcomingustotheirall-encompassing,commu nity-focuseddestinationattheveryheartoftheWest Midlands.”

ThenewsfollowstherecentopeningofGerman DonerKebabatMerryHill’sEatCentral,anotheraddi tiontothefoodanddrinkscene.Laterthismonth,top retailbrandTedBakerwillopenattheBrierleyHill centre

Christmastunes at festival of trees

BrewoodSingerswillperformaspartofthe PattinghamChristmasTreeFestival.

The‘It’sChristmasTime’concerttakesplace onDecember17,theseconddayofthefestival, from7.30pmatStChad’sChurch

Ticketsare£10,toincludeaglassofmulled wineandamincepie,availablefromwww.bre woodsingers.co.uk, on 07900693754, or from choirmemberMikeCoopeon01902700426.

SirLenny Henry –recognitionaward

Cigarettes hidden in bathroom

Closingdateannounced for town NatWestbranch

TheStourbridgebranchofNatWestbank istocloseearlynextyear,ithasbeenconfirmed.

TheHighStreetbranchwillshutonFeb ruary8aspartof43closuresnationwide

NatWestsayscountertransactionshave decreasedatthesiteasonlinebankinghas becomemorepopular.Aleafletinforming customers of whythe decisionwastaken says:“Withtheeaseofmobileandonline bankingfewerpeoplearecomingintothe bank.Thismeanswe’vehadtomakesome toughchoicesaboutwhichcanstayopen.

“So,wewanttomakesurethatwekeep thebranchespeopleareusingmost.

“Average countertransactionsreduced by64percentbetweenJanuary2019and January2022. We completely understand thatonlinebankingisn’trightforeveryone Sometimesyouwanttochatthingsthrough withsomeone

“Wepromisethatyou’llstillbeableto talktooneofourteameitheronthephone, byvideoorinoneofourotherbranches We’realsohereforanyonewho’dlikehelpin gettingstartedwithonlinebankingorour app.Aswellasshort,easy-to-followhowto videos,werunonlineclassesoverZoom.

“You’llfindeverythingyouneedtoknow atnatwest.com/onlinebanking.”

Tensofthousandsofpotentiallylethalillicitciga retteswereseizedinWolverhampton–somehidden behindabathroommirror.

Officersfromthe council’sTrading Standards teamtargetedanumberofbusinessesacrossthecity wherethetobaccoproductswerebelievedtobeon sale.

Speciallytraineddetectiondogswereusedtosniff outtheillegaltobaccoandtheoperationfoundmore than30,000counterfeitand/ornon-UKdutypaidcigarettes.

Themajorityofthehaulwasfromjustonepremisesandwasfoundinahiddencompartmentina rearstoreroom.Inanotherpremises,cigaretteswere foundhiddenbehindabathroommirrorandinacar

Otheritemsseizedfrombusinessesincludedakilo ofbannedoraltobacco,threebottlesofsuspectedstolenwhisky,severalkilosofincorrectlylabelledshisha tobaccoandcounterfeithandrollingtobacco

Inaddition,morethan200illegaloversizedvape deviceswerediscovered.Ifgenuine,theretailvalueof thevapeswouldbeintheregionof£23,000

Officersalsofoundanindividualservingbehinda counterwhodidnothavepermissiontoworkinthe UK

TheraidswerecarriedoutunderOperationCeCe, whichisaNationalTradingStandardsinitiativein partnershipwithHMRCtotackleillegaltobacco TradingStandardsofficerswerejoinedbyofficers fromWestMidlandsPolice,immigrationofficialsand tobaccodetectiondogsfromB.W.Y.Canine.

Actionissettobetakenagainsttheownersofthe premiseswherethematerialwasseizedwhilefurther investigationswillbecarriedouttoidentifytheirsup pliers.CouncillorSteveEvanssaid:“Thisoperation uncoveredquitethehaulofillicitcigarettes,tobacco andvapes,allofwhichcarryriskstothepublic.”

Cigarettes hidden behind bathroom mirror

Nat West, Stourbridgeisduetoclose

Bullyvisitsrevamped pub

WolveslegendSteveBullpaidasur prisevisittoapubtomarkitsreopeningaftera£600,000revamp.

BullyjoinedlocaltransplantcampaignerElizabethLatham,oneofthe longestsurvivingkidneytransplantpatients,alongwithgeneralmanagerMi-

chelleWoodandpartnerBarryBunce, tocuttheribbonattheHollybush,on PennRoad,Wolverhampton

Themakeoverincludesanewspaciousfunctionroomanddiningarea,as wellasanewlydesignedbarandoutsideseating.

Apartmentsplandelayed

Work to tear down abuilding in Wolverhamptoncitycentreandbuild ablockofmorethan100flatshasbeen delayed.

Councilchiefsrubber-stamped demolitionofNetworkHouse,inSchool Street,tomakewayfor113apartments

threeyearsago.Itwasapprovedwith thecondition work would progress withinathree-yeartimeframe.Now anapplicationhasbeenmadetoamend thedateforanotherthreeyearstoallow the regeneration scheme to take place.

WolveslegendSteve Bullatreopeningofthe Hollybush

Homesatold pubrefused

Planstoturnahistoricformerpub inaleafycornerofWolverhamptoninto asix-bedroomfamilyhomehavebeen thrownoutbythecitycouncil.

TheOldStag’sHeadinChurchHill, Upper Penn,has stood emptysince October2018following asteadyde-

clineintrade.Thelandmarkbuilding, whichdatesbackto1831,wasbought byMrJasdeepSahota,whoappliedto convertitforresidentialpurposes.

Butitwasrefusedonthegroundsit wouldleadtothelossofavaluedcommunityassetandmeetingplace.

Pair callingtimeoncareers

Acoupleare settoretire after workinginthepubindustryformore thanthreedecades

Amanda andIan Passmore, from Wolverhampton,haveworkedtogether for33years,firststartingatthetrain ingcentreatMarston’s

Inthattimetheyhaveruneightdifferentpubs,beginningwiththeBulls

HeadinGornalandhavingtwospells attheHollybushinPennRoad,Wolverhampton.Theirhardworkwillcometo anendwhentheyretireattheendof October.

AfarewelleveninghasbeenorganisedatTheForgeinPensnettonOctober28forachancetothanktheirstaff, customersandfriends.

PublicansIan andAmanda Passmore areretiring after 33 years

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£117kmuseumproject boost

A£30mprojectthatwilltakepeoplebackintimetotheBlackCountry’s post-war heyday hasbeengiven a £711,000investmentboostbytheWest MidlandsCombinedAuthority.

TheBlackCountryLivingMuseum isbuildingarangeofnewattractions

atitssiteinDudleyasartofitsForging Aheadproject AndyStreet,MayoroftheWestMid landsandchairmanoftheWMCA,said: “I’mextremelypleasedthattheWMCA wasabletohelpmakethisexcitingnew developmentareality.”

Sculpture highlightsplight

Asculptorhopeshislatestheavy metalpiecewillbringtheplightofan imalsinthewildintosharpfocuswhen itgoesonshowatDudleyZoo.

Luke Perry, 39,ofCradley Heath, hasspentthelastsixmonthsworking onthesculptureofanorangutantry ingtoreachherbabyinthewakeofde forestation

Thepiecefeaturesabout100steel poles,97ofthemcuttokneeheightto representdeforestation.Attheheartof theworkisafemaleBorneanorangu tanclingingontotwooftheremaining poles,tryingtoreachouttoheryoung child.Theyoungorangutanissituated onthethirdpolebutisjustoutofreach tohismother

MrPerrysaid:“Westartedtalking abouthow to drawattention to the plightsoftheanimals.Theykeypoint we’reworkingonisthat97percentof orangutans’habitathasbeenlost,leav ingonlythreepercentleft.Iwanted todo100poles,97ofwhicharecutat aroundkneeheighttoresembleafor

Aclose upof thebabyorangutan esttoshowthat.Andthenwehavethe mother orangutanholding onto two andherbabyisholdingontoone,but theycan’treacheachother.It’saneasy tounderstandmessage.”

Thepiecewillgoattheneworangu tanenclosureforthespeciesatthezoo whichexpandedfollowingthesummer arrivalsofbabiesJimandJoe

Boss limberingupfor boxing fundraiser

COMMERCIAL FEATURE

Summit Garage’s general managerisswapping hisbusiness suit forbox ingglovesinaid of char ity.

JamesPittaway, theGeneral Managerand Director at theDud leybusiness, is taking part in a whitecollarboxingmatch at Villa Park on November19toraise awarenessofCancerResearch UK.

James, whoturns 40 justtwo weeksbeforethe fightand hasno previous boxing experience,isbeing putthrough an eight-week ‘trainingcamp’ to preparefor thenight

Theeventisorganised by UWCB (Ultra WhiteCollarBoxing),who also providethe professional train ingatRigsFitness in Moseleyand runseveral events acrossthe coun tryeachyear.

Theirtrainingisdesignedtoget you into shapeand teachyou the skillsyou need aheadofthe fight, butmostimportantly it is where Jameswillbematched to hisopponent,justtwo days prior to hischarityboxingmatch!

The fightwill take placeinfront of asell-outcrowd with allproceeds goingtocharity

Allguestsare in foranunforget-

table nightwith‘walk-out’music blasting outasthe fighters enterthe ring andbattleinthree two-minute rounds,withall fighters pushingfor thetitle andbraggingrights!

UWCB,which beganin2009, hosted their firstevent in Derby

An explosion of WhiteCollarBox ingfollowedacrossthe UK when,in 2013,theybecamea corporatepart nerofCancerResearchUK. UWCB

is now oneofthe UK’s largestfundraisingpartners, raisingover £26 millionacross100 UK cities Cancer Research UK is acharity close to James’ heart. Over thelast fewyears he hasseenfriends and family fightcancer, many losing but some beatingitwiththe support of CRUK andhenow wishes to do what he cantohelpraise as much moneyaspossible.

Over thelast40years, cancer survival in the UK hasdoubled.Inthe 1970sjustone in four people survived their diseasefor tenyears or more,but todaytwo in four survive. The charity’sworkisvitally importantand benefits millionsoflivesevery

day. Everydonationhelps to fund theirwork, helpingthemtotry and increase this survival rate further.

Jameshas workedat Summit Ga rage since2019. It is afamily-run business whichwas established back in 1945 andhas an excellent reputation for firstclass custom er service. It is an award-winning franchiseddealerfor MG,with afullrange of newMGstock whilst also offering servicing, repair,parts andMOT facilities foryourcar Summit Garage will be sponsoringJames forhis boxing eventand will be encouragingtheir customers to getbehindhim too Summit hassupported many charitable events over theyears in cludingavirtual cycleof1,000 miles on March2021inaid of Alzheimer’s Society. This sawtwo membersof theSummit Garage Team virtually cyclefromLands EndtoJohn ‘O’Groats passingthe dealership on theway!

If youwould like to supportJames andmakeadonation,you canvis it theJustGiving website at www.just gi vi ng .c om /f un d raising/James-Pitta way-boxing or scan theQRcodefromyour mobiledevice.

Summit Garage(Dudley) Ltd

JamesPittaway, theGeneral Managerand

Director atthe Dudley’s SummitGarage, is taking part in acharity bout

Miners’ fi

rightstoldinbook

Anewbooktellsthestoryofthose whofoughtforworkers’rightsinthe Victorianera

“TheBlackCountryMiners:AStrug gleforJustice1850-1926”byKeithRobinsontellsofcolliers’strugglesacross theareaintheirfightforbettercondi tionsandwagesattheendofthe19th andstartofthe20thcentury.Itrecords theindividualstories of hundreds of menfromWestBromwich,Tipton,Old bury,Coseley,Bilston,Darlaston,Kingswinford,Dudleyandbeyond.

Packed with information on local pits,itlaysbaretheinjusticesofthe timeandthelengthsthattheminers’ leaderswenttoinanefforttochange people’slivesforthebetter.

Mr Robinson is amember of the BlackCountrySocietyandworkedwith membersofthegrouptohelpdevelop thebook,withBlackCountrySociety chairmanMalcolmDickdescribinghow thebookcameabout

Hesaid:“Thispublicationwasstim ulatedbyKeith’sfortuitousdiscovery ofthe1879rulebookofaminers’associationbasedinWestBromwich,alocal branchoftheradicalAmalgamatedAs sociationofMiners.Itinspiredawider explorationofoneofthemostimpor

Report by James Vukmirovic

tantgroupofworkersintheregionas booksaboutcoalminersarenotnew, butweknowmoreaboutmineowners, mineralgeologyandindividualmines thantheexperiencesandimpactofthe menwhoworkedunderground

“Theaccessible andinformative chaptersexploreindividualandfamily lives,whatwasachievedthroughunion activityandthesignificanceofmajor eventssuchas mining disastersand strikes,”headded.

“Thiswell-referencedpublicationis repletewithprimarymaterialsuchas prints,photographs, poems,newspaperaccountsandstatisticswhichmake itusefulfor teachers,schoolchildren andotherstudentswhoarestudying industrialorlocalhistory.

“Themoststrikingfeaturesofthe book, though areits humanstories TheBlackCountryMiners’Strugglefor Justiceaddstoourknowledgeandun derstandingofthesocialhistoryofan importantregion.”

Foracopyofthebook,priced£9.99, contactKeith at netcord9@hotmail. comorcall01743873348.

‘One-stop’ health sites tohelptacklebacklogs

Patientswill be able to travel to MerryHill forblood tests, CT scans, MRIsandX-rays.

Another‘community diagnostic centre’willbesetupatacollegenext doortotheBlackCountryLivingMu seum.Locationsfortheone-stoptests centreswererevealedaspartofsteps toreducebacklogsfollowingtheCovid pandemic

OneisdescribedasanewMerry HillHealthCentreinBrierleyHill,althoughnofirmlocationhasbeengiven TheotherwillbecentredattheCastle HillInstituteofTechnologyinDudley, nearthemuseuminTiptonRoad.Both

aredesignedtobeeasytoaccessand willaimtobringdownwaitinglistsfor diagnosisintheBlackCountry.Servic eswillrangefromsimplebloodteststo thediagnosesofcancerandheartdis ease

Health SecretaryThérèseCoffey announcedthecentreinBrierleyHill willopenearlynextyear,whilethesite inDudleywillopeninearly2025

Thecentreswillsupplementothers alreadyoperating,helpingtoeliminate waitsfortreatmentofmorethantwo years.ItishopedthatbyMarch2025, no-onewillhavetowaitformorethan ayear.

BobbyGeorge

BobbyGeorge

Keith Robinson shows off his newbookonworkers’ rightsforminers

Codeword

Choose either quick or cryptic clues both fitthe same grid.

Across Down Cryptic Clues:

7. Much moreregal than anewssheet sent round to members of the tennis club! (5,8)

8. Publicly reveals ten changes in newspapers (8)

&18Ac. Feature of the military funeral –there’s no collection after this! (4,4)

10. Temple for adeity in Pennsylvania (6)

12. Show an obsolete attitude (6)

14. Corset restyled by the chaperon (6)

16. Vehicle reversed in the region of ancient Greece (6)

See 9 Across

They put amatch to the vessels (8)

Describing the redundant doctor in need of employment for his skills (3,2,8)

1. They are downtrodden by callers (8)

Stop working in the Post Office quickly (6)

The image of the medico nowadays (4)

The outlook offers achance of success (8)

Use the brakes both ways (4,2)

Soft blockhead to get by (4)

Animal to make the colonist run away (8)

Its entrants will finish up getting debagged! (4,4)

Point in adifferent way round the ring –that’sthe alternative (6)

Take turns to put up in price (6)

Aconsiderable scoremay be the result of this work (4)

Kid that’sgrown up (4)

Secret family is discovered

SATURDAY

Host (2020) (BBC3, 9.30pm)

Haley(HaleyBishop)organisesa Zoomvideocallwithfivefriends,in cludingJemma(JemmaMoore)and invitesherpalSeylan(SeylanBaxter)intothechatroomtoconduct anonlineseance.Thecastoperate theirown camerasand afrenetic finaleengineers acoupleoftruly gob-smackingmoments.

SUNDAY

After Love (2020) (BBC2, 10.50pm)

Awidowdiscoversasecretabout herlatehusband that propelsher onajourneyofself-discovery.Mary Hussein(JoannaScanlan)converted toIslammanyyearsagotomarry Ahmed(NasserMemarzia)andwhen he dies suddenly, shegoesthrough hisbelongingsand discoversmessag es on his mobile phone,whichindi catehehadasecondfamilyacross theChannel

Look Who’sback, but timerunsoutforJodie

Doctor Who (BBC One, 7.30pm, Sunday)

“It’stheend.Butthemomenthas beenpreparedfor…”

With those words, thefourth Doctor, played forseven years by TomBaker,bowedoutbeforeregen eratingintoPeterDavison

NowJodieWhittakerisaboutto leavetoo.Andinawayit’salmostas momentousas Baker’sdecision to quit–afterall,Whittakeristhefirst womantoplaytheTimeLord,and DoctorNo14willbeNcutiGatwa,the firstblackactortotackletherole.

Butthere’safairbittohappen beforetheRwandan-bornSexEdu cationstarmakeshisofficialdebut

Gatwawon’tappearinhisfirst adventurefor over ayear–David Tennant’smuch-vauntedreturnas the10thDoctorcomesfirsttotiein with theshow’s60thanniversary nextNovemberinepisodesdevised by RussellT Davies, whomaster mindedthesci-fiepic’sreturntoour screensin2005.

Tennantwillbejoinedonscreen

byCatherineTateaspopularcompanionDonnaNoble

And,ofcourse,there’sWhittak er’sswansongtoenjoytoo.It’safea ture-lengthtalebeingbroadcastto tieinwiththeBBC’scentenarycelebrations,areflectionofitsimpor tancetothecorporation–theshow

isnowoneofitsbiggestandmosten duringinternationalsuccesses.

Fansoftheclassicseriesarealso inforatreat–JanetFieldingandSo phieAldredarereprisingtheirroles as former companionsTegan and Ace.We’vebeentoldtoexpectafew othersurprisesalongthewaytoo

foundto have tumour

EastEnders (BBC1)

Lola(DanielleHarold)passesout in thebathroomatLexi’spageant –and doctorsrevealthatthey’ve foundatumourwhichcouldbecan cerous.Whitneyisshockedtolearn shehas twonew housemates, and HarveyaccusesDottyofstealinghis wallet

Coronation Street (ITV)

Daniel asks Daisytomovein withhim.Butamix-upmeansthe fledgling family end up homeless andKenstepsintohelp.Summeris horrifiedbyBilly’sreactiontoher proposedabortionandEileenhasa near-deathexperiencethatchanges herpersonality.Fiz learns thelocalnewspaperisserialisingastory aboutJohnStape

Emmerdale (ITV)

Chas triestostopAaronfrom exposingheraffairwithAl.Macken zieisalsofretting abouthis fling becoming public knowledge. Da vidreturns–and feelsthethepres sure to attract morecustomers.

in association with

WolverhamptonChronicle

Your Chronicle

Editor’s weekend pick

Films for the weekend

Your guide to the soaps

Jodie Whittakeris set tobowout from her role asDoctorWho

JemmaMoore

DanielleHarold

Hire

Upholstery

TO READERS

Please be awarethat when purchasing apuppy there are some simple guidelines you can follow to ensure that you are not purchasing from a Puppy Farmer:

1. Try to ensure you visit the puppy whilst it is still with its Mother.

2. Do not arrange to collect a puppy from any other location than that of the breeder.

3. Ensure that you are given any KC documentation, if pedigree.

Whilst Midland News Association publications take great care to avoid publication of advertisements from Puppy Farmerswecannot acceptany liability should readers purchase from this kind of establishment.

BRIANPHIPSON

GENUINE SINCERE LADY

Looking for anice, honest gentleman aged 75 plus, non smoker, for friendship/ companionship.

Box Number P22272 , Express and Star, Queen Street, Wolverhampton, WV1 1ES

KIND AND CARING GENTLEMAN

Very lonely after ending of a long relationship, own car

Number P22273

Express and Star, Queen Street, Wolverhampton, WV1 1ES

GENTLEMAN

Mansellties for37th place in Andalucia

Burntwood’s RichardMansell fin ishedtiedfor 37th afteradisap pointing roundof76onSaturday hithis chancesofatop 10 spot in theAndalucia Masters.

The27-year-old,who is basedat Beau DesertGoldClub, near Can nock,ended Sunday’s finalround with alevel par71for a finalthree overtotal of 287.

Spain’sAdrianOtaegui,who successfullychallengedsanctions imposedbythe DP WorldTour forcompeting in LIVGolfevents, cruisedtoacommandingvictory

Otaeguitooka six-shot lead into the finalround at Valderrama andwas never in danger of being caught,aclosing 68 giving hima tournament-recordtotal of 19 un derpar.

Sweden’s Joakim Lagergren also shot 68 to finish sixshots behind, with Australia’sMin WooLee an otherthree strokesbackinthird.

Otaeguiwas oneofthree play ersaddedtothe fieldfor July’s GenesisScottish Open afterap pealingagainst theirsuspensions forplaying in theinaugural LIV eventinHertfordshire.DPWorld Tour memberswho playedonthe Saudi-funded rebelcircuit without permission were banned from the Scottish Open andhit with individ ual finesof£100,000

THEQUIZ

1MaxVerstappen wonhis second FormulaOne world titlewith avictory in which GrandPrix?

Whobecame just the second ManchesterCity playertoscore in seven consecutive PremierLeague appearances?

Whowas namedthe Professional Cricketers’ Association women’s Playerof theYear?

Former Albion boss Slaven Bilic got offtoa sensational winningstart Watfordmanage as they beat which club 4-0?

Whoisthe GreatBritain captainwho announced his retirementfromprofessional basketball?

LeicesterCityrecorded their first PremierLeague victoryofthe season against whichclub?

Whichsnooker playerbeat NorthernIreland’s Mark Allen10-7toclinchthe British Opentitle in Milton Keynes?

Whichclub became the first side to win100 Premier Leaguegames in whichthey conceded the firstgoal?

Whichjockey rode dean,pictured t, to victoryin eDewhurst Stakes?

Which striker scored alate winneras Spainbeat Portugalto qualifyfor theNations LeagueFinals?

Which tennis playerclaimed his first titlesince winning Wimbledon in July at theTel Aviv Open?

With 17 Serie Agoals in a single season, whoisthe most prolificEnglishmaninthe league’s history?

Whobecame only the fifthquarterback in NFL

historytothrow 500touchdown passes?

Whichclub recently sacked managerChris Wilder, insetleft?

WhichItalian cyclistset a newhour worldrecord?

Which Argentinaforward is to retireat theend of InterMiami’s 2022Major LeagueSoccercampaign?

WhichNew York Yankees playerset anew American League record with his62nd home run of theseason?

Which 40 year old scored forStoke City in their 3-1win over hisformerclub Sheffield United?

Whowas England’stop runscorerinthe recent T20seriesagainstPakistan?

(Guernsey)

-Portsmouth

John

-Invergordon

-Portree (IsleofSkye) -Tobermory (IsleofMull) -Belfast (Northern

-Liverpool

Whichfour countries will Englandfacein theirqualifyinggroup for Euro 2024? k,arClan5Dy,iteCokSt,4erivScat,3NndlaaagHrlin2Ee,esanap1J i,orttDeienkra,9FeditUntereschan8My,DaanRy,7streFohamngtiot6N s,gerRodonar3A,1amahbryAamm2T,1icovokDjakov1N,1taraMorovaAl10 e,dgJuonar7A,1inuaigoHalnzGo16a,nnGapoipil5F,1ghoubrsleddMi14 taal,MiaonedachMrtNoe,ainkr,Ulyta0I,2okroyBrrHa19a,elkgiJailPh18

ANSWERS

NorthCape, Norway

Route39are specialists in thepub quizmarketsupplying weekly generalknowledge quizzes to hundredsofpubsthroughoutthe UK

Wolves arenot in agood place rightnow.The immediate require ment is to pickupsome points on thepitch

That is in thehands of Steve Davisand JamesCollins

It wouldbereassuringtodiscov er that theplayers were accepting some responsibility,too,and unit ingbehindacommon cause at the training ground where a sense of calm hasremaineddespite the increasing angstamong thefan base

Butwhatabout thenew head coach?

Lightningclearly only strikes twiceifyou aretryingtopersuade JulenLopetegui to become manag er

Whereasthe Spaniard’s head was turned by anotherjob back in the summer of 2016,thistimefamilyis –rightly –far more importantthan anyfootballmatter.

Jeff Shi’s decision to fly to Spain earlierthisweekwas awarning that allwas notsignedand sealed with aman whoalready hadagood relationship with the Wolves owner ship andhad expressedakeenin terest in theproject

Yet, thechairmanwould not have bothered boarding theplane if he hadnot been assuredthatLo peteguiremainedfavourable to a move to England.

Therejectionwas amassive set back

With allhopes on Lopeteguithis time last week, a fresh set of cir cumstances is beingaddressed

Anynew candidateknows he is notthe firstoptionbut that is not aproblem forapostlikethis, which remainshugelyattractivedespite thecurrent upheaval

WhileLopetegui wasnumberone choice by some distance,Shi had metothersprior to histriptoSpain

Historyoften throws up notewor thystorylinesofpastmistakesand thereisone that theclubwill not want to repeat

Wolves’current form,their form since last spring in fact, is leading to only oneoutcome

Thelasttimethe team wasrel egated from thePremier League it wassignificant that decisionsat boardlevel were unabletoprevent that badoutcome from getting worse

Thereare parallels to what is happeningnow

ThetimingofMickMcCarthy’s sackinginFebruary2012was ques tionable

Thefailure to land thenumber onetargettoreplace him, Alan Curbishley,leftavoidthatcould not be adequately filled

Anditled to an entirely unsuit able appointmentin TerryConnor

Thechain of events –decisions at boardlevel –had disastrous con sequences as Wolves, with asquad whose spirit wasunravelling by the week,sufferedadoublerelegation.

Thereisacrucialdifferencehere, adecadeonfromthatturmoil.

Theseasonisrelativelyyoung andthere is time to turn theship.

Butstrong leadership andde cision-makingisneeded nowif Wolves aretopull clearofchoppy waters

Although therewas no clearand preferredPlanBbeforeLopetegui declined therole, thepathhas now been opened up foragenuine re cruitmentprocess

Shiand hislieutenants have not been completely blindsided by this second knockbackfromLopetegui andthere is an opportunitytoprove this to supporters with theirulti mate appointment.

Therewill by now be astrategy in placestatingthe requirementsof theroleand identifyingthe neces sary targets.

Theownersshouldnot be putoff by releaseclauses if they arecon ductingathorough recruitment process.

Thebestcan be costly

Nothingshouldbeoff thetable: apermanent appointmentoran in terimboss.

But, as we sawwithManchester United’s experience of Ralf Rang nick,temporary solutionscan cause as many problems as they solveand theindications arethatthisisnot a preferredroute

What canberuled outisaSean Dyche-styleappointment or a fire fighterwiththe remitsimplyto avoidrelegation.

Wolves underFosunhavealways sought dynamic, forward-thinking coacheswho offeraprogressive

Wolves are at apivotal moment... now’sthe time forreal leadership

bosa.

He is picking up an astonishing wage andenjoyingastress-free ex istenceinthe landscapeofa pitiful standard of football

Hisinteresthas been piqued by theevents of thelastfortnight, and Shiisnot ruling anything outat this stage.

It wouldbethe approach to the firstminuteofthe game andthen thesecondone andthenthe next one. Breaking it alldownintomo ments; apersonaldueltobewon, aforward move to be completed,a defensiveset-uptoorganise.Action by action

styleeveniftheyhaven’t always foundthem.

That wasthe intentionwithBru no Lage. Inside thedressingroom thereisanother issue.

Thereare no naturalleaders emerging in theabsence of some big personalitieswho left during the summer

Thereare also several play erswho know they have no long term future here,bethatdownto theirage,lengthofcontract or like ly sale

Whichmakes it that littlebit harder to envisage anytub-thump ingspeechesfromthe trenches.

Thesquad demands leadership anditrequires a figure whowill be quicklyrespected Do notunderestimate playerpow er in these times.

Managerial careerscan be over in weeksifthere is no buy-in from thedressingroom.

Thereare some seriouslytalent ed individualsinthisgroup anda strong team ethicmustbeaprior ity.

Nuno Espirito Santo, in his first threeseasons at least, fostered that team spirit before thecracks emerged during thepandemic.

Nuno is currentlyemployedin SaudiArabia,withassistantsIan Cathro,Antonio Dias andRui Bar

Therewill have to be acompro mising walk on both sidesofthe divide before Nuno canmeetinthe middle with hisformerchairman to strike adeal, afterthe deteriora tion of theirrelationshipduringthe 2020/21season.

Football throws up unlikelysce narios, though.Thatisthe beauty of this game

Thefactthatthe twoparties are even in advanced discussionsshows how quicklyeventscan turn on theirhead.

Clarityofthought at timeslike this canbehard.

Thecalmest figure to walk the corridorsofthe SirJackHayward Training Ground andMolineuxin recent yearsisa mancalledJulio Figueroa.

He wasamentortomanyofthe players andcoaches, an unobtru sive but hugely significant member of Nuno’s backroom staff.

He came into hisown when the chipsweredownand theteamwas goingthrough toughtimes collec tively andindividually.

Oneofhis keytenetswas thecon cept of confrontingchallenges ‘ac tion by action’.

Over thecourse of afootball matchthatwould not be apreoccu pation with theresultorastyle of play

On amuchgrander scaleitfeels likeWolveshavereached theposi tion wheretheyneedtoadopt this approach of deconstruction

To calmly dealwithwhatisin frontofthem, stagebystage

What is thescenariothatthe club wantstoachieve by thefollowing weekend?

Anotherchallenge is to identify astronglistofmanagerialtargets

Then take controlofthe head-hunting andthe interview process. Thereisaneedtomentally startafreshinthe dressing room. Identify what theseplayers need andhow best they cantakethe team forward.

Tackle each scenario in ameas ured andconsideredway

Thecurrent situation, however bleakitappears, is farfroma lost causeand thepotential forthe new head coachtoturnthisaroundis apparent with asquad of players whocan performbetter, anda firstclasstrainingfacility as awork place.

October2022atWolvesmay turn outtobeacasestudy in crisis man agement– forbetterorworse

Supporters fear that theclubis on theedgeofaprecipice.

It is to be hopedthat, actionby action,the leadershipherecan en sure thereisapositivestory to tell by theend of this testingperiod.

Thesecretofcrisis management is notjust acaseofachieving a good outcomefroma badsituation.Itoften involvespreventingthe badfromgetting worse.

Crisismanagement: Wolves executive chairman Jeff Shi facesthe biggest test of histenureyet

View from thetouchline with SkySportsSoccerSaturday’s JOHNNYPHILLIPS

SkySports SoccerSaturday’s JohnnyPhillips on thebig sports stories–inside

HERO SA RALLIES WOLVES TROOPS

Jose Sa insists his Wolvesteam-matesmust play like ‘warriors’ after hispenalty save helped them to awin over NottinghamForest–as he playsonwitha frac turedwrist.

Theshot-stopperdeniedBrennan Johnsonwithasuperb left-handed save to ensure Wolves pickedupall threepoints.

Sa, whosufferedthe injury to his rightwrist againstFulham in Au gust,believesevery Wolves player must fightfromnow untilthe World Cupbreak to getthe club outof trouble

When askedabout hiswrist,Sa said:“Nowit’sbetter. ButafterI diditagainst Fulham we played Tottenhamand it wasdifficult

“Butthisisour life– we have to be like warriorstohelpthe team.

“Yes it hurt andyes Ineeded pain killers. Sometimesitstill hurts. But Icameout fora punchimmediately afterthe penaltyand used my right fist anditwas okay

“Itwas painfulbeforebut it was an importanttimefor theteamand that’s whyI took thedecision to continue.”

LIAM KEEN liam.keen@mnamedia.co.uk

Sa failed to save anyofthe 10 penaltieshefaced last season,with onehitting thepost, buthas now savedtwo this season –withthe firstcominginthatFulham game when he gotinjured

He added: “Lastseasonout of 10 penaltiesIdidn’tsaveone!Now I have twoout of two.

“Wedoour homeworkand study playersbeforehand.

“But last season Idid thesame anddidn’tsaveany.

“I just seehow Ifeelinthe moment andthenIdecide

“I always keep onefoottouching thelineevenifthe otherfootlooks alongway offthe line

“I’m just happytohelpthe team winthese threepointsbecause it wasveryimportant forus, nowwe cankeepgoing into thenextgame.

“The fans have been good and they arealwaysimportant forusbecause they give us powerand make us stronger

“I didn’t realise what they were singingafter thepenalty butafter wardssomeone told me they were singing: ‘Onehand, he’s only got onehand.’Thatwas nice.”

Taylor-madefor centralrole –Beale

Albion interimbossRichard Beale hasadmitted he didnot need asec ondthought when it came to startingmatch-winnerTaylorGardner-Hickmanat Reading.

Gardner-Hickman, 20,was se lected in midfieldinthe league for the firsttimethisseasonbyBeale as Albion’s post-SteveBruce era beganwithamuch-needed 2-0win at Reading.Former bossBruce had mainlyusedGardner-Hickman

at right-back or wing-back this season,thoughthe Telford-born youngster hasoften foundleague starts hard to come by.Under-21s bossBeale,though, knew immediatelyhewould be selected in the heartofmidfield.

“I thinkTaylorisa really,really goodplayer,”Beale said.“He’s got so many attributes

“Again,likealot of players in the changingroom, he’s areallygood

ladthatwants to do well.Ithink he’s gota really bigfuture.

“His energy wasexcellent on top of hisassistand hisgoal.

“AssoonasIhad to startthink ingabout theteam, whichI suppose is as soonasyou gettoldyou’retak ingthe team on Saturday,Iwanted Taylor to play in there.

“Hebringsenergytothe team andIthought he complemented Jake (Livermore)verywell.”

Gerrardaimsto silencecritics

Steven Gerrardvowed to winover theboo boys afterdefeattoChelsea increasedthe heat on theVillaboss.

Villawerebeaten 2-0despite a much-improvedperformance as MasonMount profitedfromerrors by Tyrone Mingsand EmiMartinez

Gerrardwas booedoff thepitch by asection of supporters

Thebosssaid: “You canunder standthe frustration becausethey have seen theirteamperform really well foranhourbut notscore any goals.

“I hearda groupsinging from the HolteEnd.Itiswhatitis. Ihave to do everything Ican to tryand change theway they feel at themoment.”

Flynnfrustrated by Walsallloss

WalsallbossMichael Flynnhas urged hisplayers to stop letting teamsoff,insisting theyare al most agood teambut that isn’t enough

TheSaddlershad alot ofthe ball andgood spells of pressure at Mansfield, buttwo soft goals cost them not just apoint but three.

Flynnadmitted he hada ‘rightgo’ at hisplayers after thegame, butnot becauseof theperformance levels“Itwas a good performance, it wassolid, we workedhard,”saidFlynn.“It is biting us on thebackside, we can’tkeepletting teams of.”

Taylor Gardner-Hickman

Wolves goalkeeper Jose Sa celebrates hispenalty save againstForest