Chronicle Week Walsall - 10-Nov-2022

BINTOHELPIN WARONKNIVES

Anewweaponsurrenderbinhas beeninstalledintheBlackCountry asthefightagainstknifecrimegoes

on

Thesafeandsecuremetalboxis the24thofitskindintheregion,to befundedbytheWestMidlandsPo liceandCrimeCommissioner

Thebinsaredesignedsopeople candispose of knives,bladesand otherdangerous objectsina safe way.Thelatestbinwasfittedinthe WindmillShoppingCentre inCape Hill,Smethwick

Therolloutofthebinsispartof aconcertedeffortbythePCC,Simon Foster,totackleviolenceandreduce harmacrosstheWestMidlands.

Alltheknivesandweaponsde positedintothebinsaredestroyed.

Knifecrimehasmorethandou bled in theWestMidlandssince 2012.Thousandsofkniveshave alreadybeenplaced into thebins across Birmingham,Coventry and theBlackCountry

MrFostersaid:“Thesebinsare justonemeasurewearetakingto getknivesoffourstreets.Thebins areprovidingpeoplewithalegaland safewaytodisposeofknives,which theyshouldn’tbecarrying.

“Everyknifeplacedintoasur renderbinispotentiallyalifesaved.

Thesebinsprove mosteffective when thecommunity wantsthem andthemessageIhavebeenreceiv ingloudandclearisthatmoreare needed

“Iamcommittedtoconstantand unremittingaction to prevent and reduceviolence,protectpeopleand savelives.”

Councillor DannyMillard, SandwellCouncil’scabinetmember forcommunities,added:“Taking knivesoffourstreetsisaneffective wayoftacklingtheseriousissueof knifecrimeinourcommunities

“Thecultureofcarryingaweap onisonewemusttrytoeradicate, andit’sgreattoseethisbinbeingin stalledinSmethwickduringtheSaf er6campaign.I’dliketoencourage people with knives they shouldn’t becarryingtodepositthemsafelyin thisbin,withnoquestionsasked.”

Sergeant Kevin Willetts,from Smethwick neighbourhood team, said:“We allknowthe dangersof knivesandwe’recontinuingtodoall wecantoremovethesedangerous weaponsoffourstreets.Aknifebin isanimportantwayofhelpingtodo this.”

TikTok star’s school visit

Fearsover warehouse

ResidentsinHalesowenfear planstodownsizea former B&Q couldleadtonoiseanddisruption

TheformerB&Q,nowoperating asaTowsurecaravansuppliesshop, ishopingtodownsize.Aspartofthe plans, Towsureplans tosplit the warehouseintotwounits,withthe spareunitbecomingastorageunit operatedbyaseparatecompany.

However, residentsfearthis couldmeanvehiclescomingandgo ingthroughoutthenighty.Oneresi dentsaid:“Itcouldpotentiallymean itwouldbeaccessible24hoursaday, 7daysaweekwhichwouldmeanin creasedtraffictotheareawhichis alreadybusy.”

Louie wins musicaward

An aspiring young musician is settoheadlineamusicfestivalnext yearafterwinningabursaryaward setupinmemoryofanationalradio

DJ LouieMiles,22,fromtheButts, Walsall,appliedfortheJaniceLong Bursaryawardonthesuggestionof his mother Lisa,notinghis excite mentwhenhefirstreceivedthere sponseemail.

TheJaniceLongBursarywasset upbyMoseleyFolkandArtsFestival.

EarlierthisyearLouie opened forthefirstJaniceLongstageatthe Moseleymusicfestivalandisplan ningtoagainopenforthestagea secondtimein2023

Report by Lisa O’Brien

Maternity ward proposal!

Anewfatherfoundanovel wayofproposingtohispartner aftershehadgivenbirth–by puttingtheirnewbornbabyina vestwithaspecialmessage.

Shortlyafter giving birth inWalsallManorHospital,Sta ceyArrowsmithwent to have ashowerinthedeliverysuite. ThisgaveAaronChildtheop-

portunity he needed, working withexcitedmidwivestomake surebabyArlowaswearinga veryspecialvestforwhenmum returned.Itwasprintedwiththe followingmessage:“Himummy, daddylovesusbothverymuch. Hesaidwearehiswholeworld andwouldliketoknowwillyou marryhim?”

WhenStacey,a29-year-old firefighter,spottedthemessage, Aaronwentdownononeknee andproducedtheringhe’dbeen hiding,muchtothedelightand surpriseofStaceyandwatching midwives.AndStaceysaidYes!

TheBloxwichcouple,who have been together fortwo years,plantowedin2024. Stacey,Aaron and baby Arlo

Three-year supportfor arts groupstothe tune of £11.5m

Organisationsacrossthe BlackCountryhavebeengivena sliceofan£11.5millioninvest mentfromtheArtsCouncil.

Thefunding,over three years,has been announcedas part of theGovernment’s revampedlevellingupplans ArtsCouncilchiefexecutive Darren Henley said:“This in vestmentisavoteofconfidence intheBlackCountryensuringit canflourisheveninchallenging times.”

TheBlack CountryLiv ingMuseum, Dudley,istoget £760,000-a-year,and Walsall’s NewArt Gallerywill receive £938,000 annually.InWolverhamptonNewhamptonArts Centre will receive£251,000; thecity’sart gallerygets £270,842andthere’s£112,000 fortheArenaTheatre

BlackCountryTouringisto receive£307,225annually,while fellowSandwell-basedcommunityartscharityMultistorygets £243,361.Bilston-basedGazebo Theatrewillget£200,000and West Bromwich-based communitygroupPoweredbyCAN £250,000-a-year.Wolverhampton-basedJaivantPatelDanceis getting£195,000-a-year;SpectraArtsinSmethwickwillget £120,000 andSandwell’sThe People’sOrchestrawillreceive £200,000

Fundingpleafor vitalservice

Listening

Shesaidtheaimofthecampaignwastosecurethefuture oftheserviceandbringinnew peopletohelp.

Sheadded:“Wewouldlike toget25peoplefromthiscam paignand trytotrain up as manyas50peoplenextyear.”

Donate at walsallsamari tansfundraising@gmail.com

Report by Peter Madeley

Minister in pledge on devolution deal

TheWestMidlandsisset to getmorepowersoverhousingand fundingaspartofanewdevolu tiondeal

LevellingUpMinisterDehenna Davisonrevealedthattalkswere underway with West Midlands Mayor Andy Street over there gion’strailblazerdevolutionplans.

Andshesaidshewas“optimis tic”ofstrikingadealthatwould seethe region getmoredeci sion-making powers andcontrol overfunding. TheBishop Auck

landMProlledupatWolverhamp ton’sNationalBrownfieldInstitute inherCitroenC3duringawhis tle-stoptouroftheregion,which alsosawhervisitBirminghamand attendameetingwithMrStreet Shewasgivenatourofthesite by University of Wolverhampton associatedirectorRayFlynn,and metwithstaffandtheinstitute’s residentrobotdog,Spot.

Shesaid: “Talks areongoing regarding howwecan further thedevolutiondeal,andIamvery

optimisticthatwecan reachan agreementtodevolvemorepow ersandmorecash

“Myviewisthatsometimes Westminsterneedstogetoutof theway andgivemorepowers back to local areas. They know theircommunitiesbestanditisup toempowerthemtodotheirstuff.”

Theregion’s devolution pro posals were unveiled overthe summerandreceivedthebacking ofpreviousPM’sBorisJohnsonand LizTruss

Work starting on carpark

Workhasstartedtorejuvenate acarparkinWillenhallwhichhas beenamagnetforfly-tipping

Thescheme,costingmorethan £166,000,will revamp an area on Nottingham Drivefollowing thetransferofthelandfromthe CrownEstatetoWalsallCouncil.

Theworksaresettotakeap proximatelysix weekswithan estimatedcompletiondateofDe

cember9.Itwillincludereplacing theexistingconcretebollardsand resurfacingthecarpark,introduc ingtwovehiclecross-overpoints andaheightbarrier

Work will also take placeto installinfrastructureforelectric vehiclechargingpoints.

Councillor Adrian Andrew, deputyleaderandportfolioholder forregenerationatWalsallCoun

cil, said:“Ihavebeenworking withcurrentwardmembersand officersforanumberofyearsto resolvethisongoingissue.

“Theareahas been plagued with fly-tipping andwithouta landownerithasbeenverydiffi culttoresolvetheissues

“Therebuiltcarparkwillim provetheareaandtheshopping experienceforlocalpeople.”

Dehenna Davison MP meets robot dogSpot, operatedbyPaulDavies

Cockroach find shutsshop

Abutcher’s shop hasbeen forcedtocloseduetoawidespread infestationofcockroaches.

WalsallCouncil environmen talhealthofficerswere“shocked” whentheyfoundtheinfestationof GermancockroachesatSMButch ersonStaffordStreet,Walsall.

Theshopwasshutwithimme diateeffectonOctober27witha HygieneEmergency Prohibition Notice.Theclosurewasconfirmed at WalsallMagistrates Courton October31,wheretheinfestation wasdescribedas‘widespreadand severe’.Council bosses saythe

premiseswillnotbeauthorisedto reopenuntilapestcontrolcompanyhasbeenenlistedtoeradicate theinfestation andthoroughly cleanedthepremises

CouncillorGarryPerry,deputyleaderandportfolioholderfor resilientcommunitiessaid:“Cock roachinfestationsare aserious publichealthconcern.

“Wewanttoseelocalbusiness esflourishsotheseclosuresare nottakenlightly.Wearealways keentoengagewithbusinessownerstogiveadviceandguidanceto helppreventtheseissuesarising.”

Homesbid at former school site granted

Aformerschoolsitewhichhas become amagnetfor fly-tippers will finally be redevelopedafter morethantwodecadesofitlaying empty.

WalsallCouncil’s planning committee rubber-stamped a scheme to create atotal of 45 homesonthe site on Joynson Street,atthejunctionofOldPark Road,inDarlaston

Thesitewas oncehometo KingsHill JMISchoolbut was closedandsubjecttoasuspected arsonattackin1992,whichledto itseventualdemolition

Newsthattheplotoflandwill nowbetransformedbydeveloper Sarwan Samraihas been greet edwithdelight.DarlastonSouth councillorPaulBottsaid:“Iwel comethisdevelopment,itislong overdue

“Thissitehasbeenfly-tipped foryearsandyearsandyearsand hasbeenablightonKing’sHillfor manyyears. ”

AtlastMonday’smeeting,SarwanSamraisaid: “Thesitehas beenvacantforover20yearsnow and,duetoplanningofficerdelays wehavebeenwaitingoverthree yearstocometocommittee.

“TheGovernment stated the policyfortheUKisforasmuch socialhousingaspossibleandso wewelcomethiscomingtocom mitteeandlookforwardtobuild-

inghousingthatisaffordableand neededinthelocality.”

Thedevelopmentwillfeature 35 units, made up of anew 29 apartmentblock,andfourhouses whiletheconversionofanexisting buildingonsitewillcreateanad ditionaltwonewflats

Atotal of 48 parkingspaces andabinstore,privategardens andlandscapingwillalsobecreatedaspartofthedevelopment

Officershad recommended approvingthescheme,subjectto conditionstoresolvesomehigh waysissuesandthiswasbacked bycommitteemembers.Areport said:“Theapplicationsiteisallo

catedforhousingandtheprinciple ofresidentialdevelopmentatthe siteisthereforeacceptable

“Nosignificantimpacton neighbouramenityhasbeenidentifiedandnoobjectionsfromlocal residentshavebeenreceived.

“Inaddition,thecouncil’slack of five-year housing land supply affordsadditionalweightinthe decisionmakingprocessanditis acknowledged that theproposal willcontributetohousingtargets intheregion

“Theoverall benefitsofthe scheme aresignificantand will outweighanyharmtheproposal willcause.”

Studyintohealthoutcomes

AstudysupportedbyTheRoyalWolverhamptonNHSTrusthas foundaconnectionbetweenpoor broadbandprovision andhealth outcomesforcityresidents.

Thestudy,whichuseddatafor allresidentsofWolverhampton, aimedtodetermine theassocia tion betweenbroadbandprovi sionanddemographicandhealth outcomesinadefinedpopulation Duringthepandemic,healthcare serviceswereadapted,with‘faceto-face’ consultationsreplaced withremoteaccess.

However,suchdigitalservices maynothavebeenaccessibleto allserviceusers,leadingtoalink withhealthoutcomes

StudyauthorDrFraserPhilp, lecturer in physiotherapy at the UniversityofLiverpoolsaid:“Itis essentialhealthcareauthorities avoidwideninghistorical,present andfuturehealthinequalities,as digitalsolutionsbecomeincreas inglyembeddedinhealthcare. Identifyingappropriatemeasures forevaluatingbroadband provision,which ultimately influence

access,isanimportant part of this.”

Broadbandprovision was measuredusingtheBroadbandInfrastructureIndex(BII)in158lo calitieshousingatotalof269,785 residents

Lowerbroadbandprovisionas determinedbyBIIwasassociated withahighernumberofhealthco morbiditiesandmorenon-elective urgenteventsover12months.

Thefullstudycanbefoundat bmjopen.bmj.com/content/12/ 11/e065709

Report by Gurdip Thandi

Impressionofthe housing. Photo: DesignStudioArchitects

Cockroachesinthe premises

Strictly adventureendsfor Ellie

Paralympic swimming cham pionEllieSimmondshassaidher time on StrictlyCome Dancing hadbeen“life-changing” as she becamethesixthcontestanttobe eliminatedfromthecompetition

FollowingtheliveshowonSat urday, theBlack Country-based Paralympic champion, found

herselfinthe dreadeddance-off against21-year-old singer and formerBritain’sGotTalentfinalist MollyRainford Ellie,27,ofAldridge,said:“I’ve literallyhadthetimeofmylife.It’s beenthemostincredibleexperi ence–life-changingreally.”

Shethankedherdancepartner

NikitaKuzmin,saying:“I’mgoing tomisshim–he’schangedmylife andconfidence.”Shealsopraised theStrictlyteam, includingthe professionaldancersandthosebe hindthescenes,saying:“I’veliter allylovedwakingupeverysingle dayanddancing.

“I’mgoingtodanceforever.”

is ‘defunct’ as councilgoesitalone

Defiant Walsallcouncillors have followed in Dudley’s wake, votingtoexitthe“defunct”Black CountryPlan, andforge ahead withalocalplan.

Theoriginalplanhad been developedbythefourBlackCoun tryCouncilsinacollaborationto deliver76,000 homes by 2039, almost8,000ofwhichwereear markedforgreenbeltsites

However, aftermorethan 20,000 peoplesigneda petition againstthegreenbeltallocations, Dudley councilwithdrewtwo

greenbeltsitesbeforepullingout altogether

Aspecial cabinetmeetingin Walsallwascalledtodecidehow theboroughshouldproceed–to workwiththethreeothercoun cils,orgoitalone –and leader MikeBirdsaid:“TheBlackCoun tryPlanisdefunctasfarasweare concerned.”

CouncillorBirdadded:“Mean whilewe have to continue with thedirection that we’vehad to date from government,and that wehavetoprovideapproximately

16,000houseswithintheWalsall conurbationbetweennowandthe year2041.”

CouncillorGaryPerrysaid:“In somerespectsthoseshacklesare nowoff,becausealthoughwewere weddedtothatplaninthesense ofdevelopingitinasharedpart nershipapproach,thedecisionby Dudleyhasactuallyhelpedus.

“Whilstsomeshacklesarere movedthereisonethatremains, andthatisthenumbersthathave beenimposedonusbycentralgov ernment.”

Black CountryParalympicsswimming championEllie Simmonds is outofStrictly

Growth must be centralto government policy change

Asweheadtowardswinter,the governmentisholdingitsbreath. Theprospectofseeingenergyra tioningisrealwiththe national gridwarninguswecouldrunout Beinnodoubttherewouldbeno warningwithoutacrediblerisk Thecrisiswefacethiswinter isnotformallygeneratedbyour netzerocommitmentbutitdoes pointthewaylifehastobeforany attempttoachievenetzerotobe realistic.TheUKcannotstoresuf-

ficientenergytomeetneedsand hasbeensuperslowindeveloping nuclearcapacityorexploitingnew technologiesandenergystreams suchasfracking

Thefailuretodothisisdueto anumberoffactorschiefamong whicharetheresistanceofgreen campaigners, local opposition to developmentsandthecost.

Governmentshaveeffective lychosentospendourmoneyon otherprioritiesratherthannucle

Word of advice on calling GP surgery

Justashortlettertoallyour readersoutthere. Whenyouring yourGPsurgery asking forhelp becauseyouareunwell,(notheart attack,strokeetc)but unwell in general,thisiswhathappenedto merecently.

IcalledforanambulancebecauseIcouldnotgetthroughmyself.Theparamedicsareverygood medicalprofessionals,butnotdoctors.

They triedtocontact my GP formymotherwhowasseverely unwell,askingifhecouldvisitor prescribeantibiotics.

Herepliedhewasrunningan hourbehindandhadnotthetime.

Thiswasrelayedthrougharecep tionist! Now,hereisthe advice he gave to theparamedic.They shouldcallanambulance;orcon tacttheRapidInterventionTeam ThisiswhatIthinkregarding GPs:GPhasphonecall–1.GPsays callambulance,2.GPsayscallRIT, througha health professional.3 GP’saskedtomakeahousecallto aseverely-illpatient Pleasemakeupyourown mindsregarding yourGPs;the very first callpeoplemadeand reliedonyearsagowhenwehada genuinehealthservice.Anddonot keepblamingCovid!

Nameandaddresssupplied

ar.Welfarespendingissobloated andopentoabusethatmorethana millionofperfectlyfitandhealthy citizensdonotgotoworkatall.

Livesaregoingtogetharder, colderand poorer. Thequestion is:Cananythingbedone?Let’sbe cleartheonlywayforwardhasto be change to policy.Thatpolicy mustseeeconomicgrowthascentraltoeverything

MBristow,Wolverhampton

Youcannot be serious

Youcannotbeserious! Blair andCamerongivingadviceonhow tobeaPrimeMinisteriswrongon somanylevels

BlairsuckinguptoPresident Bush andpromisinghim undy ingsupportnomatterwhatinhis “war on terror”and then devel oping hisMessiah complexwas excruciatingly embarrassingfor theUK.Oh,andbothsentBritish armedforcestotheirdeathsforno greatgaintotheBritishpublic.

So what meaningful advice canthesetwoactuallyofferapart from“HowNOTtobeaPrimeMinister”?

THoward,Wolverhampton

Tradedealison thecardsonceagain

Acoupleofyearsagoaletterof minewasprintedabouttheEU–in tryingtoimplementatradedeal withSouthAmericancountriesit failed

Thiswasduetothefactthat27 European Union countriescould notagree amongst themselves nowondertheEUtakesevenyears ormoretocuttradedeals

NowUrsulavonderLeyenis onceagain tryingto resurrecta newtradedealwithSouthAmer-

ica. Shewants to avoidany EU memberstatesusingtheirvetoto bypass that procedure, shejust wantstogetamajorityfromthe EUcouncil.

Now here comesthe crunch TheEUwantstoship,inpartof thenew tradedeal, agricultural products from theother side of theworld–somuchforclimate changethen

Theproposednew deal has beenleakedandtheEUfarmers,

whoweknowgetheavilysubsi disedfromtheEU,areupinarms aboutthenewdeal.TheEUhas backtrackedanddeniedthatthey weretryingforanewdeal,buttwo whistle-blowers(don’t you just love‘em),whoareinvolvedinthe talks,havespilledthebeans

Andfinally,toallEUremain ers,whenandifIgetanymoreinformationIwillofcoursekeepyou posted

EC4M 7LG.

RonGoodall,Wordsley

Dancingdentist onawardshortlist

Asinging,dancingdentistwhohas evendroppedpatientsoffatthetrain hasbeennominatedforatopaward.

Darlaston-bornDrChetanSharma isontheshortlistforthe‘BestYoung Dentist’intheMidlandsattheDentistryAwards Dr Sharma graduatedfromthe UniversityofManchesterin2016,and sincerunning his practice,atDudley Road,Wolverhampton,has attracted apopularsocialmediapresencewith morethan15,000followers.

Theawardceremonywillbeheld atTheAthenainLeicester,onNovember25.ShouldDrSharmawin,hewill beforwardedontotheshortlistforBest YoungDentistnationally

DrSharmasaid:“Extremelymagicalthingshappenwhenyoulovewhat youdoforaliving,andIfortunately class myself as oneofthose blessed individualswhoabsolutelyadoresand dedicatesevery second,minuteand hourtowardsdentistry–mypassion “Iabsorbeveryelementofmyca reer.Tome,itisnotwork,itismylife.”

DrSharmasetupacompanycalled ‘Clear Smiles’,where he provides a treatmentcalledInvisalign,andwhere

heworksasaspecialistcosmeticden talsurgeon

Headded:“Iamahands-on,personaldentist.Iknowhowimportantitisto buildasolidandtrustingrelationship betweendentistandpatient.Itactfully askpatientstheirfavouritemusicians, andmynursewillplaythemusicfor them during theirconsultation and treatment

“Isometimessinganddancewith patients–apersonaltouchyouareunlikelytofindelsewhere.Ithelpskeep them at ease andbuildonour rela tionship.Ievenbringincakefortheir birthday,coffeeorflowersforaspecial occasion.Itneverfeelslikeworkwhen youadorewhatyoudo

“Ihaveevendroppedpatientsoff atthetrainstationandansweredtheir calls/messagesatlatehours.Dentistry isapassionofmine,thatIlive,eatand breatheverysinglesecond,minuteand houroftheday.

“Mysoulpurposeandwhyinlife,is toprovideabespokelevelofserviceto mypatients.”

Cloudy2Clear, ALocal

As aleadingdomesticgla replacementcompany formorethan16years, Cloudy2Clearwindows arethe leadingnameinthe industry. Thereisnoneedfor you to riskyourwindows by using the dreadeddoubleglazing cowboydownthe street.You canjoinover336,000 happy customersand replace your glass ethicallyand affordably.

If youhaveafailedglass unit, it maynot provide youwith the protection youneedorbe as energy-efficient as it once was.

Take aminuteto check your home to seeifany double glazinghas failed?Taking action nowcan prevent future financial problems. When talking to theManager of Cloudy2Clear windowsJames Stanleyitbecameclear that thesevalues have been held dear foranumberofyears Sincestartingthe business some yearsago Cloudy2Clear have remained true to their core values of supporting the localcommunity by providing aservice that savesthe public money.

TheCloudy2Clearservice only requires theglass to be replaced andnot thewhole window once theunithas failed.James commented“Cloudy2Clear were abletoassistour community throughthe last financial crisis in 2008 duetothe savings that canbemade in usingour service.Unfortunately we might be goingthrough something similaragain soonand the public canrestassuredthatwe will be theretohelponceagain”.

Forafreequotation please call 0800 61 21 118 or visit:www.cloudy2clear.co.uk

Janet Beard

Report by Sunil Midda

Nominated forBest YoungDentistoftheYearaward,DrChetanSharma

Carthief suspectsought

Ambulance,police,andfirecrews engagedinanhourslongmanhuntafterasuspectallegedlystealingacar jumpedintoawaterwaytogetaway PolicewerecalledtoTameBridge Parkwayrailwaystation–whichborders West Bromwich,Wednesbury, andWalsall–shortlybefore3pmlast Wednesday,toreportsthatacarwas beingstolen.

Apolicecarwasdamagedbyavehicleasthesuspectstriedtoescape,and althoughonemanwasarrestedatthe scene,asecondmanjumpedintowater nearby

Despitea manhuntlastingmore than twohours,withpolicelooking alongthecanalandnearbyriver,the

suspectwasnotfoundandambulance resourceswerestooddownataround 5.30pm

Ahelicopterwas scrambledand emergencyservicecrewsscouredthe areaaroundtheSandwellcanalandthe RiverTame.

AspokesmanforWestMidlandsPo licesaid:“Wearrestedonemanatthe sceneandhewastakenintocustody.A secondmanisbeingsoughtafterjumpingintoanearbywaterway. We are appealingforwitnessesandforpeople withinformationtocontactusviaLive Chatonourwebsiteor101quotinglog 2426of2November

“Alternatively callCrimestoppers on0800555111.”

Free breakfast foryoungsters

Acommunitycentrehaslauncheda freebreakfastclubforchildrentohelp familiesbattlingrisinglivingcosts

MidlandLangarSevaSocietyCommunityHubinBloxwichhaslaunched thebreakfastclub,offeringfreefood forallchildrenagedfourto11

Over thepast sixyears,the hub hasdonatedbread,milk,andcereals toschoolsacrosstheWestMidlands, butamidtherisingcostofliving,ithas nowdecidedtotakefurtheractionand startitsowninitiativeattheWalsall communityhub.Theclubwillprovide ahealthy,warmbreakfasteveryweekdaybetween7.30amto8.30am.

Aclubspokesmansaid:“Hopefully this additional resource will provide

somesupporttofamiliesduringthese tougheconomictimes.

“Itwillalsogiveanopportunityfor childrentosocialisebeforeschooland helpformfriendshipswhichwehope willalsobebeneficialtotheirmental health.”

MidlandLangarSevaSocietywas establishedinOctober2013inWalsall, providinghotfoodanddrinktoschools, safehouses,thoselivingonthestreet, andpeopleonthepovertyline.

Ithasexpandedoverthelastfive years, supporting morethan30,000 peopleinneedacrosstheUK.

Toregisterinterestinthebreakfast club,contact admin@mlss.org.uk or call01922861165

Celebrationofdiversity

An artproject is settocelebrate Walsall’sdiversecommunitiesandcul tures.

The“FacesofWalsall”artexhibitionatthetown’sNewArtGallery,will featuretheartworkofagroupofyoung peoplewhoworkedalongsideCreative CohesionCIConthethemesofwellbe ing,culture,heritageandidentity.

Theyoung artistsworkedon self-portraitsandartworkscelebrating

theirheritagesandidentities.Itmarks theendofa12-weekprojectcalledArt ofMind,aprogrammeoffineartactivi tiesandworkshopsaroundcommunity cohesion

Thefreetoenter“FacesofWalsall” exhibitionwilltakeplaceattheNew ArtGalleryonGallerySquareonNovember19andNovember20.

Tofindoutmore,gotocreativeco hesion.org

Declan Hunt, 11,and KeelyGlover,13,enjoy the BreakfastClub

Return of German market

Birmingham’sfamousFrankfurt Christmasmarkethasreturnedforits 22ndyear

Thepopularattractionisopenuntil December23andwilltakeoverVic toriaSquareandNewStreetdailybe tween10amand9pm–theexception beingfrom1-9pmthisSunday.Thebig wheelandicerinkwillbeinCentenary

SquareuntilJanuary8between10am and10pm,exceptonChristmasDay.

German musicians will perform weekdaylunchtimes, andlocal per formersbetween noon and6pm on weekends. Communitygroup perfor mances have been reinstatedtothe VictoriaSquarebandstand–withopen micsessionsfrom5-7pmonMondays.

‘Unfair burden’onregion

TheBlackCountryishometonearly3,000asylumseekers,officialfigures show,whilesomeneighbouringauthor itieshavetakeninnone

HouseofCommonsLibrarydata showstheBlackCountrywassupporting2,811 asylum seeker applicants

bytheendof2021,1,022ofthemin Sandwell,882inWolverhampton,509 inWalsalland398inDudley.InSouth Staffordshire,nonewastakenin.

WalsallCouncil leader Mike Bird said an “unfairburden” wasbeing placedonpartsoftheWestMidlands.”

LilianaJugureanu and ChristianBalder raiseaglass tothemarket

Walkingonairat openingofstudio

Therewasacelebratoryfeelingin theairasacommunityradiostation officiallymarkedtheopeningofitsstu dios

BlackCountryRadioinvitedleaders fromacrossthecommunitytojoinits staffandvolunteersatthestation’sstu diosatResonanceontheWaterfrontin BrierleyHill.Theeventwasheldtocel ebratetheofficialopeningofthenew set-uponNovember1.

ThestationhadmovedintotheRes onancecampusatthestartof2021,but hadbeenunabletomarkthemovefrom theolder studiosdue to restrictions aroundCovid.

Plaque

Duringanaddressingattheofficial opening,stationchairmanKeithHors fall thanked thestaff andvolunteers forall theirhardworkand spokeof theimportanceofcommunity radio, whileMayoroftheWestMidlandsAndy StreetunveiledaplaquealongsideDud leyMayorSueGreenaway.

Mr Street wasinterviewed live ontheairbyDriveTimehostHannah Udall,whileguestsinattendance,who came from community groups, busi

ness organisations andother groups workingwithBlack CountryRadio, wereabletotourthetwolivedigital broadcastingstudiosandtwoproduc tionstudios.

MrHorsfallsaidtheeventwasan acknowledgementofallthehardwork bystaffandvolunteersovertheeight yearsofthestationandrewardforall thechallengesoverthattime

Hesaid:“We’vebeenthroughfive moves, arobbery,all thechallenges andproblemsofCovidandalotmore besides,butwe’vegotthroughitand we’reherewiththenewstudiosoffi ciallyopened

“Ihavehugeprideinleadingthis fantastic organisation,but it’s really allaboutthe120volunteersthatmake ithappen,whetherit’smeaschairor thepersonmakingthetea.Wearea communityradiostationthatisrunby thecommunityforthecommunityand we’vegotsomewonderfultalent,sothe futureisbrightforus.”

£3mwarchestto help with living costscrisis

SandwellCouncilhasannouncedit willbespending£3.4milliononsup portingresidentsthroughoutthecost oflivingcrisisinthecomingmonths.

Thecouncilsaidthemoneywould fundfoodvouchersfor18,000children eligibleforfreeschoolmeals,aswellas financialsupportfor500lowincome households,450careleaversandfos tercarers,foodbanks,disabledhouse holds,andfamilieshostingUkrainian refugees

Moneywillalsobeusedtosupport therunningof29WarmSpacesinthe area,which arefree, non-judgmental publicplaceswherepeoplecangoto getwarm,savemoneyontheirheating costs,andavoidsocialisolation.Fund ingfromtheHouseholdSupportFund willsupportresidentsintheborough

untilnextMarch.The councilisalso working with schoolsonarange of measurestoensurechildrenarewell fed,includinghelptosetupbreakfast clubs, free school mealsfor children whosefamiliesjustmissoutontheeligibilitycriteriaand helping families struggling to send theirchildrento schoolwithpackedlunches.

Atotal of £300,000 hasbeenset asideforthissupport.

Tenantsonalowincomeandnot in receiptofbenefitswill be able to requestassistancewiththeirrentand rentarrearsinthecomingmonths.

Applicationsfor crisis payments canbemadetotheLocalWelfareProvi sionSchemethroughtheCouncilweb site at sandwell.gov.uk/localwelfare provision

Report by James Vukmirovic

Andy Street,MayorSueGreenaway and station chairmanKeith Horsfall

Noddybacking charityrecord

It’s Chriiiiiiistmas!Black Country legendNoddyHolderisaimingforan otherfestivehitafteraddinghisvoice toastar-studdedcollectionofcharity singles.

TheWalsall-bornsinger, who toppedthechartsin1973withSlade’s MerryXmasEverybody, hasbeen backinthestudioinaidofTheCancer AwarenessTrust.

The76-year-old singer,who was awardedanMBEin2000forservicesto showbusiness,narratesadiaryentry byaFirstWorldWarsoldierafterthe ChristmasDaytruceof1914.

Hereadslinesincluding:“Thebru talwar hadstopped.There wasno noise,noscreams,justsilence”setto musicproducedbyBrianEno.

Itformspartofacollectionofsinglesfeaturing50starsalsoincluding Birmingham’s Ozzy Osbourne,Peaky Blinders star CillianMurphy,Glenn CloseandSineadO’Connor

Thealbumisbeingreleasednext yearalthoughanumberofsingleswill bereleasedbeforethealbumlaunch includingNoddy’ssingle–inaidofpromotingTheCancerPlatform,fromThe

CancerAwarenessTrust,afree-to-use websiteandappforeveryoneaffected bycancer

Tony Colville, managingdirector of TheCancerAwareness Trust, said Noddywaschosenduetohimbeingthe “voiceofChristmas”.

ItissaidNoddywantedtosupport thecauseduetoSladebassistandWol verhampton’sownJimLea,andfellow city-bornSladedrummerDonPowell, havingbothbattledthedisease.

TheofficialreleasebyTheEvamore Project,onbehalfofthecharity,could markafranticpushtoclaimthecov etedChristmasnumberonespotthis year–whichhasbeenhelddownby socialmediastarLadbabyoverthelast fouryears.

Slade’slast-evernumberoneinthe UKwasthewell-known“MerryXmas Everybody” song in 1973 whichfea turesthefamousvocals“It’sChriiiiiii iiistmas”–andhasremainedafestive favouriteformany.

Formoreinformation aboutNod dy’supcomingsingleandTheCancer Awareness Trust, visitthecancerplat form.com

Noddy Holder in the studio. Photo:Facebook

Slade hitthenumberonespot

Endofaneraas businessshuts

Afamilybutcherthathasservedits communityforfourgenerationsisclosingitsdoorsforthefinaltime

BatesButcherswasstartedbySophiaBatesinabout1930andhassince beenrunbyhersonEdwin,grandson ColinandgreatgrandsonDaniel

Butafter survivingthe Second WorldWar,afirein2014andmostre cently theCovid-19 pandemic,spiralling electricitycosts have forced the shopinWolverhamptontoshut.

“Everyone’s upsetbecause we’re partofthecommunity,”saidDaniel

“IthinkI’lllookbackandseehow luckywe’vebeen,butthebigthingfor meisit’snotjustashop,it’sthething ourfamilyhasbeenassociatedwithfor four generationsand people have al waysknownwearethere.

“Thehardestthingiswearesaying goodbyetothesepeople.”

AndDanieladmitssomeconversationswithhiscustomersaboutclosing downhavebeenreallydifficult:“You’re fightingbackthetears,becausethelast thingIwanttobedoingisstartcrying

intheshop.”AfterstartinginDudley Road,theBatesfamilyownedseveral shopsinWolverhampton duringthe trade’sgoldeneraofthe1960s

Edwin’sshop in GreenLanewas followedbystoresinWarstonesDrive, BlackburnAvenueandPendefordAve nue–withDaniel,now48,startingout alongsidehisgrandfatherandfatheras a12-year-old

AnditisthatshopinPendefordAvenuethathascarriedtheBatesname allthewayuntilnow.“Thecustomers aregoingtobethebiggestthingImiss,” saidDaniel

“You become part of theirlives TheysawmewhenIwas12.Iwasthe Saturday lad, so I’ve knownsome of themsincethen.”

Daniel said theenergybill crisis wasabridgetoofar.“Ihavethoughtof everythingasbestasIcan,butit’sjust beenforcedwiththeelectricbills,”he said.“Wehaven’tlostanycustomers, they’vestillbeenwithus,butthemar ginhasdroppedsomuchbecausethe overheadsaregoingupandup.”

Daniel Bates, right,withhis father Colin beforeColin’sretirement

Birthingpartners rulesare relaxed

Onebirthpartnerisnowwelcometoattendma ternitytriagewithmums-to-beatWalsallManorHospital.

Duringthepandemic,numbersinmaternitytriagehadtobelimitedasWalsallHealthcareNHSTrust workedwithserviceuserstokeepthehospitalassafe aspossibleforall.

CarlaJones-Charles, divisional director of midwifery,gynaecologyandsexualhealth,said:“Weun derstandthiswasadifficulttimeforourserviceusers astheywereoftenattendingtriageduetoconcerns intheirpregnancyandweappreciatethatbeingalone mayhaveaddedtotheanxiety.Wearepleasedwecan nowwelcomeonebirthpartnertoaccompanyservice usersintriageandprovidethatadditionalsupport.”

Anyonewithcoughsorsneezesorsufferingfrom sicknessanddiarrhoeaisaskednottoattend

Housing plan for oldpub

A‘dilapidated’oldpubwhichfellvictimtoCovid couldbeconvertedintonewhousinginWillenhall.

Anapplicant,listedasMrKang,hasputforward proposalstoWalsallCouncilplannerstocreatesix newapartmentswithintheformerPrinceofWales pubonWalsallStreet

Thepubwasclosedforbusinessduetotheimpact ofCovidandrepresentativesforthedevelopersaid thebuildinghadbeenleftinastateofneglect.They addeditwasrifeforvandalismandthattheredevelopmentofthevenuewouldbreathenewlifeintothe areaandprovidemuchneededhousing

Sixapartmentsareproposed,threeone-bedroom, twowithtwobedroomsandonestudioflat.

Dilapidated

AgentsJBVJArchitectssaid:“Thecurrentconditionofthesiteisnotbefittingofapublichouse,avail ableforusebythegeneralpublic.Thederelictanddi lapidatedstateofthesitehasledthesiteandbuilding intoastateofneglect,andthususnotfitforpurpose orsafeforpublicuse

“Thelackofsurveillance andactivity in and aroundthesitehascreatedaprimespotforvandalism,andisinmuchneedofenhancednaturalsurveil lance.Theregenerationofthewholesitewillcreate asitemorebefittingofthearea.Thepublichouseis deteriorating,andwillcontinuetodosountilitisredeveloped

“Inessence theproposalseeks to reinvigorate whatoncewasanattractivesite,byprovidingahigh qualityresidentialdevelopmentandlandscapeworks thatcreateasitemoreinkeepingwithitscontext.”

Training boss’s OBE

ThePrincessRoyal,PrincessAnne,has presentedtheOBEtoRobColbourne,chief executiveofWalsall-basedtrainingprovider PerformanceThroughPeople.

MrColbourne,whoreceivedthehonour inrecognitionofhisservicestoapprenticeshipsand skills, attended Windsor Castle withhiswifeHelen,andfamilymembers,to receivethehonour.

HehasheadedPTPTraining,partofthe BCTGGroup,fornearly20years,andwas behindthelaunchofTheLaddercampaign whichhascreatedmorethan4,000apprenticeshipsacrosstheregionsince2018.He

said:“HelenandIhadawonderfuldayat WindsorCastle,anditwasagreathonourto meetPrincessAnnetoreceivemyOBE.”

“WhileIwasthrilledtoreceivethehonour,itisverymuchareflectionofhardwork ofeveryonebothhereatPTPandacrossthe widerBCTGGroup,helpingtoenhancethe provision of training andapprenticeships acrosstheMidlandsregions.”

BeforehisroleatPTP,MrColbourne,52, wasthetrainingmanageratWalsallChambersofCommercefor13yearsandwaspreviouslythetrainingmanagerfortheDeben hamsgroup

VisitorstoanOldburychurchcanbagabar gainataChristmasfairthisweekend.

Toys,books,clothes,bags,jewelleryandbric a-bracwillbeonofferatCausewayGreenMeth odistChurch,PenncricketLane,from1to3.30-m onSaturday

Homemadecakeswillalsobeonsale,aswell asa‘prizeeverytime’stallandaraffle.Teaand coffeewillbeavailable

Rob Colbourne withhiswife Helen

Pupils settoperform

Talented pupils areseeingtheir dreamscometrueastheyprepareto stageWestEndhitThePhantomofthe Opera.

PerformingartspupilsatEllowes Hall Sports CollegeinLowerGornal nearDudleywillbestaginganadaptationoftheSirAndrewLloyd-Webber showfromNovember16to25inthe first majorproductionatthe school sincethecoronaviruscrisis.

Nearly 100pupilshavetaken on rolesfromsinging,acting anddancingtostagemanagement,propdesign, lightingandsoundengineeringinabid torepeatthesuccessofpreviousschool showsincludingLesMiserablesandBil lyElliot.NowtheteamattheStickley

Laneschoolishopingthatpeoplefrom acrossthewidercommunitywillsnap upticketstowatchtheperformances Eachshowstartsat7pmwiththeex ceptionofNovember19whichwillbe aSaturdayafternoonmatineegetting underwayat2pm.

EllowesHallteacher JohnBailey said:“Thisisthefirstmajorproduction fornearlythreeyearsandstudentsin Y11lasttooktothestagein2019forthe productionofMissSaigon.Thisshow standstobeaspectacularifanyofthe previousshowssuchasLesMiserables andBillyElliotaretogoby.”

Ticketscostfrombetween£6and £8andcanbepurchasedonlineatelloweshall.co.uk

Hollie’sgesture tohelppatients

Akind-heartedschoolgirlhasused allherpocketmoneytobuyCDplayers anddiscsforahospitalwhichiscaring forherbabysister

HollieKendalldecidedto“helpall thebabies”atWalsall’sneonatalunit afterrealisingthereweren’tCDplayers foreveryoneontheunit.

HersisterChloe,bornat26weeks andweighinglessthanabagofsugar, iscurrentlyintheunitandthefamily discoveredtherewasonlyoneCDplayeravailablewhentheyaskedifChloe couldhavesomemusicon.

Mother Emma said:“Hollie earns pocketmoneyfordoingvariouschores suchasemptyingthebinsandthedish-

washerandwe’retryingtoencourage hertosavefromanearlyage.Shetold meshewantedtouseittobuyCDplay ersandnurseryrhymediscstohelpall thebabies.”

Father Craig, 44,apetroltanker driver,said:“Shehadsaved£250and thefactthatshewantedtodosome thinglikethisisjustsotypicallyHollie.”

Hollieherselfwasbornat27weeks, weighingtwopoundsandoneounce, andwasthefirstbabybornthatpre maturelywhowascaredforonWalsall ManorHospital’sneonatalunitin2012

CraigandEmmasaysupportfrom staff–following both Hollie’s and Chloe’sbirth–hasbeen“amazing.”

Manrescuedfrom20ft

Amanhadtoberescuedfrom20 feetintheairafterthehydraulicplat formhewasonbecamestuck

Theincident took placeonMoat Road,Pleck at around 12.45pmlast Thursday

Themachineryhadsufferedamechanical malfunction and firefighters from Walsallalongside atechnical

rescuecrewfromWednesburyuseda ladderandspecialistropeequipmentto rescuehim.

AspokesmanfromWestMidlands FireServicesaid:“Themanwassafe andwellanddidnotrequireanymed icalattention.Itwasjustamechanical malfunction with thehydraulic plat form.”

Hollie Kendall,her parents,sisterChloe,and nurse ShaziaThabassum

SATURDAY

WarHorse (2011) (BBC2, 5.15pm)

When his drunkenfarmerdad Ted(PeterMullan)comeshomewith afoalcalledJoey,youngAlbert(Jer emyIrvine) promises to trainthe animaltoworkinthefields.Howev er,EuropegoestowarandTedsells JoeytoCaptainNicholls(TomHid dleston).Albertsubsequentlylearns oftragedyonthebattlefieldanden listsinthearmytotrackdownJoey andreturnthehorsetothefarm

SUNDAY

HereBefore(2021) (BBC2, 10.30pm)

Psychological thriller setin NorthernIreland.Severalyearsaf terthedeathofherbeloveddaughter Josie(GraceO’Dwyer),motherLaura (AndreaRisebor ough)has rebuilt herlifeinasub urbofBelfastwith herhusband and son, butbecomes convincedshe livesinanother child.

Freddie’stakingstock foranF1driving test

TopGear (BBC1, 8pm, Sun day)

Itmayseemhardtoremember now,butwhenitwasrevealedthat Jeremy Clarkson,James Mayand RichardHammondwereleavingTop Gear,somepeoplewonderedifthe motoringshowwouldsurvive

Admittedly,itdid take awhile fortheBBCtofindapresentinglineupthattrulygelled,butunderthe stewardshipofChrisHarris,Freddie FlintoffandPaddyMcGuinness,it’s onceagainpulledahead

However, Paddymodestlysug geststhatit’stheformat,ratherthan justthepresenters,that’sbehindthe show’scontinuingpopularity

Hesays:“Ithinkessentially,it’s gotsomethingforeveryone.It’sgot petrolhead bits in thereofcourse, butalsoalotofentertainment.And it’sgreatescapismonaSundaynight isn’tit, before gettingready to go backtowork?

“Peopleliketoswitchoff by watchingusdrivingaroundinexotic carsoroldbangers,goingroundthe

world andvisitingdifferent places thatyounevergetachancetosee.”

Tonight, he gets behind the wheelofaRangerRoverbilledasthe mostluxuriouseverbuilt.However, adrivearoundLondondoesn’tseem likemuchofatest,soheandChris takeittothecountry’stoughestoff-

roadevent,theKingofBritain,toreallyputitthroughitspaces

Freddie, meanwhile, is trying hishandatF1–F1StockCarRac ing,thatis,andChrisisinvitedby MercedestotryoutanF1carthey havebuiltfortheroad–butthetest drivedoesn’tgoexactlytoplan.

EastEnders (BBC1)

Samisn’tpreparedforwhatshe findsattheBranninghouse–and sharesherdiscoverywithJack.Alfie triestokeeptheboysamusedbygettingthemtoguessthecombination toPhil’ssafe–andtheysuccessfully crackit.However,itstartstoseem lesslikeharmlessfunwhenhiscab islaterhijackedbyanarmedrobber

Coronation Street (ITV)

Grifforganisesameetingatthe communitycentrewhich,onpaper atleast,appearstobeabouttheenvironment.However,hesoonreveals his racist colours,prompting Roy (DavidNielson)tomakehimlooka fool.Bernieiskidnappedwhiletry ingtoexposeFaith,andHopelaunch esamoney-makingscheme.

Emmerdale (ITV)

ChasattendsLiv’ssend-offwhile ahandfulsaygoodbyetoAl.Butaf terlater secretly readingAl’sorder ofservice,herdespaircomesout andPaddy gets worried about what’sbehindher behaviour.

Editor’s weekend pick

Films for the weekend

Your guide to the soaps

Freddie Flintoffgoes stock carracing forTopGear

WarHorse

David Neilson

Cosy up at homewiththese wintry woodland wonders

Withahappybalanceofcreature comfortsandwoodlandthemedde cos,it’seasytocapturethelaid-back vibesofcountryliving–wherever youlive

Justasbeingamongstnatureand wildlifecanbringasenseofcalm, wecanchannelthesefeelingsinour interiors,creatingawelcomerefuge fromthestressesofmodernlife–not tomentionawealthofcreativeinspi rationintherun-uptoChristmas.

Whetheryou’relookingtocreate alogcabinfeel,addatouchofrustic charmorchill-outzonetosnuggleup withawinterwarmer,thesepieces lightthewayforwintrywonder

1. EcoPot Disney WinnieThe Pooh ‘Hundred Acre Wood’ –23 litre–madefromrecycledplastic Bottles,£14.99,Jardinopia

This sweeteco-friendly plant potoffersawhimsyescapetothe

By Sam Wylie-Harris

woods–andchrysanthemumscan beswitchedforpoinsettias,assoon astheylandintheshops

2.Setof2gemstoneleafhiball glasses,£10,Studio

Idealfor greensmoothiereci pes,thesehighballswillalsolovea BloodyMary,especiallywithacelery stalkandgreenolivesforgarnish.

3. Woodland oven glove, navy, £14,Fatface

Akitchenessentialforsoupsea sonandhotpots.

4. Emma Bridgewateroak Frenchbowl,£21;greypartridge8 ½inchplate,£19,andcockpheas antmediumpastabowl,£24(oth er itemsfroma selection), Emma Bridgewater

Englishearthenwareatitsmost joyous,thisnewoakcollectionim

bibesthoughtsofcrunchingthrough fallenleaves, Sunday roastsand chestnutstuffing.Lots

5. Wooden pillar candle stick, £5,antlertealightholder,£4, stag tealightholder, £5,and artichoke ornament,£8,B&Mstores

Idealifyou want to introduce textureand awarmglow, these wooden candlesticks andtealights haveanappealingcountrytwist.

6. ArtFor TheHomestag woodenplaque,£35,Next

This handsome fellow projects thewonderofthe wilderness and canbeleftunadorned,orhungovera sideboardandfinishedwithacollec tionofrustictools.

7. Stag luxury merino throw, £99.95,AnnabelJames

Whenyou’recosyingupinyour snugchairandslippersandwantto treatyourself,thissuper-softmerino

throwinareversiblecreamandgrey stagdesigncouldbeyourbestbuy

8. George Berbercushion,£10 (otheritemsfromaselection),Di rect.asda

Whenyou’repullingallyourlog cabin-inspiredfurnishingstogether, atuftedBerber-stylecushionworks beautifullywithluxewoodtones.

9.Stagtablelamp,£65,Studio

Astatementpieceandobjectof desire,welovethishandsomewhite stag topped with adesigner-look greylinendrumshade.Imaginehim posingproudlyonawoodensideta ble,withawhiteshaggyrugunder neath.

10.Glass decanter with stag’s head,£69.95,AtHomeintheCoun try

Youcanneverhavetoomanyde canters,especiallyifyou’replanning onthrowingsomestylishwintersoi

rees–orreachingforadramofwhis kytoputatwinkleinyoureye

11.Green brushedcottonstag duvetset,from£20,GreyBrushed CottonStagDuvet Set, from £20, andOakwood BrownThrow, £20, B&Mstores

Brushedcottonishailedforhold inginthewarmth,andmixingand matchinggreenandgreycreatesa strikingcontrast.Areclaimedwood headboard andstringlightscom pletethelook

12.NaturalHistory Museum woodland journal wallpaper, £12 perroll,Dunelm

Afeaturewallofwoodlandfinds providesthe perfectbackdropfor naturebookorwildlifephotography collections.Otherwise,youcanjust enjoythefabulousfloraandfauna intheirnewnaturalhabitat–your home!

Plants to attractwildlifeduringcoldseason

As autumn creeps into winter, you’lllikelystartseeinglesswildlife activityinyourgarden–butit’sa timewhenmanyvisitors,including birds,smallmammalsandsomein sects,needusmost

“Plantsare thebedrock of a wildlife-friendly garden, andthat includesthroughoutthewinter,de spitemanybeing reduced to their skeleton,”saysAdrianThomas,gar deningexpertattheRSPB(rspb.org. uk).

“Therearetwokeybenefitsthat plantsoffer:coverandfood.Getting throughthelong,coldnightsischal lengingforgardenbirds,soplants thatofferdensesafecoverwillal lowthemtosnoozesafelyoutofthe elements, saving valuable energy Evergreenssuchashollyandivyare ideal.”

Wildlife-friendlyplants Aswellasthemanyplantswhich

produceberriesforbirds,including cotoneaster,pyracantha, berberis andyew,makesureyouplantspe cies wherethe berries should last beyondChristmas,suchasskimmia andguelderrose.Fieldfaresandoth erbirdsmayvisitgardenstofeedon windfallappleswhenit’sreallycold.

Ivyberriesareavaluablesource of nutrition forbirdsinlatewin terandearlyspring,whenfoodis scarce.Adultredadmiralbutterflies feed on nectar-richplantssuchas Verbenabonariensis, whichisstill visiblyinflowerinmanygardensat thistimeofyear,whilethecaterpil larseatleavesofthecommonnettle Nativeplantsincludingcrabapple, elderandbirchalsocreatenatural foodsuppliesforbirdsoverthewin ter,theRSPBsuggests.

Shrubs Winter shrubs includingVi burnum xbodnantense, Lonicera

Robinonwinterbranches

fragrantissima andChristmas box (Sarcococcahookeriana) notonly providefoodandshelterforwildlife, butalsogiveoffthemostamazing scent

Seedheads

“Thinkabout thevalue that comesfromleavingtheseedheadsof herbaceousplantsstandingthrough winter,everythingfromlavenders

toVerbenabonariensis,rudbeckias andsedums,saysThomas. Leave architecturalseedheadssuchastea selsforseed-eatingbirdslikechaf finchesandgoldfinches

Bulbs

There’sstill time to plantlate winter andearly springflowering bulbsincludingsnowdropsandcro cuses,whichmayproveamagnetfor anybeesventuringoutduringlate wintersunshine.Othersmallbulbs whicharetemptingforwildlifein cludescillaandchionodoxa.

Inpots

Ifyouhaveasmallgarden,pol linatinginsects will head hungrily toyournectar-richcontainerplants inlatewinterandearlyspring.The noddingheadsofhellebores,which appearatthattime,notonlyprovide asubtlehue to anyarrangement, butarealsoagoodfoodsourcefor emergingqueenbumblebees.

Winter-floweringheatherssuch as Ericacarnea‘WinterSnow’are amongthe hardiest of dwarfev ergreenshrubsand areideal for brighteningupwintercontainers,as wellasbeingamagnetforearly-fly ingbumblebees

Hedging

Hedgesmakegreatshelterand providefoodforbirds,andnowis agreat time to plantspecies such as yewand hawthorn,beforethe groundgetstoohard.Inlateautumn andearlywinter,lawnscanbeinval uabletoblackbirdsandsongthrush es,whoventureontoyourgrassin searchofleatherjackets(thelarvae ofcraneflies),earthwormsandfall enfruit.

Considerleavingthedandelions inyourlawn,whichprovidenectar andpolleninlatewinterandearly spring,whenqueenbumblebeesare comingoutofhibernation

ArtForTheHomestagwoodenplaque,Next

GeorgeBerbercushion,withitemsfromaselection,Direct.asda

Woodlandjournalwallpaper

EmmaBridgewateroakcollection

Makingfriendsofhumanand wild kind in magicalMexico

Makingfriendsonholidayisim portant,particularlyifyou’reflying solo

It wasa scorchinghot dayin Mexico,andjustasIcontemplated slinking over to theLaEscondida swim-upbarforacoolingCorona,I spiedapotentialnewpal.

Afterabitofrustlinginthebush es,out popped theheadofaninquisitivegreycoati–akind-ofcross betweenaraccoon,monkeyandanteater.

Secondslater,hewasjoinedby halfadozenmembersofhisbandfor asniffaround,beforescurryingback intothejungle.

IwasatUNICO20°87°resorton theRivieraMaya,astunningstretch ofcoastlineonMexico’snorth-east ernYucatánPeninsula.

Althoughaperfectcouples’destination,Ifoundthisall-inclusivehavenidealformeetingnewpeople–as wellastheoddwildanimal.Mybase forthreedayswasapristineOcean

ViewRoom,completewithajetbath tubonthebalcony,andfullystocked minibar.

Robes, slippers, sunhatsand otherluxurieswerealsoprovided, whilecomplimentary24-hourroom serviceisavailable,shouldyouwish torelaxinyourroom.

Helpingtomakemystayascomfortableaspossiblewasmypersonal conciergeMarco,whowasonhand, alldayeveryday,viaWhatsAppto bookany activities or restaurant reservations.

Iexperiencedthreeamazingdiningexperiencesduringmystay

On the first night, Iheadedto MexicanrestaurantCueva Siete to munchoncrunchy corn tortillas withguacamoleandsalsa,followed bybeefsteakwithashesandCotija cheeseSauce.

Then,atthe Mediterranean-in

spiredMiCarisa,Iwasservedchar coalprovoloneinfigjam,followed bycreamyspaghetticarbonara.Finally,atthehotel’ssignaturesteak house,20.87Restaurant,Ioptedfor amouth-wateringribeyemarinated inchimichurrisauce.

Acrossthewoodenbridgefrom UNICO,thereisanarrowbeach,dottedwithprotectedturtlenests,ideal forastrollorswiminthewarmGulf ofMexicowaters.

However, most guests tend to hang outbythe pools,whether theypreferlisteningtomusicatthe 20°87°Pool,socialisingatLaUNICA Pool,orchilledoutbar-topgamesat LaEscondida.

Downthecorridorfromthemain lobby,youcanindulgeinawine-tast ingsessionatLaBotellaorachocolate-samplingsessionatSoól

Meanwhile,overattheresort’s spa,Itookpartintherevitalising aquatherapyjourneybeforebookinginforarelaxingmen’sfacial

Getaway in acampervan

TheVWcampervanconjuresup images of flower-adornedvehicles, favouredbyhippies,touringAmer icaduringthecountercultureeraof thelate1960s,writesBillMcCarthy

Manyofthosewhodrovearound thembackinthedayarenowciti zensofacertainvintage.Thereare those,too,whoseeitasadifferent adventurewiththeiryoungfamily Andwhileitmaynotbesocomforta ble,formanyitstillfeelshipandcool tobeseendrivingone

WithtypicalBritishstoicism,we packedupandheadedtowardsthe eastcoastofYorkshire

Ourweekawaytookustoasite nearFiley.Oneofseveralownedby Havenalongthatcoastline,theyof ferallsortsofaccommodation,from mobile homestospace formotor

homes,campersandtents.Thesite hasspectacularseaviewsandoffers peaceandtranquillitywithallthe basicfacilitiesrequiredforcamping andcaravanning.Thereisalsoareg ularbusservicewhichgivesabetter viewofthecountrysidefromthetop deck

Dailyrateswerearound£18and includedelectricitypointsandwateranddisposalfacilitiesaswellas cleanshowerblocks.Italsoallows useoftheHavenfacilitiesandlive entertainment.

Itwashandilyplacedforvisitsto ScarboroughandBridlington.Atra ditionalseasidetown,Scarborough featurestwosandybeacheswiththe landmark12th-centurycastledominatingthecliffs.Italsofeaturesatra ditionalpromenade,shoppingcentre

andaVictorianCentralTramwayfu niculartrainthatlinksthetowncentrewithSouthBayanditsharbour

Furthersouth is Bridlington, packedwithattractionsandamuse mentstogetherwithasandybeach.

AlsoworthavisitisnearbyFlam boroughHead–designatedaSpecial AreaofConservation–anditstwo spectacularlighthouses.

AtriptoWhitbyisworthwhile, withitsfamousAbbeyoverlooking thebay.Itwas Bram Stoker’s visittotheharbourtownin1890that providedhimwithlocationsforhis famousGothichorrornovelDracula WhitbyalsohoststhefamousNorth YorkshireMoors Railway, which runs to Pickeringand stopsoff at Goathland, home of Aidensfield in theTVseriesHeartbeat.

Atnight,thereisarosterofvariedentertainment,andonmyfinal eveningIheadedtoPalmeraLounge forthesilentdiscoandafewMayan Mulecocktailswithafewpalsfrom Pennsylvania

Aftersaying‘adios’totherelax ingUNICO,Iwasdriven10minutes upHighway307forahotelexperi enceofadifferentkind

ThesprawlingHardRockHotel RivieraMayaresortissplitintwo–thefamilythemedHacienda,andthe adults-onlyHeaven.Followingatour ofthegrounds,Imadeabeelinefor Heaven’sCentralPoolwhichfeatures livebands,DJsanddancersonthe 20-foot-highelevatedstage.

Duringtheweek,Igottoknow agroup of otherholidaymakers, andafter thesun set, we metup fordrinksattheHeavenBar,which turnsintoanightclubandpoolparty intotheearlyhours.

Thenextday,withaslightlysore head,Iembarkedonanotherhydro

therapytour– sauna, steamroom andhotandcoldbaths–atTheRock Spa.Andwhilethedeeptissuemas sagefeltrigorousatthetime,itdid metheworldofgood

Thefood anddrink at Hard Rock’s nine restaurantswas also secondtonone,particularlyatZen, whereteppanyakichefRogerthrew knivesintotheair,flamesonthegrill andriceintoourmouths.

ThentherewastheAwakenYour Sensesdiningexperience,theHard Rock’sFrench-inspiredLePetitCochon,andToroSteakHouse–agreat optionforloversofrib-eye,skirtand flank.

Thereare plentyofexcursions availablefromHardRocktoo,includ ingatriptotheancientMayantown ofTulumandtheZiplineXpresscircuitthroughthejungle

YoucanevenjoinaJamBandor haveagoatmusicmixing.I,howev er,optedforaroundofgolfatthere sort’scourse

By RichardJones

UNICO20°87° resortonthe north-easternYucatánPeninsula HardRockHotel ontheRivieraMaya

Lighthouse atFlamborough Head

SENIOR JOURNALISTS

The MidlandNewsAssociation, publisher of the Express &Starand Shropshire Star,islooking forseniorjournalists to join its team.

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

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

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

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

We willalso considerNCTJDiploma trained journalists who areworking towardstheirNQJ

This is abrilliantopportunity to join our newsroom, covering adiverse, vibrantand busypatch

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

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

Closing date Friday, November 25

GREYHOUNDS

Skip Hire

West Midlands, WS9 8EX as an operating centrefor 2 goodsvehiclesand1trailers.

Ownersoroccupiersofland (including buildings) near the operating centre(s) who believe that their useor enjoymentofthatlandwould be affected, should make written representations to the TrafficCommissioner at HillcrestHouse,386Harehills Lane,LeedsLS96NFstating their reasons,within21days of this notice. Representors mustatthesametimesenda copyoftheirrepresentations to the applicant at the address given at the top of this notice. AGuide to Making Representations is available from the Traffic Commissioner’sOffice Dated:November10, 2022

CAROL MASTERS Deceased

Pursuant to the Trustee Act 1925 anyone having a

againstoraninterest in the Estate of the deceased, late of 246 NewburyLane,Oldbury, West Midlands, B69 1JG, who died on 13/07/2022, must send written particulars to the address below by 11/01/2023,after which datethe Estate will be distributed having regardonlytoclaims and interests notified.

c/o Jordans Solicitors 35 Payne Street Blackheath, B65 0DH. Ref: BKS/CMASTERS/5206

DEREK WAYNE WATLING (Deceased)

Pursuant to the Trustee Act1925any persons having aclaim against or an interest in the Estate of theabove named, late of 23 Knottsall Lane,Oldbury, West Midlands,B68 9LG, who died on 27/07/2022, arerequired to send writtenparticularsthereof to the undersigned on or before12/01/2023, afterwhich datethe Estate will be distributed having regard onlytothe claims and interests of which theyhave had notice

LloydsBank Plc, PO BOX5005, LANCING, GB,BN99 8AZ

AFTER TWO YEARS PLUS, OF LOCKDOWN

Is it too late in life for this mid 80’s Wolverhampton lady, with only landline phone and not ‘on line’, wanting to find asame generation gentleman pal.

Box Number P22281 , Express and Star, Queen Street, Wolverhampton, WV1 1ES

GENT, 70’S

Solvent, own house, fit, active, sadly eye sight problem, seeks good looking female, lives Hollyhall, Dudley.

Box Number P22282 , Express and Star, Queen Street, Wolverhampton, WV1 1ES

GENTLEMAN

Iama lady widow, 80 years young, not ready for sitting back in my chair yet, so here goes.

Idon’t know about you but of course Imiss my better half but that’s life, nothing we can do about it.

Of course you miss going for walks, someones hand to hold, going for ameal. I’m not going to go on and on, So if you’r out there would you please answer my advert with your telephone number. Thank you.

Box Number P22283 , Express and Star, Queen Street, Wolverhampton, WV1 1ES

Shooting Brakepackedwithgoodies

BILLMcCARTHY

Like many estate type cars or tourers, style andpracticalityhave beenmarried to deliver coupe-like styling, with littlecompromiseoninterior space.

Theterm“shootingbrake”is supposedly from turn-of-the-last centuryEngland,where it referred to acar used to transport ahunting partyand itsgear. “Brake”referred to achassis that wasusedtobreak in horses.

It eventually just came to referto

earlywagonsingeneral.The term waslater appliedtocustom-built wagons by high-end coachbuilders andsubsequentlybecamesynon ymouswiththe stationwagon or, nowadays, theestate.

With achoice of PremiumLine, Luxury Line andSport Line trim levels, it certainlyisapremium, stylishvehicle with itssleek,coupe likeprofile andfeaturing the sig nature crestgrillequad lampsand notforgettingthe Bentleylookalike winged bonnet badge

TheSport Line modeladdsdarkchrome finish forthe window sur rounds andfront grille, whichalso gets adarktinted chrome mesh in sert.It also features 19-inchalloys

with redBrembobrake calipers

To therearofthe vehiclea sin gle-piece glasshatch accommodates part of thelightcluster anda“float ingtype” integral spoiler.

Rear wheeldrive,itfeaturesa powerful 2.2-litre diesel engine matedtoaneight-speed auto box that offers reasonable economy whiledeliveringdecentpace.

Packed with high endgoodies, it is spacious with apremium interior

Oneofthe star attractions is the twomainbinnacledials whichturn into camerastoshow theroaditis turningintowhenthe indicatoris activated.

Arealsafetyfeature that helps keep cyclists andpedestrians safe

This is aproperpremium motor with state-of-the-art technologies, qualitymaterials,and a finish to create what theGENESIS describe as ‘a fighter jet cockpit appearance.’

Centralisthe 10.5-inchHDinfo tainmentscreenand 12.3-inchTFT instrument clustercontrolling con nectivityand navigation functions.

It operates theimpressivesound system,whilethe GenesisConnect system offers voicerecognition and live updatesand smartphoneinte gration.

Boot spaces on these type of es tatesortourers arenot as capacious as some of theolder styles,but with 465litresavailable,expanding to

1,535-litre load area with 40:20:40 split-fold rear seats, it offers plenty of stowagespace

On theroad, therefined200PS diesel delivers smooth acceleration It powers to 60mphinaround7.5 seconds, with littledieselnoise Plentyofpunch butdeliveringreal world economyofaround40mpg

Therideand handling areex cellent, with tuned suspensionand electronicallycontrolled adaptive damperssoaking up theworst of thepotholes, whiledeliveringagile handling forsuchabig car.

FACTFILE

GENESISG70 SHOOTING BRAKE

2.2D SPORTLINE

Price: £41,430

Mechanical: 200PS,2,199cc,fourcylinderdieselengine driving rear wheelsvia eight-speed automatic transmission

MaxSpeed: 140mph 0-62mph: 7.5seconds

Combined MPG: 40.7-41.8

C02 emissions: 177-182g/km

Warranty: 5years/unlimited miles

LotusEletre will hitthe road priced from £89,500

Lotushas announced that itsnew Eletre electric SUVwillbepriced from £89,500and availa ble with achoiceoftwo powertrains.

FirstrevealedbackinMarch,the Eletre will form part of anew range of electric SUVs from Lotus. Entry-levelEletre andEletre Smodels will bring593bhpand 710Nmof torqueaswellasarange of up to 373 miles.

Amorepowerful Eletre Rwill sitatthe topofthe range, bringing 893bhp and 985Nm of torque and a slightlysmaller rangeof304 miles. TheEletre andEletre Swill bringa

0-60mph time of 4.3 seconds, while theRshavesthisdowntounder threeseconds

The112kWh batterywill also be able to return a10-80%chargeinas littleas20minutes when hooked up to arapid charger.

Matt Windle,group vice-presi dentand managing director,LotusCars, said: “Confirmationof thepricing andspecs of theLotus Eletre is akey moment in thetrans formationofLotus through our Vision80 strategy.Weknowfrom mediaand customerfeedback that they’rehugelyexcited by thearrival of this car–indeed,the Eletre has alreadywon awards as 2023’s ‘most excitedtosee’new model. Customer deliveriesstart next year.”

TheEletre also incorporates a new‘digitalcockpit’systemwhich uses theLotus HyperOSsystem. Drawingtechnologyfromthe gamingsector, this setupallowsLotus to create ‘next-generation 3D content andexperiences’ Lotushas also announced apartnershipwithDolby,which will fit itslatestAtmos musicsystemtothe Eletre

Standardequipmentonthe en try-levelEletre includes active air suspension, torque vectoring, ma trix LEDheadlights and22-inch forged alloywheels. Inside,there are12-wayelectricallyadjustable seats, four-zone climatecontroland a15.1-inch centralinfotainment screen

Step up to theEletre S–priced frOm £104,500 –and privacyglass

andanactiverearspoiler areadd ed,aswellasilluminated side sills andsoft-closedoors

Therange-topping Eletre R, whichispricedfrom£120,000, brings alowered ride height, performance-orientated settings forthe dampersand anti-rollcontrol.

Atrack mode also fullyopens the active grilleand activateslaunch controlfor super-fast acceleration

Emeryenjoys adream start as Villaboss

Delighted bossUnaiEmery salut ed a“dream” startafterVillabeat Manchester United at home in the PremierLeaguefor the firsttime since1995.

GoalsfromLeonBailey, Lucas Digneand JacobRamseysaw Villa endtheir 27-yearlonghome hoodoo againstthe RedDevilsinEmery’s firstmatch in charge

TheSpaniardsaid: “I wasdream ingofitand Iamsohappy.The atmosphere wasamazing with the supporters andweenjoyeditwith them.Wehaveplayedwithenergy andgood skillsand we wanted to be united anddisciplined.Being together waspart of ourgameplan andthe players didit. It wasaspe cialday.”

Bailey firedVillaintoaseventh minuteleadwithDigne scoringa brilliantfree-kick soonaftertodou blethe advantage.

United pulled onebackonthe stroke of half-timewhenLuke Shaw’s shot wickedly offJacob Ramseybut thelatterthenrestored Villa’stwo-goalcushion in thesec ond period

He said:“They (Villa) hadgood matcheshereand played well be fore,beating Brentford4-0 and drawingagainst ManchesterCity. “Thechallenge here is to be con sistent.”

Saracensplayer appeared in arecord breaking 339thgame forthe club?

wonthe PortugalMasters andclaim his first victorysince 2017?

Whowas recently appointedmanager Middlesbrough?

Whobroke theNational Hockey League’s ‘ironman’record by playing his990th consecutive game?

Whoscored his100th goal forManchesterUnitedin their1-0 victoryoverWestHam United?

ANSWERS

Information warbeing wagedby clubson social media

It didnot garner much national attentionbut oneofthe most fascinat ingstorylinestocome outoflastweek’sfootball came from Sheffield United managerPaul Heckingbottom.

TheBladesbossrevealedthat he was‘pretty sure’how Albion wouldset up in theirrecent clash afterthey‘putabit toomuchon theirsocialmedia channels forus to see’

Themainclipinquestionap pearedtobethree minutes and47 seconds’ worth of footagefromCar losCorberan’s firsttrainingsession on theWednesday,posted on Twit ter, threedaysbeforethe match.

Twodayslater,somephotographs were published involvingseveral players in action,while an imageof Corberan holdinga piece of paper with ateamdiagram on wasalso posted.AlbionplayeddownHeck ingbottom’scomments, butthere wasclearly some truthinwhatwas said

In-house mediadepartments are becoming biggereveryseasonand thereisapressuretoput outex clusivecontent aheadofthe televi sion broadcasters,witha premium placed on behind-the-scenesaccess that others don’thave. Albion’s me diateamdid theirjob well andpro ducedsomegreat footage. It is for otherdepartmentsatthe club to tell them what they canand can’t film

Many yearsago when clubswere moreopenand allowedreporters andcameramen to wander around theirtrainingpitches during ses sionsitwould not be uncommon for

amanager to askfor certainparts of trainingnot to be filmed, par ticularlyonFridays when team se lectionwas beingrevealed. Certain set-piece routines andshape work wasoften offlimitsfor cameras, too.

In truth, Isometimesfound these requestsabit precious. What could be learnt from Skyshowing10orso secondsoftrainingfootage accom panyinganinterview whichonly went outonthe channel’slivebuildup an hour before kick off?

Timeshavechanged though,and thereare moreplatforms forcon tent to appear on.Heckingbottom is righttopoint outthatthere is a wholerange of informationavail able nowand it is oftenbeing pub lished earlierinthe week

Taking thevideoclipinisolation, some clueswerethere.Itmay have looked likeafew minutes of une ventful training, butitillustrat ed whichplayers were fitenough to take part in the firstinstance. Therewas some audiofromCor beraninstructing defensiveplayers as they shuttled from side to side apparently in formation. Three players couldbeseenina line at a set-piece.Thenthere wasasection when some players worebibsand others didnot.Thiscan reflectwho is in thestartingline-up andwho is beingomitted from the firstXI.

These arejustthe observations of an Express& Star columnist.

Professional coacheswho actually know farmoreabout trainingmeth ods, tacticsand shapewill have ob served more subtle visual clues.

“Weput alot of time into it,” Heckingbottomcontinued.“There mightbesomethingseemingly in significant whichgoesout,some thingvisual or somethingthat’s said,and it cantellyou alot if you know what you’relooking for.

“There’s someone here whodoes allofthat, lookingatstuff and find ingthingsout throughit, before hand

“Ifyou want to win, if you enjoy what you do,thenlookatsocialme dia. There’ssomuchinformation outthere andalot of it is rubbish butifyou can find therelevant stuff then it canbereallyuseful.”

Last season Heckingbottomdis covered that akey opposition play er wouldbeabsentfroma game because hiswifeposted on herso cialmedia platform that they had gone on holiday. When clubsare spending vast sums of money in the questfor marginalgains it seemsa no-brainer to have somebody scour ingsocialmedia forany available information.

At theend of September,Wolves posted aclipofgoalkeepercoach Tony RobertspresentingRuben Neveswithhis player of themonth award. “Congratulations, well done,” said Robertsashehanded over theprize. “Justdoitfor the

next threemonths, yeah?” Hadthe club inadvertently revealed that Neveswould be offinthe January transfer window?

Leaksare fairly common at all levels of theprofessionalgame. Lowerdownthe leagues, training groundsare notfortified to the standardsofPremier League clubs andeager supporters canoften wander through thepremises at certaintimes inthe knowledgethey will seehints aboutthe following day’s firstteamorsee an injured playerreceivingtreatment

Higher up theleagues,behindse curity gates, it is usuallyonlyclub employeeswho will have access to the firstteampitches.Groundstaff, kitmen andmaintenance workers will seewhatthe rest of us don’t.

Of course,thisweek’sdevelop ments couldspark acounter-espi onageoperation.Who is to sayop position teams will notbeputting outmisleadinginformation in the future?Heckingbottom himselfad mitted that hisown mediateamoc casionally publishes clipsdesigned to carryopponents offthe scent.

ThebibsinaFridaysession are usuallythe giveaway forteamse lectionthe next day. They wouldbe themostobvious to mix-up forthe benefitofany in-house mediaslight of hand

What aboutsome imaginative team formations, though?Would liningupin a2-1-5-2 formation fool anysocialmedia spies? And thepotential forsomewacky setpiece routines is boundless. Daniel Podenceman-marking MaxKilman at afar postcorner, anyone?

Here’s hoping Heckingbottom’s revelation will be thecatalystfor football’s very owncounter-intelli gencewar

Miggy firing the Toon into arace forthe topfour

‘A game-changer’, accordingto hismanager EddieHowe, New castle areyet to lose when Miguel Almiron is on thescoresheetthis season

Theupturninthe Paraguay an’s form hascoincided with the Magpies’ impressive rise up the table. His six goals in October were particularly impressive,and it is thequality of them whichde servepraise

“I’m runningout of words to describe Miggy’sgoals,”said Howe of hisplayer’srecentgoals “They’re allsogood.”

Thepreviouslygoal-shy 28-year-oldhas alreadyoutscored anyofhis previous seasonsin England

Afterbeing linked with amove away from St James’ Park in the summer,supportersare counting their blessingsthathehas re mained on board.

What is also impressive is the versatility in hisapproach.

Almiron hasnever been shyof hard work,coveringgroundas well as anybodyatthe club

ButHowe’sfront-footstyle of football hasgiven himthe free domtoexpress himself more than he didunder previous managers.

Theresults have been outstand ing.

nn nn

It wasa bit rich of Fifa to write to WorldCup teams, urging them to focusonthe tournament in Qa tarand not be part of speaking up on morality.

Theworld governing body does notwantits membersdragging football ‘intoeveryideological or politicalbattlethatexists’

Theshameless letter from Fi fa’s president, Gianni Infantino, andthe governing body’s secre tary general, FatmaSamoura, that hasbeensentamidconcerns that playerswill be activistsdur ingthe tournament

It hasbeena WorldCup buildup marred by concerns aboutthe sufferingoflow-paidmigrant workers,the deaths of anumber of thoseworkers whilebuilding the stadiums andthe ongoing discrimination againstsame-sex relations.

PerhapsFifashouldhave thoughtabout allthisbefore handingthe keys to Qatarinthe firstplace. Participants should be free to airtheir concerns

Newcastle’s Miguel Almiron

SheffieldUnitedmanager Paul Heckingbottomhas givenan insightintothe lengths clubs will go to on social media

BARTLEYAMAZED BY TACTICAL NOUS

No quick Wolves return forRaul

Raul Jimenezwill notbe fittoplay forWolvesbeforethe WorldCup,it is understood

Thestriker hasjoinedupwith Mexico national team staffinSpain this week to continue hisrehabili tation from achronic groininju ry that haskepthim outofaction sinceAugust31.

JimenezwillthenreturntoEng land this weekendtocontinuehis recovery, whichisunderstoodtobe progressingwell.

Bartleyadmitshe hasnever come across atacticalknowledgeto thelevel of newAlbion head coachCarlosCor beran.

Corberan madeittwo wins on the spin,a firstfor theclubthisseason, with a fine 1-0success at QPRon Saturday –where defender Bartley wasthe unlikelygoalheroashis personalrenaissancecontinued

TheSpanish head coachhas made abig impact on theBaggies squad andhas swiftlyturnedthe side into awell-drilled outfitcapa bleofkeeping cleansheetsand put ting together positive results

Anditisthe former Huddersfield boss’stacticalacumenthathas opened theeyesofBartley most,the defender revealed “He’sgot arealappetitefor foot ball,his tactical knowledgeisabso lute differentclass,it’ssomething likeI’venever seen in my career,” said Bartley. “Him andhis staff have been absolutelyfantastic sincethey’ve come in.As acollec tive we’reall really lookingforward to thebreak,hecan puthis ideas acrosstousonthe trainingpitch, Ithinkyou’llsee arealoutfitwhen theWorld Cup finishes andweget back outthere.”

Askedonthe impact thenew boss hashad,the match-winner added: “I thinkit’sjustarealtogetherness he’s triedtoinstilinusfromthe firstday he came

“Herecognisedthe situationwe wasinand theonlyway we’regoing to getout of it is if we sticktogether.

“You sawout therethe timeswe didcome underabit of pressure we were completelytogether, the11 andsubswereabsolutelybrilliant.”

Lopis topfor excitedWolvesstars

JulenLopetegui

The56-year-old is arriving at theclubwill beat Molineux forthe

with ArsenalonSaturday.

He becomesthe firstSpaniardto manage Wolves andcountryman Bueno, whohas broken into the team in recent weeks, is excited by

Buenosaid: “It’sreallygood news andhe’satop manager. He canbring lots of good things to our squad.Hopefullywecan improve It’s incredible andI can’twaitto workwithhim.It’sbeena crazy month formeand signinganew contract is incredible,but I’mal ways thinking aboutthe next step I’mworking hard.”

with LeedsonWednesday as well as theArsenal league fixture, whichis thelastgamebeforethe WorldCup break.

DavisbelievesWolvesare cry ingout foranidentity andhopes that Lopetegui’sappointment will providethat. “The club just needs someone whocan stamptheir phi losophyonitand know what he needs to fitintothe system he wantstoplay,”Davis said.

Playersdeserve credit –Flynn

Thestriker hadpreviouslyspent threeweeks in Mexico undergoing rehabilitation.Duringthattime, membersofWolves’ medicalteam spenttimeinMexicowithJimenez, as he wasundergoingtheir treat ment plan WalsallbossMichael Flynn wouldtakenocreditfor an ex cellentwin andperformance at Wycombe, whichsaw theSad dlersprogresstothe second roundofthe FA Cup.

Flynnplayedabox formation in midfieldwhich he said may have surprisedthe homeside butsaiditwas as gooda perfor mancebythe players that any League Twosidewould produce away. He said:“They were out standing.I thinkthe tactics worked inthatwelimitedthem andpressed well in midfield, but it wasall down to theplayers be cause they were outstanding.”

Kyle

IncomingWolvesbossJulen Lopetegui is well known to skipperRubenNeves –and others areexcited by him.

Hugo Buenohas welcomedthe ‘in credible’newsthat‘topmanager’

will become the next Wolves head coach.

game

hisappointment

InterimbossSteve Davisremains in charge forthe Carabao Cupgame

First class entertainment, VIP packages, gift vouchers, theatre memberships, there’sa gift foreveryone this CHRISTMAS at the Grand!