Pupils in Smith’s Wood were joined by the Mayor of Solihull last week to help plant new hedgerows, as part of the Council’s ambitious Planting Our Future campaign. Solihull Council has committed to planting 250,000 trees by 2030. With the help of schools, businesses and community groups across the borough, the Council are on target with over 125,000 trees planted since the programme started five years ago. This latest event was organised by Planting Our Future who have partnered with Forest Oak School, Merstone School, and Smiths Wood Academy to plant new hedgerows around their school boundaries. During the week,…

Deputy Mayor of Walsall Cllr Louise Harrison with members of the Bloxwich Launchpad On Wednesday 19 February, Bloxwich Library and Theatre hosted the Bloxwich Launchpad Expo event, where residents were invited to speak to service providers and find out more about what will be on offer when the new centre opens in Spring.  Bloxwich Launchpad, which is currently being constructed on the site of the former Post Office in the centre of Bloxwich, will provide digital skills training and support, as well as business support for entrepreneurs. Walsall Council is delivering Bloxwich Launchpad as part of the Bloxwich Town…

Sandwell Council is reminding drivers of the potential catastrophic consequences of driving dangerously. street racing in the Black Country, including Sandwell, and applies to drivers, riders, passengers, organisers and spectators. Sandwell Council has successfully taken nine people to court for breaching the order by racing on Sandwell’s streets, including seven on Kenrick Way, West Bromwich. All nine received suspended prison sentences. Street racing also invalidates a vehicle’s insurance policy and police can seize and crush vehicles. Councillor Suzanne Hartwell, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods and Community, said: “Street racing puts people’s lives at risk and can have tragic…

Councillors are being recommended to approve an above inflation increase in the amount the City of Wolverhampton Council pays to adult social care providers of 6.6% for the next financial year. A report will go before Cabinet on Wednesday (19 February) with councillors recommended to approve the proposed increase to help sustain the adult social care market. The hourly rate paid to home care providers, for reablement and home based respite, nursing and residential care providers supporting under 65s, older people and older people with dementia, supported living services, Shared Lives and providers of day care services will rise by…

Ferrari North Europe is celebrating another successful National Apprenticeship Week after more than 200 young people visited Official Ferrari Dealerships across the UK to gain insight into careers with the Prancing Horse. Throughout the week, Ferrari Dealers opened their doors to showcase the opportunities available through the Ferrari Apprenticeship Programme, now in its 15th year. Attendees were given exclusive behind-the-scenes access to Ferrari workshops and showrooms, where they discovered what it takes to work with one of the world’s most prestigious automotive brands. Guests had the chance to meet both current apprentices and graduates of the programme, who shared their…

Veolia, in partnership with Solihull Council, is launching a third round of funding through the Solihull Community Environment Fund on 17 February with £20,000 available to support local eco-projects, clubs and communities. The Solihull Community Environment Fund, previously known as the Community Improvement Fund, has supported 13 projects since 2023, and is now back with its largest pot yet. The fund is open to community groups, parks groups and clubs that are looking to improve their local areas. Constituted groups and clubs in Solihull can apply for up to £2,000 to support projects that benefit the local community and the…

The Safer Walsall Partnership (SWP) has launched a five-week consultation from Monday 17 February, which will remain open until midnight on Sunday 23 March 2025. Respondents of the survey are asked to share their thoughts on key topics such as anti-social behaviour, crime, serious violence and environmental crimes in Walsall. Findings of the survey will be an integral part of the partnerships next three-year community safety strategy and will help shape the priorities of the partnership. Chief Superintendent Phil Dolby, Chair of Safer Walsall Partnership, said: “Working closely alongside our partners, we have been concentrating on our local priorities to…

The biggest annual celebration of Indian culture in the Caribbean returns for a special 30th anniversary event on March 1 in Trinidad and Tobago. The Chutney Soca Monarch competition, which sees top singers compete for a huge cash prize recently had a star-studded launch event at the Queen’s Park Savannah, in the countries capital Port of Spain. This year’s competition commences with a semi-final on February 8 ahead of the main event on March 1 at Skinner Park, San Fernando. The biggest event in the calendar for popular music genre chutney, which combines strong South Asian influences with soca, African…

Interactive water feature at Darlaston swimming and fitness centre Various sessions are being held between Monday 17 February and Sunday 23 February, including public swimming sessions at Bloxwich and Oak Park Active Living Centres and Walsall Gala and Darlaston Swimming and Fitness Centres. Ever-popular Big Bounce events will be held on Tuesday 18 February at Bloxwich Active Living and Friday 21 February at Oak Park, pre-booking online for these sessions is recommended. There will even be roller-skating sessions on offer, firstly at Oak Park on Wednesday 19 February from 1.30pm to 3:00pm, Followed by session at Bloxwich Active Living on…

Music for All, the charity of the UK musical instrument industry, is currently accepting applications for its first funding round of 2025. Groups, schools, any form of educational establishment, community projects, charities, and organisations that are bringing music to their communities in the UK can apply. Priority will be given to applicants who are most in need of help. In the current round, grants of up to £2,000 are available in the following areas: Working with primary school-aged children –  community-based groups providing music-making opportunities to young-people aged between 4–11 can apply, including groups operating in caring as well as…