This year’s Commonwealth Day celebration will commemorate the annual event’s 76th anniversary, with performances by a local school at a special citizenship ceremony. Commonwealth Day, which is on Monday 10 March, is observed by people in 56 countries and all over the Commonwealth – in Africa, Asia, the Caribbean and the Americas, the Pacific and Europe. The 2025 theme is ‘Together We Thrive’, and the day is an opportunity to promote the unity, diversity and shared values of the Commonwealth family across the world. The celebrations, led by the Lord Major of Birmingham, Councillor Ken Wood, will begin with a…
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Upgraded Octavia vRS generates 265 PS from revised 2.0 TSI engine The flagship of the Octavia line-up is available in hatch and estate body styles, with a 15mm lower ride height compared to standard Octavia models The new Octavia vRS can be modified for specific functions with Škoda’s turnkey conversion service, with full approval for police use following MET brake test The Octavia vRS is available to order now Milton Keynes, 5 March 2025 – Škoda UK’s most powerful Octavia vRS production model has hit the beat as the latest exciting addition to the brand’s extensive emergency services lineup! The…
The Local Government Boundary Commission wants to hear what residents and local organisations think about the proposals. The Commission is the independent body that draws these boundaries. It is reviewing Sandwell to make sure councillors will represent about the same number of electors, and that ward arrangements will help the council work effectively. The Commission has published proposals for changes to Sandwell. It is proposing that there should be 72 councillors representing 24 three-councillor wards. Most ward boundaries should change; one will stay the same. Proposed changes include: Adopting the Halesowen Conservative Association’s proposals for the Rowley Regis area to…
A partnership of different voluntary, community and statutory sectors marked six years of fostering community cohesion with a celebration event at The Walsall Hub. Walsall for All’s celebration event on 26 February 2025 highlighted the partnership’s journey and its transition into an independent community interest company (CIC). The celebration featured the launch of the Walsall Community Cohesion Strategy 2025-2035, which is aimed at creating a more inclusive, resilient and prosperous community. Developed between Walsall Council and Walsall for All, the strategy represents a significant milestone in Walsall for All’s ongoing efforts for Walsall to be a friendly and diverse borough.…
Today is an important day for almost 4000 Year 6 pupils in Walsall, who will find out which secondary has offered them a place for September 2025. 94% of pupils in Walsall have been offered a secondary school of their choice. A total of 3,923 applications were received on time. 3005 of those applications (76.6%) received their first preference, 469 (12%) their second preference and 130 (3.3%) their third preference. 100% of on-time applications have been offered a place at a secondary school for September 2025. Parents and carers can choose up to five school preferences, and 3697 children received…
The Sandwell Colleges’ £9.3million Skills Campus has reached a significant milestone, with a topping out ceremony taking place today marking the completion of the core building phase of the project. The ceremony, attended by college leaders, Sandwell Council representatives and other key partners, highlights the substantial progress of the new development in Cradley Heath, which remains on track to open in early 2026. The Skills Campus will provide essential training and learning opportunities to equip local people with the skills needed for in-demand industries, supporting economic growth and employment in Sandwell and the Black Country. Lisa Capper MBE, Principal…
A series of community events will be held across the Walsall borough to coincide with the COVID-19 Day of Reflection on Sunday 9 March 2025. The events will give residents an opportunity to remember loved ones lost to COVID-19, reflect on personal and collective experiences and give thanks to health and social care workers, key workers, community groups, volunteers and many more for their response to the pandemic. Some of the activities taking place include a lighted memory tree at Moxley Peoples Centre on Wednesday 5 March from 12pm to 2pm, where residents can write a message on wooden hearts…
The annual Mayors Fest rock show returns to Wolverhampton this April to raise vital funds for good causes. It is one of the biggest fundraising events of the year for the Mayor of Wolverhampton Councillor Linda Leach’s Charitable Fund, in aid of the Beacon Centre, Age UK Wolverhampton and The Samaritans Wolverhampton. It opens on Friday 4 April at 7.30pm with a show at The Giffard Arms, Victoria Street, headlined by Doomsday Outlaw. The main event is on Saturday 5 April at KK’s Steel Mill, Frederick Street. Doors open at 1pm and headlining will be the hugely popular band Massive…
Sandwell Council’s archives service is celebrating receiving £49,055 of funding as part of The National Archives ‘Archives Revealed’ grant programme to catalogue the Chance Brothers Ltd. collection. The collection represents a historic point in time when the production of glass from the Spon Lane factory in Smethwick had a significant local and international impact. One of the glassworks’ most famous projects involved supplying the 84,000 square metres of sheet glass for the 1851 Great Exhibition and the Crystal Palace built in Hyde Park, London. Sandwell Council Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods and Community, Councillor Suzanne Hartwell said: “Sandwell…
Artist Yasmin Agilah and Dr Darren Henley CBE, Chief Executive of Arts Council England with other dignitaries Approximately 2000 visited the New Art Gallery Walsall over the weekend to celebrate 25 years since the Gallery opened. The celebrations started on Thursday evening with around 550 people enjoying a preview of new exhibition, ‘The Joy Project’ in the Community Gallery, exploring the building after normal opening hours and enjoying a special performance by The Blue Lights Choir, a group created to empower young women in Walsall. The evening event also featured speeches from the Mayor of Walsall, Councillor Anthony Harris; Walsall…