Škoda UK has announced the winners of its annual Retailer of the Year Awards 2024, with Vindis Škoda (Bury St Edmunds) crowned best of the best. The Retailer of the Year Awards celebrate retailer excellence across the Škoda network. Specific award categories cover sales, fleet, electric vehicles (EVs), customer experience, Used Sales, Aftersales, and of course the overall Retailer of the Year accolade. Fighting off firm competition from more than 125 Škoda retailers across the UK and noted for a fantastic team culture, Vindis Škoda (Bury St Edmunds), who finished ninth in 2022 and third in 2023, climbed the ranks…
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Old Hall School, on Bentley Lane, Walsall, opened its new site, ‘The Nest’ in Darlaston on 25 February 2025. The Nest will provide specialist Early Years and Key Stage 1 provision for over 40 children with severe learning disabilities and complex Autism Spectrum Conditions (ASC). The council has supported the transformation of a disused nursery into a new, inclusive learning environment. The investment reflects both the council’s and school’s commitment to expand the number of Special Educational Needs and Disabilities places in Walsall. The Nest is home to four purpose-built classrooms, two sensory rooms, a dedicated wellbeing room, outdoor spaces…
People are being urged to be aware of the symptoms of tuberculosis (TB) as Wolverhampton prepares to mark World TB Day on Monday 24 March, 2025. TB is an infectious illness spread through inhaling small droplets from the coughs or sneezes of an infected person and can cause serious health problems – particularly if it is not caught early. It is preventable and curable but still kills 2 people around the globe every minute. World TB Day aims to raise public awareness about the devastating health, social and economic consequences of tuberculosis, and to step up efforts to end the…
The Wolverhampton Local Plan to guide future development in the city up to 2042 has been submitted to the Secretary of State for an independent public examination. It sets out City of Wolverhampton Council’s commitment to regeneration and building on brownfield land first. Following its submission, the plan will undergo an independent examination by the planning inspectorate. Every local authority must prepare a local plan to guide regeneration, investment and planning application decisions for at least 15 years. The Wolverhampton Local Plan identifies environmental areas to protect and enhance, sites to allocate for housing development and employment use, key transport…
Dale Wyatt, who takes early retirement from Suzuki GB PLC this month is celebrating a third major Automotive industry accolade, this time the highly coveted President‘s Award – Outstanding Contribution to the Motor Industry was presented to Dale at the Institute of The Motor Industry (IMI) Annual Dinner held in London on 12th March. The Award was presented by IMI President Professor Jim Saker whose speech included: This recognition is a reflection on your outstanding contribution to the automotive industry and the impact you have made in advancing innovation, leadership and inclusion across the sector. ‘‘Your success reflects the spirit…
This Neurodiversity Celebration Week, automotive industry charity, Ben, has launched a range of new support options and resources focused on neurodiversity, to meet growing demand and raise awareness about this important topic across the sector. Neurodivergence is when a person’s brain processes, learns, and/or behaves differently from what is ‘typical’ and neurotypical describes how the average person’s brain works. From Ben’s latest insights, those in the automotive industry who have reported having neurodiverse conditions such as autism, ADHD, or dyslexia are more likely to experience mental, physical, financial, and social issues. In 2024, 73% of neurodivergent individuals in the industry…
Thousands of pounds worth of illegal vapes, cigarettes and tobacco have been seized from a shop in Castle Bromwich, in the biggest haul of its kind. Police Officers from the Smith’s Wood and Castle Bromwich neighbourhood team joined up with colleagues from Solihull Trading Standards for a visit to the shop on 7 March. Inside, they found more than 25,000 illegal cigarettes and 1,200 vapes in addition to 80 bags of tobacco, making this the largest seizure of goods ever recovered in the borough. The visit is part of our ongoing work against illegal and counterfeit vapes and tobacco, which…
The Mayor of Walsall, Councillor Anthony Harris, writes a message for the memory tree at Willenhall CHART Centre’s COVID-19 memorial event. Nine events were held to enable residents honour loved ones lost to COVID-19, share memories and thank key workers and volunteers. The Mayor of Walsall, Councillor Anthony Harris, joined Willenhall CHART Centre to light a candle and write a message on a leaf for the memory tree. Rev. Rosanne Wilshire from St Stephen’s Church gave a blessing. At Moxley Peoples Centre, a group that formed about a year into the pandemic to help people navigate grief, social isolation…
Held at St Michael and All Angels Church and attended by the Lord-Lieutenant of the West Midlands, Dr Derrick Anderson CBE and the Mayor of Walsall, Councillor Anthony Harris, the service offered time and space for remembrance, reflection and gratitude. Reverend Alison Morris, Vicar at St Michael’s, led the service which featured readings by Nasar Iqbal (Black Country Innovate) and Pastor Monica Anderson (Walsall Faith Forum), performances from Trudia Ward, Huntley Mitchel and Pelsall Ladies Choir, as well as reflections from several faith and community leaders and representatives, creating an inclusive environment of reflection for all. Dr A Kuravi, Clinical…
Councillor Jasbir Jaspal, the City of Wolverhampton Council’s Cabinet Member for Adults and Wellbeing (centre) with, left to right, Emma Thornberry, Principal Educational Psychologist Amanda Evans, PSHE advisory Coordinator, Elaine Perry, Senior Educational Psychologist, Louise Sharrod, Principal Public Health Specialist, Omowonuola Alunko, Health Improvement Officer, and Sunita Pallan-Jhalli, Specialist Public Health Officer, at the launch of the new toolkit Two new initiatives have been launched by the City of Wolverhampton Council to help support the emotional health and wellbeing of children and young people. A new Emotional Health and Wellbeing Toolkit will provide valuable resources for teachers and education…