Today marks the start of Safer Sleep Week – an annual campaign raising awareness about the importance of safer sleep practices to reduce the risk of sleep related infant deaths. Safer Sleep Week is The Lullaby Trust’s national awareness campaign to share knowledge of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and simple advice that reduces the risk of it occurring. Sadly, around 4 babies a week in the UK die from SIDS, also known as cot death. In Wolverhampton, we want all parents and caregivers to be aware of safer sleep advice. This year, the week long campaign runs from Monday…
Food for Life’s Nourishing Communities Award celebrates groups and organisations who advocate for good food in Walsall based on the principles of cooking, growing, sharing skills and pledging. A new award has been introduced that will highlight the work of Walsall groups and organisations in providing accessible, good food. The Nourishing Communities Award, delivered by Food for Life and Walsall Council’s Public Health team, will celebrate organisations and groups who advocate for good food and support growing activities, teach people cooking skills and improve the local food system. It comes just over a year on from Walsall’s first ever food…
Litter busting volunteers have been thanked for their dedicated work to help keep a city beauty spot clean and tidy. Members of the Friends of Smestow Valley in partnership with the Severn Rivers Trust and other local community volunteers met on Saturday (1 March) to clear along the banks of Smestow Brook and surrounding areas of the nature reserve. Councillor Bhupinder Gakhal, City of Wolverhampton Council’s cabinet member for resident services, joined in the clean up and council officers helped litter pick and arranged to collect and remove the bags of rubbish. Also joining the event on Saturday was Tracey…
Whether it’s a childhood favourite or a recent discovery, books transport us to different worlds and broaden our perspectives. Families and children are invited to a special event at The New Art Gallery Walsall on Saturday 8 March 2025 to celebrate the day, featuring vibrant performances, stories, art, and poetry inspired by peacocks. The Mayor of Walsall will join children of St Thomas of the Canterbury Walsall for their World Book Day Assembly on Thursday 6 March 2025. “ World Book Day is a day to celebrate the joy of reading and the incredible power of books. Reading opens doors…
Wolverhampton’s young carers will be in the spotlight at the city marks Young Carers Action Day on Wednesday 12th March, 2025. Members of the City of Wolverhampton Council’s Carer Support Team have organised an information pop up at St Regis School, Tettenhall, to highlight the important role of young carers to teaching staff, and to encourage young carers to get help and support. It is the latest in a series of events organised by the team in conjunction with Amethyst Academies and the Three Spires Trust, which has seen similar pop-ups at St Peter’s, Moreton and Aldersley schools. Councillor Jacqui…
Six new council homes have been unveiled in a West Bromwich neighbourhood to provide much-needed housing for Sandwell residents. Sandwell Council, with grant funding from Homes England, has delivered six spacious four-bedroom homes in Whitgreave Street, working in conjunction with SWG Construction. These brand-new, energy efficient semi-detached homes perfectly blend modern living with sustainable features. Every property is equipped with electric car charging facilities and solar PV panels, ensuring residents can enjoy eco-friendly living and reduced energy costs. The development includes a landscaped communal area and convenient visitor car parking, making it ideal for families and guests to visit. In…
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…
The first stage in preparing a new Local Plan for Solihull has begun, through a call-for-sites exercise. This was an opportunity for site owners, promoters or other stakeholders to identify what land is available in the borough for potential inclusion in the Council’s Local Plan. The exercise was conducted over a two-month period, from the end of November 2024 to the end of January 2025 and resulted in over 300 sites being suggested for potential development. It is important to note that this is a land availability exercise, and it does not necessarily mean that these sites are suitable for development. …
Black Country partners have today been awarded a £1,287,710 development grant from Sport England to help address inequalities that prevent people from being physically active. Walsall, along with Dudley, Sandwell and Wolverhampton are among the 53 places set to benefit from a share of Sport England’s £250 million investment into the heart of communities across England. Active Black Country are the accountable organisation for the funding. Sport England research calculates that active lifestyles save £10.5 billion a year for the health and social care system. This relieves some of the NHS burden, preventing 1.3 million cases of depression, 600,000 of…
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…