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Month: November 2021

The Hunt for 12 Snowmen Begins At Birmingham Christmas Trail

12 snowman sculptures, inspired by Raymond Briggs’ book and film, The Snowman, have been dotted around Birmingham creating a festive trail for families to follow.

birmingham snowman
Picture credit: Wild in Art.

Each sculpture has been decorated by local artists and can be found in central locations such as the Bullring & Grand Central, Centenary Square and Victoria Square.

Organised by Retail BID Birmingham and Wild in Art, each snowman also features a QR code. When scanned, visitors are encouraged to donate to the Birmingham Children’s Hospital charity.

You’ll also notice that each snowman sculpture has been themed around the 12 Days of Christmas song, so look out for a partridge in a pear tear, three French hens and much more!

David Pardoe, Deputy Chair, Retail BID Birmingham, said: “After such a difficult time we were determined to put on a fantastic trail to entertain families visiting Birmingham this Christmas.

“The colourful Snowman sculptures are just one of several fantastic attractions taking place this year to make this festive season in Birmingham a Christmas to remember.

“We hope Snowman spotters enjoy visiting every sculpture and have a wonderful time in the city centre.”

The Birmingham Christmas Trail will run until January 6, 2022. If you need help finding all the snowman, this handy map shows all of their locations.

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National Express West Midlands Name Bus After Loyal Employee

In an event to mark his retirement, 74-year-old Pat Hughes has had a fantastic surprise from National Express West Midlands.

national express

Picture Credit: National Express

Pat has worked for the company for a staggering 55 years after moving from Ireland to Birmingham in 1966. As well as driving the bus on the 97 route for 40 years, he joined the training department in 2006.

Since then, Pat has been an integral member of the training team, supporting new drivers and creating thousands of route videos.

Pat is the longest-serving employee at West Midlands and has held the title of Bus Driver of the Year five times.

A training bus has now been named in his honour.

Mark Heffernan, Operations and Safety Director for National Express UK, said:

“As our longest-serving employee we are delighted to be able to celebrate over a half-century of loyal service from Pat by dedicating one of our buses to him.

“We hope when he sees it out on the road he’ll smile and be reminded of the many fond memories during his time here at National Express.

“Pat has demonstrated excellent dedication and commitment not only to the company but also to the thousands of customers and drivers he’s helped during the course of his career.

“On behalf of everybody at National Express West Midlands I’d like to thank Pat for his tremendous efforts throughout his journey with us and wish him all the best for his well-earned retirement.”

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Avian Flu Cases Suspected As Dead Birds Discovered In Aldridge

Several dead birds discovered at Stubbers Green in Aldridge have been reported to the local authorities.

birds

Officers from the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) collected the birds and are now conducting an investigation into potential avian flu cases.

Though the Avian Influenza is transmissible between birds only, Walsall Public Health are urging anyone who sees sick or dead wild bird not to touch them.

Stephen Gunther, Director of Public Health said:

“We are awaiting results of the investigations by Defra.  At this stage, it is very important that people do not touch any sick live birds, or bird carcasses. Infection control measures may be necessary if they do so. The area is also closed for fishing.

“If you find any dead swans, geese, ducks, or other dead wild birds while you are out, our advice is to report these to Walsall Council on 01922 65 00 00.

“I would also urge bird keepers to be vigilant for any signs of disease, to report any suspicions of disease to Defra and make sure they are maintaining good biosecurity on their premises.”

Councillor Stephen Craddock, Portfolio Holder for Health and Wellbeing said:

“It is important that you completely avoid contact with sick or dead birds, therefore I would also remind people not to feed the birds at Stubbers Green.

“I want to reassure local people that the affected area of the site will shortly have advisory signage in place. However, if you see any sick or dead birds, either by the waterway, or on your own private land, please leave them alone and call the Council.”

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‘Bags of Love’ Donated To Women’s Refuge By Hydesville Tower Pupils

Pupils at Hydesville Tower School in Walsall have donated buddy bags and raised over £180 to help support children who enter emergency care after fleeing violent situations at home.

The initiative was part of Global Be Well Day in September, where pupils filled buddy bags which they called ‘bags of love’ and donated them to the local Women’s Refuge.

The bags were delivered by French teacher Mrs. Dhadda, who expressed her gratitude to all those who donated.

“A huge thank you to pupils and parents for their generosity. We received more than 100 extra items and raised more than £180 for the charity. Every item was delivered to the refuge and the money will be donated to the Buddy Bag Foundation,” said Mrs. Dhadda.

The Women’s Refuge were also delighted.

“I would like to thank each any every person who helped make up the buddy bags for my centre.  It makes our children so happy to receive these rucksacks full of lovely things.  You put smiles on the faces of our children.  Then these children wear these smiles out and about.  This makes other people smile.  You are literally changing the world with your acts of kindness.  Thank you so much….superheroes of Hydesville School!” said a spokesperson.

Pupils and staff at Hydesville Tower School on Broadway North in Walsall are no strangers to helping out charities and regularly come up with new initiatives to fundraise for many important local, national and international organisations.

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Sandwell Bin Workers Start Strike Action

Bin workers in Sandwell have started a two-day strike today as discussions continue over health and safety, bullying and wage concerns.

Disputes between the GMB union and Serco, who run the waste collections for Sandwell Council, have failed to be resolved following a walkout of 100 bin men at Serco Sandwell in October. Further strike action is planned in November and December.

Members of the GMB union will strike again on November 24-25, December 20-23 and January 4-7 as they seek to get their voices heard.

The bin collection strike will affect thousands of homes in the Sandwell area. Collections will be affected this week on November 15-16.

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Pelsall Christmas Craft Fayre Features Santa’s Grotto

The Pelsall Christmas Craft Fayre is back for another year in 2021 with Father Christmas making an appearance and plenty of fun for the family.

pelsall christmas fayre

Taking place on Saturday 13 November between 9am and 2pm at the Pelsall Community Centre, they’ll be a variety of local and handmade products for sale, as well as a tombola and a grand raffle that includes prizes such as hampers and food vouchers.

Santa’s Grotto will be open with the chance to visit the man himself for £1.50 and there’s plenty of live entertainment from numerous local groups, including the Pelsall Ladies Choir and the Julie Ann Dance Group.

Refreshments will also be available, including breakfast sandwiches, cakes and tea and coffee.

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Santa And His Sleigh Is Coming To Walsall

Santa is coming to Walsall on his sleigh in 2021 thanks to the efforts of The Rotary Club of Walsall.

christmas eve art

Following the cancellation of his early Christmas appearances in 2020 due to COVID-19 restrictions, Father Christmas has now confirmed he will be flying into select destinations starting on November 29.

Santa urges anyone interested in meeting him to turn up from 6.45pm at the following locations, where he will remain until approximately 9pm.

  • Monday 29 November – Borneo Street (near Lichfield Road end) in the Butts
  • Tuesday 2 December – St Martin’s Church on the corner of Sutton Road
  • Monday 6 December – Launcheston Road/Park Hall Road
  • Tuesday 7 December – Co-op Car Park, Clayhangar
  • Thursday 9 December – Tiger pub car park, Delves
  • Monday 13 December – Lincoln Road, Chuckery
  • Tuesday 14 December – Farmers Boy, Kings Road, Rushall
  • Thursday 16 December – Fernleigh Road/Melish Road
  • Monday 20 December – Four Crosses Pub, Shelfield
  • Tuesday 21 December – Co-op car park, Clayhangar

Santa will also be having a whip-round to raise money for the Rotary Club of Walsall who support many local and international charities. Proceeds made from this magical visit will go towards Heart Care and Teenage Mental Health.

Keep an eye on Facebook for any changes or additions to the Christmas schedule.

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Walsall Welcomes New Deputy Mayor

Pelsall ward’s Conservative counsellor Rose Martin is the new deputy mayor of Walsall after being voted into the civic role on Monday, November 8.

walsall council house

Walsall Council House

Supporting the current Mayor of Walsall, Councillor Rose Burley, Martin had previously held the position of portfolio holder for Adult Social Care, which will now be taken up by Streetly Councillor Keir Pedley.

Cllr Rose Martin said:

“I am very honoured to have been voted in by council as the new Deputy Mayor and in so doing, I will also pay tribute to our late colleague and special friend to Walsall, Harbans Singh Sorahi who served as Deputy Mayor before his sad passing.  I very much look forward to serving the borough and supporting the Mayor in my new role. Thank you.”

Cllr Keir Pedley said:

“My thanks to Council for the confidence you have placed in me. In my new role as portfolio holder for adult social care, I am looking forward to working with the council’s Cabinet and serving our borough.

“I am passionate about the delivery of our Adult Social Care services and helping the people of Walsall. I hope that some of my previous experience as a healthcare manager in this field will also add value to my role.”

Martin, who was first elected as a Councillor in 2003, will be deputy mayor for the Walsall borough for the remainder of the 2021/2022 Municipal Year.

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Illegal Vapes Valued at £14k Found In Walsall Shops

Vapes with an estimated street value of £14,000 have been seized by Trading Standards in Walsall following a number of covert operations.

vapes

Part of the £14k illegal vape haul

Hundreds of branded vapes, including GEEK Bar Pro, Super Stix and Elf were uncovered with some of them containing five times the amount of nicotine that is currently legal.

Vapes are currently unregulated in the UK, but the strength and size of e-liquids have been limited by the European Union Tobacco Product Directive (EUTPD).

Councillor Garry Perry, Deputy Leader of Walsall Council with a portfolio for regulatory services said:

“Looking at this recent haul of seized vapes, I’m very pleased these products have been ‘vaporised’ from our streets. Well done Trading Standards.  The sale of these super strength pens and vapes is widespread in a range of businesses – not just in Walsall, but across the whole country. The council is very concerned to see products like these ‘normalised’ in different settings.  In some cases, they have even turned up in fish and chip shops. This may also give a false sense of security to those buying them and will mask the danger.

“Illegal vapes pose a real hazard to children and young people, hooking them into a dangerous nicotine habit. Parents’ have rightly voiced their concerns to us – not only about the scarily high levels of nicotine but because they are cynically marketed to youngsters and disguised with fruit flavours to lure them in.”

“They do not belong in any store, but in the incinerator – and that is exactly where we will take them if we find that any shop trader is selling them here in Walsall. The council will continue to take a zero tolerance approach to the production and sale of illegal vapes, illicit tobacco AND use every enforcement action there is to shut it down.”

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Walsall Remembrance Day Parade 2021 Back At The Cenotaph

Alongside many parades and services happening across the borough on Sunday 14 November, Walsall Town Centre will once again pay tribute to the men and women of our Armed Forces.

The Walsall Remembrance Day parade will begin at 10.05am outside the Council House with a service at the cenotaph starting at 10.30am. A two-minute silence will take place at 11am.

As part of the parade, Walsall major will lay wreaths at the Carless statue at the cenotaph.

Other parades and processions will be taking place in Aldridge, Willenhall, Darlaston, Brownhills, Pelsall, Bloxwich and Walsall Wood.

To find out more about road closures in the area, check out the official Council website.

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