Inquest rules Solihull Hospital failings led to death of 22-year-old dad

The devastated partner of a young Solihull dad vowed to fight for “justice” after an inquest ruled that ‘hospital failings’ contributed to his death. Thomas Cooper had been receiving treatment for psychosis at Solihull Hospital’s Bruce Burns mental health unit when he choked on his vomit in the early hours of 12th January 2012. He…

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Don McClean’s delighted to start fun run in Knowle

Former Crackerjack funnyman Don Maclean has been finding out what he’s let himself in for at this year’s Knowle Fun Run. While the actor and comedian won’t be running the 5.2 mile race, Don will officially kick-off the fun run and the four ‘mini runs’ at the event on 18th May. “I’m delighted to have…

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Former Land Army girl Elizabeth Husselbee from Solihull has turned 100

Elizabeth Husselbee puts reaching the grand age of 100 down to ‘good old fashioned hard work’. The centenarian, who survived cancer at 95, celebrated her landmark birthday on Sunday 16th March with family and friends at Bentley Heath Cottages. Elizabeth, who has never married, was born in Birmingham and moved to the cottages, on Tilehouse…

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Search is on for ex-scouts to celebrate 40th birthday

The 3rd Olton Scout Group has launched a search to find former members to share their memories and help celebrate the group’s 40th birthday. Founded on 28th March 1974 to meet a growing demand for places in Olton, the group is now looking to mark the special anniversary by finding out what scouting was like…

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New Shirley Library is ‘on time and on budget’

Councillor Kate Wild, Cabinet member for community services at Solihull Council, has described the new Shirley Library during an unveiling of the architect’s plans as “a new Library for the 21st century”. It is scheduled to open this summer when the Parkgate development opens its doors. The new building will be state-of-the-art and modern in…

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Proposals to build more than 200 homes in Cheswick Green are set to go to appeal

Solihull planning chiefs threw out Bloor Homes’s plan to build 220 houses on Mount Dairy Farm in Tanworth Lane alongside other applications for the Cheswick Green and Dickens Heath area. Planning chiefs said the plans didn’t adhere to the local plan and residents feared there could be flash-flooding and services would be unable to cope…

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Two further reported incidents of children being approached by strangers

There have been two further reported incidents of children being inappropriately approached by strangers in Solihull. This is a forwarded email we have received from a local parent. The email was sent today, Thursday 27th March, to parents of pupils at Cranmore Infant School in Shirley. It says: “URGENT MESSAGE Dear Parents I am sorry…

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Palace date for Solihull College Principal is by royal invitation

Having spent 38 years in education and leading a further education college for the past eleven, Solihull College Principal Brenda Sheils has collected her OBE at Buckingham Palace, almost three months after learning she was on the Queen’s New Year’s Honours List. Brenda said: “To visit the Palace and meet The Prince of Wales was…

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Smith’s Wood teen’s artwork encourages others to learn from his mistakes

A group of fast-food restaurant workers who were left fearful of going to work have joined forces with the police to educate a group of young people about the consequences of their destructive behaviour. Staff at the Castle Bromwich branch of KFC contacted police to report a group of teenagers subjecting colleagues and customers to…

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Enquiries flood in after NEC Group put up for sale

Birmingham City Council says it has been inundated with enquiries and bids from investors following the decision to sell the NEC Group. There has already been a stampede of applications and interest from potential buyers ahead of this week’s pre-qualification process deadline. The group includes the National Exhibition Centre (NEC), International Convention Centre (ICC) and…

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