Smiths Wood man charged with child sex offences

A 28-year-old man will appear before Birmingham Magistrates Court this morning (Friday 11th November) charged with serious sexual offences. Jamie Chapman, a nursery worker from Tamar Drive, Smiths Wood, was arrested on Wednesday 9th November from his home address and remanded to appear before magistrates. He was charged yesterday (10th November) with four counts of…

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Solihull Mayor welcomes pupils from Reynalds Cross School

On Monday 7th November pupils from Reynalds Cross School in Olton completed work experience at Solihull Council. Reynalds Cross is a special school for pupils aged 2½ to 19 years old with severe, complex and profound multiple learning difficulties. The students, aged 15-17, spent the morning working in areas of the Council House and the…

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More new restaurants set to open in Solihull as part of town centre revamp

IM Properties is transforming buildings on Drury Lane South in Solihull town centre in a £1.5 million project, which will see eight shops converted into three larger restaurants with outdoor seating. The latest phase of work is currently taking place to open Italian restaurant and deli chain Carluccio’s in Mell Square – which is due…

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Man jailed for causing five hour train delays with self harm threats

An ‘attention seeker’ has been jailed for twice threatening to self harm at Solihull Station – causing five hours of rail delays for 38 trains. Services were halted after Karl Lee, 26, stood by the railway line and on the bridge at the busy commuter station on 5th and 7th September. Passengers were delayed for…

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Santa’s coming to Solihull!

With Christmas fast approaching, Santa will be taking time out of his busy schedule to fly in from the North Pole to officially mark the start of the festive season in Solihull. On Saturday 19th November at 12 noon, Santa will be arriving at Touchwood with his trusted team of elves to greet Solihull’s younger…

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Road ‘louts’ arrested and bikes seized as riders run amok in Solihull and Birmingham

At least seven people were arrested and 10 motorcycles seized last night (31st October) as a gang of up to 200 bikers rode amok across public roads in Solihull and Birmingham. The riders – many wearing face coverings – caused chaos as they sped along major roads, jumped red lights, weaved between traffic and pulled…

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Former young offender launches social enterprise and strives to help others turn their back on crime

A reformed young offender from Solihull is now striving to help other people turn their backs on crime and find a new and more positive future. Jonathan Buswell has launched a social enterprise call Garden Gnomes which aims  to help people enjoy their gardens more by keeping them beautiful. The 21-year-old makes a point of…

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Habitat to open at Sainsbury’s Marshall Lake store – and Argos comes to Dorridge

Sainsbury’s is set to open a new Habitat and Argos in two of its Solihull stores. The retailer is opening a mini Habitat at its Marshall Lake supermarket in Shirley and an Argos at its store in Dorridge – creating around 25 jobs. The new 1,200 sq ft Habitat store will open at the beginning…

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Walk-in Centre closes – two new services come into operation at Solihull Hospital

Solihull Walk-in Centre, which is situated in the car park on Lode Lane to the front of Solihull Hospital, closes today (28th October) and services from that building will cease. General medical services will no longer be provided to patients registered there – they will need to register with another GP practice. From Saturday 29th…

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Urban flowers reduce carbon footprint

The visual and financial success of a urban meadow flower planting scheme at Bentley Heath Park is spurring Solihull Council to consider the further widespread use of the flowers for other open spaces and highway verges in the borough. In a trial instigated by Amey’s regional groundscare contracts manager, Tim McGibbon, in conjunction with Rigby…

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