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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

Dave Phipps, who started work at Kent Hairdressers in July, 1963, celebrated the milestone by treating Solihull Mayor, Councillor Joe Tildesley, to a trim. Joe has had his hair cut by the Olton barber for the past 20 years. Dave is the first Kents employee to notch-up a half-century. He joined the company, founded by…

Stranger danger alerts remained in place outside several Solihull schools this week. Teachers, parents and pupils have been urged to be vigilant and on alert for anyone behaving suspiciously. Police patrols have also been increased. It follows abduction attempts near to schools and nurseries in Solihull and Birmingham. West Midlands Police said they were investigating…