Black Country news and blogs Thursday 23 May 2013
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Black Country news
MI6 spent £200m bribing Spaniards in second world war
Guardian 23 MayNewly released documents reveal secret services paid out fortune in bid to stop Franco joining war on Hitler’s side MI6 spent the present-day equivalent of more than $200m bribing senior Spanish military officers, ship owners and other agents to keep…
Spy’s licence to frill: British WW2 agent dressed in drag
The Sun 23 MayTHESE are the two sides of World War II spy Dudley Clarke — dapper man and well-dressed WOMAN…
Probe over teenager’s street arrest
BBC News 22 MayA complaint that excessive force was used while a boy was arrested in the Walsall area is being investigated.
Soldier killed in “suspected terror attack” in London
Express & Star 22 MayA man has been killed and two others were taken to hospital with gunshot wounds following a “serious incident” understood to involve a serving soldier.
Jobs blow as Tesco scraps expansion of Brownhills store
Express & Star 22 MayA multi-million pound overhaul of a supermarket in Brownhills, creating up to 150 new jobs, has been scrapped, it was announced today.
Caught on camera: Christmas present thieves’ dramatic police chase
Express & Star 22 MayThis is the dramatic moment West Midlands Police put a stop to burglary gang who stole children’s Christmas presents from under trees.
Wolverhampton boy died minutes after jab on trip to India
Birmingham Mail 22 MayDamien Herian, 10, had been enjoying a day-out at a popular adventure theme park in the former Punjab state capital of Jalandhar when he fell ill…
£90 fine for driver as Walsall crash puts nurse in wheelchair
Express & Star 22 MayA driver responsible for an car crash which left a nurse so badly injured she will never walk again has been handed a £90 fine.
Cars destroyed in Black Country scrap yard blazes
Express & Star 22 MayAround 40 cars were destroyed in a suspected arson attack in a scrap yard in Bilston.
When culture is treated as commodity, no wonder its temples are sold off | Owen Hatherley
Guardian 22 MayFrom Baltic to the Lowry, grand building projects invigorated provincial life, but the attitude is: if it doesn’t pay, why bother? Maria Miller used her first public speech as culture secretary last month to insist that funding for the arts will have…
Burglary suspect in court after rooftop arrest
Birmingham Mail 22 MayThe 26-year-old, who was wanted on recall to prison for burglary offences, was spotted by local officers who were on the hunt for him in Pensnett last night…
PM faces gay marriage Bill backlash
Express & Star 22 MayDavid Cameron is facing a fresh bout of Tory strife after the coalition’s plans to introduce gay marriage cleared the Commons.
Vandals spark rail chaos between Kidderminster and Worcester
Express & Star 22 MayVandals caused rush-hour disruption to trains between Kidderminster and Worcester today after attacking signals near Stourport.
VIDEO: Miracle survival for Staffordshire base jumper as parachute fails
Express & Star 22 MayThis is the moment a thrill-seeker from Staffordshire realised he was facing death as his parachute failed to open while hurtling through the air after base jumping from a 1,000ft cliff.
WH Smith to shut branch in Wolverhampton Mander Centre
Express & Star 22 MayWH Smith is to close its main Wolverhampton branch, with the loss of 20 jobs, it was announced today.
Teenager injured in Sedgley car accident
Express & Star 22 MayA teenager was injured when he was in collision with a car in the centre of Sedgley today.
Dudley | Sandwell | Walsall | Wolverhampton
Blogs
A hidden jewel
Kate Goodall 22 MayTonight I went to the Grange Theatre on Broadway North with a friend who’d been given tickets via his work.
This is a truly appalling murder which will shock the entire country – Ed Miliband
Tom Watson MP: Labour - West Bromwich East 22 MayEd Miliband MP, Leader of the Labour Party, responding to the appalling murder in Woolwich, said: “This is a truly appalling murder which will shock the entire country.
In advance of the Lightwoods Park wedding…
Bearwood Blog 22 May…the bride groom would like to say “Thank You” to: Curio Bridal Boutique, Abbey Road, Smethwick and Seamstress Jacqui for Wedding Dress and alterations Cabbella’s Hair Salon, Hagley Road West, Oldbury for bride and bridesmaids …
Statement on Equal Marriage
Valerie Vaz MP: PR 22 MayOn Tuesday 22 May 2013 the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill had its Third Reading in the House of Commons.
Doctor Claims that Disability Assessments are “UNFAIR”
One Voice 22 MayA doctor who worked for the private company which assesses people for disability benefits says its methods are “unfair”.
Bedroom Tax
One Voice 22 MayA large proportion of tenants hit by the bedroom tax have so far failed to pay the resulting shortfall in their rent.
No Ugly Ducklings at Swan Inn Ladies’ Fayre
Sedgleyscene 22 MayFeel pampered at the forthcoming Ladies’ Fayre in Sedgley Sedgley ladies can feel pampered and preened in time for summer with a packed programme of fun and retail therapy coming soon to the Swan Inn.
Tesco sends a message to Brownhills: you’re not worth it
BrownhillsBob 22 MayI will elaborate on this later, but in case you haven't noticed, the Express & Star is reporting an announcement from Tesco that the plans for a new store in Brownhills are officially dead.
Dudley | Sandwell | Walsall | Wolverhampton
Blogs
Gig #80: The Kings Arms, Salford. 21st May 2013
Dave Pitt 22 MayThe last few weeks in the day job have been horrendous.
Woodlands 11pm report
Delves Junior School 22 MayThe dorms are quiet, we’ve got a busy day tomorrow, so the children need a good night’s sleep.
Ha Full Disk 19th May
Brierley Hill Solar 22 MayHa full disk colour , a photo by Mark Townley on Flickr.
Canal News – Bank Holiday Weekend,BCN Challenge & Crick Boat Show
Chasewater Stuff's Blog 22 MayCanal News – Bank Holiday Weekend BCN Challenge 25 – 26 May 2013 1:00 am – 3:00 pm Dare you take on the 30 hour BCN Challenge? Roll up, roll up, all licensed boats are invited to take part in the BCN Challenge.
In advance of Friday’s wedding…
Lightwoods Park 22 May…the bride groom would like to say “Thank You” to: Curio Bridal Boutique, Abbey Road, Smethwick and Seamstress Jacqui for Wedding Dress and alterations Cabbella’s Hair Salon, Hagley Road West, Oldbury for bride and bridesmaids …
May Newsletter 2013
No Frills Networking 22 MayNormal 0 false false false EN-GB X-NONE X-NONE DefSemiHidden=”true” DefQFormat=”false” DefPriority=”99″ LatentStyleCount=”267″> UnhideWhenUsed=”false” QFormat=”true” Name=”Normal”> UnhideWhenUsed=”false” QFormat=”true” Name=”heading 1″> …
Dudley | Sandwell | Walsall | Wolverhampton
Sport
Albion Release Two Players
Vital Baggies 22 MayAlbion Release Two Players Vitalfootball:WBA:22/05/2013 16:30:00 West Brom have confirmed that two players have been released, and they are in discussions with four others as Steve Clarke makes plans for next season.
Halesowen Town Commercial – Paul Collins
Halesowen Town FC 22 MayPaul Collins has approached Halesowen Town Football Club to help The Yeltz with our commercial activities on a voluntary basis.
Steve Davis: Crewe boss a hot contender for Wolves job
BBC Sport 22 MayCrewe boss Steve Davis emerges as a hot contender for the Wolves job, as bookmakers make him to odds-on favourite.
West Ham: “We want Romelu Lukaku.”
Birmingham Mail 22 MayRumour Mill: West Ham plan to persuade Romelu Lukaku to sign for them instead of West Bromwich Albion…
West Brom release Jerome Thomas and Gonzalo Jara
BBC Sport 22 MayWinger Jerome Thomas and defender Gonzalo Jara will leave West Brom this summer, but Zoltan Gera may stay at The Hawthorns.
2012-13 season in review: West Bromwich Albion
When Saturday Comes 22 MayIn the first of a series of articles looking at various clubs’ fortunes over the past season, James Baxter assesses West Brom’s new status as “best of the rest” At 3-0 and 5-2 down to Manchester United last Sunday, West Bromwich Albion’s season…
Dudley | Sandwell | Walsall | Wolverhampton
Business
Carillion wins £400m deal on Battersea Power Station site
Express & Star 22 MayWolverhampton-based construction company Carillion has won a £400 million deal to redevelop London’s landmark Battersea Power Station site.
Mansell awarded £4m refurbishment contracts
TheBusinessDesk 22 MayCONSTRUCTION firm Mansell has been awarded interior refurbishment contracts worth nearly £4m, including two in the West Midlands.
Carillion powers on with £400m Battersea contract
TheBusinessDesk 22 MayWOLVERHAMPTON construction and support services giant Carillion has been selected as the preferred bidder for the £400m Phase 1 redevelopment of Battersea Power Station.
Darlaston factory site overhaul hit by economy blues
Express & Star 21 MayMulti-million pound plans to redevelop an iconic former factory site in the Black Country have stalled due to the flat economy, bosses behind the scheme said today.
Birmingham Airport named best for air-rail connectivity
TheBusinessDesk 21 MayBIRMINGHAM Airport has been named Airport of the Year at the Global AirRail Awards 2013.
All a-bard as new Stratford rail services are introduced
TheBusinessDesk 21 MayMORE frequent rail services have been introduced between Birmingham and Stratford-upon-Avon with trains now running later into the night.
Profits tumble down to £66m for HomeServe
Express & Star 21 MayProfits have halved at Walsall-based emergency insurance repairs company HomeServe, the company announced today, as it copes with the loss of more than a third of its UK customer base.
Rain affects work on Wolverhampton i54 timetable
Express & Star 21 MayWork on the i54 business park site in Wolverhampton is being affected due to heavy rainfall – meaning contractors could be allowed to work extra hours on the site.
Dudley | Sandwell | Walsall | Wolverhampton
The Black Country on flickr
- Canal Boat Festival, Parkhead Locks, Dudley 29/09/2012
29 Sep 12
The annual narrowboat gathering at Parkhead locks near Dudley.www.flickr.com/groups/walsallcollective/ – The group for Walsall Photographers
UK news
- Eyewitness gives extraordinary account of her confrontation with Woolwich attackers
- Eyewitness gives extraordinary account of her confrontation with attackers
- Switch to low-carbon future would save households £1,600
- 'Sickening, deluded and unforgivable': Bloody attack brings terror to capital’s streets
- Woolwich attack: Britain 'will not buckle' in the face of terrorism, says David Cameron
- Terror in Woolwich: One woman was crying – ‘They killed him. They killed him’
- Terror in Woolwich: Britain 'will not buckle' in the face of terrorist attacks, says David Cameron after soldier is murdered in the street
- We face new type of terror threat after Woolwich attack, says former Flying Squad commander
- Woolwich attack: We face new type of terror threat, says former Flying Squad commander
- High Court rules that billionaire fraudster should lose three luxury properties
International news
- 'Soldier' hacked to death in London
- US admits drones killed four Americans
- Kerry urges Assad to commit to peace
- Egyptian security men abducted in Sinai freed
- Zimbabwe's Mugabe signs new constitution
- Man 'linked to Boston suspect' killed by FBI
- US tornado damage could cost $2bn
- Kenya probe links president to rights abuses
- Ahmadinejad to appeal Iran poll-ban on ally
- Dozen shot dead at Baghdad brothel
- IMF says Britain 'a long way' from recovery
In the shade
BrownhillsBob 23 MayPeter ‘Pedro’ Cutler has come upon an interesting football related query after finding something unexpected whilst looking for articles of Brownhills soccer teams as I requested in my post last Sunday.