the Sandwell

Sandwell @sandwellcouncil erald www.sandwell.gov.uk H SUMMER 2017

Summertime in Sandwell Lightwoods House, Bearwood House, Lightwoods

Sign up to Sandwell Council email updates Follow the bears this Discover Sandwell: 100 of the things the News from your www.sandwell.gov.uk/emailupdates summer: Page 2 Page 4 council does: Pages 5-7 town: Pages 18-23 2 The Sandwell Herald

Are you online? Follow those bears! Save time with MySandwell We’re busy adding more services to our MySandwell portal – saving The Big Sleuth comes to Sandwell you time and the need to call us to report a problem or request a We’re very proud to be part of The Big Sleuth – service. a brilliant public art trail bringing bear-illiant bears to Sandwell. You can now report an environmental health issue and even record a The 10-week project supporting Birmingham The trail, which is being run in conjunction with noise nuisance diary online. Children’s Hospital Charity will see up to 100 Wild in Art, is on until Sunday 17 September. And soon you’ll be able to book a pest control appointment through decorated bear sculptures on display in the region’s During that time we want as many people as your account. streets, parks and open spaces. possible to visit all of the bears, check out The Big All you need to do is register for a MySandwell account – it takes a few Sleuth app and have fun! moments. Then you can access all of these services and more online: A sleuth is the collective noun for a group of bears and you’ll be able to sleuth your way around the Three of the bears will be auctioned off in aid of Council tax and benefits – check your council tax bill, benefits and trail which includes Sandwell, Birmingham, Solihull, Birmingham Children’s Hospital Charity in the business rates balances and transactions Sutton Coldfield and Resorts World. autumn, while the three community bears will be found new homes around Sandwell. We have six bears in Sandwell – three in West Bins and recycling – check your bin day and report a missed bin Bromwich and three in Bearwood. All of the bears For more details and to see a map of the trail, Environmental health – report an environmental health issue have been designed by young people and local go to www.thebigsleuth.co.uk artists. Housing – join the housing register, rent a garage and inform us about a change in your circumstances

Registration Services – request copies of certificates for births, deaths and marriages

Report problems with street lights, fly-tipping, graffiti and dropped kerbs

Register complaints, compliments and Freedom of Information requests

To register and for more information go to www.sandwell.gov.uk/mysandwell

starts at 1pm The Sandwell Herald 3 If you fly-tip in Sandwell...

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Call 0121 368 1177 www.sandwell.gov.uk/flytipping 4 The Sandwell Herald There’s a whole lot of fun lined up in Sandwell this summer. Check out what’s on at www.discoversandwell.co.uk

Joy of Jazz Bloomin’ Lovely Arts Trail Vélo Birmingham in Sandwell It’s just a couple of months now until Vélo Birmingham – when the Midlands plays host to a major new 100-mile cycling event. On Sunday 24 September, charity fundraisers and recreational cyclists will start their journey in Birmingham City Centre and ride around the Midlands. It’s a completely closed route – for Sandwell, this will be along the A456 Hagley Road in Bearwood and Oldbury.

Go to www.velobirmingham.com for more information. Thanks to everyone who submitted fantastic pieces of art for our Bloomin’ Lovely Arts Trail, which features paintings, drawings and photographs celebrating nature in Sandwell. Discover the trail at venues across Sandwell between now Top musicians are sharing the joy of jazz in Sandwell and September and vote for your favourite piece of work. after the borough teamed up with a major international festival. Go to www.sandwell.gov.uk/joininmuseums for exhibition details. The newly-renamed Birmingham, Solihull & Sandwell Jazz Festival 2017 is under way and runs until 23 July. There are around 30 performances across Sandwell’s six Sandwell Valley towns – with our libraries, museums, parks, Sandwell Arts Café, Windsor Theatre Bar and other venues hosting Check out what’s on at Sandwell Valley Country Park events. this summer, including over the Bank Holiday weekend, at the ‘Sandwell Valley’ Facebook page. Go to www.sandwell.gov.uk/jazzfestival and www.discoversandwell.co.uk for more information. On 20 August, it’s Fairy Tales at The Valley with local School holidays Follow the festival on Twitter @BirmJazzFest or search dance companies and organisations working with our ‘Birmingham Jazz Festival’ on Facebook. museums and arts service to bring some classic fairy tales to life around the country park. Email [email protected] to get involved. Looking for Bostin Black Country It’s Run for Joel on 10 September in memory of Tunisia information on terror attack victims Joel Richards, Adrian Evans and childcare and fun Patrick Evans. Register for 5k or 3k runs at activities, including www.smileforjoel.com and raise money to support free swimming, for families who are victims of murder and terrorism. kids during the summer holidays? On 30 September, it’s the 5k Race for Life Pretty Muddy, raising money for Cancer Research UK. Visit www.sandwell.gov.uk/holidays Summer fun at Sandwell museums

Join us at Sandwell’s museums for summer holidays packed with affordable and free Throughout July, Sandwell libraries are celebrating all things local as part of this year’s Black Country Festival. fun for all ages. Activities include music, poetry, quizzes and a series of Attractions include craft activities, circus skills, film shows, local history talks. Find out more at Discover Sandwell, performances, pirate fun, party time, fun days and much more. follow @sandwelllibs on Twitter or search ‘Sandwell Libraries’ on Facebook. On 20 and 22 July, Manor House, West Bromwich, is screening House of Screaming Death, a horror movie filmed on location at the Manor House. Booking is advised. This particular event Arts Café by the beach is not suitable for children. Get creative with some family friendly seaside-based arts Enjoy music and more at the Indoor Outdoor Festival at and crafts at Sandwell Arts Café at Sandwell College’s Wednesbury Museum & Art Gallery. Book your place at Central Sixth campus, West Bromwich. our Sundays at Oak House in West Bromwich to discover secrets of a 400-year-old building. The workshops with Fab Lab are on Tuesday 8, 15 and 22 August and Thursday 10, 17 and 24 August, from 10am to Plus, coming up in September, we have Proms in the 12 noon. Park at Haden Hill and Heritage Open Days, including a medieval re-enactment at the Manor House. To reserve a place (£2 per child per workshop), email [email protected] www.sandwell.gov.uk/joininmuseums The Sandwell Herald 5 Just 100 of the things the council does for the community…

Keeps traffic moving by enforcing illegal 20 parking on red routes and in bus lanes.

10 Supports the most vulnerable by reducing council tax bills for people on the lowest incomes.

Has issued hundreds of fines to people who 11 don’t clean up dog mess – and prosecuted 1 Responds quickly to emergencies – making nine people who did not pay the fine. sure residents are supported and looked after in their moment of greatest need. Has supported more than 2,500 teenagers 12 to find suitable education, training or 2 Provides free-to-use computers at all employment since 2014. libraries across Sandwell. 21 Tackles anti-social behaviour using 13 Makes sure there are enough school places portable CCTV cameras that can be moved 3 Protects frontline services that matter to and childcare places available in Sandwell to crime hotspots. people – including keeping libraries open each year. despite millions of pounds of cuts. 22 Works with Sandwell’s top 150 companies Is building hundreds of new homes – to help them grow even bigger – creating Repairs around 2,500 potholes every year 14 with more planned in the future. more jobs and bringing in investment. 4 to keep Sandwell’s roads safe. Inspects hundreds of restaurants and 23 Prosecutes fly-tippers who dump rubbish 5 takeaways to make sure their food is safe to using portable CCTV cameras to catch eat. them.

6 Treats thousands of homes with pest 24 Supports parents and carers with advice, problems – including rats, fleas and courses, childcare and activities at bedbugs – every year. children’s centres across all of Sandwell’s six towns. 7 Prosecutes rogue traders – the council’s enforcement teams have investigated Trains staff to identify victims of domestic nearly 1,300 criminal complaints about 25 abuse, hate crime, radicalisation and scams. modern day slavery. Regenerates town centres – and the council 8 Tackles and prevents the sale of alcohol and 15 Join us at Sandwell’s museums for summer tobacco products to children. has big plans for the future of Wednesbury Supports people who have lost loved ones. including a new Business Improvement 26 The council’s caring bereavement services holidays packed with affordable and free Collects your bins every week – including District. team helps thousands of families every year. fun for all ages. 9 recycling and food waste. Gives more than 100 young people an 16 27 Trains taxi drivers to recognise and report apprenticeship with the council each year. signs of child sexual exploitation. Works with local businesses to identify the 17 Makes it quick and easy to contact the skills they need – organising around 200 28 apprenticeships and jobs with local firms council online 24/7 – more than 18,000 each year. residents now have a MySandwell account. Has secured £5.5 million of funding to 29 Still has a Sandwell Local office in every 18 transform unfit land into sites where we can town where residents can get help, support build hundreds of new homes. and guidance.

19 Encourages people to walk and cycle by Tackles hate crime – working closely with creating new pedestrian crossings and 30 the police and Sandwell’s new hate crime walking and cycling routes. reporting centres. 6 The Sandwell Herald

44 Offers support to vulnerable pregnant 58 Supports teenage parents to give their women and their families. children the best start in life. Funds free swimming for people aged 16 59 Works with young offenders to reduce 45 and under and people aged 60 and over. reoffending and protect the local More than 29,000 residents have enjoyed community. free swims since June 2013. Looks after children who need adopting – 60 and the families who want to adopt them. 31 Will make sure Sandwell gets a slice of the West Midlands Combined Authority’s Supports more than 450 foster carers who £8 billion devolution deal. 61 care for more than 600 Sandwell children who can’t live at home. 32 Is one of the most effective in the country at collecting council tax – making sure Does more than 90 assessments of everyone pays so we have the money to 62 vulnerable children every week to identify continue providing services. their needs and keep them safe from harm. 33 Helps residents to be healthier by Provides regular respite support for up promoting and supporting free NHS Health 63 to 200 families who have children with Checks and other services. additional needs and life-limiting illnesses. Makes sure utility companies and Tackles benefit fraud – saving the council Builds great new leisure centres – we’ve 34 46 contractors who dig up Sandwell’s roads £38 million to spend delivering public 64 opened four new ones in the past four reinstate them properly. services. years. Works with young women to reduce the Has an excellent coroner service with state- 47 Helps thousands of victims of domestic 35 amount of alcohol they drink, encourages of-the-art technology. Other councils are 65 abuse through domestic abuse advocates. asking for advice on good practice. dads to be more active and funds cancer screening programmes. Runs the fantastic Sandwell Valley Country Is developing an internship programme to 66 Park – where thousands of people walk, 36 Helps victims of anti-social behaviour give young people with learning disabilities 48 hire bikes, play golf and tennis every year. a year’s work experience placement. to have a say in how perpetrators are punished. 67 Sandwell has 11 Green Flag award-winning Works hard to make sure the council has parks and green spaces with excellent 37 Is focusing on improving areas of poor a balanced budget while delivering good 49 facilities for everyone to be proud of. services to Sandwell’s residents. air quality. Talks to private landlords in Sandwell 38 Supports 2,500 pupils with special needs to 50 help them learn, making sure we listen to – making sure they’re aware of their parents and children. responsibilities and their rights. Works with the police, the fire service and Is fighting for the Metro to be extended 39 51 other partners to inspect properties where from Wednesbury to Brierley Hill for the there are concerns that landlords or tenants benefit of residents. are acting illegally. Supports gifted and talented sportspeople 52 Is looking at tougher taxi licensing 68 requirements that will help keep the with grants to help them develop their public safe. skills. Coordinates the safeguarding of vulnerable Warns vulnerable people about letter, 69 adults in Sandwell. 53 email and phone scams. Keeps people safe. Staff in the council’s Helps prevent older and disabled people 70 54 CCTV control room helped people who ending up in hospital – and when they do, made 91,500 intercom calls from their we help get them back home as quickly as Offers outdoor education experiences for homes last year. 40 possible. all children at four fantastic residential education centres. 71 Grits more than 250 miles of Sandwell’s 55 Provides equipment and grants to help roads each winter to make icy roads safe. older and disabled people stay safe and Supports families in most need to claim 41 independent in their homes. free school meals and offers financial help towards school uniforms. Supports and trains 35,000 carers who 56 provide essential support to vulnerable Helps families to improve their children’s people. 42 attendance at school. Helps people to remain independent in Keeps older people active – particularly 57 43 extra care housing – an alternative to long- focusing on preventing falls. term residential care. The Sandwell Herald 7

Has reduced carbon emissions from public 94 Works closely with residents to develop 84 buildings by 20% over the past four years. town plans – covering important local priorities for each town and tackling the Helps young people to tidy-up their estates issues that matter most to residents. 85 and youth centres through a scheme to keep teenagers out of trouble and focused 95 Maintains 550 miles of roads, 880 miles of on their education. pavements, 35,000 streetlights and signs, 270 traffic signals and crossings and 143 Has popular leisure centres run by Sandwell bridges. 86 Leisure Trust and Places for People Leisure Has trained ten community champions to Continues to invest in the regeneration of 72 – they are visited around two million times 96 West Bromwich town centre – including raise awareness and tackle female genital a year. mutilation, honour-based violence and plans to redevelop sites at Shaftesbury House, Crosswells Road, the gas showroom forced marriage. and the multi-storey car park. 73 Engages with thousands of young people Is fighting for Sandwell’s fair share of to help build positive relationships and 97 funding for improvements to Junction 2 prevent radicalisation, extremism and of the M5 to cut delays and traffic jams. terrorism. Has helped tackle crime by spending nearly Runs safeguarding days at primary and 98 £500,000 on improving lighting, fencing 74 secondary schools with partners including and car parking across Sandwell. DECCA, Black Country Women’s Aid and Rewind. Promotes Sandwell as a great place to live, 99 work and visit through the new Discover 75 Detects tenancy fraud – the CCTV control Sandwell website – rooms worked with the council’s fraud team 87 Encourages people to get into sport – last www.discoversandwell.co.uk to save the council £400,000. year a further 1,700 residents took part in the 1 x 30 minutes exercise campaign. 76 Teaches children about Sandwell’s heritage – last year museums staff went into 12 schools 88 Helps people to claim what they are and worked with almost 2,000 pupils. entitled to – last year the council’s welfare rights service helped more than 10,500 77 Brings the arts to each of Sandwell’s people claim £23 million. six towns with events and exhibitions celebrating art, dance, photography, 89 Loans out more than a million books at poetry, writing and creativity. Sandwell libraries each year – and Sandwell has the second highest number of library 78 Has spent nearly £150 million in the past volunteers in the country. three years improving council properties Uses social media and the award-winning with double glazing, insulation, new 100 sandwell.gov.uk website to reach boilers, kitchens and bathrooms. thousands of people every week. Join us – search ‘Sandwell’ on Facebook and follow Provides award-winning services in @sandwellcouncil on Twitter. 79 supporting Sandwell’s armed forces as recognised by the Ministry of Defence’s Employer Recognition Scheme. 80 Does around 170,000 repairs to council properties every year.

Provides free, fast Wi-Fi in public buildings 81 including libraries, council offices and town halls. Is cracking down on unauthorised 90 encampments – working with the police and creating a transit site to cut the huge cost of cleaning up after these groups.

91 Helps homeless people get back on their feet by providing housing and support for mental health and substance abuse problems. 82 Runs fantastic events at Sandwell Valley – more than 15,000 visitors came to the first 92 Makes sure working environments are safe Christmas at the Valley. by giving health and safety advice to more than 300 businesses a year. 83 Has refurbished Lightwoods House and Park in Bearwood – making a great green 93 Enrols more than 2,000 people on adult space, visitor attraction and venue. and family learning courses every year. Find out more about Sandwell’s Vision for 2030 at www.sandwell.gov.uk/vision2030 8 The Sandwell Herald Safer Sandwell We're working together through the Safer Sandwell Partnership and with the West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner to make a safer borough for all. Making Sandwell safer – this year at a glance

•Thousands of residents received crime prevention, safety and healthy living • We’ve launched a Victims Panel, to support victims and encourage reporting of advice thanks to our autumn Safer 6 campaign. crimes such as domestic abuse, modern slavery, female genital mutilation and hate.

• We're trialling a new Kids Court, where • We’re funding two SHAPE Youth Forum drivers caught speeding or on their mobile projects – one to protect young people from phone outside schools can choose to sit in exposure to pornography and internet crime; front of a panel of children to answer for their the other to motivate and inspire young people. actions instead of points and a fine. • Black Country Women’s Aid helped 3,000+ victims of domestic violence and abuse from • More Sandwell people are recovering from Sandwell. Support ranges from one-to-one drug dependency, with those successfully advice to refuge accommodation. completing treatment up from 98 to 166 in two years. • More than 50 domestic violence perpetrators have now completed our Brighter Futures • Our Blue Light Project – which has so far behaviour change programme, and we’re all supported 24 people with chronic alcohol working more closely to protect high-risk victims dependence – has won praise from Public and their children. Health England (read more on page 14). • We’ve held school talks on unity, tolerance and understanding and are helping parents • Our Youth Offending Service was named the and carers tackle online extremism and 8th best in England for cutting the number radicalisation from within the home. of offenders who re-offend within two years. First time offending is down by nearly 20%. • We’re working at a local, regional and national level to prevent terrorism and radicalisation and • We’ve boosted our Integrated Offender our community leaders have stood in unity at Management team, linking up various services events and vigils following recent terror attacks. under one roof in West Bromwich, including Thanks to all our residents, businesses and probation, community psychiatric nurses, community, voluntary and faith groups that police and drug and alcohol workers. contribute so much to making Sandwell safer.

Great Get Togethers were held in ‘Zero Great Get Sandwell as part of national events to celebrate the life and values of Jo Cox tolerance’ Together MP, a year on from her murder. on hate We're urging people At Sandwell Valley, people decorated West Bromwich East MP Tom Watson and planted pots for their neighbours, spoke of his memories of Jo and her to report all hate made badges, shared a picnic and raised belief that “we have far more in common crimes so victims can money for the Jo Cox Foundation. with each other than things that divide receive support. u s ”. The event was co-ordinated by the Love A hate crime is an incident motivated by To report incidents to the council online, or Your Neighbour team, which includes At Lightwoods Park, a bring-and-share prejudice, where someone is targeted because for a list of more than 30 places where you Near Neighbours, Sandwell Churches’ picnic was organised by Crafty Muthas of their disability, gender identity, race, can report, go to Link, the Faithful Friends project and and the Bearwood Pantry, together with religion/faith or sexual orientation. www.sandwell.gov.uk/hatecrime. Sandwell Council. other local groups Report by phone or online – or at many In an emergency, always call police on 999. centres in the community trained to deal with The council has recently backed a new reports. three-year deal with Rights and Equality • Police (non-emergencies): 101 Sandwell to continue working with partner organisations to help promote good • Crimestoppers: 0800 555 111 community relations, tackle hate crime and • Sandwell Council: 0121 368 1166 discrimination and protect vulnerable people. Always ask where they are taking it and ask Fly-tipping crackdown to see their waste carrier’s licence. If they don’t have one, don’t use them. We’ve issued eight £400 fixed penalty Remember, you can take bulky items to the notices in just five weeks since launching tip or book a bulky collection. a new rapid response team to tackle fly- tippers. Go to www.sandwell.gov.uk/flytipping or call 0121 368 1177 Did you also know you could be prosecuted to report fly-tipping. and face a fine if you give your waste to someone who then illegally dumps it? West Bromwich East MP Tom Watson and council deputy leader Councillor Syeda Khatun join the community-run Sandwell Valley Great Get Together Look out for details of our autumn Safer 6 campaign at www.sandwell.gov.uk/safer6 The Sandwell Herald 9 Make the biggest decision of his life

Foster with Sandwell

0800 358 0899 www.sandwell.gov.uk/fostering or visit SandwellFostering

Big launch for fostering film

‘Giants’ is a unique collaboration between Sandwell and 12 other The short film blends the concept of giants – people who stand tall councils across the Midlands. and help others – with the importance of the bond between brother and sisters, who often ‘look up’ to their older sibling and care for each The councils joined forces to fund and develop a film other in life, becoming ‘giants’ to each other. The film highlights the that highlights the importance of foster carers who importance of having foster carers who have space for more than one can offer more than one child a home. This allows child. siblings who come into care to stay together. Councillor Simon Hackett, cabinet member for children’s services, said: ‘Giants’ was launched with a film premiere at the “I would urge everyone to watch ‘Giants’ and share it on your own social Everyman cinema in Birmingham and has already media accounts. It really is a powerful film and just by sharing it, you received more than 3,000 views on the Sandwell can help us to find the foster carers we need to keep young brothers Fostering Facebook page alone. The combined and sisters together when they find themselves in care.” viewing figures across the Midlands are expected to exceed 50,000. The film was launched in May at the start of Foster Care Fortnight. To watch ‘Giants’, go to www.sandwell.gov.uk/fostering or visit SandwellFostering 10 The Sandwell Herald Our priorities for the year ahead

Councillor Steve Eling Councillor Syeda Khatun

• I will continue to ensure we have a budget and • I will make sure local town plans address services in Sandwell that meet the needs of the community priorities and deliver the council’s local area despite the unstable political situation at ambitions together with our partners. a national level. • I want to improve access to council services • I will carry on working through the West Midlands through better use of our local assets and Combined Authority to make sure everyone developing new ‘community hubs’. benefits from the programme being delivered. • I will work with the voluntary and community sector to develop services • I will continue to make sure we take a team approach to getting the and help achieve the council’s new 2030 ambitions. best for everyone and the biggest bang for our buck.

Leader of the Council Deputy Leader & Neighbourhoods and Communities

Councillor Simon Hackett Councillor Steve Trow • I will continue to improve social care for children • I’ll be continuing to modernise council services and services for young people and families. – including more online access to services where • I want children to have the best start in education local people want that choice. and to help them do the best they possibly can in school. • At the same time, I also want to make sure residents who have more complex needs will • I will ensure young people get the right advice always get the help they need. and support to secure the best further education and employment opportunities. • I’ll be putting a new focus on how the council, businesses, community groups and all our partners can increasingly work together to ensure the very best future for all our residents. Children's Services Core Council Services The Sandwell Herald 11 The council’s cabinet is committed to improving the things that matter most to you. Each cabinet member has a specific area of responsibility – from children’s services to highways, leisure to public health. Here you can read about the issues each cabinet member, with the support of officers at the council, wants to tackle. This year, we welcome a new cabinet member, Councillor Elaine Costigan, following Councillor Preet Gill’s election to parliament at the general election in June.

Councillor David Hosell Councillor Kerrie Carmichael • I want to make our roads safer by introducing a • Building more high quality and affordable council 20mph speed limit on all estate roads and will be homes is a key priority for me. consulting people on our proposals. • I will oversee the council providing a rapid • I will work with the private rented sector to response to fly-tipping, raising awareness of the ensure landlords are providing a good standard of impact illegal rubbish dumping has on our borough accommodation for their tenants. and taking firm action against fly-tippers. • I want children and young people to have access to good quality • I want to see our worst pavements improved as well as continuing to homes and apprenticeship opportunities with the housing service and improve street lighting. our contractors.

Highways and Environment Housing

Councillor Richard Marshall Councillor Elaine Costigan • I’m excited about putting on great events across • People’s safety is my top priority. I will work together Sandwell and making Sandwell Valley a regional with the police, fire service and others to tackle crime and national visitor attraction and leisure facility. and anti-social behaviour and prevent the threat of radicalisation. • I will work with all our key partners to deliver high-quality leisure activities across the borough • I want to tackle domestic abuse by supporting and encourage more residents and children to take victims and also working with perpetrators to get regular physical activity. them to change their behaviour. I will work with schools on a programme to address sexual violence. • I want more residents and visitors to access the council’s cultural facilities and activities and support the development of arts and culture • I will focus on keeping people well for longer and tackling obesity, across Sandwell. encouraging people from all ages to do more exercise and promoting healthy eating options. Leisure Public Health and Protection

Councillor Paul Moore Councillor Ann Shackleton • I will be pressing for sites where former council • Within our communities, I will ensure we continue buildings are surplus to requirements to be to support our most vulnerable adults and their regenerated for new housing and commercial carers. development. • Using my influence as chair of the Sandwell Health • I will ensure the council works closely with and Wellbeing Board, I want to see better joint West Midlands Police to reduce the number of working between health and social care. unauthorised encampments in Sandwell. • Building on last year’s success, I will encourage everyone to continue • I will represent Sandwell at the West Midlands Combined Authority – working hard to make sure people are discharged from hospital as quickly making sure we get our share of investment and the wider benefits of and safely as possible and help them move on to appropriate care. devolution. Regeneration and Economic Investment Social Care

12 The Sandwell Herald Flying the flag for award-winning parks We're incredibly proud of our parks and green spaces in Sandwell – especially the 11 that have already won Green Flag awards. Green Flags are awarded by Keep Britain Tidy to parks Despite the pressures on council budgets, we’re and open spaces that are well looked after and look committed to investing in our parks and improving great. them for everyone’s enjoyment.

Our award-winning green spaces include six town Our friends groups, community organisations, parks, a cemetery, Sandwell Valley Crematorium and volunteers and allotment committees play a huge role a volunteer-run allotment, as well as Sandwell Valley in helping us to make these green spaces great. And our Country Park and Warley Woods, which is run by a council staff and waste partner Serco work incredibly community trust. hard to keep these places clean and tidy.

Haden Hill Park, Cradley Heath Sandwell Valley, West Bromwich Dartmouth Park, West Bromwich Victoria Park, Smethwick

Sandwell Valley Crematorium Victoria Park, Tipton Barnford Park, Oldbury

Brunswick Park, Wednesbury Tipton Cemetery Dingley Road Allotments, Warley Woods, Bearwood Wednesbury

CheckCheck outout ourour GreenGreen FlagFlag award-award- winningwinning parksparks andand greengreen spacesspaces

greatgreat placesplaces toto visit!visit!

Look out for the 2017 Green Flag Awards annoucement this month and the People’s Choice Awards in For more about our Green Flag parks, go to September, when you can vote for your favourite Green Flag park. www.sandwell.gov.uk/greenflag The Sandwell Herald 13 Get active this summer With longer days and warmer weather, now is the perfect time to get out and get active.

Set yourself a goal for summer Do something you love Having a goal can motivate you to get more active. It could be It’s never too late to take up a new sport or re-discover an old signing up for a new class at your local leisure centre or walking for 10 favourite. Did you love playing football as a kid? Or were you a dab minutes each day. Apps like Active 10 Walk Tracker and Couch to 5k hand at netball? Whatever sport you’re into, check out what we have are great tools to help you track your progress and keep motivated. on offer. Search ‘Keep fit in Sandwell’ online for more information. Search ‘One You’ online for information and advice. Find a package just for you Get outdoors Healthy Sandwell can offer a range of support to get you fitter and Getting fit outdoors is a great way to get some fresh air and enjoy healthier. some of our beautiful parkland. Our parks are ideal for walking or Give our friendly team a call on 0800 011 46 56 to find out how we jogging and many have outdoor gym equipment which is all free to can help you. You can also text GETHEALTHY to 87007. use. Search ‘Keep fit in Sandwell‘ online for more information. Make it a family affair Keep the kids entertained over the summer holidays and get them moving to burn up energy. Search ‘10 Minute Shake Up‘ online for some great ideas for games to keep your little ones active.

www.healthysandwell.co.uk

Contact the team today on 0800 011 46 56 to see how you can make small changes that make big differences. Smoke-free play areas All fenced children’s play areas in Sandwell will now display no smoking signs.

Just like smoking, second-hand smoke is dangerous to everyone. Children are especially vulnerable as they have less well-developed airways, lungs and immune systems. Every time a child breathes in cigarette smoke, they breathe in thousands of chemicals. This puts them at risk of serious health conditions such as respiratory infections and pneumonia. By not smoking in areas where they play, you are protecting children from the harmful effects of smoking and reducing the chances of them copying you and taking up smoking themselves.

For information on how to quit smoking, call Healthy Sandwell on 0800 011 46 56 or text GETHEALTHY to 87007 14 The Sandwell Herald Blue Light scheme helps Sandwell Health and Wellbeing Board Our Health and Wellbeing Board meets regularly with the aim of drinkers creating good quality, joined-up health and social care services through everyone working more closely together. A specialist Sandwell scheme that gives support to chronic drinkers has won national praise and helped save money for the Chaired by Councillor Ann Shackleton, the Members of the public are welcome to attend board wants to invest in things that make a the next Health and Wellbeing Board meeting emergency services. positive difference to local people’s lives. on 28 September 2017 at 4.30pm at West Bromwich Police Station. The Blue Light Project provides specialist training for hundreds of frontline Issues recently discussed have included: workers, including police and ambulance service staff, who have direct • how improvements could be made to For more information, contact with hard-to-reach drinkers. reduce the time it takes to be discharged from email [email protected], go to hospital; and www.sandwell.gov.uk/healthandwellbeing Public Health England has recognised the scheme, which has so far or follow @SandwellHWBB on Twitter. supported 24 people with chronic alcohol dependence. • West Midlands Fire Service’s prevention work, from fire safety checks to Safe and Well visits. By accepting help, they have not been such a demand on ‘blue light’ emergency services, saving many thousands of pounds. Jyoti Atri, Sandwell’s director of public health, said: “While we would rather no one reach this stage of alcohol dependency it is a fact that a few people do and they are frequently seen by the emergency services. “The Blue Light Project means more people are getting the support they need. This also reduces the cost to health and community safety services.”

Councillor Ann Shackleton, second from left, visits Sandwell Hospital with, left to right, the council’s Karen Emms, Sandwell & West Birmingham Hospitals NHS Trust’s Dr Nigel Page and Rachel Barlow and the council’s David Stevens Weigh2GO Weigh2GO is a weight management programme that Goal for fat-busting footballers allows you to track and monitor Fat-fighting men on a Sandwell weight-watching your weight. football scheme have scored a great goal, losing a Weigh2GO uses smart scales, which measure your weight and body mass index. The programme uses whopping 61 stone – the equivalent of 61 FA Cups – an interactive app, which allows users to track their between them. food and activity levels. At riskThe smart scales are available at libraries across Men taking part in the weekly tournament get advice about Sandwell. nutrition as part of the league, which runs for 14 weeks. Men who For more information contact have scored the most goals can go onto a further league to help Healthy Sandwell on 0800 011 46 56 keep the weight off. of Tor ypetext GETHEALTHY 2 to 87007 . CouncillorAt Elaine risk Costigan, the council’s new cabinet member for public Contact Healthy Sandwell on 0800 011 46 56 or text health and protection, promotes Weigh2GO with weight management GETHEALTHY to 87007. For more information development officer Sam Palmer visit www.manvfatfootball.org/smethwick diabetes?of Type 2 Preventing diabetes Your local Healthier You service can help you put your health back in your hands by supporting you to make changes to your diet, weight anddiabetes? the amount of physical activity that NHS Diabetes Preventionyou do. Taking Programme this kind of action now isis very aiming important as it to tackle Type can reduce your risk of, or even stop you, developing the very 2 diabetes by encouragingserious health condition peopleYour local of Healthier Type at 2 diabetes.You high service can helprisk you put to your healthchange their back in your hands by supporting you to make changes to behaviour and avoid developingyour diet, weight the and thecondition. amount of physical activity that you do. Taking this kind of action now is very important as it can reduce your risk of, or even stop you, developing the very serious health condition of Type 2 diabetes. The programme is being run in the Sandwell, Birmingham and Solihull areas by Living Well Taking ControlAsk (LWTC). your nurseThis is or an doctor organisation about signing with a provenup for track record of supporting peopleyour to local make Healthier changes You to theirservice. diet, weight and physical activity to improve their health and wellbeing.Ask your nurse or doctor about signing up for your local Healthier You service.

Service provided by Go to www.lwtcsupport.co.uk Service provided by for more information or speak to your GP. The Sandwell Herald 15

NHS Health Checks Stop Smoking Parent-to-be Classes Get Fit Preventing Diabetes Lose Weight Alcohol Support

Healthy Sandwell is part of Sandwell Council’s public health team. Our aim is to get Sandwell healthier and happier, and to keep people well for longer.

If you want to make your life healthier, we can help you make a lifestyle change today. From stop smoking support to losing weight, go to www.healthysandwell.co.uk to find out what’s on offer.

If you live in Sandwell, we have lots of free help and support to make your life healthier and happier.

Call us FREE on 0800 011 4656 or text GETHEALTHY to 87007

Healthy Sandwell starts with a healthy you. Sandwell 16 The Sandwell Herald HEALTHY LIFESTYLE SERVICES I lost 5 stone with Mytime Active, Sandwell HEALTHY LIFESTYLE SERVICES you can too! Alberta Wood, from Wednesbury, is celebrating after losing an amazing five stone. Setting herself small goals and maintaining a positive attitude, Alberta has made a number of lifestyle changes from the food she eats to the amount of exercise she does. Alberta says Mytime Active’s Healthy Lifestyle Service is the best programme she’s done since Did you know there is a range starting to lose weight. of weight loss and healthy She said: “The programme teaches clients how FIRST lifestyle services across to stick to healthy things and gives useful 12 WEEKS Sandwell? exercise advice.” Did Wantyou know to lose there weight? is a range Do you want to lose weight or become more active? of weightBe more loss active?and healthy Mytime Active’s Healthy Lifestyle Service is a FREE* weight- FIRST management programme available in Sandwell. Getlifestyle in touch services to find acrossout more! 12 WEEKS Sandwell? You can expect: Classes are also available for families with • regular one-to-one support with qualified young children and people with long-term To book your initial appointment withWant one toof loseour weight? healthy lifestyle specialists; conditions. friendly healthy lifestyle specialists: Be more active? • access to a wide range of exercise classes All classes includes nutritional advice, weigh- Call: 0121 366 0966 / 0800 011 4656 ins and physical activity. Get in touch to find out more! throughout Sandwell; and Text: GETHEALTHY to 87007 • Weight Watchers vouchers and reduced gym- If you want to lose weight in a way that's fun, or visit: www.mytimeactive.co.uk/sandwell memberships at Sandwell Leisure Trust friendly and right for To book your initial appointment with one of our centres and other gyms across Sandwell. you, call Mytime Active friendlyTwitter: @ healthySandwellMTA lifestyle specialists: on 0121 366 0966. *The programme is free for the first 12 weeks. Call:Facebook: 0121 366SandwellMTA 0966 / 0800 011 4656 Text: GETHEALTHY to 87007 or visit: www.mytimeactive.co.uk/sandwell MEND HLS for Men A5 Sandwell.indd 1 13/01/2017 07:43 PortwayTwitter: @SandwellMTA treatment helps HarshaFacebook: SandwellMTA walk again

AMEND Wednesbury HLS for Men A5 Sandwell.indd woman 1 who suffered two mini strokes is defying13/01/2017 the 07:43 odds and walking again after specialist rehabilitation treatment. Harsha Patel attends recovery sessions at “It proved better than all the previous Sandwell Leisure Trust-run Portway Lifestyle treatments, plus the hydrotherapy pool got Centre in Oldbury, to improve her me properly moving again. I’ve recently balance, strength and stability. started walking in a more dynamic way, more like I used to do – so I can She now walks freely with the aid say from experience that Portway of a stick and has regained a lot of the has been the best thing that’s ever feeling down her right side. happened to me!” She said: “Someone at the hospital Husband Dinesh added: “Portway mentioned Portway and I quickly turned out to be the light at the end felt at home there and started of the tunnel. Scott has been brilliant working closely with instructor Scott and is very professional and thorough and we SANDWELL LEISURE TRUST Parish doing targeted exercises. get regular progress reports and evaluations. SUMMER HOLIDAY ACTIVITY We hit it off straight away. Indeed, all the staff there are superb and the SWIMMING SPORTS PROGRAMME. place just radiates positivity.” Activities for everyone...

ALL DAY CAMPS TENNIS 24 July - 1 Sept 2017

TIPTON LEISURE CENTRE HADLEY STADIUM Alexandra Road and Thursfield Road, Wilson Road, Smethwick, B66 4NL Tipton, DY4 8TA HADEN HILL LEISURE CENTRE Barrs Road, Cradley Heath, B64 7HA SMETHWICK SWIMMING CENTRE Thimblemill Road, Smethwick, B67 5QT LANGLEY SWIMMING CENTRE Vicarage Road, Oldbury, B68 8HS HARRY MITCHELL LEISURE CENTRE Broomfield, Smethwick, B67 7DH PORTWAY LIFESTYLE CENTRE Newbury Lane, Oldbury, B69 1HE WEDNESBURY LEISURE CENTRE TIPTON SPORTS ACADEMY High Bullen, Wednesbury, WS10 7HP Wednesbury Oak Road, Tipton, DY4 0BS

Harsha Patel with instructor www.slt-leisure.co.uk 0300 012 0121 Scott Parish at Portway Registered Charity (England and Wales No: 1102431) Vat Reg No: GB834 0256 50 Lifestyle Centre The Sandwell Herald 17 A quick guide to help with childcare costs 30 hours free childcare for 3 15 hours free childcare for Universal 15 hours free and 4 year olds 2 year olds childcare for 3 and 4 year olds For working families (parents must each be For families receiving benefits or who are For all families – children can start the earning £120 a week on average, but no working and earning less than £16,190 term after their 3rd birthday more than £100,000 a year) Children who are eligible can start the Families receive 15 hours of free Children can start the term after their 3rd term after their 2nd birthday childcare or early education a week in birthday term time either in a school nursery, day If eligible, families will receive 15 hours If eligible, families will receive an extra nursery, pre-school playgroup or with a of free childcare a week in term time for 15 hours a week on top of the universal childminder their child/children 15 hours a week of free childcare – so 30 For further information visit: hours in total for their child/children For further information and eligibility www.sandwell.gov.uk/freechildcare Parents of children who will be 3 by 31 criteria visit: www.sandwell.gov.uk/freechildcare August 2017 can apply now to start in September 2017 For more information and to apply: www.sandwell.gov.uk/30hours Employer supported Tax credits for Universal Credit for childcare Tax free childcare childcare childcare For working families with children under Childcare element of Working Tax Credit For working families claiming Universal 16 (or under 17 if disabled) For working families, including the self- For working families (depending on your Credit with children under 16 years old employed, with children under 12 (or Your employer may be able to help you income) with children under 16 (or under under 17 if disabled) If eligible, you can get up to 85% of eligible with childcare costs using childcare 17 if disabled) childcare costs paid for vouchers, directly contracted childcare For every £8 you pay in, the government If eligible, you can get up to 70% of and workplace nurseries will add an extra £2, up to £2,000 per child childcare costs paid for (depending on For further information visit: You can save up to £933 a year in tax Parents of children who will be under 4 on your income) www.gov.uk/help-with-childcare-costs and National Insurance savings 31 August 2017, and parents of disabled For further information visit: For further information visit: children, can apply now for tax free www.gov.uk/help-with-childcare-costs www.gov.uk/help-with-childcare-costs childcare Support while For further information and to apply visit you study www.childcare-support.tax.service.gov.uk Weekly payments from Care to Learn if you’re at school or sixth-form college (for parents under 20 years old) Help through your college if you’re in further education – Childcare Grant and Applying for a school place Adult and family learning Parents’ Learning Allowance If your child is due to start in reception or Year 7 in Interested in learning something new? For further information visit: September 2018 you'll need to start thinking about We offer a massive variety of courses at more than 30 www.gov.uk/help-with-childcare-costs school preferences soon. venues in Sandwell’s six towns. From CV writing courses www.gov.uk/parents-learning-allowance You can apply online from 17 July 2017 for secondary and art classes to maths and English skills, there’s places (Year 7) and from 18 September 2017 for reception something for everyone. and junior (Year 3) places. To see what courses are on offer and to enrol, go to www.learnsafl.ac.uk Go to www.sandwell.gov.uk/schooladmissions to apply.

Jobs, apprenticeships and training for young people

We’ve already helped nearly 800 young people find jobs, Apply and check out our vacancies: training and apprenticeships – and the next person could • go to www.sandwell.gov.uk/guarantee be you. • email us [email protected] We have jobs and apprenticeship vacancies at the council and with local companies for • or call 0121 569 2099 to find out more 16 to 24-year-olds. We also have a programme called Black Country Impact which helps 16 to 29-year- We call this the Sandwell Guarantee – our commitment to helping young people who olds who aren’t in education, training or employment to find work. The scheme helps aren’t currently in work, training or at school. We guarantee we can support you to find a with work experience, careers advice, getting qualifications and things like interview job, an apprenticeship or a great training course. techniques. Since September 2014, we’ve registered 2,430 young people with the Guarantee, 541 Check out www.sandwell.gov.uk/blackcountryimpact have started apprenticeships and we’ve helped 250 into jobs – including many with or call 0121 569 2099 or 569 2955. health conditions and disabilities. So if you’re thinking about what to do next, if you don’t know what you’ll be doing after finishing school or college, or you know someone who could do with some help to get on the career ladder – get in touch. 18 The Sandwell Herald

LOCAL OFFICE Sandwell Council House, Freeth Street, Oldbury B69 3DB Oldbury Sunday market and car boot sale Come along to Funday Come along to the Sunday Sunday at Tividale Park car boot and market on A host of free family fun and entertainment West Bromwich Street car is being lined up at Tividale Park in an action- park in Oldbury. packed community ‘Funday Sunday’ event. Car boot pitches are just £5. The Friends of Tividale Park and K9 For a car and trailer it’s £10, and Search UK are organising the event £15 for a van. along with help from the council’s parks team. It starts Sunday To book call 07471 037138. 6 August from 11am onwards at It’s open to car booters and the park in Dudley Road West. traders from 6am and finishes A fun dog show gets under way at at 2pm. 11.30am, so wash and groom your own Have a clear out and sell your canine and see if they can scoop the unwanted items, or come along ‘best in show’ prize or marvel at for a browse. the special dog agility displays. There’ll be a bouncy castle, face-painting, The car park entrance is off the A4034 slip road to West Bromwich Street in Oldbury. stalls and great food and refreshments The entrance for stallholders and car booters is off Dudley Road. The market and car boot sales is too. operated by Groupe Geraud. More information at www.k9searchuk.com/events More information at www.sandwell.gov.uk/oldburysundaymarket Oldbury Writing Group Advice for Upgrade for publishes World War lI book armed forces Lion Farm Estate Work is set to start in August on a £9.7 million A collection of poems and short stories inspired by World Oldbury Royal British Legion refurbishment scheme to three high-rise blocks War ll has been published by the Oldbury Writing Group. holds twice weekly welfare – Harry Price, Hackwood and Wallace Houses – in advice sessions for people Oldbury. Launched at Oldbury Library, the book called ‘From Sunrise to who have served or are Improvements to the 1960s-built Lovell is carrying out the Sunset: a World War Two Anthology’, focuses on people and their serving in the armed forces. individual experiences, rather than the war as whole. Lion Farm Estate – which has work for the council, which more than 200 individual flats – is expected to last around 18 It features a wide range of characters and themes including a Pop along to the One Stop Shop at include new windows, balcony months. Sandwell Council House, Freeth Street, doors and panels. grieving mother, a Spitfire pilot, women of the war, POW camps, The 12-storey blocks have the fall of Warsaw and contributions made by people from the on Thursdays from 10am to 3pm or Oldbury RBL, Windsor Road, on Front entrance and rear exits around 70 flats in each. Caribbean and Asia. Saturdays from 12 noon to 3pm. will be redecorated and pitched roofs replaced. Fire-resistant The improvements will not only Group founder, Angela Garratt, said that the Call Bob Clarke on 0121 552 2290 if insulated external cladding will create better homes for people group – which meets every Saturday you need more details. be fitted to the highest standard. living on Lion Farm but will at Oldbury Library – decided to start also lengthen the lifespan and Visit our webpage at New lifts will be installed, improve the look of the blocks. writing the book together in 2015, www.sandwell.gov.uk/armedforces communal areas will also be the year which commemorated the for more information on Sandwell’s redecorated and a new door 70th anniversary of the end of World Armed Forces Covenant and support entry system fitted. Extra car parking is also being created. War ll. available to the forces community. The anthology is available from all online book retailers and to order from all book shops. www.oldburywritinggroup. wordpress.com

Bristnall Langley

Your Oldbury councillors 1 2 3 4 5 6 Steven Frear Bill Gavan Steve Trow Mahboob Hussain 1 4 7 10 Old Warley Oldbury 07814 212 572 07813 364 277 07768 610 460 07796 337 799

Carol Goult Yvonne Davies Suzanne Hartwell 2 5 8 Dr Trevor Crumpton 11 07773 625 573 07772 405 686 07714 116 434 07814 862 104

Elaine Giles Sharon Davies Sue Crumpton Susan Downing 7 8 9 10 11 12 3 07715 301 375 6 07772 895 213 9 07854 374 855 12 07976 042 372

For more information on councillors, call 0121 569 3129 or email [email protected] The Sandwell Herald 19

LOCAL OFFICE Payne Street, Blackheath B65 0DH Pyjama party at Rowley Regis Red Route clampdown on bad parking A red route is now in force outside Cradley Heath train pre-school nursery station – banning parking on a one-mile stretch of road.

The red lines, put down in late May, ban all parking and stopping on Forge Lane, Lower High Street, Foxoak Street and Upper High Street. The council received many complaints about vehicles blocking pavements and preventing drivers from passing due to parked cars. Please do not park or stop on these lines. The red route is being enforced by traffic wardens and the council’s CCTV camera car – which issues automatic Children dressed in their pyjamas fines to anyone caught parked or with, left to right, parents Tammy, Tracey, Danielle next to Sam Lavender from Sandwell stopped anywhere along the red route. Libraries with parents Kirsty and Bev Sandwell libraries teamed up with Cornerstone Nursery to organise a pyjama party for parents and pre-school age children. Deputy Mayor role for Susan Parents and children came along to the She said: “We know how important it is to Rowley ward’s Councillor Susan Eaves nursery with many dressed in pyjamas. They get children and parents to read together is Sandwell’s new Deputy Mayor. enjoyed some bedtime-themed story books and many of our families visit the library Her husband John will be her consort for the read to them by Sam Lavender from our regularly. year ahead. libraries team. “We are very fortunate to have The couple will be supporting new Mayor Children and parents sang songs support from staff at our local library Councillor Ahmadul Haque MBE and his wife, accompanied by talented guitarist Silvia Mayoress Surma. Sermon, the nursery deputy manager. in Blackheath and the children and parents very much enjoyed our Councillor Eaves said: “I am very proud to Silvia is thrilled the nursery has such great pyjama party.” have this role and am enjoying meeting lots links with our libraries. of people in the community and visiting many different groups and organisations.” New house wins award A new house in Corngreaves Road, Cradley Heath, has picked up a top award. Our building control team nominated the property for the West Midlands Building Excellence Awards where it won Best Individual Home. The private, self-build project beat far bigger and more expensive new builds due to: • the quality of the project; • the complexity of engineering works; • the difficult location by the River Stour; and • the fact the design – and almost all of the physical work – was carried out by the owner, engineer Andrew Rudge.

The award-winning house designed by Andrew Rudge Your Rowley Regis councillors 1 2 3 4 5 6 Danny Millard 1 Julie Webb Chris Tranter Sandra Hevican Rowley Tividale 07825 706 133 4 0121 559 9263 7 07853 969 171 10 07814 295 254

Bob Price Ann Shackleton Barbara Price 2 5 8 11 Lorraine Ashman 0121 559 6412 0121 550 1245 0121 559 6412 07875 504 918

Kerrie Carmichael Caroline White Susan Eaves Maria Crompton 7 8 9 10 11 12 3 07905 274 227 6 07870 800 320 9 07794 088 247 12 01384 258 609

For more information on councillors, call 0121 569 3129 or email [email protected] 20 The Sandwell Herald

LOCAL OFFICE Smethwick Council House, High Street, Smethwick B66 3NT Have a suggestion? Transforming If you live in St Paul’s ward there’s a new way for you to get in touch with your Lightwoods local councillors. The St Paul’s Partnership has launched new The transformation of Lightwoods “Tell Your Councillor” suggestion boxes. Simply House and Park has been nothing pop a suggestion in the box and it will be short of incredible. passed on to your three ward councillors. Since falling into disrepair for decades before becoming You’ll find the five boxes at Holly Lodge High derelict in 2007, Birmingham City Council handed over School, Rood End Primary School, St Paul’s the house along with the park to Sandwell Council in GP Surgery, RK Pharmacy and the Brasshouse 2010. Centre. Since then, the council and the community living around the park and beyond have worked hard to secure millions of pounds of Heritage Lottery and Big Lottery funding to bring the house back into use and make the first major improvements to the park in more than 20 years. Work on the house is now in the final weeks. To stay updated on the final stages of the restoration and about the official opening, search Lightwoods Park and House on We’ll be celebrating the official opening of the house Facebook, follow @lightwoodshouse on Twitter and check out in the coming weeks and we have a summer of great www.discoversandwell.co.uk events to look forward to. Tackling street drinking West Smethwick Park Thimblemill Library – We’re tacking issues with street funding update drinking in Smethwick. We hope to hear very soon if we’ve been successful in securing £4.5million a place of sanctuary The council and police have received from the Heritage Lottery Fund to several complaints from residents and improve West Smethwick Park. We’ll We’re extremely proud that our very own shop owners about the issue. have more news in the next edition of the Herald. Thimblemill Library is the UK’s first Library of Sanctuary. The alcohol treatment service Swanswell will be working with the council and the To find out the latest, check The award is thanks to the police to identify street drinkers who need out www.sandwell.gov.uk/ work the library and its staff help and get them on a recovery plan. westsmethwickpark, do to welcome refugees and email [email protected] For details call 07980 955 309. migrants into the community. or call 0121 569 3792. Several of the library’s services, including English as a Second Language (ESOL) courses, Preserving Smethwick’s heritage fundraising events for refugees and work with the Bearwood Smethwick’s Grade II-listed Council House is being Action for Refugees group, preserved for generations to come thanks to a led to the Birmingham City of £350,000 scheme. Sanctuary movement awarding The terracotta façade at the the accolade. front of the historic building For community groups who has been cleaned and repaired would like to run any type of and the timber and leadwork on the clock tower has been Councillor Richard Marshall, cabinet member for leisure; Leonie Hart, session at the library, call 0121 fixed. Bearwood Action for Refugees; Julie McKirdy, Thimblemill Library 429 2039. supervisor; and Councillor Steve Eling, Leader of Sandwell Council The work, which is ongoing and will continue into the Find out more about events Abbey Smethwick autumn, has already uncovered at libraries at this coat of arms (pictured www.discoversandwell.co.uk/ events right) in all its glory. Your Smethwick councillors 1 2 3 4 5 6 Bob Piper Richard Marshall 1 Mohammed Rouf Babu Singh Bawa OBE 0121 429 4276 4 07814 295 188 7 07766 421 423 10 07405 217 414 Soho and Victoria St Paul’s

Steve Eling Keith Davies Roger Horton Zahoor Ahmed 2 0121 569 5666 5 07836 512 941 8 0121 558 8719 11 07896 850 928

Dr Ann Jaron Farut Shaeen Preet Kaur Gill 3 6 Linda Horton 9 12 7 8 9 10 11 12 0121 429 9216 0121 558 8719 07967 591 228 07891 169 501

For more information on councillors, call 0121 569 3129 or email [email protected] The Sandwell Herald 21

LOCAL OFFICE High Street, Princes End, Tipton DY4 9JB Pride of Tipton winners Parenting pals Parents are finding new pals in Tipton as part of a pilot scheme to bring moms, dads and carers together. Regular coffee mornings are helping dozens of parents make the most of all the information on offer about children’s development and family support. Tipton Community Operating Group (COG) is leading the project with support from lots of other organisations. The project runs from Tipton Christian Church. To find out Cabinet member for children’s services Councillor more, call 0121 569 7291. Simon Hackett, second from right, meets parents New school for Sacred Heart Pupils have moved into the brand-new Sacred Steve Downing, pictured third from left, won the overall Heart Primary School in Sedgley Road East. Pride of Tipton award for his long-serving community work. Other winners were: The 15-classroom school was designed and built by Sunesis – a joint venture between Willmott Dixon and • Inspirational Young Person – Caine Wildman Scape Group. • Community Sporting Achievement – Lee Butler • Outstanding Service to the Community – Walker Grange staff It replaces the old school in Victoria Road, which was very • The Good Samaritan – Michael Coyle small and dated back nearly 100 years. • Community Champion – Pastor Steve Peach The new school is expected to offer 420 primary places • Environmental Awareness – Friends of Tipton Cut and 52 nursery places by the time it’s full in 2022. • Young Carer – Reece Lawley Head teacher Mrs Gee said: “The new building means so • Young People's Award – Ian Wright much more to us than extra school places, the way the • Lifetime Service – Ann Roberts and Pauline Roper building is designed means we can better meet the needs of our pupils.” The awards were organised by RSA Academy, Sandwell Council, Tipton Police, Pride of Tipton Community Group and Asda. Head girl Amara, aged 11, said: “Our old school was a bit cramped, but this new school is great, it has an extra big hall and is very spacious and colourful.” You Booze, You Lose We’re tackling street drinking in Great Bridge and New Mayor of Sandwell Princes End following concerns raised by local Tipton Green ward’s Councillor Ahmadul Haque MBE is the new Mayor of Sandwell. shopkeepers and councillors. Councillor Haque has served the ward since 1996. He has We’ve spoken with drinkers and got them support and treatment, held a litter pick tackling alcohol-related rubbish chosen his wife Surma to be Mayoress. and talked with shopkeepers and residents. Councillor Haque’s two charities for the year will be: Shops are also displaying our public health team’s Let’s Talk • Midlands Air Ambulance Charity; and About Alcohol posters to encourage sensible drinking. • Your Trust Charity, run by Sandwell and West Birmingham Working together are Tipton Police, council community Hospitals NHS Trust, specifically raising money for cancer alcohol awareness officer James Wareham, housing and services and research. anti-social behaviour officers, Swanswell and Nash Dom Councillor Haque said: “This is the proudest moment for me to Community Interest Company (CIC). be honoured with the position of the Mayor of Sandwell and I pledge to serve the residents of Sandwell with all sincerity.” To donate to the charities call the Mayor’s Parlour on 0121 569 3041 or email [email protected] Dudley Port plans – have your say Have your say on plans to improve the Dudley Port area as part of the Black Country Garden City project. Go to www.sandwell.gov.uk/dudleyport before 7 August to comment on proposals.

Great Bridge Princes End Tipton Green Your Tipton councillors

Joanne Hadley Philip Garrett 7 Ahmadul Haque MBE 1 07963 187 127 4 07814 295 104 07786 277 367 Stephen Jones Syeda Khatun MBE 2 Pete Allen 5 8 07976 958 843 07833 682 585 07766 421 436 Bill Cherrington Ian Jones Ann Jarvis 6 9 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 3 07891 162 762 07786 265 056 07876 131 414

For more information on councillors, call 0121 569 3129 or email [email protected] 22 The Sandwell Herald

LOCAL OFFICE Town Hall, Holyhead Road, Wednesbury WS10 7DF We will never forget Nursery teacher retires after 33 years Sandwell Council has created a memorial plaque to honour victims of the 2015 Nursery teacher Wendy Priest has said farewell to The Priory Primary in Tunisia terrorist attack. Wednesbury. Mrs Priest, pictured right on her last day, clocked up more than 40,000 Family members Patrick Evans, Adrian Evans and Joel teaching hours at the school, which used to be known as Joseph Richards were among those killed along with 27 other Edward Cox Infants. British tourists. The school marked her retirement with a special assembly where she Councillor Elaine Costigan said: “It’s such a wonderful was presented with flowers and messages from pupils. dedication to three special local people who lost their lives while on holiday. I’m proud Sandwell has done this Mrs Priest said: “I enjoyed teaching at the school so much that I stayed for the family to go and visit, and for residents to pay 33 years. I finished my time there teaching the children of pupils I first their respects. They will never ever be forgotten.” taught earlier on in my career.” Councillor Simon Hackett, cabinet member for children’s services, said: “My family have a special connection with Mrs Priest and the school. My wife Gina started at the school in the same year as Mrs Priest, my children Keira and Jaya were taught by her, and now my son Elliott, who’s currently in the nursery, is one of the last to be taught by her. “I want to wish Mrs Priest all the best in her retirement.”

Wednesbury Summer Fete Saturday 5 August 2017 Business boost for Wednesbury in Bloom is back for a third year. Come along to our craft fair from Why not enter this year’s competition for a chance to 11am-3pm at Wednesbury Town Hall town centre win £10 or even a £50 voucher? Wednesbury businesses are working with Sandwell This year, categories are: best garden, best planters, best Council to set up a Business Improvement District (BID), hanging baskets and best business. to improve the town centre over the next five years. To enter, call us on 0121 532 5426 or 07870 809387. Judging will take place the week commencing 31 July 2017. The main goals of the BID are: • Making Wednesbury more attractive, tidier and cleaner; • Improving the profile of Wednesbury outside of Making Friar Park safer Sandwell; • A safer and more welcoming Wednesbury; and Our CCTV team and police in Friar Park are working together to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour. • Championing the town centre. Council CCTV staff used the 13 cameras Councillor Simon Hackett, pictured For more information, contact BID co-ordinator around Friar Park to help police identify with control room supervisor Lee two people using off-road motorbikes Jameson, said: John Hodgkiss on 0121 553 3074 illegally in the area. or email [email protected] “Many residents ask whether the The individuals were identified from cameras are working and evidence the footage by local neighbourhood used from them to tackle anti-social police officers. They had their bikes behaviour. confiscated and now face further police “This is great example that they are action. working and are used to tackle crime PC Shendy Blakemore, Wednesbury in our area. I want to congratulate Neighbourhood Team, said: the CCTV team, the police and the “We would like to thank the council’s neighbourhoods team for their hard CCTV team for their hard work and work and recent success.” dedication in helping to cut the Report anti-social behaviour at illegal use of off-road motorbikes in www.sandwell.gov.uk/asb the Friar Park area and making it a or by calling police on 101. safer place for the residents.” Photo courtesy of Mike Maynard Friar Park Wednesbury North Wednesbury South Your Wednesbury councillors

Simon Hackett 1 Tony Meehan Bob Lloyd 07813 989 422 4 07971 631 364 7 07889 101 052 Joy Edis Elaine Costigan Olwen Jones 2 0121 505 6618 5 0121 526 2757 8 07814 708 869 Geoff Lewis Peter Hughes Pam Hughes 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 3 0121 556 4253 6 07896 914 849 9 07772 892 315

For more information on councillors, call 0121 569 3129 or email [email protected] The Sandwell Herald 23

LOCAL OFFICE Court House, High Street, West Bromwich B70 8LU Getting creative with GAP Centre Book now! Art-inspired activities are getting people Hire rooms at West Bromwich Town Hall creative at The GAP Centre in Hargate Lane. West Bromwich Town Hall is an impressive Grade II* listed A grant from Creative Black Country is helping the building. The venue has the capacity to hold up to 400 centre to run the following projects. guests and offers a variety of rooms for hire. • The Garden Project – The community centre It is an ideal venue to host corporate dinners including an redeveloping the centre’s wants to expand over the open plan venue for exhibitions or conferences along with outdoor area, creating next five years. smaller specialist boardrooms for corporate meetings. an inspiring play space, The aim is to reach a With a large choice of rooms the venue provides flexibility communal garden and wider audience from to create the perfect event to suit everyone’s needs. ‘memory garden’. across the town and get • The GAP Family Singing more people taking Group – keen singers who part in social activities want to have a bit of fun and volunteering and meet new friends. opportunities. • Creative workshops to re-tell the story of the famous Sandwell For more info, email Salamander, including [email protected] Hannah Clarke Westwood and puppet making, crafts or call 0121 525 4442. Katie Clarke Westwood help and storytelling around out at the GAP Centre’s Garden the camp fire. Project For enquiries email [email protected] or call 0121 569 3939. Pupils promote road safety Pupils at St Margaret’s CE Primary School, Great Barr, have designed Cabinet in town signs encouraging drivers to slow down and urging pedestrians to The council’s cabinet met volunteers at Yew Tree use the subway and crossings safely. Community Centre during one of their regular Our highways team has been Councillor David Hosell, cabinet visits around Sandwell’s six towns. running a community road safety member for highways and campaign with the school since environment, said: Cabinet members heard what refurbishment works were January. Pupils have conducted needed at the centre, and improvements are already being “This campaign is aimed at made following the visit. a speed check outside their A34 getting drivers to stick to the Birmingham Road school with 30mph speed limit outside They met volunteers from organisations that are run from the police and students from Q3 the school and encouraging the centre, including The Hub community project. Academy. people to cross the busy dual While on the Yew Tree, they also visited Redwood Road Councillor Steve Melia and Mayor The campaign follows accidents in Councillor Ahmadul Haque congratulate carriageway safely.” shops and saw first-hand the problems caused by motorists the area, including three fatalities. pupils on their posters and banners parking on grass verges, discussing ways to tackle the issue. Historic Sandwell Valley Visitors to Sandwell Valley Country Park can find out more about the historic parkland thanks to a new project. New interpretation panels and leaflets give an insight into the past, including Sandwell Hall and 12th century Sandwell Priory, ruins of which can still be seen today. At the Sand Well, a carved lion’s head has been fitted, in keeping with a 1920s photo of the well. Work has also included replacing an ugly concrete water channel leading from the well with brick that matches sandstone found on the site. Ibstock Cory Environmental Trust (ICET) has worked with the council on the project, with support from Historic England and the council’s former archaeologist Dr Mike Hodder.

Charlemont with Grove Vale Great Barr with Yew Tree Greets Green and Lyng Your West Bromwich councillors Sue Phillips 1 7 Jackie Taylor 13 Keith Allcock 07814 296 095 07813 364 299 07970 202 313 Elizabeth Giles Gurcharan Singh Sidhu 2 8 14 David Hosell 07779 416 817 0121 553 3090 07896 690 512 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Liam Preece John Edwards Joyce Underhill 3 07515 354 967 9 0121 531 5060 15 0121 358 5742 Hateley Heath Newton West Bromwich Central Mohinder Singh Tagger Steve Melia 10 Paul Moore 16 4 0121 502 5751 07969 138 038 07733 014 616 Shirley Hosell Pat Davies Bawa Singh Dhallu 5 07891 699 992 11 07771 955 605 17 07891 297 574 Chris Worsey Paul Sandars 6 12 18 Laura Hickey 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 07891 630 477 07711 625 074 07870 501 336 For more information on councillors, call 0121 569 3129 or email [email protected] 24 The Sandwell Herald Investing in homes and neighbourhoods Since 2014, we’ve spent more than £98 million on improvements to more than 6,000 council homes. So far this is what we’ve done: 15,000 2,119 3,049 3,496 3,841 6,153 roofs repaired/replaced 2,910 houses bathrooms kitchens central improved heating rewired homes double-glazed improved systems refurbished windows tted improved inside Tenants warm to double-glazing scheme A successful window replacement programme which has seen thousands of council tenants benefit from warmer homes will be completed in August. The £6 million scheme has seen more than 15,000 single-glazed windows replaced with more efficient UPVC doubled-glazed ones since 2015. The windows have made a real difference, making homes warmer, reducing draughts and condensation, and lowering fuel bills. One of the latest tenants to benefit is 90-year-old Doreen Perkins, of Church Walk, Rowley Regis. Doreen said: “The new windows are wonderful, they really keep the heat in and are a lot easier to open.” Friend and neighbour Pauline Taundry added that she was really impressed with the new windows and new doors that had also been fitted as part of the work, saying she felt safer and more secure in her home. Happy tenants Pauline Taundry, Doreen Perkins – celebrating her 90th birthday – and Hazel Kelly Facelift for the Shrubbery Streets on a Tipton estate have been totally transformed after homes underwent a massive £500,000 facelift including new external rendering. Internal improvements including new kitchens The whole Shrubbery Estate now looks fresh and and bathrooms, central heating and rewiring revitalised, with homes modernised inside and were already planned for the properties. out. However survey work showed it was clear that Streets on the estate include Menin Road, the outside of houses desperately needed not Shrubbery Avenue, Poplar Avenue, Cedar Road, just new roofs and doors, but also new external Geneva Road and Vernon Avenue. rendering, which had begun to flake, discolour and look dirty.

Gas safety inspections for council homes Check your heating now! As your landlord, the council needs to carry out this important safety inspection on your gas appliances every 12 months. Don’t wait until the winter before you check that Is there power to the central heating your gas central heating is working properly. system? If the fuse spur has been Please make sure you let our ‘Gas Safe’ registered Oldbury and Rowley Regis Try it now. Simply switch it on and run it for an switched off, the system can ‘lock out’. engineer in to your home to do this. Phoenix Gas Services – hour or so. If it works now, you’ll have peace of Unsafe gas appliances can produce the poisonous 0121 569 6089 mind when the winter comes. Try to reset the central heating boiler gas – carbon monoxide. using the reset button or on/off switch – Smethwick and West Bromwich If it’s not working the following checks could Every year around 14 people nationwide die this can restart the boiler. Vinshires Plumbing and Heating Ltd – solve the problem: from carbon monoxide poisoning caused by 0121 569 6423 gas appliances and flues which have not been Check the batteries in the digital properly installed or maintained. Tipton and Wednesbury Is there a gas supply? If this runs out, the programmer, these use an AA battery You can’t see, taste or smell carbon monoxide but Glevum Heating Services – system can ‘lock out’. Check your token and power the programmer. it can kill without warning in just a few hours. 0121 569 6056 meter if you have one, the display will tell If you can’t keep the appointment we send you, you if there is no supply. If you don’t have If you still have a problem please contact our gas service partner to arrange one, try checking another gas appliance a new one. such as lighting a cooker gas ring. call the Gas Services Team on 0121 569 6000. The Sandwell Herald 25 First bricks laid for supported housing scheme Voluntary The first bricks have been laid on the site of a £9.6 million supported housing scheme in West Bromwich. groups – The council is developing 93 new affordable homes – made up of 58 apartments and 35 bungalows – in Oxford Road. Councillor Kerrie Carmichael, Neil do you The scheme – which includes four bungalows especially designed for wheelchair users – Baxter of Keepmoat Regeneration will provide much needed homes for people with a range of health issues. and Councillor Ann Shackleton Councillor Ann Shackleton, cabinet member for social care said: “We’re one step need closer to providing spacious accommodation so that people can live independently but also being able to get extra care and support for their individual needs.” funding? Councillor Kerrie Carmichael, cabinet member for housing added: Sandwell Council continues “The scheme provides an extra opportunity for people who to invest in the voluntary have disabilities to benefit from having a council tenancy with sector and wants to hear accommodation suitable to their needs.” from groups that would The project, which is being built by Keepmoat like to apply for funding for Regeneration, is set to be completed in March 2018. new initiatives helping local people. The funding will support new town plans, which will detail priorities for each of our six towns. There’s the Local Area Budget for community projects, Healthy Towns Funding for health-related initiatives and the Youth Offer for schemes supporting young people. For more information on applying, ask your Sandwell Local centre or call 0121 368 1166 or 0121 569 6184. New council homes for Smethwick and Tipton Sandwell Council is in the process of buying 38 new homes Work to build 29 new homes in on a development in north Smethwick. Princes End is almost complete. The homes – a mixture of two and three The development in Tibbington Terrace is made up of seven bedroom properties – will be added to new council homes for rent and 22 properties for private sale. the council’s housing stock. The two and three-bedroom homes have been built by Kier The site was previously called Brindley 2, Living on the old Princes End Primary School site. but is now known as Galton Lock and is Councillor Kerrie Carmichael, cabinet member for housing, being built by Countryside Properties in said: Lewisham Road. "These two schemes are great examples of the council Around 160 new houses are being built working with a development partner to increase the overall with the rest being available for quantity and choice of housing in the borough. private sale. "Schemes like this are part of our strategic housing plan to The first four council-owned properties are increase the number of council-owned affordable homes." set to be handed over to tenants in July. New homes being built at Galton Lock, Smethwick Completion of the site is scheduled for the winter. Others will follow in the coming months. Tenant Views Club reviews housing standards Tenants – Have your say Three of the council’s local housing standards have been reviewed by the service improvement group of our Tenant Views Club. on housing services The standards reviewed were: Home; Neighbourhood and Community; and Tenant Involvement and Empowerment. More than 5,000 of you will receive our customer satisfaction survey during August and September. The STAR (survey of tenants and residents) Topics for the standards are set by the government. questionnaire gives you the chance to have your say and tell us what you think about a wide range of housing-related services. Tenants met with officers from Neighbourhoods and agreed performance targets for each standard which will be monitored every six months by the Tenant Review Panel. These include your levels of satisfaction If you get a survey in the post, please fill it with repairs, the condition of your home, in – it will only take you five minutes – and You can view the standards at www.sandwell.gov.uk/localstandards service priorities, your neighbourhood and return it in the pre-paid envelope provided. To join the Tenant Views Club and get involved in monitoring housing feedback on how helpful our employees are. services, fill in our online form at www.sandwell.gov.uk/getinvolved or call in to your Sandwell Local centre to register your interest. The results are analysed and your feedback helps us to improve our services for you. 26 The Sandwell Herald Creative Arts success Sun,Sun, seasea andand Christine and Audrey enjoyed ‘a day at the beach’ What a year it’s been for our Creative Arts team, which provides day when our adult social care quality team visited opportunities for people with disabilities. Sandwell the Tendercare home in Oldbury Sandwell . The Ceramic Garden, a display of 1,200 Creative Arts produces beautiful and beautiful hand-made ceramic flowers, unique work all year round. Visit the studio helped the team win a Royal Horticultural at Unit 37 to 39 Cyprus Street, Oldbury, Society Britain in Bloom Award. B69 4XD, to view, commission or buy work. Open Mondays to Fridays, 10am to 3pm. The RHS liked the garden so much it featured the display at the Malvern Spring The team’s latest project is The Pull of Festival, as pictured below. Wool. This features interesting photos of people knitting in unusual locations More than 500 people from community as well as photos of people who don’t and education groups helped create normally knit and some quirky knitted the garden in a project co-ordinated by items! Creative Black Country and Creative Arts.

Residents at the home, some of whom have dementia, enjoyed the seaside-themed activities as part of Dementia Awareness Week. Sandwell Council currently funds residential or nursing care services for more than 750 people living with dementia. Be responsible – don’t plonk it, park it Sandwell Visually Impaired (SVI) has been working with the police and partner organisations to encourage responsible parking. The charity says the vast majority of people park considerately. But cars, vans and other vehicles parked fully on the pavement or against lamp posts or trees make it very difficult for pedestrians to get past, especially if they are blind or have limited sight. This can force pedestrians to put themselves and others in danger by walking in the road. Sandwell Community Alarms For more advice on this issue, call SVI on 0121 525 4810 or visit the Guide Dogs Streets Ahead campaign at www.guidedogs.org.uk/StreetsAhead New website for safeguarding board Peace of mind The site has information and advice on safeguarding adults in Sandwell for members of the public as well as health and social care workers. at the push of SEE SOMETHING Concerned about an adult with care/support needs? a button DO SOMETHING • Call 999 in an emergency • Call 0121 569 2266 (out-of-hours 0121 569 2355) Are you elderly, disabled or feeling vulnerable? Go to www.sandwellsab.org.uk to check out the new website. Do you find it difficult to get help in an emergency? Helping people stay safe and independent We loan out a staggering 27,500 items of equipment every year to help Do you want to be independent in your own home? Sandwell residents live safely and independently. Our adult social care team makes sure 93 per cent To request equipment, contact of people who need aids – like walking frames, Sandwell Enquiry on 0121 569 2266 or email We can provide you with a push button pendant or fall high seated chairs, perching stools and toilet- [email protected]. related accessories – get them within seven days To return loaned equipment, detector to wear which you can press if you need help. of being requested. call Prevention Stores on 0121 569 3670. We also recycle more than half of items we collect when they are no longer needed. This means they can be loaned out again. The value of recycled items last year totalled £1.5 million, so we had to spend much less on new equipment. Councillor Ann Shackleton, cabinet member for social care, said: “I was impressed to see how health and social care teams are working together to make sure people get the right items when they need them. “I would urge anyone who has loaned items that are no longer needed to let us know so we can collect and recycle them for other people to use.” Councillor Ann Shackleton meets Alasdair Morrison, social care Email us at [email protected] or call 0121 569 6800 team manager – prevention, at the council’s Prevention Stores The Sandwell Herald 27 Book in for the summer at your local library Tech suites at the library Sandwell libraries will be running their annual Summer Reading Challenge throughout the school Sandwell libraries have been awarded £85,000 holidays and this year the theme is Animal Agents. from Arts Council England for a project called Tech Suites.

Tech time with library customer services This will provide several assistant Daniel Cobbold libraries with virtual reality headsets, iPad tablets, robotics kits and 3D doodler pens. Libraries will be working with partners to put on fun sessions for children and young people over the summer holidays, using the new equipment. Later in the year, there will The challenge draws children from across the borough into be sessions for older people local libraries each summer and inspires them to read for to learn how to use tablet pleasure. Children can sign up to read at least six library books devices and for residents over the school holidays and collect incentives along the way. to learn how to use the MySandwell website, which The Summer Reading Challenge enables libraries to support provides online access to parents and carers with their child's reading during the long many council services. summer break from school. It also provides an opportunity for young people to volunteer at their local library and develop new skills.

Send your answers along with your name, contact number and postcode to: What word is spelt from the golden boxes? The Editor, Sandwell Herald, Communications Unit, Sandwell Council House, CROSSWORD Oldbury, B69 3DE or you can email your answers along with your contact number and postcode to:

[email protected] by 30 September. 123 45 67 First correct entry for each puzzle out of the hat wins the prize. The editor’s decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into. 8 Lucky voucher winners from puzzles in the last Herald are: of Sainsbury’s Crossword: Sandra Ellis, Smethwick 910 Wordsearch: Barbara Mysza, Tipton vouchers Sudoku: Laura Duffy, Rowley Regis

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SUDOKU WORDSEARCH 13

From left to right, what is the top row of numbers? Which word is NOT in the wordsearch? 14 15 16 17

18

19 20 21

22

23 24

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ACROSS DOWN 1 Glassworks in Smethwick (6) 1 Cold (____) (4) 4 (____) Scissorhands (6) 2 To dump or leave (7) 9 Pupil (7) 3 Dance in a line (5) 10 Strong, thick cords (5) 5 Shows the way (7) 11 Notion or concept (4) 6 Jelly in pork pie (5) 12 To reuse and make better (7) 7 To disrupt or move away (8) 14 Your uncle’s wife (6) 8 Feeling pride (5) 16 Problems (6) 13 Bush with WBA connection (8) 19 Someone learning a job (7) 15 Takes no notice of (7) 21 Dry climate (4) 17 Useful room (7) SANCTUARY NURSERY WRITERS EXAM 23 Area of Tipton (____) Hill (5) 18 To collect (5) Sudoku © Kevin Stone NELSON HOUSE PRIDE CAR 24 Dense group of trees (7) 20 Twisted (5) 25 Quite new (6) 21 Common fruit (5) ALARMS BOOT SLEUTH 26 To type something again (6) 22 Fun summer event (4) Name...... Name...... Name...... Phone...... Phone...... Phone...... Postcode...... Postcode...... Postcode...... Sign up to Sandwell Council email updates Did you know you can get news from Sandwell Council Get all the latest news and information about events. Keep up-to- weekly and for free? date with the latest job vacancies from around Sandwell. Are you interested in fostering? We can help. How? Go to www.sandwell.gov.uk/emailupdates to sign up From bins and recycling to schools, roadworks, health and leisure, to our email updates. there’s all this and much more with our email updates.

28 The Sandwell Herald Contamination alert!

Thank you to all Thank you to all residentsThank you who to all are residents who are usingresidents their who blue are lid bin. using their blue lid bin. Please check what you put in your Please check what you put in your bluePlease lid check bin as what up to you 20% put of in what your blue lid bin as up to 20% of what weblue receive lid bin can’t as up be to recycled. 20% of what we receive can’t be recycled. These items cannot be recycled in your blue lid bin These items cannot be recycled in your blue lid bin

For more examples of what can and can’t go in your recycling bin, visit www.sandwell.gov.uk/recyclingguide For more examples of what can and can’t go in your recycling bin, visit www.sandwell.gov.uk/recyclingguide