Birmingham101 local daily news

AIRPORT URGED TO DELAY EXPANSION
Business leaders are warning that plans to expand Coventry Airport could stifle progress at Birmingham International.
Warwick District Council will meet on Saturday to discuss proposals to build a new passenger terminal at Coventry.
But Birmingham Chamber of Commerce says a decision should only be made after the larger West Midlands airport's plans are finalised in a year's time.
It is worried that a "Spaghetti Junction" of airspace could be created in the region. The chamber's head of policy, Jerry Blackett, claims that if Coventry's proposals are approved, it could turn out to be the wrong decision in the long term.
He said: "Birmingham needs at least a year to complete the planning process. At the end of that we'll know how much airspace there is for Birmingham and Coventry.
"We'll be sure we can deliver Birmingham as the region's international airport and that's the absolutely critical point."
Coventry started running budget flights at the end of March and Thomsonfly says the facility at Bagington will serve more European destinations from November.
The low-cost operator will offer flights to Amsterdam, Alicante in Spain, the skiing areas of Salzburg and Grenoble, as well as two new Irish destinations of Shannon and Cork.

DUAL BLOW TO MIDLANDS' CAR MAKERS
Sales of Rover cars were running at just 30 a day in Britain last month as the last Birmingham carmaker recorded a 37pc slump in August car sales.
Figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders showed that just 922 Rover cars and 764 MG sports cars left British showrooms in August. The combined monthly sale for MG Rover - 1,686 vehicles - was the worst for at least six years and reverses an upward trend since 2,013 cars were sold in 2000. This compares with an industry-wide fall in sales of 5pc to 80,221 cars in August.
Phoenix Venture Holdings, which bought MG Rover in 2000, said the figures were "disappointing" but said it was planning to make cuts of £100m and return to month-by-month profitability next year.
A spokesman said: "August is always a quite difficult month with the September plate change and it is hard for a business like MG Rover which is not chasing loss-making business."
The company said Nigel Petrie, the newly appointed non-executive director, was now leading a committee charged with making a profit at MG Rover for "some months" next year.
The company is bracing itself for criticism from MPs on the Trade and Industry committee on Thursday, who earlier this year accused them of "financial sleight of hand" and "manipulative book-keeping".
However it is understood that, while the MPs' view has not changed, they will not heap further criticism on the executives running the car company.
There was more gloom for the West Midlands, with uncertainty surrounding the future of Ford's Land Rover plant at Solihull.
US car giant Ford will pronounce tomorrow on the immediate future of Land Rover's factory at Solihull, which employs 8,000 workers.
Last week Ford bosses threw out a survival plan drawn up by trade unions and local management and gave them a week to put the plant's "roadmap" on the right track.
Speculation has since grown that Ford was preparing to close the plant and move production to other Jaguar factories. Karl Ludwigsen, a former Ford of Europe vice-president, claimed Ford had told the "roadmap" team it could move production to Halewood and have it up and running within 30 days.
Another car industry expert said that Ford's problem was that the factory was making Land Rovers on ageing equipment, while warranty claims were running high.
A senior car industry source said he was "100pc sure" that Ford was not planning to close the site.
Dave Osborne, national cars officer for the Transport and General Workers Union, declined to be drawn on the progress of the talks. "We remain optimistic that we will meet the objective as set out," he said.

CRACKDOWN ON PUPIL ROBBERIES
Police are launching a crackdown on robberies committed against pupils travelling to school in Birmingham. Eighty officers will be patrolling streets and buses in areas where vulnerable new students are targeted by offenders.
West Midlands Police said crimes reached a peak during the morning rush hour and at the close of school throughout September.
A spokesman said officers would be giving crime prevention advice to pupils at bus stops outside schools in Smethwick, Duddeston, Erdington, Kings Norton, Kings Heath and Bordesley Green.
PC Louise Shepherd, from the Force Community Safety Bureau, said: "Research carried out by force analysts show there is an increase in robberies on school age children in September.
"Many of these are committed by older teenagers from outside the area, targeting younger pupils on their way to school. For many pupils, the start of term is the first time they have used public transport or walked to school without their parents.
"Unfortunately, there are unscrupulous people who will use this as an opportunity to exploit this vulnerability."
Officers will be joined by revenue inspectors and staff from Pupil Watch on the look out for truants.

IDENTITY OF BURNT BODY STILL UNKNOWN
Police are still trying to identify a murder victim whose badly-burnt body was discovered by a passer-by in the Black Patch Park, between Smethwick and Winson Green, Birmingham, on Saturday morning.
A post-mortem examination on the man found he had died from multiple stab wounds before his body was set alight.
West Midlands Police believe he was a black man, aged between 45 and 55 and was 5ft 10ins tall.
The murder scene remains sealed off and detectives are appealing for witnesses to come forward.
It is now thought that the murder was a gangland style killing.

FOOTBALLER APPEALS AGAINST SENTENCE
Former Premiership soccer star Lee Hughes is to appeal against his six-year jail term for causing death by dangerous driving, court officials confirmed tonight.
Hughes, of Meriden, West Midlands, was convicted last month of killing Douglas Graham, a 56-year-old father-of-four who died when the car he was travelling in was struck by Hughes’ high performance sports car.
The West Bromwich Albion player, whose contract has since been terminated by the club, was driving home from a post-match drinking session when the accident occurred.
Hughes fled the scene of the crash on the outskirts of Coventry to avoid a breath test.

8th.September 2004

FORD TO DECIDE ON JAGUAR PLANT
Workers at Land Rover's plant at Solihull, which employs 8,000 staff, will learn at a meeting on Wednesday whether their jobs are safe.
Ford, which bought Land Rover in 2000, has given management and unions time over the summer to come up with ways to improve productivity and quality.
It warned that production could be moved, possibly to either of the Jaguar plants in the Midlands or Merseyside.
Unions are optimistic the future of the Solihull factory will be secured.
Close to 165,000 Land Rovers were sold last year, with the UK and US the two leading markets.
It has already been decided that production of Land Rover's Freelander model will be moved to Halewood, Merseyside, in 2006.

PASSER-BY HURT IN ROBBERY
A passer-by was injured after a shot was fired during an attempted robbery on a bank in Birmingham.
Police were called to the HSBC bank in High Street, Erdington at 1204 on Tuesday after reports of an armed robbery and a shot being discharged.
A 40-year-old man was taken to hospital but it is not known if he was hurt by a gunshot or by flying glass. His injury is not thought to be life-threatening.
Two men attempted to rob the bank but are thought to have left empty-handed. A cash delivery was taking place at the time when a security guard who entered the building was followed by two men who got out of a car parked outside. As they left a shot was fired and a passing member of the public was injured. They men then drove off in a silver or grey Audi with a registration number thought to be KS04 BSU.
The offenders have been described as black and wearing bandanas across their faces.

DECADE OF MEMORABILIA GOES UNDER THE HAMMER FOR CHARITY
100.7 Heart fm, the Midlands’ biggest radio station, has been stripping its walls of 10 years worth of music memorabilia for a charity sale and auction which will be filmed and televised in a special edition of the ITV1 antique and collectables show Everything Must Go!, produced by Birmingham based company Hotbed Media. Money raised will be used by 100.7 Heart fm’s charity for Mums and newborns, ‘First Steps.’, to provide vital life-saving equipment for Birmingham City Children’s Hospital
The programme, which will air nationwide in December, will be shot in and around the West Midlands. Everyone in the 100.7 Heart fm region can get involved by having a clear out at home or work and donating jumble, bric-a-brac and collectable items to be sold at a huge Everything Must Go! sale which will be held from 4.00 – 8.00pm on Monday 13th September at the Symphony Hall in the centre of Birmingham. CLICK HERE FOR MORE DETAILS

CHRYSALIS RADIO FINE TUNES DATA NETWORK
Chrysalis Radio,the owner of Heart, Galaxy, LBC and The Arrow radio stations is overhauling networking systems to improve the transfer of data and broadcast traffic between its five UK offices.A new multi-protocol label switching (MPLS) network is being installed to ensure broadcast traffic is prioritised over other network traffic, so audio quality can be maintained.
Telecoms operator Thus is working with the radio broadcaster and equipment supplier The UK Office to design the system, which will transfer data between its London, Leeds, Manchester, Newcastle and Birmingham offices.
By replacing its point-to-point network, Chrysalis will be able to use MPLS to classify data types travelling over the network and ensure radio broadcasts receive the highest priority, over data such as email and internet connectivity.
'We wanted to link our five sites with a flexible, cost effective converged network that could be developed to incorporate new technologies,' said Bruce Davidson, group technology director at Chrysalis Radio.
The new data network also supports voice over IP, which Chrysalis intends to roll out in the near future.
Earlier this year Thus worked with Classic FM owner GWR to consolidate data, voice and broadcast systems onto a national IP network in a £3m, five-year deal.

PROPERTY DEALER IN HIGH COURT BATTLE
One of the West Midlands' best-known property dealers yesterday launched a High Court battle to claim up to £500,000 in lost commissions from a Birmingham multi-millionaire.
Brian Lewis, the former partner of Dixons estate agency chain, is suing Rod Ackrill, chairman of the Chase Midland group, at Birmingham High Court over the termination of a consultancy contract.

COUNCILLOR RESIGNS
A Conservative councillor who provoked a storm of protest when he attempted to axe Birmingham's German Christmas market has quit his £42,000-a-year cabinet post.
Nigel Dawkins last night resigned as leisure, sport and culture member, citing "personal" reasons for his departure.

YOUTH HELD OVER CAR DEATH
A 17-year-old youth was arrested earlier this week in connection with the death of a toddler who was dragged to his death by a car which failed to stop.
West Midlands Police said the teenager, from Ward End, Birmingham, had been detained on suspicion of causing the death of two-year-old Joshua Berrill by dangerous driving.
Joshua, also from Ward End, was dragged along the road for 300 yards after being struck by a sports car on August 25 and died at Birmingham Children’s Hospital next day.
The boy’s aunt, 13-year-old Millie Robinson, was also hit by the white Toyota MR2 in Burney Lane, Alum Rock, suffering a fractured leg and shock.

MEET TV STAR BOO! AND WIN HUNDREDS OF PRIZES AT SELFRIDGES, BIRMINGHAM
Pre-school telly favourite Boo! is to make a very special ‘real-life’ appearance at Selfridges in Birmingham on September 18th to help the store celebrate its first birthday in the city.
Boo! is the hugely popular pre-school television programme that airs in the UK on BBC1, BBC2 and Cbeebies and which features Boo! and his three best friends Growling Tiger™, Sleeping Bear™ and Laughing Duck™.
The show was created by Tell Tale – the award-winning team that gave us the Tweenies – and its mixture of education and entertainment designed for children 18 months to 4 years has made it a real hit with kids and parents.
Fans of Boo! are now invited to meet the star of the show for the very first time as a full-sized Boo! will be making his debut public appearance in Kids in Selfridges on Saturday September 18th from 11am till 4pm.
The whole area will be turned into a Boo! spectacular on the day. There will be a face painter on hand throughout the day to turn children into colourful look-a-likies of all their favourite Boo! characters – whether that’s Boo! himself in one of his secret disguises, or Growling Tiger, Sleeping Bear and Laughing Duck.
The store will also be hosting a Boo! treasure hunt. The first 100 children to successfully track down all of the Boo! characters hiding in Kids will win a fantastic Boo! card game. There are also 500 Boo! posters to be won. And everyone who fills in the treasure hunt form correctly will be entered in to a prize draw to win one of three fabulous Boo! hampers – all full to the brim with Boo! goodies and worth more than £100 each.
Throughout the week, from September 18th to 24th, children can have fun playing on the Boo! Dance Mats, watching Boo! videos on the TVs and dancing to the Kids DJ. They can also pick up a Boo! colouring sheet for free and colour in all of their favourite characters.

THE BOOT LAUNCHES LOCAL TALENT SEARCH TO FIND THE NEXT JAMIE OLIVER
The Boot in Studley is hotting up its search for talented youngsters, dreaming of following in the footsteps of Jamie Oliver and Gordon Ramsey, after launching its Chef Modern Apprenticeship programme to find the new-breed of super-chefs across Birmingham.
The Boot, part of the Out and Out bar-restaurant chain, is appealing to local youngsters with a burning passion to carve out a culinary career as a chef and learn the tricks of the trade from the experts, by inviting them to enrol on Chef MA.
The apprentice scheme is primarily aimed at school leavers, but is open to all under 24's and gives students the unique opportunity to develop their skills as a chef, achieve the relevant NVQ qualifications and gains hands on experience at the Boot.
With September enrolment for Chef MA underway, the 2-3 year programme is based on a Government-sponsored modern apprenticeship and will enable students to spend four days a week at the Boot and one day at their local college.
With over 200 chefs involved in the scheme nationwide, successful applicants will then progress towards a full-time role at the Boot and a nationwide 'Design a Dish' competition, where modern apprentice chefs are
invited from across all Whitbread brands to battle it out for a
national title.
Carl Tough, manager at the Boot, said: "With a dedicated team of skilled chefs already in place at the Boot, we are always on the look out for talented youngsters who want to pursue a career as a chef and receive expert training and guidance from a leading restaurant chain."
"The Boot serves up a range of traditional British dishes with a modern twist, with the emphasis on innovation and food development - to give apprentices the opportunity to create their own signature dishes and add their own unique style and personality to the menu."
Alex Meyer, head of marketing for Out and Out, added: "Chef MA is the perfect opportunity for budding chefs to kick-start their career and develop the necessary skills and qualifications needed to progress towards a full-time position with Out and Out. Whitbread introduced the scheme to harness and develop new talent and we believe it will prove an overwhelming success in Birmingham."
The Boot is part of Whitbread's, premium Out and Out bar-restaurant chain, with further information available at www.eatingoutandout.com. To enrol on the Chef Modern Apprentice at the Boot, simply call in and pick
up an application form from staff at the following address:
BOOT
BIRMINGHAM ROAD
MAPPLESBOROUGH GRN
STUDLEY
WARWICKS
B80 7BJ
CLICK HERE TO READ OUR REVIEW OF THE BOOT

9th.September 2004

JOBS SAVED AT LAND ROVER
The West Midlands breathed a collective sigh of relief last night after Ford gave its backing to a plan that will secure the future of the Land Rover plant at Solihull, safeguarding thousands of jobs.
Though a final rebuff for the plan would not have meant the immediate closure of Solihull, which employs around 8,000 people, Land Rover officials had warned that it would have faced a "slow and lingering death" as it was starved of investment.
Yesterday, Mr Fields said Solihull had responded to last week's developments and committed itself to meeting Jaguar's competitiveness levels within three years.
Jaguar, like Land Rover, is part of Ford's premier automotive group which includes Volvo and Aston Martin.
The deal includes changes to operational processes, working practices and culture, according to a statement from Land Rover last night.
The Transport & General Workers Union said it believed the plan "secures the future of the Solihull plant and the long-term job security of members."
"On the basis of today's agreement we would expect that Solihull, which has been the home of Land Rover for over 50 years, to remain so for the next 50 years," said Dave Osborne, the T&G's national secretary for the car industry.
Joe Greenwell, the chairman and chief executive of Jaguar and Land Rover said that as a result of the agreement Land Rover "has a great future with great new products."
The priority would be to secure the backing of the workforce for the changes, he said
Despite last night's relief, the plant will still lose some 1,000 jobs when Ford switches production of the Land Rover Freelander model to the Jaguar plant at Halewood on Merseyside.

SUICIDE PACT GIRL LEAVES HOSPITAL
A teenager from Birmingham who survived a suspected suicide pact in which her friend died, has been released from hospital.
Rebecca Ling, 14, of Longbridge, and Laura Rhodes, 13, are believed to have taken an overdose at the younger girl's home in Neath, south Wales on Saturday.
A spokeswoman for Morriston Hospital in Swansea said Rebecca, had been released on Wednesday.
Rebecca and Laura met in an internet chatroom a year ago.
'Bullied extensively'
The pair had earlier sparked a nationwide hunt when they went missing after returning from a holiday with Laura's family in Crete.
They were discovered on Friday at a bed and breakfast hotel in Bath and were taken back to Laura's home. Hours later, the girls appear to have attempted to take their lives in an apparent suicide pact which ended in Laura's death.
South Wales Police ruled out bullying as a factor of Laura's death but her parents insisted she had been "bullied extensively".
On Monday, detectives said investigations were continuing into the incident.

DNA SWABS REDUCE TRAIN ATTACKS
Spitting attacks on railway workers have fallen dramatically following the introduction of DNA testing kits, says a train operator.
Central Trains, which operates throughout the Midlands, introduced the swab tests a year ago.
There has been just one attack this year compared with 54 in 2003, the train firm said.
Other rail companies are now said to be interested in taking up the idea as it has cut down on related staff absence.
Clare Barrett from Central Trains said: "We are now asking people to come forward and report these assaults.
"We are giving them equipment where they know they can do something to make a difference to try and stamp it out.
The kits - which include gloves and a swab - were issued to all staff, including drivers and conductors.

GIRL 15, HELD IN MURDER ENQUIRY
A woman and a girl have been arrested on suspicion of murdering of a 78-year-old man who was repeatedly stabbed before his body was set on fire.
Police said Edson Ennis, from Bartley Green, Birmingham, was knifed at least 14 times in a "frenzied" attack.
Mr Ennis, who was married with six children, was found near Black Patch Park, between Smethwick and Winson Green, at about 0700 BST on Saturday.
A 34-year-old woman and a girl, 15, were arrested on Tuesday evening.
Police were initially unable to identify Mr Ennis and issued an e-fit and a description of his clothing.
The women and girl, who are both from Bartley Green, remained in police custody on Wednesday.

MURDER PROBE AFTER FIRE VICTIM DIES
A murder inquiry has been launched into the death of a man who suffered 50% burns in a house fire following a suspected arson attack.
Gian Singh Sanghera, 47, became trapped in the burning property in Hamstead, Great Barr, West Midlands, on the evening of August 31. He was rescued and taken to hospital where he died last night.
A woman, in her late 30s, sustained broken bones when she jumped from a first floor window to escape the flames. She remains in a stable condition. A second man also suffered minor injuries during the incident.
A force spokesman said there was no clear motive for the fire in Langdale Road which was thought to have been started using a propellant. Two people arrested in connection with the blaze were later released without charge and detectives are awaiting the results of forensic tests.

COVENTRY INFERNO
More than 180 fire fighters tackled a huge blaze which ripped through a business park in Coventry yestearday.
The fire broke out at about 4am at three factory units in Lythalls Lane, Foleshill. 36 fire engines were needed to supply water to the buildings, some of which were gutted.The cause is believed to be suspicious.
West Midlands Fire Service press officer Alan Pellowe, who was at the scene, said it was one of the biggest fires in Coventry in a long time.
Appliances from Hereford, Worcester and Warwick as well as Birmingham were brought in to help.
It is thought three businesses were affected including Timber To Go, BKL Joinery and an auction house.

HOME RULE FOR REGION?
Home rule for the West Midlands could become a reality after the next General Election, Ministers pledged yesterday.
Nick Raynsford, the Minister responsible for local and regional government, said he believed a referendum would be held on creating a directly elected assembly to govern the region.
The North-east is to hold a referendum on setting up its own assembly in November. But no immediate vote is planned in the West Midlands, after a consultation exercise last year found there was almost no support for the idea.
A directly-elected assembly would revolutionise the way the region is run. However, the idea is fiercely opposed by Conservative critics.

INQUEST ADJOURNED ON CAR TRAGEDY TODDLER
An inquest on a toddler who was dragged to his death by a car which failed to stop was adjourned today for a second time.
Two-year-old Joshua Berrill, from Ward End, Birmingham, was pulled along the road for 300 yards after being struck by a sports car on August 25.
His mother Nona Robinson and grandmother Rosa Robinson attended a brief hearing before the Birmingham Coroner Aidan Cotter, who gave the family further time to decide whether they wished the body to be released for burial or retained for a possible second post-mortem.
Inspector Richard Youds told the hearing there had been insufficient evidence to charge a 17-year-old Birmingham youth who was detained on Monday on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving.
The officer added that he was awaiting the outcome of forensic tests and an identity parade.
The inquest, which opened on September 1, was adjourned to a date to be set.

REFURBISHMENT FOR LITTEN TREE PUBS
The Litten Tree pubs in Dudley and Wolverhampton are turning over a new leaf as part of a nationwide brand makeover currently being undertaken by the 59 strong pub chain, which is run by the SFI Group.
Following the success of the Litten Tree pub makeover in Newhall Street, Birmingham, which reopened its doors on Wednesday 1 September, both pubs in Dudley and Wolverhampton are to undergo over £100,000 refurbishment and receive a sparkling new look as well as a fantastic new menu and wine list.
The pub in Dudley has already closed its doors and with refurbishment well underway, it is due to re-open on Wednesday 15 September.
The Litten Tree in Wolverhampton will close on 15 September and re-open on Wednesday 29 September. Both new-look pubs will create a total of 20 jobs for the area and will re-open with official opening parties where customers will be able to try out the new menu and wine list as they take in the fantastic modern surroundings.
By day attracting business people, shoppers, office workers or people socialising with friends over coffee, lunch and mid evening meals out, the Litten Tree pubs become entertainment and party venues by night, be it karaoke, talent competitions or sport on the big screen, with food available up to one hour
before closing.

The attractive new interior

10th.September 2004

CURRIES ADD SPICE TO CZECH MATES
A curry chef is being flown to the Czech Republic to spice up its restaurants and dining rooms.
The chef is among a delegation of curry firms from the East Midlands who will show off their dishes to importers in the new European Union country.
It is hoped the trip will start a craze for curries in the capital Prague, which currently has only one restaurant selling Indian food. Firms will showcase their food at a garden party in Prague on 15 September.
Jane Johansen, a UK Trade and Investment advisor who has helped organise the trip, said she thought exporting curries would be a "ready-made success".
"We are taking a chef with us so we can demonstrate cooking the dishes as part of the enjoyment is the smells and the way it is cooked," she said.
"In Prague, there is a very vibrant population and a large number of tourists go there so that makes it more open to new influences.
"At the moment there is one international-style restaurant there selling an Indian and Chinese mixture.
As well as curry firms, the Stilton Cheesemakers' Association and a flavoured tea maker will be represented in Prague.
The trade mission will also promote to Czech firms the East Midlands as a good place to do business.

HOSTAGE HOAX BANK ROBBERS JAILED
A couple who faked hostage dramas during bank and building society robberies have been jailed for a total of 20 years.
Alan Lynch and Maria Gibson held hands and laughed in the dock at Birmingham Crown Court as they were sentenced for staging the dramas to feed drug habits.
Cashiers believed Gibson's life was at risk as Lynch held a knife to her throat and demanded cash.
They struck at 11 banks and building societies across the Midlands.
Lynch, 37, and Gibson, 36, a mother-of-five, were living in Coventry, during what was described as their "month of madness" in court on Wednesday.
Their crime spree ran through June when 11 robberies and attempted robberies were committed. The police operation involved four forces.
Recorder Geraldine Andrews QC sent Lynch to prison for 12 years and Gibson for eight.

GETTING LOCAL PEOPLE INVOLVED
Moves to get more local people involved in decisions that affect their lives were boosted today as Home Office Minister Fiona Mactaggart launched a new local authority network.
Local council leaders and chief executives were joined by Ms Mactaggart in Birmingham at the launch of the Civic Pioneers' Network, a group comprising the cities and towns who are championing new methods of governance.
Civic Pioneers - which so far include Birmingham, Rochdale, Ipswich, Sheffield, Plymouth and Portsmouth - are committed to engaging with local people so that policies and services can be developed that really meet their needs. This can include introducing more user-friendly ways for local people to participate in local decisions, and ensuring more effective
consultation between public bodies and local people.
Fiona Mactaggart said:
"Today's summit shows that local authorities and the
Government are serious about community involvement which, we believe, is the best way to achieve civil renewal. Local authorities have a key role in civil renewal, building strong, sustainable communities in which local people can get involved in decision-making. Local authorities really can make a difference by providing facilities and working in a way that
enables people to get involved.
"The new Civic Pioneer Network will share what works well,
try out new ways of working and boost the national civil renewal
movement. I look forward to hearing about new ideas and local successes through the Network.
"Civic Pioneers are already taking action: Birmingham is
implementing a major re-structuring of decision making processes that will enable local people to have more of a say. Rochdale has seen a reduction in burglaries because new and effective forms of consultation have been developed between local people, the council and the police. These are real
improvements to people's lives, the sort that the Government's civil renewalagenda is galvanising."
Cllr Mike Whitby, Leader of Birmingham City Council, said:
"Birmingham has a proud tradition of civic pride and good
governance, stretching back to the days of Joseph Chamberlain, when it was known as the "best governed city in the world". I believe passionately that we can recreate that enterprising spirit in modern times. I want Birmingham to have a "Listening Council" and to be a "People's City".
"Chamberlain was of course a Liberal who became a Tory. In
this city civic pride belongs to no party and to all parties. I am
therefore delighted to support this government initiative and look forward to working closely with the Home Office to pursue our shared aims for civil renewal."

MINISTER PRAISES STAFFORDSHIRE'S AWARD WINNING CRIME FIGHTERS
Staffordshire Police received national recognition today for their
crime fighting achievements by winning a top Home Office award.
The sixth annual Tilley Awards reward best practice in tackling crime and anti-social behaviour recognising initiatives that reduce crime over the long term, not just by making arrests, but by working with local agencies to tackle the root causes of the problems.
Home Office Minister, Hazel Blears, said:
"The year's winner, Staffordshire Police, and runners-up, Avon and Somerset and Hampshire Constabularies, are examples of some of the best problem-oriented policing in this country. A huge amount has been achieved by these projects. Their innovative approaches to tackling persistent problems at a local level have given their communities a sense of safety and delivered real change on the ground.
"I would like to particularly congratulate Staffordshire
Police for their success today. They identified lorry load theft in one area as a local problem which was a drain on resources and needed tackling.
By using a problem-solving approach they have achieved excellent results - a 62 per cent fall in crime at the site.
"People expect to live free from fear of crime and anti-social behaviour and it's vital that police and local agencies work in
partnership to help restore pride in our communities, making them better places to live and work."
The presentation took place at the Problem Orientated Policing
Conference in Birmingham. The winner and runners-up received a plaque and financial support to present their projects to the International Problem Oriented Policing Conference in America later this year.

NEW FREEPORT TALKE WEBSITE GOES LIVE
Freeport Talke outlet shopping centre is delighted to announce the launch of its new official website, aimed at giving shoppers a quick and easy reference point to all of the special offers, entertainment and latest news at the centre.
www.freeport-talke.com contains information on each of the stores in the centre, and features a facility that allows visitors to search for shops in twelve different categories, including womenswear, menswear, electrical and homewear. Contact details including telephone numbers are available for each store. Elsewhere on the site is a section that lists all of the best special offers currently available at each of the stores within the centre, and another that highlights special events and entertainment that will be taking place on-site.
Visitors can download full directions of how to get to Freeport Talke by car and by public transport, while there is also a comprehensive background to the centre and to other local attractions within the Staffordshire area. A jobs section lists current vacancies within each of the centre’s stores. The new official website can be accessed at www.freeport-talke.com.
Freeport Talke is open 7 days a week from 9.30am – 8.00pm Monday to Friday and 9.30am – 6.00pm Saturday. On Sunday the centre is open from 11.00am – 5.00pm. For further information, telephone 01782 774 113.

16th.September 2004

GAS ALERT AT POLICE HQ
Fire crews were called to Lloyd House in Colmore Circus Queensway, Birmingham – the home of West Midlands Police – at 9am this morning following reports of a gas leak.
The building was closed less than an hour later and 1,250 employees evacuated.
Some employees have set up office in nearby police stations while others remain at a designated safe point nearby.
West Midlands Fire Service said a city centre roundabout near the building – St Chad’s Circus Queensway – had also been closed.
Fire crews are working with gas supplier Transco to investigate the suspected leak.

SKILLS LOST FOREVER IF JAGUAR PLANT SHUTS

A Labour MP who used to work for luxury carmaker Jaguar said today that vital manufacturing skills will be lost forever if the firm’s owners close one of its three UK plants.
Speculation is mounting that Ford plans to shut the Jaguar plant at Browns Lane, Coventry.
A decision on the fate of the 2,000 workers at the historic plant, which makes XJ saloon cars and XK sports vehicles, is expected to be announced tomorrow.
But in the House of Commons today, Labour MP for Worcester Mike Foster urged the Government to tell Ford they risk losing a distinctive British brand should production switch elsewhere.
Mr Foster, who worked at both Browns Lane and the Jaguar plant in Castle Bromwich, Birmingham, before becoming an MP, said: “At Browns Lane there are special skills that work to make Jaguars a unique motor car.
“Those skills, held by British craftsmen and women, will be lost forever if Jaguar close down Browns Lane.
“You can’t have a very British car built on the mass production lines of Detroit.”
Mr Foster added: “I understand the problems caused by exchange rates that make exporting into the US difficult at the moment, but closing down the Coventry production line will not only mean huge job losses locally but will put at risk the whole brand image that Jaguar has.
“I want UK ministers to tell Ford that they may be making a huge error of judgment – not only for British workers, but for Ford as well.”
Some 50 MPs, including those representing constituencies in Coventry, have already signed an early day motion opposing plans to shut Browns Lane.
Coventry North East MP Bob Ainsworth has said closure would be devastating for the city, which has already suffered from job losses at telecoms firm Marconi and agricultural equipment maker Massey Ferguson.

FIREWORK FIRM TO BE PROSECUTED OVER INJURED FAN
Environmental health officers confirmed today that a firework firm would be prosecuted after a football fan was hit in the face by a rocket before a Premiership match.
Wolverhampton City Council said officials would be pursuing legal action against Jubilee Fireworks, which organised the pre-match display at Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Molineux stadium last November.
Denise Butler, from Telford, Shropshire, spent two nights in hospital and underwent surgery to stitch a deep cut beneath her eye.
The season ticket holder was with her 11-year-old son Luke when the firework misfired as Wolves took to the field to face Newcastle United.
A council spokesman said the decision to prosecute followed recommendations made in a Health and Safety Executive report.
Jubilee Fireworks managing director Chris Pearce said he was disappointed with the news.
He said: “We genuinely feel we were the victim of rather peculiar circumstances relating to the weather conditions. What happened last November was a freak incident.”
Mr Pearce said that since the incident, the firm, based in Kingswinford, West Midlands, had stopped organising displays at football stadiums.

MIDLANDS BUSINESS TRAVELLERS WILL DO ANYTHING TO TURN LEFT ON A PLANE
September 16th 2004: A survey by the Business Travel Show has revealed that business travellers in the Midlands are amongst the most competitive in the country when it comes to securing an upgrade. They will do anything, it seems, to turn left at the plane door and take advantage of the free champagne and shoulder massages in the business and first class cabins.
So much so that 73% of the 500 business travellers and arrangers surveyed have been tempted to blag an upgrade when travelling with work. The successful ones are even happy to share tips with other travellers.
“Always look the check-in steward right in the eye, smile your biggest smile, and never use the words ‘blag’ or ‘upgrade’,” suggested one helpful traveller. Another top tip was to keep an eye out for trainees at check-in as, “they have to learn how to input first class passengers as part of their training programme regardless of whether you’ve bought a top ticket or not.”
However, according to one senior air steward with a major British trans-Atlantic airline, these techniques pale in comparison with some of the performances he has been privy to over the years.
“We’ve seen them all,” said our anonymous source, “from passengers claiming they have dead pets in the hold, to the guy who held his stomach in ‘agony’ following a reported liposuction operation which meant he had to travel in a fully reclined position for the entire flight. We’ve even had couples starting pretend arguments then demanding one of them has to sit in First Class in case their partner gets violent and puts the safety of the plane at the risk. The funny thing is, the wife will try it on the outbound flight, and the husband on the return leg home!”
It would appear that, these days, attempts like these are unlikely to achieve the desired effect. A representative from British Airways explained: ”British Airways doesn’t actually offer upgrades on our flights as we feel it is unfair on our passengers who have paid for a first class ticket.
“There are only two ways to guarantee a seat in first class, and they are buying a first class ticket or exchanging Air Miles for an upgrade. Redeeming points against upgrades is just one of the many benefits of our Executive Club programme and why we recommend that all of our passengers become members.” You can read more about the Business Travel Show in our Business section at:-http://www.birmingham101.com/101businessfinder.htm

BRAILLE AND BUNS AT QUEEN ALEXANDRA COLLEGE FOR THE BLIND
Birmingham based charity Queen Alexandra College in Harborne, which provides education and training for blind people aged 16 – 63, is inviting local residents to a coffee and cakes morning during which they can find out about the college, its work and its students. People can drop in on Thursday 23rd September any time between 9.30 and 11.30. The coffee and cakes are being donated by OCS Catering Services and guests may choose to make a small donation to the charity.
Each day thousands of people pass the college on Court Oak Road without realising what goes on at the site, which contains state of the art computer and engineering facilities. People with little or no sight from throughout the UK come to Harborne to train or retrain for employment in a range of industries.
College manager Ray Piggott says “Losing your vision isn’t the end of your working life, at QAC people can discover new skills and strengths and learn how to use the latest technology. Our college has over 150 full time learners and they all become a part of the local community. It is not unusual for our students to grow fond of Birmingham and stay here after they finish their training.”
The college welcomes interest from local residents and many fully sighted people take evening classes on the campus through a partnership with the Birmingham Adult Education Services.