Birmingham Post

Boy Dies in Hit-and-Run Crash

A teenager was killed in a hitand-run in the Black Country last night. The 16-year-old schoolboy was crossing the junction of Millfields Road and Stom Road, Bilston, at about 5.40pm when he was struck by a car.

Say Hello to 2004

Thousands of revellers defied atrocious weather last night to party in the shadow of Birmingham's Millennium Point at the city's New Year celebration. Council officials said the large number of children at the pounds 170,000 event vindicated their decision to switch the venue from Centenary Square to Millennium Square.

Brighouse in New Twist to Top-Up Fees Row

Birmingham's outspoken former education head Prof Tim Brighouse yesterday entered the furore over university funding by suggesting students who attend private school should pay higher tuition fees. The call by Prof Brighouse, a senior Government adviser who was appointed schools tsar for London after his success in Birmingham, will represent another blow to Labour's plans to introduce tuition top-up fees.

Skier Killed in Alps Avalanche Had a Zest for Life

Friends and family of a Midland man killed by an avalanche in the French Alps yesterday paid tribute to him as a man with 'a real zest for life'. Jonathan Smout was skiing off-piste with six friends and a mountain guide at Tignes when he fell into a three metre-deep hole. The 34-year-old, from Leamington Spa, was then smothered by an avalanche. Judy Ainsworth, a close friend from Cheltenham, said she found it difficult to imagine him doing anything other than climbing or skiing.

New Year Celebrations: City with a Heart -Singing and Dancing in the Rain ; the Heavens Opened, the Winds Blew with a Numbing Chill. But, Damp Notebook in Hand, Neil Connor Joined the Revellers Determined to Welcome in 2004 at a Rain-Soaked Millennium Square in Birmingham

There is something very British about partying in the rain, something that sums up our determination to have a good time and, dare one say it, our stupidity. Artists performing on the stage would have been hard pressed to see the faces of the people through the throngs of umbrellas and coat-hoods, but they were still smiling whatever the elements threw at them.

New Year Celebrations

Watching the Birmingham Millennium Point concert (from left) Sarah Robins, aged 16, from Great Barr, Carol Fowkes, aged17, from Rowley Regis, Derek Hopkins, aged 17, from West Bromwich, and Tiffany Talbot, aged16, from Wednesbury Post photographer SIMON HADLEY went along to Millennium Point to join the New Year celebrations last night. Above left, D-Side get the party going as their fans, above right, celebrate.

Bishop Tells of Family Threat to Freedom

A Midland Anglican bishop used his New Year message to attack the treatment of terror suspects being held without trial by the British and US governments. The Bishop of Lichfield, the Rt Rev Jonathan Gledhill, warned that the 'crumbling' of family and community life posed a bigger danger to freedom than the threat of international terrorism.

I'll Press On and Get the Job Done -Blair

Prime Minister Tony Blair yesterday signalled his determination to press ahead with controversial reforms to the public services in the coming year -insisting he will not 'falter with the job only half done'. In his New Year message to the country, Mr Blair emphasised his determination to ensure that reforms are seen through to their conclusion, however great the opposition.

I'll Press On and Get the Job Done, Insists Blair

Prime Minister Tony Blair yesterday signalled his determination to press ahead with controversial reforms to the public services in the coming year -insisting he will not 'falter with the job only half done'. In his New Year message to the country, Mr Blair emphasised his determination to ensure that reforms are seen through to their conclusion, however great the opposition.

Crumbling Family Life Is Bigger Threat Than Terror

A Midland Anglican bishop used his New Year message to attack the treatment of terror suspects being held without trial by the British and US governments. The Bishop of Lichfield, the Rt Rev Jonathan Gledhill, warned that the 'crumbling' of family and community life posed a bigger danger to freedom than the threat of international terrorism. Condemning the 'fantasy world' of a consumer society without responsibility for creating poverty, debt and crime, the bishop claimed it had also affected...

Snipers Greet Fearful Us Revellers

The United States saw in the New Year amid unprecedented security in the face of a heightened terrorist threat. New York's Times Square was braced for nearly a million revellers despite warnings from a Congressman that it was a 'tempting target' for an attack. Air exclusion zones were in place over parts of New York, Washington and Chicago.

Lottery

How Heart Attack Led Anne to Quit Habit

Anne Healey smoked up to 25 cigarettes a day for 36 years of her life. Then in September 2002 she had a heart attack -and she has not touched a cigarette since. Mrs Healey, who lives with her husband in Sutton Coldfield, started smoking when she was 19 years old because she felt the 'odd one out' at work.

Exercises to Kick Cigarettes

A new exercise programme designed specifically for smokers was launched today in a bid to help them kick the habit for good. Charity QUIT has joined forces with doctors and fitness instructor Jamie Baird, whose celebrity clients include Donna Air and Kate Beckinsale, to produce the tailor-made plan.

Soccer Hooligans? Blame Those Miserable 16th Century Puritans

Soccer hooliganism has its roots in anti-authoritarian anger at Puritan bans on Christmas and inter-village football matches in the 17th century, according to research by a university professor. Bernard Capp, of the University of Warwick, said winter and Easter riots were fairly common in the 1600s as an expression of disgust with the Scrooge-like 'misrule' of the establishment.

Shock Campaign to Help Smokers Stop

Health Correspondent sophie_blakemore@mrn.co.uk A campaign to raise the awareness of the link between smoking and heart disease is being launched in the West Midlands today. Graphic adverts showing a fatty build-up oozing out of a smoker's artery will feature as part of the effort to encourage more people kick the habit for New Year.

Attack Means Sikh Temple Will Be Closed

The Sikh temple in Wolverhampton where a grandfather was beaten to death was expected to be shut last night for the first time in 35 years. Security has been stepped up after it was revealed that the people who carried out the attack on Sohan Singh may have taken advantage of the temple's good faith and walked straight in.

Man Hurt in Barrier Crash

Walking Back to Healthier Life

Wardens at Birmingham's parks are urging people to make a New Year's resolution to be healthier and more active by taking part in some of the walks being organised in January. A two-hour walk through the winter scenery of Sutton Park will take place today, starting at 2pm at the visitor centre.

Inspector Is Honoured