Birmingham Post

Council to Build Student Village Despite Safety Fears

Birmingham City Council is set to ignore warnings from a Government health watchdog by allowing a student village to be built next to a factory containing lethal chemicals. Proposals for a canalside residential and leisure scheme with 260 flats at Curzon Gateway, Eastside, are likely to be approved despite concerns by the Health and Safety Executive about the danger of residential accommodation yards from the MacDermid metal finishing plant.

Midlands Adds to Tsunami Millions

The Midlands yesterday joined the unprecedented fundraising effort to help the victims of the Asian tsunami disaster. As the death toll rose to more than 100,000 and the enormity of the humanitarian crisis became clear, pledges from the British public soared past pounds 25 million and the Government increased its contribution by pounds 15 million to pounds 50 million.

New Year Honours for Brum's Bright Stars

The Birmingham-born leader of the CBI Digby Jones is overjoyed after being knighted for services to business in today's New Year Honours List. Sir Digby, the lawyer, who has campaigned extensively against Britain's poor literacy and numeracy record, said: 'I am delighted and my mum is thrilled to bits.'

Tonight's the Night

Birmingham will see in the New Year in style tonight with girl band Bananarama topping the bill at a free city centre spectacular. Joining the pop veterans at Brum's official celebrations at Millennium Point are a string of personalities. The seven hours of entertainment runs from 5.30pm. The programme includes an hour of fun for youngsters featuring Barney the Dinosaur and Angelina Ballerina before musical entertainment from Palookaville, The Subterraneans, Mark Joseph, Phixx and Angel City.

New Year Honours: Queen's Medal for Euro 2004 Police Chief

The man in charge of policing British football fans abroad has been recognised in the New Year Honours. David Swift, Deputy Chief Constable of Staffordshire, was awarded the Queen's Police Medal for his contribution to the service. Mr Swift was the public face of the Association of Chief Police Officers during Euro 2004.

New Year Honours: Marlon Feels the Love After Being Honoured

Midland Olympic golden boy Marlon Devonish said he was 'feeling a lot of love' from his country with his honour today. The Coventry-born sprinter shrugged off two years of poor personal form at the Athens Olympics to help the British 4x100m relay team win gold.

New Year Honours: Ballet Director's Joy at Surprise Mbe

By Helen GabrielThe assistant director of the Birmingham Royal Ballet has been appointed an MBE for his services to dance. Desmond Kelly, aged 62, who has worked in dancing profession for 45 years and at the BRB for 34 years, said he was thrilled with the honour.

New Year Honours: Water Industry Professor Sees Obe Flow In

Prof John Banyard, from Claverdon in Warwickshire, and Paul Benson, from Evesham, Worcestershire, are appointed OBEs. Prof Banyard is honoured for services to the water industry and to engineering. He has been involved in the water industry for 38 years and was appointed a main board director of Severn Trent Water in 1998. He is a Royal Academy visiting lecturer at the University of Loughborough and is also lecturing as part of the prestigious Brunel International Lecture series. He said: 'I ...

New Year Honours: Mbe for Pioneer Teacher

A Birmingham teacher who has transformed school life through the use of technology has been appointed MBE for services to education. Keith Phipps, who teaches geography at King Edward VI Camp Hill School for Boys in Kings Heath, has been at the forefront of using ICT in class.

New Year Honours: Former Detective and Recovering Agoraphobic Are Honoured

A former detective who set up a charity after his daughter's death and a recovering agoraphobic who helps people overcome phobias have been honoured for their work by being appointed MBEs. Birmingham detectiveturned-businessman David Nix set up the Donor Family Network, a charity for bereaved parents of blood donors, from his home in Perry Barr eight years ago after his 21-year-old daughter, university student Rebecca, died in a car crash.

New Year Honours: Sir Digby Reaffirms City Roots

Digby Jones yesterday reaffirmed his Birmingham roots as he was knighted for services to business. The high-profile director general of the CBI said: 'You can take the lad out of Birmingham, but you can't take Birmingham out of the lad.'

New Year Honours: Tireless Work Recognised

A Birmingham vicar has been appointed an MBE for her success in bringing together worshippers of the city's different faiths. The Reverend Jemima Prasadam, of St Paul and St Silas Church in Lozells, has worked tirelessly to forge friendships between Christians, Jews, Sikhs, Muslims and Hindus.

New Year Honours: The Midlands List

SHROPSHIRE OBE Richard Henry Burbidge. Chair and managing director, Richard Burbidge Ltd. For services to Business and to the community in Oswestry, Shropshire.

New Year Honours: Doug, Obe, Says Thanks to Fans

Aston Villa chairman Doug Ellis yesterday praised football fans as 'the most important part of football' after describing the honour of OBE as a recognition of everyone involved with the club. Mr Ellis said the dedication of staff, players and fans at Villa over the years had led to him being honoured with the OBE today.

Backlash Against Bars and Clubs

As Britain gears up for a night of New Year festivities a survey has shown that eight out of ten people do not want to spend a night on the tiles. Some 78 per cent said they did not plan to go out, with many saying high prices in clubs and bars as well as public transport put them off.

Forget About Tonight, It'll Only Disappoint ; As the End of 2004 Approaches Emma Pinch Looks Back at the Broken Resolutions and Disappointing Parties, and Asks People How They Will Be Greeting 2005

New Year's Eve 2004. A fresh new year stretches before you like a carpet of sparkling, untrampled snow. Just now, everything seems tantalisingly possible. The new job, well-paid but browknittingly worthwhile. Actually using the platinum gym card and cupboard full of grooming products you lashed out on last spring. Dusting off those hobbies that will finally hone you into the new J K Rowling, James Dyson ... hell, even Jade Goody would be a start.

Brummies Prefer Staying in or Going Abroad ; What Do Brummies Think of New Year? What Are They Getting Up to This Year and How Would They Really Like to Spend It?

Joseph Shepperd, a 21-yearold admin assistant from Solihull, is having a quiet night with friends. 'I can't be bothered with going out,' he said. 'Too many people paying for overpriced drinks in an overcrowded venue. I would rather just spend it with my friends having a nice night in. New Year is over-rated. I went out last year and was served three times.

Passengers Take to the Trains in Ever-Increasing Numbers

Train routes from Birmingham have seen staggering increases in passengers over the last decade, according to new rail industry figures Virgin CrossCountry, which relaunched a poorly maintained collection of routes from Birmingham to all corners of the UK with brand new trains in 2002, has also seen business passengers on a number of its services rise by two-thirds in the past two years. Sir Richard Branson's company is now hoping both sets of figures will persuade the Department for Transport...

New Jobs for Coach Station

National Express is to create 30 jobs in Birmingham in a bid to turn the city's unwelcoming coach station into a 'people place'. The company, which is moving forward with plans to transform Digbeth Coach Station with a new design by celebrated architect Ken Shuttleworth, is hiring the staff in the meantime to improve the environment for passengers.

Father's Plea to Catch Killer

The father of murdered teenager Amy Williams broke down yesterday as he pleaded for help in catching her killer. Mark Williams said the whole family had been 'devastated' by the teenager's death and were in shock at what had happened.