Birmingham Post

Giant Killing Bees Sting Wasps in Cup Thriller

In perhaps the greatest upset in the history of professional rugby, Pertemps Bees' assortment of part-timers yesterday put paid to the fully-paid professionals of London Wasps to progress to the semi-finals of the Powergen Cup, writes Head of Sport FRASER THOMSON In the equivalent of Solihull Borough beating footballing giants Manchester United, Bees now face a trip to Newcastle Falcons in a bid to reach a final at Twickenham for the first time in their history. A collection of accountants, s...

Short Shifts Attack On to Blair's Ally

Clare Short yesterday questioned the impartiality of 'Tony's friend' the Attorney General and launched a blistering attack on Britain's top civil servant. The former International Development Secretary and MP for Birmingham Ladywood risked reigniting her feud with the Government by questioning Lord Goldsmith's advice on the legality of the war in Iraq because of his closeness to the Prime Minister.

Brain-Damaged Son Goes Back to School

The mother of a teenager who doctors believed would never return to school after a life-saving operation left him brain damaged last night said she hoped her son's remarkable story would provide inspiration to other families. Jonathan Brittle battled back from the brink of death, after suffering a heart attack days after major surgery to correct a faulty heart at Birmingham Children's Hospital, to take up a place at Solihull School.

Celebrities Influence Fans

Jordan, Kylie and David Beckham are grabbing the limelight in youngsters' minds to become more influential than parents, teachers and even school friends. Star struck kids bombarded with images of airbrushed celebrities treat them as 'pseudo friends' who form the subject of endless hours of playground gossip, the research showed. But when celebrity worship becomes celebrity obsession, young fans can be left feeling lonely, isolated and lacking in social skills.

First Gay Kiss for Radio Soap

Radio show The Archers is due to set tongues wagging with its first gay kiss. The everyday story of country folk will have a scene involving Adam Macy, the show's first main character to come out as homosexual, and new Grey Gables chef Ian Craig, according to reports.

The Truth Will Stay Out There

The Government inquiry into the mystery surrounding the sinking of the Gaul will never completely satisfy the victims' families, according to Staffordshire policeman Andy Kirby who was involved in the investigation. Mr Kirby, head of scientific support at Staffordshire Police, said some of the families would always believe the conspiracy theories surrounding the sinking of the ship whatever the inquiry's conclusions say.

Gaul Inquiry Ends with Families Still Asking Questions

The public inquiry into the loss of the trawler Gaul and its 36 crewmen ended on Friday as the Wreck Commissioner adjourned to write his report. The six-week hearing in the vessel's home port of Hull was brought to a close by the Wreck Commissioner, Mr Justice Steel.

Deputy Pm to Rule On Controversial M42 Service Station Plan

John Prescott is to rule on plans to destroy acres of green belt land in the Meriden Gap to make way for a motorway service station. The Deputy Prime Minister will have the last word on the proposals which local residents have campaigned against for more than two years. The service station, between junctions five and six on the M42, will take up 65 acres of green belt land which currently includes an ancient woodland and a Grade ll listed farmhouse.

You Can't Get Drugs Anywhere Cheaper

Birmingham has been given the unenviable title of the UK capital for cheap drugs in a major new survey conducted by the country's leading drugs charity. New research by Drugscope has revealed that dealers on the city's streets are selling ecstasy for as little as pounds 1 a pill while heroin is available for half the national average price.

Key Battleground: Widdecombe On Election Trail in Edgbaston

Anne Widdecombe has entered the row over Birmingham's old people's homes, insisting the Labour-controlled city council could find the money to modernise residential care. Council leaders, who say they have no means to meet an estimated pounds 60 million needed to upgrade local authority homes, are attempting to transfer responsibility for modernising and running 17 homes to independent sector care providers. But Miss Widdecombe said Birmingham had been treated generously by the Government.

Drivers Steering Clear of Toll

The Australian group behind the M6 Toll has admitted for the first time that driver figures are well below expectations. Macquarie Infrastructure Group, which has toll roads around the world, vowed that attracting stay-away drivers to the bypass north of Birmingham would be its top priority for the next six months.

Couples Get a Taste of Nuptial Ceremony

A vicar invited Midland couples to a 'taster' marriage service yesterday so they could decide whether or not to tie the knot. The Rev Richard Grigson, of St Saviour's in Stoke on Trent, Staffordshire, rehearsed exchanging the vows, bible readings and walking down the aisle with brides and grooms-to-be.

Mp Fights to Save Our Local Pubs

A campaign to save the traditional British pub has been backed by a Midland MP. Matthew Green (Lib Dem Ludlow) wants a tax break for small family brewers and rate relief for endangered community pubs.

Liverpool Trio's Farewell Is Celebration of Pop ; Atomic Kitten National Exhibition Centre

Filling in somewhere between the knowing pop oomph of the Spice Girls and the manufactured glitz of Girls Aloud, it was always quite hard to see where Atomic Kitten fitted in. With eight-year-old in tow, we set off to see how Liverpool's finest all-girl trio would handle their farewell Birmingham concert. Known for their Redcoat-like niceness as much as their pop hits, it remained to be seen if they could handle The Last Goodbye. The answer came just after they snaked their way through the au...

Man Found Dead in His Prison Cell

An inmate at a top security prison in the Midlands has been discovered dead in his cell, police said yesterday. The man, who has not been identified, was found dead at Long Lartin prison near Evesham, Worcestershire, at around 7.45am on Saturday. Police would give no details of how he died.

Global First Aims to Encourage Better Parent-Teacher Relationship

Every teacher has their own story to tell about 'parents from hell'. And last week the Government showed it was in listening mode, giving headteachers the power -wanted or not -to fine mothers and fathers who allow their children to play truant or who take them on holiday during term time.

Pupils Miss Out On Depth of English

GCSE English students are only being taught the fragments of great works of literature needed to get them through their exams instead of the whole text, according to a new study. A three-year study into English lessons found many teachers felt under pressure to teach pupils to get through tests rather than give them a complete understanding of classic plays and novels.

On Display: Exhibition Inspired by Homes and Communities of Local Students

Three Birmingham schoolgirls will have art that is based on their home environments displayed in a touring exhibition. Acclaimed British artist George Shaw helped Nabeela Sultana aged 13, Sarah O'Connor and Marina Tchechmedjieva, both 12, create the lasting images of their homes and communities.

Head Accused of Assault Suspended

The head teacher of a Birmingham primary school has been suspended over allegations that she assaulted a pupil. Alison Forbes was asked to leave Fairway Junior and Infant School in Muirfield Gardens, Kings Norton, last Wednesday.

Pay Row Lecturers Start Marking Ban

Academics at universities across the UK will today step up their campaign over pay with the launch of a marking boycott which could mean some students will be unable to graduate this year. The move by members of the Association of University Teachers will include a refusal to mark students' essays and exams and is scheduled to last indefinitely.