Birmingham Post

Gardens Row Puts Plans in Spotlight

A move to construct floodlighting at the world's oldest lawn tennis club has landed two of Birmingham's most venerable institutions in an unlikely planning dispute. Members of the Edgbaston Archery & Lawn Tennis Society are likely to be refused permission to illuminate four courts because the 25ft high columns would spoil views of the nearby Botanical Gardens - even though the lights would be switched off at 9pm.

Baby 250 for New Centre: Pauline Tells of 'Amazing' Water Birth

Wheelie Bin Plans Sent to the Council's Scrap Heap

Controversial plans to give a wheelie bin to every household in Birmingham have been scrapped by the city council's ruling Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition. Council leaders decided the move to get rid of the black bag refuse service was unpopular, wouldn't be suitable for many properties or elderly people and would be a waste of money.

Case Against Children's Home Head Dropped

The former headmaster of a Birmingham children's home accused of ignoring complaints of boys being abused by staff will not have to face a trial, a judge ruled yesterday. Following several days of legal submissions Judge Alan Taylor said because of difficulties in prosecuting the case George Meanwell would not get a fair trial in relation to allegations made up to 30 years ago when he was headmaster at the Tennal Assessment Centre.

Residents Told There Will Be Extra Noise at Airport

Birmingham International Airport (BIA) has informed the people it intends to compensate for the extra noise that will be created by major expansion plans. The airport has begun consulting families living in 615 properties which fall under a noise footprint associated with a proposed second runway, due to be operational by 2016.

Police Have Right to Tell Bosses of Suspicions

Police were cleared yesterday of acting unlawfully in revealing unproven indecency allegations which wrecked a social worker's career. The Lord Chief Justice, Lord Woolf, said it was not for the courts to interfere with a decision of the Chief Constable of the West Midlands that certain information about the social worker - referred to as Mr X - might be relevant to a prospective employer.

Institute Nets Pounds 20,000 for Public Gallery

Birmingham's Barber Institute of Fine Arts has received a Government grant to build a gallery of portraits of its founder. The Department of Culture, Media and Sport has awarded the institute pounds 20,000, which has been matched by its trustees to create the public gallery.

Engineer, 40, Faces Airport Gun Charges

A telecoms engineer who allegedly brought an arms cache to an airport was remanded in custody after he made his second appearance before magistrates yesterday. Edward Carlo Garofano (40) was charged with a number of firearms offences after police allegedly discovered two handguns, ammunition and a CS gas canister in a car at Coventry Airport.

Early Warning for Heatwaves

An early warning system designed to alert major European cities to impending heatwaves is being trialled across the continent. Climatologists based at the University of Birmingham developed the system in a bid to reduce the potentially devastating impact that exceptionally hot weather has on people's health.

33-Year-Old Accused of Killing Disabled Man

A 33-year-old man was remanded in custody last night charged with the murder of a disabled man who was beaten to death yards from his doorstep. Anthony Edwards is accused of killing Andrew Lammas, who was attacked outside his home in Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, and died ten days later from severe head injuries. Mr Lammas, who was single and unable to work due to curvature of the spine and severe arthritis, was attacked after spending the evening playing darts at his local pub.

Mother and Daughter Defrauded Nhs Trust

A mother and her teenage daughter held hands and wept in the dock as a judge was told yesterday how they defrauded the South Staffordshire NHS Trust by claiming wages for the youngster when she was not working. Patricia Ravenscroft (44) worked as a secretary and clerical supervisor at the trust's child development centre in Stafford four years ago, Stafford Crown Court was told.

Ellis: Villa in 'Extremely Strong Financial Position'

Aston Villa's unexpected but creditable sixth place in the Premiership last season helped boost turnover by 23 per cent, but off-loading disappointing signings cost the club dear as it posted pre-tax losses of pounds 10.7 million yesterday. The pounds 8.2 million Villa won for finishing just outside the European places - compared with the pounds 2.5 million for coming 16th in 2003 - helped sales reach pounds 55.9 million, up from pounds 45.4 million last year.

Cast Jets Back to Say a Fond Auf Wiedersehen, Pat

The cast of Auf Wiedersehen Pet jetted back from filming in Thailand to pay their last respects to fellow-co star Pat Roach yesterday. Jimmy Nail, Timothy Spall, Tim Healy, Kevin Whatley and Chris Fairbank were among the hundred mourners at the funeral in Bromsgrove of the wrestler turned actor who found fame as Bomber in the hit show.

Pounds 100m Plans for Dudley Castle Hill Are Revised

Plans for a pounds 100 million world-class visitor attraction in Dudley have had to be revised after concerns about its environmental impact. Birmingham-based development group St Modwen Properties has unveiled the new scheme that will create a cluster of visitor attractions at the landmark Castle Hill site at Dudley, encompassing the Dudley Zoological Gardens and Castle.

'Monkey Laboratory' Given the Green Light

Animal rights campaigners yesterday lost their High Court battle to overturn Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott's decision to grant planning permission for a primate research centre in the green belt. Animal Aid and the National Anti-Vivisection Society (NAVS) said the decision to give the 'monkey laboratory' the go-ahead at Girton, on the outskirts of Cambridge, was perverse, unreasonable and unfair.

Curbs On Animal Test Extremists Welcomed

A Midlands police force has welcomed Government plans to introduce new powers to arrest animal rights extremists who protest outside the homes of people involved in legitimate animal testing. Activists have waged a campaign against Darley Oaks Farm, in Newchurch, Staffordshire, for almost five years because it supplies guinea pigs to the controversial Huntingdon Life Sciences complex in Cambridgeshire.

Benefit Cheat Taking Century to Clear Debt

A widow who defrauded the taxpayer out of pounds 26,000 in social security benefits is repaying the money at the rate of pounds 5 a week and will take 100 years to clear the debt, a court was told yesterday. Stafford Crown Court heard that between 1997 and 2003 Jacqueline Spatcher (51) cheated the Benefits Agency out of pounds 23,000 incapacity benefits while she was working as a care assistant, and pounds 3,000 in council tax and housing benefits.

Appeal Over Pensioner's Death

Police are appealing for more information about a hit and run accident in which a pensioner was killed in the Black Country last week. Eileen Evans, aged 65, was crossing Newtown Lane, in Cradley Heath, at about 1.42pm last Friday when a HGV hit her before driving off.

Blaze Rips Through Black Country Home

A family-of-four were being rehoused after a blaze ripped through their Black Country home yesterday. Firefighters were called to the scene at Westbury Avenue, Fallings Heath, in Wednesbury, shortly after 6.18am.

Students Are Choosing to Stay Closer to Home - It's Far Cheaper

Going to university used to mean tearful farewells as students cut parental ties in favour of independence at college. But as the financial cost of higher education continues to climb, more students are opting to stay closer to home.