Birmingham Post

Arrived in Afghanistan in September Killed in Afghanistan in October

This young Midland soldier was killed in an ambush in Afghanistan at the weekend - after being in the country for less than month. Lance Corporal Steven Gregory Sherwood, aged 23, of Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire, died during a patrol in the northern city of Mazar-e- Sharif which left five other troops injured.

Tax Bill Could Close Cbso

The City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra could face possible bankruptcy because of a little-known change in tax law made seven years ago. It means the orchestra not only faces a six-figure increase in future tax bills but is bracing itself for further demands for arrears dating back to 2000-1.

Ellis Confirms Preliminary Approach

Doug Ellis's grip on Aston Villa loosened slightly yesterday when the chairman confirmed that the club has been the subject of a "preliminary approach" from an Irish consortium. But the chairman has vowed to supporters that any potential new owners must have the financial muscle to carry the club forward, otherwise no sale will take place. Villa issued a statement to the London Stock Exchange confirming that Michael Neville, a Dorwich- based businessman, was fronting the bid on behalf of a co...

Brawl Arrests

A total of 18 people were arrested following a mass brawl at the Black Horse public house on Coventry Road, Exhall, on Saturday evening. Police were alerted to the fighting at 6.10pm, following reports of a large crowd of people outside the public house. Fighting was reported to be taking place both inside and outside the premises. Bar furniture was reported to be used as weapons.

Man in Court

A 46-year-old man appeared in court yesterday charged with sending "indecent or obscene" material through the post, including to people connected with animal testing for medical research. Andrew Patrick Kirk, from Swanage Close, Middlesbrough, pleaded not guilty to a total of 18 charges under the Postal Services Act 2000 when he appeared at Birmingham Crown Court.

Witness Plea

Police are appealing for witnesses after a teenage motorcyclist suffered a fractured skull in an accident in the Black Country. The 16-year-old was riding a black and white Aprilia motorcycle up Milking Bank, in Dudley, when he collided with a white Citroen car travelling in the opposite direction.

Hit and Run

The Barbary Macaques

Six baby monkeys born in a wildlife park are making good progress. The Barbary macaques, now aged between four and six months, are integrating well at Trentham Monkey Forest, said staff at the 60acre woodland park.

Sack Officer to Pay for Cleaner City, Says Jim

Birmingham's newest cabinet member believes the city council should consider firing one of its "highly paid" chief officers and using the money saved to cut grass verges and keep the pavements clean. Jim Whorwood believes people are fed up with bureaucracy-driven council departments which fail to act when asked to perform simple tasks.

Faiths Can Solve City's Problems - Council Leader

The leader of Birmingham City Council has spoken of how he intends to use his Christian faith and the backing of other religions to create a more inclusive society. Mike Whitby said different faiths should work together to help boost the voluntary sector and lift from the local authority the burden of solving Birmingham's social problems.

Kamal Lilly

Spelman Predicts Airport Gridlock

A local MP has warned Solihull will be placed in a "straitjacket" by the expansion of Birmingham International Airport. Caroline Spelman, Conservative MP for Meriden was reacting to yesterday's publication of the draft BIA master plan, containing proposals for a second runway, an extension to the current runway and a third terminal.

Rep Stalwart Heading for Pastures New

Jonathan Church, artistic director of Birmingham Repertory Theatre, is to leave next year to take over the Chichester Festival Theatre. Mr Church, whose production of The Life of Galileo opens at the Rep tonight, is expected to leave next April after he has directed the UB40musical, Promises and Lies. Having arrived at a time when the Rep seemed to have lost touch with the local public, he achieved the remarkable feat of increasing audiences by 92 per cent.

Thousands Lose Power

Thousands of homes were left without electricity yesterday morning, after a power cut in Birmingham. The loss of power in the city centre and four surrounding areas lasted more than two hours.

Experts Plan to Exhume Shakespeare's Body

Controversial plans to dig up William Shakespeare's grave, to find out whether he was murdered by his son-in-law, have been revealed by American scientists. The US experts, who are convinced the Bard's death was anything but natural, are hoping to be granted permission by his descendants to exhume his body.

Pub Customers Fight Off Armed Attackers

Bar staff and customers fought off a gang who burst into a Tamworth pub wielding a stun gun and a machete, forcing them to flee. A staff member and a customer were injured when they tackled the three offenders, who entered the Centurion Park pub at 11.20pm on Sunday.

Call for All Parties to Pull Their Weight As Metro Deadline Looms

Transport bosses say they face a tough deadline to progress with plans to build a metro extension in Birmingham city centre. Last month the city council finally agreed its desire to run the line underground was not currently feasible and reaffirmed its backing for the street level option from Snow Hill to Five Ways.

Millions for Brain Damaged Woman

A Birmingham woman who suffered brain damage two weeks after she was born at a city hospital has been awarded pounds 4.85 million in damages. The 32-year-old woman, identified only as Miss O, was born at St Chad's Hospital on June 16, 1973 and sent home with her mother.

Taylor's Drink Shame

Former West Bromwich Albion striker Bob Taylor has been convicted of drink-driving. A statement released by Tamworth FC, Taylor's current club, said the club had given him two weeks off following his conviction.

Rural Matters: Broadband at a Rural Community Near You

Broadband technology will be universally available to the most remote rural communities in the West Midlands by next summer, it was announced yesterday. The West Midlands Networking Company (WMNC) has awarded the contract to BT for the delivery of broadband in the areas that currently do not have access to this technology.