Birmingham Post

Public Battles Are Ruining City's Image, Leaders Told

Politicians and business leaders are damaging Birmingham's reputation by arguing in public too much and falling out with each other, a Government Minister claimed last night. The bickering created an atmosphere in which it was all too easy for people to become demoralised at the way the city is portrayed in the media, he warned. Lord Jones of Birmingham said other major cities, including Manchester, Newcastle, Liverpool and Leeds, sorted out their differences behind closed doors - giving an i...

Staffordshire Cheese Protected by Eu

A medieval Midland cheese which has proved a huge success since it was resurrected five years ago has been awarded protected status by the EU. Staffordshire cheese (below) was first made by Cistercian monks in the 13th century with milk from cows grazing on the Staffordshire moorlands. The hard, crumbly cheese, which is sold wrapped in cloth, fell out of favour, until it was resurrected by cheesemaker John Knox in 2002.

Farming 'On Its Knees' with Bluetongue

A leading West Midlands farmer claimed the industry was "on its knees" - after it was revealed the bluetongue virus was now circulating in the UK. Deputy Chief Veterinary Officer Fred Landeg said tests indicated the bug was present in animal and midge populations. David Morgan, the chairman of the West Midlands NFU livestock board, and a cattle farmer in Herefordshire, said many farmers in the region were on the brink of ruin after a horrific year of floods, high grain prices and disease outb...

John Van Gelen

Boys Accused of Driver's Murder ; Courts

Two teenage boys appeared in court yesterday accused of the murder of a driver who died when debris was thrown from a bridge on to his lorry below. Building materials smashed into the cab of Laurence McCourt's HGV as he drove under a footbridge on the A45 near Wellingborough, Northants, in the early hours of July 27.

Head Defends Nut Allergy Decision ; Allergy

A headteacher yesterday defended a decision to segregate an 11- year-old boy with a nut allergy from his classmates due to safety concerns. George Hall-Lambert's mother is teaching her son at home rather than have him taught in the separate inclusion unit at Howden School, in East Yorkshire.

Wills

Richard Vincent Sankey, of Walton, Shropshire, died on February 18 2002; left estate valued at pounds 1,181,277 gross, pounds 1,179,709 net, to relatives. Probate has been granted to Margaret Sankey, of Shropshire. William Meurig Roberts, of Hafodig Isaf, Rhiwlas, Oswestry, died on December 14 2006; left estate valued at pounds 875,408 gross, pounds 871,978 net, to relatives. Probate has been granted to solicitors David Thomas and Alan Gittins, both of Church Street, Oswestry.

Open-Ended Jail Sentence for 'Cowardly' Bomber

A primary school caretaker was jailed for at least five years yesterday after a judge branded him "a terrorist" for carrying out a nationwide letter bomb campaign which injured eight people. Miles Cooper (27), was given an indeterminate sentence for sending seven explosive devices made from party poppers and glass or nails through the post.

Mayors Back Red Balloon Hospital Burns Unit Appeal

Mayors from across the Midlands are collectively backing the Red Balloon Appeal to raise pounds 500,000 to complete a new pounds 19 million Burn Centre at Birmingham Children's Hospital. They all met at the hospital, in the city centre, to take part in a photo-call promoting the appeal's Wear Red Day, which will take place next Friday.

Headteacher Faces Bill of Pounds 20,000 After Death of Pupil Following Playground Fall

A public school headteacher was last night facing a pounds 20,000 bill for fines and legal costs following the death of a three-year- old pupil. Kian Williams died in August, 2004, a month after jumping off steps while pretending to be Batman at Hillgrove, a pounds 2,000-a- year prep school in Bangor, North Wales.

Costume Drama All of Its Own

They were vital in helping hundreds of the world's finest thespians bring the characters of the Bard to life as they trod the boards in Shakespeare's home town. Thousands of elaborate costumes have let actors become kings, queens, warriors and witches in some of the greatest and most popular plays ever to be produced. But now 7,000 outfits - taken from more than four decades of theatre history at the world-famous Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) - are up for sale in a giant fair today.

Samaritans to Help Jurors

Charity support workers in Birmingham are working with stressed jury members under a new scheme to provide emotional support at the end of difficult trials. Volunteers from the Samaritans will be providing help to anyone who has sat on a jury as part of a new partnership between the Samaritans and Her Majesty's Court Services (HMCS).

Soham Murderer Takes New Overdose

Soham murderer Ian Huntley was being treated in hospital last night after taking a suspected overdose. A Prison Service spokeswoman said an investigation was under way into events at Wakefield high security prison this afternoon. The killer was thought to have taken an overdose of prescription medication but his condition was not thought to be life threatening. The spokeswoman said: "We can confirm that Ian Huntley is being treated in hospital for a suspected overdose.

Birmingham Now to Get Equal Wage Claims Cash ; Politics

Birmingham City Council is to get Government help to meet equal wage claims worth millions of pounds among low-paid local authority staff. Ministers have backed down over helping to pay for Single Status - a Government-led initiative forcing local councils across the country to scrap pay differentials between men and women.

Tory Party Turned in On Itself, Says Modernizer ; Politics

A leading shadow minister admitted today the Conservative Party "turned in on itself" after Gordon Brown took over as Prime Minister. Arch-moderniser Michael Gove criticised the Tories for fighting among themselves, allowing Mr Brown to steal a march on them in the battle for the centre-ground.

Voluntary Sector Can Share Pounds 9m ; Politics

Voluntary organisations are being given the chance to bid for a pounds 9 million from Birmingham City Council. The Third Sector Funding Prospectus, launched yesterday, aims to cover projects suggested by charities and community and faith groups. It was opened by Coun Sue Anderson, cabinet member for adults and communities, strategic director Peter Hay, and social care scrutiny chair Coun Len Clark. They were joined by guests from the Birmingham Voluntary Service Council chief executives' forum.

Tories Emphasise Thatcher's Inheritance ; Politics

The Tories insisted yesterday that David Cameron would stick to his modernising strategy despite moves to re-cast him as an heir to Margaret Thatcher. With Labour riding high in the polls and speculation rife that a general election is imminent, the Tory leader's spokesman said he would not be knocked off course.

Spelman Warns Labour Over by-Elections ; Politics

Conservative Party chairman Caroline Spelman yesterday said Labour should be worried after the Tories snatched a Sunderland seat from Labour in the latest council by-elections. With all nine results in from Thursday's contests, Conservatives have snatched back a projected 4.6 per cent nationwide lead compared with last week's 1.4 per cent deficit. The results sent a warning signal to Prime Minister Gordon Brown as he ponders whether to call a general election.

The Real Truth has to Do with Jobs - or Rather Fewer of Them ; Politics Iron Angle

There's an Orwellian ring to Birmingham City Council's latest wheeze on the Business Transformation front. A project dubbed Excellence in Information Management will create a "reliable single version of the truth", according to a report to the cabinet. Ah, if only.

Climate Issue Ignored by Airport, Say Campaigners

Environmental campaigners in the Midlands have accused bosses at Birmingham International Airport of ignoring the "most important issue of our time" - climate change. Earlier in the week, the airport confirmed it was planning to create a third terminal and a pounds 2.7 billion makeover for crumbling roads was approved. But its plans have been criticised by Friends of the Earth and the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE), who both said the airport had not considered the environmental impl...