Birmingham Post

Copyright Row Wrecks Plan to Boost City Music

Birmingham City Council last night was accused of providing illegal downloads on its website as a bid to promote the city's music scene apparently backfired. The authority has pulled down part of its site after city bands alleged tracks had been made available without their permission.

Tributes to a Business Legend

Don Richardson, one half of legendary Black Country developers the Richardson twins, has died following a long illness, aged 77. Tributes were pouring in yesterday after the man who helped change the face of the West Midlands lost his fight against a brain tumour.

Memorial Honours Woolmer

Friends and colleagues yesterday paid tribute to former Warwickshire cricket coach Bob Woolmer at a moving service in his memory in London. Dennis Amiss, former chief executive at the county, described a man always wearing "a boyish smile, with a twinkle in his eye - a schoolboy at heart" yet who became "the best modern cricket coach the game has produced".

Church Turns to the God of Television

The UK's first mainstream televised advert for Christianity will be broadcast on screens nationwide next week. An advert for the Alpha Course - an introductory course on Christianity for non-churchgoers - will be seen by millions when it appears on September 12 on Channel 4 at 10.10pm.

We'll Build Over Ancient Footpath ; Heritage

A council announced it is to continue with its plan to build a road over a 4,000-year-old footpath, saying it is the "best way" to protect the monument. The Rotherwas Ribbon, as the site is known, was discovered in May by workers excavating for a relief road near Hereford.

Jabs 'Refusenik' Doctor Cleared ; Mmr

A doctor accused of misleading a court over the risks of MMR and other vaccines was yesterday cleared by medical watchdogs of serious professional misconduct. Dr Jayne Donegan, a GP in Herne Hill, south London, "convinced herself" of the dangers of vaccines, leading her to give false evidence in the court hearing, the General Medical Council heard.

Clarification

In yesterday's Artsfest supplement, published with the The Birmingham Post, it was stated Architects of Air would be staged in Centenary Square. In fact, the event will be staged in Eastside Green, opposite Millennium Point.

Wills

Mary Jones, of Sutherland Drive, Muxton, Telford, died on February 25 2007; left estate valued at pounds 1,130,187 gross, pounds 1,127,485 net. She left her estate mostly to relatives; she also left pounds 200 to The Institute of Cancer Research. Probate has been granted to Margot Hull, of Shropshire, and Fiona Jevons, of Telford. Lettice Patricia Mary Lygon, of Hanley Castle, Worcester, died on February 24 2007; left estate valued at pounds 920,431 gross, pounds 912,933 net, mostly to relati...

Disease 'Was Leaking From Pipes As Dispute Raged On'

Foot-and-mouth disease leaked from the drainage pipes at a research laboratory as a dispute raged over who was responsible for their repair, official reports showed yesterday. Inquiries into the recent outbreak in Surrey revealed the effluent pipes at Pirbright had evidence of "long term damage" due to displaced joints, cracks and in-growing tree roots, as well as unsealed manholes.

Pair 'Entered Zone'

Two freelance photographers appeared in court yesterday accused of entering a no-go zone around farmland hit by the foot-andmouth outbreak. Philip Hollis, 44, from Kingston, Surrey, and 32-year-old James Purkiss, also known as Jay Kaycappa, from Fareham, Hampshire, are charged with contravening a restriction notice put in place near Normandy, Surrey, where the disease was confirmed last month.

Vets Can 'Wipe Out' Rabies Worldwide Within Decade

Rabies could be wiped out across the world within a decade if sufficient vaccination programmes are carried out, experts at Edinburgh University said yesterday. Staff at the university's vet school carried out extensive research into the disease, which kills around 55,000 people every year. Experts believe the vaccination coverage needed to reach 70 per cent of the dog population to control rabies can be done through village-based campaigns and community workers.

'Hoodie' Karen, Aged Four, Told: Take It Off - It's Company Policy

A four-year-old girl became the victim of over-zealous arcade staff when she was asked to take her hood down for 'security' reasons. Karen Lewis, from Shrewsbury, was approached by security officers at an amusement arcade in Rhyl while on holiday and asked to remove the hood on her knitted pink cardigan because it was 'company policy'.

Legal History Is Made in 79 Minutes

British legal history was made yesterday after a man was tried and convicted in a record-breaking 79 minutes, the Ministry of Justice. Shaun Murray, 28, walked into Carlisle Crown Court shortly before 10.30am and was found guilty by a jury after a full trial an hour and 19 minutes later.

Cast in Bronze, the Villa Grand Old Man of Football ; Aston Villa Fans Are to Build a Memorial in Honour of the Man Credited Not Only with Helping to Form Their Famous Football Club, but Who Also Laid the Foundations for the Modern Game.

He was instrumental in the formation of Aston Villa and the man credited with being the brainchild behind the formation of the Football League in 1888. Now William McGregor is to be ever immortalised outside Villa Park with the erection of a pounds 55,000 statue in his honour - designed and paid for by Villa supporters.

Airline Terror of Brum Passengers

British tourists on a flight back to Birmingham from Turkey thought they were going to die when their plane began to plummet to the ground. Passengers described their fear as smoke started pouring from the plane and oxygen masks dropped down in front of them. The holidaymakers heard screams as the plane rapidly dropped from the sky after what they believe was engine failure. Just three quarters of an hour into their flight from Dalaman the aircraft encountered problems.

Politics: Now Dave Swings to Net the Pink Vote On Gay Website

David Cameron's Conservatives took a further step in attracting new supporters yesterday by advertising on a gay website. PinkNews.co.uk is hosting a series of adverts featuring the Tory leader as part of the party's efforts to attract the "pink vote".

Politics: I'm Not for Turning, Cameron Tells Tories

David Cameron lashed out at critics of his leadership yesterday, insisting he will not be forced to make a "false choice" between traditional Tory values and modernising the party. In a highly personal speech, Mr Cameron lambasted disaffected elements on both Conservative wings, dismissing their complaints as "ridiculous".

Politics: Sainsbury Gives Party Pounds 2m

Former science minister Lord Sainsbury has given the Labour Party a donation of pounds 2 million, he announced yesterday. The former head of supermarket giant Sainsbury's said he made the donation because he believed Labour was the only party committed to social justice and economic prosperity.

Politics: Labour Working to Defuse Row

Frantic efforts were continuing yesterday to resolve a looming row at the Labour Party conference over the right of delegates to vote against the Government. Prime Minister Gordon Brown wants a number of party reforms, including changes to debates about policies and current issues.

Politics: That Gclh Moment - with No Drink for Comfort

Bored hacks forced to stand through Birmingham City Council's tedious sale-of-the-century presentation of 60 development sites, with only trendy pearisotto and shepherd's pie canapes and not a sign of an alcoholic livener to fortify them, passed the time by betting on the performance of council leader Mike Whitby. How often would he utter the immortal phrase "global city with a local heart" in his speech to property developers at Opus Restaurant?