Staffordshire news and blogs Wednesday 16 April 2014
News
Firefighters take to Tamworth Streets 
Tamworth Informed 15 AprFirefighters will be taking to the streets of Tamworth to highlight arson hotspots in the town as part of a hard-hitting campaign.
Nature reserves spring into action with helping hands
Tamworth Informed 15 AprVolunteers at Tamworth Local Nature Reserves are getting to grips with a wide range of tasks now that spring is in the air.
Tamworth to benefit from £2.5m project to restore Tame Valley
Tamworth Informed 15 AprAn exciting £2.5 million project to restore the landscape of the Tame Valley between Birmingham and Tamworth has been announced – and two sites in Tamworth are to benefit from the scheme.
Watchdogs welcome Staffordshire County Council’s shake-up of…
Lichfield Mercury 15 AprWATCHDOGS at Staffordshire County Council have endorsed a decision to axe traditional youth clubs in Lichfield and Burntwood.
Devoted Tamworth dad continues with marathon effort – against all…
Tamworth Herald 15 AprA DETERMINED Tamworth dad brought new meaning to the phrase 'true grit' on Sunday (April 13) by refusing to give up on his London marathon challenge despite receiving medical advice to quit.
Tamworth RUFC and Resolven RFC celebrate their 50th anniversary
Tamworth Herald 15 AprON Sunday, May 4, two rugby sides will step out onto the field and make history.
Suspended prison sentence for Barton plumber who did unregistered…
Lichfield Mercury 15 AprA BARTON gas fitter has been handed a suspended prison sentence for illegal gas work that potentially put lives at risk.
Families invited to teddy bears’ picnic in Lichfield’s Beacon…
Lichfield Mercury 15 AprFAMILIES are invited to a teddy bears' picnic in Beacon Park in aid of Cancer Research UK.
Young arsonists attack Tamworth Castle Grounds play equipment
Tamworth Herald 15 AprARSONISTS who deliberately set fire to a wooden castle in a children's play area in Tamworth town centre, are being sought by police.
National Memorial Arboretum unveils tribute to first major naval…
Lichfield Mercury 15 AprA MEMORIAL marking the 75th anniversary of the first major naval battle of World War II has been dedicated at Alrewas.
Electric vehicle charging point launched at Coleshill Parkway
Tamworth Herald 15 AprAN ELECTRIC vehicle charging has been installed for commuters in North Warwickshire at Coleshill Parkway train station.
Traffic disruption on A38 near Lichfield during overnight closure…
Lichfield Mercury 15 AprOVERNIGHT safety work on the A38/A5127 Streethay junction near Lichfield will take place next week.
Yikes! Children to check out Lichfield’s bloodthirsty history
Lichfield Mercury 15 AprCHILDREN are invited to go on a guided walking tour of Lichfield's landmarks to find out horrible facts about the city's gruesome history.
Triathlete backs Burntwood world record attempt
Lichfield Live 15 AprA leading Midlands triathlete has backed a world record attempt in Burntwood.
Talented Tamworth chainsaw carver James Taylor shares his story
Tamworth Herald 15 AprThis magnificent collection of finely carved sculptures started with a little bit of spare time.
Serious collision on Silverlink Road
Tamworth Informed 15 AprStaffordshire Police are appealing for witnesses to a serious collision which occured on Silverlink Road, Glascote Heath, last night.
Cannock | Lichfield | South Staffs | Tamworth
Blogs
GPs urge patients to use 111 service
Connect Cannock 15 AprDoctors in Cannock Chase are advising the public to consider picking up the phone and dialing 111 to find the fastest route to the right care if they need to access non-urgent health services over the Easter Bank Holiday weekend.
Fight continues to save Ivy House
Connect Cannock 15 AprThe Planning Control Committee meet on Wednesday 16th to decide the fate of Ivy House in Cannock.
Easter Markets host fun and games
Connect Cannock 15 AprCannock Chase Council is working closely with market traders in Cannock and Rugeley to encourage people to support their local market this Easter.
Fashion blogger Ruth Emmerson: Spring/Summer 2014 trends for…
Tamworth Herald 15 AprSo spring is finally upon us; lighter nights, slightly warmer days and of course a new wardrobe to think about! Summer isn't far away too (we hope!) and so now is the time to grab yourself some key pieces to spruce up your Spring/Summer wardrobe.
Cannock Easter Art Competition Winners Announced
Connect Cannock 15 AprSixteen lucky youngsters have been awarded a goody bag after winning an Easter eggs-travaganza art competition.
5 Day Weather by WS11 Weather
Connect Cannock 15 AprHere’s the latest 5 day weather forecast, provided by Steve Hopley at WS11 Weather.
Rugeley Rugby Club aim for Double
Connect Cannock 15 AprRugeley Rugby Club are setting their sights on a double cup victory with a Cup Final appearance.
Cannock | Lichfield | South Staffs | Tamworth
Blogs
Urban Birding
Wild Tamworth with Moocher 15 AprHad to go to Derby today, so thought I would take the opportunity to check out the nesting Perigrines I have been reading about.
Pammene giganteana–now known as the early oak piercer
Hammerwich Wildlife 15 AprThis micro-moth is on the National Scarce List B and is new to south-east Staffordshire.
Cananimals.
Narrowboat Oakfield 15 AprI liked the way the ducks sleep on the canal, these two drifted past our porthole carried by the breeze.
File: Orange tip butterfly
RSPB: Middleton Lakes 15 AprMale Orange tip in ditch in car park 14/04/14.
File: Bluebells in the wood
RSPB: Middleton Lakes 15 AprSpringtime in the woods at Middleton Lakes is wonderful - bluebells and wild garlic.
Tenebrae – A service that touches deeper . . .
Vic the Vicar 15 AprThan so much else that I encounter during the course of the year.
Blue Sky Thinking – Always right!blue sky thinking, always right, frustrating people, never wrong
Vic the Vicar 15 AprHow many people do you know who appear to live by this simple thought...
Fundraising concert at the Lichfield Garrick hailed a success
Lichfield Live 15 AprA concert in Lichfield has been hailed a success after raising thousands for the Staffordshire Police Cadets scheme.
Morning Prayer – Apr 15
Vic the Vicar 15 AprPassiontide Tuesday of Holy Week Psalm 27 The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom then shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom then shall I be afraid? When the wicked, even my enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my ...
Hot News!!!!
Bake 180 14 AprWe are bursting to tell you our news! View this email in your browser 2 years ago we were so excited to be announcing we were getting a shop! After hiring Hopwas Village Hall for the previous 18 months, the “small but beautifully formed” ...
Well balanced
Lichweeled 14 AprTwo things i’ve noticed seeing the bikes out and about this Easter holiday.
Cannock | Lichfield | South Staffs | Tamworth
Sport
Belford looks forward to West Bromwich Albion clash
Tamworth Herald 15 AprDale Belford says Tamworth's appearance in the Birmingham Senior Cup final will be reward for the hard work of his young squad.
West Bromwich Albion date beckons for the Lambs
Tamworth Herald 15 AprTamworth 5 Hednesford Town 2 Birmingham Senior Cup semi-final Tamworth set up a date with West Bromwich Albion at the Hawthorns with a thrilling win against Hednesford.
Senior Challenge Vase Winners – Wolstanton United
Staffordshire FA 15 AprAfter narrowly missing out on lifting the trophy last season against Hanley Town, Wolstanton United were victorious in yesterday evenings final tie against AFC Hanley Town.
Match Preview: Tamworth FC (A – BSC)
Hednesford Town FC 15 AprHednesford Town go into tonight’s Birmingham Senior Cup semi final against local rivals Tamworth not only as holders but possibly slight favourites as both clubs look to be going in different directions this season.
Scholars slip to defeat in Sheffield
Lichfield Mercury 15 AprSHEFFIELD FC 2 CHASETOWN 1 First Division South CHASETOWN let an early lead slip as they fell to defeat at Sheffield in this battle between two mid-table sides with only pride to play for.
Tamworth FC ready for Hednesford semi-final
Tamworth Herald 15 AprTamworth FC can set up a date with West Bromwich Albion at the Hawthorns by beating Hednesford Town tonight.
The world cup is coming to Stoke-on-Trent and YOU can take part
Staffordshire FA 15 Apr2014 Kicks 5 a side World Cup...
Cannock | Lichfield | South Staffs | Tamworth
Business
Agreement over new Business Improvement District in Lichfield
Lichfield Live 15 AprAn improved city centre could be on the way after an agreement was reached to create a Business Improvement District in Lichfield.
‘Model T’ of BSA guns reborn for modern era
Birmingham Post 11 AprA Tamworth gun shop is set to launch a 21st century prototype of the “Model T Ford of the firearms world” – in conjunction with world-famous BSA.
HS2 compensation package details announced
TheBusinessDesk 9 AprCOMPENSATION packages for homeowners and businesses whose lives will be disrupted by the HS2 high-speed rail scheme have been announced.
More firms being won over by HS2 claims Greater Birmingham Chamber
TheBusinessDesk 8 AprAN increasing number of businesses in Greater Birmingham think that the HS2 rail link between Birmingham and London will have a positive impact, according to a new survey.
Improvements to Burntwood shopping centre are completed
Lichfield Live 8 AprBusiness owners are celebrating improvements to a Burntwood shopping area.
Drayton Manor recruits 200 staff for new season
TheBusinessDesk 7 AprTAMWORTH-based Drayton Manor Theme Park has recruited more than 200 staff for its 2014 season.
New micropub set for Lichfield following leasing deal
TheBusinessDesk 7 AprA FORMER shop unit in Lichfield has undergone extensive refurbishment to open as a new micropub a move which reinforces the increasing popularity of the city, commercial property agents have s...
Cannock | Lichfield | South Staffs | Tamworth
Staffordshire at Westminster »
Business of the House | Commons debates
TWFY: Christopher Pincher MP (Conservative) Tamworth 10 AprAs this is export week, will the Leader of the House grant time to discuss the value of local export drives such as the one that I am organising in Tamworth with UK Trade Investment, and the help that local retail banks can provide in sponsoring...
Public Houses | Business, Innovation and Skills | Written Answers
TWFY: Aidan Burley MP (Conservative) Cannock 9 AprTo ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what timetable he has adopted for the introduction of a Statutory Code and Adjudicator in the public house sector.
Pupils: Per Capita Costs | Education | Written Answers
TWFY: Gavin Williamson MP (Conservative) South Staffordshire 7 AprTo ask the Secretary of State for Education what the (a) total and (b) average funding per head is under the basic funding formula for pupils in Somerset in 2014-15.
Business of the House | Commons debates
TWFY: Mchael Fabricant MP (Conservative) Lichfield 3 AprYou, Mr Speaker, will know that the Government Whips Office normally operates like a well-oiled machine, yet on this occasion it appears that the Whips believe that there is no interest in HS2 and Second Reading can be held on just one day...
Business of the House | Commons debates
TWFY: Christopher Pincher MP (Conservative) Tamworth 3 AprMay I associate myself with calls for a second day to debate the HS2 Bill on Second Reading? May I also ask the Leader of the House for a debate on university technical colleges, which are a tremendous way for young people to gain the industry...
Energy Markets (Competition) | Energy and Climate Change | Commons debates
TWFY: Christopher Pincher MP (Conservative) Tamworth 3 AprThere is already a cash gap between what the big six are planning to spend on infrastructure and the amount that needs to be spent.
Planning Permission: Staffordshire | Communities and Local Government | Written Answers
TWFY: Gavin Williamson MP (Conservative) South Staffordshire 3 AprTo ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many planning appeals resulted in local authority decisions being overturned by the planning inspector in South Staffordshire in (a) 2009, (b) 2010, (c) 2011, (d) 2012 and...
More Staffordshire at Westminster
- Male and Female Adder
on flickr 13 Apr 14
A male and female adder getting a bit close in the afternoon sun
Animals photographed in situ in Staffordshire, England, 13th April 2014
UK news
- Inadequate defences and high-level complacency: MPs blast MoD for failures over fatal Camp Bastion attack
- Report: 450,000 recently 'self-employed' Brits would rather just have a normal job
- Food bank visitors in Coventry: ‘Compassion has disappeared out of the welfare state’
- Churches unite to act on food poverty: 600 leaders from all denominations demand Government U-turn on punitive benefits sanctions
- ‘Fixer’ implicated in plot to kill Chechen exile Akhmed Zakayev is barred from Britain
- Education Secretary Michael Gove ‘plans more free schools’ before election’, claims Tristram Hunt
- Hillsborough disaster anniversary: Brendan Rodgers and Roberto Martinez among those at Anfield to pay tribute to the 96 who lost their lives
- UN human rights investigator denied access to Yarl's Wood immigration centre
- Boys' club Britain is more sexist than Italy, Azerbaijan and India, says UN human rights expert
- Britain suffers from ‘pervasive boys’ club sexist culture’, says UN representative
International news
- Ukraine hits rebels amid civil war warnings
- Passenger boat sinks off South Korean coast
- Armed men kidnap schoolgirls in Nigeria
- New York police scrap Muslim spy unit
- Iran cuts enriched uranium stockpile: report
- Saudi Arabia replaces intelligence chief
- Star Wars weapons: Is fantasy becoming fact?
- Jordan ambassador to Libya abducted
- Three UK brokers charged over fixing Libor
- Indian transgenders granted legal status
- Kuwait says coup-plot clip 'tampered with'
- Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood faces election ban
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Tamworth FC reach Birmingham Senior Cup final! 
Scott Facer 15 AprTamworth FC have beaten Hednesford Town 5-2 to reach the final of the Birmingham Senior Cup, the team will now face a tie against premiership side West Bromwich Albion in the final.