West Midlands Police and the family of a missing Tamworth man are concerned for his welfare.

59 year old Graham Crowter has been missing since last being seen yesterday morning, Sunday 22nd May, leaving the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Edgbaston where he had been receiving medical treatment.

It is believed that Mr Crowter may have tried to get public transport back towards his home in Tamworth.

Mr Crowter suffers from ill health and does not have any of his medication with him so he may be in need of medical help.

DC Stefanie Smith, from Birmingham Police, said: “We need help from the public to find Graham as quickly as possible. If you’ve seen him please get in touch with us as soon as you can.”

Anyone with any information or who may have seen Graham should phone West Midlands Police on 101 as soon as possible.

Developers have submitted a planning application to Birmingham City Council for the redevelopment of the now closed North Worcestershire Golf Club in Northfield.

The history

The club, which has been at the Hanging Lane site for over 100 years, had been suffering financial difficulties for several years.

It had been the target of housing developers for a number of years, with rumours about potential sale in 2012 and 2013. At that time, the board were adamant there were no plans to sell.

In 2012, the site was identified as a potential development site in Birmingham City Council’s Core Strategy Plan (precursor to Birmingham Development Plan), but was rejected following a public consultation. That decision was confirmed and approved by a government housing inspector in April this year.

However, in April 2014 – despite claiming to have resisted the previous approaches of developers and made every effort to increase revenue to support the £350,000 a year needed to keep the club open – the club chairman, Roger Adams, publicly announced that shareholders had made the decision that they “had no option but to sell”. A preliminary deal had been entered into with Bloor Homes to redevelop the land.

Many local residents were concerned by the potential sale and 448 people signed a petition against the threat in less than 24 hours.

Since then, Bloor Homes have presented their plans for public consultation, at meetings locally and online.

The club finally closed it’s doors last month and its contents have already been auctioned.

The application

Harris Lamb Property Consultancy, on behalf of Bloor Homes, have now formally submitted an outline planning application to Birmingham City Council for approval. In light of the status of the site in the Birmingham Development Plan, developers will need to present a very strong case to the planning committee for plans to be accepted.

The planning application requests permission to demolish the club house and includes proposals for:

• Up to 1,000 homes – 1 and 2 bedroom apartments and 2,3,4 and 5 bed houses.
• A primary school – developers state that: “Birmingham City Council have requested the land is made available for the development of a school on site to meet local requirements. A two form entry school will not only cater for the children living on the proposed development but also for the wider area generally.”
• Four points of vehicular access – three for the residential section of the site and a dedicated school access.
• Public open space including a 3G sports pitch, children’s play areas and an Eco park. The developers claim this will benefit local residents, who presently can’t access the green space as it is private land.
• A multi-use community hub building. Potential uses identified by developers:
  • Church: New base for St Bartholomew’s Church. The Allens Cross church suffered a devastating arson in 1998 and was demolished in 2006. The congregation currently meet at Holloway Hall.
  • GP surgery: Discussions are ongoing with a GP about opening a practice on the site
  • Community centre: for mixed use
  • Changing facilities: for the sports pitch

As part of the application, developers state that the development will help: “to address the Council’s significant five year housing land supply shortfall.”

Supporting documents state: “The proposed development will deliver much needed market and affordable houses in the short term and will reduce the requirement for Green Belt land release required to meet the city’s housing requirement.”

Opposition

Over the years local politicians from all parties have expressed their opposition to the development of the NWGC site.

Today, Richard Burden, MP for Northfield, urged residents to make their views known. He said: “It’s important to remember that what has happened this week is the submission of a Planning Application by Bloor Homes. That is not the same as that application being approved.

“Birmingham City Council’s current Planning framework precludes building on the Golf Course and the Government’s own planning inspectorate recently confirmed that they had seen no evidence that would justify a change in that policy. There has been widespread opposition to this redevelopment in the local area over the years and I urge all local residents to write to the City Council expressing their views.”

Councillor Andy Cartwright (Lab, Longbridge) said: “Myself and Councillor Carole Griffiths have today received the planning application for the NWGC. We are urging local residents to get a copy of the application and put forward objections. This is not wanted in our ward and two very large attended meetings showed that you, the residents, are against it.

Developers’ view

Developers, however, believe that there is no reason why the plans should not be given serious consideration by Birmingham City Council.

Duncan Mackay, land director at Bloor Homes, said: “The planning application for redevelopment of North Worcestershire Golf club was submitted following significant public consultation. This found there was a balance of views both for and against our proposals.

“Whilst the site was not allocated in the emerging Birmingham development plan, the only reason the Inspector did not include it was in the absence of detailed analysis of the impact of traffic from the development on the local road network or on local residents’ amenity. This work has now been completed and therefore there is no reason why the application could not be determined positively.

“Birmingham City Council has a significant housing need which it can’t meet. This is a sustainable development site which would make a significant contribution to the delivery of new homes on a highly deliverable site, within the urban area with excellent access to schools, employment and local infrastructure taking pressure off the need to deliver on Green Belt land.”

Are you for or against the development? Have your views changed since the golf club has now closed? 

Have your say

You can view the application in full and submit your comments, for or against:

Where: on the Birmingham City Council Planning Online website.

What: The application number is 2016/02717/PA 

When: Comments must be received by 23rd June 2016 to be considered.

Longbridge residents and visitors have been sharing their favourite pictures of the area as part of a spring social media competition launched by St. Modwen.

Highlighting the developer’s commitment to supporting the local community, the ‘#LongbridgeInSpring’ campaign invited children and adults alike to submit their best photos of Longbridge to the Longbridge Life website and social media channels.

Three winners were chosen in the competition; Cllr Andy Cartwright, Sue Burton and a mystery twitter user, who goes by the name of ‘Longbridge Superhero’, who together submitted photos that capture every element of Longbridge, including the iconic mini rally and Longbridge in the setting sun. St. Modwen invited the winners to the town centre to collect their hampers.

Winning entries:

Andrea Clarke, property manager at St. Modwen said: “Though we’ve been off to a bit of a cold start, it seems that spring has now finally sprung and we wanted to celebrate by sharing local people’s best loved memories of the area.

“The photos we received were really nostalgic, and highlighted some of the great activities and community characters that we have here in Longbridge. I hope the winners enjoy tucking into their hampers!”

St. Modwen, the UK’s leading regeneration specialist, has invested £300 million into regenerating the former MG Rover site since 2003. Four hundred family homes have been delivered along with shops, eateries, offices, the £66 million Bournville College, Longbridge Technology Park and the new Austin Park.

Construction is now well underway on a new £35 million ExtraCare Retirement Village, and work has also started on a 280 bedroom accommodation facility for medical staff working at the Royal Centre for Defence Medicine (RCDM) within the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, in Edgbaston.

For more information on Longbridge town centre, visit the Longbridge Life website. Alternatively, people can contact the Longbridge Helpdesk on 0844 243 4800 or by emailing longbridgehelpdesk@stmodwen.co.uk

Two Councillors from the area have been awarded seats in the new Labour Cabinet of Birmingham City Council. 

The Cabinet members, chosen by Council Leader Cllr John Clancy, were confirmed at the Council’s Annual General Meeting yesterday (24th May 2016).

Kings Norton Cllr Peter Griffiths (pictured left) is the Cabinet Member for Housing and Homes, and Northfield Cllr Brett O’Reilly (right) is the Cabinet Member for Jobs and Skills.

A full list of all Cabinet members and Committee Chairs can be found on the Council’s Birmingham Newsroom website

Developers have submitted a revised planning application for a drive thru coffee shop in Northfield, after the first proposals were met with opposition.

Many residents and community stakeholders were concerned about plans for the location on the corner of Sir Herbert Austin Way (A38 bypass) and Vineyard Road. In particular, many voiced concerns about the close proximity of the site entrance to the pedestrian entry to the Bellfield schools, nursery and children’s centre site in Vineyard Road.

In response to comments made, developers have reanalysed the entry and exit points of the site and submitted a new application. New measures have been written into the new plan with the aim of improving safe access to the school site and alleviating issues on Vineyard Road at peak times.

A Road Safety Audit had recommended further paving and suitably placed guard rails to help corral pedestrians to the formal crossing point in Vineyard Road. Both these recommendations have been included within the updated plans.

Developers say that space will be available for parents to use when dropping off and collecting children from the schools, to alleviate the issues of parking on yellow lines in Vineyard Road at peak school times. A waiting area and access gate will be provided on the Starbucks site, so parents and children can access the schools away from the roadway.

There will also be pedestrian access to the footpath that runs beside Sainsbury’s filling station from the Starbucks site.

As part of the planning application, developers have stated that there would be no service deliveries at peak times associated with the school pick up and drop off periods.

John Liggins, Director of Ziran Land Ltd., said: “We have gone to great lengths to ensure the development addresses comments made prior to and as part of the previous submission, including design improvements, a range of measures to help the schools with peak traffic and pedestrian movements, plus confirming non 24-hour opening and delivery restrictions to avoid peak school times.

“We believe the development will provide a range of benefits, both for the local community and for the local schools in terms of parking and access arrangements to alleviate issues on Vineyard Road, and we very much look forward to delivering these benefits for local people.”

Cllr Julie Johnson (Lab Weoley), who had previously arranged a public meeting regarding the initial application, said she would be meeting with developers at the site soon.

Cllr Johnson said: “I hope to then feedback to residents and others following our public meeting earlier regarding the concerns previously raised. I’m looking forward to meeting with Starbucks to discuss their application and see the site for myself.”

Richard Burden MP (Lab, Birmingham Northfield) said: “I know that there was real concern about the initial application that Starbucks put in from both local residents and schools. Julie Johnson and I both tried to convey these to the Council’s Planning Department and to the developers themselves.

“So I am pleased that Starbucks took their plans away to have another look. Are they likely to solve the problems identified first time around? We’ll have to see about that. That is why I’ll be studying the plans carefully and it is really important that residents both have a good look at them too and again make views known to the Council”

Queries about the application can be directed to 08000 356 480

Visit the Birmingham City Council Planning Online website to view the plans and submit your views. Application number 2016/04325/PA. Consultation ends 22nd June 2016

Sainsbury’s stores across the region will be supporting Carers Week 2016 next week (6-12th June).

Carers Week is an annual event, led by Carers UK, which aims to help raise awareness, highlight the challenges faced by carers and recognise the contribution carers make to families and communities. Sainsbury’s has supported Carers UK for the last six years.

Sainsbury’s Northfield has invited local charities that support carers into the store during Carers Week, which runs from Monday 6th until Sunday 12th June. They will be in store to talk about what work they do and provide details on support available for carers.

• Monday 6th June: Midland Mencap
• Wednesday 8th: Age UK
• Saturday 11th: Headway Birmingham & Solihull

Northfield store manager, Helen Sanders, said: “Carers Week is a great opportunity to shine a light on what it means to be a carer and the support available in the community. We are looking forward to welcoming the carers groups into the Northfield store to find out more about what they do and I hope that our customers and colleagues find it both interesting and useful.”

Similar events will be held in other local Sainsbury’s stores.

An internationally acclaimed environmentalist, head of a Kings Norton based company, has received a Lord Mayor’s Award in Birmingham this week.

Every year the Lord Mayor of Birmingham invites nominations for the Lord Mayor’s Awards and this year they were given to: broadcaster Ed Doolan, charity worker Kim Douglas, environmentalist Peter Laybourn and musician Jeff Lynne.

Peter Laybourn, Chief Executive of Kings Norton Business Centre based International Synergies, received an award for outstanding achievement and exceptional service to the city of Birmingham and its people for his internationally recognised work on ‘industrial symbiosis’.

Peter moved to Birmingham in the 90s and established the National Industrial Symbiosis Programme (NISP), a cross-sector industrial network where environmental experts identify ways in which underused or wasted resources from one company can be recovered and reused by another.

The programme has brought significant economic and environmental benefits to the city since it was first piloted in 2002.

Having proven the value and success of NISP in Birmingham, Peter has since gone on to implement replica projects around the world, and inspired individuals and organisations, many of whom have made official missions/visits to the city to understand more about the programme model.

Peter is a regular keynote speaker at prestigious industrial events – most recently at the G7 Alliance on Resource Efficiency 2015 event on industrial symbiosis, which took place here in Birmingham as a direct result of Peter’s influence and the city being known as the home of NISP.

On receiving the award, Peter said: “It is such an honour to receive the Lord Mayor’s Award. Although originally from the North East, Birmingham has been my home for almost 20 years now.  I was drawn to the city because of its rich and diverse industrial heritage and demographic, making it an ideal location to establish NISP.”

Peter recognised the efforts of his work colleagues and local businesses in making NISP a success, saying: “I owe particular thanks to all those businesses in the region who have supported NISP over the years and helped to make it the globally recognised model that it is today.  I would like to particularly thank Steve McCabe, MP, and Sandy Taylor (former head of Sustainability at Birmingham City Council) for nominating me for the award and my work colleagues for whom this award is equally merited.”

Outgoing Lord Mayor, Cllr Raymond Hassall, said: “Ed, Kim, Peter and Jeff are worthy recipients, having given exceptional service through broadcasting and championing the people, saving children’s lives, protecting the environment and promoting the city.

“In giving these awards I want to highlight the various ways that people in Birmingham serve their community and the city.  They are an inspiration to us all.”

Anyone wishing to nominate someone for an award next year should visit birmingham.gov.uk/lordmayorsaward

A man in his 20s was injured when he came off his motorcycle in an accident near Rubery this morning (Thursday 2nd June).

The accident happened at around 10.30am on the A38 between Rubery and junction 4 of the M5 at Lydiate Ash.

The motorcyclist suffered multiple injuries and was given advance pain relief at the scene by a trauma team doctor to stabilise his condition, before being transferred tho the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham by land ambulance.

The accident was attended by an ambulance, a community paramedic, a paramedic area support officer, a senior paramedic officer and a West Midlands Central Accident Resuscitation Emergency (CARE) team doctor.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokeswoman said: “The motorcyclist, a man believed to be in his 20s, sustained multiple injuries after coming off his bike. The team of ambulance staff and the doctor administered advanced pain relief to the man in order to stabilise his condition at the scene. Once the drugs had taken effect, the man was fully immobilised using a neck collar, spinal board, leg splint and pelvic splint to prevent further movement.”

Anyone with any information regarding the accident should contact police on 101

Image from West Midlands Ambulance Service

A Kings Norton street has been the latest target for large amounts of flytipping.

Piles of mixed rubbish have been dumped on the old Redditch Road slip road, which runs adjacent to the main A441 Redditch Road.

Items include sofas, microwaves, ripped bags of clothing, baby seats and even several car bumpers.

This morning, Birmingham City Council said that the rubbish would be cleared.

Cllr Lisa Trickett, Cabinet Member for Clean Streets, Recycling and Environment, said: “This is totally unacceptable behaviour by people with no regard for the local environment. It will be cleaned up as soon as possible and we will investigate fully – and bring those responsible to justice if they can be traced.”

Speaking after flytippers blocked a picturesque country lane in Northfield in March, Jacqui Kennedy, interim Strategic Director of Place for Birmingham City Council, said: “It is outrageous that people think dumping tons of rubbish on a road is acceptable – it is not.

“We need to love and respect our neighbourhoods and it’s disappointing to see rubbish being dumped on our streets. Keeping Birmingham’s streets clean is everyone’s responsibility so we will continue to clamp down on litter bugs, targeting areas where there is a persistent problem.”

The council’s Waste Enforcement Unit investigates dumped rubbish, sifting through rubbish to identify where it came from, in order to prosecute fly-tippers. Fixed penalty notices of £400 can be issued for small scale flytipping offences, with larger penalties issued for commercial or large scale dumping of waste.

Officers can also serve legal notice to landowners to clear rubbish that attracts or harbours vermin.

We would recommend that anyone wishing to dispose of bulky waste should either take it to a council recycling plant, such as Lifford Lane, or use the council’s bulky item collection service, which costs £25 and can be booked online.

If you have any information regarding flytipping, visit the Birmingham City Council website to report or email reportflytipping@birmingham.gov.uk 

Click to enlarge images

MP for Northfield Richard Burden (Labour) is holding a public meeting to discuss issues around the EU referendum tomorrow (Monday 6th June).

The meeting will begin at 7pm at Northfield Methodist Church and will be chaired by Reverend Caz Hague.

As well as Richard Burden, motor industry expert Prof David Bailey of Aston University will also be speaking.

Mr Burden said: “Talking to people around here in the last few weeks, though, I know that people are getting really fed up with the bitterness and backbiting that has often disfigured the debate. Like you, I have one vote on June 23 and, like you, I’ll vote for what – as an individual – I think is right for the future of our country.

“I am … hosting a community meeting so I can listen to your thoughts and talk openly and frankly about the choice we have to make.”

If you would like to attend the community meeting email: richard@richardburden.com or call: 020 7219 2318

Mr Burden is also asking residents to submit their views to him by completing an online survey. Take the survey

Are you on the electoral roll? If not, make sure you register before June 7th to vote in the referendum

A Rubery youngster has been nominated for a West Midlands Police Outstanding Young Citizens Award for bravery.

Six year old Harvey has been nominated for the West Midlands Police award after calling for help when his heavily pregnant mum collapsed at home.

Student Ellie Gwilliams was home alone with Harvey and his 4 year old sister Kayah, when she collapsed on the kitchen floor at around 8 months pregnant.

When brave Harvey couldn’t rouse his mum, he stayed calm and contacted his dad and nanny to get help. Thanks to his quick thinking, by the time Ellie came to, HGV mechanic Chris and her mother were with her.

Ellie and Chris’s daughter Keiva was born 3 weeks early a fortnight later. Medics never managed to work out the cause of Ellie’s collapse.

Ellie told us: “I’m completely overwhelmed with the letter I’ve just recieved in the post, it’s completely bought me to tears. Absolutely shocked and unbelievably proud!”

Harvey and his family are looking forward to the awards ceremony july. Ellie said: “We will be taking Harvey to a ceremony in Town which will not only see him being recognised for the brave amazing little boy that he is to us, but to everybody else in the West Midlands.”

A huge well done, Harvey!

A teenage boy was injured last night when the mini motorbike he was riding collided with a car in Northfield.

The lad was involved in the collision in Tessall Lane, close to the Farren Road junction at around 11pm last night, Sunday 5th June.

The road was closed for some time following the accident, which left the car involved with a smashed windscreen. An ambulance, a paramedic area support officer and a MERIT trauma doctor attended the scene and the boy was transferred to Birmingham Children’s Hospital.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokeswoman said: “Upon assessment by ambulance staff, the boy was found with nasty leg injuries as well as gravel rash to his arms, shoulder and back. His wounds were treated and he was given pain relief before he was immobilised and taken to Birmingham Children’s Hospital for further assessment and treatment.”

The spokeswoman stressed the importance of protective clothing for motorcyclists, saying: “Whilst it was reassuring that that boy was protected with a helmet, his other injuries could’ve been minimised if he’d been wearing suitable protective clothing such as leathers or kevlar, boots and gloves.”

Image: West Midlands Ambulance Service

Hit Channel 4 show Come Dine With Me is returning to the Midlands and contestants are being sought to participate.

If you are a couple or individual who can throw an amazing dinner party, you could apply to take part!

The couples competition involves three couples competing over three nights, each striving to provided the best food and entertainment.

The singles contest tests the skills of five contestants from all walks of life, hosting five dinner parties for each other over five nights.

In both contests, the winners walk away with a prize fund of £1000.

If you or anyone you know would like to take part contact Danielle at Danielle.alencar@itv.com or call 0207 157 4758

Contestants must be over 18, live in or around the Birmingham area and be available for filming (Individuals: 27th June to 1st July | Couples: Week commencing 18th July)

Planning permission has today been granted for a children’s care home in Kings Norton (Thursday 9th June).

Some residents and local politicians had raised objections to the proposed change of usage of a large detached private residence in leafy Wychall Lane to a children’s residential facility. A public meeting with a representative from Meadows Care was held last month.

Meadows Care propose to convert the home into a residence for four young people aged between 10 and 14 and two carers. The company would run the home under contract with Birmingham City Council.

It is envisioned that the facility will operate like a family home, with day to day tasks and responsibilities being shared between the young people and carers.

Objections raised included concerns that most of the residents of the street are in their later years and that having children there would not fit the demographic of the area.

At the planning committee meeting this morning, Cllr Gareth Moore expressed a concern that introducing one care home to an area may start a chain reaction, with more being requested.

Area Planning Officer Simon Turner stated that it appeared there was a good mixed demographic in the area and there were local schools nearby. He noted that any possible future change of use applications could be discussed in the same way and each individual application and their possible cumulative effects assessed on their own merit.

The committee voted to approve the application, with just two councillors voting against.

Both pools at Northfield Leisure Centre have been closed for thorough cleaning after a child defecated in the pool yesterday morning (Tuesday 14th June). 

Readers were concerned when the pools were suddenly closed and schools informed parents that swimming lessons were being cancelled.

A spokeswoman for Serco, who run the centre, today confirmed the cause of the closure. She said: “The swimming pools are currently closed for thorough cleaning after a child defecated in the pool yesterday. This is a precautionary measure and the pools will reopen once tests have confirmed the water quality is safe for swimmers and all necessary actions have been taken.

“In light of recent events at Cocks Moors Woods Swimming Pool, we will be testing for Cryptosporidium as an extra precaution.” she added.

The pool at Cocks Moors Woods in Kings Heath was closed last month after reports of swimmers becoming sick. Cryptosporidium, which is resistant to chlorine, was found at the site which is set to remain closed for several more weeks.

Serco are also reminding customers that babies/toddlers must wear a swim nappy in the pool and asking individuals who have had diarrhoea to refrain from swimming in any public pool for at least 14 days after the symptoms have cleared up.

Developers and current owners have applied to Birmingham City Council to demolish an historic Rubery pub.

Built in 1811, The Cock Inn in Rubery Lane is the oldest pub in Rubery. It has been vacant for around two years and is sadly falling into a state of disrepair.

It is said that the RAF were billeted at The Cock Inn during WWII and operated barrage balloons at Rubery Quarry, to protect the factories in Longbridge.

Now developers Malvern Estates PLC, alongside Unique Pub Properties PLC, are seeking permission to develop the former coaching inn as part of a proposed housing development. The development would consist of 8 detached and 4 semi-detached homes with a private access drive running adjacent to Rubery Lane.

Councillor Andy Cartwright (Longbridge, Labour) indicated his support for redevelopment of the site, saying: “Local residents, Cllr Carole Griffiths, and myself welcome the regeneration of the Cock Pub. It has been neglected over the years, with travellers accessing the site on a regular basis. Development would help tackle anti-social behaviour at the site.”

However, Longbridge Councillor Ian Cruise (Independent) expressed his disappointment at the proposals. He said: “The Cock Inn has been part of our local area since it was built in 1811.  The decision by Malvern & Unique to submit the application is both short sighted and an attack on the heritage of the local area. What disappoints me more is the decision of Birmingham City Council Planning Department to accept the application.

Cllr Cruise added that, if the building was unable to continue to be used as a pub, developers should respect local heritage and look at the possibility of a development including the retention of the building as apartments.

Cllr Cruise said: “In my opinion the pub was purposely kept closed by the owners for 2 years so there was no other option for them but to demolish it for the purposes of housing. I shall be submitting an objection to the application to Birmingham City Council Planning Department & will work together with local residents and other local elected members to stop the demolition of this historic local building taking place.”

To view the plans and submit your views, visit Birmingham City Council Planning Online Application number: 2016/03617/PA

Tell us know your memories of the Cock Inn. Old photos would be great to see!

Local councillors and residents gathered outside the gates of a former Northfield golf club today (Wednesday 15th June) to show their opposition to plans for a new housing development.

Cllr Andy Cartwright (Labour, Longbridge) and Cllr Julie Johnson (Labour, Weoley) joined local residents to demonstrate their objections to the Bloor Homes development at the site of the North Worcestershire Golf Club, which closed in April.

After years of rumour, speculation and uncertainty, Bloor Homes have submitted an application to build up to 1000 homes, a community a hub, a primary school, playing fields and an eco-park on the site.

On his Facebook page, Cllr Cartwright wrote: “Thank you to all those who turned out this evening. To confirm, I have requested to speak at the planning meeting. Residents are still saying NO to Bloor Homes. Many support the view that the land owners should let others have the chance to purchase the land I.e leisure creation, keep the golf course, nature / Eco centre and more. Thank you to Cllr Julie Johnson supporting Weoley residents and apologies were given on behalf of Cllr Carole Griffiths and Richard Burden MP.”

Read more details on the planning application and how to have your say.

With so many weeks stretching ahead to keep the kids entertained, it is not easy to keep coming up with fresh ideas for fun and healthy activities for them to do.

In our imaginations, summer is a place of endless sunshine, without a cloud in the sky, where children will happily spend all their time in the garden or the parks entertaining themselves. In reality though it isn’t long before they start craving some entertainment and they are quick to let you know how bored they are!

The Pitch ‘n’ Putt Course at Golfbug – Wast Hills is the perfect way to get outside with the kids this summer for a spot of fun that everyone can enjoy. The Pitch & Putt course offers nine holes ranging from 60 yards to 105 yards.

The picturesque and undulating course will entertain and challenge golfers of all levels. It will offer both an enjoyable activity for the family as well as a challenge for the golf enthusiast.

Estimated Playing Time: 45 minutes for individual golfer; 1 hour for four players.Suitable for ages 6 and above, with club hire available, there is everything you need to have a great day out with the kids.

The Course is only £4 per person and only £2 for a set of 3 clubs for the course.

Special Groupon Offer: To celebrate this year’s golf major competitions,you can buy promotional offers to be used during weekends throughout June and July on Groupon. You can buy many options, including an unlimited day’s use of the Pitch ‘n’ Putt Course or 60 balls on the driving range and a 9 hole round of Pitch ‘n’ Putt. Offers available on Groupon from 12 pm Saturday 18th June

If you’ve never visited before, watch the video below to get a feel for Golfbug – Wast Hills and see if you would like to come and visit.

Connect with Golfbug – Wast Hills on: Website | Facebook | Twitter or call 0121 459 7767

Member of Parliament for Northfield, Richard Burden, has organised a book of condolence for murdered West Yorkshire MP Jo Cox.

The book, which will be forwarded to Jo’s family, was available on a Labour party stall in Northfield town centre this morning. From Sunday, anyone wishing to leave their message of condolence in the book can access it at Northfield Baptist Church.

MP for Batley and Spen, Jo, 41, sadly died on Thursday after being shot and stabbed in the street outside her regular surgery in Birstall. Messages of condolence have been expressed by many across the country, regardless of political opinions.

On Thursday, on hearing of Jo’s death, Richard Burden wrote: “Friend, comrade and fellow boat-dweller. Rest in peace, Jo. You made a difference and we will miss you x”

Northfield Baptist minister, Rev. Dave Tubby said: “The shock of Jo’s death is felt by everyone and it is important that we have this space to mark her life and grieve. This is a really poignant way for us to remember Jo locally and is an important act of support and condolences for her family and friends. They very much remain in our thoughts and prayers at this difficult time.”

Residents welcomed the opportunity to send their messages to Jo Cox’s family:

Thank you @RichardBurdenMP for facilitating Book of Condolence for Jo Cox in Northfield. Grateful for space to pay my respects. #ThankYourMP

— Dave Tubby (@revdavetubby) June 18, 2016

Thank you @RichardBurdenMP for the opportunity to sign a book of condolences to #JoCox‘s family in #Northfield#Birmingham today. @B31Voices

— Kamel Hawwash (@kamelhawwash) June 18, 2016

Sign the book

• Where: Northfield Baptist Church, off Bristol Road South, Northfield B31 2NQ
• When: Sunday 19th June 9.30am – 2pm, the 9 – 2pm daily (Also at NAFCafe at the church on Thursday 23rd 6pm-9pm)
• Contact: If you would like to access the book outside of these hours, please email Rev. Dave Tubby on minister@northfieldbaptist.org.uk