Thursday, December 8, 2022
NEWS Global triumph for Ikea store Page 2
SANDWELL & HALESOWEN EDITION
MOTORING First look at Peugeot 408 Page 29
SPORT Step up hard for Brandon Back page
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PARKS TO GET £4.5m UPDATE
Sandwell Council is spending nearly £4.5 million improving parks and green spaces across the borough’s six towns. The investment includes 40 play areas, 10 major green space projects, 10 nature reserves, seven BMX/ skate parks and nine outdoor gyms. New play facilities have also opened at Laybourne Park in Tipton. Two multi-use games areas and gates at more than 40 play areas are benefiting from refurbishment, with 60 bins in parks and open spaces also being repaired and refurbished. In June, the council’s cabinet approved a three-year Green Spaces Strategy, including a planned programme for works to be completed by the end of March. The £4.45 million programme is made
Report by Adam Smith
up of £2.11m of council funding – £700,000 more than originally outlined – and £2.34m from external funding streams. Councillor Laura Rollins, cabinet member for culture and tourism, said: “We’re committed to investing in our fabulous parks and green spaces across Sandwell’s six towns. “It’s great to see the progress being made on the programme – and that we’re expecting to make even more improvements this year than initially planned. “I am particularly pleased we’re improving our existing play areas, providing new play equipment and creating one brand-new play area.” She added: “With so many green
spaces and facilities to look after, our annual programme of works is a way to share with residents what we can commit to each year for maintenance, improvements and major projects. “Our works programme is supported by council funding and a variety of external funding streams. We’re also working closely with residents, volunteer Friends groups, community groups, businesses, schools and colleges, developing improvement plans for all green spaces in Sandwell.” This year’s programme also includes work being delivered as part of ongoing projects for Britannia Park, Hateley Cross, West Smethwick Park, Black Patch Park and Lightwoods House and Park.
Mayor in donations plea for toy appeal The Mayor of Sandwell is appealing for donations of Christmas presents for Santa’s Black Country Toy Appeal. Gifts must be new and unwrapped. They will be collected by elves for them to give to Santa so he can distribute to children and young people across Sandwell and the
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Black Country. Councillor Richard Jones, Mayor of Sandwell said: “I am very proud to give my support to this fantastic charity and ask those who can to give generously to this very worthy cause.” Donations can be dropped off at any of Sandwell’s 19 libraries until tomorrow (Friday). Sandwell Coun-
cil leader Kerrie Carmichael said: “Each donation will be very gratefully received and the charity are working hard to distribute gifts to children.” More details about the campaign can be found on the Sandwell Council website atsandwell.gov.uk/black countrytoyappeal.
‘Shero’ Ameena praised
Let’s Talk Hope cancer support group founder Ameena Muflihi The founder of a cancer support group has received national recognition for her work in her local community. Ameena Muflihi, the founder of Let’s Talk Hope, a cancer awareness group from Smethwick, was awarded the Unsung “Shero” of the Year award at the Multicultural Business & Community Champion Awards (MBCC). The national ceremony celebrates those who stand out in both business and community for helping others selflessly without any praise
or thanks. Ameena, who started Lets Talk Hope with the support of her mother Carole and her brother Ragih, said: “We lost dad, Saleh, to stomach cancer in July 2019, my mother had cancer in 2016 and I am a cancer survivor. Cancer has had such a strong hold over our family. “Winning this award, it gives everyone a platform to make talking about cancer an everyday part of their conversations.” To join a session, call 0121 5253909 or follow the Let’s Talk Hope Facebook group.
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