Birmingham Mail

Book Tells Celebrity Choices

MANY people like to read about celebrities's lives, but may wonder what famous people like to read about themselves. A new book detailing their top story choices has been published with all proceeds going to the Alzheimer's Society. Author Jeff Thorburn, who's mother in law has a form of dementia, penned the novel titled Celebrities' Favourite Books and will be holding a book signing session at the Bullring Shopping Centre on July 11 from 1- 3pm. The book has a foreword written by Princess Al...

Proposal to Protect Trees

EXPERTS have carried out safety checks on more than 140,000 trees owned by Birmingham City Council during the past seven years. The survey is part of a strategy to protect Birmingham's reputation as one of the leafiest cities in the UK.

Megan's Trip of a Lifetime ; Winner: Twilight Mega-Fan Scoops Dream Prize

A BIRMINGHAM schoolgirl has won a once in a lifetime holiday prize to Seattle and Washington State to visit the places from her favourite book and movie. Twilight mega-fan Megan Evans from Northfield never dreamed she would be lucky enough to win the competition in OK! magazine to win the trip to America's Emerald City and the Olympic Peninsula where the saga is set.

Enjoy Austen in Gardens

Djs Take to Aisles

PRESENTERS from a charity radio station will broadcast live from a Birmingham supermarket in a bid to generate much-needed funds. DJs from Birmingham Hospital Radio Network, a registered charity which for the past 57 years has provided 24-hour entertainment for hospital patients at Heartlands, Queen Elizabeth and Good Hope, will humour shoppers at Asda in Small Heath in exchange for small cash donations to help run the station.

'Ban Internet Knife Sellers' ; Crime: Watchdog in Plea Over Child Sales

TRADING standards chiefs today called for a blanket ban on the sale of knives over the internet after a Midland youngster was able to buy knives and a machete. The Trading Standards Institute has said online retailers have ignored repeated warnings to stop selling them to children.

Business Roots Hub Goes Bust ; Fund: Centre to Help Black Firms Set Up

AN ORGANISATION set up 27 years ago to help young black Birmingham entrepreneurs set up their own businesses has gone into administration. Handsworth-based Community Roots Enterprise Centre was formed in 1982, with the help of pounds 312,000 funding from the city council.

Schoolchildren Meet Green Challenges

CHILDREN from an Erdington school have been going green and getting their parents involved. Pupils at Slade Junior School, in Slade Road, handed out energysaving lightbulbs, completed green challenges and took part in a Go Green Assembly. They also spent time identifying different materials for recycling and creating new things out of rubbish. Head teacher Andrew Sewell said: "Slade Junior School really believes in teaching environmental responsibility."

Scouts Reunite 50 Years On

FORMER scouts who travelled to the Philippines for a 1959 Jamboree are holding a reunion in Sutton Coldfield to mark the 50th anniversary. Reunion organisers have managed to trace more than 40 of the people who travelled to Manila.

Cancer Unit Gets Pounds 125,000 Boost ; Health: High-Tech Centre for Teenage Patients Receives Cash From Charity

A NEW state-of-the-art Birmingham unit for teenagers with cancer has received a boost of pounds 125,000 from a leading charity. Storaid, a charity established by Wickes Home Improvement Centres, donated the cash to the Teenage Cancer Trust towards the new pounds 2.8 million building which will help thousands of desperately ill youngsters at Birmingham Children's Hospital. Money will also go towards developing facilities for youngsters at the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital, in Northfield, who are ...

Lack of Nhs Dentists Costly to Taxpayers

A "SHOCKING number" of people are having emergency dental treatment at hospital because of a lack of NHS dentists - at a cost of tens of thousands of pounds to the taxpayer. That's the alarming revelation from Tamworth's would-be MP Christopher Pincher as new figures expose the costly consequences of the town not having enough NHS dentists to serve its residents.

Sixth Year at Centro Helm

CENTRO, the authority which oversees the rail network in the West Midlands, has re-elected Gary Clarke as chairman. It is the sixth consecutive year at the helm for the Conservative Walsall councillor following his appointment at the group's AGM.

M42 Barrier Death Probe

POLICE have launched an investigation after a motorist died when his car hit a crash barrier on a Midland motorway. The 54-year-old man was pronounced dead at the scene of the collision on the M42 near junction 3A, Birmingham, where the motorway joins the M40.

Spice Is Nice for Charity

A KINGSTANDING curry house is holding a charity night in aid of Macmillan Nurses. The Jafflong in Kingstanding Road, has introduced special offers on week nights and an all-you-can-eat buffet on Sundays and the official launch of the Jafflong offer is being held on Monday with all profits going to Macmillan Nurses.

A Taste of Life As Apprentice

A BIRMINGHAM training company is giving people the chance to taste life as an apprentice. Heart of England Training offers apprenticeships in business administration, customer service, beauty therapy and hairdressing.

Ticket Slump Delays Fest ; Music: Crunch-Hit Stately Home Event Is Postponed After Slide in Sales

A MIDLAND music festival due to be staged at a historic stately home has been postponed because of poor ticket sales. Monarchy Live was due to take place at Ragley Hall, near Alcester, on Saturday, featuring high-profile bands such as the Happy Mondays, Supergrass and Reverend and the Makers.

Rapist Jailed for Five Years

A TAMWORTH man who raped a woman in her own home has been jailed. Philip Dolman, aged 46, was sentenced to five and half years by a judge at Stafford Crown Court.

Tv Star in Call On Food Labels

PROTECT our pig farmers! That was the cry of celebrity farmer Jimmy Doherty as he visited Birmingham to campaign for clearer labelling on British pork products.

Enta All Set for Learning Quarter Move

A VOLUNTARY training organisation has today announced plans to relocate to larger premises in Birmingham. Enta will move its training centre in Princip Street and the head office in St Chad's Circus into one renovated office in Mill Street, Aston, close to Birmingham's Learning Quarter.

Checkmate for Pupils