Birmingham Mail

Birmingham Falls Silent in a Salute to Our War Heroes

A RAINBOW appeared in the sky at the moment the city fell silent for two minutes in memory of those who died serving their country. Keith Horton, who works for Candela Lights in Nechells, said: "I was at the back door at work ready to ring the bell to start the two- minute silence when a rainbow appeared over the M6."

Brett Was Our Shining Light ; Tragic Soldier Left Behind a Letter for His Mum and Dad

A BRAVE Birmingham bomb disposal officer who was killed by an improvised explosive devise left a poignant letter to his parents, they revealed today. Staff Sgt Brett Linley, aged 29, from Bournville, thanked his mum and dad, Anne and George, for letting

Ceremony Poignant for Linley Family

THE family of Brett Linley accepted a Badge of Honour on behalf of their son during a poignant ceremony yesterday. Caroline Munday, mother of the first Badge of Honour winner, 21- yearold James Munday who was killed in Afghanistan, presented parents Anne and George with the medal at the Birmingham Mail's offices at Fort Dunlop. Mrs Munday said: "I'm so proud to be able to award this honour to you from the readers of the Birmingham Mail.

Everybody Out! Kids Get a Taste of Life in 1940s

INTREPID young pupils from a Birmingham school tried a war-time evacuation to experience what some of their grandparents went through. Dressed up in clothing from the Second World War period and clutching their gas mask boxes, dozens of pupils at Raddlebarn Primary School in Selly Oak kissed and waved goodbye to their parents for a train trip out of the city for the day.

Sex Attacker Gets 2 Years

A FIFTY-year-old man who carried out a sex attack on a Midland schoolgirl has been put behind bars for two years. Martin Whitcombe, of School Drive, Stourbridge, admitted sexual assault on a girl under 16 years of age and he was further ordered to register as a sex offender for ten years.

Beatle's Old Friend Now Cleans Street

A FORMER Birmingham Mail journalist who went l on to become Sir Paul McCartney's right-hand man has been reduced to sweeping the streets after falling out with the music legend. Geoff Baker, aged 54, was Sir Paul's publicity chief for 15 years until they fell out over the singer's marriage to Heather Mills.

Log On To: [ ... ]

BRUM IN THE BLITZ See our Birmingham in the Blitz section with stories, memories, picture galleries and audio interviews of people who lived through the era. Go to www.birminghammail. net /birminghamintheblitz FOOTBALL ANALYSIS Our sports team looks at the midweek games and analyse the league standings. See video at www.birminghammail.net and click on Videos and Pics HEROES' AWARDS See the unsung heroes from our region accept their awards at this year's Birmingham Mail Local Heroes event. See...

Mum and Dad Got .. Married.. Next Day They Were Building Spitfires

FOR Birmingham resident Derek Meadows, the Blitz evokes thoughts of the role his family played in supporting the war efforts as well as a poignant reminder of residents who lost relatives they never even got to meet. Derek, who lives in Wylde Green, never knew his grandfather, Thomas Hatton, as he was killed when a bomb exploded yards away from the family home.

Score Draw at City Debate

A UNITED panel at the Radio WM debate on the future of the West Midlands was soon split once host Phil Upton raised the thorny issue of football. "Who would finish highest of the four Midlands clubs?" he asked the guest panel. Villa nut Dr Carl Chinn thought it was obvious that the boys in claret and blue would once again top the heap. "It's a no brainer," he announced.

Charity Gig in Aid of Lifeboats

Teen Charged Over Arson

A TEENAGE boy has been charged with pounds 200,000 arson following a fire which devastated a row of shops in Solihull. The blaze tore through a florists, pharmacy, post office, and grocers in Arran Way, Smiths Wood, causing widespread damage.

Esther Pays a Visit to Childline Staff

CHILDLINE founder Esther Rantzen visited counsellors in Birmingham to thank them for joining the helpline. The campaigner and TV presenter met volunteers who had responded to her rallying call to bolster the 24/7 telephone service she set up to help children in 1986.

Trumped by Tesco

IT WAS stirring stuff at the recent council planning committee when backbench champion of the common man, Labour's Keith Linnecor made an impassioned plea against the might of the supermarkets. In a Churchillesque statement he talked about Tesco riding roughshod over our communities, "They are taking away our open spaces. There are plenty of other places Tesco can go."

Mr Egg.. It's Gone Too Spoon

THE closure of Mr Egg, Birmingham's most famous greasy spoon, has hit comedian Lee Mack hard. When Hancock broke the news to him that the iconic cafe had closed for good, Lee was devastated.

They're Town and Out, but Still Singing ; Hancock a Sideways Look at Life, As the Lad 'Imself Might Have Seen It the Best Comedians and Live Stand-Up in Association with Visit Www.Thehighlight.Co.Uk to Book Tickets

THE Tipton Town FA Cup dream may well have ended with convincing defeat at Carlisle on Saturday, but if the crowd banter had counted it would have been a different story. After just ten minutes the Black Country minnows from six divisions below their hosts were two-nil down and had hardly touched the ball - it wasn't looking good.

New Probe On Data Breach in Nhs Claim

HEALTH chiefs are being investigated over claims that IT blunders compromised the security of thousands of patient records. The National Information Commissioner is probing allegations that more than 6,000 NHS workers were wrongly able to access staff and patient files for Birmingham's three primary care trusts and GP surgeries.

Duran Star's Girl at Launch

THE model daughter of Duran Duran frontman Simon Le Bon will launch a new hip clothing store in Birmingham city centre today. Stunning Amber Le Bon, above, will unveil Forever 21's first UK store in the Bullring.

Group to Sing at Brum Festival

THE third concert of the 2010 Birmingham Early Music Festival will take place on Sunday. Le Basile will perform Finding Chaucer's Voice at the Barber Institute of Fine Arts, in Edgbaston Park Road, at 3pm.

'Sugaflames' Give Life-Saving Advice

YOU may recognise the catchy Sugababes song Push The Button - but Midland firefighters have given the title a whole new meaning. Employees of Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service - dubbed the "Sugaflames" - have recorded a music video of the song to remind residents to check their smoke alarms. Their Push The Button campaign was launched to highlight the fact that, although nine out of ten households have smoke alarms, seven out of ten do not test them.

Death Comes to Slade Rooms ; Review

Job For a Cowboy SLADE ROOMS, WOLVERHAMPTON DEATH came to Wolverhampton in the form of one of the most brutal tours put together this year. Four deathcore bands - two British, two American - with one objective: To crush all before them.