THE Union Flag will be flying high outside Sandwell Council House in Oldbury next week to mark the official Armed Forces Day on Saturday June 26.
The borough’s mayor Councillor Pauline Hinton will raise the flag at 11am on Monday June 21 accompanied by her consort and husband Councillor David Hinton and other civic dignitaries.
Royal British Legions from throughout Sandwell will parade, flying their own standards, along with school children, the Guides and Scouts and Territorial Army centres.
Cllr Hinton said: “I am personally very proud to honour our heroic forces in …

Sandwell Council will this week get behind the launch of the Backing Young Britain campaign. Picking up the challenge to create 1,000 apprenticeships and 500 work experience opportunities, Sandwell Partnership has brought together employers from the public, private and voluntary sectors to launch Backing Young Sandwell.
A business breakfast on Wednesday(MARCH17) at the Public in West Bromwich, marks the launch of the campaign in Sandwell.
Key local employers, including West Midlands Fire Service, the Hadley Group and Sandwell Homes, will appeal to the business community to put Sandwell at the forefront of …

 
Langley Band were successful at the Midlands Area Championships held at Bedworth Civic Hall on Saturday 13 March.
As well as a handsome trophy, they have earned the right to compete in the National Championships to be held  in Harrogate in September.
Langley Band is the Midlands oldest Brass Band.
The band is self-supporting relying on the members weekly donations, and the profit made from concert fees and recordings. The band membership is made up from a diverse section of people including school pupils and teachers, engineers, police officers, a museum curator, accountants, …

 
Oldbury College of Sport is hosting the national schools Olympic weightlifting championships on Saturday March 13.
The event is expected to attract top young weightlifting stars from across the country and will include competitors from Sandwell and Halesowen.
College spokesman Sam Hayer said: “One of the highlights of the day will be the appearance of Zoe Smith, who is the reigning Commonwealth Youth Games gold medallist.
“Zoe is tipped to be a gold medal winner in this year’s Commonwealth Games in New Delhi in India. She is also the reigning British Olympic Athletics junior …

 
As we all eagerly await early signs of spring, Sandwell Primary Care Trust is asking Sandwell people to take part in a ‘spring clean’ with a twist.
‘Spring Clean for the Soul’ is a special event being held in partnership between Sandwell Primary Care Trust and the borough’s Library and Information Services. It takes place on Saturday March 20th at Smethwick Library, High Street, Smethwick B66 1AA, 10.30am – 3.30pm.
Sasha Gelpi, Senior Mental Health Promotion Officer at Sandwell Primary Care Trust explains the purpose of the day. She said: “The start …

 
Flamboyant fashion expert Gok Wan will be in West Bromwich to find the town’s worst dressed person this month – before giving them the makeover of their dreams.
Sandwell Council can today reveal that the style maestro is holding an open day for his show, Gok’s Fashion Fix, at West Bromwich Town Hall on Saturday, March 20.
Anyone over the age of eighteen can go along for figure fixing, mini makeovers and a wardrobe clearout!
Gok will pick the worst dressed person to receive a brand new wardrobe and superb makeover to be shown on …

Sandwell people can get practical advice on how to tackle anti-social behaviour at a free event on Monday 8 March.
The event is aimed at anyone who has ever “felt powerless to do anything about graffiti, vandalism or noisy neighbours”.
It will be held at the Bethel Convention Centre, Kelvin Way, West Bromwich, from 9.15am-2.15pm, with lunch provided.
The Department of Communities & Local Government is organising the event, which is open to anyone who lives or works in Sandwell.
Places must be booked in advance. To book a place:
* Call 0845 680 9754
* …

 
OFFENDERS on a community payback scheme in Sandwell have been given a new graffiti removal machine.
Walls, buildings and fences across Blackheath, Rowley Regis, Oldbury and Cradley Heath are set to get cleaned with the new machine.
Sandwell Council has provided the Sandwell Community Payback Unit with the graffiti removal machine.
Councillor Simon Hackett, Sandwell Council’s cabinet member for safer communities, said: “Community Payback is a very visible way for offenders to put something back into the community where they committed their crime.
“We are working with the police, Probation and other organisations to …

Langley Councillors Martin Prestidge, Pauline Hinton and Mick Davies will be holding their advice surgery on Saturday March 6  at Lion Farm Library  , Martley Road, Oldbury between 10.00 am and 12.00 noon.

The search is on to find 20 young people to represent Sandwell in the borough’s shadow youth cabinet and also four young people to represent Sandwell on the United Kingdom Youth Parliament.
They can become the voice of young people in the borough and raise issues that are affecting teenagers both locally and nationally.
A total of 32 young people have put their names forward as candidates for the 24 posts.
Elections are due to take place between March 1 and 4, in schools and youth centres across the borough.
The election has been …