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 …

With support from Sandwell Primary Care Trust and other local partners two coffee mornings are being held this month by the South Asian Diabetes Support Group – and you’re invited!
The coffee mornings, in Langley and Smethwick are part of the Primary Care Trust’s plans to help patients with diabetes improve control of their blood sugar levels. South Asian communities are typically at a higher risk of developing the condition, and so the discussions will in Urdu, Punjabi and English languages.
Sham Malhi, Health Education Support Officer at Sandwell Primary Care …

 
Young people and people over 60 in Sandwell are being offered the chance to get fit and healthy by swimming for free.
Sandwell Leisure Trust is taking part in a Government initiative by offering the free sessions for the next 12 months.
Dawn Mallett, from Sandwell Leisure Trust, said: “This is an ideal way for youngsters from 0-16-years-old and anyone over the age of 60 to get fit and healthy by swimming without it costing them anything.
“Anyone wanting to take advantage of the sessions just needs to go to a Sandwell Leisure …

 
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, …

 
Councillor Pauline Hinton, a leading Labour cabinet member, will become the borough’s first citizen in May – and will have Liberal Democrat leader Councillor Joyce Underhill as her Deputy Mayor.
Councillor Hinton, who is a Deputy Leader of the Labour-controlled Council, was selected as Mayor-elect by the general purposes committee.
Council leader Councillor Darren Cooper said he welcomed the decision to appoint Councillor Hinton as Mayor and Councillor Underhill as her deputy.
“Councillor Hinton is a very experienced member of the council and has undertaken some sterling work on important issues during her …

POLICE in Sandwell have netted extra Home Office funding to tackle specific crime and anti-social behaviour issues across the borough.
The month’s Operation Smokesignals has been launched with each of the six towns receiving about £5,000 to support extra patrols and policing activity responding to specific priorities raise by local people.
A further £4,000 has been given to Sandwell Wardens who will work closely with police teams to co-ordinate additional patrols and enforcement.
Oldbury officers are using the funding to increase patrols across all four local neighbourhoods. The teams will be patrolling at …

 
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 …

Sandwell Council staff in Oldbury have helped to raise vital cash for research into heart disease.
Staff wore something red and donated £1 each to the British Heart Foundation to raise cash.
Ushma Patel, one of the organisers, said: “We had lots of fun raising money for this very worthwhile cause. Staff were very generous and we collected about £105.
“I was really pleased at the number of people that took part and we raised more than we expected.
And Pam Cross added: “Heart disease has affected many people’s lives and it’s something that …

 
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 …