Birmingham Mail (England) back issues from January 2009:
Water park fun rides at pounds 60m pool; Olympic centre's family attractions.(News)
Jan 01, 2009 ... Byline: By Paul Dale BIRMINGHAM'S long-awaited pounds 60 million Olympic-size swimming pool is set to come complete with white-knuckle fun rides, leisure chiefs revealed today. Coun Ray Hassall said the water park would be one of the best in the country with "scary ...
Dozens injured in fog pile-ups; WARNING: More deadly weather threatens motorists.(News)
Jan 01, 2009 ... Byline: By Emma McKinney MIDLAND motorists were today warned of more deadly fog patches to come after a string of crashes involving 20 cars in dreadful conditions. Paramedics said it was a miracle that no one was killed in the three pile-ups which left dozens injured ...
Tributes to crash victim.(News)
Jan 01, 2009 ... Byline: By Chris Henwood FRIENDS of a 35-year-old Black Country man killed in a motorway smash have told of their shock at hearing of his death just days after swapping Christmas cards. West Bromwich resident Sarabjit Singh, known locally as Sabhi, died in hospital ...
Ellie takes a plunge to celebrate.(News)
Jan 01, 2009 ... MIDLAND Golden girl Eleanor Simmonds celebrated her MBE honour with a training swim at the pool. The Paralympian crowned a golden year by becoming the youngest person ever to receive an award in the New Year's Honours List. The schoolgirl, from Aldridge, Walsall, ...
It all happened so quickly - he asked me to put the radio on, when I looked up he was gone; VILLA: Tragedy as lifelong fan dies while driving home from game.(News)
Jan 01, 2009 ... Byline: By Ed Chadwick A LIFELONG Aston Villa fan dropped dead at the wheel of his car as he drove home from a nerve-jangling Boxing Day match. Ray Callow died with his family in his car just yards from Villa Park after seeing Martin O'Neill's side draw 2-2 with ...
Rail users to 'shiver and shudder' at price rises.(News)
Jan 01, 2009 ... Byline: By Emma McKinney CONSUMER EDITOR MIDLAND rail passengers were today hit with inflation-busting fare increases. Consumer watchdogs warned commuters they would "shudder and shiver" at the hikes, which impacted on regulated fares, such as annual season tickets, ...
Store staff in 'armed' raid ordeal.(News)
Jan 01, 2009 ... Byline: By Chris Henwood THREE hooded men claiming to be armed with a gun and a knife robbed a Midland store. Police are appealing for information following the robbery at the Co-op store in Clayhanger Lane, Brownhills, at around 9pm on Tuesday. Three ...
The World: Iraqis handed over.(News)
Jan 01, 2009 ... TWO Iraqis accused of murdering two British soldiers were today handed over to the Baghdad government by UK forces in defiance of the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg. Defence Secretary John Hutton said Faisal Al-Saadoon, 56, and Khalaf Mufdhi, 58, were ...
The World: Pay day blues.(News)
Jan 01, 2009 ... THOUSANDS of workers had their New Year plans disrupted after the UK's biggest building society failed to deliver wages on time. Nationwide apologised yesterday afternoon after admitting a ...
The World: Comic Lee in court.(News)
Jan 01, 2009 ... STAND-up comic Lee Hurst has pleaded not guilty to smashing an audience member's mobile phone at one of his gigs. The bald-headed comedian, who lives in London, is alleged to ...
The World: Human head found.(News)
Jan 01, 2009 ... A MUMMIFIED human head was found in a bag by a woman out walking in the Newhaven ...
Quiz Of The Day.(Features)
Jan 01, 2009 ... 1. The credit crunch could mean more people lose their sight as they try to save cash by doing what, a charity said? 2. Elderly people who live in care homes will receive a spending money increase of how much next year? 3. Which Hollywood actor has married his ...
M-way body murder hunt; CRIME: Man killed before being dumped and set on fire.(News)
Jan 01, 2009 ... Byline: By Edward Chadwick A MAN was murdered before his body was dumped at the side of a motorway and set on fire, police have revealed. Warwickshire Police said the victim - a man aged between about 45 and 75 - had suffered substantial head injuries. The ...
PM calls for Gaza truce.(News)
Jan 01, 2009 ... PRIME Minister Gordon Brown last night called for an "immediate and urgent" ceasefire in the Gaza Strip as he warned of a humanitarian crisis in the Palestinian territory. Mr Brown's appeal came after Israel rejected a European call for a two-day halt to air strikes which have ...
Closure of stores likely for Adams.(News)
Jan 01, 2009 ... ADMINISTRATORS for children swear chain Adams have warned store closures are likely following the collapse of the business. PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) will make a further announcement early next week, but in the current retail environment it said some shop closures were ...
Men disappear after boy is shot.(News)
Jan 01, 2009 ... POLICE are hunting two men who took a seriously injured 14-year-old to hospital after he was shot in the chest. Medical staff called in officers after the boy was brought to Northwick Park Hospital, in north-west London. Two unidentified men put the ...
End of an era; RETAIL: Sadness as Woolies store prepares to close its doors for the last time.(News)
Jan 01, 2009 ... Byline: By Kat Keogh BIRMINGHAM will lose one of its best-known stores this weekend when the flagship city centre Woolworths finally shuts down. The Pallasades branch will lock its doors for good on Saturday as part of the ailing store giant's national programme of ...
Major road works until May.(News)
Jan 01, 2009 ... Byline: By Emma McKinney A BUSY section of a Midland motorway is to be hit by two major road works in the next five months - but highways chiefs insist motorists will not be facing gridlocks. Work is due to begin on Monday on a pounds 4.75 million upgrade of the ...
Airline acts to protect passengers.(News)
Jan 01, 2009 ... THE biggest airline to operate scheduled flights from Birmingham has announced that it will refund anybody who has to cancel their trip because of redundancy. Flybe's free new insurance cover will mean that passengers who lose their job will be able to reclaim the cost of their ...
Pipe repairs shut school.(News)
Jan 01, 2009 ... MAJOR out-of-hours repair work on a gas main will be keeping Black Country children off school in the New Year. The work has been ordered by Walsall Council after a gas leak was traced to underground pipes. Parents, children and staff at Elmwood School are being ...
Son on dad killing charge.(News)
Jan 01, 2009 ... A MAN has appeared in court charged with murdering his own father who died after he was fatally attacked with a machete. Zahid Mohammed, 20, of Bordesley Green, Bordesley Green, was remanded in custody yesterday ...
New Year peak for domestic violence; ATTACKS: Police step up patrols and urge victims not to suffer in silence.(News)
Jan 01, 2009 ... Byline: By Mark Cowan CRIME CORRESPONDENT POLICE today urged domestic violence victims not to suffer in silence after it emerged the New Year period was their busiest for attacks. Last year, calls to police increased by 40 per cent with 278 domestic abuse-related ...
Bank's festive delivery.(News)
Jan 01, 2009 ... MIDLAND youngsters enjoyed a merrier Christmas thanks to a bumper delivery of presents from Barclays Bank staff to the charity Action For Children. More than 195 gifts, including toys, games, puzzles, cuddly toys, dressing-up outfits, books and stationery were dropped off at the ...
Fond farewell to stalwart.(News)
Jan 01, 2009 ... IT'S a case of New Year new start for the head of one of Birmingham's top schools as she steps down after more than a decade in charge. Pat Beanland has worked at Kings Norton Girls' School for more than 30 years and has been at the helm for the past 13. Under her ...
Carnival group out to recruit.(News)
Jan 01, 2009 ... A PLEA for volunteers has been made to help the small band of people who organise an annual Midland carnival. The eight-member committee has run Kidderminster's carnival for the last 17 years but chairman Colin Hill said it was time the hard working team had some help. ...
Raid scoops figurines.(News)
Jan 01, 2009 ... POLICE are appealing for help to track down figurines worth more than pounds 1,000 stolen in a raid on a Midland home. The Royal Doulton figurines were taken during a burglary in Lord Street, Chapel Ash, ...
Woman jumps to escape fire.(News)
Jan 01, 2009 ... A WOMAN leapt to safety from a second floor window of her blazing Midland home. It is believed the fire at a property in Pinewood Avenue, Smethwick, was started by a child playing with ...
Close encounter remains a mystery; PARANORMAL: Six flying objects were travelling 'at about 150 miles per hour'.(News)
Jan 01, 2009 ... Byline: By Paul Bradley AN amateur pilot had an alien encounter when he spotted three pairs of UFOs flying over his Midlands home on Christmas Eve. Dad-of-two, Andrew Freke, aged 47, was smoking a cigarette in his back garden in Solihull when he spotted a bright ...
Developer gives out Xmas gifts.(News)
Jan 01, 2009 ... SERIOUSLY ill youngsters at Birmingham Children's Hospital received a much-needed boost when they were gifted new toys as part of a special Christmas appeal. Workers from housing developer Crest Nicholson handed over a sack full of goodies to Cancer and Leukaemia patients on the ...
MP hitlists metal theft.(News)
Jan 01, 2009 ... METAL thieves will be on the hitlist when a local MP meets Home Office bosses soon. West Bromwich East's Tom Watson has pledged to fight the "blight" of metal thefts that have hit the region, causing, he said, around pounds 80,000- worth ...
Help for parents who lose a baby; HOSPITAL: Charity providing memory boxes of precious items to take home.(News)
Jan 01, 2009 ... Byline: By Jane Tyler GRIEVING parents at Birmingham Women's Hospital whose babies have died will now have precious memories of them. The hospital has been given a set of special boxes by the charity Birmingham Sands. Each box contains two teddies - one ...
Prize right for drive questionnaire.(News)
Jan 01, 2009 ... BLACK Country highways bosses have rewarded one lucky householder who took advantage of a major drive to unclog the region's roads. Almost 500 residents paid Sandwell Council to install footway crossings outside their homes giving them vehicle access to driveways, enabling them ...
Film scores save the best til last; REVIEW Space Classics LONDON CONCERT ORCHESTRA, SYMPHONY HALL.(News)
Jan 01, 2009 ... Byline: GRAHAM YOUNG AS an out-of-this-world festive treat, Space Classics was just the job. Its energy blew away everyone's Christmas cobwebs and took us everywhere from the Starship Enterprise to a galaxy far, far away. The only thing lacking was a full ...
Workers in factory fire.(News)
Jan 01, 2009 ... TWO night shift workers had to be led to safety following a fire at a Small Heath poultry processing factory. The men were treated by paramedics for smoke inhalation as fire crews tackled the blaze at the Rapyal Meat and Poultry factory in Wright ...
Mother's holiday appeal for Elijah; FAMILY: Kaddy needs to raise pounds 10,000 to take her poorly son on Florida trip.(News)
Jan 01, 2009 ... Byline: By Kat Keogh THE mum of a poorly Birmingham toddler is hoping people will dig deep to give her son a belated Christmas present. Kaddy Thomas needs to raise pounds 10,000 to take little Elijah on holiday to Florida after he spent Christmas in hospital for the ...
Fire plans criticised.(News)
Jan 01, 2009 ... THE fight to save Sandwell fire stations has been taken up by the local council. The authority backed a motion from council leader Councillor Bill Thomas to urge West Midlands Fire Authority to wait until the new year before making any final decisions. The proposals ...
Housing market woe.(News)
Jan 01, 2009 ... Byline: By Justine Halifax THE New Year will see Tamworth's ailing housing market dealt another blow, the town's would-be MP has warned. Tamworth's housing market is "on its knees" and has become a "waste land" yet Labour is making it more difficult and expensive to ...
Time to quit with resolution.(News)
Jan 01, 2009 ... HEALTH bosses called on smokers to snub out the habit for their New Year's resolution. Carol Leiper, Stop Smoking Co-ordinator at Sandwell Stop Smoking Service, said: "Evidence shows you are four times more likely to stop smoking with the support of an NHS service than by going ...
Volunteers quick to help.(News)
Jan 01, 2009 ... A STAGGERING 600 people responded to an appeal for volunteers to help at Birmingham's new superhospital. Bosses of University Hospital Birmingham Foundation Trust, replacing ageing Selly Oak and Queen Elizabeth hospitals ...
BIRMINGHAM Mail: Our Say.(Leaders)
Jan 01, 2009 ... ITS appeal had waned over the years - otherwise it would still be with us - but there is no mistaking the affection in which Woolworths was held by many shoppers. Older readers will remember it in its bustling heyday, when its low prices, the convenience of its stores' high ...
Letter: Your Say - Time for Gaza peace, Tony; Supported by Royal Mail.(Letters)
Jan 01, 2009 ... Byline: S T Vaughan AS THE Middle East boils over into war, where is the special peace envoy? After all, wasn't this Tony Blair's new job? Wasn't he being paid another fortune to make sure that talking replaced bullets and words stopped killing? Like the ...
Letter: Your Say - Best bangers; Supported by Royal Mail.(Letters)
Jan 01, 2009 ... Byline: M Venables LASHFORDS sausages are always available at the village shop, Earlswood. I won't buy anything else. On the subject of badlybehaved children eating out, I agree with ...
Letter: Your Say - Shocked at view; Supported by Royal Mail.(Letters)
Jan 01, 2009 ... Byline: Adrian Fitzpatrick HAVING read the Maureen Messent column in the Birmingham Mail (December 19) I was completely and utterly flabbergasted at her comments re. the deaths of four young lads and indeed the burglar who was crushed to death. We are lucky in our ...
Letter: Your Say - Rethink reforms; Supported by Royal Mail.(Letters)
Jan 01, 2009 ... Byline: David Robins THE government is proposing welfare reforms that some people will think long overdue. But I think single parents contribute well to society as it is and bring children up alone, often in poor and trying circumstances. I am unsure ...
Letter: Your Say - Bigger picture; Supported by Royal Mail.(Letters)
Jan 01, 2009 ... Byline: Linda Middleton WHY is there is so much a mazement at the amount of alcohol consumed? It can't be that difficult to to see. If you go back to the year dot, alcohol has always been drunk. Back in the 1960s, men and women got drunk on a regular ...
Letter: Your Say - Dance off! Supported by Royal Mail.(Letters)
Jan 01, 2009 ... Byline: Reg Plant I AGREE with N E Fletcher regarding Strictly Dancing, if one can call it that, more like a sleazy strip show. I've only watched it a couple of times ... how on earth can they dance to the music? ...
Letter: Your Say - Ode to Woolies; Supported by Royal Mail.(Letters)
Jan 01, 2009 ... Byline: Julia M Lucchesi GOODBYE Woolworths, it's hard to die; With tears, flowing from my eye. Happiness and sadness we've shared; But unfortunately you could not be spared. From childhood to the end, You were there, like ...
Letter: Your Say - Many thanks; Supported by Royal Mail.(Letters)
Jan 01, 2009 ... Byline: I J Cashmore WE WOULD like to say a very big thank you to Maria at King Edward VI Grammar School (Five Ways), Bartley Green, and everyone who helped with the buffet for pensioners in December. The ...
St Paul's gives firm New Year honour; CATHEDRAL: Badge supplier's link with OBE marked in new gift collection.(News)
Jan 01, 2009 ... Byline: By Jon Griffin A BIRMINGHAM company is enjoying a special New Year honour - showcasing its wares within the cloisters of St Paul's Cathedral in London. To tie in with the announcement of the Honours List, St Paul's has launched The OBE Collection, a range of ...
Find out more at meetings.(News)
Jan 01, 2009 ... BLACK Country residents are being invited to find out what is happening in their area at a series of public meetings. the next round of area committees takes place in Dudley throughout January and people can find out about a range of services available to them as well as funding ...
Pet brings festive joy.(News)
Jan 01, 2009 ... Byline: By Emma McKinney ELDERLY residents at a Midland care home enjoyed a visit from a four-legged friend when they were treated to a day of canine therapy. Six-year-old red and white border collie Mouse was the star guest at Willow Grange Care Home in Olton, ...
Traps laid to catch car thieves.(News)
Jan 01, 2009 ... Byline: By Justine Halifax A trAp has been laid for would-be car thieves who ignore police warnings to steer clear. Chase police chiefs are warning potential car thieves that a series of decoy vehicles have been left across the division with plain-clothed officers ...
pounds 8m work on tower block.(News)
Jan 01, 2009 ... CONSTRUCTION firm thomas Vale has started work on an pounds 8 million project to transform a tower of flats in Oldbury. the 85-week project at Lancaster House is the largest ...
Deliver us a first-class service, not daft ideas; The Stirrer To Lord Mandelson, Business Secretary, c/o 10 Downing Street.(Features)
Jan 01, 2009 ... Byline: ADRIAN GOLDBERG Dear Lord Mandelson, I'm writing an open letter about the part-privatisation of Royal Mail because, let's face it, it's a lot cheaper than sending it through the post - and a great deal more reliable too. Ever since your government ...
Graduates drafted in as wards fill up; HEALTH: 'Talent pool' set up to meet flood of patients as temperatures plunge.(News)
Jan 01, 2009 ... Byline: By Alison Dayani HEALTH CORRESPONDENT HEALTH bosses battling to cope with huge winter pressures on the NHS are using a scheme to fast-track newly qualified health workers straight on to the frontline. NHS West Midlands, the region's health authority, set up ...
Race track cash boost.(News)
Jan 01, 2009 ... A POPULAR Walsall race track, where young people enjoy the thrills and excitement of Moto X, has gained support from The Midcounties Co-operative. The Frank F Harrison Moto X Park in Willenhall Lane, Bloxwich, was given pounds 500 to buy helmets, boots, gloves and ...
Furniture gift to Africa.(News)
Jan 01, 2009 ... Byline: By Nick McCarthy CHILDREN in Africa have received vital furniture and equipment from a Castle Bromwich secondary school. Park Hall School handed over two containers full of old furniture and equipment to schools in the Gambia and Sierra Leone. The ...
Orchestra in festive mood.(News)
Jan 01, 2009 ... MUSIC fans are being invited to a performance of a Christmas masterpiece by a Midland orchestra. Bach's Christmas Oratorio will be performed by singers ...
Message of hope to villagers.(News)
Jan 01, 2009 ... Byline: By Diane Parkes MEMBERS of the Sutton Coldfield Amnesty International Group have been sending their goodwill overseas - to Palestinian villages. The group has written a message in Arabic, photographed themselves holding it and emailed it to Amnesty ...
Quality on a plate in so many styles; Food & Drink Restaurant Spy.(Features)
Jan 01, 2009 ... IN THESE days of economic gloom, you might expect that this city's restaurant scene would be diminishing rather than improving. Think again. For the past 12 months have seen Birmingham go from strength to strength. So much so that even national critics have begun to ...
Frugal entertaining; Food & Drink Recipes.(Features)
Jan 01, 2009 ... WHEN it's cold and bleak outside, it's great having people over for dinner. They're always grateful to be fed, it's a chance to cook something more exciting than the usual weekday pasta and sauce combo, and it's a good way to return favours or get to know people better. ...
This spud is a winter winner; Food & Drink Ingredient Of The Week.(Features)
Jan 01, 2009 ... Byline: CHRIS DUFFY NEW Year's Day is the perfect time to start afresh in the kitchen, particularly after the rich excesses of Christmas. Plain, simple but tasty fare has to be the way to go - and a traditional British staple, the spud, is a great starting point. Not ...
Cheap As Chips; Food & Drink Bromford Lane Chippy, Bromford Lane, Erdington.(Features)
Jan 01, 2009 ... Byline: GRAHAM YOUNG BY THE time you've managed to negotiate any of the junctions near to this chippy at peak time you might well be ravenous - all the more reason why my pre-Christmas lunchtime trip in search of a treat was a little disappointing. The chips in a ...
Research is world class; ACCOLADE: Business school named a global leader.(Business)
Jan 01, 2009 ... Byline: By Jon Griffin BUSINESS EDITOR BIRMINGHAM City Business School is riding high for 2009 after winning a global accolade for its research achievements. The school, part of Birmingham City University, has been officially recognised for its world-leading research, ...
In the swim for charity.(Business)
Jan 01, 2009 ... A PAIR of West Midland business executives donned Victorian-style bathing suits on Christmas Day to take the plunge for charity. Public sector health consultant John Griffiths and car showroom sales executive Karl Cinnamond braved the late December chill to take a dip in ...