The date has been revealed by Lidl for the official opening of a brand new store in Wombourne Watch more of our videos on ShotsTV.comand on Freeview 262 or Freely 565 The supermarket chain has confirmed that its new Wombourne store on Bridgnorth Road will officially open on Thursday  The opening will be marked by a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by the Vice-Chairman of Wombourne Parish Council The store will be open from 8am to 10pm from Monday to Saturday and from 10am to 4pm on Sundays, with the store offering Lidl Plus offers and complimentary food sampling throughout the opening weekend Spanning 1,225m², the store will feature the discounter’s bakery, Middle of Lidl, and customer facilities including toilets with baby-changing stations there will be ample parking for both cars and bicycles including electric vehicle charging points whilst solar panels on the roof will help power the store The multi-million-pound investment is also creating around 40 new jobs with Lidl saying that colleagues will receive one of the highest rates of pay in the sector said: “It’s fantastic to announce the opening of our first-ever Wombourne store "With many in the area previously travelling to Kingswinford for our affordable this new store will make shopping much more convenient "We’re excited to become part of the local community and can’t wait to welcome customers through the doors in the coming weeks.” These cookies are required for the operation of the site and cannot be managed We use Google Analytics to track page visits through the site the route someone took through the site and an approximate location for the user This cookie helps us to understand a user's route through the site This does not record any personal details or monitor anything you type in our forms Residents of South Staffordshire will soon see progress on the repairs to the Wombourne Household Waste Recycling Centre which has been closed for essential safety reasons The Wombourne site was closed after ground subsidence in early March experienced subsidence near the former quarry face Staffordshire County Council has been working diligently to address the issue and plan for the site’s reopening Arrangements will be put in place at the entrance to the Wombourne HWRC site the site will be open on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 10am to 3pm Two containers will be available each day—one for cardboard and one for plastic This interim solution will run for 8 weeks The county council has engaged a contractor to carry out repairs on the Wombourne HWRC site Further information will be announced soon Infrastructure and Climate Change at Staffordshire County Council “We have been working hard behind the scenes to find a practical solution for South Staffordshire residents needing somewhere to dispose of their household waste I am very pleased that we have a plan in place to provide interim services while we work on the repairs “We are pulling out all the stops to reopen the Wombourne site with resident and staff safety remaining our number one priority.” For more information and updates, please visit the Staffordshire County Council website These contact details are for journalists and members of the media only: Email: pressoffice@staffordshire.gov.ukCall: 01785 895050 If you are not a journalist or member of the media and have a general enquiry please: Email: contactus@staffordshire.gov.ukCall: 0300 111 8000 Two men have been jailed for a combined total of 10 years after a car was stolen at knifepoint in South Staffordshire Dylan Maskery Hurd and Callum Talbot were riding on a moped on September 11 last year when they spotted a man getting out of a Volkswagen Golf R on Brooke Road in Wombourne, near Wolverhampton they launched an attack on the victim after demanding his car keys and took them from his pocket The man was not seriously injured, Staffordshire Police said Officers found the car abandoned on a car park off Terrace Street in Brierley Hill and then identified suspects with the help of CCTV footage Maskery Hurd and Talbot were both charged and eventually pleaded guilty to robbery The pair were sentenced at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court on Friday (March 21) from the Staffordshire Police City Proactive Team said: “Two dangerous thieves have been taken off our streets after we launched an investigation into this robbery “Dedicated officers are working hard every day across Staffordshire to robustly target those blighting local communities and this is another example of that.” Up to three live music and performance events a year can be held at a car boot sale site near Wombourne despite residents’ concerns they may lead to noise disturbance and safety issues There were more than 20 objections to the premises licence for the field at the junction of Wombourne Road and Bridgnorth Road which is also known as Col's Car Boot Sale Site But this month South Staffordshire Council granted the licence to allow up to three days of events each year including music The licence is subject to a series of conditions however including limiting events to Fridays and Saturdays and start and finish times to 10am to 6pm with alcohol sales allowed between 11am and 5pm with no more than 3,000 to be sold for each day that an event is held Free parking is to be provided on site and the accredited traffic management company is to be instructed to encourage no parking on nearby roads The applicants had initially requested permission for events and alcohol sales to take place until 8pm as well as outdoor boxing or wrestling to take place But these activity requests were later withdrawn Wombourne Parish Council objected to the licence application The parish council’s objection letter stated: “We believe that this application could expose local families and young people to significant risks “Ensuring the safety of children is a priority for the parish council and we feel that these events could have a detrimental impact on the safety and well-being of young people in Wombourne and its surrounding areas Additional policing may be required to manage these risks diverting valuable resources from other local duties “An event of this nature could result in large numbers of visitors which may lead to increased traffic and parking issues within the village affecting the peaceful nature of the area.” A resident living opposite the field said: “This will cause even more traffic and the junction is already notorious for road traffic accidents We have no chance of turning right when the car boots are on ”Another objector said: “I have lived in Wombourne all my life and to have this on my doorstep is a disgrace Firstly it will increase the amount of rubbish and pollution along the Bridgnorth road “Secondly it will increase the road congestion – it is always a nightmare to get through traffic when Cols Car Boot is on When these events are on at these times (they) will cause a lot of traffic plus risking more road traffic accidents on an already busy road.” Applicants Donna Turley and Charlotte Whitehouse agreed a series of conditions with Staffordshire Police and Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service should the licence be granted a report to the Licensing Sub-Committee said The pair also gave details of how they would meet licensing objectives such as preventing crime and disorder and public nuisance They said: “All staff/marshals will be briefed on our zero-tolerance policy towards drugs Any such behaviour will be reported promptly to security or event organisers and dealt with accordingly; staff will maintain a visible presence to deter potential issues “A controlled noise level will be set appropriately to comply with regulations Noise level will be monitored regularly with our equipment Two men have been charged after a car was stolen at knifepoint in Wombourne Dylan Maskery Hurd, 18, and Callum Talbot, 23, have been charged following the incident on Brooke Road in Wombourne on September 11 launched an attack on a motorist and demanded his keys before taking them out of his pocket themselves The pair then made off with the victim's Volkswagen Golf R Although the defendants brandished a knife during the attack Officers later found the car abandoned on a car park off Terrace Street in Brierley Hill They were able to identify the offenders through CCTV footage and evidence Dylan Maskery Hurd and Callum Talbot appeared at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court on Monday after being charged with offences relating to the robbery last year They were both charged and eventually pleaded guilty to robbery at their court appearance on Monday Maskey Hurd and Talbot have been remanded ahead of their sentencing on March 21 Detective Sergeant Marc Proctor said: “We’re tightening the net on those involved in serious acquisitive crime each and every day across Staffordshire. “I can assure local communities that burglary theft and robbery remains a key focus area for proactive officers who are working around the clock to stop to those responsible and put them before the courts.” A Severn Trent project manager is making waves in the world of bodybuilding - after being crowned Mr Universe in Venice is a Senior Project Manager at the Midlands water company and runs some of the biggest investment schemes across the region Now the former Severn Trent Graduate has completed his own Italian Job by becoming Mr Universe after representing Team GB in the international event said: “It was a really emotional moment when I won sister and my girlfriend Sarah were all there to support me “I’d dedicated all of my spare time for that moment some days I was in the gym for 4.30am before later starting work Matt started out as a graduate at Severn Trent almost seven years ago a scheme which has helped hundreds of young people into work over the years He said: “It was the perfect job for me after university where I had taken Business Studies I wanted an exciting and clear career path and the scheme gave me that.”   He added: “I spent time with many teams during my graduate scheme and built up the expertise about the industry that you need You move around the business during your rotations so you make the contacts that are vital to being a project manager.” Matt has worked as project manager in bioresources and on plans for a new pure water reservoir in Frankley on the Birmingham and Worcestershire border His hard work saw him promoted to senior project manager last year and he is currently overseeing a number of key investment projects in the region Bodybuilding runs in the family as dad Roger used to pump iron and trained Matt and his older brother Ash – who has also won British titles – from their teens Years of dedication came to fruition in September when he won the British Championships and qualified for the Venice event He lifted the Mr Universe crown – in the Men’s Physique category – in November said: “I’m as passionate about my job as I am about my bodybuilding “And you actually need many of the same attributes for the sport as you do for project managing – including hard work “My favourite part of the job is building the right team for the right project and then seeing that through to benefit customers.” Matt is now looking to build on his amateur title success by training for the professional Mr Olympia circuit in 2026/27 and beyond - but says his workmates are keeping his feet firmly on the ground “Since coming back from Venice I’ve had a bit of gentle ribbing about being Mr Universe “It goes to show we have a great team environment here where we all share in our successes.” Wombourne HWRC will be operating five days a week A household waste recycling centre (HWRC) temporarily closed by subsidence will reopen on Friday Wombourne HWRC will open from 10am to 4pm five days a week thereafter The southern side of the site will be open to four cars at a time and will accept general waste Staffordshire County Council’s Cabinet member for Environment We have worked hard to reopen Wombourne for the local community and I would thank everyone for their patience and understanding while we resolved this unusual situation Our arrangements for eligible residents to use Dudley Council’s Stourbridge site remain in place and Bilbrook HWRC is also an option for some.” Residents will still be able to use the Stourbridge site if they come from a qualifying postcode, eligible addresses are listed here Visits to Stourbridge must be booked in advance with 10 minute slots available through an online booking system. Vans Bilbrook HWRC is also available and is open seven days a week and can be found at Pendeford Mill Lane The centre accepts most forms of household waste A former bank premises in the village of Wombourne could become a restaurant Development plans submitted to South Staffordshire Council this week would see the former bank on the corner of Gravel Hill and High Street in Wombourne converted into a food and drink business The building has sat empty since it was decomissioned by Barclays in 2023 having functioned as a bank in the village since 1968 but the proposal by applicants Bradley Holdings would see the "prominent" former branch of Barclays become a restaurant with a separate bar area and takeaway according to documents submitted with the scheme If the plans are approved by council planners a total of 30 solar panels will also be placed on the roof of the building which the applicant says will aid both the longevity and carbon footprint of the building bar and takeaway to operate independently," said a design statement submitted with the proposals A new battery energy storage site has been given the green light for farmland south of Wombourne The temporary facility, which will be in place for around 40 years, is earmarked for two parcels of land to the east and west of Wombourne Road South Staffordshire Council received 17 objections to the proposals from members of the public for reasons including development in the green belt risk to nearby woodland and construction traffic Wombourne Parish Council strongly opposed the application while Swindon Parish Council recommended it be refused due to industrialisation of the Green Belt and loss of agricultural land A report to the planning committee said that the land proposed for the development comprised 72.5 per cent Grade 3b (moderate quality agricultural land) and 27.5 per cent Grade 4 (poor quality agricultural land) meaning it would not result in the loss of any best and most versatile (BMV) land The application was recommended for approval by planning officers ahead of Tuesday’s (April 15) meeting and committee members voted to allow it said: “The proposed battery energy storage site will provide a means of storing renewable energy when it would otherwise be wasted therefore it will provide a vital element of infrastructure Fire consultants have worked with us to design a safe scheme and a battery safety management plan – discussions have been held with the local fire service which confirmed no outstanding issues.” The report to the planning committee said: “The proposed battery energy storage facility (BESS) meets the definition of grey belt and would not be inappropriate development in the Green Belt as assessed against the criteria which are set out in paragraph 155 of the NPPF (National Planning Policy Framework) The proposed development would be temporary and time-limited to 40 years after which time all infrastructure would be removed from the site “The proposal incorporates new tree planting native species hedgerow and enhanced planting buffers As such the development would not detrimentally impact upon the landscape of the area and would enhance biodiversity.” A housing developer has lodged plans for the construction of a new estate near Wolverhampton to meet the area's needs Bellway Homes wants to put up 41 properties  which is nine more than initially proposed - at a 4.3-acre site off Orton Lane in Wombourne and install a new road. It has now submitted a full planning application to South Staffordshire Council The design and access report states:  "The local area has an ageing population which is higher than the national average therefore the inclusion of bungalows ensures that the proposals for the site meet a specialist housing need "As they get older a majority of people prefer to live in single-storey properties within neighbourhoods that have good amenities and public transport links like Wombourne."  The deadline for objections and comments is March 19 They can be submitted via email to planning@sstaffs.gov.uk The application can be viewed online via sstaffs.gov.uk/planning Work to create a new building at a Wombourne school is progressing The new learning space at Wombourne High School is on track for completion with teaching set to begin there in Autumn 2025 and Music facilities for pupils at the Ounsdale Road school which is part of the Invictus Education Trust Headteacher Claire Powell said the space will "transform the educational experience" for school goers She added: "This new building will provide better resources for current students and for future generations state-of-the-art environment for students to learn enabling them to reach their full potential." The school said it marked a "major milestone" in the project this month after the first parts of the building arrived on site said: “We are thrilled to see the progress made on this project so far and we look forward to seeing the end result "We know our current and future students will benefit from this amazing facility.”   The school has worked with construction company Reds10 the Department for Education and the council to help deliver the project added: "We look forward to seeing these cutting-edge spaces come to life and the positive impact they will have on the students and wider school community."  An application has been to turn an area outside of Wombourne into an entertainment area The premises licence application has been made to South Staffordshire Council for land on the corner of Wombourne Road and Common Road and Botterham Lane in Wombourne The application would see events such as boxing wrestling and films take place on the land as well as live and recorded music and supply of alcohol on Fridays and Saturdays from 10am to 8pm South Staffordshire Council Licensing Team has asked anyone wishing to offer a comment or object to the application to get in touch by October 21 A Wombourne-based firm has received a business boost from Retail Entrepreneur Theo Paphitis threw her hat into the ring and told Theo about her business during ‘Small Business Sunday’ and was one of six weekly winners to gain a repost by Theo to his half a million Twitter 50k+ Instagram and almost 300k LinkedIn followers now has over 4,000 #SBS winners and supports small businesses in the UK 2025 sees the 15th anniversary of #SBS Small Business Sunday Business and retail entrepreneur and self-confessed Shopkeeper Theo re‐shared Carolyn’s message to his combined 800,000 Twitter LinkedIn and Instagram followers and they are also profiled on the #SBS website (theopaphitissbs.com) that is exclusive to all Small Business Sunday winners Carolyn said: “Being recognised by Theo Paphitis as a Small Business Sunday winner is a testament to the dedication and passion poured into TPSquared As a proud female-founder and creative agency leader my mission has always been to support other women and uphold accessibility design principles This acknowledgment fuels mine and the teams commitment to design with purpose and make a meaningful difference.” producing work for the likes of the University of Wolverhampton Star Scaffolding and Black Country Living Museum The award-winning creative agency was crowned the winner of the Consultancy & Professional Services and Small Business of the Year categories at the Black Country Chamber of Commerce Business Awards in 2024 and was also recognised for their outstanding commitment to the community at the South Staffordshire Council 50th Anniversary Awards winning the Business Community Contribution Award Small business champion and Ryman Stationery said: “We are thrilled to welcome new #SBS members every week and highlight just how important it is to support our small businesses here in the UK My vision is that everyone who has ever won an #SBS re-tweet from me becomes part of a friendly club; like-minded individuals who can share successes and learnings The website will also give a valuable profile to the winners chosen and I wish TPSquared every success.” Anyone looking for a re‐post from Theo should post to him on X LinkedIn or Instagram about their business on Sunday between 5pm and 7.30pm and include the hashtag #SBS Six lucky businesses are re‐tweeted every Monday at 8pm and then invited to enter their profile on the new website attend the annual #SBS networking event and take advantage of the networking opportunities More information on how TPSquared helps shape brands can be found via its website Darkstar Derbyshire gave their hopes of MAAREE Women Super League survival a lift as they narrowly defeated the side one place above them in the table Both sides are in danger of finishing in the bottom three which means a play-off against the side who claim second place in NVL Division 1 (currently London Giants).  But it was Maria Bertelli’s side who maintained their recent improved form albeit by doing it the hard way and going the distance.  refused to buckle and after forcing a decider held their nerve to clinch it by just two points (16-25 Hajar El Alouani was chosen as MVP for Darkstar and Krystalynn Leomiti for Cambridge.  While Darkstar remain four points behind their beaten rivals they have a game in hand and could move to within a point this weekend if they beat bottom club Wessex in convincing fashion and Cambridge lose to high-flying Malory Eagles.  It bodes for an exciting end to the season as both have sides in and around the drop zone still to play meaning either could even still finish above sixth-placed Durham Palatinates and avoid the drop completely Lionhearts Vinarius edged close to clinching a Final 4 spot with their 10th victory of the season The Londoners took control from the outset on the South Coast and were never in trouble in wrapping up a 25-16 Kersti Sorra was the pick of the Lionhearts players to be selected as MVP while Vicky Palmer got the nod for Wessex.  two wins from three will definitely see them play-off for end-of-season glory one match took place on Thursday might and it was an important North East derby in the race for the Final 4.  Newcastle Knights beat rivals Durham Palatinates in straight sets in a match that got easier for them as it went on (26-24 while Owen Wienczkowski took the honours for the visitors.  The Knights moved back into the top four as a result one place and one point above the University of Nottingham and their fate in terms of clinching a Final 4 place is now firmly in their own hands.  While the Palatinates are not yet completely out of it their chances now look slim with three other contenders ahead of them in the race and games running out.  Leeds Gorse now need just one more full-points win to guarantee the Men's NVL Division 1 title as their task got a little bit easier without even playing.  were beaten in straight sets by West Midlands rivals Newcastle Staffs on Saturday (25-15 It leaves Gorse 16 points clear on 45 points with BC now only able to get up to 47 points if they were to win all six of their remaining matches.  could be confirmed as soon as this Saturday should they overcome Cambridge ARU in a maximum point success.  it produced to be a frustrating weekend as they joy at beating a high-flyer changed to disappointment on Sunday as they own play-off hopes were hit by defeat at Tamworth Spartans.  that the hosts’ straight sets success (25-20 25-19) has propelled them up to ninth as the race to avoid the drop really hots up.  Wigan Seahawks leapfrogged above Kings of Court and moved into third place after coming from a set down to prevail (20-25 and remain strong favourites for promotion.  The other match saw Leeds Gorse 2 carry their record to 4-4 with a four-set success over bottom club Harrogate (25-19 There were no matches in Division 2 Central Hounslow created a further buffer between themselves and those at the bottom after reverse sweeping Wiltshire Mavericks (20-25 No matches were played across the regional areas or Division 3.  London Giants kept their pressure up on leaders Newcastle Knights by cutting their lead to nine points with two games in hand after weekend victory at Stockport.  The hosts temporarily sent shockwaves through the Londoners by taking the first set but the response was emphatic as they reeled off the next three to seal a 10th victory in 11 league games.  Southampton’s position in Division 1 is hanging by the faintest of threads after their latest defeat – this time to London Inter Crocs who have used the last few weeks to pull away from danger.  or a win for any of their relegation rivals means they will be consigned to the drop.  Just one match was contested in Division 2 East where it was a good day for Onyx as they moved to within three points of opponents Norwich Spikers with a 3-0 triumph on the road (25-21 While there was no match in Division 3 North there were matches in the other three regions.  The most meaningful of them was in the West Midlands where Wombourne became the first team across all divisions of the NVL to clinch the league title in making it 14 wins from 14 matches so far.  The latest teams to suffer at their hands were Black Country 2 and Leicester Athena Nova while the latter beat the former 3-1 in the other triangular fixture.  Tendring gave their hopes of securing a play-off spot in Division 3 South East a boost as they secured double victory over Invicta and Dartford Warriors (both by 3-1 margins).  The other clash saw Invicta twice bounce back from a set down to secure a five-set thriller They are now four points clear of third-placed Worthing with Sussex Dolphins still leading the way and looking likely divisional winners.  A solitary game in Division 3 South West saw Bristol 2 keep themselves in the hunt for a play-off berth with a straightforward win over Plymouth UTV (25-13 For all the NVL fixtures and results, click here.  Here is what will be happening over the next few months at some of the venues which are spread across the country.   Alan Bell will always be a man who loved volleyball and was determined to use the sport to bring the best out of young people in his local area.  Selection nominations are now open for England-qualified players for three Senior NEVZA Tournaments.  The latest achievements in relation to Volleyball England's strategic plan Wombourne based Insolation Solar has been named the Best Solar Company in Wolverhampton by the prestigious Industry Oversight Report 2024 which evaluated 50 top West Midlands Area contractors specialising in Grid-Tied highlights Insolation Solar’s exceptional performance and commitment to excellence in the renewable energy sector with winners chosen through a rigorous evaluation process using a 150-point inspection Industry Oversight’s annual report is regarded as a key benchmark for excellence in the solar energy sector "Insolation Solar is honoured to be recognised as the Best Solar Company in Wolverhampton," said Wendy Login "This award reflects our dedication to delivering world-class solar solution sand continually raising the bar in customer satisfaction It’s especially rewarding to be acknowledged by an organisation as forward-thinking as Industry Oversight "By providing high-quality installations for Grid-Tied the company is empowering homeowners and businesses to reduce energy costs and their environmental footprint." The company says the award celebrates Insolation Solar’s success in advancing renewable energy adoption through cutting-edge technology and tailored solar energy solutions "This should give our new potential customers the confidence in choosing us to install their solar panel system knowing that they are getting first class help and advice from an honest company who know what they are talking about and will understand the needs of each install," added Wendy "Even though we are a small family run business we have caught the attention of national companies have chosen us to be their Trusted Partner in this area  Installing first class solar and battery systems for their customers Up to 89 homes could be built in a village near Wolverhampton after plans were submitted to South Staffordshire District Council The scheme proposed by housebuilder Taylor Wimpey would see residential properties built on a parcel of agricultural land off Pool House Road, Wombourne which was previously part of the green belt and has been earmarked for development under the local plan But developers say waste materials potentially used to backfill a portion of the former quarry site may pose a risk to future residents - and say further investigation may be required before work is started on the site According to the plans 36 of the proposed 89 homes would be made available as affordable housing with a further 53 available on the open market Plans also include new public spaces and a children's play park Fierce Hairdressing has been crowned Best Salon of the Year 2024 and Most Sustainable Salon of the Year 2024 at the prestigious Salon Awards 2024 Owner and founder Tammy Mallett and her talented team were recognised by the judges for their exceptional skills and dedication solidifying their reputation as one of the best salons in the region Her inspiring journey from apprentice to award-winning salon owner is one of passion and fierce determination Tammy began her career at just 14 years old as a Saturday girl and honed her skills through an apprenticeship at Royston Blythe in 2002 Tammy’s resilience shone through as she adapted by operating the salon from home This dedication not only maintained her strong client relationships but also fuelled the salon’s growth post pandemic saying: “Winning these two awards fills me with pride this incredible achievement is testament to my amazing team and our wonderful clients who make every day at the salon so special.” celebrates outstanding talent and industry excellence The 2024 awards ceremony showcased the accomplishments of top salons and stylists from across the country and this year was held at the Hilton Hotel in Manchester and was hosted by Sophia Hilton with headline sponsorship from Revlon Professional is a boutique colour specialist salon offering luxury hairdressing services the salon’s welcoming atmosphere ensures that clients leave feeling pampered and glamorous It has more than 170 years of history and has become well-known and well-regarded for its warm welcome great food and standing as a community hub in a south Staffordshire village There are more and more pubs which are working more towards being dry-led, food-orientated pubs. While there is a rose-tinted view of pubs as a place to sit down and drink in a spit-and-sawdust-type environment with chairs and tables and pork scratchings the modern reality is that more pubs are looking towards serving food and providing places to sit and eat as a way to stay viable How this is presented and how well it is received can be a trickier proposition for pubs, but one pub which has become a popular place for food and drink is the Vine Wombourne Sitting on Wombourne High Street, the Vine is part of the Mitchells & Butlers Vintage Inns collection a collection which celebrates country pubs and aims to provide a comfortable dining and drinking experience in a traditional pub The Vine started life as a private house in the early 18th century drawing much of its trade form local farm labourers while the appearance of former stables at the rear of the building indicate that people travelling on horseback would have used the pub as well It has been refurbished by Vintage Inns and retains traditional features such as beams and an inglenook fireplace while also retaining a small bar area alongside the large seated area for food set and match if a tennis club near Wolverhampton gets the signal to install high nets to protect courts Members of the growing Wombourne Tennis Club in Church Road in Wombourne have lodged plans for new netting at the pitches and are hoping the designs will be given the green light by councillors The club is a section of the Wombourne Cricket, Tennis & Bowls Club and is situated in a conservation area on the village green on land donated to the community for the the playing of sport A South Staffordshire Council planning report states: "The purpose of this netting is to enhance the safety and usability of the courts while preserving the aesthetic and historical value of the area." "The proposed works involve the installation of high netting approximately six metres tall around most but not all of the perimeter of the tennis courts The netting will be constructed from galvanised steel posts multi strand horizontal line wires and 28mm black netting fixed to the line wire with UV stable zip ties "This have all been selected for their durability and minimal visual impact The design aims to blend seamlessly with the existing environment while providing the necessary functionality  The impact of the proposed high netting on the heritage assets has been carefully considered The netting will be installed in a manner that avoids physical alterations to any historic structures Its colour and materials have been chosen to minimize visual intrusion the height of the netting has been kept as low as possible while still achieving the desired safety outcomes." "In conclusion, the proposed installation of high netting - has been designed with careful consideration of the heritage context. The selected materials and design ensure that the historic and architectural significance of the area is preserved while enhancing the functionality and safety of the tennis courts We believe this proposal represents a balanced approach that respects and enhances the heritage assets of the site In 2018 the site was given a £27,000 facelift mainly funded by the umbrella club with contribution provided by the tennis arm The improvements saw two courts refurbished with a sand-filled carpet and all weather surface Around 40 members turned up to see South Staffordshire MP Sir Gavin Williamson when he paid a visit to tour the upgraded facilities A Wombourne-based company has pledged its support to a local scout group through a generous donation a local leader in renewable energy solutions has donated and installed a solar panel system at the Dudley District Scout Hut helping the group to significantly reduce their energy costs and environmental impact The donation included 12 high-quality 435-watt solar panels which are expected to cover the scout hut's electricity needs throughout the summer months and provide enough surplus energy to sell back to the grid "We wanted to give back to our community in a meaningful way and supporting the Scout movement felt like a natural choice," said Howard Login we’re ensuring that the scout hut can continue to offer these opportunities for many years to come." The installation not only helps the scout hut achieve significant cost savings but also contributes to their sustainability efforts this donation provides a long-term solution that allows the charity to reallocate funds previously used for electricity bills to other essential activities and community services "We are committed to supporting sustainable and community-focused initiatives," Howard continued "When the Dudley District Scouts reached out to us for a quote we hope to secure the future of the scout hut and encourage other businesses to think about how they can help their local communities in meaningful ways." the Dudley District Commissioner for the scouts said: "Acts of generosity by local businesses are invaluable to helping local charities "Dudley Scouts have gratefully been the recipient of a long term sustainable solution for our energy needs from Insolation Solar Ltd and is in keeping with our values for looking after the environment by reducing our carbon footprint This will provide so many local children with more opportunities by freeing up capital to allow us to focus our funding on the aims of our charity rather than paying big energy bills " The donation aligns with Insolation Solar's broader mission to promote sustainable energy solutions and support local charitable organisations The company has previously engaged in other community initiatives continuously demonstrating its commitment to both environmental stewardship and social responsibility Insolation Solar is dedicated to providing innovative and accessible renewable energy solutions to homes Their goal is to reduce carbon footprints and create a more sustainable future for all A tip in a village in Staffordshire will partially reopen six months after it initially closed due to subsidence problems Staffordshire County Council has announced some services at Wombourne Household Waste Recycling Centre (HWRC) will temporarily resume from Wednesday will be open at the Botterham Lane site on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 10am to 3pm The tip, located on an old quarry, shut at the start of March for safety reasons after it experienced subsidence near to the former quarry face The local authority said the interim solution will run for eight weeks It added that a contractor is set to carry out the needed repairs at the Botterham Lane tip with further information to be announced "soon" infrastructure and climate change at Staffordshire County Council said: "We have been working hard behind the scenes to find a practical solution for South Staffordshire residents needing somewhere to dispose of their household waste "I am very pleased that we have a plan in place to provide interim services while we work on the repairs "We are pulling out all the stops to reopen the Wombourne site with resident and staff safety remaining our number one priority." When the recycling centre was forced to close its doors in March, residents were tasked to travelling around 10 miles to their nearest tip, Bilbrook Recycling Centre on Pendeford Mill Lane in Codsall It partially reopened to residents before operations were halted again in June due to safety concerns Following their highly acclaimed Christmas Concert the Wombourne and District Choral Society are now busy rehearsing for their spring choral concert which will feature Brahms Requiem This Requiem is not primarily a Mass for the dead it is intended as comfort for those who mourn and who feel the pain of the death of others By the time he began writing the work in 1865 Brahms had just experienced such loss extremely personally: his mother had died that very same year 5 April in St John’s Church in the Square in Wolverhampton WV2 4AT The choir will be accompanied by a 34 strong professional orchestra together with guest soprano and baritone soloists all conducted by the choir's Musical Director Would you like to be part of the Brahms Requiem choir WDCS would like to invite anybody who would like the fantastic opportunity of taking part in the Brahms Requiem to join us for a term of singing for the low price of £50 for the term Rehearsals are on Mondays at 7.30pm in Springdale Methodist Church on Warstones Road Eileen Brown at eileenbrown31@talktalk.net or on 01902 892391 Wombourne & District Choral Society is a well-established drawn from the local area and has a varied repertoire often performed with soloists and an orchestra HAS-Vent Ltd has made a significant impact raising £3,449.50 to support Acorns Children’s Hospice a charity dedicated to providing life-changing care to children and families facing life-limiting conditions The success of this fundraising initiative was made possible through the generous support of all HAS-Vent’s employees The team came together through various events and contributions to raise funds that will directly support Acorn's invaluable services and other services that ease the burden during some of the most challenging times in a family’s life The decision to partner with Acorns Children’s Hospice was driven by a shared commitment to giving back to the community HAS-Vent recognises the importance of supporting causes that make a meaningful difference and Acorn's work in supporting families and children in need deeply resonated with the team Acorns Children’s Hospice relies heavily on the generosity of local communities to continue their mission ensures that they can continue offering these life-saving services to families who rely on them “We are incredibly proud to have raised such a significant amount for Acorns Children’s Hospice and we are thrilled to be able to contribute to their essential work,” said a representative from HAS-Vent Limited We hope that our efforts inspire others to get involved and support Acorns in any way they can This generous contribution is just one example of how businesses can make a positive impact on their local communities HAS-Vent Limited has shown how a company’s commitment to a cause can inspire others to take action and make a difference Acorns Children’s Hospice continues to rely on community support to ensure that they can provide vital care for families in need With the help of local businesses like HAS-Vent and support to children and families during some of the most difficult times of their lives Midcounties Co-operative is selling off two of its petrol forecourt sites in the West Midlands A Spokesperson for the Warwick-based Midcounties Co-operative said: “The Midcounties Co-operative board regularly reviews our property footprint to ensure we’re providing the best opportunity to deliver for our members and customers and support local communities across the Midcounties region certain petrol forecourt sites have been identified as no longer fitting with the long-term strategy of the society This includes the Ludlow and Wombourne sites which the Midcounties Co-operative board has agreed to place on the market "While no formal agreements have been made at this stage we have already seen a high level of interest and would expect a sale to be concluded in the coming months Where possible we will be looking for purchasers who will continue to operate the site as petrol stations and convenience stores “We have informed those colleagues who could be impacted by this potential change and will continue to keep them fully aware of any developments while also providing them with every support we can during this process “The Midcounties Co-operative continues to invest in our food retail business having opened 12 new stores over the last two years We look forward to continuing to welcome our members and customers at our food stores across the region.” Staffordshire Council will be carrying out major highway works at the junction of A449 and the B4176 (Himley Road /Wolverhampton Road) Cross Road from Monday (19 August) The works will run until 22 September and will involve the complete re-construction of the junction Staffordshire County Council are proposing to use expensive longer lasting materials on the resurfacing which should reduce the need for future works with relaying of road surfaces and new traffic light detection sensors which will ultimately improve the driving experience for all road users Initial work will involve day time lane closures All subsequent work will involve night time closures with some work during the day but without any road closures Traffic will be restricted to one lane in each direction This may result in some congestion in Kingswinford on the A491 28 and 29 August there will be nighttime closures on Bridgnorth Road towards Wombourne On the 27 and 30 August there will be a nighttime closure of Dudley Rd / Himley Road towards  Gornal and Dudley 13 and 17  September there will be nighttime closures on Bridgnorth Road towards Wombourne and again on 16 September there will be a nighttime closure of Dudley Rd / Himley Road towards Gornal and Dudley These dates may change due to any unforeseen circumstances During the closures there will be diversions in place using Stallings Lane Gospel End Road and Wodehouse Lane and Vice Versa The weight restriction on these roads will be temporarily suspended cabinet member for highways and environmental services “While this work is being undertaken by Staffordshire County Council we appreciate that this will impact many of our residents who use this busy stretch of road.  Our officers are working with Staffordshire Council Officers to minimise any disruption “There will be some disruption and delays but the work is essential to maintain this busy junction and should help to reduce the need for future works.” Cookie Settings Powered by Onclusive PR Manager™ Residents affected by the closure of Wombourne Recycling Centre will soon be able to access Dudley Recycling Centre South Staffordshire residents impacted by the Wombourne Recycling Centre closure will soon be able to use the nearby Dudley Recycling Centre instead The Wombourne site had to close for safety reasons after subsidence was found in early March It is on the site of an old quarry and initial investigations at the site revealed that the subsidence occurred near what was once the quarry face Staffordshire County Council and Dudley Borough Council have since been working together to find ways to support residents affected by the closure.  announced that South Staffordshire residents will be able to dispose of their waste at Dudley Recycling Centre from May 24 Dudley Recycling Centre is located on Birmingham Street in Stourbridge (DY8 1JE) and opens seven days a week Residents with a qualifying South Staffordshire postcode will be able to book a 10-minute slot online to access the site A full list of eligible postcodes has been published on the Staffordshire County Council website Although Wombourne Recycling Centre remains closed due to the subsidence Staffordshire County Council have been working with technical specialists to understand how the southern section of site could be reopened.  it is expected that the site will be partially open by the end of the month Infrastructure and Climate Change at Staffordshire County Council said: “We have worked hard behind the scenes with Dudley Borough Council to find a practical solution for South Staffordshire residents needing somewhere to dispose of their household waste “I am very pleased that we have come to an agreement as a temporary measure until we are confident we can safely reopen Wombourne Recycling Centre “We are pulling out all the stops to reopen the Wombourne site with resident and staff safety remaining our number one priority.  “We are actively working with technical specialists to look to reopen the southern section of the site and I hope to bring more news on this over the coming weeks.” Dudley Borough Council's cabinet member for highways and environment “Our Stourbridge site has spare capacity and so it made sense to help out our neighbours and bring in some extra income at the same time." An email bulletin has been set up to keep residents updated on the closure Eleven days of roadworks may cause misery to commuters in the Black Country with warnings of delays to at least four bus routes The traffic disruption is expected to cause delays for rush hour commuters in the Wolverhampton High Street, Netherton will be closed for roadworks for 11 days until Friday February 21, with National Express warning of delays on the number seven service between Dudley and Wollaston on Peters Road Brickbridge Lane in Wombourne will be closed for roadworks until Thursday with delays on the number 15 service through  Giggetty Lane And the High Street in Wombourne will also be closed until Friday with delays on the number 16 route between Wolverhampton and Stourbridge and vice-versa The roads which will be affected include Windmill Bank: Planks Lane The bus company has apologised to passengers for any delays they will experience For full details of all services, log on to https://nxbus.co.uk/west-midlands or https://x.com/nxwestmidlands Three men were arrested and a "significant" amount of class A drugs and cash recovered following a police warrant in South Staffordshire Members of the South Staffs Neighbourhood Policing team executed a warrant on a house in Wombourne on Saturday The warrant saw three men arrested and a large amount of what was believed by officers to be class A drugs recovered A spokesman for South Staffordshire Police said: "South Staffs Neighbourhood Policing Team have today executed a warrant in Wombourne which has resulted in the arrest of three adult males the recovery of a significant amount of what is believed to be class A drugs and thousands of pounds in cash." Passengers travelling on a popular bus service between Wolverhampton and Stourbridge will face diversions for tree removal work National Express West Midlands said the number 16 route which also serves Merry Hill Shopping Centre and villages in part of South Staffordshire will be diverted due to the closure of the Wombourne Road in Swindon on Friday for tree work The country lane will be closed between between 9am and 3pm Buses will run from Common Road via Bridgnorth Road High Street and Hinksford Lane and vice versa Housebuilder Bellway has submitted plans to build a collection of 32 new homes on land which has been identified as suitable for housing The 4.3-acre site off Orton Lane in Wombourne was purchased by Bellway Strategic Land and its team successfully promoted the land for residential development in the local plan Bellway’s West Midlands division has now submitted a full planning application to South Staffordshire Council to build the 22 private and 10 affordable homes The affordable properties would be available through low-cost rent shared ownership or the Government’s First Homes scheme whereby first-time buyers can buy with a price reduction of between 30 and 50 per cent strategic land director for the Central region said: “This land has been identified by the local authority as a suitable location for housing and remains allocated for residential use in the emerging local plan The HWRC at Stourbridge is available to some South Staffordshire residents from specific post code areas Residents affected by the temporary closure of a household waste recycling centre (HWRC) can use an alternative from Friday 24 May Dudley Council’s HWRC in Birmingham Street will be available for South Staffordshire residents from specific postcode areas and must be booked in advance Staffordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Environment This has been an unusual situation and we have been working hard to find alternatives Colleagues at Dudley Council have been very helpful to accept some Staffordshire residents and I am also delighted that from next Wednesday we will be able to accept certain types of waste again at the Wombourne site.” Staffordshire residents can only use the Stourbridge site if they come from a qualifying postcode, with eligible addresses listed on the Wombourne recycling centre page Visits there must be booked in advance with 10 minute slots available through an online booking system from 29 May the southern side of the site will open five days a week from Wednesdays-to-Sundays access will be limited to a maximum of four cars at one time – and vans trailers and trade waste will not be accepted Bilbrook HWRC is also available and can found at Pendeford Mill Lane, Codsall, WV8 1RR, and accepts most forms of household waste. Details can be found on the Bilbrook recycling centre page Hundreds of people put on their coats and did a bit of star gazing last night as the Northern Lights were spotted over the West Midlands Your photographs are rolling in of the incredibly picturesque Northern Lights which could be seen over the Black Country The Met Officer issued a G4 storm watch, which meant a strong chance of seeing the aurora being visible over region and Shropshire A spokesperson for the Met Office said last night: "On October 10 or on October 11 a significant enhancement is expected "Aurora sightings are likely across Scotland and Northern Ireland with a slight chance of sightings across parts of the Midlands or the south of England where skies are clear." we asked for your most beautiful pictures of the aurora with budding photographers from all over the West Midlands hitting the fields to get the best images The aurora is expected to also be visible tonight with the best chance of seeing it being through a camera or phone in low light pollution areas Send you submissions to daniel.walton@jpress.com The supermarket’s expansion continues with nine new and revamped stores 🛒 Lidl is opening nine new and upgraded stores across the UK The expansion follows Lidl’s record-breaking Christmas with a 7% rise in sales The openings reflect growing demand for Lidl’s high-quality The company continues its momentum as the fastest-growing UK supermarket A major high street supermarket is kicking off the year with a bang opening four new and five improved stores in just one month Most of the Lidl locations will open their doors in February bringing hundreds of new jobs and expanding access to the brand’s award-winning range of high-quality affordable products for even more households across the country The latest round of openings builds on Lidl’s first of 2025 in Northampton continuing the momentum from a successful series of 10 new store launches leading up to Christmas as part of the company’s ongoing expansion efforts The ambitious growth follows Lidl’s most successful Christmas to date with nearly two million more customers shopping with the discounter compared to previous years Sales during the festive period rose 7% year-on-year Lidl has also maintained its position as the fastest-growing bricks-and-mortar supermarket for over a year while five existing locations will see major upgrades after significant investment A personalised morning news round-up with NationalWorld Today - sign up here. The openings are set to provide an economic boost generating hundreds of new jobs nationwide Employee benefits include industry-leading maternity and adoption leave we’re maintaining our momentum and opening nine state-of-the-art stores delivering bigger and better shopping experiences to new communities and those we’ve proudly served for an average of 26 years where millions of households turned to Lidl these openings reflect the growing demand for our unbeatable value and quality “This is just the start – we’ve got more openings in the pipeline this year alone and can’t wait to welcome even more customers Are you job-hunting? To view thousands of roles available right now, visit the JobsToday website A 23--year-old man has been charged with robbery and assaulting a police officer after a car was allegedly stolen in a Wombourne street Callum Talbot, aged 23 and of HMP Featherstone, has been charged with robbery and assault by beating of an emergency worker after a Volkswagen Golf R was driven away from Brooke Road in Wombourne on September 11 Staffordshire Police said that after Talbot was arrested and taken into custody an officer was assaulted but was not injured Talbot is due to appear at Newcastle-under-Lyme Magistrates Court on December 19 A deal has been struck to bring in additional funds to Dudley Council by allowing a set number of residents in South Staffordshire to use the tip in Stourbridge The temporary agreement will mean residents from over the border will be able to use the Birmingham Street household waste recycling centre over the next six months Staffordshire County Council has said it has an issue with its Wombourne site which had to close for safety reasons after subsidence was found in early March Dudley Council has made an agreement with its neighbour for up to 294 residents per week to use the tip from a set of postcodes up to November If there are more than the agreed 294 bookings a week the neighbouring council will be charged for the extra use the council has decided to reverse a £30,000 saving agreed in the March budget which would have meant the Stourbridge tip closing for one day a week The Stourbridge site is currently running at 70-80 per cent capacity with slots available throughout the week cabinet member for highways and environment “Our Stourbridge site has spare capacity and so it made sense to help out our neighbours and bring in some extra income at the same time we are also in a position to reverse the one-day-a-week closure of the tip which had been agreed in the budget to save money “Add to that the very popular pop-up tips that we have in Dudley and Sedgley and there is plenty of options for people to dispose of their waste We now offer more household waste recycling facilities than any neighbouring borough Trysull and Bobbington & Lower Penn will be able to make bookings at the Stourbridge tip The new arrangement with Staffordshire County Council will be reviewed in September Plans have been submitted for more than 80 houses in Wombourne on greenfield land Currently South Staffordshire District Council are unable to demonstrate a four year housing supply and therefore there is a presumption in favour of development The land of Pool House Road, around 2.2 hectares of developable land, is currently greenfield land which has been removed from the greenbelt. It was also included in the draft local plan for future residential development The applicant – Taylor Wimpey UK Limited – held a consultation event in July which was attended by 64 residents despite over 1000 leaflets being delivered to households Tickets are now on sale for May Soccer Schools providing active entertainment for young supporters this half term Returning for the school holidays once more the Soccer Schools will take place between Tuesday 28th and Friday 31st May at six different locations across the local area Each camp is aimed at children between school years one and seven The sessions will take place in Wolverhampton enjoy their football and meet new friends from other schools participants will work on a range of topics covering ball mastery Small-sided games will be one of the main focuses with tournaments taking place daily and opportunities to win individual prizes Participants will need to bring suitable footwear as well as plenty of fluids to last the day Places can be booked by clicking here Compton Park Training Ground Soccer School 2024-25 Wolves Home Shirt - Adult Buy 2024-25 Wolves Home Shirt - Adult Now 2024-25 Wolves Home Shirt - Junior Buy 2024-25 Wolves Home Shirt - Junior Now 2024-25 Wolves Home Shirt - Womens Buy 2024-25 Wolves Home Shirt - Womens Now 2024-25 Wolves Home Shirt - Ls Buy 2024-25 Wolves Home Shirt - Ls Now 2024-25 Wolves Pro Home Shirt - Adult Buy 2024-25 Wolves Pro Home Shirt - Adult Now 2024-25 Wolves Home Baby Kit Buy 2024-25 Wolves Home Baby Kit Now 2024-25 Wolves Home Infant Kit Buy 2024-25 Wolves Home Infant Kit Now 2024-25 Wolves Away Shirt - Adult Buy 2024-25 Wolves Away Shirt - Adult Now 2024-25 Wolves Away Shirt - Womens Buy 2024-25 Wolves Away Shirt - Womens Now 2024-25 Wolves Away Shirt - Adult - Ls Buy 2024-25 Wolves Away Shirt - Adult - Ls Now 2024-25 Wolves Pro Away Shirt - Adult Buy 2024-25 Wolves Pro Away Shirt - Adult Now 2024-25 Wolves Away Baby Kit Buy 2024-25 Wolves Away Baby Kit Now 2024-25 Wolves Away Infant Kit Buy 2024-25 Wolves Away Infant Kit Now 2024-25 Wolves 3rd Shirt - Womens Buy 2024-25 Wolves 3rd Shirt - Womens Now 2024-25 Wolves 3rd Shirt - Junior Buy 2024-25 Wolves 3rd Shirt - Junior Now 2024-25 Wolves 3rd Shirt - Adult - Ls Buy 2024-25 Wolves 3rd Shirt - Adult - Ls Now 2024-25 Wolves 3rd Baby Kit Buy 2024-25 Wolves 3rd Baby Kit Now people will admit that they love a sandwich and it's something which is popular across the country More than three million sandwiches are purchased in the UK every year and more than £8 million is spent on all different types of sandwiches across the country It's such a popular topic among people that a whole week has been dedicated to the humble sandwich with British Sandwich Week running between May 20 and May 26 and celebrating the contribution that the sandwich industry makes to the economy Each area of the country has a type of sandwich which it is synonymous with and the Black Country is no exception as sandwich shops and butchers across the area work to create the best roast port with stuffing and gravy sandwich soft pork mixed with spiced and flavoured stuffing and rich gravy is one which I believe cannot be beat as it just tastes fantastic Many places across the Black Country claim to have the best pork sandwiches or baps but Boxley's in Wombourne might be one of the leading distributors for this humble sandwich The butchers in the South Staffordshire town on the edge of Wolverhampton has been a popular place for people to go for fine cuts of meat as well as sauces and fats to cook the meat and serve it and it's also very popular for its takeaway food meat pies and samosas all available to buy 20 hours agoUpdated Monday to Friday onlyLatest forecast for West MidlandsLast updated 53 minutes agoToday This afternoon will see plenty of cloud build in but it is expected to remain largely dry Cloud breaking up to reveal some late sunny spells towards the evening Tonight is expected to become mainly clear for a time but variable amounts of cloud will move in from the north-east during the early hours Tomorrow will continue generally dry and settled with a mix of variable clouds and occasional sunny spells The odd spot of drizzle cannot be ruled out High pressure will continue to be in control over the weather through the extended period it will remain dry and settled through the period with light or gentle winds Thursday will see variable amounts of cloud Friday and Saturday will see more in the way of sunshine for most with just a few patches of cloud in places 5 hours agoReport for Stonnall Graham's vistaReported by Graham's vista 11:25Report for Halesowen 06:06Report for Bushbury BBC Weather in association with MeteoGroup, external All times are British Summer Time (Europe/London