Councils across the Black Country are encouraging older drivers to sign up to free road safety courses being held across the region in 2025. The next course for drivers aged 60 and over in Walsall will take place at Walsall Arena and Arts Centre, Bloxwich, on Tuesday 11 March 2025. An additional course will be held at The Wheelhouse, Wolverhampton Cricket Club, on Wednesday 14 May 2025, for drivers who cannot attend the first date. “ For many mature drivers, being able to drive provides real independence. These sessions are offered in partnership with our neighbouring Black Country authorities, West…
Renault Group unveiled its autonomous vehicle strategy[2] and launched, for the very first time in Europe, with its partner WeRide, an open-road experimentation, with two autonomous miniBuses running during the Roland-Garros tennis international. With 1,000 km covered and nearly 700 people transported, this first full-scale test demonstrated the maturity of the technology as well as the relevance of this passenger transport solution. Following this successful experimentation, many mobility players (local authorities, transport operators, private site managers, etc.) have shown their interest in operating this solution in their territories. New experimentations are already underway across Europe, such as in Zurich (Switzerland),…
8 SIMPLE METHODS TO SAVE MONEY It can be challenging to figure It can be challenging to figure out easy ways to save money as well as the best ways to utilise your savings to pursue your financial objectives. This step-by-step overview of money-saving practices can aid you to develop a realistic cost savings plan. Document your expenditures The very first step to saving money is to determine just how much you spend. Track all your expenditures- such as every coffee, newspaper, and snack you buy. Preferably, you could make up every dime. When you have your data, organise the…
During Ramadan, Muslims engage in charity as a means of purifying their wealth, helping those in need, and earning spiritual rewards. There are various ways they give charity: 1. Zakat (Obligatory Charity): Zakat is one of the Five Pillars of Islam, making it a mandatory form of charity for eligible Muslims. It involves giving a fixed percentage (typically 2.5%) of one’s savings and assets to those in need, including the poor, orphans, and those in debt. Many Muslims choose to pay their Zakat during Ramadan as the rewards for acts of charity are believed to be multiplied during this holy…
A pool in Bloxwich has been rejuvenated thanks to more than two years of partnership work. Walsall Council, in collaboration with the Canal & River Trust, Enovert Community Trust and volunteers, has brought Baileys Pool back into community use. The work was made possible thanks to a £40,000 grant from Enovert Community Trust through the Landfill Communities Fund (LCF). This funding was supported by £8,000 from the Canal and River Trust and £7,000 through Walsall Council’s Healthy Spaces Team. A key result of the work, which started back in 2022, is the improved accessibility of the site. This is…
In the past year, Birmingham City Council’s Empty Homes Team has brought 369 empty homes back into use. Birmingham City Council is encouraging residents to report empty properties to them so they can be brought back into use for National Empty Homes Week, which is taking place from 3 March to 9 March. Mr Nasir Whaind lived next door to an empty home, which was affecting his family’s life, so he reported it to the council. The empty home near Kings Heath had become neglected and dilapidated over time. It had also become a haven for rats due to the…
Origin, the UK focused industrial and logistics platform formed by HBD, part of Henry Boot, and Feldberg Capital, has started on site with the first phase of SPARK, a £100 million scheme in Walsall. Contractor Bowmer and Kirkland have been appointed to deliver the first two units of 255,000sq ft and 18,000sq ft which will both be ready for occupation by Q4 2025. SPARK is a 44 acre regeneration project which, once complete, will deliver a total of 620,000sq ft of high spec, net zero carbon enabled space within the region’s manufacturing and logistics heartland. Just minutes from J9 and…
A planning application for City Centre West, Wolverhampton’s largest regeneration opportunity, has been approved by the local planning authority A planning application for City Centre West, Wolverhampton’s largest regeneration opportunity, has been approved by the local planning authority. ECF – a joint venture between Homes England, Legal & General, and Muse – working in partnership with City of Wolverhampton Council, submitted proposals in Autumn 2024. This included detailed plans for the first phase, as well as on outline application for the wider masterplan. Following the decision, the new neighbourhood will be re-named Smithgate in a nod to the city’s historic…
Walsall Council and contractor Tarmac have completed works to widen the footpath on Rayboulds Bridge Road, to better connect the A34 Green Lane to the canal and nearby houses. The previous footpath was not wide enough for pushchairs and wheelchairs. Funded through Walsall Town Deal, the improvements are a small part of a wider scheme to improve sustainable transport across the borough, making it easier for people to walk and cycle. “ It’s great to see another active travel scheme completed successfully. With funding through the Town Deal we are working hard as a council to improve active travel across…
Fasting during Ramadan offers various spiritual, physical, and psychological benefits: 1. Spiritual Benefits: Increased God-consciousness (Taqwa): Fasting encourages self-discipline and strengthens a person’s relationship with God, promoting a higher level of devotion and mindfulness. Purification of the Soul: Ramadan is seen as a time for spiritual cleansing. By abstaining from food, drink, and bad habits, a person can purify their heart and mind, focusing more on good deeds and prayers. Gratitude and Humility: Experiencing hunger and thirst fosters gratitude for what one has and promotes humility by understanding the struggles of the less fortunate. Increased Charity and Good Deeds: Fasting…