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Today is Brexit day!

BREAKING: Five arrested in Birmingham and Stoke-on-Trent on suspicion of terrorism offences. Five men have been arrested by West Midlands Counter Terrorism detectives today (26/08) on suspicion of being concerned in the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism. Two of the men, aged 32 and 37, were arrested in the Stoke area of Staffordshire, two men, aged 18 and 24, were arrested from their home addresses in Birmingham and one other man, aged 28, was arrested at a further location in Birmingham. As a result of one of the arrests, Army Bomb Disposal Team have been called in as a precautionary measure to Florence Street in the city centre - Bath Row and Holloway Head has been closed off. All five men are being held in the West Midlands. Police are searching a number of properties in the Stoke and Birmingham areas as part of the investigation; these searches are on-going. The arrests were intelligence-led and part of an on-going investigation.

Mitchells & Butlers fined over £100K after mouse droppings were found at The Railway.

Mitchells & Butlers Retail Limited has today (19/08) been ordered to pay £114,528 after evidence of mouse activity was found throughout The Railway on Hill Street.

The company, which runs 1,700 pubs and restaurants across the UK, was fined £105,000 and ordered to pay £9,528 in costs after pleading guilty to three offences under the Food Safety and Hygiene (England) Regulations 2013 at an earlier hearing in April.

Birmingham City Council brought this case after environmental health officers who visited The Railway in February 2015 found mouse droppings throughout the premises plus dirty conditions in the bar area and kitchen.

A Hygiene Emergency Prohibition Notice was issued on the same day partially-closing the food business: the kitchen was closed but the bar remained open to the public.

When officers returned to the premises a few days later, they found improvements had been made and a schedule of works had been completed, so the kitchen was allowed to reopen.

Cllr Barbara Dring, Chair of the city council’s Licensing and Public Protection Committee, said: “People should be able to have confidence in the safety of the food served and cleanliness of any food business in Birmingham – regardless of whether it’s a pub or a posh restaurant.

“We want the city’s food businesses to thrive and as such our officers work closely with premises to ensure they achieve the necessary standards required to operate safely.”

The Railway was last inspected on 4th August 2015, when it received a Food Standards Agency rating of 5 (out of 5), which means very good.

BREAKING: The International Paralympic Committee has announced the games in Rio will take place as planned, but will face major budget cuts. International Paralympic Committee (IPC) says cuts will be made to venues including closure of Deodoro Park, the workforce and transport. IPC President Sir Philip Craven, said: "Never before in the 56-year history of the Paralympic Games have we faced circumstances like this."

Investigation underway after two men were injured in Castle Bromwich. Emergency Services were dispatched to KFC on Chester Road, at around 6:40PM on Thursday evening (18/08), to reports on an assault. On arrival, Police officers found a man in the car park with a head injury. He was taken to hospital for treatment. Later that evening, a man arrived at hospital with a stab wound. The area was cordoned off for a period whilst crews dealt with the incident and conducted enquires. Please call 101 if you have ANY information.

West Midlands attractions enjoyed the largest UK visitor growth last year.

Footfall at West Midlands tourist attractions increased by 6% in 2015 – the highest visitor growth in the UK, along with the East Midlands and South West – according to VisitEngland’s Annual Attraction Survey.

The survey revealed that Midland Art Centre (MAC) within Cannon Hill Park (14th) and Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery (BMAG) (15th) were among the 20 most-visited free attractions in the country last year and the two most popular locations outside of London and the South East. The mac birmingham arts complex saw its visitor numbers break through the million mark in 2015 (1,028,371). BMAG enjoyed a 31% year-on-year increase in visitors, attracting 909,935 people. The list was topped for the eighth year by the British Museum in London.

Emma Gray, Director of Marketing and Communications at Visit Birmingham, said: "More people than ever are being drawn to the West Midlands to discover what the area’s many tourist attractions have to offer them.

Whether it’s heritage, cultural, sporting or family venues, this latest VisitEngland report is further proof that the region is becoming an increasingly popular choice for visitors. It echoes our own data, which shows that Birmingham alone has enjoyed a 17% increase in tourists since 2010, resulting in an overall visitor economy worth £6.2 billion last year."

Meanwhile, Drayton Manor Theme Park in Staffordshire was the 10th most-visited ‘paid for’ attraction in 2015 with 1,210,141 visitors, a 14% increase on the previous year. The Tower of London remained at number one, followed by Westminster Abbey and Kew Gardens.

William Bryan, Managing Director at Drayton Manor Park, said: "When my grandparents first opened the park 61 years ago they never imagined it would become the success it is today and it’s very humbling to see that we’ve become one of the top 10 most visited attractions in England.

Each year we’re continuing to grow and develop. Last year was one of our busiest as our Thomas Land attraction underwent a £2.5 million expansion and we had a record breaking attendance. This year is no different and we’ve got so many exciting plans in the pipeline for the future. We hope to continue to provide families with a value for money, memorable day out."

Overall, visits to England’s attractions rose by 2% in 2015, with revenue up 5%. England’s gardens, farms and leisure and theme parks have seen the most significant growth in visitor numbers, with a 7% increase.

More than 1,500 English attractions were involved in the survey.

More off-road bikes seized as part of a hard-hitting crackdown on dangerous riders.

West Midlands Police has seized three off road bikes as part of a hard-hitting crackdown on dangerous riders.

Local residents in Walsall had complained to officers at a public meeting, claiming that off road bikes were blighting their area.

After weeks of intelligence gathering, action was taken on Thursday morning (18/08) and four addresses were visited by officers.

A quad bike was seized at an address in Bloxwich and a man, aged 18, has agreed to be voluntarily interviewed at a later date.

Officers attended an address in Coalpool and seized a scrambler bike and a quad bike from the location.

A man, aged 18, was arrested on suspicion of obstructing police and was later de-arrested. He will be voluntarily interviewed later this week in connection with public nuisance offences and obstructing police.

Two more ddresses were also searched in the area but no bikes were found.

PC Gemma Griffith, from Blakenall Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “Local residents have been plagued by problems associated with people riding off road motorbikes.

“Some drivers of motorbikes and quad bikes have been driving dangerously in the area posing a risk to the welfare of members of the public and we are taking the matter very seriously.

“Residents have reported near misses on canal towpaths, residential streets and local parks. This is a real problem for the people in the area and we made a promise to tackle this issue.

“Yesterday, we have seized several vehicles we believe were being used in an anti-social manner and we hope that today’s action will alleviate some of the resident’s worries.”

Throwback Thursday - Victoria Square and the Council House from around a hundred years ago. “This view of Victoria Square and the Council House from around a hundred years ago gives the impression of being pedestrianised as it is today, though in fact the Council House was surrounded by roads and Victoria Square was criss-crossed by roads too, there was just a great deal less vehicular traffic, with cars still being something of a minority on the roads. The land for the Council House and Museum and Art Gallery was purchased in 1853, and in 1870 the Council finally agreed to build offices for the Corporation on the site. H R Yeoville Thomason was appointed architect in 1871. The Mayor, Joseph Chamberlain, laid the foundation stone in 1874. The building was completed in 1879, and at the opening ceremony ‘dancing continued with vigour till midnight.’ Only 20 years later an extension was needed; this was completed in 1912 and can be seen in the background, behind the Clock Tower.” The picture and the text were taken from the digital Birmingham Photo Archive of the Birmingham City Council. http://www.birmingham.gov.uk/dbparchive

Solihull gets banning order against car-cruisers. Solihull Council has today (18/08) been granted a borough-wide ban on motor vehicle racing, covering car-cruises including motor bikes. The Council has been driven to seek these legal powers from the High Court in Birmingham following many years of anti-social behaviour and extremely dangerous driving. Since 2006 the car-cruise events have been causing significant problems for local residents, businesses and road users from both motor bikes, and groups of ‘modded’ car owners and spectators in a variety of locations across the borough The Council has worked closely with the Police, landowners, residents and businesses to try anything to stop these events taking place or close them down quickly. However, the powers available to the Council and the Police prior to this injunction could only deal with individual acts of dangerous driving, anti-social behaviour etc and were therefore difficult to apply to large groups participating. With this injunction in place drivers and their passengers participating in car-cruising or racing motor bikes can be arrested and could go to jail. The injunction also includes spectators and anyone else involved in or promoting these activities. The injunction will come into force on 1 September 2016. Councillor Tony Dicicco, Solihull Council’s Cabinet Member for Stronger Communities, said: “I am really pleased to hear we have been successful in the High Court. This injunction will allow us to deal with our car-cruising and motor bike issues in a much more straightforward way. “Now it is banned, anyone taking part, promoting or watching a car-cruising event or racing or driving motor cycles is in contempt of court. “It sends a clear message to the car-cruisers; don’t come to Solihull if you want to stay out of prison. And to motor cyclists and those with quad bikes, to use them responsibly. “We didn’t seek these wide-ranging legal powers lightly. But all our efforts have not curtailed this anti-social behaviour. This injunction is a powerful determent to anyone thinking about setting-up or being involved, in any way, with a car-cruise event. “It is clear that those taking part in these events and their spectators, simply don’t care about the effect their actions have on the people of Solihull. Their behaviour is appalling and the stunts and racing is terrifying for other road users. “Car-cruising is not some harmless pastime, as some of its supposedly responsible proponents suggest. The events are blighting the lives of many or our residents, causing damage to businesses and they usually result in the Council or landowners having to clean up the mess spectators leave. They also take up valuable police time that could be used keeping our communities safe. “Solihull has said enough is enough and now we have to legal powers to make it stick” Anyone concerned about car-cruising or anti-social motor bike activities should call the Police on 101.

Cheeky Nandos on the house for all students who got their A Levels results.

Breathe a sigh of relief, the exams are over! To celebrate and wave the stress goodbye, Nandos is giving away a free ¼ chicken or Appeteaser to anyone who got their A Level/Higher results today.

All you need to do is drop by one of their restaurants (the one in the Mailbox is the best) and show your results, and remember to bring your ID.

It’s only for today (18/08) so be quick.

T&C's: This Promotion is open to students who are legal residents of the United Kingdom. Promotion runs on 18th August 2016. Visit on 18th August 2016 with your A Level/Higher results and your ID and make a minimum spend of £7.

New BBC comedy created by Guz Khan filmed in Birmingham. Coming to BBC Three next month, Guz Khan’s new comedy feed Man Like Mobeen was filmed exclusively on his home turf in Birmingham. Mobeen Deen is a 27 year-old Muslim trying to leave behind a life of crime in Birmingham after finding his faith. Mobeen’s parents have done a disappearing act that would make David Blaine proud, leaving him with full financial and emotional responsibility for his younger sisters. To fill the hole where Thug Life used to be, Mobeen finds himself the perfect job for a former gangster; he’s the lead administer of bed bathing at Birmingham’s most reputable care home for the elderly. Talking about filming the special - which is one of six celebrating best of British comedy talent - Guz said: "For me, the beauty of telling a story is in its authenticity. There wasn't any other option but to film 'Man Like Mobeen' in the areas that the character was born. It was filmed in Small Heath and Balsall Heath, areas that very rarely get positive media portrayal. It was amazing in terms of the interaction we were getting from local residents. I'm related to 62% of the local residents but that's not the point...." In May this year it was announced that Birmingham will be part of a new dual base for BBC Three. The commissioning, publishing and some of the production of BBC Three’s short-form content, and the social media team that supports it, is moving to the Birmingham in a phased transition by 2018 under the proposals.

Flying Scotsman set to steam into Tyseley as part of Birmingham Heritage Week. The world’s most famous steam engine will be arriving at Tyseley Locomotive Works during Birmingham Heritage Week, as the city celebrates its achievements, history and culture next month. Following its successful inaugural run earlier this year, the Flying Scotsman will be on display alongside Tyseley’s resident steam locomotives from 16th to 18th September. The legendary locomotive’s visit is just one of more than 170 events taking place during Birmingham Heritage Week (8th to 18th September), many of which are free for the public to enjoy. Visitors will be able to explore venues that are rarely open to the public, enjoy interactive storytelling, take part in workshops and discover Birmingham’s hidden gems on guided tours. Councillor Waseem Zaffar, chairman of the Heritage Week Steering Group, said: “It’s great news that this iconic steam engine will be on display at Tyseley Locomotive Works. It’s just one of the many events on offer during Birmingham Heritage Week, which runs from September 8 to 18. “There really is something for everyone, so I would urge people to take advantage of this fantastic opportunity to learn more about Birmingham’s heritage and see their city in a way they may not have seen it before.” Further information on Birmingham Heritage Week, including a full list of events, can be found at http://birminghamheritageweek.co.uk

University of Birmingham students to deliver CPR training at V Festival. Students from the University of Birmingham have formed a partnership with V Festival to deliver CPR training to members of the public as part of a project called VShocks. CPR is delivered when a person has a cardiac arrest, becomes unconscious and stops breathing. Each year approximately 60,000 cardiac arrests occur outside of a hospital setting in the UK. Currently fewer than one in ten people survive. A significant reason behind the poor survival statistic is that the UK has a low rate of bystander CPR – where a member of the public starts CPR before the emergency services arrive. This delay in CPR reduces the chance that the person will be successfully resuscitated. For each minute delay in delivering CPR and defibrillation to a person in cardiac arrest, their chance of survival reduces by 10%. The key to improving bystander CPR rate is to equip the public with the skills needed to perform CPR and to ensure they are confident to use them. Resuscitation for Medical Disciplines (RMD) is a University of Birmingham affiliated organisation dedicated to CPR education. RMD train senior healthcare students to teach CPR to 750 university students each year. Since RMD was established 21 years ago, 700 student teachers have been involved in delivering CPR training to over 10,000 students. In forming a partnership with V festival RMD hope to teach as many members of the public as possible. Lizzie McGeorge, the VShocks project student lead, said, "We are aiming to raise CPR awareness and provide the public with lifelong skills which they can take away from the festival that could one day enable them to save a life.” V festival staff have been getting involved with the project with 65 attending a teaching session this week. Members of staff remarked how important it was to 'learn such a vital skill that could make a difference to someone’s life'. RMD will be onsite at Weston Park teaching CPR from Friday to Sunday.

Ikea opening their new store on Dale End in the City Centre. Famous Swedish retailer IKEA will be opening their new order and collection store on Dale End in the City Centre on Thursday 18th August. The store is a new format that Ikea has developed to make its home furnishing range more accessible for consumers. Additionally, there will also be an Ikea restaurant where customers can get the world famous meatballs. Jack Jackson, Ikea order and collection development manager, explains: “We are really excited to be bringing this unique new format to Birmingham, our first order and collection point based in a city Centre location. With less than five minutes from the three main rail stations and close to regional bus network hubs we want to make our products and services available to more people. It will also be easy to get to the order and collection point by car as convenient car parking facilities above the new unit will be available.” Jack, added: “By introducing an order and collection point in this market we want to bridge the gap between online and in-store shopping and offer customers a new way to shop with IKEA.” The Ikea Birmingham Central order and collection point will feature the much-loved Ikea room sets providing inspiration and ideas for home and office. While the full Ikea product range will not be available, customers will be able to order from the full range for home delivery or for collection at the collection point. Further a small range of the ‘markethall’ items will be available for customers to take home on the day of their visit. Specific collection bays will also be available for customers who would like to explore the unit’s unique drive-in collection service.

Birmingham Airport launches newly designed and interactive children’s pre-flight play areas. Birmingham Airport recently launched two newly designed and interactive children’s pre-flight play areas giving thousands of youngsters jetting off on holiday a fun and engaging experience in the terminal. The ‘Sky Zone’ airport play zones are designed for 3-10 year olds, and feature Sky Cadet ‘Zoom’, the Airport’s mascot. They are free to use and are located at Gates 3 and 54, serving both departure lounges in the terminal. The experience begins the moment children check-in and are given an interactive ‘flight pack’, the ultimate airport activity manual, bursting with fun games and puzzles designed to engage, amuse and inspire. As children make their way through the terminal to Sky Zone, floor stickers lead the way and feature clues to activities in the flight pack. Each zone has been specially designed to prevent children from getting ‘bored before they board’ with a selection of interactive games and activities, including a uniquely designed security spot check game, fly pads, a reaction station, a musical mission pod, memory games and many more exciting interactive experiences. David Winstanley, Birmingham Airport’s Chief Operating Officer, said: “For many people their holiday starts the moment they step into the airport. We want both adults and children to find our facilities world class and their experience here memorable and positive. “The redesigned Sky Zone gives us the opportunity to offer children a fun and exciting play area with games and activities centred on aviation to educate our young passengers about the airport.” In addition, the airport has launched a new digital platform called Sky Zone Online for older children. This is an interactive digital zone where children can learn about the behind-the-scenes goings-on at the airport featuring animated videos and audio clips and it is available on the airport’s website. Birmingham Airport worked in partnership with The Business Creative, a creative and entertainment production company which produces immersive entertainment experiences for companies all over the world, to create the Sky Zone areas. Director of The Business Creative, Jane Maguire, said: “Modernising and relaunching Sky Zone has been such an exciting project. The key to ensuring its success has been to work with the feedback we gathered from parents and children about the previous play area and combining this with the very latest technology to produce an entirely unique airport play experience. “We discovered parents wanted more energy burning games for younger passengers in a safe and stimulating environment. With this in mind each zone was carefully designed to ensure physical and mental skills were tested such as co-ordination, speed and agility. “We very much enjoyed working on this ground-breaking concept and we are extremely proud of the unique facilities now on offer to younger passengers at Birmingham Airport.”

Birmingham Lord Mayor Cllr Carl Rice: "Much to celebrate, and to remember." After ten weeks in the job, Birmingham’s Lord Mayor, Cllr Carl Rice, reflects on his experiences as Birmingham’s first citizen. "In the first ten weeks I’ve joined countless celebrations across the city – from The Queen’s 90th birthday celebrations to community events like Birmingham Pride and Big John’s Birmingham Mela. There have also been carnivals and sports events from the British Athletics Championships to sports days at schools and colleges. I’ve met with the Muslim Women’s Network UK and attended the launch of the Sikh Women’s Action Network, the Big Art Project and the Ageing Better Project. I’ve spoken at the 5th Jamaican Diaspora Biennial Conference, visited countless schools and even been to the World Congress of Gynaecologists and Obstetricians at the ICC. I’ve also met the hilarious Adil Ray, aka Citizen Khan, with his family just before he received his honorary doctorate from Birmingham City University, and I ran into the great Ann Jones at Edgbaston Reservoir – arguably Birmingham’s greatest sportswoman, she won the Women’s Singles Championship and mixed Doubles Championship at Wimbledon in 1969. I’ve also done something I hadn’t done for nearly 30 years. On 22 July, the Lady Mayoress and I gave blood. It took just 5 minutes and 28 seconds, so quick and so easy. I last gave blood in 1987 the year I was elected to Birmingham City Council. I stopped because I thought it would take up too much time in an already busy schedule. How wrong I was. Every 12 – 16 weeks from now on. I encourage you all to do likewise. Sadly, it has also been a time for vigils, memorials and commemorations – the 100th anniversary of the Somme, a vigil in memory of Jo Cox, the vigil in memory of those killed in Sousse last year, a silence for the Nice victims this year and the 21st Srebenica Memorial Event. To quote Maya Angelou – “Hate. It has caused a lot of problems in this world but has not solved one yet.” That said, I wish every councillor in Birmingham could be Lord Mayor for a month. In just four weeks of visits and events you get to see and appreciate the talent, expertise and commitment to improving our city. I’ve lost count of the amount of fundraising events I’ve already attended. And that’s on top of the £25k raised with the Birmingham Post and Mail to support the families of the men who were killed at the recycling plant tragedy in Nechells. It has struck me that large cities wouldn’t function so well if it wasn’t for the legion of volunteers who give their time regularly and without complaint. Nor that the majority of the volunteers that I’ve met have been women. So I’m pleased that I chose the voluntary sector and women’s issues as my key themes for the year. The most moving event so far was my visit to Albert in France for the 100th anniversary of the Battle of the Somme at the Thiepval Memorial. 10,000 people were in attendance at this solemn and moving service. The bloodiest battle in British military history which began on 1st July 1916 and lasted for four months until 18th November. We remembered those on all sides with respect, honour and dignity. It is simply staggering that on the opening day of the battle alone the British Fourth Army took 57,470 casualties, of which 19,240 men were killed. At the roll call of the 8th and 6th Royal Warwickshire Battalion on 2nd July 1916 only 15 out of 700 men answered. Over one million casualties in the 141 days of the battle. I will never forget these terrible losses and it was a humbling experience to read the Exhortation after the Last Post on Sunday 4th July at the Menin Gate in Ypres as part of the commemorations. This was the most moving experience of a memorable visit to the 1st World War battlefield of France and Belgium. It was also a privilege to meet the Mayor of Albert Stephane Damilly and to come to understand the special relationship Birmingham has with Albert after Birmingham helped to rebuild their city in the Somme’s aftermath. Albert is twinned with the UK town of Ulverston in Cumbria and also the German towns of Aldenhoven and Niesky. Crucially Albert was also adopted by Birmingham in 1920. Today Albert still has a ‘Rue de Birmingham’- which I visited – and the alm houses paid for by the citizens of Birmingham still exist. In 1924 when the then Lord Mayor of Albert visited Birmingham to give our Lord Mayor the Legion d’Honneur in recognition of our support he said: “Friendship borne out of suffering is imperishable.” It certainly felt like that as we joined together in remembrance."

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